Dual Tilt-Sensor Control for Work Equipment Neutral Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices may fail to operate work equipment properly when an abnormality occurs in the detection of a tilt amount of an operation lever, particularly when only one detection unit outputs a signal corresponding to a neutral position.
Innovation Solution
A control device that utilizes two detection signals from main and sub angle sensors to determine if both are at a neutral position before generating control signals, and if not, uses the functional sensor to generate control signals, with output units providing error reports or limiting equipment function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control device uses the smaller detection angle from two detection units when an abnormality is detected, then the work equipment can continue to operate with reduced functionality, but the work equipment may not operate at all when only a neutral position signal is output by one detection unit
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary checks at startup to determine whether both detection units output neutral position signals. This preliminary action prevents the system from entering an unoperable state by identifying abnormal conditions before operation begins, allowing for proactive handling rather than reactive failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the detection signals from both units and provides feedback about their status. When an abnormality is detected (such as when only one unit outputs a neutral signal), the system responds by restricting operation or alerting the operator, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that maintains safety and operational awareness.
2Reliability
If the control device checks whether both detection signals correspond to neutral position at startup, then abnormal conditions can be identified early, but additional detection and control logic is required
Solution Approach 1:
The neutral position verification is performed as a preliminary action at startup before normal operation begins. This timing allows the system to establish baseline correctness without interfering with ongoing operational logic, reducing the complexity burden during active control cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The control logic is segmented into distinct phases: startup verification phase (checking neutral position signals) and normal operation phase (standard control). This segmentation isolates the complexity of abnormality detection to a specific phase, keeping the overall control logic manageable and separable.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first detection signal output according to a tilt amount of an operation lever by a first tilt amount sensor configured to detect the tilt amount of the operation lever of work equipment tilted from a neutral position in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second detection signal output according to the tilt amount by a second tilt amount sensor configured to detect the tilt amount, and a control unit configured to determine whether or not the first detection signal and the second detection signal are a value corresponding to the neutral position at the time of start of a work machine, generate and output a control signal for controlling the work equipment where both the first detection signal and the second detection signal are the value corresponding to the neutral position.