Excavator Controller Engine Restart Horn Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face issues with engine restart convenience and notification of operation start, as existing systems require operators to manually operate a horn switch before restarting, which can be cumbersome and lead to forgotten steps, resulting in inefficient fuel consumption and environmental impact due to idling engines.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine equipped with a controller that automatically restarts the engine after a preset restart standby time, while ensuring notification to workers through an integrated horn system, eliminating the need for manual horn switch operation and reducing idling-related fuel waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is automatically stopped after idle time, then fuel consumption is reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but the restart process becomes more complex requiring manual horn switch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the notification function by detecting horn switch operation and triggering the horn sound without requiring separate manual intervention. The controller monitors the horn switch state and autonomously activates the horn, allowing the restart process to proceed automatically once the horn is operated.
Solution Approach 2:
The horn switch serves dual purposes: it functions as both the notification device for workers and the restart trigger for the engine. By integrating these two functions into a single operation, the system eliminates the need for separate manual steps while maintaining safety notification requirements.
2Reliability
If the operator must operate the horn switch before restarting, then workers are notified of operation start, but the operator may feel troublesome or forget the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically detects when the horn switch is operated and triggers the horn sound and engine restart sequence without requiring the operator to remember or perform separate notification steps. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and executing the appropriate response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the engine for restart by monitoring the horn switch state in advance. When the horn switch is detected as operated, the controller immediately initiates the restart sequence, ensuring that the notification occurs before the engine actually restarts, thus maintaining safety while simplifying the operator's task.
3Productivity
If the engine restarts immediately after horn operation, then operational efficiency is improved, but workers may not have sufficient time to evacuate from the surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The controller initiates the horn sound a predetermined period before the engine actually restarts. This preliminary notification gives workers sufficient time to evacuate or take precautions while still allowing relatively quick engine restart to maintain operational efficiency. The system balances safety and productivity by sequencing the notification and restart actions with appropriate timing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller (27) mounted on a small-sized hydraulic excavator (1) includes an engine restart section (27E) that restarts an engine (10) when a horn switch operation determining section (27B) determines that a horn switch (14) is operated and a gate lock lever position determining section (27C) determines that a gate lock lever (16) is at a lock position in a case where a restart standby time determining section (27A) determines that restart standby time (T2) does not yet elapse after the engine (10) is automatically stopped by an idling stop function, and a power supply stopping section (27F) that stops an electric power supply of a vehicle body (2, 3) when the restart standby time determining section (27A) determines that the restart standby time (T2) has elapsed.