Excavator Grip Heating Control for Cold-Weather Lever Operability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of hydraulic excavators with canopy-type operating rooms experience cold hands and reduced operability in cold regions due to exposure to outside air, while those with cab-type rooms face similar issues when the door is left open for a wider field of vision.
Innovation Solution
A grip heater apparatus is integrated into the construction machine, featuring left and right grip heaters powered by a battery, controlled by a controller that activates heating only when the engine is running and the gate lock lever is in the getting-on/off prevention position, ensuring the grip sections of the operating levers are heated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the operating room is of canopy type or cab door is left open to improve visibility, then the field of vision is improved, but operator's hands get cold and operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local heating to the grip portions of operation levers rather than heating the entire operating room. Grip heaters are specifically installed in the grip sections of left and right operation levers to provide localized warmth where the operator's hands contact the controls, allowing the cab door to remain open for visibility while preventing cold hands from compromising operability
2Ease of operation
If grip heaters are continuously operated to maintain warm grip sections, then operability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grip heaters are controlled to operate periodically rather than continuously. A control device monitors the engine operation state and activates the grip heaters only during specific periods when the engine is running and the gate lock lever indicates the operator is present, thereby maintaining warm grip sections when needed while reducing power consumption during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through the control device that monitors the gate lock lever position and engine operation state. This feedback mechanism enables the grip heaters to activate only when the operator is present and the engine is running, automatically adjusting heater operation based on real-time operational conditions to optimize both comfort and energy efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively improves operability by maintaining a favorable temperature for the grip sections of the operating levers, reducing operator discomfort and enhancing performance in cold conditions, while also preventing unnecessary power consumption when the machine is not in use.
Implementation Method 1
left and right grip heaters provided in the grip portions of the left and right operation levers, respectively
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a grip heater apparatus for a construction machine that can improve operability by heating the grip portions of left and right operating levers and maintaining a favorable operating environment for the left and right operating levers when work is carried out in a cold region and the operator's hands get cold. The grip heater apparatus includes: left and right grip heaters 31 and 32 provided in grip portions of left and right operation levers 26 and 28, respectively; a battery supplying electric power to the left and right grip heaters; a heater switch 34 for instructing the left and right grip heaters to be turned on or off; and a control device supplying the electric power from the battery to the left and right grip heaters only when the engine is running, the gate lock lever 27 is at a getting-on/off prevention position, and the heater switch instructs the left and right grip heaters to be turned on.