Excavator Operating Lock Control for Standby Movement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shovels with hydraulic actuators can inadvertently move due to operator error when the operating apparatus is still enabled, leading to accidental movement during suspension of operations, especially if the gate lock lever is not properly locked.
Innovation Solution
A shovel equipped with a control device that uses an object detector to monitor a predetermined area around the shovel and automatically disable the operating apparatus when an object is present, even if the gate lock lever is in an unlocked state, preventing unintended hydraulic actuator movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gate lock lever is used to enable the operating apparatus, then the operator can easily activate the hydraulic actuators, but the shovel may inadvertently move during standby state if the operator forgets to lock the gate lock lever
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by automatically disabling the operating apparatus when the shovel is in standby state, before any inadvertent movement can occur. This preemptive measure ensures that even if the gate lock lever is not properly locked, the hydraulic actuators cannot be activated accidentally.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device monitors the state of the gate lock lever and the operating mode of the shovel, and provides feedback by automatically adjusting the enable/disable state of the operating apparatus. When detecting standby state, the control device disables the operating apparatus, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism.
2Productivity
If the operating apparatus remains enabled during standby state, then the shovel is ready for immediate operation, but accidental activation may occur due to operator error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary disabling of the operating apparatus when standby state is detected, preventing accidental activation before it can occur. This maintains productivity by allowing quick reactivation when needed while preemptively blocking harmful accidental operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device applies different enable/disable states to different operational contexts: the operating apparatus is disabled specifically during standby state but can be enabled during active operation. This localized control approach maintains productivity while preventing harm only when necessary.
3Reliability
If the operating apparatus is automatically disabled during standby state, then safety is improved, but the operator must manually re-enable it for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary disabling only when standby state is detected, and automatically re-enables the operating apparatus when active operation is detected. This preliminary action approach maintains safety during standby while minimizing time loss during actual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device provides self-service by automatically managing the enable/disable state of the operating apparatus based on the shovel's operational state. When the shovel transitions from standby to active operation, the control device automatically re-enables the operating apparatus without requiring manual intervention from the operator.
Data Source
AI summary
A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper traveling body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, a hydraulic actuator, an operating apparatus configured to be operated to operate the hydraulic actuator, an object detector configured to detect an object within a predetermined area around the shovel, a gate lock lever configured to switch the operating apparatus between an enabled state and a disabled state, and a control device. The control device is configured to switch the operating apparatus between the enabled state and the disabled state separately from the gate lock lever, and to disable the operating apparatus in response to determining that the object is present within the predetermined area based on the output of the object detector while the operating apparatus is switched to the enabled state by the gate lock lever, during the standby state of the shovel.