Flexible Boom Angle Detection Switching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work machines with derrickable booms halt operations if the second derricking angle detector fails, leading to reduced efficiency due to the inability to acquire the flexible volume of the boom, even if the first derricking angle detector functions normally.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a switching mechanism that allows the work machine to alternate between two methods of acquiring the flexible volume of the boom, ensuring operation safety and efficiency even if one sensor fails, by using a first and second flexible volume acquisition part based on detected angles from both derricking angle detectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second derricking angle detector is used to acquire flexible volume of the boom, then the working radius can be accurately acquired, but the system halts operation when the detector fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a backup flexible volume acquisition part that can take over when the primary acquisition method fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the second derricking angle detector fails, the system can still acquire the flexible volume of the boom through the backup method using the first derricking angle detector, thereby maintaining operation continuity without complete system halt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter acquisition method from relying solely on the second derricking angle detector to having multiple acquisition paths. When the second detector fails, the system switches to calculating flexible volume based on the first derricking angle detector's readings, effectively changing how the parameter is obtained while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the system requires both derricking angle detectors to function, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity drops when one detector fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking efficiencyVSAvoidworking radius measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The backup flexible volume acquisition part serves as a predetermined safety net that activates when the primary measurement method fails. This allows the system to maintain productivity by switching to an alternative measurement approach that uses the first derricking angle detector, ensuring continuous operation while preserving adequate measurement precision for safe work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a backup acquisition path that copies the functional capability of the primary method. The backup flexible volume acquisition part replicates the ability to calculate flexible volume, just through a different computational path using the first derricking angle detector, ensuring measurement precision is maintained even when the second detector fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If a single method is used to acquire flexible volume, then the system is simple, but the system cannot operate safely when that method fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation safetyVSAvoidacquisition system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a backup acquisition mechanism that provides beforehand cushioning against sensor failure. This backup flexible volume acquisition part ensures operation safety by having a predetermined alternative method ready to activate when the primary acquisition method fails, preventing complete system shutdown while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The first derricking angle detector serves multiple functions: it detects the derricking angle at the base end and also serves as a backup for acquiring flexible volume when the second detector fails. This multi-functionality increases reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same sensor performs multiple roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2644558B1Work machine with flexible boom
Publication Date: 2015.01.28 TADANO LTD
  • EP2644558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2644558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2644558B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work machine (1) with a boom (22) that can be derricked, includes: a first derricking angle detector (43) configured to detect a derricking angle of the boom (22) at a base end of the boom (22); a second derricking angle detector (44) configured to detect a derricking angle of the boom (22) at a front end of the boom (22); a first flexible volume acquisition part configured to acquire a flexible volume of the boom (22) based on a detected angle by the first derricking angle detector (43) and a detected angle by the second derricking angle detector (44); a second flexible volume acquisition part configured to acquire a flexible volume of the boom (22) based on the detected angle by the first derricking angle detector (43); and a switching part configured to switch between acquisition of the flexible volume of the boom (22) by the first flexible volume acquisition part and acquisition of the flexible volume of the boom (22) by the second flexible volume acquisition part when the flexible volume of the boom (22) is acquired.