Forest Machine Tool Control Using Predetermined Free Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forest machines face challenges in operating reliably and efficiently without causing damage to surrounding objects, trees, or risking personnel, due to the lack of advanced control systems that determine available space before tool operation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement on the forest machine determines the size of usable free space in advance, allowing the tool to operate safely and efficiently by ensuring there is sufficient space, using sensors like lidar, radar, and cameras, and adjusting operations based on minimum and maximum space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tool operation is controlled by checking free space after giving operation instructions, then the control system is simple, but the operation speed is reduced due to inspection delays and safety cannot be ensured in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement determines the utilisable free space in advance before the tool operation begins. The control unit receives this predetermined space information and uses it to authorize tool operation without requiring real-time inspection delays, thus ensuring safety ahead of time while maintaining operational speed
2Productivity
If the tool operates without predetermined space determination, then the operation is quick and simple, but it causes risks to persons, vehicles, and objects in the vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement determines the utilisable free space in advance before the tool operation begins. The control unit receives this predetermined space information and uses it to authorize tool operation without requiring real-time inspection delays, thus ensuring safety ahead of time while maintaining operational speed
3Reliability
If a sensor arrangement determines utilisable free space in advance, then safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical safety checking systems with a sensor-based optical/electromagnetic field system. Sensors (such as laser scanners, cameras, or radar) detect the environment and provide space information to the control unit, which processes this data to authorize tool operation. This substitution maintains high reliability while reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sensor arrangement and the tool operation. It receives space determination information from sensors, processes this data according to safety criteria, and authorizes or prevents tool operation accordingly. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic
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
This solution enhances the operation of forest machine tools by ensuring quicker, safer, and more reliable performance, avoiding collisions and damage while allowing flexible adaptation to changing space conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor arrangement can comprise one or more of the following: a lidar, a camera, a radar, a thermographic camera, un ultrasonic sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor arrangement can comprise one or more of the following: a lidar, a camera, a radar, a thermographic camera, un ultrasonic sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
In the present arrangement, a forest machine is controlled, which forest machine includes a body (2), a boom (3) in connection with the body (2) and a tool (4) at the end of the boom (3). A sensor (9) arrangement determines in advance the size of utilizable free space (1 1A, 1 1B) starting from the end of the boom (3). This determination includes determining a direction and a length of the free space (11B). The operation of the tool (4) is allowed into the direction and for the length of the utilizable free space (1 1A, 1 1B) determined in advance.