Collision Avoidance System for Telescopic Handler Implement Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-highway working machines, such as telescopic handlers, pose a collision risk to animate objects like workers and animals due to their operational dynamics and load handling capabilities, as they often lack effective collision avoidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A collision avoidance system integrated into the working machine, comprising sensors and a control system that determine the height and position of the working implement, define safety zones, and alert operators of animate objects within these zones, adjusting zone sizes and locations based on the machine's operational parameters and load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collision avoidance system is added to the working machine, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it controls the working machine operation and simultaneously performs collision avoidance by defining safety zones and detecting animate objects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated collision avoidance hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensor output signals as intermediaries to detect animate objects in safety zones. These signals act as mediators between the physical environment (animate objects) and the control system, enabling collision avoidance through information processing rather than direct mechanical intervention, thus managing system complexity.
2Reliability
If safety zones are dynamically adjusted based on working implement height, then collision avoidance effectiveness is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety zone definition is made dynamic by adjusting the zone parameters based on the height of the working implement. As the implement height changes during operation, the safety zone automatically adapts to maintain appropriate clearance, improving collision avoidance effectiveness while using readily available height measurements from the control system.
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring of safety zones is implemented, then collision risk reduction is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors safety zones and working implement positions during machine operation, maintaining constant collision risk assessment. This continuous monitoring leverages existing sensor data and control system computations, integrating safety functions into ongoing operational processes rather than adding separate energy-intensive monitoring systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A working machine has a body, a pivotable telescopic working arm is on the body and has an implement at its distal end. The machine includes a collision avoidance system that has a control system configured to determine a height of the working implement at the distal end of the working arm and to define a first zone having an area below the working implement, at least one first sensor mounted on the working machine and configured to monitor the area defined by the first zone and the generate a sensor output signal, and a display configured to display the sensor output from the at least one first sensor. The control system is configured such that the area defined by the first zone is based on the determined height of the working implement at the distal end of the working arm, to determine if an animate object is located within the first zone, and to provide an output for alerting an operator of the working machine if it is determined that an animate object is in the first zone.