Loading System Panic Detection for Mobile Machine Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile machines with height-adjustable load booms, such as wheel loaders and cranes, face instability issues during driving and stationary operations due to driving dynamics and loading system movements, posing a risk to operator safety.

Innovation Solution

A sensory detection system and evaluation unit are integrated to recognize panic situations, triggering an emergency control mode that includes actuation speed and force sensors on the operating element, allowing for corrective measures like load lowering or shedding to stabilize the machine, which cannot be performed in normal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a height-adjustable load boom with load receiver is used for receiving and moving loads, then the machine can perform loading and material handling operations, but the machine becomes unstable and may tip over during driving dynamics or stationary movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capabilityVSAvoidmachine stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system detects unstable situations through sensors (acceleration sensors, inclination sensors, load sensors) and applies counter-actions by restricting loading system actuation or triggering emergency control modes before the machine tips over. This preliminary anti-action prevents the instability from developing into a dangerous situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors machine stability through various sensors and feeds this information back to the control system. Based on the feedback, the control system adjusts the loading system actuation or triggers emergency control modes to maintain stability while allowing loading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the loading system is actuated quickly to stabilize the machine during a panic situation, then corrective measures can be taken to prevent tipping, but the control element requires high actuation speed or force that may exceed normal operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation speedVSAvoidcontrol element actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides preliminary action by pre-positioning the control element in a triggering position and using sensors to detect when panic-level actuation force or speed is applied. This allows the system to quickly transition to emergency control mode without requiring the operator to manually overcome large spring forces during the actual emergency response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control element incorporates a spring mechanism that dynamically adjusts the actuation characteristics. During normal operation, the spring provides resistance that must be overcome to trigger emergency mode. During panic situations, the dynamic response of the spring system allows rapid actuation detection and system response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If sensors and evaluation units are added to detect panic situations and trigger emergency control mode, then operator safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same control unit handles both normal loading system control and emergency panic response. The sensor system serves multiple purposes including stability monitoring during normal operation and panic detection during emergencies, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the emergency control functionality with the existing loading system control architecture. The control element for the loading system is integrated with the panic detection function, and the evaluation unit combines both normal operation monitoring and panic situation detection, reducing overall system complexity despite adding safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 emergency control mode effectively stabilizes the machine and loading system by enabling corrective actions during instability, enhancing operator safety by overriding existing emergency control modes and allowing for actions that would be impossible in normal operation.

Implementation Method 1

A speed sensor and/or a position sensor and/or an acceleration sensor and/or a force sensor is preferably provided on the control element for actuating the charging system to detect the force effect or the actuation speed on the control element.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpeed sensing: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

A speed sensor and/or a position sensor and/or an acceleration sensor and/or a force sensor is preferably provided on the control element for actuating the charging system to detect the force effect or the actuation speed on the control element.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Implementation Method 3

an acceleration sensor and/or an inclination sensor and/or a location sensor and/or a load sensor and/or a pressure sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 4

an acceleration sensor and/or an inclination sensor and/or a location sensor and/or a load sensor and/or a pressure sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclination sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP2733268B1Machine with loading installation
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 KRAMER WERKE
  • EP2733268B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2733268B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The machine has a loading system, which has a vertically adjustable load beam with a load receptacle (6) for receiving the load to be moved. An evaluation unit is provided for detecting a panic situation of an operating person operating a control unit. An emergency control mode involving the actuation of the loading system is provided upon detection of a panic situation of the operating person. An operating mode of a control element for the loading system is detected by sensors.