Load Handling Machine Mast Control via Presence Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Load handling machines with tilting cabins pose a safety risk to drivers during maintenance operations, as existing solutions do not adequately prevent the driver from being tilted towards the front, potentially hitting the windshield during cabin tilting maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A load handling machine with a presence sensor that activates or deactivates control of the mast's pivoting movement based on the driver's seat occupancy, allowing for safe tilting of the cabin without the driver present, through two operational modes: one where control is only allowed when the driver is seated and another where it is allowed when the driver is not, ensuring the driver's safety during tilting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the cabin is made tiltable to allow maintenance access, then ease of repair is improved, but safety of the driver deteriorates due to risk of being tilted towards the front and hitting the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the driver's presence state. When the presence sensor detects the driver is absent, the control unit enables mast tilting operations. When the driver is present, the control unit restricts mast tilting to prevent injury. This dynamic control strategy resolves the contradiction by making the system safe during operation while enabling maintenance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The presence sensor continuously monitors whether the driver is seated and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to automatically enable or disable mast tilting functionality. This feedback mechanism ensures that the cabin tilting operation only occurs when safe, resolving the safety concern while maintaining ease of repair capability.
2Reliability
If the mast is restricted to pivot only when driver is seated, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for maintenance tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically changes its operational constraints based on the driver's presence. In normal operation mode (driver seated), the system maintains strict safety controls. In maintenance mode (driver absent), the system dynamically enables mast tilting functionality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the operational parameters of the mast actuator based on the presence sensor signal. When the driver is absent, the control unit modifies the actuator's control characteristics to allow free tilting operation. When the driver is present, the control unit restores the restricted control parameters. This parameter change strategy enables the system to be both safe during operation and easy to operate during maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If automatic mode switching is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the actuator during normal operation, monitors the presence sensor, determines driver absence, and enables maintenance mode. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving automatic mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the presence detection function, mode determination logic, and actuator control functions into a single integrated control unit. This consolidation reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function, while still providing automatic mode switching capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Load handling machine (1) comprising a chassis (2), a mast (3) coupled to the chassis (2) by a first link (4) pivot with horizontal pivot axis transverse to the front rear direction of the chassis (2), an actuator (6) for driving movement with pivoting of the mast (3), a manual control device for the actuator (6), a cabin (8) equipped with a seat (9) and a sensor (10) for the presence of the driver on the seat (9), and a control unit (11) for acquiring data provided by the presence sensor (10), said cabin (8) being connected to the chassis (2) by a second link (12) pivot with pivot axis parallel to the pivot axis of the first link (4).The device (1) includes a first operating mode in which the pivoting movement of the mast (3) around the pivot axis of the first pivot link (4) is permitted only in the active state of the presence sensor (10), a second operating mode in which the pivoting movement of the mast (3) is permitted in the inactive state of the presence sensor (10), and at least one activation device (13) for switching the device (1) from one operating mode to another.