Mobile Machine Protective Volume Switching for Work and Travel Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for mobile machines in human-robot interaction are costly, increase weight and power consumption, and compromise functional safety due to the use of numerous sensors and components, which are not optimized for both work and travel modes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a mobile machine that uses a single securing apparatus with sensors to monitor a protective volume around a hazardous section, allowing operation in work and travel modes by adapting movements based on detected object engagement, thereby reducing the need for additional sensors on the travelable base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors and securing apparatus are arranged at both the movable machine part and the travelable base to ensure safety in both work and travel modes, then functional safety is improved, but device complexity, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The securing apparatus arranged at the movable machine part serves dual purposes: monitoring the protective volume around the hazardous section during work mode and monitoring the protective volume around the travelable base during travel mode. This multi-functional use of the same apparatus eliminates the need for separate monitoring systems for each mode, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the function of the securing apparatus based on the operational mode. During work mode, the movable machine part is in a working position and the securing apparatus monitors around it; during travel mode, the movable machine part assumes a travel position and the securing apparatus monitors around the travelable base instead. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single apparatus to provide mode-specific safety monitoring without requiring duplicate systems
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and securing apparatus are arranged at both the movable machine part and the travelable base to ensure safety in both work and travel modes, then functional safety is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing apparatus at the movable machine part performs safety monitoring for both work operations and travel operations, eliminating the need for duplicate sensor systems. This consolidation reduces the total weight of the mobile machine while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage across both operational modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the safety monitoring function from the travelable base and relocates it to the movable machine part, which already has a securing apparatus for work mode safety. By centralizing the monitoring function at the movable machine part and using it for both modes, the system eliminates redundant components and reduces overall weight
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and securing apparatus are arranged at both the movable machine part and the travelable base to ensure safety in both work and travel modes, then functional safety is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing apparatus and its sensors are used universally for both work mode and travel mode safety monitoring. This eliminates the need for two separate sets of sensors and their associated power consumption, thereby reducing overall energy usage while maintaining continuous safety monitoring across both operational modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the monitoring target of the securing apparatus between the movable machine part (work mode) and the travelable base (travel mode). This dynamic adaptation ensures that power is consumed only by the necessary monitoring functions for the current mode, avoiding the continuous power consumption that would result from having both systems operating simultaneously
4Reliability
If the machine limits force and speed to ensure safety in case of collision, then safety is improved, but the machine cannot perform tasks requiring high forces or speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on the operational mode and environmental conditions. During travel mode, the machine operates with lower force and speed limits to ensure safety in case of collision with persons. During work mode, when the hazardous section is monitored by the securing apparatus and persons are kept at a safety distance, the machine can operate with higher forces and speeds to perform demanding tasks. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between safety and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a virtual protective volume model that can be configured with different parameters for different modes. The protective volume around the hazardous section during work mode allows for more aggressive operational parameters, while the protective volume around the travelable base during travel mode enforces more conservative parameters. This virtual modeling approach enables mode-specific safety profiles without physical modifications
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 approach reduces the number of components, weight, and power consumption while maintaining high functional safety by optimizing sensor usage for both work and travel modes, enhancing cost-effectiveness and safety without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a securing apparatus arranged at the movable machine part and comprising one or more sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile machine includes: a travelable base; a movable machine part arranged at the travelable base and having a hazardous section; and a securing apparatus having one or more sensors and arranged at the movable machine part. A method for the safe operation of a mobile machine includes that the mobile machine is selectively operated in a work mode, in which the movable machine part performs working movements while the travelable base is stationary, or in a travel mode in which the travelable base performs travel movements while the movable machine part assumes a defined travel position. The securing apparatus monitors a respective protective volume that corresponds to a defined environment of the hazardous section in the work mode and corresponds to a defined environment of the travelable base in the travel mode. In the event of an object engaging into the respective protective volume, a safety-related reaction is triggered.