Multi-Antenna Distance Detection for Remote Machine Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of remotely controlled machines in industries like agriculture and construction face discomfort due to the need to maintain a safety distance, which limits their ability to control the machine effectively, as existing systems do not adequately manage proximity to ensure both safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A moveable machine equipped with a plurality of antennas and a distance determining unit that calculates distances between these antennas and a remote control means, allowing precise determination of the operator's position and limiting or releasing machine movements based on safety criteria, thereby enhancing operator safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator maintains a safety distance from the machine, then operator safety is improved, but operator comfort and control effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts machine movement capabilities based on real-time distance measurements. When the operator approaches the safety distance threshold, the system automatically limits or restricts machine movements, creating a dynamic safety mechanism that adapts to operator position rather than requiring fixed distance maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The distance determining unit continuously measures the operator's distance from the machine and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of machine operations based on operator proximity, ensuring safety without requiring constant operator intervention
2Reliability
If the machine stops when the operator enters safety distance, then operator safety is improved, but productivity and operational flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different movement restrictions based on the specific spatial relationship between the operator and machine. Rather than completely stopping the machine, the system selectively limits movements in directions that would bring the operator closer to the machine, while allowing movements that increase distance or maintain safe separation
Solution Approach 2:
The machine's movement capabilities are dynamically adjusted based on real-time distance measurements. The system transitions between different operational states (full movement, restricted movement, stopped) depending on whether the operator is within or outside the safety distance threshold
3Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are used to determine operator position, then position determination precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position determination system is segmented into multiple independent distance measuring units, each responsible for measuring distance from a specific antenna to the operator. This segmentation allows for simplified individual antenna designs while achieving precise three-dimensional position determination through combination of multiple measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point distance measurement to multi-dimensional position determination by using multiple antennas arranged in space. This dimensional expansion enables calculation of the operator's three-dimensional position vector based on multiple distance measurements from different spatial locations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A moveable machine (1) comprises an antenna arrangement, a control unit controlling the machine (1), a distance determining unit determining a distance between the antenna arrangement and a remote control means (5), wherein the distance determining unit is connected to the control unit. In order to increase the operator's safety, the antenna arrangement comprises a first antenna (2) and a second antenna (3), wherein the first antenna (2) is arranged distanced to the second antenna (3), wherein the distance determining unit determines a first distance (6) between the first antenna (2) and the remote control means (5) and a second distance (7) between the second antenna (3) and the remote control means (5).