Parking Brake Control via Cab Door Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake systems for construction machines do not adequately prevent unintended movement when the operator fails to properly engage the brake, particularly when the driver's door is not locked, leaving room for improvement in ensuring machine stability on slopes or grades.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a door sensor generating a closed signal when the cab door is fully closed, and an Electronic Control Module (ECM) communicably coupled to the door sensor, programmed to prevent the release of the parking brake if the closed signal is not detected, thereby ensuring the brake remains engaged until the door is securely closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the parking brake is automatically applied when the driver's door lock is locked (prior art system), then unintended machine movement is prevented under certain circumstances, but the system fails to prevent unintended movement under other circumstances when the door is not locked
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to handle multiple door states (locked and unlocked) by monitoring door closure status through a door sensor rather than relying solely on door lock status. This multi-functional approach ensures the parking brake is controlled based on actual door closure, covering both scenarios where the door is locked and where it is unlocked, thereby improving the system's adaptability and reliability across different operating conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the parking brake release is prevented when the door closure status is not confirmed, then machine stability is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases due to additional sensor and monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A door sensor is introduced as an intermediary component to detect door closure status and provide this information to the control system. This intermediary simplifies the overall control logic by providing a clear binary signal (door closed/open) that the ECM can use to make deterministic decisions about parking brake release, rather than requiring complex monitoring of multiple door states and operator actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors door closure status and autonomously prevents parking brake release when the door is not properly closed, without requiring additional operator intervention or complex manual checking procedures. The system serves itself by using the door sensor input to automatically make the correct safety decision.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a machine may include a door sensor configured to generate a closed signal when a door of a cab of the machine is in a closed position, and an Electronic Control Module (ECM) communicably coupled to the door sensor and configured to detect the closed signal. The ECM is programmed to prevent release of a parking brake of the machine if the ECM does not detect the closed signal for the door.