Rollover Prevention via Inclination Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rollover prevention systems for heavy equipment are inadequate in addressing rollover risks when machines traverse steep terrain, as they rely solely on wheel and engine conditions, failing to anticipate and prevent rollovers effectively, especially in remotely or autonomously controlled machines.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes sensors to detect machine inclination, a controller to determine a rollover risk value based on inclination, and the ability to autonomously halt machine operation or backtrack to a safer position to prevent rollovers, dynamically adjusting thresholds based on loading conditions and center of mass calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If rollover prevention relies only on wheel and engine conditions, then device complexity is reduced, but rollover detection accuracy deteriorates when traversing steep terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (wheel velocity sensors, engine sensors, and inclination sensors) into an integrated rollover prevention system. The controller merges data from these different sensor sources to comprehensively assess rollover risk, particularly detecting steep terrain conditions that wheel-based systems alone cannot identify.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments rollover detection into multiple independent measurement components: wheel-based detection for normal conditions and inclination-based detection for steep terrain. This segmentation allows the system to address different detection scenarios with appropriate sensors, improving overall detection accuracy without requiring a single complex sensor system.
2Loss of time
If countermeasures are initiated based only on wheel and engine conditions, then response time is reduced, but rollover prevention effectiveness deteriorates on steep inclines
Solution Approach 1:
The inclination sensors provide advance warning of steep terrain conditions before wheel-based systems would detect problematic states. By detecting incline angles proactively, the system can initiate speed reduction and other countermeasures earlier, maintaining both rapid response and high prevention effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously receives feedback from multiple sensor sources and dynamically adjusts countermeasures based on the combined information. When inclination sensors detect steep terrain, the system intensifies its response beyond what wheel-based systems alone would trigger, ensuring reliable prevention while maintaining appropriate response timing.
3Ease of operation
If only travel speed reduction is applied as countermeasure, then ease of operation is maintained, but rollover prevention effectiveness deteriorates when speed is not the primary rollover factor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and adjusts countermeasures based on real-time sensor data and detected rollover risk characteristics. When steep terrain is detected via inclination sensors, the controller applies enhanced countermeasures appropriate to the specific hazard, rather than relying solely on speed reduction. This dynamic adaptation maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving prevention effectiveness for diverse rollover scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an inclination of the machine. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to stop operation of the machine in response to the signal.