Shovel Standby Control Using Object Detection to Prevent Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shovels with hydraulic actuators can inadvertently move due to operator error when the operating apparatus is still enabled, leading to accidental operation during suspension tasks.
Innovation Solution
A shovel equipped with a control device that uses an object detector to disable the operating apparatus when an object is present within a predetermined area, separate from the gate lock lever's control, ensuring the hydraulic actuator remains inactive despite operator intent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operating apparatus is left enabled during standby state, then the operator can quickly resume operation when needed, but the hydraulic actuator may inadvertently move due to operator error or accidental contact
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by automatically disabling the operating apparatus when the shovel is in standby state, before any accidental operation can occur. This proactive measure prevents the need for the operator to manually lock the gate lock lever, eliminating the risk of forgetting to disable the system while maintaining quick resume capability through automatic re-enablement upon detection of operator presence or system activation signals.
2Reliability
If the gate lock lever is used to disable the operating apparatus, then the hydraulic actuator is protected from accidental movement, but the operator may forget to lock it during suspension tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically managing the enable/disable state of the operating apparatus based on the shovel's operational state. The control device monitors whether the shovel is in standby state and automatically disables the operating apparatus without requiring manual intervention from the operator. This eliminates the cognitive burden of remembering to lock the gate lock lever while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If the operating apparatus is automatically disabled based on object detection, then safety is enhanced during standby operations, but the system complexity increases with additional control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The control device merges the automatic enable/disable function with the existing gate lock lever control system. Rather than creating a completely separate control mechanism, the invention integrates the automatic state management into the existing operating apparatus control architecture, sharing common components such as the control device, hydraulic system, and status indicators. This reduces overall system complexity while achieving enhanced safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper traveling body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, a hydraulic actuator, an operating apparatus configured to be operated to operate the hydraulic actuator, an object detector configured to detect an object within a predetermined area around the shovel, a gate lock lever configured to switch the operating apparatus between an enabled state and a disabled state, and a control device. The control device is configured to switch the operating apparatus between the enabled state and the disabled state separately from the gate lock lever, and to disable the operating apparatus in response to determining that the object is present within the predetermined area based on the output of the object detector while the operating apparatus is switched to the enabled state by the gate lock lever, during the standby state of the shovel.