Construction Machine Startup Interlock Using Brake, Neutral, and Pilot Cutoff
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional construction machines, particularly wheel type machines, face challenges in preventing safety accidents during startup due to the difficulty in ensuring that the work apparatus is not inadvertently driven without the operator's intention.
Innovation Solution
A safety apparatus and controlling method that includes a key switch, parking brake switch, FNR switch, pilot cutoff switch, and vehicle controller, which require specific operation signals to ensure the construction machine is in a safe state before starting, including a parking brake engaged, neutral selection, and pilot cutoff state, to prevent unintended operation of the work apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the construction machine allows start-up in a non-driving state to prevent safety accidents, then safety is improved, but the complexity of controlling start-up conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks of multiple conditions (parking brake engaged, neutral gear selected, pilot cutoff switch in cutoff position) before allowing engine start-up. This ensures the machine is in a safe state before operation begins, preventing unintended movement or work apparatus operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The start-up control is divided into separate conditional checks: parking brake status, gear selection status, and pilot cutoff switch status. Each condition is independently verified by the controller, making the complex safety requirement manageable through modular condition assessment.
2Reliability
If multiple switches and conditions are checked before start-up, then safety is improved, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors and evaluates the status of multiple switches (parking brake switch, FNR switch, pilot cutoff switch) without requiring manual verification by the operator. The controller autonomously determines whether start-up conditions are met, reducing the operational burden on the user while maintaining comprehensive safety checks.
3Reliability
If the pilot cutoff switch is used to prevent work apparatus operation, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot cutoff switch acts as an intermediary control element that, when in the cutoff position, prevents the work apparatus from operating regardless of other system states. This single switch provides a reliable safety mechanism that simplifies the overall control logic by creating a definitive safety barrier.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a safety apparatus of a construction machine includes: applying a power to the construction machine when a key switch operation of a worker is input; receiving operation signals of the parking switch, the FNR switch, and the pilot cutoff switch; determining whether operation states of the parking switch, the FNR switch, and the pilot cutoff switch satisfy predetermined conditions; and controlling the construction machine to be available for the start-up when the predetermined conditions are satisfied. The predetermined conditions are that the parking switch is operated to be on so that a parking brake is operated, the FNR switch is operated to select a neutral so that a traveling direction of the construction machine is in a neutral state, and the pilot cutoff switch is operated to be on so that the construction machine is in a pilot cutoff state.