Wireless Authentication for Construction Machinery Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction machines like hydraulic excavators can be operated by unauthorized individuals when the engine is running, posing a security concern as the existing systems do not effectively prevent operation by persons other than the authorized operator, even when the gate lock lever is in the unlock position.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine equipped with a wireless authentication system that uses a portable key device to authenticate the operator, allowing the vehicle body controller to enable or disable the hydraulic actuator's operation based on the device's proximity, ensuring that the machine can only be operated by the authorized person even when the gate lock lever is in the unlock position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gate lock lever is operated to the unlock position to allow hydraulic actuator driving, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security against unauthorized operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless authentication device as an intermediary between the operator and the hydraulic actuator control system. This device mediates the authorization process by verifying the operator's identity through wireless communication before allowing the gate lock lever to enable hydraulic actuator driving, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical gate lock lever system with an integrated electronic-wireless authentication system. The mechanical lever operation is supplemented by wireless authentication technology that substitutes for traditional physical keys or codes, enabling secure authorization while maintaining the simplicity of mechanical lever operation
2Reliability
If wireless authentication device is added to prevent unauthorized operation, then the security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless authentication device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an authentication mechanism and as a control signal transmitter. It can verify operator identity and simultaneously send commands to control the hydraulic actuators, reducing the need for separate authentication and control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless authentication device operates autonomously by automatically verifying operator credentials and managing authentication states without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the authentication process and integrates it with the existing gate lock lever mechanism, minimizing additional operational complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hydraulic excavator (1) includes a wireless authentication device (52) performing wireless authentication with a portable key device (51) and a vehicle body controller (48) for starting an engine (15) based on authentication by the wireless authentication device (52) and an operation of a start switch (12). The wireless authentication device (52) transmits a request signal within an authenticable range and performs authentication when it receives an ID code for authentication replied from the portable key device (51) based on the transmitted request signal. The vehicle body controller (48) prohibits driving of a hydraulic actuator (5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, 2E, 2F, 3A) when the portable key device (51) is outside of the authenticable range even if a gate lock lever (13) has been switched to an unlock position.