Work Machine Controller Logic for Safety and Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machines face issues with unintended machine motion and inefficient energy consumption, particularly due to immediate engine start-up and potential unconscious operation lever activation.
Innovation Solution
A work machine with a controller that starts the drive source only when both the lock release operation is applied to the lock operation member and the start operation is applied to the drive source switch, while ensuring the controller is activated, thereby preventing unintended motion and optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the drive source is started immediately after the start switch is operated, then the response speed is improved, but unintended machine motion occurs and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The controller checks the lock lever position before starting the drive source. The lock release operation is performed in advance to validate the operation lever state, ensuring that the drive source only starts when the operator has intentionally released the lock, thus preventing unintended motion while maintaining quick response
2Productivity
If the drive source is started immediately after the start switch is operated, then the operational readiness is improved, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary idling
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the lock lever position and operation lever state, using this feedback to determine whether to start the drive source. The drive source is started only when both the lock is released and the operation lever is in a valid position, eliminating unnecessary idling and reducing energy consumption while maintaining operational readiness
3Ease of operation
If the lock lever is released without validating operation lever position, then the ease of operation is improved, but unintended machine motion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller checks the operation lever position immediately after detecting the lock release operation. This preliminary validation ensures that the drive source is only started when the operation lever is in a correct position, preventing unintended motion while maintaining ease of operation through automatic validation
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine is capable of inhibiting an unintended machine motion and reducing energy consumption. The work machine includes a controller, a drive source, a controller switch to which an on-operation and an off-operation are applied, a lock operation member to which a lock operation and a lock release operation for invalidating and validating a lever operation, respectively, are applied, and a drive source switch to which a start operation and a stop operation for starting and stopping the drive source, respectively, are applied. After activated by the on-operation applied to the controller switch, the controller starts the drive source when judging that the lock-release operation is applied to the lock operation member and the start operation is applied to the drive source switch, whereas suspends starting the drive source when judging that both the lock-release operation and the start operation has not been applied.