Object-Responsive Work Machine Control for Obstructed Travel Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work machines operating in harsh environments, such as those with sharp volcanic rock, face potential damage to their ground engaging supports and frames due to obstructed operator views when attachments are in carrying or dumping positions, leading to safety concerns and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
An object responsive control system that activates responses, such as audible alarms or automated braking, when an undesirable object is sensed in the travel path, using sensors and a controller to determine attachment elevation and obstructed views, allowing for proactive safety measures and reduced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the attachment is positioned in carrying or dumping position to improve work efficiency, then the operator's view of the travel path is obstructed, but this causes potential damage to the work machine from sharp objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sharp objects in the travel path before the attachment reaches positions that would obstruct the operator's view. By detecting objects in advance and activating warnings or automatic responses before the harmful situation occurs, the system prevents damage while allowing the attachment to maintain productive carrying or dumping positions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the travel path for sharp objects and provides real-time feedback to the operator through warnings or automatically responds by adjusting the attachment position. This feedback mechanism enables the operator to make informed decisions about attachment positioning, balancing productivity with safety against sharp object damage
2Adaptability or versatility
If the attachment elevation is increased to improve material handling capability, then the operator's view is obstructed, but this increases exposure to harmful objects in the travel path
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects harmful objects in the travel path before the attachment is elevated to positions that would obstruct the operator's view. By performing preliminary detection and activating protective responses in advance, the system enables the attachment to achieve high elevation positions for improved material handling while preventing exposure to harmful objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback about harmful objects detected in the travel path, enabling the operator to adjust attachment elevation decisions. This feedback allows the attachment to maintain high elevational positions for versatile material handling while the operator can respond to warnings by lowering the attachment to avoid harmful objects
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances the safety and reduces potential damage to work machines by enabling semi-autonomous responses to obstacles, improving operational safety and minimizing equipment damage during operations in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
an object sensor adapted for sensing the presence of an undesirable object located on the geographic surface in a travel path of the work machine
Implementation Method 2
a boom sensor adapted for delivering a boom position signal; an attachment sensor adapted for delivering an attachment position signal
Data Source
AI summary
An object responsive control system for a work machine having a boom, an attachment pivotally coupled to the boom, an object sensor adapted for sensing the presence of an undesirable object located in a travel path of the work machine and delivering an object signal upon sensing the undesirable object. A controller adapted for receiving a boom position signal, an attachment position signal, and calculating an elevational position based on the boom position signal. The system activating an object response upon calculating an attachment elevation position above a predetermined threshold and receiving an object signal.