Work Machine Operation Control Around Detected Persons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machine control systems uniformly prohibit operation when a person is detected, regardless of the gate lock lever state, leading to annoyance for operators who must wait for the person to leave the monitoring area before resuming work.
Innovation Solution
A work machine control system with an acquisition processing unit and a state switch processing unit that enables or disables the operation unit based on the gate lock lever state and detection results, allowing operation when the gate lock lever is unlocked and the detection result meets specific conditions, especially in standby states, and disabling operation when in action states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operation unit is uniformly prohibited when a person is detected regardless of gate lock lever state, then safety is improved, but operator productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the operational state based on real-time detection results and gate lock lever position. When a person is detected and the gate lock lever is in the unlocked state during standby, the system transitions from a uniformly prohibited state to an enabled state, allowing cautious operation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the safety constraint flexible rather than rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (enabled/disabled state of operation unit) based on multiple conditions including detection result, gate lock lever state, and machine state (standby/action). By introducing conditional parameter changes rather than a fixed prohibition, the system maintains safety while enabling productivity under appropriate conditions.
2Reliability
If the operation unit is disabled when a person is detected, then safety is improved, but work efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the operational response into different scenarios based on gate lock lever state (locked/unlocked) and machine state (standby/action). Instead of a single uniform prohibition, the system applies differentiated control: enabling operation during standby with unlocked gate lock lever, and disabling during action state. This segmentation allows safety to be maintained while preserving work efficiency in appropriate contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between enabled and disabled states of the operation unit based on real-time conditions. When a person is detected but the gate lock lever is unlocked and the machine is in standby state, the operation unit remains enabled, allowing the operator to work cautiously. This dynamic response prevents unnecessary work interruptions and maintains efficiency.
3Reliability
If the operation unit is uniformly prohibited when a person is detected, then safety is improved, but operator convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies different operational qualities to different scenarios. When the gate lock lever is in the unlocked state and the machine is in standby state, the operation unit is enabled with a note to operate cautiously, providing local permission rather than universal prohibition. This localized quality adjustment improves operator convenience while maintaining safety in appropriate contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the operator through notes or notifications indicating when the operation unit is enabled despite person detection, and when it is disabled. This feedback mechanism informs the operator of the current safety status and appropriate actions, improving convenience by reducing uncertainty and unnecessary waiting.
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine control system includes: an acquisition processing unit; and a state switch processing unit. The acquisition processing unit acquires a detection result of an object around a machine body of a work machine provided with an actuator actuated in response to an operation of an operation unit. The state switch processing unit, apart from a gate lock lever, is so configured as to be capable of switching between an enabled state and disabled state of the operation unit. The gate lock lever is so configured as to be capable of switching between an unlocked state capable of operating the work machine and a locked state incapable of operating the work machine. The state switch processing unit, in a standby state of the work machine, when the gate lock lever is in the unlocked state, and the detection result meets a given condition, puts the operation unit in the enabled state, whereas in an action state of the work machine, when the gate lock lever is in the unlocked state, and the detection result meets a given condition, puts the operation unit in the disabled state.