Work Machine Operation Control Around Detected Persons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machine control systems uniformly prohibit operations when a person is detected, regardless of the gate lock lever state, causing operator annoyance by requiring them to wait for the person to leave the monitoring area.

Innovation Solution

A work machine control system that utilizes cameras to detect objects around the machine, determines the operable state based on the gate lock lever and ignition status, and allows selective operation restrictions or alerts, reducing unnecessary operation prohibitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If operation is uniformly prohibited when a person is detected regardless of gate lock lever state, then safety is improved, but operator productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary operation prohibitions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperator productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the operation prohibition logic based on the gate lock lever state. When the gate lock lever is in the locked position, person detection triggers operation prohibition; when in the unlocked position, operation remains allowed even with person detection. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the safety response conditional rather than uniform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter (operation prohibition status) based on the gate lock lever position parameter. The gate lock lever acts as a switching parameter that modifies how person detection results are interpreted, allowing the system to transition between different operational modes (restricted vs. normal operation) depending on the intended safety level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If operation is uniformly prohibited when a person is detected, then person safety is improved, but operator ease of operation deteriorates due to waiting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperson safetyVSAvoidoperator ease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic control over operation prohibition based on operator intent signaled through the gate lock lever. Operators can choose between a restrictive mode (locked position triggers prohibition) and a permissive mode (unlocked position allows operation), enabling them to balance safety concerns against operational needs in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control logic is segmented into different pathways based on gate lock lever state. One pathway handles person detection when locked (prohibiting operation), another handles person detection when unlocked (allowing operation). This segmentation allows the system to provide differentiated responses that match different operational contexts and operator preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4242386B1Work machine control system, work machine, work machine control method, and work machine control program
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4242386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4242386B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4242386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a work machine control system, a work machine, a work machine control method, and a work machine control program which easily decrease an annoyance felt by an operator. [Solution] A work machine control system 1 includes: an acquisition processing unit 11; and a state switch processing unit 12. The acquisition processing unit 11 acquires a detection result of an object around a machine body of a work machine 3 provided with an actuator actuated in response to an operation of an operation unit. The state switch processing unit 12, apart from a gate lock lever 463, is so configured as to be capable of switching between an enabled state and disabled state of the operation unit. The gate lock lever 463 is so configured as to be capable of switching between an unlocked state capable of operating the work machine 3 and a locked state incapable of operating the work machine 3. The state switch processing unit 12, in a standby state of the work machine 3, when the gate lock lever 463 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 3, when the gate lock lever 463 is in the unlocked state, and the detection result meets a given condition, puts the operation unit in the disabled state.