Work Vehicle Control Using Limit Areas to Prevent Equipment Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems fail to effectively prevent contact between work equipment and transport vehicles, leading to decreased productivity due to the need for operators to manually coordinate their operations.
Innovation Solution
A control device that acquires the traveling route of a transport vehicle, sets a limit area to prevent work equipment entry, and outputs signals to control the work or transport vehicle based on this relationship, ensuring they do not collide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the swing operation is limited only when the transport vehicle enters the work area, then the safety of the work area is improved, but the productivity decreases due to manual coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control device sets a limit area before the transport vehicle enters the work area, and establishes control rules in advance that automatically limit the swing operation when the transport vehicle approaches. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual coordination during operation, maintaining safety while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the position of the transport vehicle relative to the limit area and automatically adjusts the swing operation restrictions based on this feedback. When the transport vehicle enters the limit area, the system automatically limits the swing operation; when it exits, the limitation is released, creating a closed-loop safety system that operates without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If the operator manually coordinates operations to avoid contact, then the safety is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to the need for constant attention and communication
Solution Approach 1:
The control device autonomously manages the coordination between the work vehicle and transport vehicle by automatically limiting the swing operation when the transport vehicle enters the limit area. The system serves itself by monitoring positions and enforcing safety rules without requiring operator intervention, thereby maintaining safety while eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual coordination.
3Reliability
If the limit area is set to cover the entire traveling route, then the safety is improved by preventing all potential contact, but the productivity decreases due to excessive restriction of work equipment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device sets the limit area only in the specific region where the transport vehicle travels close to the work area, rather than covering the entire traveling route. This localized approach restricts operations only where necessary for safety, allowing full productivity in other areas where no conflict is possible.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device that controls a work vehicle including work equipment includes: a route acquisition unit that acquires a traveling route of a transport vehicle; an area setting unit that sets a limit area for limiting entry of the work equipment along the traveling route; and a signal output unit that outputs a signal for controlling the work vehicle or the transport vehicle on the basis of a relationship between the limit area and the work equipment.