Aerial Work Platform Travel Guidance Light Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The self-propelled vehicle with an aerial work platform faces challenges in maintaining visibility of direction indicators due to the varying position of the work platform relative to the traveling body, caused by the rotation and vertical movement of the turning body and boom, making it difficult for the operator to recognize the traveling direction.

Innovation Solution

A travel guidance device is implemented, featuring a guidance light illumination system that displays distinct light marks on the road surface indicating the traveling direction, which are illuminated in response to the operation of the traveling operation device, ensuring the marks are visible and recognizable from the work platform even during rotations and boom movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If marks indicating traveling direction are displayed on the traveling body, then the operator can determine traveling direction, but the visibility of these marks becomes poor when the work platform position varies due to turning body rotation and boom movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of traveling direction marksVSAvoidwork platform position variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from displaying direction marks on the traveling body (2D surface) to projecting light illumination marks directly onto the road surface (3D spatial dimension). This dimensional change ensures the marks are always visible to the operator on the work platform regardless of the turning body rotation angle or boom position, as the marks are projected onto the ground plane rather than requiring line-of-sight to a surface on the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light illumination device as an intermediary between the traveling body and the operator. Instead of directly displaying marks on the traveling body that must be viewed from the work platform, the system uses light to project virtual marks onto the road surface, creating an intermediate visual reference that bridges the gap between the vehicle's moving components and the operator's variable position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If light emitting display devices are installed on the traveling body to indicate traveling direction, then direction guidance is provided, but the marks remain difficult to see from the work platform due to rotation and boom movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraveling direction recognitionVSAvoidvisibility from work platform
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes from emitting light from fixed positions on the traveling body to projecting light patterns onto the road surface. This dimensional shift allows the illuminated marks to be viewed from various angles and positions, ensuring the operator on the moving work platform can always see the traveling direction indicators regardless of rotation or boom extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The light illumination device is configured to dynamically adjust its projection based on the traveling body's orientation and the operator's position. The system maintains visibility by adapting the light projection angle and position in real-time as the turning body rotates and the boom moves, ensuring continuous ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If the work platform position is fixed relative to the traveling body, then direction marks are easily visible, but the aerial work platform cannot perform its lifting and positioning functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemark visibilityVSAvoidboom movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By projecting direction marks onto the road surface rather than displaying them on the traveling body, the system decouples mark visibility from work platform position. The light illumination creates a stable visual reference on the ground plane that remains visible regardless of how the boom moves vertically or how the turning body rotates horizontally, allowing full aerial work platform functionality while maintaining constant mark visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The light projection system acts as an intermediary that creates a virtual reference frame on the road surface, independent of the physical relationship between the traveling body and work platform. This intermediary visual aid remains stable and visible even as the boom extends, retracts, and the turning body rotates, allowing the aerial work platform to perform all lifting and positioning functions without compromising direction indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 travel guidance device effectively illuminates and displays light marks on the road surface, allowing the operator to readily and reliably recognize the traveling direction, regardless of the work platform's position relative to the traveling body, enhancing operational safety and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

a guidance light illumination device configured for illuminating and displaying a light illumination mark indicative of the traveling direction on a road surface from the traveling body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3842376A1Travel guidance device for vehicle with an aerial work platform
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 KABUSHIKI KAISHA AICHI CORPORATION
  • EP3842376A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3842376A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3842376A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A travel guidance device (60) for a vehicle with an aerial work platform (40) comprises a traveling body (10), a turning body (20), a lifting and lowering apparatus (30), a work platform (50) for carrying an operator, a traveling operation device (50) provided in the work platform, and a travel control device(52) that controls travel of the traveling body in response to operations of the traveling operation device. The traveling body includes a travel indicator (63-66) configured for displaying to provide guidance of a traveling direction to the operator. The travel indicator has a guidance light illumination device (62) configured for illuminating and displaying a light illumination mark on a road surface. The guidance light illumination device is configured to illuminate and display the light illumination mark on the road surface of the front side in response to the operation of the traveling operation device.