Construction Machine Display Controller for Work Device Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction machine display systems, such as those for hydraulic excavators, are not suited for displaying various work devices beyond excavation buckets, causing discomfort for operators due to inadequate representation of different tools like hydraulic breakers, rippers, and grapples.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine equipped with a display controller that generates and displays side surface images of work devices, including positional information on coupling points and monitor points, allowing for accurate representation and alignment of various work devices without causing operator discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a display system is designed specifically for excavation buckets, then the display accuracy for buckets is improved, but the system cannot accommodate other work devices like hydraulic breakers, rippers, and grapples

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay accuracyVSAvoidwork device compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal display system that can accommodate multiple types of work devices (buckets, hydraulic breakers, rippers, grapples, etc.) by using a standardized coordinate system and triangular reference point methodology. The system maintains display accuracy for each device type by calculating positions based on three key points: two coupling points and one monitor point, regardless of the specific work device being used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different work devices by changing the parameters (coordinates) of the three reference points rather than changing the fundamental display methodology. Each work device has its specific coupling point coordinates and monitor point coordinates, allowing the same display algorithm to work accurately for all device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the display system uses simplified representation of work devices, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and accuracy of device positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator comfortVSAvoiddevice positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a two-dimensional coordinate representation (copy) of the three-dimensional work device positions. By projecting the actual spatial positions of coupling points and monitor points onto a two-dimensional display plane, the system maintains positioning accuracy while providing a simplified visual interface that is easy for operators to interpret and use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3767042B1Construction machine
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3767042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767042B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A construction machine that can display various work devices including a bucket on a display device without causing a sense of discomfort is provided. A display controller is configured to deform a first drawing figure to create a first post-deformation drawing figure such that a triangle having vertexes at a first coupling point, a second coupling point and a first monitor point in the first drawing figure becomes congruent with a triangle having vertexes at the first coupling point, the second coupling point and the first monitor point in a coordinate system on an image on a display device, and arrange the first post-deformation drawing figure on a screen of the display device such that positions of the first coupling point, the second coupling point and the first monitor point in the first post-deformation drawing figure are arranged correspondingly to positions of the first coupling point, the second coupling point and the first monitor point, respectively, in the coordinate system on the image.