Construction Machine Dead Zone Imaging for Boom Rotation Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for construction machines, such as excavators, fail to display dead zones created by the rotation of the boom, leading to potential accidents due to unseen obstacles.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a camera unit, image-matching unit, rotation-detecting unit, rotation angle-measuring unit, dead zone-detecting unit, controlling unit, and displaying unit processes actual images to synthesize virtual images, allowing the display of dead zones on a monitor in the cabin, thereby enabling the operator to recognize hidden obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera is installed at the cabin to photograph the area in front of the cabin, then the worker can see the image on the monitor to prevent accidents, but a dead zone is generated due to the rotated boom that the camera cannot photograph
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual image that copies and reconstructs the dead zone area using image processing. The image-matching unit generates a virtual photograph of the dead zone by processing actual images from multiple cameras, allowing the worker to see obstacles in areas that the physical camera cannot directly photograph due to boom obstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image-matching unit as an intermediary that processes and synthesizes images from multiple cameras to create a virtual image of the dead zone. This intermediary component bridges the gap between the physical camera limitations and the need for complete visual information
2Adaptability or versatility
If the boom is rotated to perform excavation work, then the excavator can access different working areas, but the worker in the cabin cannot see the front, rear and sides of the cabin at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual images that copy the visual information of areas blocked by the rotated boom. By synthesizing images from multiple cameras and processing them through the image-matching unit, the system reproduces the appearance of the dead zone area on the monitor, allowing the worker to maintain awareness of the surroundings while the boom performs excavation work
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct physical viewing to a two-dimensional virtual image representation. The monitor displays processed virtual images that consolidate information from multiple spatial perspectives, allowing the worker to view areas that would normally require physical movement or direct line-of-sight
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method of displaying a dead zone of a construction machine, actual images with respect to omnidirectional views of a cabin in the construction machine may be obtained. A virtual image with respect to the dead zone generated by a working tool, which may be connected to the cabin, may be obtained from the actual images. The virtual image may be displayed on a monitor in the cabin. Thus, a worker in the cabin may accurately acknowledge whether a man or a fixture may exist or not in a region in front of a rotation direction of a boom by seeing the virtual image. Thus, a negligent accident caused by the rotation of the boom may be prevented.