Depth Guidance System for Work Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of work vehicles, such as excavators, face difficulty in determining the depth of a work tool due to obstructed views, particularly when lowering the tool into a hole, which hinders precise control during construction operations.
Innovation Solution
A depth guidance system incorporating a depth sensor and a visual display device with indicator lights that illuminate in different colors to provide intuitive depth guidance, allowing operators to monitor the tool's depth without diverting attention from the work area, by positioning the display device within the cab's peripheral vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the operator focuses on monitoring the work tool depth, then depth control precision is improved, but the operator's view of the work area becomes obstructed and attention is diverted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions depth information from a two-dimensional display (screens or gauges) to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement using multiple lights positioned at different heights and locations. This dimensional change allows operators to perceive depth information peripherally while maintaining central focus on the work area, resolving the contradiction between precision monitoring and operational visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded indicator lights (e.g., green for acceptable depth, yellow for approaching limits, red for exceeding limits) to convey depth information instantly. This color-based visual system provides precise depth control feedback without requiring operator attention diversion, as colors can be perceived peripherally and intuitively communicate status without cognitive processing of numerical data.
2Loss of information
If traditional depth monitoring methods are used, then operators can see depth information, but eye strain increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light bar system provides self-service depth monitoring by automatically displaying depth status through color-coded lights that are immediately perceptible. Operators receive continuous depth feedback without actively seeking or interpreting complex data, eliminating the need to repeatedly focus on separate depth-guidance information and thereby maintaining high operational efficiency while preventing eye strain.
Data Source
AI summary
A depth guidance system for a work vehicle can be provided. In one example, the depth guidance system can include a depth sensor for detecting a depth of a work tool coupled to the work vehicle. The depth guidance system can include a first indicator light configured to illuminate in a first color indicating that the work tool is above a target depth-range. The depth guidance system can also include a second indicator light configured to illuminate in a second color indicating that the work tool is within the target depth-range. The depth guidance system can receive sensor signals from the depth sensor indicating that the work tool is at various depths and responsively activate a corresponding one of the first indicator light or the second indicator light for each depth among the various depths of the work tool.