Excavator Voice Feedback for Confirming Worker Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing excavator technologies, workers are unable to determine whether their voice has reached the operator, leading to potential communication gaps.
Innovation Solution
The excavator is equipped with an external microphone to collect sound, an internal speaker to output sound to the operator, and an information transmission device to notify the worker if their voice has been received by the operator, utilizing a processor and memory to facilitate this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an external microphone is used to collect worker voice, then communication capability is improved, but the worker cannot determine if voice reached the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the operator's response is transmitted back to the worker through the communication device. The worker can detect whether their voice was received by the operator through this feedback signal, resolving the uncertainty about communication delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device serves as an intermediary that not only transmits the worker's voice to the operator but also carries feedback information back to the worker. This intermediary device enables two-way communication confirmation without requiring direct visual contact between worker and operator.
2Loss of information
If internal speaker outputs sound to operator, then operator awareness of worker voice is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transmitter for the worker's voice to the operator and as a receiver for feedback signals. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive communication capabilities.
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
Enables the worker to recognize if their voice has reached the operator, enhancing communication effectiveness and reducing misunderstandings.
Implementation Method 1
an external microphone configured to collect sound around a work machine
Implementation Method 2
an internal speaker configured to output sound to an operator of the work machine
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine includes a lower traveling body; an upper slewing body slewably mounted on the lower traveling body; an external microphone configured to collect sound around a work machine; an internal speaker configured to output sound to an operator of the work machine; an information transmission device configured to enable a worker around the work machine to recognize whether or not a voice of the worker has reached the operator of the work machine; and a processor, and a memory storing instructions that cause the processor to execute a process. The process includes collecting, by the external microphone, sound around the work machine; outputting, by the internal speaker, the sound to the operator of the work machine; and enabling, by the information transmission device, the worker around the work machine to recognize whether or not a voice of the worker has reached the operator of the work machine.