Motor Grader Display Control for Articulation and Blade Visibility

Solution Overview

Problem

In motor graders, the limited display area in the operator's cab prevents the visualization of articulation states during specific functions, making it difficult for operators to perform operations that require changes in articulation while maintaining visibility of the blade's field of view.

Innovation Solution

A motor grader system with a controller that manages the display of articulation states on a display apparatus, allowing the image to be shown only when necessary, such as during non-active specific functions, and receiving commands to operate actuators for articulation changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display area of the display apparatus is made as small as possible to ensure sufficient field of view for the operator, then the field of view forward and downward is improved, but the ability to show articulation state and specific function information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoidarticulation state visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display apparatus dynamically changes its displayed content based on the operational state of the motor grader. When specific functions are active, the display shows function-related information; when no specific function is active, it shows articulation state information. This dynamic adaptation allows the limited display area to effectively present different types of information at appropriate times, resolving the contradiction between maintaining field of view and providing comprehensive information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display alternates between showing articulation state information and showing specific function information based on periodic operational conditions. The controller determines whether to display articulation state or function information based on whether a specific function is currently active, creating a periodic information presentation pattern that ensures both types of information are conveyed despite the limited display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Area of stationary object

If the display area is kept small to maintain operator's field of view, then the operator's direct visibility of the blade is improved, but the visualization of articulation states during specific functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidarticulation state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display apparatus dynamically changes its displayed content based on the operational state of the motor grader. When specific functions are active, the display shows function-related information; when no specific function is active, it shows articulation state information. This dynamic adaptation allows the limited display area to effectively present different types of information at appropriate times, resolving the contradiction between maintaining field of view and providing comprehensive information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the display shows articulation state continuously, then the operator can always recognize articulation changes, but the field of view and blade visibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation state visibilityVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display alternates between showing articulation state information and showing specific function information based on periodic operational conditions. The controller determines whether to display articulation state or function information based on whether a specific function is currently active, creating a periodic information presentation pattern that ensures both types of information are conveyed despite the limited display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The display apparatus dynamically changes its displayed content based on the operational state of the motor grader. When specific functions are active, the display shows function-related information; when no specific function is active, it shows articulation state information. This dynamic adaptation allows the limited display area to effectively present different types of information at appropriate times, resolving the contradiction between maintaining field of view and providing comprehensive information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12486637B2Motor grader and representation control method

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 KOMATSU LTD

AI summary

A motor grader includes a front frame, a rear frame, an actuator that pivots the front frame with respect to the rear frame, an operator operation apparatus, a display apparatus, and a controller. The controller causes the display apparatus to show any one of an image showing a state of pivot and an image different from the image showing the state of pivot, based on a signal from the operator operation apparatus.