Head-Mounted Display for Operator Guidance in Quality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current quality control methods for products, such as automotive vehicle engines, rely heavily on human operators who face high cognitive load, require extensive training, and are prone to errors due to non-intuitive paper-based systems and lack of guidance on variant-specific controls, leading to missed defects and delayed detection.

Innovation Solution

A head-mounted display system that uses stereoscopic images and guidance overlays to assist operators in performing quality control tasks by providing variant-specific instructions and real-time guidance directly on the product, reducing the need for manual memory and complementary knowledge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paper-based control forms are used for quality control, then operators can perform controls with basic tools, but the cognitive load increases and operators require extensive training to understand non-intuitive forms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of control systemVSAvoidintuitiveness of control interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical paper-based form system with an electronic display system that presents control information in an intuitive, visual format. The electronic interface automatically adapts to product variants, eliminating the need for operators to interpret complex paper forms and reducing training requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the presentation parameters of control information based on the detected product variant. The display adapts its content, layout, and guidance level according to the specific product being controlled, making the interface intuitively suited to each variant without requiring operators to learn multiple paper form formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If operators rely on memory and skills to perform controls, then they can work independently, but the risk of errors increases and cognitive load becomes high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator independenceVSAvoidaccuracy of control performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to operators through the electronic display, showing which controls have been performed, which are pending, and the current status of quality checks. This continuous feedback loop reduces reliance on operator memory while maintaining independence, as the system actively guides the operator through each control step and confirms completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares and presents the appropriate control checklist and guidance information in advance, based on the detected product variant. Operators receive pre-configured instructions and criteria before beginning controls, eliminating the need to recall procedures from memory and reducing cognitive load while maintaining autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If comprehensive control checklists are provided to ensure all controls are performed, then defect detection improves, but the time required to complete controls increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of defect detectionVSAvoidspeed of control execution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control checklist is dynamically adapted based on the detected product variant. The electronic system automatically adjusts which controls are displayed and their level of detail, showing only the relevant controls for the specific variant being controlled. This dynamic customization ensures complete defect detection for each variant while reducing the time required by eliminating irrelevant control steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The comprehensive control checklist is segmented and organized into variant-specific subsets. The electronic display presents controls in logical groups or sequences based on the product type, allowing operators to efficiently navigate only the necessary controls for the current variant rather than working through a single comprehensive list for all possible products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of information

If manual data entry is required after controls are performed, then digital records can be created, but time loss occurs due to double data entry and detection of defects is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of data recordingVSAvoidtime for data processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual data entry process with automated electronic data capture. The electronic display system automatically records control results, defect findings, and product information in digital format during the control process itself, eliminating the separate data entry step and enabling real-time defect detection and reporting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control execution and data recording functions are merged into a single integrated electronic process. As operators perform controls and record observations on the electronic display, the system simultaneously captures and stores all data in digital format, combining what were previously separate activities (physical control and administrative data entry) into one efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3714438B1Assistance method for assisting performance of a task on a product, comprising displaying a highlighting image highlighting a monitored part of the product
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3714438B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3714438B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3714438B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This assistance method is intended for assisting an operator in performing a task on a product (12). To that end, the method comprises a step of displaying, superimposed on a view of a scene including a monitored part of the product (12) on which a subtask of the task has to be performed, at least one assistance image (100, 136) intended to assist the operator in performing this subtask. Said at least one assistance image (100, 136) includes at least one highlighting image (100, 102) highlighting the monitored part.