Articulable Implement Camera Rail System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles with articulable implements, such as excavators and backhoes, face challenges in providing operators with a comprehensive view of the work area due to obstructed visibility, leading to reduced efficiency and increased risk of accidents or damage.
Innovation Solution
A variably positionable imaging system is integrated into work vehicles, featuring a camera mounted on a track that can be slidably positioned along an arm of the articulable implement, allowing the camera to capture images from multiple locations and communicate them to a display in the operator's cab, with optional motor-driven positioning and rotatable capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed camera is mounted on the work vehicle, then the imaging system is simple and stable, but the operator cannot obtain views from multiple locations along the implement
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is mounted on a cart that can move along a rail system attached to the implement, transforming the fixed camera into a dynamic, repositionable unit. This allows the camera to be relocated to different positions along the implement arms to capture various work area perspectives while maintaining system simplicity through standardized rail and cart components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed cameras are installed at different locations, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera mounted on a movable cart serves multiple functions by being repositioned to different locations along the implement. The cart-rail system enables one camera to replace multiple fixed cameras, achieving comprehensive work area coverage while reducing the total number of cameras needed and simplifying the overall system
3Productivity
If the camera is manually repositioned, then system complexity is reduced, but time is lost during repositioning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The cart is designed with features that enable easy manual repositioning by the operator, such as wheels or sliders that move along the rail. The system provides self-contained repositioning capabilities without requiring external equipment or complex mechanisms, allowing quick adjustment of camera position to track the implement during operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In one aspect, a work vehicle (10) includes a body (12), a controllable, articulable implement (14) coupled to the body, and an imaging system (28). The articulable implement includes at least two arms (16) and a tool (18) positioned at a distal end of the articulable implement. The imaging system includes a display (30), a track (34), and a camera (38). The display is housed within an operating environment of the vehicle and is configured to display images of a work area. The track includes a rail (36) coupled to at least one of the arms of the articulable implement and extending along a length of the arm(s). The camera is coupled to the track and positionable at a plurality of locations along the rail to capture images of the work area (32). The camera is communicatively coupled with the display. The camera captures at least one image of the work area and communicates the image to the display.