Cab Door Display Placement for Loader Situational Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power machines, particularly loaders, face challenges in efficiently performing repetitive tasks due to the need for repetitive operator control, which can lead to inefficiencies and prolonged task completion times.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an augmented control system that learns a series of machine operations through a learning mode, sets a home position, and allows the loader to autonomously or semi-autonomously perform repetitive tasks, while incorporating a display integrated into the cab door to enhance situational awareness and provide critical information within the operator's line of sight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If display panels are mounted in corners of the cab, then operational information can be provided to the operator, but the operator's situational awareness of the work area is compromised due to the need to look away from the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is integrated into the cab door and positioned to utilize the door glass surface, relocating the display from traditional corner mounting to a position within the operator's forward field of view. This dimensional repositioning allows the operator to view operational information without diverting gaze from the work area, resolving the contradiction between information access and situational awareness
2Ease of operation
If an integrated display is positioned within the operator's line of sight, then situational awareness is improved, but the display may obstruct the view of the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is positioned in the upper portion of the cab door, utilizing the glass surface in a location that falls within the operator's peripheral or downward glance range rather than the direct forward line of sight. This localized positioning provides operational information while maintaining an unobstructed view of the work area through the majority of the door glass
Solution Approach 2:
The display is integrated into the vertical dimension of the door structure, utilizing the glass surface area that would otherwise be purely transparent. This repositioning allows information display without blocking the horizontal field of view to the work area
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include power machines (100; 200; 300; 900; 1000; 1200; 1300; 1400; 1500) having doors (1410; 1510; 1710) with a display (1404; 1406; 1530; 1730; 1830) that allows the display of information, such as gauges, user inputs, mapped obstacles, boundaries, etc., allowing the operator of the machine to see the displayed information closer to the line of sight with the work area.