Loader Visual Guidance With Path Preview for Obstructed Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines with hydraulic boom mechanisms for load manipulation often obstruct the operator's view, making spatial perception of tool carriers, attachments, and material handling difficult, leading to increased stress, longer operation times, and safety concerns due to unstable loads.
Innovation Solution
A virtual guidance system with a camera and display unit provides visual and audible aids to assist operators in maneuvering work vehicles, showing loader positions, attachment orientations, and preview paths, enhancing spatial awareness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic boom mechanisms are used for load manipulation, then load manipulation capability is improved, but operator visibility and spatial perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the physical boom mechanism and displays it on a screen mounted on the cab. This virtual representation allows the operator to see the boom's position and movement without being blocked by the actual physical boom, resolving the contradiction between load manipulation capability and operator visibility
Solution Approach 2:
A camera system acts as an intermediary between the boom mechanism and the operator. The camera captures images of the boom and transmits them to the display, providing the operator with indirect visual access to the boom's position and surrounding spatial relationships that would otherwise be blocked
2Length of moving object
If boom mechanisms are used to extend reach, then reach capability is improved, but spatial perception of tool carriers and attachments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual image system creates a visual copy of the tool carrier and attachment positions on the display screen. This allows the operator to perceive the spatial location and orientation of these components even when they are extended beyond the operator's direct line of sight, maintaining spatial perception despite extended reach capability
3Ease of operation
If trial and error operations are performed due to poor visibility, then operator stress increases, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous visual feedback to the operator through the display screen, showing the real-time position of the boom and tool carrier. This feedback eliminates the need for trial-and-error operations, reducing both operator stress and operation time by allowing precise control based on visible information
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays the desired end position of the tool carrier in advance on the virtual image. This allows the operator to plan and execute the movement directly toward the target position without needing to perform multiple trial adjustments, thereby reducing operation time and stress
Data Source
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AI summary
A virtual guidance apparatus and method assist an operator to maneuver a loader of a work vehicle for material handling of a workpiece. The virtual guidance apparatus includes a guidance control unit, one or more camera devices mounted on the associated work vehicle and operable to obtain an image of a loader of the associated work vehicle, and a display unit operatively coupled with the guidance control unit and displaying on a screen of the display unit that is viewable from an operator's seat of the associated work vehicle visual aids for guiding the operator in operating the loader to position a boom relative to level ground, to position a tool carrier on an end of the boom, to show a preview of a path of the tool carrier and of tools attached with the tool carrier, and to assist in positioning the workpiece load to be manipulated.