Power Shovel Operator Guidance System with Real-Time Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective techniques to train and instruct power shovel operators for efficient and safe operation, as existing methods often lack real-time feedback and actionable guidance.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates multiple types of information to provide power shovel operators with real-time visual feedback and actionable guidance through a user interface, including performance scores, bucket load information, and vehicle payload targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional operator training methods are used, then training cost and time are reduced, but operator efficiency and safety performance deteriorate due to lack of real-time feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by capturing operational data from sensors on the power shovel and material transport vehicles, processing this data through a computing system, and presenting actionable guidance to operators through a display interface. This continuous feedback loop enables operators to immediately adjust their actions based on measured performance metrics such as bucket fill status, vehicle queue conditions, and loading efficiency, thereby improving operator efficiency while providing the previously missing real-time information.
2Productivity
If comprehensive real-time information is provided to operators, then operator efficiency improves, but system complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex information environment into distinct functional modules: sensor units on the power shovel for capturing operational parameters, vehicle sensors for tracking material transport status, a computing system for processing and analyzing data, and a display interface for presenting information to operators. This modular segmentation manages system complexity by assigning specific functions to separate components while maintaining integrated operation, enabling comprehensive real-time information provision without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system acts as an intermediary between the various sensors and the operator display interface. It receives raw data from multiple sources including bucket sensors, vehicle sensors, and operational parameters, processes this information through algorithms that consider vehicle queue states and payload targets, and transforms it into actionable guidance for operators. This intermediary role simplifies the information flow by filtering, analyzing, and prioritizing data before presentation, managing complexity while enabling comprehensive monitoring.
3Reliability
If operators make decisions without accurate bucket load information, then operation speed increases, but equipment damage risk increases due to improper loading
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of bucket load status before the operator completes the loading action. Sensors detect the weight and volume of material in the bucket, and the computing system evaluates whether the load is appropriate for the targeted vehicle based on payload capacity and queue conditions. This preliminary action provides operators with advance guidance on whether to proceed with loading, enabling informed decisions that protect equipment from overload damage while maintaining operational flow without significant time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and media are described for instructing power shovel operators. Multiple types of information about the power shovel and other operations at a work site are integrated into a GUI in order to present power shovel operators with real-time visual feedback on operational decisions and actionable guidance on ongoing loading operations. The operator is presented with a user interface screen showing performance information such as a performance score indicating the operator's overall efficiency or effectiveness over a predetermined time period. The operator is presented with bucket load information to assist in deciding whether a current load of shoveled material in the bucket of the operator's power shovel should be loaded into a material transport vehicle (e.g., a haul truck), based on vehicle payload target information of the material transport vehicle. Other types of instruction are disclosed as part of the GUI.