Remote Work Machine Controls With Start-End Motion Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators remotely controlling work machines, such as hydraulic excavators, lack a sufficient sense of presence due to indirect perception of the machine's motion.
Innovation Solution
An operation apparatus with an operation unit and a notification unit that provides notifications about the start and end conditions of target motions, using visual and auditory cues to enhance the operator's sense of presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator remotely operates the work machine using a remote operation apparatus, then the operator can operate the work machine from a distance, but the operator cannot intuitively grasp the state of motion of the work machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the notification unit provides auditory and visual notifications to the operator based on the operational state of the work machine. When the operation target part starts or ends motion, the system generates notifications that are output through speakers or display devices, creating a feedback loop that informs the operator of the machine's state changes. This resolves the information loss by providing real-time feedback about motion start/end events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual notifications that can change display characteristics (analogous to color changes principle) to indicate different operational states. The notification unit can display different visual cues for motion start versus motion end events, providing intuitive visual feedback that helps the operator grasp the machine's motion state without being physically present.
2Loss of information
If the operator directly operates the work machine from the operation chamber, then the operator can intuitively grasp the state of motion, but the operator cannot operate remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The notification unit acts as an intermediary between the work machine's motion state and the operator. It receives information about motion start/end events from the control system and translates them into perceptible notifications for the operator. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between remote operation and intuitive motion perception, allowing the operator to grasp motion states without direct physical presence.
3Loss of information
If the notification unit provides notifications for all operation states, then the operator gains complete awareness, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses on notifying only the most critical operational events - specifically motion start and motion end events. Rather than providing continuous or comprehensive notifications for all possible operation states, the system selectively notifies only these key transitions. This extraction approach provides sufficient operator awareness while avoiding unnecessary complexity from comprehensive state monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system implements partial action by providing notifications for only the essential motion transitions (start and end events) rather than all possible operational states. This partial notification approach achieves adequate operator awareness for safe remote operation without the excessive complexity of comprehensive state feedback.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an operation apparatus allowing a sense of presence to be imparted to an operator who operates a work machine to be improved. The operation apparatus includes an operation unit (210) and a notification unit (220). The notification unit (220) provides a notification about the state of a work machine (40) when at least one of a start condition and an end condition is satisfied. The start condition includes that a starting operation for making an operation target part (44) of the work machine (40) start a target motion has been applied to the operation unit (210). The end condition includes that an ending operation for ending the target motion has been applied to the operation unit (210).