Shovel Loading Display with Segmented Bar Progress Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shovel display systems primarily use numerical information, making it difficult for operators to visually ascertain the progress of work.

Innovation Solution

A display device that shows a bar-shaped image indicating the ratio of loaded material to the maximum load capacity, with scale marks representing different ranges, allowing operators to visually track the loading progress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If numerical information is displayed to indicate the state of the shovel, then information precision is improved, but visual ease of understanding deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation precisionVSAvoidvisual ease of understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bar-shaped image is segmented into multiple sections corresponding to different load ratio ranges (0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80%, 80-100%). Each segment is filled to visually represent the current load status, making it easy to grasp the loading progress at a glance while maintaining precise numerical data in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy (bar-shaped image) of the numerical load information. Instead of displaying only numbers, it generates a graphical representation that mirrors the numerical data, allowing operators to understand the loading state visually while the underlying numerical precision is preserved for reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If detailed numerical data is displayed, then information completeness is improved, but visual clarity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidvisual clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The bar-shaped image divides the loading information into five distinct segments representing different load ratio ranges. This segmentation allows the complete loading information to be conveyed through visual segments rather than dense numerical data, improving visual clarity while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs different colors or shading levels for different segments of the bar-shaped image to represent various load ratio ranges. This color coding enhances visual clarity by allowing operators to quickly distinguish between different loading stages without needing to read detailed numerical values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4317618B1Display device for shovel, shovel, and shovel assistance device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
  • EP4317618B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4317618B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4317618B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device for a shovel includes an end attachment included in an attachment attached to an upper swing body, and a display control part configured to display, on the display device, a bar-shaped image indicating a ratio of a loaded amount of a load to a maximum load amount of a conveying vehicle, the load being conveyed from the end attachment to a cargo bed of the conveying vehicle. Scale marks attached to the bar-shaped image indicate scale intervals each of which is assigned to a different range of the ratio.