Transparent Display Layout for Excavator Bucket Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display methods for work support information in work machines, such as hydraulic excavators, cause operator discomfort and reduced efficiency due to constant movement of display positions and potential impairment of visibility when the amount of information increases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple visual field ranges on a transparent display, where work support information is strategically positioned within these ranges based on the operator's line of sight, ensuring that critical information is displayed in the most visible regions while non-critical information is outside the primary visual field to minimize distractions and maintain visibility of the work area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display position of work support information constantly follows the movement of the bucket, then the information remains relevant to the current work position, but the operator feels troublesomeness due to frequent display position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The display position is made dynamically adjustable between two modes: a fixed position mode for stability and a tracking mode that follows bucket movement. The system switches between these modes based on operational context, allowing the display to be both stable and adaptive as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the display parameter (position) based on detected bucket movement. When the bucket moves beyond a predetermined threshold, the display position parameter is adjusted to follow the bucket; otherwise, it remains fixed. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction between adaptability and operator comfort.
2Loss of information
If the amount of work support information displayed increases, then more comprehensive work guidance is provided, but the visibility of the bucket vicinity is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into multiple regions: a first display area for critical work support information that does not overlap with the bucket, and a second display area for additional information. This segmentation allows comprehensive information display while protecting the visibility of the bucket by restricting certain displays to non-overlapping zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functions and priorities. The first display area (non-overlapping region) is given higher priority for displaying critical information that must not obscure the bucket, while the second display area can show supplementary information. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between information completeness and visibility.
3Ease of operation
If work support information is displayed on a transparent display, then the display integrates with the operator's field of view, but the information may overlap with the bucket and reduce operability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses spatial dimensionality by dividing the display into multiple areas at different positional layers. The first display area is positioned in a spatial region that does not overlap with the bucket's visual projection, while the second display area handles overlapping regions. This dimensional separation allows the transparent display to integrate with the field of view without causing harmful overlap.
Data Source
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AI summary
The line-of-sight direction of an operator is estimated on the basis of the posture of a front work device detected by a posture sensor, and plural display regions are set on a screen of a transparent display on the basis of the estimated line-of-sight direction of the operator. Then, the display position of a display image is calculated in such a manner that the display position is located in the display region corresponding to the kind of the display image in the set plural display regions. When the positions of the display regions on the display device change due to change of the line-of-sight direction of the operator, the display position of the display image is held if the display image is located in the display region corresponding to the kind of the display image also after the change, and a new display position of the display image is calculated in such a manner that the new display position falls within the display region corresponding to the kind of the display image again if the display image gets out of the corresponding display region after the change.