Working Machine Travel Direction Notification With Delayed Camera Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working machines, such as skid steer loaders and compact track loaders, lack effective systems for notifying operators of their traveling direction, particularly in situations where visual cues are limited, leading to potential operational hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera device to capture images of the surroundings, a display unit to show these images, and a notification unit to inform the operator of the traveling direction, with a controller that delays the start and end times of image display and notification based on the operation member's threshold values and predetermined times, ensuring timely and accurate direction awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display unit and notification unit start simultaneously when the operation member is operated, then the operator receives immediate information, but the operator cannot distinguish between image display and direction notification timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information delivery process by separating the timing of image display and direction notification. The display unit starts displaying the captured image at a first timing, while the notification unit notifies the traveling direction at a second timing that is delayed relative to the first timing. This temporal segmentation allows the operator to clearly distinguish between receiving visual information and directional information, improving overall awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit performs preliminary action by displaying the captured image before the notification unit provides direction notification. This sequence allows the operator to first establish visual context through the image, then receive directional information, creating a more comprehensible information flow that enhances operator understanding.
2Speed
If the notification unit starts immediately when the operation member is operated, then the traveling direction is notified promptly, but the operator may not have sufficient visual context from the camera image
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is activated at a first timing before the notification unit activates at a second timing. This preliminary display of the camera image provides the operator with necessary visual context about the surroundings before the direction notification is given, ensuring the operator has both visual and directional information for safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the information delivery into two distinct temporal phases: first displaying visual information through the camera image, then providing directional information. This segmentation ensures that visual context is established before directional notification, improving the operator's situational awareness.
3Productivity
If both display unit and notification unit operate simultaneously, then information is provided efficiently, but the operator cannot intentionally control when each feature activates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temporal segmentation by controlling the display unit and notification unit to operate at different timings. The display unit starts at a first timing based on operation member thresholds, while the notification unit starts at a second timing that is deliberately delayed. This segmentation provides control flexibility while maintaining efficient information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the activation timing of the display unit and notification unit based on operation member thresholds and predetermined time intervals. This dynamic control allows the operator to intentionally manage when each feature activates, adapting the information delivery to operational needs while maintaining efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A working machine includes a machine body, a traveling device provided on the machine body, an operation member operable to activate the traveling device, a camera device to capture an image of surroundings of the machine body, a display unit to display the image captured by the camera device, a notification unit to notify a traveling direction of the traveling device, and a controller to control the display unit and the notification unit so that when the operation member is operated to activate the traveling device, the display unit is controlled to display the captured image and the notification unit is controlled to notify the traveling direction. The controller delays either one of a first timing when the display unit starts to display the captured image and a second timing when the notification unit starts to notify the traveling direction later than the other.