Visual Direction Indicators for Aerial Work Platform Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of aerial work platforms face disorientation and confusion when determining the direction of forward or backward movement due to the complex orientation of the work platform relative to the chassis, leading to potential accidents, as existing solutions require intellectual effort or are overly complex.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled aerial work platform with a visual signalling system that provides clear, oriented visual indications on the chassis or display device to indicate the selected direction of movement, eliminating the need for the operator to compare markings or understand complex reversals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If markings are placed on the chassis and control handle to indicate movement directions, then the operator receives directional information, but the operator must intellectually compare the markings which increases complexity and risk of error
Solution Approach 1:
The visual signalling system provides immediate feedback to the operator by displaying the selected movement direction on the display device. The directional indication dynamically updates based on the control handle position and platform orientation, eliminating the need for the operator to mentally compare static markings on the chassis and control handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device acts as an intermediary between the control system and the operator. It translates the complex spatial relationship between control handle position and actual movement direction into an intuitive visual representation, removing the cognitive burden of interpretation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control handle is articulated like an aeronautical joystick to enable movement control, then the operator can control the platform from various orientations, but the operator may confuse forward and backward directions when the platform orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The visual signalling system dynamically adapts its display based on the current platform orientation and control handle position. The directional indication rotates and reorients itself to always correctly represent the relationship between control input and actual movement direction, maintaining clarity regardless of platform configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the displayed directional parameters based on the platform's orientation angle and control handle position. When the platform rotates or the control handle moves, the visual indication automatically updates to reflect the new spatial relationship, preventing operator confusion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the turret can pivot without limitation or over a large angle to modify platform orientation, then the platform can reach various working positions, but the direction of chassis movement becomes reversed relative to control handle action
Solution Approach 1:
The visual signalling system inverts the conventional approach by not relying on the operator to interpret the relationship between control handle direction and movement direction. Instead, it actively displays the correct movement direction based on the current turret angle, effectively reversing the cognitive burden from the operator to the system.
Data Source
AI summary
The aerial work platform comprises a control console (30) for moving the platform (20) to a working position at a height and for moving the chassis (2) on the ground in the forward (FAV) and backward (FAV) directions. To avoid confusing these two directions of movement because of the variable orientation of the console (30) with respect to the chassis (2), the direction of movement selected at the control console (30) is indicated to the operator by activation of at least one visual indication (63a, 64a, 64b, 70.i, 72)located on the side of the chassis (2) that corresponds to the direction of movement selected, orhaving a form pointing in the direction of movement (FAV, FAR) selected.A screen (40) also indicates the direction of movement (FAV, FAR) selected by a display transposing to the screen (40) the above visual indication system in relation to the azimuthal direction of the chassis (2) with respect to the console (30).