Work Machine Display System for Motion and Operation State Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work machine display systems fail to effectively convey both motion and operation states, making it difficult for operators to recognize and control the machine efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A display system that obtains and generates motion and operation images based on the work machine's information, allowing for easy recognition of both states through a system comprising an obtaining unit, motion image generator, and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If only motion information is displayed, then the motion state is shown, but the operation state cannot be recognized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation state informationVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display information into two distinct types: motion images showing the work implement's position and attitude, and operation images showing the operator's lever positions. This segmentation allows each type of information to be presented clearly without overwhelming the operator, while together they provide complete situational awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges motion information and operation information into a unified display system that presents both types of images simultaneously. The motion image generator and operation image generator work together to create complementary visual representations that are displayed in coordination, allowing the operator to recognize both motion and operation states together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If detailed operation information is provided, then operation state is recognizable, but the display becomes complex and hard to read

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation state visibilityVSAvoiddisplay readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing detailed operation information only where needed - specifically showing lever positions and their correspondence to motion states - rather than overwhelming the display with all possible parameters. The operation image is localized to show only the relevant control inputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified visual copies of the actual operation states through graphical representations of lever positions and motion images. These copies are easier to interpret than raw sensor data while still accurately representing the operational state, making the information both visible and readable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If multiple types of information are displayed together, then complete machine state is shown, but the display becomes cluttered and difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of machine state informationVSAvoiddisplay information complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to the display by showing operation information in relation to motion information through coordinated images. The operation image and motion image are presented in a way that shows their temporal and causal relationship, allowing the operator to understand how control inputs translate to machine motion without cluttering a single space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3770345B1Display system of work machine and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3770345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3770345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3770345B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(F)

AI summary

A display system of a work machine includes an obtaining unit that obtains motion information and operation information of the work machine, a motion image generator that generates a motion image of the work machine and an operation image corresponding to the motion image of the work machine based on the motion information and the operation information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a display that shows the motion image and the operation image of the work machine.