Adaptive Work Machine Lighting Control for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machines face visual impairment issues for operators due to movable work equipment obstructing the view, especially in dark environments, causing glare and shadows that hinder effective illumination of the work area.
Innovation Solution
The control unit adjusts the illumination intensity of lighting means based on position data from detection units, ensuring lower intensity in directions obstructed by work equipment and higher intensity in directions that provide clear views of the work area, preventing blinding effects and minimizing shadows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting means illuminate the work equipment in dark environments, then the work equipment is well illuminated, but the machine operator experiences visual impairment due to glare and shadows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating illumination intensity across different spatial zones. The control unit adjusts lighting means to provide higher illumination intensity directed at the work area and work equipment, while simultaneously reducing illumination intensity in directions toward the operator's cab. This creates locally optimized lighting conditions: bright work area for operational effectiveness, and dimmer operator area to prevent glare and visual impairment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the illumination intensity adaptive and variable rather than static. The control unit continuously adjusts the illumination intensity of lighting means based on real-time position data from detection units. As the work equipment moves between different positions (affecting the operator's view), the lighting system dynamically modifies its output to maintain optimal conditions, preventing glare when equipment obstructs the operator's view while ensuring adequate work area illumination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If work equipment is positioned to obstruct the operator's view, then the work equipment can be operated in certain positions, but the operator cannot see the work area clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using detection units to continuously monitor the position of work equipment and transmitting this position data to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the illumination pattern of lighting means accordingly. When the work equipment moves into a position that obstructs the operator's view, the system receives feedback about this position change and responds by adjusting lighting to compensate, ensuring the operator maintains visual awareness of the work area despite equipment obstruction.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple lighting means are used to illuminate the work area, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the complexity of the lighting control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the control unit to perform multiple functions: it processes position data from detection units, determines optimal illumination patterns, controls multiple lighting means simultaneously, and adapts to different work equipment positions. This multi-functional control unit consolidates what could be multiple separate control systems into a single integrated device, managing the complexity while maintaining comprehensive illumination coverage across the work area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The working machine (2) has working equipment (30,32) and an illumination unit for illuminating working area of working equipment. A detection unit detects position of two relatively movable units of working machine and/or steering angle of working machine. A control unit is in communication with detection unit such that detected position data are transmitted to the control unit. The control unit controls the illumination intensity of direction light emitted by a lighting unit and adjusts the direction light in response to the data obtained from a sensing unit. An independent claim is included for a method of operating working machine.