Work Machine Rear Light and Camera Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work machines with rear lights and cameras have insufficient illumination of the operator's field of view, particularly in dark environments, due to the placement of these components on a counterweight, which limits visibility and workability.
Innovation Solution
A work machine design featuring a rear light positioned at the rear upper portion of the cabin to illuminate regions behind and above the machine body, combined with a rear camera located on the hood to capture images, ensuring broader illumination and improved visibility for the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the rear light and rear camera are disposed on the counterweight (rear end part of machine body), then the rear light can illuminate the image-capturing region of the rear camera, but the rear light cannot illuminate a sufficient area of the operator's field of view when the operator directly views the rearward side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination function into multiple rear lights positioned at different locations: one rear light is disposed on the counterweight to illuminate the image-capturing region, while additional rear lights are disposed on the machine body to illuminate the operator's field of view. This segmentation allows each light to serve its specific function effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional rear lights as intermediary elements between the original rear light system and the operator's viewing requirement. These intermediate rear lights act as mediators that bridge the gap between the image-capturing region illumination and the operator's field of view illumination.
2Reliability
If the rear light is positioned to illuminate the image-capturing region, then the rear camera can capture images in dark environments, but the operator's direct rearward view remains insufficiently illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into functional groups: one group on the counterweight serving the rear camera's image-capturing needs, and another group on the machine body serving the operator's direct viewing needs. This ensures both reliability of image capture and ease of direct operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional rear lighting system where the overall system serves dual purposes: illuminating the image-capturing region for camera operation and illuminating the operator's field of view for direct viewing. Each subset of rear lights has specialized functionality while contributing to the universal goal of comprehensive rear illumination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration provides enhanced illumination of the image-capturing region and operator's field of view, significantly improving workability under dark conditions by extending the illuminated area and preventing obstruction from the machine body.
Implementation Method 1
a rear light that is located at a rear upper portion of the cabin and that is configured to illuminate (i) a region lying behind the cabin and above a rear portion of the machine body and (ii) a region lying behind the machine body
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to appropriately illuminate an image-capturing region of a rear camera and a field of view of an operator and to improve workability under a dark environment, a work machine (1) includes: a machine body (3); a cabin (5) installed on the machine body; an engine (6) installed in a rear portion of the machine body; a hood (7) covering the rear of the engine in a manner such that the hood is openable and closable; a counterweight (8) provided on a lower side of the hood; a rear light (20) which is installed at a rear upper portion of the cabin and which is configured to illuminate a region lying behind the machine body; and a rear camera (21) which is disposed on the hood and which is configured to take an image of the region lying behind the machine body.