Work Machine Acoustic Sensing for Speaker Direction Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of work machines like excavators face challenges in identifying the direction from which a person is speaking, making it difficult to respond appropriately to workers around the machine.

Innovation Solution

The work machine is equipped with an external sound collecting device to detect the direction of sound and a control device that reports the direction of speech, facilitating communication with the speaker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a sound collecting device is mounted on the upper turning body to detect sound direction, then the operator can identify the direction of the speaker, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection of speech informationVSAvoidsound collecting device and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sound collecting device as an intermediary component that captures sound waves from the environment and converts them into electrical signals. This intermediary device enables the operator to indirectly perceive the direction of speech without direct visual contact, resolving the information loss about speaker direction while managing the added complexity through a dedicated sensing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for direct visual-mechanical observation with an acoustic-electrical sensing system. Instead of relying on visual cues or mechanical direction indicators, the system uses sound collecting devices with microphones and control devices with processors to detect and report speech direction, substituting mechanical observation methods with acoustic sensing and electronic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If the upper turning body is made to freely turn to improve operator visibility, then the operator can see workers around the machine, but the stability of the machine decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator visibilityVSAvoidmachine stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical rotation of the upper turning body for visibility purposes with an acoustic sensing system. Instead of physically rotating heavy machinery components to improve operator visibility, the system uses sound collecting devices mounted on the upper turning body to detect speech direction electronically, maintaining machine stability while achieving the visibility goal through acoustic information gathering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the operator to accurately identify the direction of the speaker, enhancing communication and response capabilities with workers around the machine.

Implementation Method 1

a sound collecting device provided on the upper turning body so as to be able to detect a direction of a sound around the work machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS20250283306A1Work machine and control system for work machine

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

AI summary

A work machine includes a lower traveling body; an upper turning body mounted on the lower traveling body so as to freely turn; a sound collecting device provided on the upper turning body so as to be able to detect a direction of a sound around the work machine; and a control device configured to report a direction of speech based on the direction of the sound detected by the sound collecting device, when a person existing around the work machine is speaking.