Work Tool Orientation Display System for Construction Machinery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of machines with work tools face challenges in precisely positioning and repositioning the tools due to interference with the line of sight and the need for high operator skill, leading to fatigue and diminished efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an electronic controller communicating with sensors and a display to store and calculate the operator-selected orientation of a work tool, calculate the current orientation, and display the deviation from the selected orientation, providing a visual representation to assist the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the work tool is positioned using traditional controllers without visual feedback, then the operator can control the machine, but the positioning precision is poor and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays the current work tool orientation and the deviation from the selected orientation on a display device, providing visual feedback to the operator. This allows the operator to see the actual position of the work tool and adjust the controllers accordingly, improving positioning precision and reducing fatigue by eliminating the need for trial-and-error adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic controller acts as an intermediary between the sensors measuring the work tool orientation and the display device. It calculates the current orientation from sensor data, determines the deviation from the selected orientation, and sends this information to the display, mediating the information flow to provide meaningful visual feedback to the operator.
2Productivity
If the operator manually adjusts the work tool using controllers, then the work operation can be performed, but the operation becomes tedious and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By providing real-time visual feedback of the work tool orientation and deviation from the selected orientation, the operator can make faster, more accurate adjustments without repeated trial-and-error cycles. This reduces the time required for each positioning operation and increases overall work efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual visual estimation and physical adjustment with an electronic measurement and display system. Sensors electronically measure the work tool orientation, and the display presents this information visually, substituting mechanical adjustment processes with electronic information processing to reduce operation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If components of the lift arm assembly and tilt linkage are present, then the work tool can be positioned, but they interfere with the operator's line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The display device serves as an intermediary that presents visual information about the work tool orientation to the operator without requiring the operator to directly view the work tool through the interference of lift arm and tilt linkage components. The electronic system measures and communicates the orientation information, bypassing the physical line-of-sight obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine includes a plurality of ground engaging elements and an operator control station supported on a frame. A work tool is pivotably attached to the frame using a lift arm assembly and a tilt linkage. At least one device measures a quantity associated with at least one of the lift arm assembly, the tilt linkage, and the work tool. An electronic controller, in communication with an operator display and the at least one device. The electronic controller is configured to store an operator selected orientation of the work tool, calculate a current orientation of the work tool based on the quantity, and calculate a deviation of the current orientation from the operator selected orientation. A visual representation of the deviation is displayed on the operator display.