Training apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10056009-B2
Application number	US-201415022523-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2014
Priority date	Sep 17, 2013
Publication date	Aug 21, 2018
Grant date	Aug 21, 2018

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a training apparatus for providing different training levels to an operator of a machine. Known training systems are standalone training systems and separate from the machine. The training system is provided onboard the machine and allows for different training of the operator according to the operator's expertise.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A training apparatus on board a machine, the training apparatus comprising:
a feedback representation module configured to provide a feedback to an operator of the machine;
an operator interface having an input device for controlling at least one parameter of the machine and an implement of the machine; and
a selector module configured to receive a training level selection from the operator,
wherein the training apparatus is configured to effect a direct feedback training level in response to the direct feedback training level being selected as the training level selection via the selector module, and
wherein, according to the direct feedback training level, the training apparatus is further configured to
convey a control input from the input device to the implement of the machine while the machine is running,
determine a desired operational time for a required operation to be completed by the implement of the machine,
determine a sequence of control inputs via the operator interface to effect the required operation of the implement of the machine based on the desired operational time for the required operation, and
communicate the sequence of control inputs to the operator via the feedback representation module during performance of the required operation, such that the operator may perform the required operation with guidance from the sequence of control inputs communicated via the feedback representation module.

2. The training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the training apparatus is communicably coupled to a control system, the control system being configured to:
determine a spatial position of the implement corresponding to a position of the input device on the operator interface;
determine the at least one parameter of the machine corresponding to a position of the input device on the operator interface; and
determine the sequence of control inputs based on the desired operational time and the spatial position of the implement.

3. The training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feedback representation module comprises at least one of a display screen, an audio device, indicator lights, and a tactile feedback device.

4. The training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feedback representation module is configured to display different spatial positions of the implement corresponding to various positions of the input device on the operator interface.

5. The training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the direct feedback training level is configured to provide the feedback to the operator on at least one of the following:
controlling an operational time of the implement of the machine based on at least one of:
a spatial position of the implement and a position of the input device on the operator interface of the machine, and
the desired operational time; and

controlling the at least one parameter of the machine based on a state of the implement.

6. The training apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the feedback representation module is configured to provide an instruction to the operator for performing a task in accordance with the feedback.

7. The training apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the task comprises at least one of a change in a position of the input device and a change in an output of the at least one parameter.

8. The training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the training apparatus is further configured to effect a simulation training level in response to the simulation training level being selected as the training level selection via the selector module, and
wherein, according to the simulation training level, the training apparatus is further configured to
convey the control input from the input device to a simulation of the machine while the machine is in a power off mode, and
update a representation of the machine on the feedback representation module in response to the control input.

9. The training apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the training apparatus is further configured to effect a corrective training level in response to the corrective training level being selected as the training level selection via the selector module, and
wherein, according to the corrective training level, the training apparatus is further configured to
receive the control input from the input device while the machine is running,
effect a corrective action by modifying the control input from the input device, thereby generating a modified control input, and convey the modified control input to the implement of the machine, and
communicate the corrective action to the operator of the machine, via the feedback representation module, by communicating a difference between the control input from the input device and the modified control input.

10. The training apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the training apparatus is further configured to effect a simulation training level in response to the simulation training level being selected as the training level selection via the selector module, and
wherein, according to the simulation training level, the training apparatus is further configured to
convey the control input from the input device to a simulation of the machine while the machine is in a power off mode, and
update a representation of the machine on the feedback representation module in response to the control input.

11. The training apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the corrective training level is further configured to provide the feedback to the operator about the corrective action performed based on the control input from the input device directed to at least one of the following:
a corrective action on at least one desired parameter of the machine to perform an operation associated with the implement of the machine;
a corrective action on a spatial position of the implement for performing the operation; and
a corrective action on an operational time required to perform the operation associated with the implement of the machine.

12. The training apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the feedback representation module is configured to provide a real time feedback to the operator when the machine is performing the corrective action based on the control input from the input device.

13. A machine comprising:
an implement for performing one or more operations associated with the machine, the implement being electro-hydraulically controlled;
an operator interface having an input device to control at least one parameter of the machine and the implement;
a control system configured to determine at least one of:
a spatial position of the implement based on a position of the input device on the operator interface; and
a desired operational time associated with an operation to be completed by the implement of the machine; and

a training apparatus communicably coupled to the control system and the operator interface, the training apparatus comprising:
a feedback representation module configured to provide a feedback to an operator of the machine; and
a selector module configured to receive a training level selection from the operator,

wherein the training apparatus is configured to effect a direct feedback training level in response to the direct feedback training level being selected as the training level selection via the selector module, and
wherein, according to the direct feedback training level, the training apparatus is further configured to
convey a control input from the input device to the implement of the machine while the machine is running,
determine a sequence of control inputs via the operator interface to effect the operation of the implement of the machine based on the desired operational time

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Smith Andrew John
• Bright Christopher Erik
• Speichinger Justin Douglas

Classifications

• G09B9/042 Primary

  providing simulation in a real vehicle (G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence) · CPC title

• G09B5/02

  with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip · CPC title

• G09B19/167 Primary

  Control of land vehicles · CPC title

• G09B9/05

  the view from a vehicle being simulated (G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence) · CPC title