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&#39;s expertise.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a training apparatus, and more specifically to the training apparatus for providing different levels of training to an operator of a machine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Usually, an operator of a machine is required to be provided with training for operating the machine. The training may also be provided for performing a required operation using one or more implements of the machine. Depending on a skill level of the operator, such as novice, intermediate or experienced, the training may have different levels with different complexities. Known methods of providing the training include use of a dedicated simulation system. The simulation system may provide a virtual machine with one or more virtual implements for providing the required training to the operator. The simulation system for providing the training to the operator of the machine is usually a standalone system. 
         [0003]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008206719 discloses a training system for training a person while operating a vehicle. The vehicle includes a control system for receiving vehicle operating commands from the person for controlling the vehicle. The training system includes means for simulating at least one of a state of the vehicle and the environment to which the vehicle is subjected. The simulated state is at least one of a possible real state of the vehicle and the environment which is different from the at least one of the actual state of the vehicle and the environment. The training system includes means for calculating vehicle command signals using the vehicle operating commands and the simulation means. The training system also includes means for transmitting the vehicle command signals to at least one controllable component of the vehicle for controlling the vehicle so as to cause the vehicle to respond to the vehicle operating commands in a way that corresponds to the state simulated by the simulation means instead of the at least one of the actual state of the vehicle and the environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present disclosure, a training apparatus on board a machine is provided. The training apparatus includes a feedback representation module configured to provide a feedback to an operator of the machine. The training apparatus also includes a selector module configured to enable the operator to select at least one training level. The training level includes a simulation training level, wherein the training apparatus provides a training to operate the machine when the machine is in a power off mode. The training level also includes a direct feedback training level, wherein the training apparatus provides the feedback to the operator when the machine is running The training apparatus further includes a corrective training level, wherein the training apparatus provides the feedback about a corrective action performed based on an operator&#39;s input when the machine is running 
         [0005]    Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a training apparatus; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an interior view of an operator cabin showing various input devices provided on an operator interface; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is another interior view of the operator cabin showing the various input devices provided on the operator interface; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is the interior view of the operator cabin showing a feedback representation module to represent training associated with a simulation training level; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is the interior view of the operator cabin showing the feedback representation module to represent a feedback associated with a direct feedback training level; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is the interior view of the operator cabin showing the feedback representation module to represent the feedback associated with a corrective training level. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary machine  100  is illustrated. More specifically, the machine  100  is a backhoe loader. Alternatively, the machine  100  may be any machine including, but not limited to, a wheel loader, an excavator, a shovel, a dozer, a mining truck, an articulated truck, a track type tractor, a forklift, a crane and so on. The machine  100  may be any machine known in the art associated with industries including, but not limited to, agriculture, transportation, mining, construction, forestry and material handling. 
         [0014]    The machine  100  includes a frame  102  and/or a chassis  102 . A power source (not shown) is provided on the frame  102  of the machine  100 . The power source may be any power source known in the art such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, power storage device like batteries and a hybrid engine. The power source is configured to provide power to the machine  100  for operational and mobility requirements. The machine  100  includes a set of ground engaging members  104  such as wheels or track. The ground engaging members  104  are configured to provide mobility to the machine  100 . The machine  100  also includes a drivetrain (not shown) coupled to the power source and the ground engaging members  104 . The drivetrain may include a transmission system having one or more gears, shafts, differentials, torque convertor, hydraulic pump or motor and so on. The drivetrain may be configured to transmit motive power from the power source to the ground engaging members  104 . 
         [0015]    The machine  100  includes one or more implements and associated components pivotally coupled to the frame  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, a front implement arrangement  106  is provided at a front section of the machine  100 . The front implement arrangement  106  includes a front arm  108  pivotally coupled to the frame  102 . An implement such as a front bucket  110  is pivotally affixed to the front arm  108 . The front implement arrangement  106  also includes hydraulic and/or pneumatic cylinders  112  for providing a required spatial movement to the front arm  108  and the front bucket  110 . 
         [0016]    Additionally, a rear implement arrangement  114  is provided at a rear section of the machine  100 . The rear implement arrangement  114  includes a boom  116  pivotally coupled to the frame  102 . The rear implement arrangement  114  includes a rear arm  118  pivotally coupled to the boom  116 . An implement such as a rear bucket  120  is pivotally affixed to the rear arm  118 . The rear implement arrangement  114  also includes hydraulic and/or pneumatic cylinders  122  for providing a required spatial movement to the boom  116 , the rear arm  118  and the rear bucket  120 . 
         [0017]    It should be noted that the front and rear buckets  110 ,  120  may be replaced by any other implement as per system requirements. For example, the implement may include an auger, a blade, a fork, a hammer, a ripper, any other implement known to one of skilled in the art or a combination thereof. The front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  are configured for performing tasks such as earth moving, excavation, digging, demolition and the like. Further, the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  may be controlled electrically, mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or by a combination thereof. 
         [0018]    The machine  100  also includes an operator cabin  124  provided on the frame  102  of the machine  100 . The operator cabin  124  includes an operator interface  126 . The operator interface  126  may include one or more input devices  128  like pedals, steering, joystick, knobs, levers, switches, display devices and so on. The input device  128  may be configured for operating and controlling one or more parameters of the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  and/or the machine  100 . The parameters related to the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  may include a tilt of the implement, extension length of the boom  116  and/or the hydraulic cylinders  112 ,  122 , a height of the implement in a raised or a lowered position and so on. The parameters related to the machine  100  may include the drivetrain, the transmission, a gear position, an engine speed, an output torque, a linear speed of the machine  100  on ground, a steering angle, pressure in the hydraulic cylinders  112 ,  122  and so on. 
         [0019]    The present disclosure relates to a training apparatus provided within the operator cabin  124 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram  200  of a training apparatus  202  provided on board the machine  100 . The training apparatus  202  is configured to provide different training levels to an operator of the machine  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the training apparatus  202  is configured to provide three different training levels. The training levels include a simulation training level T 1 , a direct feedback training level T 2  and a corrective training level T 3 . 
         [0020]    The simulation training level T 1  is configured to provide training to the operator to operate the machine  100  when the machine  100  is in a power off mode. The direct feedback training level T 2  is configured to provide a feedback to the operator when the machine  100  is running The corrective training level T 3  is configured to provide the feedback to the operator about a corrective action performed based on an operator input when the machine  100  is running The training levels will be explained in detail later. It should be noted that the training levels disclosed herein are exemplary. Further, number, complexity, configuration and nomenclature of the training levels may vary and may not limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0021]    The training apparatus  202  includes a selector module  204 . The selector module  204  may include any one or a combination of devices like switches, levers, knobs, display screens and so on. The selector module  204  enables the operator of the machine  100  to select any one of the simulation training level T 1 , the direct feedback training level T 2  and the corrective training level T 3 . 
         [0022]    The training apparatus  202  further includes a feedback representation module  206  communicably coupled to the selector module  204 . In one embodiment, the feedback representation module  206  may also be physically coupled to the selector module  204 . The feedback representation module  206  may include at least one of a display screen, an audio device, indicator lights, a tactile feedback device and the like. The feedback representation module  206  is configured to provide the feedback to the operator of the machine  100  based on the selected training level. In one embodiment, the feedback representation module  206  is an onscreen display device already provided inside the operator cabin  124 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the feedback representation module  206  and the selector module  204  may be integrated into one single unit. In this embodiment, the selector module  204  may be a touchscreen device.
   Accordingly, the selector module  204  may display an alphabetical/alphanumerical list or icons representing the different training levels in a selector mode. On selection of a required training level by the operator, the selector mode may change to a feedback representation mode. In the feedback representation mode, the selector module  204  may function as the feedback representation module  206  to provide the feedback to the operator of the machine  100  based on the selected training level.   
 
         [0025]    The training apparatus  202  is communicably coupled to a control system  208  of the machine  100 . The control system  208  is further communicably coupled to the power source, the ground engaging members  104 , the drivetrain, the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  and/or other components of the machine  100 . The control system  208  may be configured to determine one or more parameters associated with the operation of the machine  100 . 
         [0026]    For example, in one embodiment, the control system  208  is communicably coupled to one or more sensors such as positional sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors and so on placed at various positions on the machine  100  and are configured to provide the spatial position of the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114 . Additionally, the control system  208  is also configured to associate the spatial position of the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  based on a position of the input devices  128  on the operator interface  126 . 
         [0027]    Further, the control system  208  may be configured to determine a desired operational time for a required operation to be completed by the front and/or rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  of the machine  100 . The control system  208  may look up a database or any external or internal data storage means (not shown) to determine the desired operational time for performing the required operation. Also, the control system  208  may be configured to determine a sequence of commands/inputs required on the operator interface  126  to perform the required operation. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, the control system  208  may be communicably coupled to one or more sensors associated with the power source to determine one or more parameters of the power source. The parameters may include the engine speed, the output torque, an intake manifold temperature, an intake manifold pressure, engine cylinder pressure, an exhaust valve temperature, fuel consumption and the like. Further, the control system  208  may also be communicably coupled to one or more sensors of the drivetrain, the ground engaging members  104  and/or associated components to determine one or more parameters. The one or more parameters may include a status of an engaged gear, a speed of the machine  100 , steering angle and the like. 
         [0029]    Thus, the control system  208  may also be configured to determine one or more parameters of the machine  100 , such as the engine speed, a throttle input, a brake selection, a gear selection, hydraulic pump pressure, hydraulic pump displacement or flow, hydraulic valve displacements or commands per function, cylinder pressures and so on, while the front and/or rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  perform the required operation. 
         [0030]    Based on the selected training level, the training apparatus  202  is configured to provide the training and/or the feedback to the operator. The simulation training level T 1 , the direct feedback training level T 2  and the corrective training level T 3  will now be explained in detail. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , interior views of the operator cabin  124  representing the various input devices  128  provided on the operator interface  126  is illustrated. Further, referring to  FIG. 5 , the feedback representation module  206  mounted inside the operator cabin  124  and configured to represent the training associated with the simulation training level T 1  is illustrated. Based on the selection of the simulation training level T 1  by the operator, the training apparatus  202  is configured to function as a simulator device. In the simulation training level T 1 , the machine  100  is in the power off mode while the training apparatus  202  continues to function. 
         [0032]    In the simulation training level T 1 , the training apparatus  202  is configured to provide the training on operating the implement of the machine  100  based on the position of the input device  128  on the operator interface  126 . The training apparatus  202  is also configured to provide the training on controlling the one or more parameters of the machine  100  based on a state or the spatial position of the implement. Further, the feedback representation module  206  is configured to display the different spatial positions of the implement corresponding to the different positions of the input device  128  on the operator interface  126 . In an embodiment, the feedback representation module  206  is the display screen provided inside the operator cabin  124 . The training apparatus  202  is communicably coupled to the control system  208  of the machine  100  to represent the different spatial positions of the implement on the display screen. The spatial position of the implement corresponds to the different positions of the input device  128  on the operator interface  126 . 
         [0033]    As shown in the  FIGS. 3 and 4  respectively, the operator may manipulate the input devices  128  for controlling the front and rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114 . The training apparatus  202  is configured to generate a graphical representation of the front or rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114 , as manipulated by the operator to be displayed on the feedback representation module  206 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The graphical representation may include a simulated representation of at least a part of a view observed from the operator cabin  124 . Further, as the operator may change the position of the input devices  128 , the graphical representation may change on the feedback representation module  206  to display the spatial movements virtually corresponding to the changed position of the input devices  128 . 
         [0034]    Further, the one or more parameters associated with the state of the implement may also be displayed on the feedback representation module  206 . The state of the implement may be defined based on the operation performed by the implement. For example, in case of the machine  100  such as the backhoe loader, a hoe (implement) may be engaged in various states during a trenching operation. Further, the one or more parameters may include the engine speed, the power required and/or supplied to the front implement arrangement  106  and the like. When the operator may operate the input device  128  related to the implement, the graphical representation may change accordingly to display the implement on the feedback representation module  206 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is the interior view of the operator cabin  124  showing the feedback representation module  206  to represent the feedback associated with the direct feedback training level T 2 . Although, in  FIG. 6 , the feedback representation module  206  is represented as the onboard display screen, the feedback representation module  206  may also include the tactile feedback device, the indicator lights, the audio device or a combination thereof. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, the control system  208  may be configured to determine the desired operational time for the required operation to be completed by the front and/or rear implement arrangements  106 ,  114  of the machine  100 . Also, the control system  208  may be configured to determine the sequence of commands/inputs required on the operator interface  126  to perform the required operation. 
         [0037]    In the direct feedback training level T 2 , the training apparatus  202  is configured to provide the feedback to the operator on controlling the operational time of the implement of the machine  100  based on the position of the implement and/or the position of the input device  128  on the operator interface  126 . In an embodiment, the position of the implement may be determined based on the various sensors including, but not limited to, the positional sensor, the speed sensor, the pressure sensor, and/or the flow sensor located on the machine  100 . In another embodiment, the position of the implement is based on the position of the input device  128  and a lapsed time associated with the operation being executed by the implement. In another embodiment, the control system  208  communicably coupled with the training apparatus  202  may refer to a reference map or a historical data stored in the database to determine an optimum operational time associated with the execution of the operation being performed by the implement and/or the drivetrain of the machine  100 . 
         [0038]    In an embodiment, the training apparatus  202  is configured to provide the feedback to the operator to perform one or more tasks associated with the operation being executed by the implement and/or the drivetrain based on the desired operational time, and the position of the implement. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the training apparatus  202  may provide the sequence of commands to the operator of the machine  100  such as the backhoe loader so that the implement or the drivetrain may be manipulated by means of performing those tasks on the operator interface  126  to produce a straight, flat, bottom trench. The training apparatus  202  may refer to the position of the hoe (implement) based on the operational lapsed time and the position of the input device  128  on the operator interface  126  and subsequently, provides a required command on the feedback representation module  206 . 
         [0039]    Further, in the direct feedback training level T 2 , the training apparatus  202  is also configured to provide the feedback to the operator on controlling the one or more parameters of the machine  100  based on the state of the implement executing the required operation. For example, when the implement may be performing a trenching operation, the training apparatus  202  provides the feedback on the feedback representation module  206  related to the desired one or more parameters associated with the trenching operation. The feedback may provide an indication to the operator to change one or parameters such as the engine speed, the gear selection, the power to the implement and the like. The feedback may also be related to changing the position of the input device  128  to prevent stalling of the boom  116 , the torque convertor, the implement or any other component of the machine  100  for improving an efficiency of the machine  100  during the ongoing operation. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is the interior view of the operator cabin  124  showing the feedback representation module  206  to represent the feedback associated with the corrective training level T 3 . Although, in the  FIG. 7 , the feedback representation module  206  is represented as the onboard display screen, the feedback representation module  206  may also include the tactile feedback device, the indicator lights, the audio device or a combination thereof. 
         [0041]    In the corrective training level T 3 , the training apparatus  202  provides the feedback to the operator about the corrective action performed by the control system  208  over and above the operator inputs provided to execute the required operation. The corrective action may be performed on correcting the spatial position of the implement for performing the required operation, on the operational time of the implement to perform the required operation, and the one or more parameters of the machine  100  associated with the execution of the required operation. The feedback representation module  206  may provide a real time feedback to the operator of the corrective actions performed by the control system  208  over and above the operator inputs received through the input devices  128  on the operator interface  126 . In an embodiment, the real time feedback provides a deviation in executing the operations performed by the implement of the machine  100  between the direct feedback training level T 2  and the corrective training level T 3 . 
         [0042]    For example, when the operator is performing the trenching operation, the control system  208  may receive feedback from the various sensors to determine the position of the implement and accordingly, as required, performs the corrective action to change the spatial position of the implement to achieve the required features as desired by the trenching operation. The control system  208  may also perform the corrective action on the one or more parameters associated with the machine  100  based on information received from the various sensors. The one or more parameters may include the engine speed, the throttle selection, the gear selection, the brake selection and the like. 
         [0043]    The feedback representation module  206  represents the corrective action performed by the control system  208  to the operator. Specifically, the corrective action is represented as a correction performed by the control system  208  on the operator inputs provided through the input devices  128  on the operator interface  126 . The training apparatus  202  may provide the above feedback in form of the textual, graphical and/or audible instructions to notify the operator of the corrective action being performed. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0044]    The present disclosure relates to the training apparatus  202  located onboard the machine  100 . Due to the onboard location of the training apparatus  202 , a need of a separate dedicated training apparatus is eliminated resulting in substantial system cost reduction. 
         [0045]    The training apparatus  202  may be used to provide various levels of the training to the operator depending on a skill level of the operator. For example, different training levels may be specifically designed and configured for training novice and experienced operators. As illustrated in the given embodiment, the simulation training level T 1  is used to provide the training to beginners or the novice operators. The direct feedback training level T 2  is advancement over the simulation training level T 1 . The direct feedback training level T 2  is used to provide the feedback and/or the training to the operators having some experience but with limited skills for performing the required operation. The corrective training level T 3  is a further advancement over the direct feedback training level T 2  and is used to provide the corrective action with the feedback for training the experienced operators for performing the required operation. 
         [0046]    The training apparatus  202  may also be used to provide the training to the operator related to various operations. The operations may include, but not limited to, craning, hammer work, digging, working with an extended boom  116 , material loading and so on. The training apparatus  202  may also be used to provide the training to the operator related to optimization of the one or more parameters such as the engine speed, the power required for the ongoing operation, fuel consumption and so on. 
         [0047]    While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.