Adaptive Work Vehicle Lighting System for Tool-Positioned Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles equipped with specialized tools face challenges in maximizing operating time due to visibility issues during low-light, weather-impacted, or nighttime operations, as existing lighting systems are not adaptive to the tool's position and operator control, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive lighting system for work vehicles that includes lighting members, actuators, and a controller to position and focus the light based on the operator's control position and the work tool's position, ensuring optimal illumination and reducing operator strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed lighting system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to work tool position and operator control is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where the lighting member's position and focus are continuously adjustable through actuators controlled by the controller, enabling real-time adaptation to work tool position and operator control inputs
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system integrates multiple functions including positioning adjustment, focus control, and adaptive illumination within a single unified system that responds to both operator control and work tool position, reducing the need for separate specialized lighting solutions
2Illumination intensity
If multiple lighting members are deployed to cover all work areas, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single lighting member dynamically repositions itself to illuminate different work areas based on the work tool position and operator control, replacing the need for multiple fixed lighting members and reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system automatically adjusts its own position and focus through actuators controlled by the controller based on sensor input, eliminating the need for manual intervention or multiple pre-positioned lights
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting member is repositioned frequently to match work tool position, then the adaptability is improved, but the wear on actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback about work tool position and operator control inputs, then intelligently determines when and how to reposition the lighting member, optimizing actuator usage while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting member is repositioned in advance to anticipate the operator's needs and work tool movement, reducing the frequency and intensity of actuator operations while maintaining optimal illumination
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive lighting system for a work vehicle controlled by an operator from an operator station and having a work tool and a method for illuminating a work area are provided. The system includes at least one lighting member configured to illuminate at least one portion of a work area, an actuator coupled to the at least one lighting member and configured to position the at least one lighting member relative to the operator station, and a controller in communication with the actuator and configured to control positioning of the at least one lighting member via the actuator based on an operator control position and a position of the work tool.