Agricultural Vehicle Control Element Display for Functionality Change Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of agricultural vehicles may forget that the functionality of vehicle control elements has been altered, leading to a lack of verification using the terminal display.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a vehicle control display element on each control element that indicates whether its functionality has been altered, with a unique color change when functionality is reassigned, allowing operators to easily identify changes by checking the display associated with the control element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the terminal display is used to indicate functionality changes, then the operator can see altered functionality, but the operator may still forget to check the terminal display

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality change informationVSAvoidverification operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The indication system is segmented into two parts: a primary indication on the control element itself (display element 12, 14, 16, 18) and a secondary detailed indication on the terminal display 20. This segmentation ensures that critical functionality change information is always visible at the point of operation, eliminating the need for operators to separately check the terminal display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display elements 12, 14, 16, 18 act as intermediaries between the control elements and the terminal display 20. They provide immediate visual feedback about functionality changes directly at the control element location, serving as a local indicator that prevents information loss without requiring operators to interact with the terminal display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the operator must check the terminal display to verify functionality changes, then complete information is available, but this increases the time and complexity of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality change informationVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display elements 12, 14, 16, 18 provide preliminary indication of functionality changes directly on the control elements before the operator needs to verify anything. This preliminary visual feedback is continuously available, so operators can immediately see if a functionality change has occurred without needing to spend time checking the terminal display 20.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If color-coded hydraulic connections are used, then initial functionality is clearly indicated, but altered functionality is not easily distinguishable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor coding systemVSAvoidaltered functionality indication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses color changes in the display elements 12, 14, 16, 18 to indicate altered functionality. When a control element's functionality is changed via the terminal display 20, the associated display element changes color or illumination state to alert the operator that a functionality alteration has occurred, building upon the existing color-coded hydraulic connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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

Ensures operators can quickly determine if functionality changes have occurred, reducing the need for constant terminal display checks and enhancing operational safety by providing visual feedback on control element changes.

Implementation Method 1

the or each display element is illuminated by an LED or OLED

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3502359B1Control device for agricultural vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 AGCO INT GMBH
  • EP3502359B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A vehicle control device incorporating at least one vehicle control element 2,4,6,8 and a vehicle terminal is disclosed, the at least one vehicle control element 2,4,6,8 being adapted to control a functionality of a vehicle implement or tool, the vehicle terminal incorporating a terminal display, the terminal display being adapted to alter the functionality of the vehicle implement or tool associated with the vehicle control element 2,4,6,8, the terminal display also indicating the functionality associated with the vehicle control element 2,4,6,8, wherein the vehicle control element 2,4,6,8 incorporates a vehicle control display element 12,14,16,18, the vehicle control display element 12,14,16,18 indicating whether the functionality of the vehicle control element 2,4,6,8 has been altered. This enables a driver when looking at the vehicle control element 2,4,6,8 easily to see from the vehicle control display element 12,14,16,18 whether the functionality of the vehicle control element 2,4,6,8 has been altered.