Agricultural Machine Control Assignment via Color-Coded Visual Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural working machines face challenges in coordinating the functions of plug connections and controls, leading to potential malfunctions due to unclear assignments between operating elements and coupling elements, requiring complex procedures to ensure accurate operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of visual identification features on both operating elements and coupling elements, such as toggle switches and hydraulic remote connections, with input means to establish operative connections and adaptive color LED indicators to simplify the assignment process without requiring program changes or additional data entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual identification features are provided on operating elements and coupling elements to improve assignment clarity, then assignment errors are avoided and ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional visual identification components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded visual identification features on operating elements and coupling elements. Each operating element (e.g., joystick, pedal) and corresponding coupling element is assigned a specific color that matches between them, enabling the driver to intuitively identify correct assignments without complex electronic displays or additional data entry procedures.
2Reliability
If centralized electronic control systems are used to manage plug connection assignments, then functional coordination is achieved, but operation time increases due to required display switching and data entry
Solution Approach 1:
The visual identification system enables the driver to independently and immediately identify correct operating element-coupling element assignments through color coding. This eliminates the need to access centralized electronic control systems, switch display modes, or perform data entry procedures, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining reliable functional coordination.
3Loss of information
If detailed display information is provided on central electronic devices, then complete functional information is available, but ease of operation deteriorates due to spatial separation and complex interaction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional information delivery system into distributed visual identification features placed directly on or near each operating element and coupling element. Instead of requiring the driver to access a centralized electronic display, each control element has its own visual identifier (color code) that provides immediate local information about its assignment, making the system both information-complete and intuitively operable.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural machine, designed as a tractor or system vehicle, has a group of controls (10 to 15) arranged on a driver's platform, as well as several hydraulic or electrical coupling elements provided in the rear and/or front and/or attachment area of the machine. The coupling elements can be connected to the connecting lines of implements attached to the machine.In order to provide a functional assignment of operating elements (10 to 15) and plug connections on the agricultural machine, the operation of which involves little labeling and adjustment effort, and in order to reliably avoid assignment errors, the operating elements (10 to 15) and the coupling elements shall each be provided with a visual marking that indicates the assignment of the respective operating element (10 to 15) to one of the coupling elements, wherein input means are provided by means of which at least one coupling element can be brought into operative connection with one of the other operating elements (10 to 15) and wherein a corresponding reordering of the visual marking takes place after use of the input means.