Armrest Control Layout for Intuitive Working Vehicle Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing working vehicle designs do not allow operators to intuitively recognize the operation state and pressed position of operation tools, particularly distinguishing between traveling and working pressing operation tools, leading to difficulties in operability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating operation tools with a push-operating portion, a display portion to indicate operation state, and a protrusion separating the push-operating portion from the display portion on an armrest, allowing for intuitive recognition and clear distinction between traveling and working pressing operation tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If operation tools are arranged on the armrest, then the operator can access the tools, but the operator cannot intuitively recognize the operation state and pressed position of the tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of operation toolsVSAvoidvisibility of operation state
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The operation tool is divided into distinct functional segments: the push-operating portion for input, the protrusion for tactile reference, and the display portion for status indication. This segmentation allows each element to serve its specific function while collectively providing intuitive operability and state recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display portion utilizes visual indication (analogous to color changes in TRIZ) to show the operation state. The display portion provides visual feedback that complements the tactile feedback from the protrusion, enabling the operator to intuitively recognize whether the tool is in an operated or non-operated state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If pressing operation tools are arranged apart from each other, then the tools can be individually accessed, but the operator cannot intuitively grasp the position and distinguish between traveling and working tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual accessibility of toolsVSAvoidspatial position and function identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion provides localized tactile quality that is consistent across all operation tools. This uniform local feature enables the operator to intuitively grasp the position of any tool by touch alone, while the display portion provides localized visual information about the specific operation state of each tool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The display portion provides visual differentiation that allows the operator to distinguish between different tool functions (traveling vs. working) and their current states. The visual indication system complements the tactile consistency, enabling rapid identification of tool position and function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Device complexity

If the push-operating portion and display portion are integrated without separation, then the structure is simplified, but the operator cannot clearly distinguish the operational boundaries and tactile feedback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integration of operation toolVSAvoidtactile feedback and boundary recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion acts as a physical separator that divides the push-operating portion from the display portion. This segmentation provides clear tactile boundaries that help the operator understand where to apply force and where to expect visual feedback, while still maintaining a relatively compact integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion serves as an intermediary element between the push-operating portion and the display portion. It provides tactile reference and structural separation without completely isolating the components, enabling the operator to intuitively understand the operational boundaries while maintaining structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3663128B1Working vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3663128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3663128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3663128B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A working vehicle configured to allow an operator to intuitively and to easily recognize operation states of a plurality of operation tools and a pressed position of a pressing operation tool. A working vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an operator seat (10); and an arm rest (15) arranged to a side of the operator seat (10) and provided with a surface on which a plurality of operation tools (161-166) are arranged. The plurality of operation tools (161-166) include one operation tool that has: a push-operating portion (80) to be operated by being pushed; a display portion (81) to display whether being in an operated state or being in a non-operated state; and a protrusion (82) arranged between the push-operating portion (80) and the display portion (81) and separating the push-operating portion (80) from the display portion (81).