Cab Wiper Control for Clear Visibility in Forage Harvesters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural work machines, such as combine harvesters and tractors, face discomfort for operators due to the distracting and vision-obstructing wiping movements of windshield wipers, which are activated for all windows simultaneously, causing unnecessary noise and reduced visibility during field operations.
Innovation Solution
A customizable wiper system with a control device that allows operators to adjust parameters for individual windshield wipers, including a resting state, wiping operation, and interval wiping, as well as synchronization and activation/deactivation based on the operator's field of view and machine state, ensuring only necessary wipers are active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all windshield wipers are activated simultaneously for cleaning multiple windows, then the cleaning coverage is comprehensive, but the operator's field of view is obstructed and distracting noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system is segmented into multiple independently controllable wiper units, each assigned to specific windows. The control device allows selective activation of individual wipers based on operational needs, enabling comprehensive cleaning coverage while preventing simultaneous operation that would obstruct the operator's view and create excessive noise.
2Reliability
If windshield wipers are positioned to cover maximum wiping area, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the wipers obstruct the operator's view of working units
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system incorporates adjustable positioning parameters that allow dynamic reconfiguration of wiper rest positions and wiping paths. The control device enables operators to adjust these parameters to optimize the balance between cleaning effectiveness and maintaining clear visibility of working units during operation.
3Productivity
If multiple wipers operate simultaneously at high speed, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but distracting noise and visual distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device enables periodic or intermittent operation of windshield wipers instead of continuous high-speed operation. Wipers can be activated in alternating sequences or at reduced speeds during specific operational phases, maintaining cleaning efficiency while significantly reducing noise levels and visual distraction to the operator.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural machine (1), in particular a forage harvester (2), with a cab (3) and a wiper system (17) for cleaning several panes (12, 13, 16) of the cab (3), comprising a plurality of wiper blades (18, 19, 20) and a control device (22) which is provided and configured for controlling the wiper system (17) with different wiper states (27, 30, 32, 33), and an input unit (7) for setting at least one parameter of at least one of the wiper states (27, 30, 32, 33), wherein at least in a first wiper state (27) a parameter is a position to be approached by at least one of the wiper blades (18, 19, 20).