Detachable Control Module Housing for Tillage Machine Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-propelled tillage machines lack effective vandalism protection and ergonomic adaptability during operation, particularly when not in use, which hinders machine operator efficiency and security.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled tillage machine with a housing and operating module design that allows the operating module to be securely anchored and easily accessible, featuring a pivotable upper and lower shell configuration for enhanced protection and ergonomic positioning, enabling secure operation and minimal disruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the operating module is firmly anchored in the lower shell and completely covered by the upper shell in closed position, then vandalism protection is improved, but accessibility of operating elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevandalism protectionVSAvoidaccessibility of operating elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separable parts: a lower shell that remains attached to the machine and an upper shell that can be removed. This segmentation allows the operating module to be accessible during operation (upper shell removed) while protected when parked (upper shell attached), resolving the contradiction between accessibility and vandalism protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the upper shell is completely detached and stored away during operation, then accessibility of operating elements is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of operating elementsVSAvoidhousing assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing transitions from a static, permanently assembled structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable assembly. The upper shell is designed to be easily attachable and detachable, allowing it to move between stored positions and operational positions. This dynamic design simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex mounting mechanisms while maintaining protection and accessibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4488445A1Self-propelled soil working machine with at least one variable control module
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 WIRTGEN GMBH
  • EP4488445A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488445A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488445A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A self-propelled soil cultivation machine (10) comprises a machine frame (12), a chassis (14) supporting the machine frame (12), a drive mechanism (24), and a soil cultivation attachment (28) designed for soil cultivation, wherein the soil cultivation machine (10) has a control device (40) for controlling the operation of the soil cultivation machine (10), wherein the control device (40) has an operating module (46, 48) with a plurality of selectively actuated operating elements (49a, 49b, 49c) whose actuation is suitable for changing an operating state of the soil cultivation machine (10), wherein the control device (40) has a housing (42, 44) of at least two parts in which the operating module (46, 48) is received, wherein the housing (42, 44) has a lower shell (52) and an upper shell (54) which are movable relative to each other between a closed position and an open position, wherein the Control elements (49a, 49b,49c) of the operating module (46, 48) housed in the housing are accessible in the open position of the housing (42, 44). According to the invention, it is provided that the operating module (46, 48) can be detached from the housing (42, 44) and arranged on the housing (42, 44), wherein the operating module (46, 48) can be arranged in a functionally ready position on each shell (52, 54) consisting of the upper shell (54) and lower shell (52).