Dual Joystick Operator Control for Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy equipment operators face challenges in efficiently and accurately controlling complex work vehicles like motor graders, which require intricate hand and arm gestures to manipulate numerous controls, leading to imprecise operations, increased material usage, and higher costs due to slow working or re-working, and material waste.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an operator control arrangement featuring dual joystick controls with ergonomic grips and balanced control sets, allowing for simultaneous and sequential operation of machine-positioning and implement-positioning components, reducing operator fatigue and improving precision through incremental advance functionality and detent positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple controls are concentrated on one side (traditional layout), then control coverage is comprehensive, but operator fatigue increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two symmetric joystick controls, with the first joystick controlling a first set of operations and the second joystick controlling a second set of operations. This segmentation distributes the control burden evenly between the operator's hands, reducing fatigue while maintaining comprehensive control coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall layout is symmetric, there is intentional asymmetric distribution of specific controls. At least one control on the first joystick and its corresponding control on the second joystick are positioned within 50% of each other's location, creating a balanced yet optimized asymmetric arrangement that reduces fatigue while maintaining control precision.
2Productivity
If intricate hand and arm gestures are required to manipulate controls, then control precision may improve, but operating speed decreases and material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates the need for intricate hand and arm gestures by providing direct, intuitive control through ergonomically positioned joystick controls. The controls are arranged within easy reach and natural movement zones, allowing operators to make precise adjustments without complex gestures, thereby maintaining both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control linkages that required intricate gestures with an optimized joystick control system that translates simple hand movements directly into control signals. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity of control manipulation while maintaining or improving precision and speed.
3Measurement precision
If controls are distributed evenly between hands (50% positioning rule), then operator fatigue reduces and precision improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each joystick control is designed as a universal control unit capable of handling multiple operations. The first joystick controls a first set of operations including machine-positioning and implement-positioning, while the second joystick controls a second set of operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for numerous separate controls while maintaining precise control over all vehicle functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement is pre-configured with controls positioned within 50% of corresponding controls on the opposite joystick, creating an optimized layout before operation begins. This preliminary arrangement of controls within easy reach eliminates the need for operators to search or stretch for controls during operation, maintaining precision while reducing the perceived complexity during actual use.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator control arrangement has first and second operator controls with pluralities of first and second controls configured to provide inputs to at least one controller to control respective first and second sets of operations of machine-positioning and implement-positioning components. The first and second sets of operations include pluralities of machine-positioning and implement-positioning operations. The pluralities of first controls and/or inputs are numbered within fifty percent of the pluralities of second controls and/or inputs, respectively.