Dual-Wheel Haptic Input for Multi-Implement Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of agricultural machines face challenges in monitoring and controlling multiple implements simultaneously, especially when they are attached at opposite ends, leading to complex visual monitoring tasks.
Innovation Solution
An input device with a lower wheel and an upper wheel, coupled by a common actuator, provides force feedback to facilitate haptic monitoring. The device includes a common sensor and control unit to distinguish wheel operations, allowing separate control of implements through distinct force feedback based on wheel interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an operator controls two implements simultaneously attached at opposite ends of the agricultural machine, then the control capability is improved, but the visual monitoring task becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements force feedback mechanisms that provide haptic information to the operator about the state and position of multiple implements. This tactile feedback allows the operator to monitor implement status without visual attention, resolving the contradiction between controlling multiple implements and maintaining ease of visual monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic haptic feedback that informs the operator about implement status without requiring active visual monitoring. The feedback mechanism serves itself by continuously providing state information through tactile cues, freeing the operator from constant visual surveillance while maintaining control capability.
2Device complexity
If a common actuator provides force feedback to both lower and upper wheels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide distinct force feedback for different wheels is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force feedback delivery mechanism by providing separate force feedback paths from the common actuator to each wheel. This allows the single actuator to generate unified feedback signals that are then distributed and differentiated for each wheel, maintaining device simplicity while enabling distinct tactile information for each control element.
Solution Approach 2:
The common actuator serves multiple functions by providing force feedback to both the lower and upper wheels simultaneously. Through a shared feedback mechanism, one actuator fulfills the role of multiple actuators, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the capability to deliver differentiated feedback to each wheel.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient haptic monitoring and control of multiple implements by differentiating wheel interactions, reducing operational complexity and enhancing safety through intuitive force feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The lower wheel and the upper wheel are coupled with a common actuator for providing a force feedback to the lower wheel and the upper wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
An input device (201) for controlling an agricultural machine (101) has a lower wheel (216) and an upper wheel (220) coupled with a common actuator (210) for providing a force feedback to the lower wheel (216) and the upper wheel (220). According to a method for controlling the force feedback, a manual contact of the lower wheel (216) or the upper wheel (220) can be detected, and the actuator (210) can be controlled to provide a first force feedback if the lower wheel (216) is manually contacted and a second force feedback if the upper wheel (220) is manually contacted.