Extendable Arm Control Panel for Wrecker Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of recovery vehicles face difficulties in accessing and operating controls, particularly when on uneven terrain or in confined spaces, due to the location of control panels within cabinets that obstruct visibility and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A control panel assembly with an extendable arm assembly that allows the control panel to move from an inner compartment to an outer position, following an arc and maintaining a consistent angle, providing improved accessibility and visibility while allowing the control panel to be operated outside the compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control panel is mounted inside a cabinet on the sidewall of the wrecker, then the controls are protected and integrated, but the accessibility and visibility of the controls deteriorate, particularly for operators of average or below-average height and in non-optimal operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is mounted on an extendable arm assembly that allows it to move between a retracted position (inside the compartment) and an extended position (outside the compartment). This dynamic positioning system enables the control panel to adapt its location based on operational needs, improving accessibility and visibility while maintaining protection when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel is moved from a fixed two-dimensional position on the sidewall to a three-dimensional position that can extend outward from the compartment. This adds a spatial dimension to the control panel's location, allowing operators to access controls from various angles and distances, thereby improving ergonomics and visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If control panel is located inside the compartment, then the controls are integrated and protected, but the operator's visibility of wrecker operations deteriorates due to shielding by the control cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable arm assembly enables the control panel to dynamically adjust its position relative to the operator and the wrecker operations. When extended, the control panel moves outside the compartment, positioning it in a location that does not block the operator's view of the wrecker operations, thereby improving visibility while maintaining accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate and independent controls are provided for hydraulic boom, hydraulic outrigger, underlift and electrical systems, then each control function is specialized, but the overall operability and accessibility deteriorate due to multiple control locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates controls for the hydraulic boom, hydraulic outrigger, underlift, and electrical systems into a single unified control panel. This consolidation allows all control functions to be accessed from one location, improving operability and reducing the complexity of managing multiple separate control stations while maintaining the specialized functionality of each control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control panel assembly for mounting to an interior compartment of a wrecker, the control assembly comprising an extendable arm assembly and a control panel. The extendable arm assembly is mounted to the interior compartment and comprises arms which are foldable relative to each other for adopting a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The control panel is mounted to the extendable arm assembly and comprises wrecker controls. The control panel is movable between an inner position, wherein the extendable arm assembly is in the compact configuration and the wrecker controls are located within the interior compartment, and an outer position, wherein the extendable arm assembly is in the extended configuration and the wrecker controls are located outside the interior compartment.