Forage Harvester Tool Control via Multifunction Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural working vehicles face challenges in safely and efficiently handling detachable working tools, particularly during pickup and placement, due to the complexity of existing control systems that require precise speed control and directional alignment, which can lead to tool damage and operator fatigue.

Innovation Solution

A multifunction grip with a knurled wheel control element allows flexible speed adjustment by rotating an axis transverse to the vehicle's direction, featuring a corrugated peripheral surface for intuitive operation and accidental prevention, combined with a latching mechanism and deflection interval to ensure safe and efficient tool handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional toggle switch is used to control the drive assembly, then the work tool can be raised or lowered, but the control requires complex two-degree-of-freedom manipulation that increases operator fatigue and reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of tool handlingVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is segmented into two independent controls: a toggle switch for directional control (raise/lower) and a rotary knob for speed control. This segmentation allows each control to have a single, intuitive function, reducing the complexity of manipulation compared to a two-degree-of-freedom toggle switch while maintaining full control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single complex control element that requires simultaneous manipulation in two degrees of freedom, the invention inverts the approach by using two simple, independent control elements. The toggle switch handles direction while the rotary knob handles speed, making the overall system easier to operate despite having comparable functional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the vehicle-side hitch is lowered quickly to pick up a work tool, then the pickup process is faster, but the risk of tool damage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool pickup speedVSAvoidtool damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system allows dynamic adjustment of the lowering speed through the rotary knob, enabling the operator to select high speed when the hitch is far from the tool and switch to low speed as approach completes. This dynamic speed control resolves the contradiction by making speed adaptable to the real-time situation rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables preliminary high-speed movement to cover the majority of the distance quickly, followed by a transition to low-speed precision control near the end of the stroke. This preliminary action approach allows most of the work to be done quickly while ensuring safe completion, resolving the speed-safety tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the work tool is lowered slowly to avoid damage, then tool safety is improved, but the time required for tool handling increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool safetyVSAvoidtool handling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary knob provides continuous speed adjustment capability, allowing the operator to optimize speed at each phase of the operation. Slow speed is used only during the critical final approach and placement, while faster speeds are used during the non-critical phases, minimizing total handling time while maintaining tool safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lowering operation is divided into periodic phases: a fast initial descent phase followed by a slow final approach phase. This periodic variation in speed allows the system to achieve both quick overall handling and safe precision placement by applying different speed regimes at different times during the same operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of operation

If a simple control element is used for speed adjustment, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to provide precise speed control may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidspeed control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary knob replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with a simpler rotary interface that directly adjusts the hydraulic flow or motor speed. This substitution maintains precision while dramatically improving ease of operation, as the rotary motion provides intuitive speed control without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multi-position switches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2628376B1Agricultural work vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.01.10 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH

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AI summary

A forage harvester comprises a working tool (1), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the working tool, and a control element deflected from a neutral position in different directions, where a speed at which the drive assembly moves the working tool is a continuous function of a deflection of the control element.