Work Vehicle Implement Pause-Resume Control for Multi-Tool Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control methods for agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, are inefficient and error-prone when managing multiple implements, requiring users to manually enable and disable each implement individually, leading to user discomfort, time wastage, and potential mistakes during operations like moving between fields or performing maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system for agricultural vehicles that includes input means, such as a rocker switch or button, allowing users to pause and resume all enabled implements simultaneously, with an electronic control unit managing bidirectional communication to verify and enable implements, and enabling simultaneous operation of multiple implements with a single command.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual enable/disable operations are performed for each implement individually, then precise control over each implement is achieved, but user time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual implement control operations into a single group control operation. The electronic control unit is configured to receive a single enable signal or disable signal that simultaneously activates or deactivates multiple implements, transforming the need for multiple sequential operations into one unified action.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit serves multiple functions: it individually controls each implement, manages group enable/disable operations, stores operational state information for each implement, and coordinates bidirectional communication between the tractor and multiple implements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for each implement.
2Productivity
If multiple implements are enabled simultaneously, then operational efficiency increases, but complexity of managing each implement individually increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit automatically manages the complexity of coordinating multiple implements. When a single implement is enabled or disabled, the control unit autonomously updates the operational state of all related implements based on stored compatibility information, eliminating the need for the user to manually manage each implement's state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing operational state information and compatibility relationships between implements in the electronic control unit. This allows the system to automatically determine which implements should be enabled or disabled together, performing the complex coordination logic in advance rather than requiring real-time manual decision-making.
3Reliability
If individual implement control is maintained, then precise operational control is preserved, but user error potential increases during frequent enable/disable operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the electronic control unit monitor and track the operational state of each implement. The control unit receives status information from implements and uses this feedback to automatically manage group enable/disable operations, ensuring that control accuracy is maintained while reducing the number of manual operations required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for controlling a work vehicle, the work vehicle comprising an electronic control unit and being configured to be connected to at least one implement, the method comprising the steps of: a) selecting an implement connected to the work vehicle; b) verifying, by the electronic control unit, that operational conditions of the work vehicle are satisfied, said implement being engageable only if said operational conditions are satisfied; c) if said implement is engageable, enabling, by the electronic control unit, said implement upon confirmation of the selection of said implement; d) disabling, by the electronic control unit, all implements upon a pause command; and e) returning to step b) for each implement enabled at step c), upon a resume command.