Integrated Vehicle Control Interface for Working Component Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refuse and concrete mixer trucks have duplicative and inelegant control interfaces due to separate controls for OEM-specific components added post-manufacture, leading to inefficient operator interaction and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A control interface module integrated with a rolling chassis structure that communicably couples both working and non-working components, allowing a single interface to control both types of components based on user commands, reducing the need for separate control systems and enhancing operator productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate control interfaces are used for working components and non-working components, then each component can be controlled independently, but the overall control system complexity increases and operator efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate control interfaces for working components and non-working components into a single integrated control interface. The control interface module receives user inputs and routes them to appropriate control functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate control systems and reducing overall complexity while maintaining independent control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control interface module serves multiple functions by handling both working component controls and non-working component controls through a single interface. This universal control module can identify and route different types of control signals to appropriate targets, making one interface perform the work of multiple separate interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate control systems are implemented for working and non-working components, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the number of control interfaces increases leading to duplicative and inelegant designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol coverageVSAvoidnumber of control interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface module is designed as a universal control system that can handle both working component controls and non-working component controls. It identifies the type of control signal received and routes it to the appropriate control function, providing comprehensive control coverage through a single multi-functional interface rather than multiple separate interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control interface module acts as an intermediary between the user and both working and non-working components. It receives control signals from the user, identifies their type, and routes them to the appropriate target components, thereby mediating between the single control interface and multiple controlled components without requiring separate interfaces for each component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If working component controls are added separately from OEM controls, then working components can be controlled, but the control interface becomes duplicative and less elegant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol interface elegance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of working components with the existing OEM control interface for non-working components. The control interface module integrates both control functions into a unified system that maintains the elegance and usability of the original OEM interface while adding working component control capabilities, avoiding duplicative separate controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control interface module is designed to universally handle both OEM non-working component controls and working component controls through a single interface. This multi-functional approach maintains the elegant design of the original OEM interface while extending its capability to control working components, eliminating the need for separate less-elegant additional controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250319830A1Integrated operator centric controls

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 OSHKOSH CORPORATION

AI summary

A vehicle, includes a control interface module, a rolling chassis structure, a working component, and a control interface. The rolling chassis structure includes a chassis and a non-working component. The non-working component is coupled to the chassis and configured to facilitate transit operations for the rolling chassis structure. The non-working component is communicably coupled to the control interface module. The working component is coupled to the rolling chassis structure and is configured to move relative to the chassis. The working component is communicably coupled to the control interface module. The control interface is communicably coupled to the control interface module and configured to receive one or more user commands. The control interface is configured to control an operation of at least one of the working component and the non-working component in response to the one or more user commands.