Interactive Lighting Control for Agricultural Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of agricultural working machines face inefficiencies in manually activating and deactivating lighting systems, requiring a learning period to determine which lighting means are suitable for specific illumination requirements, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and complexity, especially when equipment is changed or operators are unfamiliar with the machine.
Innovation Solution
An interactive user interface on the input device allows operators to express desired illumination requests, which are translated into selective activation of lighting means by the control device, reducing the need for manual switching and optimizing energy use through stored links and adaptive control, including touch-sensitive interfaces, gesture recognition, voice control, and visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators manually activate and deactivate individual lighting devices, then they can control illumination, but they require a learning period to determine which lighting means are suitable for specific illumination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically determines which lighting devices to activate based on the operating condition and the stored assignment, without requiring the operator to manually select individual lighting devices. The system serves itself by autonomously making the lighting control decisions that previously required operator knowledge and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is pre-programmed with assignments linking operating conditions to specific lighting devices. This preliminary configuration allows the system to immediately provide appropriate lighting control without requiring the operator to learn which lighting devices correspond to which operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If operators manually control lighting devices, then they can adjust illumination, but unnecessary lighting devices may remain activated leading to increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control device autonomously manages lighting device activation and deactivation based on the current operating condition, eliminating the need for operator intervention. This self-service approach ensures that only the necessary lighting devices are activated, optimizing energy consumption without sacrificing control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operating condition and automatically adjusts the lighting configuration in response. This feedback mechanism ensures that lighting devices are activated only when and where needed, preventing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lighting devices are available for different operating conditions, then illumination requirements can be met, but the control system becomes complex requiring operators to learn which devices to activate
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically manages the complexity of coordinating multiple lighting devices across different operating conditions. Instead of requiring operators to learn which devices to activate, the system self-services by autonomously selecting and activating the appropriate lighting devices based on the current operating condition and pre-stored assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is pre-configured with assignments that map operating conditions to specific lighting devices. This preliminary action consolidates the complexity into the system's memory rather than requiring it to be distributed across multiple operators, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing operational complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If lighting devices are automatically controlled based on operating conditions, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system requires pre-programmed assignments between operating conditions and lighting devices
Solution Approach 1:
The control device autonomously executes the pre-programmed assignments to automatically activate and deactivate lighting devices based on operating conditions. This self-service capability reduces energy consumption by ensuring only necessary lighting is activated, while the system manages its own configuration complexity internally without burdening the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-programmed with assignments linking operating conditions to lighting devices during setup. This preliminary configuration consolidates the complexity into a one-time setup process, after which the system automatically optimizes energy consumption without requiring ongoing complex configuration or operator intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a self-propelled agricultural machine (1) comprising a plurality of lighting devices (2), a control device (3) and an input device (4), wherein the lighting devices (2) are arranged in such a way that they are jointly capable of illuminating at least part of an area (5) surrounding the machine (1) and/or parts of the machine (1), wherein inputs relating to the activation and/or deactivation of lighting devices (2) can be made by an operator by means of the input device (4), wherein the control device (3) is operatively connected to the input device (4) so that inputs made by the operator via the input device (4) can be transmitted to the control device (3), wherein the control device (3) is operatively connected to the lighting devices (2).so that the lighting means (2) can be controlled by means of the control device (3). In order to provide a working machine by means of which the illumination situation of an area surrounding the working machine and/or of parts of the working machine itself can be controlled more easily, it is proposed according to the invention that the input device (4) has an interactive user interface (6) which is configured so that the operator can enter an illumination request by interacting with an area on the user interface (6), wherein the control device (3) is configured to convert the entered illumination request into a selective activation of at least one of the lighting means (2) such that the illumination request is implemented.