Movable Display Control for Collision Avoidance in Farm Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machinery displays are limited in their ability to adapt to varying operational needs, leading to potential collisions, restricted operator views, and inefficient use of space due to fixed display sizes.

Innovation Solution

A movable display system with retractable and extendable features, controlled by a sensor system and actuator, adjusts display size and position to prevent collisions and optimize visibility based on operator needs and machine conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed display is used, then the display structure is simple, but the display cannot adapt to varying operational needs and may cause collisions or restrict operator view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay adaptabilityVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is designed as a moveable display that can change its position and size dynamically based on operational needs. The display moves between retracted and extended positions, and adjusts its visible size according to the operational context, transforming a static fixed display into a dynamic adaptive display system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display system is divided into a housing that contains the display when retracted, and an extended position where the display is visible and accessible. This segmentation allows the display to be stored compactly when not needed and deployed when required, reducing collision risk and optimizing space usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the display is extended to show all relevant information, then the information presentation is complete, but the display may block operator view or cause collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidcollision risk and view restriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically adjusts its extension state based on operational context. When complete information presentation is needed, the display extends; when collision risk or view restriction becomes an issue, the display retracts. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between information completeness and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect operational context and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the display extension state accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the display is extended only when necessary for information presentation and retracted when it poses collision risk or blocks the operator's view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the display is retracted to prevent collision and maintain clear view, then safety and visibility are improved, but the display cannot present all relevant information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision prevention and view clarityVSAvoidinformation presentation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display transitions between retracted and extended states dynamically based on real-time operational needs. When safety and visibility are priorities, the display remains retracted; when information presentation becomes critical, the display extends. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize between safety and information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives sensor data about operational context and adjusts the display extension state in response. When the operational context indicates low risk and high information need, the display extends; when risk increases or information need decreases, the display retracts, maintaining the optimal balance between safety and information presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Area of moving object

If a large display is used to present all information, then the visible area is maximized, but the space requirements increase and collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visible areaVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display system separates the large display surface from its storage position using a housing structure. The display can achieve a large visible area when extended for information presentation, while occupying minimal space when retracted into the housing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between maximizing display area and minimizing space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display dynamically changes its effective size by extending or retracting. When a large visible area is needed for comprehensive information presentation, the display extends; when space is needed or collision risk increases, the display retracts to a compact size. This dynamic size adjustment optimizes the balance between display area and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4681961A1Control unit for display adaption
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 AGCO INT GMBH
  • EP4681961A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4681961A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4681961A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A control unit (4) of an agricultural machine (2) which is configured to receive sensor data of a sensor system (34), to analyse the sensor data to determine a need of adaption of at least one moveable display (26) and to control an actuator (32) to adapt the at least one moveable display (26).