Movable Operator Seat with Integrated Proportional Controls for Vehicle Equipment Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for movable vehicles with multiple equipment sets, such as backhoe loaders, lack efficient and intuitive operator controls that allow seamless switching between different equipment operations without compromising functionality or requiring complex contortion.
Innovation Solution
A movable operator seat with integrated proportional controls and a controller system that enables the operator to switch between different equipment control modes based on seat position, allowing for simultaneous control of front and rear equipment sets with intuitive joystick operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator seat is fixed in a forward-facing position, then the controls for the front equipment (loader) are easily accessible, but the operator must physically contort to access and control the rear equipment (backhoe)
Solution Approach 1:
The operator seat is made movable between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position, allowing the operator to dynamically adjust their orientation based on which equipment they are controlling. This eliminates the need for physical contortion when switching between front and rear equipment operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate control systems are provided for front and rear equipment, then each equipment set can be controlled independently, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single controller is provided that can universally control both the front equipment (loader) and rear equipment (backhoe). The controller receives signals from proportional controls and automatically determines which equipment to operate based on the operator seat position, eliminating the need for separate control systems while maintaining independent control capability for each equipment set.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the proportional controls are fixed relative to the vehicle, then the control layout remains consistent, but the operator must reach across their body when the seat position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The proportional controls are coupled to the operator seat and move together when the seat position changes. This dynamic coupling ensures that the controls remain within easy reach of the operator regardless of whether the seat is in the forward-facing or rearward-facing position, eliminating the need for the operator to reach across their body.
4Ease of operation
If the controller automatically switches between equipment modes based on seat position, then equipment control is simplified, but there is a risk of losing current operational parameters when switching
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the operator seat position and uses this feedback to automatically switch between equipment control modes. When switching from front equipment to rear equipment control, the controller preserves the operational parameters of the previously controlled equipment, allowing the operator to resume operations without losing settings or requiring reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of proportional controls to control the operation of a first set of equipment and a second set of equipment.