Agricultural Mower Interface Dynamic Overlap Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing human-machine interfaces for agricultural implements, such as those with a front mower and rear mowers, lack an efficient method for adjusting the overlap between the mowing areas, particularly when operating on slopes or corners, leading to difficulties in maintaining optimal coverage.

Innovation Solution

A novel human-machine interface with individual input keys for each rear mower and a common input button for symmetrical or asymmetrical overlap settings, allowing automatic adjustment of the overlap between the maximum and minimum permissible values, enabling easy, reliable, and effective adjustment of the mowing coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional human-machine interface with pre-assigned softkey input keys is used, then the interface structure is simple, but the overlap adjustment is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverlap adjustment convenienceVSAvoidtime for overlap adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of overlap values through continuous input key pressing. The overlap value changes dynamically based on the duration of the press, allowing operators to quickly adjust between minimum and maximum overlap values without navigating through multiple menus or pressing multiple keys sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures minimum and maximum overlap limit values in the control system. When the operator presses the input key, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate limit value based on the pressing duration, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each overlap setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of overlap settings is used for each rear mower, then the interface complexity is low, but the adjustment precision and reliability are insufficient for varying operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverlap setting precisionVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the appropriate overlap value based on the pressing duration of the input key. The control system self-adjusts the overlap settings without requiring manual intervention for each specific value, improving precision while keeping the interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback on the operator terminal displaying the current overlap value and its relationship to the minimum and maximum limit values. This feedback mechanism ensures precise control while maintaining interface simplicity through intuitive display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed overlap settings are used, then the control system is simple, but the adaptability to different operating situations (slopes, corners, straight ahead) is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to operating conditionsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overlap settings are made dynamic rather than fixed. The system can adapt the overlap values in real-time based on operating conditions by allowing continuous adjustment through the input key pressing mechanism, enabling adaptation to slopes, corners, and straight-ahead operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the overlap parameter values based on operational needs. By adjusting the overlap between minimum and maximum limit values, the system adapts to different mowing scenarios such as slope compensation, cornering, and straight-line mowing without requiring complex reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3072375B2Man-machine interface for an agricultural working device, control system, agricultural working device and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH
  • EP3072375B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Human-machine interface (10) for an agricultural implement (1), wherein the implement (1) comprises a towing vehicle (2), a front mower (3) coupled to the towing vehicle (2) and at least one rear mower (4, 5) coupled to the towing vehicle (1), and wherein the human-machine interface (10) has input keys (12, 13, 14), and wherein an overlap or overlap with the front mower (3) can be set via at least one of the input keys for the rear mower or each rear mower (4, 5) between a first limit value corresponding to a maximum permissible overlap and a second limit value corresponding to a minimum permissible overlap.Once the first limit value, and thus the maximum permissible overlap, has been set for the respective rear mower (4, 5), the second limit value, and thus the minimum permissible overlap, is automatically set for the respective rear mower (4, 5) by briefly pressing the respective input key (12, 13, 14). Then, once the second limit value, and thus the minimum permissible overlap, has been set for the respective rear mower (4, 5), the first limit value, and thus the maximum permissible overlap, is automatically set for the respective rear mower (4, 6) by briefly pressing the respective input key (12, 13, 14).Then, if the first or second limit value is set for the respective rear mower (4, 5), a continuous press of the respective input key (12, 13, 14) for the respective rear mower (4, 5) automatically sets an overlap between the first and second limit values, depending on the duration of the continuous press. Then, if an overlap between the first and second limit values ​​is set for the respective rear mower (4, 5), a partial press of the respective input key (12, 13, 14) for the respective rear mower (4, 5) automatically sets the first limit value and thus the maximum permissible overlap.