Operator-Implement Setting Propagation for Mobile Machine Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face inefficiencies and errors when repeatedly setting up different combinations of machines and implements, as existing systems fail to track specific implement and operator configurations, leading to time-consuming and error-prone settings adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A data propagation system that stores and synchronizes operator/machine/implement combinations, automatically retrieving and applying corresponding settings data when these combinations are detected, ensuring consistent configurations across machines and implements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If operators manually set settings for each machine-implement combination, then configuration accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores optimal setting combinations in a database for different machine-implement-operator combinations. When a specific combination is detected, the pre-stored settings are automatically retrieved and applied, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure settings each time and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining configuration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and stores copies of successful machine-implement configurations in a database. When the same machine-implement-operator combination is detected again, the system retrieves and applies the copied configuration data, avoiding repetitive manual setup and ensuring consistent accurate configurations across multiple operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If operators manually adjust settings for each combination, then adaptability to different configurations is maintained, but error rate increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the machine-implement-operator combination, retrieves the appropriate pre-stored settings, and applies them without requiring manual operator intervention. This self-service approach eliminates human errors in configuration while maintaining adaptability to different machine-implement-operator combinations, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors machine-implement-operator combinations and automatically adjusts settings by retrieving appropriate configurations from the database. This feedback mechanism ensures the system adapts to different combinations while eliminating manual errors and improving operational efficiency through automated configuration management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive settings data is stored for all possible combinations, then configuration accuracy improves, but system complexity and data management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal database structure and synchronization protocol that can store and manage settings data for multiple machine-implement-operator combinations. The combination record synchronization mechanism serves multiple functions: storing settings, detecting combinations, retrieving configurations, and maintaining data consistency across different machines and implements, thereby managing complexity while improving configuration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If settings are automatically applied based on detected combinations, then operator effort is reduced, but system complexity and data synchronization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator effortVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a combination record synchronization mechanism as an intermediary between the database and the machine control system. This intermediary automatically detects machine-implement-operator combinations, retrieves appropriate pre-stored settings, and applies them without requiring manual operator input, thereby reducing operator effort while managing system complexity through automated synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3804485B1Settings propagation and synchronization across mobile work machines
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 DEERE & CO
  • EP3804485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3804485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data propagation system (128; 130; 132) stores operator/machine/implement combinations, and corresponding settings data indicative of settings on the machine (104; 106; 108) or implement (110; 112; 114) for the corresponding combination. When a machine is connected to an implement, an identity of an operator (100; 102) is detected, along with an identity of the machine and an identity of the implement. The data propagation system determines whether settings data is available for that operator/machine/implement combination. If so, the settings data is obtained and the machine and implement are automatically controlled based upon the retrieved settings data.