Portable Automatic Steering Handle for Multi-Vehicle Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic steering devices for agricultural vehicles are costly, complex, and require fixed mechanical and electrical connections to the vehicle, making them unsuitable for easy transfer between vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A portable automatic steering device with a motor-mounted handle that rotates the steering wheel via a drive assembly, featuring adjustable clamping mechanisms and wireless data reception, allowing easy attachment to different vehicles without wiring or reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing automatic steering systems are used, then steering accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system is divided into separate functional modules: a portable control unit with motor and drive assembly, and a separate guidance system. The control unit can be detached and transferred between vehicles, eliminating the need for permanent installation infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motor and drive assembly are extracted from the vehicle's fixed steering system and placed in a portable handheld unit. This extraction allows the steering function to be separated from the vehicle's electrical and mechanical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If existing automatic steering systems are used, then steering accuracy is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering accuracyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a portable control unit that requires no permanent installation. The unit attaches to the steering wheel through a simple mechanical interface, eliminating complex wiring and mounting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By extracting the motor and control functions from the vehicle's fixed infrastructure and placing them in a portable unit, the installation process is simplified to mere attachment rather than permanent integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Extent of automation

If existing automatic steering systems are used, then steering automation is improved, but adaptability between vehicles decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering automationVSAvoidvehicle compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed as a dynamic, movable system that can be attached to and removed from different steering wheels. The mechanical interface adapts to different steering wheel sizes and configurations, enabling use across multiple vehicle types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The portable control unit is designed with universal compatibility to work with various vehicle models. The same unit can be transferred between different vehicles without modification, providing multi-functionality across the fleet.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and accurate steering across multiple vehicles with reduced installation complexity and cost, minimizing user error and enhancing agricultural operation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a motor which is operably coupled to the drive assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the drive assembly will rotate the steering wheel in accordance with the rotation command received from the control module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4398705B1Automatic steering device
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 AGRICISION LTD
  • EP4398705B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4398705B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4398705B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic steering device for a vehicle comprising: a frame; a handle coupled to the frame by a drive assembly; a motor; and a control module, and; wherein the handle is adapted to be held in a substantially stationary position by a user such that, in use, the drive assembly will rotate the steering wheel in accordance with a rotation command received from the control module. Also disclosed is an automatic steering system for steering a vehicle comprising: an automatic steering device; a location sensor; a guidance module which includes map data and which is adapted to define travel paths and to process location data from the location sensor by comparing the location data from the location sensor to the map data and the guidance module determines the steering instructions by comparing location data to the defined travel path; wherein the automatic steering device receives the steering instruction from the guidance module and moves the steering wheel in accordance with the steering instructions.