Remote Control Module with Protocol Translation for Work Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control devices for self-propelled work equipment are not universally compatible and require significant hardware modifications to change operating concepts, limiting their adaptability and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A remote control module that includes a processing unit to translate data protocols and user interfaces between different terminal and work device types, enabling control via mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, and supports gesture control on touchscreens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote control device is dedicated to a specific machine type with fixed hardware circuits, then the control reliability for that specific machine is ensured, but the adaptability to different machine types is lost and hardware modification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device is designed with a universal processor-based architecture that can control multiple types of work equipment (excavators, loaders, forklifts, etc.) through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware circuits. The processing unit executes control programs that can be adapted to different machine types, eliminating the need for hardware modifications while maintaining reliable control for each specific machine type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional analog hardware circuits with a digital processing unit that uses software programs to implement control logic. This substitution allows the same physical hardware to be reconfigured for different machine types through software updates, providing both reliability through standardized hardware and adaptability through programmable control logic.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the remote control hardware is modified to support a different operating concept, then the versatility of the remote control device is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device employs dynamic software configuration instead of static hardware design. The processing unit can load and execute different control programs corresponding to various operating concepts and machine types, allowing the device to adapt its functionality dynamically without any physical hardware changes. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining high versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameters and software configuration rather than hardware parameters when adapting to different machine types. By modifying software settings, control algorithms, and interface configurations, the same hardware platform can support multiple operating concepts, avoiding the complexity and costs of hardware reengineering.
3Ease of operation
If each machine type has its own dedicated remote control, then the ease of operation for that specific machine is optimized, but the loss of time for operators to manage multiple remote controls increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal remote control device can operate multiple types of work equipment by loading appropriate control programs. Operators only need to manage one remote control unit, switching between machine types through software selection rather than physically handling multiple dedicated remote controls, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining machine-specific operational optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple dedicated remote control functions into a single universal device. By combining the control capabilities for excavators, loaders, forklifts, and other equipment into one integrated system with programmable functionality, operators consolidate their toolset and reduce the time spent managing multiple separate remote controls.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a remote control module (20) for a self-propelled work machine (12). The remote control module (20) has an end-device data interface (22) for exchanging data with a mobile end-device (14) via an end-device data protocol specific to the end-device type, and a work machine data interface (24) for exchanging data with the work machine (12) via a work machine data protocol specific to the work machine type.A processing unit (26) is adapted to determine the identity and type of the mobile device (14) and the identity and type of the work device (12) via the respective data interface (22, 24) or to retrieve them from a data storage device (28) when the mobile device (14) is coupled with the self-driving work device (12), to translate the respective data protocols mutually during data exchange between the device (14) and the work device (12), and to transmit machine control data (MCD) from the device (14) to the work device (12) and machine status data (MSD) from the work device (12) to the device (14).