Agricultural Sprayer Display with Segmented Menu and Flow Arrows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices for agricultural on-board computers are not intuitive enough, leading to confusion and errors when operating complex crop protection sprayers, as they overwhelm users with detailed information and complex valve switching positions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified, two-level menu structure with colored arrows representing liquid flow between main elements, focusing on essential processes and eliminating the need for complex valve management, ensuring users can operate the sprayer efficiently and error-free by highlighting the function to be performed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If detailed information about individual valve switching positions and complex operating parameters is displayed, then complete operational control is achieved, but user confusion and operational errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface is segmented into two hierarchical levels: a first level showing simplified main elements (brewing tank, clear water tank, induction hopper) and a second level providing detailed operational parameters. This segmentation allows users to view only essential information at the primary level while accessing detailed valve switching positions and operating parameters only when needed, thereby reducing confusion while maintaining complete operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the display interface, transitioning from a flat, single-level display of all parameters to a multi-level structured interface. The first level presents simplified main elements, while the second level provides detailed operational data. This dimensional change organizes information hierarchically, reducing cognitive load on users while preserving access to complete system information.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive operational data and multiple menu levels are provided, then complete system information is available, but navigation time and user cognitive load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface performs preliminary organization of information by pre-structuring it into two hierarchical levels. Essential information about main elements is prepared and displayed at the first level before the user even requests it, while detailed information is pre-positioned at the second level for quick access. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for users to navigate through multiple menus to find critical information, reducing navigation time while maintaining information completeness.
3Ease of operation
If simplified display with fewer menu levels is used, then user navigation is faster and easier, but detailed operational information becomes less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The information architecture is segmented into two distinct hierarchical levels: the first level displays simplified main elements for quick navigation and overview, while the second level contains detailed operational parameters including valve switching positions. This segmentation ensures that users experience fast, simple navigation at the primary level while detailed information remains readily accessible through a single level transition, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the display structure, creating a two-level interface where the first level provides simplified navigation and the second level delivers detailed operational information. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to simultaneously achieve fast navigation (through the simplified first level) and complete information accessibility (through the detailed second level), resolving the contradiction between simplicity and comprehensiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
Display device for an agricultural on-board computer with an integrated operating and display unit, wherein the display unit features self-explanatory pictograms. To further develop such a display device for agricultural on-board computers, it is provided that the pictograms are designed and linked to each other in such a way that the operator is guided to and through the various operating steps of the agricultural machine, in particular a crop protection sprayer.