Stowable Operator Station for Autonomous Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous work vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, face challenges in efficiently transitioning between autonomous and manual operation modes, with existing systems often requiring significant space for operator controls that interfere with autonomous functions and lack flexibility in deployment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a stowable operator station within the vehicle body, featuring a deployable seat and steering wheel mount that can be stowed during autonomous operation and deployed for manual control, allowing the operator station to be partially external to the vehicle body, minimizing space usage and interference with autonomous functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator station is permanently installed within the vehicle body, then the operator can control the vehicle manually, but the vehicle body requires significant space that interferes with autonomous operation and overall vehicle efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The operator station is designed as a dynamic, deployable structure that can transition between stowed and deployed positions. The seat assembly includes a base positioned within the vehicle body and a seat portion that extends outward, allowing the operator station to occupy space only when manually deployed, thereby resolving the contradiction between manual control capability and vehicle body space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The operator station is nested within the vehicle body when not in use. The seat base is positioned inside the vehicle body, and the seat portion can be folded or retracted into a stowed position within the vehicle body, allowing the control system to be contained within the vehicle body volume while still providing external access when needed
2Ease of operation
If the operator station is deployed externally for manual control, then the operator has adequate control capability, but the transition between autonomous and manual modes becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The operator station is segmented into distinct functional components: a base assembly positioned within the vehicle body, a seat portion that extends outward, and integrated control elements. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and configured, simplifying the deployment mechanism while maintaining full manual control capability when extended
Solution Approach 2:
The operator station base serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat, houses control systems, and acts as a mounting point for various operational controls. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the deployment mechanism by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated base structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operator station components are permanently positioned, then the vehicle structure is simpler, but the vehicle lacks flexibility to switch between autonomous and manual operation modes efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow the operator station to transition between stowed and deployed positions. The seat assembly includes movable joints and positioning mechanisms that enable the operator station to be configured for manual operation when needed while maintaining a streamlined profile for autonomous operation, providing operational mode flexibility without excessive structural complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A work vehicle (10) includes a body (12). The vehicle (10) includes a panel (36) configured to cover a portion of the body (12) of the vehicle (10). The vehicle (10) includes an operator station (34) configured to be stowed within the body (12) of the vehicle (10) to enable the panel (36) to cover the operator station (34) while the vehicle (10) is at least partially autonomously controlled. The operator station (34) is configured to be deployed at least partially external to the body (12) of the vehicle (10) to enable an operator to control the vehicle (10).