Tracked Vehicle Control Column for One-Handed Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional civilian tracked vehicles require multi-handed operation, leading to coordination challenges and increased risk of operating errors, especially when the driver is distracted or tired.
Innovation Solution
Integration of the direction control device and control unit into a single, manually actuable control column, allowing for one-handed operation of steering, travel direction, and operating functions, including tilting and rotating of the vehicle structure, with actuation elements like toggle switches and rocker switches for intuitive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate steering wheel and selection lever are used for direction control, then the vehicle can control steering and travel direction functions, but multi-handed operation is required which increases coordination challenges and operating errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the previously separate steering wheel and selection lever into a single integrated control column that can control both steering and travel direction functions. This merging eliminates the need for multi-handed operation and reduces coordination challenges between different control elements, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control column is designed as a universal control element that can perform multiple functions - both steering control and travel direction selection. This multi-functional design consolidates what were previously separate control devices into one unit, allowing the driver to operate both functions with one hand while maintaining full control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate control unit is used for operating functions, then the vehicle can control multiple operating functions, but multi-handed operation is required which increases coordination challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the separate control unit for operating functions with the direction control device into a single control column. This allows the driver to control multiple operating functions (such as tilting and rotating the structure) along with steering and travel direction using one hand, eliminating the need to switch between separate control units and reducing coordination difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The control column is designed as a multi-functional control element that can handle both direction control (steering and travel direction) and operating functions (structure tilting and rotating). This universal control approach consolidates multiple control tasks into one interface, improving ease of operation while maintaining full versatility.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate control elements are used, then comprehensive vehicle control is achieved, but the control system becomes more complex requiring higher driver concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control elements (steering wheel, selection lever, and control unit) into a single integrated control column. This consolidation maintains comprehensive vehicle control capability while significantly reducing the physical and cognitive complexity of the control system, allowing inexperienced drivers to operate the vehicle more easily.
Data Source
AI summary
A civilian tracked vehicle having a direction control device for manually controlling steering and travel direction functions of the tracked vehicle, and a control unit for controlling at least one operating function of the tracked vehicle. The direction control device and the control unit for the at least one operating function are integrated in a common operating device. The common operating device has an individual, manually actuable control column which can be displaced into a plurality of operating positions.