Tracked Vehicle Single-Stick Control for One-Handed Operation

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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 due to the separation of steering, direction control, and work function controls, which can result in accidents, especially when the driver is distracted or tired.

Innovation Solution

Integration of the direction control device and work function control unit into a single, manually operated control stick, allowing for one-handed operation of steering, direction, and work functions, including tilting and rotating, which minimizes coordination challenges and reduces the risk of errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the directional control device and control unit are separated into different control elements, then each control function can be independently operated, but the driver must use multiple hands to operate steering, direction, and working functions, leading to coordination challenges and increased risk of operating errors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOne-handed operation capabilityVSAvoidControl system integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the directional control device and the control unit for working functions into a single integrated operating device with one manually operable control stick. This merging allows the driver to operate steering, direction of travel, and working functions (such as tilting and rotating) using only one hand, eliminating the need for multi-handed operation and reducing coordination challenges while maintaining independent control of each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple control elements are used for different functions, then each function can be precisely controlled, but the coordination challenges increase and operating errors occur more frequently due to distraction or fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOperation safetyVSAvoidControl coordination difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple control functions into a single operating device with one control stick, the patent reduces the number of separate control elements the driver must manage. This integration maintains precise control capability for each function (steering, direction, working functions) while significantly reducing coordination difficulty and the risk of operating errors caused by distraction or fatigue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single control stick is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling steering, direction of travel, and working functions (tilting and rotating). This multi-functional design allows one control element to replace multiple separate controls, improving reliability by reducing the complexity of coordination while maintaining full operational capability

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

Data Source

PatentEP4332308A1Civil tracked vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 KASSBOHRER GELANDEFAHRZEUG AG
  • EP4332308A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4332308A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4332308A1 patent drawing

AI summary

1 A civilian tracked vehicle (1) comprising a directional control device (2) for manually controlling steering and direction functions of the tracked vehicle (1) and a control unit (3) for at least one working function of the tracked vehicle (1) is known. 2 According to the invention, the directional control device (2) and the control unit (3) for the at least one working function are integrated into a common operating device (4) which has a single manually operable control stick (5) that can be moved into several operating positions. 3 Application in the construction industry