Tractor Exhaust Regeneration Indicator System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tractors lack clear and specific information for operators regarding the necessity and manner of regeneration operations for exhaust gas purification systems, leading to potential inefficiencies and reduced engine performance.

Innovation Solution

A tractor equipped with a meter panel featuring a regeneration operation indicator, an alert indicator, and a first display device that provides specific information on regeneration operations, along with a second display device near the operator seat for supplemental information, and a regeneration operation switch that lights up or blinks to indicate the possibility and status of regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If only a simple indicator is provided to show regeneration necessity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information provided to the operator is insufficient and unclear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation on regeneration operationVSAvoidmeter panel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The meter panel is segmented into multiple functional components: a regeneration operation indicator for primary status indication, an alert indicator for abnormality warnings, a first display device for detailed operation information, a second display device near the operator seat for supplemental information, and a regeneration operation switch for user interaction. This segmentation allows comprehensive information provision while maintaining modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds spatial dimension to information display by placing the second display device near the operator seat in addition to the first display device on the meter panel. This multi-position display approach provides information from different spatial locations, ensuring the operator can access regeneration information from multiple viewpoints without overcrowding a single display area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If multiple indicators and display devices are added to provide comprehensive regeneration information, then the information clarity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator awareness of regeneration statusVSAvoidmeter panel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different components of the meter panel are assigned specific functional qualities: the regeneration operation indicator provides primary status indication with simple visual signals, the alert indicator handles abnormality warnings separately, the first display device shows detailed operation parameters, and the second display device near the operator seat provides supplemental information. This local specialization allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall operator awareness without requiring all components to be equally complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The meter panel components dynamically adjust their behavior based on operational state: the regeneration operation indicator and alert indicator can blink or light up continuously depending on whether regeneration is necessary or being performed, and the display devices show different information content based on the current regeneration status. This dynamic behavior provides clear operational feedback without requiring permanent complex structures for all possible states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the regeneration operation indicator and alert indicator blink to indicate necessity, then the attention-grabbing capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator attention to regeneration statusVSAvoidenergy consumption of indicators
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The regeneration operation indicator and alert indicator use periodic blinking action to attract operator attention when regeneration is necessary or being performed. This periodic activation is more energy-efficient than continuous lighting, as the indicators remain dormant during normal operation and only activate periodically or continuously when needed, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective attention-grabbing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system accurately informs operators of the need for and manner of regeneration operations, ensuring timely and effective maintenance, thereby improving engine performance and fuel efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an exhaust gas purification apparatus for an engine, the exhaust gas purification apparatus performing a regeneration operation of oxidatively removing collected particulate matter in exhaust gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3213950B1tractor
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 YANMAR POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3213950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3213950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a work vehicle that can provide a driver with specific information about regenerating operation while communicating the need for regenerating operation or a mode thereof accurately. A work vehicle in which a regenerating operation is implemented to oxidize and remove particulate matter trapped in an exhaust purification device (4) is provided with: a regenerating operation indicator (34A) indicating a regenerating operation request or a state of regenerating operation being implemented on a meter panel (30); a warning indicator (35); and a first display device (42). When regenerating operation is required, the regenerating operation indicator (34A), or the regenerating operation indicator (34A) and the warning indicator (35) are caused to blink, and information about an operation required for implementing the regenerating operation is displayed on the first display device (42). When regenerating operation is being implemented, the regenerating operation indicator (34A), or the regenerating operation indicator (34A) and the warning indicator (35) are turned on, and information about the state of implementation of the regenerating operation is displayed on the first display device (42).