Tractor Remote Control Module With Local Function Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control devices for agricultural tractors are limited in flexibility and user-friendliness due to fixed or cumbersome configuration of control elements, requiring access to a driver's cab interface for function assignment.

Innovation Solution

A remote control device with an integrated selection unit in an operating module allows flexible and convenient assignment of tractor or implement functions to control elements, enabling operation of hydraulic units and other tractor functions without needing cab access, featuring robust push buttons and LED feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control elements are assigned to specific control valve blocks via a user interface in the driver's cab, then the remote control device can operate hydraulic units, but the configuration becomes cumbersome and requires access to the cab

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction assignment flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The selection unit is extracted from the driver's cab interface and relocated to the remote control device itself. This allows the operator to select and assign functions directly at the remote control location, eliminating the need to access the cab for configuration changes while maintaining full adaptability of function assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The selection unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the control valve blocks. It provides a local interface that mediates the function selection process, allowing the operator to configure the remote control device without needing to access the main cab interface, thus simplifying the operation while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the remote control device has fixed function assignment, then the structure is simple, but the flexibility of function assignment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction assignment flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol module structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The selection unit provides multi-functionality by enabling the same control elements to be assigned to different control valve blocks and functions. This universal assignment capability allows a single remote control device structure to serve multiple operational needs without requiring multiple dedicated controls, thus achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The function assignment is made dynamic through the selection unit, which allows the operator to change the mapping between control elements and functions as needed. This dynamic reconfigurability enables the device to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple underlying hardware structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4631761A1Remote control device for an agricultural tractor
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 DEERE & CO
  • EP4631761A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4631761A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4631761A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote control device (10) for an agricultural tractor (16) is provided, which can be attached to a mud flap (12) of a rear tire (14) of the agricultural tractor (16) and has at least one operating element (22, 24) enclosed by an operating module (20) for manually controlling a tractor or implement function. A selection unit (26) is integrated into the operating module (20), via which one of several tractor or implement functions can be selected and assigned to the at least one operating element (22, 24) for the purpose of manual control.