Position-Adaptive Truck Remote Control Display for Unified Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for industrial vehicles lack a unified and user-friendly remote control solution that adapts to different driver positions and functions, leading to increased complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A remote control device with wireless transmission and reception capabilities, multiple user interfaces, and sensors for position detection, allowing contextualized control and display of truck functions based on the driver's location, enabling a single device to manage various truck functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate remote controls are used for different truck functions, then each function can be controlled reliably, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate remote controls into a single unified remote control device that can control all truck functions. The remote control includes a display showing multiple function icons and a single actuator that can select and execute different functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate control devices while maintaining reliable control for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control device is designed with universal functionality to control diverse truck operations including suspension, bunk area controls, and bodybuilder-specific equipment. The display dynamically adapts to show relevant function icons based on the current context, and the single actuator can trigger any displayed function, making one device perform the roles of multiple specialized controls.

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

2Device complexity

If a single unified remote control is used for all truck functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need to select from multiple functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control display is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, automatically changing the displayed function icons based on the current context such as the driver's position, active truck systems, and operational state. This dynamic adaptation ensures that only relevant functions are prominently displayed at any given time, simplifying the user interface despite the device's ability to control multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display acts as an intermediary between the single actuator and the multiple truck functions. It presents a simplified visual interface showing only the currently relevant function icons, mediating the complex mapping between one physical control element and numerous possible operations, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling comprehensive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If wired remote controls are used, then connection reliability is ensured, but the ease of operation is reduced due to physical constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The remote control communicates with the truck's control unit via wireless signals, eliminating physical cables and connectors. This substitution maintains reliable communication while significantly improving accessibility, allowing the driver to operate controls from any position in the cab without being constrained by wire routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances user experience by providing adaptive controls and displays, reducing the number of remote controls needed and potentially lowering overall system costs by simplifying hardware implementation.

Implementation Method 1

at least a sensor for detecting a position of a person and/or of the remote control device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

wireless transmission and reception means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4269155B1System for remote controls and displays for an industrial vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4269155B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4269155B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for remote control displays and controls of truck functions, which comprises: - a remote control device (6) with: - - a display (62) with display control means for at least two user interfaces, each user interface corresponding to a predetermined set of truck functions, - - wireless transmission and reception means (64), and - - input means (60) for selecting a function proposed on the display (62) - actuation means (2) corresponding to the proposed truck functions, - at least a sensor (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for detecting a position of a person and/or of the remote control device (6), wherein the display control means are configured to propose functions on the display (62) depending on the information received from the at least one sensor (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for detecting a position.