Under-Seat Controller Layout for Motor-Steered Work Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The placement of a controller to control a motor-driven steering shaft in a work vehicle can compromise driver operability and visibility, as it may obstruct pedals and reduce the driver's field of view.

Innovation Solution

The controller is strategically located on a partition below the driver's seat within the cockpit, allowing for optimal placement close to the motor while minimizing obstruction and interference with the driver's operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the controller is placed in the cockpit area to control the motor-driven steering shaft, then the control function is achieved, but the driver's visibility and pedal operability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver operabilityVSAvoidcontroller placement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is relocated from the horizontal plane (cockpit area) to the vertical dimension (below the driver's seat). This dimensional shift allows the controller to be positioned in the partition space underneath the seat, eliminating obstruction to the driver's forward view and pedal access while maintaining proximity to the motor for control functionality

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

2Reliability

If the controller is placed close to the motor for efficient control, then control responsiveness is improved, but the driver's field of view and pedal accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol responsivenessVSAvoiddriver visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is positioned in the vertical space below the driver's seat, utilizing the partition area that extends downward. This allows the controller to remain close to the motor for responsive control while being located beneath the driver's line of sight and pedal reach, thus maintaining control reliability without compromising visibility

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

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is nested within the partition structure below the driver's seat, utilizing the existing spatial configuration of the vehicle. This nesting approach allows the controller to occupy the under-seat partition space, keeping it close to the motor while ensuring it does not interfere with the driver's operational space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4269181A1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4269181A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269181A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4269181A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a work vehicle with a controller to control a motor, which is capable of being appropriately located in the work vehicle. [Solution] An exemplary work vehicle includes a driver's seat, a steering wheel located in front of the driver's seat, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel, a motor to rotate the steering shaft, and a controller to control the motor. The controller is located on a partition below the driver's seat that constitutes a cockpit in which a driver gets.