Working Vehicle Armrest Layout for Ergonomic Multi-Control Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing working vehicles, such as tractors, face challenges in efficiently arranging and operating multiple control tools, leading to operator fatigue and reduced operational efficiency due to the lack of a structured and ergonomic design for the armrest, which affects the operator's ability to easily access and use various controls during both traveling and working operations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an armrest with a specific arrangement of operation tools, including push-operating portions, display portions, and protrusions to separate these elements, along with an ergonomic layout that includes a swing operating portion, elbow rest, and anti-slip features to enhance operator comfort and accessibility, allowing for intuitive operation of both traveling and working controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation tools are arranged on the armrest surface, then the functionality and control capabilities are improved, but the arrangement complexity and operator fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest surface is divided into multiple regions with different heights and functions. Operation tools are segmented into traveling control tools and working control tools, arranged in different regions. This segmentation allows multiple controls to be organized systematically without creating a cluttered appearance, resolving the contradiction between functionality and arrangement complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the armrest surface are given different local qualities through height variations. The surface includes flat regions, inclined regions, and stepped regions, each optimized for specific types of operation tools. This local differentiation allows efficient arrangement of multiple controls while maintaining visual order and reducing operator cognitive load.
2Ease of operation
If operation tools are arranged on the armrest, then accessibility and operational efficiency are improved, but operator fatigue increases due to lack of ergonomic support
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates cushioning portions positioned to support the operator's arm before operation begins. The cushioning is integrated into the armrest structure, providing pre-positioned ergonomic support that reduces arm fatigue during prolonged operation of multiple controls, thereby preventing operator fatigue while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest design utilizes vertical dimensionality with multi-level surfaces at different heights. Operation tools are arranged across these vertical levels, allowing the operator's hand to naturally transition between different control positions without excessive reaching or awkward positioning, thus improving accessibility while reducing fatigue.
3Device complexity
If display portions and push-operating portions are integrated, then the control interface is simplified, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between operated and non-operated states
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion is introduced between the display portion and the push-operating portion, creating an asymmetric gap. This asymmetric feature serves as a visual and tactile indicator that distinguishes the operated state from the non-operated state. The protrusion breaks the symmetry of the integrated design, providing clear state information without adding significant complexity to the control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the display portion and the push-operating portion. It mediates the transition between states by providing a physical marker that indicates whether the button has been pressed. This intermediary feature preserves state information while maintaining the integrated design, resolving the contradiction between simplification and information retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A working vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an operator seat; and an arm rest arranged to a side of the operator seat and provided with a surface on which a plurality of operation tools are arranged. The plurality of operation tools include one operation tool has: a push-operating portion to be operated by being pushed; a display portion to display whether being in an operated state or being in a non-operated state; and a protrusion arranged between the push-operating portion and the display portion and separating the push-operating portion from the display portion.