Vehicle Guidance Switch Interface Without Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a cost-effective method to control and guide off-road vehicles without the expense of robust displays, particularly in developing markets, where existing solutions are beyond the budget of operators or owners.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that enters a programming mode or guidance mode based on user input to a switch, using a sequence of inputs indicated by a light source, allowing for vehicle guidance without the need for a robust display, utilizing a data processing system coupled with a steering controller and encoder to manage steering angles according to a programmed guidance path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a robust display is used to support user interface for vehicle guidance system, then the user interface reliability is improved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface reliabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the display component entirely from the vehicle guidance system, extracting only the essential control function. The system uses a simple switch assembly with tactile feedback instead of a robust display, eliminating the need for expensive display hardware while maintaining core guidance functionality through audio prompts and basic input mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive robust display with inexpensive, simple components such as a basic switch assembly and audio output. These cheaper components achieve the same essential user interaction goals without requiring the durability and complexity of a robust display, making the system affordable for developing markets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If a robust display is used for off-road vehicle guidance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cost falls outside desired sales price range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The switch assembly incorporates tactile feedback mechanisms that provide immediate physical confirmation to the user when an input is registered. This feedback loop ensures ease of operation by allowing users to know their input has been received without requiring visual confirmation from a display, maintaining usability while reducing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic visual interface of a display with a mechanical tactile interface using a switch assembly. The mechanical feedback from the switch provides operational confirmation through physical sensation rather than visual display, achieving ease of operation through mechanical means instead of electronic visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9811087B2Method for controlling a vehicle and a vehicle guidance system

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A method or system for controlling a vehicle comprises entering a programming mode or a guidance mode based on user input to a switch. The user can enter a guidance program in accordance with a predetermined sequence of inputs of the switch by the user, where readiness for each successive input is indicated by a light source. A guidance mode is managed for guiding a vehicle in accordance with the entered guidance program. An encoder or sensor can sense a steering angle of a steering system. The steering angle is controlled in accordance with the guidance program if the system or the data processor is operating in a guidance mode.