Vehicle Identity Test Device for Agricultural Cab Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural vehicles require lengthy preparatory measures after key insertion, leading to unnecessary waiting times before the vehicle can be started, especially due to the elevated driver's cab and cumbersome access via a ladder.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle with a contactless communication interface near the ladder for receiving identity information, allowing the control unit to initiate subsystems like door opening, lighting, and seat adjustment before the driver reaches the cab, using a transponder that receives energy wirelessly, ensuring subsystems are operational by the time the driver is ready to drive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver inserts the key in the ignition lock to start the vehicle, then the vehicle can be started, but the driver must wait for lengthy preparatory measures (subsystem startup) which increases waiting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle startup readinessVSAvoidwaiting time before vehicle operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the driver's approach via the transponder and communication interface before the driver reaches the cab. Subsystems such as the door actuator, seat adjustment, and climate control are initiated in advance, so that by the time the driver enters and starts the vehicle, these preparatory measures are already complete or in progress, significantly reducing the waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the driver's cab is elevated high above the ground to improve vehicle design, then the vehicle structure is optimized, but access to the cab becomes tedious and time-consuming via a ladder

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle design efficiencyVSAvoidaccess to driver's cab
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service by automatically detecting the driver's approach through the transponder and communication interface, then autonomously activating the door opening actuator and other preparatory subsystems without requiring the driver to manually operate controls or wait, thereby compensating for the inconvenient access via ladder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic seat adjustment and other preparatory measures are performed after key insertion, then the vehicle is customized for the driver, but the driver must wait during these processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle customization for driverVSAvoidwaiting time during preparatory measures
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by initiating seat adjustment, climate control, and other customization functions before the driver enters the cab and inserts the key. The control unit receives identity information from the transponder in advance and triggers the appropriate subsystems to prepare the vehicle environment, so that when the driver finally enters, the customization processes are already underway or complete, eliminating the waiting period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution significantly reduces waiting time by starting essential vehicle subsystems before the driver enters the cab, enhancing comfort and accessibility by automating preparatory tasks such as seat adjustment and climate control, while ensuring secure authorization for sensitive functions.

Implementation Method 1

A vehicle with a contactless communication interface near the ladder for receiving identity information, allowing the control unit to initiate subsystems like door opening, lighting, and seat adjustment before the driver reaches the cab, using a transponder that receives energy wirelessly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2955068B1Vehicle with identity test device
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 CLAAS TRACTOR
  • EP2955068B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A vehicle, in particular an agricultural vehicle, has a driver's cab (1), a communication interface (5) for contactless reception of identity information, and a control unit (8) for verifying the identity information and, if the verification is successful, starting one or more of the vehicle's subsystems. The driver's cab (1) is accessible via a ladder (4). The communication interface (5) is located adjacent to the ladder (4) to receive the identity information from a transponder (6) when the transponder is within the detection range of the communication interface (5) at the base of the ladder (4).