Work Machine Bidirectional Control Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing work devices attached to vehicles, such as tractors, lack consistency in control between the vehicle and the work device, making it difficult to improve workability by allowing requests from the work device to control the tractor.
Innovation Solution
A work machine with a control device capable of executing first and second controls, where the first control is from the vehicle to the work device and the second control is from the work device to the vehicle, along with a switching device to toggle between these controls, ensuring the work device can command vehicle speed, steering, and attaching device operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the work device operates being controlled by the vehicle speed of the tractor, then the spray amount can be unified by changing spray volume in conjunction with vehicle speed, but there is no consistency between control of the work device by the tractor and control of the tractor from the work device
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between unidirectional control (tractor controlling work device) and bidirectional control (work device controlling tractor) modes based on operational needs. The switching device enables the system to adapt its control architecture in real-time, transitioning from a fixed control direction to a flexible, dynamic control structure that can operate in either mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter direction by using the switching device to reverse who controls whom. When the switching device is OFF, the tractor controls the work device; when ON, the work device controls the tractor. This parameter change in control direction resolves the contradiction by allowing both control modes to be utilized as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the switching device allows switching between first control and second control, then operation according to respective requests from both vehicle and work device is enabled, but switching may occur when driver is not seated which could compromise safety
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting whether the driver is seated before allowing switching to occur. The seating detection mechanism prevents switching operations when the driver is not present, proactively blocking potentially unsafe control mode changes before they can happen. This anticipatory safety measure ensures that control switching only occurs under safe operating conditions.
3Productivity
If the work device can control the tractor, then workability and operational efficiency are improved, but the system complexity increases due to bidirectional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both first control (tractor to work device) and second control (work device to tractor) operations. This universal control architecture allows a single device to handle multiple control directions and functions, improving productivity while managing system complexity through consolidation rather than multiplication of separate control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A work machine (1) includes: a work vehicle (3); a work device (2) coupled to the work vehicle (3); a control device (2a) configured to execute: a first control to control the work device (2) based on a first command from the work vehicle (3); or a second control to control the work vehicle (3) based on a second command from the work device (2); and a switching device (53) configured to switch the control device (2a) between the first control and the second control.