Work Vehicle Operator Control with Detent Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy equipment operators face challenges in efficiently and accurately controlling complex work vehicles like motor graders, which require intricate hand and arm gestures to manipulate numerous controls, leading to imprecise operations, increased material usage, and higher costs due to inefficient or repetitive tasks.
Innovation Solution
An operator control system with ergonomic joystick controls and balanced control sets that distribute operations evenly between hands, incorporating detent positions for precise control and incremental adjustments, allowing for simultaneous or sequential control of vehicle heading and implement positioning with reduced fatigue and improved precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple controls are manipulated simultaneously or in rapid succession, then vehicle operation effectiveness is improved, but operator fatigue and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single control element with detent positions. One control incorporates both heading rate control and direction control functions, allowing the operator to access multiple functions through one control rather than manipulating multiple separate controls simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically changes function based on the control's position. As the control is moved through its range of motion, the system correlates input signals at different detent positions with different vehicle functions, allowing adaptive control without requiring multiple static control elements.
2Measurement precision
If intricate hand and arm gestures are used to manipulate controls, then vehicle control precision is improved, but operator fatigue and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single control element provides multiple functions through its detent positions. The control can select between heading rate control, direction control, and other vehicle functions based on which detent position is engaged, eliminating the need for multiple specialized controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The control's range of motion is segmented into discrete detent positions, each corresponding to a specific function or mode. This segmentation allows precise function selection through positional disengagement rather than requiring complex continuous gestures.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple controls are manipulated in succession, then implement operation accuracy is improved, but material waste and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions for implement operation are merged into a single control with detent positions. This allows the operator to access different implement control modes (such as grade control, depth control, and follow control) through one control element, improving operational efficiency and reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides self-service by automatically correlating detent positions with appropriate control functions. The system intelligently maps control positions to implement operations, reducing the cognitive load and manual adjustment required from the operator.
Data Source
AI summary
In a work vehicle, such as a motor grader, having at least one actuator for positioning a component, an operator control system includes at least one controller configured to control the at least one actuator, and a control movable through a range of motion and having at least two detents, at least one located on each side of a neutral position of the control. The at least one controller is configured to control the at least one actuator based on positions of the control as the control is moved through its range of motion, and correlate at least one input signal from the control when at least one of the detents with at least one reference position of the component.