Work Vehicle Aggregation Switch Reduces Controller Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased number of switches and functions in work vehicles leads to a high load on the vehicle body controller, necessitating a high-performance controller with increased costs, and there is a need for a solution to reduce this load while allowing direct operation of certain devices without the vehicle body controller.
Innovation Solution
A collective switch apparatus with a switch operation unit, a network side signal output unit, and a drive signal output unit, where a control unit determines whether to output a drive signal or a switch state signal based on switch assignment information, allowing direct operation of certain devices without the vehicle body controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all switch signals are output to the vehicle body controller via the in-vehicle network, then the vehicle body controller can process all switch operations, but the load on the vehicle body controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal output function into two segments: a network side signal output unit that outputs switch state signals to the in-vehicle network, and a drive signal output unit that outputs drive signals directly to devices. This segmentation reduces the processing load on the vehicle body controller by handling certain signals locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The collective switch apparatus acts as an intermediary between the operator and the vehicle devices, performing local signal processing and command generation. The control unit within the switch apparatus generates command signals based on switch operations and determines whether to output drive signals directly or switch state signals to the network, reducing the burden on the vehicle body controller.
2Productivity
If a high-performance vehicle body controller with high processing capability is mounted to handle the increased load, then the controller can process all switch operations, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collective switch apparatus performs self-service by generating command signals locally and determining the output path (drive signal or switch state signal) without requiring extensive processing from the vehicle body controller. This self-service capability reduces the processing requirements and cost of the vehicle body controller.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switches are collectively arranged in the driving room, then various functions can be accessed, but the number of switches increases the complexity of function assignment
Solution Approach 1:
The collective switch apparatus provides a universal interface for multiple functions through a standardized set of switches. The control unit interprets switch operations and generates appropriate command signals based on pre-stored switch assignment information, allowing multiple functions to be accessed through a consistent interaction pattern rather than requiring unique assignments for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to provide a work vehicle collective switch apparatus capable of executing various functions with a simple configuration while reducing the load on a vehicle body controller, and a work vehicle equipped with the collective switch apparatus, there are provided: a switch operation unit SW including a plurality of switches SW1 to SW12; a network side signal output unit 33 that outputs a switch state signal to an in-vehicle network N side connected to a collective switch apparatus 30; and a drive signal output unit 32 that outputs a drive signal to direct-coupled devices 51 to 54 connected to the collective switch apparatus 30; and a control unit 31 that outputs a command signal corresponding to switch operation on the basis of switch assignment information D1 that assigns in advance as to whether the drive signal is to be output from the drive signal output unit 32 or the switch state signal is to be output from the network side signal output unit 33 in accordance with switch operation on any of the plurality of switches SW1 to SW12.