Working Vehicle Switching System Merging Auto-Cruise and Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tractors have a high number of switches, which complicates operation and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A working vehicle with a simplified switching system where the auto-cruise switch and speed-changing lever combine functions, allowing for two roles in auto-cruise mode and reducing the number of switches, and includes a memory feature to recall vehicle speed settings for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switches are provided for HST speed switching and auto-cruise control, then the vehicle can perform both speed stage switching and slight speed adjustment, but the number of switches increases and operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the HST speed stage switching lever and the auto-cruise slight speed adjustment lever into a single integrated lever. This unified lever can perform both functions: when the auto-cruise switch is OFF, it switches HST speed stages (Hi/Lo); when the auto-cruise switch is ON, it adjusts vehicle speed slightly within the auto-cruise mode. This merging reduces the total number of switches and simplifies the control system while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lever is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes. It can switch between different HST speed stages (high speed/low speed) and simultaneously function as a slight speed adjustment lever when auto-cruise is active. This universal design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, thereby reducing complexity while preserving adaptability.
2Reliability
If multiple switches are provided for different control functions, then the vehicle can precisely control speed stages and auto-cruise adjustments, but the switching operation becomes time-consuming and reduces working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the speed stage switching lever and the slight speed adjustment lever into a single integrated lever, the operator can perform both functions with one control mechanism. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple separate levers, reducing the time required for speed adjustments and improving working efficiency while maintaining precise control over speed stages and auto-cruise adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If separate switches are used for HST speed switching and auto-cruise speed adjustment, then each function can be independently controlled, but the overall control system becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate control levers into one integrated lever, significantly simplifying the control system structure. The integrated lever provides a unified interface for both HST speed stage switching and auto-cruise slight speed adjustment, making the system easier to operate while reducing the complexity of the switching system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lever embodies multi-functionality, serving as both the HST speed stage switching lever and the auto-cruise slight speed adjustment lever. This universal design consolidates multiple control functions into a single component, reducing the overall complexity of the switching system while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive lever-based control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A working vehicle (200), comprising: an engine (4) which is loaded on a traveling-vehicle-body; a speed-changing part (21 p) which carries out speed-changing and outputting of motive force of the engine (4); a controlling part (100') which controls the speed-changing part (21 p); a switching part (210) which instructs increase/decrease of the outputting after the speed-changing in the speed-changing part (21 p); and an auto-cruise switch (7h) which instructs ON/OFF of an auto-cruise mode for keeping vehicle-speed of the traveling-vehicle-body constant, characterized in that the controlling part (100') accepts, while the auto-cruise mode is in an ON state by the instruction of the auto-cruise switch (7h), the instruction by the switching part (210) as an instruction of increase/decrease of the constant vehicle-speed in the auto-cruise mode.