Method of and apparatus for operating working machines

• US 20050033454A1
• Filed: 08/05/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Fitzner, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 7,266,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/11
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/127 Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for combines

Abstract

A method for operation of a working machine with at least one adjustable operating parameter of at least one working unit of the working machine, includes associating the working machine with a control generator coupled to a control editor for changing the at least one operating parameter; providing controls in the control generator, and changing the controls by the control editor.

Claims

1. A method for operation of a working machine with at least one adjustable operating parameter of at least one working unit of the working machine, the method comprising the steps of associating the working machine with a control generator coupled to a control editor for changing the at least one operating parameter;

providing controls in the control generator; and

changing the controls by the control editor.

2. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising defining the controls of the control generator by natural language program steps.

3. A method as defined in claim 2;

and further comprising providing a terminology of the natural language program steps in language elements.

4. A method as defined in claim 3;

and further comprising connecting the language elements with a source code provided in the control generator.

5. A method as defined in claim 3;

and further comprising forming by the language elements both input data and output data of the operational parameter to be adjusted, which lead in the control editor directly to generation of corresponding controls.

6. A method as defined in claim 5;

and further comprising including in the input data operational parameters of the working machine, problems during operation of the working machine, inner and outer boundary conditions, and objectives to be achieved during operation of the working machine.

7. A method as defined in claim 5;

and further comprising including in the output data the adjustable operational parameters of the working machine.

8. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising generating in the stored control editable in the control generator an optimal nominal value of the at least one operational parameter; and

outputting the nominal value in natural language.

9. A method as defined in claim 8;

and further comprising performing the outputting of the optimal nominal value of the operational parameter in a manner selected from the group consisting of visually, acoustically, and both.

10. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising structuring the controls as controls selected from the group consisting of “

when-then”

controls, decision tables, flow diagrams, and combinations thereof.

11. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising providing a storage module for storing the controls;

assembling the control generator that is coupled with the control editor together with the storage module into a single module;

arranging the single module centrally; and

connecting a plurality of such working machines with the single module through a data exchange system.

12. A method as defined in claim 11;

and further comprising exchanging the generated controls between a plurality of such machines.

13. A method as defined in claim 12;

and further comprising connecting the plurality of the working machines with said single module; and

exchanging the generated controls by the working machines.

14. A method as defined in claim 2;

and further comprising providing in the natural language program steps that define the controls, informations selected from the group consisting of adjustment advices and mounting instructions.

15. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising adjusting the determined operational parameter automatically on a corresponding one of working units of the working machine.

16. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising carrying out by a operator a qualitative assessment of the optimized adjustable operation parameter.

17. An apparatus for operating a working machine with at least one adjustable operation parameter of at least one working unit of the working machine, the apparatus comprising a control generator which is coupled with a control editor for changing the at least one operating parameter of the working machine, said control generator being operative for storing controls which are editable by said control editor.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17;

and further comprising an inputting and indicating unit for generating data sets, said inputting and indicating unit being connected with said control generator.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said control editor is operative for defining controls which are changeable by said control editor via natural language program steps.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said apparatus is formed as an apparatus for the working machine which is an agricultural working machine.