GB2177822A

GB2177822A - Display device

Info

Publication number: GB2177822A
Application number: GB08614895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norbert Diekhans; Werner Fitzner
Original assignee: Claas KGaA mbH
Current assignee: Claas KGaA mbH
Priority date: 1985-07-09
Filing date: 1986-06-19
Publication date: 1987-01-28
Also published as: FR2584838A1; GB8614895D0; DE3524423A1

Abstract

A device for displaying the operating times of self-propelled agricultural vehicles, particularly harvesting machines, with a plurality of servicing intervals dependent upon operating times and of differing lengths has associated with each of the service intervals a separate visual display instrument with a cancel button 1, a common acoustic signal transmitter 3 possibly being connected in parallel with the display instruments. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display device The invention relates to a display device and in particular, to a display device for displaying the lapse of an operating time of self-propelled agricultural vehicles.

A display device is known from German Offenlengungsschrift No. 26 11 508, in which the various servicing intervals are displayed visually on a clock-like display instrument by pointers which rotate at differing speeds about a common axis. The individual servicing intervals are visibly marked on the dial of the operating time meter and to this end, it is also possible to provide a plurality of scales on the dial. In the case of the known device, reading such an operating time meter and observing the servicing intervals represent considerable difficulty and there is no certainty, on the other hand, that the individual markings of the servicing intervals are not passed over by the relevant pointers without being noted.

In the case of passenger vehicles, oil change and inspection interval displays are known which have two interconnected visual display instruments. One instrument indicates thereby the interval which is a function of the distance travelled while the other instrument displays whether the interval indicated on the first instrument is either the oil change interval or the inspection interval. For vehicles which are mainly used on a continuous operation basis, such as in particular agricultural harvesting machines, such visual display instruments are too difficult to monitor because the frequently overlapping service intervals cannot in any case be incontestably distinguished it two intervals elapse at the same time. Furthermore, the known instruments are confined to an exclusively visual display.

This visual display can also only be cancelled out again by the after-sales service workshops, which is not very practical in the case of companies which do their own servicing.

According to one feature of the present invention we provide a display device for a vehicle having at least one predetermined service interval comprising a visual display unit and energising means responsive to the elapsing of the predetermined service interval to cause the display unit to provide a visual indication.

According to another feature of the present invention, the invention is based on the problem of improving a display device of the generic type specified in claim 2 in that each individual one of the variously-long servicing intervals has associated with it its own at least visual display.

In the case of a display device of the generic type in question, this problem is resolved by the characterising features of patent claim 2.

The particular advantage of a display device according to the invention lies in that a visual display of the individual service intervals takes place only when the relevant operating time is exceeded. It is thereby also possible for the lapsing of two simultaneously finishing service intervals to be registered by one glance. Furthermore, each of the visual displays can be connected with an acoustic signal which substantially increases the attention value. Finally, it is possible by simple pressing of the cancel button associated in each case with the visual display instruments, to reset the display of the relevant service interval to a recommencement of the operating time measurement without the need for any intervention into the vehicle or the machine.

The optical display instruments and the acoustic signal transmitter can be coupled to a counting circuit or a micro-computer in order to record the relevant operating time portions.

The expiry of a service interval is expediently signalled by a once-only acoustic signal and a continuous illumination of the relevant visual display instrument. It is thereby of particular advantage that when the service interval is exceeded by a predetermined value representing operating time, the display can be varied.

Thus, it is possible sensibly to intensify the duration of visual display by a periodic dis piay, in other words a flashing light, which can proceed in addition to a further acoustic signal. Since the instruments are installed in the region of the driver's position in the vehicle, the attention of the driver is forcefully drawn to the increased urgency of the outstanding service.

Advantageously, the visual display instruments and the acoustic signal transmitter are grouped together in one uniform instrument, the visual display instrument being possibly integrated into the individual cancel buttons in the form of an illuminated display.

Further advantageous features of the invention will become evident from the sub-claims.

The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to an example of embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a display instrument for three service intervals of differing length; and Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram shohing the circuit of a display instrument corresponding to Figure 1.

In detail, Figure 1 shows a display instrument 9 having on its visible front face three separate buttons 1 into each of which is integrated a visual display device 2 in the form of an illuminated field or the like. The ieft-hand button 1 with the associated visual display device 2 has associated with it for example, a 10 hour service and in the same way the display instrument 2 can indicate in the middle button 1 the lapsing of a 50 hour service interval while the display 2 in the right-hand button 1 will indicate the lapsing of a 100 hour service interval. It is understood thereby that the expiry of two or three service intervals can also be displayed separately but simultaneously.The appropriate visual display instrument 2 shows an illuminated signal which takes the form of a continuous signal until the interval is exceeded by a certain amount, after which it may become a flashing signal to indicate a particular urgency of the outstanding service.

Furthermore, the instrument 9 also comprises an acoustic signal transmitter 3 which gives out a onceonly signal at least when one of the three visual display instruments 2 lights up or changes from a steady light to a flashing light. In the latter case, the acoustic signal transmitter 3 may also change to a continuous signal or an intermittent signal.

Such a display instrument 9 is mounted in the driver s cab in a harvesting machine such as, for example, a combine harvester, and is so placed that it can easily be seen by the operator. Inter alia, it may also be installed in the dashboard of the vehicle. The volume of the signal transmitter 3 is selected so that it cannot be drowned out by the running and operating noises of the vehicle.

The button 1 has the function of a cancel button and when it is depressed, not only is the associated display instrument 2 cancelled out but also the control for the display instrument 2 and the acoustic signal transmitter 3 are reset to recommencement of the relevant service interval. In order to avoid accidental actuation of the cancel buttons 1, it is possible to provide in addition, suitable safety devices.

Figure 2 illustrates then the basic construction of the electric circuit which is linked to the display instruments 2 and the cancel button 1 as well as to the acoustic signal transmitter 3. This circuit is not basically confined to purely three service interval displays as shown in Figure 1 and therefore the reproduction of the block circuit diagram in Figure 2 relates to the plurality "N" of display instruments 2 and associated cancel button 1.

Reference numeral 4 in Fig. 2 denotes a measured value transmitter which in each case signals the operating condition of the entire vehicle or of individual sub-assemblies. If it is intended to ascertain the operating time of the entire equipment, then it will for example while the driving machine is running, give out a signal 11 while generating no signal during stoppage times. It is possible to superimpose on the signal 11 further signals which refer back to measured values derived from weardependent operating conditions. In the case of a combine harvester, such a signal may be called for when the threshing drum is running in order to couple the ascertainment of time to the harvest output.

The measured value signal 11 is passed on to a logic circuit 5 which generates a start and stop signal 12 for a timing pulse generator 6. The clocking frequency of the timing pulse generator may be constant or variable, the variable frequency being made proportional to the measured value signal 11. The frequency of the timing pulse generator is attuned to the downstream structural elements and may, for example, be one pulse per minute.

The timing pulse signals from the generator 6 are passed on to N-counters 7 which are stepped up by one at each pulse from the timing pulse generator. Associated with each of the counters 7 is a comparator 8 which prescribes a numerical value corresponding to the relevant service interval. When this numerical value is attained, in other words after the interval time has elapsed, each of the comparators 8 gives to the visual display instrument 2 associated with it a continuous and permanent signal 13 which is rendered visible in the visual display instrument 2, for example by the switching on of a lamp or an illuminated diode. Furthermore, each comparator, when it reaches its numerical value, supplies a once-only signal 14 which is fed to the acoustic signal transmitter 3.

It is possible to store in the comparators 8 further numerical values which determine a specific amount by which an interval is exceeded, thereupon modifying the signals 13 and 14. For example, the continuous signal fed to the visual signal transmitters 2 can change into an intermittent continuous signal in order to produce the aforesaid flashing dis piay. In the same way, it is also possible via the acoustic signal transmitter 3 to give an audible indication that the service interval has been exceeded.

Finally, each of the cancel buttons 1 is connected to whichever is the associated counter 7 in order to be able to reset the counter 7 to its starting value for recommencement of the relevant service interval.

Claims

1. Display device for a vehicle having at least one predetermined service interval comprising a visual display unit and energising means responsive to the elapsing of the predetermined service interval to cause the display unit to provide a visual indication.

2. Device for displaying the operating time of self-propelled agricultural vehicles, particularly harvesting machines, with a plurality of servicing intervals of differing lengths and dependent upon the operating times, characterised in that associated with each servicing interval is a separate visual display instrument (2) with, in each case, one cancel button (1).

3. Display device according to claim 2, characterised in that connected in parallel with the display instruments (2) is a common acoustic signal transmitter (3).

4. Display device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that provided upstream of the display instruments (2) is a logic circuit (5) to which is fed a signal (11) which reproduces the operating conditions and which as a function thereof starts and stops a timing pulse generator (6), the clocking frequency of which is passed on to counters (7) of which each is associated with one of the display instruments (2) whereupon, upon attaining a numerical value corresponding to the relevant service interval, at least one signal (13, 14) is passed to the associated display instrument (2) and the acoustic signal transmitter (3).

5. Display device according to claim 4, characterised in that the counters (7) are each connected together with a comparator (8) which prescribes the numerical value of the associated counter (7) and which passes the signals (13, 14) to the display instrument (2) and the acoustic signal transmitter (3).

6. Display device according to claim 5, characterised in that stored in the comparator (8) are the numerical value corresponding to the service interval and a second numerical value corresponding to a preset amount by which the interval is exceeded, at least one modified signal (13, 14) being passed to the display instrument (2) and/or the acoustic signal transmitter (3) when the second numerical value is reached.

7. Display device according to claim 6, characterised in that when the first numerical value is reached, the comparator (8) gives a continuous signal and with effect from the second numerical value an interrupted signal (13, 14) to the display instrument (2) and/or the acoustic signal transmitte (3).

8. Display device according to claim 7, characterised in that the cancel button (1) of the display instruments (2) is connected to the associated counter (7) which is set back to its starting value when the cancel button (1) is actuated.

9. Display device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that fed to the logic circuit (5) is or are one or a plurality of further signals which represent wear-occasioning load conditions and which control the timing pulse generator (6) in the same hay as the signal (11) which reproduces the general operating condition.

10. Display device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the visual display instruments (2) are integrated into the associated cancel buttons (1).

11. Display device according to claim 3, characterised in that the contol of the display instruments (2) and of the acoustic signal transmitter (3) is effected by a micro-computer which ascertains servicing intervals.

12. Display device according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterised in that the visual display instruments (2) and the acoustic signal transmitter (3) are combined into one common display instrument (9).

13. Display device arranged substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.