CONFIGURATIONS FOR A WORK VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to lighting configurations for work vehicles and, more particularly, to a system and method for automatically adjusting the lighting configuration for a work vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Work vehicles, such as agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, and/or the like, often include exterior work lights for illuminating the areas on and/or around the vehicle for nighttime operation and/or for operation during low visibility conditions. For example, agricultural harvesters, such as combines, often include cab-mounted lights configured to illuminate the front of the combine and/or the area immediately ahead of and/or along the sides of the combine. Specifically, the cab-mounted lights are often used to illuminate the combine's header during a harvesting operation to allow the operator to visually monitor the operation and/or the operational status of the header. The cab-mounted lights may also be used as headlights for operation on a road or for otherwise guiding the vehicle across a field at night.

[0003] Conventionally, the orientation of the cab-mounted lights for a combine must be manually adjusted by the operator. As such, when the operator desires to change the exterior lighting configuration for the work vehicle, such as when the operator wants to adjust the relative location and/or size of the area being illuminated, the operator must access the location of the lights (e.g., at a location on top of the cab) and manually adjust each light to the desired orientation. Such a manual light adjustment process is often very time consuming and can be quite frustrating for the operator, particularly when it is necessary to adjust lighting configuration for the work vehicle with some regularity. [0004] Accordingly, a system and method for automatically adjusting the lighting configuration for a work vehicle that necessitates minimal operator input would be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0006] In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method for automatically adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle. The method may include controlling, with a computing device, an operation of a plurality of lighting devices such that the lighting devices provide a first lighting configuration along an exterior of the work vehicle, with the first lighting configuration being associated with a first pre-set orientation for at least one lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices. Additionally, the method may include receiving, with the computing device, an input indicative of a change in an operating state of the work vehicle and, in response to receipt of the input, controlling, with the computing device, the operation of the lighting devices such that the lighting devices provide a second lighting configuration along the exterior of the work vehicle, with the second lighting configuration being associated with a second pre-set orientation for the at least one lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices. The first pre-set orientation may differ from the second pre-set orientation.

[0007] In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for

automatically adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle. The system may include a plurality of lighting devices, with the lighting devices configured to illuminate an area along an exterior of the work vehicle. In addition, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the lighting devices. The controller may be configured to control an operation of the lighting devices such that the lighting devices provide a first lighting configuration along the exterior of the work vehicle, with the first lighting configuration being associated with a first preset orientation for at least one lighting device of the plurality of the lighting devices. The controller may also be configured to receive an input indicative of a change in an operating state of the work vehicle and, in response to receipt of the input, control the operation of the lighting devices such that the lighting devices provide a second lighting configuration along the exterior of the work vehicle, with the second lighting configuration being associated with a second preset orientation for the at least one lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices. The first pre-set orientation may differ from the second pre-set orientation.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified, side view of one embodiment of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of an array of cab- mounted lights suitable for use with the harvester shown in FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the lights illuminating a header of the harvester;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a system for automatically adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; and

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for

automatically adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0015] In general, the present subject matter is directed to a system and method for automatically adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle. Specifically, in several embodiments, the orientation of one or more lighting devices of a work vehicle, such as a plurality of cab-mounted lights, may be automatically adjusted based on a given light setting selected for the current operating state of the work vehicle. For example, a plurality of predetermined light settings may be stored within the memory of a controller of the disclosed system, with each light setting relating to a desired lighting configuration (e.g., a desired orientation of each of the cab-mounted lights) for a given operating state of the work vehicle. For instance, for embodiments related to agricultural combines, various attachment-specific light settings may be stored within the controller's memory that provide differing lighting

configurations based on the width of the specific header currently installed on the combine. In such embodiments, when a wider or narrower header is installed onto the combine, the controller may be configured to automatically adjust the orientation of the combine's work lights based on the associated light setting to provide the desired lighting configuration for the newly installed header.

[0016] It should be appreciated that, although the present subject matter will generally be described with reference to adjusting the lighting configuration for agricultural harvesters and, more particularly, for differing header widths of combines, the disclosed system and method may generally be utilized to provide variable exterior lighting configurations for any work vehicle having any suitable configuration and/or having any suitable attachment s) coupled thereto. For instance, the present subject matter may also be advantageously applied to adjust the lighting configuration associated with an implement coupled to or being towed by a tractor, such as by automatically adjusting the orientation of the tractor's rear-facing lights configured to illuminate all or a portion of a towed agricultural implement (e.g., a planter, fertilizer, cultivator, harrow, and/or the like).

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified, partial sectional side view of one embodiment of an agricultural combine 10 in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, the combine 10 is configured as an axial-flow type combine, wherein crop material is threshed and separated while it is advanced by and along a

longitudinally arranged rotor 12. The combine 10 may include a chassis or main frame

14 having a pair of driven, ground-engaging front wheels 16 and a pair of steerable rear wheels 18. Additionally, an operator's platform 20 with an operator's cab 22, a threshing and separating assembly 24, a grain cleaning assembly 26, a holding tank 28 and an engine 30 may be supported by the frame 14. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, a header 32 and a material moving system 34 may extend forward of the main frame 14 and may be pivotally secured thereto for generally vertical movement, which may be controlled by appropriate actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders (not shown). In general, the material moving system 34 may extend between a forward end 36 positioned adjacent to an outlet 40 of the header 32 and a rear end 38 positioned adjacent to the threshing and separating assembly 24.

[0018] As the combine 10 is propelled forwardly over a field with standing crop, the latter is severed from the stubble by a sickle bar 42 at the front of the header 32 and delivered by a header auger 44 to the forward end 36 of the material moving system 34, which supplies the cut crop to the threshing and separating assembly 24. As is generally understood, the threshing and separating assembly 24 may include a cylindrical chamber 46 in which the rotor 12 is rotated to thresh and separate the crop received therein. That is, the crop is rubbed and beaten between the rotor 12 and the inner surfaces of the chamber 46, whereby the grain, seed or the like, is loosened and separated from the straw.

[0019] Crop material which has been separated by the threshing and separating assembly 32 falls onto a series of pans 48 and associated sieves 50, with the separated crop material being spread out via oscillation of the pans 48 and/or sieves 50 and eventually falling through apertures defined in the sieves 50. Additionally, a cleaning fan 52 may be positioned adjacent to one or more of the sieves 50 to provide an air flow through the sieves 50 that removes chaff and other impurities from the crop material. For instance, the fan 52 may blow the impurities off of the crop material for discharge from the combine 10 through the outlet of a straw hood 54 positioned at the back end of the combine 10.

[0020] The cleaned crop material passing through the sieves 50 may then fall into a trough of an auger 56, which may be configured to transfer the crop material to an

elevator 58 for delivery to the associated holding tank 28. Additionally, a pair of tank augers 60 at the bottom of the holding tank 28 may be used to urge the cleaned crop material sideways to an unloading tube 62 for discharge from the combine 10.

[0021] Additionally, in several embodiments, the combine 10 may also include one or more lighting devices 70 configured to illuminate one or more exterior portions of the combine 10 and/or the area surrounding the combine 10. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, the combine 10 may include one or more cab-mounted lights 72 for illuminating the area along the front of the combine 10, including all or a portion of the header 32 and/or portions of the field or road located in front of and/or along the sides of the header 32. In one embodiment, the cab-mounted lights 72 may be provided in a light array positioned at the front, top end of the cab 22, with the light array including any number of individual lighting devices (e.g., an array of 4-8 lighting devices). Moreover, the combine 10 may also include any number of other lighting devices 70 positioned at one or more other locations on and/or around the combine 10, such as one or more side-mounted work lights for illuminating the sides of the combine 10 and and/or the area adjacent to the lateral sides of the combine 10 and/or one or more rear-mounted work lights for illuminating the rear of the combine 10 and/or the area behind the combine 10. In addition, the combine 10 may also include one or more header-mounted lighting devices.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic view of one embodiment of an array of lighting devices 70 suitable for use as the cab-mounted lights 72 described above is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the lighting devices 70 illuminating portions of the header 32 of the combine 10. It should be appreciated that, for purposes of illustration, the light array is shown as including six lighting devices 70. However, in other embodiments, the light array may include any other suitable number of lighting devices 70, including five or fewer lighting devices or seven or greater lighting devices.

[0023] In several embodiments, the lighting devices 70 may be configured to be provided at different orientations relative to one another and/or relative to the combine 10 to provide a desired lighting configuration for the header 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the orientation of each lighting device 70 may be selected such that the entirety (or at least a substantial portion) of the header 32 is illuminated across its width 74. In such an embodiment, depending on the desired lighting configuration, the light beams (indicated by dashed lines 76) generated by the lighting devices 70 may be provided in an overlapping or a non-overlapping state. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, each light beam 76 overlaps adjacent lights beams 76 across the width 74 of the header 32. In doing so, the amount of overlap defined between adjacent light beams 76 may vary, for example, based on the width 74 of the header 32 and/or a dimension of each light beam 76 (e.g., an individual beam width 78). For example, the overlap between the light beams 76 may be selected such that the lights 70 provide a collective or effective illumination width 80 based on the desired lighting configuration for the header 32, such as an effective illumination width 80 that is equal to or greater than the width 74 of the header 32.

[0024] As indicated above, it may be desirable to adjust the lighting configuration provided by the lighting devices 70 based on the configuration of the header 32. Specifically, combine operators typically utilize headers 32 of varying widths 74. As such, when an existing header 32 is replaced with a header 32 having a differing width 74, the orientation of one or more of the lights 70 may need to be adjusted to provide the desired lighting configuration for the new header 32. For instance, for a narrower width header 32 (e.g., a 16 foot pick-up header), it may be desirable for the orientation(s) of one or more of the lights 70 to be adjusted to allow for a narrower effective illumination width 80, such as by adjusting the orientation to provide light beams 76 directed at smaller angles relative to a centerline 82 of the header 32 in order to reduce the illumination width 80. Similarly, for a wider header 32 (e.g., a 50 foot draper header), it may be desirable for the orientation(s) of one or more of the lights 70 to be adjusted to allow for a larger effective illumination width 80, such as by adjusting the orientation to provide light beams 76 directed at larger angles relative to the centerline 82 of the header 32 in order to increase the illumination width 80. As will be described below, the present subject matter may allow for such adjustments to be made automatically upon determining that a new header 32 has been installed onto the combine 10 to ensure that the operator is provided with an optimal or desired lighting configuration based on the width 74 or other configuration parameter of the new header 32.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a system 100 for automatically adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the system 100 will be described herein with reference to the combine 10 and the lighting devices 70 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed system 100 may generally be utilized with work vehicles having any other suitable vehicle configuration and/or with lights or lighting devices having any other suitable lighting arrangement. For example, in addition to the cab- mounted or forward-facing lighting devices 70, 72 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, aspects of the present subject matter may also be used to adjust the lighting configuration of various other lighting devices, such as side-facing lights, rear-facing lights, attachment-mounted lights (e.g.. header-mounted lights), and/or any other suitable lighting devices provided in operative association with a work vehicle.

[0026] In several embodiments, the system 100 may include a controller 102 and various other components configured to be communicatively coupled to and/or controlled by the controller 102, such as one or more lighting devices 70 and/or one or more actuation devices 104 provided in operative association with the lighting devices 70. As will be described in greater detail below, the controller 102 may be configured to adjust the orientation of one or more of the lighting devices 70 via control of the associated actuation devices 104 based on an operating state of the work vehicle to provide a desired lighting configuration for such operating state. Specifically, the controller 102 may include one or more pre-stored light settings associated a given operating state for the work vehicle, with each light setting specifying a pre-set orientation for one or more of the lighting devices 70 to provide a given lighting configuration for the work vehicle. Thus, upon determining that the operating state of the work vehicle has changed, the controller 102 may be configured to automatically adjust the orientation of the lighting devices 70 based on the associated light setting(s) to provide the desired lighting configuration for the work vehicle.

[0027] For example, in one embodiment, the operating state of the work vehicle 10 may be associated with the configuration of the attachment currently coupled to the vehicle 10. In such an embodiment, when a new attachment is installed onto the work vehicle (thereby providing a change in the vehicle's operating state), the controller 102 may be configured to adjust the orientation of the lighting devices 70 based on the associated light setting(s) for the newly installed attachment to provide the desired lighting configuration for such attachment. Similarly, in another embodiment, the operating state of the work vehicle may be associated with a selected operating mode of the work vehicle, such as a field mode or a road mode. In such an embodiment, when the work vehicle changes operating modes (e.g., by changing from the field mode to the road mode or vice versa), the controller 102 may be configured to adjust the orientation of the lighting devices 70 based on the associated light setting(s) for the

corresponding operating mode to provide the desired lighting configuration for subsequent operation within such mode.

[0028] It should be appreciated that, for purposes of illustration, the system 100 is shown as including four lighting devices 70 and associated actuation devices 104. However, in general, the system may include any suitable number of light devices 70 and associated actuation devices 104, such as fewer than four or greater than four. For instance, in the embodiment of the lighting array shown in FIG. 2, the system 100 may, for example, include six lighting devices 70 along with a corresponding number of actuation devices 104.

[0029] In general, the controller 102 may correspond to any suitable processor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combination of computing devices. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 102 may generally include one or more processor(s) 110 and associated memory devices 112 configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, algorithms, calculations and the like disclosed herein). As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory 112 may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory 112 may generally be configured to store information accessible to the processor(s) 110, including data 114 that can be retrieved, manipulated, created and/or stored by the processor(s) 110 and instructions 116 that can be executed by the processor(s) 110.

[0030] In several embodiments, the data 114 may be stored in one or more databases.

For example, the memory 112 may include a light settings database 118 for storing one or more light settings for each of the various different operating states that may be defined for the work vehicle. For instance, as indicated above, in one embodiment, one or more light settings may be stored with the database 118 that are associated with each attachment configured to be coupled to the work vehicle, such as each header 32 configured to be coupled to a combine 10 or each implement configured to be coupled to a tractor. As an alternative to having attachment-specific light settings, the light settings stored within the database 118 may be based on one or more common configuration parameters associated with the attachments configured to be coupled to the work vehicle, such as by storing light settings based on a given dimension(s) of each attachment (e.g., the width and/or length of each attachment). For instance, the light settings may be stored within the database 118 based on specific width ranges for the attachments (e.g., in 1-2 foot increments) so as to provide a width-specific lighting configuration for each attachment falling with a given width range. As indicated above, such width-specific light settings may be desirable when using various header widths 74 for a combine 10.

[0031] In addition to any attachment-related settings (or as an alternative thereto), one or more light settings may be stored within the database 118 that are associated with a given operating mode for the work vehicle. For instance, in one embodiment, one or more light settings may be stored within the database 118 that are associated with a work or field operating mode while one or more different light settings may be stored within the database 118 that are associated with a transport or road mode of the work vehicle. Specifically, it may be desirable for the lighting devices 70 to provide a given lighting configuration when operating in a field (e.g., when performing a harvesting operation). However, when operating on a road, it may be desirable (or required by given highway regulations) for the lighting devices 70 to provide a different lighting configuration. For instance, highway regulations may require that front-facing lights be angled at a given orientation relative to the road and/or oncoming traffic or that only a given number of front-facing lights be illuminated when operating on a road. In such an embodiment, road-specific light settings may be stored within the database 118 that differ in one or more aspects from the field-specific light settings. It should also be appreciated that, when specifying field-specific settings, the light settings may be varied, for example, based on the type of operation being performed within the field. For instance, the light settings vary based on the type of crop being harvested (e.g., due to variations in the height of the crop) and/or based on the spacing between crop rows.

[0032] Moreover, it should be appreciated that, in addition to any attachment-related light settings and/or any mode-related settings (or as an alternative thereto), any other suitable light settings may be stored within the database 118 that are associated with a given operating state of the work vehicle. For instance, light settings may be stored within the database 118 that are related to specific weather and/or field conditions, such as low-visibility conditions or other visibility impacting conditions (e.g. rain, fog, dust, etc.).

[0033] In several embodiments, each light setting stored within the database 118 may include at least one light-specific parameter for each lighting device 70 configured to be controlled by the controller 102. For instance, each light setting may include a pre-set orientation for each lighting device 70 that defines a given orientation at which the lighting device 70 should be positioned upon selection of such light setting. In addition, each light setting may specify an ON/OFF parameter for each lighting device 70. For instance, for certain light settings, it may be desirable for only a portion of the relevant lighting devices 70 to be activated or turned on. As such, the ON/OFF parameter may specify whether a given lighting device 70 should be turned on or off for an associated light setting.

[0034] It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the various light settings stored within the database 118 may correspond to pre-installed light settings, such as manufacturer recommended light settings. In addition to such pre-installed light settings (or as an alternative thereto), the light settings may correspond to operator-defined light settings. For instance, the operator may be allowed to create customized light settings for one or more selected operating states of the work vehicle and subsequently store such operator-defined settings within the controller's memory 112 for subsequent use. In doing so, the operator may be presented, for example, with a suitable interface on a display device located within the cab 22 for selecting the specific setting(s) to be applied to a given lighting device 70 (or group of lighting devices 70) for a given vehicle operating state. For instance, in one embodiment, the operator may be provided with a user interface similar to the schematic view shown in FIG. 2, in which the various light beams 76 of the lighting devices 70 are represented relative to a portion of the vehicle (e.g., the header 32). In such an embodiment, the operator may be allowed to adjust the orientation of each lighting device 70 relative to the vehicle to customize the associated light setting (e.g., by adjusting the effective illumination width 80 of the lighting devices 70 and/or by adjusting the overlap defined between two or more adjacent light beams 76).

[0035] Referring still to FIG. 3, in several embodiments, the instructions 116 stored within the memory 112 of the controller 102 may be executed by the processor(s) 110 to implement an operating state detection module 120. In general, the operating state detection module 120 may be configured to detect changes in the operating state of the work vehicle based on inputs received by the controller 102. For instance, in several embodiments, the operating state detection module 120 may be configured to detect changes in the operating state of the work vehicle based on operator inputs received from one or more operator-controlled input devices 122, such as one or more input devices located within the cab 22 of the work vehicle. For example, the operator may provide inputs indicative of a change in the operating state of the work vehicle, such as an input(s) indicating the installation of a new attachment on the work vehicle, an input(s) indicating selection of a given operating mode for the work vehicle (e.g., field mode vs. road mode), an input(s) indicating a given operating condition for the work vehicle (e.g., a visibility condition) and/or any other suitable input(s). In such an embodiment, based on the received operator input, the operating state detection module 120 may determine that a change in the vehicle's operating state has occurred.

[0036] In addition to operator inputs (or as an alternative thereto), the operating state detection module 120 may be configured to detect changes in the operating state of the work vehicle based on any other suitable inputs received by the controller 102, including automatically generated inputs. Specifically, in one embodiment, the controller 102 may be communicatively coupled to various sensors and/or other non-operator controlled input devices 124 that provide signals or inputs indicative of a change in the operating state of the work vehicle. For instance, when a new attachment is installed onto the work vehicle, the controller 102 may be configured to receive an input from a device located on the attachment (e.g., an on-board computer or sensor) or from another device configured to indicate the presence of and/or provide information associated with the new attachment. Similarly, the controller 102 may receive an input from a positioning device (e.g., a GPS system) that the work vehicle has transitioned from a road to the field or vice versa.

[0037] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the instructions 116 stored within the memory 112 of the controller 102 may also be executed by the processor(s) 110 to implement a light control module 126. In general, the light control module 126 may be configured to control the operation of the lighting devices 70 to provide the desired lighting configuration based on the selected light setting associated with the current operating state of the work vehicle. Specifically, in several embodiments, when the operating state detection module 120 detects a change in the operating state of the work vehicle, the light control module 126 may be configured to access the light setting database 118 to determine the appropriate light setting to be applied based on the new operating state of the work vehicle. The light control module 126 may then adjust the operation of the lighting devices 70, such as by adjusting the orientation of the lighting devices 70 and/or by turning select lighting devices 70 on or off, based on the selected light setting. It should be appreciated that, in certain instances, more than one light setting may be associated with a given operating state of the work vehicle, such as when both a manufacturer recommended setting and an operator-defined setting have been stored within the light setting database 118 for a particular vehicle operating state. In such instances, the controller 102 may, for example, be configured to request that the operator select a given light setting for the vehicle's current operating state (e.g., by displaying a suitable user interface that instructs the operator to select a given light setting for the work vehicle).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, to allow the orientation of the lighting devices 70 to be adjusted, the light control module 124 may be communicatively coupled to one or more actuation devices 104 provided in operative association with the lighting devices 70. In several embodiments, a separate actuation device 104 may be provided in operative association with each lighting device 70, thereby allowing the orientation of each individual lighting device 70 to be adjusted independent of the orientation of the remainder of the lighting devices 70. As such, the various light settings may be customized on a light-specific basis to provide the desired or optimal lighting configuration based on the given operating state of the work vehicle. However, in other embodiments, each actuation device 104 may be coupled to two or more lighting devices 70 such that each lighting device 70 within the group of actuator-coupled devices is configured to be positioned at a common orientation.

[0039] It should be appreciated that each actuation device 104 may generally correspond to any suitable device and/or mechanism that allows the actuation device 104 to adjust the orientation of its associated lighting device(s) 70, thereby allowing for the light beam(s) 76 generated by such lighting device(s) 70 to be re-directed along a different light path. In one embodiment, the actuation devices 104 may simply be configured to pivot the lighting devices 70 about one or more predetermined axes, such as a horizontal axis to allow the vertical orientation of the lighting devices 70 to be adjusted (e.g., a vertically oriented angle defined between each light beam 76 and the vehicle's driving surface) and/or a vertical axis to allow the horizontal orientation of the lighting devices 70 to be adjusted (e.g., a horizontally oriented angle defined between each light beam 76 and a reference plane extending perpendicular to the vehicle's driving surface). Alternatively, the actuation devices 104 may be configured to allow additional degrees of freedom for adjusting the orientation of the lighting devices 70, such as by allowing the lighting devices 70 to be rotated in any direction within a spherical housing or pod.

[0040] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 102 may also include a

communications interface 128 to provide a means for the controller 102 to communicate with any of the various other system components described herein. For instance, one or more communicative links or interfaces 130 (e.g., one or more data buses) may be provided between the communications interface 128 and the lighting devices 70 and/or the actuation devices 104 to allow control signals from the controller 102 to be transmitted to such devices 70, 104.

Similarly, one or more communicative links or interfaces 132 (e.g., one or more data buses) may be provided between the communications interface 128 and the input devices 124, 126 to allow the controller 102 receive inputs therefrom.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 200 for adjusting a lighting configuration for a work vehicle is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the method 200 will be described herein with reference to the combine 10 and lighting devices 70 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as the various system components shown in FIG. 3. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed method 200 may be implemented with work vehicles having any other suitable configurations, lighting devices having any other suitable lighting arrangement and/or within systems having any other suitable system configuration. In addition, although FIG. 4 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, at (202), the method 200 may include controlling the operation of a plurality of lighting devices such that the lighting devices provide a first lighting configuration along an exterior of the work vehicle. For example, as indicated above, the controller 102 may be configured to control the operation of the lighting devices 70 (e.g., via control of the actuation devices 104) based on one or more light settings stored within the controller's memory 112. In such an embodiment, each light setting may include at least one pre-set orientation for one or more of the lighting devices 70. For instance, for a given light setting, a unique, pre-set orientation may be defined for each of the lighting devices 70 configured to be controlled by the controller 102.

[0043] Additionally, at (204), the method 200 may include receiving an input indicative of a change in an operating state of the work vehicle. Specifically, as indicated above, the controller 102 may be configured to receive an input from one or more input devices 124, 126 that indicates that the vehicle has undergone a change in operating states, such as when a new attachment is installed on the vehicle and/or when the vehicle is transitioning to operation within a different operating mode.

[0044] Moreover, at (206), the method 200 may include controlling the operation of the lighting devices such that the lighting devices provide a second lighting configuration along the exterior of the work vehicle in response to receipt of the input. Specifically, as indicated above, when it is determined that the operating state of the work vehicle has changed, the controller 102 may be configured to control the operation of the lighting devices 70 (e.g., via control of the actuation devices 104) to adjust the lighting configuration for the work vehicle based on the new operating state. For instance, the controller 102 may determine which light setting should be applied based on the current operating state of the work vehicle. Thereafter, the controller 102 may, for example, adjust the orientation of one or more of the lighting devices 70, as necessary, to provide the desired lighting configuration for the current operating state of the work vehicle.

[0045] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.