Actuator Control Gain Adaptation for Vibration Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural working machines face challenges in accurately adjusting adjustable elements due to mechanical vibrations caused by actuator excitation torques and forces, leading to suboptimal control behavior and reduced harvesting performance, as existing solutions require manual or empirical adjustments of control parameters which are not adaptive to changing conditions.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement that includes a controller and a determination device to optimize actuator control parameters based on detected vibration properties, using a virtual mathematical model and iterative or recursive methods to adjust parameters such as overshoot, damping, and rise time, ensuring improved control behavior and system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If proportional control is used to adjust the actuator position, then the response speed to target position changes is improved, but mechanical vibrations are excited that reduce positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control gain is changed from a static manual setting to a dynamic value that automatically adapts to current system conditions. The determination device continuously monitors system parameters and adjusts the control gain in real-time, allowing the system to achieve both fast response and high precision under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control parameter (control gain) is automatically adjusted based on detected system properties. By changing the control gain parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed, the system optimizes the balance between response speed and vibration suppression for current operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If manual adjustment of control parameters is performed, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidadaptability to changing conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs self-adjustment through the determination device that automatically detects system properties and computes optimal control parameters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention while providing continuous adaptation to changing operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensor measurements to automatically adjust control parameters. The determination device receives feedback about system state and uses this information to compute and apply appropriate control gain values, enabling continuous adaptation without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If robust control settings are made once for the whole day, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to loss of performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidharvesting performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control parameter optimization is performed continuously throughout operation rather than being a one-time setup. The determination device operates continuously to maintain optimal control settings, ensuring that harvesting performance remains high throughout the entire working day without requiring repeated manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3210447B1Automatic determination of control parameters of an assembly for controlling an actuator for adjusting an adjustable element of an agricultural working machine
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 DEERE & CO
  • EP3210447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3210447B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3210447B1 patent drawingFigure 6~11

AI summary

An arrangement for controlling an actuator (48) for adjusting an adjustable element (16) of an agricultural machine (10) is equipped with a control unit (50) for generating control signals for the adjustable element (16) to move it to a target position, a control arrangement (62) of the actuator (48) coupled to the adjustable element (16) that receives the control signals from the control unit (50), and a determination device (54) for providing at least one parameter (ϑ) determined based on detected vibration characteristics of the system consisting of the adjustable element (16) and the agricultural machine (10). The determination device (54) is capable of determining the at least one parameter (ϑ) at successive time points and supplying it to the control unit (50). The parameter (ϑ) acts to optimize the control behavior of the control unit (50).