Dynamically Adjustable Axle Load Distribution for Agricultural Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural working machines face challenges in dynamically regulating axle load distribution, leading to uneven traction force transmission, especially in inhomogeneous ground conditions, which can result in reduced tractive force and increased fuel consumption due to unnecessary ballasting.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural working machine with a vertically displaceable hitch and a control device that dynamically adjusts axle loads and torques by using sensors and actuators to optimize axle load distribution, allowing for real-time adjustment of the hitch's position to ensure balanced traction force distribution without additional ballasting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If ballasting is applied to the front axle to counteract axle load relief, then tractive force transmission is improved, but the weight of the agricultural working machine increases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch is made vertically displaceable through a displacement device (such as a hydraulic cylinder) that can dynamically adjust the vertical position of the hitch during operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing ground conditions and implement weights, automatically optimizing axle load distribution without requiring static ballasting, thereby maintaining tractive force transmission while reducing unnecessary weight
Solution Approach 2:
The control device receives input signals about ground conditions and implement weight, processes this information, and automatically controls the displacement device to adjust the hitch position. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic optimization of axle load distribution, eliminating the need for manual ballasting calculations and reducing unnecessary weight while ensuring adequate tractive force transmission
2Force
If ballasting is applied to the front axle to counteract axle load relief, then tractive force transmission is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertically displaceable hitch with dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain optimal axle load distribution adapted to actual working conditions, eliminating the need for excessive ballasting. This reduces the total vehicle weight and consequently decreases fuel consumption while ensuring adequate tractive force transmission through dynamic optimization rather than static over-ballasting
3Device complexity
If the hitch position is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but the axle load distribution cannot be adjusted for different ground conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch is equipped with a displacement device that enables vertical movement during operation, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the system to adapt axle load distribution to varying ground conditions and implement weights while adding only the necessary components for vertical adjustment, maintaining relative structural simplicity while significantly improving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The vertically displaceable hitch with control device serves multiple functions: it maintains attachment of the implement, dynamically adjusts axle load distribution, and adapts to different ground conditions and implement weights. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ballasting systems or multiple hitch configurations, achieving versatility through a single integrated mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural machine comprising at least two axles, at least one vertically displaceable trailer hitch, an implement attached to the trailer hitch, and a control device. According to the invention, the control device is designed and configured such that axle loads and/or torques acting on the axles can be determined, and that, to regulate the axle load distribution of the machine, a vertical displacement of the trailer hitch can be dynamically controlled depending on the determined axle loads and/or torques.