Adjustable Engine Speed Control for Mobile Earthworking Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile machines for earth working operations lack precise control over ground speed, particularly during finishing tasks, as they are limited by the fixed gear ratios and rated engine speed ranges of their internal combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize condition input sensors and an electronic controller to regulate the internal combustion engine's speed within adjustable ranges, allowing for finer control over the mobile machine's speed by comparing sensed operating conditions with predetermined thresholds, enabling operation beyond the rated engine speed range for specific tasks like precision contouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile machine operates within the rated engine speed range and fixed gear ratios, then the engine reliability is maintained, but the speed control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the engine speed range adjustable rather than fixed. The electronic controller dynamically adapts the minimum and maximum engine speeds based on operating conditions (gear ratio, implement status, travel mode), allowing the system to optimize between reliability and precision control as needed for different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of engine speed range (minimum and maximum speeds) based on operating conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to gear ratio, implement status, and travel mode, the system achieves finer speed control precision while maintaining engine reliability through condition-based adaptation.
2Measurement precision
If the engine speed range is expanded beyond rated values, then the speed control precision is improved, but the engine reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts engine speed parameters (minimum and maximum speeds) based on operating conditions. This allows expansion beyond rated values when precision is needed while maintaining reliability by adapting to actual operational context such as gear ratio and implement status.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic controller continuously monitors operating conditions (gear ratio, implement status, travel mode) and uses this feedback to adjust the engine speed range. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that expanded speed ranges are only used when appropriate, maintaining engine reliability while achieving precision control.
3Device complexity
If the drivetrain uses fixed gear ratios, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the effective gear ratio parameters by adjusting engine speed ranges for different travel modes (high range, low range, park). This allows the fixed physical gear ratios to deliver variable effective ratios, improving adaptability without adding mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic controller provides multi-functionality by managing multiple travel modes and speed ranges using the same fixed gear ratios. This universal control approach allows a single drivetrain configuration to serve multiple operational requirements, enhancing adaptability without increasing mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile machine includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to a plurality of propulsion devices for travel over a work surface. The mobile machine can include an electronic controller that receives condition data signals indicative of the operating state or condition of the mobile machine from a plurality of condition input sensors. The electronic controller compares the condition data signals with condition threshold to determine whether to operate the internal combustion engine in accordance with rated engine speed range or an adjusted engine speed range.