Articulated Steering Angle Sensing With External Isolating Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering angle measurement systems in heavy machinery, such as mining trucks, face challenges due to sensor placement within hydraulic cylinders, leading to increased repair time, costs, and downtime, as well as the need for replacing entire steering components.
Innovation Solution
The system includes isolating mechanisms and sensors located externally to the hydraulic cylinders, allowing for the measurement of steering angles without interfering with the cylinders' operation, thereby reducing repair complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are located internal to hydraulic cylinders, then steering angle measurement is achieved, but repair time and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the internal location within the hydraulic cylinder and relocated to an external position on the steering arm. This allows the sensor to remain functional for measuring steering angles while being independently accessible for maintenance, eliminating the need to replace entire steering components during sensor failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is separated from the hydraulic cylinder assembly into an independent component mounted on the steering arm. This segmentation allows the sensor to be replaced individually without affecting the hydraulic cylinder or other steering components, significantly reducing repair time and downtime.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are located internal to hydraulic cylinders, then steering angle measurement is achieved, but manufacturing and repair costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the integrated position within the hydraulic cylinder and placed externally on the steering arm. This reduces manufacturing complexity by allowing the sensor to be installed separately and enables cost-effective individual sensor replacement rather than replacing expensive hydraulic cylinder assemblies.
3Measurement precision
If isolating mechanisms are added to isolate unwanted movements, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An isolating mechanism acts as an intermediary between the steering arm and the sensor. This mechanism selectively transmits only the rotational movement corresponding to steering angles while filtering out unwanted movements such as vertical oscillations or lateral shifts, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex sensor modifications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient and cost-effective monitoring of steering angles, reducing downtime and maintenance costs by allowing for the isolation of unwanted movements and precise measurement of steering angles, thus facilitating early detection of failures.
Implementation Method 1
a first angle sensor configured to sense a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
A machine includes a frame and an oscillating hitch. A first cylinder couples to a first side of the oscillating hitch and a first side of the frame. A second cylinder couples to a second side of the oscillating hitch and a second side of the frame. A first isolating mechanism couples to the first cylinder and rotates in response to a first rotation of the first cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A first angle sensor senses a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis. A second isolating mechanism couples to the second cylinder and rotates in response to a second rotation of the second cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A second angle sensor senses a second angular displacement of the second isolating mechanism about a second rotational axis.