Auto-Steering Wheel Drive With Variable Torque for Farm Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines require a system to automatically control their steering wheels for autonomous driving, especially in diverse agricultural environments where torque requirements vary significantly depending on the type of land, such as rice fields and paved roads, and existing systems are not compatible with hydraulic power steering methods used in most agricultural machines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an auto-steering device with a rotation assembly, frame assembly, motor, and reducer, coupled with a controller device that includes a processor, memory, transceiver, and GPS sensor, allowing for remote wireless control of the steering wheel and adjusting torque based on the agricultural machine's environment through a gear shift operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor is used to rotate the steering wheel for autonomous driving, then automation is improved, but the torque required to control the steering wheel in rice fields or reclaimed land is significantly greater than on paved roads
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gear ratio of the reducer based on the detected terrain type. When operating in rice fields or reclaimed land, the reducer switches to a higher reduction ratio to provide increased torque for steering wheel control, whereas on paved roads it uses a lower reduction ratio for more responsive steering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter (gear ratio) of the reducer to adapt to different operating conditions. The controller modifies the reduction ratio parameter according to terrain detection, thereby optimizing the torque output for each specific environment without requiring multiple separate systems.
2Device complexity
If a fixed reduction ratio is used in the reducer, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to different terrain types requiring different torque levels
Solution Approach 1:
The reducer is designed with a variable gear ratio capability, allowing it to dynamically change its reduction ratio based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to adapt to different terrain types while maintaining a single integrated reducer unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducer serves multiple functions by accommodating different reduction ratios within a single device. This multi-functionality allows the same reducer to handle both high-torque requirements in muddy terrain and low-torque requirements on paved roads, eliminating the need for multiple specialized reducers.
3Reliability
If the steering wheel control system is designed for high torque environments, then it can operate in rice fields, but it becomes overly complex and difficult to control on paved roads
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the torque transmission characteristics by changing the gear ratio in real-time based on terrain detection. This ensures optimal steering effort is provided for each environment, maintaining ease of operation whether the machine is on paved roads or working in muddy rice fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies the mechanical advantage parameter (gear ratio) to match environmental requirements, ensuring the steering wheel remains easy to control across all terrain types while maintaining the reliability needed for harsh environments.
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
Enables efficient autonomous driving of agricultural machines by automatically rotating the steering wheel, adapting torque for different terrains, and integrating with existing hydraulic power steering systems, ensuring effective operation in harsh environments like rice fields and unpaved areas.
Implementation Method 1
a motor that rotates the second gear to rotate the rotation assembly and the steering wheel through the first gear
Implementation Method 2
a reducer that is disposed between the second gear and the motor and decreases the number of rotations of the motor to transmit a driving force having a decreased number of rotations to the second gear
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for automatically rotating a steering wheel of an agricultural machine. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for enabling autonomous driving of an agricultural machine by being coupled to a steering wheel of the agricultural machine to automatically rotate the steering wheel.