Unified Auto Turning Control for Articulation and Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle auto turning control systems for work vehicles with multiple pivot axes struggle to seamlessly integrate auto articulation and auto steering functions, leading to inefficient control and alignment of different vehicle segments during operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a controller to receive signals from joysticks and sensors, calculate desired angle changes, and adjust articulation and steering angles based on errors detected, allowing for seamless auto articulation and auto steering operations by integrating articulation and steering actuator controls within a unified vehicle auto turning control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control systems are used for articulation and steering, then control functions are independent and reliable, but system complexity increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate articulation control and steering control systems into a unified auto turning control system. The controller integrates articulation angle sensing, steering angle sensing, and coordinated control of both articulation actuator and steering actuator, reducing system complexity while maintaining functional independence through modular sensor and actuator components.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified controller performs multiple functions: it monitors articulation angle via articulation angle sensor, monitors steering angle via steering angle sensor, calculates desired articulation angle changes, calculates desired steering angle changes, and coordinates both articulation and steering actuators. This multi-functional approach improves operational efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
2Ease of operation
If manual control is used for articulation and steering, then operator flexibility is maintained, but operational efficiency and precision decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring articulation angle through articulation angle sensors and steering angle through steering angle sensors. The controller compares actual angles with desired angles, calculates errors, and adjusts articulation and steering actuators accordingly, enabling precise automated control that improves productivity while maintaining operator flexibility through selectable control modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The auto turning control system performs self-adjustment of articulation and steering angles based on sensor feedback and control algorithms. The system automatically calculates desired angle changes, monitors actual positions, and corrects deviations without continuous manual intervention, significantly improving operational efficiency while allowing operators to override when needed.
3Measurement precision
If automated control is implemented for articulation and steering, then operational precision improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses articulation angle sensors and steering angle sensors to continuously monitor actual angles with high precision. The controller processes this feedback data, calculates desired angle changes, and adjusts actuators to minimize errors, achieving precise automated control through coordinated feedback loops for both articulation and steering.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system is segmented into independent but coordinated modules: articulation angle sensing, steering angle sensing, articulation control calculation, steering control calculation, articulation actuator control, and steering actuator control. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing each component to be optimized independently while maintaining precise measurement and control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods for adjusting steering angle and articulation angle in an auto steering operation of a work vehicle. The percentage of travel of an articulation joystick of the work vehicle at least partially determines an articulation desired angle change, which can be used to calculate an articulation desired angle and a steering desired angle change. The difference between the articulation desired angle and an articulation angle detected by an articulation angle sensor is used to adjust the articulation angle. The steering desired angle change can be used to calculate a steering desired angle. The difference between the steering desired angle and a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor is used to adjust the steering angle.