Automatic Power Management for Standard Power Shift Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual vehicle ground speed control is arduous and inefficient, as operators must adjust both engine rpm and gear settings to maintain a desired speed, especially during changing load conditions, leading to suboptimal engine operation and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
An automatic power management system that adjusts gear settings and engine rpm based on load conditions, allowing the throttle to control ground speed, thereby optimizing engine operation for efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual speed control mode is used with fixed erpm and gear settings, then the vehicle can operate with preset parameters, but the operator cannot detect and follow engine load changes, causing the vehicle to run at inefficient working points
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own load sensor to automatically adjust gear and throttle settings. The engine load detection capability is leveraged to trigger automatic gear shifts and throttle adjustments, eliminating the need for external operator intervention while maintaining efficient operation points
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors engine load and uses this feedback to automatically adjust gear selection and throttle position. When load exceeds a threshold, the system shifts to a lower gear and increases throttle to maintain optimal operating conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual engine conditions
2Speed
If the operator manually adjusts both erpm and gear to reach desired vehicle ground speed, then speed control can be achieved, but the operation becomes arduous during headland operations and other busy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the gear selection function from manual operator control and transfers it to automatic control based on engine load. The gear shift decision-making is separated from the operator's tasks, allowing the operator to focus on primary operations while the system autonomously manages gear changes to maintain desired speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines gear selection and throttle control into an integrated automatic management system that responds to engine load conditions. Rather than requiring separate manual adjustments for each parameter, the system coordinates both parameters automatically based on load sensor input, reducing operator workload while maintaining speed control
3Speed
If gear setting changes are made with fixed erpm to adjust vehicle speed, then speed range can be changed, but this causes relatively high ground speed change that may be undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts both gear selection and throttle position in response to engine load changes. Rather than making fixed gear changes that cause abrupt speed variations, the system continuously adapts throttle settings alongside gear changes to smooth out speed transitions and maintain more stable ground speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously (gear ratio and throttle position) rather than changing only gear setting. By adjusting both parameters in coordination based on load conditions, the system can achieve speed range changes while minimizing abrupt ground speed variations that would result from gear changes alone
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A system and method for managing the power of an engine-powered vehicle is provided. The power of the engine (6) is managed in automatic vehicle speed mode by inputting the desired vehicle ground speed and a measured variable to an electronic controller (1), which automatically up-shifts the transmission (3) and reduces engine speed to maintain a desired vehicle speed and reduce fuel consumption when a load on the vehicle is reduced and down-shifts the transmission (3) and increases engine speed when the load is applied. The measured variable is (a) the position of a selector switch, which is positionable in a field mode for operating the vehicle in a field, including tillage applications under changing load conditions, and a road mode for operating the vehicle during road hauling or transportation, (b) the position of a brake and ground speed, (c) vehicle slippage and ground speed, (d) an operator set maximum and minimum ground speed, (e) an operator set maximum and minimum gear setting, (f) system sensitivity, and/or (g) change in implement status.