Work Vehicle Suspension Link Sensor Alignment Against Rotational Error

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle suspension systems, especially in work vehicles, undesired movements of the link element can affect the accuracy of sensor measurements, as these movements are not always accounted for in existing systems, leading to potential inaccuracies in measuring axle movements.

Innovation Solution

The attachment point of the sensor element is positioned on the virtual axis joining the link element's connection loci, ensuring that rotational movements of the link element do not affect the sensor's measurements, and optionally, a transmitting sensor element is used to communicate movements to a receiving sensor element via a linkrod, with a bracket securing the sensor element to the link element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sensor element is attached to the link element to measure axle movement, then measurement capability is provided, but undesired rotational movements of the link element are erroneously detected affecting measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of axle movement measurementVSAvoidundesired rotational movements affecting sensor readings
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A virtual axis is introduced as an intermediary reference between the link element and the sensor element. The attachment point is positioned on this virtual axis that passes through both connection loci. This intermediary axis serves as a reference that distinguishes between desired vertical movements and undesired rotational movements, allowing the sensor to ignore the harmful rotational component while measuring the useful vertical displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the link element is designed to allow small extent of unwanted movements for suspension functionality, then suspension flexibility is improved, but sensor measurement accuracy deteriorates due to these movements being interpreted as axle movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension flexibilityVSAvoidsensor measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The solution applies local quality by making the attachment point location specific and distinctive. Rather than attaching the sensor anywhere on the link element, the attachment point is precisely positioned on the virtual axis at a specific location. This localized positioning gives the sensor a special property: it becomes insensitive to rotational movements while remaining sensitive to vertical movements, thus resolving the contradiction between allowing suspension flexibility and maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4140786B1Work vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4140786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140786B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4140786B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A vehicle suspension link device (10) comprises a link element (12) with a first and a second connection locus (13A,13B), for connection of the link element to a vehicle support structure (4) and to a vehicle axle (2) respectively, and a sensor element (20) for detecting a movement of the link element (12), the sensor element being attached to the link element (2) at an attachment point (22) located on a virtual straight axis (A) joining the first connection locus and the second connection locus.