Blade Engagement Depth Control Using Engine Load Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for modifying land surface and subsurface features using a tractor blade require manual adjustment of blade height, leading to inefficient operation and increased engine output waste due to suboptimal blade engagement.
Innovation Solution
A control device automatically adjusts the blade height based on engine load data to maintain a target engine load range, ensuring optimal blade engagement by comparing current engine load to a predefined range and making incremental adjustments as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual blade adjustment is used, then operator control flexibility is maintained, but blade engagement depth is suboptimal leading to increased passes and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors engine load and provides feedback to the control device, which automatically adjusts blade depth to maintain optimal engine load range. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the blade operates at peak efficiency while minimizing fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the equipment to automatically adjust its own blade depth based on real-time engine load conditions without requiring manual operator intervention. The control device self-regulates blade engagement to maintain optimal operational parameters.
2Productivity
If increased blade engagement depth is used, then fewer passes are required to achieve design, but engine load exceeds optimal range reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The blade depth is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing real-time optimization based on engine load conditions. The control device continuously modifies blade engagement depth to maintain optimal engine load while maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of blade engagement depth based on monitored engine load conditions. By dynamically adjusting this parameter, the system maintains engine load within the optimal range while achieving maximum productivity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If decreased blade engagement depth is used, then engine load remains within optimal range, but more passes are required increasing time and fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous feedback loop monitors engine load and automatically adjusts blade depth to prevent operation outside the optimal range, eliminating the need for reduced engagement that would increase operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to optimize blade engagement depth, reducing operational time while maintaining engine efficiency.
4Use of energy by moving object
If multiple passes are required to achieve design, then blade can operate within optimal engine load, but total fuel consumption and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts blade depth during each pass to maintain optimal engine load, maximizing the effectiveness of each pass and reducing the total number of passes required, thereby minimizing total fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously changes blade engagement depth as an operational parameter to maintain optimal engine load conditions throughout the operation, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimizing total energy consumption across multiple passes.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device receives, from an engine load sensor device, a value of an engine load of an engine of an equipment operating in an operating environment. The control device compares the value of the engine load to a target engine load range defined by a minimum target engine load value and a maximum target engine load value. Responsive to determining that the value of the engine load is less than the minimum target engine load value, the control device lowers a cutting blade of the equipment to increase an engagement of the cutting blade with a surface or subsurface. Responsive to determining that the engine load is greater than the maximum target engine load value, the control device raises the cutting blade of the equipment to decrease the engagement of the cutting blade with the surface or subsurface.