Driver’s Cab Position Control with Height Sensing for Chassis Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver's cab mounting systems in vehicles, such as trucks and agricultural vehicles, are passive and do not allow for adjustment of the cab's position relative to the chassis, leading to increased system costs due to the need for additional actuators for position control.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for controlling the position and height of a driver's cab using actuators, monitored by height and position sensors, to maintain a parallel inclination plane with the vehicle chassis while minimizing additional sensor usage, utilizing existing vehicle sensors and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional actuators are installed to enable position control of the driver's cab, then the cab position can be adjusted relative to the chassis, but the system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The height sensors originally designed for monitoring actuator height are made multi-functional by using them also for determining the relative position and inclination between the driver's cab and chassis. This allows the same sensor to serve dual purposes: maintaining optimal cab height and enabling position control, thereby avoiding additional sensor costs while achieving the desired adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system utilizes data from existing sensors (height sensors and inclination sensors) to automatically determine the relative position between cab and chassis without requiring separate position detection systems. The system serves itself by processing available sensor data to achieve position control functionality
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple height sensors are installed on each actuator for precise position control, then the position and height control precision improves, but the system costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each height sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: directly monitoring actuator height for vertical position control and simultaneously providing data for calculating the relative position and inclination between cab and chassis. This multi-functionality achieves precise position control without requiring separate sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes height sensor data and inclination sensor data to calculate the relative position between cab and chassis. By using mathematical relationships and geometric calculations, the system derives position information from height measurements, avoiding the need for direct position sensors
3Device complexity
If the driver's cab is passively mounted on the chassis, then the mounting system is simple, but the cab position cannot be adjusted relative to the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a passive static configuration to an active dynamic system by introducing actuators that can actively adjust the cab position. The actuators are controlled based on real-time feedback from height sensors and inclination sensors, enabling the system to adapt to different driving conditions and terrain while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical mounting structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring actuator height through height sensors and cab/chassis inclination through inclination sensors. This feedback information is used by the control unit to adjust actuator positions, enabling active position control while maintaining simplicity in the mechanical mounting structure
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling the position and height of a driver's cab (1) relative to the chassis (2) of a vehicle, wherein the driver's cab (1) is mounted on the chassis (2) in a height-adjustable manner by means of actuators (3), at least one of the actuators (3) is monitored by a height sensor (9), and a first sensor (7) is provided on the driver's cab for determining the position of the driver's cab (1), as well as a second sensor (8) on the chassis for determining the position of the chassis (2), wherein the signals of the height sensor (9), the first sensor (7) and the second sensor (8) are processed in a computing unit (5) using an algorithm which determines the current height of the other actuators (3) from the signals of the height sensor (9), the first sensor (7) and the second sensor (8) and, if predetermined limit values are exceeded or fallen below, determines control signals for adjusting the height of all actuators (3) and outputs them to the actuators (3).