Synchronized Chassis Height Adjustment for Crop Clearance and Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicles face challenges in adjusting chassis height and track width to accommodate both short and tall crops, leading to issues with crop damage, transport restrictions, and uneven operator experience due to variations in actuator control.
Innovation Solution
A chassis-height adjustment system with synchronized actuator control, using height and track-width sensors to ensure uniform adjustments, maintaining a constant track width and level operation, and incorporating hydraulic actuators for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high-clearance vehicles are used to process taller crops, then sufficient ground clearance is achieved, but overall vehicle height exceeds highway restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs a dynamically adjustable chassis height system that allows the vehicle to transition between high-clearance and low-profile configurations. This is achieved through height adjustment actuators on each wheel support assembly that can raise or lower the chassis relative to the ground, enabling the vehicle to adapt its height based on operational needs versus transport requirements.
2Length of moving object
If standard-height vehicles are used for short crops, then transport is easier, but insufficient ground clearance for tall crops
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs a dynamically adjustable chassis height system that allows the vehicle to transition between high-clearance and low-profile configurations. This is achieved through height adjustment actuators on each wheel support assembly that can raise or lower the chassis relative to the ground, enabling the vehicle to adapt its height based on operational needs versus transport requirements.
3Ease of operation
If independent actuator control is used for each wheel, then chassis levelness on slopes is improved, but variations in actuator operation cause uneven adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates height position sensors on each wheel support assembly that continuously monitor the actual height position of each wheel. This feedback information is fed to the controller, which compares the actual positions with target positions and adjusts actuator operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures all wheels reach their target heights simultaneously, eliminating uneven adjustment while maintaining the ability to compensate for slope conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A chassis-height adjustment system for selectively raising and lowering a chassis relative to a ground surface includes a plurality of support assemblies supporting a chassis on respective ground-engaging elements. Each support assembly has a height adjustment actuator. Each height position sensor senses an adjustment position one of the height adjustment actuators and generates a height signal. Each of the support assemblies may be mounted to the chassis by a track-width adjustment mechanism having a track-width adjustment actuator. The height adjustment system is controlled in a manner to synchronize each height adjustment actuator with the other actuators. Adjustment of one or more height adjustment actuators is slowed or stopped in the event that other actuators need to catch up. The track-width adjustment actuators may shift the position of the associated ground-engaging element laterally relative to the chassis to keep the ground-engaging elements from sliding laterally as the chassis height changes.