Clutch Control Device for Work Machine Fan Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clutch control systems for work machines face challenges in accurately controlling fan rotational speed due to changes in clutch characteristics caused by oil temperature and engine speed, leading to delayed response and difficulty in achieving the desired rotational speed.

Innovation Solution

A clutch control device that includes an engine rotational speed sensor, oil temperature sensor, fan rotational speed sensor, and a controller with modules for calculating target fan rotational speed, selecting appropriate clutch characteristic curves, and generating control signals to adjust clutch operation, accounting for oil temperature and engine speed variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional clutch control system is used without considering clutch characteristic changes, then the control system is simple, but the fan rotational speed cannot be controlled accurately and response is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefan rotational speed control accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adapts to changing clutch characteristics by storing multiple clutch characteristic curves corresponding to different oil temperatures and engine speeds, and selectively switching between them based on current operating conditions. This allows the system to maintain accurate fan rotational speed control without requiring complex real-time calculation of varying clutch parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter by selecting different clutch characteristic curves based on oil temperature and engine speed conditions. Each curve represents a different operating state of the clutch, allowing the controller to compensate for characteristic changes without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If clutch characteristic changes due to oil temperature and engine speed are not considered, then the control signal calculation is simple, but the response time is delayed and desired rotational speed cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidcontrol signal calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing multiple clutch characteristic curves that correspond to different operating conditions (oil temperatures and engine speeds). When operation begins, the controller simply selects the appropriate pre-stored curve based on current conditions, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations and achieving fast response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple clutch characteristic curves are stored and selected based on operating conditions, then fan rotational speed control accuracy is improved, but memory requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational speed control precisionVSAvoidmemory storage quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch characteristic data is segmented into multiple discrete curves, each corresponding to a specific oil temperature range and engine speed range. This segmentation allows the controller to store data in a structured manner and select only the relevant curve for current operating conditions, optimizing memory usage while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise control of fan rotational speed, reducing delays and improving responsiveness by considering clutch characteristics, thereby optimizing fan operation and reducing fuel consumption.

Implementation Method 1

wet friction clutches are of the configuration that lubrication is performed with oil (engine oil) between friction discs. Thus, in the wet friction clutches, a torque loss, a so-called drag torque attributed to the viscosity of the oil is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3301318B1Clutch control device for work machine
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3301318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3301318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3301318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a clutch control device for a work machine capable of controlling a fan 12 to an appropriate rotational speed. In the clutch control device for the work machine, a controller 50 includes a target fan rotational speed calculation module 60 that calculates a target fan rotational speed for the fan 12, a clutch characteristic curve storage module 62a that stores a plurality of clutch characteristic curves, a clutch command calculation module 62 that outputs with reference to a clutch characteristic curve a first clutch control signal corresponding to the target fan rotational speed, a feedback control module 61 that output a second clutch control signal based on the difference between the target fan rotational speed and an actual fan rotational speed, and an adder that adds the first clutch control signal and the second clutch control signal to output a third clutch control signal.