Crane Steering Angle Feedback for Accurate Four-Wheel Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current steering systems for construction machinery, particularly cranes, face issues such as heavy components, inaccurate tire angle measurement, abnormal tire wear due to inadequate rotary angle changes during steering mode shifts, and difficulty in accurate four-wheel positioning due to complex trapezoidal mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A steering control system that includes a power-steering cylinder with a knuckle arm and suspension cylinders equipped with angle sensors and displacement sensors, allowing for independent wheel control and precise tire angle detection, and an auxiliary emergency control system to ensure neutral positioning in case of malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a complex trapezoidal mechanism is used for steering, then four-wheel positioning can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefour-wheel positioning accuracyVSAvoidsteering mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the angle sensing function from the complex mechanical trapezoidal mechanism and implements it through separate angle sensors mounted on the suspension cylinders. This separates the positioning measurement function from the steering actuation mechanism, simplifying the overall steering system while maintaining four-wheel positioning capability through electronic sensing and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical trapezoidal mechanism with an electro-hydraulic steering system combined with angle sensors. The mechanical angle measurement and positioning functions are substituted with electronic angle sensors that directly measure the steering angle, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages while achieving accurate four-wheel positioning through electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If traditional steering systems are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but component weight is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering system structureVSAvoidsteering component weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the steering system into independent modular components: power-steering cylinders for each wheel, suspension cylinders with integrated angle sensors, and a central control unit. This modular segmentation allows for optimized weight distribution and eliminates the need for heavy integrated steering mechanisms, reducing overall component weight while maintaining structural functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If mechanical steering axles are used, then riding comfort is improved through independent suspension, but steering precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveriding comfortVSAvoidsteering angle measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by mounting angle sensors on the suspension cylinders to continuously monitor the actual steering angles of all four wheels. The control unit receives these angle signals and compares them with target angles, automatically adjusting the steering through the power-steering cylinders to maintain precise four-wheel positioning, thereby achieving both riding comfort and high steering precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3564095B1Steering device, suspension cylinder, control system and method, and crane
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 XUZHOU HEAVY MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3564095B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3564095B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3564095B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present application discloses a steering device, a suspension cylinder, a control system, a method and a crane, and relates to the field of construction machinery. The steering control system includes: a first angle sensor, a second angle sensor, and a steering controller; the first angle sensor collects a first steering angle of a wheel corresponding to a mechanical steering axle, and transmits it to the steering controller; the second angle sensor collects a second steering angle of a wheel corresponding to an electrically controlled steering axle, and transmits it to the steering controller; the steering controller obtains a theoretical steering angle of a wheel corresponding to the electrically controlled steering axle in a corresponding travel mode according to the first steering angle, and compares the second steering angle with the theoretical steering angle, to control the wheel corresponding to the electrically controlled steering axle according to a difference therebetween, until the difference between the second steering angle and the theoretical steering angle is within a preset range. The application achieves the purpose of controlling the wheel steering.