Vehicle Dig Mode Control for Tight Off-Road Pivot Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face challenges in navigating tight spaces and obstacles due to limited turning radius and maneuverability, especially when trying to reposition around obstacles like trees or rocks, which affects traction and hill descent capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The method involves operating two propulsion sources at different speed control modes, where the front axle rotates at a speed equivalent to 0-6 km/h and the rear axle is held stationary, allowing the vehicle to pivot around obstacles without repositioning by reducing the turning radius and improving hill descent control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the vehicle operates in four wheel drive mode to improve traction, then vehicle traction is improved, but the vehicle's ability to traverse off-road areas with obstacles is not improved due to insufficient turning radius
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the speed of individual propulsion sources based on real-time operating conditions. The controller modulates the speed of each propulsion source independently, allowing the vehicle to transition between different driving modes (including dig mode) to optimize both traction and maneuverability around obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's propulsion system is segmented into multiple independent propulsion sources, each capable of independent speed control. This segmentation allows different wheels or axles to rotate at different speeds, enabling the vehicle to perform tight turning maneuvers and navigate around obstacles while maintaining traction through the engaged four-wheel-drive system
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle moves forward and then in reverse several times to reposition around obstacles, then the vehicle may be repositioned, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic speed control system allows the vehicle to reposition itself efficiently by adjusting propulsion source speeds in real-time. Instead of requiring multiple forward-reverse cycles, the system can achieve repositioning through differential speed control, where the controller modulates individual propulsion sources to move the vehicle laterally or perform tight in-place maneuvers, significantly reducing the time required for repositioning operations
3Ease of operation
If the rear wheels are held stationary while front wheels rotate, then the vehicle's turning radius is reduced, but this requires precise speed control of propulsion sources
Solution Approach 1:
The speed control system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors monitor the actual speed of each propulsion source and feed this information back to the controller. The controller compares the measured speeds with the desired speeds and adjusts the propulsion source outputs accordingly, enabling precise control of turning radius while maintaining system stability through continuous monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the operator's maneuvering requests and the propulsion sources. It processes the desired turning radius requirements and translates them into appropriate speed commands for each propulsion source, managing the complexity of differential speed control through intelligent algorithms that coordinate the multiple propulsion elements
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for operating axles of a vehicle are provided. In one example, a propulsion source of a first axle is operated in a speed control mode at a first speed and a propulsion source of a second axle is operated in a speed control mode at a second speed. The propulsion sources are operated at different speeds to reduce a turning radius of a vehicle.