Vehicle Drivetrain Control for Stall-Free Starting and Reversing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural or municipal work machines often experience engine stalling when starting or reversing, especially under increased load conditions, due to insufficient motorization and torque reserves.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a control device in the drive train that temporarily increases the engine speed of the drive engine during starting or reversing processes, based on operating parameters such as slip at the first clutch device, to prevent engine stalling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the drive engine is designed with insufficient motorization and torque reserves to reduce size and cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the engine stalls during starting or reversing under increased load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine sizeVSAvoidengine stalling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention dynamically adjusts the engine speed based on real-time operating conditions. During starting or reversing operations, the control device detects increased load conditions and temporarily increases engine speed to prevent stalling. This dynamic adaptation allows a smaller engine to handle transient high-load situations without stalling, resolving the contradiction between reduced engine size and maintained reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameter (engine speed) in response to detected conditions. When the control device detects starting or reversing operations, it increases the engine speed parameter temporarily. This parameter change enables a smaller engine with limited torque reserves to overcome transient load increases and prevent stalling, thus resolving the contradiction between engine size and stalling prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the engine speed is increased temporarily during starting or reversing to prevent stalling, then engine stalling is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine stalling preventionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies periodic or temporary action rather than continuous operation at high speed. The control device increases engine speed only during the specific periods when starting or reversing operations are detected, and returns to normal operating speed when these conditions cease. This temporary, condition-based speed increase prevents stalling during critical moments while minimizing overall energy consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention takes preliminary action by detecting starting or reversing conditions in advance and proactively increasing engine speed before stalling can occur. The control device monitors operating parameters and preemptively adjusts engine speed when it detects conditions that would lead to stalling, preventing the problem before it arises while consuming energy only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a control device is added to temporarily increase engine speed during starting or reversing, then engine stalling is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine stalling preventionVSAvoidcontrol device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors various operating parameters (engine speed, transmission ratio, operational state), detects different conditions (starting, reversing, heavy load), and executes appropriate responses (speed adjustment). By consolidating these multiple functions into a single control device, the invention prevents stalling while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity compared to having separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3760889B1Drive train of a vehicle and method for operating a drive train of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 CLAAS TRACTOR
  • EP3760889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3760889B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drive train (1) of a vehicle, in particular an agricultural or municipal work machine, comprising a drive motor (2), a transmission (3) and at least a first clutch device (4), wherein the drive train (1) comprises at least one control device (10) which is configured to temporarily increase an engine speed (nLeer) provided by the drive motor (2) during a starting operation and/or a reversing operation as a function of at least one operating parameter of the drive train (1).