Tracked Dump Box Tilt Control for Automatic Lowering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tracked vehicles with dump boxes face hazards when the dump box is accidentally left partially raised during movement, leading to potential damage due to stress forces on the vehicle frame, especially when operators inadvertently displace the joystick or forget to lower the dump box, which is more pronounced in tracked vehicles with narrower chassis.
Innovation Solution
A work implement tilt control system with a lifting unit, input device, and vehicle computer that autonomously lowers the dump box if certain conditions are met, such as vehicle movement exceeding a threshold and specific input actions, or based on monitored tilt angles, to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of the dump box is used, then the operator has full control over raising and lowering, but the risk of accidental displacement or forgetfulness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the dump box position and vehicle movement automatically, and the vehicle computer autonomously determines when to lower the dump box without requiring continuous operator attention. The system serves itself by detecting conditions and executing lowering actions automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors dump box position via sensors and vehicle movement characteristics, feeding this information back to the vehicle computer which then decides whether to trigger automatic lowering. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents accidental displacement by constantly verifying dump box status.
2Reliability
If automatic lowering is implemented, then damage prevention is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle computer performs multiple functions: it controls vehicle operations, monitors dump box position, detects vehicle movement characteristics, and executes automatic lowering decisions. By making the vehicle computer multi-functional, the system avoids adding dedicated hardware for each function, thereby limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical monitoring and control with electronic sensors and computer-based decision-making. This substitution reduces the need for complex mechanical interlocks and manual verification procedures while improving reliability.
3Strength
If the dump box is lowered automatically, then frame damage is prevented, but the operator's control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of dump box position and vehicle movement conditions before damage can occur. By detecting potential hazardous conditions in advance and automatically lowering the dump box proactively, the system prevents frame damage while maintaining operator awareness through the intelligence of the vehicle computer.
Data Source
AI summary
A work implement tilt control system for a tracked vehicle having a frame and a work implement mounted to the frame, the system comprising: a lifting unit configured to controllably raise or lower at least part of the work implement; an input device actionable by a first and second types of external actions associated with raising or lowering of the work implement; and a vehicle computer configured to send a signal to the lifting unit to carry out a lowering cycle of the work implement in case the vehicle computer determines that a set of conditions has been met. In some cases, the set of conditions includes: (i) a movement characteristic of the tracked vehicle exceeds a threshold; and (ii) the input device has been actioned by the first type of external action since carrying out the most recent lowering cycle of the work implement.