Dump Vehicle Rollover Prevention via Front Strut Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dump vehicles are prone to power head rollover during dumping operations, especially when the load shifts and the front wheels lift off the ground, posing a risk to the operator and causing vehicle damage, particularly on inclines or when sticky loads are involved.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a dump operation sensor and a strut sensor, along with a controller, that generates a warning signal and prevents further lifting of the dump body when the front wheels are likely to lift off the ground, using height or pressure sensors to monitor the front struts and compare readings against predetermined limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the dump body is lifted during a dump operation, then the dumping function is enabled, but the front wheels may lift off the ground causing power head rollover

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedumping operation capabilityVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of front strut conditions before the front wheels actually lift off the ground. By detecting changes in strut height or pressure that precede wheel lift-off, the system can issue warnings or prevent further dumping action, thereby preventing rollover while still enabling safe dumping operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the front strut conditions during dump operations and provides real-time feedback to the operator through warning signals. This feedback loop allows the operator to adjust dumping actions to maintain safety, resolving the contradiction between enabling dumping and preventing rollover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If sticky load shifts the center of gravity behind the pivot axis, then the dump body can be emptied completely, but the front wheels lift off the ground creating rollover risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete dumping capabilityVSAvoidrollover hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects the shift in center of gravity caused by sticky load before the front wheels actually lift off. By monitoring front strut conditions that change as the load shifts, the system can warn the operator in advance, allowing them to complete the dumping operation safely or adjust the approach to avoid rollover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the power head section is allowed to pivot independently, then the vehicle can navigate terrain better, but the power head may roll over relative to the load-carrying section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain navigation capabilityVSAvoidpower head stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback on front strut conditions that indicate potential power head rollover. This allows the operator to navigate terrain using articulation and oscillation joints while being warned of unsafe conditions, resolving the contradiction between terrain adaptability and power head stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively prevents power head rollovers by alerting the operator and preventing further lifting of the dump body when the front wheels are at risk of lifting off the ground, thereby ensuring operator safety and reducing vehicle damage.

Implementation Method 1

a height sensor monitoring the height of the front struts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeight measurement:

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensor monitoring the downward pressure on the front struts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP2765028B1System and method for preventing power head rollover during a dump operation by monitoring front struts
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 DEERE & CO
  • EP2765028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2765028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2765028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system is disclosed for preventing power head rollover of a vehicle (100) during a dump operation. The system includes a dump signal indicating when the vehicle (100) is dumping, a strut sensor reading indicating a condition of the front struts, and a controller receiving the dump signal and strut readings, and activating a warning signal when the dump signal indicates the vehicle (100) is dumping and the strut reading indicates the front wheels (120) may be lifted off the ground. The strut sensors can be height, pressure or other types of sensors. The controller can also disable further lifting of the dump body (142) when the dump signal indicates the vehicle (100) is dumping and the strut sensor indicates the front wheels (120) may be lifted off the ground. The system can include a strut limit, and the controller can act based on comparing the strut reading to the strut limit.