Front Loader Loading Control for Slip and Engine Load Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Efficient execution of a loading process with a front loader is hindered by the need for operator coordination between vehicle maneuvering and loading movement, leading to potential hydraulic system performance drops due to excessive wheel slip or drive motor overload.

Innovation Solution

A control unit monitors wheel slip and engine load variables, interrupting forward travel when limits are reached to prevent hydraulic and motor overload, and assists in following a predetermined loading trajectory to automate the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operator manually coordinates vehicle maneuvering and loading movement, then the loading process can be executed with full operator control, but the operator workload increases and hydraulic system performance may drop due to excessive wheel slip or motor overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator controlVSAvoidhydraulic system performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation by automatically detecting wheel slip and engine load conditions, then autonomously interrupting forward travel when limit values are reached, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention to prevent hydraulic system overload

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors wheel slip and engine load variables, compares them against predetermined limit values, and provides feedback by automatically interrupting forward travel when limits are exceeded, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains hydraulic system performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the drive motor is used for both traction drive and hydraulic system operation, then the vehicle can operate with a single power source, but the drive motor may become overloaded during loading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower source configurationVSAvoiddrive motor capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system intentionally operates the drive motor below its maximum capacity by interrupting forward travel when predetermined limit values are reached, preventing overload conditions while maintaining the benefit of a single power source for both traction and hydraulic operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit establishes predetermined limit values for wheel slip and engine load before operation begins, and proactively interrupts forward travel when these limits are approached, preventing drive motor overload before it occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the loading movement is automatically controlled along a predetermined trajectory, then the loading process efficiency increases, but the system complexity increases due to additional control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading process efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the loading process by automatically controlling the loading movement along a predetermined trajectory while simultaneously monitoring and responding to changing wheel slip and engine load conditions, optimizing both efficiency and system protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4621135A1Method for supporting a charging process
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 DEERE & CO
  • EP4621135A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621135A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621135A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for assisting a loading process, in which a front loader (16) arranged on a commercial vehicle (14) is provided, which front loader comprises a loading tool (18) for receiving a load (20) and a hydraulically adjustable loader linkage (22) for pivoting and for raising or lowering the loading tool (18).In this case, a control unit (56) monitors a wheel slip variable, which represents a wheel slip occurring at driven wheels (52) of the commercial vehicle (14), and/or an engine load variable, which represents a current load of a drive motor (46) comprised by the commercial vehicle (14), wherein, at the instigation of the control unit (56), by controlling the hydraulically adjustable loader linkage (22), a loading movement, in particular dependent on a forward travel of the commercial vehicle (14), is carried out along a predetermined loading trajectory for picking up load (20) from a load supply (42), wherein the control unit (56) interrupts the forward travel of the commercial vehicle (14) by intervening in a drive management system (80) in the event that the wheel slip represented by the wheel slip variable and/or the load of the drive motor (46) represented by the engine load variable exceeds a respective predetermined limit value reached.