Front Wheel Lead Control via Planetary Hydraulic Drive Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems struggle to dynamically adjust the lead of the front wheels relative to the rear wheels to optimize tractive efficiency across varying rear speeds, terrains, and geographic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system equipped with a controller that determines the optimal lead for the front wheels based on evaluations of tractive efficiencies for different leads at various rear speeds, considering factors like terrain, geographic location, and draft conditions, and adjusts the lead accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed mechanical ratio is used between rear wheels and front wheels, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lead cannot be dynamically adjusted to optimize tractive efficiency under varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed mechanical ratio to a dynamically adjustable lead control system. The controller continuously monitors rear wheel speed and automatically adjusts front wheel lead based on real-time operating conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying terrains, speeds, and geographic locations while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the lead between front and rear wheels based on rear wheel speed thresholds and stored geographic/terrain data. The system changes the lead parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed ratio, optimizing tractive efficiency for different operating conditions through controlled parameter adjustment.
2Productivity
If the front wheels rotate faster to cover the same distance as rear wheels, then the basic lead requirement is met, but tractive efficiency is not optimized across different terrains and speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The lead control system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically monitors rear wheel speed, references stored geographic and terrain data, and adjusts front wheel lead independently, allowing the system to self-optimize tractive efficiency based on current operating conditions while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring rear wheel speed and using this information to automatically adjust front wheel lead. The controller receives real-time speed data, compares it against stored thresholds and conditions, and makes appropriate lead adjustments to optimize tractive efficiency, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual operating conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lead is adjusted based on multiple factors including terrain, geographic location, and draft conditions, then tractive efficiency is optimized, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-storing geographic location data, terrain information, and corresponding optimal lead values in memory before operation. When the vehicle operates in a known geographic area, the controller can immediately retrieve and apply appropriate lead settings based on stored terrain and geographic data, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis while optimizing energy consumption for different conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include rear ground traction members, front ground traction members, a rear drive system to drive the rear ground traction members, a continuously variable speed front drive system to drive the front ground traction members and a controller. The variable speed front drive system may include a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor driven by the hydraulic pump and operably coupled to the front ground traction members by a planetary gear assembly. The planetary gear assembly may include a sun gear coupled to and driven by the hydraulic motor, a ring gear operably coupled to the rear ground traction members and a planet carrier carrying planet gears intermeshing between the ring gear and the sun gear. The planet carrier has an output shaft operably coupled to the front ground traction members. At least one sun brake is actuatable by the controller to retard rotation of the sun gear.