Front Wheel Lead Control for Variable-Terrain Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack an efficient method to dynamically adjust the lead between front and rear wheels to optimize tractive efficiency across varying terrain, geographic locations, and draft conditions, leading to suboptimal power conversion and traction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller system that evaluates and selects the optimal lead based on tractive efficiency data from databases and sensors, adjusting the rotational speed of the front wheels relative to the rear wheels to maximize ground speed and traction efficiency, taking into account factors like terrain, geographic location, and draft conditions.
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 lead is established based on wheel size, but the system lacks adaptability to varying terrain, geographic locations, and draft 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 operating conditions (terrain, geographic location, draft conditions) and adjusts the rotational speed relationship between front and rear wheels in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the lead parameter (rotational speed ratio between front and rear wheels) based on operating conditions. The controller modifies this parameter dynamically according to terrain type, geographic location, and draft conditions, enabling the system to optimize performance across different environments without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration.
2Productivity
If the front wheels rotate faster to cover the same distance as rear wheels, then the lead is established, but power conversion and traction efficiency are suboptimal without dynamic adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a controller that continuously monitors operating conditions and adjusts the lead parameter accordingly. The system receives feedback from sensors detecting terrain, geographic location, and draft conditions, then modifies the rotational speed relationship between wheels to optimize tractive efficiency and minimize energy consumption in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to transition from a static lead relationship to a dynamically adjusted one. The controller continuously adapts the rotational speed ratio between front and rear wheels based on real-time operating conditions, enabling the system to maintain optimal power conversion and traction efficiency across varying environments rather than operating at fixed suboptimal efficiency points.
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, a rear speed sensor to output rear speeds of the rear ground traction members, a front speed sensor to output front speeds of the front ground traction members, and a controller to select a chosen lead for a rear speed of the rear ground traction members based on evaluations of different tractive efficiencies for different leads for the rear speed. The controller may further output control signals to the continuously variable speed front drive system to drive the front ground traction members at the chosen lead.