Vehicle Hitch Latch Control for Accurate Attachment State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for attaching and detaching attachments from working vehicles may lead to discrepancies between the actual state of the attachment and the electrically detected state, due to incomplete actuation of actuators like hydraulic cylinders or electric motors.

Innovation Solution

A working vehicle system that includes a hitch with a latching mechanism, an operation switch, a receiver for wireless signals from the attachment, and a controller. The controller determines the attachment state based on the duration of operation of the switches and the wireless signals, ensuring accurate attachment or detachment states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the actuator is not actuated for a certain period of time or more, then the attachment is not brought into the actual attached or detached state, but the electronic device may incorrectly detect the attachment state from the received signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment state detection accuracyVSAvoidactual attachment state reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses acceleration sensors to detect the actual attachment state and provides feedback to the controller. The controller compares the detected state with the operation state to determine whether the attachment is properly attached or detached, correcting for delays in actuator response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the attachment state using acceleration sensors before relying on electrical signals from the actuator. This allows the system to anticipate the actual state before the actuator completes its full cycle, ensuring accurate detection even during transition periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the actuator is actuated for a certain period of time to completely actuate the linkage, then the attachment reaches the actual attached or detached state, but this increases the operation time and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment state reliabilityVSAvoidattachment change speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensors perform preliminary detection of the attachment state during the actuator's operation. The controller can determine the actual state before the actuator completes its full actuation cycle, allowing the system to recognize attachment status without waiting for the complete mechanical cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on mechanical actuator completion with sensor-based detection. Acceleration sensors detect the attachment state through physical motion characteristics, substituting the need to wait for complete mechanical actuation with faster electronic detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the system relies on electrical signals from the actuator to detect attachment state, then the detection is simple and fast, but the actual state may differ from the detected state due to incomplete actuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidattachment state detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The acceleration sensor acts as an intermediary between the mechanical attachment state and the electronic detection system. It translates physical attachment conditions into detectable acceleration signals, providing an accurate representation of the actual state independent of actuator electrical signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system effectively reduces the likelihood of discrepancies between the actual and electrically detected attachment states, ensuring accurate operation and control of the working vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a receiver to receive a wireless signal which is transmitted periodically from a transmitter in or on the attachment, which includes identification information of the attachment, and which is compliant with a near field communication standard

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250135813A1Working machine

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

A working vehicle includes a hitch, operation switch(es) to be operated to attach/detach the attachment to/from the hitch, a receiver to receive a signal from a transmitter in/on the attachment, and a controller to perform a process based on the identification information in the signal. The hitch includes a latching mechanism operable in a latching state and an unlatching state, and a latch actuator to actuate the latching mechanism while the operation switch(es) is being operated. The controller is configured or programmed to, when the operation switch(es) is operated continuously for a first period or more or a second period or more, determine that the attachment is allowed to be detached or is attached and start the process, the first period being time taken for the latching mechanism to switch to the unlatching state, the second period being time taken for the latching mechanism to switch to the latching state.