Work Vehicle Loader Arm Velocity Control for Ground Impact Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for work vehicles with lift assemblies often cause the implement to impact the ground when simultaneously moving loader arms and implements to a return position, due to insufficient time for the implement to clear the ground during automated movements.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a computing device to transmit command signals for simultaneous movement of loader arms and implements, with sensors monitoring the implement's height relative to the driving surface and reducing the movement velocity when the implement is near the ground to prevent impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the implement function performs its operation quickly to reset the loader arm and implement to a travel height, then the productivity is improved, but the implement may impact the ground causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of implement reset operationVSAvoidimplement impact on ground

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the movement velocity of the loader arm based on the real-time height of the implement relative to the ground. When the implement is close to the ground, the system automatically reduces velocity to prevent impact, while allowing faster operation when clearance is sufficient. This dynamic velocity adjustment resolves the contradiction between productivity and harm prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the height of the implement using sensors and uses this feedback to adjust the movement velocity of the loader arm. The feedback loop ensures that the implement moves quickly when safe, but slows down automatically when approaching ground level, preventing impact while maintaining overall operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If the operator completes the loader arm and implement actions simultaneously, then the time required is reduced, but the implement circuit does not have enough time to accomplish automated movement before the implement reaches ground level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for reset operationVSAvoidsuccessful completion of automated implement movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic velocity adjustment to ensure the implement circuit has sufficient time to complete automated movement even during simultaneous operations. By reducing velocity when the implement is near ground level, the system prevents race conditions where the implement might impact the ground before the circuit completes its operation, while still allowing simultaneous execution of commands to minimize overall time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10385541B2Work vehicle with improved loader/implement return position control

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a control method for controlling the operation of a lift assembly of a work vehicle, wherein the lift assembly includes an implement and at least one loader arm coupled to the implement. As such, the method may generally include transmitting at least one first command signal in order to simultaneously move the loader arm and the implement towards a return position. The first command signal(s) are associated with moving the loader arms at a movement velocity. The method also includes monitoring a height of the implement relative to a driving surface of the work vehicle during simultaneous movement of the loader arm and the implement. As such, the method may also include reducing the movement velocity of the loader arm when the height is below a predetermined threshold.