Loader Bucket Orientation Control via Gravity Vector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work vehicle control systems fail to maintain the orientation of implements, such as buckets, on uneven terrain, leading to spills due to inadequate accounting for terrain variations, which affects the vehicle's performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize gravity sensors, chassis sensors, and bucket sensors to adjust the orientation of the implement relative to the gravity vector, ensuring it remains in a non-spill position by synchronizing the movement of loader arms and the implement with the vehicle's chassis pitch changes across varying terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator resets the loader arm to a predetermined height automatically via joystick action or button press, then the operation is simplified and faster, but the implement fails to account for terrain variations causing spills
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors terrain orientation through sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS) and feeds this information back to the control system. The controller then automatically adjusts the loader arm and implement orientation to compensate for terrain variations, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation through automated feedback-based control
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting terrain conditions and modifying implement orientation without requiring manual operator intervention. The controller monitors sensor data and autonomously modifies loader arm position and implement angle to maintain optimal orientation, eliminating the need for operator awareness or manual adjustment
2Reliability
If the loader arm and implement are moved to a non-spill position simultaneously, then spill prevention is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges multiple control functions into a unified system that simultaneously manages loader arm position and implement orientation. By combining these control functions and using integrated sensors and processors, the system achieves coordinated movement to non-spill positions without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts control parameters such as loader arm angle, implement tilt angle, and movement velocity based on real-time terrain data. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than using fixed positions, the system achieves reliable spill prevention while maintaining flexible and manageable control through parameter-based adjustment
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
Effectively prevents spills by maintaining the implement's orientation perpendicular to the gravity vector, even on uneven terrain, enhancing the vehicle's operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A gravity sensor carried by the chassis and configured to measure a gravity vector that defines the direction in which the gravitational force acts on the chassis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a work vehicle such as a loader having a bucket attached to the lift arms of a lift assembly and including a system and method for controlling the operation of the lift assembly so as to enable the loader to move over varying terrain without spilling the contents of the bucket. The system includes a chassis sensor, a bucket sensor, a gravity sensor, and a control system for varying the position of the bucket. The system adjusts the bucket's orientation via the control system to maintain a 90 degree difference between the bucket vector and the gravity vector.