Grass Mowing Machine Power Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Grass mowing machines with multiple implements face high power requirements during verticutting or scalping, leading to oversized and costly engines and drives, exceeding available power and compromising efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A controller senses the total electrical load and selectively raises and shuts off power to one or more implements during high power applications, allowing the machine to operate with a smaller engine and drive system by disabling non-essential units, thus maintaining performance within available power limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the engine and implement drives are sized to satisfy the high power requirements of verticutting or scalping with all implements engaged, then the machine can perform high power applications, but the engine and drives become oversized and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active implements based on real-time power availability and load conditions. The controller monitors engine load and selectively engages or disengages individual implement drives, allowing the machine to adapt its power distribution rather than requiring static oversizing for peak demand scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by varying the number of active implements based on power availability. During high-power applications like verticutting, the controller can reduce the number of engaged implements to match available power, thereby allowing the use of a smaller, more cost-effective engine and drive system while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Power
If the engine and implement drives are sized to satisfy the high power requirements of verticutting or scalping, then the machine can perform high power applications, but the available power is exceeded during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static power allocation to dynamic power management. The controller continuously monitors engine load and power availability, adjusting the number of active implements in real-time. This allows the machine to use full power capacity during high-demand verticutting operations while reducing power consumption during normal mowing, optimizing overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by engaging only the necessary number of implements based on current power availability and task requirements. During verticutting, all implements may be engaged to utilize full power capacity, while during normal operation, fewer implements remain active, preventing power excess and improving efficiency.
3Productivity
If multiple implements are engaged during high power applications, then productivity is maintained, but the total electrical load exceeds the available power from the alternator
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the implement drives into independently controllable units. Instead of treating all implements as a single group that must operate together, the controller can selectively engage or disengage individual implements based on power availability. This segmentation allows the system to maintain productivity by keeping essential implements running while reducing load on non-essential ones during high-power applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the electrical load and power availability from the alternator. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the number of active implements to ensure the total load does not exceed available power while maintaining optimal productivity. This closed-loop control prevents power overload and ensures sustainable operation during high-power applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A grass mowing machine for high power applications includes a controller monitoring a total implement load of multiple implements connected to lift arms on a grass mowing machine. The controller determines if the total implement load consistently exceeds available power. If the total implement load consistently exceeds available power, the controller disables at least one but not all of the implements, and provides a signal to at least one but not all of the lift arms to raise the implements.