Agricultural Vehicle Pendulum Axle Chassis Mounting Stiffness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural vehicles with pendulum axle bodies face instability issues during cornering, driving over obstacles, and on uneven terrain, leading to a risk of tipping over due to lateral acceleration and uneven weight distribution.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural vehicle with a chassis mounted on both a rigid axle body and a pendulum axle body, featuring an active element such as a disc brake that adjusts the rigidity of the mounting to counteract tilting tendencies, utilizing sensors and data processing to determine optimal rigidity based on current driving conditions and tilting tendencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pendulum axle body is used to improve terrain adaptability and reduce torsional forces, then the vehicle can better handle uneven ground, but the tipping stability deteriorates due to reduced contact area and lateral acceleration effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidtipping stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies active elements (brakes, spring-damping elements) that can dynamically change the rigidity of the mounting between the chassis and pendulum axle body. This allows the system to adapt its stability characteristics in real-time based on driving conditions, transforming from a static to a dynamic system that can optimize both terrain adaptability and tipping stability as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of mounting rigidity from fixed to variable. By using active elements that can adjust the rigidity of the mounting between the chassis and pendulum axle body, the system can modify its mechanical properties to prevent tipping while maintaining the benefits of the pendulum axle design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the mounting rigidity is increased to improve tipping stability, then the vehicle becomes more stable during cornering, but the ability to handle uneven terrain deteriorates due to reduced suspension compliance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetipping stabilityVSAvoidterrain handling ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses active elements that can dynamically adjust mounting rigidity based on real-time driving conditions. During cornering or high-risk maneuvers, rigidity increases to prevent tipping; during normal terrain traversal, rigidity decreases to maintain suspension compliance and terrain handling ability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system periodically monitors driving conditions and adjusts the mounting rigidity accordingly. The active elements are activated or deactivated based on detected lateral acceleration, vehicle speed, and terrain conditions, creating a periodic adjustment pattern that optimizes both stability and terrain handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Stability of the object's composition

If active elements are added to dynamically adjust mounting rigidity, then tipping stability is improved through real-time control, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and actuators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetipping stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect driving conditions (lateral acceleration, vehicle speed, terrain) and the control unit adjusts the active elements accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to prevent tipping while managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of tipping by dynamically adjusting the rigidity of the mounting, enhancing stability during critical driving conditions, thereby preventing vehicle rollover and maintaining driving comfort.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the at least one active element is a brake, in particular a disc brake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

wherein the at least one active element is a spring-damping element, in particular a hydropneumatic spring-damping element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

wherein the at least one active element is a spring-damping element, in particular a hydropneumatic spring-damping element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3530498B1Agricultural vehicle with a running gear and a chassis and method for reducing the inclination of the running gear to tilt
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3530498B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)
  • EP3530498B1 patent drawingFigure 1(b)
  • EP3530498B1 patent drawingFigure 1(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural vehicle, in particular a combine harvester, a forage harvester or a forage harvesting machine, with a running gear comprising a rigid axle body and a pendulum axle body, and with a chassis which is mounted on the rigid axle body in a resilient manner and on the pendulum axle body in a pendulum-like manner about a pendulum axis, wherein the agricultural vehicle comprises at least one active element for changing the stiffness of the mounting of the chassis on the pendulum axle body, which interacts with the pendulum axle body and/or the chassis, such that a tilting tendency of the chassis relative to the pendulum axle body and/or a tilting tendency of the vehicle is reduced depending on a currently detected tilting tendency.The present invention further relates to a method for reducing the tendency of a chassis of such an agricultural vehicle to tip over relative to a running gear of the agricultural vehicle and/or the tendency of an agricultural vehicle to tip over.