Pilot Neutralizing System for Articulated Work Vehicle Steering Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articulated work vehicles face challenges in preventing frame-to-frame contact during steering, as existing pilot neutralizing systems fail to effectively cushion the steering motion, leading to potential damage and loss of control.
Innovation Solution
A pilot neutralizing system that includes a controller, pilot neutralizer, and sensors to detect articulation positions, selectively changing the pilot signal at the steering valve to resist actuating assembly movement, thereby preventing frame-to-frame contact by energizing or de-energizing the pilot neutralizer based on articulation position, and incorporating diagnostic features to ensure correct neutralizer states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pilot neutralizer is energized or de-energized to change the pilot signal at the steering valve, then the steering motion is cushioned and frame-to-frame contact is prevented, but the system complexity increases due to the need for controllers, sensors, and diagnostic features
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot neutralizer is energized or de-energized in advance based on detected articulation positions to cushion the steering motion before frame-to-frame contact occurs. This preliminary action prevents damage by neutralizing the pilot signal at the steering valve before the harmful contact happens.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect the articulation position and provide feedback to the controller, which then actuates the pilot neutralizer accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the pilot signal is neutralized at the correct moment to prevent frame contact while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
2Ease of operation
If the pilot neutralizer selectively changes the pilot signal to resist actuating assembly movement, then steering control is maintained during cushioning, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need for precise articulation position detection and control
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects articulation positions and actuates the pilot neutralizer without requiring manual intervention. The controller and sensors work together to self-regulate the steering cushioning process, maintaining ease of operation while the system handles the complexity of precise control internally.
Data Source
AI summary
A pilot neutralizing system of a work vehicle may include a pilot neutralizer and a first sensor. The work vehicle may include a frame assembly having a first frame portion and a second frame portion and an actuating assembly used to pivot the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion. The pilot neutralizer is electrically coupled to a controller and is hydraulically coupled between the operator control member and the steering valve to selectively provide a communication of a pilot signal. When an articulation position reaches a cushion region during steering, the pilot neutralizer is de-energized or energized to change the pilot signal at the steering valve to resist the actuating assembly from moving. The first sensor is coupled to the pilot neutralizer and detects a first value to diagnose the pilot neutralizer to determine whether the pilot neutralizer is incorrectly in a de-energized state or an energized state.