Electric Power Machine Control for Tilt Actuator Load Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power machines, particularly electrically powered ones, face issues with actuator damage due to excessive strain and stress during operations like lifting and tilting, especially when a cutting edge is pushed too hard against the ground, leading to potential damage to tilt actuators.
Innovation Solution
Implementing control systems that detect operational conditions likely to cause actuator stress and apply reduced speed or power limits to actuators, such as lift and tractive motors, based on detected conditions like high commanded speed, tilt position, and lift arm orientation, to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cutting edge is pushed hard against the ground to perform work functions, then the productivity and work capability of the power machine is improved, but the tilt actuator experiences excessive strain and stress leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary detection of operational conditions (tilt position, commanded speed, lift arm orientation) before the actuator is subjected to excessive load. By identifying high-risk conditions in advance, the system proactively applies speed or power limits to prevent actuator damage before it occurs, rather than reacting after damage has happened.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors operational parameters including tilt position, commanded speed, and lift arm orientation. This feedback loop allows the system to detect conditions that would lead to excessive strain on the tilt actuator and dynamically adjust operational limits to prevent damage while maintaining productivity when conditions are safe.
2Reliability
If speed limits are applied to actuators to protect from damage, then the reliability of the actuator is improved, but the productivity and operational efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts speed and power limits based on real-time operational conditions rather than applying fixed restrictions. When conditions are safe (normal tilt position, appropriate commanded speed, safe lift arm orientation), the actuator operates without artificial limits, maintaining full productivity. Speed limits are applied only when specific high-risk conditions are detected, optimizing the balance between protection and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a power machine can be configured to receive operation data associated with a current operation of the electric power machine, determine, based on the operation data, a commanded direction of travel for the electric power machine, determine, based on the operation data, an orientation of the work element relative to the lift arm, perform a comparison of the orientation to an orientation criterion, and, in response to determining a forward commanded direction of travel and based on the comparison, determine a modified operation parameter for the electric power machine, and control the at least one of electrical actuators based on the modified operation parameter.