Stabilizer Control Method for Engine Stall Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Materials handling machines, such as backhoe loaders and mini excavators, face engine stalling or lugging issues when deploying stabilizers in cold conditions due to high hydraulic load demands, especially when the engine is idle and cold, leading to operational delays.
Innovation Solution
A method of operating these machines involves starting with stabilizers in a first position and the engine at a low speed, actuating the control to move stabilizers while increasing engine speed, and then unactuating to reduce engine speed back to the original level, allowing stabilizers to be deployed or retracted efficiently without operator throttle input, thus preventing engine stalling and saving fuel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operator fully actuates the control lever to deploy stabilisers quickly, then the deployment speed is improved, but the engine may lug down or stall due to high hydraulic load demand on idle engine
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine speed based on the operational state of stabilisers. When the control lever is actuated to deploy stabilisers, the engine control system automatically increases engine speed to provide sufficient hydraulic power without lugging or stalling. When stabilisers are retracted, engine speed returns to idle, achieving dynamic adaptation to operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring the position of the control lever and stabilisers, then automatically adjusting engine speed in response. The engine control unit receives signals from the control lever position and stabiliser state, and modulates engine speed accordingly to maintain stable operation during deployment and recovery phases.
2Power
If the engine runs at high speed continuously to ensure sufficient power for stabiliser deployment, then the engine power availability is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engine operates in periodic cycles between idle speed and elevated speed based on operational needs. The engine control system alternates between low-power idle mode during normal operation and high-power mode during stabiliser deployment, minimizing fuel consumption while ensuring power availability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engine speed parameter dynamically based on operational requirements. Instead of maintaining constant high speed, the engine control unit adjusts the speed parameter in real-time, increasing it only during stabiliser deployment when hydraulic power is needed, and returning to idle speed afterward to reduce fuel consumption.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stabilisers are deployed in cold conditions with cold hydraulic oil, then the machine can stabilize quickly, but the high load on the idle engine causes it to stall
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-increasing engine speed before the actual stabiliser deployment begins. When the control lever is actuated, the engine control system immediately raises engine speed to provide sufficient hydraulic power for deploying stabilisers in cold conditions, preventing engine stall before it occurs.
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
This method ensures stable engine operation during stabilizer deployment, prevents engine stalling, and reduces fuel consumption by automatically adjusting engine speed in conjunction with stabilizer movement, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing delays.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump which can selectively provide pressurised hydraulic fluid to a plurality of rams
Implementation Method 2
an engine, one or more stabilisers, and a control means selectively operable by an operator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A method of operating a material handling machine, the machine including an engine, ground engaging means, and a control means selectively operable by an operator to move the ground engaging means, the method including the steps of:- a) starting with the ground engaging means in a first position and the engine running at a first engine speed, b) actuating the control means to move the ground engaging means towards a second position, actuation of the control means causing the engine speed to increase, c) unactuating the control means so as to simultaneously stop movement of the ground engaging means and allow the engine speed to reduce towards the first engine speed.