Steering Control Unit Maintains Angle for Work Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work vehicles with aerial platforms, operators face reduced operability during long-distance travel due to the need to continuously adjust the steering operation tool near the neutral position to make slight changes in direction, leading to decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A steering control device that maintains the steering angle within a predetermined range when the operation tool returns to neutral, using a steering control unit to stop or adjust the steering actuator based on detected angles, ensuring the vehicle can change direction without continuous operation tool adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering operation tool is continuously operated near the neutral position to make slight direction changes during long-distance travel, then the traveling direction can be adjusted, but the operability deteriorates due to continuous operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by maintaining the steering angle within a predetermined range when the steering operation tool returns to the neutral position. This preliminary maintenance of the steering angle eliminates the need for continuous operation, allowing the vehicle to retain directional control without ongoing operator input during long-distance travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the steering angle detector to monitor the actual steering angle and compares it with the target steering angle derived from the steering operation tool position. When the tool returns to neutral, the feedback mechanism triggers the control unit to maintain the current steering angle within a predetermined range, resolving the contradiction between directional control and operational continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering operation tool returns to neutral position automatically, then the steering angle becomes zero, but slight direction changes require continuous operation near neutral position
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of steering angle maintenance by introducing a predetermined angle range around the neutral position. Instead of returning to exactly zero degrees, the control unit maintains the steering angle within this predetermined range, allowing slight direction changes without requiring continuous operation near the neutral position.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit takes preliminary action to maintain the steering angle within the predetermined range when the operation tool returns to neutral. This preliminary maintenance ensures that the vehicle retains the ability to make slight direction changes while eliminating the need for continuous operator input, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If the steering actuator continues to operate to maintain steering angle, then direction control is precise, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering actuator operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates the actuator only when necessary to adjust the steering angle to the target value, then maintains the angle within the predetermined range without continuous actuator operation. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while maintaining steering precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the steering actuator by introducing a predetermined angle range threshold. The actuator operates only when the steering angle deviates from this range, rather than maintaining constant operation. This parameter-based control reduces energy consumption while preserving steering angle precision within the acceptable range.
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering control device for a vehicle with an aerial work platform 1 in the embodiment a traveling body capable of traveling with a steering wheel, a work platform 30 provided thereon, a steering dial 42, which is biassed to be located at a neutral position in a non-operation status, a steering angle detector 62, a steering cylinder 17, and a controller 50 for controlling an operation of the steering cylinder 17. The controller 50 controls the steering cylinder 17 so that a steering angle of the steering wheel becomes a target steering angle corresponding to a steering position of the steering operation tool. As far as a steering angle of the steering wheel detected by the steering angle detector is kept within a predetermined angle range including a neutral steering angle, the steering control unit make a steering control to stop the steering actuator and to maintain the present steering angle of the steering wheel when the steering operation tool returns to the neutral position.