Vehicle Suspension Control Device for Gradual Unblocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control devices for vehicle suspensions in agricultural tractors fail to manage uncontrolled deflection and rebound effectively during loading operations, leading to potentially dangerous sudden changes in vehicle position when blocking is cancelled due to changing load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control device that determines a weight value characteristic of the current load and stores it, allowing for gradual unblocking based on comparisons with stored values, with the option to output driver information and limit vehicle speed, using a 3/2-way or proportional valve to manage hydraulic suspension systems and prevent abrupt changes in position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blocking command is reset to cancel blocking of the suspension device, then the suspension device can resume normal operation, but sudden expansion or compression occurs causing unexpected vehicle position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines and stores a weight value characteristic for current loading when the blocking command is set. Before canceling blocking, this stored weight value is compared with the current weight value to detect load changes. This preliminary action of storing and comparing weight values enables the system to anticipate potential sudden movements and prepare appropriate countermeasures, resolving the contradiction between resuming operation and maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the weight value and compares it with the stored weight value from when blocking was set. This feedback mechanism detects changes in load conditions and triggers appropriate responses, such as gradual cancellation of blocking or activation of countermeasures, thereby maintaining vehicle position stability while allowing normal operation to resume.
2Productivity
If blocking is canceled immediately, then the suspension device returns to normal function quickly, but the changing load conditions cause abrupt suspension expansion or compression
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a preliminary comparison between the stored weight value (from when blocking was set) and the current weight value before canceling blocking. This preliminary action detects load changes that would cause harmful abrupt movements, allowing the system to adjust the unblocking speed accordingly to prevent such harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from the weight value comparison to regulate the unblocking process. When load changes are detected (difference between stored and current weight values exceeds a threshold), the control unit slows down or adjusts the unblocking process to prevent abrupt suspension movement, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining productive unblocking.
3Reliability
If the control unit monitors weight changes before unblocking, then sudden suspension movements can be prevented, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit utilizes existing weight measurement capabilities already present in the suspension system. Instead of adding complex new sensors, the system uses the existing weight value determination and storage functions to perform self-monitoring and self-protection, preventing sudden movements through intelligent control logic rather than additional hardware complexity.
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
Ensures a controlled and delayed unblocking process, reducing the risk of sudden expansion or compression of the suspension device, enhancing safety by preventing unexpected changes in vehicle position and providing operator alerts for changing load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension device (18) which is mounted between a supporting vehicle structure (24) and a vehicle part (16) that is movably mounted
Data Source
AI summary
A control device of a vehicle suspension has a suspension device mounted between a supporting vehicle structure and a vehicle part that is movably mounted. The control device includes a blocking device for blocking a compression or rebound motion occurring at the suspension device in correspondence with a blocking command transmitted to a control unit. The control unit determines a characteristic weight value for a current loading of the suspension device when the blocking command is set and stores it as a pertinent value in a memory unit. The control unit determines a value for the weight when the blocking command is reset in order to cancel a blocking of the suspension device according to the result of a comparison with the value stored in the memory unit.