Towed Vehicle Lateral Load Control via Independent Wheel Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to tow heavy loaded agricultural vehicles or trains without adversely affecting the operation of the tow vehicle, particularly when encountering obstacles or turning, as the weight of the towed vehicles can cause significant strain on the tractor, leading to potential loss of control and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a towed vehicle equipped with at least two motors per wheel, a load sensing hitch, and an electrical processing circuit that senses and responds to lateral loads by applying thrust or braking actions to individual wheels, allowing independent acceleration or deceleration and torque vectoring to maintain stability and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a relatively large tractor is used to pull heavy towed vehicles, then the towing capacity is sufficient, but the operational cost and equipment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The towed vehicle is equipped with motors on its wheels that enable it to propel itself forward or brake independently. This self-service capability reduces the burden on the tow vehicle, allowing a smaller, less expensive tractor to tow heavy loads without compromising towing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The towing system is divided into two independent propulsion systems: the tow vehicle and the towed vehicle each have their own drive capabilities. The towed vehicle's individual wheel motors allow independent control of each wheel, enabling the system to distribute the workload and reduce the size requirements for the tow vehicle
2Quantity of substance
If multiple towed vehicles are connected in a train arrangement, then the total transport capacity increases, but the control stability and operation safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each towed vehicle in the train arrangement is equipped with independent wheel motors that can be controlled individually. This segmentation of drive control allows each vehicle in the train to maintain its own stability and respond independently to lateral loads, preventing the compounding of instability that would occur with passive trailer connections
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses load sensing hitches that detect lateral loads and provide feedback signals to the control circuit. When lateral loads are detected during turning or when encountering obstacles, the control circuit automatically adjusts the motor torque on individual wheels to counteract the lateral forces, maintaining stability throughout the train arrangement
3Adaptability or versatility
If the towed vehicle encounters obstacles or during turning, then the operational flexibility is maintained, but the lateral loading on the hitch increases causing potential loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensing hitch continuously monitors lateral loads and the control circuit proactively applies counteracting torque to the wheel motors before the lateral loading becomes problematic. This preliminary anti-action prevents the lateral forces from building up to dangerous levels that could cause loss of control
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs real-time feedback through load sensing hitches that detect lateral loads during turning or obstacle encounters. The control circuit receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the motor torque distribution to counteract lateral forces, allowing the towed vehicle to navigate obstacles and turns while maintaining control and minimizing harmful lateral loading on the hitch
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 solution enables the use of smaller, less costly tow vehicles to manage heavy loads, reduces the risk of losing control during obstacles or turns, and allows multiple towed vehicles to be connected without increasing the size of the tow vehicle, thereby decreasing operational costs and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a lateral load applied to the towed vehicle by the tow vehicle
Implementation Method 2
actuating one or more motors on the towed vehicle to apply a thrust or braking force to a corresponding wheel of the towed vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle arrangement includes a tow vehicle and a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle includes at least two wheels and at least one motor, with each motor being coupled with a corresponding wheel. A load sensing hitch between the tow vehicle and towed vehicle senses a lateral load and provides an output signal representing the sensed lateral load. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with the load sensing hitch, and actuates at least one motor, dependent upon the output signal.