Tracked Vehicle Clutch Sensor Control for Traction and Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracked vehicles lack efficient systems for controlling the drive mechanism and brake systems, particularly in remotely controlled or autonomous vehicles, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential failures in traction and braking operations.
Innovation Solution
A tracked vehicle system incorporating an electric motor, gearbox with planetary gearsets and clutches, and positional sensors to precisely control the drive system and brake mechanism, utilizing sensor feedback to manage clutch operations and predict failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional brake systems are used in tracked vehicles, then the structure is simple, but the control precision and reliability of braking operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is segmented into multiple independent components: a first brake mechanism with a first piston for the first track, and a second brake mechanism with a second piston for the second track. This segmentation allows independent control of each track's braking operation, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Positional sensors are integrated to detect the positions of the first and second pistons in real-time, providing feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to precisely control the braking operations, ensuring reliable and predictable braking performance while maintaining systematic simplicity through automated control.
2Productivity
If traditional drive mechanisms are used in tracked vehicles, then the system is simpler, but the control precision and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism employs dynamic clutch control where the controller adjusts the engagement state of clutches based on real-time operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment optimizes power transmission efficiency and operational performance while the systematic design keeps the complexity manageable through coordinated control of multiple clutches.
Solution Approach 2:
Positional sensors provide real-time feedback on clutch piston positions to the controller, enabling precise control of the drive mechanism. This feedback loop ensures optimal operational efficiency by continuously adjusting clutch engagement based on actual system state while maintaining controlled complexity through automated decision-making.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor monitoring is implemented, then failure prediction capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented to monitor specific critical components: positional sensors for clutch pistons and brake pistons. This targeted segmentation provides sufficient failure prediction capability for the most critical failure modes while avoiding the complexity of comprehensive monitoring of all system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs self-diagnosis and failure prediction by analyzing data from the positional sensors. This self-service approach enables the system to monitor its own health and predict failures using already-integrated control electronics, avoiding the need for separate complex monitoring systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracked vehicle includes a drive system and a controller. The drive system is configured to drive a track of the tracked vehicle. The drive system includes an electric motor, a gearbox, and a first positional sensor. The gearbox includes a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a first clutch, and a second clutch. The first positional sensor is configured to measure translation of a piston of the first clutch and the second positional sensor is configured to measure translation of a piston of the second clutch. The controller is configured to use the measured translation of the piston of the first clutch and the measured translation of the piston of the second clutch to operate the electric motor and the gearbox.