Traction Control via Torque Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with independently driven wheels, such as those using electrical or hydrostatic drive systems, lack effective traction control mechanisms, leading to instability and energy dissipation due to wheel slipping, especially on slippery surfaces and during turns.
Innovation Solution
A traction control system that utilizes speed sensors, travel speed sensors, and steering sensors to calculate a corrected speed ratio, which is used to adjust torque commands to motors, ensuring appropriate torque distribution and minimizing slip by comparing the ratio to a threshold value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If braking is applied to correct wheel slip, then traction control is achieved, but energy is dissipated and brake wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical braking system with an electrical control system. The electronic controller adjusts the torque command to the motor, substituting electrical torque control for mechanical brake application. This resolves the contradiction by achieving traction control through electrical means rather than mechanical braking, thereby reducing energy dissipation and brake wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from brake force to motor torque. By adjusting the torque command parameter sent to the motor based on slip detection, the system achieves traction control without applying brakes. This parameter change eliminates energy dissipation at the brakes while maintaining effective slip control.
2Reliability
If braking is applied to correct wheel slip, then traction control is achieved, but brake and drive component wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical braking system with an electrical torque control system. The electronic controller modifies the torque command to the motor based on detected slip conditions, replacing the need for brake application. This extends brake lifespan by eliminating mechanical wear while maintaining effective traction control.
3Reliability
If torque is adjusted based on slip detection, then wheel slipping is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the electronic controller continuously monitors wheel speed or vehicle slip and adjusts the torque command accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic slip prevention without requiring complex mechanical structures, resolving the contradiction by using intelligent control to simplify the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting slip conditions and adjusting torque without external intervention. The electronic controller monitors its own operation and makes real-time torque adjustments, eliminating the need for additional complex control mechanisms while ensuring reliable traction control.
Data Source
AI summary
A traction control system (30) for a machine (10) includes a driven wheel (22) operated by a motor that is controlled by an electronic controller (54). A speed sensor (44) measures the speed of the driven wheel (22), and communicates a wheel (22) speed to the electronic controller (54). A travel speed sensor (44) measures the travel speed of the machine (10) and communicates it to the electronic controller (54). A steering sensor (44) measures a displacement of the machine (10)'s steering system (28), and communicates a steering angle to the electronic controller (54). The electronic controller (54) calculates a speed ratio, based on the wheel (22) speed and the travel speed, and an expected slip ratio, based on the steering angle. The speed ratio is corrected by application of the expected slip ratio to yield a corrected speed ratio that is indicative of a slip condition. The operation of the motor is then adjusted to address the slip condition.