Tractor Brake Pedal Arrangement with Electronic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tractor brake and steer-by-braking pedal arrangements are prone to driver error due to the need for manual activation of a mechanical lock for on-road use, leading to potential swerving and capsizing at high speeds, and are not compatible with electronic brake systems like ABS, with complex hydraulic circuits required for pressure compensation.
Innovation Solution
A pedal arrangement featuring a single master cylinder actuated by both pedals, with potentiometers to determine pedal positions and distances, and an electronic control unit to interpret braking intentions, enabling automatic activation of steer-by-braking and disabling it at high speeds, simplifying the system and integrating with ABS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical lock device is used to connect the two brake pedals integrally for on-road use, then the safety against inadvertent single-pedal pressing is improved, but the risk of driver neglecting to activate the lock device before high-speed operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system automatically detects when the tractor is operating at high speed and automatically connects the two brake pedals integrally, eliminating the need for the driver to manually activate a lock device. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operating conditions and taking appropriate action, thereby removing the possibility of driver neglect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical lock device with an electronically controlled system that uses sensors to detect operating conditions and automatically connects the pedals through an electronic control unit, substituting mechanical manual operation with electronic automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate master cylinders with compensating valves are used for each pedal, then the steer-by-braking function can be implemented, but the hydraulic circuit complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate master cylinders into a single master cylinder that serves both brake pedals. The electronic control unit distributes brake pressure signals to the four wheels through this single master cylinder, eliminating the need for two separate hydraulic circuits and their associated compensating valves, thereby significantly reducing hydraulic circuit complexity while maintaining steer-by-braking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single master cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls braking for all four wheels during normal braking operations and also enables steer-by-braking by receiving differential pressure signals from the electronic control unit based on pedal position differences.
3Reliability
If the two brake pedals are connected integrally by a lock device for on-road use, then simultaneous braking of all wheels is ensured, but the steer-by-braking function cannot be applied effectively to electronic brake systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the connection between the two brake pedals is not fixed but can change based on operating conditions. During on-road use, the electronic control unit detects high-speed operation and automatically connects the pedals integrally to ensure simultaneous braking. During off-road operations, the system allows independent pedal operation for steer-by-braking functions, providing adaptability to different operating modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A brake and steer-by-braking pedal arrangement for tractors includes a right pedal and a left pedal operating synchronously or diachronically; and at least one hydraulic or pneumatic circuit connected to one master cylinder activated by at least one of the pedals. The pedal arrangement also has potentiometers connected electronically to an electronic central control unit and the potentiometers determine the distance between the pedals The electronic central control unit determines, on the basis of data received from the potentiometers, whether or not to activate the steer-by-braking function.