Tractor IMU Mounting Structure for Vibration-Isolated Auto Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional working vehicles, such as tractors, face measurement errors in inertia measurement units due to vibrations, leading to inaccurate auto steering, especially when wheels encounter recesses or sway, and the rigidity of control panels can cause deformation affecting the IMU's accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A configuration that includes a support plate with an opening to expose the inertia measurement unit and an anti-vibration member between the bolt, fixing portion, and support plate to isolate vibrations, ensuring accurate measurements by preventing transmission of vehicle vibrations to the IMU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the inertia measurement unit is housed inside the control panel portion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to vibration and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration isolation member as an intermediary between the control panel and the inertia measurement unit. This mediator component absorbs and isolates vibrations from the engine and control panel, preventing them from reaching the IMU. The vibration isolation member acts as a buffer that decouples the IMU from the vibrating structure, thereby maintaining measurement precision while allowing the IMU to be housed within the control panel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the inertia measurement unit from the direct mounting structure of the control panel by introducing a separate vibration isolation layer. The IMU is taken out of the rigid control panel housing and placed on a dedicated vibration isolation platform, separating it from the main control panel structure that experiences vibration and deformation during operation.
2Strength
If the control panel portion has high rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to panel deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolation member serves as a mediator that decouples the rigid control panel from the inertia measurement unit. The control panel can maintain its high rigidity for structural strength, while the vibration isolation member prevents the transmission of deformation forces from the panel to the IMU, thus protecting measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mounting structure into two distinct parts: the rigid control panel housing and the vibration-isolated IMU mounting platform. This segmentation allows the control panel to be rigid for structural integrity while the IMU platform remains isolated on vibration isolation elements, preventing deformation transmission to the sensitive measurement device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inertia measurement unit is mounted on the roof of the cabin, then the measurement range is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to erroneous detection from vehicle sway
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolation member acts as a mediator that filters out high-frequency vibrations and swaying motions from reaching the IMU, while still allowing the IMU to capture legitimate posture changes and inertial information. This selective isolation improves reliability by eliminating erroneous detections from vehicle sway while maintaining the ability to measure actual operational movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors including the IMU and other vehicle systems to distinguish between legitimate posture changes and erroneous detections caused by vehicle sway. The control unit processes information from multiple sources to validate measurements and filter out false readings, improving overall detection reliability.
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 configuration significantly reduces measurement errors in the inertia measurement unit, enabling precise auto steering by effectively isolating vibrations and maintaining the IMU's accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-vibration member between the bolt, fixing portion, and support plate to isolate vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A working vehicle includes: an inertia measurement unit (39) to measure inertia information of a vehicle body (4); a rear axle (9) supporting a rear wheel (3) for traveling; and a transmission case (10) rotatably supporting the rear wheel (9). The inertia measurement unit (39) is arranged to a portion overlapping with the transmission case (10) in a plan view. According to the configuration, the inertia measurement unit is capable of accurately measuring inertia information on attitude changing of a vehicle body. (Fig. 2)