Agricultural Tractor Integrated Suspension Stiffness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural tractors experience operator discomfort due to pitch movement and acceleration caused by the variable engine speed and torque requirements of towed balers, which are not effectively mitigated by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
An integrated suspension system with an electronic control unit that detects the operating cycle of the baler and adjusts the suspension stiffness to reduce pitch movement and acceleration in the operator's cab, using prediction and real-time feedback to maintain acceleration and pitch within set limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tractor tows a baler with variable torque requirements, then the baler can perform compression operations, but the operator experiences discomfort due to pitch movement and acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts the torque requirements of the baler in advance based on the operating cycle detection, and the suspension system proactively adjusts stiffness before the torque variations occur. This preliminary action prevents pitch movement and acceleration before they affect the operator, resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and eliminating discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously detects the baler's operating cycle and real-time torque requirements, feeds this information to the control unit, which then adjusts the suspension stiffness accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the suspension to respond dynamically to torque variations, maintaining operator comfort while the baler performs compression operations.
2Power
If the engine speed varies to meet torque demands, then the baler receives required power, but pitch movement occurs causing operator discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system dynamically adjusts its stiffness characteristic in real-time based on the detected operating cycle and torque requirements. By making the suspension stiffness variable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to power variations while maintaining pitch stability, resolving the contradiction between power delivery and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the physical parameter of suspension stiffness according to the predicted torque requirements. By modifying this parameter in response to engine speed variations, the system maintains pitch stability even when power delivery to the baler fluctuates, resolving the contradiction between power and stability.
3Device complexity
If a traditional suspension system is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively reduce pitch movement during baler operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical suspension system with an electronically controlled system that uses sensors, a control unit, and active stiffness adjustment mechanisms. This substitution of mechanical systems with electromechanical control enables effective pitch movement reduction while managing the increase in device complexity through integrated electronic control.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Agricultural tractor (1) with integrated suspension system (3) for baler application wherein the tractor (1) is provided with an integrated suspension system (3) designed to regulate the stiffness of the suspensions based on a control signal. It is provided an electronic control unit (4) designed to detect the operating cycle of the towed baler (3) and implement a comfort control mode (130) by regulating the stiffness of the suspension system in order to reduce a pitch movement of the tractor and/or an acceleration to the operator's cab (10) induced forces/torques/acceleration transmitted from the baler (5) to the tractor (1).