Travel Speed Dial Control for Precise Wheel Loader Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel loaders face challenges in adjusting vehicle speed settings easily and precisely, requiring simple operations to accommodate different work types and conditions, such as restricted speed on mud ground and fine speed adjustments during unloaded travel.

Innovation Solution

A work machine control system with a dial apparatus that provides different operational forces based on the relative position of the dial main body, allowing for easy setting of travel speed through a controller that controls engine and transmission based on pedal operations and includes a travel speed setting unit to adjust the vehicle's speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dial apparatus provides multiple different operational forces at different positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of speed settingVSAvoiddial apparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dial main body is segmented into multiple operational positions (first position, second position, and intermediate positions) along the rotational path. Each position corresponds to a specific operational force level, allowing the operator to select different speed adjustment granularities based on the work condition without requiring a completely different control mechanism for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dial apparatus provides dynamic operational forces that change based on the rotational position of the dial main body. The operational force is stronger at the first and second positions for coarse speed adjustments, while intermediate positions provide finer control. This dynamic force variation is achieved through the mechanical design of the dial apparatus structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle speed restriction is adjusted in a wide range, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to the complexity of precise adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed adjustment rangeVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The speed adjustment range is segmented into different operational zones corresponding to the dial's rotational positions. The first position provides strong operational force for large speed changes (wide range adjustment), while intermediate positions provide moderate force for medium adjustments, and the second position provides weak force for fine-tuned precise adjustments. This segmentation allows the operator to navigate the full speed range easily by selecting the appropriate operational zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the dial's rotational path are assigned different operational force characteristics. The first position region provides strong force for rapid speed changes, intermediate regions provide moderate force for standard adjustments, and the second position region provides weak force for precise adjustments. This local differentiation of operational quality allows the single dial apparatus to handle both wide-range and precise speed adjustments effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3885493B1Work machine control system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP3885493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3885493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3885493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work machine control system includes an operational input portion that accepts an input operation to change a position of acceptance, maintains the position of acceptance when there is no input operation accepted, and provides an operation command in accordance with change in position of acceptance, an operational force providing portion that provides a plurality of operational forces in correspondence with an amount of change of the position of acceptance, a transmission portion that changes a speed of rotation provided from a drive source to transmit resultant rotation to a drive wheel, and a controller that controls the transmission portion based on a travel speed of the drive wheel in accordance with the operation command.