Truck Axle Height Control for Off-Road Starting Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trucks equipped with existing axle height control systems face difficulty starting, especially when fully loaded and under harsh environmental conditions, as they are limited by legal maximum axle loads that restrict increased traction needed for such conditions.
Innovation Solution
An axle height control system that automatically detects off-road start conditions and increases the drive axle load above the legal maximum but below a predetermined limit, using an axle height drive to adjust the load on the first axle of a semi-trailer, allowing for improved traction without violating legal axle load restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the axle load is increased above the legal maximum to improve traction, then the starting capability on difficult terrain is improved, but the legal compliance is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The axle height control system dynamically adjusts the axle load based on detected starting conditions. When difficult terrain is detected, the system temporarily increases the axle load above the legal maximum to improve traction. Once starting is achieved, the system returns to compliant load levels, thus resolving the contradiction between needing higher loads for starting and maintaining legal compliance during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (axle load) based on detected conditions. By detecting starting attempts and terrain conditions, the system adjusts the axle load parameter temporarily to values above the legal maximum only when necessary for starting, then returns to compliant values, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved starting capability and legal compliance.
2Reliability
If the axle load is limited to the legal maximum, then legal compliance is maintained, but the starting capability on difficult terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between compliant and non-compliant operational states based on detected starting conditions. During normal operation, the axle load remains at or below the legal maximum to ensure compliance. When starting on difficult terrain is detected, the system temporarily transitions to a state where the axle load exceeds the legal maximum, thus resolving the contradiction by making compliance conditional on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The axle load parameter is adjusted based on detected starting conditions. The system maintains the parameter at compliant levels during normal operation but temporarily increases it above the legal maximum when starting assistance is needed, then returns it to compliant levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining compliance and enabling starting capability.
3Ease of operation
If the axle height control is activated continuously to maintain optimal axle load, then the starting capability is improved, but the energy consumption and system wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axle height control system operates periodically rather than continuously. It activates only when starting conditions are detected and deactivates once starting is achieved or after a predetermined time period. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption and system wear while maintaining starting capability when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between improved starting and reduced resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of starting conditions before activation. By detecting when starting assistance is needed in advance, the system activates the axle height control only at the appropriate moment, avoiding continuous operation and thereby reducing energy consumption and wear while maintaining starting capability when required.
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
Enables easier starting on difficult terrain without exceeding legal axle loads, by increasing the drive axle load only when necessary, thus enhancing traction without structural changes to the truck and ensuring compliance with legal regulations.
Implementation Method 1
an axle height drive for the first axle, so that a drive axle axle load on the drive axle can be changed by adjusting a height of the first axle
Implementation Method 2
The traction help mode is used to increase the weight force acting on the driven drive axle, namely the drive axle axle load, so that traction is improved
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The axle center height controller (32) senses the actuation of an off-road starting sensing device. The controller increases the axle load to off-road starting axle load when the off-road starting sensing device is actuated. An axle load adjusting device (36) is switched to starting assistance mode. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) tractor-trailer; and (2) method for operating tractor-trailer.