Speed Limiting System for Turf Care Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speed control systems for turf care machines allow excessive mowing speeds, leading to poor cut quality, and require manual operator intervention to switch between mowing and transport speeds, which can result in inefficient operation and turf damage.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled speed limiting system that uses traction motors, wheel speed sensors, and a controller to automatically adjust the operating speed of turf care machines, ensuring optimal mowing speed and preventing operator override, by comparing actual wheel speeds and adjusting hydraulic pump output to maintain synchronized wheel speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a mechanical limiting device is used to pre-set maximum speed, then mowing speed can be limited to optimal levels, but the operator can still override the pre-set speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical limiting device with an electronically controlled system. The controller receives signals from wheel speed sensors and automatically adjusts the traction motor power output to maintain optimal mowing speed, eliminating the possibility of operator override while preserving the ability to achieve optimal cut quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring wheel speed through sensors and adjusting the traction motor power delivery accordingly. When the vehicle speed exceeds the optimal mowing speed, the controller automatically reduces power to the traction motors, ensuring speed limitation is maintained without operator intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operator intervention is required to switch between mowing and transport speeds, then speed can be adjusted for different operations, but operational efficiency is reduced and turf damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic speed management without requiring operator intervention. The controller continuously monitors wheel speed sensor data and autonomously adjusts traction motor power output to maintain optimal speeds during mowing operations, while automatically permitting higher speeds during transport, thereby improving operational efficiency and preventing turf damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the operator's power requests and the actual power delivery to the traction motors. It intercepts power requests and modulates the power output based on real-time wheel speed feedback, automatically determining whether to limit speed for mowing or allow higher speed for transport based on operational context.
3Loss of time
If higher transport speed is permitted, then travel time between mowing areas is reduced, but mowing speed may exceed optimal levels resulting in poor cut quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the speed limitation based on operational mode. During mowing operations, the controller maintains strict speed limitation to ensure optimal cut quality. During transport operations, the controller automatically permits higher speeds to reduce travel time. The transition between these modes is managed automatically based on wheel speed sensor feedback and operational context.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronically controlled speed limiting system for a turf maintenance machine includes at least one traction motor rotating a wheel. At least one hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the traction motor provides hydraulic fluid to operate the traction motor. At least one actuator in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump varies an output of the hydraulic pump. A controller in communication with the actuator commands the actuator to control the output of the hydraulic pump and thereby an operating speed of the wheel. A brake is activated by the controller if a wheel speed sensor signals the wheel is slip-spinning, to mitigate turf damage. A steering position sensor signal is used by the controller to modify brake activation during machine turns. An inclinometer signal is used by the controller to automatically reduce machine speed on inclined surfaces.