Vehicle Control Device for Plant Processing Machine Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing technical complexity and weight of plant processing machines on vehicles lead to stability issues and safety risks during high-speed operations, particularly due to lateral tilting movements caused by uneven ground, which can result in machine and plant damage.

Innovation Solution

A control method and device that detects lateral tilting movements using sensors and initiates counter-movements of the machine relative to the vehicle's median plane to stabilize the system, anticipating and compensating for ground unevenness before the vehicle tilts, using a scanning unit and control unit to predict and synchronize counter-movements with the vehicle's wheel passage over uneven terrain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vehicle operates at high speed to reduce total working time, then productivity increases, but lateral tilting movements cause machine deflection and stability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit detects ground unevenness before the vehicle reaches it, allowing the control unit to initiate counter-movements of the holding device in advance. This preliminary action compensates for upcoming tilting movements, maintaining machine stability and enabling higher operating speeds without compromising safety or causing plant damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If heavier machines are used to increase processing capability, then productivity improves, but vehicle stability and safety deteriorate due to increased weight and momentum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit generates counter-movements of the holding device that act opposite to the lateral tilting movements caused by ground unevenness. These counter-movements compensate for the destabilizing effect of heavy machine weight during tilting, allowing heavier, more capable machines to operate safely at high speeds by dynamically balancing the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Ease of operation

If manual control is used to adjust machine position, then ease of operation is maintained, but response time to ground unevenness increases, reducing stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual controlVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automatic control where the detection unit continuously monitors ground conditions and the control unit autonomously generates and executes counter-movements of the holding device. This self-service approach eliminates manual intervention delays, providing immediate response to ground unevenness while maintaining ease of operation through automated stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach enhances vehicle stability and safety, allowing for higher processing speeds while maintaining consistent machine distance from plants, reducing the risk of damage and manual intervention delays.

Implementation Method 1

a lateral tilting movement of the vehicle caused by driving over bumps in the ground and/or an uneven ground, which leads to a lateral tilting movement of the vehicle when driven over, is detected by means of a control device, which includes a detection unit, at least with regard to the direction of tipping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLateral tilting movement detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2394501B1Control device and method for controlling a plant processing machine holder device which can be attached to a vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 ERO GERATEBAU
  • EP2394501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2394501B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2394501B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves detecting lateral tilting movement of a vehicle (1) i.e. tractor, and/or surface irregularity (4) with respect to a tilting direction of the vehicle by a detection unit of a control device. A retention device (2) is automatically controlled by the control device in such a manner that a machine (3) i.e. leaf cutter for grape-vine rows, is moved toward or away from a median plane against the tilting direction depending on the movement and/or surface irregularity. The unit is provided with a scanner unit to scan a ground with regard to height changes in a driving direction. An independent claim is also included for a control device for controlling a retention device arranged at a vehicle, for a machine for plant processing, comprising a detection unit.