Vehicle Lifter Engine Speed Control via Clutch Pedal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural utility vehicles with internal combustion engines face challenges in maintaining efficient load handling at low speeds due to engine speed reduction during low load conditions, leading to insufficient power for handling loads efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A drive controller system that allows switching between two operating states using a single control element, enabling engine speed control independent of driving speed, allowing for high engine speed maintenance during load handling by actuating the clutch pedal, and a second control element for smooth transitions between states, ensuring efficient load handling and fuel-saving at low speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the engine speed is reduced at low driving speeds to save fuel, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the power available for handling loads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidpower available for load handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two operating states based on operational needs. In the first operating state, engine speed is regulated according to driving speed for fuel efficiency. In the second operating state, engine speed can be increased independently of driving speed to provide sufficient power for load handling. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for fuel efficiency during normal driving while providing full power capability when loads need to be handled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the engine speed is increased independently of driving speed to handle loads efficiently, then load handling capability is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload handling efficiencyVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows the driver to consciously select the operating state based on whether load handling is required. In the second operating state, engine speed can be increased independently to maintain high productivity during load handling operations. The driver can switch back to the first operating state when load handling is not needed to optimize fuel consumption. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction by allowing high productivity only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a switch is used to change operating states, then operating state switching is enabled, but the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating state switching capabilityVSAvoiddriver operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch pedal, which is already present in the vehicle for its conventional function, is given an additional function: it can be used to switch between the first and second operating states. This eliminates the need for a separate switch or control element, thereby maintaining operating state switching capability while avoiding additional operational complexity. The driver uses the same pedal for both clutch operation and operating state selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2357116B1Vehicle with lifter
Publication Date: 2013.01.09 CLAAS INDUSTRIETECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2357116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2357116B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2357116B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The vehicle i.e. tractor (1), has an internal combustion engine i.e. diesel engine, loaded on chassis frames (2, 3), and a gear arranged on a lifting tool (4) of the vehicle. A throttle controller is adjusted in an operating condition for controlling a number of revolutions of the combustion engine depending on running speed of the vehicle. The throttle controller is switched in another operating condition such that the number of revolutions of the combustion engine is controlled by a throttle pedal (11) and coupling pedal (12) depending on the running speed of the vehicle.