Work Vehicle Pitching Oscillation Damping via Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural and working vehicles experience disruptive pitching vibrations due to resilient tire suspension and height adjustments, affecting operational accuracy and comfort, with prior solutions either limited in damping effectiveness or only addressing speed changes during hopping movements.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement that detects pitching vibrations using sensors and controls the propulsion speed of the vehicle through an actuator to dampen oscillations, employing both open-loop and closed-loop control systems to maintain a stable position of attached elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the working vehicle uses resilient tire suspension for ground support, then the vehicle can adapt to uneven terrain and improve comfort, but pitching vibrations are generated during speed changes and height adjustments that disrupt operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidpitching vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit receives actual position feedback from sensors monitoring the adjustable element's position and compares it with the target position. Based on this feedback, the control circuit generates control signals to actuate height adjustment mechanisms, continuously correcting the element's position to maintain desired cutting height despite pitching vibrations from resilient tire suspension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system anticipates pitching vibrations that will occur during speed changes or height adjustments and pre-adjusts the position of the adjustable element before the vibration occurs. This preliminary action compensates for the expected disturbance, preventing the vibration from affecting operational accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the height of an adjustable element is changed during operation, then the element can be repositioned to adapt to different working conditions, but pitching vibrations are excited that disrupt the stability of the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Before changing the height of the adjustable element, the control system predicts the resulting pitching vibration and pre-adjusts the element's position or triggers compensatory actions in opposite-direction height adjustment mechanisms. This preliminary compensation prevents the vibration from destabilizing the system during the height change operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses opposite-direction height adjustment mechanisms that act as counterweights to compensate for pitching vibrations generated during height changes. When one element is adjusted upward, the counteracting mechanism adjusts another element downward to balance the system and prevent vibration-induced instability

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

3Productivity

If the working vehicle changes driving speed to respond to operator input or automatic control, then the vehicle can adapt to varying work requirements, but pitching vibrations are generated that affect operational precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed adaptabilityVSAvoidcutting height precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

When the control system detects an upcoming speed change from operator input or automatic control, it anticipates the resulting pitching vibration and pre-adjusts the height of the adjustable element before the speed change occurs. This preliminary adjustment ensures that cutting height precision is maintained despite the subsequent vibration from speed variation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors continuously monitor the actual position of the adjustable element and provide feedback to the control circuit. When speed changes cause pitching vibrations that deviate the element from its target position, the feedback loop detects this deviation and triggers corrective height adjustments to restore precision cutting height

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively reduces or eliminates pitching vibrations, maintaining the accuracy of height adjustments and improving operator comfort by controlling vehicle speed to counteract anticipated and existing oscillations.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for detecting the respective position of the adjustable element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the working vehicle is supported on the ground by air-filled (and thus resilient) tires and/or can be provided with a suspension between the wheels or caterpillar tracks and the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResilient support: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the signal from which is used to feed back the actual position of the element to a control circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3072379B1Attenuation of the pitching oscillation of a work vehicle caused by speed change
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 DEERE & CO
  • EP3072379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3072379B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

An arrangement for damping a possible pitching oscillation of a work vehicle (10) supported on the ground by spring elements is provided with means for detecting an expected and/or existing pitching oscillation of the work vehicle (10) and a control device (42) which is connected to the means and an actuator for influencing the propulsion speed of the work vehicle (10) and is operable to control the actuator in the sense of damping the pitching oscillation.