Work Vehicle Speed Control via Implement Weight Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no effective method to prevent work vehicles from towing agricultural implements at speeds above the maximum rated speed for the implement tires, which can lead to unsafe or unstable conditions, especially during transport, and current solutions like using more robust tires are costly.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes sensors to monitor the implement weight and a controller to adjust the maximum speed limit of the work vehicle based on the implement weight, ensuring the vehicle does not exceed safe towing speeds, even when the implement is heavily loaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If more robust tires are selected to allow higher towing speeds, then the maximum towing speed increases, but the cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum speed limit based on real-time implement weight conditions. When the implement is in transport position with heavy load, the speed limit is reduced to protect tires. When the implement is in working position or lightly loaded, the speed limit is increased, allowing efficient use of robust tires only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (speed limit) based on the load conditions. By monitoring implement weight and position, the controller adjusts the maximum allowable speed parameter, allowing the same tire setup to operate safely across different load conditions without requiring permanently robust tires for all scenarios.
2Loss of time
If the work vehicle tows the implement at speeds above the maximum rated speed for the load on implement tires, then transport time is reduced, but unsafe or unstable conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors implement weight and position through sensors and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the maximum speed limit in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring that the vehicle operates within safe speed limits when heavily loaded during transport while allowing faster speeds when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the implement weight and position in advance before the vehicle reaches high speeds. By knowing the load conditions beforehand, the controller can pre-adjust the maximum speed limit to appropriate levels, preventing unsafe towing conditions before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the speed of a work vehicle towing an implement that is movable between a working position, in which ground engaging tools of the implement are configured to perform a field operation, and a transport position, in which the ground engaging tools are raised relative to the ground. The method may include monitoring, with a computing device, an implement weight supported by the implement while the implement is in the transport position. The method may further include comparing, with the computing device, the implement weight to a predetermined threshold weight. Additionally, the method may include, when the implement weight differs from the predetermined threshold weight, adjusting, with the computing device, a maximum speed limit for the work vehicle.