Agricultural Vehicle Steering Control Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural vehicles require high driver attention and prudence to select the appropriate steering program for different application situations, leading to difficulties in maneuverability and potential damage when the wrong program is chosen.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural vehicle with steerable front and rear wheels equipped with a steering control unit that automatically switches between different steering programs based on event-dependent travel direction information, utilizing sensors and navigation systems to detect changes in location or obstacles, thereby optimizing wheel alignment for precise maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple steering programs are available for different application situations, then vehicle maneuverability and adaptability are improved, but driver attention and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control unit automatically detects the current application situation through sensors and navigation systems, and autonomously selects the appropriate steering program without requiring manual driver intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational context and making intelligent decisions about steering mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from sensors detecting vehicle position, travel direction, and environmental conditions. Based on this real-time feedback, the steering control unit dynamically adjusts and switches between different steering programs to optimize vehicle behavior for the current situation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the driver manually selects steering programs based on situation awareness, then operational flexibility is maintained, but the risk of incorrect selection and potential damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control unit autonomously determines the correct steering program by detecting application situations through sensors and navigation systems, eliminating the need for manual driver selection and thereby removing the risk of incorrect program choice.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical selection process is replaced by an electronic control system that uses sensors, satellite navigation data, and automated logic to determine and switch between steering programs, providing more reliable and consistent decision-making.
3Ease of operation
If automated event-dependent steering program changes are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and sensor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control unit performs multiple functions: it controls wheel steering angles, detects application situations through integrated sensors, processes navigation data, and automatically selects appropriate steering programs. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems into a single integrated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines steering control functionality with situation detection and program selection logic into a single integrated steering control unit. Sensors for detecting travel direction and position are merged with the steering actuation system, creating a unified control architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a vehicle (1), particularly an agricultural vehicle, with steerable front and rear wheels (31, 3r, 41, 4r) and a steering control unit (9) for controlling a steering pole (13) of the wheels (31, 3r, 41, 4r) based on a driving direction information, the steering control unit (9) switches between different steering programs depending on the event, each implementing different relationships between driving direction information and steering pole (13).