Grounds Maintenance Vehicle Suspension with Automatic Preload Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grounds maintenance vehicles, such as lawn mowers, often have complex suspension systems that fail to provide the necessary variability in spring rate and dampening characteristics to accommodate a wide range of operators and terrain types, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complicated maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system for grounds maintenance vehicles that includes a chassis, a support platform, a load sensor, and a controller, with a first suspension apparatus comprising springs and an actuator that adjusts preload based on measured weight, allowing for adjustable spring rate and dampening to accommodate operator preferences and terrain types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex suspension system is used to provide variability in spring rate and dampening characteristics, then operator comfort and adaptability to different terrain types improve, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system employs an adjustable spring rate mechanism that allows the spring characteristics to be dynamically changed based on operator weight and terrain conditions. The system transitions from a fixed spring rate design to a variable spring rate design, enabling the suspension to adapt to different operating conditions without requiring multiple complex suspension systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spring rate parameter based on measured operator weight and terrain type. By using sensors to detect operator weight and terrain conditions, the system automatically adjusts the spring rate parameter to optimize comfort and performance for each specific operating scenario, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If suspension system components are made adjustable to accommodate various operators, then operator comfort improves, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system performs self-adjustment based on sensor input from operator weight and terrain conditions. The electronic control system automatically modifies spring rate and dampening characteristics without requiring manual intervention from operators or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance while maintaining high operator comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to adjust suspension parameters. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic controls simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces maintenance requirements while providing continuous adjustability for operator comfort.
3Device complexity
If fixed spring rate suspension is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operators and terrain types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor operator weight and terrain conditions, providing feedback to the electronic control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts spring rate and dampening characteristics to optimize performance for each specific operating condition, achieving high adaptability without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
The system provides a customizable ride experience by adjusting preload to maintain the support platform within a desired range of travel, enhancing operator comfort and reducing maintenance complexity while accommodating various operator preferences and terrain conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more springs may be configured to elastically deflect when the support platform is displaced relative to the chassis
Implementation Method 2
The actuator may be configured to adjust a preload applied to the one or more springs
Data Source
AI summary
A grounds maintenance vehicle including a chassis, a support platform, at least one hand control, a suspension system, a load sensor, and a controller. The chassis includes a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The support platform extends along the longitudinal axis. The at least one hand control is carried by the support platform and configured to control at least one of propulsion and steering of the vehicle. The suspension system includes a first suspension apparatus operatively acting between the chassis and the support platform and an actuator configured to adjust a preload applied to the one or more springs. The load sensor is configured to measure a weight applied to the support platform. The controller is operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to adjust the actuator to modify the preload based on the weight measured by the load sensor.