Work Vehicle CG Height Control for Stable Turning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Work vehicles experience tilting and reduced stability during turns with small radii or high speeds due to strong centrifugal forces, leading to poorer riding comfort and loss of balance.

Innovation Solution

A work vehicle equipped with a height adjuster to change the center of gravity and a controller that acquires information on turning radius and angular velocity to control the height adjuster, maintaining or lowering the center of gravity to prevent tilting and enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the work vehicle turns with a small turning radius or high speed, then the turning performance is improved, but the centrifugal force increases causing vehicle tilting and reduced stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturning speedVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The controller predicts future turning conditions based on current steering angle and angular velocity, and proactively adjusts the center of gravity height before the tilt occurs. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of centrifugal force by maintaining optimal CG height in advance, rather than reacting after tilting occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors steering angle, steering angular velocity, and center of gravity height, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the height adjuster. This closed-loop control ensures the vehicle maintains stability by constantly adapting the CG position based on actual turning conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the height adjuster is controlled to maintain center of gravity height, then vehicle stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller integrates multiple functions including steering angle detection, angular velocity measurement, turning radius calculation, and height control into a single control unit. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity despite the sophisticated control logic required for maintaining stability during turns.

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

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 solution effectively reduces or prevents tilting and improves turning stability by adjusting the center of gravity in response to turning conditions, ensuring a more stable and comfortable ride during turns with small radii or high speeds.

Implementation Method 1

When a work vehicle turns with a small turning radius or a high speed, a strong centrifugal force acts in the outer direction of the turn. As a result of this, the tilt of the work vehicle may increase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4183603B1Work vehicle and controller for work vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4183603B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4183603B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4183603B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, running gear to cause the vehicle body to travel, a height adjuster to change a height of a center of gravity of the vehicle body, and a controller configured or programmed to, in accordance with at least one of a turning radius and an angular velocity of the vehicle body during a turn, control the height adjuster to maintain or lower the height of the center of gravity.