Traveling Work Vehicle Gear-Shifting Control Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traveling work vehicles face challenges in smoothly transitioning between gear stages due to the difference in gear-shifting operations between main and sub gear-shifting apparatuses, leading to potential shocks during load changes and complexity in gear selection for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A gear-shifting control unit that manages gear stage switching between main and sub gear-shifting apparatuses, allowing for power transmission cutoff during sub gear-shifting operations while maintaining continuous power transmission during main gear-shifting, along with a multifunction lever for simplified operation and display screens for easy gear stage selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate operation levers are used for main and sub gear-shifting apparatuses, then gear-shifting control is precise, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear-shifting control precisionVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the main gear-shifting operation lever and sub gear-shifting operation lever into a single integrated operation lever. The operation lever can be shifted in multiple directions (front-rear and left-right) to control both gear-shifting apparatuses simultaneously, reducing the number of separate controls while maintaining precise gear selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single operation lever serves multiple functions by enabling control over both the main gear-shifting apparatus and sub gear-shifting apparatus. Different shifting directions of the same lever correspond to different gear-shifting operations, making the lever a multi-functional control device that simplifies the interface while preserving control precision.

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

2Measurement precision

If sub gear-shifting apparatus is used for fine speed adjustment, then speed control precision is improved, but power transmission is interrupted during shifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control precisionVSAvoidpower transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gear-shifting system is divided into two independent but coordinated gear-shifting apparatuses: the main gear-shifting apparatus that handles primary gear changes with continuous power transmission, and the sub gear-shifting apparatus that provides fine speed adjustments. This segmentation allows each apparatus to specialize in its function while working together to achieve both precision and continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates the operation of both gear-shifting apparatuses. It manages the timing and sequencing of shifts between the main and sub apparatuses, ensuring smooth transitions that minimize power transmission interruptions while achieving precise speed control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple gear stages are combined from main and sub gear-shifting apparatuses, then gear ratio range is expanded, but gear selection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear ratio rangeVSAvoidgear selection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically manages the combination of gear stages from both apparatuses based on operational needs. The control unit automatically coordinates the selection and combination of gear stages, transforming the complex static problem of selecting from many gear ratios into a dynamic process where the system adapts and presents simplified selection options to the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2982885B1Traveling work vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP2982885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982885B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2982885B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A traveling work vehicle includes a gear-shifting control unit (6) that outputs a gear-shifting control command to a main gear-shifting apparatus (30) for shifting gears without cutting off power transmission, a sub gear-shifting apparatus (31) for shifting gears by cutting off power transmission, and a first operation unit (MU) and a second operation unit (SU) that provide gear-shifting, upshifting or downshifting, operation commands to the gear-shifting control unit. The gear-shifting control unit (6) has a first travel control section (61) that generates a gear-shifting control command for shifting gears in the main gear-shifting apparatus (30) in response to the gear-shifting operation command from the first operation unit (MU) in a work traveling mode, and a second travel control section (62) that generates a gear-shifting control command for shifting gears in the sub gear-shifting apparatus (31) in response to the gear-shifting operation command from the second operation unit (SU) in the work traveling mode.