Work Vehicle Suspension Control for Lower Center of Gravity
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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, affecting riding comfort and balance.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle equipped with a height adjuster and a controller that acquires information on turning radius and angular velocity to maintain or lower the center of gravity, using a suspension device to adjust the vehicle's height and improve stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the work vehicle turns with a small turning radius or high speed, then the turning performance is improved, but the vehicle tilting increases and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by detecting turn conditions (steering angle, angular velocity) before significant tilting occurs and proactively adjusting the suspension to lower the center of gravity. This preventive control approach maintains vehicle stability before the harmful tilting effect becomes severe, resolving the contradiction between high-speed turning performance and vehicle stability.
2Ease of operation
If the height of the center of gravity is maintained high, then the riding comfort is improved, but the vehicle tilting increases during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system transitions from a static fixed height configuration to a dynamic adjustable height system. The controller dynamically adjusts the suspension extension based on real-time turn conditions, allowing the center of gravity height to vary adaptively. This dynamic adjustment reduces centrifugal force effects during turns while maintaining comfortable heights during normal travel, resolving the contradiction between riding comfort and turn stability.
3Ease of operation
If the suspension stroke is increased to ensure adequate suspension travel, then the riding comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical suspension system with a hybrid system that incorporates electronic control. The controller uses sensors to detect turn conditions and electronically controls the suspension actuation, substituting complex mechanical linkages with an electronically controlled actuation system. This substitution achieves adequate suspension stroke while reducing overall mechanical complexity.
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 enhances turning stability by adjusting the center of gravity in response to changing turn conditions, improving the vehicle's performance during small turns and high-speed maneuvers.
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
Data Source
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.