REDUCTION OF TRACTOR SEAT VIBRATIONS DURING TILLAGE WITH ACTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

This invention provides a Fuzzy-PID controlled suspension system for tractors to reduce seat vibrations during agricultural operations. Integrating fuzzy logic with PID control, the system adapts to real-time conditions to optimize damping, enhancing operator comfort and safety. The adaptive mechanism mitigates harmful vibrations caused by uneven terrain, providing a smoother, more stable ride and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to agricultural machinery and vibration control systems, specifically a Fuzzy-PID controlled suspension system for reducing tractor seat vibrations. The innovation addresses operator comfort, safety, and long-term health impacts by mitigating low-frequency vibrations during tillage operations through real-time adaptive control mechanisms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tractor operators in agriculture are often exposed to significant vibrations, particularly during tillage, which negatively impacts both their health and work efficiency. Conventional suspension systems struggle to provide adequate damping for low-frequency vibrations (below 10 Hz), leading to operator fatigue, discomfort, and potential musculoskeletal issues over prolonged exposure. Existing solutions, like passive suspension or fixed-parameter PID controllers, cannot dynamically adapt to rapidly changing field conditions, such as uneven terrain or varying speeds. This invention introduces an adaptive Fuzzy-PID controlled suspension system to tackle these limitations, integrating fuzzy logic and PID control for real-time adjustments to vibration damping based on sensor data. The system's active control capabilities ensure that vibrations transmitted to the operator's seat are minimized, providing a safer and more comfortable operating environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention presents a Fuzzy-PID controlled suspension system that actively mitigates harmful vibrations experienced by tractor operators. By integrating fuzzy logic with PID control, the system adapts to real-time data on terrain, speed, and seat vibration levels, optimizing damping force to minimize vibrations. This adaptive mechanism responds dynamically to changes in operating conditions, maintaining comfort and reducing fatigue. The Fuzzy-PID controller adjusts damping characteristics instantly based on a feedback loop, ensuring consistent performance across various tillage tasks and terrains, thus supporting agricultural efficiency and operator health.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The Fuzzy-PID controlled suspension system for tractors aims to reduce seat vibrations by combining the adaptability of fuzzy logic with the precision of PID control. The system's core functionality is centered around a feedback loop that continuously collects and analyzes vibration data, adjusting the suspension settings in real-time to achieve optimal damping. Vibration and acceleration sensors are strategically positioned near the seat and suspension system to capture data on vibration intensity, frequency, and direction as the tractor moves across different terrains.
The Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) serves as the adaptive component in the system. Fuzzy logic processes complex and imprecise inputs from the sensors, such as changes in terrain type, tractor speed, and seat acceleration. Based on a predefined set of fuzzy rules, the FLC adjusts the output signals that control the damping characteristics of the suspension system. This adaptive capability ensures that the suspension responds appropriately to both minor and major shifts in operating conditions.
The PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) Controller fine-tunes the damping response by addressing current vibration levels, accumulated errors, and anticipated future changes. The proportional component provides immediate correction based on the current error, while the integral component addresses past errors to ensure stability. The derivative component anticipates future changes, preventing overshooting or oscillation. Together, these components ensure smooth and accurate damping adjustments, enhancing ride quality.
The Fuzzy-PID controller operates as a hybrid system where the fuzzy logic component dynamically adjusts the PID parameters in real-time. This adaptability is critical in agricultural settings, where terrain irregularities and operating speeds fluctuate frequently. For instance, when the tractor encounters rough ground, the FLC increases damping to protect the operator, while on smoother terrain, the system conserves energy by relaxing the damping settings.
Data collected from extensive field tests is used to establish a model that simulates real-world operating conditions, providing input parameters for the Fuzzy-PID controller. This simulation model forms the foundation for the controller's fuzzy rules, ensuring that the system can handle diverse scenarios effectively. During operation, the closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures continuous adjustment of the suspension system based on real-time vibration data, optimizing comfort and safety for the operator.
, Claims:1. A Fuzzy-PID controlled suspension system for agricultural tractors, designed to reduce seat vibrations by dynamically adapting to changing operating conditions.
2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the Fuzzy Logic Controller adjusts damping based on terrain, speed, and seat acceleration, ensuring real-time adaptability.
3. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the PID controller provides fine-tuned adjustments to the suspension's damping characteristics based on proportional, integral, and derivative control components.
4. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein vibration and acceleration sensors positioned near the seat provide real-time data, enabling continuous feedback to the controller.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a closed-loop feedback mechanism allows for instantaneous suspension adjustments, optimizing operator comfort across varied field conditions.
6. A method for reducing tractor seat vibrations as claimed in Claim 1, involving the integration of fuzzy logic and PID control to provide adaptive suspension damping.
7. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein it provides superior vibration mitigation compared to passive and fixed-parameter PID control systems.

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