CLIAMS:[069] CLAIMS:
We claim:
1. An anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200, said anti-lift protection method 300 comprising:
detecting 302 a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of said vehicle 200;
ascertaining 304 a height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 from said slope data and said altitude data of said vehicle 200 detected above; and
disengaging 310 a clutch 410 and actuating a brake 412 of said vehicle 200 such that said vehicle 200 slowly returns to the normal position, and the forward or backward movement of said vehicle 200 is prevented,if said height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 reaches a predetermined threshold value D.
2. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method 300 further comprises the step 308 of determining a force required to disengage said clutch 410 of said vehicle 200 which is sufficient to bring said vehicle 200 to its normal position slowly before disengaging said clutch of said vehicle 200.
3. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 2, wherein said method 300 further comprises the step 308 of determining a braking force that is required to be applied to prevent the forward or backward movement of said vehicle 200 before actuating said brake 412 of said vehicle 200.
4. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one of claims1 to 3, wherein said vehicle 200 comprises a tractor.
5. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step 302 of detecting a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of said vehicle 200 comprises detecting a slope data and an altitude data by a plurality of sensors 402, 404.
6. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plurality of sensors 402, 404 comprises at least one slope sensor 402 and at least one distance sensor 404.
7. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front portion of said vehicle 200 comprises a front axle 204.
8. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front portion comprises front wheels 206 of said vehicle 200.
9. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step 304 of ascertaining a height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 comprises ascertaining a height H of a front axle 204 of said vehicle 200.
10. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step 304 of ascertaining a height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 comprises ascertaining a height H of the front wheels 206 of said vehicle 200.
11. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 is ascertained by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 406.
12. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step 310 of disengaging a clutch 410 and actuating a brake 412 of said vehicle 200 comprises simultaneous disengaging said clutch 410 and actuating said brake 412 of said vehicle 200.
13. The anti-lift protection method 300 for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step 310 of disengaging a clutch 410 and actuating a brake 412 of said vehicle 200 is performed by a torque controller 408.
14. An anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200, said anti-lift protection system comprising:
a plurality of sensing means 402, 404 for detecting a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of said vehicle 200;
a height ascertaining means 406 for ascertaining a height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 from said slope data and said altitude data of said vehicle 200 detected by said plurality of sensing means 402, 404; and
a control means 408 for disengaging a clutch 410 and actuating a brake 412 of said vehicle 200 simultaneously if said height H of said front portion of said vehicle 200 ascertained by said height ascertaining means 406 reaches a predetermined threshold value D.
15. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 14, wherein said vehicle 200 comprises a tractor.
16. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein said plurality of sensing means comprises a plurality of sensors 402, 404.
17. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in claim 16, wherein said plurality of sensors 402, 404 comprises at least one slope sensor 402 and at least one distance sensor 404.
18. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one claims 14 to 17, wherein saidplurality of sensing means 402, 404 are provided on said front portion of said vehicle 200.
19. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said front portion of said vehicle 200 comprises a front axle 204.
20. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said front portion comprises the front wheels 206 of said vehicle 200.
21. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein said height ascertaining means 406 comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
22. The anti-lift protection system for a vehicle 200 as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein said control means 408 comprises a torque controller.
,TagSPECI:[001] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[002] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
[003] Technical Field of the Invention
[004] The subject matter described herein, in general, relates to an anti-lift protection for tractors and in particular, relates to a method and a system for preventing the lifting of a tractor beyond a critical height.
[005] Background of the Invention
[006] A tractor, also known as a farm vehicle, is designed to deliver a high torque at slow speeds. The gearbox in the tractors converts the high-speed revolutions of the engine into much lower-speed revolutions of the wheels and increases the force for pulling heavy loads at the same time.However, due to the structure of a tractor and the working conditions in which it operates, the stability of the tractor is of great concern. The stability of a tractor mainly depends upon the center of gravity in different working conditions.
[007] When the center of gravity of a tractor is displaced outside the stability baseline, there are chances that the tractor rolls over to the rear or to the side. These conditions include when a tractor is operated on a steep slope or is going too fast for the sharpness of the turn or the power is applied to the tractor’s rear wheels too quickly or the tractor is trying to pull a load that is not hitched to the drawbar. Apart from the above, there are other conditions as well in which the displacement of the center of gravity makes a tractor unstable, such as when the tractor’s center of gravity is raised higher from its natural location by about 10 inches above the rear axle.
[008] Various conventional mechanisms are employed in the art to provide a protection to the operator in case the tractor rolls over. Such mechanisms are known as Roll over Protections (ROP) or Roll over Protection Systems (ROPS). The ROPS are designed to create a protective zone around the operator when a rollover phenomenon of a tractor occurs. The ROPS do not prevent the turnover of tractors, but they do limit the degree of rollover to an angle of about 90 degrees. This is enough to prevent the operator of the tractor from being thrown out of the protective zone and crushed from an overturning tractor or from the equipment mounted or hooked to the tractor. Various types of ROPS frames include a two-post frame, a four-post frame, and a ROPS with enclosed cab. Figure 1 illustrates a conventional tractor 100 provided with a two-post frame ROPS 102. The two-post frame ROPS 102 is provided above the operator’s seat. In the case of a rollover of the tractor 100, the two-post frame ROPS 102 prevents any harm or injury to the operator as it limits the degree of rollover of the tractor beyond a certain angle.
[009] However, the danger of the tractor tipping over still remains and while ROPS provide safety to the operator, such systems fail to estimate or prevent tipping over of the tractors. Conventionally, solutions to prevent the tip-over of vehicles during traveling are also known.
[010] One such solution is disclosed in US 8,244,409 that relates to a method for controlling the braking force of a work vehicle, wherein the load acting upon the rear axle of the vehicle is measured. When the rear axle load reaches a threshold value, a risk of tip-over is determined and the vehicle is decelerated through braking to prevent tip-over of the vehicle.
[011] WO 2003/074351 discloses a device for sensing the pitch of a vehicle. The device includes a sensor for detecting rearward pitching of the vehicle and a processor that determines the tendency of the front wheel to lift off when the detected pitch is greater than the threshold. The processor reduces or cuts the fuel flowing to the engine and/or actuates the brakes to prevent over-pitching of the vehicle.
[012] However, there is still a need for a method and a system that prevents tip-over of a vehicle, particularly of a tractor, in a simple, safe, cost-effective and efficient manner without compromising with the operation, service life and efficiency of the tractor.
[013] Summary of the Invention
[014] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide an anti-lift protection (ALP) in tractors.
[015] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide safety to the operator of a tractor during all operating conditions.
[016] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a simple, efficient and cost-effective method for avoiding lifting of the front axle of a tractor beyond a critical height.
[017] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a simple, efficient, cost-effective and easy to install system for avoiding lifting of the front axle of a tractor beyond a critical height.
[018] It is another object of the present subject matter to bring the tractor to a normal position slowly when the front axle of the tractor reaches a critical height.
[019] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a method and a system that disengages a clutch of a tractor when the height of the front axle of the tractor reaches a critical value.
[020] It is yet another object of the present subject matter to ensure that the tractor does not move backward when the tractor is at a slope and when the tractor is being allowed to come to a normal position after reaching a critical height.
[021] The present subject matter described herein relates to ananti-lift protection method for a vehicle. The anti-lift protection method includes the steps of detecting a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of the vehicle;ascertaining a height of the front portion of the vehicle from the slope data and the altitude data of the vehicle detected above; and disengaging a clutch and actuating a brake of the vehicle such that the vehicle slowly returns to the normal position and the forward or backward movement of the vehicle is prevented,if the height of the vehicle reaches a predetermined threshold value.
[022] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the method further comprises the step of determining a force required to disengage the clutch of the vehicle which is sufficient to bring the vehicle to its normal position slowly before disengaging the clutch of the vehicle.
[023] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the method further comprises the step of determining a braking force that is required to be applied to prevent the forward or backward movement of the vehicle before actuating the brake of the vehicle.
[024] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the step of detecting a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of the vehicle comprises detecting a slope data and an altitude data by a plurality of sensors.
[025] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the step of ascertaining a height of the front portion of the vehicle comprises ascertaining a height of a front axle of the vehicle.
[026] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the step of ascertaining a height of the front portion of the vehicle comprises ascertaining a height of the front wheels of the vehicle.
[027] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the height of the front portion of the vehicle is ascertained by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
[028] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the step of disengaging a clutch and actuating a brake of the vehicle comprises simultaneous disengaging the clutch and actuating the brake of the vehicle.
[029] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the step of disengaging a clutch and actuating a brake of the vehicle is performed by a torque controller.
[030] An anti-lift protection system for a vehicle is also described herein that includes a plurality of sensing means for detecting a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of the vehicle; a height ascertaining means for ascertaining a height of the front portion of the vehicle from the slope data and the altitude data of the vehicle detected by the plurality of sensing means; and a control means for disengaging a clutch and actuating a brake of the vehicle simultaneously if the height of the vehicle ascertained by the height ascertaining means reaches a predetermined threshold value.
[031] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the vehicle comprises a tractor.
[032] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the plurality of sensing means comprises a plurality of sensors.
[033] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the plurality of sensors includes at least one slope sensor and at least one distance sensor.
[034] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the plurality of sensing means are provided on thefront portion of the vehicle.
[035] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the front portion of the vehicle comprises a front axle.
[036] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the front portion comprises the front wheels of the vehicle.
[037] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the height ascertaining means comprises an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
[038] In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the control means comprises a torque controller.

[039] Brief Description of Drawings
[040] The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages of the present subject matter will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.

[041] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter, and are therefore, not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the subject matter may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[042] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a conventional tractor depicting a two-post frame Roll over Protection System (ROPS).

[043] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a tractor depicting the position of the center of gravity (CG) in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

[044] Figures 3a & 3b illustrate top schematic representations of the stability baselines of a tricycle and a wide front-end tractor respectively in accordance with the embodiments of the present subject matter.

[045] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of different positions of a tractor when driven on a plane surface and on an inclined surface respectively in accordance with the embodiments of the present subject matter.

[046] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a tractor tied to a load depicting the angle of pull aand the pivot point P in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

[047] Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a tractor in a tilted position depicting the height H of the front axle from the ground in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

[048] Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart depicting an anti-lift protection method for a tractor in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

[049] Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of an anti-lift protection system of a tractor in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

[050] Detailed Description of the Invention
[051] The following presents a detailed description of various embodiments of the present subject matter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[052] The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the present subject matter to a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

[053] The present subject matter provides a simple, efficient and cost-effective anti-lift protection method that avoids lifting of the front axle of a tractor beyond a critical height. A simple, efficient, cost-effective and easy to install anti-lift protection system is also described herein. The present subject matter ensures that the tractor is brought to a normal position automatically when the front axle of the tractor reaches a critical height. If the height of the front axle of the tractor reaches a critical value, a clutch of the tractor is disengaged to bring the tractor in a normal position slowly. At the same time, brakes are applied so that the tractor does not move backward in case the tractor is at a slope.
[054] For the purpose of the present description, the illustration of the present subject matter is done with respect to a tractor 200. However, the present subject matter is applicable to any similar vehicle that has a tendency to roll over easily as would be known to a person skilled in the art.

[055] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a tractor 200 depicting the position of the center of gravity CGof the tractor in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. The center of gravity CG of a vehicle plays a vital role in the stability of the vehicle. If the center of gravity CG is destabilized or displaced, it is likely that the balance of the vehicle is affected and the vehicle may roll over.

[056] The position of the center of gravity CG of a tricycle and a wide front-end tractor is shown in Figures 3a & 3b, which depict top schematic representations of the stability baselines of a tricycle and a wide front-end tractor respectively. In case the tractor 200 is driven at a slope, the position of the center of gravity CG of the tractor 200 gets displaced as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of the tractor 200 in position I when driven on a plane surface and in position II when driven on an inclined surface. The horizontal displacement x of position of center of gravity CG in position I and position II is shown in Figure 4.

[057] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a tractor 200 tied to a load 202 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. When the tractor 200 tries to pull the load 202, an angle of pull a is created between the surface of the ground and the point of attachment of the load 202 on the tractor 200. In such a case, there is a possibility that the tractor 200 experiences a tip-over about a pivot point P as the position of the center of gravity CG gets displaced.

[058] In a normal working condition if the load attached to the tractor 200 exceeds a predetermined limit, the front portion of the tractor 200 gets raised from the surface ‘S’ of the ground as is shown in Figure 6. As can be seen from Figure 6, the tractor 200 is tilted about the pivot point P and the front axle 204 of the tractor 200 containing the front wheels 206 is raised by a height H from the surface S of the ground.

[059] The tractor 200 experiences a tip-over when the front portion of the tractor 200 is raised beyond a critical height. This critical height is also referred to as the critical point of no return. Once the critical height is reached, it is not possible for the tractor 200 to return to its original position on its own.

[060] The present subject matter provides an anti-lift protection to the tractor 200 by preventing the front portion of the tractor 200 to reach the critical point of no return. The subject matter described herein relates to an anti-lift protection method 300 for a tractor 200 as shown in a flowchart in Figure 7. The method 300 in its first step 302 detects data relating to the slope and altitude of a front portion of the tractor 200. In one embodiment of the present subject matter, the front portion of the tractor 200 includes a front axle 204 of the tractor 200. However, the front portion may also include front wheels 206 of the tractor 200 or any other component provided on the front end of the tractor 200 as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[061] The data in the first step 302 is detected on a real time basis by a plurality of sensing means during the operation of the tractor 200. In one embodiment of the present subject matter, the slope data and the altitude data are detected by at least one slope sensor and at least one distance sensor respectively. In different embodiments of the present subject matter, the sensors may include mechanical or electronic sensors. Similarly, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, any kind of sensing means may be employed to detect the slope data and the altitude data of the front axle of the tractor 200.

[062] Once the data relating to the slope and altitude of the front axle of the tractor 200 is detected in the first step 302, the method 300 in a second step 304 ascertains a height H of the front axle 204 of the tractor 200 from the slope data and the altitude data of the tractor so detected. In one embodiment of the present subject matter, the height H of the front axle 204 is ascertained by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). However, any other means to determine the height H of the front axle 204 of the tractor 200 can be employed as would be known to a person skilled in the art.

[063] In a third step 306, the height H the front axle 204 of the tractor 200 is compared with a predetermined critical threshold value D. If the height H determined in the second step 304 is below the predetermined critical threshold value D, the method does not take any correction measures. However if the height H determined in the second step 304 reaches the predetermined critical threshold value D, a force required to disengage a clutch of the tractor 100 is determined in a fourth step 308. This force determined in the fourth step 308 issufficient to bring the tractor 200 to its normal position slowly. Simultaneously in the fourth step 308, a braking force is also determined that is required to be applied to prevent the forward or the backward movement of the tractor 200 if the tractor is on an inclined surface. In a fifth step 310, the clutch of the tractor 200 is disengaged in such a manner that the tractor 200 returns to its normal position slowly. At the same time, the brakes are also applied in the fifth step 310 so that the tractor 200 does not move in a forward or backward direction on an inclined surface. In a preferred embodiment of the present subject matter, the fifth step 310 of disengaging of the clutch and actuating of the brake of the tractor 200 is performed by a torque controller. However, any other suitable means can be employed to perform the function of disengaging of the clutch and actuating of the brake of the tractor 200 respectively.

[064] Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of an anti-lift protection system 400 of a tractor 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. For example, and by no way limiting the scope of the subject matter, the anti-lift protection system 400 of the present subject matter is manufactured from a plurality of components. The components of the anti-lift protection system 400 include, but are not limited to, a plurality of sensing means 402, 404, a height ascertaining means 406 and a control means 408.

[065] The plurality of sensing means 402, 404 is employed on the front axle of the tractor 200 to detect a slope data and an altitude data of a front portion of the tractor 200 respectively. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the sensing means 402, 404 includes a plurality of sensors, such as at least one slope sensor and at least one distance sensor respectively.

[066] The height ascertaining means 406 are provided for ascertaining a height H of the front axle 204 of the tractor 200 from the slope data and the altitude data of the tractor detected by the plurality of sensing means 402, 404 at all operating conditions. The control means 408 is also provided in the anti-lift protection system 400 to disengage a clutch 410 of the tractor 200 in such a manner that the tractor 200 returns to its normal position slowly. At the same time, the control means 408 also actuates the brakes 412 of the tractor 200 so that the tractor 200 does not move in a forward or backward direction if the tractor 200 is on an inclined surface. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the height ascertaining means 406 includes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the control means for simultaneously disengaging the clutch 410 and actuating the brake 412 of the tractor 200 includes a torque controller.

[067] The subject matter described above can be embodied in many ways as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. For example,the sensing means 402, 404 of the lift protection system 400 includes a plurality of sensors, such as at least one slope sensor and at least one distance sensor for detecting the slope data and the altitude data of a front portion of the tractor 200 respectively in one embodiment of the present subject matter. However, various other means capable of detecting the slope data and the altitude data of the front portion of the tractor 200 can be employed as would be known to a person skilled in the art. Similarly, the front portion of the tractor 200 in one embodiment of the present subject matter includes a front axle 204. However, the front portion may also include front wheels of the tractor 200 or any other component provided on the front end of the tractor 200 as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. Further, the height ascertaining means 406 and the control means 408 may include any other means or mechanisms for performing the respective functions as would be known to a person skilled in the art.

[068] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore, contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined.