An electro proportional pressure control valve is mainly used to control the clutch of an agricultural tractor's automatic transmission. During transmission, the operating, hydraulic oil is mix with many kinds of contaminants. The contaminants can be trapped between the valve body and spool of the proportional pressure control valve leading to abnormal operating conditions and finally critical damage to the transmission hydraulic system. The present study aimed to verify the valve control algorithm as a basic study of developing control logic that removes contaminants between the spool and the body of the proportional pressure control valve. To develop the algorithm, MATLAB/SIMULINK was used. PWM method was used to control the applied solenoid coil current. The effectiveness of the algorithm was verified by comparing the actual pressure of the normal valve with the actual pressure of the abnormal valve. Based on the present study findings, when the algorithm was applied, the response of the valve pressure according to the current became stable and oil contaminated particles were removed. In the future study, the control algorithm will be optimized for the stability of the proportional pressure reducing valve, and it will be verified in consideration with the driving of the clutch.

This study proposes a method for creating learning datasets to recognize obstacles using deep learning algorithms in automated construction machinery or an autonomous vehicle. Recently, many researchers and engineers have developed various recognition algorithms based on deep learning following an increase in computing power. In particular, the image classification technology and image segmentation technology represent deep learning recognition algorithms. They are used to identify obstacles that interfere with the driving situation of an autonomous vehicle. Therefore, various organizations and companies have started distributing open datasets, but there is a remote possibility that they will perfectly match the user's desired environment. In this study, we created an interface of the virtual simulator such that users can easily create their desired training dataset. In addition, the customized dataset was further advanced by using the RDBMS system, and the recognition rate was improved.

A bunker bed is a type of furniture that efficiently utilizes a narrow indoor space by having a high bed and using the empty space below as a living and storage space. The demand for multi-purpose furniture is increasing due to the recent increase in single-person households and wide-spread shared accommodation. According to the consumer research, one of the major drawbacks of a bunker bed was to get on and off the bed through a ladder or stairs. In order to overcome these problems, it was confirmed that the height adjustment function that can easily adjust the minimum and maximum heights of the bed was necessary. In this study, a height adjustable bunker bed was designed by using a gas spring that generates a repulsive force by the compressed gas inside. The design process consisted of the following three steps: Firstly, the hysteresis characteristics due to a friction and spring constant of a commercial gas spring were confirmed by measuring the repulsive force vs. compressed displacement. Secondly, requirements of the vertical lifting force exerted on the bed against gravity force were derived. Finally, the height-adjustable bed using the four-bar link mechanism was designed with 4 parameters so that the bed weight of 60-70 kgf could be adjusted to 800 mm in height by an affordable initial operation force. The performance was verified through prototype production and the results of vertical displacement and force to move were nearly the same as designed. In addition, an electrically operated height-adjustable bed was also designed with linear actuators and the performance was proved with the prototype.

Among the currently available types of fuel, LNG emits a relatively small amount of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide when it burns in the engine. However, since LNG is a flammable material, leakage during bunkering can lead to accidents, such as fires. Therefore, it is necessary to install a remote operation emergency shut-down (ESD) valve to block the flow and leakage of LNG in an emergency situation that occurs during bunkering. The ESD valve uses a hydraulic driving device consisting of a hydraulic control valve and a hydraulic motor to control globe valve disc displacement, which regulates the flow path for LNG transfer. At this time, there are various nonlinearities in hydraulic driving devices; hence, it is necessary to design a controller with robust control performance against these uncertainties. In this study, modeling of the ESD valve was carried out, and a sliding mode controller to control the displacement of the globe valve disc was designed. As a result, it was confirmed that the designed control performance could be achieved by overcoming nonlinearity characteristics using the designed controller.

A personal mobility withstanding function for the disabled and vulnerable groups with difficulties in mobility was developed and structural and dynamics analysis was conducted. Personal mobility devices are a very helpful means of transportation for the disabled and vulnerable groups. In addition, the standing function allows individuals to perform a difficult task in while seated and offers a medical advantage to the user. In this study, a personal mobility device was designed and developed to help vulnerable groups and disabled people overcome limited mobility, and communicate with the general people at eye level through standing functions. Through structural and dynamic analysis, the structural safety, optimal speed during rotation, and lateral acceleration of the personal mobility device was analyzed. The analysis results are expected to contribute to the improvement of the users' convenience and stability of personal mobility.

In this study, we designed a hydraulic propulsion propeller system that allows dredged materials to be carried out by the dredger to the disposal place. The proposed model equation was used to formulate the screw propeller specifications considering the resistance to the dredger, and the quantitative specifications of the hydraulic propulsion propeller were determined through the numerical analysis programs. In addition, based on the proposed results, we were able to determine the specifications of the hydraulic system that was used for the hydraulic motor in the propulsion propeller device and then manufactured the hydraulic propulsion propeller. To guarantee the reliability of the proposed model equation, an external testing agency was invited and verified that the hydraulic propulsion propeller based on the proposed model equation could achieve the target speed in the dredger.

The variable structure controller is designed such that in sliding mode, the system moves along the switching plane in the vicinity of the switching plane, thus it is robust because it is not affected by the parameter fluctuations of the plant. However, a controller based on a variable structure may not meet the desired performance when it is commanded to track any input or is exposed to disturbances. This study proposes a sliding mode controller that follows the IVSC (Integral Variable Structure Control) approach with ELO (Extended Luenberger observer) to solve this problem. The proposed sliding mode control is applied to the velocity control of the hydraulic motor. The sliding plane was determined by the pole placement, and the control input was designed to ensure the existence of the sliding mode. The feasibility of modeling and controller are reviewed by comparing with conventional proportional-integral control through computer simulation using MATLAB software and experimenting on the cases of significant plant parameter fluctuations and disturbances.

In this paper, a mathematical pressure dynamics model for a variable thrust solid propulsion system with an electric actuator was derived from the mass conservation of gas. To solve the problem induced by modeling uncertainties in the propellant model and the dead zone of the actuator, a nonlinear pressure controller combined with a nonlinear disturbance observer was designed using a mathematical model of the system. The simulation results showed that the proposed pressure controller could reduce tracking errors compared to another conventional nonlinear controller even in situations where input disturbances were present.

In this paper, the development of a vibration reduction device for hydraulic breakers was studied. Generally, a hydraulic breaker generates shock vibrations while working. When using vibration-proof rubber, shock vibrations are reduced, but without this, shock vibrations are repeatedly generated. Such repeated shock vibrations not only lower the fatigue strength of hydraulic breakers and excavators equipped with them but also increase the fatigue of the workers. This paper proposes the possibility of reducing shock vibration by using a dynamic vibration absorber.

The aim of this study was to establish a breathing assist system for saxophone players with breathing problems. Although the saxophone is a popular wind instrument with a reed in its mouthpiece, it can be difficult for people with breathing problems to play this instrument, as it requires adequate breath support for deep and even long breaths. To solve this problem, the authors propose a breathing assist device, which functions like a pneumatic master-slave amplifier, for saxophone players with breathing problems. First, the proposed device is fabricated. Second, the effectiveness of the breathing assist device as a master-slave amplifier is confirmed through experiments. Third, the dynamic characteristics of the device are tested up to 10 Hz, and they demonstrate that the device responds well for up to approximately 5 Hz.

With the progress in virtual reality technology, various virtual objects can be displayed using head-mounted displays (HMD). However, force feedback sensations such as pushing against a virtual object are not possible with an HMD only. Focusing on force feedback, desktop-type devices are generally used, but the user cannot move in a virtual space because such devices are fixed on a desk. With a wearable force feedback device, users can move around while experiencing force feedback. Therefore, the authors have developed a wearable force feedback device using a magnetorheological fluid clutch and pneumatic rubber artificial muscle, aiming at presenting the elasticity, friction, and viscosity of an object. To date, we have developed a wearable four-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) force feedback device and have quantitatively evaluated that it can present commanded elastic, frictional, and viscous forces to the end effector. However, sensory evaluation with a human has not been performed. In this paper, therefore, we conduct a sensory evaluation of the proposed method. In the experiment, frictional and viscous forces are rendered in a virtual space using a 4-DOF force feedback device. Subjects are asked to answer questions on a 1- to 7-point scale, from 1 (not at all) to 4 (neither) to 7 (strongly). The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for all data, and answer 4 (neither) was used as compared standard data. The experimental results confirmed that the user could feel the presence or absence of viscous and frictional forces. However, the magnitude of those forces was not sensed correctly.

Viscosity of hydraulic oils decreases due to loss reduction and efficiency increase of fluid power systems. However, low viscosity is not always appropriate due to the induction of large leakage and small lubricity. Therefore, a detailed study on the optimum viscosity of hydraulic oils is necessary. In this study, based on the thermohydrodynamic lubrication theory, numerical simulation was conducted using the slipper model of swashplate-type axial piston pumps and motors. The viscosity grades' (VG) effects of oils on power losses are mainly discussed numerically in fluid film lubrication, including changes in temperature and viscosity. The simulation results reveal that the flow rate increases and the friction torque decreases as VG decreases. The film temperature and power loss were minimised for a specific oil with a VG. The minimum conditions regarding the temperature and loss were different and closed. Under various operating conditions, the film temperature and power loss were minimised, suggesting that an optimum hydraulic oil with a specific VG could be selected for given operating conditions of pressure and speed. Otherwise, a preferable operating condition must be established to determine a specific VG oil.