Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors

Autonomous tractors are emerging as a pivotal technology in agricultural automation. Precise steering control in these tractors requires high-performance electrohydraulic proportional valves (EHPVs). To optimize EHPV performance and reduce development costs and time, simulation analysis serves as a...

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Main Authors: Yi-Seo Min, Yong-Joo Kim, Seung-Yun Baek, Seung-Min Baek, Wan-Soo Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Machines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/2/138
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author Yi-Seo Min
Yong-Joo Kim
Seung-Yun Baek
Seung-Min Baek
Wan-Soo Kim
author_facet Yi-Seo Min
Yong-Joo Kim
Seung-Yun Baek
Seung-Min Baek
Wan-Soo Kim
author_sort Yi-Seo Min
collection DOAJ
description Autonomous tractors are emerging as a pivotal technology in agricultural automation. Precise steering control in these tractors requires high-performance electrohydraulic proportional valves (EHPVs). To optimize EHPV performance and reduce development costs and time, simulation analysis serves as a valuable pre-testing tool. This study aimed to develop a simulation model capable of predicting the hydraulic characteristics of EHPVs under real-world operating conditions. The model was created using AMESim, incorporating actual tractor operating conditions and valve control signals. The proposed model was validated through experiments conducted on a tractor equipped with an EHPV, evaluating hydraulic characteristics across various engine speeds and steering angular velocities. The simulation model was utilized to analyze the priority valve control flow characteristics of the automatic steering system and the hydraulic response of the EHPV under step inputs at specific engine speed points. The results indicate that the simulation model demonstrated a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) ranging from 7.45% to 9.79% for hydraulic power. A <i>t</i>-test analysis of hydraulic power indicated no statistically significant difference between the simulation and experimental values under all test conditions. The proposed EHPV simulation model can be utilized for the optimal future design of EHPV systems.
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spelling doaj-art-ad1e27c1fff248ec9d0db7d8bbcede8d2025-08-20T02:44:42ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022025-02-0113213810.3390/machines13020138Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous TractorsYi-Seo Min0Yong-Joo Kim1Seung-Yun Baek2Seung-Min Baek3Wan-Soo Kim4Department of Bio-Industrial Machinery Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Smart Agriculture Systems, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Bio-Industrial Machinery Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of KoreaAutonomous tractors are emerging as a pivotal technology in agricultural automation. Precise steering control in these tractors requires high-performance electrohydraulic proportional valves (EHPVs). To optimize EHPV performance and reduce development costs and time, simulation analysis serves as a valuable pre-testing tool. This study aimed to develop a simulation model capable of predicting the hydraulic characteristics of EHPVs under real-world operating conditions. The model was created using AMESim, incorporating actual tractor operating conditions and valve control signals. The proposed model was validated through experiments conducted on a tractor equipped with an EHPV, evaluating hydraulic characteristics across various engine speeds and steering angular velocities. The simulation model was utilized to analyze the priority valve control flow characteristics of the automatic steering system and the hydraulic response of the EHPV under step inputs at specific engine speed points. The results indicate that the simulation model demonstrated a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) ranging from 7.45% to 9.79% for hydraulic power. A <i>t</i>-test analysis of hydraulic power indicated no statistically significant difference between the simulation and experimental values under all test conditions. The proposed EHPV simulation model can be utilized for the optimal future design of EHPV systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/2/138agricultural tractorautomatic steeringautonomous tractorelectrohydraulic proportional valvesimulation model
spellingShingle Yi-Seo Min
Yong-Joo Kim
Seung-Yun Baek
Seung-Min Baek
Wan-Soo Kim
Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors
Machines
agricultural tractor
automatic steering
autonomous tractor
electrohydraulic proportional valve
simulation model
title Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors
title_full Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors
title_fullStr Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors
title_full_unstemmed Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors
title_short Development of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve Model for Precise Steering Control in Autonomous Tractors
title_sort development of electrohydraulic proportional valve model for precise steering control in autonomous tractors
topic agricultural tractor
automatic steering
autonomous tractor
electrohydraulic proportional valve
simulation model
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/2/138
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AT yongjookim developmentofelectrohydraulicproportionalvalvemodelforprecisesteeringcontrolinautonomoustractors
AT seungyunbaek developmentofelectrohydraulicproportionalvalvemodelforprecisesteeringcontrolinautonomoustractors
AT seungminbaek developmentofelectrohydraulicproportionalvalvemodelforprecisesteeringcontrolinautonomoustractors
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