New steering system manifold

Abstract

The invention relates to steering system manifold comprising front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) used in hydraulically steered vehicles, located in the gooseneck area of the vehicle and transmitting the towing tractor movements via the king-pin, rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) that is located in the axle area of the vehicle and provides the rotational movement of the wheels in the axle area with the hydraulic volume transmitted by the position changes of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10), steering system hydraulic manifold (30) that provides closed circuit operation of the entire hydraulic system, resetting when necessary, providing control when external steering is desired and keeping system pressures under control or performing the reset task when necessary.

Description

[0001] New Steering System Manifold

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the steering system manifold used in hydraulically steered vehicles.

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to a steering system manifold that simplifies the design of the hydraulic manifold for controlling the hydraulic system of hydraulically steered low-bed vehicles, standardizes the pin connections in the electrical wiring of the towing tractor, allows manual control of the valves and ensures complete and trouble-free operation of the steering hydraulic system functions.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Hydraulic steering Low-bed vehicles use hydraulic manifolds for closed-loop operation of the entire hydraulic system, resetting it when necessary, providing control when external steering is required, and keeping system pressures under control or performing reset duty when necessary.

[0007] In the current state of the art, the manifold design of the hydraulic system in hydraulically steered low-bed vehicles, which provides closed system and external steering function control of the hydraulic system, includes a large number of solenoid- controlled hydraulic valves, pressure switches and a complex electrical control connection that controls this system according to function. Therefore, the steering system in the state of the art requires the activation of many solenoid actuated hydraulic valves to direct a simple function of the hydraulic valves, pressure switches and two-way ball valve materials used in the detail of the hydraulic manifold material.

[0008] On the other hand, in the state of the art, hydraulic steering vehicles use right and left external steering functions and are controlled by seven solenoid-controlled hydraulic valves. These valves are supplied from different pins to protect the electrical connection of the towing tractorfrom excessive electrical load. Accordingly, a situation where the system does not work properly is encountered due to the country-based pin placements of the towing tractor manufacturers. Or, after a short circuit, the pressure valves do not work and the steering system does not work correctly. This situation negatively affects customer satisfaction. In addition, line type valves mounted on the manifold, the old line type version and the lever usage directions confuse users.

[0009] In existing applications, the complexity of the system and the complexity of the control method or the detection of the problem in case of failure is very difficult and time consuming, so a new steering manifold design is needed.

[0010] As a result of the aforementioned problems and the limited supply of available solutions, it became necessary to carry out an improvement in the relevant technical field.

[0011] Purpose of the Invention

[0012] The invention relates to a steering system manifold which eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages and brings new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0013] The main purpose of the invention is to provide a simplified steering system manifold design for low-bed vehicles by reducing the number of solenoid-controlled hydraulic manifolds.

[0014] The purpose of the invention is to provide a steering system manifold for the steering function, where only one valve coil being active is sufficient, thus standardizi ng the pin connections in the towing tractor's electrical wiring.

[0015] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a steering system manifold whose hydraulic valves can be controlled manually in cases such as an electrical failure that may occur in the vehicle.

[0016] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a steering system manifold that can perform the existing functions of the steering hydraulic system of steered low-bed vehicles completely and without any problems. Another purpose of the invention is to provide a steering system manifold that provides customer satisfaction during problems or problem solving due to the simple and simple design of the steering system.

[0017] In order to fulfil all the purposes stated above and which can be derived from the detailed explanation, the invention is steering system manifold comprising a front steering hydraulic cylinder used in hydraulically steered vehicles, located in the gooseneck area of the vehicle and transmitting the towing tractor movements via the king-pin, a rear steering hydraulic cylinder that is located in the axle area of the vehicle and provides the rotational movement of the wheels in the axle area with the hydraulic volume transmitted by the position changes of the front steering hydraulic cylinder, a steering system hydraulic manifold that provides closed circuit operation of the entire hydraulic system, resetting when necessary, providing control when external steering is desired and keeping system pressures under control or performing the reset task when necessary, characterized by comprising;

[0018] - hydraulic tank line that allows the hydraulic oil that needs to return to the tank from the steering system hydraulic manifold to exit from the steering system hydraulic manifold,

[0019] - two way solenoid controlled poppet valve located on the steering system hydraulic manifold, which reduces and resets the pressure of the front steering hydraulic cylinder and rear steering hydraulic cylinder,

[0020] - poppet type hydraulic check valve that prevents the front steering hydraulic cylinder and rear steering hydraulic cylinder hydraulic lines from mixing with each other in the steering system hydraulic manifold, counterbalance valve, which is located in the front steering hydraulic cylinder and rear steering hydraulic cylinder and prevents the hydraulic cylinder line pressures from falling and protects the hydraulic system by keeping the pressure at the set level in case of pressure increases,

[0021] - three way block type ball valve located on the steering system hydraulic manifold that allows the vehicle's axle position to be reset relative to the towing towing tractor for mechanical alignment.

[0022] The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following figures and the detailed description made with reference to these figures. Therefore the evaluation shall be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration. Figures to Help Understanding the Invention

[0023] Figure 1 : Hydraulic diagram of the steering system manifold of the invention.

[0024] Description of the Part References

[0025] 10. Front steering hydraulic cylinder

[0026] 20. Rear steering hydraulic cylinder

[0027] 30. Steering system hydraulic manifold

[0028] 40. Pressure relief valve

[0029] 50. Tank pressure relief valve

[0030] 60. Solenoid controlled hydraulic direction control valve

[0031] 70. Hydraulic measuring connection point

[0032] 80. Hydraulic pressure line

[0033] 90. Hydraulic tank line

[0034] 100. Two-way solenoid controlled poppet valve

[0035] 110. Cartridge filter

[0036] 120. Poppet type hydraulic check valve

[0037] 130. Counterbalance valve

[0038] 140. Three way block type ball valve

[0039] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0040] In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the steering system manifold are described only for clarifying the subject matter in a manner such that no limiting effect is created.

[0041] The hydraulic diagram of the steering system manifold which is the subject of the invention is given in Figure 1 . Accordingly, the steering system manifold in its most basic form comprises the following; a front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) located in the gooseneck area of the vehicle and transmits the towing tractor movements via the king-pin, a rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) located in the axle area of the vehicle and provides the rotational movement of the wheels in the axle area with the hydraulic volume transmitted by the position changes of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10), steering system hydraulic manifold (30) which ensures that the entire hydraulic system operates in a closed circuit, is reset when necessary, control is provided when external steering is required and system pressures are kept under control or the task of resetting when necessary is performed, a pressure relief valve (40) which allows adjustment of the steering hydraulic system pressure, a tank pressure relief valve (50) which allows adjustment of the steering hydraulic system tank line pressure, solenoid- controlled hydraulic direction control valve (60) that directs the vehicle wheels to the right and left by directing the pressurized hydraulic oil when external steering is desired in the vehicle, a hydraulic measurement connection point (70) that allows the pressure control of hydraulic cylinder line pressures when necessary and the removal of air that may occur in the system when necessary, a hydraulic pressure line (80) that allows the pressurized oil produced by the hydraulic pump to enter the steering system hydraulic manifold (30), a hydraulic tank line (90) that allows the hydraulic oil that needs to return to the tank through the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) to exit the steering system hydraulic manifold (30), two way solenoid controlled poppet valve (100) which allows the system pressure to be reduced and reset when necessary, a cartridge filter (1 10) which is installed in the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) and filters out dirt or coarse particles, a poppet type hydraulic check valve (120) that prevents the hydraulic lines of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and the rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) from mixing with each other in the steering system hydraulic manifold (30), a counterbalance valve (130) that prevents the hydraulic cylinder line pressure from falling and protects the hydraulic system by keeping the pressure at the set level in case of pressure increases that may occur due to dynamic effects, three way block type ball valve (140) used to change the connections of hydraulic cylinder lines and to reset the vehicle's axle position relative to the towing tractor for mechanical alignment.

[0042] As the low-bed vehicle user enters bends with the towing tractor, the positions of the front steering hydraulic cylinders (10) in the gooseneck area of the vehicle change. The oil transfers resulting from the opening and closing movements of the front steering hydraulic cylinders (10) take place to the rear steering hydraulic cylinders (20) located in the axle area via the steering system hydraulic manifold (30). This operating system is called a closed circuit steering system. Because the vehicle enters corners and operates smoothly without the need for any electrical connection.

[0043] When the hydraulic system pressure of the vehicle is first activated, after a malfunction or maintenance operation, the pressurized hydraulic oil enters the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) via the hydraulic pressure line (80). The maximum pressure value is set with the pressure releif valve (40). The pressurized hydraulic oil passing through the pressure relief valve (40) fills the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and the rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) upon the normal position of the solenoid controlled hydraulic direction control valve (60). In order to adjust the steering system to the minimum required pressure value, the tank, which is previously adjusted to the pressure value, returns to the system reservoir via the pressure releif valve (50) and the hydraulic tank line (90). Thus, the minimum steering pressure value required by the steering system is adjusted by the tank pressure releif valve (50).

[0044] The air pockets formed in the pressurized steering system are removed with the help of hydraulic measurement connection points (70) on the hydraulic manifold (14). If necessary, system pressure can be measured with manometers connected to the measurement and connection points.

[0045] The hydraulic steering system maintains the pressure value with counterbalance valves (130). There is a counterbalance valve (130) in the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and the rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20). A second task of the counterbalance valves (130) is to protect all hydraulic system equipment and the mechanical system of the vehicle from pressure fluctuations caused by external forces transmitted through the tires due to problems that may occur in the hydraulic lines of the vehicle or obstacles encountered by the vehicle on the road. The set value of the counterbalance valves (130) is adjusted to the pressure values determined in the previous tests and analyses required to protect the entire system.

[0046] In order for the trailer to come from behind the towing tractor in a straight position, the positions of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and the rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) must be adjusted without creating any gaps / air in the hydraulic system. In order to perform this operation, three way block type ball valves (140) located on the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) are used. Three valves are controlled with a single lever connected to the hydraulic three way block type ball valves (140). This process is also called mechanical alignment operation.

[0047] One position of the three way block type ball valves (140) is the position in which the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) hydraulic lines are connected to the rear steering cylinders (20) hydraulic lines via the steering system hydraulic manifold (30). Another position of the three way block type ball valves (140) is the position where the hydraulic lines are connected to each other in a way that transfers hydraulic oils to suitable volumes within the front steering hydraulic cylinders (10). In this position, the rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) lines are closed. In addition, the towing tractor movements are the position where the trailer cannot control its axles. In the event of a problem or malfunction in the hydraulic system of the vehicle, the operator can use the vehicle as if it were a fixed axle and the trailer can be used until the nearest service or safe point.

[0048] Depending on the physical structure of the trailer, the pressure in the hydraulic system must be reduced in accordance with the occupational safety rules in order to remove the hydraulic couplings in the extension zone or another separation zone from the pressurized hydraulic lines or without intervening in the system for maintenance or malfunction reasons. The pressures of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and the rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) are relieved by a two way solenoid controlled poppet valve (100) on the steering system hydraulic manifold (30).

[0049] There is a cartridge filter (110) at the inlets of the inlet and outlet ports in the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) in order to prevent contamination or coarse particles that may occur in the system from entering the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) and affecting the working performance of the hydraulic valves.

[0050] When the operator wants to control the turning and maneuvering movement of the trailer in a narrow and difficult area with the help of a tractor-independent control, the hydraulic oil pressurized by the hydraulic pump enters the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) via the hydraulic pressure line (80). It reaches the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) through the solenoid controlled hydraulic direction control valve (60) energized in accordance with the direction of rotation of the wheels, through the counterbalance valve (130) and three way block type ball valve (140) respectively. Since the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) is connected to the towing tractor from the king-pin area of the trailer, this part cannot move and the wheels are rotated by the rear steering hydraulic cylinders (20) in the axle area. When the other direction of the solenoid controlled hydraulic direction control valve (60) coil is energized, the wheel direction is controlled in the opposite direction.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Steering system manifold comprising a front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) used in hydraulically steered vehicles, located in the gooseneck area of the vehicle and transmitting the towing tractor movements via the king-pin, a rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) that is located in the axle area of the vehicle and provides the rotational movement of the wheels in the axle area with the hydraulic volume transmitted by the position changes of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10), steering system hydraulic manifold (30) that provides closed circuit operation of the entire hydraulic system, resetting when necessary, providing control when external steering is desired and keeping system pressures under control or performing the reset task when necessary, characterized by comprising the following;- a hydraulic tank line (90) that allows the hydraulic oil that needs to return to the tank from the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) to exit from the steering system hydraulic manifold (30),- two-way solenoid controlled poppet valve (100) located on the steering system hydraulic manifold (30), which reduces and resets the pressure of the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20),- a poppet type hydraulic check valve (120) that prevents the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) hydraulic lines from mixing with each other in the steering system hydraulic manifold (30),- counterbalance valve (130), which is located in the front steering hydraulic cylinder (10) and rear steering hydraulic cylinder (20) and prevents the hydraulic cylinder line pressures from falling and protects the hydraulic system by keeping the pressure at the set level in case of pressure increases,- three way block type ball valve (140) located on the steering system hydraulic manifold (30) that allows the vehicle's axle position to be reset relative to the towing tractor for mechanical alignment.

2. The steering system manifold according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising; a cartridge filter (110) located on the said steering system hydraulic manifold (30) and filtering dirt or coarse particles from said steering system hydraulic manifold (30).

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