Agricultural Vehicle Hydraulic Steering Priority Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural vehicle steering devices struggle to effectively handle changes in working conditions, particularly when unexpected obstacles arise during automatic steering, leading to simultaneous manual and automatic steering interference and degraded ability to adapt.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic steering device for agricultural vehicles that includes a steering pump, an automatic steering unit, a manual steering unit, and an automatic blocking unit, allowing manual steering to take precedence over automatic steering by selectively blocking the supply of working fluid to the steering cylinder when manual steering is performed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic steering is implemented to maintain predetermined traveling path, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to changes in working conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic steering efficiencyVSAvoidresponse to unexpected obstacles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The steering system dynamically switches between automatic and manual modes based on real-time working conditions. The automatic blocking unit dynamically adjusts the hydraulic circuit configuration to prioritize manual steering when obstacles are detected, allowing the system to adapt its control mode without disrupting productivity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic blocking unit acts as an intermediary component between the automatic steering unit and the steering cylinder. It mediates the conflict between automatic steering commands and manual steering inputs by selectively blocking hydraulic fluid flow to the steering cylinder when manual intervention is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining automated efficiency and responding to unexpected conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual steering and automatic steering operate simultaneously, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to conflicting control actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering control flexibilityVSAvoidsteering control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic blocking unit serves as a hydraulic mediator that receives signals from both the automatic steering unit and the manual steering unit. It processes these signals and selectively blocks the steering cylinder from receiving hydraulic pressure when manual steering is detected, preventing conflicting control actions and ensuring reliable steering control while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic blocking unit extracts and isolates the manual steering signal from the automatic steering system. When manual steering is detected, it extracts the hydraulic flow path from the automatic steering unit, preventing it from acting on the steering cylinder. This separation ensures that only the active steering mode (manual in this case) controls the vehicle direction, eliminating reliability issues caused by simultaneous conflicting controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the ability to handle changes in working conditions by ensuring manual steering takes priority, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and improving operational control.

Implementation Method 1

a steering pump (11) that supplies a working fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

an automatic blocking unit connected to the automatic steering unit and configured to, according to whether the manual steering is performed, selectively block a working fluid for the automatic steering from being supplied to a steering cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure differential: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4005360B1Hydraulic steering device of agricultural work vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LS MTRON LTD
  • EP4005360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4005360B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4005360B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hydraulic steering device of an agricultural work vehicle, the hydraulic steering device comprising: a steering pump for supplying a working fluid; an automatic steering unit which is connected to the steering pump and uses the working fluid supplied from the steering pump to change the traveling direction of the agricultural work vehicle when automatic steering is performed by a control unit; a manual steering unit which is connected to the steering pump and uses the working fluid supplied from the steering pump to change the traveling direction of the agricultural work vehicle when manual steering is performed by operating a steering handle; and an automatic cut-off unit which is connected to the automatic steering unit and is for selectively cutting off the supply of the working fluid for the automatic steering to a steering cylinder of the agricultural work vehicle according to whether the manual steering is performed, wherein the automatic cut-off unit allows the working fluid for the automatic steering to be supplied to the steering cylinder, but uses a portion of the working fluid supplied from the steering pump to the manual steering unit to cut off the supply of the working fluid for the automatic steering to the steering cylinder when the manual steering is being performed.