Auxiliary Pump Integration in Work Vehicle Dropboxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles often require increased hydraulic power beyond the capabilities of their existing main pumps, particularly for add-on components like planters or seeders, while minimizing modifications to existing transmission components.
Innovation Solution
A dropbox assembly is introduced, which includes an auxiliary pump mounted to the dropbox housing, utilizing the existing rotational power transmission structure to provide additional hydraulic power, and is designed to be easily integrated with minimal modifications to existing transmission components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single main pump is used to generate hydraulic power, then the transmission system remains simple, but the hydraulic flow is insufficient (40-45 gpm) for add-on components
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into a main pump (40-45 gpm) and an auxiliary pump (20-30 gpm), allowing the main pump to continue serving the transmission system while the auxiliary pump specifically serves add-on components. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by increasing total hydraulic flow without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary pump is designed with multi-functionality, serving both add-on components and potentially supplementing the main pump for high-demand operations. This universal design allows the system to handle varying hydraulic demands without requiring multiple specialized pumps, thereby increasing flow capacity while controlling complexity.
2Power
If hydraulic power is increased beyond main pump capabilities, then add-on components can be powered, but modifications to existing transmission components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary pump is introduced as an intermediary component that interfaces with the existing transmission system through standardized mounting locations and drive mechanisms. This intermediary approach allows hydraulic power to be increased without requiring modifications to the core transmission components, as the auxiliary pump connects to external surfaces and existing rotational elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary pump is designed to be self-contained with its own drive mechanism, housing, and mounting features, allowing it to be integrated into the transmission system without requiring modifications to existing components. The pump utilizes external surfaces of the transmission housing for mounting and can be driven by existing rotational elements, enabling easy installation and removal.
Data Source
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AI summary
Transmissions and dropbox assemblies for transmissions of work vehicles are provided. A dropbox assembly includes a dropbox housing defining an interior, and a gear assembly disposed within the interior of the dropbox housing. The gear assembly includes an input gear and an output gear. The dropbox assembly further includes an output shaft coupled to and rotatable with the output gear, and a pump mounted to the dropbox housing. The pump includes a pump housing disposed exteriorto the dropbox housing and a pump shaft, the pump shaft coupled to and rotatable with the output shaft.