Double Acting Cylinder with Additional Port for Terrain Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil working machines with double-acting cylinders lack the ability to adapt movement direction based on terrain relief, leading to potential tool crushing or inefficient operation, as they maintain double-acting functionality throughout the entire stroke without adjusting to single-acting mode when necessary.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an additional orifice connected to a passage control device that neutralizes pressure in one chamber from a given piston position, allowing the cylinder to operate as both double-acting and single-acting over different ranges of its stroke, enabling controlled movement in both directions initially and then only in one direction due to external forces, preventing tool crushing and adapting to terrain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a double-acting cylinder maintains double-acting functionality throughout the entire stroke, then controlled movement in both directions is achieved, but the tool may be crushed on the ground or unable to adapt to terrain relief

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled movement in both directionsVSAvoidability to adapt to terrain relief

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cylinder's operating mode is made dynamic, allowing it to switch between double-acting and single-acting modes based on piston position. The additional orifice and passage control device enable the system to transition from controlled bidirectional movement to uncontrolled unidirectional movement, adapting the cylinder's behavior to different operational phases and terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If a double-acting cylinder provides force in both directions, then work can be produced in outward and return directions, but the system lacks freedom of movement in one direction when external forces should dominate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce in both directionsVSAvoidfreedom of movement under external force

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cylinder's stroke is segmented into different zones with different operating characteristics. The additional orifice is positioned to affect only specific portions of the stroke, creating distinct operational phases: a double-acting zone where both directions are controlled, and a single-acting zone where movement in one direction is freed to respond to external forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If an additional orifice and passage control device are added to enable mode switching, then adaptability to terrain and prevention of tool crushing is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidnumber of orifices and control devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional orifice and passage control device serve multiple functions: they enable mode switching between double-acting and single-acting operation, prevent tool crushing by allowing uncontrolled descent, and enable adaptation to terrain relief. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution allows the soil working machine to maintain double-acting functionality for initial movement control, then switch to single-acting mode, preventing tool crushing and enabling tools to follow terrain relief, enhancing operational efficiency and safety by adapting movement based on the terrain.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid under pressure which acts alternately on one and the other face of a piston integral with the rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the arrival of the pressure is made on a single supply orifice to drive the piston in a single direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic force: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

an additional orifice (9) connected to a passage control device (10) capable of neutralizing the pressure in one of the chambers (5, 6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2733364B1Double acting cylinder with an additional port and agricultural machine having such a cylinder

Publication Date: 2020.04.08 KUHN SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The cylinder (1) has a body (2) in which a stem (3) is arranged, where the stem is secured to a piston (4) defining two pressure chambers (5, 6) inside the body. The piston is powered independent of each other by a fluid e.g. hydraulic oil, under pressure through supply openings (7, 8) and allows communication of relative longitudinal displacement between the body and the stem. An additional opening (9) is connected to a passage control device (10) to neutralize pressure in one of the chambers from a given position of the piston in the body. An independent claim is also included for a ground working machine.