Dual-Pump Hydraulic Layout for Steering and Driveline Oil Demand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic systems in work vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, face a conflict between the oil requirements of advanced steering systems and drivelines, often resulting in insufficient flow rates that cannot meet both systems' needs simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic arrangement with a first pump supplying oil to both the steering unit and driveline, augmented by a second pump activated when pressure falls below a threshold, ensuring a consistent 18.5 bar pressure is maintained by integrating a flow regulation and check valve system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pump supplies oil to both steering unit and driveline, then the system remains simple and compact, but the flow rate is insufficient to meet both systems' needs simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoil flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The single pump is designed to serve multiple functions by supplying oil to both the steering unit and driveline through a common supply line, achieving multi-functionality with a single component to maintain system simplicity while meeting the dual oil demand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the pressure parameter by activating the second pump when pressure drops below the threshold, changing the operational state from single-pump to dual-pump mode to satisfy varying flow rate requirements of different systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If a second pump is activated when pressure falls below threshold, then adequate oil flow is ensured to both systems, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil flow rateVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the pressure in the common supply line and activating the second pump based on the pressure threshold, ensuring adequate oil flow while maintaining automated control to minimize operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static single-pump configuration to a dynamic dual-pump configuration based on real-time pressure conditions, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level according to actual operational needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system ensures adequate oil flow to both steering and driveline systems under all conditions, maintaining optimal pressure without excessive complexity or cost, thus addressing the dual oil demand effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a first pump (4) configured to suck fluid, such as oil, from a tank (5), pressurize this latter to provide a flow of pressurized fluid towards the steering unit (2) and driveline (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

check valve means (12') fluidly interposed in fourth conduit (12) and configured to allow the motion of the pressurized fluid only towards the steering unit (2) valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 3

a flow regulation valve (7) can be fluidly interposed in the first conduit (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow regulation: Valve

Implementation Method 4

a second pump (14) fluidly interposed in parallel with respect to first pump (4) and configured to supply oil towards first conduit (6) if provided to driveline (3) is below a predetermined pressure threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure supplementation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4470875B1Improved hydraulic arrangement for a work vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CNH IND ITALIA SPA
  • EP4470875B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Hydraulic arrangement (1) for a work vehicle, configured to provide an operative pressurized fluid flow towards a first operative system (2) and a second operative system (3) of the work vehicle, the hydraulic arrangement (1) comprising a first pump (4) fluidly connected to first operative system (2) and to second operative system (3) via a first conduit (6), the hydraulic arrangement (1) further comprising a second pump (14) fluidly interposed in parallel to the first pump (4) to the first conduit (6), the second pump (14) being configured to supply fluid towards the first conduit (6) if the pressure of the fluid provided to the second operative system (3) is below a predetermined pressure threshold value.