HST Support Plate Structure for Stable Removal and Maintenance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing HST systems lack stability in component support, making it difficult to attach and detach them from transmission cases without disassembling the work vehicle, leading to instability and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

The HST system includes a pump shaft, motor shaft, swash plate holders, and a center section with oil paths, supported by main and sub-plates that provide stable attachment and detachment by preventing movement of the swash plate holders, allowing for integration with the transmission case without disassembly, using hydraulic servo mechanisms for swash plate control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all components of the HST are supported by a cover that closes the opening, then the HST can be removed by removing the cover from the casing, but support stability is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of HST removalVSAvoidSupport stability of HST components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple independent support portions (first support portion, second support portion, third support portion) distributed across the main body and cover, rather than relying on a single cover-based support system. This segmentation provides both ease of removal and enhanced stability through distributed support points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the HST assembly are provided with specialized local support features: the main body has first and second support portions for the pump and motor assemblies, while the cover has a third support portion for the center section. This localized support approach ensures each component is properly stabilized in its specific position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of repair

If the HST is designed for easy attachment and detachment without disassembly, then maintenance is simplified, but component support stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of HST maintenanceVSAvoidStability of swash plate holder support
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support portions are pre-configured in the main body and cover during manufacturing, with engagement features (protrusions and recesses) that automatically align and stabilize components when the HST is assembled. This preliminary arrangement ensures stability is built-in from the start, eliminating the need for complex stabilization measures during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The center section is nested within the support structure formed by the main body and cover, with the third support portion on the cover providing internal support for the center section. This nested arrangement allows the HST to be compact and easy to handle while maintaining stable component support during attachment and detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3985282B1HST and transmission device
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG
  • EP3985282B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985282B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985282B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An HST (100A-100C) of the present invention includes a main plate (160A-160C) and a sub-plate (170A-170C) supporting a center section (150A-150C), a pump-side swash plate holder (125A-125C) and a motor-side swash plate holder (145A-145C) by their inner surfaces facing each other. The main plate (160A-160C) is provided with an extended region (162) that extends farther outward in a planar direction of the main plate (160A-160C) than an installation space of the center section (150A-150C), the pump-side swash plate holder (125A-125C) and the motor-side swash plate holder (145A-145C) and than the sub-plate (170A-170C) as viewed along a direction in which the main plate (160A-160C) and the sub-plate (170A-170C) face each other.