Hybrid Electro-Hydraulic Work Vehicle for Engine-Off Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work vehicles, such as tractors, waste fuel and produce noise and pollution due to the internal combustion engine being kept on for long periods to power hydraulic systems, despite low power demand.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid electro-hydraulic system with an electric accumulator and electro-hydraulic pumping means that uses stored energy to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to actuators, allowing the engine to be turned off during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the internal combustion engine is kept on to power the hydraulic pump, then pressurized hydraulic fluid can be continuously supplied to actuators, but fuel consumption increases and noise pollution is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidhydraulic fluid supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-pressurizes the hydraulic fluid in the accumulator before the engine needs to be running. The accumulator is charged during engine operation, storing pressurized fluid that can be used later when the engine is off, enabling implement operations without continuous engine running

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic accumulator acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic pump and the actuators. It stores pressurized hydraulic fluid and releases it when needed, decoupling the need for continuous engine operation from the need for hydraulic actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the internal combustion engine is kept on for long periods, then hydraulic actuators can be operated at any time, but noise and environmental pollution increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and pollutionVSAvoidhydraulic actuator availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares pressurized hydraulic fluid in advance by charging the accumulator during periods when engine operation is acceptable. This pre-prepared pressurized fluid enables subsequent hydraulic operations to proceed without engine running, reducing noise and pollution during actual work operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system operates the engine periodically to charge the accumulator rather than continuously. The engine runs during acceptable periods to build up pressurized fluid storage, then operates intermittently or not at all during periods when noise and pollution need to be minimized

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the internal combustion engine is kept on to provide power to the hydraulic system, then hydraulic pump can operate, but the engine operates at low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine efficiencyVSAvoidhydraulic power availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary work of pressurizing hydraulic fluid when the engine is running at efficient operating conditions. The accumulator stores this pressurized fluid, allowing subsequent hydraulic operations to occur without engine operation, thus avoiding low-efficiency idle operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the direct mechanical coupling between engine and hydraulic pump with a stored energy system. Instead of the engine continuously driving the pump, the accumulator stores pressurized fluid that can be released to power actuators independently of engine operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Reduces fuel consumption and noise pollution by operating hydraulic actuators without the engine, especially during implement attachment and lifting, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

electro-hydraulic pumping means (32) configured to provide the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic circuit (16)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motors and/or hydraulic actuators of the same implement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4628658A1Improved work vehicle, control method thereof, and work vehicle and implement combination

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 CNH IND ITALIA SPA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A work vehicle (3) comprising an internal combustion engine (9), a hydraulic actuator (11); and a hydraulic arrangement (10) configured to provide a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator (11); the hydraulic arrangement (10) comprising: a hydraulic pump (14) carried by said internal combustion engine (9), a hydraulic circuit (16) adapted to fluidly connect the outlet of the hydraulic pump (14) with the hydraulic actuator (11); and electro-hydraulic portion (20), fluidly connected to the hydraulic circuit (16) and arranged in parallel to the hydraulic pump (14) and comprising: an electric machine (22) carried by the internal combustion engine (9); accumulator means (26) electrically connected to the electric machine (22) and configured to store the electric energy provided by said first electric machine (22); and electro-hydraulic pumping means (24), which are electrically connected to the electric machine (22) and to the accumulator means (26) and are fluidly connected to the first hydraulic circuit (16).