Hydraulic Arm Lowering Using Gravity-Assisted Tank Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic systems in work and agricultural vehicles require increased prime mover rotation speed to enhance arm movement speed, leading to increased fuel consumption, which offsets productivity gains.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a check valve to allow the expansion chamber of the hydraulic actuator to suck hydraulic fluid from a collection tank during arm lowering, while limiting prime mover rotation speed when the arm is lowered, thereby supplementing hydraulic flow without altering other operational behaviors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the rotation speed of the prime mover is increased to enhance arm movement speed, then the arm lowering speed is improved, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of gravity (which causes uncontrolled arm descent) into a beneficial force that accelerates arm lowering. By allowing the arm's weight to pull the piston down and draw hydraulic fluid from the collection tank through a check valve, the system achieves rapid arm lowering without increasing prime mover speed or fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a check valve as an intermediary component that enables hydraulic fluid to flow from the collection tank to the expansion chamber during arm lowering. This intermediary device allows the system to utilize gravity and stored hydraulic fluid to supplement the pump's flow capacity, achieving fast arm descent without overloading the prime mover
2Productivity
If the rotation speed of the prime mover is increased to speed up arm movement, then the productivity is improved, but the fuel consumption increases to compensate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful uncontrolled descent caused by gravity into a beneficial mechanism for rapid arm lowering. The arm's weight becomes a useful force that drives the piston downward and pulls hydraulic fluid from the collection tank, enabling fast arm movement without increasing prime mover load or fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the arm's own weight to drive the lowering operation. The gravitational force on the arm automatically draws hydraulic fluid from the collection tank through the check valve, eliminating the need for additional prime mover power during arm descent and thereby maintaining productivity without increased fuel consumption
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 approach ensures rapid arm descent with reduced fuel consumption, maintaining productivity levels while minimizing fuel usage.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve is provided to suck up hydraulic fluid from the collection tank
Implementation Method 2
The basic idea of the present invention is to exploit the force of gravity during the lowering of the arm
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for actuating an arm (B) of a work vehicle hinged in a first end to a frame (F) of the work vehicle so that a second end, opposite to the first, is arranged to rise or lower with respect to a surface supporting the vehicle, the arm being operated by means of a double-chamber hydraulic actuator (A1, ARM) which can be connected to a hydraulic pump (P) and/or to a recovery tank (T) of hydraulic liquid, wherein a first chamber (Lift up) of the actuator is arranged to expand causing the arm to rise and a second chamber (Lift down), opposite to the first one, is arranged to expand causing the arm to lower, the method providing for allowing the expansion of the second chamber by feeding the second chamber with a first flow of hydraulic liquid, pumped by the hydraulic pump (P), and at the same time with a second flow of hydraulic liquid sucked by the recovery tank (T) of hydraulic liquid to exploit the weight force acting on the arm, the weight force causing the second chamber to expand.