Hydraulic Drive Coupling with Conical Friction Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive devices for self-propelled machines require multiple hydraulic motors and complex components like multi-plate clutches and planetary gears, leading to high installation space and production costs, as well as inefficiencies in torque transmission and speed range coverage.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor coupled via a coupling device featuring a synchronizing body with a conical friction surface and a gear wheel, allowing for torque addition and decoupling without the need for multi-plate clutches or planetary gears, using a shift cylinder for state switching and a single pump for both motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional drive devices use multiple hydraulic motors with multi-plate clutches and planetary gears to cover the entire speed range, then the speed range coverage is improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multi-plate clutch and planetary gear components from the conventional drive system. Instead of using these complex mechanisms for switching between hydraulic motors, the invention uses a simple coupling device with friction surfaces that can be engaged or disengaged independently, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining the ability to cover the full speed range through independent motor control
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system is segmented into independently controllable hydraulic motors, each capable of operating within specific speed ranges. The coupling device allows selective engagement of the second hydraulic motor without requiring complex mechanical switching mechanisms. This segmentation enables each motor to be optimized for specific operating conditions while simplifying the overall system architecture
2Ease of operation
If multi-plate clutches are used to engage and disengage hydraulic motors, then switching between switching states is enabled, but friction loss and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling device with friction surfaces as an intermediary mechanism between the hydraulic motors and the drive train. This coupling device uses controlled friction engagement rather than multi-plate clutches, reducing friction loss while enabling smooth switching between operating states. The friction surfaces provide gradual engagement that minimizes energy loss during transitions
3Reliability
If the second hydraulic motor is decoupled at higher speeds to avoid exceeding speed limits, then motor protection is achieved, but torque addition capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the engagement state of the second hydraulic motor based on operating conditions. The coupling device enables or disables torque addition from the second motor according to speed requirements, allowing the system to optimize performance across the entire speed range while protecting the motor from excessive speeds. This dynamic control maintains power availability when needed while ensuring motor reliability
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 solution enables a compact, cost-effective drive device that can maintain tractive force across the entire speed range without interrupting torque, reducing friction loss and production costs while ensuring reliable operation and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional connection between the friction surface of the synchronization body and the friction surface of the gear wheel can be produced, with any speed difference between the synchronizing body and the gear wheel being reduced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The drive device (10) has a primary hydraulic motor (12a), secondary hydraulic motor (12b), output shaft (16) and a coupling device (18). A coupling device (18) connects secondary hydraulic motor with output shaft during connection switching state. The coupling device decouples secondary hydraulic motor from output shaft during disconnection switching state. The coupling device has a synchronization element (20) comprising conical friction surface (22) that is movable relative to friction surface (26) of coupled gear (24) during connection switching state. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) working machine; and (2) method for operating drive device.