Hydraulic Circuit Hose Orientation for Vehicle Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic circuits for vehicles with driving and steering wheels actuated by hydraulic motors suffer from flexible hose damage due to repeated bending and twisting, leading to high maintenance costs and safety risks, as the hoses are subjected to excessive stress and pressure.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic circuit design incorporates a static part with rigid pipes and flexible hoses that remain within a specific operating plane perpendicular to the steering axis, minimizing torsion and deformation, allowing for higher pressure operation and extended hose life, with the rigid pipes guiding the flexible hoses' path to reduce wear and enable more compact and lightweight systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible hoses are used to connect the hydraulic block to the hydraulic motors, then the hydraulic circuit can accommodate wheel movement and steering, but the hoses undergo repeated bending and twisting that progressively damage them and decrease their service life
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connection line is divided into three distinct segments: a first rigid pipe connected to the hydraulic block, a flexible hose in the intermediate portion, and a second rigid pipe connected to the hydraulic motor. This segmentation allows each component to perform its optimal function - the rigid pipes provide structural stability while the flexible hose accommodates movements without excessive stress
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose acts as an intermediary element between the two rigid pipes, absorbing the mechanical stresses from wheel steering and suspension movements. By positioning the flexible portion in the intermediate section rather than throughout the entire connection line, the system protects the hose from direct exposure to extreme torsional forces
2Reliability
If the flexible hose is oriented perpendicular to the steering axis in a horizontal operating plane, then the hose remains substantially free of torsion during steering, but the pipe arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention defines a specific spatial orientation for the flexible hose by establishing a horizontal operating plane perpendicular to the steering axis. The free end portions of the rigid pipes are positioned to define this plane, constraining the flexible hose to move within it. This dimensional constraint eliminates torsion by ensuring the hose bends only in the horizontal plane rather than twisting around its axis during steering operations
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 design significantly reduces mechanical stress on flexible hoses, increasing their service life, enhancing safety, and enabling higher pressure operation up to 420 bar, while allowing for greater steering amplitude and easier industrialization of the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic circuit capable of carrying a fluid under pressure to actuate the hydraulic motors
Implementation Method 2
the flexible hose of each main line is deflected while remaining substantially in said operating plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The vehicle (1) has two front driving and steering wheels (4) each actuated by a hydraulic motor (8) arranged in said wheel. A hydraulic circuit (10) carries a fluid under pressure to actuate the hydraulic motors (8). Said hydraulic circuit comprises a static part mounted on the vehicle frame (2) and hydraulically connected to each of said hydraulic motors (8) by means of two main lines (31, 32). Each main line comprises a first rigid pipe (35) extending from the hydraulic distribution block, a second rigid pipe (36) extending from the corresponding hydraulic motor, and a flexible hose (37) connecting the free end portions (41, 46) of the first and second rigid pipes (35, 36). The free end portions (41, 46) of the first and second rigid pipes (35, 36) of a same main line (31, 32), and therefore the flexible hose (37), are located substantially in a same horizontal operating plane (P1, P2).