Hydraulic Implement Control Circuit for Ride and Downforce Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of hydraulically actuated implement systems in machines like wheel loaders and excavators is challenging under certain conditions, leading to difficulty in controlling implements and potential damage to machines, components, and surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically actuated implement system with a combined ride control and downforce control circuit, including a switching valve and pressure reducing valve, connected between a hydraulic pump and actuator, which allows for electronic control to maintain specific pressures for ride control and downforce control modes, enabling precise engagement and positioning of implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation of hydraulically actuated implement systems is used, then the machine can be operated without electronic control systems, but the operator has difficulty controlling implements and may cause damage to machine, components, or surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electronic control system that automatically manages hydraulic actuators. The electronic controller receives signals from sensors and actuates hydraulic valves to precisely control implement position and force, eliminating the difficulty of manual operation while preventing damage through automated protection features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor implement position, hydraulic pressure, and machine state, feeding this information back to the electronic controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to make real-time adjustments to hydraulic actuator commands, ensuring precise control and preventing excessive forces that could cause damage.
2Ease of operation
If electronic control is added to improve implement control, then operator performance improves and damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling implement position, regulating hydraulic pressure, monitoring system state, and providing protection features. By integrating these functions into a single controller that manages all hydraulic actuators, the system improves operator performance without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines ride control and downforce control functions into a single electronic control system that manages all hydraulic actuators through unified logic. This integration reduces the number of separate control circuits and components needed, improving performance while limiting complexity growth.
3Force
If hydraulic pressure is increased to improve implement engagement force, then downforce control improves, but the risk of damage to surfaces and components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors monitor hydraulic pressure and implement contact force in real-time, providing feedback to the electronic controller. When the implement approaches or contacts the surface, the sensor signals trigger the controller to reduce hydraulic pressure, preventing excessive downforce that could damage surfaces or components while maintaining adequate engagement force.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is programmed with protection logic that anticipates potential damage conditions. When sensors detect approaching contact or excessive force trends, the controller preemptively reduces hydraulic pressure before damage can occur, preventing harmful effects rather than reacting after damage happens.
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 system improves operator performance, reduces operator errors and damage, and allows for precise control of implement positioning and downforce application, enhancing machine operation and surface protection.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame... maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A machine is disclosed. The machine can include a frame and ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame. A hydraulically actuated implement system can be coupled with the frame, and can include a linkage configured to couple with an implement, a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame, and a ride control and downforce control circuit configured to implement a ride control mode and a downforce control mode. The ride control mode can be configured to maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure, and the downforce control mode can be configured to maintain the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of the linkage and the implement such that the implement engages a substrate with a predetermined down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure.