Tractor Hydraulic Pump Control for Flow Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic control systems for tractors do not adequately address unmet hydraulic flow needs by failing to recognize and adjust for the available pump displacement, leading to insufficient hydraulic fluid flow when tractor implements require additional power, especially at maximum displacement conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a sensor to detect the angle of a swashplate in a hydraulic pump and a processor to determine when the pump is approaching maximum displacement, triggering a transmission downshift and increasing engine speed to meet hydraulic demands, thereby ensuring sufficient hydraulic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the transmission operates in SUTB condition with higher gear ratio and lower engine speed, then fuel economy improves and fluid economy improves, but hydraulic flow capacity becomes insufficient when implements tax the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the swashplate angle sensor to detect when the hydraulic pump is approaching maximum displacement, and automatically triggers transmission downshift in response, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that resolves the contradiction between fluid economy and hydraulic flow capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission gear ratio based on real-time hydraulic demand conditions, transitioning from static SUTB operation to adaptive gear selection that optimizes both fuel economy and hydraulic flow capacity as conditions change
2Quantity of substance
If the transmission downshifts to increase engine speed and hydraulic flow, then hydraulic flow capacity increases, but fuel economy decreases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system triggers downshift before the pump reaches absolute maximum displacement, performing the gear change in advance to prevent hydraulic flow deficiency while minimizing unnecessary engine speed increases that would waste fuel and create noise
3Quantity of substance
If the pump operates at maximum displacement, then hydraulic flow capacity is maximized, but the system cannot respond to sudden increases in hydraulic demand
Solution Approach 1:
The control system anticipates potential hydraulic flow deficiencies by monitoring swashplate angle and triggers transmission downshift in advance, ensuring hydraulic flow capacity is increased before actual demand arises, thus maintaining both maximum capacity and rapid response capability
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 effectively increases available pump displacement capacity, ensuring hydraulic needs are met during peak demand conditions while maintaining efficient operation by downshifting the transmission and increasing engine speed, even if it temporarily decreases fluid economy and increases noise.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor and a controller coupled to the transmission. The controller is configured to downshift the transmission based on a signal from the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A tractor includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, at least one of a tractor implement, attachment, or control moved by the hydraulic pump, a sensor, and a controller coupled to the transmission. The controller is configured to downshift the transmission based on a signal from the sensor.