Hydraulic Retarding Control System for Work Machine Speed Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional braking systems in electric work machines, especially when traveling downhill, face challenges in controlling speed effectively, leading to increased brake wear, energy wastage, and brake failure, as they rely heavily on friction-based methods and lack efficient retarding power.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic retarding system is introduced, comprising a pump, control valve, and retarding control valve with a solenoid valve and orifice, which restricts fluid flow to build pressure and provide additional resistance, managed by a machine controller to slow the work machine's speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If friction-based braking systems are used to control speed downhill, then speed control is achieved, but brake wear increases and brake failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic retarding system as an intermediary mechanism between the engine and the friction brakes. The retarding control valve regulates hydraulic pressure to create resistance through the retarding circuit, reducing the dependency on friction brakes for speed control and thereby decreasing brake wear and failure risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic system with a retarding control valve, pump, and associated circuitry to generate retarding force. The hydraulic pressure generated by the pump and regulated by the retarding control valve creates resistance through the retarding circuit, providing effective speed control without relying solely on friction-based braking
2Speed
If friction-based braking systems are used for speed control, then deceleration is achieved, but energy wastage increases due to friction heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful friction-based energy dissipation into a beneficial hydraulic retarding system. Instead of allowing energy to be wasted as heat through friction, the hydraulic system captures and controls energy through regulated fluid pressure, reducing unnecessary energy wastage while maintaining effective deceleration control
3Force
If retarding systems use components powered by the engine, then additional torque resistance is provided, but power consumption from the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic retarding control valve that adjusts hydraulic pressure based on operating conditions. The system dynamically balances the use of engine-powered pump operation with the need for torque resistance, optimizing power consumption by adjusting the retarding effect according to actual speed control requirements rather than maintaining constant resistance
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 system effectively reduces retarding power consumption from other machine systems, enhancing speed control and reducing brake wear and energy wastage by utilizing hydraulic pressure to slow the machine, especially on sloped terrain.
Implementation Method 1
an orifice restricting a flow of the pressurized fluid through the supply line
Implementation Method 2
a check valve coupled to a discharge line... configured to selectively allow a unidirectional flow of the pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid valve coupled to the machine controller
Implementation Method 4
The pump may be configured to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic control system via a supply line
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine includes an electric drive system. The work machine includes a prime mover, a machine controller, and a hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system includes a pump, a control valve and a retarding control valve. The pump is configured to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic control system via a supply line. The control valve is fluidly coupled to the pump via the supply line, and includes a pressure relief valve. The retarding control valve is fluidly connected to the pump and the control valve. The retarding control valve includes a solenoid valve, an orifice and a check valve. The solenoid valve is coupled to the machine controller, the orifice restricts a flow of the pressurized fluid through the supply line, and the check valve is coupled to a discharge line, which branches from a point along the supply line between the solenoid valve and the orifice.