Hydraulic Steering Flow Control for Uniform Fail-Safe Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic steering devices in vehicles face challenges in ensuring functional safety and uniform steering behavior, particularly in situations where individual valves fail or are affected by pressure and temperature variations, leading to compromised operational quality and safety.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic steering device that incorporates a flow control valve arrangement with two-way flow control valves capable of producing a defined volumetric flow independently of pressure and temperature differences, allowing for fail-safe operation and improved steering precision, along with a common release shut-off valve for enhanced safety and remote control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pressure-dependent valves are used in the flow control valve arrangement, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the functional safety and uniformity of steering behavior deteriorate when pressure differences or temperatures vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using valves that maintain constant volumetric flow despite changes in pressure difference and temperature. The flow control valve arrangement is designed to compensate for variations in these parameters, ensuring that the volumetric flow remains defined and constant under different operating conditions, thereby improving functional safety without requiring overly complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If pressure-independent constant volumetric flow valves are used, then steering uniformity and operational quality are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing outlay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing flow control valve arrangements with specific pressure-independent characteristics at critical locations in the hydraulic steering system. Rather than making the entire system complex, the solution focuses on ensuring that the valves at key positions maintain constant volumetric flow regardless of pressure or temperature variations, thereby achieving uniform steering behavior with minimal additional complexity.
3Reliability
If individual valves are not fail-safe, then the device complexity is reduced, but the repercussions of valve failures compromise steering safety and operational quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the flow control valve arrangement with fail-safe characteristics from the outset. The valves are configured to maintain defined volumetric flow even when pressure differences or temperatures vary, and the system is designed to compensate for potential valve failures. This preventive approach ensures steering safety without requiring complex post-failure correction mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 enhances the functional quality and operability of the steering device by maintaining uniform steering behavior and safety, even under failure conditions, and allows for precise and comfortable operation, including automated and remote control, with increased safety features.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one valve is configured to produce a defined or definable volumetric flow independently of a pressure difference which prevails at the valve
Implementation Method 2
the at least one valve is furthermore configured to produce a defined or definable volumetric flow independently of a temperature of the valve and/or a temperature of a fluid flowing through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic steering device hydraulically connects a steering cylinder to a supply system, wherein the supply system can be operatively connected hydraulically to the steering cylinder via a steering valve in order to configure a main flow connection, and the supply system can be operatively connected hydraulically to the steering cylinder via a flow control valve arrangement in order to configure an auxiliary flow connection which bypasses the main flow direction.