Hydraulic Steering Arrangement with Pressure Increasing Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic steering arrangements face challenges in delivering sufficient hydraulic fluid to steering motors, particularly in large articulated vehicles, where the required steering velocity is difficult to achieve due to insufficient fluid supply.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating pressure increasing means in the main flow path upstream of the connecting point, which increases the pressure drop between the supply port and the connecting point, driving more hydraulic fluid through both the main and amplification flow paths, thereby supplying a larger amount to the working port arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the steering motor has a big displacement to deliver more hydraulic fluid, then the steering motor can supply sufficient fluid to large articulated vehicles, but it becomes difficult to achieve the desired steering velocity due to insufficient fluid supply
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is divided into two separate flow paths: a main flow path and an amplification flow path. The main flow path handles the primary hydraulic fluid supply, while the amplification flow path provides additional fluid delivery. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitation of a single steering motor by distributing fluid through multiple pathways, thereby achieving both sufficient quantity and high velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow meter is introduced as an intermediary device in the main flow path that senses the hydraulic fluid flow and generates a control signal. This flow meter acts as a mediator between the hydraulic system and the electronic control system, enabling precise regulation of fluid distribution between the main and amplification paths to optimize both quantity and speed.
2Quantity of substance
If pressure increasing means are arranged in the main flow path upstream the connecting point, then the pressure drop increases driving more hydraulic fluid through both paths, but this may increase energy consumption and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure drop across the flow resistance by changing the opening degree of the amplification orifice. When high fluid flow is needed, the amplification orifice opens wider, allowing more fluid through the amplification path and reducing the pressure burden on the pump. This parameter adjustment enables the system to achieve high flow rates without continuously operating at maximum pressure, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplification orifice is designed as a variable orifice whose opening degree changes dynamically based on steering demands. The flow meter continuously monitors hydraulic fluid flow and adjusts the amplification path accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize energy consumption by only increasing pressure drop and activating the amplification path when necessary, rather than maintaining high pressure continuously.
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 solution ensures a greater flow of hydraulic fluid to the working port arrangement, effectively addressing the challenge of achieving desired steering velocity by enhancing fluid supply to the steering motor, especially in larger vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure drop between a supply port and the connecting point is increased. This pressure drop drives the hydraulic fluid through the main flow path
Implementation Method 2
This hydraulic fluid drives the flow meter which in turn restores the initial relative positions of the two elements
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic steering arrangement (2) is described having a main flow path (8) with a flow meter (9) and an amplification flow path (10) opening into the main flow path (8) at a connecting point (11) located between the flow meter (9) and a working port arrangement (L, R). Such a steering arrangement should have in a simple way a large flow of the hydraulic fluid to the working port arrangement. To this end pressure increasing means (17) are arranged in the main flow path (8) upstream the connecting point (11).