Ground Milling Machine Hydraulic Tank Layout for Compact Service Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-propelled ground milling machines, such as road cold milling machines, stabilizers, and recyclers, face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining accessibility for maintenance and operation components.

Innovation Solution

The hydraulic tank is positioned vertically above the pump distributor gear, reducing the length of hydraulic hoses and allowing for a more compact layout, with additional arrangements such as tandem hydraulic pumps and air filters optimized for space efficiency, and a functional unit comprising hydraulic components can be preassembled and easily removed for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the hydraulic tank is positioned away from the pump distributor gearbox, then easier accessibility for maintenance is achieved, but the overall machine size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for maintenanceVSAvoidmachine size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic tank is positioned to overlap vertically with the pump distributor gearbox, nesting the tank's volume within the vertical space already occupied by the gearbox. This allows the tank to be housed within the same vertical envelope, reducing overall machine footprint while maintaining component accessibility through side or top access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from horizontal placement to vertical stacking of components. By arranging the hydraulic tank and pump distributor gearbox in a vertical relationship rather than horizontal, the design utilizes the vertical dimension to reduce the machine's length and width, achieving a more compact overall configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the hydraulic tank is positioned close to the pump distributor gearbox, then the length of hydraulic hoses is reduced, but accessibility for maintenance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of hydraulic hosesVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic tank is positioned to overlap vertically with the pump distributor gearbox, allowing the tank to be housed within the same vertical envelope. This close vertical proximity minimizes hydraulic hose length while maintenance accessibility is preserved through side or top access points to both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If numerous components are arranged on the machine frame, then all necessary functions are available, but the machine becomes less compact and harder to transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of operating componentsVSAvoidmachine compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic tank and pump distributor gearbox are merged into a single vertical assembly, combining two essential hydraulic components into one compact unit. This reduces the overall space required for hydraulic systems while maintaining all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic tank is positioned to overlap vertically with the pump distributor gearbox, nesting the tank within the vertical space of the gearbox assembly. This efficient use of vertical space reduces the machine's overall footprint while accommodating all necessary hydraulic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4071302B1Self-propelled ground milling machine
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 BOMAG GMBH
  • EP4071302B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4071302B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Self-propelled soil milling machine, in particular road cold milling machine, stabilizer or recycler, comprising a milling device for milling the subsoil to a milling depth, a machine frame supported by front and rear driving devices, an internal combustion engine arranged in an engine compartment, a hydraulic system with at least two hydraulic pumps, a pump distribution gearbox and a hydraulic tank, and a driver's platform, wherein the hydraulic tank is arranged at least partially in a vertical extension of the pump distribution gearbox above the pump distribution gearbox.