Hydraulic Virtual Gears for Configurable Work Vehicle Speed Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems in work vehicles lack the ability to provide adjustable and additional speed ranges without mechanical modifications, limiting operational flexibility and control options.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control system that incorporates configurable virtual gears, allowing operators to select and adjust the number of speed ranges using a controller and existing hydraulic components, enhancing control through software-defined gear ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of speed ranges is increased to provide finer control, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical gear systems with a hydraulic control system that uses a pump and motor with variable displacement. The controller adjusts the speed range by controlling hydraulic fluid flow to the motor, eliminating the need for mechanical gears while providing multiple speed ranges through electronic control of pump and motor displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pump displacement and motor displacement) to achieve different speed ranges. By varying these parameters electronically, the system can provide multiple speed ranges without mechanical modifications, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional speed ranges are added through mechanical modifications, then control options are improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump and motor are designed as multi-functional components that can operate across multiple speed ranges by adjusting their displacement. This universal design eliminates the need for different mechanical configurations for different speed ranges, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining control options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical gear trains with a hydraulically controlled variable displacement system. This substitution allows speed range changes through electronic control rather than mechanical reconfiguration, significantly improving ease of manufacture while providing the same or greater control options.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual gears are configured through software, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors actual pump and motor displacement and adjusts control signals to achieve desired speed ranges. This feedback ensures precise speed control while maintaining the adaptability of virtual gear configuration through software.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses precise electronic control of hydraulic parameters (flow rate, pressure, displacement) to achieve accurate speed ranges. By controlling these parameters with high precision through the controller, the system maintains measurement precision while providing software-configurable adaptability.
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
Enables operators to achieve finer control over vehicle speed ranges without altering the minimum and maximum speeds, providing smoother transitions and increased operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump that pressurizes a hydraulic fluid to generate a pressurized hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
the pressurized hydraulic fluid may be used to actuate a hydraulic motor that generates rotational power to drive one or more wheels
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydraulic system (16) for a work vehicle (10) includes a hydraulic motor (60, 62) configured to generate rotational power for one or more wheels on the work vehicle (10). The hydraulic system (16) also includes a hydraulic pump (54, 56) coupled to the hydraulic motor (60, 62), wherein the hydraulic pump (54, 56) is configured to pump hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor (60, 62). The hydraulic control system (24) includes a processor (76) that is configured to receive an input indicative of a selection of a number of speed ranges that span between a minimum speed and a maximum speed for the work vehicle (10) and to provide a motor command to set a motor volume of the hydraulic motor (60, 62) and a pump command to set a limit for a pump volume of the hydraulic pump (54, 56) to enable the number of speed ranges for the work vehicle (10).