Hydraulic Wheel Synchronization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical track-rod systems for synchronizing pivotable wheels in vehicles face challenges such as interference with independent wheel suspensions and limited design freedom due to space occupancy.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system comprising two cylinders connected by hydraulic lines to synchronize the motion of pivotable wheels, with a control unit and centering devices to maintain synchronization and compensate for deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical track-rod is used to synchronize pivotable wheels, then wheel synchronization is achieved, but space is occupied and design freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical track-rod system with a hydraulic synchronization system. Hydraulic lines connect the cylinders on opposite sides of the vehicle, using hydraulic fluid pressure to synchronize wheel movement. This substitution eliminates the need for rigid mechanical linkages, reducing space occupancy and increasing design freedom while maintaining reliable wheel synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles to achieve wheel synchronization. Cylinders connected by hydraulic lines use incompressible hydraulic fluid to transmit force and motion between opposite sides of the vehicle. This hydraulic approach provides smooth, controlled synchronization without the space and rigidity constraints of mechanical track-rods.
2Reliability
If a mechanical track-rod is used to synchronize wheels, then wheel movement is coordinated, but interference with independent wheel suspensions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the rigid mechanical track-rod with a hydraulic system, the invention allows each wheel to maintain its independent suspension movement while still achieving coordinated steering. The hydraulic lines transmit synchronization forces without imposing rigid mechanical constraints that would interfere with independent suspension operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system changes the physical state of force transmission from rigid mechanical connection to fluid pressure transmission. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate the dynamic movements of independent suspensions while maintaining wheel coordination, as hydraulic fluid can accommodate volume changes and pressure variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a mechanical track-rod is used for wheel synchronization, then steering stability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the overall device complexity by replacing complex mechanical linkages with a more compact hydraulic system. The hydraulic lines and control valves occupy less space and require fewer mechanical joints and connection points compared to a mechanical track-rod system, while achieving the same steering stability.
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 hydraulic system effectively synchronizes pivotable wheels without the space constraints of mechanical track-rods, providing more design freedom and stability while allowing for active control of wheel movement.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic line between the first chamber of the first cylinder and the first chamber of the second cylinder to synchronize motion of the rod of the first cylinder with motion of the rod of the second cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydraulic system for a vehicle comprising: - a first and second cylinder, each having a cylinder housing, a rod moveably arranged inside the cylinder housing, and a piston mounted to the rod inside the cylinder housing and separating a first chamber in the cylinder housing from a second chamber, wherein the first and second cylinder are connectable to a first or second wheel such that pivoting of the first or second wheel corresponds to translating of the respective rod relative to the housing, - a first and second centering device operable to urge the rod of the first and second cylinder, respectively, to a center position, - a hydraulic track-rod between the first and second cylinder, and - a control unit comprising a reset mode to operate the hydraulic track-rod while the first and second centering devices are operated to urge the rod of the first cylinder and the rod of the second cylinder, respectively, to their respective center positions to reset the synchronization between the motion of the rod of the first cylinder and the motion of the rod of the second cylinder.