Hydropneumatic Weight Relief for Front Loaders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front mounting attachments for carrier vehicles, such as front mowers, face challenges with weight relief systems that are either unsatisfactory due to dependence on spring elongation or require complex and costly structural modifications, and lack efficient control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A simplified hydropneumatic relief system utilizing a differential piston/cylinder unit and hydropneumatic pressure accumulator integrated within the three-point linkage, with a flexible traction force transmission member, allowing for adjustable weight relief without complex control mechanisms and reduced structural effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical spring device is used for weight relief, then the attachment can be lifted off the ground, but the relief force cannot be varied and the remaining weight force depends on spring elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a hydropneumatic energy accumulator with a piston/cylinder unit to replace the mechanical spring device. The piston rod side is pressurized by the hydropneumatic pressure accumulator, providing a controllable and adjustable relief force that is independent of elongation changes. This allows the relief force to be varied from the driver's cab while maintaining constant characteristics, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a hydropneumatic relief system with superstructure is used, then the attachment can be lifted off the ground without moving the three-point linkage, but the overall weight and construction effort increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydropneumatic relief system with the existing three-point linkage installation space. The energy accumulator is positioned above the lower link within the available space, and the piston/cylinder unit is integrated into the linkage structure. This eliminates the need for a separate superstructure while maintaining the ability to lift the attachment independently, thus reducing device complexity while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydropneumatic energy accumulator and piston/cylinder unit are nested within the installation space of the three-point linkage. The system components are arranged compactly above the lower link, utilizing the existing structural envelope. This nesting approach allows the relief system to be housed within the carrier vehicle's existing structure without adding external superstructure, reducing overall complexity.
3Reliability
If a hydropneumatic relief system with fixed attachment points is used, then the relief force is stable, but the attachment and detachment become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible traction force transmission member (link chain) that allows dynamic adjustment of the piston rod side attachment point. The link chain can be easily connected and disconnected, enabling quick attachment and detachment of the energy accumulator. Meanwhile, the hydropneumatic pressure accumulator maintains stable relief force characteristics through its prestressed design, resolving the contradiction between reliability and 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
Enables efficient weight relief with constant spring characteristics, easy attachment and detachment, and adjustable preload pressure from the driver's cab, reducing the overall weight and construction effort while maintaining effective ground tracking and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one hydropneumatic energy accumulator (2) with a piston rod-side pressurizable piston/cylinder unit (3) with a prestressed hydropneumatic pressure accumulator (4)
Implementation Method 2
hydropneumatic pressure accumulator (4) which can be prepressurized with nitrogen or another inert gas
Implementation Method 3
piston/cylinder unit (3) which can be pressurized on the pressure chamber on the piston rod side by the clamped pressure of the hydropneumatic pressure accumulator (4)
Implementation Method 4
transfers part of the weight of the attachment (14) to the carrier vehicle (17)
Implementation Method 5
a flexible traction force transmission member (5) being integrated into the traction force transmission to the carrier vehicle (17)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
AI summary
The attachment device or accessory device (14) comprises a hydropneumatic discharge system (1) which is provided as a hydropneumatic force accumulator for reducing the portion of the weight force. The discharge system comprises a piston or cylinder unit and a hydropneumatic accumulator which is arranged in the space of the three point lifting unit (30) above a lower link (21).