Hydrostatic Steering Device with Independent Hydraulic Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrostatic steering systems with two units face issues of synchrony problems due to mechanical coupling play and hydraulic seal issues caused by long component lengths, leading to inaccurate vehicle handling in case of malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A hydrostatic steering system with two parallel steering units, each comprising a jacket and slide distributor, a gerotor dosing device, and a double-acting actuator, where the distributor devices form a single block connected by screws, with independent hydraulic circuits to prevent synchronization issues and reduce component length, ensuring hydraulic integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two steering units are connected via mechanical coupling to ensure redundancy, then safety and reliability are improved, but synchrony problems occur due to mechanical play leading to inaccurate handling
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is divided into two independent circuits, each with its own pump and distributor, eliminating the mechanical coupling that causes synchrony issues. Each circuit operates autonomously to actuate the same steering linkage, providing redundancy without mechanical play between units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling with hydraulic coupling. Both steering units connect to the steering linkage through hydraulic actuators rather than direct mechanical shafts, eliminating the transmission of mechanical play while maintaining synchronized operation through independent hydraulic circuits.
2Reliability
If distributor devices are made long to accommodate all hydraulic connections, then complete hydraulic circuits are achieved, but hydraulic seal issues occur due to increased component length
Solution Approach 1:
The gerotor dosing device is integrated within the distributor housing, with the rotor and stator nested inside the distributor body. This nesting eliminates the need for separate external dosing components and long connecting lines, reducing overall distributor length while maintaining complete hydraulic circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor and gerotor dosing device are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate assemblies. The dosing mechanism is built into the distributor body, combining multiple functions into one compact unit that reduces length while ensuring hydraulic integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple mechanical connections are used to connect distributor and gerotor components, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor body and gerotor housing are merged into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate mechanical connections between these parts. This reduces the number of fasteners and joints while maintaining structural stability through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated distributor-gerotor component performs multiple functions (distribution, dosing, and structural support) within a single unit, reducing the overall number of parts and connections needed while maintaining structural integrity through multi-functional design.
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 system maintains accurate vehicle handling by eliminating synchrony problems and hydraulic seal issues, allowing independent operation of each unit and reducing mechanical connections, thus enhancing safety and precision.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic means maintain the jacket and the slide in the relative position corresponding to the neutral position
Implementation Method 2
the pressurised fluid is sent to the hydraulic actuator which commands the steering
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydraulic steering system for vehicles, of a type comprising two steering units, arranged in parallel and each comprising an actuator connected to the steering, supplied by a distribution device (11, 12) of a jacket (20, 30) and slide (21, 31) type, associated to a respective orbital doser device (13, 14), dosedly supplying hydraulic fluid to a respective actuator, in which each of the steering units is provided with an oil pump, a distribution device and a doser device, and in which the slide of each distribution device is torsionally connected to the shaft of the steering wheel by rigid means and to the respective jacket by elastic means, the pistons of the two actuators being fixed on the same stem.