Load Sense Hydraulic Pump Alignment for Tree Harvesters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Forestry equipment, particularly tracked harvesters, face challenges in efficiently managing hydraulic pumps to meet varying load pressure requirements across different hydraulic units and the harvesting head, leading to potential engine stall and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control system with a first pump that senses and meets the highest load pressure requirements of multiple hydraulic units and a second pump specifically controlling the harvesting head, along with a load sense system and valve assemblies to optimize hydraulic fluid distribution, ensuring sufficient pressure is maintained across all units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single hydraulic pump is used to power all hydraulic units, then the system structure is simple, but the pump cannot meet varying load pressure requirements of different hydraulic units, leading to engine stall and inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump system is segmented into multiple independent pumps (first hydraulic pump, second hydraulic pump, third hydraulic pump), each dedicated to serving specific hydraulic units. This segmentation allows each pump to independently meet the load pressure requirements of its assigned units, preventing engine stall and improving operational reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple hydraulic pumps are used to meet varying load pressure requirements, then engine stall is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pumps are designed with multi-functionality to reduce system complexity. The first hydraulic pump can serve multiple hydraulic units (hydraulic motor, hydraulic cylinder, another hydraulic cylinder), the second hydraulic pump serves both the harvesting head and hydraulic units, and the third hydraulic pump can power both the harvesting head and hydraulic units. This universal design allows fewer pumps to meet varying load requirements while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic pumps operate at fixed pressure, then the system is simple to control, but the pumps cannot dynamically adjust to meet the highest load pressure requirements, leading to inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump system implements dynamic pressure adjustment through load sense control. Each pump dynamically adjusts its output pressure based on the real-time load requirements of the hydraulic units it serves. The load sense system continuously monitors pressure demands and adjusts pump output accordingly, ensuring efficient operation while maintaining ease of control through automated pressure regulation.
4Productivity
If the hydraulic system continuously provides maximum pressure to all units, then all hydraulic units can operate at full capability, but energy consumption increases and engine stall risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system implements local quality by providing different pressure levels to different hydraulic units based on their specific load requirements. Each pump serves specific units and adjusts pressure locally according to actual demand rather than uniformly maximizing pressure system-wide. This localized pressure optimization ensures all units can operate at their required performance levels while minimizing overall energy consumption and preventing engine stall.
Data Source
AI summary
A tree harvester is disclosed that includes first and second hydraulic pumps for powering a harvesting head of the tree harvester.