Harvesting Machine Load-Sensing Pressure Boost for Faster Hydraulics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machines with hydraulic drives experience variable response behavior due to differing hydraulic systems in tractors, leading to slow operation of hydraulic actuators, resulting in performance losses and inefficient loading processes.

Innovation Solution

A pressure boosting device is introduced to manipulate the load-sensing line pressure, allowing for adjustable pressure increases to compensate for low control pressure differences, enabling faster actuation of hydraulic actuators and varying working speeds based on demand through a speed control device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the control pressure difference Δp is set very small or too low in the tractor hydraulic system, then energy consumption is reduced, but the volume flow delivered to the attachment decreases, resulting in slow actuation of hydraulic drives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidactuation speed of hydraulic drives
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A pressure boosting device is introduced as an intermediary component in the load-sensing line to increase control pressure. This device receives low-pressure control signal from the tractor's hydraulic system and amplifies it to generate higher control pressure, enabling fast actuation of hydraulic drives without requiring high energy consumption from the main hydraulic pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure boosting device dynamically changes the control pressure parameter in the load-sensing line. By adjusting the pressure multiplication ratio or activation threshold of the pressure boosting device, the system can vary the control pressure to optimize between energy consumption and actuation speed according to operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the pressure in the load-sensing line is increased to improve actuation speed, then the response behavior of the hydraulic system improves, but the complexity of the hydraulic system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speed of hydraulic systemVSAvoidcomplexity of hydraulic system
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure boosting device is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a pressure amplifier for fast actuation, a control pressure regulator for optimizing system performance, and a bypass element for maintaining system compatibility with existing tractor hydraulic systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure boosting device is designed to activate automatically based on the pressure differential across it or control signals from the attachment's hydraulic system. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control systems, sensors, or actuators to manage the pressure boosting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the pressure boosting device is always activated to ensure rapid actuation, then actuation speed is maintained, but the ability to shut down pump output when consumers are switched off is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation speedVSAvoidenergy waste from continuous pump operation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure boosting device incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that adjust its activation state based on real-time operational conditions. When hydraulic consumers are active and require fast response, the pressure boosting device is activated. When consumers are shut off, the device deactivates automatically, allowing the pump to reduce or shut down output, thus preventing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the operational state of hydraulic consumers (active or shut off) is detected and fed back to the pressure boosting device control. This feedback enables the pressure boosting device to adjust its activation accordingly, ensuring rapid actuation when needed while preventing energy waste when consumers are inactive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution ensures consistent and rapid actuation of hydraulic actuators, enhancing performance by increasing hydraulic power and allowing for appropriate speed adjustments, thereby preventing performance losses and ensuring efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure prevailing in the pressure lines to a hydraulic actuator--usually the highest pressure prevailing in the pressure lines in the case of several hydraulic actuators--is given to a pressure balance as load or control pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

Agricultural machines with hydraulic drives or hydraulic actuators are often operated with or connected to hydraulic control systems, which adjust the pressure and volumetric flow to the current requirements of the consumers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3771322B1Agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 ALOIS POETTINGER MASCHFAB
  • EP3771322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3771322B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an agricultural machine, in particular a harvesting machine such as a forage wagon, with at least one hydraulic actuator (9, 13) which can be pressurized by a hydraulic circuit (14) which has a load-sensing line LS, and a control device (18) for controlling the volume flow and/or pressure to/in the hydraulic circuit (14) as a function of a pressure in the load-sensing line LS, wherein a pressure amplification device (17) is provided for amplifying the pressure in the load-sensing line LS.