Power Transfer System for Electric Power Machine Implements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of electric and hybrid-electric power sources in power machines poses a challenge in providing power to attached implements, as conventional hydraulic systems are not compatible with these new power sources.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power transfer system within the power machine's implement interface, which includes options such as a motor providing a power take-off output shaft, circuitry for inductive coupling, and a hydraulic converter, allows for efficient power delivery to various types of implements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hydraulic systems are used in power machines, then hydraulic implements can be powered, but electric and hybrid-electric power sources cannot effectively power attached implements
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer system is designed to accommodate multiple power source types (electric, hybrid-electric, and potentially conventional) and multiple implement types through a universal interface. The system includes a motor that can be coupled to the power source, a power take-off shaft for mechanical power transfer, and a hydraulic converter for hydraulic power transfer, allowing the same basic architecture to serve different power source configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate components that mediate between the electric power source and the implement. The motor acts as an intermediary converting electrical energy to mechanical energy on the power take-off shaft. The hydraulic converter acts as another intermediary, converting mechanical energy from the power take-off shaft into hydraulic energy for the implement. These intermediaries enable compatibility between electric power sources and hydraulic implements without requiring direct electrical connections to the implement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors are installed in every implement to provide power, then implements can be powered independently, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power generation function from the individual implement and consolidates it in the power machine. Instead of each implement having its own electric motor, the power machine's electric power source drives a motor and power take-off shaft that delivers mechanical power to the implement. This extraction of the power generation function reduces the number of electric motors needed, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining implement power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides power to the implement by creating a replicated power delivery mechanism through the power take-off shaft and hydraulic converter, rather than installing expensive electric motors in each implement. The hydraulic converter replicates the function of an electric motor at the implement interface using simpler, less expensive components driven by the centralized power source.
3Ease of operation
If manual power coupling between machine and implement is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but power delivery efficiency and convenience decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer system is designed to automatically establish power coupling when the implement is attached to the power machine. The motor, power take-off shaft, and hydraulic converter are positioned and configured so that attachment of the implement automatically engages the power transfer path without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting and establishing the power connection through the mechanical interface between the power machine and implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transfer components (motor, power take-off shaft, hydraulic converter) are pre-positioned and pre-configured on the power machine before implement attachment. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the implement is attached, power coupling is immediately established without requiring additional manual connection steps. The system is prepared in advance to automatically transfer power upon implement engagement.
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
This solution enables the use of legacy hydraulic implements with newer electric power machines, eliminates the need for costly electric motors in some implements, and provides convenient and automatic power coupling between the machine and implement.
Implementation Method 1
a motor providing a power take-off output shaft... The motor is configured to receive power from the power source and to responsively rotate the PTO output shaft
Implementation Method 2
circuitry to provide power to the implement through inductive coupling
Implementation Method 3
a hydraulic converter having a hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic pump and configured to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the implement
Data Source
AI summary
A power machine includes a frame, an arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a power source supported on the frame, and an implement interface having an implement carrier pivotally coupled to the arm and configured to mount an implement on the power machine. The power source can be an electric power source, and the implement interface includes a power transfer system configured to provide power from the power source to the implement mounted on the implement carrier. The power transfer system of the implement interface can include a motor which rotates a power take-off output shaft in some embodiments. The power transfer system can include a hydraulic converter having a hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic pump and configured to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the implement in some embodiments.