Proportional Relief Valve for Work Implement Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work vehicles lack effective control systems to manage the movement of work implements during impacts, which can lead to damage from sudden pressure increases, such as hitting hard objects, and do not allow for user-adjustable pressure settings to mitigate such incidents.
Innovation Solution
A control system incorporating a pump, actuators, control valves, and proportional relief valves that allow fluid flow adjustment based on user-set forces to manage actuator movement and prevent damage during impacts, with mechanisms to detect and respond to unintended movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control system is added to manage actuator movement during impacts, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A proportional relief valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydraulic pump and actuator. This valve automatically senses pressure changes during impacts and modulates fluid flow accordingly, preventing damage without requiring complex electronic control systems. The relief valve acts as a mechanical mediator that translates pressure signals into appropriate flow adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The proportional relief valve is designed to automatically detect and respond to impact conditions without external intervention. The valve self-regulates fluid flow based on predetermined force thresholds, eliminating the need for external sensors, controllers, or operators to manage impact situations. This self-service capability maintains reliability while minimizing added complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user-adjustable pressure settings are implemented, then adaptability to different conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proportional relief valve incorporates an adjustable spring preload mechanism that allows users to change the predetermined force threshold by simply adjusting a single parameter (spring compression). This mechanical parameter adjustment provides adaptability to different operating conditions without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple components. The spring mechanism translates small adjustment inputs into meaningful pressure threshold changes.
3Speed
If proportional relief valve is positioned between pump and actuator, then impact response speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution utilizes hydraulic principles by positioning the proportional relief valve directly in the fluid pathway between the pump and actuator. This hydraulic configuration allows instantaneous response to pressure changes during impacts, as the valve directly modulates fluid flow without mechanical linkages or external signal transmission delays. The hydraulic circuit design achieves fast response while maintaining simplicity through direct fluid coupling.
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 effectively manages actuator movement to prevent damage by allowing fluid flow adjustments based on user-defined pressures, ensuring the work implement can be safely raised above hard objects, thereby protecting the vehicle and implement from damage.
Implementation Method 1
The proportional relief valve can permit flow of fluid from the actuator in response to an impact at a predetermined force
Data Source
AI summary
A control system controls movement of a work implement of a work vehicle and includes a pump, a first actuator in fluid communication with the pump, a first control valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the first actuator, a first proportional relief valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the first actuator, a second actuator in fluid communication with the pump, a second control valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the second actuator, and a second proportional relief valve fluidly positioned between the pump and the second actuator. The first proportional relief valve permits flow of fluid from the first actuator upon an impact at a first set force. The first set force is adjusted by a user. The second proportional relief valve permits egress of fluid from the second actuator upon an impact at a second set force. The second set force is adjusted by a user.