PTO Drive Train With Clutch Mechanisms For Load Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural tractors face inefficiencies in power take off shaft operation due to the need for high engine speeds to maintain required rotation speeds, leading to poor fuel economy and noise, and existing solutions require additional gearing that occupies space and prevents seamless mode switching under load.
Innovation Solution
A power take off drive train with three parallel gear pairs and clutch mechanisms allows for four input/output speed combinations, including economy modes, enabling switching between conventional and economy modes under load, using a sliding sleeve mechanism and clutch mechanisms to selectively engage gears for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the engine runs at high speed to maintain required PTO rotation speed, then the PTO shaft rotates at the required speed, but fuel economy deteriorates and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gear train configuration changeable during operation. Multiple gear pairs are provided with selector means that allows switching between different gear configurations while the tractor is running, enabling the system to adapt to varying load conditions and optimize fuel economy without compromising PTO speed requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter by providing multiple gear pairs with different ratios and enabling selection between them. This allows the system to operate at different engine speeds for the same PTO output speed, thereby improving fuel economy by selecting appropriate gear ratios based on load conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If additional gearing is provided to enable economy mode, then fuel economy improves, but device complexity increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The gear train is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple gear pairs that can serve different purposes. The same gear pairs are used for both conventional and economy modes, and the selector means enables a single gear train structure to provide multiple operational configurations, reducing the need for separate dedicated gearing for each mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamics by providing a changeable gear train configuration where selector means allows switching between different gear pair combinations. This dynamic reconfiguration capability enables the system to achieve multiple functions (conventional mode, economy mode at different speeds) using the same physical components, thereby reducing overall device complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If additional gearing is provided to enable economy mode, then fuel economy improves, but the area occupied in the rear axle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear train components are designed for multi-functionality, where the same gear pairs and shafts serve multiple purposes. By using existing components for both conventional and economy mode operations, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated gearing that would occupy additional space in the constrained rear axle area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the conventional and economy mode gearing into a single integrated gear train structure. Multiple gear pairs are combined on shared shafts with selector means that enables switching between configurations, thereby consolidating what could have been separate space-consuming gear trains into one compact unified structure
4Use of energy by moving object
If economy mode gearing is provided, then fuel economy improves, but the ability to switch between modes under load is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by providing a changeable gear train configuration where selector means allows switching between different gear pair combinations. This dynamic reconfiguration capability enables the system to adapt to varying load conditions and optimize fuel economy without compromising PTO speed requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The selector means acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates smooth transitions between different gear configurations. By providing this intermediate switching mechanism, the system enables mode changes under load without requiring the tractor to stop, thereby maintaining operational continuity while improving fuel economy
Data Source
AI summary
A power take off drive train for a utility vehicle, comprising first (31, 59), second (35,55) and third (23, 68) parallel gear pairs, with an input shaft (8) coupled to a gear (31) of the first gear pair. First (K1) and second (K2) connector means, suitably clutches, each operate to couple a gear (31, 59) of the first gear pair with a respective gear (35,55) of the second gear pair. A third connector (10, 11) couples a first gear (35) of the second gear pair with a first gear (23) of the third gear pair, and a selector mechanism (12) operates to couple a PTO output shaft (7) with either a second gear (55) of the second gear pair or a second gear (68) of the third gear pair.