Cross-Connected Roller Hydraulics for Soil Tillage Slippage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil tillage machines face issues with slippage in drive roller segments, leading to inefficiencies and energy loss in hydraulic systems, particularly in electro-hydraulic setups.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic drive system with cross-connected drive hydraulic motors and pumps, ensuring efficient energy use by preventing excessive fluid outflow during slippage without the need for flow dividers, and utilizing fixed displacement pumps and motors for consistent operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flow dividers are used to block or throttle fluid supply to slipping drive roller segments, then torque transmission is maintained via non-slipping segments, but device complexity increases and energy losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidhydraulic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of blocking fluid supply to slipping segments (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by cross-connecting the outflow sides of hydraulic motors. This allows fluid to bypass slipping motors through alternative pathways, maintaining system pressure and torque transmission without requiring flow dividers or complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-connected hydraulic circuit provides multiple functions: it maintains torque transmission, prevents slippage, and enables fluid bypass all through the same structural arrangement. The hydraulic lines serve both as drive lines and as bypass lines, eliminating the need for separate flow divider components.

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

2Use of energy by moving object

If flow dividers are used to prevent excessive fluid outflow during slippage, then energy is maintained in non-slipping rollers, but energy losses increase due to throttling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of slippage (excessive fluid outflow) into a beneficial bypass flow. Instead of throttling the fluid to prevent slippage, the system allows the slippage-induced flow to redirect through cross-connected lines to drive non-slipping segments, transforming energy that would be wasted into useful work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-connected hydraulic lines act as intermediaries that transfer fluid from slipping motors to non-slipping motors. This mediator pathway allows energy to be redistributed throughout the system without direct throttling, maintaining efficiency while preventing slippage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional hydraulic connections are used where both motors connected to one pump discharge to the same pump, then system design is simplified, but slippage causes excessive fluid outflow and energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem design simplicityVSAvoidenergy loss during slippage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional connection topology by cross-connecting the discharge sides of hydraulic motors to different pumps. Instead of Motors A and B both discharging to Pump 1, Motor A discharges to Pump 1 while Motor B discharges to Pump 2. This inversion prevents the feedback loop that causes slippage while maintaining design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 prevents slippage and energy loss, maintaining consistent drive torque and speed across drive roller segments, enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a first fluid connection of the first drive hydraulic pump is connected or connectable by means of a first hydraulic line to a first fluid connection of the first drive hydraulic motor and a first fluid connection of the second drive hydraulic motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid transmission: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4573871A1Soil working machine
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 HAMM AG
  • EP4573871A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4573871A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4573871A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In a soil tillage machine with two drive rollers (12, 14) arranged one after the other in a machine longitudinal direction and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation (D1, D2), each drive roller (12, 14) comprising two drive roller segments (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) arranged one after the other in the direction of the associated axis of rotation (D1, D2), and with a hydraulic drive system (24) for the drive rollers (12, 14), a first fluid connection (28) of a first travel hydraulic pump (P1) is connected or connectable by means of a first hydraulic line (L1) to a first fluid connection (30) of a first travel hydraulic motor (M1) and to a first fluid connection (32) of a second travel hydraulic motor (M2),a first fluid connection (34) of a second travel hydraulic pump (P2) is connected or connectable by means of a second hydraulic line (L2) to a first fluid connection (36) of a third travel hydraulic motor (M3) and a first fluid connection (38) of a fourth travel hydraulic motor (M4), a second fluid connection (40) of a first travel hydraulic pump (P1) is connected or connectable by means of a third hydraulic line (L3) to a second fluid connection (42) of a second travel hydraulic motor (M2) and a second fluid connection (44) of a third travel hydraulic motor (M3), and a second fluid connection (46) of a second travel hydraulic pump (P2) is connected or connectable by means of a fourth hydraulic line (L4) to a second fluid connection (48) of a first travel hydraulic motor (M1) and a second fluid connection (50) of a fourth travel hydraulic motor (M4) connected or connectable.,