Slope Mower Hydraulic Leveling Circuit for Vertical Orientation Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slope mowers face instability issues due to sudden changes in terrain and hydraulic pressure fluctuations, which affect the vertical orientation of the mower body, leading to reduced stability and potential tilting.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic leveling circuit with an inclinometer and a control system that continuously adjusts the pressure to leveling actuators to maintain wheel-to-ground contact, using high-pressure fluid to correct tilt angles and lockout valves to prevent excessive tilting, ensuring the mower body remains vertically aligned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If hydraulic leveling actuators are used to maintain vertical orientation, then stability is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to hydraulic pressure fluctuations and hose breaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical orientation stabilityVSAvoidhydraulic system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates shock-absorbing elements and damping mechanisms in the hydraulic leveling system to cushion against sudden pressure fluctuations and hose breaks. These elements are pre-installed to absorb shock and prevent catastrophic failures, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the vertical orientation stability provided by the hydraulic actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If continuous hydraulic pressure adjustment is implemented, then terrain adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain contour adaptabilityVSAvoidhydraulic control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where sensors detect the mower body's vertical orientation and terrain conditions, and this information is continuously fed back to the hydraulic control system. The system automatically adjusts hydraulic pressure to maintain vertical orientation, enabling terrain adaptability without requiring complex manual control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic leveling system is designed to automatically self-regulate based on feedback from orientation sensors. The system performs its own control functions without external intervention, adjusting hydraulic pressure in response to terrain changes while maintaining vertical orientation, thereby reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If minimum tilt angle threshold is set for actuator activation, then energy consumption is reduced, but response time to correct tilting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic actuator energy consumptionVSAvoidtilt correction response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a minimum tilt angle threshold (e.g., 4 degrees) for activating hydraulic actuators. This partial action approach avoids unnecessary energy consumption for minor tilts while still providing timely correction for significant tilting. The threshold is calibrated to balance energy savings with acceptable response time for meaningful orientation corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enhances stability by maintaining vertical orientation during terrain changes and hydraulic pressure variations, providing a smoother ride and preventing further tilting beyond a set angle, thus ensuring consistent performance.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor, such as an inclinometer, continuously measures the tilt angle of the mower body relative to vertical

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

selectively supplies relatively high pressure hydraulic fluid from a first hydraulic fluid supply line to a left or right leveling actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11259463B1Slope mower with automatic leveling suspension and system for maintaining vertical orientation of mower body

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 ELECTRAFORM EQUIPMENT LP

AI summary

A slope mower includes a mower body, drive wheels, left and right mower decks and left and right support wheels mounted on support arms pivotally mounted to the mower body with hydraulic actuators acting on the left and right support arms to maintain the mower body vertical. An inclinometer measures the tilt angle of the mower body and a controller reads the angle and controls a leveling valve to supply hydraulic fluid from a supply line to the leveling actuator toward which the inclinometer indicates the mower body is leaning to move the mower body back to vertical. The system can be programmed to actuate a leveling actuator only when the detected tilt angle exceeds a minimum angle. Lockout valves can be actuated by the controller to block the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from both actuators if a maximum allowed tilt angle is exceeded.