Steering Control System Actuator for Hydraulic Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic steering systems for crawlers and wheeled tractors lack a simple and economic method to pilot the hydraulic pump using the steering device, leading to control power losses and noise transfer into the cab environment, and do not provide reactive control or full awareness of the steering system's functional conditions.
Innovation Solution
A steering system that uses an actuator responsive to the vehicle's steering wheel rotation to control the hydraulic pump, allowing for efficient flow rate adjustment of hydraulic fluid to the axle shafts, minimizing power losses and noise, and enabling reactive control, with the steering system being applicable to both wheeled and crawler tractors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hydraulic pump is used to control the flow rate of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic units, then the speed of rotation of the axle shafts can be varied, but the system becomes complex and power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system merges the hydraulic pump control function with the existing steering wheel mechanism. The actuator is directly coupled to the steering wheel, combining the steering input mechanism with the hydraulic flow control function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining speed control capability
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical actuator serves as an intermediary between the steering wheel and the hydraulic pump. This actuator translates the rotational motion of the steering wheel into control signals for the hydraulic pump, enabling efficient flow rate adjustment without requiring complex electronic or hydraulic control circuits
2Ease of operation
If the hydraulic pump is controlled by the steering device, then steering control is achieved, but control power losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel itself serves the dual function of both steering control and hydraulic pump actuation. The actuator is directly coupled to the steering wheel, allowing the steering input to directly control the hydraulic flow without requiring additional power sources or complex control systems, thereby minimizing control power losses
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex electronic or hydraulic control mechanisms with a direct mechanical coupling between the steering wheel and the hydraulic pump actuator. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for power-consuming control circuits and electronic components, reducing control power losses while maintaining ease of operation
3Speed
If the hydraulic pump is controlled by the steering device, then flow rate adjustment is achieved, but noise is transferred into the cab environment
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and its mounting structure are designed to extract and isolate the noise-generating components from the cab environment. The actuator is positioned and mounted to physically separate the hydraulic pump and its control mechanisms from the cab interior, thereby reducing noise transfer while maintaining flow rate adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system design accepts that hydraulic pump operation generates noise, but converts this harmful effect into a beneficial outcome by using the actuator's mechanical design and mounting structure to direct and contain the noise away from the cab. The actuator serves as both a control mechanism and a noise isolation barrier, protecting the cab environment while enabling flow rate adjustment
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 allows for easy and energy-efficient control of the steering system, reduces noise, and provides reactive control, enabling standardization of manufacturing and minimizing costs, while ensuring safe and efficient operation by adjusting the steering radius based on vehicle speed and steering angle.
Implementation Method 1
A control pump (12) is connected to the hydraulic circuit (9) to control the flow rate of hydraulic fluid fed to the first hydraulic unit (8a) and the second hydraulic unit (8b)
Implementation Method 2
The actuator (13) is mechanically coupled to the steering wheel (15) of the vehicle and makes possible to control the control unit of the steering system
Implementation Method 3
The two hydraulic units are connected together by a hydraulic circuit that connects the input of a unit to the output of the other unit and viceversa
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering system for a vehicle wherein a first wheel system (5a) is driven by a first axle shaft (1a), a second wheel system (5b) is driven by a second axle shaft (1b), said first axle shaft (1a) and said second axle shaft (1b) being driven by a power shaft (6) powered by an engine of the vehicle, a differential gear (7) being interposed between said power shaft (6) and said first (1a) and second (1b) axle shafts, the steering system comprises a first hydraulic unit (8a) associated with said first axle shaft (1a), a second hydraulic unit (8b) associated with said second axle shaft (1b), a hydraulic circuit (9) connecting an input (10a) of said first hydraulic unit (8a) to an output (11b) of said second hydraulic unit (8b) and an output (11a) of said first hydraulic unit (8a) to an input (10b) of said second hydraulic unit (8b), a control unit (12) being connected to said hydraulic circuit (9) for varying a flow rate (Q'; Q") of an hydraulic fluid in said first hydraulic unit (8a) and said second hydraulic unit (8b) and actuator means (13) associated to said control unit (12) for controlling said control unit (12), said actuator means (13) being responsive to a rotation of a steering wheel (15) of said vehicle.