Tractor Brake Steering Column Single Cylinder Valve Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake and steering arrangements in tractors are not compact enough and suffer from reliability issues due to wear and tear in switch valves, leading to unintended activation of brakes, compromising safety, especially when operating at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A compact brake and steering arrangement featuring a single cylinder connected to both braking circuits and a valve unit with series-connected brake valves, allowing independent operation of rear brakes and cardan brakes through two pedals, ensuring reliable and safe braking by preventing accidental activation of the cardan brake when only one pedal is pressed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cylinder is used for dual circuit brakes, then device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but reliability may be compromised due to potential unintended activation
Solution Approach 1:
The brake system is segmented into two independent braking circuits (first circuit for left/right rear brakes, second circuit for cardan brake) that share a single cylinder but have separate valve control paths. This segmentation allows space efficiency while maintaining functional independence through series-connected brake valves that prevent cross-activation between circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Brake valves act as intermediary control elements between the single cylinder and the two separate braking circuits. The series-connected brake valves mediate the hydraulic flow, ensuring that activation in one circuit does not inadvertently trigger the other circuit, thus maintaining reliability while using a compact single-cylinder design.
2Ease of operation
If switch valves are used to control brake activation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and tear causing unintended activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional switch valves with brake valves that use a mechanical series-connection arrangement controlled by pedal position. This mechanical substitution eliminates the wear-prone switch valve mechanism while maintaining ease of operation through direct pedal-to-valve linkage, improving reliability by removing the failure-prone switching component.
3Area of stationary object
If compact steering and brake arrangement is implemented, then space utilization is improved, but safety may be compromised due to potential brake interference
Solution Approach 1:
The compact arrangement segments the brake control into independent series-connected circuits, allowing space-efficient integration in the cab while preventing harmful cross-activation between steering brakes and cardan brake through the series valve configuration that requires independent activation sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The series-connected brake valves are configured to prevent unintended activation by requiring a specific activation sequence. The preliminary design of the valve arrangement ensures that cardan brake cannot be activated unless the steering brake circuit is properly engaged first, providing built-in protection against harmful unintended activation in the compact space.
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
This solution provides a compact, reliable, and safe braking system for tractors by using a single cylinder for dual circuit brakes, ensuring that the cardan brake is only activated when both pedals are pressed, thus preventing unintended activation and enhancing operator safety.
Implementation Method 1
a single cylinder supported within the column, a first braking circuit for operating left and right rear brakes and a second braking circuit for operating a cardan brake
Data Source
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AI summary
A brake and steering arrangement for a tractor comprising a substantially vertically extending structural support column (2) for connection at a lower end (3) to a floor (4) of a tractor cab and carrying means to support a steering wheel at its upper end. A single cylinder (11) is supported within the column. A first braking circuit (C1) operates left and right rear brakes (36L, 36R) and a second braking circuit( C2) operates a cardan brake (39), characterised in that braking circuits (C1, C2) are connected to the single cylinder (11) mounted on the steering column and wherein said steering column comprises a valve unit (5d), so that the left and right rear brakes (36L, 36R, 39) are operable by two pedals (9, 10).