Tractor Front Module Oil Cooling via Rear Lubrication Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural tractors lack an efficient cooling system for the hydraulic oil in their front modules, leading to increased thermal stress on components and higher operational costs due to the need for redesigning the front module with additional components like hydraulic pumps and radiators.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a hydraulic oil cooling circuit that connects the lubrication circuit of the rear module to the front module using external pipes and an electric pump, allowing for efficient cooling of the hydraulic oil in the front module without redesigning it or adding components to the engine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the front module is equipped with a dedicated hydraulic pump and radiator for cooling the lubricating oil, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the front module's lubrication circuit with the rear module's hydraulic cooling circuit. The hydraulic oil from the rear module's radiator is drawn through duct P1 to cool the lubricating oil in the front module, eliminating the need for a dedicated front radiator and pump system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic oil circulation system of the rear module is made multi-functional by enabling it to also cool the lubricating oil in the front module. The same radiator and hydraulic pump serve dual purposes: cooling hydraulic oil for the rear brakes and cooling lubricating oil for the front transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If the front module is completely redesigned with a dedicated hydraulic cooling system, then the thermal management performance is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the front module lubrication system with the existing rear module hydraulic cooling system through external pipe connections. This avoids the costly redesign of the front module while achieving effective thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the hydraulic oil as an intermediary thermal medium that transfers heat from the front module lubricating oil to the rear module radiator, enabling cooling without direct thermal contact or complex integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If external pipes are used to connect the front module to the rear module lubrication circuit, then the integration ease is improved, but the oil return reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration easeVSAvoidoil return reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection (direct integration) with an electrical system by using an electric pump to actively circulate hydraulic oil through external pipes from the rear radiator to the front module and back, ensuring reliable oil return despite the external connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables effective cooling of the hydraulic oil in the front module, reducing thermal stress on components and maintaining performance without the need for costly redesigns or additional components, thus optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a radiator HE arranged to cool the lubricating oil circulating in this circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a radiator HE arranged to cool the lubricating oil circulating in this circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

an electric pump P (Fig. 3) operationally associated with the front module FM

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4563846A1Lubrication system of a propulsion system of an agricultural tractor

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 CNH IND ITALIA SPA

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AI summary

Lubrication system of a propulsion system (PS) of an agricultural tractor, wherein the propulsion system comprises a combustion engine (E), a rear module (DL) including a transmission and rear brakes, a front module (FM) comprising at least one differential and front brakes, wherein the rear module comprises a first hydraulic oil lubrication circuit (CC) comprising a hydraulic pump operatively coupled with the transmission to receive a driving force therefrom and the front module comprises a second lubrication circuit comprising a first duct (P1) connected to the first lubrication circuit downstream of a radiator of the first circuit and an electric pump (P) with a second duct (P2) connected between the electric pump (P) and the first lubrication circuit to recirculate hydraulic oil drawn through said first duct (P1).