Trim and Tilt Apparatus Hydraulic Flow Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trim and tilt apparatuses for marine vessel propulsion machines require extended tilt-up operation durations and rely on additional piston push-up means to maintain the trim piston at the maximum tilt-up position, as they supply hydraulic oil from only one pump during tilt-up operations.

Innovation Solution

A trim and tilt apparatus with a hydraulic oil supply and discharge device featuring multiple discharge units and a switching unit that adjusts hydraulic oil supply based on load conditions, allowing all discharge units to supply oil during tilt-up operations, thereby increasing flow rate and eliminating the need for piston push-up means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If hydraulic oil is supplied from only one pump during tilt-up operation, then the system structure is simpler, but the tilt-up operation duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic system structureVSAvoidtilt-up operation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic pump is segmented into multiple discharge units (first discharge unit and second discharge unit), allowing independent control of hydraulic oil flow paths. During tilt-up operation, both discharge units supply oil to accelerate the operation, while during trim-up operation, only one discharge unit supplies oil to maintain system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching unit dynamically changes the hydraulic oil supply configuration based on the operation mode. It switches between a state where both discharge units supply oil (tilt-up operation) and a state where only one discharge unit supplies oil (trim-up operation), optimizing performance for each specific operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If piston push-up means such as spring force or gravity is used to retain the trim piston at stroke end, then the piston can be held at maximum tilt-up position, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston position retentionVSAvoidpiston push-up means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses itself to retain the piston position. The hydraulic oil supplied from the discharge units creates pressure in the cylinder chamber that automatically holds the trim piston at the maximum tilt-up position without requiring external push-up means like springs or gravity mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Hydraulic pressure is used to replace mechanical push-up means. The hydraulic oil in the cylinder chamber provides the necessary force to hold the piston at the desired position, eliminating the need for separate mechanical retention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If all discharge units supply hydraulic oil during tilt-up operation, then the tilt-up operation duration is reduced, but the hydraulic system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilt-up operation speedVSAvoidhydraulic oil supply system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic pump is divided into multiple independent discharge units with separate control paths. This segmentation allows the system to activate all discharge units during tilt-up operation for maximum speed while maintaining the option to use only one discharge unit during trim-up operation, balancing productivity and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching unit provides dynamic control over the hydraulic oil supply configuration, enabling the system to adapt to different operation modes. During tilt-up operation, all discharge units are activated to maximize productivity, while the system can switch to a simpler configuration during trim-up operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration reduces tilt-up operation duration and maintains the piston at the maximum tilt-up position without additional push-up means, enhancing operational efficiency and simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic oil supply and discharge device that supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the cylinder chamber of the cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic principle: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a piston rod that is telescopically inserted into the cylinder chamber of the cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9162742B2Trim and tilt apparatus for marine vessel propulsion machine

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

A trim and tilt apparatus for a marine vessel propulsion machine includes: a cylinder having a cylinder chamber; a piston rod that is telescopically inserted into the cylinder chamber; and a hydraulic oil supply and discharge device that supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the cylinder chamber, the trim and tilt apparatus allowing the marine vessel propulsion machine to perform a trim operation and a tilt operation, and the hydraulic oil supply and discharge device includes: a plurality of discharge units for simultaneously discharging the hydraulic oil; and a switching unit for switching between a case where the cylinder chamber is supplied with the hydraulic oil discharged by a part of the plurality of discharge units, and a case where the cylinder chamber is not supplied with the hydraulic oil discharged by the part of the plurality of discharge units.