Wheel Loader Frame Load Path via Slave Hydraulic Cylinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articulated frame-steered wheel loaders are subjected to high loads, resulting in increased weight, fuel consumption, and production costs due to the need for robust structures, which can be mitigated by reducing the weight of the frame while maintaining operational capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The wheel loader front unit design incorporates two hub supporting elements outside the frame, a main hydraulic cylinder for lift arm movement, and slave hydraulic cylinders that transfer loads directly between the lift arm and hub supporting elements, bypassing the frame, thereby reducing the structural load on the frame and allowing for a lighter design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the frame is designed to withstand high loads with generous material provision, then the wheel loader can withstand high operational loads, but the wheel loader weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the load path into two separate segments: (1) loads from the implement to the frame via the lift arm and main hydraulic cylinder, and (2) loads from the implement to the hub supporting elements via the slave hydraulic cylinder. This segmentation allows the frame to be relieved of certain loads, enabling weight reduction while maintaining load withstanding capability through the dedicated load-bearing path to the hub supporting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave hydraulic cylinder acts as an intermediary load transfer mechanism between the implement and the hub supporting elements. By introducing this intermediary component, loads are transferred directly to the hub supporting elements without passing through the frame, allowing the frame to be designed with less material while still maintaining overall structural integrity and load withstanding capability.
2Strength
If additional structural parts are added to the frame to manage loads from the lift arm, then the frame can handle all loads, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load transfer function from the frame by introducing the slave hydraulic cylinder that directly connects the implement to the hub supporting elements. This extraction removes the need for additional structural reinforcements or complex load management mechanisms in the frame, as the slave hydraulic cylinder independently handles the load transfer to the hub supporting elements, simplifying the overall structure.
3Weight of stationary object
If the slave hydraulic cylinder transfers loads directly to hub supporting elements, then the frame weight can be reduced, but the hub supporting elements must bear additional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces two hub supporting elements that replicate or copy the load-bearing function previously handled by the frame structure. Each hub supporting element is designed to independently receive and bear loads from the implement through its associated slave hydraulic cylinder, effectively distributing the load-bearing responsibility and enabling frame weight reduction without compromising structural capability.
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 design reduces the weight of the wheel loader frame by transferring loads directly to the hub supporting elements, eliminating the need for additional structural components and maintaining the lift arm's movement capabilities, resulting in lower fuel consumption and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a slave hydraulic cylinder hydraulically connected to the tilting hydraulic cylinder for controlling the tilting movement of the implement when the lift arm is pivoted by means of the main hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a wheel loader front unit including a frame, the wheel loader front unit further including two hub supporting elements, each hub supporting element being arranged on opposite sides outside of the frame for supporting a respective hub unit, a lift arm for supporting an implement of the wheel loader, the lift arm being arranged to be pivoted around a pivot connection to the frame by a main hydraulic cylinder, and a tilting hydraulic cylinder arranged to actuate a tilting movement of the implement in relation to the lift arm, wherein the wheel loader front unit further includes a slave hydraulic cylinder hydraulically connected to the tilting hydraulic cylinder for controlling the tilting movement of the implement when the lift arm is pivoted by the main hydraulic cylinder, wherein the slave hydraulic cylinder extends between the lift arm and one of the hub supporting elements.