Wireless Electric Over Hydraulic Control System Powered by Fluid Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric over hydraulic control systems for motorized vehicles with hydraulic attachments are prone to wire disconnection and damage, requiring time-consuming repairs and involving complex setups with multiple wires, and often require separate hydraulic and electric hookups, leading to operator errors during attachment changes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electric over hydraulic control system powered by a hydraulic fluid-driven electrical generator, eliminating the need for a physical electrical cable by using a radio transmitter and receiver to actuate hydraulic control valves, providing a robust and efficient control mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wired electric over hydraulic control system is used, then design flexibility and control capability are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to wire disconnection and damage, requiring time-consuming repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable electrical wiring from the control system by extracting the electrical signal transmission function and replacing it with a wireless communication system. The control signals are now transmitted via radio frequency between the control device and the hydraulic attachment, eliminating physical wire connections that are prone to disconnection and damage during attachment changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical connection system (wires and connectors) with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical plug-and-play connections while maintaining full control capability, thereby improving reliability during attachment changes without sacrificing design flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic valves and electric wires are used for complicated hydraulic attachments, then control capability is improved, but the system complexity increases and repair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless control system serves as a universal interface that can control multiple hydraulic valves and functions through a single wireless communication channel. Instead of requiring separate wire connections for each valve and function, the wireless system transmits composite control signals that can address and control multiple hydraulic components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless control system creates a virtual copy of the control interface that mirrors the functionality of the wired system without requiring the physical infrastructure. The radio frequency communication channel replicates the control signal transmission capability of electrical wires, allowing complex hydraulic attachments to be controlled through a simplified wireless interface that reduces overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If separate hydraulic and electric hookups are required, then control precision is maintained, but operator errors occur during attachment changes and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic and control interfaces into a unified system where the hydraulic attachment includes both the hydraulic valves and the wireless control receiver as integrated components. This integration eliminates the need for separate hydraulic and electrical hookups, allowing operators to change attachments without needing to manage multiple connection types, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining control precision through the wireless communication channel.
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 wireless control system reduces the risk of wire damage, simplifies attachment changes, and enhances operational reliability by generating electricity from hydraulic pressure to power the control system, allowing for quick and convenient replacement without the need for battery recharging.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical generator that is attached to said hydraulic fluid supply system and which generates electricity when driven by hydraulic fluid supplied under pressure from said hydraulic supply system
Data Source
AI summary
Motorized vehicles having hydraulic tools as attachments are well known. Examples includes road graders, excavators, snow ploughs (and nursery equipment such as tree spades, tree movers and tree handling equipment), tractors, front loaders, and skid steers.A single hydraulic tool may be controlled by a simple manually operated hydraulic control system if the operation of the hydraulic tool is not complex. The use of “Electric over Hydraulic control” is more commonly used for hydraulic attachments with more complex functionality. A typical electric over hydraulic control system uses a bundle of wires; in which each wire in the bundle is dedicated to a particular operational feature of the attachment. These wires are prone to failure as a result of the wear and tear they are exposed to during normal use of the equipment. This, in turn, has led to proposals for the use of a wireless control system. The power for a wireless control system may be provided by a battery, however, a battery operated system may also not be robust enough to stand up to the wear and tear caused by operation of the equipment. These problems are mitigated by the present wireless, electric over hydraulic control system in which the electric power to operate the wireless control system is provided by an electrical generator that is driven by hydraulic fluid.The present invention is especially advantageous for the operation of nursery equipment in which several different hydraulic attachments are used with a single motorized vehicle and where the different attachments must be disconnected and re-connected to allow use thereof.