Work Machine Brake Control for Hydraulic Overheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Work machines experience overheating of hydraulic fluid in their brakes due to frequent and prolonged use, leading to high temperatures and potential system failure.

Innovation Solution

A work machine control system that includes an engine, transmission, travel device, hydraulic brake, and controller. The controller acquires travel commands, vehicle speed, and hydraulic temperature, determining a target driving power and assist braking power to manage engine brake and hydraulic brake interactions, thereby regulating hydraulic fluid temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic brakes are used for frequent and prolonged operation, then braking power is maintained, but hydraulic fluid temperature increases causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performanceVSAvoidhydraulic fluid temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The engine brake acts as an intermediary braking mechanism that shares the braking load with the hydraulic brakes. By using engine brake assistance, the hydraulic brakes are subjected to reduced stress and generate less heat, thereby preventing overheating while maintaining overall braking performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device dynamically adjusts the target driving power based on detected hydraulic temperature. When temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system modifies operating parameters to activate engine brake assistance, thereby changing the braking power distribution parameter to reduce hydraulic brake load and prevent overheating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If engine brake assistance is activated to reduce hydraulic brake load, then hydraulic fluid temperature is reduced, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic fluid temperatureVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously detects hydraulic temperature and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the target driving power. This closed-loop control activates engine brake assistance only when necessary (when temperature exceeds threshold), achieving temperature control while maintaining relatively simple control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the engine's existing braking capability (engine brake) to assist the hydraulic brakes. By leveraging the engine's natural compression braking effect, the system achieves additional braking power without requiring external or complex additional braking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively suppresses overheating of hydraulic fluid in the brakes by determining assist braking power based on hydraulic temperature, utilizing engine brake assistance to manage heat buildup, thus ensuring the reliability and performance of the work machine.

Implementation Method 1

The hydraulic brake brakes the travel device by being driven by hydraulic fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the hydraulic fluid easily reaches high temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous heating: Viscous Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4567202A1Work machine and method for controlling work machine
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 KOMATSU LTD
  • EP4567202A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4567202A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4567202A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work machine includes an engine, a transmission, a travel device, a vehicle speed sensor, a hydraulic brake, a hydraulic temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller acquires a travel command for controlling the travel of the work machine. The controller acquires the vehicle speed. The controller determines a target driving power based on the travel command and the vehicle speed. The target driving power includes a positive driving power for causing the work machine to travel and a negative driving power for braking the work machine. The controller controls the engine and the transmission to achieve the target driving power. The controller acquires the hydraulic temperature. The controller determines, based on the hydraulic temperature, an assist braking power for assisting the braking power of the hydraulic brake. The controller determines the target driving power to achieve the assist braking power.