WO2023202985A1

WO2023202985A1 - Drive unit for rotating a reciprocating tool and associated control method

Info

Publication number: WO2023202985A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/059919
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Defrancq
Original assignee: Laforge
Priority date: 2022-04-21
Filing date: 2023-04-17
Publication date: 2023-10-26
Also published as: FR3134858B1; FR3134858A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive unit for rotating and hydraulically controlling a reciprocating tool, and a method for controlling such a unit, the unit comprising a hydraulic motor (3) for driving the tool, an oil tank (4), a pump (1) for controlling the flow rate and the pressurisation of the oil from the tank in order to drive the hydraulic motor, two valves (2A, 2B) for regulating the flow rate of the oil upstream of the hydraulic motor, a sensor (6) for measuring the speed of rotation Rmot of the hydraulic motor, a sensor (7) for measuring the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor, means (8) for displaying the rotation speed Rmot, a first alarm, and a control unit (5). The invention also relates to an agricultural machine including the drive unit and a method for controlling the machine.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: ROTATIONAL DRIVE UNIT FOR AN ANIMATED TOOL AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD

The present invention relates to a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit for a tool powered by an agricultural machine, as well as a method for controlling such a unit.

The units for rotating a drive shaft of a tool driven from a source of pressure and hydraulic flow have the advantage of defining a rotation speed of the tool which is not directly linked at the rotational speed of the energy source, generally consisting of the power train of the agricultural machine.

These units also make it possible to overcome the mechanical constraints of the connection between the powertrain and the tool which must be rotated.

However, these rotation units using a hydraulic pressure and flow source are more expensive than their mechanical alternatives.

It is therefore economically advantageous for the hydraulic pressure and flow source to be able to supply several pieces of equipment, either simultaneously or with different flow and pressure characteristics depending on the equipment.

Solutions allowing the level of flow and pressure to be adapted to needs to avoid wasted energy have been developed to automatically adjust the flow and pressure according to needs.

However, these solutions present a certain number of limits.

Distribution systems often result in a variation in flow rate, when the pressure varies, and require the use of devices for automatically adapting the opening of the distributors, which are generally expensive.

Their performance is impaired due to pressure losses in the distribution circuit, which result in irregularities in the rotation speed of the mechanical elements, thus leading to a drop in speed. when the tool is in the working position, and overspeed when the tool is in the raised position or without load.

The oil distribution is not always correctly adapted to the operation of the consumers to ensure optimal performance when the tool is in the working position or when the agricultural machine is maneuvering.

The objectives of the invention include first of all the use of the hydraulic energy source already installed on the agricultural machine in order to limit the cost of the solution.

The objectives of the invention are also to inform the operator of the actual training conditions of the equipment in order to avoid overloads and to allow him to adapt the speed of advancement of the agricultural machine.

The objectives of the invention are finally to automatically adapt the priority of oil flow consumption to ensure optimized operation of the agricultural machine both in maneuvering and in working mode.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit for an agricultural machine tool, said agricultural machine being provided with an electronic control unit, said drive unit comprising a motor hydraulic designed to rotate an animated tool coupled to an agricultural one, an oil tank, a pump ensuring the flow and pressurization of the oil from the tank to drive the hydraulic motor, at least two distributors capable of regulating the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor and controlled at least for one by the electronic control unit, characterized in that said drive unit further comprises a sensor for measuring the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor , a sensor for measuring the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor, means for displaying the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor, at least one first alarm, luminous “TRIGG”, a control unit designed to receive as input at least the states of the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor, of the pressure Pmot at the input of the hydraulic motor, and designed to output at least one instruction for the display means. Optional, complementary or substitute characteristics of the invention are set out below.

According to a particular embodiment, the first light alarm comprises two light signals respectively installed on the display means and corresponding for one to values of rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor between two reference values Rmin, Rmax defining an acceptable nominal speed range for rotating the animated tool, and for the other at rotation speed values Rmot of the hydraulic motor outside said range.

According to another particular embodiment, the rotation drive unit comprises a second alarm, audible “TRIGG+”, capable of being activated when the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor is less than 1/k Rmin or greater than k Rmax, k being greater than 1, or when the first light alarm is activated for a duration greater than a predefined duration TO.

According to a first variant, the rotation drive unit comprises two variable flow distributors to regulate the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor, said distributors being controlled by the electronic control unit.

According to a second variant, the rotation drive unit comprises two distributors, one with variable flow, and the other with fixed flow, to regulate the flow of oil upstream of the hydraulic motor, the variable flow distributor being controlled by the electronic control unit.

The invention also relates to an agricultural machine equipped with a control for raising the tool in the non-working position, a control for lowering the tool in the working position, an electronic control unit designed to actuate said controls, characterized in that it comprises a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a method of controlling a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool, according to the invention, and according to which the two distributors to regulate the flow rate of oil upstream of the hydraulic motor are engaged in working condition by the operator, characterized in that it includes the following steps:

- a step E_MESRmot for measuring the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor,

- a step E_COMPRmot for comparing the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor with two reference values Rmin, Rmax defining an acceptable nominal speed range for rotating the animated tool,

- a step E_MESPmot for measuring the pressure Pmot at the input of the hydraulic motor,

- a step E_COMPPmot of comparing the pressure Pmot at the input of the hydraulic motor with a reference value Pmin corresponding to the minimum pressure required for rotating the animated tool,

- a step E_DISPLAYRmot for displaying the rotation speed Rmot,

- an E_TRIGG step for activating the light alarm if:

Pmot < Pmin and Rmot > Rmax or if,

Pmot > Pmin and Rmot < Rmin or Rmot > Rmax.

Optional, complementary or substitute characteristics of the invention are set out below.

According to certain characteristics according to which said training unit includes a second alarm, audible “TRIGG+”, an additional step E_TRIGG+ is carried out to activate the audible alarm if:

- Pmot > Pmin and Rmot < 1/k Rmin or Rmot > k Rmax, or if

- Pmot < Pmin and Rmot > k Rmax, or if

- the first light alarm is activated for a duration greater than a predefined TO duration, with k > 1.

According to other characteristics, the pressure Pmin is equal to 110% of the pressure required to ensure rotation of the animated tool without workload. The invention also relates to a method of controlling an agricultural machine equipped with a rotational drive unit with hydraulic control of an agricultural machine tool conforming to the invention, and according to which: when an operator activates the up control, the electronic control unit deactivates one of the two distributors, when an operator activates the down control, the electronic control unit reactivates one of the two distributors.

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings:

[Fig.l] This figure represents a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit for a tool powered by an agricultural machine according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[Fig.2] This figure represents a hydraulically controlled rotational drive unit for a tool powered by agricultural machinery according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[Fig.3] This figure represents a basic diagram of the control of the rotation drive unit according to the invention.

The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, one could in particular consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, isolated from the other characteristics described (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence including these other characteristics), if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the prior art information. This selection includes at least one feature, preferably functional without structural details, or with only part of the structural details if only this part is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from prior art information. . Figures 1 and 2 each represent a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an animated tool coupled to an agricultural machine according to one embodiment of the invention.

Each of these units comprises at least one hydraulic motor 3 designed to rotate an animated tool coupled to the agricultural machine, an oil tank 4, a pump 1 ensuring the flow and pressurization of the oil from the reservoir to drive the hydraulic motor.

The agricultural machine has a powertrain (not shown in the figures), a control 10 for raising the tool in the off-till position, a control 11 for lowering the tool into the off position. work, and an electronic control unit 12.

Each of these rotation drive units also comprises a sensor 6 for measuring the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor 3, a sensor 7 for measuring the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor, means 8 for displaying the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor, a first TRIGG light alarm, as well as a control unit 5.

The control unit 5 is designed to receive as input the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor as well as the pressure Pmot as input to the hydraulic motor.

The control unit 5 is designed to output at least one display instruction for the rotation speed Rmot for the display means 8.

Each of these units further comprises two hydraulic distributors 2A, 2B or 2A, 9, capable of regulating the flow of oil upstream of the hydraulic motor.

These hydraulic distributors represent one of the key elements of the hydraulic circuit, and generally consist of a fixed body, pierced with several orifices. Inside, a movable drawer moves to take several positions. By moving it using a control, one of the positions is selected and the oil is thus directed into a particular circuit. According to a first variant described in Figure 1, the rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit comprises two variable flow distributors 2A, 2B to regulate the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor, said distributors being controlled by the operator via the electronic control unit 12.

According to a second variant described in Figure 2, the rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool comprises two distributors 2A, 2B to regulate the flow of oil upstream of the hydraulic motor, the one of said distributors 2A being at variable flow rate, and the other of said distributors 9 being at fixed flow rate, the distributor 2A being controlled by the operator via the electronic control unit 12, and the distributor 9 being controlled by the operator via a clean circuit. Note that according to this configuration, the distributor 2A can be a distributor already present on the agricultural machine, while the fixed flow distributor 9 can be an added distributor.

According to a particular embodiment, the first light alarm TRIGG comprises two light signals respectively 8B, 8C installed on the display means 8 and corresponding for one 8B to values of rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor between two values reference Rmin, Rmax defining an acceptable nominal speed range for rotating the animated tool, and for the other 8C at rotation speed values Rmot of the hydraulic motor outside said range.

According to a variant of this embodiment, the first light alarm comprises three light signals respectively 8A', 8B', 80' installed on the display means 8 and corresponding for one 8B' to rotation speed values Rmot of the hydraulic motor between two reference values Rmin, Rmax defining an acceptable nominal speed range for the rotation of the animated tool, and for the two other 8A' and 80', at rotation speed values Rmot of the hydraulic motor respectively lower than Rmin and higher than Rmax.

Advantageously, the rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit also includes a second TRIGG+ audible alarm capable of be activated when the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor is less than 1/k Rmin or greater than k Rmax, k being greater than 1, or when the first light alarm is activated for a duration T(E_TRIGG) greater than a duration Predefined TO.

Concerning now the method of controlling the rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool, in accordance with the invention, the following steps are carried out when the two distributors 2A, 2B or 2A, 9 are engaged in working conditions.

The control unit 5 first carries out a step E_MESRmot of measuring the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor.

Then, the control unit 5 proceeds to a step E_COMPRmot of comparing the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor with the two reference values Rmin, Rmax defining an acceptable nominal speed range for rotating the animated tool .

Then, the control unit 5 carries out a step E_MESPmot of measuring the pressure Pmot at the input of the hydraulic motor.

Then, the control unit 5 proceeds to a step E_COMPPmot of comparing the pressure Pmot at the input of the hydraulic motor with the reference value Pmin corresponding to the minimum pressure required for rotating the animated tool.

Then, the control unit 5 proceeds to a step E_DISPLAYRmot of displaying the rotation speed Rmot.

Finally, the control unit 5 carries out a step E_TRIGG of activating the light alarm if:

Pmot < Pmin and Rmot > Rmax or if

Pmot > Pmin and Rmot < Rmin or Rmot > Rmax.

In the case where the rotation drive unit includes a second TRIGG+ audible alarm, the control unit 5 proceeds with a step E_TRIGG+ of activating the audible alarm if:

- Pmot > Pmin and Rmot < 1/k Rmin or Rmot > k Rmax, or if:

- Pmot < Pmin and Rmot > k Rmax, or if: - the first light alarm is activated for a duration T(E_TRIGG) greater than a predefined duration TO.

Advantageously, the pressure Pmin is equal to 110% of the pressure required to ensure rotation of the animated tool without workload.

We thus see that the control unit 5 makes it possible to inform the operator of the operating conditions of the tool driven in rotation, from the information Pmot and Rmot received respectively by the pressure sensor

7 and by the rotation speed sensor 6, via the display means 8.

When the tool is in the working position, that is to say rotated at a speed which is desired to be close to the nominal speed provided for the tool to be operational, the display means 8 indicate whether the rotation speed is within the range predefined by the Rmin and Rmax values, or outside.

The display means can then be illuminated in mode 8B (green light for example) indicating optimal operation.

If the rotation speed is outside this range, the display means

8 can then be illuminated in mode 8C (red light for example).

Thus, regarding the display of mode 8C, the operator is warned that it is necessary to intervene in the control of the agricultural machine.

The operator can then decide to slow down the forward speed of the agricultural machine in order to avoid a too significant drop in the rotational speed of the powered tool, resulting in an underspeed of the hydraulic motor 3.

Conversely, the operator can decide either to directly reduce the opening of the distributors 2A, 2B or 2A, 9, or to reduce the speed of the powertrain in order to avoid overspeeding of the hydraulic motor 3.

However, the operator is not necessarily always focused on reading the display means.

Consequently, a second alarm can be used which triggers a buzzer to inform the operator. The choice of light signals between normal operation and out-of-range operation as well as the nature of the sound signal can be adapted according to the different implementation prerogatives of the invention. Thus, we may prefer the use of a flashing signal of the “warning” type for the first light alarm.

The rotating drive unit of the animated tool, as well as its control method, are perfectly suited to the maneuvering phases during which the animated tool must be raised by action on the control 10 inducing the lifting of the tool , said tool then operating empty.

Indeed, the absence of load on the animated tool then results in an overspeed detrimental to its reliability.

In addition, this implies an overconsumption of flow which is not available for possible other functions and this also results in a drop in pressure which does not allow correct operation of the lifting functions of the equipment.

According to the invention, the actuation of the control 10 for raising the animated tool results in the electronic control unit 12 controlling the stopping of one of the distributors 2A.

In this way, the agricultural machine maintains sufficient flow and pressure to obtain rapid lifting of the driven tool and to ensure rapid steering control of the agricultural machine.

In addition, due to the absence of workload, the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor 3 falls below the pressure Pmin.

Thus, operating the animated tool does not trigger the alarm(s) of the rotating drive unit of the animated tool.

Advantageously, the pressure Pmin of the sensor 7 is preset to a pressure slightly higher than that required to ensure the rotation speed of the equipment without load.

In summary, when the measured pressure is lower than the required working pressure of the powered tool, the underspeed indications are not taken into account to trigger the alarm(s). When the operator activates the descent control 11 of the animated tool, the electronic control unit 12 controls the opening of the distributor 2A which had been stopped, in order to obtain the rotation speed necessary for the work phase of the animated tool.

When the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor 3 returns above the pressure Pmin, the process of controlling the rotation drive unit of the animated tool then executes according to the "work" mode of the tool.

This results in efficient, fast and quiet operation during maneuvers.

If the operator decides to stop the agricultural machine without stopping the operation of one of the two distributors, this may result in an overspeed detrimental to the operation of the tool.

Consequently, even if the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor 3 is lower than the minimum threshold Pmin, the alarm(s) can be activated.

It will also be noted that if the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor 3 is lower than the minimum threshold Pmin and if the rotation of the hydraulic motor 3 is zero or very weak, the rotation drive unit of the animated tool is adjusted to not activate an alarm.

In this way the distributors 2, 2A; 2B, 9 can be used for other functions with other equipment associated with the agricultural machine, without the alarm(s) being triggered.

Note, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Claims

[Claim 1] Hydraulically controlled rotational drive unit for an agricultural machine tool, said agricultural machine being provided with an electronic control unit (12), said drive unit comprising a hydraulic motor (3 ) intended to rotate an animated tool coupled to an agricultural machine, an oil tank (4), a pump (1) ensuring the flow and pressurization of the oil from the tank to drive the hydraulic motor, at least two distributors (2A, 2B, 9) capable of regulating the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor and controlled by the electronic control unit (12), characterized in that said drive unit further comprises a sensor (6) for measuring the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor, a sensor (7) for measuring the pressure Pmot upstream of the hydraulic motor, means (8) for displaying the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor, a first alarm , luminous “TRIGG”, a control unit (5) designed to receive as input at least the states of the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor, of the pressure Pmot at the input of the hydraulic motor, and designed to output at least an instruction for the display means (8).

[Claim 2] Hydraulically controlled rotational drive unit for an agricultural machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the first light alarm comprises two light signals respectively installed on the display means (8) and corresponding for one to rotation speed values Rmot of the hydraulic motor between two reference values Rmin, Rmax defining an acceptable nominal speed range for rotating the powered tool, and for the other to rotation speed values Rmot of the hydraulic motor outside said range.

[Claim 3] Hydraulically controlled rotational drive unit for an agricultural machine tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it includes a second alarm, audible “TRIG+”, capable of being activated when the rotation speed Rmot of the hydraulic motor is less than 1/k Rmin or greater than k Rmax, k being greater than 1, or when the first light alarm is activated for a duration greater than a predefined TO duration.

[Claim 4] Hydraulically controlled rotational drive unit for an agricultural machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises two distributors (2A, 2B) with variable flow rate to regulate the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor, said distributors being controlled by the electronic control unit (12).

[Claim 5] Hydraulically controlled rotational drive unit for an agricultural machine tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises two distributors (2A, 2B), the one (2A) with variable flow, and the other (9) with fixed flow, to regulate the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor, the variable flow distributor being controlled by the electronic control unit (12).

[Claim 6] Agricultural machine equipped with a control (10) for raising the tool to the non-working position, a control (11) for lowering the tool to the working position, an electronic control unit (12) intended to operate said controls, characterized in that it comprises a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit for an agricultural machine tool according to any one of the preceding claims.

[Claim 7] Method for controlling a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and according to which the two distributors (2A, 2B; 2A, 9) to regulate the oil flow upstream of the hydraulic motor are engaged in working condition by the operator, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- a step E_MESPmot for measuring the pressure Pmot at the motor input hydraulic,

- a step E_DISPI_AYRmot for displaying the rotation speed Rmot

- an E_TRIGG step for activating the light alarm if: Pmot < Pmin and Rmot > Rmax or if

Pmot > Pmin and Rmot < Rmin or Rmot > Rmax.

[Claim 8] Method for controlling a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool according to the preceding claim, said drive unit further being in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that that we proceed to an additional step E_TRIGG+ of activating the audible alarm if:

- Pmot > Pmin and Rmot < 1/k Rmin or Rmot > k Rmax, or if Pmot < Pmin and Rmot > k Rmax or if

- the first light alarm is activated for a duration T(E_TRIGG) greater than a predefined duration TO, with k > 1.

[Claim 9] Method for controlling a rotational and hydraulically controlled drive unit of an agricultural machine tool according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pressure Pmin is equal to 110% of the pressure required to ensure the rotation of the animated tool outside of the workload.

[Claim 10] Method for controlling an agricultural machine according to claim 6, characterized in that when an operator activates the climb control, the electronic control unit (12) deactivates one (2A) of the two distributors (2A, 2B, 9).

[Claim 11] Method for controlling an agricultural machine according to claim 6, characterized in that when an operator activates the descent control (11), the electronic control unit (12) reactivates one (2A ) of the two distributors (2A, 2B, 9).