Patent ID: 12247655

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for achieving them will become apparent by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present disclosure is complete and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

The shapes, sizes, proportions, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrations shown in the drawings. Like reference numerals denote like components throughout the specification. Furthermore, in the description of the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted. When ‘include,’ ‘have,’ ‘contain,’ etc. described in the present specification are used, one or more other components may be added unless ‘only’ is used. When a component is described in a singular form, it includes a plural form unless specifically stated otherwise.

When a component is interpreted, it is interpreted to include the margin of error thereof even when there is no separate explicit description.

In the case of a description of a positional relationship, for example, when the positional relationship of two parts is described as ‘on ˜,’ ‘over ˜,’ ‘beneath ˜’, ‘next to ˜,’ etc., one or more other parts may be placed between the two parts unless ‘immediately’ or ‘directly’ is used.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from one or more other components. Accordingly, a first component to be described below may also be a second component within the technical spirit of the present disclosure.

Like reference symbols denote like components throughout the specification.

The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawing are shown for ease of description, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness of the component shown in the drawing.

The individual features of various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or fully coupled or combined with each other, and may be operated and driven in conjunction with each other in various manners as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art. The individual embodiments may be implemented independently of each other, or may be implemented in conjunction with each other.

The embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A plurality of embodiments described below may be applied in an overlapping manner as long as they do not conflict with each other.

FIG.2shows a state in which the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure is mounted in the transmission unit200of an agricultural work vehicle.

Referring toFIG.2, the transmission unit200in which the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure is mounted may include a case210, a gear part230, and a suction part220.

The case210may form the appearance of the transmission unit200and may accommodate a working fluid. Furthermore, a predetermined space may be formed inside the case210, and the gear part230may be disposed in the predetermined space. In this case, the working fluid may be transmission oil that is used in the transmission unit200of the agricultural work vehicle.

The suction part220may be disposed on the lower portion of the case210, and a working fluid may be introduced into a suction pipe250through the suction part220and supplied to a hydraulic pump300. In this case, the lower portion of the case210may refer to the bottom surface of the case210that is located downward along the direction of gravity.

The gear part230may include a first bevel gear231and a second bevel gear233. The first bevel gear231may be connected to external power. The second bevel gear233may be disposed inside the case210, and may be meshed with, receive power from, and be rotated together with the first bevel gear231.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the working fluid stabilization device100may be a baffle means101that is disposed inside the case210and alleviates the introduction of bubbles in the working fluid, generated by the rotation of the gear part230, into the suction part220.

The baffle means101may be disposed between the gear part230and the suction part220inside the case210. Furthermore, the baffle means101may be coupled and fixed to the inner wall of a side of the case210. In this case, the side of the case210may refer to a side surface of the case210located on a side perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

As shown inFIG.2, when the first bevel gear231transmits rotational force, the second bevel gear rotates inside the case210. In this case, the second bevel gear233is immersed in the working fluid M, so that, as the second bevel gear233rotates, it generates vortexes in the working fluid M and thus generates bubbles F in the working fluid M in the direction of rotation as indicated by the arrows.

The baffle means101is disposed between the second bevel gear233of the gear part230and the suction part220and functions as a partition. Accordingly, the introduction of bubbles F in the working fluid M, generated due to vortexes during the rotation of the second bevel gear233, into the suction part220may be blocked or alleviated.

Meanwhile,FIGS.3to5show a first embodiment of the baffle means101of the present disclosure that is mounted in the transmission unit200of an agricultural work vehicle.

Referring toFIGS.3to5, the baffle means101according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first baffle110, a second baffle120, a plurality of fastening portions130, and a cutout portion140.

The first baffle110may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner wall of a side of the case210. That is, a space may be formed between the first baffle110and the inner wall of the side of the case210.

More specifically, the first baffle110may be mounted on a gear flange that is formed in the case210. A cylindrical gear shaft flange215through which the shaft of the second bevel gear233passes may be formed in the case210, and the first baffle110may be disposed to surround the outer circumference of the gear shaft flange215.

In this case, the cutout portion140may be formed in the first baffle110and have a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential shape of the gear shaft flange215. The first baffle110may be fixed to the outer circumference of the gear shaft flange215while the cutout portion140may be inserted over the gear shaft flange215.

In addition, the plurality of fastening portions130may be disposed adjacent to the cutout portion140in the first baffle110. Referring toFIG.5, a plurality of support beams211may be formed on the inner wall of the side of the case210, and the plurality of support beams211may be coupled into the plurality of fastening portions130, respectively. For example, a thread may be formed at the end of each of the support beams211, and the support beam211may be fastened with a fastening bolt213after being inserted into the fastening portion130. This fastening structure is not limited to a specific one and may vary. Through this configuration of the support beams211, the baffle means101may be disposed and fixed to be spaced apart from the inner wall of the side of the case210.

The second baffle120may be connected to the first baffle110and disposed between the gear part230and the suction part220.

In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the first baffle110and the second baffle120may each have a flat plate shape. Furthermore, the first baffle110may be disposed vertically inside the case210. Referring toFIG.5, the first baffle110may be fixed to the plurality of support beams211and disposed in a direction vertical to the rotation shaft of the second bevel gear233.

Furthermore, the second baffle120may be disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first baffle110. More specifically, the second baffle120may be formed in a flat plate shape, and may be disposed to be inclined downward in a direction from one side, connected to the first baffle110, to the opposite side. In this case, the suction part220is disposed under the second baffle120.

According to this structure, the second bevel gear233rotates, and vortexes are generated in the working fluid. Accordingly, even when bubbles are generated due to this phenomenon, the bubbles are basically blocked by the first and second baffles and are not introduced into the suction part220.

Even when bubbles flow in the direction of the suction part220through the lower part of the second baffle120as indicated by arrow A1, the bubbles move in the direction of arrow A2along the inclined surface of the second baffle120. Thereafter, the bubbles move upward as indicated by arrow A3along the space between the first baffle110and the case210. The quantity of bubbles introduced into the suction part220may be significantly reduced. That is, even when some bubbles are introduced under the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure, the bubbles may be guided upward through the slope of the second baffle120, and may be discharged above the working fluid stabilization device100through the space between the first baffle110and the case210.

Meanwhile, referring toFIGS.6to7b, there is shown a second embodiment of the baffle means101of the present disclosure that is mounted in the transmission unit200of the agricultural work vehicle.

Referring toFIGS.6to7b, the baffle means101according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first baffle110, a second baffle120, a plurality of fastening portions130, and a cutout portion140.

The first baffle110may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner wall of a side of the case210. That is, a space may be formed between the first baffle110and the inner wall of the side of the case210.

More specifically, the first baffle110may be mounted on a gear flange that is formed in the case210. A cylindrical gear shaft flange215through which the shaft of the second bevel gear233passes may be formed in the case210, and the first baffle110may be disposed to surround the outer circumference of the gear shaft flange215.

In this case, the cutout portion140may be formed in the first baffle110and have a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential shape of the gear shaft flange215. The first baffle110may be fixed to the outer circumference of the gear shaft flange215while the cutout portion140is inserted over the gear shaft flange215.

In addition, the plurality of fastening portions130may be disposed adjacent to the cutout portion140in the first baffle110. Referring toFIG.7B, a plurality of support beams211may be formed on the inner wall of the side of the case210, and the plurality of support beams211may be coupled into the plurality of fastening portions130, respectively. For example, a thread may be formed at the end of each of the support beams211, and the support beam211may be fastened with a fastening bolt213after being inserted into the fastening portion130. This fastening structure is not limited to a specific one and may vary. Through this configuration of the support beams211, the baffle means101may be disposed and fixed to be spaced apart from the inner wall of the side of the case210.

The second baffle120may be connected to the first baffle110and disposed between the gear part230and the suction part220.

In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the first baffle110may have a flat plate shape, and the second baffle120may have a curved plate shape disposed to surround the lower part of the second bevel gear233.

In addition, the first baffle110may be disposed vertically inside the case210. Referring toFIG.7B, the first baffle110may be fixed to the plurality of support beams211and disposed in a direction vertical to the rotation shaft of the second bevel gear233.

According to this structure, the second bevel gear233rotates, and vortexes are generated in the working fluid. Accordingly, even when bubbles are generated due to this phenomenon, the bubbles are basically blocked by the first and second baffles and are not introduced into the suction part220.

In particular, the second baffle120is disposed to surround the lower part of the second bevel gear233. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.2, the bubbles generated under the second bevel gear233as the second bevel gear233rotates may be effectively blocked from being introduced into the suction part220, or the quantity of bubbles introduced into the suction part220may be significantly reduced. That is, even when some bubbles are introduced into the lower part of the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure, the bubbles may be guided upward through the slope of the second baffle120, and the bubbles may be discharged above the working fluid stabilization device100through the space between the first baffle110and the case210.

Meanwhile,FIG.8is a graph comparing the numbers of bubbles generated versus bubble areas before and after the application of the baffles constituting the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, it can be seen that, when a case where the baffle means101is installed is compared with a case where the baffle means101is not installed, the number of bubbles generated was generally reduced for bubble areas of 100 mm2or more.

In particular, it was found through experimental values that the quantity of bubbles was reduced by approximately 76% or more for bubble areas of 150 mm2or more.

Accordingly, the total bubble area was reduced by approximately 56% from the previous 16,033 mm2to 7,053 mm2.

FIG.9is a graph comparing bubble reduction rates before and after the application of the baffles constituting the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure.

The following numerical values are numerical values related to the bubbles that were measured in the suction pipe250directed to the hydraulic pump300for approximately 8 seconds.

Referring toFIG.9, numerically, a) for a bubble area of 150 mm2or larger, the number of bubbles generated was 47 in the case of the absence of the baffles and was reduced to 11 in the case of the presence of the baffles. In other words, the number of bubbles generated was reduced by approximately 76%, and accordingly, the bubble generation rate after the improvement was improved to approximately 24%.

Furthermore, b) for a bubble area of 200 mm2or larger, the number of bubbles generated was 33 in the case of the absence of the baffles and was reduced to 6 in the case of the presence of the baffles. In other words, the number of bubbles generated was reduced by approximately 82%, and accordingly, the bubble generation rate after the improvement was improved to approximately 18%.

Furthermore, c) for a bubble area of 300 mm2or larger, the number of bubbles generated was 11 in the case of the absence of the baffles and was reduced to 1 in the case of the presence of the baffles. In other words, the number of bubbles generated was reduced by approximately 91%, and accordingly, the bubble generation rate after the improvement was improved to approximately 9%.

The total area (mm2) was calculated as the number of bubbles generated×the bubble area (mm2). There was a total decrease of approximately 56% from 16,033 mm2before the application of the baffles to 7,053 m2after the application of the baffles. Accordingly, the bubble generation rate after the improvement was improved to approximately 44%. In other words, the bubble generation area was decreased by approximately half by mounting the working fluid stabilization means. This indicates that the quantity of bubbles introduced into the suction pipe250was significantly reduced.

FIG.10is a graph showing bubble generation boxes before and after the application of the baffles constituting the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.10, it can be seen that the bubble size (mm2) data was relatively widely distributed in the case of the absence of the baffles whereas the bubble size (mm2) data was relatively narrowly distributed in the case of the presence of the baffles. In particular, when the baffles were applied, the bubble sizes were distributed in a smaller range.

In other words, it can be seen that, when the baffles were applied, bubbles having relatively large sizes were blocked by the baffles, so that the quantity of the bubbles introduced into the suction pipe250was significantly reduced.

The vibration, noise, etc. and the decrease in the durability of hydraulic components caused by bubbles are mainly caused by large-sized bubbles, so that the reduction in the introduction of bubbles having large bubble areas alleviates the problems of the prior art.

FIG.11is a graph comparing bubble areas versus bubble measurement times before and after the application of the baffles constituting the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.11, the bubble measurement time was approximately 8 seconds, more exactly 7.8 seconds. The horizontal numerical section1was 0.13 sec, and accordingly, the measurement section60was 7.8 sec.

It can be seen that before the application of the baffles, bubbles having large bubble areas were frequently generated during the measurement time whereas, after the application of the baffles, the frequency of generation of bubbles having relatively large bubble areas decreased during the measurement time.

It can be seen that through this, when the working fluid stabilization device100was applied, the introduction of bubbles having large bubble areas into the suction pipe250might be reduced.

FIG.12Ais a diagram showing the state of bubbles in a conventional suction pipe250, andFIG.12Bis a diagram showing the state of bubbles in the suction pipe250after the working fluid stabilization device100of the present disclosure has been installed.

FIGS.8to11compare the states of generation of bubbles before and after the application of the baffles, andFIGS.12aand12bshow actual bubble sizes.

As shown inFIG.12A, before the application of the baffles, it can be seen with the naked eye that bubbles having large bubble areas were introduced into the suction pipe250. In contrast with this, inFIG.12B, it can be seen that after the application of the baffles, bubbles having relatively small bubble areas were identified inside the suction pipe250.

As described above, after the application of the working fluid stabilization device100, the total area of bubbles introduced into the suction pipe250could be reduced, and in particular, the introduction of bubbles having large bubble areas could be reduced.

This may achieve the effect of reducing noise and vibration caused by bubbles in the working fluid. Furthermore, the stable flow of the working fluid may be maintained, so that problems such as undesirable maintenance in the performance of the hydraulic pump, the erroneous operation of the agricultural work vehicle, and the reduction in the durability of the hydraulic parts can be prevented. Ultimately, the stable operation of the agricultural work vehicle may be maintained.

The above description merely shows specific embodiments of the working fluid stabilization device for an agricultural work vehicle.

Therefore, it should be noted that it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be substituted and modified in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure set forth in the following claims.

The present disclosure has industrial applicability as a technology related to agricultural tractors.