Working Machine

• US 20080223631A1
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Filla, Reno, Ericson, Hans, Carlsson, Sven-Ake, Unneback, Joakim
• Application Number:
  US12/089,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20080223631A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/387 Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/415 Wheel loaders
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/20 Drives; Control devices gearings in general F16H; controlling in general G05; electric multi-motor drives H02K, H02P
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A working machine adapted for at least two functions, which include moving an implement and/or steering the machine, the machine includes: at least two hydraulic circuits, one hydraulic circuit for each of said functions, wherein each hydraulic circuit includes at least one hydraulic pump for operating the associated implement or steering function, a separate first electric machine drivingly connected to each of said hydraulic pumps for an individual supply of energy to the pump and extraction of energy from the pump, a transmission line for moving the working machine via driving wheels, wherein the transmission line includes at least one second electric machine, which is operatively connected to said first electric machines for an exchange of power between the hydraulic circuits and the transmission line.

Claims

1. A working machine adapted for at least two functions, which comprise at least one of moving an implement and steering the machine, wherein the machine comprises:

at least two hydraulic circuits, one hydraulic circuit for each of the functions, wherein each hydraulic circuit comprises at least one hydraulic pump for operating the associated implement or steering function,

a separate first electric machine drivingly connected to each of the hydraulic pumps for an individual supply of energy to the pump and extraction of energy from the pump,

a transmission line for moving the working machine via driving wheels, wherein the transmission line comprises at least one second electric machine, which is operatively connected to the first electric machine for an exchange of power between the hydraulic circuits and the transmission line.

2. A working machine according to claim 1, comprising a power source adapted to provide power to the hydraulic circuits and to the transmission line.

3. A working machine according to claim 2, wherein the power source comprises an internal combustion engine.

4. A working machine according to claim 2, wherein the transmission line comprises a transmission unit for engagement and disengagement of the power source relative to the driving wheels.

5. A working machine according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit is a hydrodynamic torque converter.

6. A working machine according to claim 5, wherein the hydrodynamic torque converter has a lock-up function where the transmission ratio of the torque converter is fixed.

7. A working machine according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit is a mechanical clutch.

8. A working machine according to claim 2, wherein the power source is operatively connected to one of the at least one second electric machine so as to supply power only to the second electric machine.

9. A working machine according to claim 8, wherein the transmission line comprises a further second electric machine and that the second electric machine, which is operatively connected to the power source, is operatively connected to the further second electric machine for an exchange of power.

10. A working machine according to claim 2, wherein the power source is an electric power generating motor for supplying electricity.

11. A working machine according to claim 10, wherein the electric power generating motor is a fuel cell.

12. A working machine according to claim 10, wherein the electric power generating motor is an internal combustion engine provided with an electric generator.

13. A working machine according to claim 10, wherein the electric power generating motor is a gas turbine provided with an electric generator.

14. A working machine according to claim 10, wherein the electric power generating motor is a free-piston engine provided with an electric generator.

15. A working machine according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a gearbox.

16. A working machine according to claim 1, comprises comprising an electric energy storage means, which is operatively connected to at least one of the first electric machine and the at least one second electric machine.

17. A working machine according to claim 16, wherein one or more of the electric machines is arranged to charge the electric energy storage means when the electric machine functions as a generator.

18. A working machine according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one second electric machines is arranged to brake the driving wheels of the working machine during a brake operation of the working machine.

19. A working machine according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one second electric machines is arranged to drive the driving wheels of the working machine during operation of the implement or during acceleration of the working machine.

20. A working machine according to claim 4, wherein the power source comprises an internal combustion engine, and one or more of the at least one second electric machine is arranged to facilitate coupling or decoupling of a direct operation state of the transmission unit by adapting the rotation of speed of the internal combustion engine and a rotation of speed of the transmission line to each other.

21. A working machine according to claim 1, wherein the working machine comprises three hydraulic pumps;

a first hydraulic pump being arranged to provide a lifting and lowering function of the implement, a second hydraulic pump being arranged to provide a tilting function of the implement, and a third hydraulic pump being arranged to provide the steering function of the working machine.

22. A working machine according to claim 1, wherein the working machine is a wheel loader.