Excavator motorization module and excavator equipped therewith

Abstract

The present invention relates to an excavator motorization module and an excavator equipped therewith, comprising: a housing that can be attached to the counterweight mount portion of an excavator; an electric motor installed in the housing; a motor-hydraulic pump installed in the housing that generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of a work mechanism using power generated by the electric motor; and an electrification controller that is electrically connected to the main controller of the excavator and controls the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal from the main controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to an excavator electrification module for switching an engine-based excavator to an electric excavator, and an excavator equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] An excavator is a construction machine that performs operations such as excavation work for digging the ground, loading work for transporting earth and sand, crushing work for demolishing buildings, and leveling work for leveling the ground at civil engineering, construction, and construction sites. <00​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an excavator electrification module for electrifying an engine-based excavator is disclosed, comprising: a housing that can be attached to the counterweight mount portion of the engine-based excavator; an electric motor installed in the housing; a motor-hydraulic pump installed in the housing that generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of a work mechanism using the power generated by the electric motor; and an electrification controller that is electrically connected to the main controller of the engine-based excavator and controls the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal from the main controller.

[0009] Furthermore, the excavator motorization module may further include an intake-side hydraulic coupling section that connects the intake line of the motor hydraulic pump to the excavator-side intake line between the excavator's hydraulic tank and engine hydraulic pump, and a discharge-side hydraulic coupling section that connects the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump to the excavator-side discharge line between the excavator's engine hydraulic pump and main control valve.

[0010] Furthermore, the excavator motorization module may further include a connector for electrically connecting the motorization control unit to the main controller.

[0011] Furthermore, the excavator motorization module may further include a pilot pump installed on the motor hydraulic pump for generating pilot pressure.

[0012] Furthermore, the motor hydraulic pump may be equipped with a pressure sensor for measuring discharge hydraulic pressure and a pressure control valve for controlling the swash plate angle, and the motorized controller may control the opening degree of the pressure control valve based on the sensing value of the pressure sensor.

[0013] Furthermore, a backflow prevention valve may be installed in the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump.

[0014] Furthermore, the housing may be provided with a coupling portion for detachably connecting to the counterweight mount portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the housing may also be equipped with a battery for supplying power to the electric motor.

[0016] Furthermore, the housing may be further equipped with an auxiliary motor for supplying power to the air conditioning compressor.

[0017] Furthermore, a generator that produces electricity and supplies it to the battery may be connected to the auxiliary motor.

[0018] Furthermore, the housing may be further equipped with an auxiliary counterweight that provides a certain amount of load to the main body of the engine-based excavator.

[0019] On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, an excavator is disclosed that includes an excavator body to which a working mechanism is connected; an internal combustion engine installed in the excavator body and controlled by an engine controller; an engine hydraulic pump that generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of the working mechanism using the power generated by the internal combustion engine; and an excavator electrification module installed in the excavator body for operating the working mechanism electrically without operating the internal combustion engine, wherein the excavator electrification module includes a housing that can be attached to the counterweight mount portion of the excavator body; an electric motor installed in the housing; a motor hydraulic pump installed in the housing and generating hydraulic pressure for the operation of the working mechanism using the power generated by the electric motor; and an electrification controller that is electrically connected to the main controller of the excavator and controls the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal of the main controller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an existing engine-based excavator can be easily electrified by simply installing an excavator electrification module on the counterweight mount section and connecting hydraulic and electrical lines.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the excavator motorization module itself also functions as a counterweight, which has the advantage of simplifying the overall configuration of the excavator.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to conveniently switch between engine-driven mode and motor-driven mode simply by operating a mode switching switch, and there is an advantage that the excavator can be used with both the engine and motor in combination as needed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] This is an exploded perspective view of an excavator equipped with an excavator motorization module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram of an excavator equipped with an excavator electrification module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator equipped with an excavator electrification module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A diagram showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator equipped with an excavator electrification module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A diagram showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator equipped with an excavator electrification module according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] The present invention can be subjected to various conversions and can have various embodiments. Specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all conversions, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. When it is determined that a specific description of related known technologies obscures the gist of the present invention in explaining the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] Terms such as first, second, etc. can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0026] The terms used in this application are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the excavator motorization module and the excavator equipped therewith according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding components will be given the same drawing number, and redundant descriptions relating thereto will be omitted.

[0028] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an excavator equipped with an excavator motorization module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a block diagram of an excavator equipped with an excavator motorization module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the hydraulic circuit of an excavator equipped with an excavator motorization module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the excavator 100 according to this embodiment includes an excavator body 110, an internal combustion engine 140, an engine hydraulic pump 190, and an excavator motorization module 200.

[0030] The excavator body 110 is connected to a work mechanism for performing tasks such as digging the ground. The work mechanism may include a boom 121 connected to the excavator body 110, an arm 123 connected to the boom 121, and a bucket 125 connected to the arm 123. A boom cylinder 122 for driving the boom 121 may be installed between the boom 121 and the excavator body 110, and an arm cylinder 124 for driving the arm 123 may be installed between the arm 123 and the boom 121. A bucket cylinder 126 for driving the bucket 125 may be installed between the bucket 125 and the arm 123.

[0031] A travel section 128, such as a crawler track, may be connected to the lower part of the excavator body 110. The travel section 128 and the excavator body 110 are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other, allowing the excavator body 110 to rotate relative to the travel section 128.

[0032] The internal combustion engine 140 is installed in the excavator body 110 and may include, for example, a diesel engine powered by light oil. The operation of the internal combustion engine 140 is controlled by an engine controller 145, and the operation of the engine controller 145 may be controlled by a main controller 170. The main controller 170 is configured to control the overall operation of the excavator, such as the operation of the working mechanism, in addition to the operation of the engine controller 145.

[0033] The engine hydraulic pump 190 is installed in the excavator body 110 and connected to the internal combustion engine 140. The engine hydraulic pump 190 uses the power generated by the internal combustion engine 140 to generate hydraulic pressure for the operation of the working mechanism. The hydraulic pressure generated from the engine hydraulic pump 190 is transmitted to the main control valve 160, and the operation of the main control valve 160 transmits the hydraulic pressure to the boom cylinder 122, arm cylinder 124, bucket cylinder 126, etc., thereby operating the working mechanism.

[0034] The configuration of the excavator body 110, internal combustion engine 140, engine hydraulic pump 190, etc., as described above, is the same as that of an existing engine-based excavator. According to this embodiment, an excavator motorization module 200 is further installed on an existing engine-based excavator to motorize the existing engine-based excavator.

[0035] The excavator motorization module 200 is for motorizing an engine-based excavator and is installed on the excavator body 110, enabling the operation of the work mechanism electrically without operating the internal combustion engine 140. Specifically, the configuration of the excavator motorization module 200 includes a housing 210, an electric motor 220, a motor hydraulic pump 230, and a motorization control unit 240.

[0036] The housing 210 constitutes the exterior of the excavator motorization module 200 and has an internal storage space for housing the electric motor 220, motor hydraulic pump 230, motorization control unit 240, and other components. The housing 210 is configured to be attachable to the counterweight mount section 130 provided on the excavator body 110.

[0037] Therefore, the housing 210 may be provided with a coupling portion for detachably connecting to the counterweight mount portion 130, and the coupling portion can be realized by a variety of locking mechanisms that can lock / unlock between mechanical parts.

[0038] The counterweight of the excavator 100 functions to maintain the balance of the excavator 100 by providing a constant load to the excavator body 110. After removing the counterweight from the counterweight mounting section 130 of the excavator body 110, the housing 210 is connected to the counterweight mounting section 130. In this way, the excavator motorization module 200 of this embodiment can perform the function of a counterweight using its own weight, and if additional weight is required, an auxiliary counterweight can be installed in the housing 210. For this reason, the housing 210 may be provided with a counterweight mounting section for attaching an auxiliary counterweight.

[0039] The electric motor 220 is installed inside the housing 210 and is configured to generate power through a power supply. The housing 210 may also be equipped with a battery 248 for supplying power to the electric motor 220. The battery 248 can be configured to be rechargeable by an external power source. However, in addition to the power supply method using the battery 248, a wired power supply method via a cable is also possible.

[0040] The motor hydraulic pump 230 is installed in the housing 210 and uses power generated by the electric motor 220 to generate hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work mechanism. As shown in Figure 3, the motor hydraulic pump 230 may be connected to an intake line 235 for drawing in hydraulic pressure and discharge lines 233 and 234 for discharging hydraulic pressure. The discharge lines 233 and 234 may include a first discharge line 233 and a second discharge line 234 connected to a first discharge section 231 and a second discharge section 232 of the motor hydraulic pump 230, respectively. The intake line 235 and the discharge lines 233 and 234 may be provided with an intake-side hydraulic connector 253 and discharge-side hydraulic connectors 251 and 252.

[0041] In existing excavators, the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic tank 180 and an engine hydraulic pump 190 connected via an excavator-side suction line 181, and the engine hydraulic pump 190 and a main control valve 160 connected via excavator-side discharge lines 150:153, 154. The hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic tank 180 is transmitted to the main control valve 160 by the operation of the engine hydraulic pump 190. The engine hydraulic pump 190 may also include a first discharge section 151 and a second discharge section 152, and the main control valve 160 may also include a first control valve 161 and a second control valve 162 connected to these, respectively. The first control valve 161 is connected to the first discharge section 151 of the engine hydraulic pump 190 via a first excavator-side discharge line 153, and the second control valve 162 is connected to the second discharge section 152 of the engine hydraulic pump 190 via a second excavator-side discharge line 154.

[0042] The suction-side hydraulic coupling section 253 is configured to connect the suction line 235 of the motor hydraulic pump 230 to the excavator-side suction line 181 between the excavator's hydraulic tank 180 and the engine hydraulic pump 190.

[0043] The discharge-side hydraulic couplings 251 and 252 are configured to connect the discharge lines 233 and 234 of the motor hydraulic pump 230 to the excavator-side discharge lines 153 and 154 between the excavator's engine hydraulic pump 190 and the main control valve 160. The discharge-side hydraulic couplings 251 and 252 may include a first discharge-side hydraulic coupling 251 connected to the first excavator-side discharge line 153 and a second discharge-side hydraulic coupling 252 connected to the second excavator-side discharge line 154.

[0044] The electric control unit 240 is electrically connected to the main controller 170 of the excavator and is configured to control the operation of the electric motor 220 based on the control signals of the main controller 170.

[0045] The excavator motorization module 200 may be equipped with a first connector 281 for electrically connecting the motorization control unit 240 to the main controller 170. A mode selector switch 260 for switching between engine-driven mode and motor-driven mode may also be connected to the first connector 281. The mode selector switch 260 can be installed on the control panel of an existing excavator, or its function can be modified by changing the software to make an existing control panel switch function as the mode selector switch 260.

[0046] The main controller 170 may be configured to selectively deactivate the engine controller 145 or the motor controller 240 in response to a switching signal to either engine drive mode or motor drive mode being input via the mode switching switch 260, which can be achieved by updating the software of the existing excavator's control system.

[0047] For example, when a signal to switch to motor drive mode is input while the system is in engine drive mode, the main controller 170 deactivates the engine controller 145 and activates the electrification controller 240. The electrification controller 240 then controls the operation of the electric motor 220 and electrical components based on the control signals from the main controller 170. At this time, the system can be configured to shut off the power supply to the engine drive and control components.

[0048] Furthermore, an air conditioning compressor 243 and an auxiliary motor 245 for supplying power to the air conditioning compressor 243 may be installed inside the housing 210. A generator 247 that produces electricity using the power of the motor shaft may also be connected to the auxiliary motor 245, and this can be configured to supply power to the battery 248.

[0049] To describe the process of installing the excavator motorization module 200 according to this embodiment onto an existing excavator, first, the counterweight is removed from the excavator body 110, and then the housing 210 of the excavator motorization module 200 is connected to the counterweight mounting portion 130 of the excavator body 110. Next, the suction-side hydraulic coupling portion 253 of the motor hydraulic pump 230 is connected to the excavator-side suction line 181, and the discharge-side hydraulic coupling portions 252, 252 are connected to the excavator-side discharge lines 153, 154. In addition, the first connector 281 is connected to the electrical wiring of the excavator to establish an electrical connection between the excavator motorization module 200 and the existing excavator control system.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a hydraulic circuit for an excavator equipped with an excavator motorization module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] According to this embodiment, a pilot pump 270 for generating pilot pressure may be further installed in the motor hydraulic pump 230. A gear pump may be used as the pilot pump 270, and the gear pump can be installed at the PTO (Power Take Off) end of the motor hydraulic pump 230 or on the gear output shaft (i.e., P3 stage). Alternatively, a separate sub-motor can be installed inside the housing 210 and the pilot pump 270 can be connected to it.

[0052] In addition, a pilot pump 195 for generating pilot pressure may also be installed in the engine hydraulic pump 190, and a gear pump may also be used for this purpose. The pilot pump 195 installed in the engine hydraulic pump 190 is connected to a pilot block 185 via a pilot line 199. The pilot block 185 stabilizes the hydraulic pressure generated by the pilot pump 195 and provides it to a remote control valve connected to an operating lever.

[0053] According to this embodiment, when installing the excavator motorization module 200, the pilot coupling section 256 provided on the discharge line of the pilot pump 270 of the motor hydraulic pump 230 is further connected to the pilot line 199. This makes it possible to provide pilot pressure to the remote control valve by the operation of the electric motor 220 even when the internal combustion engine 140 is not operating.

[0054] Furthermore, check valves 275, 276, and 277 may be installed in the discharge lines of the motor hydraulic pump 230. Check valves 275, 276, and 277 may be installed in the first and second discharge lines 233 and 234 of the motor hydraulic pump 230 and in the discharge line of the pilot pump 270, respectively. Check valves, shuttle valves, stop valves, solenoid valves, speed valves, poppet valves, etc. may be used as check valves 275, 276, and 277.

[0055] Furthermore, backflow prevention valves 196, 197, and 198 may also be installed on the engine hydraulic pump 190 side, and these may be installed on the first and second excavator-side discharge lines 153 and 154 and the pilot line 199, respectively.

[0056] In this embodiment, compared to the above embodiment, a configuration is further equipped with pilot pumps 195, 270 and backflow prevention valves 196, 197, 198, 275, 276, and 277. It can also be said that a configuration is possible in which only one of the pilot pumps 195, 270 and backflow prevention valves 196, 197, 198, 275, 276, and 277 is further applied.

[0057] Figure 5 shows a hydraulic circuit for an excavator equipped with an excavator motorization module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the motor hydraulic pump 230 is further equipped with pressure sensors 273 and 274 for measuring discharge hydraulic pressure, and pressure control valves 271 and 272 for swash plate angle control. For reference, proportional pressure reducing valves may be used as pressure control valves 271 and 272.

[0059] The pressure sensors 273 and 274 and the pressure control valves 271 and 272 may be separately installed at the first and second discharge sections 231 and 232 of the motor hydraulic pump 230, respectively. As shown in Figure 2, the pressure sensors 273 and 274 and the pressure control valves 271 and 272 may be electrically connected to the motorized controller 240 via electrical wiring. The motorized controller 240 can be configured to control the opening of the pressure control valves 271 and 272 based on the sensing values ​​of the pressure sensors 273 and 274.

[0060] Pressure sensors 193, 194 and pressure control valves 191, 192 may also be installed at the first and second discharge sections 151, 152 of the engine hydraulic pump 190, and these may be electrically connected to the engine controller 145.

[0061] Referring to Figure 2, the excavator motorization module 200 may further be provided with a second connector 282 for connecting the electrical wiring of the pressure sensors 273, 274 and pressure control valves 271, 272 of the motor hydraulic pump 230 to the electrical wiring on the engine hydraulic pump 190 side.

[0062] On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is also possible to further install the backflow prevention valves 196, 197, 198, 275, 276, and 277 described above on the engine hydraulic pump 190 and the motor hydraulic pump 230.

[0063] While the above has been described with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention, a person with ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the present invention can be modified and altered in various ways, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 100 Excavators 110 Excavator body 121 Boom 122 Boom Cylinder 123 Arm 124 Arm Cylinder 125 buckets 126 Bucket Cylinder 128 Running section 130 Counterweight Mount Section 140 Internal Combustion Engine 145 Engine controller 150 Excavator-side discharge line 160 Main control valve 170 Main Controller 190 Engine Hydraulic Pump 200 Excavator Electrification Modules 210 Housing 220 Electric Motor 230 Motor Hydraulic Pump 240 Electrification Control Unit 245 Auxiliary motor 248 batteries 251, 252 Discharge side hydraulic connection section 253 Intake side hydraulic connection 260 Mode Switching Switch 270 Pilot Pump 271, 272 Pressure control valves 273, 274 Pressure Sensors 275, 276, 277 Backflow prevention valves 281 First connector 282 Second connector

Claims

1. An excavator motorization module for electrifying an engine-based excavator, A housing that can be attached to the counterweight mount section of the engine-based excavator, An electric motor installed inside the housing, A motor-hydraulic pump installed in the housing generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work mechanism using power generated by the electric motor, An excavator motorization module, comprising: an electric motorization controller electrically connected to the main controller of the engine-based excavator, which controls the operation of the electric motor based on the control signals of the main controller.

2. A suction-side hydraulic coupling unit connects the suction line of the motor hydraulic pump to the excavator-side suction line between the excavator's hydraulic tank and the engine hydraulic pump, A discharge-side hydraulic coupling unit connects the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump to the excavator-side discharge line between the engine hydraulic pump and the main control valve of the excavator, The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, further comprising a connector for electrically connecting the motorization control unit to the main controller.

4. The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, further comprising a pilot pump installed on the motor hydraulic pump for generating pilot pressure.

5. The motor hydraulic pump is equipped with a pressure sensor for measuring discharge hydraulic pressure and a pressure control valve for controlling the swash plate angle. The electric motorization control unit controls the opening degree of the pressure control valve based on the sensing value of the pressure sensor, as described in claim 1, for the excavator motorization module.

6. The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, characterized in that a backflow prevention valve is installed in the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump.

7. The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling portion installed in the housing and detachably coupled to the counterweight mount portion.

8. The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, further comprising a battery installed in the housing for supplying power to the electric motor.

9. The excavator motorization module according to claim 8, further comprising an auxiliary motor installed in the housing for supplying power to an air conditioning compressor.

10. The excavator motorization module according to claim 9, further comprising a generator connected to the auxiliary motor and producing electricity to supply to the battery.

11. The excavator motorization module according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary counterweight installed in the housing and providing a certain amount of load to the main body of the engine-based excavator.

12. The excavator body to which the working mechanism is connected, An internal combustion engine installed in the excavator body and controlled by an engine control unit, An engine-hydraulic pump that generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work mechanism using power generated by the internal combustion engine, The excavator includes an electric excavator module installed on the excavator body for operating the work mechanism electrically without operating the internal combustion engine, The aforementioned excavator motorization module is A housing that can be attached to the counterweight mount portion of the excavator body, An electric motor installed inside the housing, A motor-hydraulic pump installed in the housing generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work mechanism using power generated by the electric motor, An excavator, characterized by including an electrification control unit that is electrically connected to the main controller of the excavator and controls the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal from the main controller.

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