Rotary brake releasing method, rotary hydraulic system and rotary engineering machinery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for releasing the slewing brake of a slewing engineering machinery, wherein the engineering machinery comprises: a hydraulic lock master switch; a slewing operating handle; a slewing motor for driving an upper body of the engineering machinery to perform slewing motion relative to a lower body; a controller electrically connected to the hydraulic lock master switch to receive a signal from the hydraulic lock master switch, electrically connected to the slewing operating handle to receive a position signal from the slewing operating handle, and electrically connected to the slewing motor to send a slewing brake release signal to the slewing motor; the method comprises: determining whether the hydraulic lock is released; determining whether the engineering machinery is performing slope operation or flat ground operation; determining whether the slewing operating handle is in a neutral position, and when it is determined that the engineering machinery is performing slope operation: when the hydraulic lock is released and the slewing operating handle is not in the neutral position, releasing the slewing brake of the slewing motor; and when the hydraulic lock is not released or the slewing operating handle is in the neutral position, keeping the slewing motor in a slewing brake state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rotary engineering machinery. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for releasing a rotary brake for a rotary engineering machinery. The present invention also relates to a rotary hydraulic system for a rotary engineering machinery and a rotary engineering machinery including the rotary hydraulic system. Background Art

[0002] Rotating construction machinery such as excavators, cranes, and aerial work vehicles generally include an upper body (i.e., the upper body portion), a lower body (i.e., the chassis portion), and a working device, the working device including, for example, a boom, a dipper arm, and a bucket. The upper body is capable of rotating relative to the lower body. This rotation is achieved by a rotary hydraulic system including a rotary motor. When the rotary motor is in a rotary brake state, the upper body is in a locked state and cannot rotate. When the rotary brake of the rotary motor is released, the upper body is in a floating state and can rotate based on a signal from the rotary operating handle.

[0003] In one prior art swing brake release method for a swing hydraulic system, after the engine is started, pilot oil reaches the main oil port (PG port) of the swing motor's swing brake release valve. After the hydraulic lock master switch is turned on, when any vehicle-mounting action (such as boom, arm, bucket, or swing) is performed, the pilot oil pressure is fed back to the control port (SH port) of the swing motor's swing brake release valve, causing the swing brake release valve (typically a two-position, three-way valve) to switch its operating position, releasing the swing brake using the pressure oil at the PG port.

[0004] The disadvantage of this brake release method is that any loading action (such as boom, arm, bucket, or swing) releases the vehicle's swing brake. Therefore, in certain operating conditions (such as on slopes), the swing brake may fail during non-swing loading operations, potentially leading to an unexpected swing and causing a production safety accident. Furthermore, because the controller does not determine whether the vehicle is operating on a slope, if the vehicle is subjected to an applied lateral load while operating on flat ground and the upper body's floating function is disabled, the vehicle's lifespan may be shortened.

[0005] In another prior art swing brake release method for a swing hydraulic system, after the engine is started, pilot oil reaches the main oil port (PG port) of the swing motor's swing brake release valve. After the main hydraulic lock switch is turned on, a controller detects whether the vehicle's operating handles are in the neutral position. If any of the vehicle's operating handles are not in the neutral position, the controller sends an electrical signal to the control port (SH port) of the swing motor's swing brake release valve, causing the swing brake release valve (typically a two-position, three-way valve) to switch its operating position, releasing the swing brake using the pressurized oil at the PG port.

[0006] A drawback of this brake release method is that the controller sends an electrical signal to release the swing brake if any of the vehicle's operating handles are not in the neutral position. Similarly, under certain operating conditions (such as on slopes), the swing brake may fail during non-swing vehicle boarding operations, potentially leading to an unexpected swing and potentially causing a production safety accident.

[0007] In short, in the rotary hydraulic system of the prior art, the upper vehicle body may be rotated even if the rotary handle is not operated.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In response to the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention proposes a slewing brake release method and a slewing hydraulic system to prevent engineering machinery from rotating on its own when carrying a load on a slope, and to avoid accidental rotation of the upper vehicle body during non-slewing boarding operations when working on a slope.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for releasing a slewing brake of a slewing engineering machine is provided, wherein the engineering machine comprises:

[0011] Hydraulic lock master switch;

[0012] Rotary operating handle;

[0013] a rotary motor for driving the upper body of the engineering machine to perform a rotary motion relative to the lower body;

[0014] a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to a hydraulic lock master switch so as to receive a signal therefrom, the controller is electrically connected to a swing operating handle so as to receive a position signal therefrom, and the controller is electrically connected to a swing motor so as to send a swing brake release signal to the swing motor;

[0015] The method comprises:

[0016] Determine whether the hydraulic lock is released by detecting the signal from the hydraulic lock master switch;

[0017] Determine whether the construction machinery is operating on a slope or on flat ground;

[0018] By detecting the position signal of the rotary operating handle, it is determined whether the rotary operating handle is in the middle position.

[0019] The feature is that when it is determined that the engineering machinery is performing slope operations,

[0020] When the hydraulic lock is released and the swing operating handle is not in the neutral position, releasing the swing brake of the swing motor;

[0021] When the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle is in the middle position, the swing motor is kept in the swing braking state.

[0022] In the above method, by changing the judgment conditions for releasing the slewing brake, the safety of the slewing of the construction machinery is significantly increased, and accidental slewing is prevented, especially accidental slewing during non-slewing boarding operations when working on a slope.

[0023] Advantageously, the controller is electrically connected to a swing brake release valve of the swing motor, and releasing the swing brake of the swing motor comprises the controller sending an electrical signal to the swing brake release valve to switch the swing brake release valve to an open state.

[0024] Advantageously, the swing brake release valve can be installed on a swing motor, a main valve of a construction machine, or another valve block.

[0025] Advantageously, when it is determined that the construction machine is performing a leveling operation and the hydraulic lock is released, the swing brake of the swing motor is released.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotary hydraulic system for a rotary engineering machine is provided, comprising:

[0027] Hydraulic lock master switch;

[0028] Rotary operating handle;

[0029] a rotary motor for driving the upper body of the engineering machine to perform a rotary motion relative to the lower body;

[0030] a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to a hydraulic lock master switch so as to receive a signal therefrom, the controller is electrically connected to a swing operating handle so as to receive a position signal therefrom, and the controller is electrically connected to a swing motor so as to send a swing brake release signal to the swing motor;

[0031] It is characterized in that the controller is configured so that when the engineering machinery is performing slope operations,

[0032] When the hydraulic lock is released and the swing operating handle is not in the neutral position, releasing the swing brake of the swing motor;

[0033] When the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle is in the middle position, the swing motor is kept in the swing braking state.

[0034] Advantageously, the controller is electrically connected to the swing brake release valve of the swing motor. When the swing brake of the swing motor is released, the controller sends an electrical signal to the swing brake release valve to switch the swing brake release valve to an open state.

[0035] Advantageously, the swing brake release valve can be installed on a swing motor, a main valve of a construction machine, or another valve block.

[0036] Advantageously, the controller is configured to release the swing brake of the swing motor when the construction machine is performing a leveling operation and the hydraulic lock is released.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary engineering machine comprising the rotary hydraulic system as described above.

[0038] Advantageously, the construction machine is an excavator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. The accompanying drawings and corresponding embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a rotary hydraulic system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 A flow chart of a method according to the present invention for releasing a swing brake of a swing construction machine is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand and implement the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented without some of these specific details. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, it is contemplated that the present invention may be implemented with any combination of the features and elements described below, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages described below are intended for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as elements or limitations of the claims unless expressly set forth in the claims.

[0043] Figure 1A slewing hydraulic system according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, which includes a hydraulic lock master switch 1, a hydraulic lock solenoid valve 4, a slewing operating handle 5, a slewing motor 12, and a controller 2. The slewing motor 12 is used to drive the upper body of the engineering machinery to perform slewing motion relative to the lower body. The controller 2 is electrically connected to the hydraulic lock master switch 1 on the one hand to receive signals from the hydraulic lock master switch 1, and is electrically connected to the slewing operating handle 5 on the other hand to receive position signals from the slewing operating handle 5. In addition, the controller 2 is electrically connected to the slewing motor 12 to send a slewing brake release signal to the slewing motor. More specifically, the controller 2 is electrically connected to the slewing brake release valve 10 of the slewing motor 12. The slewing brake release valve 10 can be installed on the slewing motor 12, on the main valve 9 of the engineering machinery, or on other valve blocks.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, after the engineering machine's engine is started, the hydraulic lock master switch 1 is turned on, releasing the hydraulic lock. Pilot oil from the pilot pump or pressure reducing valve flows through the hydraulic lock solenoid valve 4 to the main valve core control ports (hydraulic control) 7 and 8 at both ends of the main valve 9, as well as the oil inlet of the swing brake release valve 10. According to the present invention, when the engineering machine is performing slope operations, if the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle 5 is in the neutral position, the swing motor 12 is maintained in the swing brake state, preventing the upper body of the engineering machine from swinging relative to the lower body. When the engineering machine is performing leveling operations and the hydraulic lock is released, the swing motor 12 is in the swing brake release state, at which point the upper body is in a floating state, allowing it to swing based on the signal from the swing operating handle 5. The operating conditions of the engineering machine performing leveling operations or slope operations can be detected by sensors such as angle sensors, or by other methods known in the art.

[0045] When the construction machinery is operating on a slope, the controller 2 detects whether the upper vehicle slewing operating handle 5 is in the neutral position. If the upper vehicle slewing operating handle 5 is not in the neutral position, the controller 2 sends an electrical signal to the slewing brake release valve 10, causing the slewing brake release valve 10 (typically a two-position, three-way valve) to switch its operating position from closed to open. Pilot oil at the oil inlet of the slewing brake release valve 10 flows through the slewing brake release valve 10 to the brake release oil port (PG port) of the slewing motor 12, releasing the slewing brake of the slewing motor 12.

[0046] In the swing hydraulic system according to the present invention, the controller 2 controls the swing brake release valve 10 of the swing motor 12 based on the activation of the hydraulic lock master switch 1, the determination of the working condition of the construction machine, whether it is leveling or sloped operation, and the position signal from the swing operating handle 5. When leveling operation is being performed and the hydraulic lock is released, the swing brake of the swing motor 12 is released. When slope operation is being performed, if the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle 5 is in the neutral position, the swing brake of the swing motor 12 is maintained. When the hydraulic lock is released and the swing operating handle 5 is not in the neutral position, the swing brake of the swing motor 12 is released. This provides a two-level safety control for swing motor brake release when the construction machine is operating on a slope: the first level safety setting is the hydraulic lock master switch 1, and the second level safety setting is the control of the brake release valve 10 of the swing motor 12 by the controller 2 based on the position signal of the swing operating handle 5 and the working condition of the construction machine. The slewing hydraulic system of the present invention effectively prevents the construction machinery from slewing on a slope while carrying a load, and avoids accidental slewing of the upper vehicle during non-slewing loading operations during slope operations, which could cause production safety accidents. The slewing hydraulic system of the present invention prevents the upper vehicle from slewing unless the slewing operating handle 5 is operated during slope operations, significantly improving the safety of the construction machinery and preventing accidental slewing.

[0047] It should be noted that, depending on actual needs, when the construction machinery is performing grading operations, the swing motor 12 can also be configured to maintain the swing brake state when the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle 5 is in the neutral position. In this case, the controller 2 will similarly control the swing brake release valve 10 of the swing motor 12 based on the opening of the hydraulic lock master switch 1 and the position signal from the swing operating handle 5.

[0048] Industrial Applicability

[0049] The swing hydraulic system according to the present invention significantly improves the safety of construction machinery swinging by modifying the conditions for releasing the swing brake, preventing unintended swings, particularly during non-swing loading operations on slopes. This safety design logic is applicable to swing-type construction machinery such as excavators, cranes, and aerial platforms, as well as other types of machinery with similar operating requirements.

[0050] Figure 2 A flowchart schematically illustrates a method for releasing the swing brake of a swing-type engineering machinery using a swing hydraulic system according to the present invention. After the engine is started, step S01 detects whether the hydraulic lock master switch 1 is on and determines whether the hydraulic lock has been released. If the hydraulic lock is released, the process proceeds to step S02; otherwise, the method terminates.

[0051] In step S02, the operating condition of the construction machine is detected to determine whether it is operating on a slope or on flat ground. When the construction machine is operating on a slope, if the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle 5 is in the neutral position, the swing motor 12 is kept in the swing brake state. When the construction machine is operating on flat ground and the hydraulic lock is released, the swing motor 12 is in the released swing brake state. If it is determined that the construction machine is operating on a slope, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the method terminates.

[0052] In step S03, it is determined whether the rotary operating handle 5 is in the middle position by detecting the position signal of the rotary operating handle 5. If it is determined that the rotary operating handle 5 is not in the middle position, step S04 is entered, otherwise the method ends.

[0053] In step S04 , the controller 2 sends an electric signal to the swing brake release valve 10 to release the swing brake of the swing motor 12 .

[0054] The above describes the swing hydraulic system and the swing brake release method of the present invention with the help of specific embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments disclosed above without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, the implementation of the present invention may not include some of the specific features described, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described, but rather any combination of the described features and elements can be envisioned. Other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed swing hydraulic system and the swing brake release method. The description and examples are to be regarded as exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for releasing a slew brake of a slewable engineering machine, the engineering machine comprising: Hydraulic lock master switch (1); Rotating operating handle (5); a rotary motor (12) for driving the upper body of the engineering machine to perform a rotary motion relative to the lower body; A controller (2), wherein the controller is electrically connected to a hydraulic lock master switch so as to receive a signal from the hydraulic lock master switch, the controller is electrically connected to a swing operating handle so as to receive a position signal from the swing operating handle, and the controller is electrically connected to a swing motor so as to send a swing brake release signal to the swing motor; The method comprises: Determine whether the hydraulic lock is released by detecting the signal from the hydraulic lock master switch; Determine whether the construction machinery is operating on a slope or on flat ground; By detecting the position signal of the rotary operating handle, it is determined whether the rotary operating handle is in the middle position. The feature is that when it is determined that the engineering machinery is performing slope operations, When the hydraulic lock is released and the swing operating handle is not in the neutral position, releasing the swing brake of the swing motor; When the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle is in the middle position, the swing motor is kept in the swing braking state.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The controller is electrically connected to a rotary brake release valve (10) of the rotary motor. Releasing the rotary brake of the rotary motor includes the controller sending an electrical signal to the rotary brake release valve to switch the rotary brake release valve to an open state.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The swing brake release valve is installed on a main valve of a swing motor or an engineering machine.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When it is determined that the construction machine is performing a ground leveling operation and the hydraulic lock is released, the swing brake of the swing motor is released.

5. A rotary hydraulic system for rotary engineering machinery, comprising: Hydraulic lock master switch (1); Rotating operating handle (5); a rotary motor (12) for driving the upper body of the engineering machine to perform a rotary motion relative to the lower body; A controller (2), wherein the controller is electrically connected to a hydraulic lock master switch so as to receive a signal from the hydraulic lock master switch, the controller is electrically connected to a swing operating handle so as to receive a position signal from the swing operating handle, and the controller is electrically connected to a swing motor so as to send a swing brake release signal to the swing motor; It is characterized in that the controller is configured so that when the engineering machinery is performing slope operations, When the hydraulic lock is released and the swing operating handle is not in the neutral position, releasing the swing brake of the swing motor; When the hydraulic lock is not released or the swing operating handle is in the middle position, the swing motor is kept in the swing braking state.

6. The rotary hydraulic system according to claim 5, wherein: The controller is electrically connected to a swing brake release valve (10) of the swing motor. When the swing brake of the swing motor is released, the controller sends an electrical signal to the swing brake release valve to switch the swing brake release valve to an open state.

7. The rotary hydraulic system according to claim 6, wherein: The swing brake release valve is installed on a main valve of a swing motor or an engineering machine.

8. The rotary hydraulic system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The controller is configured to release the swing brake of the swing motor when the construction machine is performing a leveling operation and the hydraulic lock is released.

9. A rotary engineering machine comprising the rotary hydraulic system according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. The rotary engineering machine according to claim 9, wherein: The construction machine is an excavator.

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