Complex multi-runner optimization design method for hydraulic element
By using search algorithms such as ant colony optimization in a 3D obstacle map to optimize the multi-channel design of hydraulic components, the problems of low design efficiency, weight redundancy, and large fluid pressure loss are solved, and a compact and lightweight multi-channel layout is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511131499.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing multi-channel designs for hydraulic components suffer from problems such as low design efficiency, weight redundancy, large fluid pressure loss, and high risk of channel interference. In particular, there is a lack of efficient automatic layout methods in the field of additive manufacturing.
Search algorithms such as ant colony optimization are used to perform path search and smoothing in a 3D obstacle map to generate continuous flow channels. Through dynamic cyclic optimization, automatic layout of multiple flow channels is achieved, and the shape and length of the flow channels are optimized to reduce volume and pressure loss.
It enables automatic layout of multi-channel systems, reduces the size and weight of hydraulic components, lowers fluid pressure loss, and improves design efficiency and the accuracy of channel layout.
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Figure CN120951486A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of digital design and manufacturing technology of hydraulic components, and in particular to a method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components. Background Technology
[0002] In hydraulic systems, the size and weight of hydraulic components significantly affect the overall performance of the machine, while their flow channel structure influences pressure loss and efficiency. A flow channel refers to the pathway through which fluid flows within a component in a hydraulic system; it is the fundamental structure of each hydraulic component. Hydraulic components with complex multi-flow channel structures (such as hydraulic manifolds and valve bodies) are core components of hydraulic systems, and the rationality of their flow channel layout directly affects the system's performance, size, and reliability.
[0003] In the design of hydraulic components with multi-channel structures for traditional machining conditions, machining holes are introduced into the internal flow channels of hydraulic components such as hydraulic manifolds or valve bodies. This increases the contact area between the fluid and the inner wall of the flow channel, generating vortices and resulting in fluid pressure loss. This design approach leads to a lower internal flow channel volume compared to the overall external volume of the multi-channel hydraulic component, wasting design space and causing excessive material redundancy, making the hydraulic component too heavy. It also places high demands on designers. Furthermore, the design of multi-channel structures for advanced manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing also suffers from problems such as reliance on manual design, being time-consuming and labor-intensive, and requiring extensive design experience. Currently, the following significant drawbacks exist in flow channel layout design: Low design efficiency: Manual planning of multi-channel systems requires repeated path adjustments, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when there are many channels and complex spatial structures. The design cycle is long and prone to errors. Moreover, manual design is mostly concentrated in the field of traditional machining, and there are relatively few design methods for advanced manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing.
[0004] Weight redundancy: Manual layout makes it difficult to minimize the length of the flow channel, resulting in large hydraulic components with increased weight, which does not meet the lightweight design requirements of modern equipment.
[0005] Large fluid pressure loss: Traditional machining flow channels often adopt right-angle bend structures and have process holes. When the fluid flows through, the local resistance is significant, and long flow channels will increase the pressure loss along the flow path and reduce the system energy efficiency.
[0006] High risk of flow channel interference: It is difficult to accurately avoid spatial interference between multiple flow channels in one manual design. It requires a lot of experience and time to make adjustments. Otherwise, problems such as flow channel intersection and tool collision may occur during processing. It requires a high level of experience from designers.
[0007] While some algorithm-based path planning attempts exist in existing technologies, they generally suffer from problems such as insufficient dynamic obstacle update mechanisms, low accuracy in flow channel smoothing, and difficulty in coordinating multi-objective optimization (lightweighting and pressure loss control). Therefore, there is an urgent need for an efficient design method that can achieve automatic multi-channel layout, reduce volume and weight, and lower pressure loss. Summary of the Invention
[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components, which solves the problems of low design efficiency, weight redundancy, large fluid pressure loss and high risk of channel interference.
[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components.
[0010] Includes the following steps: S1. Input parameters: Input the starting point, ending point, flow radius, and initial obstacle control point of multiple flow channels; S2. Generate obstacle map: Based on the initial obstacle control points, generate obstacle axes and radii to obtain the three-dimensional structural model of the initial obstacles, and convert it into a three-dimensional obstacle map; S3. Path Search and Smoothing: A search algorithm is used to search for obstacle avoidance paths in the obstacle map. With the shortest flow channel length as the constraint, the discrete control points obtained by the search are smoothed by spline curves to generate continuous flow channels. S4. Dynamic loop optimization: Determine whether all flow channels have been laid out. If not, update the newly generated flow channel control points as dynamic obstacles to the 3D obstacle map, and repeat the above path search and smoothing steps until all flow channels have been laid out. S5. Output Results: Outputs the smooth control points or curves for each flow channel.
[0011] Preferably, in step S3, the search algorithm includes, but is not limited to, ant colony optimization, particle swarm optimization, or A* algorithm.
[0012] Preferably, the dynamic obstacle includes an existing flow channel structure, a valve core entity, or other structures that do not allow fluid to pass through.
[0013] Preferably, in the spline curve smoothing step, the curve form includes, but is not limited to, B-spline curves, NURBS curves, or Bézier curves.
[0014] Preferably, the pressure loss optimization is achieved in the following ways: Flow channel shape optimization: Reduce flow channel bend angles and decrease local pressure loss by smoothing with spline curves; Shorter flow path length: Reduce pressure loss along the flow path by searching for the shortest path.
[0015] Preferably, the method for generating the three-dimensional obstacle map includes voxel dilation, implicit surface modeling, or boundary representation.
[0016] Therefore, the present invention provides a complex multi-channel optimization design method for hydraulic components using the above-described structure, which has the following beneficial effects: (1) Automatic layout of multi-channel structures: The algorithm automatically searches for paths to achieve automatic layout of multi-channel structures; (2) Lightweight design: With the shortest flow channel length as a constraint, the hydraulic components with multi-flow channel structure, such as hydraulic manifolds or valve bodies, are made more compact, reducing the volume of hydraulic components with multi-flow channel structure, such as hydraulic manifolds or valve bodies, which is suitable for advanced manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing, thereby reducing the weight of hydraulic components with multi-flow channel structure, such as hydraulic manifolds or valve bodies. (3) Reduced pressure loss: Optimize the flow channel shape and remove process holes to reduce pressure loss compared to traditional machined right-angle flow channels; at the same time, reducing the flow channel length can also reduce flow loss.
[0017] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the initial 3D obstacle map; Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the initial flow channel search results and dynamic obstacles. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the second flow channel search results and dynamic obstacles; Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the results of dynamic circulation optimization of a multi-channel structure; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a hydraulic integrated block designed using the complex multi-channel optimization design method for hydraulic components of this invention; Figure Labels 1. Initial obstacle; 2. Search result of the first flow channel; 3. Dynamic obstacle generated by the first flow channel; 4. Search result of the second flow channel; 5. Dynamic obstacle generated by the second flow channel. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0021] Example like Figure 1 This invention provides a method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components. Taking the design of a hydraulic integrated block as an example, it mainly includes the following steps: S1: Input the radius of the initial obstacle flow channel and the control point (the initial obstacle can be the first flow channel of a multi-channel system, or it can be a structure that is not allowed to pass through, such as a valve core or a large threaded hole).
[0022] S2: Based on the control points of the initial obstacles, generate the axis of the flow channel using B-spline curves. Then, using a voxel-based method, dilate the initial obstacle model and convert it into a 3D raster map (the method for generating the obstacle map is not limited). For example... Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this embodiment shows the location of the mounting hole. At this time, the initial obstacle 1 is the obstacle for subsequent flow path search. Using the generated flow path as the obstacle for subsequent flow path can avoid mutual interference between flow paths during the flow path layout process.
[0023] S3: As Figure 3 As shown, the input flow channel start and end points (multiple end points are input simultaneously if it is a bifurcated flow channel) are used to perform path search in the obstacle map generated in S2 using the ant colony algorithm (the algorithm is not limited). The constraint is to find the shortest flow channel path. The path obtained by the ant colony algorithm (the path control points obtained by the ant colony algorithm are discontinuous) is smoothed by using a B-spline curve (the form of the spline curve is not limited) to obtain the final flow channel control points (the output result is not limited, it can be the smoothed flow channel control points or a curve). 2 is the flow channel obtained after searching and smoothing, and dynamic obstacle 3 is generated using 2 as control points, updating the original 3D obstacle map.
[0024] S4: As Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, a dynamic cyclic optimization design is performed. Specifically, it is determined whether all flow channels have been generated. If not, the flow channels generated in S3 are input back into S2 to generate new obstacles based on the original obstacle map. Then, S3 is performed again to complete the search for new flow channels. This process is repeated until all flow channels have been searched. Figure 5 The hydraulic integrated block shown is the flow channel layout result obtained by a complex multi-flow channel optimization design method for hydraulic components according to the present invention.
[0025] S5: Outputs the control points (or curves) of each flow channel as a CSV file. Designers can then use these control points or curves to perform subsequent work such as modeling hydraulic components like hydraulic manifolds or valve bodies. Figure 6 The hydraulic integrated block shown is the final model of the hydraulic integrated block obtained by the complex multi-channel optimization design method of hydraulic components according to the present invention.
[0026] The algorithm automatically searches for paths to achieve automatic layout of multiple flow channels. By minimizing the flow channel length, the hydraulic manifold or valve body becomes more compact, reducing its volume and consequently its overall weight. Furthermore, the optimized flow channel shape reduces pressure loss compared to traditionally machined right-angled flow channels, and the reduced flow channel length also minimizes friction losses.
[0027] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Input parameters: Input the starting point, ending point, flow radius, and initial obstacle control point of multiple flow channels; S2. Generate obstacle map: Based on the initial obstacle control points, generate obstacle axes and radii to obtain the initial three-dimensional structure model of the obstacles, and convert it into an initial three-dimensional obstacle map; S3. Path Search and Smoothing: A search algorithm is used to search for obstacle avoidance paths in the obstacle map. With the shortest flow channel length as the constraint, the discrete control points obtained by the search are smoothed by spline curves to generate continuous flow channels, and the smoothed flow channel results are output. S4. Dynamic loop optimization: Determine whether all flow channels have been laid out. If not, update the newly generated flow channel control points as dynamic obstacles to the 3D obstacle map, and repeat the above path search and smoothing steps until all flow channels have been laid out. S5. Output Results: Outputs the smooth control points or curves for each flow channel.
2. The method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S3, the search algorithm includes, but is not limited to, ant colony optimization, particle swarm optimization, or A* algorithm.
3. The method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the spline curve smoothing process, the curve form includes, but is not limited to, B-spline curves, NURBS curves, or Bézier curves.
4. The method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dynamic obstacles include existing flow channel structures, valve core entities, or other structures that do not allow fluid to pass through.
5. The method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components according to claim 1, characterized in that: Pressure loss optimization is achieved through the following methods: Flow channel shape optimization: Improve flow channel smoothness and reduce local pressure loss through spline curve smoothing; Shorter flow path length: Reduce pressure loss along the flow path by searching for the shortest path.
6. The method for optimizing the design of complex multi-channel hydraulic components according to claim 1, characterized in that: The methods for generating the 3D obstacle map include voxel dilation, implicit surface modeling, or boundary representation.
7. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.
8. An electronic device comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-6.
Citation Information
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