Multi-control valve unit

Abstract

A multi-control valve unit (1A, 1B), comprising: a housing (2) with built-in slides (3) which are parallel to each other, wherein the housing (2) contains pilot chambers (31, 32) formed therein which correspond to the two ends of the slides (3); Solenoid proportional valves (41, 42) attached to the housing (2) such that the solenoid proportional valves (41, 42) are connected to the respective pilot chambers (31, 32); and a hydraulic pressure generator (5) in the form of a cartridge, which is attached to the housing (2) in such a way that it is connected to the solenoid proportional valves (41, 42), wherein the hydraulic pressure generator (5) comprises a pump (51), an electric motor (52) for driving the pump and a distributor (53) which is arranged on a side opposite the electric motor (52), wherein the pump (51) is arranged between the distributor (53) and the electric motor (52), wherein the pump (51), the electric motor (52) and the distributor (53) are integrated together.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-control valve unit. State of the art

[0002] Conventionally, in construction machinery or similar equipment, hydraulic oil is directed from a hydraulic pump via control valves to hydraulic actuators. Patent literature 1, for example, discloses a multi-way valve unit in which the control valves are integrated (in patent literature 1, the multi-way valve unit is referred to as a "hydraulic control valve group").

[0003] Specifically, the multi-control valve unit comprises parallel-arranged spools and a housing in which these spools are installed. Each spool and a portion of the housing surrounding the spool constitute a control valve. Citation list for patent literature

[0004] PTL 1: Published Japanese patent application Publication No. 2015-148300

[0005] Publication WO 2018 / 019 741 A1 concerns a valve device that supplies working fluid to an actuator and a fluid pressure system equipped with it. Publication EP 2 628 861 B1 concerns a control device for a hydraulic working machine, which is used, for example, in the construction industry. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the invention, a multi-control valve unit is provided with the features of independent claim 1; dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments. Technical problem

[0007] Generally, each valve is moved by a control pressure applied to both ends of the valve. Accordingly, pilot chambers are formed within the housing, corresponding to the two ends of the valves. In cases where the pilot pressure is set by solenoid proportional valves, the solenoid proportional valves are attached to the housing so that the solenoid proportional valves are connected to the respective pilot chambers.

[0008] The solenoid proportional valves require a primary pressure supply. In many hydraulic circuits, a variable-displacement main pump supplies hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuators, while a fixed-displacement auxiliary pump supplies the solenoid proportional valves with primary pressure. Both the main and auxiliary pumps are driven by a single drive unit (a gasoline engine or an electric motor).

[0009] In the configuration described above, the auxiliary pump still delivers hydraulic oil at a certain flow rate, even when the supply of hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuators is not required and the flow rate of the main pump is minimized. This means that the driving power of the main engine is always used to drive the auxiliary pump.

[0010] In view of the above, an objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-control valve unit that makes it possible to suppress the consumption of the drive power of a drive machine that drives a main pump. Solution to the problem

[0011] To solve the problems described above, a multi-control valve unit according to the present invention comprises: a housing with built-in spools that are parallel to each other, wherein the housing contains pilot chambers formed therein, the pilot chambers corresponding to both ends of the spools; solenoid proportional valves mounted on the housing such that the solenoid proportional valves are connected to the respective pilot chambers; and a hydraulic pressure generator mounted on the housing such that the hydraulic pressure generator is connected to the solenoid proportional valves, wherein the hydraulic pressure generator includes an electric motor and a pump.

[0012] According to the configuration described above, primary pressure for the solenoid proportional valves can be provided within the multi-control valve unit. Therefore, the drive motor that powers the main pump to deliver hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuators via the multi-control valve unit does not require an additional auxiliary pump. This reduces the drive motor's power consumption. Furthermore, since the electric motor of the hydraulic pressure generator only operates when needed and only for the required flow rate, overall energy consumption is reduced. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0013] The present invention makes it possible to suppress the consumption of the drive power of a drive machine that drives a main pump. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a sectional view of a multi-control valve unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a hydraulic circuit with the in Fig. 1 multi-control valve unit shown. Fig. Figure 3 is a sectional view of a hydraulic pressure generator. Fig. Figure 4 is a sectional view of a multi-control valve unit according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 shows a hydraulic circuit with the in Fig. 4 multi-control valve units shown. Description of the embodiments (evolutionary form 1)

[0014] Fig. Figure 1 shows a multi-control valve unit 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 2 shows a hydraulic circuit containing the multi-control valve unit 1A.

[0015] The multi-control valve unit 1A comprises: spools 3 arranged parallel to each other; a housing 2 in which the spools 3 are installed; and a hydraulic pressure generator 5 mounted on the housing 2. Each spool 3 and a portion of the housing 2 surrounding the spool 3 form a control valve. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The number of sliders is four. However, the number of sliders is not particularly limited, as long as the number of sliders is two or more.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, hydraulic oil is pumped from a main pump 81 via the multi-control valve unit 1A to hydraulic actuators (not shown). The hydraulic actuators discharge the hydraulic oil via the multi-control valve unit 1A into a tank 91.

[0017] The main pump 81 is a variable displacement pump (swashplate pump or swashplate pump). The main pump 81 is driven by a drive motor 80. The drive motor 80 can be a combustion engine or an electric motor.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the housing 2 comprises: a housing body 21, which is provided with through holes 25 into which the respective slides 3 are inserted; a cover 22, which is arranged on one side of the housing body 21 in the axial direction of the slides 3; and caps 23, which are arranged on the other side of the housing body 21 in the axial direction of the slides 3. Each slide 3 is slidably held by a corresponding through hole 25.

[0019] The housing body 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with two end faces (in Fig. 1 a top surface and a bottom surface) and four side surfaces (in Fig. 1 a left face, a right face and two faces not shown, which are orthogonal to the plane in one direction Fig. 1 point).

[0020] The cover 22 is attached to a side surface of the housing body 21 such that it covers the through holes 25 from one side of the axial direction of the slides 3. The caps 23 are attached to a side surface of the housing body 21 such that they each cover the corresponding through holes 25 from the other side of the axial direction of the slides 3.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, for each slide 3 there is a pair of inlet / outlet openings 2c on a side surface (a surface that is orthogonal in one direction to the plane of Fig. (1 shows) the housing body 21. The supply / drain openings 2c are connected via a pair of supply / drain lines to a corresponding hydraulic actuator (not shown).

[0022] A pump connection 2a and a tank connection 2b are provided at one end face of the housing body 21. The pump connection 2a is connected to the main pump 81 via a pump line 82, and the tank connection 2b is connected to the tank 91 via a tank line 92. Fig. 2. The tank line 92 is equipped with a check valve 93, the opening pressure of which is approximately 0.03 MPa to 0.8 MPa. The check valve 93 can be omitted.

[0023] The housing body 21 has a pump passage 71 and a tank passage 72. The pump passage 71 extends from the pump opening 2a to the through holes 25. The tank passage 72 extends from the through holes 25 to the tank connection 2b. For each through hole 25, the housing body 21 has a pair of supply / drain channels 76 extending from the through hole 25 to the corresponding supply / drain connections 2c.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, inside the housing 2 are formed first pilot chambers 31, corresponding to the ends of the respective slides 3, and second pilot chambers 32, corresponding to the other ends of the respective slides 3. In other words, one end of each slide 3 is exposed to a corresponding first pilot chamber 31, and the other end of each slide 3 is exposed to a corresponding second pilot chamber 32. In the present embodiment, the cover 22 forms the first pilot chambers 31 and the caps 23 form the respective second pilot chambers 32.

[0025] In every second pilot chamber 32, a spring 35 is arranged that holds the corresponding slide 3 in its neutral position. The spring 35 pushes the slide 3 back into the neutral position, both when the slide 3 has moved axially to one side and when it has moved axially to the other side. Since this design is known, a detailed description is omitted here.

[0026] First solenoid proportional valves 41 are mounted on the cover 22 such that they are connected to their respective first pilot chambers 31. Second proportional solenoid valves 42 are also mounted on the cover 22 such that they are connected to their respective second pilot chambers 32. Although not shown, the first and second solenoid proportional valves 41 are arranged orthogonally to the plane of the drawing. In other words, they are arranged in two rows.

[0027] In Fig. 2. Each of the first solenoid proportional valves 41 and the second solenoid proportional valves 42 is a direct proportional valve that outputs a secondary pressure indicating a positive correlation with a command current. Alternatively, each of the first solenoid proportional valves 41 and the second solenoid proportional valves 42 can be an inverse proportional valve that outputs a secondary pressure indicating a negative correlation with the command current.

[0028] The first pilot lines 43 are formed in the cover 22. One of the first pilot lines 43 leads from a secondary pressure port of each first solenoid proportional valve 41 to a corresponding first pilot chamber 31. Fig. Figure 2 shows the first pilot chambers 31 inside the housing body 21 to illustrate the hydraulic symbols of the control valves. However, the actual positions of the first pilot chambers 31 are outside the housing 21, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 shown. The same applies to the second input tax chambers 32.

[0029] Second control lines 44 are formed in the housing body 21 and the cover 22. One of the second pilot lines 44 leads from a secondary pressure port of each second solenoid proportional valve 42 to a corresponding second pilot chamber 32. More precisely, the second control lines 44 penetrate the housing body 21 parallel to the through-holes 25.

[0030] The hydraulic pressure generator 5 mentioned above is attached to the cover 22, so that the hydraulic pressure generator 5 is connected to the first solenoid proportional valves 41 and the second solenoid proportional valves 42. The hydraulic pressure generator 5 includes, in particular, an inlet port 5a and an outlet port 5b.

[0031] In the housing body 21 and the cover 22, an intake channel 73 is formed, extending from the aforementioned tank channel 72 to the intake port 5a. Furthermore, a primary pressure channel 74 is formed in the cover 22, extending from the outlet opening 5b to a primary pressure port of each of the first proportional solenoid valves 41 and the second proportional solenoid valves 42. Additionally, a tank passage 75 is formed in the housing body 21 and the cover 22, extending from a tank port of each of the first proportional solenoid valves 41 and the second proportional solenoid valves 42 to the aforementioned tank passage 72.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the hydraulic pressure generator 5 comprises a pump 51 and an electric motor 52. The electric motor 52 drives the pump 51. In the present embodiment, the hydraulic pressure generator 5 includes a distributor 53, which is arranged on the side opposite the electric motor 52, with the pump 51 arranged between the distributor 53 and the electric motor 52. The distributor 53, the pump 51, and the electric motor 52 are integrated together, i.e., in the form of a cartridge.

[0033] In the present embodiment, pump 51 is a swashplate pump. Alternatively, pump 51 can also be a pump with a curved shaft. Alternatively, pump 51 can also be a pump other than an axial pump, such as a gear pump or a vane pump.

[0034] Specifically, the pump 51 comprises: a rotating shaft 60 coupled to the output shaft of the electric motor 52; a cylinder block 62 attached to the rotating shaft 60 and accommodating pistons (not shown); a valve plate 61 on which the cylinder block 62 slides; a swashplate 63 on which shoes (not shown) attached to the pistons slide; and a support base 64 that carries the swashplate 63. These elements are housed in a casing 65.

[0035] A flange 54 is provided in the center of the distributor 53. A distal portion of the distributor 53, positioned closer to the distal end of the distributor 53 than the flange 54, is inserted into a recess formed in the cover 22. This distal portion is provided with the aforementioned intake opening 5a and outlet opening 5b. The flange 54 is fastened to the cover 22 by a screw (not shown).

[0036] Distributor 53 has an intake port 6a and an outlet port 6b. Intake port 6a connects an intake opening of valve plate 61 and intake port 5a. Outlet port 6b connects an outlet opening of valve plate 61 and outlet port 5b.

[0037] In the multi-control valve unit 1A, configured as described above, primary pressure can be supplied to the first solenoid proportional valves 41 and the second solenoid proportional valves 42 within the multi-control valve unit 1A. Therefore, the drive unit 80, which drives the main pump 81, does not need to be equipped with an additional auxiliary pump. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the drive unit 80. If the drive unit 80 is, for example, a motor, its fuel efficiency is improved. Furthermore, since the electric motor 52 of the hydraulic pressure generator 5 can only be operated when needed and only for the required flow rate (so that the pump 51 only delivers the hydraulic oil at the necessary flow rate), the overall energy consumption can be reduced.

[0038] In conventional hydraulic circuits, a drive motor that drives a main pump is additionally equipped with an auxiliary pump, and the main and auxiliary pumps are often arranged coaxially. In such a configuration, the drive unit, including the pumps and the drive motor, is elongated, requiring a relatively large amount of space for its installation. In contrast, in the multi-control valve unit 1A of the present embodiment, the drive unit is shorter because it does not include the auxiliary pump. Therefore, less space is required for the installation of the drive unit. (Version 2)

[0039] Fig. Figure 4 shows a multi-control valve unit 1B according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 5 shows a hydraulic circuit with the multi-control valve unit 1B. In the present embodiment, the same components as described in embodiment 1 are designated with the same reference numerals as in embodiment 1, and the repetition of the same descriptions is avoided.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the housing 2 comprises a first cover 22 like the cover 22 described in embodiment 1. The housing 2 further comprises a second cover 24 instead of the caps 23.

[0041] The second cover 24 is configured in the same way as the first cover 22. In particular (while the first cover 22 is attached to a side surface of the housing body 21 such that it covers the through holes 25 from one side of the axial direction of the slides 3), the second cover 24 is attached to a side surface of the housing body 21 such that it covers the through holes 25 from the other side of the axial direction of the slides 3.

[0042] The second cover 24 forms the second pilot chambers 32. The second solenoid proportional valves 42 are not attached to the first cover 22, but to the second cover 24, so that the second solenoid proportional valves 42 are connected to their respective second pilot chambers 32. Second control lines 44 are formed in the second cover 24. One of the second pilot lines 44 leads from a secondary pressure port of each second solenoid proportional valve 42 to a corresponding second pilot chamber 32.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the primary pressure channel 74 formed in the first cover 22 extends from the outlet port 5b of the hydraulic pressure generator 5 to the primary pressure port of each of the first solenoid proportional valves 41, and the tank channel 75 formed in the housing body 21 and in the first cover 22 extends from the tank port of each of the first solenoid proportional valves 41 to the tank channel 72.

[0044] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a primary pressure channel 77 is formed in the first cover 22, in the housing body 21, and in the second cover 24. This channel branches off from the primary pressure channel 74 and extends to the primary pressure port of each of the second solenoid proportional valves 42. That is, the upstream portion of the primary pressure channel 77 penetrates the housing body 21. Additionally, a tank passage 78 is formed in the housing body 21 and in the second cover 24. This passage extends from the tank port of each of the second solenoid proportional valves 42 to the tank passage 72.

[0045] In the present embodiment, a spring 36 is also arranged in each first pilot chamber 31 and a spring 37 in each second pilot chamber 32. The springs 36 and 37 serve to hold the slide 3 in its neutral position. Alternatively, instead of the springs 36 and 37, the springs described in Fig.1 The spring 35 shown may be arranged either in each first pre-control chamber 31 or in each second pre-control chamber 32.

[0046] The present embodiment offers the same advantageous effects as embodiment 1. Furthermore, unlike embodiment 1, the housing body 21 of the present embodiment does not need to be provided with the second control lines 44. Therefore, the size of the housing body 21 can be reduced compared to embodiment 1. (Other embodiments)

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0048] The hydraulic pressure generator 5 need not be attached to the cover 22, but can be attached to the housing body 21. In a case where the hydraulic pressure generator 5 is mounted on the cover 22 together with the first solenoid proportional valves 41, as in the embodiments described above, the primary pressure passage extending from the outlet port 5b of the hydraulic pressure generator 5 to the first solenoid proportional valves 41 can readily be configured entirely within the cover 22. In particular, in a case where the second solenoid proportional valves 42 are mounted on the cover 22 as in embodiment 1, the primary pressure passage extending from the outlet port 5b of the hydraulic pressure generator 5 to all solenoid proportional valves can be configured entirely within the cover 22. (Summary)

[0049] A multi-control valve unit according to the present invention comprises: a housing with built-in spools that are parallel to each other, wherein the housing contains pilot chambers formed therein, the pilot chambers corresponding to the two ends of the spools; solenoid proportional valves attached to the housing such that the solenoid proportional valves are connected to the respective pilot chambers; and a hydraulic pressure generator attached to the housing such that the hydraulic pressure generator is connected to the solenoid proportional valves, wherein the hydraulic pressure generator includes an electric motor and a pump.

[0050] According to the configuration described above, primary pressure for the solenoid proportional valves can be provided within the multi-control valve unit. Therefore, the drive motor that powers the main pump to deliver hydraulic oil through the multi-control valve unit to the hydraulic actuators does not require an additional auxiliary pump. This reduces the drive motor's power consumption. Furthermore, since the electric motor of the hydraulic pressure generator only operates when needed and only for the required flow rate, overall energy consumption is reduced.

[0051] The pilot chambers can comprise first pilot chambers and second pilot chambers, wherein the first pilot chambers correspond to one end of the respective slides and the second pilot chambers correspond to the other end of the respective slides. The solenoid proportional valves can comprise first solenoid proportional valves and second solenoid proportional valves, wherein the first solenoid proportional valves are connected to the respective first pilot chambers and the second solenoid proportional valves are connected to the respective second pilot chambers. The housing can comprise a body and a cover, wherein the body has through-holes into which the respective slides are inserted, and the cover is attached to the body such that it covers the through-holes from one side along the axial direction of the slides, the cover forming the first pilot chambers.The first solenoid proportional valves and the hydraulic pressure generator can be mounted on the cover. With this configuration, a primary pressure passage extending from the hydraulic pressure generator to the first solenoid proportional valves can easily be configured entirely within the cover.

[0052] The housing body may, for example, incorporate a pump channel and a tank channel, with the pump channel extending from a pump port to the through-holes and the tank channel from the through-holes to a tank port. The hydraulic pressure generator may have a suction port and an outlet port. A suction channel extending from the tank channel to the suction port may be formed in the housing body and in the cover. A primary pressure channel extending from the outlet port to the first solenoid proportional valves may be formed in the cover.

[0053] The cover can be a first cover. The housing can include a second cover, which is attached to the housing body in such a way that it covers the through-holes on the opposite side of the axial direction of the slides, with the second cover forming the second pilot chambers. The second solenoid proportional valves can be attached to the second cover. In this configuration, the size of the housing body can be reduced compared to a case in which the first solenoid proportional valves and the second solenoid proportional valves are mounted on a single cover. Reference symbol list 1A, 1B Multi-control valve unit 2 cases 2a Pump connection 2b Tank port or tank connection 21 Housing body 22 lids, first lid 24 second lid 25 through hole 3 sliders 31 first input tax chamber 32 second input tax chamber 41 first solenoid proportional valve 42 second solenoid proportional valve 5 Hydraulic pressure generator 5a Intake opening 5b Delivery or discharge opening 51 Pump 52 Electric motor 53 distributors 71 Pump passage 72 Tank passage 73 Intake manifold 74, 77 Primary pressure passage or channel

Claims

[1] A multi-control valve unit (1A, 1B) comprising: a housing (2) with built-in slides (3) which are parallel to each other, wherein the housing (2) contains pilot chambers (31, 32) formed therein which correspond to the two ends of the slides (3); Solenoid proportional valves (41, 42) attached to the housing (2) such that the solenoid proportional valves (41, 42) are connected to the respective pilot chambers (31, 32); and a hydraulic pressure generator (5) in the form of a cartridge, which is attached to the housing (2) in such a way that it is connected to the solenoid proportional valves (41, 42), wherein the hydraulic pressure generator (5) comprises a pump (51), an electric motor (52) for driving the pump and a distributor (53) which is arranged on a side opposite the electric motor (52), wherein the pump (51) is arranged between the distributor (53) and the electric motor (52), wherein the pump (51), the electric motor (52) and the distributor (53) are integrated together. [2] Multi-control valve unit according to claim 1, characterized by , that the input chambers comprise first input chambers (31) and second input chambers (32), wherein the first input chambers (31) correspond to one end of the respective slides (3) and the second input chambers (32) correspond to the other end of the respective slides (3), the solenoid proportional valves comprise first solenoid proportional valves (41) and second solenoid proportional valves (42), wherein the first solenoid proportional valves (41) are connected to the respective first pilot chambers (31) and the second solenoid proportional valves (42) are connected to the respective second pilot chambers (32), the housing (2) comprises a housing body (21) and a cover (22), wherein the housing body (21) is provided with through holes (25) into which the respective slides (3) are inserted, wherein the cover (22) is attached to the housing body (21) such that it covers the through holes (25) from one side of an axial direction of the slides (3), wherein the cover (22) forms the first pilot chambers (31), and the first solenoid proportional valves (41) and the hydraulic pressure generator (5) are attached to the cover (22). [3] Multi-control valve unit according to claim 2, characterized by , that a pump passage (71) and a tank passage (72) are formed in the housing body (21), wherein the pump passage (71) extends from a pump connection (2a) to the through holes (25) and the tank passage (72) extends from the through holes (25) to a tank connection (2b), the hydraulic pressure generator (5) has an inlet and outlet port (5a, 5b), an intake channel (73) extending from the tank passage (72) to the intake port (5a), in which the housing body (21) and the cover (22) are formed, and a primary pressure channel (74, 77) extending from the outlet port (5b) to the first solenoid proportional valves (41) in which a cover (22) is formed. [4] Multi-control valve unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lid is a first lid (22), the housing (2) has a second cover (24) which is attached to the housing body (21) in such a way that it covers the through holes (25) from the other side of the axial direction of the slides (3), the second cover (24) forming the second pilot chambers (32), and the second solenoid proportional valves (42) are attached to the second cover (24).

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