Proportional valve unit

Abstract

To provide a proportional valve unit which copes with an increase of the number of proportional valves.SOLUTION: A proportional valve unit 10 has an input port 12, a plurality of laminable proportional valve blocks 11 having electromagnetic proportional valves 21, and an exhaust port 13. The proportional valve blocks 11 have input flow passages 23 for making fluids which are inputted from the input ports 12 flow to the electromagnetic proportional valves 21, discharge flow passages 24 for making the remaining fluids in the electromagnetic proportional valves 21 flow to the exhaust ports 13, and output ports 22 for outputting the fluids which are adjusted by the electromagnetic proportional valves 21. The input flow passages 23 comprise first passages 23A penetrating the proportional valve blocks 11 in a lamination direction of the plurality of proportional valve blocks 11, and are connected to the first passages 23A of the other proportional valve blocks 11 which adjoin each other in the lamination direction. The discharge flow passages 24 comprise second passages 24A penetrating the proportional valve blocks 11 in the lamination direction of the plurality of proportional valve blocks 11, and are connected to the second passages 24A of the other proportional valve blocks 11 which adjoin each other in the lamination direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a proportional valve unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In the multiple solenoid valve described in Patent Document 1, multiple valve mechanisms are incorporated into one valve body. The required number of valve mechanisms are arranged on the upper surface of the valve body to reduce size. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5464440 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the multiple solenoid valve described in Patent Document 1, if an additional solenoid valve is required, the additional solenoid valve must be provided, and the effect of miniaturization is lost. For this reason, a proportional valve unit that can accommodate an increase in the number of valve mechanisms is required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A proportional valve unit that solves the above problem includes a plurality of stackable proportional valve blocks each having an input port into which a fluid supplied from a fluid source is input, a proportional valve that adjusts and outputs the flow rate or pressure of the fluid input from the input port, and a discharge port that discharges excess fluid in the proportional valve. The proportional valve block has an input flow path that allows the fluid input from the input port to flow to the proportional valve, a discharge flow path that allows the fluid excess in the proportional valve to flow to the discharge port, and an output port that outputs the fluid adjusted by the proportional valve. The input flow path includes a first passage that penetrates the proportional valve block in the stacking direction of the plurality of proportional valve blocks, and is connected to the first passage of another proportional valve block adjacent in the stacking direction to the proportional valve block having the first passage. The discharge flow path includes a second passage that penetrates the proportional valve block in the stacking direction of the plurality of proportional valve blocks, and is connected to the second passage of another proportional valve block adjacent in the stacking direction to the proportional valve block having the second passage.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when proportional valve blocks having proportional valves are stacked, the first passages of the input flow paths of adjacent proportional valve blocks are connected to each other, and the second passages of the exhaust flow paths of adjacent proportional valve blocks are connected to each other. Therefore, by stacking proportional valve blocks as many times as the number of proportional valves required, it is possible to accommodate an increase in the number of proportional valves.

[0007] In the proportional valve unit, it is preferable that the input port is provided in any one of the plurality of proportional valve blocks, and the exhaust port is provided in any one of the plurality of proportional valve blocks.

[0008] In the above proportional valve unit, it is preferable that the input port is provided in each of the proportional valve blocks, and the input port not used is closed, and the exhaust port is provided in each of the proportional valve blocks, and the exhaust port not used is closed.

[0009] In the above-mentioned proportional valve unit, it is preferable that the multiple proportional valve blocks are rectangular parallelepipeds and stacked in a direction parallel to the surface on which the proportional valve is provided, and that the input port, the exhaust port, and the output port are provided on a surface opposite to the surface on which the proportional valve is provided.

[0010] In the above-mentioned proportional valve unit, it is preferable that the proportional valve block is provided with a plurality of the proportional valves, and the output port is connected to each of the proportional valves via a connecting flow passage.

[0011] In the proportional valve unit described above, it is preferable that the through hole of the first passage and the through hole of the second passage that open to a first surface in the stacking direction are closed by a fixing plate that fixes the proportional valve unit, and the through hole of the first passage and the through hole of the second passage that open to a second surface in the stacking direction are closed by a cover plate. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, an increase in proportional valves can be accommodated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a hydraulic drive including a proportional valve unit. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the proportional valve unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the proportional valve unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a proportional valve block that constitutes the proportional valve unit of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a proportional valve block that constitutes the proportional valve unit of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the proportional valve unit of the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6, illustrating the internal structure of the proportional valve unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6, illustrating the internal structure of the proportional valve unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 6, illustrating the internal structure of the proportional valve unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing a state in which a proportional valve block is added to the proportional valve unit of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (Present embodiment) Hereinafter, one embodiment of a hydraulic circuit including a proportional valve unit will be described with reference to Figs.

[0015] (Hydraulic circuit) As shown in Fig. 1, the hydraulic drive system 1 is mounted on a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator. The hydraulic drive system 1 includes a plurality of hydraulic actuators 2 and a plurality of switching valves 3. The plurality of hydraulic actuators 2 include, for example, a first hydraulic motor 2A for driving a right crawler (traveling device), a second hydraulic motor 2B for driving a left crawler (traveling device), a first hydraulic cylinder 2C for driving an arm, a second hydraulic cylinder 2D for driving a boom, a third hydraulic cylinder 2E for driving an attachment such as a bucket, and a third hydraulic motor 2F for turning the main body of the excavator including the driver's cab relative to the traveling device, etc.

[0016] The changeover valves 3 are provided in the corresponding hydraulic actuators 2. The changeover valves 3 are supplied with pressure oil from the first pump 4 and the second pump 5, and control the supply of the supplied pressure oil to the hydraulic actuators 2. The changeover valve 3 controls the supply of pressure oil to the hydraulic actuators 2 by switching the position of a spool according to a control pressure output from an electromagnetic proportional valve (not shown) described below.

[0017] (Proportional valve unit 10) As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the proportional valve unit 10 includes an input port 12, a plurality of proportional valve blocks 11, and an exhaust port 13. The plurality of proportional valve blocks 11 include a plurality of solenoid proportional valves 21 and an output port 22, and can be stacked. Pressure oil supplied from a fluid source is input to the input port 12. The exhaust port 13 discharges pressure oil remaining in the solenoid proportional valve 21. The solenoid proportional valve 21 is controlled by a control device (not shown) in response to an operation by an operator. The solenoid proportional valve 21 adjusts the flow rate or pressure of the pressure oil input from the input port 12 and outputs it. The output port 22 outputs the fluid adjusted by the solenoid proportional valve 21. Connection pipes are connected to the input port 12, the exhaust port 13, and the output port 22. The proportional valve unit 10 includes a fixed plate 14 and a cover plate 15. The stacked plurality of proportional valve blocks 11 are fixed to the fixed plate 14. The cover plate 15 is fixed to the top of the stacked proportional valve blocks 11 with bolts 17.

[0018] The multiple proportional valve blocks 11 are rectangular parallelepipeds and are stacked in a direction (vertical direction in the figure) parallel to a first surface S1 on which the solenoid proportional valves 21 are provided. The input port 12, the exhaust port 13, and the output port 22 are provided on a second surface S2 opposite to the first surface S1 on which the solenoid proportional valves 21 are provided.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, an input port 12 is provided in each proportional valve block 11. An input port 12 that is not used is closed. In this embodiment, a connecting pipe is connected to the input port 12 of the proportional valve block 11 located at the lowest position. The input ports 12 of the proportional valve blocks 11 other than the lowest one are closed by a lid 27. Note that since the input ports 12 of all proportional valve blocks 11 are connected to the first passage 23A, the input port 12 of any proportional valve block 11 may be used, not limited to the lowest one.

[0020] A discharge port 13 is provided in each proportional valve block 11. Unused discharge ports 13 are closed. In this embodiment, a connecting pipe is connected to the discharge port 13 of the proportional valve block 11 located at the bottom. The discharge ports 13 of the proportional valve blocks 11 other than the bottom one are closed by a lid 27. Since the discharge ports 13 of all proportional valve blocks 11 are connected to the second passage 24A, the discharge port 13 of any proportional valve block 11 may be used, not limited to the bottom one.

[0021] 4 to 6, the proportional valve block 11 is provided with a plurality of solenoid proportional valves 21. In this embodiment, four solenoid proportional valves 21 are provided in one proportional valve block 11. An output port 22 is connected to each solenoid proportional valve 21 via a connecting flow path 25.

[0022] The proportional valve block 11 has an input flow path 23 and a discharge flow path 24. The input flow path 23 allows pressure oil input from the input port 12 to flow to the solenoid proportional valve 21. The input flow path 23 connects the input sides of the solenoid proportional valves 21 of the same proportional valve block 11. The input flow path 23 includes a first passage 23A. The first passage 23A penetrates the proportional valve block 11 in the stacking direction of the multiple proportional valve blocks 11.

[0023] The discharge flow passage 24 allows excess pressure oil in the solenoid proportional valve 21 to flow to the discharge port 13. The discharge flow passage 24 connects the discharge sides of the solenoid proportional valves 21 in the same proportional valve block 11. The discharge flow passage 24 includes a second passage 24A that penetrates the proportional valve block 11 in the stacking direction of the multiple proportional valve blocks 11.

[0024] 8, the first passage 23A of one stacked proportional valve block 11 is connected to the first passage 23A of another proportional valve block 11 adjacent in the stacking direction. An O-ring 26 is installed at the connection between the first passages 23A of the proportional valve blocks 11. The O-ring 26 seals any gaps in the connection between the first passages 23A, suppressing leakage.

[0025] 7, the second passage 24A of one stacked proportional valve block 11 is connected to the second passage 24A of another proportional valve block 11 adjacent in the stacking direction. An O-ring 26 is installed at the connection between the second passages 24A of the proportional valve blocks 11. The O-ring 26 seals the gap at the connection between the second passages 24A to prevent leakage.

[0026] 7 and 8, the through hole 23B of the first passage 23A and the through hole 24B of the second passage 24A, which open to the third surface S3 that is the first surface in the stacking direction, are closed by the fixed plate 14. The through hole 23B of the first passage 23A and the through hole 24B of the second passage 24A, which open to the fourth surface S4 that is the second surface in the stacking direction, are closed by the cover plate 15.

[0027] 9, the bolts 17 penetrate the cover plate 15 and the proportional valve block 11 and are fastened to the fixed plate 14. The proportional valve block 11 is fixed to the fixed plate 14 by a plurality of bolts 17 (four in this embodiment). The proportional valve unit 10 is installed on the construction machine by fixing the fixed plate 14 to the construction machine.

[0028] (action) Next, the operation of the proportional valve unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 10, the proportional valve unit 10 has proportional valve blocks 11 stacked on a fixed plate 14. By stacking three proportional valve blocks 11, it is possible to use twelve solenoid proportional valves 21. When it is desired to add another actuator to the construction machine, it is possible to use four solenoid proportional valves 21 by adding one more proportional valve block 11.

[0029] The bolts 17 are removed, and the cover plate 15 is removed. An additional proportional valve block 11 is placed between the cover plate 15 and the fixed plate 14 and the third proportional valve block 11. Then, the bolts 17 are inserted through the cover plate 15 and the four proportional valve blocks 11, and fastened to the fixed plate 14. Note that bolts 17 of different lengths are used according to the number of proportional valve blocks 11 to be stacked.

[0030] When the added proportional valve block 11 is fixed, the first passage 23A and the second passage 24A of the proportional valve block 11 are connected, so that pressure oil can be supplied and used. Furthermore, if an electromagnetic proportional valve 21 is required, it can be added in the same way to increase the number of electromagnetic proportional valves 21 in the proportional valve unit 10.

[0031] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) When proportional valve blocks 11 having solenoid proportional valves 21 are stacked, the first passages 23A of the input passages 23 of adjacent proportional valve blocks 11 are connected to each other, and the second passages 24A of the exhaust passages 24 are connected to each other. For this reason, by stacking proportional valve blocks 11 as many as the required number of solenoid proportional valves 21, it is possible to accommodate an increase in the number of solenoid proportional valves 21.

[0032] (1-2) An input port 12 and an exhaust port 13 are provided in each proportional valve block 11, and unused ports are closed. This allows all proportional valve blocks 11 to be machined in the same way, and by ensuring the number of machining lots, it is possible to reduce machining costs.

[0033] (1-3) The proportional valve blocks 11 are stacked in a direction parallel to the first surface S1 on which the solenoid proportional valve 21 is provided, and the input port 12, the exhaust port 13, and the output port 22 are provided on the second surface S2 opposite to the first surface S1 on which the solenoid proportional valve 21 is provided. Therefore, the connecting pipes connected to the ports are concentrated on the same surface, making it possible to reduce the size of the unit including the connecting pipes.

[0034] (1-4) A plurality of solenoid proportional valves 21 are provided in the proportional valve block 11. Therefore, the number of solenoid proportional valves 21 can be increased each time the proportional valve blocks 11 are stacked. (1-5) The through hole 23B of the input flow path 23 and the through hole 24B of the discharge flow path 24 are closed by the fixed plate 14 and the cover plate 15. Therefore, the through holes 23B, 24B can be closed by the fixed plate 14 and the cover plate 15, so that all of the proportional valve blocks 11 can be processed in the same manner.

[0035] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the through hole 23B of the input flow path 23 and the through hole 24B of the discharge flow path 24 are closed by the fixed plate 14 and the cover plate 15. However, the through hole 23B of the input flow path 23 and the through hole 24B of the discharge flow path 24 may be closed by a separate member instead of the fixed plate 14 and the cover plate 15. In this case, the cover plate 15 may be omitted.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the proportional valve block 11 is provided with four solenoid proportional valves 21. However, the proportional valve block 11 may be provided with one, two, three, five or more solenoid proportional valves 21. It is to be noted that the proportional valve block 11 may be provided with a different number of solenoid proportional valves 21.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the input port 12, the exhaust port 13, and the output port 22 are provided on the second surface S2. However, at least one of the input port 12 and the exhaust port 13 may be provided on a side surface other than the second surface S2.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the input port 12 is provided in all of the proportional valve blocks 11. However, the input port 12 may be provided in only one of the proportional valve blocks 11. For example, the input port 12 is provided in the proportional valve block 11 located at the bottom, and the input port 12 is not provided in the proportional valve block 11 that increases or decreases the pressure. With this configuration, the input port 12 can be omitted, and the processing work for the input port 12 can be reduced.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the discharge port 13 is provided in all of the proportional valve blocks 11. However, the discharge port 13 may be provided in only one of the plurality of proportional valve blocks 11. For example, the discharge port 13 is provided in the proportional valve block 11 located at the bottom, and not provided in the proportional valve block 11 that increases or decreases the discharge port 13. With such a configuration, the discharge port 13 can be omitted, and the machining work for the discharge port 13 can be reduced.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the O-ring 26 is provided at the connection portion of the second passages 24A between the proportional valve blocks 11. However, if the gap at the connection portion of the second passages 24A can be sealed, the O-ring 26 may be omitted.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the bolts 17 penetrate the cover plate 15 and all of the proportional valve blocks 11 to fix them to the fixed plate 14. However, adjacent proportional valve blocks 11 may be fixed to each other, adjacent fixed plates 14 and proportional valve blocks 11, and adjacent cover plates 15 and proportional valve blocks 11 may be fixed to each other.

[0043] In the above embodiment, if a product is made up of multiple objects, the multiple objects may be integrated, and conversely, if a product is made up of one object, it may be divided into multiple objects. Regardless of whether the objects are integrated or not, it is sufficient that the product is configured to achieve the object of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] S1...Side 1 S2…Second side S3: Third surface (first surface in the stacking direction) S4: Fourth surface (second surface in the stacking direction) 1...Hydraulic drive unit 2. Hydraulic actuator 2A…First hydraulic motor 2B: Second hydraulic motor 2C…First hydraulic cylinder 2D: Second hydraulic cylinder 2E…Third hydraulic cylinder 2F…3rd hydraulic motor 3...Switch valve 3A…First switching valve 3B…Second switching valve 3C…Third switching valve 3D…4th switching valve 3E…5th switching valve 3F…6th switching valve 4…First pump 5…Second pump 10…Proportional valve unit 11…Proportional valve block 11A…1st proportional valve block 11B…Second proportional valve block 11C…3rd proportional valve block 11D…4th proportional valve block 12...Input port 13…Exhaust port 14...Fixing plate 15…Lid plate 16...Screw hole 17…Bolt 21...Solenoid proportional valve 21A…First proportional solenoid valve 21B…Second solenoid proportional valve 21C…3rd solenoid proportional valve 21D…4th solenoid proportional valve 22...Output port 22A…First output port 22B…Second output port 22C…Third output port 22D…4th output port 23...Input channel 23A…1st aisle 23B...Through hole 24...Exhaust flow path 24A…Second aisle 24B...Through hole 25…Connecting channel 26...O-ring 27…Lid

Claims

1. an input port into which a fluid supplied from a fluid source is input; a plurality of stackable proportional valve blocks each having a proportional valve for adjusting a flow rate or a pressure of the fluid inputted from the input port and outputting the adjusted flow rate or pressure; a drain port for draining excess fluid in the proportional valve; The proportional valve block includes: an input flow path for allowing the fluid input from the input port to flow to the proportional valve; a discharge flow path for allowing excess fluid from the proportional valve to flow to the discharge port; an output port for outputting the fluid regulated by the proportional valve; The input flow path is a first passage penetrating the proportional valve block in a stacking direction of the plurality of proportional valve blocks; the proportional valve block having the first passage is connected to the first passage of another proportional valve block adjacent in the stacking direction; The discharge flow path is a second passage penetrating the proportional valve block in a stacking direction of the plurality of proportional valve blocks; The proportional valve block having the second passage is connected to the second passage of another proportional valve block adjacent in the stacking direction. Proportional valve unit.

2. the input port is provided in any one of the plurality of proportional valve blocks, The exhaust port is provided in any one of the plurality of proportional valve blocks.

2. The proportional valve unit according to claim 1.

3. The input port is provided in each of the proportional valve blocks, The unused input ports are closed; The exhaust port is provided in each of the proportional valve blocks, The unused exhaust ports are closed.

2. The proportional valve unit according to claim 1.

4. The plurality of proportional valve blocks are rectangular parallelepipeds and are stacked in a direction parallel to a surface on which the proportional valves are provided, The input port, the exhaust port, and the output port are provided on a surface opposite to a surface on which the proportional valve is provided. A proportional valve unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The proportional valve block is provided with a plurality of the proportional valves, The output ports are connected to the respective proportional valves via connecting passages.

2. The proportional valve unit according to claim 1.

6. a through hole of the first passage and a through hole of the second passage, which open to a first surface in the stacking direction, are closed by a fixing plate that fixes the proportional valve unit, The through hole of the first passage and the through hole of the second passage, which open to the second surface in the stacking direction, are closed by a cover plate.

2. The proportional valve unit according to claim 1.

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