Excavator electric motorization module and excavator having same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an excavator electric motorization module and an excavator having same, the excavator electric motorization module comprising: a housing which is mountable on a counterweight mount unit of an excavator; an electric motor installed in the housing; a motor hydraulic pump which is installed in the housing and generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of a working mechanism by using power generated by the electric motor; and an electric motorization controller which is electrically connected to a main controller of the excavator and controls the operation of the electric motor on the basis of a control signal of the main controller.

Description

Excavator electrification module and excavator equipped with same

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

[0002] An excavator is a construction machine that performs tasks such as digging the ground at civil engineering, architecture, and construction sites, loading work to transport soil, crushing work to dismantle buildings, and leveling work to prepare the ground.

[0003] Excavators of this type are usually configured to obtain driving power from an engine to operate a hydraulic pump for the operation of the operating mechanism, and a diesel engine that uses light oil is usually used as the engine.

[0004] Recently, to address environmental pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels such as diesel, development of electric excavators powered by electricity has been underway. Electric excavators use motors instead of conventional engines to power the excavator. This allows for the elimination of intake and exhaust systems, and by reducing the size of the fan, it reduces noise transmitted through the air.

[0005] However, as electric excavators continue to replace traditional engine-based excavators, the issue of whether traditional engine-based excavators should be retired or decommissioned may arise.

[0006]

[0007] The present invention has been conceived in consideration of the above points, and its technical task is to provide an excavator electrification module that can be installed on an existing engine-based excavator to electrify the excavator in a simple manner, and an excavator equipped with the same.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0009]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an excavator electrification module for electrifying an engine-based excavator is disclosed, comprising: a housing mountable to a counterweight mount of the engine-based excavator; an electric motor installed in the housing; a motor hydraulic pump installed in the housing and generating hydraulic pressure for operating a work tool using power generated by the electric motor; and an electrification controller electrically connected to a main controller of the engine-based excavator and controlling the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal of the main controller.

[0011] In addition, the excavator power module may further include a suction-side hydraulic connection connecting a suction line of the motor hydraulic pump to an excavator-side suction line between a hydraulic tank of the excavator and an engine hydraulic pump; and a discharge-side hydraulic connection connecting a discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump to an excavator-side discharge line between an engine hydraulic pump of the excavator and a main control valve.

[0012] Additionally, the excavator electric power module may further include a connector for electrically connecting the electric power controller to the main controller.

[0013] In addition, the excavator electric power module may further include a pilot pump installed in the motor hydraulic pump and for generating pilot pressure.

[0014] In addition, the motor hydraulic pump is provided with a pressure sensor for measuring discharge hydraulic pressure and a pressure control valve for controlling the swash plate angle, and the electric controller can control the opening degree of the pressure control valve based on the sensing value of the pressure sensor.

[0015] Additionally, a check valve may be installed in the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump.

[0016] Additionally, the housing may be additionally provided with a coupling portion for detachably coupling to the counterweight mount portion.

[0017] Additionally, a battery for supplying power to the electric motor may be additionally installed in the housing.

[0018] Additionally, an auxiliary motor for supplying power to an air conditioning compressor may be additionally installed in the housing.

[0019] Additionally, a generator that produces electricity and supplies it to the battery may be connected to the auxiliary motor.

[0020] Additionally, the housing may be additionally provided with an auxiliary counterweight that provides a certain amount of load to the body of the engine-based excavator.

[0021] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, an excavator is disclosed, characterized in that it includes an excavator body to which a work tool is connected; an internal combustion engine installed in the excavator body and controlled by an engine controller; an engine hydraulic pump that generates hydraulic pressure for operating the work tool using power generated by the internal combustion engine; and an excavator motorization module installed in the excavator body for operating the work tool in an electric manner without operating the internal combustion engine; wherein the excavator motorization module includes a housing that can be mounted on a counterweight mount portion of the excavator body; an electric motor installed in the housing; a motor hydraulic pump installed in the housing that generates hydraulic pressure for operating the work tool using power generated by the electric motor; and an motorization controller that is electrically connected to a main controller of the excavator and controls the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal of the main controller.

[0022]

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect that the excavator can be easily electrified simply by installing an excavator electrification module on the counterweight mount of an existing engine-based excavator and connecting hydraulic lines and electric lines.

[0024] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the excavator electric power module itself also functions as a counterweight, there is an advantage in that the overall configuration of the excavator is simplified.

[0025] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the engine driving mode and the motor driving mode can be conveniently switched by simply operating the mode switching switch, and there is an advantage in that the excavator can be used as both an engine and a motor as needed.

[0026]

[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an excavator equipped with an excavator powertrain module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an excavator having an excavator powertrain module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator having an excavator powertrain module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator having an excavator powertrain module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator having an excavator powertrain module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 100: Excavator 110: Excavator body

[0034] 121: Boom 122: Boom cylinder

[0035] 123: Female 124: Female Cylinder

[0036] 125: Bucket 126: Bucket cylinder

[0037] 128: Driving section 130: Counterweight mount section

[0038] 140: Internal combustion engine 145: Engine controller

[0039] 150: Excavator side discharge line 160: Main control valve

[0040] 170: Main controller 190: Engine hydraulic pump

[0041] 200: Excavator power module 210: Housing

[0042] 220: Electric motor 230: Motor hydraulic pump

[0043] 240: Electric drive controller 245: Auxiliary motor

[0044] 248: Battery 251, 252: Discharge side hydraulic connection

[0045] 253: Suction side hydraulic connection 260: Mode changeover switch

[0046] 270: Pilot pump 271, 272: Pressure control valve

[0047] 273, 274: Pressure sensor 275, 276, 277: Non-return valve

[0048] 281: First connector 282: Second connector

[0049]

[0050] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted if they are deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0051] Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0052] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0053] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an excavator power module according to the present invention and an excavator equipped with the same will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0054] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an excavator equipped with an excavator powertrain module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an excavator equipped with an excavator powertrain module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hydraulic circuit of an excavator equipped with an excavator powertrain module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an excavator (100) according to the present embodiment includes an excavator body (110), an internal combustion engine (140), an engine hydraulic pump (190), and an excavator electric power module (200).

[0056] A work tool for performing work such as digging the ground is connected to the excavator body (110), and the work tool may include a boom (121) connected to the excavator body (110), an arm (123) connected to the boom (121), a bucket (125) connected to the arm (123), etc. A boom cylinder (122) for driving the boom (121) may be installed between the boom (121) and the excavator body (110), and an arm cylinder (124) for driving the arm (123) may be installed between the arm (123) and the boom (121). In addition, a bucket cylinder (126) for driving the bucket (125) may be installed between the bucket (125) and the arm (123).

[0057] A driving part (128), for example, a caterpillar driving part, for driving can be connected to the lower part of the excavator body (110), and the driving part (128) and the excavator body (110) are connected to each other so as to be able to rotate relative to each other, so that the excavator body (110) can perform a turning motion with respect to the driving part (128).

[0058] An internal combustion engine (140) is installed in the excavator body (110) and may include, for example, a diesel engine driven by gasoline. The operation of the internal combustion engine (140) is controlled by an engine controller (145), and the operation of the engine controller (145) may be controlled by a main controller (170). The main controller (170) is configured to control the overall operation of the excavator, including the operation of the operating mechanism, in addition to the engine controller (145).

[0059] An engine hydraulic pump (190) is installed in the excavator body (110) and connected to an internal combustion engine (140). The engine hydraulic pump (190) generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of a work tool using power generated by the internal combustion engine (140). The hydraulic pressure generated by the engine hydraulic pump (190) is transmitted to the main control valve (160), and the hydraulic pressure is transmitted to a boom cylinder (122), an arm cylinder (124), a bucket cylinder (126), etc. by the operation of the main control valve (160), so that the work tool can be operated.

[0060] The configuration of the excavator body (110), internal combustion engine (140), engine hydraulic pump (190), etc. described above has the same configuration as that of a conventional engine-based excavator. According to the present embodiment, an excavator electrification module (200) is additionally installed on a conventional engine-based excavator to electrify the conventional engine-based excavator.

[0061] The excavator electrification module (200) is intended to electrify an engine-based excavator, and is installed in the excavator body (110) to enable operation of work tools in an electric manner without operating an internal combustion engine (140). Looking specifically at the configuration of the excavator electrification module (200), the excavator electrification module (200) includes a housing (210), an electric motor (220), a motor hydraulic pump (230), and an electrification controller (240).

[0062] The housing (210) constitutes the exterior of the excavator power module (200) and has a receiving space therein for receiving an electric motor (220), a motor hydraulic pump (230), a power controller (240), and other components. The housing (210) is configured to be mountable to a counterweight mount (130) provided on the excavator body (110).

[0063] To this end, a coupling part for detachably coupling to a counterweight mount part (130) may be installed in the housing (210), and the coupling part may be implemented by various locking mechanisms capable of performing locking / unlocking between machine parts.

[0064] The counterweight of the excavator (100) provides a certain load to the excavator body (110) to maintain the balance of the excavator (100). After removing the counterweight from the counterweight mount (130) of the excavator body (110), the housing (210) is coupled to the counterweight mount (130). In this way, the excavator electric power module (200) of the present embodiment can perform the function of a counterweight using its own weight, and if additional weight is required, it is also possible to install an auxiliary counterweight on the housing (210). For this purpose, the housing (210) may be provided with a counterweight mounting portion for mounting the auxiliary counterweight.

[0065] An electric motor (220) is installed within a housing (210) and is configured to generate power by a power supply. A battery (248) for supplying power to the electric motor (220) may be installed within the housing (210). The battery (248) may be configured to be rechargeable by an external power source. However, in addition to the power supply method using the battery (248), a wired power supply method using a cable may also be possible.

[0066] The motor hydraulic pump (230) is installed in the housing (210) and generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work tool using the power generated from the electric motor (220). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the motor hydraulic pump (230) may be connected to a suction line (235) for suctioning hydraulic pressure and a discharge line (233, 234) for discharge of hydraulic pressure. The discharge lines (233, 234) may include a first discharge line (233) and a second discharge line (234) which are respectively connected to a first discharge portion (231) and a second discharge portion (232) of the motor hydraulic pump (230). The suction line (235) and the discharge lines (233, 234) may be provided with a suction-side hydraulic connection portion (253) and a discharge-side hydraulic connection portion (251, 252).

[0067] The hydraulic system equipped in the existing excavator is such that the hydraulic tank (180) and the engine hydraulic pump (190) are connected through the excavator-side suction line (181), and the engine hydraulic pump (190) and the main control valve (160) are connected through the excavator-side discharge line (150: 153, 154). The operating fluid of the hydraulic tank (180) is delivered to the main control valve (160) by the operation of the engine hydraulic pump (190). In the case of the engine hydraulic pump (190), a first discharge portion (151) and a second discharge portion (152) may also be included, and the main control valve (160) may also include a first control valve (161) and a second control valve (162) connected to these, respectively. The first control valve (161) is connected to the first discharge portion (151) of the engine hydraulic pump (190) through the first excavator-side discharge line (153), and the second control valve (162) is connected to the second discharge portion (152) of the engine hydraulic pump (190) through the second excavator-side discharge line (154).

[0068] The suction side hydraulic connection (253) is configured to connect the suction line (235) of the motor hydraulic pump (230) to the excavator side suction line (181) between the hydraulic tank (180) of the excavator and the engine hydraulic pump (190).

[0069] The discharge-side hydraulic connection (251, 252) is configured to connect the discharge line (233, 234) of the motor hydraulic pump (230) to the excavator-side discharge line (153, 154) between the engine hydraulic pump (190) and the main control valve (160) of the excavator. The discharge-side hydraulic connection (251, 252) may include a first discharge-side hydraulic connection (251) connected to the first excavator-side discharge line (153), and a second discharge-side hydraulic connection (252) connected to the second excavator-side discharge line (154).

[0070] The electric motor controller (240) is electrically connected to the main controller (170) of the excavator and is configured to control the operation of the electric motor (220) based on a control signal of the main controller (170).

[0071] The excavator powertrain module (200) may be provided with a first connector (281) for electrically connecting the powertrain controller (240) to the main controller (170). In addition, a mode change switch (260) for switching between an engine driving mode and a motor driving mode may be connected to the first connector (281). It is possible to install the mode change switch (260) in the control panel of an existing excavator, and it is also possible to change the function of a switch in an existing control panel to a mode change switch (260) through a software change.

[0072] The main controller (170) can be set to selectively deactivate the engine controller (145) or the motor controller (240) when a switching signal to engine drive mode or motor drive mode is input through the mode change switch (260), which is possible through a software update of the control system of an existing excavator.

[0073] For example, when a signal to switch from engine driving mode to motor driving mode is input, the main controller (170) deactivates the engine controller (145) and activates the electric drive controller (240), and the electric drive controller (240) controls the operation of the electric motor (220) and electrical components by the control signal of the main controller (170). At this time, it is possible to configure the power supply to the engine driving and control components to be cut off.

[0074] In addition, an air conditioning compressor (243) and an auxiliary motor (245) for supplying power to the air conditioning compressor (243) may be additionally installed inside the housing (210). In addition, a generator (247) that produces power using the power of the motor shaft may be connected to the auxiliary motor (245), and this may be configured to supply power to a battery (248).

[0075] The process of installing the excavator power module (200) according to the present embodiment into an existing excavator will be described. First, the counterweight is removed from the excavator body (110), and then the housing (210) of the excavator power module (200) is coupled to the counterweight mount (130) of the excavator body (110) and installed. Then, the suction-side hydraulic connection (253) of the motor hydraulic pump (230) is connected to the excavator-side suction line (181), and the discharge-side hydraulic connection (252, 252) is connected to the excavator-side discharge line (153, 154). In addition, the first connector (281) is connected to the electrical wiring of the excavator to establish an electrical connection between the excavator power module (200) and the existing excavator control system.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator having an excavator powertrain module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] According to the present embodiment, a pilot pump (270) for generating pilot pressure may be additionally installed in the motor hydraulic pump (230). A gear pump may be used as the pilot pump (270), and the gear pump may be installed in the PTO (Power Take Off) stage of the motor hydraulic pump (230) or in the gear output shaft (i.e., P3 stage). In addition, a separate sub-motor may be installed in the housing (210) and the pilot pump (270) may be connected thereto.

[0078] In addition, a pilot pump (195) for generating pilot pressure may be installed in the engine hydraulic pump (190), and a gear pump may also be used for this. The pilot pump (195) installed in the engine hydraulic pump (190) is connected to the pilot block (185) via a pilot line (199). The pilot block (185) stabilizes the hydraulic pressure generated by the pilot pump (195) and provides it to a remote control valve connected to an operating lever.

[0079] According to the present embodiment, when installing the excavator electric power module (200), a pilot connection (256) provided in the discharge line of the pilot pump (270) of the motor hydraulic pump (230) is additionally connected to the pilot line (199). This makes it possible to provide pilot pressure to the remote control valve by the operation of the electric motor (220) even when the internal combustion engine (140) is not operating.

[0080] In addition, a check valve (275, 276, 277) may be additionally installed in the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump (230). The check valve (275, 276, 277) may be installed in the first and second discharge lines (233, 234) of the motor hydraulic pump (230) and the discharge line of the pilot pump (270), respectively. A check valve, a shuttle valve, a stop valve, a solenoid valve, a speed valve, a poppet valve, etc. may be used as the check valve (275, 276, 277).

[0081] Additionally, a check valve (196, 197, 198) may be installed on the engine hydraulic pump (190) side, and these may be installed on the first and second excavator side discharge lines (153, 154) and the pilot line (199), respectively.

[0082] In the case of this embodiment, compared to the previous embodiment, a configuration is provided in which a pilot pump (195, 270) and a check valve (196, 197, 198, 275, 276, 277) are additionally installed, but a configuration in which only one of the pilot pump (195, 270) and the check valve (196, 197, 198, 275, 276, 277) is additionally applied is also possible.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hydraulic circuit of an excavator having an excavator powertrain module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] According to the present embodiment, the motor hydraulic pump (230) is additionally provided with a pressure sensor (273, 274) for measuring discharge hydraulic pressure and a pressure control valve (271, 272) for controlling the swash plate angle. For reference, a proportional pressure reducing valve may be used as the pressure control valve (271, 272).

[0085] The pressure sensors (273, 274) and the pressure control valves (271, 272) may be separately installed in the first and second discharge portions (231, 232) of the motor hydraulic pump (230), respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pressure sensors (273, 274) and the pressure control valves (271, 272) may be electrically connected to the electric controller (240) through electrical wiring. The electric controller (240) may be configured to control the opening of the pressure control valves (271, 272) based on the sensing values ​​of the pressure sensors (273, 274).

[0086] Pressure sensors (193, 194) and pressure control valves (191, 192) may also be installed in the first and second discharge portions (151, 152) of the engine hydraulic pump (190), which may be electrically connected to the engine controller (145).

[0087] Referring to FIG. 2, the excavator power module (200) may additionally be provided with a second connector (282) for connecting the electrical wiring of the pressure sensor (273, 274) and the pressure control valve (271, 272) of the motor hydraulic pump (230) to the electrical wiring on the engine hydraulic pump (190) side.

[0088] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to additionally install the check valves (196, 197, 198, 275, 276, 277) described above to the engine hydraulic pump (190) and the motor hydraulic pump (230).

[0089] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. As an excavator electrification module for electrifying an engine-based excavator, A housing mountable to the counterweight mount of the above engine-based excavator; An electric motor installed within the housing; A motor hydraulic pump installed in the above housing and generating hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work tool using power generated from the electric motor; and An excavator electrification module, comprising: an electrification controller electrically connected to a main controller of the engine-based excavator and controlling the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal of the main controller.

2. In paragraph 1, A suction side hydraulic connection connecting the suction line of the above motor hydraulic pump to the excavator side suction line between the hydraulic tank of the above excavator and the engine hydraulic pump; and An excavator power module, characterized in that it further includes a discharge side hydraulic connection connecting the discharge line of the motor hydraulic pump to the excavator side discharge line between the engine hydraulic pump of the excavator and the main control valve.

3. In paragraph 1, An excavator electric power module, characterized in that it further comprises a connector for electrically connecting the electric power controller to the main controller.

4. In paragraph 1, An excavator electric power module, characterized in that it further includes a pilot pump installed in the above motor hydraulic pump and for generating pilot pressure.

5. In paragraph 1, The above motor hydraulic pump is provided with a pressure sensor for measuring discharge hydraulic pressure and a pressure control valve for controlling the swash plate angle. An excavator electric power module, characterized in that the electric power controller controls the opening degree of the pressure control valve based on the sensing value of the pressure sensor.

6. In paragraph 1, An excavator electric power module, characterized in that a check valve is installed in the discharge line of the above motor hydraulic pump.

7. In paragraph 1, An excavator electric power module, characterized in that it further includes a coupling part installed in the housing and detachably coupled to the counterweight mount part.

8. In paragraph 1, An excavator electric power module, characterized in that it further includes a battery installed in the housing and for supplying power to the electric motor.

9. In paragraph 8, An excavator power generation module, characterized in that it further includes an auxiliary motor installed in the housing and for supplying power to an air conditioning compressor.

10. In paragraph 9, An excavator electric power module, characterized in that it further includes a generator connected to the auxiliary motor and producing electric power to supply it to the battery.

11. In paragraph 1, An excavator powertrain module, characterized in that it further includes an auxiliary counterweight installed in the housing and providing a certain amount of load to the body of the engine-based excavator.

12. Excavator body to which the working tools are connected; An internal combustion engine installed in the above excavator body and controlled by an engine controller; An engine hydraulic pump that generates hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work mechanism by using the power generated by the internal combustion engine; and It includes an excavator electric power module installed on the excavator body and for operating the work tool in an electric manner without operating the internal combustion engine; The above excavator electric power module is, A housing mountable to the counterweight mount of the above excavator body; An electric motor installed within the housing; A motor hydraulic pump installed in the housing and generating hydraulic pressure for the operation of the work mechanism using power generated from the electric motor; and An excavator, characterized in that it includes an electric controller electrically connected to the main controller of the excavator and controlling the operation of the electric motor based on a control signal of the main controller.

Images