Work Attachment Pipe Protection Layout for Impact-Exposed Hydraulics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe protection solutions for work machines, particularly those with low-pressure piping circuits, face challenges in effectively protecting these pipes from impacts during demolition and other high-pressure applications, especially when these pipes are positioned on the side surfaces of the work attachment, as existing techniques are not well-suited for such configurations.

Innovation Solution

A pipe protection unit comprising at least one inner low-pressure pipe and one outer high-pressure pipe, with the outer high-pressure pipe having a larger diameter, positioned on the side surfaces of the work attachment, and a cover plate interposed between them to provide protection and facilitate pressure release, enhancing the workability of disassembly and assembly processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If low-pressure piping circuits are disposed along the work attachment, then the work machine can perform demolition work, but the low-pressure pipes are vulnerable to impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework capabilityVSAvoidpipe protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The low-pressure pipe is nested within the protective space formed by the cover plate and the high-pressure pipe. The cover plate is disposed between the low-pressure pipe and the high-pressure pipe, creating a nested protective structure where the vulnerable low-pressure pipe is shielded by the stronger high-pressure pipe and cover plate assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate acts as an intermediary protective element disposed between the low-pressure pipe and external impact sources. It provides a physical barrier that absorbs or deflects impacts before they reach the low-pressure pipe, while the high-pressure pipe serves as a secondary intermediary protective structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If pipes are disposed on side surfaces for facilitation of disassembly, then assembly work is easier, but the pipes become more exposed to external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidimpact exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The low-pressure pipe is positioned within the protective enclosure formed by the cover plate and high-pressure pipe arrangement, creating a nested configuration that maintains side-surface disposal for ease of assembly while reducing impact exposure through the nested protective structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate serves as an intermediary protective barrier disposed between external impact sources and the low-pressure pipe on the side surface. This intermediary structure enables the pipe to remain accessible for assembly while being protected from harmful external factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the cover plate is disposed between high-pressure and low-pressure pipes, then the low-pressure pipe is protected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate performs multiple functions: it protects the low-pressure pipe from impact, provides a mounting surface for connection ports, and serves as a structural element of the piping system. The high-pressure pipe also serves dual purposes as both a functional conduit and a protective enclosure for the low-pressure pipe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structure is merged with the functional piping structure. The cover plate and high-pressure pipe are not separate protective additions but are integrated into the functional piping system, combining protection and fluid conveyance functions in a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4079973A1Pipe protection unit for a work machine
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4079973A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079973A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079973A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pipe protection unit includes: at least one inner low-pressure pipe 30 which is a hydraulic pipe disposed along an attachment side surface which is one of a left side surface 221 and a right side surface 222 of a work attachment 20; at least one outer high-pressure pipe 40 disposed along the attachment side surface at an outer position than the at least one inner low-pressure pipe 30, the at least one outer high-pressure pipe having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the at least one inner low-pressure pipe 30; and a cover plate 50 which is a plate that is disposed along the attachment side surface so as to be interposed between the at least one inner low-pressure pipe 30 and the at least one outer high-pressure pipe 40 and is supported by the work attachment 20, the cover plate 50 covering at least a part of the at least one inner low-pressure pipe 30.