Bidirectional Valve Sealing for Zero-Leak Hydraulic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for mini-excavators suffer from oil leakage issues, leading to unintended actuation of slide valves and actuators, which compromises safety and operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of bidirectional (zero-leak) valves and a hydraulic system design that includes control sliders and double cone seal valves to prevent oil backflow and ensure complete sealing in both directions, using a combination of spools, electro-hydraulic actuators, and compression springs to maintain the sealing position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional spools are inserted to prevent backflow, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function and sealing function into a single bidirectional valve assembly. Instead of using separate mechanical locks or additional spools, the invention combines these functions into one integrated component with a specialized sealing element, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety and achieving zero-leak performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a locking mechanism, provides bidirectional sealing to prevent leakage, and controls hydraulic flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired safety and zero-leak performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional slide valves are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but oil leakage occurs leading to unintended actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a specialized sealing element (ring 14) with specific geometric features at the critical sealing location within the bidirectional valve. This localized enhancement provides superior sealing performance precisely where needed, preventing oil leakage without requiring complete redesign of the entire valve system, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents oil leakage and unintended actuation of hydraulic actuators, ensuring maximum safety and operational reliability by maintaining the sealing position even under external loads and varying operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of spools, electro-hydraulic actuators, and compression springs to maintain the sealing position
Implementation Method 2
bidirectional (zero-leak) valves and a hydraulic system design that includes control sliders and double cone seal valves to prevent oil backflow
Data Source
AI summary
Hydraulic system, distributor and bidirectional valve to activate the hydraulic actuators (3; 3a, 3b) of an operating machine; the hydraulic system (1) having: a first high-pressure oil delivery (4); an oil drain (8); a slide valve with a spool, which is axially sliding and is suited to control a hydraulic actuator (3); a second low-pressure oil delivery (6); an activation valve (15); and a bidirectional valve (21) with a first passage opening (22) that can be hydraulically connected, by the slide valve (9) to the first delivery (4) and a second passage opening (23) hydraulically connected to the actuator (3); wherein, the bidirectional valve has an inlet opening (24) that can be connected, by the activation valve (15) to the second delivery (6) and an outlet opening (25) that can be connected, by the spool (12) to the drain (8).