Integrated Concrete Pump Drive Unit with Valve Block

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete pump units are not compact, lightweight, or reliable due to separate hydraulic components, flexible hoses that age and leak under pressure, and high installation space requirements, especially in mobile truck-mounted applications.

Innovation Solution

A concrete pump unit with integrated valve technology and fixed piping between drive cylinders, eliminating the need for flexible hoses and forming a compact, torsion-resistant structural unit with pre-assembled drive cylinders and connecting means, such as valve blocks, which also house switching elements and sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If flexible hoses are used to connect drive cylinders and hydraulic components, then the system can be assembled individually with separate components, but the hoses are subject to aging, can move unintentionally under pressure loads, pose a risk of leaks, and reduce the response time of the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidleak risk and service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate hydraulic components (drive cylinders, valve blocks, piping) into a single integrated concrete pump unit with a common housing. This merging eliminates flexible hoses and their associated reliability problems while maintaining assembly feasibility through modular sub-components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If flexible hoses are used to connect individual drive components, then the components can be assembled separately, but the elasticity of hoses reduces the desired rapid response time of the overall system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of hydraulic components into a single rigid structure eliminates the elasticity and compliance of flexible hoses, thereby achieving rapid response times while still allowing for practical assembly of modular sub-components within the integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate hydraulic components and flexible hoses are used, then the system can be assembled in parts, but the large amount of space required for individual components has a negative impact in the confined spaces of a mobile truck-mounted concrete pump

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular assemblyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates all hydraulic components into a compact unified structure with a common housing, dramatically reducing the overall volume required for the drive system while maintaining the ability to assemble modular sub-components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If separate hydraulic components are used, then the system can be assembled individually, but the multitude of individual components leads to an increase in the weight of the concrete pump unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual assemblyVSAvoidpump unit weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of hydraulic components into a single unit with common housing and shared structural elements eliminates redundant components and reduces overall weight, while still allowing for modular assembly of sub-components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a more compact, lighter, and reliable concrete pump unit with reduced risk of leaks and faster response times, improved assembly efficiency, and reduced weight, suitable for mobile applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least two hydraulic drive cylinders (3) that move the delivery cylinders (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3657015B1Vehicle-mounted concrete pump
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 LIEBHERR MISCHTECHN
  • EP3657015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3657015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3657015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a concrete pump unit with at least two delivery cylinders for conveying concrete and at least two hydraulic drive cylinders for moving the delivery cylinders, wherein the drive cylinders are torsionally rigidly coupled to one another via at least one connecting element. According to the invention, the drive cylinders and the at least one connecting element, in which at least one valve block is integrated, are designed as a pre-assembled drive unit.