Concrete Pump Vehicle Hydraulic Valve Layout With Fewer Proportional Valves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hydraulic drive and valve arrangements for concrete pumps are complex and costly, requiring multiple proportional valves and switching valve apparatuses, which complicates control and increases production and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a simplified hydraulic drive arrangement featuring a group of proportional valves and switching valve apparatuses, where each proportional valve is connected to multiple switching valve apparatuses, reducing the number of complex proportional valves and allowing precise control of hydraulic drives for supporting devices and mast arrangements, with identical or different proportional valves and switching valve apparatuses for reduced parts and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple proportional valves and switching valve apparatuses are used to control each hydraulic drive individually, then precise control of supporting devices and mast arrangement is achieved, but the valve arrangement becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple switching valve apparatuses are connected in parallel to a single proportional valve, combining their control functions. This allows one proportional valve to control multiple hydraulic drives through the parallel-connected switching valves, reducing the total number of proportional valves needed while maintaining precise control capability across all actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The switching valve apparatuses serve multiple functions: they distribute hydraulic fluid from a single proportional valve to multiple hydraulic drives, enable independent control of each actuator, and provide a modular interface between the proportional valve bank and the hydraulic consumers. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual proportional valves are provided for each hydraulic cylinder, then each supporting device and mast element can be controlled independently, but the number of components increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple switching valve apparatuses in parallel configuration, allowing a single proportional valve to control multiple hydraulic drives. This merging approach reduces the total number of proportional valves needed while preserving the ability to independently control each hydraulic actuator through the switching valves
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into two levels: proportional valves providing precise control commands and switching valve apparatuses distributing these commands to specific hydraulic drives. This segmentation allows one proportional valve to serve multiple actuators while maintaining independent control capability for each actuator
3Ease of operation
If a complex valve arrangement with multiple proportional valves is used, then comprehensive control of all hydraulic drives is achieved, but production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple switching valve apparatuses in parallel and connecting them to single proportional valves, the system achieves comprehensive control of all hydraulic drives with fewer proportional valves. This reduces the bill of materials, simplifies assembly, and lowers both production and maintenance costs while preserving full operational control
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 enables precise and sensitive control of hydraulic drives, reduces the number of complex components, lowers production and maintenance costs, and improves safety by ensuring only one side of the vehicle's supporting devices or mast arrangement can be actuated at a time, enhancing operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle has a hydraulic drive arrangement with which both the mast arrangement and the at least one supporting device can be moved
Implementation Method 2
The valve arrangement has a group of proportional valves with which the hydraulic drive arrangement can be acted upon
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a thick matter pump has multiple supporting devices, a rotatable mast assembly with part-mast members, and a hydraulic drive assembly with hydraulic drives for the supporting devices and the mast assembly. A valve assembly is provided for the hydraulic drive assembly. The valve assembly has a group of proportional valves and a group of switching valve devices which are each connected to at least one hydraulic drive of the supporting devices or the part-mast members. The switching valve devices are connected downstream of the proportional valves. Exactly one switching valve device is supplied by exactly one proportional valve and is connected downstream of exactly one proportional valve such that outputs of the proportional valves lead exclusively to inputs of the switching valve devices.