Confluence Valve Hydraulic Circuit for Multi-Actuator Flow Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic circuits with confluence valves have complex structures requiring numerous components, leading to increased fabrication costs, reduced productivity, and complicated repairs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified hydraulic circuit design featuring a confluence valve system with interconnected fluid passages and control valves that allow for efficient fluid distribution between multiple working fluid supplies, reducing component complexity and enhancing operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a confluence valve is added to enable working fluid supply to multiple actuators, then sufficient working fluid can be supplied to multiple actuators simultaneously, but the structure becomes complex and requires more components
Solution Approach 1:
The confluence valve integrates multiple working fluid supply paths into a single valve body, merging the functions of multiple valves into one component. This reduces the total number of components while maintaining the capability to supply working fluid to multiple actuators simultaneously, thereby reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The confluence valve performs multiple functions: it can supply working fluid to different actuators based on control signals, manage fluid distribution to multiple outlets, and coordinate operation of multiple working fluid supplies. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate valves for each function, simplifying the overall system structure.
2Productivity
If multiple control valves and fluid passages are added to enable simultaneous actuator operation, then sufficient working fluid can be supplied to multiple actuators, but fabrication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single confluence valve with integrated control mechanisms. The valve body incorporates multiple control ports and fluid passages that can be manufactured as one integrated component, reducing fabrication costs compared to assembling multiple separate valves and passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The confluence valve is designed as a universal component that can control working fluid supply to multiple actuators through a single device. This multi-functional design reduces the total component count and assembly requirements, thereby lowering fabrication and manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex hydraulic circuit with multiple valves is used to supply working fluid to multiple actuators, then simultaneous actuator drive is enabled, but repairs become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valve functions into a single confluence valve, the number of potential failure points is reduced. The integrated design means fewer seals, fewer moving parts, and fewer connection points that could leak or fail, making the system easier to maintain and repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The confluence valve serves as a universal control point for multiple actuators. When repair is needed, the issue can be isolated to a single component rather than searching through multiple separate valves and passages, significantly reducing diagnostic time and repair complexity.
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 design simplifies the hydraulic circuit structure, reduces fabrication costs, improves productivity, and facilitates easier repairs while maintaining efficient fluid distribution and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
generating a first pressure within the fifth portion of the fifth fluid passage... so that the first pressure is applied to the first valve through the fourth fluid passage to move the first valve
Implementation Method 2
a second pressure is applied to the confluence valve through the first fluid passage to move the confluence valve to a confluence position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
When a first control valve 250 and a second control valve 240 are in non-neutral positions, respectively, a fifth fluid passage 450 and a second fluid passage 420 are closed, thereby generating a first pressure within a fifth portion 451 of the fifth fluid passage 450 and a second pressure within a second portion 421 of the second fluid passage 420, so that the first pressure is applied to a first valve 510 through a fourth fluid passage 440 to move the first valve 510 to close the third fluid passage 430 and a second pressure is applied to the confluence valve 225 through a first fluid passage 410 to move the confluence valve 225 to a confluence position. When the confluence valve 225 is in the confluence position, the confluence valve 225 directs working fluid from a first working fluid supply 110 to the second control valve 240.