Control Valve Block Mounting on Revolving Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

The weight of the control valve block in hydraulic excavators is high due to its robust metal construction, leading to increased overall machine weight and stability issues when mounted on the revolving frame, which complicates transportation and operation.

Innovation Solution

The control valve block is stably mounted on the revolving frame using support members positioned at equal distances around its center of gravity, with a weight-reducing feature on the bottom plate, such as through holes or recessed grooves, to minimize the number of support members and reduce the machine's overall weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the control valve block is made of robust metal construction to withstand high-pressure pressurized oil, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the weight of the control valve block increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of control valve blockVSAvoidweight of control valve block
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve block is divided into multiple individual directional control valves (first, second, third, and fourth valves) that are arranged and mounted on the revolving frame separately, rather than using a single integrated heavy metal block. This segmentation allows each valve to be optimized independently and reduces the overall weight while maintaining the required strength for high-pressure operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the control valve block is arranged at a high position away from the bottom plate to avoid piping conflicts, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to the heavy weight at high position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of piping operationVSAvoidstability of control valve block arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve block is segmented into multiple individual directional control valves that can be arranged at different positions on the revolving frame. This allows the valves to be positioned at heights that avoid piping conflicts with other equipment, while the distributed arrangement provides better stability compared to a single heavy block positioned high up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control valves are arranged in a multi-dimensional layout on the revolving frame, utilizing both horizontal and vertical spaces. This dimensional arrangement allows the hydraulic lines to be routed more effectively and the valves to be positioned at optimal heights for operation and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a large number of robust brackets are added to mount the heavy control valve block at high position, then the stability is improved, but the weight of the entire hydraulic excavator increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of control valve block mountingVSAvoidweight of entire hydraulic excavator
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve block is segmented into multiple lighter individual directional control valves that can be mounted using simpler, lighter brackets distributed at different positions on the revolving frame. This eliminates the need for large numbers of robust brackets that would be required to support a single heavy control valve block, thereby reducing the overall weight while maintaining mounting stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2840189B1Construction machine
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY TIERRA CO LTD
  • EP2840189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2840189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2840189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control valve block (24) is mounted on a bottom plate (6A) of a revolving frame (6) through a control valve block mounting plate (18). In this case, a left support member (19) and a right support member (20) are provided on a back surface (18B) of the control valve block mounting plate (18) at two spots with equal distances sandwiching a center position of gravity (G) of the control valve block (24). The left and right support members (19, 20) are mounted on a support beam (8) provided on the bottom plate (6A) of the revolving frame (6). On the other hand, a weight-reducing part (7) is provided at a part in the bottom plate (6A) of the revolving frame (6) away from the support beam (8). The control valve block (24) which is a heavy article is stably supported on the bottom plate (6A) at two spots sandwiching its center position of gravity (G). Moreover, the weight of the revolving frame (6) can be reduced by the weight-reducing part (7).