Control Valve Mount Structure for Construction Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mount structures for control valve units on construction machines, such as compact excavators, require different brackets and hanging members for small and large control valve units, leading to increased part variability, manufacturing costs, and reduced workability when producing machines of different models.

Innovation Solution

A mount structure with a common bracket and hanging members that can accommodate both small and large control valve units by aligning their barycentric positions on an imaginary line connecting the hanging-member fixing portions, allowing for the use of shared components and improved mounting efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different brackets are provided for small and large control valve units, then the control valve units can be properly mounted, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing cost becomes high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capability for different control valve unit sizesVSAvoidnumber of kinds of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both small and large control valve units. The bracket includes a mounting surface with multiple mounting hole positions and a hanging member fixing portion positioned to align with the barycentric positions of both small and large control valve units, allowing a single bracket design to serve multiple mounting configurations without requiring size-specific variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of barycentric position alignment by positioning the hanging member fixing portion at a location that corresponds to the barycentric positions of both small and large control valve units. This parameter adjustment allows the same bracket to properly support different sized control valve units despite their different weights and dimensions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and part complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If different hanging members are provided for small and large control valve units, then proper hanging and mounting can be achieved, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing cost becomes high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capability for different control valve unit sizesVSAvoidnumber of kinds of hanging members
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanging member fixing portion is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate both small and large control valve units. By positioning this fixing portion at the aligned barycentric position, the same hanging member can be used for both small and large control valve units, eliminating the need for size-specific hanging members and reducing part complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different brackets are provided for small and large control valve units, then proper mounting can be achieved, but workability of mounting work is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capability for different control valve unit sizesVSAvoidworkability of mounting work
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The universal bracket design with the strategically positioned hanging member fixing portion allows the same bracket to be used for both small and large control valve units. This eliminates the need for workers to select between different bracket types, simplifying the mounting process and improving workability while maintaining the ability to accommodate different control valve unit sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2679728B1Control valve attachment structure for construction machine
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY TIERRA CO LTD
  • EP2679728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2679728B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2679728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To permit selective mounting of a small first control valve unit or a large second control valve unit on bodies of construction machines of different models the same family without incurring an increase in the number of kinds of parts or components. A mount structure for a control valve unit is provided for arrangement on a compact excavator. The control valve unit can be either a small first control valve unit (11A) and a large second control valve unit (11B). On a bracket (10) for these control valve units (11A, 11B), the first or second control valve unit (11A or 11B) is selectively mounted. The mount structure is constructed such that upon mounting the first or second control valve unit (11A or 11B) on the bracket (10), a barycentric position (G) of the bracket (10) with the first control valve unit (11A) mounted thereon and a barycentric position (G) of the bracket (10) with the second control valve unit (11B) mounted thereon are located on an imaginary line that connects paired hanging-member fixingportions of the bracket (10) with each other.