Derricking Cylinder Control Valve for Balance Valve Failure Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional derricking cylinders in aerial work platforms are prone to failure of the balance valve connected to the rodless cavity, leading to uncontrolled downward movement and potential accidents due to tilting or tipping of the work bucket and platform.

Innovation Solution

A control valve with pilot-type overflow function portions and a switch valve that seals the rodless cavity when the balance valve fails, integrated with a hydraulic sensor to detect pressure deviations and trigger an alarm for maintenance, ensuring double insurance on the oil circuit and preventing uncontrolled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional balance valve is used to control the rodless cavity of the hydraulic cylinder, then the derricking cylinder can control the lifting arm's upward and downward movement, but the balance valve is prone to failure leading to uncontrolled downward movement and potential accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidbalance valve failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a switch valve that can be closed before potential failure occurs to seal the rodless cavity. This preliminary action prevents oil leakage and uncontrolled movement if the balance valve fails, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining operational control through the redundant sealing mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a backup sealing approach by closing the switch valve to isolate the rodless cavity from the oil supply system. This beforehand cushioning creates a safety barrier that prevents catastrophic failure and uncontrolled movement, ensuring the lifting arm remains stable even if the balance valve malfunctions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the balance valve fails, then uncontrolled downward movement occurs causing tilting or tipping of the work bucket and platform, but adding a switch valve and monitoring system increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against uncontrolled movementVSAvoidcontrol valve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a switch valve as an intermediary component between the oil supply system and the rodless cavity. This mediator can be closed to seal the cavity and prevent uncontrolled movement, adding a layer of safety without requiring complete redesign of the balance valve itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a monitoring system with a hydraulic sensor that detects pressure changes in the rodless cavity and provides feedback to the control system. When abnormal pressure indicating balance valve failure is detected, the system can trigger an alarm or automatically close the switch valve, adding safety through intelligent monitoring rather than purely mechanical redundancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the rodless cavity is sealed when the balance valve fails, then the lifting arm remains stable preventing accidents, but the oil pressure in the rodless cavity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of lifting armVSAvoidoil pressure in rodless cavity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from the balance valve by introducing a separate switch valve that can be closed to isolate the rodless cavity. This separation allows the balance valve to continue its pressure control function while the switch valve provides fail-safe sealing, preventing uncontrolled movement without requiring excessive pressure buildup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances the operational reliability and safety of the aerial work platform by preventing uncontrolled movements and ensuring the lifting arm remains stable, even when the balance valve fails, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic sensor to detect pressure deviations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

a switch valve that seals the rodless cavity when the balance valve fails

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic sealing:

Implementation Method 3

A control valve with pilot-type overflow function portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic flow control:

Data Source

PatentEP3789619B1Control valve, derricking cylinder and working method thereof, aerial work platform
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 ZHEJIANG DINGLI MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3789619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3789619B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3789619B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a control valve, a derricking cylinder and a working method thereof, and an aerial work platform, relating to the field of aerial work. The control valve of the derricking cylinder includes a first balance valve provided on the oil circuit between the first port G and the second port F, and a second balance valve provided on the oil circuit between the third port H and the fourth port E; and a switch valve in series with the first balance valve is further provided on the oil circuit between the first port G and the second port F.