Electro-hydraulic Pump Segmentation for Hazardous Space Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydrodynamic compression and cutting tools face challenges in reducing electric energy consumption, operating in confined or hazardous spaces, and efficiently controlling compression and cutting operations to minimize operator risk and tool damage.

Innovation Solution

An electro-hydraulic pump with a remote control system, including a flexible pressure hose and hand-held remote control with a push-button panel and multifunction display, allows for remote actuation and control of the tool, enabling operation in tight spaces and hazardous environments while reducing the risk of injury and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the pump housing is positioned close to the work head for compact operation, then the device structure is more compact, but the operator is exposed to higher risks of injury and tool damage in hazardous environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two main segments: the pump housing (control unit) and the work head (tool unit), connected by a flexible pressure hose. This segmentation allows the operator to position the work head near the workpiece while keeping the pump housing at a safe distance, thus maintaining device compactness where needed while prioritizing operator safety in hazardous environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible pressure hose acts as an intermediary element connecting the pump housing to the work head. This intermediary allows transmission of hydraulic pressure over a distance, enabling the operator to separate the control unit from the tool unit spatially, thereby reducing exposure to harmful factors such as explosions, sparks, or flames while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the operator positions the pump body near the work space for control, then control precision is improved, but the operator is exposed to hazardous conditions and risks of injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible control cable serves as an intermediary that transmits control signals from the remote control unit to the pump housing over a distance. This allows the operator to maintain precise control of the pump operations while positioned far from hazardous work environments, eliminating the need to be near the work space for control purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct mechanical control with remote electronic/control cable-based actuation. The hand-held remote control unit with push-button panel and display enables the operator to control the electric motor and pump operations from a distance, substituting the need for physical proximity and mechanical direct control with a remote control system that prioritizes operator safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation modes are integrated into the pump for versatility, then the device can handle different compression and cutting operations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation mode varietyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump housing is designed with multi-functionality to perform various compression and cutting operations through different pre-set operation modes. The electric motor can be controlled to operate in multiple modes (e.g., different speeds, pressures, or cycles) to handle diverse workpieces and operations, making the device universally applicable while managing complexity through integrated control.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The hand-held remote control unit includes a display that provides visual feedback to the operator about the selected and active operation modes. This feedback mechanism helps the operator understand and manage the complex multi-mode operation system, reducing the perceived complexity by providing clear information about system state and enabling informed control decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the operator needs to move the pump body to reposition for different operations, then adaptability to different work positions is improved, but time is lost in moving and repositioning the pump

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework position flexibilityVSAvoidrepositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the pump into a stationary pump housing and a mobile work head connected by a flexible pressure hose. This allows the work head to be repositioned independently near different work positions without moving the entire pump housing, saving time while maintaining adaptability to different work positions through the flexible connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible pressure hose acts as an intermediary that provides spatial flexibility between the pump housing and work head. This intermediary allows the work head to access different work positions and angles without requiring the operator to relocate the entire pump housing, thereby reducing repositioning time while maintaining work position adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enables efficient operation in small spaces, reduces the risk of injury and tool damage, and saves time by allowing operators to control the tool from a safe distance, enhancing the autonomy and safety of hydrodynamic compression and cutting tools.

Implementation Method 1

an electric motor, supported by the pump housing which can be powered by the accumulator coupled to the accumulator housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a hydrodynamic group, supported by the pump housing and connected to the electric motor so as to increase the pressure of a hydraulic liquid in response to the movement of the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

which causes an increase of a hydraulic liquid pressure operating on a piston to move the latter against the bias of a pressure spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3213880B1Hydraulic pump for a hydrodynamic compression tool
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 CEMBRE SPA
  • EP3213880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213880B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3213880B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~12

AI summary

An electro-hydraulic pump (2) for hydrodynamic compression tools (1) comprises a pump housing (3) carrying an electric motor (6) and a hydrodynamic group (7) for pressurising a hydraulic liquid, a control circuit (28) for controlling the electric motor (6), a flexible pressure hose (8) connected to the hydrodynamic group (7) and a work head (11) of the tool (1) to communicate the hydraulic liquid pressure to the work head (11), a flexible control cable (12), which connects the control circuit (28) in the pump housing (3) to a hand held remote control (15), wherein the hand held remote control (15) comprises an actuating button (18) for starting the electric motor (6) and a button (36) for selecting an operation mode of the electro-hydraulic pump (2) from a plurality of pre-set operation modes as well as a multifunction display (17) which shows the selected operation mode.