Excavator Controller Layout for Simpler Control Valve Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of wiring a wire harness between a controller and a control valve in construction machines is complicated due to the spatial constraints and the need to connect multiple instruments, leading to increased difficulty in layout and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The controller is strategically placed in proximity to the hydraulic oil tank, utilizing the space between the control valve and the tank to simplify the wiring of the harness, with specific configurations that minimize interference and facilitate easy connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the controller is placed on the rear face of the transverse plate to protect it from heat and vibration, then the controller is protected from environmental damage, but the control valve cannot be placed nearby, increasing wire harness wiring difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller protectionVSAvoidwire harness wiring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is relocated from the rear face of the transverse plate to the right side of the engine chamber, utilizing previously unused spatial dimensions. This dimensional relocation allows the controller to be positioned near the control valve and hydraulic oil tank, significantly reducing wire harness length and simplifying wiring while maintaining protection through the engine chamber structure.

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

2Reliability

If the control valve is placed far from the controller, then the controller placement is protected from heat and vibration, but the wire harness wiring becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller protectionVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller, control valve, and hydraulic oil tank are merged into a single spatial zone (the right side of the engine chamber). This consolidation of components that need electrical and hydraulic connections reduces the complexity of wiring and piping by minimizing the distance and number of connection points between these instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wire harnesses are wired from one controller to multiple instruments, then the controller can receive signals from multiple sources, but the wiring becomes more complex due to spatial constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception capabilityVSAvoidwiring ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The right side of the engine chamber serves as a universal mounting zone for multiple instruments (controller, control valve, hydraulic oil tank) that need to interact. By placing these instruments in proximity within the same spatial zone, the system achieves multi-functionality in terms of signal and power distribution while simplifying the physical wiring infrastructure.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4306721B1Construction machine
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4306721B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306721B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4306721B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] The present invention has been made in view of the above problem; it is an object of the present invention to simplify, in an electrically controlled construction machine, a wiring of a wire harness between a controller and a control valve. [Solution] On a turn frame 7 of an excavation machine 1, a hydraulic oil tank 48 is placed in the center of a right engine chamber 9a in the front-back direction, a control valve 45 is placed in front of the hydraulic oil tank 48, a battery 49 is further placed in front of the control valve 45, and a cool mechanism 60 is placed behind the hydraulic oil tank 48. The controller 51, which outputs a signal to drive the control valve 45, is placed opposite the hydraulic oil tank 48.