Excavator Hydraulic Flow Cutoff at Boom and Arm End Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction machines, such as excavators, waste hydraulic flow rate when working devices reach their maximum positions, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and reduced operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detect the rotation position of working devices like booms, arms, and attachments, and cut off the flow rate when they reach maximum positions, using sensors and electronic proportional pressure reducing valves to control hydraulic pressure, allowing the flow rate to be redirected to other devices that require increased speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flow rate is continuously supplied to working devices at maximum position, then working devices can maintain their position, but flow rate is wasted and energy is consumed unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition maintenanceVSAvoidflow rate waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary flow rate supply to working devices that have reached their maximum position. The control system identifies when a working device is at its limit and selectively cuts off or redirects the flow rate that would otherwise be wasted, while maintaining sufficient flow to hold the position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic flow rate control that adjusts the hydraulic flow distribution in real-time based on the operational state of each working device. When a device reaches maximum position, the system dynamically reduces or redirects its flow allocation, optimizing overall system efficiency while maintaining positional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If flow rate is cut off when working device reaches maximum position, then flow rate waste is prevented, but control precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate waste reductionVSAvoidposition control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different flow control strategies to different working devices based on their individual operational states. Each working device receives customized flow rate management - full flow when needed, reduced or redirected flow when at maximum position - ensuring precise local control while optimizing overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors the position of working devices and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust flow rate allocation. When sensors detect that a working device has reached its maximum position, the system responds by modifying the flow rate to that device, preventing waste while maintaining control precision through closed-loop feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If flow rate is redirected from working devices at maximum position to other devices, then operational capacity is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational capacityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements a universal flow management approach that can dynamically reallocate hydraulic flow among multiple working devices based on system needs. The same control mechanism that prevents flow waste at maximum positions also enables flexible flow redirection to enhance the operational capacity of other devices, achieving multiple functions through a unified system.

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

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

Prevents flow rate wastage, reduces engine loads, and enhances operational capacity by optimizing the distribution of hydraulic pressure, thereby improving the overall efficiency of construction machines.

Implementation Method 1

The cylinders may be operated by a hydraulic pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3385456B1Method of controlling a flow rate of a construction machine and system for performing the same
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 HD HYUNDAI INFRACORE CO LTD
  • EP3385456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3385456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3385456B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In a method of controlling a flow rate of a construction machine, a rotation position of at least one of working devices in the construction machine including a boom, an arm and an attachment may be detected. Whether the rotation position of the working device may reach to a maximum position of the working device or not may be determined. When the rotation position of the working device may reach to the maximum position, a flow rate supplied to the working device may be cut off. Thus, the flow rate may not be supplied to the working device located at the maximum position so that the flow rate may not be wasted.