Excavator Hydraulic Layout for Accumulator and Relief Valve Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic excavators face difficulties in maintaining and installing accumulators, relief valves, and hydraulic lines due to their placement among existing hydraulic equipment and lines, leading to increased maintenance complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic excavator is designed with an on-frame space portion on the revolving frame, allowing the accumulator and relief valve to be positioned appropriately, with the relief valve higher than the line connecting part, and hydraulic lines routed through an insert space without detours, simplifying installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the accumulator and relief valve are installed in positions avoiding existing hydraulic equipment and lines, then installation is possible without detouring hydraulic lines, but the components become difficult to access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a three-dimensional on-frame space portion by utilizing the vertical and lateral dimensions of the revolving frame structure. The accumulator and relief valve are positioned within this spatial envelope defined by the foot part, power source, cab, and right-side structure, allowing components to be accessible from multiple directions while maintaining compact integration with existing hydraulic equipment.
2Reliability
If hydraulic lines are routed to detour around existing equipment, then connection is achieved, but installation complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The on-frame space portion is pre-defined by the arrangement of existing components (foot part, power source, cab, right-side structure) during the design phase. This preliminary spatial planning allows hydraulic lines to be routed directly through the available space without requiring detours or modifications during installation, simplifying the routing process while ensuring reliable connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If the relief valve is positioned at the same level as the accumulator line connecting part, then installation is simpler, but proper drainage and pressure relief function are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different positional requirements to different components within the on-frame space portion. The relief valve is specifically positioned at a higher elevation than the accumulator line connecting part to ensure proper gravitational drainage and pressure relief function, while other components are arranged to optimize their individual functions. This localized quality differentiation ensures both functional reliability and installation feasibility.
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
This configuration improves maintenance performance and reduces installation costs by enabling easier access and alignment of components without altering the bending radius of connecting lines, facilitating efficient routing of hydraulic lines.
Implementation Method 1
an accumulator that is connected to a hydraulic cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a relief valve that is connected to the operating oil tank
Data Source
AI summary
An on-frame space portion (14) is formed on a revolving frame (5), the on-frame space portion (14) being surrounded on the front, back, left and right sides by a foot part (4A1) of a lower boom (4A) configuring part of a working mechanism (4), an engine (7) serving as a power source, a cab (9), and a cover member (10), a fuel tank (11) and an operating oil tank (12) serving as a right-side structure. An accumulator (15) and a relief valve (20) are arranged in the on-frame space portion (14). On top of that, the relief valve (20) is located in a position higher than a line connecting part (15A) of the accumulator (15).