Excavator Pump Stop Control for Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current excavator technologies do not adequately reduce energy consumption, as they rely on continuous operation of hydraulic pumps even when the operation device is not in use.
Innovation Solution
An excavator system that includes a hydraulic actuator, an electric motor-driven hydraulic pump, and a control device that automatically stops the pump when the operation device is not in use and activates it when operation begins, utilizing an electric-type operation device to eliminate the need for a pilot pump during standby.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydraulic pump operates continuously to ensure immediate responsiveness, then the system reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump's operational state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of operation device status. The control device switches the pump between operating and stopped states, making the system adaptive rather than static, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and energy savings
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the operation device status and uses this feedback to determine whether to activate or stop the hydraulic pump. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the pump operates only when needed, achieving both energy efficiency and system responsiveness
2Use of energy by moving object
If the hydraulic pump is stopped during idle periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but the response time when operation is needed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is pre-configured with detection mechanisms that monitor operation device status in advance. When operation is detected, the pump can be activated immediately without delay, as the system is already in a standby state ready to respond, eliminating the time loss associated with starting from complete idle
3Productivity
If the hydraulic pump operates continuously, then the productivity is maintained, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the hydraulic pump operates periodically based on actual demand. The control device activates the pump only during periods when operation device input is detected and stops it during idle periods, creating a periodic operation pattern that maintains productivity while eliminating energy waste during non-productive times
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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption by ensuring the hydraulic pump is only active when needed, enhancing operational efficiency and extending the excavator's runtime on power storage.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator; an electric motor configured to drive the hydraulic pump
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique by which energy consumption of the excavator is further reduced, is provided. An excavator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a hydraulic actuator; a main pump 14 configured to supply hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator; a pump motor 12 configured to drive the main pump 14; an operation device 26 of an electric type configured to operate the hydraulic actuator; and an inverter 18A configured to control the pump motor 12, wherein in response to determining that the operation device 26 is not operated, the inverter 18A causes the main pump 14 to automatically stop, and subsequently, in response to determining that an operation with respect to the operation device 26 is started, the inverter 18A causes the main pump 14 to be automatically activated.