Excavator Hydraulic Pump Switching for Work Tool Flow Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic excavators face a loss of flow for the work tool when operating high-flow or high-power functions due to the existing hydraulic control system dedicating one pump to the machine travel circuit and another to the work tool circuit.
Innovation Solution
A controller is configured to operate in a first mode where a first hydraulic pump delivers fluid to transportation devices and a second pump to the work tool, and in a second mode where the work tool receives fluid from both pumps, prioritizing its power over transportation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one hydraulic pump is dedicated to the machine travel circuit and another to the work tool circuit, then the machine can operate with balanced hydraulic supply for both functions, but the work tool experiences loss of flow when operating high-flow or high-power functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: in normal operation, the first pump supplies the travel circuit and the second pump supplies the work tool circuit; when high-flow demand is detected at the work tool, the system transitions to a second mode where both pumps supply the work tool circuit, ensuring adequate hydraulic flow for high-power functions while maintaining system reliability
2Productivity
If both hydraulic pumps supply the work tool circuit simultaneously, then the work tool receives adequate hydraulic flow for high-power operations, but the machine travel function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically manages pump allocation based on operational demands. When the work tool requires high-flow operation, the system automatically reconfigures to supply both pumps to the work tool circuit, temporarily prioritizing work function over travel. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures adequate hydraulic flow for high-power functions while maintaining the ability to restore balanced operation when needed
3Device complexity
If a single hydraulic pump is used for both travel and work tool circuits, then the system structure is simplified, but the work tool experiences insufficient hydraulic flow during high-power operations
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into two independent pump circuits, with the first pump dedicated to the travel circuit and the second pump dedicated to the work tool circuit. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function and enables the work tool to receive adequate hydraulic flow when needed, while maintaining system complexity through modular architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine can include a frame; transportation devices coupled to the frame; a work tool coupled to the frame; a hydraulic system to provide power to operate the transportation devices and the work tool; and a controller configured to operate in a first mode wherein a first hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the transportation devices and a second hydraulic pump is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the work tool, and wherein the controller can operate in a second mode wherein the work tool is provided with hydraulic fluid from both the first and the second hydraulic pumps.