Integrated Revolving Frame Casting for Hydraulic Excavator Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing cost of revolving frames for construction machines increases due to the need for multiple types of swing support and revolving-bearing support portions to accommodate different frame sizes.

Innovation Solution

A revolving frame design that integrates the swing support and revolving-bearing support portions into a single casting block, reducing the need for multiple types and minimizing manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the swing support portion and the revolving-bearing support portion are constituted by separate components, then each support portion can be independently designed and manufactured, but the number of types of support portions increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent manufacturing of support portionsVSAvoidNumber of types of support portions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the swing support portion and the revolving-bearing support portion into a single integrated support structure. This integration reduces the number of separate components and their types, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs while maintaining the ability to independently design and manufacture the combined support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated support structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - supporting both the swing mechanism and the revolving bearing. This multi-functional design allows a single component type to serve multiple purposes, reducing the overall number of component types needed across different revolving frame sizes.

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

2Ease of operation

If separate swing support portion and revolving-bearing support portion are used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but welding complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly flexibilityVSAvoidWelding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the swing support portion and revolving-bearing support portion into one integrated component, the patent eliminates the need for welding between these two separate parts. This reduces welding complexity and manufacturing cost while the integrated structure is designed to maintain assembly flexibility through standardized interfaces with other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of support portions are prepared for different revolving frame sizes, then adaptability to different sizes is improved, but inventory complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSize adaptabilityVSAvoidNumber of component types
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated support structure is designed with universal characteristics that allow it to be adapted to different revolving frame sizes. By combining multiple functions into a single component and using standardized interfaces, the same basic design can serve multiple size variations, reducing the number of unique component types needed in inventory while maintaining size adaptability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4534762A1Revolving frame and work machine
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4534762A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4534762A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4534762A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] A revolving frame and a work machine including the revolving frame, which can avoid an increase in the number of types of swing support portions and revolving-bearing support portions in correspondingly to the revolving frames having different sizes, and can reduce a manufacturing cost are provided. [Solution] A revolving frame of a hydraulic excavator as a work machine has a revolving-bearing support portion which supports a revolving bearing and a swing support portion which supports the work machine swingably in a width direction of a machine body and includes a first block. The first block is a casting integrally having the revolving-bearing support portion and the swing support portion.