Gripper Electronic Control for Hydraulic Load Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load handling apparatuses, such as forklift trucks, often damage goods like paper rolls and household appliances due to rough adjustments in compressive force during handling, and the use of additional hydraulic valves can interfere with the hydraulic system, causing pressure losses and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A control system where the gripper's electronic control system is directly connected to the vehicle's hydraulic control system, allowing the gripper to act as a 'virtual operator' and control hydraulic functions electronically, eliminating the need for additional hydraulic valves and optimizing compressive force adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hydraulic valves are installed to control compressive force, then the compressive force control is improved, but the hydraulic system complexity increases and pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic valve control system with an electronic control system. The electronic control system receives signals from the operator and directly controls the hydraulic actuators without requiring additional hydraulic valves, thereby eliminating the complexity and pressure losses associated with mechanical valve systems while maintaining precise compressive force control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary between the operator's input and the hydraulic actuators. This electronic intermediary processes control signals and regulates hydraulic pressure electronically, eliminating the need for additional mechanical hydraulic valves while achieving precise compressive force control
2Reliability
If additional hydraulic valves are installed to optimize compressive force, then the load damage risk is reduced, but the system cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical hydraulic valve systems with an electronic control system that can be integrated into the existing hydraulic infrastructure. This substitution eliminates the need for additional valve installations and complex commissioning procedures, significantly reducing installation and commissioning time while maintaining high load handling reliability through precise electronic control of compressive force
3Ease of operation
If additional hydraulic valves are used to control compressive force, then the compressive force adjustment is improved, but hydraulic pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary that regulates hydraulic pressure electronically without requiring additional hydraulic valves in the pressure path. This electronic intermediary can modulate pressure control signals to the actuators, achieving easy compressive force adjustment while minimizing hydraulic pressure losses by avoiding additional valve restrictions in the hydraulic circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
Load handling apparatus and method for handling loads, like paper rolls or household appliances, wherein the load handling apparatus comprises a vehicle (1) with a hydraulic system (76) controlled by an electronic control system (77), a lifting means (1), a hydraulics user interface (78) for the operator and a gripper arranged in the vehicle's lifting means (11) and provided with arms (6, 7) capable of clamping and lifting a load by applying a compressive force to the load, wherein the gripper is provided with an electric or electronic control system (80), and wherein the gripper's control system is directly connected to the vehicle's hydraulics control system (77) or hydraulics user interface (79) through an electronic interface (73, 90) so that the gripper's control system is capable of controlling the vehicle's hydraulic functions in a similar way as the vehicle's operator using the vehicle's hydraulics user interface (78).