Hydraulic Drive Control for Piston Positioning Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic drive devices in machines like punching, embossing, and bending machines face inaccuracies and inefficiencies due to deviations between desired and actual piston positions, leading to prolonged process times and reduced precision.

Innovation Solution

A method where the setpoint for a hydraulic drive device is initially set below the bottom dead center and then reversed above the top dead center, with switchover values and override positions selected to maintain a large deviation between desired and actual values, ensuring continuous operation and rapid piston movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If proportional control is used with a displaceable valve piston, then the valve can be controlled faster than the massive working piston, but the actual value of piston position deviates from the setpoint due to inertial forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve response speedVSAvoidpiston position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control method anticipates the piston's inertial behavior by setting the valve opening in advance to compensate for expected position deviations. The control device calculates the required valve opening based on the relationship between valve piston position and working piston position, proactively adjusting the valve to ensure the working piston reaches the desired setpoint despite its mass and inertia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the actual position of the working piston and uses this feedback to adjust the valve opening dynamically. The control device determines the valve opening as a function of the actual working piston position, creating a closed-loop control system that corrects deviations in real-time and ensures accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If proportional control is used, then the valve opening changes proportionally to the deviation from setpoint, but the volume flow decreases when the actual value approaches the setpoint, delaying movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidtime to reach setpoint
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control method transforms the control parameter from a simple proportional relationship to a more complex functional relationship between valve opening and working piston position. Instead of linear proportional control, the system uses a predetermined function that optimizes the volume flow characteristics, ensuring sufficient flow rate even when approaching the setpoint to minimize positioning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates the optimal valve opening sequence based on the desired piston motion profile. By anticipating the required flow characteristics throughout the motion cycle, the control device maintains higher volume flows longer into the approach phase, preventing the deceleration effect that occurs with simple proportional control near the setpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 the control time and process duration for double strokes while maintaining precision, enhancing economic efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the hydraulic cylinder-piston unit for moving the working piston is supplied with hydraulic fluid via a proportional valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the valve piston can be controlled much faster than the massive working piston due to its usually lower mass. A change in the setpoint can therefore take place comparatively quickly, whereas the speed of the change in position of the working piston is limited by inertial forces.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial forces: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP2433018B1Method for operating a hydraulic driving device and hydraulic driving device
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • EP2433018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2433018B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a hydraulic driving device (10) with a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit (12) having a working piston (16) which is movable along a working direction (14) between an upper dead centre and a lower dead centre, wherein a desired value for the position of the working piston along the working direction is predetermined, and an actual value of the position of the working piston along the working direction is detected, and the movement of the working piston is regulated depending upon the desired value and the actual value. The invention further relates to a hydraulic driving device (10).