Multi-Press Hydraulic Drive With Dynamic Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic drive systems for multi-press punching apparatuses suffer from high power consumption and low power efficiency due to high pressure requirements, leading to increased complexity and cost, as well as the need for cooling systems to manage thermal dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic drive system featuring a reversible pump, hydraulic accumulator, and differential valves that adjust pressure and flow rate dynamically to optimize energy use, allowing precise control of punching tools with reduced power consumption and simplified design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If high pressure (up to 300 bar) is used in the hydraulic supply circuit to ensure maximum punching force, then the punching force capability is improved, but the power consumption increases and power efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunching forceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic drive system dynamically adjusts the supply pressure to match the actual punching requirements rather than maintaining constant high pressure. The control unit monitors the punching phase and material thickness to vary pressure in real-time, ensuring maximum force is available when needed while reducing pressure during normal operations to minimize power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the hydraulic pressure parameter based on operational conditions. During punching operations requiring maximum force, pressure is increased to 300 bar, but during positioning, return strokes, or light-duty operations, pressure is reduced to 60-100 bar or lower, optimizing the balance between punching capability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If high supply pressure (up to 300 bar) is maintained in the hydraulic circuit, then maximum punching force is achieved, but thermal dissipation increases requiring cooling systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunching forceVSAvoidoil temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls pressure only during the brief punching moment when high force is needed, rather than maintaining high pressure continuously. This transient high-pressure application minimizes the time for thermal energy to be generated and dissipated into the hydraulic oil, reducing the need for cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

High pressure is applied periodically only during the actual punching stroke rather than continuously. The hydraulic system operates in cycles of low-pressure positioning/movement followed by brief high-pressure punching moments, allowing thermal dissipation to occur during the low-pressure phases and reducing overall temperature rise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

The system achieves precise control of punching tools with reduced power consumption and increased efficiency, minimizing the need for high-pressure oil and cooling systems, resulting in a more economical and compact hydraulic drive system.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic accumulator arranged for providing pressurised oil to said punching tools

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic energy storage: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

hydraulic drive system capable of supplying and therefore driving in a separate and independent manner the hydraulic cylinders

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3860777B1Hydraulic drive system for a punching apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 SALVAGNINI ITAL
  • EP3860777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3860777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3860777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hydraulic drive system (1) associable with a multi-press punching apparatus (50) for operating in a separate and independent manner a plurality of punching tools (51) along respective operating axes (A), comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (2), each hydraulic cylinder being associated with a respective punching tool (51) and provided with a respective piston (21) defining a thrust chamber (22) and a return chamber (23) inside the hydraulic cylinder (2) and is associated with the corresponding punching tool (51) for moving the latter along the operating axis (A); a first pump (3) of reversible type connected to the thrust chambers (22) and arranged to send oil at a supply pressure (PA) at least in one of said thrust chambers (22) so as to push the respective piston (21) along a working direction and allowing the punching tool (51) associated therewith to interact with the workpiece (100), or to suck oil from at least said thrust chamber (22) to allow the respective piston (21) moving along a return direction and the punching tool (51) disengaging and moving away from the workpiece (100); a plurality of selector valves (4), each selector valve being associated with a respective hydraulic cylinder (2), interposed between the first pump (3) and the thrust chamber (22) and activable in opening to connect the first pump (3) to the thrust chamber (22) so as to operate the hydraulic cylinder (2); a hydraulic accumulator (5) connected to the return chambers (23) and arranged for maintaining in said return chambers (23) oil at a defined preload pressure.