Hydraulic Drive Assembly With Valve Control Without Solenoids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remotely controllable drive assemblies for portable tools are hindered by the size, weight, and complexity of solenoids, which conflict with the demands for safety and user comfort, particularly in unsafe conditions.

Innovation Solution

A drive assembly with a drive, pump, and control valve that allows a single control signal to control multiple drive modes, featuring a stator that moves to different positions to set the control valve, eliminating the need for solenoids, and enabling hydraulic flow direction independence of driving direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solenoids are used to control valve position for remote operation, then safety is improved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic solenoid system with a direct mechanical coupling system. The drive unit is mechanically connected to the pump, and the control valve is integrated into the pump housing, eliminating the need for solenoids. This mechanical substitution achieves remote control functionality while significantly reducing weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control valve is merged with the pump housing, forming an integrated assembly. The drive unit directly couples to the pump, combining multiple functions into a single compact unit. This merging eliminates separate solenoid components and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If solenoids are used to control valve position for remote operation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve is merged with the pump housing, forming an integrated assembly. The drive unit directly couples to the pump, combining multiple functions into a single compact unit. This merging eliminates separate solenoid components and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic solenoid system with a direct mechanical coupling system. The drive unit is mechanically connected to the pump, and the control valve is integrated into the pump housing, eliminating the need for solenoids. This mechanical substitution achieves remote control functionality while significantly reducing weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If solenoids are used for valve control, then remote operation is enabled, but compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote operationVSAvoidcompactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve is merged with the pump housing, forming an integrated assembly. The drive unit directly couples to the pump, combining multiple functions into a single compact unit. This merging eliminates separate solenoid components and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4285020B1Drive assembly comprising a drive, a pump and a control valve, and system comprising such a drive assembly
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 NV HOLMATRO
  • EP4285020B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4285020B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4285020B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drive assembly, comprising: - a drive, controllable to exhibit a selected one of a plurality of drive modes that comprise driving said drive in one of a first driving direction and a second driving direction, wherein the second driving direction is directed opposite relative to the first driving direction; and; - a pump that is drivable by the drive and configured to produce an hydraulic flow. - wherein the pump is configured to produce the hydraulic flow to flow in a flow direction that is independent of the first driving direction or the second driving direction of the selected drive mode; and - the drive assembly further comprises a control valve that is configured to be set in a valve position associated with the selected drive mode and configured to thereby direct the hydraulic flow produced by the pump in dependence of the selected drive mode of the drive along a selected one or more of a plurality of flow paths that are arranged downstream of the pump. The invention further relates to a system comprising such a drive assembly.