Hydraulic Flow Routing for Cavitation-Safe Auxiliary Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for working machines face challenges in efficiently managing fluid pressure and flow rates, leading to issues such as cavitation and power loss, particularly when operating auxiliary actuators.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic system incorporates a configuration with fixed displacement pumps, supply and discharge fluid tubes, and control valves, including a pressure increasing portion and high flow valve, allowing for switching between supply, stop, and discharge positions to optimize fluid flow and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single discharge path is used for hydraulic fluid, then the system structure is simple, but fluid flow rate control to auxiliary actuators is insufficient leading to cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge path is segmented into multiple independent channels: a first discharge path for primary hydraulic fluid return and a second discharge path for auxiliary actuator fluid return. This segmentation allows independent flow rate control for each path, preventing cavitation in auxiliary actuators while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular discharge routing.
2Speed
If high flow rate is provided to auxiliary actuators, then actuator operation speed improves, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts flow distribution to auxiliary actuators based on operational demand. The second control valve provides variable flow control, allowing high flow rates during active auxiliary operations for fast response, while reducing flow rates during idle periods to minimize power loss. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and energy efficiency.
3Force
If pressure is increased in the hydraulic system, then actuator force improves, but cavitation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different pressure levels are maintained in different parts of the hydraulic system. The main hydraulic circuit operates at high pressure for maximum actuator force, while the auxiliary actuator circuit maintains appropriate pressure levels through the second control valve. This local differentiation of pressure quality allows high force output where needed while preventing cavitation in auxiliary circuits through controlled pressure management.
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 configuration enhances fluid flow rates to auxiliary actuators, suppresses cavitation, and reduces power loss by strategically directing operation fluid through discharge tubes and pressure increasing elements, improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure increasing portion (130) to rise a pressure of the operation fluid, the pressure increasing portion being arranged in the first system discharge fluid tube (110)
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system includes a first system discharge fluid tube that discharges fluid flowing through a first supply fluid tube, a second system discharge fluid tube that discharges fluid, a first control valve, and a second control valve connected to a second supply fluid tube, the first system discharge fluid tube, and the second system discharge fluid tube, configured to be switched between: a supply position that supplies fluid from the second supply fluid tube to the first supply fluid tube; a first stop position that stops supply of fluid from the second to the first supply fluid tube and supplies fluid from the first supply fluid tube to the first system discharge fluid tube; and a second stop position that stops supply of fluid from the second to the first supply fluid tube and supplies fluid from the first supply fluid tube to the second system discharge fluid tube.