Hydraulic Pump Confluence Control for Dual Actuator Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for working machines face inefficiencies in fluid management, particularly when multiple hydraulic actuators are operated simultaneously, leading to increased pump load, heat balance issues, and fuel consumption, due to the concurrent operation of multiple pumps and control valves.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic system incorporates a first and second pump to supply operation fluid to respective hydraulic actuators, with a subordinate control valve that allows fluid confluence only when both actuators are activated, preventing unnecessary load and optimizing fluid flow by disconnecting the second pump when at least one actuator is inactivated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumps operate concurrently to supply hydraulic fluid to multiple actuators, then all actuators can be supplied with fluid, but pump load and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump operation based on real-time actuator demand. The control unit monitors which actuators are currently operating and activates or deactivates pumps accordingly, transitioning the system from a static to a dynamic configuration that optimizes energy consumption while maintaining reliable fluid supply to active actuators
Solution Approach 2:
Each pump is configured to be able to supply fluid to multiple actuators through the control valve system. The first pump can supply both first and second actuators, and the second pump can also supply both actuators. This multi-functionality allows the system to use fewer pumps simultaneously while still meeting all fluid supply demands, reducing overall energy consumption
2Ease of operation
If multiple control valves operate simultaneously, then all actuators can be controlled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve system is designed with multi-functionality where the first control valve can direct fluid from the first pump to either the first actuator or the second actuator, and the second control valve can direct fluid from the second pump to either actuator. This universal control capability allows fewer valves to manage multiple actuators, reducing system complexity while maintaining full control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control valves act as intermediaries between the pumps and actuators, providing intelligent routing of hydraulic fluid. The control unit serves as a higher-level intermediary that coordinates valve operations based on system state, enabling simplified control architecture while maintaining comprehensive actuator control capability
3Speed
If pumps operate continuously to ensure fluid availability, then actuators can operate quickly, but heat balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous pump operation, the system uses periodic or on-demand pump activation based on actuator requirements. The control unit monitors actuator operation states and activates pumps only when needed, creating a periodic operation pattern that maintains actuator response capability while allowing the system to cool down between operations, thus improving heat balance
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the conventional approach of continuous pump operation and recovers energy by operating pumps only when actuators are actively needed. This selective operation reduces unnecessary energy conversion to heat, improving overall system heat balance while maintaining rapid actuator response when required
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 enables quick operation of hydraulic actuators during simultaneous use, reduces pump load and fuel consumption, and improves heat balance by ensuring fluid supply only when both actuators are in operation, thereby enhancing the efficiency and performance of the hydraulic system.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump to supply the operation fluid to the first hydraulic actuator, a second pump to supply the operation fluid to the second hydraulic actuator
Implementation Method 2
a first control valve including a main control valve to control the operation fluid to be supplied from the first pump to the first hydraulic actuator, and a subordinate control valve to control the operation fluid to be supplied from the second pump to the second control valve
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system includes a first hydraulic actuator, a second hydraulic actuator, a first pump to supply operation fluid to the first hydraulic actuator, a second pump to supply operation fluid to the second hydraulic actuator, a second control valve to control operation fluid to be supplied from the second pump to the second hydraulic actuator, and a first control valve including a main control valve to control operation fluid to be supplied from the first pump to the first hydraulic actuator, and a subordinate control valve configured to control operation fluid to be supplied from the second pump to the second control valve and to the first hydraulic actuator. The operation fluid supplied from the second pump is confluent with operation fluid to be supplied from the first pump to the first pump, in a case of activating both of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator.