Hydraulic Pump Controller for Multi-Circuit Fluid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems in vehicles like forklift trucks require multiple pumps to manage different pressure levels for various functions, leading to increased weight, size, and complexity, which negatively impacts fuel efficiency and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A controller that actively controls valves for multiple groups of piston cylinder assemblies to independently manage fluid flow and motoring demands, allowing for a single hydraulic working machine to serve multiple fluid flow circuits with different pressure levels, thereby reducing the need for multiple pumps and optimizing overall performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic pumps are used to serve different hydraulic circuits with different pressure levels, then the hydraulic system can meet the diverse flow and pressure demands of various functions (work function requiring high flow rates for open loop circuit, propel function requiring lower flow rates for closed loop circuit), but the weight of the vehicle increases significantly, reducing fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a single hydraulic pump to serve multiple hydraulic circuits with different pressure and flow requirements. The pump is equipped with a controller that actively controls valves to direct fluid flow to different circuits (open loop for work function, closed loop for propel function) based on demand, allowing one pump to perform multiple functions that previously required separate pumps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses active control of valves through a controller to dynamically adjust the hydraulic circuit configuration in real-time. The controller receives signals from sensors and adjusts valve positions to optimize fluid distribution to different circuits based on current operational demands, enabling the single pump to adapt to varying pressure and flow requirements of different functions
2Productivity
If multiple hydraulic pumps are used to power different hydraulic circuits, then the specific functional demands of each circuit (high flow for work function, lower flow for propel function) can be met, but the overall system size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single hydraulic pump that can serve multiple hydraulic circuits (open loop and closed loop) through active valve control. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate pumps for work function and propel function, thereby reducing the overall volume occupied by hydraulic pump components and associated mounting space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple hydraulic pumps into a single integrated pump system. By combining the pumping mechanism and using a controller to manage fluid distribution to different circuits, the system reduces the number of discrete pump units and their associated housings, motors, and mounting structures, thereby decreasing total system volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic pumps are installed to serve different hydraulic circuits, then the specific pressure and flow requirements of each circuit can be satisfied, but the system complexity increases with additional components such as gearboxes and multiple crankshafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single hydraulic pump with active valve control to serve multiple hydraulic circuits, eliminating the need for multiple pumps and their associated complex drive systems. The controller actively manages valve positions to direct fluid to different circuits based on demand, simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining the ability to meet diverse circuit requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical systems (multiple pumps, gearboxes, multiple crankshafts) with a single pump system controlled by electronically actuated valves. The controller uses electrical signals to adjust valve positions and manage fluid distribution, substituting electronic control for mechanical complexity and reducing the number of moving parts and mechanical connections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A hydraulic pump (6) comprising: a housing (20) having first and second inlets (100a, 100b) and first and second outlets (102a, 102b); a crankshaft (4) extending within the housing (20) and having axially offset first and second cams (62, 64); first and second groups (30, 32) of piston cylinder assemblies provided in the housing (20), each of the said groups (30, 32) having a plurality of piston cylinder assemblies having a working chamber of cyclically varying volume and being in driving relationship with the crankshaft (4); one or more electronically controllable valves (40) associated with the first and second groups (30, 32); and a controller (70) configured to actively control the opening and/or closing of the said electronically controllable valves (40) on each cycle of working chamber volume to thereby control the net displacement of fluid by the first and second groups (30, 32), wherein at least the first group (30) comprises a first piston cylinder assembly in driving relationship with the first cam (62) and a second piston cylinder assembly in driving relationship with the second cam (64), and wherein the first group is configured to receive working fluid from the first inlet (100a) and to output working fluid to the first outlet (102a) and the second group is configured to receive working fluid from the second inlet (100b) and to output working fluid to the second outlet (102b).