Hydraulic Speed-Up Valve Control for Precise Excavator Locus Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Construction machines experience deviations from target loci during excavation due to changes in excavation load, leading to reduced finishing precision and increased operational inefficiencies, as existing locus controllers fail to effectively manage hydraulic fluid diversion and pressure balances between boom and arm cylinders.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine configuration that includes a first and second hydraulic actuator, directional control valves, and an excavation load sensor, with a speed-up control section that adjusts the driving amount of the directional control valves based on the pressure difference between the boom and arm cylinder hydraulic chambers, ensuring precise hydraulic fluid diversion and maintaining speed balance between actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the excavation load increases, then the excavation force improves, but the tip end of the front work device deviates from the target locus due to changes in diversion amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation forceVSAvoidfinishing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors the actual speeds of the boom and arm cylinders, compares them with target speeds, and adjusts the opening degrees of the diversion valves in real-time based on speed deviations and excavation load conditions to maintain precise locus control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The opening degrees of the diversion valves are dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of excavation load and cylinder speeds, allowing the system to adapt to changing load conditions while maintaining speed balance and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the opening degree of directional control valve for arm is set lower to maintain speed balance under light load, then the speed balance improves, but the system cannot adapt when excavation load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed balanceVSAvoidadaptability to load changes
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts valve opening degrees based on detected excavation load and actual cylinder speeds, transitioning from static pre-set openings to real-time adaptive control that maintains speed balance across varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Speed sensors monitor actual cylinder speeds and feed this information back to the control device, which adjusts diversion valve openings accordingly to maintain speed balance under varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the locus controller adjusts opening degrees of directional control valves to maintain convergence, then the convergence control improves, but the tip end deviates when excavation load increases due to diversion amount changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvergence precisionVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device uses feedback from speed sensors and load detection to continuously adjust diversion valve openings, maintaining both precision convergence and operational efficiency under varying excavation loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device proactively adjusts diversion valve openings based on detected load changes before significant speed imbalances occur, preventing deviations rather than merely correcting them

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

This configuration effectively suppresses deviations from the target locus and prevents relief-caused losses, ensuring predetermined finishing precision even under increased excavation loads by dynamically controlling the hydraulic fluid diversion and pressure balance between the boom and arm cylinders.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic pump device (2) including first and second hydraulic pumps (21, 22)... a first directional control valve (23) provided in a first pump line (L1) that is a delivery hydraulic line of the first hydraulic pump (21) and controlling a flow rate and a direction of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the first hydraulic actuator (5)... a second directional control valve (25) provided in the second pump line (L2) and controlling a flow rate and a direction of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the second hydraulic actuator (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

an excavation load sensor that detects an excavation load imposed on the work implement (15)... a first speed-up control section that drives the first speed-up directional control valve (24)... configured to control a driving amount of the first speed-up directional control valve (24) in response to the excavation load detected by the excavation load sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3438468B1Construction machine with speed-up control section
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3438468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3438468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3438468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a construction machine that can attain predetermined finishing precision while avoiding a relief-caused loss even if an excavation load increases in leveling work, slope face shaping work, or the like. The construction machine includes: a work implement driven by a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator; a first directional control valve controlling a flow rate and a direction of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the first hydraulic actuator; a first speed-up directional control valve provided in a second pump line and controlling a flow rate and a direction of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the first hydraulic actuator; and a second directional control valve controlling a flow rate and a direction of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the second hydraulic actuator. The construction machine includes: an excavation load sensor that detects an excavation load imposed on the work implement; and a first speed-up control section that drives the first speed-up directional control valve, and the first speed-up control section is configured to control a driving amount of the first speed-up directional control valve in response to the excavation load.