Hydraulic Motor Speed Valve Control Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices for hydraulic motors require additional valves or fluid control mechanisms to switch between speed positions, complicating the process and potentially reducing efficiency when changing operating speeds in both forward and reverse directions.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a speed valve and direction valve, where the speed valve is directly actuated by control fluid pressure to move between two positions, altering fluid flow paths without intervening valves, allowing seamless speed changes in both directions of rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional valves or fluid control mechanisms are used to switch between speed positions, then the hydraulic motor can operate at different speeds in both forward and reverse directions, but the device complexity increases and the speed switching efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed switching capabilityVSAvoidnumber of valves and control mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the speed control function and direction control function into a single integrated control device housing. The speed valve and direction valve are positioned within the same housing with shared fluid passages, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to switch between speeds and directions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it controls both the speed (first speed/second speed) and direction (forward/reverse) of the hydraulic motor through a unified structure. The housing and fluid passages are configured to handle both speed switching and direction reversal operations within a single device, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional valves or fluid control mechanisms are used to switch between speed positions, then the hydraulic motor can operate at different speeds in both forward and reverse directions, but the speed switching time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed switching capabilityVSAvoidspeed switching efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is pre-configured with dedicated fluid passages that directly connect the fluid source to both the speed valve and direction valve. This preliminary arrangement of fluid pathways eliminates the need for sequential valve activation, allowing both speed and direction changes to occur simultaneously or in rapid succession, thereby reducing switching time and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the speed control and direction control functions into a single integrated device with shared fluid passages, the patent enables concurrent operation of both control functions. This eliminates the sequential operation required by separate control mechanisms, reducing the total time needed to switch between different speed and direction combinations and thereby improving overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution simplifies the speed switching process, eliminating the need for additional valves and ensuring efficient operation at both speeds in either direction of rotation, enhancing the hydraulic motor's performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The speed change passage is configured for directing a control fluid directly into the speed valve pressure chamber of the first void from the speed change port to apply a pressure force to the speed valve along the speed valve longitudinal axis to move the speed valve between the first speed valve position and the second speed valve position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

Hydraulic motors are mechanical actuators that convert hydraulic pressure and flow into torque, i.e., rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure and flow conversion: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2473733B1Control device for a hydraulic motor
Publication Date: 2013.08.07 EATON CORP
  • EP2473733B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2473733B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2473733B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device (20) for controlling a speed of a hydraulic motor (22) includes a housing (26) defining a first void (28). A speed valve (30) is disposed within the first void (28) and is moveable between a first speed valve position (98) and a second speed valve position (100). The first void (28) includes a speed valve pressure chamber (42) disposed at one end of the speed valve (30). A speed valve spring (44) is disposed at another end of the speed valve (30). The housing (26) further defines a speed change port (94) and a speed change passage (96) interconnecting the speed change port (94) and the speed change pressure chamber for directing a pressurized fluid directly into the speed valve pressure chamber (42) to exert a pressure force on the speed valve (30) and bias against the speed valve spring (44) to move the speed valve (30) between the first speed valve position (98) and the second speed valve position (100).