Hydraulic Valve Block Layout for Expandable Auxiliary Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid pressure control devices have limited flexibility in circuit system expansion, requiring dedicated valves and risking large-scale valve blockages when attempting to add new circuit systems, which restricts the installation of additional users and increases complexity.

Innovation Solution

The fluid pressure control device incorporates a main valve block and a sub valve block, where the working oil from the first pump is supplied to the sub valve block through the main valve block, eliminating the need for additional hydraulic pumps and reducing the number of parts and installation space, while allowing easy attachment of the sub valve block to the main valve block, enabling flexible expansion of the circuit system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated valves are provided for supplying working fluid to an additionally provided circuit system, then the circuit system can be expanded, but the valve block becomes large-scale and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit system expansion capabilityVSAvoidvalve block scale
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral cut valve is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it controls the neutral passage for the first circuit system, enables external fluid supply through the external output passage, and facilitates connection to additional circuit systems. This universal design allows the same valve to handle different circuit configurations without requiring dedicated valves for each expansion, thereby maintaining a compact valve block while achieving circuit system expansion.

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

2Device complexity

If only one external output passage is provided in the first circuit system, then the valve block remains compact, but the degree of freedom in circuit system expansion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve block scaleVSAvoidcircuit system expansion flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral cut valve is designed as a dynamic component that can switch between different positions and configurations. It can dynamically adjust the flow paths to connect the external output passage to different circuit systems as needed. This dynamic capability allows a single external output passage to serve multiple circuit systems sequentially or simultaneously, providing expansion flexibility without requiring multiple fixed passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If working fluid is drawn out from the first circuit system through the external output passage, then fluid can be supplied to other circuit systems, but the neutral passage communication is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-circuit fluid supplyVSAvoidneutral passage control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral cut valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the neutral passage and the external output passage. It controls the switching between these two paths, allowing the system to selectively draw fluid from the first circuit system through the external output passage while maintaining proper neutral passage communication when needed. This intermediary control resolves the conflict between inter-circuit fluid supply and neutral passage operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3686442B1Fluid pressure control device
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 KYB CORP
  • EP3686442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686442B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid pressure control device (100) includes a main valve block (101), a sub valve block (103) attachable to the main valve block (101). The main valve block (101) includes a control valve (12) connected to the pump (10) and configured to control a main actuator (7), a neutral passage (11) through which the working fluid from the pump (10) returns to a tank (T) when the control valve (12) is at a neutral position, a discharge passage (19), a neutral cut valve (110) that makes the neutral passage (11) and the discharge passage (19) communicate with each other or blocks the communication therebetween, and a first external output port (15o) and second external output port (14o) through which the working fluid discharged from the pump (10) is able to be supplied to outside via the neutral cut valve (110). The sub valve block (103) includes a control valve (32) configured to control a sub actuator (9). The control valve (32) of the sub valve block (103) is connected to the first external output port (15o).