Hydraulic Valve End Wall Positioning in Rock Drilling Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic rock drilling machines require precise machining for reliable valve function, especially at increased percussive frequencies, leading to high production costs.

Innovation Solution

A distribution valve design where at least one valve end wall is movable and pressed against an abutment by a pressing device, eliminating the need for precise axial positioning of the valve body, and utilizing an existing hydraulic pressure source to define end positions, allowing for simpler and more economical production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If precision machining is used to guarantee reliable valve function, then valve reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve function reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical positioning system (relying on precision-machined bottom holes in the valve housing) with a hydraulic positioning system. A pressing device with a piston uses hydraulic pressure to push the valve body against a precisely positioned abutment, thereby defining the valve body's end position. This substitution allows the use of less precise machining for the valve housing while maintaining reliable valve function through hydraulic force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If precision machining of bottom hole is performed to define valve body position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve body axial position accuracyVSAvoidmachining operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex precision machining operations (drilling and positioning bottom holes in the valve housing) with a hydraulic pressing mechanism. The pressing device uses hydraulic pressure to automatically position the valve body against a simple abutment, eliminating the need for complex bottom hole machining while achieving the same positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the abutment - that serves as a simple positioning reference. Instead of machining complex cavities and bottom holes in the valve housing, a simple abutment is provided that the hydraulic pressing device uses to define the valve body's end position. This intermediary simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces production costs and allows for accurate positioning of valve elements, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the rock drilling machine while maintaining high precision.

Implementation Method 1

an end wall piston portion arranged on said at least one of the valve end walls and being received in a cylinder portion to be pressurized in order to drive the valve end wall against said abutment during pressurizing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2925491B1Device in a rock drilling machine and rock drilling machine
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 EPIROC ROCK DRILLS AB
  • EP2925491B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2925491B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A device in a hydraulic rock drilling machine (1) including a distribution valve (7,7', 7") arranged in connection with the rock drilling machine for controlling hydraulic flows to different parts of the rock drilling machine, wherein the distribution valve includes a valve body (8, 8', 8"), which is arranged movable to and fro in axial directions inside a valve chamber (33) and wherein the valve chamber is limited in axial direction by two valve end walls (10,11; 10 ',11'; 10",11"). One of the valve end walls is movable in an axial direction against an abutment (12,12") in such a way that it defines an end position for the valve body, and a pressing device (13,13 ',13") is arranged for pressing said at least one of the valve end walls against said abutment. The invention also relates to a rock drilling machine.