Hydraulic Control Valve Return Path for Consistent Actuator Feel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for working machines face challenges in efficiently controlling and operating hydraulic actuators, particularly when multiple actuators are operated simultaneously, leading to reduced operability and differing operation feelings due to uneven pressure distribution and fluid flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic system incorporates a control valve configuration with multiple positions and fluid tubes, including communication, supply, and discharge tubes, along with throttles and check valves, to manage fluid flow and pressure, ensuring stable operation of hydraulic actuators by allowing independent discharge of operation fluid and return fluid, thereby maintaining consistent operation feelings across actuator positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic actuators are operated simultaneously in existing hydraulic systems, then the hydraulic system can perform multiple functions, but the operability deteriorates due to uneven pressure distribution and fluid flow rates causing differing operation feelings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid return path by providing separate discharge fluid tubes for each control valve position. The first discharge fluid tube receives return fluid from the first control valve, and the second discharge fluid tube receives return fluid from the second control valve, allowing independent pressure management for each actuator circuit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a branching fluid tube as an intermediary component that connects the first and second discharge fluid tubes to the common return fluid path. This intermediary structure with integrated throttles mediates the fluid flow between different actuator circuits, balancing pressure distribution while maintaining the ability to operate multiple actuators simultaneously
2Device complexity
If a common return fluid path is used for multiple control valves, then the system structure is simplified, but the operation feeling becomes inconsistent due to uneven pressure distribution among actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different throttle characteristics in different branches of the return fluid path. The first throttle in the first branching fluid tube and the second throttle in the second branching fluid tube can be adjusted independently to optimize pressure distribution for each specific actuator circuit, while still using a common return path structure
3Ease of operation
If independent discharge paths are provided for each control valve to maintain consistent operation feeling, then the operation consistency is improved, but the system complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the discharge paths of multiple control valves into a common return fluid path through the branching fluid tube structure. While maintaining independent throttle control for each branch to ensure consistent operation feeling, the paths are combined downstream to reduce the total number of separate tubes and components compared to fully independent discharge paths
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 ensures stable and consistent operation of hydraulic actuators, maintaining operation feelings regardless of actuator position, improving the overall efficiency and operability of the hydraulic system by managing fluid flow and pressure effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a throttle disposed on the branching fluid tube
Implementation Method 2
a setting portion disposed on the discharge fluid tube and configured to increase a pressure in the discharge fluid tube
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system includes a first hydraulic device to be operated by an operation fluid, a second hydraulic device, the second hydraulic device being configured to be operated by the operation fluid, a first control valve to control the first hydraulic device, a second control valve disposed on a downstream side of the first control valve and configured to control the second hydraulic device, a communication tube connecting the first hydraulic device to the first control valve, the communication tube being configured to supply a return fluid that returns from the first hydraulic device to the first control valve, a supply fluid tube connecting the first control valve to the second control valve and being configured to supply the return fluid to the second control valve, and a connection fluid tube disposed on the first control valve, the connection fluid tube connecting the communication tube to the supply fluid tube.