Hydraulic Warm-Up Circuit for Cold-Start Working Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for working machines, such as skid steer loaders and backhoes, face challenges in efficiently warming up the hydraulic components, leading to reduced performance and increased wear due to inadequate fluid circulation and temperature management.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic system incorporates a warm-up fluid tube connected between operation valves and a switching valve, allowing operation fluid to be circulated through specific pathways to efficiently warm up critical components, including the use of proportional valves and coupling fluid tubes to manage fluid flow and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydraulic system operates in cold conditions without adequate warming, then the system can start quickly, but the hydraulic components experience increased wear and reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary warming action by circulating hydraulic fluid through the warm-up fluid tube before normal operation begins. The switching valve directs fluid flow through the warm-up path during cold conditions, pre-heating the fluid and components to prevent wear and performance issues before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic or conditional warm-up action based on temperature detection. When the detection device senses low fluid temperature, the switching valve automatically redirects flow through the warm-up path. Once the temperature reaches the predetermined threshold, the system transitions to normal operation mode, creating a periodic warm-up cycle that prevents overheating while ensuring adequate warming.
2Temperature
If the system uses a complex warming mechanism with additional valves and tubes, then warming effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching valve serves multiple functions: it directs fluid flow during normal operation and redirects flow through the warm-up path during cold conditions. The warm-up fluid tube is integrated into the existing hydraulic circuit, allowing the same hydraulic pump and fluid to serve both normal operation and warm-up functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated warm-up components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system warms itself up using its own hydraulic pump and fluid circulation capability. The detection device monitors fluid temperature and automatically controls the switching valve to redirect flow through the warm-up path, eliminating the need for external heating devices or complex temperature control systems. The system uses its inherent hydraulic power to generate the warmth needed.
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 effective warming of hydraulic components, enhancing system performance, reducing wear, and improving operational efficiency by maintaining optimal fluid temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the pilot fluid flowing into the heat-up fluid tube is supplied to a pilot fluid tank through a relief valve or a throttle, and thus the valve body is heated up
Implementation Method 2
the valve body is provided with a heat-up fluid tube into which the pilot fluid outputted from the pump flows
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system includes a first output fluid tube connecting between a hydraulic pump to output operation fluid and a first operation valve to change a first pilot pressure of the operation fluid, a second output fluid tube connected between the hydraulic pump and a second operation valve to change a second pilot pressure of the operation fluid, a switching valve provided in the second output fluid tube, and a warm-up fluid tube connected between the first operation valve and the switching valve, wherein the switching valve is switched between a first position allowing the operation fluid to be drained through the first output fluid tube, the first operation valve, the warm-up fluid tube and the switching valve, and a second position allowing the operation fluid to be supplied through second output fluid tube to the second operation valve.