Multi-Control Valve Layout With Common Spool to Cut Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-control valves where hydraulic oil from two pumps merges downstream of spools, there is significant pressure loss due to the hydraulic oil from one pump passing through a pressure regulating valve for the other pump.
Innovation Solution
A multi-control valve configuration where a common spool is used for both pump passages, with hydraulic oil merging in a merging slide hole, reducing pressure loss by eliminating the need for valves in communication passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydraulic oil from two pumps merges downstream of spools, then the multi-control valve can supply large amount of hydraulic oil to hydraulic actuators, but significant pressure loss occurs due to hydraulic oil from one pump passing through pressure regulating valve for other pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hydraulic circuit into separate pump passages (first pump passage and second pump passage) that merge upstream of the spools rather than downstream. This segmentation allows each pump's hydraulic oil to flow through dedicated passages without passing through the other pump's pressure regulating valve, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining the capability to supply large amounts of hydraulic oil to multiple actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional merging location from downstream of spools to upstream of spools. By merging the hydraulic oil flows upstream, the system avoids the harmful effect of cross-pump pressure regulation, where hydraulic oil from one pump would unnecessarily pass through the pressure regulating valve designed for the other pump, thus reducing pressure loss.
2Loss of energy
If one spool is used for two pumps with merging upstream, then pressure loss is reduced, but the valve structure becomes more complex with multiple passages and communication holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first pump passage and second pump passage upstream of the spools through communication holes in the valve body. This combining of passages upstream allows both pumps to supply hydraulic oil to the same spool without requiring separate downstream passages for each pump, reducing the overall structural complexity while maintaining low pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is designed to be universal, serving both the first pump passage and the second pump passage. This multi-functionality allows a single spool to control hydraulic oil flow from both pumps, eliminating the need for separate spools and reducing the overall complexity of the valve structure while maintaining efficient flow paths.
3Productivity
If common spool is used for both pump passages, then efficiency is improved by eliminating valves in communication passages, but the spool design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The common spool is designed with multiple functions, serving both the first pump passage and the second pump passage simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure regulating valves in the communication passages, improving efficiency by reducing pressure loss and the number of moving parts, while the increased spool design complexity is offset by the overall simplification of the valve structure.
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 reduces pressure loss by allowing hydraulic oil from both pumps to merge directly in the merging slide hole, even with valves present in communication passages, improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
spools that are located side by side in a particular direction; and a housing including slide holes that receive therein the respective spools
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-control valve includes: spools that are located side by side in a particular direction; and a housing including slide holes that receive therein the respective spools. The housing includes a first and second pump passages that extend in the particular direction, the first and second pump passages being located at both sides of the spools, respectively. Among the spools, a common spool that is used in common for the first and second pump passages is received in a merging slide hole. The housing includes: a first communication passage that is located at the first pump passage side of the merging slide hole and that extends from the first pump passage to the merging slide hole; and a second communication passage that is located at the second pump passage side of the merging slide hole and that extends from the second pump passage to the merging slide hole.