Hydraulic Neutral Cut Valve Layout for Expandable Output Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid pressure control devices have limited flexibility in circuit system expansion, as they typically allow only one external output passage, restricting the ability to connect additional circuit systems.

Innovation Solution

The fluid pressure control device incorporates a neutral cut valve and multiple external output passages, allowing working oil from one circuit system to be supplied to another, enabling the expansion of circuit systems without the need for additional hydraulic pumps or extensive piping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If only one external output passage is provided in the first circuit system, then the device structure remains simple, but the degree of freedom in circuit system expansion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of freedom in circuit system expansionVSAvoidcircuit system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral cut valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the neutral passage communication with the tank, manages external output passage connectivity, and enables circuit system expansion. By making this single valve multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate control mechanisms for each function, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The neutral cut valve dynamically switches between different positions (first position connecting neutral passage to tank, second position connecting external output passage to the neutral passage upstream) based on operational requirements. This dynamic positioning capability allows the circuit system to be reconfigured for different expansion scenarios, enhancing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple structural foundation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple external output passages are added to enable circuit system expansion, then the degree of freedom in circuit system expansion is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit system expansion capabilityVSAvoidnumber of passages and control valves
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions for multiple passages into a single neutral cut valve. Instead of providing separate control valves for each external output passage, the neutral cut valve integrates control over the neutral passage and external output passage connectivity, reducing the number of control components while enabling circuit expansion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The neutral cut valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the pump, neutral passage, external output passage, and tank. By positioning this valve at a strategic point in the circuit, it enables flexible routing of the working fluid to different destinations without requiring complex direct connections from the pump to each destination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3686440B1Fluid pressure control device
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 KYB CORP
  • EP3686440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first circuit system (HC1) of the fluid pressure control device (100) includes the neutral cut valve (110) being configured to make the first neutral passage (11) and the tank (T) communicate with each other or block communication between the first neutral passage (11) and the tank (T), the first external output passage (14) through which the working fluid is able to be supplied to outside, the first external output passage (14) being in communication with the downstream side of the first control valve (12) and the upstream side of the neutral cut valve (110) in the first neutral passage (11), and the second external output passage (15) through which the working fluid guided via the neutral cut valve (110) is able to be supplied to the outside. The neutral cut valve (110) is switched among the first position (P1) at which the working fluid is enabled to be guided to the tank T, the second position (P2) at which the working fluid is disabled to be supplied to the outside through the second external output passage (15), and the third position (P3) at which the working fluid is enabled to be supplied to the outside through the second external output passage (15).