Hydraulic Piston Pulse Generator With Switchable Vibration and Impact Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration generators for construction machinery are inefficient in generating both vibrations and impact impulses, lacking flexibility and precision in operation.

Innovation Solution

A device with a control unit that switches between vibration and impact impulse modes, using a piston with impact surfaces and a control valve system, allowing precise control of piston movement and frequency, and optionally incorporating a measuring device for position detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex channel arrangement with control piston is used to achieve controlled pressure fluid supply, then the vibration generation is precise, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical control system (control piston with stops and predefined channels) with an electronic control system (control unit with controllable control valve). This substitution maintains precise control of pressure fluid supply while significantly reducing mechanical complexity and allowing for more flexible control options.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit enables dynamic adjustment of operating parameters such as vibration frequency, amplitude, and impulse timing by electronically controlling the control valve. This allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration, thereby maintaining precision while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the piston is designed to generate both vibrations and impact impulses, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating mode flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the piston and control system to perform multiple functions: generating vibrations for soil liquefaction, generating impact impulses for penetrating hard layers, and transitioning between these modes. The control unit manages this multi-functionality by adjusting the control valve timing and positioning, allowing a single device to handle diverse drilling conditions without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between vibration mode and impact impulse mode based on real-time operating conditions. The control unit adjusts the piston's movement characteristics (speed, acceleration, contact timing) to optimize performance for the current drilling task, enabling the device to adapt to varying soil conditions without mechanical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If impact surfaces are added to the piston and working chamber, then the impact impulse generation is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact impulseVSAvoidsurface hardness and geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies localized hardening treatment to specific impact surfaces on the piston and working chamber ends, rather than hardening the entire component. This targeted approach enhances the impact impulse generation capability at critical contact points while maintaining easier manufacturing and lower overall precision requirements for non-critical surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The piston and working chamber surfaces are constructed using composite material structures that combine materials with different properties - softer base materials for ease of manufacturing with localized hard coatings or inserts at impact zones. This allows the majority of the component to be manufactured with standard precision while providing enhanced impact resistance where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables efficient generation of vibrations or impact impulses based on operating conditions, enhancing drilling efficiency by quasi-liquefying soil or penetrating hard layers, and protecting machinery components through controlled operation.

Implementation Method 1

Pressure fluid is alternately supplied and discharged, causing the working piston to move in reverse and generate an oscillation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure fluid: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the piston can be set into a reversing motion to generate the vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a striking surface is formed on at least one end side of the working space, against which the working piston strikes when reaching at least one reversal point to generate an impact impulse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4455444B1Vibration or percussive pulse generating apparatus for construction machine and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 EURODRILL GMBH
  • EP4455444B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4455444B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for generating vibrations for a construction machine, comprising a housing, a piston which is reversibly movable back and forth in a working chamber in the housing between a first reversal point and a second reversal point, a pressure fluid supply through which pressure fluid can be introduced and expelled into the working chamber in the region of the first reversal point and the second reversal point via at least one controllable control valve, wherein the piston can be set into a reversing motion to generate the vibrations, and a control unit which is designed to control the at least one control valve and through which the movement of the piston in the working chamber can be controlled and changed.According to the invention, the control unit is designed to control the piston in a first operating mode to generate vibrations and in a second operating mode to generate impact impulses, wherein a striking surface is formed on at least one end side of the working space, against which the piston strikes when reaching at least one reversal point to generate an impact impulse.