Pressure Reducing Valve Unit Suppressing Self-Excited Vibrations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solenoid type pressure reducing valve units in construction machines, such as hydraulic excavators, face issues with self-excited vibrations in the main spool due to delayed pressure response in the output port when components with large load volumes or low wall surface rigidity are connected, leading to unstable pressure output.

Innovation Solution

The pressure reducing valve unit design sets a first distance smaller than a second and third distance, ensuring the pilot pressure chamber communicates with the tank port before the output port is blocked, gradually increasing pressure in the pilot pressure chamber, thereby maintaining balance between pilot pressure, output port pressure, and spring urging force, suppressing self-excited vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components with large load volumes or low wall surface rigidity are connected to the output port, then the system can accommodate various mounting configurations, but the pressure response at the output port is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting configuration flexibilityVSAvoidpressure response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pilot pressure chamber as an intermediary between the solenoid valve and the output port. The pilot pressure chamber receives controlled primary pressure from the solenoid valve and uses it to control the main spool, which in turn controls the output port. This intermediary mechanism allows gradual pressure buildup and spool movement, solving the response delay issue caused by large volume or low rigidity components connected to the output port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the pilot pressure chamber communicates directly with the primary pressure port, then pressure control is simplified, but self-excited vibrations occur in the main spool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control structureVSAvoidspool stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing communication between the pilot pressure chamber and the tank port before the main spool moves to block the output port. This sequence ensures that the pilot pressure chamber pressure increases gradually in advance, creating a balanced pressure distribution that prevents sudden spool movements and self-excited vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using the tank port communication to gradually increase pilot pressure before the main spool reaches positions that would cause abrupt pressure changes. This cushioning effect absorbs pressure fluctuations and prevents the conditions necessary for self-excited vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Speed

If the main spool moves quickly to respond to pressure changes, then control responsiveness is improved, but self-excited vibrations are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespool response speedVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the pilot pressure chamber pressure buildup a dynamic process controlled by the spool position. As the main spool moves, the communication between the pilot pressure chamber and tank port changes dynamically, creating a progressive pressure increase that matches the spool movement speed, thereby preventing vibrations while maintaining responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design stabilizes the pressure output at the output port even when large volume or low rigidity components are connected, effectively suppressing self-excited vibrations and ensuring a stable pressure response.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid actuator (32) configured to drive a pilot spool (36) in response to a control signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the pilot spool (36) moves to establish communication between the controlled primary pressure flow passage (19) and the pilot pressure chamber (25)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a main spool (24) movable in an axial direction in response to the pilot pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

a first return spring (27) disposed in the feedback pressure chamber (26) to urge the main spool (24) in the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 5

a throttle passage (30) configured to limit a flow amount of hydraulic oil to be discharged to the tank port (15) from the pilot pressure chamber (25)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow limitation: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 6

balance between a load (for example, a force that pushes the spool in one direction) by the controlled primary pressure (pilot pressure), and a load (for example a force that pushes the spool in the other direction) by the pressure of the output port and an urging force of a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure balancing: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3438515B1Pressure reducing valve unit
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3438515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3438515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3438515B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A main spool (24) has a throttle passage (30) that, when the main spool (24) moves to an axial other side against a first return spring (27) in a main spool insertion hole (13), communicates a pilot pressure chamber (25) with a first tank port (15) and limits a flow amount of hydraulic oil to be discharged to the first tank port (15) from the pilot pressure chamber (25). When the main spool (24) moves to the axial other side along the main spool insertion hole (13), the throttle passage (30) communicates the pilot pressure chamber (25) with the first tank port (15) before a state where a first pump port (17) is communicated with an output port (16) and a state where the output port (16) is blocked from the first tank port (15).