Hydraulic Regeneration Flow Control for Fast, Accurate Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic excavators with hydraulic fluid regeneration systems face a trade-off between operation speed and position control accuracy, where increasing operation speed through regeneration can result in decreased accuracy and vice versa, limiting work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A work machine with a flow rate control valve and regeneration valve system, controlled by a controller that calculates and adjusts flow rates to ensure the target actuator flow rate is met while allowing regeneration, thereby increasing operation speed without compromising accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hydraulic fluid regeneration is performed to increase operation speed, then the operation speed of the actuator is improved, but the position control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuit is segmented into multiple independent flow paths: a pump-side flow passage, a tank-side flow passage, and a regeneration flow passage. The regeneration valve selectively connects these segments to allow regeneration flow to bypass the actuator while maintaining separate control over the actuator supply flow, enabling speed improvement without compromising position control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The regeneration valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the pump-side flow passage and the tank-side flow passage. It selectively allows hydraulic fluid to flow through the regeneration passage, serving as a bridge that enables regeneration while maintaining independent control of the actuator supply flow through the flow rate control valve.
2Manufacturing precision
If regeneration flow rate is decreased to secure position control accuracy, then the position control accuracy is improved, but the operation speed of the actuator deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the regeneration flow rate independently from the actuator supply flow rate. The regeneration valve can be controlled to provide optimal regeneration flow during positioning operations, while the flow rate control valve simultaneously maintains precise control of actuator supply flow, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements without compromise.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow rate control valve and pump are controlled to meet target actuator flow rate, then position control accuracy is secured, but the operation speed cannot be increased through regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is designed with multi-functionality where the same pump and flow rate control valve can serve both precise position control and high-speed regeneration operations. The regeneration valve adds a universal regeneration capability that works alongside the existing flow control mechanisms, enabling the system to perform both positioning and speed-critical operations effectively.
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
The system enhances operation speed of hydraulic actuators while maintaining position control accuracy, thereby improving work efficiency and simplifying the hydraulic drive system configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump that sucks a hydraulic working fluid from the hydraulic working fluid tank and supplies the hydraulic working fluid to the actuator
Implementation Method 2
a regeneration valve that allows a hydraulic working fluid to flow from the meter-out side to the meter-in side of the flow rate control valve
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a work machine which can increase the operation speed of an actuator by a regeneration function while securing the position control accuracy of the actuator. A controller is configured to calculate a regeneration flow rate on the basis of an input amount of an operation lever and a target actuator flow rate, subtract the regeneration flow rate from the target actuator flow rate to calculate a target actuator supply flow rate, calculate a target flow rate control valve opening amount on the basis of the target actuator supply flow rate, calculate a target pump flow rate that is equal to or higher than a total target actuator supply flow rate, control a selector valve on the basis of the input amount of the operation lever, control a flow rate control valve according to the target flow rate control valve opening amount, and control a hydraulic pump according to the target pump flow rate.