Hydraulic Relief Valve Air Bleed Circuit for Construction Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic drive devices in construction machines fail to effectively discharge air buildup in relief valves, leading to inefficiencies and potential operational defects.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine with a relief valve system that utilizes an air bleed line and pressure difference to discharge air from the relief valve, incorporating an air bleed switching valve controlled by a controller to manage air bleed based on the hydraulic circuit's state, ensuring effective air removal regardless of the relief valve's orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a relief valve is disposed in a hydraulic circuit to limit pump discharge line pressure, then pressure control function is improved, but air buildup in the relief valve cannot be effectively discharged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control functionVSAvoidair discharge capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The relief valve is divided into two functional parts: a main body that performs pressure limiting, and a separate air bleed mechanism with its own oil passage that enables air discharge. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An air bleed oil passage acts as an intermediary channel connected between the relief valve and hydraulic oil tank, providing a dedicated pathway for air to escape from the relief valve without affecting the main pressure control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If air bleed line is added to discharge air from relief valve, then air discharge capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair discharge capabilityVSAvoidhydraulic circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air bleed oil passage is integrated into the existing hydraulic circuit architecture, merging the air discharge function with the hydraulic oil flow path. The passage utilizes the existing hydraulic oil tank and circuit structure, avoiding the need for completely separate air discharge infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air bleed oil passage serves multiple functions: it enables air discharge from the relief valve, maintains hydraulic oil flow continuity, and integrates with the existing tank system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.

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

3Ease of operation

If air bleed switching valve is introduced to control air bleed, then air bleed control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair bleed control precisionVSAvoidvalve system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air bleed switching valve dynamically changes the flow state of the air bleed oil passage based on operational requirements. It can switch between open and closed states, allowing the system to adaptively control air bleeding during different operational phases without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The switching valve operates based on feedback from the hydraulic circuit state, enabling automatic control of air bleeding. The system monitors conditions such as pressure and flow to determine when air bleed is necessary, reducing the need for manual operation while maintaining precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively discharges air from the relief valve, reducing the risk of air buildup and enhancing operational freedom and reliability, while maintaining pressure control functions, even during automatic operations.

Implementation Method 1

an air bleed line that connects the relief valve and a portion downstream from the back pressure generation mechanism in the return line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4345316B1Construction machine
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KOBELCO CONSTR MASCH CO LTD
  • EP4345316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4345316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4345316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A construction machine (100) includes a relief valve (40) that opens to limit a pressure of a pump discharge line (91) that is a line between a main pump (22) and a direction switching valve (31), a back pressure generation mechanism (67) that is disposed on a return line (92) that is a line connected to a tank (21) and generates a back pressure in the return line (92), and an air bleed line (90) that connects the relief valve (40) and a portion (92b) downstream from the back pressure generation mechanism (67) in the return line (92).