Integrated Ride Control Valve With Internal Accumulator Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic ride control systems for machines lack efficient integration with existing systems, requiring external piping and multiple controllers, which can reduce operational power and increase complexity.
Innovation Solution
A monoblock ride control valve integrated within the main control valve, using a single spool to manage accumulator charging and pressure balancing, allowing internal connections and control via a single proportional solenoid, with optional low leak check valves to minimize hydraulic power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external piping and multiple controllers are used for hydraulic ride control systems, then ride control functionality can be achieved, but system complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ride control valve with the main control valve into a single integrated unit. The ride control spool and pressure balancing spool are incorporated within the main control valve body, eliminating the need for separate external piping and multiple controllers. This merging reduces system complexity while maintaining ride control functionality through internal fluid passages and coordinated spool operations.
2Reliability
If external piping and multiple controllers are used for hydraulic ride control systems, then ride control functionality can be achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated ride control system utilizes the existing hydraulic pump and main control valve infrastructure to provide ride control functionality. The pressure balancing spool automatically balances accumulator pressure with work port pressure using internal hydraulic forces, eliminating the need for additional powered controllers. The system serves itself by leveraging available hydraulic pressure rather than consuming additional electrical power for control actuation.
3Productivity
If a monoblock ride control valve is used, then integration efficiency and power consumption are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the valve body is monoblock, the invention segments the control functions into distinct spool assemblies (ride control spool, pressure balancing spool) with dedicated control passages. This functional segmentation within a monoblock structure allows for modular assembly and simplifies manufacturing by enabling separate spool fabrication and precision fitting into the integrated valve body, rather than requiring complex internal passages throughout the entire monoblock.
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 seamless integration of ride control functionality without external conduits, maintaining actuator performance and reducing power consumption, while providing smooth operation and efficient accumulator pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
Hydraulic systems can be used as suspensions for hydraulic machines. In particular, ride control systems can be configured to dampen movement of a boom, lift arm, etc. of a hydraulic machine as it traverses over a support surface.
Implementation Method 2
The ride control system can include an accumulator and a control valve having a work port configured to couple to the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A ride control valve includes a valve body defining a work passage, a pump passage, a tank passage, and an accumulator passage configure to couple to an accumulator. A ride control spool is movably disposed within the valve body and configured to move between a first ride control position to discharge the accumulator, a second ride control position configured to charge the accumulator at a variable charge rate, a third ride control configured to balance the accumulator pressure with the work passage pressure, and a fourth ride control position configured to couple the accumulator to the work passage. A pressure balancing spool is movably disposed within the ride control spool to selectively couple the accumulator passage with each of the pump passage and the tank passage to balance the accumulator pressure. The ride control valve is configured to couple to a directional control valve without external conduit.