Seat-Mounted Pattern Selector Valve for Excavator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic excavators require operators to exit their seat and navigate to the rear or side of the machine to access and change the pattern selector valve, making it a time-consuming and cumbersome process, which also poses safety and reliability concerns due to the location of the valve and potential oil leaks.
Innovation Solution
The pattern selector valve is integrated into the seat supporting stool, allowing operators to easily check and change the operating pattern from the seat, with a selector valve accommodation room and a front cover that protects the valve and prevents oil leaks, while a lock mechanism ensures secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pattern selector valve is mounted on the engine front cover or right cover, then the valve is protected and structurally integrated, but the operator must exit the seat and walk to the rear or side of the machine to access and change the pattern, making it time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the pattern selector valve from the traditional engine front cover or right cover position to the operator's seat supporting stool. This spatial repositioning brings the valve directly into the operator's reach while seated, eliminating the need to exit the seat and walk to the rear or side of the machine. The valve is integrated into the seat structure, allowing pattern changes to be made conveniently from the seated position.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pattern selector valve is located within a covered area (engine room or right cover), then the valve is protected from external factors, but accessing the switch lever requires opening covers and exiting the operator's seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pattern selector valve with the operator's seat supporting stool, creating an integrated assembly. The valve is mounted on the front surface of the seat stool, which is already a structural component present in the operator compartment. This integration eliminates the need for separate covered housings while keeping the valve protected and accessible within the operator's immediate workspace.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pattern selector valve is mounted on external covers, then installation is structurally straightforward, but the machine layout becomes more complex and production cost increases due to additional mounting brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The seat supporting stool serves multiple functions: it supports the operator's seat, provides structural framing, and now also serves as the mounting platform for the pattern selector valve. This multi-functional use of the seat stool eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or additional structural components, simplifying the overall machine layout and reducing production costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A pattern selector valve (32) is lodged in a seat supporting stool (22) which supports an operator's seat (23) thereon, with a switch lever (32B) at a front side of the seat supporting stool. An operator can easily check out the position of the switch lever (32B) of the pattern selector valve (32) at the time of getting onto the operator's seat (23). Besides, the switch lever (32B) of the pattern selector valve (32) can be easily changed over to a different pattern position in the vicinity of the operator's seat (23). Check-out and change-over of the switch lever (32B) are facilitated and can be carried out in a secure manner under guidance of a pattern indicator (39) which is provided on a front cover (34).