Selection Valve in Undercarriage Reduces Hose Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mini-excavators require multiple high-pressure hoses to control the undercarriage width and dozer operation, which leads to increased wear, higher costs, and larger swivel joints due to the long path and passage through the joint, necessitating a reduction in hose count and simplification of control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The selection valve is positioned downstream of the swivel joint within the undercarriage, allowing for a reduced number of hoses to pass through, with hydraulic or electric pilot lines controlling the valve, and a feedback line managing the fluid pressure to switch operations efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple high-pressure hoses are used to control undercarriage width and dozer operation, then reliable hydraulic control is achieved, but hose wear increases and swivel joint dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions for undercarriage width adjustment and dozer operation into a single selection valve. This merging of control functions reduces the number of separate hydraulic lines and hoses required, thereby reducing hose wear while maintaining reliable hydraulic control for both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection valve is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling both the undercarriage width adjustment cylinder and the dozer operation cylinder. This multi-functional valve eliminates the need for separate control valves and hoses for each function, reducing the overall hose count and associated wear.
2Ease of operation
If multiple high-pressure hoses are routed through the swivel joint, then complete control is achieved, but swivel joint costs and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single selection valve located in the undercarriage, which reduces the number of hoses that must pass through the swivel joint. This consolidation allows for a more compact swivel joint design while maintaining complete control capability for all hydraulic functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection valve acts as an intermediary component in the undercarriage that receives hydraulic fluid through fewer hoses from the swivel joint and then distributes it to multiple actuators. This intermediary positioning reduces the hose count through the swivel joint while ensuring complete control is maintained.
3Ease of manufacture
If selection valve is placed in machine base with long hose paths, then centralized control is achieved, but hose wear and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the selection valve in the machine base (traditional centralized position), the patent inverts the arrangement by locating the selection valve in the undercarriage near the actuators. This inversion reduces hose path length and wear while simplifying the control system, as the valve is positioned closer to where it is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection valve is positioned locally in the undercarriage where it can directly control both the undercarriage width adjustment and dozer operation with minimal hose paths. This local positioning optimizes the control system by reducing hose wear and simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 configuration reduces the number of hoses through the swivel joint, decreases wear, and lowers costs by allowing a smaller joint design, while enhancing control versatility and potentially eliminating redundant control components.
Implementation Method 1
a source of fluid in pressure FHP configured to supply working fluid in high pressure to the selection valve (13)
Implementation Method 2
a feedback line (30) configured to allow the fluid pressure in the at least one hose (12a, 12b) to switch the selection valve (13) by bypassing the selection valve (13)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Work machine (1) comprising a machine base (2) mounted movably over an undercarriage (3), and a hydraulic arrangement (10) which comprises a first cylinder (12) configured for operating a working blade (5) of the work machine (1), a second cylinder (11) configured to vary the width (W) of the undercarriage (3), a source of fluid at high pressure (FHP) which is fluidly connected to the first and second cylinders (11, 12) and which is housed in the machine base (2), and a selection valve (13) which is fluidly interposed between the source (FHP) and at least one of the first and second cylinders (11, 12), wherein the valve is housed in the undercarriage (3).