Electronic Hydraulic Circuit Control for Single-Pump Pressure Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems in construction machines face challenges in achieving optimal fluid flow balance among multiple circuits, relying on hydromechanical control which can be complex and inefficient, especially in managing pressure differences across active circuits.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system controller with a processor and memory that determines active circuit pressures, calculates desired delta-pressures, and adjusts circuit valve settings to reduce pressure differences electronically, allowing for electromechanical control of fluid flow through multiple circuits with a single hydraulic pump and valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hydromechanical control is used to control circuit valves, then the hydraulic system can operate with traditional components, but the system complexity increases and control efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydromechanical control with an electronic control system that uses a processor to receive operator inputs and electronically actuate circuit valves. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and pressure-based control mechanisms, reducing system complexity while improving control efficiency through direct electronic actuation of valves based on processor decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control system as an intermediary between the operator and the hydraulic circuits. The processor receives operator inputs, processes the desired hydraulic flow commands, and electronically controls the circuit valves, serving as a mediating layer that simplifies the overall control architecture while enabling more efficient and precise control of multiple hydraulic circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic circuits are controlled independently with traditional hydromechanical systems, then each circuit can be regulated, but the hardware complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal electronic control system that can independently control multiple hydraulic circuits through a single processor and electronic valve control architecture. This multi-functional system replaces multiple specialized hydromechanical control mechanisms with one adaptable electronic platform that can regulate any active hydraulic circuit independently, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical control linkages and pressure-based regulation mechanisms with electronic control for each hydraulic circuit. By using electronic actuators and processor-based control logic, the system achieves independent regulation of multiple circuits without requiring complex mechanical valve train systems, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity while preserving independent circuit control capability.
3Reliability
If hydraulic flow balance is achieved via hydromechanical control of valves, then pressure equilibrium can be maintained, but the responsiveness and precision of pressure adjustment are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow hydromechanical pressure adjustment mechanisms with fast electronic valve control. The processor can rapidly adjust circuit valve positions in response to changing operating conditions, achieving pressure equilibrium more quickly and with greater precision than mechanical systems. This electronic substitution maintains reliable pressure balance while dramatically improving the speed of pressure adjustment and system responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements electronic feedback control where the processor continuously monitors hydraulic circuit conditions and adjusts circuit valve settings in real-time to maintain desired pressure equilibrium. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables rapid detection and correction of pressure imbalances, improving both the reliability of pressure equilibrium and the responsiveness of the system compared to open-loop or mechanically-based pressure control systems.
4Device complexity
If a single hydraulic pump supplies multiple circuits, then system simplicity is maintained, but managing pressure differences across circuits becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure management mechanisms with electronic control that uses a processor to monitor and adjust pressure in each hydraulic circuit independently. The electronic system can detect pressure differences through sensors and automatically adjust circuit valve positions to balance pressures across all circuits supplied by the single pump, maintaining system simplicity while solving the pressure management challenge through electronic measurement and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control system as an intermediary between the single hydraulic pump and multiple hydraulic circuits. This electronic mediator monitors pressure conditions in each circuit and actively manages pressure differences by adjusting circuit valve settings, enabling a single pump to efficiently supply multiple circuits with different pressure requirements without requiring complex mechanical pressure regulation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system controller is disclosed. The hydraulic system controller may determine a maximum active circuit pressure of a set of active hydraulic circuits of the hydraulic system, wherein the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump to cause fluid to flow throughout the set of active hydraulic circuits; determine a circuit pressure of a hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic system; determine, based on a hydraulic flow command for the hydraulic circuit and the circuit pressure, a desired circuit delta-pressure for the hydraulic circuit; determine, based on the desired circuit delta-pressure and a pressure difference between the maximum active circuit pressure and the circuit pressure, a circuit valve setting for a circuit valve of the hydraulic circuit; and cause a control device to set a position of the circuit valve according to the circuit valve setting.