Swivel Joint Assembly with Integrated Rotor Valve Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel joint assemblies for work vehicles, such as excavators, are complex and encumbering due to the need for dedicated flow control valves and extensive piping, which reduces space efficiency and increases assembly and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A swivel joint assembly with valve means carried laterally by the rotor portion, allowing for efficient management of fluid flow and reducing the need for complex piping and additional space on operative cylinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated flow control valves are placed on operative cylinders, then flow control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and piping requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow control valve functionality directly into the swivel joint assembly by carrying valve means on the rotor portion. This integration eliminates the need for separate valve installations on operative cylinders and reduces the complexity of dedicated piping arrangements, while maintaining the required flow control functionality for preventing cylinder drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel joint assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the primary hydraulic connection between chassis and main body, incorporates flow control valve means for preventing drift, and manages fluid flow through integrated valve arrangements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components and piping.
2Reliability
If flow control valves are installed on operative cylinders, then flow control is achieved, but space requirements and encumbrance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow control valve functionality from the operative cylinders and relocates it to the swivel joint assembly's rotor portion. This extraction removes the encumbrance of valves and dedicated piping from the operative cylinder area, freeing up space while maintaining the flow control function through the integrated valve means in the swivel joint.
3Reliability
If dedicated piping is used to connect valves to swivel joint, then flow control is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve means directly with the rotor portion of the swivel joint assembly, eliminating the need for separate piping connections. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled and connected, while maintaining the flow control functionality through the integrated valve arrangement.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Swivel joint assembly (1) for a work vehicle provided with a chassis movable on ground and a main body rotatably carried by chassis about a vertical axis (A), the swivel joint assembly (1) comprising a stator portion (2) configured to be carried by one between the chassis and the main body and a rotor portion (3) configured to be carried by the other between the chassis and the main body, rotor portion (3) being housed in a fluid tight manner and rotatably free carried about axis (A) by stator portion (2), rotor portion (3) comprising at least a pair of input conduits (4', 4'') fluidly connectable to pump means carried by other between the chassis and the main body and stator portion (2) comprising a plurality of output conduits (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 51, 51) fluidly connectable to operative elements of work vehicle, wherein swivel joint assembly (1) comprises valve means (7) carried transversally to axis (A) by said rotor portion (3) and configured to regulate the fluid flow between said input conduits (4', 4'') and at least a pair among the plurality of output conduits (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 51, 51).