Work Machine Quick Coupler Control for Reduced Hydraulic Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic shocks and difficulty in precise manipulation occur during the uncoupling process of quick couplers in working machines, making it challenging to accurately position the coupler with the working tool.
Innovation Solution
A control unit manages a flow control valve to gradually reduce the switching amount from a neutral to a non-neutral position over time, balancing hydraulic pressure with an elastic force to smoothly uncouple the quick coupler, using an electronic proportional pressure reducing valve to adjust pressure based on the rotational speed of the driving unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is used to uncouple the quick coupler, then the uncoupling action is achieved, but hydraulic shocks occur and precise manipulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control valve is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing the switching amount to be changed from a first switching amount to a second switching amount during the uncoupling process. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt the hydraulic pressure characteristics in real-time, reducing hydraulic shocks while maintaining reliable uncoupling action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of the hydraulic fluid by adjusting the flow control valve's switching amount. By reducing the switching amount from the neutral position to a non-neutral position over time, the system modifies the hydraulic pressure delivery characteristics, thereby reducing hydraulic shocks during uncoupling while preserving the uncoupling function.
2Force
If hydraulic pressure is used to uncouple the quick coupler, then the uncoupling force is sufficient, but fine manipulation and precise positioning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static flow control valve to a dynamic one where the switching amount changes over time. This allows the hydraulic pressure to be delivered with varying intensity - initially sufficient for uncoupling, then reduced for precise positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between force and fine manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control valve operates in phases: first with a larger switching amount to provide sufficient uncoupling force, then with a reduced switching amount to enable fine manipulation. This periodic variation in flow control characteristics allows the system to satisfy both force requirements and precision requirements at different time intervals.
3Power
If the flow control valve is switched to the non-neutral position, then hydraulic pressure is generated for uncoupling, but the quick coupler cannot be located in the correct position
Solution Approach 1:
The switching amount of the flow control valve is made dynamic rather than static. By reducing the switching amount from the neutral position after the initial uncoupling phase, the system automatically transitions from high-power hydraulic pressure delivery to precise positioning mode, resolving the contradiction between power and positioning accuracy.
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 approach minimizes hydraulic shocks and facilitates precise uncoupling, ensuring smooth operation and quick response to uncoupling commands while maintaining the coupler in the correct position.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member 142 that applies elastic force to couple the quick coupler 100 and the working tool (the fastening pin 125 of the working tool)
Implementation Method 2
a working fluid pump configured to receive a fluid from the tank and pressurize it to discharge a working fluid
Implementation Method 3
configured to control a flow rate of a flow of the second working fluid returned from the working fluid pump to the tank according to a switching amount from the neutral position to the non-neutral position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
This work machine may comprises: a tank; a working fluid pump configured to receive a fluid from the tank, pressurize the fluid and discharge the working fluid; a quick coupler having a coupling position, at which the quick coupler is coupled to a work tool, and an uncoupling position, at which the quick coupler receives a first working fluid from the working fluid pump and becomes uncoupled from a work tool due to the pressure of the first working fluid; a flow control valve located between the working fluid pump and the tank and configured to switch between a neutral position, at which the flow of a second working fluid returning from the working fluid pump to the tank is permitted, and a non-neutral position, at which the flow of the second working fluid returning from the working fluid pump to the tank is blocked, and control the flow rate of the second working fluid returning from the working fluid pump to the tank according to the amount of switching from the neutral position to the non-neutral position; an input unit that receives a command to uncouple the work tool and the quick coupler; and a control unit that controls the flow control valve while the uncoupling command input to the input unit is being maintained, the flow control valve being controlled so that the switching amount of the flow control valve from the neutral position to the non-neutral position is reduced to a value greater than zero after the flow control valve is switched to the non-neutral position.