Hydraulic circuit of option device for excavator

Abstract

A hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator is disclosed, which can constantly supply hydraulic fluid to an option device, such as a breaker and so on, selectively mounted on the excavator, irrespective of the size of a load occurring when the option device operates, and control respective flow rates required for various kinds of option devices. The hydraulic circuit includes a variable hydraulic pump, an option device, a first spool shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed to the option device, a poppet and a piston, an option spool shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed to the option device via the first spool, a second spool shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed to a back pressure chamber of the poppet, and a control means installed in the poppet and controlling hydraulic fluid passing through an orifice of the poppet when the piston and the poppet are pressed by the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump, through the shifting of the second spool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator;

FIG. 2 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of a conventional option device for an excavator;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the control flow rate that is overshot in an initial control period of the conventional option device for an excavator;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are graphs showing the flow rate change against pressure in the hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of main parts extracted from a hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a flow rate control valve in a hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as the detailed construction and elements, are nothing but specific details provided to assist those of ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensive understanding of the invention, and thus the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a variable hydraulic pump 26; an option device 24 (e.g., a hammer, a shear, a breaker, and so forth) connected to the hydraulic pump 26; a first spool 15 installed in a flow path between the hydraulic pump 26 and the option device 24 and shifted to control hydraulic fluid being supplied from the hydraulic pump 26 to the option device 24 in response to a pilot signal pressure Pi applied thereto; a poppet 14 installed to open/close a flow path 20 between the hydraulic pump 26 and the first spool 15 and controlling hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to the option device 24 when the first spool 15 is shifted, and a piston 13 elastically supported by an elastic member 12 (e.g., a compression coil spring) in a back pressure chamber 17 of the poppet 14; an option spool 25 installed in a flow path 22 between the first spool 15 and the option device 24 and shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed to the option device 24 via the first spool 15 in response to pilot signal pressures 5pa4 and 5pb4; a second spool 3 shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to the back pressure chamber 17 of the poppet 14 via a through flow path 23 connected to the back pressure chamber 17 of the poppet 14, in response to a difference between a pressure of an inlet part of the first spool 15 and a sum of a pressure of an outlet part of the first spool 15 and an elastic force of a valve spring 5; and a control means installed inside the poppet 14 and controlling hydraulic fluid passing through an orifice 14a of the poppet 14 when the piston 13 and the poppet 14 are pressed by the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26, through the shifting of the second spool 3.

The control means includes a shim 14c placed on an inlet part of the orifice 14a of the poppet and having a through hole 14-3 formed in the center thereof to be connected to the orifice 14a of the poppet 14, and a check valve 14b installed inside the orifice 14a of the poppet 14 and having an orifice 14-2 formed in the center thereof.

The hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a first orifice 13a formed in the piston 13 and controlling the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to the back pressure chamber 17 of the poppet 14 when the second spool 3 is shifted; a second orifice 30 formed in a flow path 23 between the second spool 3 and a back pressure chamber 29 of the piston 13 and controlling the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to the back pressure chamber 29 of the piston 13 when the second spool 3 is shifted; and a third orifice 31 installed in a flow path 16 having an inlet part connected to a flow path between the first spool 15 and the poppet 14 and an outlet part connected to the second spool 3, and controlling the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to shift the second spool 3.

In the whole description of the present invention, the same drawing reference numerals as illustrated in FIG. 1 are used for the same elements across various figures, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 7, the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 is supplied to the supply line 20 and the pilot flow path 19. The hydraulic fluid fed to the supply line 20 pushes the poppet 14 upward as shown in the drawing. Simultaneously, the hydraulic fluid pushes the check valve 14b installed inside the orifice 14a of the poppet 14 upward, and moves the check valve up to the position of the shim 14c.

In this case, the hydraulic fluid fed to the back pressure chamber 17 of the poppet 14 is supplied to a chamber 21 through an orifice 14-2 of the check valve 14b installed inside the poppet 14. Accordingly, the poppet 14 is moved upward to be in contact with the piston 13 (in this case, the elastic member 12 is compressed).

Accordingly, the hydraulic fluid on the supply line 20 is supplied to the chamber 21. At this time, the hydraulic fluid moved to the chamber 21 is intercepted by the first spool 15 that is kept in a neutral state, and thus is not supplied to the option device 24.

When the pilot signal pressure 5pa4 is applied to the option spool 25, its inner spool is shifted in the left direction as shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to the flow path 20-1 is intercepted by the shifted option spool 25, and the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 to the flow path 22 is supplied to the option device 24 via a flow path 5A4.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the case where the pilot signal pressure Pi is applied to the left port of the first spool 15, the first spool 15 is shifted in the right direction (while in FIG. 7, the first spool 15 is shifted in the left direction). The hydraulic fluid fed into the chamber 21 is supplied to the option device 24 via the option port 22, and thus the option device is driven.

That is, when the first spool 15 is shifted by the pilot signal pressure Pi, the cross-sectional area of a variable notch part 27 formed on the first spool 15 is varied depending on the movement of the first spool 15. Accordingly, the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid fed to the option device 24 through the first spool 15 can be controlled.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 is supplied to the option spool 25 via the first spool 15, a loss in pressure occurs between the chamber 21 and the option port 22 by the variable notch part 27 formed on the periphery of the first spool 15. In this case, if the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid fed from the chamber 21 to the option port 22 through the shifting of the first spool 15 is increased, the pressure loss is also increased.

At this time, the hydraulic fluid having the pressure that is increased through the shifting of the first spool 15 is supplied to the left end of the second spool 3 after passing through the third orifice 31 of the flow path 16 connected to the chamber 21. Accordingly, the second spool 3 is shifted in the right direction as shown in the drawing (while in FIG. 7, the second spool 3 is shifted in the left direction).

In this case, if it is assumed that the cross-sectional area of a diaphragm of the second spool is A1, a force that shifts the second spool 3 in the right direction is (A1×P1).

The pressure in the option port 22 is applied to the right end of the second spool 3 after passing through the pilot flow path 18. Accordingly, the second spool 3 is shifted in the left direction as shown in FIG. 6 (while, in FIG. 7, the second spool 3 is shifted in the right direction). In this case, if it is assumed that the cross-sectional area of the diaphragm of the second spool 3 is A2, a force that shifts the second spool 3 in the left direction is (A2×P2)+F1 (which corresponds to the elastic force of the valve spring 5).

The condition that the second spool 3 is kept in its initial state, i.e., in its non-shifted state, (which corresponds to the state as shown in FIG. 6) is given as (A1×P1)<((A2×P2)+F1).

By contrast, the condition that the second spool 3 is shifted in the right direction as shown in FIG. 6 is given as (A1×P1)>((A2×P2)+F1).

In the case of shifting the second spool 3 in the right direction as shown in FIG. 6, the hydraulic fluid fed to the pilot flow path 19 connected to the supply line 20 is supplied to the back pressure chamber 29 of the piston 13 after passing through the second spool 3 and a through flow path 23 in order. Accordingly, the piston 13 is moved downward as shown in the drawing. Simultaneously, the poppet 14 elastically supported by the elastic member 12 is moved downward.

At this time, if the second spool 3 is shifted and the piston 13 is pressed by the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26, the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the orifice 14a of the poppet 14 can be reduced by the shim 14c and the check valve 14b installed in the poppet 14.

That is, the hydraulic fluid fed from the back pressure chamber 17 passes in order through a through hole 14-3 formed on the shim 14c placed in the inlet part of the orifice 14a of the poppet 14 and an orifice 14-2 formed on the check valve 14b installed inside the orifice 14a of the poppet 14.

Accordingly, at an initial operation of the option device 24, the time when the hydraulic fluid fed from the back pressure chamber 17 passes through the orifice 14a of the poppet 14 and the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the orifice 14a can be reduced.

By the movement of the poppet 14, the flow path between the supply line 20 and the chamber 21 is blocked. AS the pressure in the flow path 16 is reduced, the second spool 3 is moved in the left direction as shown in FIG. 6. This corresponds to the condition given as (A1×P1)<((A2×P2)+F1).

When the second spool 3 is shifted in the left direction as shown in the drawing, the supply of the pressure in the pilot flow path 19 to the through flow path 23 is intercepted. Accordingly, as the poppet 14 is moved upward as shown in the drawing, the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 is supplied to the left end of the second spool 3 via the supply line 20, the chamber 21 and the flow path 16.

This is, the condition that the second spool 3 is shifted in the right direction as shown in the drawing is given as (A1×P1)>((A2×P2)+F1). Accordingly, the second spool 3 is shifted in the right direction as shown in the drawing.

Accordingly, as the repeated shifting of the second spool 3 is performed, the loss in pressure occurring between the chamber 21 and the option port 22 becomes constant.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is known that the flow rate Q of the hydraulic fluid being supplied to the option device 24 is Q=(Cd×A×ΔP). Here, Q denotes the flow rate, Cd denotes a flow rate coefficient, A denotes an opening area of a spool (A=constant), and ΔP denotes a loss in pressure between P1 and P2 (ΔP=constant).

As described above, when an excavator having option devices mounted thereon operates, the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump 26 can be constantly supplied to the option device 24, irrespective of the size of a load occurring in the option device 24. Also, the flow rates required for various kinds of option devices can be respectively controlled. In addition, the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid being supplied to the option device 24 in an initial control period of the option device can be prevented from being overshot over the predetermined flow rate.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

The hydraulic circuit can constantly supply the hydraulic fluid to the option device, irrespective of the size of a load of the option device, and thus the operation speed of the option device is kept constant to improve the manipulation.

Also, the hydraulic circuit can respectively control the flow rates required for various kinds of option devices.

The hydraulic circuit can prevent the flow rate from being overshot in an initial control period of the option device, and thus the stability of the option device can be secured.

Although preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A hydraulic circuit of an option device for an excavator, comprising: a variable hydraulic pump;an option device connected to the hydraulic pump;a first spool installed in a flow path between the hydraulic pump and the option device and shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to the option device;a poppet installed to open/close a flow path between the hydraulic pump and the first spool and controlling hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to the option device when the first spool is shifted, and a piston elastically supported in a back pressure chamber of the poppet;an option spool installed in a flow path between the first spool and the option device and shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed to the option device via the first spool;a second spool shifted to control hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to the back pressure chamber of the poppet via a through flow path connected to the back pressure chamber of the poppet, in response to a difference between a pressure of an inlet part of the first spool and a sum of a pressure of an outlet part of the first spool and an elastic force of a valve spring; anda control means installed inside the poppet and controlling hydraulic fluid passing through an orifice of the poppet when the piston and the poppet are pressed by the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump, through the shifting of the second spool;wherein in an initial control period of the option device, the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid fed from the back chamber of the poppet to the option device through the shifting of the second poppet is prevented from being increased over a predetermined flow rate set by the control means.

2. The hydraulic circuit of claim 1, wherein the control means comprises: a shim placed in an inlet part of the orifice of the poppet and having a through hole formed in the center thereof to be connected to the orifice of the poppet; anda check valve installed inside the orifice of the poppet and having an orifice formed in the center thereof.

3. The hydraulic circuit of claim 1, further comprising a first orifice formed in the piston and controlling the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to the back pressure chamber of the poppet when the second spool is shifted.

4. The hydraulic circuit of claim 1, further comprising a second orifice formed in a flow path between the second spool and the back pressure chamber of the piston and controlling the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to the back pressure chamber of the piston when the second spool is shifted.

5. The hydraulic circuit of claim 1, further comprising a third orifice installed in a flow path having an inlet part connected to a flow path between the first spool and the poppet and an outlet part connected to the second spool, and controlling the hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to shift the second spool.