Actuator operating signal sensor

Abstract: A device for sensing actuator operating signal in a hydraulic system is disclosed. The device has auxiliary valves (5a,5b) directly coupled to the directional control valves (3a,3b) respectively, the internal lines of which auxiliary valves (5a,5b) are opened or become orifices in accordance with positions of spools of their associated directional control valves (3a,3b). A fluid line extends from a hydraulic pump (P) to a return tank (T) after passing the auxiliary valves (5a,5b) in a series. The device also has two means (P D ,P S ) for detecting fluid pressure at two given points along the fluid line. An additional orifice (A3) is formed in the hydraulic line between the auxiliary valves and the pressure detecting means (P D ,P S ) is provided in the hydraulic line before and after the additional orifice.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to devices for sensing actuator operating signals in hydraulic systems and, more particularly, to a structural improvement in such an actuator operating signal sensor for hydraulic system having at least two actuators for not only sensing uni-actuator operating signals and multi-actuator operating signals, but also for discriminating between uni-actuator operating signals and multi-actuator operating signals. 2. Description of the Prior Art Typically, the detection of fluid pressure in a directional control valve for an actuator of a hydraulic system is often used to determine whether the actuator's operation lever was handled to operate the actuator. With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a hydraulic system having a typical actuator operating signal sensor. As shown in the drawing, the hydraulic system includes two directional control valves 103a and 103b connected to their associated actuators 101a and 101b. Two auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are directly coupled to the control valves 103a and 103b respectively. The internal lines of the auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are opened or closed in accordance with positions of spools for their associated control valves 103a and 103b. A fluid line 107 extending from a hydraulic pump P to a return tank T passes the auxiliary valves 105a and 105b in a series. The internal lines of the auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are opened when the spools of the valves 103a and 103b are in their neutral positions, but opened when the spools of valves 103a and 103b are moved. In order to sense operating signals from actuators 101a and 101b in the above hydraulic system, or to determine whether the operation levers for the actuators 101a and 101b were handled to operate the actuators, the pressures PA and PB at given points of the line 107, or at point A (between the pump P and the first auxiliary valve 105a) and at point B (between the first and second auxiliary valves 105a and 105b) are detected. That is, when the first actuator 101a is in operation by handling its associated operating lever, the pressure PA at point A will increase as the internal lines of the first auxiliary valve 105a, directly connected to the first control valve 103a, are closed due to movement of the spool of the first control valve 103a. In the same manner, when the second actuator 101b is in operation by handling its associated operating lever, the pressure PB at point B will increase as the internal lines of the second auxiliary valve 105b, directly connected to the second control valve 103b, are closed due to movement of the spool of the second control valve 103b. The pressures PA and PB at points A and B in accordance with operational states of the actuators 101a and 101b are given in the following Table 1. In the following description and in Table 1 for the pressures PA and PB, the value "0" is a relatively lower value meaning that all of the internal lines of the auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are opened, while the value "1" is a relatively higher value meaning that all of the internal lines of the auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are closed. 1 neutral position of 101a, 101b PA = 0, PB = 0 2 exclusive operation of 101a PA = 1, PB = 0 3 exclusive operation of 101b PA = 1, PB = 1 4 operation of 101a, 101b PA = 1, PB = 1 1) In the case of neutral positions of the operating levers for both actuators 101a and 101b or non-operation of both actuators : The internal lines of both auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are opened so that both pressures PA and PB have the value "0". 2) In the case of exclusive operation of the first actuator 101a: The internal lines of the first auxiliary valve 105a are closed while the internal lines of the second auxiliary valve 105b are opened so that the pressures PA and PB have the value "1" and "0" respectively. 3) In the case of exclusive operation of the second actuator 101b: The internal lines of the first auxiliary valve 105a are opened while the internal lines of the second auxiliary valve 105b are closed. However, both pressures PA and PB have the value "1" as closing of the internal lines of the second valve 105b exerts influence upon both points A and B of the line 107. 4) In the case of simultaneous operation of both actuators 101a and 101b: The internal lines of the both auxiliary valves 105a and 105b are closed so that both pressures PA and PB have the value "1". In the above description for the hydraulic system having the typical actuator operating signal sensor, it is noted that the device can sense both the case of at least one actuator operating and the case of no actuators operatins, however, the device can not discriminate the case of exclusive operation of an actuator from the case of simultaneous operation of two actuators. That is, the typical device can not discriminate the case of exclusive operation of, for example, the second actuator 101b from the case of simultaneous operation of the two actuators 101a and 101b as both pressures PA and PB in the above two cases alike have the value "1" as shown in Table 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device for sensing actuator operating signals in which the above problem can be overcome and which is used in a hydraulic system with at least two actuators and effectively discriminates exclusive operation of an actuator from simultaneous operation of the actuators. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a device for sensing an actuator operating signal in a hydraulic system having at least two actuators along with directional control valves controlling the fluid flow and the flowing direction of pressurized fluid for their associated actuators, having auxiliary valves directly coupled to the directional control valves respectively, the internal lines of the auxiliary valves being opened or becoming orifices in accordance with positions of spools of their associated directional control valves; a fluid line extending from a hydraulic pump to a return tank after passing the auxiliary valves in a series; and means for detecting fluid pressure at one or more given point of the fluid line, thus providing an actuator operating signal which discriminates the case of exclusive operation from the case of simultaneous operation of the actuators. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the internal lines of one of the two auxiliary valves become a first orifice when the spool of an associated directional control valve is in the neutral position, but are opened when the spool of the associated directional control valve is moved, while the internal lines of the other auxiliary valve are opened when the spool of an associated directional control valve is in the neutral position, but become a second orifice when the spool of the associated directional control valve is moved. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a third orifice is formed in the hydraulic line between the auxiliary valves and the pressure detecting means is provided in the hydraulic line before and after the third orifice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of a hydraulic system for a typical actuator operating signal sensor; Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a hydraulic system for an actuator operating signal sensor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figs. 3A to 3D are schematic circuit diagrams of the system of Fig. 2, showing variation of detected pressures in accordance with operational states of two actuators of the system, in which: Fig. 3A shows the case of nor actuators being operated; Fig. 3B shows the case of operating of one of the actuators; Fig. 3C shows the case of operating the other actuator; and Fig. 3D shows the case of simultaneous operation of both actuators. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a hydraulic system with an actuator operation signal sensing device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, the hydraulic system of this invention includes two directional control valves 3a and 3b connected to their associated actuators 1a and 1b. Two auxiliary valves 5a and 5b are directly coupled to control valves 3a and 3b respectively. The internal lines of auxiliary valves 5a and 5b are opened or become orifices in accordance with the positions of the spools for their associated control valves 3a and 3b. A fluid line 7 extending from a hydraulic pump P to a return tank T passes the auxiliary valves 5a and 5b in a series. The internal lines of the two auxiliary valves 5a and 5b are designed in such a manner that the internal lines of the first valve 5a become a first orifice A2 when the spool of its associated first control valve 3a is in the neutral position, but are opened when the spool of the valve 3a is moved, and that the internal lines of the second valve 5b are opened when the spool of its associated second control valve 3b is in the neutral position, but become a second orifice A4 when the spool of the valve 3b is moved. In the above hydraulic system, the pump P, the auxiliary valves 5a and 5b and the return tank T are arranged in series through the fluid line 7 in order of the pump P, the first valve 5a, the second valve 5b and the tank T. Additionally, a third orifice A3 is formed in the line 7 between the first and second auxiliary valves 5a and 5b. In order to detect fluid pressures PS and PD at points "S" and "D" before and after the third orifice A3, two pressure detecting means and are provided at the two points S and D respectively. In the above system, it is preferred to form a fourth orifice A1 in the line 7 between the pump P and the first valve 5a. When the system has the orifice A1, the relative pressure difference between the case of neutral positions of the spools of the control valves and the case of movement of that spools or between the case of operation of no actuator and the case of operation of the actuators will increase. Hereinbelow, operational effect of the above device will be described in detail by operational states of the two actuators 1a and 1b and with reference to Table 2 and to the accompanying drawings, Figs. 3A to 3D. 1 neutral position of 1a, 1b PS = P1, PD = 0 2 exclusive operation of 1a PS = P2, PD = 0 3 exclusive operation of 1b PS = P3, PD = P4 4 operation of 1a, 1b PS = P5, PD = P6 The pressures P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 in the Table 2 have the following inequalities: P1 < P2; P1 < P3; P1 << P4; P2 < P5; P3 < P5; and P4 < P6 1) In the case of neutral positions of the operation levers for both actuators 1a and 1b or of operation of no actuator: The internal lines of the first auxiliary valve 5a become the orifice A2 so that the pressure PS at the point "S" is equal to a given pressure P1 preset by the orifice A3, and, at the same time, the internal lines of the second auxiliary valve 5b are opened so that the pressure PD at the point "D" has the value "0" (see Fig. 3A). 2) In the case of exclusive operation of the first actuator 1a: The internal lines of the first and second auxiliary valves 5a and 5b are opened so that the pressure PS is equal to a given pressure P2 and the pressure PD has the value "0".In this case, the pressure P2 is somewhat higher than the pressure P1 of the above case (1) as the fluid flow in the line 7 before the orifice A3 is increased due to the internal lines of the first valve 5a (see Fig. 3B) opening. 3) In the case of exclusive operation of the second actuator 1b: The internal lines of the first and second auxiliary valves 5a and 5b become orifices A2 and A4 respectively so that the pressure PS is equal to a given pressure P3 preset by the orifices A3, A4 and A2 and the pressure PD is equal to a given pressure P4 preset by the orifices A2 and A4. In this case, the pressure PS is somewhat higher than the pressure P1 as the system of this case (3) additionally has the orifice A4 in comparison with the case (1). However, the difference between the pressure PS and the pressure P2 is not confirmed. On the other hand, the pressure PD has a given pressure P4 as the system of this case additionally has the orifice A4 in comparison with the cases (1) and (2) (see Fig. 3C). 4) In the case of simultaneous operation of both actuators 1a and 1b: The internal lines of the first auxiliary valve 5a are opened while the internal lines of the second auxiliary valve 5b become the orifice A4 so that the pressure PS is equal to a given pressure P5 preset by the orifices A3 and A4 and the pressure PD is equal to a given pressure P6 preset by the orifice A4. In this case, the pressure PS (= P5) is relatively higher than either of the pressures P1, P2 and P3 due to increase of the fluid flow in the line 7 before the orifice A3 as the system of this case (4) has the orifices A3 and A4 and as the internal lines of the first valve 5a are opened. Even though the orifice A4 acts in this case (4) in the same manner as described for the case (3), the fluid flow before the orifice A3 is increased due to the internal lines of the first valve 5a opening. The pressure P6 is, therefore, relatively higher than the pressure P4 (see Fig. 3D). In the above description for the hydraulic system having the actuator operation signal sensing device of this invention, it is noted that device instantly senses the case of operation of at least one actuator when the pressure PS is equal to either of the pressures P2, P3 and P5 which are higher than the given pressure P1. The device also senses the case of simultaneous operation of two actuators 1a and 1b when the pressure PD is equal to the pressure P6 which is higher than the given pressure P4. Otherwise stated, the case of pressure PS increased and pressure PD not increased means the case of exclusive operation of an actuator. The case of pressures PS and PD increasing means the case of simultaneous operation of the actuators. In addition, the case where neither pressure PS, PD is increasing means there is no actuator operating. As described above, the present invention provides an actuator operating signal sensor for a hydraulic system having at least two actuators, which device not only senses handling signals for actuators but also discriminates between the exclusive operation of an actuator and simultaneous operation of the actuators. In this regard, the device of this invention can be effectively used as a straight advancing signal sensor for travelling construction vehicle needing to determine whether the operation levers for left and right travelling motors were simultaneously handled, and as an auto-deceleration signal sensor needing to determine whether the operation levers for all of actuators are in their neutral positions. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, the device of this invention may be used in a hydraulic system with three or more actuators besides the above-described hydraulic system with two actuators.

Claims: A device for sensing an actuator operating signal in a hydraulic system having at least two actuators (1a, 1b) along with directional control valves (3a, 3b) controlling the fluid flow and flowing direction of pressurized fluid for their associated actuators, having auxiliary valves (5a, 5b) directly coupled to said directional control valves respectively, a fluid line extending from a hydraulic pump (P) to a return tank (T) after passing the internal lines of said auxiliary valves in series characterised by: the internal lines of said auxiliary valves being opened or becoming orifices in accordance with positions of spools of their associated directional control valves; and means for detecting fluid pressure at one or more given point (D, S) of said fluid line, thus providing an actuator operating signal which discriminates the case of exclusive operation from the case of simultaneous operation of the actuators. The device according to claim 1, wherein the internal lines of one of said two auxiliary valves become a first orifice (A2) when the spool of an associated directional control valve is in the neutral position, but are opened when the spool of the associated directional control valve is moved, while the internal lines of the other auxiliary valve are opened when the spool of an associated directional control valve is in the neutral position, but become a second orifice (A4) when the spool of the associated directional control valve is moved. The device according to claim 2, wherein said hydraulic pump (P), said auxiliary valves (5a, 5b) and said return tank (T) are arranged in a series through said fluid line (7) in order of the pump (P), the one auxiliary valve, the other auxiliary valve and the tank (T). The device according to claim 2, wherein a third orifice (A3) is formed in said hydraulic line (7) between the auxiliary valves and said pressure detecting means is provided in the hydraulic line before and after the third orifice. The device according to claim 3, wherein a third orifice (A3) is formed in said hydraulic line (7) between the auxiliary valves and said pressure detecting means is provided in the hydraulic line before and after the third orifice. The device according to claim 2, wherein a fourth orifice (A1) is formed in the hydraulic line (7) between said hydraulic pump and the one auxiliary valve. The device according to claim 3, wherein a fourth orifice (A1) is formed in the hydraulic line (7) between said hydraulic pump (P) and the one auxiliary valve.

Inventors: CHUNG DAE SEUNG, CHUNG, DAE SEUNG
Applicants: VOLVO CONSTR EQUIP KOREA CO, VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT KOREA CO., LTD.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F15B11
IPC codes: G01L19, F15B11, F15B9