U.S. patent application number 12/397437 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-10 for apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment.
This patent application is currently assigned to VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HOLDING SWEDEN AB.. Invention is credited to Joon Seog GO.
Application Number | 20090223582 12/397437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40600309 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090223582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GO; Joon Seog |
September 10, 2009 |
APPARATUS FOR FIXING HYDRAULIC PIPES FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
Abstract
An apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction
equipment is provided, which can facilitate joint connection of
return pipes having a large size to a hydraulic tank, in an
environment where a working space of an upper frame is narrow such
as in a small swing radius construction equipment, by a return pipe
block for returning hydraulic fluid of a main control valve to the
hydraulic tank without being interfered with a swing motor and so
on. The apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes includes a first
return joint pipe having an inlet port joint-connected to a main
control valve, a second return joint pipe having an outlet port
joint-connected to an oil cooler, a return pipe block mounted on an
upper frame between a frame to which a working device is fixed and
a swing motor, and joint-connected to an outlet port of the first
return joint pipe and an inlet port of the second return joint
pipe, respectively, and a third return joint pipe having an inlet
port joint-connected to the return pipe block and an outlet port
joint-connected to the hydraulic tank. The return pipe block is
mounted on the upper frame to joint-connect the first and second
return joint pipes, and the third return joint pipe is
joint-connected to the return pipe block and the hydraulic tank,
respectively, after the swing motor is mounted on the upper
frame.
Inventors: |
GO; Joon Seog; (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
26 WEST 61ST STREET
NEW YORK
NY
10023
US
|
Assignee: |
VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
HOLDING SWEDEN AB.
|
Family ID: |
40600309 |
Appl. No.: |
12/397437 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/899 ;
137/899.4; 37/466; 60/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/2267 20130101;
Y10T 137/6914 20150401; E02F 9/00 20130101; E02F 9/22 20130101;
Y10T 137/6855 20150401; E02F 9/2275 20130101; E02F 9/0875
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/899 ;
137/899.4; 37/466; 60/422 |
International
Class: |
E02F 9/22 20060101
E02F009/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0020030 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction
equipment including return pipes for returning hydraulic fluid from
a main control valve to a hydraulic tank or an oil cooler, the
apparatus comprising: a first return joint pipe having an inlet
port joint-connected to the main control valve; a second return
joint pipe having an outlet port joint-connected to the oil cooler;
a return pipe block mounted on an upper frame between a frame to
which a working device is fixed and a swing motor, and
joint-connected to an outlet port of the first return joint pipe
and an inlet port of the second return joint pipe, respectively;
and a third return joint pipe having an inlet port joint-connected
to the return pipe block and an outlet port joint-connected to the
hydraulic tank; wherein the return pipe block is mounted on the
upper frame to joint-connect the first and second return joint
pipes, and the third return joint pipe is joint-connected to the
return pipe block and the hydraulic tank, respectively, after the
swing motor is mounted on the upper frame.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the return pipe block is
mounted on the upper frame in front of the swing motor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a hydraulic hose or pipe is
used as the third return joint pipe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2008-0020030, filed on Mar. 4, 2008 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for fixing
hydraulic pipes for construction equipment, which can facilitate
joint connection of return pipes for returning hydraulic fluid of a
main control valve (MCV), which controls the flow of hydraulic
fluid being supplied to a working device and so on, to a hydraulic
tank even in a narrow working space of an upper frame.
[0004] More particularly, the present invention relates to an
apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment,
which can facilitate joint connection of return pipes having a
large size to a hydraulic tank, in an environment where a working
space of an upper frame is narrow such as in a small swing radius
construction equipment, by a return pipe block for returning
hydraulic fluid of a main control valve to the hydraulic tank
without being interfered with a swing motor and so on.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Generally, a swing excavator is classified into a standard
swing excavator and a small swing radius excavator.
[0007] In the standard swing excavator, if an upper frame has a
posture directed to a forward/backward direction against a lower
driving structure (i.e. if a working device has a posture directed
to the traveling direction of the lower driving structure), a rear
end part of the upper frame projects to an outside so as to be
longer than a front/rear part of the lower driving structure (i.e.
an end part in a traveling direction). If the upper frame has a
posture directed to a horizontal direction against the lower
driving structure (i.e. if the working device has a posture
directed to a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of
the lower driving structure), the rear end part of the upper frame
projects to an outside so as to be longer than a left/right part of
the lower driving structure (i.e. an end part in a direction
perpendicular to the traveling direction).
[0008] Accordingly, since a distance from the rear end part of the
upper frame to the swing center thereof is long and the rotational
moment of the rear part of the upper frame becomes high, it is
difficult that the rotational moment of the front part of the upper
frame that is generated by the excavation force of the working
device causes the overturning of the excavator. Accordingly, the
excavator can provide a large excavation force, and thus the
workability is improved.
[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a conventional apparatus for
fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment includes a return
pipe 3 for returning hydraulic fluid from a main control valve 1
that controls a flow of the hydraulic fluid being supplied to a
working device and so on to a hydraulic tank 2 via an oil cooler
(not illustrated), or returning the hydraulic fluid from the main
control valve 1 to the hydraulic tank 2 without passing through the
oil cooler if back pressure over a specified pressure is formed in
a feedback line of the hydraulic tank 2.
[0010] In this case, the return pipe 3 is joint-connected to keep
away from a swing motor 4 due to a narrow working space of an upper
frame.
[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 2, according to the conventional
apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment
(e.g. small swing radius equipment), the return pipe 3 is installed
to keep away from the swing motor 4 since the working space of the
upper frame 6 is not sufficient due to the characteristic of the
small swing radius equipment. Accordingly, the return pipe 3 is
connected by using a one-piece hose, or is joint-connected to a
side surface of the hydraulic tank 2 by utilizing a front space of
the hydraulic tank 2.
[0012] In this case, since the return pipe 3 connected to the oil
cooler 5 is arranged to be in close contact with an outer surface
of the swing motor 4, the return pipe 3 is joint-connected after
the swing motor 4 is first mounted on the upper frame 6.
Accordingly, when the return pipe 3 is joint-connected, it is
interfered with hydraulic pipes joint-connected to the swing motor
4 to lower the working efficiency.
[0013] On the other hand, as the utility of the small swing radius
equipment is increased, the frequency in replacement of option
devices, such as hammer, shear, quick fit, and the like, is also
increased. Also, as the size of the return pipe 3 is increased, the
working space of the upper frame 6 becomes narrower to lower the
space utility. Accordingly, the return pipe 3 is installed to be
arranged in front of the swing motor 4.
[0014] That is, due to the insufficient working space between the
swing motor 4 and the fixing part of the working device, the work
time for joint-connecting the return pipe 3 is increased to lower
the working efficiency, and the safety of the worker who works in a
narrow working space is lowered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve
the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an
object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment, which can
facilitate joint connection of return pipes having a large size to
a hydraulic tank, in an environment where a working space of an
upper frame is narrow, by a return pipe block for returning
hydraulic fluid of a main control valve to the hydraulic tank
without being interfered with a swing motor and so on, so that the
working time can be shortened and the working space can be
secured.
[0016] In order to accomplish the above and other objects, there is
provided an apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction
equipment having return pipes for returning hydraulic fluid from a
main control valve to a hydraulic tank or an oil cooler, according
to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a first
return joint pipe having an inlet port joint-connected to the main
control valve; a second return joint pipe having an outlet port
joint-connected to the oil cooler; a return pipe block mounted on
an upper frame between a frame to which a working device is fixed
and a swing motor, and joint-connected to an outlet port of the
first return joint pipe and an inlet port of the second return
joint pipe, respectively; and a third return joint pipe having an
inlet port joint-connected to the return pipe block and an outlet
port joint-connected to the hydraulic tank; wherein the return pipe
block is mounted on the upper frame to joint-connect the first and
second return joint pipes, and the third return joint pipe is
joint-connected to the return pipe block and the hydraulic tank,
respectively, after the swing motor is mounted on the upper
frame.
[0017] The return pipe block may be mounted on the upper frame in
front of the swing motor.
[0018] A hydraulic hose or pipe may be used as the third return
joint pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] 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:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a conventional
apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction
equipment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a modified example of a
conventional apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction
equipment;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an apparatus for
fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment before a swing
motor is mounted on an upper frame according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the used state of an apparatus
for fixing hydraulic pipes for construction equipment according to
an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an apparatus for fixing hydraulic
pipes for construction equipment according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] 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.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an apparatus for fixing hydraulic
pipes for construction equipment having return pipes for returning
hydraulic fluid from a main control valve, which controls the flow
of hydraulic fluid being supplied to a working device and so on, to
a hydraulic tank or an oil cooler, according to an embodiment of
the present invention, includes a first return joint pipe 10 having
an inlet port joint-connected to the main control valve 1; a second
return joint pipe 11 having an outlet port joint-connected to the
oil cooler 5; a return pipe block 13 mounted on an upper frame 6
between a frame 12, to which a working device such as a boom and so
on is fixed, and a swing motor 4, and joint-connected to an outlet
port of the first return joint pipe 10 and an inlet port of the
second return joint pipe 11, respectively; and a third return joint
pipe 14 having an inlet port joint-connected to the return pipe
block 13 and an outlet port joint-connected to the hydraulic tank
2; wherein the return pipe block 13 is mounted on the upper frame 6
to joint-connect the first and second return joint pipes 10 and 11,
and the third return joint pipe 14 is joint-connected to the return
pipe block 13 and the hydraulic tank 2, respectively, after the
swing motor 4 is mounted on the upper frame 6.
[0027] The return pipe block 13 is mounted on the upper frame 6 in
front of the swing motor 4 so that the return pipe block 13 can be
installed in an optimum position with respect to the main control
valve 1, the swing motor 4, the hydraulic pump, and the like.
[0028] A hydraulic hose or pipe is used as the third return joint
pipe 14 in accordance with the working capacity, model number, and
the like, of the construction equipment.
[0029] Hereinafter, the operation of the apparatus for fixing
hydraulic pipes for construction equipment according to an
embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the return pipe block 13 is
mounted on the upper frame 6 between the frame 12, to which a
working device such as a boom and so on is rotatably fixed, and the
swing motor 4. The first return joint pipe 10 and corresponding
pipes for constructing a hydraulic circuit are joint-connected to
the main control valve 1 and the return pipe block 13,
respectively, in accordance with the designed hydraulic
circuit.
[0031] The second return joint pipe 11 and corresponding components
for constructing the hydraulic circuit are joint-connected to the
return pipe block 13 and the oil cooler 5, respectively, in
accordance with the designed hydraulic circuit.
[0032] In this case, the construction in which the first return
joint pipe 10 is joint-connected to the main control valve 1 and
the return pipe block 13 and the construction in which the second
return joint pipe 11 is joint-connected to the return pipe block 13
and the oil cooler 5 are well known and used in the corresponding
technical field, and thus the detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0033] After the swing motor 4 is mounted on the upper frame 6, the
third return joint pipe 14 is joint-connected to the return pipe
block 13 and the hydraulic tank 2, respectively, in accordance with
the designed hydraulic circuit.
[0034] In this case, the construction in which the third return
joint pipe 14 is joint-connected to the return pipe block 13 and
the hydraulic tank 2, respectively, is well known and used in the
corresponding technical field, and thus the detailed description
thereof will be omitted.
[0035] On the other hand, the hydraulic fluid from the main control
valve 1, which controls the flow of the hydraulic fluid being
supplied to the working device, is returned to the hydraulic tank 2
after passing through a return line composed of the first return
joint pipe 10, the return pipe block 13, the second return joint
pipe 11, the oil cooler 5, and a drain pipe path 15.
[0036] If back pressure over a specified pressure is formed in a
feedback line of the hydraulic tank 2, the hydraulic fluid from the
main control valve 1 is returned to the hydraulic tank 2 through a
return line composed of the first return joint pipe 10, the return
pipe block 13, and the third return joint pipe 14.
[0037] As described above, according to the present invention, the
fixing of the hydraulic pipes is performed through two work
processes in order: a first work process of joint-connecting the
first and second return joint pipes 10 and 11 to the main control
valve 1 and the oil cooler 5, respectively, by using the return
pipe block 13 mounted on the upper frame before the swing motor 4
is mounted on the upper frame 6; and a second work process of
joint-connecting the third return joint pipe 14 to the return pipe
block 13 and the hydraulic tank 2, respectively, after the swing
motor 4 is mounted on the upper frame 6.
[0038] Accordingly, even in the case of joint-connecting the return
pipes to the hydraulic tank in the small swing radius equipment,
the working space can be secured, and thus the return pipes having
a large size can be easily joint-connected.
[0039] As described above, the apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes
for construction equipment according to the embodiment of the
present invention has the following advantages.
[0040] In the case of joint-connecting the return pipes having a
large size to the hydraulic tank in an environment where the
working space of the upper frame is narrow, since the work process
of assembling the swing motor is simplified by the return pipe
block for returning the hydraulic fluid of the main control valve
to the hydraulic tank, the working time is shortened and the
working space is secured to improve the working efficiency.
[0041] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
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.
* * * * *