IP Library Granted Patent US 8,538,612
Granted Patent B2
US 8,538,612 · App. 12/937,557 · Granted Sep 17, 2013

Device for controlling hybrid construction machine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,538,612
App. No.
12/937,557
Granted
Sep 17, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

When an actuator in an operational mechanical system having a short continuous operation time is operated using a small-capacity electric motor (MG), an electric motor is rotated in the range exceeding a rated capacity, and during traveling with a long continuous operation time, the electric motor is rotated at the rated capacity or less. A controller (C) determines, from signals from mode sensors ( 5 a , 12 a ), whether the construction machine is in traveling mode or in traveling halt operation mode. When determining that the construction machine is in the traveling halt operation mode, the controller (C) sets the construction machine to a high output setting in which the electric motor (MG) rotates in the rage exceeding the rated capacity. In the normal traveling mode, the controller (C) sets the construction machine to a low output setting so that the electric motor rotates at the rated capacity or less.

Claims (45)

1. A device for controlling a hybrid construction machine, including

first, second main pumps of a variable displacement type,

first, second circuit systems respectively connected to the first, second main pumps and including a plurality of operated valves for controlling actuators,

a first travel-motor operated valve provided in the first circuit system and controlling one of travel motors, and

a second travel-motor operated valve provided in the second circuit system and controlling the other travel motor,

the device for controlling a hybrid construction machine, comprising:

mode sensors respectively provided in the first, second travel-motor operated valves and detecting traveling mode or traveling halt operation mode in accordance with a switching operation of the first, second travel-motor operated valves;

a sub pump of a variable displacement type;

a tilt angle control unit controlling a tilt angle of the sub pump;

an electric motor that is a driving source of the sub pump;

first, second merging passages connected to the sub pump and communicating with discharge sides of the first, second main pumps;

assist control input means for inputting a signal indicating whether or not assist control is required during travel; and

a controller controlling a tilt angle of the sub pump and a rotational speed of the electric motor,

wherein the controller comprises

a function of determining from signals received from the mode sensors provided in the first, second travel-motor operated valves whether the traveling mode or the traveling halt operation mode is selected, and

a function of, when receiving a signal representing a need of an assist from the assist control input means during the traveling mode, controlling one of or both a rotational speed of the electric motor and a tilt angle of the sub pump on the basis of a low output setting value relatively lower than that in the traveling halt operation mode.

2. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a function of, when determining from the signal received from the mode sensor that traveling halt operation mode is selected, controlling one of or both a rotational speed of the electric motor and a tilt angle of the sub pump on the basis of a high output setting value relatively higher than that in the traveling mode.

3. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a function of, when receiving a signal representing that no need of an assist from the assist control input means during the traveling mode, setting one of or both a rotational speed of the electric motor and a tilt angle of the sub pump to zero.

4. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 2 , wherein the controller comprises a function of, when receiving a signal representing that no need of an assist from the assist control input means during the traveling mode, setting one of or both a rotational speed of the electric motor and a tilt angle of the sub pump to zero.

5. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a high power setting input means, wherein the controller comprises a function of, when receiving a signal from the high power setting input means during the traveling mode, controlling one of or both a rotational speed of the electric motor and a tilt angle of the sub pump on the basis of the high output setting value in response to the received signal.

6. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 2 , further comprising a high power setting input means, wherein the controller comprises a function of, when receiving a signal from the high power setting input means during the traveling mode, controlling one of or both a rotational speed of the electric motor and a tilt angle of the sub pump on the basis of the high output setting value in response to the received signal.

7. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:

pilot flow passages respectively provided in the first, second circuit systems and guiding, to regulators, pilot pressures produced when any of the operated valves is switched;

first, second pressure sensors provided in the pilot flow passages and detecting the pilot pressures in the pilot flow passages; and

first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves respectively provided in the first, second merging passages,

wherein the controller comprises a function of calculating flow rates required by the first, second circuit systems in accordance with pilot signals received from the first, second pressure sensors, and

a function of controlling the first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves to divide a discharge flow of the sub pump proportionally between the first, second circuit systems.

8. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 2 , further comprising:

pilot flow passages respectively provided in the first, second circuit systems and guiding, to regulators, pilot pressures produced when any of the operated valves is switched;

first, second pressure sensors provided in the pilot flow passages and detecting the pilot pressures in the pilot flow passages; and

first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves respectively provided in the first, second merging passages,

wherein the controller comprises a function of calculating flow rates required by the first, second circuit systems in accordance with pilot signals received from the first, second pressure sensors, and

a function of controlling the first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves to divide a discharge flow of the sub pump proportionally between the first, second circuit systems.

9. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 5 , further comprising:

pilot flow passages respectively provided in the first, second circuit systems and guiding, to regulators, pilot pressures produced when any of the operated valves is switched;

first, second pressure sensors provided in the pilot flow passages and detecting the pilot pressures in the pilot flow passages; and

first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves respectively provided in the first, second merging passages,

wherein the controller comprises a function of calculating flow rates required by the first, second circuit systems in accordance with pilot signals received from the first, second pressure sensors, and

a function of controlling the first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves to divide a discharge flow of the sub pump proportionally between the first, second circuit systems.

10. The device for controlling a hybrid construction machine according to claim 6 , further comprising:

pilot flow passages respectively provided in the first, second circuit systems and guiding, to regulators, pilot pressures produced when any of the operated valves is switched;

first, second pressure sensors provided in the pilot flow passages and detecting the pilot pressures in the pilot flow passages; and

first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves respectively provided in the first, second merging passages,

wherein the controller comprises a function of calculating flow rates required by the first, second circuit systems in accordance with pilot signals received from the first, second pressure sensors, and

a function of controlling the first, second proportional solenoid throttling valves to divide a discharge flow of the sub pump proportionally between the first, second circuit systems.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
To: KYB CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037355/0086 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2010
From: KAWASAKI, HARUHIKO; EGAWA, MASAHIRO
To: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 025129/0621 →