IP Library Granted Patent US 12,460,384
Granted Patent B2
US 12,460,384 · App. 18/966,789 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Construction equipment

Inventors: Philippe Charvieux (La Tour du Pin, FR); Alexandre Gateau (Tresserve, FR)
Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
E02F9/2203E02F3/30E02F9/2079
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,460,384
App. No.
18/966,789
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A construction equipment comprises a working element and at least one actuation device for operating the working element relative to a support element of the construction equipment. The actuation device includes a carriage guided and movable along an axis, an electromechanical actuator, which, when activated, converts electrical power into a first force moving the carriage along the first axis, and a hydraulic actuator, which connects the carriage and a first element that is either the working element or the support element so as to move the working element relative to the support element with at least partly the first force when the electromechanical actuator is activated, and which, when activated, converts hydraulic power into a second force moving the first element and the carriage relative to each other.

Claims (18)

1 . A construction equipment, comprising a working element, a dipper or a boom, and at least one actuation device for operating the working element relative to a support element of the construction equipment, the at least one actuation device including:

a carriage which is guided and movable along a first axis,

an electromechanical actuator which, when activated, converts electrical power into a first force moving the carriage along the first axis, and

a hydraulic actuator, which connects the carriage and a first element that is either the working element or the support element so as to move the working element relative to the support element with at least partly the first force when the electromechanical actuator is activated, and which, when activated, converts hydraulic power into a second force moving the first element and the carriage relative to each other.

2 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein when the electromechanical actuator and the hydraulic actuator are both activated, the second force boots the first force to operate the working element.

3 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein when the electromechanical actuator and the hydraulic actuator are both activated, the second force corresponds in magnitude to at least 50% of the first force.

4 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein when the electromechanical actuator is deactivated, the electromechanical actuator is lockable to hold in position the carriage along the first axis so as to operate the working element as a result of only the second force when the hydraulic actuator is activated.

5 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein when the hydraulic actuator is activated, the hydraulic actuator deploys and retracts along a second axis having an inclination relative to the first axis, which changes when the electromechanical actuator is activated.

6 . The construction equipment according to claim 5 , wherein the hydraulic actuator has a neutral configuration, in which the extent of the hydraulic actuator along the second axis is unchanged when the hydraulic actuator is deactivated, and to which the hydraulic actuator is configured to return after being activated.

7 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic actuator has a first end, which is articulated on the carriage, and a second end, which is articulated on the first element.

8 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic actuator comprises a double-acting cylinder having two chambers, which are each connected to a hydraulic system of the construction equipment and which are selectively supplied with pressurized fluid from the hydraulic system to deploy, respectively retract, the hydraulic actuator.

9 . The constructing equipment according to claim 8 , wherein the double-acting cylinder includes a tube, in which the two chambers are arranged, and a single piston rod, which is movable relative to the tube as a result of fluid pressure in the two chambers.

10 . The construction equipment according to claim 8 , wherein the hydraulic system comprises a fluid storage, a pump adapted to pressurize fluid sent from the fluid storage to the two chambers, and an electrovalve adapted to control fluid supply to the two chambers.

11 . The construction equipment according to claim 10 , wherein the pump is a hydraulic pump driven by an electrical motor.

12 . The construction equipment according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one actuation device includes at least two actuation devices, and wherein the hydraulic system is at least partly common for the at least two actuation devices.

13 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the working element is a terminal tool including a bucket arranged at a distal end of an excavator arm of the construction equipment.

14 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the working element is rotatably mounted on the support element, the actuation device being configured to operate in rotation the working element relative to the support element.

15 . The construction equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical actuator comprises an electric motor and a rod, which extends along the first axis and which transmits an output torque of the electric motor to the carriage to move the carriage along the rod with the first force.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2024
From: CHARVIEUX, PHILIPPE; GATEAU, ALEXANDRE
To: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
Reel/Frame 069477/0322 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 23214333 · Dec 5, 2023 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250179773A1 · Jun 5, 2025
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