# US 12,110,650 B2 · Work machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,110,650 B2 - Document ID: US12110650B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/419,783 - Filed: 2020-01-14 - Published: 2022-03-10 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-11 - Assignees: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Kazuyoshi Suzuki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110650B2 ## CPC - E02F 3/425: {Drive systems for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like} - E02F 9/2217: {with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels} - E02F 3/308: {working outwardly} - E02F 9/2228: {including an electronic controller} - E02F 9/2282: {Systems using center bypass type changeover valves} - F15B 13/02: Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors - F15B 15/20: Other details {, e.g. assembly with regulating devices} - F15B 21/14: Energy-recuperation means - E02F 9/2004: {Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers (control levers per se G05G)} - E02F 9/2267: {Valves or distributors (position of valves arrangements on upper-structures E02F9/0875)} - E02F 9/2271: {Actuators and supports therefor and protection therefor} - E02F 9/2285: {Pilot-operated systems} - E02F 9/2292: {Systems with two or more pumps} - F15B 11/024: by means of differential connection of the servomotor lines, e.g. regenerative circuits - F15B 2211/30565: having multiple valves for a single output member, e.g. for creating higher valve function by use of multiple valves like two 2/2-valves replacing a 5/3-valve - F15B 2211/3058: having additional valves for interconnecting the fluid chambers of a double-acting actuator, e.g. for regeneration mode or for floating mode - F15B 2211/3116: the pump port being open in the centre position, e.g. so-called open centre - F15B 2211/31582: having multiple pressure sources and a single output member - F15B 2211/327: electrically or electronically - F15B 2211/6313: the pressure being a load pressure - F15B 2211/6346: representing a state of input means, e.g. joystick position - F15B 2211/7053: Double-acting output members - F15B 2211/71: Multiple output members, e.g. multiple hydraulic motors or cylinders - F15B 2211/75: Control of speed of the output member - F15B 2211/761: Control of a negative load, i.e. of a load generating hydraulic energy - F15B 2211/88: Control measures for saving energy - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A connection switching device (45) connects a bottom-side oil chamber (15C) of a boom cylinder (15) and a bottom-side oil chamber (16C) of an arm cylinder (16) when a boom operating device (22A) instructs the contraction of the boom cylinder (15) and an arm operating device (21B) instructs the expansion of the arm cylinder (16). The connection switching device (45) connects the bottom-side oil chamber (15C) of the boom cylinder (15) and a rod-side oil chamber (16D) of the arm cylinder (16) when the boom operating device (22A) instructs the contraction of the boom cylinder (15) and the arm operating device (21B) instructs the contraction of the arm cylinder (16). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A work machine comprising: a front mechanism which is configured to include a boom, a boom cylinder which drives the boom, a first working member, a first working member driving cylinder which drives the first working member, a second working member, and a second working member driving cylinder which drives the second working member, a hydraulic pump which is configured to supply a hydraulic oil to the boom cylinder and the first working member driving cylinder and the second working member driving cylinder, a boom operating device which is configured to instruct the operation of the boom cylinder, a first working member operating device which is configured to instruct the operation of the first working member driving cylinder, a second working member operating device which is configured to instruct the operation of the second working member driving cylinder, a boom directional control valve which is configured to switch flow direction of the hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the boom cylinder in response to the instruction from the boom operating device, a first working member directional control valve which is configured to switch flow direction of the hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the first working member driving cylinder in response to the instruction from the first working member operating device, and a second working member directional control valve which is configured to switch flow direction of the hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the second working member driving cylinder in response to the instruction from the second working member operating device, characterized in that: the work machine further includes a connection switching device configured to connect a bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and a bottom-side oil chamber of the first working member driving cylinder and a bottom-side oil chamber of the second working member driving cylinder when the boom operating device instructs the contraction of the boom cylinder, the first working member operating device instructs the expansion of the first working member driving cylinder, and the second working member operating device instructs the expansion of the second working member driving cylinder, or to connect the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and a rod-side oil chamber of the first working member driving cylinder and a rod-side oil chamber of the second working member driving cylinder when the boom operating device instructs the contraction of the boom cylinder, the first working member operating device instructs the contraction of the first working member driving cylinder, and the second working member operating device instructs the contraction of the second working member driving cylinder, wherein the connection switching device connects the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder to the bottom-side oil chamber or the rod-side oil chamber of the first and second working member driving cylinders based on the instruction from the boom operating device and the instructions from the first and second working member operating devices, and in addition, when the pressure of the bottom-side oil chamber or the pressure of the rod-side oil chamber of the first and second working member driving cylinders is greater than a threshold value which determines whether or not the load operation is performed, wherein the connection switching device further includes: a first switching valve which is provided between the boom cylinder and the first working member driving cylinder and is capable of switching to either a first switching position configured to connect the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and the bottom-side oil chamber of the first working member driving cylinder, a second switching position configured to connect the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and the rod-side oil chamber of the first working member driving cylinder, or a shutoff position configured to shut off between the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and the bottom-side oil chamber and the rod-side oil chamber of the first working member driving cylinder; a second switching valve which is provided between the boom cylinder and the second working member driving cylinder and is capable of switching to either a first switching position configured to connect the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and the bottom-side oil chamber of the second working member driving cylinder, a second switching position configured to connect the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and the rod-side oil chamber of the second working member driving cylinder, or a shutoff position configured to shut off between the bottom-side oil chamber of the boom cylinder and the bottom-side oil chamber and the rod-side oil chamber of the second working member driving cylinder; and a switching valve control device that switches the first and the second switching valves to the first switching position when the boom operating device instructs the contraction of the boom cylinder, the first working member operating device instructs the expansion of the first working member driving cylinder, and the second working member operating device instructs the expansion of the second working member driving cylinder, or the second switching position when the boom operating device instructs the contraction of the boom cylinder, the first working member operating device instructs the contraction of the first working member driving cylinder, and the second working member operating device instructs the contraction of the second working member driving cylinder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the first working member is an arm and the second working member is a bucket, wherein the first working member driving cylinder is an arm cylinder and the second working member driving cylinder is a bucket cylinder, wherein the first working member operating device is an arm operating device and the second working member operating device is a bucket operating device, and wherein the first working member directional control valve is an arm directional control valve and the second working member directional control valve is a bucket directional control valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the first switching valve and the second switching valve are switched by a plurality of proportional electromagnetic valves controlled by a control signal provided from the switching valve control device.