US Patent 7784494 Flow divider

A flow divider includes a spool for distributing fluid from a supply flow path to priority and surplus flow paths. First and second surplus restrictions vary flow rate in accordance with the movement of the spool and restrict the flow rate to the surplus flow path respectively from first and second supply passages. The second surplus restriction is formed to restrict the flow rate in at least two steps. The spool includes a cross-sectional area changing portion located at a position corresponding to the second surplus restriction. Therefore, the circuit structure is prevented from becoming complicated and the fluid force acting as a spool urging force is suppressed.