U.S. patent application number 14/923434 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for system for controlling earthworking implement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel W. Hoyt, Eric D. Stemler.
Application Number | 20160108603 14/923434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55748601 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160108603 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoyt; Daniel W. ; et
al. |
April 21, 2016 |
SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING EARTHWORKING IMPLEMENT
Abstract
A system for controlling an earthworking implement having a
plurality of orientations is provided. The earthworking implement
is operable in a plurality of orientations. The earthworking
implement is removably attached to a track-type tractor that
includes a blade support member. The system includes four
independently operable hydraulic cylinders where one end of each
hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the earthworking
implement and other end attached to the blade support member.
Further, each of the hydraulic cylinders is adapted to control the
orientations of the earthworking implement with respect to the
blade support member. A blade support member includes a first end
and a second end. Further, the first end is pivotally attached to a
center portion of the earthworking implement, and the second end is
attached to the main frame.
Inventors: |
Hoyt; Daniel W.; (Brimfield,
IL) ; Stemler; Eric D.; (Peoria, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Inc. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
55748601 |
Appl. No.: |
14/923434 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
172/663 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/7613 20130101;
E02F 3/7618 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/84 20060101
E02F003/84; E02F 3/76 20060101 E02F003/76 |
Claims
1. A system for controlling an earthworking implement operable in a
plurality of orientations, the earthworking implement removably
attached to a track-type tractor having a main frame , the system
comprising: a blade support member comprising a first end and a
second end, wherein the first end is pivotally attached to a center
portion of the earthworking implement, and the second end is
rigidly attached to the main frame, and four independently operable
hydraulic cylinders, one end of each hydraulic cylinder pivotally
attached to the earthworking implement and other end attached to
the blade support member wherein each of the hydraulic cylinders
are adapted to control orientations of the earthworking implement
with respect to the blade support member.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling
an earthworking implement for multiple orientations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Machines such as track-type tractors includes an implement
to carryout various operations such as dumping, levelling, mining
and the like. The implement is mounted to a main frame by a
mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes support members
to hold the implement and multiple hydraulic actuators for
operating the implement. Typically, the arrangement includes
separate hydraulic actuators for every orientation of the implement
such as angle, pitch, tilt and the like. Such an arrangement makes
the track-type tractor bulky and further requires counterbalance
for operation. This leads to low performance and control of the
implement. Also, this increases the complexity of the mounting
assembly and operation.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,682 hereinafter referred as the '682
patent, describes an apparatus for controlling an earthworking
implement. The earthworking implement is movably attached to a
track-type tractor having a main frame and a track roller frame.
The track roller frame is located on a left and a right side of the
main frame. The apparatus includes a c-frame attached to inner
portions of the track roller frame at positions toward a forward
portion of the track-type tractor. The apparatus also includes four
independently operable hydraulic cylinders attached to one of the
main frame and the c-frame. Each of the hydraulic cylinders has a
head end located toward the attachment to one of the main frame and
the c-frame, and a rod end located substantially vertically upwards
of the head end. The apparatus also includes an earthworking blade
attached to each of the rod ends of the hydraulic cylinders and to
the c-frame. The implement system of the '682 patent sets forth an
implement actuation and control system to address the complexities
of controlling movement along four degrees of freedom relative to
the implement. However, a more simplified system which addresses
three degrees of movement of the implement not including lift would
be desirable, providing more durable components and more simplified
controls.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for
controlling an earthworking implement is provided. The earthworking
implement is operable in a plurality of orientations. The
earthworking implement is removably attached to a track-type
tractor that includes a main frame. The system includes a blade
support member. The blade support member includes a first end and a
second end. Further, the first end is pivotally attached to a
center portion of the earthworking implement, and the second end is
rigidly attached to the main frame. The system includes four
independently operable hydraulic cylinders where one end of each
hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the earthworking
implement and other end attached to the blade support member.
Further, each of the hydraulic cylinders is adapted to control the
orientations of the earthworking implement with respect to the
blade support member.
[0005] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a lower portion of a
track-type tractor having an earthworking implement coupled to a
frame of the track-type tractor by means of a mounting system,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a front portion of the
track-type tractor of FIG. 1, illustrating the earthworking
implement coupled to hydraulic cylinders, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG.
2 to control pitch orientation of the earthworking implement
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG.
2 to control angle orientation of the earthworking implement
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG.
2 to control angle orientation of the earthworking implement
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates operation of hydraulic cylinders of FIG.
2 to control angle orientation of the earthworking implement
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments
or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like
parts.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a lower
portion of a track-type tractor 100. The track-type tractor 100
includes a main frame 102 and an earthworking implement 104 coupled
to the main frame 102. The track-type tractor 100 may include a
power source (not shown), for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline
engine, a gaseous fuel powered engine such as a natural gas engine
or any other type of engine apparent to one of skill in the art.
The power supplied by the power source may be used for propelling
the track-type tractor 100 by means of tracks 106. Further the
power source may supply power for the working of various components
such as the earthworking implement 104, valves, electrical
equipment and the like.
[0014] In the present embodiment, the main frame 102 of the
track-type tractor 100 includes a blade support member 126 rigidly
coupled to the main frame 102. The blade support member 126
includes a first end 128, and a second end 130. The first end 128
of the blade support member 126 is pivotally attached to a center
portion 132 (shown in FIG. 4) of the earthworking implement 104
proximate to a bottom portion 124. The first end 128 of the blade
support member 126 is coupled to the earthworking implement 104
such that the first end 128 is positioned above the third and
fourth rod ends 114R and 116R. The second end 130 of the blade
support member 126 is rigidly attached to the main frame 102 (not
shown). In an example, a first axis 134, a second axis 135 and a
third axis 136 define the geometry of the track-type tractor 100
such that they are perpendicular to each other. Further, the axes
134, 135 and 136 have an origin at the first end 128. The first
axis 134 extends laterally along the earthworking implement 104 and
passes through the first end 128 of the blade support member 126.
The second axis 135 passes horizontally along the lateral direction
of the track-type tractor 100. The third axis 136 passes vertically
through the first end 128 of the blade support member 126 as
shown.
[0015] In the present embodiment, the blade support member 126
includes a mounting system 108. The mounting system 108 is
configured to manoeuver the earthworking implement 104. Further,
the mounting system 108 couples the earthworking implement 104 to
the blade support member 126. The mounting system 108 includes a
first hydraulic cylinder 110, a second hydraulic cylinder 112
(shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6), a third hydraulic cylinder 114 and a
fourth hydraulic cylinder 116 (shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6). The
first, second, third and fourth hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114,
116 couple the earthworking implement 104 to the blade support
member 126 by spherical joints 118 as shown. When the track-type
tractor 100 is viewed from a front end 120, the first and third
hydraulic cylinders 110, 114 are coupled proximate to a left end
121 of the earthworking implement 104 and the blade support member
126. When the track-type tractor 100 is viewed from the front end
120, the second and the fourth hydraulic cylinders 112, 116 are
coupled proximate to a right end 123 of the earthworking implement
104 and the blade support member 126.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, each of the hydraulic cylinders 110,
112, 114, 116 has a head end 110H, 112H, 114H, and 116H that is
coupled to the main frame 102. In addition, each of the hydraulic
cylinders 110, 112, 114, 116 has a rod end 110R, 112R, 114R, 116R
that is coupled to the earthworking implement 104. The rod ends
110R, 112R of the first and second hydraulic cylinder 110, 112 are
coupled to a top portion 122 of the earthworking implement 104. The
rod ends 114R, 116R of the third and fourth hydraulic cylinder 114,
116 are coupled to the bottom portion 124 of the earthworking
implement 104.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, the first and second hydraulic cylinder
110, 112 are relatively angled with the third and fourth hydraulic
cylinder 114, 116. The hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, and 114, and
116 are angled to form a shape of an alphabet "A" when viewed from
sideways. The hydraulic cylinder 110, 112, 114, and 116 may receive
power from the power source via a pump or motor (not shown). The
hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, and 116 may be controlled by a
control unit (not shown) which may in turn be operated by an
operator. The hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 114, and 116 operate
together to control the orientations of the earthworking implement
104, which will now be described in detail.
[0018] In an example, the bottom portion 124 of the track-type
tractor 100 initially rests on the ground. The first end 126 of the
blade support member 126 is coupled to the earthworking implement
104 When the track-type tractor 100 needs to carry load on the
earthworking implement 104, the operator executes pitching
operation of the earthworking implement 104, the rod ends 110R and
112R of the first and second hydraulic cylinders 110, 112 are
directed outwards. Further, the rod ends 114R and 116R of the third
and fourth hydraulic cylinders 114, 116 are directed inwards. The
earthworking implement 104 rotates about the first end 128 of the
blade support member 126 about the first axis 134 shown in FIG.
3.
[0019] In an example, referring to FIG. 4, when the track-type
tractor 100 needs to tilt the earthworking implement 104 in the
clockwise direction when viewed from the front end 120. The rod
ends of diagonally opposite the hydraulic cylinders, for example
the rod ends 110R, 116R of the first and fourth hydraulic cylinders
110, 116 is directed inwards. Simultaneously, the rod ends 112R,
114R of the remaining hydraulic cylinders 112 and 114 are directed
outwards as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the earthworking implement
104 turns about the first end 128 of the earthworking implement 104
along the second axis 135. Further, the rod ends 110R, 112R, 116R
of the first, second and fourth hydraulic cylinders 110, 112, 116
are directed outwards. Similarly, for tilting the earthworking
implement 104 in a counter-clockwise direction the rod end 112R and
114R of the second and third hydraulic cylinders 112, 114 are
directed inwards and the rod ends 110R and 116R are directed
outwards.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the track-type tractor 100 may
need to angle the earthworking implement 104 such that the left end
121 is distal and the right end 123 is proximate to the main frame
102. Simultaneously, the rod end 110R and 114R of the first and the
third hydraulic cylinders 110, 114 are directed outwards. Further,
the rod ends 112R, 116R of the second and fourth hydraulic
cylinders 112, 116 are directed inwards. The earthworking implement
104 rotates about the third axis 136 of the earthworking implement
104 as shown. Similarly, when the track-type tractor 100 needs to
angle the earthworking implement 104 such that the right end 123 is
distal and the left end 121 is proximate to the main frame 102, the
rod ends 112R, 116R are directed outwards and the rod ends 110R,
114 are directed inwards. Therefore, the mounting system 108
provides angle, tilt, and pitch movement of the implement 104 from
four cylinders 110, 112, 114, 116.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0021] The present disclosure relates to a system 100 of
controlling the earthworking implement 104. The present mounting
system 108 enables the earthworking implement 104 to move through
an angle, the implement 104 may also tilt and pitch. By
facilitating three degrees of freedom of movement of the implement,
the mounting system 108 is more compact and is easier to control
compared to four degree of movement systems which contemplate
implement lift. Further, the compactness of the mounting system 108
also helps to place the connection between the blade support member
126 and the earthworking implement 104 closer to the main frame 102
which eliminates the need of any counterbalance. The compactness of
the mounting system 108 also enables the hydraulic cylinders, 110,
112, 114, 116 to put higher force per cylinder thereby enhances the
accuracy of control, the durability of the components, and the
performance of the track-type tractor 100. The accuracy of control
of the earthworking implement 104 further enables variable pitching
of the earthworking implement 104. The mounting system 108 is also
easy to operate and cost effective.
[0022] While aspects of the present disclosure have been
particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without
departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such
embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the
present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *