U.S. patent number 3,645,340 [Application Number 04/874,303] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-29 for control system for a dozer blade.
This patent grant is currently assigned to J. I. Case Company. Invention is credited to Claude M. Frisbee.
United States Patent |
3,645,340 |
Frisbee |
February 29, 1972 |
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A DOZER BLADE
Abstract
A control system for a dozer blade or the like incorporating
valving for combining with a tilt control for the blade tilt motors
and hydraulic circuitry for the lift motors to additionally provide
blade pitch control. Also disclosed is a ball and socket connection
for connecting the dozer blade to the dozer frame.
Inventors: |
Frisbee; Claude M. (Burlington,
IA) |
Assignee: |
J. I. Case Company (Racine,
WI)
|
Family
ID: |
25363449 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/874,303 |
Filed: |
November 5, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
172/812;
172/821 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F
3/76 (20130101); E02F 3/84 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E02F
3/84 (20060101); E02F 3/76 (20060101); E02f
003/76 () |
Field of
Search: |
;172/801-809
;60/59.5,10.5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pulfrey; Robert E.
Assistant Examiner: Pellegrino; Stephen C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control system for adjusting a vehicle dozer blade comprising
a source of pressure fluid, and a pair of double-acting tilt motors
operatively connected to the blade for rotating the blade about the
longitudinal axis of the vehicle to vary the blade tilt, the tilt
motors each having an operating end thereof, connected to the
source and the opposite end thereof in fluid communication with the
corresponding end of the other tilt motor, tilt motor control valve
means selectively operative to separately connect the operating end
of one of the tilt motors to the source and to discharge the
operating end of the other tilt motor so as to cause the tilt
motors to rotate the blade about the longitudinal axis of the
vehicle, a pair of blade adjusting motors operatively connected to
the blade for maneuvering the blade about another axis of the
vehicle, blade adjusting motor valve control means selectively
operative to connect and disconnect the pair of blade adjusting
motors to and from the source so as to cause the blade to be
maneuvered about the other axis of the vehicle, and manually
operable valve means in fluid communication with the opposite ends
of the tilt motors, the pair of blade adjusting motors and the
blade adjusting motor control valve means for selectively
connecting the opposite ends of the tilt motors to the source by
way of the blade adjusting motor valve control means so that the
fluid to the opposite ends of the tilt motors can be pressurized or
relieved when the blade adjusting motor control means is operated
and the pitch of the blade varied by operation of the tilt motors
by the tilt motor control means.
2. The control system described in claim 1, wherein the pair of
blade adjusting motors raise and lower the blade about an axis that
is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis.
3. A control system for adjusting a vehicle dozer blade comprising
a source of pressure fluid, a pair of tilt motors of the piston
type operatively connected to the blade, for rotating the blade
about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the tilt motors each
having the rod ends thereof in fluid communication and the head
ends thereof arranged to be connected separately to the source,
tilt motor control valve means selectively operative to separately
connect the head end of one of the tilt motors to the source and to
discharge the head end of the other tilt motor so as to cause the
blade to be tilted, a pair of blade-adjusting motors operatively
connected to the blade for maneuvering the blade about another axis
of the vehicle, blade adjusting motor control valve means for
selectively connecting the pair of blade-adjusting motors to the
source for rendering the blade-adjusting motors operative, manually
operable valve means in fluid communication with the opposite ends
of the tilt motors, the pair of blade adjusting motors and the
blade-adjusting motor control valve means for selectively
connecting the rod ends of the tilt motors to the source by way of
the blade-adjusting motor control valve means so that the fluid to
the rod ends of the tilt motors can either be pressurized or
relieved by operation of the blade-adjusting motor control valve
means and thereby enable the tilt motors to be operated by the tilt
motor control valve means to vary the pitch of the blade.
4. A control system for adjusting a vehicle dozer blade about a
plurality of axes comprising a source of pressure fluid, a pair of
tilt motors of the piston type operatively connected to the blade
for rotating the blade about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle,
the tilt motors each having the rod ends in fluid communication and
the head ends thereof arranged to be separately connected to the
source, tilt motor control valve means selectively operative to
connect the head end of one of the tilt motors to the source and to
discharge the head end of the other tilt motor so as to cause the
tilt motors to tilt the blade, a pair of lift motors operatively
connected to the blade for raising and lowering the blade, control
valve means for lifting motors, and manually operable valve means
for connecting the rod ends of the tilt motors to the control valve
means so that fluid in the rod ends of the tilt motors can either
be pressurized or relieved by operation of the control valve means
and thereby enable the tilt motors to be operated by the tilt motor
control valve means to vary the pitch of the blade.
5. The control system of claim 1 which further includes a
connection between said blade and the frame of said vehicle
comprising a pair of opposed ears projecting from one of said frame
or said blade having vertically axially aligned bores therein, a
third ear projecting either from the other of said frame or said
blade positioned between said opposed ears and having a bore
therein which is axially aligned with said bores in said opposed
ears, a swivel pin extending through said bores, said pin secured
in position, a swivel ball mounted around said pin between said
opposed ears and within said bore in said third ear and spaced from
said opposed ears by spacing means, an outer race mounted in said
bore of said third ear for said swivel ball, and means securing
said race in position, whereby said blade is capable of movement
around a horizontal and vertical axis.
Description
This invention relates to improvements in dozer blade controls and
a connection for connecting the dozer blade to the dozer frame.
In off-the-road vehicles, such as bulldozers, scrapers, etc.,
utilizing dozer blades for dirt and debris movement, complete
adjustability of the dozer blade renders the vehicle more
versatile. These adjustments can be made by manually changing the
blade position but for convenience as well as for timesaving
purposes, appropriate motors that can be controlled from the
operator's seat are preferred. It is also preferable that the
number of motors and controls be a minimum to avoid complexity and
cost.
With the foregoing in mind, a new and different control system is
contemplated for obtaining a dozer blade pitch adjustment.
Further contemplated is a dozer blade control system that is
operable from the seat of the vehicle that combines with the tilt
control for the blade tilt motors and the control for other blade
adjusting motors to change the pitch of the blade.
Still further contemplated is a mechanism for connecting the dozer
blade to the dozer frame.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the following description and the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a crawler tractor on which a
dozer blade is arranged for adjustment about plural axes;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a dozer blade control system
incorporating the principles of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ball and socket connection joining the
dozer blade to the crawler tractor frame;
FIG. 4 is an elevation view, partially in cross section, through
the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an elevation view, partially in cross section, of an
alternate embodiment of the connection shown in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 6 is an elevation view, partially in cross section, of another
alternate embodiment of the connection shown in FIG. 3.
Referring first to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 denotes a bulldozer to
which a C-shaped frame 12 is pivotally connected. The pivotal
connections of the C-shaped frame 12 are at the junctions 14 on
each side of the bulldozer 10. A dozer blade 16 having a plate 18
welded to the backside thereof is suitably swivelly connected to
the C-shaped frame 12, e.g., by a ball and socket connection 20 to
be described in detail hereinafter. The ball and socket connection
20 connects to the longitudinal axis of the bulldozer 10. By this
ball and socket connection 20, the blade 16 can be rotated or
tilted about the longitudinal axis of the bulldozer 10 so as to
raise and lower respective ends of the blade 16, or pivoted about
an axis which is vertical relative to the longitudinal axis of the
bulldozer 10. Also, the blade 16 can be pitched forward or backward
about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the bulldozer's
longitudinal axis so that the top of the blade 16 is either moved
forward or backward relative to its bottom.
The C-shaped frame 12 can be raised and lowered, and accordingly
the dozer blade 16 about the junctions 14, by a pair of lift motors
22 positioned on opposite sides of the bulldozer 10. These lift
motors 22 are of piston type, each having a cylinder 24 connected
to the side of the bulldozer 10 by trunnion 26 and a piston and rod
assembly 28 that is connected by a universal connection 30 or the
C-shaped frame 12.
The pivoting of the dozer blade 16 about a vertical axis defined by
the connection 18 so as to change the angle of the dozer blade 16
is the function of a pair of oppositely acting angle motors 32, one
on each side of the bulldozer 10. Each of these angle motors 32
includes a cylinder 34 which is appropriately anchored to the
bulldozer 10 and a piston and rod assembly 36, which is connected
by a ball and socket connection at 38 to a strut 40. The strut 40
is joined by a universal connection 41 to the bottom of the dozer
blade 16. Tilt motors 42 connect the strut 40 to the top of the
dozer blade 16 and this is done by a tilt motor cylinder 43 which
is secured by a ball and socket connection 44 to the strut 40 and a
tilt motor piston and rod assembly 45 which is connected by a
universal connection 46 to the top of the dozer blade 16.
The details of much of the foregoing described structure can be
found in the U.S. Pat. to Long, No. 2,943,407.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the hydraulic circuitry illustrated has
pressure fluid source, such as a pump 48 with its inlet 50
connected to a reservoir 52. The pump 48, when operative, supplies
fluid under pressure to its outlet denoted generally at 54.
Connected to this outlet 54 is a manually operable tilt control
valve shown generally at 56. This tilt control valve 56 is
adjustable to connect the outlet 54 either to a supply line 58 or
to a supply line 60 extending to the respective head ends of the
tilt motors 42. The rod ends of the motors 42 are connected by an
interconnecting line 62. Thus, the tilt motor control valve 56 can
be adjusted to supply pressure fluid by way of supply line 58 while
connecting the other supply line 60 to the reservoir 52 by way of a
discharge line 64. Consequently, the tilt motor 42 to which
pressure fluid is supplied, has its piston and rod assembly 45
extended. When extended, the fluid in its rod end is forced into
the rod end of the opposite motor 42 and to retract its piston and
rod assembly 45. As explained, this opposite motor action tilts the
blade 16.
The tilt motor control valve 56 can also be moved to its neutral
setting and disconnect the supply lines 58 and 60 from both the
pump outlet 54 and the discharge line 64.
A manually adjustable lift motor control valve shown generally at
66, connects the pump outlet 54 either to a supply line 68
extending to the head ends of the lift motors 22 so as to lower the
dozer blade 16 or to the rod ends by way of a supply line 70 to
raise the dozer blade 16. When the head ends of the lift motors 22
are supplied with pressure fluid, their rod ends are connected by
the lift motor control valve 66 to the discharge line 64. Of
course, when the rod ends are pressurized, the head ends are
connected by the lift motor control valve 66 to the discharge line
64. In the neutral setting of the lift motor control valve 66,
connection between the lift motors 22 and the pump 48 is disrupted.
In so-called float position, the control valve 66 connects both the
rod ends and the head ends of the lift motors 22 to the discharge
line 64 and blocks or cuts off the communication with a pump outlet
54.
The angle motors 34 are controlled by an angle motor control valve
72 which is manually operable to connect the pump outlet 54 either
to a supply line 74 or a supply line 76. These supply lines 74 and
76 extend respectively to the rod end of one of the motors 32 and
the head end of the other so that whichever one of the supply lines
74 or 76 not supplied with pressure fluid is connected by the angle
motor control valve 72 to the discharge line 644. Consequently, the
angle motors 32 are oppositely acting and the piston and rod
assembly 36 force is extended and while the other is retracted to
adjust the angle of the dozer blade 16 relative to the vertical
axis defined by the connection 20.
Completing the circuitry is a manually operable selector valve 78
of the on-off or open-closed type. The selector valve 78 is
connected by a line 80 to the interconnecting line 62 between the
rod ends of the tilt motors 42, and a line 82 leading to the
cylinders 24 and valve 66.
When, for example, the lines 80 and 82 are connected, any reduction
in the fluid in the rod ends of the tilt motors 42 due to leakage
can be replaced or supplemented to maintain the settings of the
tilt motors 46 whenever the supply line 82 is pressurized.
Also, the selector valve 78 can be utilized to operate the tilt
motors so as to change the pitch of the dozer blade 16. One way of
accomplishing this is to maneuver the lift motor control valve 66
so that each of the rod ends of the lift motors 22 is supplied with
pressure fluid and each of the head ends is connected to the
discharge line 64. This will actuate the lift motors 22 to raise
the dozer blade 16 to its full height. With the supply line 70
still pressurized, (fluid being forced over the main relief) the
selector valve 78 is changed to the open setting so as to connect
the lines 80 and 82 and transfer this pressurized fluid in the
supply line 70 to the interconnecting line 62 and to the rod ends
of both of the tilt motors 42 to facilitate their reaction. Now by
alternate operation of the tilt motor control valve 56, each of the
tilt motors 42 is adjusted so that the piston and rod assemblies 45
are both retracted to move the top of the dozer blade 16 rearwardly
or pitch the dozer blade 16 backwardly its maximum extent. The
selector valve 78 is then returned to its closed setting
disconnecting the lines 80 and 82.
The lift motor control valve 66 can be positioned in its neutral
setting or adjusted so that the supply line 68 is pressurized and
the blade 16 lowered for operation at the maximum pitch. The
bulldozer 10 can be operated so as to lift, dig and angle right or
left in this pitched position. The dozer blade 16 cannot be tilted
with both piston and rod assemblies retracted.
To pitch the dozer blade 16 forwardly, the dozer blade 16 is
lowered to the ground by adjusting the lift motor control valve 66
so that the supply line 68 to the head ends is supplied with
pressurized fluid and the supply line 70 to the rod ends is
connected to the discharge line 64. With the dozer blade 16 lowered
and in engagement with the ground, the lift motor control valve 66
is placed in the float setting blocking communication between the
line 70 and the pump outlet 54 while connecting supply lines 68 and
70 to the discharge line 64. The selector valve 78 is next placed
in the open setting to connect the supply line 70 and to the
interconnecting line 62 to the rod ends of the tilt motors 42. The
tilt motor control valve 56 is then operated to energize one of the
supply lines 58 or 60, for example, the supply line 60, to extend
the corresponding piston and rod assembly 45. Only the one tilt
motor 42 is operated to move the dozer blade 16 to a midpitch
position. With the selector valve 78 open, the usual pressure build
up in the one rod end of the tilt motor 42 being extended and
transferred by the interconnecting line 62 to the other tilt motor
rod end is not possible because the interconnecting line 62 is
connected to the supply line 70 which is connected to the reservoir
52. Thus, any tendency for a pressure buildup, which would
otherwise provide the opposite motor action, is returned to the
reservoir 52.
To pitch the dozer blade 16 forwardly its maximum extent, the lift
motor control valve 66 is positioned as before so that the blade 16
is lowered into engagement with the ground and then placed in the
float setting with the supply line 70 disconnected from the pump 48
and connected to the reservoir 52. The selector valve 78 is opened
to connect the lines 80 and 82 and as the tilt motor control valve
56 alternately operated to extend each of the piston and rod
assemblies 45 of the tilt motors 42. The fluid in the
interconnecting line 62 cannot become pressurized by this alternate
operation because it is returned to the reservoir by way of the
line 70. Now the selector valve 78 is closed. Disconnecting the
lines 80 and 82, the blade 16 is pitched forward.
The foregoing sequence of events can be accomplished by
alternatively using the circuitry to the angle motors 32. This
connection of the line 82 to the supply line 74 to the angle motors
32 must, by operation of the angle motor control valve 72, be such
that the fluid in the interconnecting line 62 is either pressurized
or connected to the reservoir 52, when the selector valve 78 is
opened to attain the foregoing pitch operation.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the blade tilt
motors 42 can be now utilized to change blade pitch thereby
affording another blade adjustment with existing structures and
with a minimum number of additional components.
The ball and socket connection 20 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6)
comprises a horizontally positioned upper ear 84 and a lower ear 86
opposed from each other and projecting from the center of the
C-frame 12. Each ear 84 and 86 has a vertical bore 88 which is
axially aligned with the bore in the opposed ear. An arcuate plate
90 is vertically mounted between the ears 84 and 86, and the ears
84 and 86 combined with the arcuate plate 90 define a space.
An ear 92 is welded to the plate 18 on the backside of the dozer
blade 16. The ear 92 has a vertical bore 94 which, when the ear 92
is in position between the ears 84 and 86, is axially aligned with
the bore 88 in the ears 84 and 86 projecting from the C-frame 12.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the bore 94 in the ear 92 has an
outwardly flared section 96 at the top, an enlarged diameter middle
section 98, and a still greater enlarged diameter internally
threaded section 100 at the bottom. A swivel pin 102 having a
square pinhead 104 is inserted through the bores 88 in the ears 84
and 86 and the bore 94 in ear 92 attached to the bulldozer blade 16
and is secured by a hex-nut 106 tightened against a thrust washer
108 abutting the top surface of the ear 84. The hex-nut 106 is held
on by cotter pin 110.
A swivel ball 112 is mounted on the pin 102 and is spaced from the
ears 84 and 86 by cone spacers 114 on the top and bottom sides
thereof. An outer race 116 is mounted in the enlarged diameter
middle section 98 of the bore 94 and its inner shape is
complementary to that of the swivel ball 112. A retainer 118
threaded into the internally threaded section 100 of the bore 94
retains the race 116 in position. The inner periphery of the
retainer 118 is outwardly flared at an angle identical to the
flared section 96.
A pin stop 120 is mounted on the underneath side of the ear 82 to
prevent rotation of the pin 102.
The arrangement of the swivel ball 112 allows the rotation of the
bulldozer blade 16 about a horizontal and vertical axis within the
ball and socket connection 20. The vertical axis is the axis of the
pin 102 and the horizontal axis is the axis of the ball 112.
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, bore 94 is
cylindrical and the outer race 116 is held in place by means of
retaining rings 122 inserted in the annular recesses in the bore 94
in the ear, one on each side of the outer race 116.
In still another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the bore 94 has an
outwardly flared upper section 124 and an enlarged diameter lower
section 126 having an annular groove 128. A shoulder 130 is formed
between the upper section 124 and the lower section 128. The race
112 is secured in position between the shoulder 130 and a retaining
ring 132 in the annular groove 128.
* * * * *