SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING EARTHWORKING IMPLEMENT
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.
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The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling an earthworking implement for multiple orientations.
BACKGROUNDMachines 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.
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 DISCLOSUREIn 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.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
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.
Referring to
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
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
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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
In an example, referring to
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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.
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.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2015
Publication Date: Apr 21, 2016
Applicant: Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL)
Inventors: Daniel W. Hoyt (Brimfield, IL), Eric D. Stemler (Peoria, IL)
Application Number: 14/923,434