Differential dozer blade lift and angle mechanism
A pair of actuators simplifies and lightens the bulldozer blade mechanism by allowing simultaneous lift and angle control, addressing the complexity and weight issues of existing systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025542292
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-01-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing bulldozer blade mechanisms require at least four linear actuators, leading to complexity and weight, which can be improved by using a pair of actuators to control both lift and angle.
A bulldozer blade mechanism utilizing a pair of independently controlled linear actuators or hydraulic pistons, mounted to a machine body and a push member, allows simultaneous lift and angle adjustment through coordinated actuation, reducing the number of actuators needed.
Simplifies the mechanism and reduces weight by enabling efficient lift and angle control with fewer actuators, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure 2026502016000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 576,157, filed January 20, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] The present invention relates to a differential dozer blade lift and angle mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrangement for controlling both the lift and angle of a bulldozer blade using a pair of actuators. [Background technology]
[0003] Prior art power angle blades for dozers use at least four linear actuators to lift the blade and angle it in the direction of travel. Two of these are used to operate the blade lift mechanism and the other two are used to adjust the blade angle. This leads to a more complex and heavier mechanism. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]
[0004] To address these and other shortcomings, an earthmoving vehicle for moving earth along a surface is provided, the moving vehicle comprising: a machine body having a forward end, a power source, and at least one wheel for transmitting power to the surface, the machine body moving in a direction faced by the forward end; a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a lift axis; an elongated blade having a front surface positioned forward of the forward end and facing generally away from the forward end, a lower long edge disposed adjacent to the surface, and a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface pivotally mounted to the second end of the push member for rotation about an angular axis; and a pair of linear actuators, each actuator having a first end pivotally mounted to the first end of the machine body for rotation about an angular axis. and a pair of linear actuators, each of which is independently controlled and has a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a third axis and a second end mounted to a rear surface on each side of the second end of the push member, wherein the lift axis and the third axis are arranged parallel and the lift axis and the angle axis are arranged at right angles, the blade is raised and lowered about the lift axis by simultaneously retracting or extending both of the linear actuators, respectively, and the blade is angled about the angle axis by extending or retracting a first one of the linear actuators relative to a second one of the linear actuators.
[0005] Also provided is an earthmoving vehicle for moving earth, the earthmoving vehicle comprising a machine body, a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a lift axis, an elongated blade positioned forward of the forward end and pivotally attached to a second end of the push member for rotation about an angular axis, the lift axis and the angular axis being disposed at right angles, and a pair of hydraulic pistons, each piston having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a third axis and a third end attached to the blade on each side of the second end of the push member. a pair of hydraulic pistons having two ends, the lift axis and the third axis being arranged in parallel; a hydraulic source; and a pair of control valves, each valve controllably interconnecting the hydraulic source with a respective one of the hydraulic pistons, wherein operating both of the control valves such that both of the hydraulic pistons are simultaneously retracted or extended, respectively, raises or lowers the blade about the lift axis, and operating at least one of the control valves such that a first one of the hydraulic pistons is extended or retracted relative to a second one of the hydraulic pistons angles the blade about an angle axis.
[0006] Additionally, there is provided a blade control assembly for an earthmoving vehicle comprising a machine body, a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a lift axis, and a blade pivotally attached to a second end of the push member for rotation about an angular axis, the assembly comprising a pair of linear actuators interconnected between the machine body and the blade, the blade being raised and lowered about the lift axis by simultaneously retracting or extending both of the linear actuators, respectively, and the blade being angled about the angular axis by extending or retracting a first one of the linear actuators relative to a second one of the linear actuators.
[0007] There is also provided a blade control assembly for an earthmoving vehicle comprising a machine body, a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a lift axis, and a blade pivotally attached to a second end of the push member for rotation about an angular axis, the assembly consisting essentially of a pair of linear actuators interconnected between the machine body and the blade, the blade being raised and lowered about the lift axis and angled about the angular axis by the pair of linear actuators. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] 1 provides a side view of an earthmoving vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 provides a top view of an earthmoving vehicle according to FIG. 1 and in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 provides a schematic diagram of a differential dozer blade mechanism during lifting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 provides a schematic diagram of a differential dozer blade mechanism when angling in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 provides a partial side view of an earthmoving vehicle in accordance with a first alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] 1 provides a partial top view of a crawler excavator in accordance with a second alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] 1 provides a partial side view of a crawler excavator in accordance with a second alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] 1, a vehicle for moving earth, such as a bulldozer, will now be described, generally referred to using the reference numeral 10. The vehicle 10 comprises a vehicle body 12 having a forward end 14 and a power source 16, such as a diesel engine. The power source is interconnected, illustratively via a track or the like 22, with at least one wheel or gear 18 that transmits power to the ground surface 20 to move the vehicle forward or backward.
[0010] 2 in addition to FIG. 1, a push member 24, such as, for example, a C-frame, is mounted to the vehicle body 12 such that a first end 26 of the push member 24 is rotatable about a lift axis 28 transverse to the vehicle body 12 and the general forward direction of the vehicle 10. In this regard, the push member 24 may be C-shaped, where the forward end 14 of the vehicle body 12 is received within the mouth of the "C" and the outer ends 30 of the "C" are each configured to rotate about the lift axis 28.
[0011] 1 and 2, the elongated blade 32 is positioned forward of the forward end 14 of the vehicle body 12. The blade 32 has a front surface 34 that faces away from the forward end 14 of the vehicle body 12 and generally in the direction of forward movement of the vehicle 10. A lower, long edge 36 of the blade 32 is disposed adjacent the surface of the ground 20. A rear surface 38 of the blade 32 is pivotally mounted to a second end 40 of the push member 24 and for rotation about an angular axis 42 that is generally perpendicular to the surface of the ground 20 and perpendicular to the lift axis 28.
[0012] 1 and 2, a blade control assembly is provided that includes a pair of independently controllable actuators 44, 46, illustratively hydraulic pistons, powered by a hydraulic system (not shown) driven by the power source 16. A first end 48 of each actuator 44, 46 is mounted to the vehicle body 12 for rotation about a common third axis 50. The third axis 50 is disposed parallel to and generally above the lift axis 28. A second end 52 of each actuator 44, 46 is mounted to the rear surface 38, on either side of the second end 40 of the push member 24, illustratively using universal-type mounts 54. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for example, by providing a fisheye joint or the like at the first end 48 of each actuator 44, 46, the attachment points of the first ends 48 to the third axis 50 can be provided with a small amount of angular movement to accommodate small changes in the lateral spacing between the second ends 52 of each actuator 44, 46 when the blade 32 is angled.
[0013] 1 and 2, and referring now to FIG. 3, by illustratively simultaneously retracting both actuators 44, 46, for example by actuating a control valve 56 attached to a hydraulic source 58, the second end 52 of each actuator 44, 46 approaches the first end 48 at the same distance, thereby generating a lift force F リフト 3A to 3C, the lower edge 36 of the blade 32 can be caused to bear against the outer end 30 of the push member 24, causing the push member 24 to rotate about the lift axis 28 in the lift direction, resulting in the lower edge 36 of the blade 32 rising from the selected height H to the maximum height H. 最大 Similarly, simultaneously extending both actuators 44, 46 causes the second end 52 of each actuator 44, 46 to move the same distance away from the first end 48, generating a lift force F リフト is reversed, which causes the push member 24 to rotate downward about the lift axis 28, resulting in the blade 32 moving from the selected height H to the minimum height H. 最小 Descend to.
[0014] 1 and 2 , and referring to FIG. 4 , by retracting or extending a first one of actuators 44 relative to a second one of actuators 46 such that the distance between the first end 48 and the second end 52 of the first actuator 44 is different from the distance between the first end 48 and the second end 52 of the second actuator 46, blade 32 may rotate about angular axis 42 such that the leading edge 34 of blade 32 is angled relative to the front of vehicle 10. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, by adjusting actuators 44, 46, a given angle Φ from a normal center position A0 perpendicular to the front of vehicle 10 may be adjusted to a maximum angle A 最大 can be selected between.
[0015] 1, 2, and 4, as well as FIG. 3, those skilled in the art will now understand that the blade 32 can be raised and angled. For example, the blade 32 can be raised off the ground to a given height H, and then, at this raised position, one or the other of the actuators 44, 46 is extended or retracted, which rotates the raised blade about the angle axis 42 and angles the raised blade relative to the forward direction of the vehicle 10. Similarly, the blade 32 can be angled to a given angle A, and then, at this angled position, both of the actuators 44, 46 are simultaneously retracted, which raises the angled blade 32 above the ground 20.
[0016] 5, in a first alternative embodiment, the aft face 38 of the blade 32 is attached to the second end 40 of the push member 24 so that the blade 32 can be pitched about a pitch axis 60 disposed parallel to the axis of the elongated blade 32. A third linear actuator, such as a hydraulic piston 62, is provided. Extending the hydraulic piston 62 allows the blade 32 to be pitched about the pitch axis 60, causing the lower edge 36 of the blade 32 to lower or raise.
[0017] 6A and 6B, in a second alternative exemplary embodiment, the blade 32 is attached to the crawler excavator body 64 via the push member 24 and a pair of linear actuators 44, 46. As discussed above, operating the linear actuators 44, 46 together in the same direction allows the blade to be lifted about the lift axis 28, which may raise the blade to a given height H. Additionally, operating one of the first linear actuator 44 or the second linear actuator 46 so that they are retracted or extended relative to each other allows the blade 32 to be angled to a given angle Φ from a normally centered position.
[0018] While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. 1. An earthmoving vehicle for moving earth along a surface, comprising: a machine body having a front end, a power source, and at least one wheel for transmitting said power to said surface, said machine body moving in a direction faced by said front end; a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a lift axis; an elongated blade including a front surface positioned forward of the forward end and facing generally away from the forward end, a lower elongated edge disposed adjacent the surface, and a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface being pivotally attached to the second end of the push member for rotation about an angular axis; a pair of linear actuators, each independently controlled and each having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a third axis, and a second end mounted to the rear surface on either side of the second end of the push member; the lift shaft and the third shaft are arranged parallel; the lift axis and the angle axis are disposed at right angles; the blade is raised and lowered about the lift axis by simultaneously retracting or extending, respectively, both of the linear actuators; The earthmoving vehicle, wherein the blade is angled about the angular axis by extending or retracting a first one of the linear actuators relative to a second one of the linear actuators.
2. The earthmoving vehicle of claim 1 , wherein each of said linear actuators comprises a hydraulic piston.
3. An earthmoving vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the third axis is positioned above the lift axis.
4. 4. An earthmoving vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first end of the push member comprises a pair of elongated legs, and further wherein each end of the legs is pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about the lift axis.
5. An earthmoving vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the push member comprises a C-frame.
6. An earthmoving vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front surface is concave.
7. An earthmoving vehicle according to any preceding claim, further comprising a swivel for pivotally attaching the rear surface to the second end of the push member.
8. An earthmoving vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the actuators comprises a fisheye joint for pivotally mounting the first end to the machine body.
9. 9. An earthmoving vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rear surface is pivotally mounted to a second end of the push member for rotation about a pitch axis, the pitch axis being parallel to an axis of the elongated blade, and further comprising a third linear actuator comprising a first end of the third linear actuator mounted to the second end of the push member and a second end of the third linear actuator mounted to the rear surface, wherein actuation of the third linear actuator rotates the blade about the pitch axis.
10. An earthmoving vehicle for moving earth, comprising: The machine body, a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a lift axis; an elongated blade positioned forward of the forward end and pivotally mounted to the second end of the push member for rotation about an angular axis, the lift axis and the angular axis being disposed at a right angle; a pair of hydraulic pistons, each piston having a first end pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about a third axis and a second end attached to the blade on either side of the second end of the push member, the lift axis and the third axis being arranged in parallel; A hydraulic source; a pair of control valves, each of said valves controllably interconnecting said hydraulic source with a respective one of said hydraulic pistons; operating both of the control valves such that both of the hydraulic pistons are simultaneously retracted or extended, respectively, to raise or lower the blade about the lift axis; and wherein operating at least one of the control valves such that a first one of the hydraulic pistons is extended or retracted relative to a second one of the hydraulic pistons angles the blade about the angular axis.
11. 11. The earthmoving vehicle of claim 10, wherein each of the linear actuators comprises a hydraulic piston.
12. An earthmoving vehicle as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the third axis is positioned above the lift axis.
13. 13. An earthmoving vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the first end of the push member comprises a pair of elongated legs, and further wherein each end of the legs is pivotally mounted to the machine body for rotation about the lift axis.
14. An earthmoving vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the push member comprises a C-frame.
15. An earthmoving vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the front surface is concave.
16. An earthmoving vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising a swivel for pivotally attaching the rear surface to the second end of the push member.
17. An earthmoving vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein each of the hydraulic pistons includes a fisheye joint for pivotally mounting the first end to the machine body.
18. 18. An earthmoving vehicle as described in any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the rear surface is pivotally mounted to a second end of the push member for rotation about a pitch axis, the pitch axis being parallel to an axis of the elongated blade, further comprising a third hydraulic piston, a third control valve interconnecting the hydraulic source and the third hydraulic piston, a first end of the third hydraulic piston mounted to the second end of the push member, and a second end of the third hydraulic piston mounted to the rear surface, wherein manipulating the third hydraulic position such that the third hydraulic piston is extended or retracted causes the blade to rotate about the pitch axis.
19. 1. A blade control assembly for an earthmoving vehicle comprising: a machine body; a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to said machine body for rotation about a lift axis; and a blade pivotally attached to a second end of said push member for rotation about an angular axis, said assembly comprising: a pair of linear actuators interconnected between the machine body and the blade; the blade is raised and lowered about the lift axis by simultaneously retracting or extending, respectively, both of the linear actuators; A blade control assembly, wherein the blade is angled about the angular axis by extending or retracting a first one of the linear actuators relative to a second one of the linear actuators.
20. 20. The blade control assembly of claim 19, wherein the earthmoving vehicle includes a hydraulic source, each of the linear actuators includes a hydraulic piston, and the assembly further includes a pair of control valves, each of the valves controllably interconnecting the hydraulic source with a respective one of the hydraulic pistons.
21. 21. The blade control assembly of claim 19 or 20, wherein the blade is angled about the angular axis by extending a first one of the linear actuators while retracting a second one of the linear actuators.
22. 1. A blade control assembly for an earthmoving vehicle comprising: a machine body; a push member having a first end pivotally mounted to said machine body for rotation about a lift axis; and a blade pivotally attached to a second end of said push member for rotation about an angular axis, said assembly comprising essentially: a pair of linear actuators each interconnected between said machine body and said blade; a blade control assembly, wherein the blade is raised and lowered about the lift axis and angled about the angle axis by the pair of linear actuators;