L-Shaped Lifting Blade and Wedge Splitter for Asphalt Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing asphalt pavement cutter attachments for skid steers and similar equipment are limited by impaired operator visibility, lack of flexibility, and excessive disturbance to the subgrade during removal and cutting processes.

Innovation Solution

A modular attachment featuring a rectangular backplate with an L-shaped lifting blade and a wedge-shaped splitter made of flexible carbon steel, designed for attachment to skid steers, allowing for forward cutting and minimal subgrade disturbance, with the L-shaped blade angled to maintain visibility and the splitter breaking up asphalt like a log splitter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional asphalt pavement cutter attachment is used, then the asphalt can be cut and removed, but the operator's visibility is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator visibilityVSAvoidattachment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting action is inverted from the conventional approach where the cutter pushes against the asphalt from the front. Instead, the L-shaped blade positioned at the rear lifts and breaks the asphalt as the skid steer moves forward, with the wedge-shaped splitter breaking the pavement from behind. This inversion allows the operator to see the cutting process clearly while maintaining effective asphalt removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If a rigid cutting blade is used, then the cutting force is sufficient, but the blade deforms or breaks when lifting asphalt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade strengthVSAvoidblade flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blade material parameters are changed from conventional rigid steel to a flexible material such as rubber composite or flexible polymer. This parameter change allows the blade to maintain sufficient strength for cutting while gaining the flexibility needed to lift and adapt to the asphalt without deforming or breaking. The flexible material absorbs impact forces and adapts to varying asphalt thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a conventional cutter attachment is used, then the asphalt is removed, but the subgrade is excessively disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasphalt removal efficiencyVSAvoidsubgrade disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting and removal process is segmented into distinct functions: the wedge-shaped splitter breaks the asphalt into manageable sections, the L-shaped blade lifts the broken pieces, and the flexible material adapts to minimize subgrade contact. This segmentation allows controlled asphalt removal with minimal disturbance to the underlying subgrade structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful factor of subgrade disturbance is extracted and eliminated by designing the attachment to lift and break the asphalt without requiring deep penetration or excessive force that would disturb the subgrade. The flexible material and lifting action extract the asphalt pavement layer cleanly while leaving the subgrade intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Strength

If the blade thickness is increased to prevent deformation, then the strength is sufficient, but the flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade strengthVSAvoidblade thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is constructed from composite materials such as rubber composite or flexible polymer composites that provide both the necessary strength and flexibility. These composite materials have unique properties where the material structure itself provides reinforcement without requiring increased thickness, maintaining both structural integrity and adaptability to varying asphalt conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient cutting and removal of asphalt pavement with minimal subgrade disturbance, maintaining operator visibility and flexibility, preventing blade deformation, and allowing broken asphalt to pass underneath the attachment as it is cut and lifted.

Implementation Method 1

The lifting blade is preferably made from a relatively flexible carbon steel such as AISI 15B37H steel which has an elastic modulus of 190-210 GPa at 25° C. The flexibility of this steel prevents the lifting blade from breaking or becoming deformed when lifting asphalt pavement.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7695214B2Asphalt pavement remover

Publication Date: 2010.04.13 MAILAND ROBERT

AI summary

An asphalt pavement remover includes a rectangular backplate for attachment to moving equipment, an L-shaped lifting blade attached to the front of the backplate and a wedge-shaped splitter attached to the L-shaped blade. The L-shaped blade includes an upstanding arm and a lower arm, the latter of which is similar to a fork-lift blade. The wedge-shaped splitter extends in the direction of the lower arm of the L-shaped blade, i.e., away from the upstanding arm. The splitter has a forward wedge-shaped edge which is located rearward of the forward end of the lifting blade.