Dozer Blade Hydraulic Float Control to Prevent Drift and Sink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work machines, such as excavators, face challenges in effectively controlling the dozer blade to prevent it from drifting or sinking into the ground, which can lead to machine instability and potential overturning during operations.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic arrangement with a main control valve and check valves, along with a pilot circuit and floating control stage, allows for simultaneous anti-drift, anti-sink, and floating functions of the dozer blade, using off-the-shelf components to maintain blade control without increasing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic actuator is used to control the dozer blade position, then the blade can be positioned relative to the ground, but the blade may drift or sink into the ground during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic arrangement incorporates feedback mechanisms where the position of the dozer blade is continuously monitored and fed back to the control system. This allows the system to automatically adjust hydraulic pressure and flow to maintain the desired blade position, preventing drift and sink issues while keeping the control system manageable in complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate hydraulic components such as control valves and pressure regulators that act as mediators between the operator's input and the hydraulic actuator. These intermediaries provide precise control over the blade position by modulating hydraulic pressure and flow, thereby improving position stability without requiring direct complex control of the actuator itself
2Ease of operation
If the dozer blade is allowed to free float on the ground to follow the ground profile, then levelling operations are improved, but the blade may inadvertently lower and contact the ground causing machine overturning
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic control system is designed to be dynamic, allowing the dozer blade to transition between different operational states. The system can switch between a free-floating mode that enables the blade to follow ground contours for levelling operations, and a controlled mode that maintains the blade at a safe elevation to prevent inadvertent contact and machine overturning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the hydraulic system, specifically adjusting pressure and flow parameters, to control the blade's interaction with the ground. By dynamically changing these hydraulic parameters, the system enables the blade to float freely when needed for levelling while preventing excessive lowering that could cause the blade to contact the ground and destabilize the machine
3Reliability
If the dozer blade is maintained lifted above the ground to prevent contact, then machine stability is improved, but the blade may inadvertently lift due to machine weight causing overturning during digging or maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic arrangement incorporates feedback mechanisms where the position of the dozer blade is continuously monitored and fed back to the control system. This allows the system to automatically adjust hydraulic pressure and flow to maintain the desired blade position, preventing drift and sink issues while keeping the control system manageable in complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate hydraulic components such as control valves and pressure regulators that act as mediators between the operator's input and the hydraulic actuator. These intermediaries provide precise control over the blade position by modulating hydraulic pressure and flow, thereby improving position stability without requiring direct complex control of the actuator itself
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control functions (anti-drift, anti-sink, floating) are integrated into the hydraulic arrangement, then blade control versatility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic arrangement is designed with multi-functional components that can perform multiple control functions. The same hydraulic circuit and valves are configured to provide anti-drift control, anti-sink control, and floating operation capabilities, allowing a single integrated system to deliver versatile blade control without requiring separate independent systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a unified hydraulic arrangement. By combining the anti-drift valve, anti-sink valve, and floating control mechanisms into a single integrated hydraulic circuit with shared components, the system achieves versatile blade control functionality while minimizing overall system complexity through component consolidation
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
The solution provides stable blade control, preventing unintended contact with the ground, enhancing machine stability and safety during operations while maintaining operational simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic actuator, configured to control the position of the dozer blade with respect to the ground
Implementation Method 2
A hydraulic arrangement with a main control valve and check valves, along with a pilot circuit and floating control stage, allows for simultaneous anti-drift, anti-sink, and floating functions of the dozer blade
Data Source
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AI summary
A work machine (1) comprising a body (2), a dozer blade (20) movably carried by the body (2), a hydraulic actuator (22) interposed between the body (2) and the dozer blade (20), a hydraulic arrangement (24) configured to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid towards the hydraulic actuator (22) and comprising: a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid (25), at least one main control valve (30), which is fluidly interposed between the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid (25) and the hydraulic actuator (22), and is configured to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid fed towards the first inlet and/or the second inlet of the hydraulic actuator (22), two hydraulic lines (32, 33) fluidly connecting the main control valve (30) with the two inlets of the hydraulic actuator (22), at least one check valve (35) arranged along the first hydraulic line (32) or the second hydraulic line (33), a pilot circuit (37) configured to actuate said main control valve (30), and comprising a floating control stage (45) configured to realize a floating function of the dozer blade of the hydraulic actuator (22) with the tank (28), and is configured to open the check valve (35).