Earthmoving Blade Cover Dynamics for Debris Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earthmoving apparatuses for construction machines lack protection for internal machinery from earth and sand that can scatter and collide with hydraulic cylinders, potentially causing damage.
Innovation Solution
An earthmoving apparatus with a cover unit comprising a sub cover and a main cover, where the main cover is pivotally attached to the earthmoving blade, allowing it to overlap with the sub cover when the blade is in a grounded position, minimizing gaps and preventing earth and sand from entering the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed cover is provided over the lifting unit, then protection from earth and sand is improved, but the ability to accommodate blade movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a fixed sub-cover and a movable main cover. The main cover is pivotally attached to the earthmoving blade, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the blade moves between grounded and retracted positions, thus accommodating blade movement while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is segmented into two functional parts: a sub-cover that remains fixed to provide stable protection, and a main cover that moves with the blade to accommodate its range of motion. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function optimally.
2Reliability
If the main cover is tightly fitted to minimize gaps, then prevention of earth and sand entry is improved, but the smoothness of movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The main cover acts as a flexible barrier that can pivot and adjust its position. When the blade is in the grounded position, the main cover overlaps with the sub-cover, creating a tight fit that minimizes gaps and effectively prevents earth and sand entry, while still allowing smooth movement through the pivotal connection.
3Reliability
If the cover structure is made complex to improve protection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main cover serves multiple functions: it protects the lifting unit from earth and sand, accommodates the movement of the earthmoving blade, and maintains a tight fit with the sub-cover to prevent debris entry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An earthmoving apparatus includes an earthmoving blade (9) extending in the width direction of an undercarriage, a lifting unit (10) configured to move the earthmoving blade (9) up and down, and a cover unit (12) covering the lifting unit (10), wherein the earthmoving blade (9) can be moved by the lifting unit between a grounded position in which the earthmoving blade is in contact with the ground surface and a retracted position in which the earthmoving blade is held highest off the ground surface, while keeping a nearly vertical orientation with respect to the ground surface, the cover unit (12) includes a sub cover (27) extending from a location above the lifting unit (10) toward the earthmoving blade (9) and a main cover (28) slidable on the upper surface of the sub cover (27), the main cover (28) is pivotally attached to the earthmoving blade (9) in such a manner that one end portion of the main cover is nearly in contact with the top surface of the earthmoving blade, and when the earthmoving blade (9) is in the grounded position, the other end portion of the main cover overlaps with the sub cover (27).