GPS Grader Blade Pitch Control for Stable Skid Steer Grading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earth moving grader systems, particularly for small to medium-sized track-steer or skid-steer vehicles, lack a stable platform for precise grading without the need for a laser mast, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption, stress on the vehicle structure, and reduced grading precision due to the movement of the entire dozer blade assembly.
Innovation Solution
The system stabilizes the dozer blade by securing the main arm of the vehicle, limiting its movement, allowing the pitch axis of the blade to adjust independently, and utilizing GPS for accurate grading without a laser mast, thus enabling precise control and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the main arm hydraulics are used to lift and lower the entire dozer blade assembly for automatic grading, then the blade height can be adjusted, but significant power is consumed and stress is imparted on the vehicle structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the blade height adjustment function from the main arm movement. A dedicated pitch axis hydraulic system on the blade assembly independently controls blade height, while the main arm remains stationary. This segmentation eliminates the need to move the entire blade assembly with main arm hydraulics, significantly reducing power consumption and structural stress during automatic grading operations.
2Ease of operation
If the main arm hydraulics are used to lift and lower the entire dozer blade assembly, then the blade height can be adjusted, but the mass being moved increases and slows movement
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into the main arm connection point and the blade itself with an independent pitch axis. This allows the pitch axis hydraulic to move only the blade portion for height adjustment rather than the entire assembly, reducing moved mass and increasing adjustment speed for more responsive automatic grading.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the laser mast is tilted off from a vertical position, then the system can accommodate main arm movement, but the automatic controller misinterprets the actual height of the blade
Solution Approach 1:
The system decouples the main arm movement from the blade pitch axis movement. The main arm remains stationary while the pitch axis independently adjusts blade height. This eliminates the need for a tilting laser mast, maintaining vertical orientation and ensuring accurate height measurements by the automatic controller throughout the grading process.
4Ease of operation
If the entire dozer blade assembly is moved up and down by main arm hydraulics, then automatic grading is achieved, but the structure of the skid steer vehicle experiences greater stress
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic systems are segmented into two independent functions: main arm hydraulics for positioning the blade assembly laterally, and pitch axis hydraulics on the blade assembly for height adjustment. This segmentation confines the heavy lifting stress to the pitch axis system only, protecting the main arm and vehicle structure from excessive stress during automatic grading operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of stabilizing a small to mid-sized skid steer vehicles (12) used to grade earth using a dozer blade (46) in conjunction with GPS (42) automatic grade control equipment. The main arm (48) of the skid steer is retained at a specific height and the hydraulic (32) controlling the main arm is limited. The height of the dozer blade is raised and lowered by affecting the pitch axis of movement of the blade (46) and not by raising and lowering the main arm (48). The device is most suited to skid steer vehicles capable of using a variety of interchangeable front end accessories in addition to a dozer blade.