Motor Grader Blade Hook Attachment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing motor grader designs complicate the replacement of blades due to the need to move them in a longitudinal direction with the guide rail, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A motor grader work implement featuring a shift cylinder assembly with an extensible and retractable blade shift cylinder, a rail that moves reciprocally with the shift cylinder, and a support member allowing the blade to be removably attached, utilizing hooks for secure attachment and detachment, simplifying the replacement process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blade is attached to the retainer assembly with a guide rail, then the blade can be securely held, but the blade replacement process becomes complicated requiring movement in longitudinal direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of bladeVSAvoidblade replacement process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into separate functional components: the retainer assembly with hook reception portion and the blade with hook. This segmentation allows the blade to be independently attached and detached without moving the entire guide rail assembly, simplifying the replacement process while maintaining secure attachment through the dedicated hook mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rail is extracted from the attachment function, leaving only the essential hook and hook reception portion for blade attachment. This extraction eliminates the complexity of moving the guide rail during blade replacement, as the rail is no longer part of the attachment mechanism. The attachment is achieved through the simplified hook engagement with the hook reception portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the blade is moved in longitudinal direction with guide rail for detachment, then the blade can be removed from retainer assembly, but operations become complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade detachmentVSAvoidblade replacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detachment operation is segmented into a simple hook unhooking action rather than requiring movement of the entire blade and guide rail assembly. The hook and hook reception portion are designed as separate, easily disengaged components, allowing rapid blade removal without time-consuming longitudinal movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the blade longitudinally to achieve detachment, the invention inverts the approach by designing a hook mechanism that can be easily unhooked from the hook reception portion. The detachment is achieved through the reverse action of hooking - simply releasing the hook engagement - rather than through mechanical movement, significantly reducing the time required for blade replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11008729B2Work implement of motor grader and motor grader
Publication Date: 2021.05.18 KOMATSU LTD
  • US11008729B2 patent drawing
  • US11008729B2 patent drawing
  • US11008729B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A work implement of a motor grader in which a blade can readily be replaced includes a shift cylinder assembly and a blade. The shift cylinder assembly includes a blade shift cylinder and a rail which carries out reciprocating motion with extending and retracting of the blade shift cylinder. The blade is removably attached to the shift cylinder assembly. The blade includes a hook and the shift cylinder assembly includes a hook reception portion. The hook is hooked on the hook reception portion.