Grading Implement Reverse Soil Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work vehicles used for grading operations often leave grooves or indentions in the final graded surface due to their large size and weight, necessitating the use of smaller, lighter vehicles for correction, which increases construction time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a work vehicle, equipped with a grading implement and a controller, adjusts its operation to add or remove soil based on depth differentials between the current and final soil depths, allowing for precise grading without creating grooves or indentions by moving in both forward and reverse directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large, heavy work vehicle is used for grading operations, then grading efficiency and productivity are improved, but groove formation and surface quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse grading by having the grading implement process the soil in the opposite direction of vehicle travel. Instead of pushing soil forward while moving forward, the implement pulls or grades soil backward while moving forward, effectively reversing the conventional grading action. This inversion allows the heavy vehicle to grade without creating grooves, as the soil is manipulated in reverse, eliminating the track groove problem while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the grading implement by adjusting its angle, depth, and position relative to the vehicle tracks. By modifying these parameters and processing soil at offset positions away from the track centers, the heavy vehicle can achieve fine surface quality without groove formation, resolving the contradiction between using heavy equipment for efficiency and maintaining surface quality
2Manufacturing precision
If smaller, lighter work vehicles are used to correct grooves, then surface quality is improved, but construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing groove formation in the first place through reverse grading technology. The heavy vehicle is equipped with controls and sensors that enable it to grade soil in reverse direction and at offset positions, proactively preventing the creation of grooves that would otherwise require subsequent correction. This eliminates the need for a second pass with lighter vehicles, reducing both time and cost while maintaining surface quality
3Area of stationary object
If the grading implement processes soil at the same position as vehicle tracks, then grading coverage is maximized, but groove formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the processing positions for different parts of the vehicle. The grading implement operates at offset positions away from the track centers, processing soil in zones that are not directly under the tracks. This local differentiation allows the tracks to follow their path without creating grooves, while the grading implement independently processes the soil at optimized positions, achieving both coverage and quality
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method for creating a final graded soil surface may include controlling an operation of a grading implement of a work vehicle such that the grading implement removes a layer of soil from a current soil surface as the work vehicle is moved in a forward direction. The method may also include receiving an input indicative of the current soil surface being at an offset soil depth relative to the initial ungraded soil surface, with the offset soil depth differing from the final soil depth. When the current soil surface is at the offset soil depth, the method may further include adjusting a position of the grading implement to add or remove soil based on a depth differential defined between the offset soil depth and the final soil depth to create the final graded soil surface as the work vehicle is moved in the reverse direction.