Land Plane Ripper Teeth Mechanical Latching System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing land plane attachments with ripper teeth require manual or hydraulic operation, causing operator inconvenience, safety risks, and inefficiencies, as they need to be manually or hydraulically manipulated, leading to time and cost wastage.
Innovation Solution
A land plane attachment with deployable and retractable ripper teeth that can be operated without auxiliary hydraulics, allowing the operator to engage and disengage the teeth from within the cab, featuring a mechanical set and reset system that automatically positions the teeth for forward ripping and backward leveling, enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual or hydraulic operation of ripper teeth is used, then the teeth can be deployed and retracted, but operator convenience deteriorates and safety risks increase due to the need to leave the cab or use auxiliary hydraulics
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the skid steer loader's own hydraulic system that is already available at the base, eliminating the need for auxiliary hydraulic connections. The existing hydraulic lines and pump are utilized to power the ripper tooth deployment, making the system self-sufficient without additional external resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The land plane attachment integrates multiple functions: it serves as both a grading tool and a ripping tool. The ripper teeth can be deployed to loosen compacted soil before grading operations, eliminating the need to switch between separate implements and allowing one attachment to handle multiple soil preparation tasks.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation of ripper teeth is used, then the teeth can be positioned, but operator safety deteriorates due to exposure to worksite conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of ripper teeth is replaced with a hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic cylinders provide automated force to deploy and retract the heavy ripper teeth, replacing manual lever manipulation with fluid-powered actuation that is both easier to control and safer for the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary between the operator's control inputs and the ripper teeth. The operator controls valve spools that direct hydraulic fluid to cylinders, which then move the teeth. This intermediary system allows precise control without direct mechanical connection, improving both ease of operation and safety.
3Extent of automation
If auxiliary hydraulic connection is used for ripper teeth, then hydraulic actuation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex auxiliary hydraulic connection system is extracted and replaced by utilizing the existing hydraulic system at the base of the skid steer loader. By taking out the need for external hydraulic lines and connections, the system achieves automated hydraulic actuation while minimizing additional complexity. Only the essential components (cylinders, valves, reservoir) are added.
4Device complexity
If hydraulic system at base is utilized, then auxiliary hydraulic connection is eliminated, but use of energy increases due to continuous hydraulic engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously. Hydraulic fluid is directed to the cylinders only when teeth deployment or retraction is required, then the system returns to a neutral state. This periodic operation minimizes energy consumption while maintaining the capability for rapid deployment when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A land plane with a ripper, including a plane portion including at least two cutter bars and a ripper mechanism having a ripper bar assembly having ripper teeth that are shiftable between a downwardly extended orientation in which the ripper teeth are biased to extend downwardly beyond the at least two cutter bars thereby facilitating ground engaging contact of the ripper teeth and a retracted orientation in which the ripper teeth are above the at least two cutter bars. The ripper mechanism further includes a latching mechanism and a reset bar extending outwardly away from the plane portion and coupled to the latching mechanism. The reset bar is shiftable between a first position wherein the ripper teeth are secured in the retracted orientation by the latching mechanism and a second position wherein the ripper teeth are biased toward the extended position by the latching mechanism.