Reconfigurable Material Working Attachment for Push-Backdrag Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material moving systems for vehicles are complex, costly, and inefficient in switching between pushing and back-dragging modes, often requiring manual intervention and lacking optimal curvature for material containment and visibility during operation.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable material moving attachment with a coupling mechanism that allows a working implement to be easily switched between forward pushing and reverse back-dragging configurations using a locking mechanism and actuator assembly, enabling seamless mode transitions without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used to switch between pushing and back-dragging modes, then the system structure can be simpler, but the operation efficiency decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to automatically switch between pushing and back-dragging modes through the actuator assembly, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the vehicle's existing hydraulic or electrical systems to drive the mode transition, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism serves multiple functions: it connects the working implement to the vehicle, enables mode switching between pushing and back-dragging, and provides locking capability. By integrating these functions into a single mechanism with actuator assembly, the patent achieves multi-functionality that improves efficiency while managing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism with actuator assembly is added for automatic mode switching, then operational control improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely manual mechanical operations with an actuator assembly that can be hydraulically or electrically driven. This substitution improves ease of operation by allowing mode switching from within the vehicle cab, while the actuator design integrates smoothly with existing vehicle systems to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly serves as an intermediary between the vehicle's control system and the coupling mechanism. It translates control signals into mechanical action for mode switching, thereby improving operational ease while acting as a buffer that manages the complexity transition between control electronics and mechanical components.
3Reliability
If the working implement is designed for optimal curvature in one direction, then material containment improves, but adaptability to reverse operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The working implement is designed with dynamic adaptability, allowing its effective curvature and orientation to change based on the operating mode. The coupling mechanism's ability to switch between pushing and back-dragging configurations enables the implement to present optimal curvature to the material in both directions, maintaining reliable material containment while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion by designing the coupling mechanism to reverse the orientation of the working implement when switching modes. The abutment structure and arm configuration allow the implement to be positioned with optimal curvature for pushing in forward motion, and then inverted or repositioned through the coupling mechanism to maintain optimal curvature for back-dragging in reverse motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A material working attachment for a vehicle includes: (a) a working implement for engaging and working material on a ground surface during operation of the vehicle in a working direction along the ground surface; and (b) a coupling mechanism for attaching the working implement to the vehicle. The coupling mechanism includes: (i) a first coupling portion attached to the working implement and having at least one coupling channel extending along a coupling axis, the coupling axis alignable parallel with the working direction, and (ii) a second coupling portion attachable to the vehicle, the second coupling portion having at least one arm alignable parallel with the coupling axis for sliding of the at least one arm in a respective coupling channel to releasably interconnect the first and second coupling portions for attachment of the material working implement to the vehicle.