Ripper Assembly Direct Load Path and Toolbar Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rippers attached to work vehicles face challenges in efficiently breaking up earth material due to compaction under the toolbar, limiting the depth of cut and increasing drawbar load, which affects the effectiveness and efficiency of the ripper assembly.
Innovation Solution
A work vehicle design incorporating a four-bar linkage and a tie bar with a co-planar configuration for direct load path management, combined with a toolbar featuring a V-shaped leading edge to prevent earth material compaction, allowing deeper cuts and reducing the ripper assembly's weight and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If earth material flows under the toolbar, then the ripper can penetrate deeper, but the earth material becomes compacted increasing drawbar load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by designing the toolbar to force earth material to flow over the top rather than under the ripper. The V-shaped leading edge and upward-sloping surface redirect material flow, preventing compaction underneath and reducing drawbar load while maintaining cutting depth capability
2Force
If a heavier ripper assembly is used, then more force is available for breaking up earth material, but the cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the toolbar, specifically creating a V-shaped leading edge with an acute angle slope. This geometric modification redirects earth material flow to prevent compaction, reducing the force required to break up material and thereby allowing a lighter ripper assembly while maintaining breaking force capability
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle, such as a motor grader, comprises a frame, a ripper, a tie bar attached to the frame, and a four-bar linkage attached to and disposed between the ripper and the tie bar for transferring a load between the ripper and the frame via the four-bar linkage and the tie bar. The four-bar linkage and the tie bar are co-planar with respect to a plane within which the four-bar linkage is movable relative to the frame. A toolbar for the ripper is also disclosed.