Towed Scraper Blade Automatic Depth Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of towed scrapers face difficulties in manually adjusting the blade depth at the start of operations, requiring significant experience and concentration to prevent clutching, tractor stall, or wheel slip, and to achieve maximum efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control system that automatically moves the scraper blade to a desired working depth using position and draft sensors, an electronic controller, and operator inputs, adjusting the blade position based on ground speed and draft force to ensure accurate and efficient engagement with the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual blade depth control is used, then operator experience and skill can achieve proper blade positioning, but it requires high concentration and is difficult for inexperienced operators to adjust blade position or depth at the start of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-adjustment of blade depth by using sensors to detect ground contact and draft force, with the controller automatically positioning the blade without requiring operator intervention or experience
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control system is replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses position sensors, draft sensors, and electronic controllers to automatically adjust blade depth, eliminating the need for operator skill and concentration
2Productivity
If automatic blade lowering is implemented, then blade position can be quickly and accurately adjusted at the start of operation, but it requires position sensors, draft sensors, and electronic controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary blade positioning automatically at the start of operation by detecting ground contact through position sensors and adjusting the blade to the correct depth before the scraping operation begins, ensuring immediate productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses position sensors and draft sensors to continuously monitor blade position and ground reaction forces, with the electronic controller receiving feedback signals to automatically adjust blade depth and maintain optimal positioning throughout operation
3Productivity
If the blade is lowered quickly to working depth, then operational efficiency is improved, but it increases the risk of clutching, tractor stall, or wheel slip
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary blade positioning at a controlled rate until ground contact is detected, then continues lowering at a reduced rate to prevent sudden engagement that could cause clutching or wheel slip, ensuring both speed and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the blade lowering rate based on real-time feedback from position sensors and draft sensors, automatically reducing the lowering speed when ground contact is detected to prevent operational instability while maintaining overall productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A towed scraper control system automatically lowers the scraper blade to a working position at the start of a scraping operation according to a certain method. The method includes sensing a ground speed of the vehicle and sensing a draft force applied by the scraper to the vehicle. With the vehicle pulling the scraper at or near a target ground speed over terrain with the blade positioned above a surface of the ground, the blade is automatically lowered with respect to the scraper frame at a first rate until the blade begins to engage the surface of the ground. Thereafter, while the vehicle continues to move forward at or near the target ground speed, the blade is lowered with respect to the frame at a second rate and for a duration related to the sensed ground speed so that lowering of the blade stops when the scraper wheel begins to enter a cut produced by the blade. With the blade fixed with respect to the scraper frame, the scraper is moved forward at the target ground speed for a distance determined as a function of the sensed draft force. Thereafter, the blade is raised with respect to the frame at a rate which matches a lowering rate of the wheels as they descend along the cut, and the blade is raised at this matching rate until the position of the blade matches the position of the blade after the first lowering step. Preferably, the second rate is slower than the first rate.