Skid Steer Grading Attachment Control Without Hydraulic Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydraulic cylinders in skid steer vehicles pose environmental hazards due to hydraulic oil leaks and reduce precision in grading operations, necessitating a safer and more precise control method.
Innovation Solution
Implementing electric cylinders and drive motors with an automatic grade control system using lasers, GPS, and ultrasonic sensors to autonomously control pitch and yaw axis movements of grading attachments, locking the main arm at a lowest position, and disconnecting motors when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional hydraulic cylinders are used for controlling the grading attachment, then the system can achieve sufficient lifting force and control capability, but hydraulic oil leaks occur causing environmental pollution and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hydraulic cylinder system with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor (220) drives a rack (222) that engages with a pinion gear (224), converting rotational motion to linear motion for arm elevation. This substitution eliminates hydraulic fluid entirely, removing the source of leaks and environmental contamination while maintaining the mechanical lifting function through electromechanical actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic system components (hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic fluid, hydraulic valves) from the skid steer vehicle's grading attachment control system. By eliminating the hydraulic subsystem entirely and replacing it with an electric motor-rack and pinion mechanism, the patent removes the harmful element (hydraulic oil) that causes pollution and safety issues while preserving the essential arm elevation and attachment control functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional hydraulic cylinders are used for grading control, then the system can provide sufficient force for arm movement, but the delay between command signal and attachment movement reduces grading precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic transmission system with a direct electromechanical drive system. The electric motor (220) is controlled by a microprocessor (204) that receives commands from the operator or automatic grade control system. The motor directly drives the rack (222) through the pinion gear (224), eliminating hydraulic fluid compression delays, valve response times, and hose transmission lags. This direct coupling between electrical control and mechanical movement significantly reduces the time between command signal and actual attachment movement, enabling more precise grading control.
3Ease of repair
If hydraulic cylinders are used for arm elevation and attachment control, then the system can achieve the required lifting capacity, but hydraulic hose pinching and bursting occurs frequently requiring repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the hydraulic cylinder system with an electric motor-driven rack and pinion mechanism. The electric motor (220) provides torque through the pinion gear (224) which engages with the rack (222) to produce linear motion for arm elevation. This electromechanical system eliminates flexible hydraulic hoses that are susceptible to pinching, bursting, and leakage. The rigid mechanical connection through gears and racks is far more durable and resistant to damage from external forces, significantly reducing repair frequency while maintaining adequate lifting capacity for grading operations.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electric cylinders and drive motors are used instead of hydraulic cylinders, then environmental safety and grading precision are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the electric motor-driven system. The same electric motor (220) and control system serve both arm elevation control and attachment pitch/yaw control through coordinated actuation of multiple racks and pinions. The microprocessor (204) provides centralized control that can manage various operating modes including manual control, automatic grade control, and different attachment configurations. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate hydraulic systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a grading attachment on a skid steer vehicle that includes the steps of lowering a main arm of a skid steer vehicle with either an electric non-hydraulic cylinder or a drive motor to the main arm's lowest allowed position along an arm translation path on the skid steer vehicle and adjusting, while the main arm is the in the lowest allowed position, either or both a pitch axis movement and/or a yaw axis movement of a grading attachment coupled to the main arm autonomously using an automatic grade control system implementing at least one of a laser, a GPS, an LPS, and an ultrasonic sensor and with at least one a plurality of electric non-hydraulic cylinders and drive motors, wherein the automatic grade control system is communicatively coupled to the at least one a plurality of electric non-hydraulic cylinders and drive motors.