Stabilizer Wheel Positioning for Box Blade Grading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current box blade grading attachments on small work machines face challenges when leveling large material piles due to obstruction from wheels and reduced adaptability on uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
A fine grading system and method for a work machine, comprising a frame, boom assembly, attachment coupler, grading box, stabilizer wheel, positioning unit, controller, and hydraulic circuit, which allows for precise control of grading pressure and stabilizer wheel position to adapt to varying terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wheels are included in the box blade grading attachment to stabilize during final grading, then grading stability is improved, but the wheels become an obstruction when leveling large material piles
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer wheel is made movable through a hydraulic actuator that allows the wheel to be positioned in different locations along the upper attachment frame. The wheel can be moved forward or aft using hydraulic pressure control, enabling the system to adapt its stabilization mechanism dynamically based on the grading task requirements. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the wheel to provide stability when needed while being repositioned out of the way when it would cause obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the stabilizer wheel along the upper attachment frame based on operating conditions. By controlling the hydraulic actuator, the wheel position can be adjusted to optimize both stability and accessibility. This parameter change allows the same component to serve different functions in different operational contexts, eliminating the harmful obstruction effect while preserving the beneficial stabilization effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If the box blade grading attachment is designed for stable operation on level terrain, then grading precision is improved, but adaptability to uneven terrain is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment incorporates dynamic positioning capability through hydraulic actuators that allow real-time adjustment of the stabilizer wheel position and grading box orientation. This dynamic system can adapt to varying terrain conditions by continuously adjusting component positions, maintaining grading precision across both level and uneven terrain rather than being optimized for only one condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuation system enables the stabilizer wheel and grading box to perform multiple functions: providing stability on level terrain, adapting to uneven terrain by repositioning components, and maintaining grading precision across different operational conditions. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system universally applicable to various terrain types rather than specialized for one condition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient fine grading on uneven terrain by maintaining target grading pressure and stabilizing the attachment, reducing obstruction and improving adaptability compared to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic pump delivers fluid through a plurality of flow paths. The plurality of flow paths couples the boom hydraulic actuators, the pitch hydraulic actuators, and at least one proportional relief valve. The controller is further configured to selectively adjust the at least one proportional relief valve as a function of the first output signal, and the second output signal corresponding to the grading pressure to be generated by the pitch hydraulic actuators and the boom hydraulic actuators, respectively, to position the grading box with respect to the ground surface.
Implementation Method 2
The first hydraulic sensor is coupled to the pitch hydraulic actuators and configured to generate a first output signal. The first output signal corresponds to a grading pressure of the pitch hydraulic actuators.
Implementation Method 3
The second hydraulic sensor is coupled to the boom hydraulic actuators and is configured to generate a second output signal corresponding to a grading pressure of the boom hydraulic actuators.
Implementation Method 4
The stabilizer wheel hydraulic actuator displaces the stabilizer wheel relative to the upper attachment frame portion as a function of the target grading pressure and a sensed pressure on the stabilizer wheel hydraulic actuator, the displacing controlled through the second proportional relief valve.
Data Source
AI summary
A fine grading system for a work machine with a frame, a boom assembly, an attachment coupler, a grading box, and an upper attachment frame portion extending forward of the grading box with a stabilizer wheel. A controller, a positioning unit, a hydraulic circuit communicatively coupled to the controller are configured to selectively adjust at least one proportional relief valve as a function of the output signals from sensors coupled to the pitch hydraulic actuators and the boom hydraulic actuators corresponding to the grading pressure to be generated by the actuators to position the grading box with respect to the ground surface. The system and method controls at least one proportional relief valve to maintain a target pressure.