Vertically Adjustable Adaptor for Skid Steer Dozer Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work vehicles, such as skid steers, face limitations in supporting heavy horizontal loads with their dozer blades due to the maximum force rating of the arm, which restricts the ability of the blade to move vertically when under greater loads, as the blade must be non-movably coupled to the chassis to handle these loads.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable adaptor system that includes a work vehicle portion with a receiver interface and a work implement portion, featuring a track system and actuators to move the implement along a guide path, allowing the dozer blade to move vertically while supporting heavy horizontal loads by coupling directly to the chassis, thus enabling vertical movement without mechanical stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the dozer blade is non-movably coupled directly to the chassis to support greater horizontal loads, then the load capacity is improved, but the vertical movement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is divided into distinct segments: a work vehicle portion that couples to the chassis, an implement portion that couples to the dozer blade, and a track system with slider that enables vertical movement. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently while working together as a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The track system with slider and actuator allows the adaptor to dynamically adjust its vertical position, enabling the dozer blade to move vertically while maintaining secure horizontal load support through the locking features.
2Force
If the arm is supported by the chassis in a lowered position to handle greater horizontal loads, then the force rating is improved, but the vertical movement freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the arm and the dozer blade. It receives horizontal forces from the arm while providing independent vertical movement capability through its track system, thus mediating between the force transmission requirement and the movement freedom requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor introduces vertical dimensionality to a system primarily designed for horizontal force transmission. By adding the track system with slider that moves along the vertical axis, it enables vertical adjustment without compromising the horizontal force rating of the arm.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical stops are used to limit arm position for heavy loads, then the stability is improved, but the operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor changes the position parameter dynamically through actuator control rather than using fixed mechanical stops. The slider can be positioned at different locations along the track, and the locking features can engage at various points, providing adjustable stability rather than fixed limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor's locking features automatically engage with the track system to provide stability when needed, without requiring external mechanical stops. The system self-regulates its stability through the interaction between the slider and track, maintaining arm position while allowing operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptor configured to move a work vehicle implement includes a work vehicle portion that includes a first receiver interface configured to couple to a work vehicle. The first receiver interface includes at least one receiver locking feature configured to non-movably couple the work vehicle portion to the first connector interface. The adaptor also includes a work implement portion moveably coupled to the work vehicle portion and a second connector interface configured to couple to a second receiver interface of the work vehicle implement. The adaptor also includes a track system comprising a slot disposed within the work vehicle portion and a slider disposed on the work implement portion, wherein the slider is configured to move along the slot, and at least one actuator configured to actuate the work implement portion with respect to the work vehicle portion along a guide path.