Patent Application
20170037595
The present disclosure relates to an assembly for mounting a blade of a motor grader.
Motor grader includes a front frame and a rear frame rotatably coupled to the front frame. The motor grader further includes a blade coupled to the front fame to perform various earth moving operations, such as cutting and leveling of a ground surface. The blade is coupled to a circle member for rotating the blade with respect to the frame about a rotational axis of the circle member. The circle member is further coupled to the frame via a drawbar member for raising and lowering the blade relative to the frame. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the blade and the circle member to move the blade in a side-to-side direction with respect to the front frame. Further, guide rails are mounted on the blade to support the blade with wear strips mounted on the circle member and facilitate movement of the blade in the side-to-side direction. As the blade moves, the rails slide over the wear strips and cause wear damages to mounting assembly of the blade. Such wear damages lead to frequent maintenance and servicing of the mounting assembly. Further, the wear damages lead to high maintenance cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,099 (the '099 patent) discloses a moldboard mounting for motor graders. The moldboard mounting includes the hydraulic ram for laterally shifting the moldboard assembly relative to the support. The ram includes the piston and the piston rod for moving the moldboard assembly relative to the support. The '099 patent also discloses a sliding arrangement including the slide brackets and the guide rail for mounting the moldboard assembly with the support and facilitating movement of the moldboard assembly, which may require frequent maintenance. Therefore, a need remains for a moldboard mounting that will require minimum maintenance and is less complex to design and develop.
In one aspect of the current disclosure, an assembly for a motor grader is provided. The assembly includes a blade configured to be operatively attached to a frame of the motor grader and to engage a ground surface. The blade includes a first segment and a second segment. The assembly further includes a movement actuator configured for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a first direction. The movement actuator includes a rod member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is secured to the first segment of the blade and the second portion is secured to the second segment of the blade.
In another aspect of the current disclosure, a motor grader is provided. The motor grader includes a frame and a bracket member movably coupled to the frame. The motor grader further includes a blade configured to be operatively attached to the bracket member and to engage a ground surface. The blade includes a first segment and a second segment. The motor grader further includes a movement actuator supported by the bracket member and configured for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a first direction. The movement actuator includes a rod member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is secured to the first segment of the blade and the second portion is secured to the second segment of the blade.
In yet another aspect of the current disclosure, a method of operating a blade of a motor grader is provided. The method includes receiving an input from an operator and moving ground engaging members of the motor grader over a ground surface based on the input from the operator. The method further includes moving the blade, via a movement actuator, in a first direction with respect to a frame of the motor grader. The movement actuator includes a cylinder supported by a bracket member of the frame and a rod member slidably disposed within the cylinder. The rod member includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to the blade.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to specific aspects or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
The motor grader 100 further includes an operator cab 114 supported in the frame 102 adjacent to the rear end 112 of the beam 108. The operator cab 114 may include an operator interface (not shown) having control levers, switches and display, such that an operator may control movement of the motor grader 100 and perform various operations of the motor grader 100. The motor grader 100 further includes an implement system 116 configured for performing various earth moving operations, such as cutting and leveling of the ground surface 101. The implement system 116 is configured to be operatively attached to the beam 108 of the frame 102. The implement system 116 includes a blade 118 configured to engage the ground surface 101 to perform the earth moving operations. The motor grader 100 may further include a power source, such as an engine 120 to supply power to various components including, but not limited to, the ground engaging members 106 and the implement system 116. The engine 120 may be disposed at any location in the rear frame 104. In another embodiment, the engine 120 may be coupled with a generator to propel the motor grader 100 based on electric power.
The implement system 116 includes a circle member 122 movably coupled to the frame 102. Specifically, the circle member 122 is coupled to a drawbar member 124. The drawbar member 124 includes a first end 124A pivotally coupled to the front end 110 of the beam 108 and a second end 124B movably supported on the beam 108. The second end 124B of the drawbar member 124 may be coupled to the beam 108 via one or more hydraulic actuators 124C. The hydraulic actuators 124C may raise or lower the drawbar member 124 with respect to the frame 102. The circle member 122 is further rotatably supported adjacent to the second end 124B of the drawbar member 124. The circle member 122 includes a ring gear 122A (shown in
The hydraulic actuators 124C may be configured to be in communication with a hydraulic system 126 of the motor grader 100. The hydraulic system 126 is in communication with the engine 120 to receive the power therefrom to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators 124C. The hydraulic system 126 may be configured to actuate the hydraulic actuators 124C based on an input from the operator. The hydraulic system 126 may also be configured to provide hydraulic power to various systems of the motor grader 100, such as a steering system.
Referring to
The implement system 116 further includes an assembly 132 for operatively attaching the blade 118 with the circle member 122. The assembly 132 includes a bracket member 134 having a first end 134A coupled to the connecting member 130. The first end 134A includes a hole 136 configured to receive the connecting member 130 therethrough. The connecting member 130 may be rigidly engaged with the hole 136 such that the bracket member 134 may move as the connecting member 130 rotates relative to the pair of an Is 128. The bracket member 134 further includes a second end 134B movably coupled to the circle member 122. An actuating member 138 is coupled between the circle member 122 and the second end 134B of the bracket member 134 to move the bracket member 134 about a rotational axis ‘RA2’ defined by the connecting member 130.
The actuating member 138 includes a cylinder 138A and a piston rod 138B slidably disposed within the cylinder 138A. The actuating member 138 is configured to be in communication with the hydraulic system 126. The piston rod 138B may move between an extended position and a retracted position to move the bracket member 134 about the rotational axis ‘RA2’. In the illustrated embodiment, a coupling member 140 is provided adjacent to the second end 134B of the bracket member 134 to pivotally couple with the piston rod 138B of the actuating member 138. In another embodiment, the second end 134B of the bracket member 134 may be configured to pivotally couple to the piston rod 138B. The cylinder 138A is coupled to the circle member 122 via a mounting member 142. The mounting member 142 may be fastened or welded to the outer surface of the circle member 122. It may also be contemplated that the piston rod 138B may be coupled to the mounting member 142 and the cylinder 138A may be coupled to the coupling member 140.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket member 134 is foil led from multiple metal plates through a fabrication process. The multiple metal plates may be welded together to define an elongate body having the first end 134A and the second end 134B. The bracket member 134 has a rectangular cross section and defines a front surface 134C (shown in
The assembly 132 further includes a movement actuator 144 supported by the bracket member 134. The movement actuator 144 is further configured to be operatively coupled with the bracket member 134 and the blade 118 to move the blade 118 with respect to the frame 102 in a first direction ‘D1’ (explained in
The cylinder 146 further includes a first fluid port 146C defined adjacent to the first end 146A and a second fluid port 146D defined adjacent to the second end 146B thereof. The first and second fluid ports 146C, 146D may be fluidly coupled with the hydraulic system 126. Upon actuation of the hydraulic system 126, based on an input from the operator, the movement actuator 144 moves the blade 118 with respect to the frame 102 in the first direction ‘D1’.
The first portion 148A is coupled to a first segment 150 of the blade 118 and the second portion 148B is coupled to a second segment 152 of the blade 118. The first and second segments 150, 152 are disposed adjacent to the first and second ends 118A, 118B of the blade 118, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first segment 150 includes a first support member 150A mounted on an outer surface 154 of the blade 118. The first support member 150A is welded to the outer surface 154 of the blade 118. Alternatively, the first support member 150A may be mounted on the blade 118 via fastening members, such as bolts and nuts. The first segment 150 further includes a first mounting member 150B configured to be coupled with the first support member 150A. The first mounting member 150B is further configured to be coupled with the first portion 148A of the rod member 148. The first mounting member 150B is coupled with the first support member 150A via fastening members 150C, such as bolts. In an embodiment, the first mounting member 150B may have a mating surface configured to engage with a corresponding mating surface defined in the first support member 150A. In other embodiments, the first mounting member 150B may be configured to couple with the outer surface 154 of the blade 118.
Similarly, the second segment 152 includes a second support member 152A mounted on the outer surface 154 of the blade 118. The second segment 152 further includes a second mounting member 152B configured to be coupled with the second support member 152A. The second mounting member 152B is further configured to be coupled with the second portion 148B of the rod member 148. The second mounting member 152B is coupled with the second support member 152A via fastening members 152C, such as bolts. The second segment 152 may be disposed on the blade 118 similar to the way the first segment 150 is disposed on the blade 118.
Referring to
Further, the bracket member 134 includes a second projection member 160 spaced apart from the first projection member 156. The first and second projection members 156, 160 are configured to receive the cylinder 146 of the movement actuator 144 therebetween. Moreover, the cylinder 146 is coupled between the first and second projection members 156, 160. The second projection member 160 extends from the front surface 134C of the bracket member 134 and configured to define a second aperture 162 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the second projection member 160 includes a base member 160A extending from the front surface 134C of the bracket member 134 and a clamp member 160B coupled to the base member 160A via fastening members 160C, such as bolts. The base member 160A and the clamp member 160B are together configured to define the second aperture 162. Each of the first and second apertures 158, 162 has a circular cross section. However, it may be contemplated that each of the first and second apertures 158, 162 may have a square, a rectangular, a polygonal, or any other cross section known in the art.
In another embodiment, the first and second projection members 156, 160 may be integrally formed with the elongate body of the bracket member 134. Further, the first and second apertures 158, 162 may be defined in the first and second projection members 156, 160, respectively, via a machining process, such as drilling, boring, reaming, or any other machining process known in the art. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the first and second projection members 156, 160 may be integrally formed with the elongate body of the bracket member 134.
Referring to
The cylinder 146 further includes a first leg portion 166 extending from the first surface 164A of the stepped portion 164. The first leg portion 166 is configured to be received within the first aperture 158 of the first projection member 156. The cylinder 146 further includes a second leg portion 168 extending from the second surface 164B of the stepped portion 164 diametrically opposite to the first leg portion 166 along an axis ‘A’ defined by the first leg portion 166. The second leg portion 168 is configured to be received within the second aperture 162 of the second projection member 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second leg portions 166, 168 has a circular cross section configured to be received within the first and second apertures 158, 162, respectively. However, it may be contemplated that each of the first and second leg portions 166, 168 may have a square, a rectangular, a polygonal, or any other cross section known in the art.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second leg portions 166, 168 are integrally formed with the cylinder 146. In another embodiment, the first and second leg portions 166, 168 may be separately coupled to the stepped portion 164 of the cylinder 146. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the first and second leg portions 166, 168 may be separately coupled to the stepped portion 164. Each of the first and second leg portions 166, 168 may have a thickness greater than or equal to a thickness of the first and second projection members 156, 160, respectively.
In the illustrated embodiment, during assembly of the movement actuator 144 with the bracket member 134, the stepped portion 164 of the cylinder 146 may be disposed within the base members 156A and 160A of the first and second projection members 156, 160. The first and second leg portions 166, 168 may be aligned with a portion of the first and second apertures 158, 162, respectively. Further, the clamp members 156B and 160B may be aligned with the base members 156A and 160A to receive the first and second leg portions 166, 168 within the first and second apertures 158, 162, respectively. The clamp members 156B and 160B may be further coupled to the base members 156A and 160A via the fastening members 156C and 160C, respectively. In an embodiment, the cylinder 146 may be rigidly coupled to the bracket member 134 to prevent rotation of the movement actuator 144 with respect to the bracket member 134 about the axis ‘A’. In yet another embodiment, a surface of the stepped portion 164 may be configured to abut the front surface 134C of the bracket member 134 to prevent rotation of the movement actuator 144 about the axis ‘A’.
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The present disclosure relates to the assembly 132 for coupling the blade 118 with the frame 102. The assembly 132 includes the bracket member 134 for fixedly coupling the cylinder 146 of the movement actuator 144. The cylinder 146 is configured to couple with the bracket member 134 to provide rigid support of the blade 118 with the frame 102. Further, the first and second portions 148A, 148B of the rod member 148 are secured to the first and second segments 150, 152 of the blade 118, respectively, to further enhance coupling strength of the blade 118 with the frame 102. The present disclosure further relates to a method 200 of operating the blade 118.
At step 206, the method 200 includes moving the blade 118 in the first direction ‘D1’ with respect to the frame 102. The operator may provide input through the operator interface to actuate the hydraulic system 126. The hydraulic system 126 may control direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid to actuate either the first portion 148A or the second portion 148B of the rod member 148. Based on the input from the operator, the movement actuator 144 moves the blade 118 in the first direction ‘D1’ between the first position ‘P1’ and the second position ‘P2’. Further, the operator may actuate the hydraulic system 126 to move the blade 118 in the second direction ‘D2’ between the first position ‘P11’ and the second position ‘P22’. Thus the assembly 132 coupled between the blade 118 and the frame 102 may facilitate movement of the blade 118 in the first direction ‘D1’ and the second direction ‘D2’ with respect to the frame 102.
According to the present disclosure, the movement actuator 144 is fixedly coupled to the blade 118 and the bracket member 134 and facilitates movement of the blade 118 in the first direction ‘D1’. The assembly 132 further includes less components compare to the existing blade mounting arrangement having guide rails and slide brackets. Further, the assembly 132 may require less maintenance compare to the existing blade mounting arrangement as the blade 118 is supported and moved by the movement actuator 144.
While aspects of the current disclosure have been particularly shown and described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional aspects may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such aspects should be understood to fall within the scope of the current disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
