SYSTEM FOR SLIDABLY RETAINING MOLDBOARDS OF GRADING MACHINES

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20250198115
  • Publication Number
    20250198115
  • Date Filed
    December 19, 2023
    a year ago
  • Date Published
    June 19, 2025
    a month ago
Abstract
A system includes one or more brackets pivotably couplable to the implement frame. The bracket defines a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame. The first bearing arrangement is located relatively distal to a working edge of the moldboard than the second bearing arrangement. The first bearing arrangement includes a mounting block, a piston disposed and movable within at least one through-bore of the mounting block, and a fitting. The fitting facilitates an influx of a fluid into the through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to grader machines, such as motor graders, that grade and level a work surface. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for slidably retaining a moldboard to an implement frame of the grader machine.


BACKGROUND

Grader machines, also commonly referred to as motor graders, are typically used to displace, distribute, and/or mix a material, such as soil, over a work surface to grade the work surface. A motor grader typically includes a moldboard, also generally known as a blade, which may be used to engage the work surface to carry out the aforementioned functions on the work surface. The moldboard is generally slidably mounted or retained to a frame of the motor grader by being retained between a pair of bearing arrangements. During operations of the motor grader, the moldboard may be repeatedly actuated to move laterally (e.g., moldboard sideshift) with respect to the bearing arrangement to acquire various work-related positions relative to the work surface. Such working of the moldboard subjects one or more of the bearing arrangements to wear, which in turn affects the long-term sliding capability and/or a positive retention of the moldboard with respect to the frame.


A wear element may be provided between the bearing arrangement and the moldboard to facilitate such lateral movement of the moldboard with respect to the bearing arrangement. As the wear element may wear out, it may be adjusted relative to the moldboard to reduce or eliminate play between the wear element and the moldboard. However, adjusting the wear element may be laborious, time consuming, and prone to failure due to, for example, complex mounting configurations around the wear element and limited visibility of the wear element, thereby obstructing any visual inspection of the wear element.


U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,978 discloses a bearing support arrangement for a grader blade. The bearing support arrangement uses short stroke hydraulic cylinders to compensate for wear between slide bearings and slide rails of the grader blade. The cylinders are preferably pressurized by grease and a grease fitting is provided for each cylinder to provide convenient access, to allow service by the operator. Preferably the cylinders are located in a generally closed cavity between the bearing support holder and the slide bearing.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a system for retaining a moldboard in slidable engagement with an implement frame of a grader machine. The moldboard defines a working edge to engage with a work surface. The system includes one or more brackets pivotably couplable to the implement frame. A bracket of the one or more brackets defines a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame. The first bearing arrangement is located relatively distal to the working edge and the second bearing arrangement is located relatively proximal to the working edge. The first bearing arrangement includes a mounting block, a piston, and a fitting. The mounting block includes at least one through-bore. The piston is disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore. The fitting facilitates an influx of a fluid into the at least one through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.


In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a grader machine. The grader machine includes a chassis, a drawbar extending from the chassis, a circle rotatably supported with respect to the drawbar, an implement frame (including one or more arms) extending from the circle, a moldboard, and a system for retaining the moldboard in slidable engagement with the implement frame. the moldboard defines a backside and a frontside with respect to the grader machine, and a working edge configured to engage with a work surface. The system includes one or more brackets pivotably couplable to the implement frame. A bracket of the one or more brackets defines a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame. The first bearing arrangement is located relatively distal to the working edge and the second bearing arrangement is located relatively proximal to the working edge. The first bearing arrangement includes a mounting block, a piston, and a fitting. The mounting block includes at least one through-bore. The piston is disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore. The fitting facilitates an influx of a fluid into the at least one through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.


In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for retaining a moldboard in slidable engagement with an implement frame of a grader machine. The moldboard defines a working edge to engage with a work surface. the method includes pivotably coupling one or more brackets to the implement frame. A bracket of the one or more brackets defines a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame. The first bearing arrangement is located relatively distal to the working edge and the second bearing arrangement is located relatively proximal to the working edge. The first bearing arrangement includes a mounting block, a piston, and a fitting. The mounting block includes at least one through-bore. The piston is disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore. The fitting facilitates an influx of a fluid into the at least one through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a side view of a grader machine including an implement system having an implement frame and a moldboard, and a system for retaining the moldboard onto the implement frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;



FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the implement system with the moldboard removed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;



FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;



FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the system, taken along lines A-A of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;



FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the system, taken along lines A-A of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;



FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the system including a drain line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;



FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the system, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and



FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for retaining the moldboard in slidable engagement with the implement frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts, e.g., 1, 1′, 1″, 101 and 201 could refer to one or more comparable components used in the same and/or different depicted embodiments.


Referring to FIG. 1, a grader machine 100 is shown, and as depicted, may include a motor grader 104. The grader machine 100 may be used to displace, spread, distribute, and level, materials, such as soil, over a work surface 108, underlying the grader machine 100, as part of a grading operation. Generally, the grading operation may be performed during a movement of the grader machine 100 over the work surface 108. For enabling such movement, the grader machine 100 may include one or more traction devices 112, as shown.


As an example, the traction devices 112 may include one or more front wheels 112′ disposed towards a front end 116 of the grader machine 100 and one or more back wheels 112″ disposed towards a back end 120 of the grader machine 100. The terms ‘front’ and ‘back’, as used herein, are in relation to an exemplary direction of travel of the grader machine 100, and the same is represented by an arrow, T, in FIG. 1, with said direction of travel being exemplarily defined from the back end 120 towards the front end 116. A movement of the traction devices 112 (e.g., a rotation of the set of front wheels 112′ and the set of back wheels 112″) may be powered by a power source, such as an engine or an electric motor (not shown), housed within a power compartment 124 of the grader machine 100. Further, the grader machine 100 includes a chassis 128 onto which various parts and systems of the grader machine 100 may be supported. Also, the grader machine 100 may include an operator cab 132 to house various controls of the power source and/or implements of the grader machine 100.


To grade and/or level the work surface, the grader machine 100 may include an implement system 136, which may also be referred to as a drawbar-circle-blade (DCB) arrangement and/or a grader group of the grader machine 100. The implement system 136 may be supported by the chassis 128. Further, the implement system 136 may include a drawbar 140, a circle assembly 144, and a moldboard 148, as shown, all of which may function in concert with one another to help the grader machine 100 perform the grading operation on the work surface 108.


The drawbar 140 may include a first end 152 pivotally coupled to a front end 156 of the chassis 128 and a second end 160 disposed away from the front end 156 of the chassis 128. In other words, a portion of the drawbar 140, defining the second end 160, may extend (e.g., extend away) and be disposed remote relative to the front end 156 of the chassis 128. As an example, the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 may extend rearwards or backwards towards the operator cab 132 of the grader machine 100. Further, the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 may be movably supported at another portion (such as a mid-portion 164) of the chassis 128. For example, the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 may be coupled to the mid-portion 164 of the chassis 128 via one or more actuators, such as an actuator 168, as exemplary shown in FIG. 1. Although not limited, the actuator 168 may be a hydraulically powered actuator. The actuator 168 may be powered to raise or lower the second end 160 of the drawbar 140 with respect to the chassis 128, in turn allowing the circle assembly 144 and/or the moldboard 148, as a whole, to be raised or lowered relative to the chassis 128, and thus to the work surface 108.


Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the circle assembly 144 may include a circle 172 and an implement frame 176. The circle 172 may be rotatably supported with respect to the drawbar 140 in order to be rotated (e.g., by a motor or by suitable actuation means) (not shown) relative to the drawbar 140 about a rotation axis 180. In so doing, the moldboard 148 may be rotated as well with respect to the work surface 108. Such movement imparted to the moldboard 148 may allow the work surface 108 to be graded at different angles. The rotation axis 180 may pass through a center of the circle 172.


The implement frame 176 may be fixedly coupled to the circle 172 to rotate with a rotation of the circle 172, relative to the drawbar 140. Also, the implement frame 176 may extend away from the circle 172. As an example, the implement frame 176 may include one or more arms, e.g., a pair of arms, or as shown in FIG. 2, a first arm 184 and a second arm 188. Although not limited, the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 may be spaced apart from each other about a portion (e.g., an arcuate portion 182) of the circle 172. Further, each of the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 may extend from an outer surface 192 of the circle 172 (or from the arcuate portion 182 of the circle 172) generally along an axial direction (such as along the rotation axis 180) to define a lower end 196 away from the circle 172. Each of the first arm 184 and the second arm 188 may also define an upper end 200 disposed in proximity to the circle 172 (or disposed in proximity to the arcuate portion 182 of the circle 172).


Continuing with FIG. 1, the moldboard 148 is discussed. The moldboard 148 defines a backside 204 and a frontside 208 with respect to the grader machine 100. The frontside 208 may face or be directed towards the front end 116 of the grader machine 100 and the backside 204 may face or be directed towards the back end 120 of the grader machine 100. Also, the moldboard 148 defines a working edge 212 configured to engage the materials over the work surface 108 so as to grade and level the work surface 108. In some embodiments, teeth or bits may also be coupled to the working edge 212 of the grader machine 100.


Although not limited, the frontside 208 of the moldboard 148 may be contoured to define a concave shape, as shown in FIG. 1. Also, as the frontside 208 may be directed towards the front end 116 of the grader machine 100, the moldboard 148 may receive, alter, and grade the work surface 108 (e.g., materials disposed over the work surface 108) during a travel of the grader machine 100, e.g., along direction, T, and during the grading operation, over the work surface 108. The moldboard 148 may include a variety of other shapes, such as a planar shape, and, therefore, the one described in the present disclosure is exemplary.


Further, the moldboard 148 includes rails 216 (e.g., a first rail 216′ and a second rail 216″). Each of the first rail 216′ and the second rail 216″ may have a substantially rectangular cross-section, although different cross-sectional shapes of the rails 216 may be contemplated by someone skilled in the art, as per the grader machine's 100 configuration. The rails 216 may extend along a length of the moldboard 148. The rails 216 may extend from the backside 204 of the moldboard 148. In an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the moldboard 148 may define a first support structure 220 and a second support structure 224 extending outwardly from the backside 204 of the moldboard 148. The first rail 216′ and the second rail 216″ are respectively coupled to the first support structure 220 and the second support structure 224, and may be directed away from each other.


During operations of the grader machine 100, the moldboard 148 may be moved to a host of work-related positions with respect to the implement frame 176 (or the chassis 128) and/or to the work surface 108. For example, the moldboard 148 may be moved towards a left side or a right side of the grader machine 100 by sliding the moldboard 148 in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis 228 (of the grader machine 100) and the implement frame 176 (or the chassis 128), by use of one or more actuators (not shown).


To slidably retain the moldboard 148 to the implement frame 176, in one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a system 232 is disclosed. The system 232 is configured to retain the moldboard 148 in slidable engagement with the implement frame 176. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the system 232 includes one or more brackets 236. Also, the system 232 includes one or more cover plates 240. Further, the system 232 may include one or more conduits (e.g., a conduit 244). In addition, the system 232 may include a drain line 248. Details pertaining to each of the brackets 236, the cover plate 240, the conduit 244, and the drain line 248 will now be discussed.


As shown in FIG. 2, the system 232 includes a pair of brackets 236, namely—a first bracket 252 and a second bracket 256. It may be contemplated that, in some embodiments, the system 232 may include a higher or a lower number of brackets 236 depending on the grader machine's 100 configuration. For explanatory purposes, the first bracket 252 (hereinafter referred to as the “bracket 252”) will now be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-5. However, it should be noted that the description provided below for the first bracket 252 is equally applicable to the second bracket 256, without any limitations.


The bracket 252 includes a body 260. As shown in FIG. 3, the body 260 is a single integral piece that defines a first arm 264, a second arm 268, and a third arm 272. The first arm 264 and the second arm 268 may extend at an angle from one another from a first vertex portion 276 of the body 260. In addition, the third arm 272 may extend at an angle from the first arm 264 from a second vertex portion 280 to join the second arm 268 at a third vertex portion 284 to impart a substantially triangular profile to the bracket 252.


The bracket 252 may be coupled to the implement frame 176, e.g., to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176, about an axis (e.g., an articulation axis 288 passing through the implement frame 176) so as to be articulatable with respect to the implement frame 176, e.g., to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176, using an articulation joint 292 located at the third vertex portion 284 (of the body 260). By way of such articulation of the bracket 252 relative to the implement frame 176, the bracket 252 may facilitate, at least in part, a tilting of the moldboard 148 with respect to the work surface 108 (and/or the chassis 128) during the grading operation.


The bracket 252 defines one or more bearing arrangements, namely—a first bearing arrangement 300 and a second bearing arrangement 304. The first bearing arrangement 300 and the second bearing arrangement 304 may be spaced from one another. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bearing arrangement 300 is defined at the bracket 252 at a location proximal to the second vertex portion 280 of the body 260 (of the bracket 252) and the second bearing arrangement 304 is defined at the bracket 252 at a location proximal to the third vertex portion 284 of the body 260 (of the bracket 252). In this configuration, the first bearing arrangement 300 is located relatively distal to the working edge 212 of the moldboard 148 and the second bearing arrangement 304 is located relatively proximal to the working edge 212 of the moldboard 148.


The first bearing arrangement 300 and the second bearing arrangement 304 accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard 148 with respect to the implement frame 176. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first bearing arrangement 300 and the second bearing arrangement 304, may respectively receive portions of the rails, e.g., the first rail 216′ and the second rail 216″, such that the rails 216 can slide within the first bearing arrangement 300 and the second bearing arrangement 304 and with respect to the implement frame 176 (e.g., with respect to the first arm 184 of the implement frame 176), allowing the moldboard 148 to slide generally laterally (e.g., sideshift) with respect to the implement frame 176, the chassis 128, and/or also with respect to the longitudinal axis 228.


The first bearing arrangement 300 is now discussed. The first bearing arrangement 300 includes a mounting block 308, one or more pistons (e.g., a piston 312), and one or more fittings (e.g., a fitting 316). The mounting block 308 may be mounted to the bracket 252. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting block 308 is integrally manufactured with the bracket 252. In other embodiments, the mounting block 308 may be a separate component with respect to the bracket 252. In such a situation, the mounting block 308 may be coupled to the bracket 252 using any coupling method, such as bolting, welding, clamping, and the like.


As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting block 308 defines a longitudinal axis 320. The longitudinal axis 320 may be disposed substantially parallel and spaced apart with respect to the articulation axis 288 passing through the implement frame 176. Further, the mounting block 308 may define side surfaces, namely—a first side surface 324 and a second side surface 328, and may further define end surfaces, namely—a first end surface 332 and a second end surface 336. The second side surface 328 may be disposed opposite and spaced apart with respect to the first side surface 324 along the longitudinal axis 320. The second end surface 336 may be disposed opposite and spaced apart with respect to the first end surface 332 along a lateral axis 340 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 320.


Furthermore, the mounting block 308 defines two protrusions, namely—a first protrusion 344 and a second protrusion 348. The first protrusion 344 and the second protrusion 348 may extend away from the second end surface 336 (of the mounting block 308) towards the second bearing arrangement 304. The first protrusion 344 and the second protrusion 348 are spaced from one another to define a mounting channel 352 of the mounting block 308. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting channel 352 has a substantially C-shaped profile. In other embodiments, the mounting channel 352 may have any other configuration, such as a V-shaped configuration, a curved configuration, and the like. The mounting channel 352 extends along the longitudinal axis 320 between the first side surface 324 and the second side surface 328.


The mounting channel 352 is configured to receive a first wear assembly 354 of the first bearing arrangement 300. In an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first wear assembly 354 may include an adjustment block 356 and one or more wear elements 358 received within the adjustment block 356. The first wear assembly 354 may be slidably move with respect to the mounting channel 352 (of the mounting block 308). Two retention plates 360, namely—a first retention plate 360′ and a second retention plate 360″ are coupled to the mounting block 308. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first retention plate 360′ and the second retention plate 360″ are removably coupled to the first side surface 324 and the second side surface 328, respectively, of the mounting block 308 (e.g., using fasteners, as shown). The first retention plate 360′ and the second retention plate 360″ are configured to allow a sliding movement of the first wear assembly 354 along the lateral axis 340 with respect to the mounting channel 352, and limit the longitudinal movement of the first wear assembly 354 along the longitudinal axis 320 with respect to the mounting channel 352.


Further, the mounting block 308 includes at least one through-bore 362. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting block 308 includes two through-bores 362, namely—a first through-bore 362′ and the second through-bore 362″. For explanatory purposes, the first through-bore 362′ (hereinafter referred to as “through-bore 362′”) will now be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 3-5. However, it should be noted that the description provided below for the through-bore 362′ is equally applicable to the second through-bore 362″, without any limitations.


The through-bore 362′ extends between the first end surface 332 and the second end surface 336 of the mounting block 308. The through-bore 362′ defines an inner cavity 364 and an interior wall 368 surrounding the inner cavity 364. Also, the through-bore 362′ may define a shoulder 372 extending inwardly from the interior wall 368 towards the inner cavity 364 of the through-bore 362′. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shoulder 372 is located relatively proximal to the second end surface 336 and relatively distal to the first end surface 332.


The piston 312 is now discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 3-5. The piston 312 includes a body 312′. The body 312′ defines a shaft portion 376 and a flange portion 380 extending outwardly from the shaft portion 376. The piston 312 is slidably disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore 362. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the piston 312 is disposed within the inner cavity 364 of the through-bore 362′ in a manner such that the piston 312 may slidably move (or reciprocate) against the interior wall 368 of the through-bore 362′. When moved within the through-bore 362′, the piston 312 may contact the first wear assembly 354 to adjust the first wear assembly 354 with respect to the rails 216 (e.g., the first rail 216′) of the moldboard 148.


The cover plate 240 includes a body 240′. The body 240′ may define a flat rectangular portion 384 and a cylindrical portion 388 extending outwardly from a surface 392 of the flat rectangular portion 384. The cover plate 240 may be configured to be coupled to the end surface (e.g., the first end surface 332) of the mounting block 308. For example, in an assembly of the cover plate 240 with the mounting block 308, the cylindrical portion 388 of the cover plate 240 is inserted within the inner cavity 364 of the through-bore 362 (e.g., the first through-bore 362′) such that the surface 392 of the cover plate 240 abuts and sits against the first end surface 332 of the mounting block 308. Thereafter, the flat rectangular portion 384 (of the cover plate 240) is fastened to the mounting block 308, for example, by using fasteners 396.


Once coupled, the cover plate 240, the piston 312, and the interior wall 368 (of the through-bore 362′) define a first chamber 400 of the through-bore 362′, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Also, the cover plate 240 defines a passageway 404 extending through the flat rectangular portion 384 and the cylindrical portion 388. The passageway 404 may be configured to be in fluid communication with the first chamber 400 (of the through-bore 362′), when the cover plate 240 is coupled to the mounting block 308.


The fitting 316 is now discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 3-5. The fitting 316 is configured to facilitate an influx of a fluid 408 into the at least one through-bore 362 (e.g., the through-bore 362′). In the present embodiment, the fluid 408 includes grease. In other embodiments, the fluid 408 may be at least one of oil, or air, or any other suitable fluid known in the art, required as per the grader machine's configuration. In an example, the fitting 316 facilitates the influx of the fluid 408 (e.g., grease) into the first chamber 400 of the through-bore 362′. As the fluid 408 is received within the first chamber 400 (through the fitting 316), the piston 312 is pushed (via the fluid 408) against the first wear assembly 354, such that the first wear assembly 354 is advanced to reduce a gap ‘G’ (shown in FIG. 2) with respect to a second wear assembly 412 associated with the second bearing arrangement 304 and retain the moldboard 148 slidably between the first wear assembly 354 and the second wear assembly 412. It should be noted that the construction and configuration of the second wear assembly 412 may be similar to that of the first wear assembly 354, and hence will not be discussed.


In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, as the piston 312 is pushed a threshold distance ‘D’ within the through-bore 362′, the flange portion 380 (of the piston 312) may abut against the shoulder 372 (of the through-bore 362′), which may limit any further advancement of the first wear assembly 354 with respect to the second wear assembly 412 (and/or the rails 216 of the moldboard 148). The threshold distance ‘D’ may be based on a thickness ‘T’ of the wear element 358. In an example, the threshold distance ‘D’ is equal to or less than the thickness ‘T’ of the wear element 358, and may vary depending upon the thickness ‘T’ of the wear element 358.


As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the fitting 316 includes a zerk fitting 416 fluidly coupled with the passageway 404 (e.g., disposed at an inlet 420 of the passageway 404) to facilitate the influx of the fluid 408 into the first chamber 400 (through the passageway 404). For example, the zerk fitting 416 provides a connection for a grease gun (or the conduit 244) to deliver grease (or other lubricant) into the passageway 404 and the first chamber 400 of the through-bore 362′. In addition, the zerk fitting 416 may restrict the efflux of the fluid from the first chamber 400. The construction and configuration of the zerk fitting 416 is well known in the art and, therefore, will not be discussed in detail.


The conduit 244 may be couplable and extendable away from the fitting 316 (e.g., the zerk fitting 416). The conduit 244 may define a fluid inlet 424 with respect to the first chamber 400. The fluid inlet 424 may be configured to provide a connection, for example, for a grease gun to deliver grease into the first chamber 400 of the through-bore 362′. The conduit 244 may selectively defines the fluid inlet 424 at a location away from the first bearing arrangement 300, the second bearing arrangement 304, and the moldboard 148. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conduit 244 defines the fluid inlet 424 at a back portion 428 (defined near the first vertex portion 276) of the bracket 252. It may be contemplated that, in other embodiments, the conduit 244 may define the fluid inlet 424 at any suitable location on the grader machine 100 away from the first bearing arrangement 300, the second bearing arrangement 304, and the moldboard 148.


The drain line 248 is now discussed with reference to FIG. 6. The drain line 248 is configured to be fluidly coupled between the fitting 316 and a reservoir 432 (located on the grader machine 100). In this regard, the fitting 316 includes a port 436 disposed and fluidly coupled with the passageway 404 (e.g., disposed at an inlet 420 of the passageway 404), in place of the zerk fitting 416. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the drain line 248 is coupled to the port 436 and extend from the port 436 to fluidly connect the first chamber 400 with the reservoir 432. Once coupled between the fitting 316 and the reservoir 432, the drain line 248 may facilitate an efflux of the fluid 408 (e.g., grease) from the first chamber 400 as a reaction force (in a direction shown by an arrow ‘R’) is applied on the piston 312 through the first wear assembly 354 when the moldboard 148 is pushed against the work surface 108.


Referring to FIG. 7, a system 732 is shown. The system 732 may be similar in all respects to the system 232 but may differ from the system 232 in that the mounting block 308, the piston 312, and the cover plate 240 are omitted. Rather, the system 732 includes a mounting block 708, a piston 712, and a cover plate 740 (e.g., a flat plate 740). The mounting block 708 may be similar in all respects to the mounting block 308 but may differ from the mounting block 308 in that the shoulder 372 is omitted. Rather, the mounting block 708 includes one or more relief passages (e.g., a relief passage 700) extending from a through-bore 762 of the mounting block 708. Also, the mounting block 708 includes a channel 704 fluidly coupled with a first chamber 400, defined by the through-bore 762, the piston 712, and the cover plate 740. The fitting 316 (e.g., the zerk fitting 416) is fluidly coupled with the channel 704 to facilitate the influx of the fluid 408 into the first chamber 400 and restrict the efflux of the fluid 408 from the first chamber 400.


The piston 712 may be similar in all respects to the piston 312 but may differ from the piston 312 in that the flange portion 380 is omitted. Rather, the piston 712 includes a circumferential surface 716 (extending between a top end 718 and a bottom end 718′ of the piston 712) defined at the shaft portion 376 of the piston 712, and an indented portion 720 defined on the circumferential surface 716. The indented portion 720 may extend from the top end 718 of the piston 712 to be indented into the piston 712 to define a shoulder 722. The indented portion 720 is configured to fluidly connect the first chamber 400 with the relief passage 700 as the piston 712 is pushed by the fluid 408 and the shoulder 722 (of the indented portion 720) is advanced to a threshold distance ‘D’. At this stage, the fluid 408 from the first chamber 400 may pass through the relief passage 700 to stop any further movement of the piston 712, thereby limiting any further advancement of the first wear assembly 354 towards the second wear assembly 412.


INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

During operation of the grader machine 100, the moldboard 148 may be repeatedly actuated to slide laterally (e.g., moldboard sideshift) with respect to the first wear assembly 354 (of the first bearing arrangement 300) and the second wear assembly 412 (of the second bearing arrangement 304) to acquire various work-related positions relative to the work surface 108. Due to the sliding motion between the rails 216 of the moldboard 148 and the wear elements (e.g., the wear element 358) of the first wear assembly 354 and the second wear assembly 412, the wear element 358 may wear over a period of operating time. For example, a newly fitted wear element 358 is shown in FIG. 4 to have a thickness of ‘T’. Over a period of time, the thickness of the wear element 358 is reduced to ‘T’, as shown in FIG. 5.


As the wear element 358 wears over time, adjustment of the first wear assembly 354 with respect to the rails 216 (e.g., the first rail 216′) of the moldboard 148 is necessary to reduce or eliminate play between the wear element 358 and the moldboard 148, and hence, retain the moldboard 148 in slidable engagement with the implement frame 176 of the grader machine 100. In this regard, the present disclosure provides the system 232 (or the system 732) to adjust (e.g., advance, or retract) the wear element 358 (or the first wear assembly 354) with respect to the moldboard 148 to retain the moldboard 148 in slidable engagement with the implement frame 176.


Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary method for retaining the moldboard 148 in slidable engagement with the implement frame 176 is discussed. The method is discussed by way of a flowchart 800 that illustrates exemplary steps (i.e., 804 and 808) associated with the exemplary method. The method is also discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-5.


Initially, an operator may pivotably couple the one or more brackets (e.g., the bracket 252 along with the first bearing arrangement 300 and the second bearing arrangement 304, as discussed) to the implement frame 176 of the grader machine 100, step 804. In an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the bracket 252 is pivotably coupled to the first arm 184 (of the implement frame 176), about the articulation axis 288 so as to be articulatable with respect to the implement frame 176, using the articulation joint 292 (located at the third vertex portion 284 of the bracket 252).


Further, the operator may couple and extend the conduit 244 from the fitting 316 (e.g., the zerk fitting 416) to define the fluid inlet 424 with respect to the first chamber 400 (of the through-bore 362) away from the first bearing arrangement 300, the second bearing arrangement 304, and the moldboard 148, step 808. In an example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operator may extend the conduit 244 to the back portion 428 (defined near the first vertex portion 276) of the bracket 252. In another example, the operator may extend the conduit 244 to any other remote location away from the first bearing arrangement 300, the second bearing arrangement 304, and the moldboard 148.


Once the conduit 244 is coupled to the fitting 316, the operator may fluidly connect a fluid source (e.g., a grease gun, or a pump, etc.,) with the fluid inlet 424 (of the conduit 244) to deliver the fluid 408 (e.g., grease) into the first chamber 400 of the through-bore 362. Upon the influx of the fluid 408 into the first chamber 400, the piston 312 (within the through-bore 362) is pushed (via the fluid 408) against the first wear assembly 354 such that the first wear assembly 354 is advanced to reduce the gap ‘G’ with respect to the second wear assembly 412 and retain the moldboard 148 slidably between the first wear assembly 354 and the second wear assembly 412.


As the wear element 358 wears over a period of operating time, the operator may control the influx of the fluid 408 into the first chamber 400 to proportionally adjust the stroke length of the piston 312 to retain the moldboard 148. In an example, the stroke length of the piston 312 may be adjusted between a minimum stroke length (as shown in FIG. 4) and a maximum stroke length (as shown in FIG. 5). The minimum stroke length may correspond to a fully retracted state of the piston 312 at which the flange portion 380 of the piston 312 abuts against the cylindrical portion 388 of the cover plate 240. In an example, the operator may adjust the stroke length to the minimum stroke length when the wear element 358 is newly fitted and has a maximum thickness ‘T’, as shown in FIG. 4. The maximum stroke length may correspond to a fully extended state of the piston 312 at which the flange portion 380 of the piston 312 abuts against the shoulder 372 of the through-bore 362. In an example, the operator may adjust the stroke length to the maximum stroke length when the wear element 358 is completely worn out (with a minimum thickness ‘T′’, as shown in FIG. 5) and needs to be replaced. The abutment of the flange portion 380 (of the piston 312) with the shoulder 372 (of the through-bore 362) limits any further advancement of the piston 312 and the first wear assembly 354 towards the second wear assembly 412. This may prevent any metal-to-metal contact between the adjustment block 356 (of the first wear assembly 354) and the rails 216 (e.g., the first rail 216′) of the moldboard 148, and hence, eliminate or minimize any potential damage to the moldboard 148 or to the bearing arrangements.


Once the wear element (e.g., the wear element 358) wears out completely, the operator may desire to replace the worn-out wear element 358 with a new wear element 358. Accordingly, the operator may fluidly decouple the zerk fitting 416 from the first chamber 400 of the through-bore 362. For example, the operator may remove the zerk fitting 416 from the inlet 420 of the passageway 404. Next the operator may fit the port 436 at the inlet 420 and extend the drain line 248 from the port 436 to fluidly connect the first chamber 400 with the reservoir 432 (shown in FIG. 6).


Subsequent to this, the operator may lower the moldboard 148 (e.g., via controlling the actuator 168) to push the moldboard 148 against the work surface 108. As the moldboard 148 is pushed against the work surface 108, a corresponding reaction force ‘R’ is imparted on the piston 312 (through the first wear assembly 354, as shown in FIG. 6) resulting in an upward movement of the piston 312 towards the cover plate 240. As a result of this upward movement of the piston 312, the fluid 408 (e.g., grease) contained within the first chamber 400 is purged from the first chamber 400. The fluid 408 purged from the first chamber 400 is then routed though the drain line 248 to the reservoir 432. Subsequent to the efflux of the fluid 408 from the first chamber 400, the operator may slidably remove the first wear assembly 354 (including the worn-out wear element 358) from the mounting channel 352 of the mounting block 308, and may slidably dispose a new first wear assembly (with a new wear element 358 having thickness ‘T’) into the mounting channel 352.


The system 232 (or the system 732) may provide a simple, quick, and safe method of adjusting the wear assemblies to positively retain the moldboard in slidable engagement with the implement frame 176 of the grader machine 100. Further, disposing the system 232 (or the system 732) at the first bearing arrangement 300 away from the working edge 212 of the moldboard 148 and the work surface 108 may eliminate or diminish a possibility of clogging the fitting 316 (e.g., the zerk fitting 416) with dirt or ground materials during the operation of the grader machine 100. In addition, disposing the fluid inlets (e.g., the fluid inlet 424) at an easily accessible location (e.g., at the back portion 428 of the bracket 252) away from the first bearing arrangement 300, the second bearing arrangement 304, and the moldboard 148, may aid in quick, precise, and frequent adjustment of the wear assemblies, as and when required by the operator. Furthermore, the system 232 (or the system 732) may be retrofitted on any grader machine with little or no modification to the existing system, in turn, improving usability, flexibility, and compatibility.


Unless explicitly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of plural such components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” or the term “one or more,” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B” or one or more of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Similarly, as used herein, the word “or” refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase “A, B, or C” refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.


It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the system, the grader machine, and/or the method of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system, the grader machine, and/or the method disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.

Claims
  • 1. A system for retaining a moldboard in slidable engagement with an implement frame of a grader machine, the moldboard defining a working edge to engage with a work surface, the system comprising: one or more brackets pivotably couplable to the implement frame, a bracket of the one or more brackets defining a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame, the first bearing arrangement located relatively distal to the working edge and the second bearing arrangement located relatively proximal to the working edge, the first bearing arrangement including: a mounting block including at least one through-bore;a piston disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore; anda fitting to facilitate an influx of a fluid into the at least one through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.
  • 2. The system of claim 1 further including a cover plate coupled to an end surface of the mounting block, wherein the cover plate, the piston, and an interior wall of the at least one through-bore define a first chamber of the at least one through-bore configured to receive the fluid through the fitting.
  • 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the cover plate defines a passageway in fluid communication with the first chamber of the at least one through-bore, and wherein the fitting includes a zerk fitting fluidly coupled with the passageway to facilitate the influx of the fluid into the first chamber and restrict the efflux of the fluid from the first chamber.
  • 4. The system of claim 3 further including a conduit couplable and extendable away from the zerk fitting and selectively defining a fluid inlet with respect to the first chamber away from the first bearing arrangement and the second bearing arrangement.
  • 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one through-bore defines a shoulder, and the piston includes a shaft portion and a flange portion extending outwardly from the shaft portion, the flange portion configured to abut against the shoulder to limit an advancement of the first wear assembly.
  • 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the mounting block defines a channel fluidly coupled with the first chamber of the at least one through-bore, and wherein the fitting includes a zerk fitting fluidly coupled with the channel to facilitate the influx of the fluid into the first chamber and restrict the efflux of the fluid from the first chamber.
  • 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one through-bore defines a relief passage, and the piston includes a shaft portion defining a circumferential surface and an indented portion on the circumferential surface, the indented portion fluidly connects the first chamber with the relief passage as the piston is pushed by the fluid and advanced to a threshold distance to limit an advancement of the first wear assembly.
  • 8. The system of claim 2 further including a drain line fluidly couplable between the fitting and a reservoir to facilitate an efflux of the fluid from the first chamber.
  • 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid includes at least one of grease, oil, or air.
  • 10. A grader machine, comprising: a chassis;a drawbar extending from the chassis;a circle rotatably supported with respect to the drawbar;an implement frame, including one or more arms, extending from the circle;a moldboard defining a backside and a frontside with respect to the grader machine, and a working edge configured to engage with a work surface; anda system for retaining the moldboard in slidable engagement with the implement frame, the system including: one or more brackets pivotably couplable to the implement frame, a bracket of the one or more brackets defining a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame, the first bearing arrangement located relatively distal to the working edge and the second bearing arrangement located relatively proximal to the working edge, the first bearing arrangement including: a mounting block including at least one through-bore;a piston disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore; anda fitting to facilitate an influx of a fluid into the at least one through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.
  • 11. The grader machine of claim 10, wherein the system includes a cover plate coupled to an end surface of the mounting block, wherein the cover plate, the piston, and an interior wall of the at least one through-bore define a first chamber of the at least one through-bore configured to receive the fluid through the fitting.
  • 12. The grader machine of claim 11, wherein the cover plate defines a passageway in fluid communication with the first chamber of the at least one through-bore, and wherein the fitting includes a zerk fitting fluidly coupled with the passageway to facilitate the influx of the fluid into the first chamber and restrict the efflux of the fluid from the first chamber.
  • 13. The grader machine of claim 12, wherein the system includes a conduit couplable and extendable away from the zerk fitting and selectively defining a fluid inlet with respect to the first chamber at a back portion of the bracket defined away from the first bearing arrangement, the second bearing arrangement, and the moldboard.
  • 14. The grader machine of claim 10, wherein the at least one through-bore defines a shoulder, and the piston includes a shaft portion and a flange portion extending outwardly from the shaft portion, the flange portion configured to abut against the shoulder to limit an advancement of the first wear assembly.
  • 15. The grader machine of claim 11, wherein the mounting block defines a channel fluidly coupled with the first chamber of the at least one through-bore, and wherein the fitting includes a zerk fitting fluidly coupled with the channel to facilitate the influx of the fluid into the first chamber and restrict the efflux of the fluid from the first chamber.
  • 16. The grader machine of claim 15, wherein the at least one through-bore defines a relief passage, and the piston includes a shaft portion defining a circumferential surface and an indented portion on the circumferential surface, the indented portion fluidly connects the first chamber with the relief passage as the piston is pushed by the fluid and advanced to a threshold distance to limit an advancement of the first wear assembly.
  • 17. The grader machine of claim 11, wherein the system includes a drain line fluidly couplable between the fitting and a reservoir to facilitate an efflux of the fluid from the first chamber.
  • 18. The grader machine of claim 10, wherein the fluid includes at least one of grease, oil, or air.
  • 19. A method for retaining a moldboard in slidable engagement with an implement frame of a grader machine, the moldboard defining a working edge to engage with a work surface, the method comprising: pivotably coupling one or more brackets to the implement frame, a bracket of the one or more brackets defining a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement to accommodate a sliding movement of the moldboard with respect to the implement frame, the first bearing arrangement located relatively distal to the working edge and the second bearing arrangement located relatively proximal to the working edge, the first bearing arrangement including: a mounting block including at least one through-bore;a piston disposed and movable within the at least one through-bore; anda fitting to facilitate an influx of a fluid into the at least one through-bore to push the piston against a first wear assembly received within the mounting block such that the first wear assembly is advanced to reduce a gap with respect to a second wear assembly associated with the second bearing arrangement and retain the moldboard slidably between the first wear assembly and the second wear assembly.
  • 20. The method of claim 19 further including: coupling a conduit to the fitting;extending the conduit from the fitting to define a fluid inlet with respect to a first chamber of the at least one through-bore away from the first bearing arrangement and the second bearing arrangement to facilitate the influx of the fluid into the first chamber; andcoupling a drain line between the fitting and a reservoir to facilitate an efflux of the fluid from the first chamber into the reservoir as a reaction force is applied on the piston through the first wear assembly when the moldboard is pushed against the work surface.