阅读说明：本技术 使用平地铲门的作业车辆物料管理 (Work vehicle material management using a ground shovel door ) 是由 戴维·A·瓦基 于 2020-09-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开一种作业车辆,该作业车辆包括使用平地铲门的物料管理系统。传感器被配置成生成指示地面特征和地面特征的定位的信号。平地铲联接至作业车辆并且被配置成移动地面物料。门联接至平地铲并且门致动器联接至门。门致动器被配置成将门移动至打开位置、关闭位置或打开位置与关闭位置之间的位置。与传感器通信的控制器被配置成接收指示地面特征和地面特征的定位的信号,并且基于地面特征和地面特征的定位控制门致动器移动门。(A work vehicle includes a material management system that uses a ground shovel door. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature. A grading shovel is coupled to the work vehicle and configured to move the ground material. A door is coupled to the grading shovel and a door actuator is coupled to the door. The door actuator is configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open and closed positions. A controller in communication with the sensor is configured to receive signals indicative of the ground features and the locations of the ground features, and control the door actuator to move the door based on the ground features and the locations of the ground features.)

1. A work vehicle comprising:

a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a ground feature and a location of the ground feature;

a grading shovel coupled to the work vehicle and configured to move ground material;

a door coupled to the ground shovel;

a door actuator coupled to the door, the door actuator configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the ground feature and a location of the ground feature, and control the door actuator to move the door to one of the open position, the closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position based on the ground feature and the location of the ground feature.

2. The work vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system configured to provide a work vehicle position, the controller configured to compare the work vehicle position to a position of the ground feature, and control the door actuator to move the door to one of the open position, the closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position based on the ground feature and the position comparison.

3. The work vehicle of claim 2, further comprising an operator interface configured to receive an operator input indicating a desired ground feature, a desired location from which the work vehicle is positioned, and a desired door position, the controller configured to control the door actuator to move the door to the desired door position when the ground feature and location comparison matches the desired ground feature and the desired location from the work vehicle.

4. The work vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a first actuator coupled to the grading blade and configured to raise and lower the grading blade, and a second actuator coupled to the grading blade and configured to rotate the grading blade; the controller is configured to move the first actuator and the second actuator based on the ground characteristics and the positioning comparison.

5. The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein said door prevents the formation of a pile.

6. The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein said sensor is at least one of a radar, a lidar, and a camera.

7. The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein the work vehicle is configured to move the ground material on a first path, and the ground feature is at least one of a second path, a high portion, and a low portion.

8. The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein said controller receives a signal indicative of said positioning as a distance from said work vehicle.

9. A work vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a tow bar assembly coupled to the frame;

a disc drive assembly coupled to the drawbar assembly;

a ground engaging device configured to support the frame on a ground surface;

a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a ground feature and a location of the ground feature;

a grading shovel coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to move ground material;

a door coupled to the ground shovel;

a door actuator coupled to the door, the door actuator configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature, and control the door actuator to move the door to the open position, the closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position based on the ground feature and the location of the ground feature.

10. The work vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a global positioning system configured to provide a work vehicle position, the controller configured to compare the work vehicle position to a position of the ground feature, and control the door actuator to move the door to one of the open position, the closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position based on the ground feature and the position comparison.

11. The work vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator coupled to the tow bar assembly and the frame and configured to raise and lower the grading blade; and the second actuator is coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to rotate the grading shovel; the controller is configured to move the first actuator and the second actuator based on the ground characteristics and the positioning comparison.

12. The work vehicle of claim 9, wherein said door prevents the formation of a pile.

13. The work vehicle of claim 9, wherein said sensor is at least one of a radar, a lidar, and a camera.

14. The work vehicle of claim 9, wherein the work vehicle is configured to move the ground material on a first path, and the ground feature is at least one of a second path, a high portion, and a low portion.

15. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein when the ground feature is the second path, the controller controls the gate actuator to move the gate to the closed position to prevent a pile from forming near the second path.

16. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein when the ground feature is a low portion, the controller controls the door actuator to move the door to the closed position to deposit the ground material onto the low portion.

17. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein when the ground feature is a high portion, the controller controls the door actuator to move the door to the open position to deposit the ground material proximate the high portion.

18. The work vehicle of claim 9, wherein said controller receives a signal indicative of said positioning as a distance from said work vehicle.

19. The work vehicle of claim 9, wherein the work vehicle is a motor grader.

20. A work vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a tow bar assembly coupled to the frame;

a disc drive assembly coupled to the drawbar assembly;

a ground engaging device configured to support the frame on a ground surface;

a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a ground feature and a location of the ground feature;

a global positioning system configured to provide work vehicle positioning;

a grading shovel coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to move ground material;

a door coupled to the ground shovel;

a door actuator coupled to the door, the door actuator configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position;

an operator interface configured to receive operator inputs indicative of a desired ground feature, a desired position from the work vehicle position, and a desired door position;

a first actuator coupled to the tow bar assembly and the frame and configured to raise and lower the blade;

a second actuator coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to rotate the grading shovel; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the global positioning system, and the operator interface, the controller configured to receive signals indicative of the ground features and locations of the ground features, compare the work vehicle location to the locations of the ground features, and control the door actuator, the first actuator, and the second actuator to move the door to the desired door position when the ground features and the location comparison match the desired ground features and the desired location from the work vehicle location.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to work vehicles, such as motor graders, and more particularly to a flatbed shovel door for a work vehicle.

Background

Work vehicles, such as motor graders, are commonly used to control the grade of the ground. Motor graders are sometimes used for removing snow. Motor graders may have a main moldboard, sometimes referred to as a grader blade.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a work vehicle is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the ground feature and a location of the ground feature. A grading shovel is coupled to the work vehicle and configured to move the ground material. A door is coupled to the blade and a door actuator is coupled to the door. The door actuator is configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open and closed positions. The controller is in communication with the sensor and is configured to receive signals indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature. The controller controls the door actuator to move the door to one of the open position, the closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position based on the ground features and the position.

In another embodiment, a motor grader is disclosed. A motor grader includes a frame. The drawbar assembly is coupled to the frame. The disc drive assembly is coupled to the drawbar assembly. The ground engaging device is configured to support the frame on the ground. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature. A grading shovel is coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to move ground material. The door is further coupled to the ground shovel. A door actuator is coupled to the door and configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open and closed positions. The controller is in communication with the sensor and is configured to receive signals indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature. The controller controls the door actuator to move the door to the open position, the closed position, or a position between the open position and the closed position based on the ground features and the positioning of the ground features.

In yet another embodiment, a work vehicle is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a frame. The drawbar assembly is coupled to the frame. The disc drive assembly is coupled to the drawbar assembly. The ground engaging device is configured to support the frame on the ground. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature. The global positioning system is configured to provide work vehicle positioning. A grading shovel is coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to move ground material. The door is further coupled to the ground shovel. A door actuator is coupled to the door and configured to move the door to an open position, a closed position, or a position between the open and closed positions. The operator interface is configured to receive operator inputs indicative of a desired ground feature, a desired position from the work vehicle location, and a desired door position. The first actuator is coupled to the tow bar assembly and the frame, and is configured to raise and lower the grading blade. A second actuator is coupled to the carousel assembly and configured to rotate the grading shovel. The controller is in communication with the sensor, the global positioning system, and the operator interface. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of the ground feature and the location of the ground feature. The controller compares the work vehicle position to the position and controls the door actuator, the first actuator, and the second actuator to move the door to a desired door position when the ground feature and position comparison matches a desired ground feature and a desired position from the work vehicle position.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of a work vehicle having a door.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the work vehicle of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the work vehicle of fig. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial side view of the work vehicle door of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side view of the work vehicle door of FIG. 1 in a position between an open position and a closed position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial side view of the work vehicle door of fig. 1 in a closed position.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of work vehicle control of the work vehicle of fig. 1.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Other embodiments of the invention may comprise any combination of features from one or more dependent claims and these features may be incorporated in any independent claim, either collectively or individually.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, a list having elements separated by conjunctions (e.g., "and") and preceded by the phrase "at least one of … …" or "one or more of … …" means a configuration or arrangement that may include the configuration or arrangement of the individual elements in the list, or any combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" or "one or more of A, B and C" represents the possibility of any combination of two or more of a alone, B alone, C alone, or A, B, C (e.g., a and B; B and C; a and C; or A, B and C).

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a work vehicle 10 having a frame 15, the frame 15 including a front frame 20 and a rear frame 25. The work vehicle 10 is illustrated as a motor grader 30. The present disclosure contemplates other types of work vehicles 10, including, for example, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, and track loaders or dozers. At least one ground engaging device 35 is coupled to front frame 20 and rear frame 25 and is configured to support front frame 20 and rear frame 25 on ground 40 and move work vehicle 10 along ground 40 in any direction including forward direction 45. The illustrated ground engaging devices 35 are a plurality of wheels 50. Alternatively, the ground engaging devices 35 may be tracks (not shown). The plurality of wheels 50 includes a left and right series set of a front wheel 55 for supporting the front frame 20 and a rear wheel 60 for supporting the rear frame 25.

Operator station 65 is coupled to frame 15. A power plant 70 (e.g., a diesel engine) is also coupled to the frame 15 to power the transmission system and one or more hydraulic pumps 75, the hydraulic pumps 75 pressurizing hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic circuit to move the hydraulic actuators.

Referring to fig. 2, sensor 80 is coupled to work vehicle 10. The sensor 80 is configured to generate a signal 85 (fig. 7) indicative of a surface feature 90 on the surface 40 and a location 91 of the surface feature 90. The sensor 80 may be a radar, lidar, camera, or other sensor. The ground features 90 may be alternative paths, high portions of paths (e.g., hills or hills), low portions of paths (e.g., potholes), ground material 92 (e.g., dirt, rocks, sand, snow), or other features on the ground 40. For example, work vehicle 10 may move ground material 92 along first path 95, and ground feature 90 may be a second path 100 connected to first path 95. For example, the first path 95 may be a road and the second path 100 may be another road or lane. The operator may be moving snow and may not wish to block the second path 100 or road with snow while moving snow on the first path 95 or road.

Referring to fig. 1, a tow bar assembly 105 or tow frame is coupled to the frame 15. The tow bar 110 of the tow bar assembly 105 is mounted to the front frame 20 at a forward location 115, has a front end 120 coupled to the front frame 20 by a ball and socket arrangement 125, and has opposite left and right rear regions 130, 130 depending from a raised central portion 135 of the front frame 20. The left and right first actuators 140 and 140 support the left and right rear regions 130 and 130 of the drawbar 110. The left first actuator 140 and the right first actuator 140 raise or lower the drawbar 110. The side-shifting linkage 145 is coupled between the raised central portion 135 of the front frame 20 and a rear location 150 of the drawbar 110 and includes a side-swing hydraulic actuator 155.

The disc drive assembly 160 is coupled to the drawbar assembly 105. The carousel assembly 160 may include a rotatable carousel member 165, the carousel member 165 being coupled to the traction frame or drawbar assembly 105. The carousel assembly 160 may rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the rotation axis 170.

Referring to fig. 2, a flat blade or moldboard 175 is coupled to the carousel assembly 160 (fig. 1) of the work vehicle 10 and is configured to move the ground material 92 on the ground 40. The surface material 92 may be snow, rock, sand, aggregate or other material. Although a grader blade 175 is described herein, other types of implements are contemplated by the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 3, a second actuator 180 may be coupled to the flat blade 175 or the carousel assembly 160. The second actuator 180 is configured to rotate the blade 175.

Referring to fig. 3-5, at least one door 185 is coupled to the flat blade 175 and is configured to move from an open position 190 to a closed position 195. In one embodiment, the door 185 has three walls. First wall 200 is rotatably coupled to the flat blade 175 and is positioned substantially vertically relative to the ground surface 40 in the open position 190 and substantially horizontally relative to the ground surface 40 in the closed position 195. The first wall 200 forms a top 205 of the door 185 in the closed position 195.

The second wall 210 is coupled to the first wall 200. The second wall 210 forms a side 215 of the door 185 in the closed position 195. The second wall 210 includes a wear plate 220 that may contact the ground 40 in the closed position 195. The wear plate 220 may be adjusted up or down in a substantially vertical position by an adjustment arrangement 225 coupled to the wear plate 220 and the second wall 210. The adjustment means 225 shown in this embodiment is a plurality of slots 230 and fasteners 235. When the door 185 is in the closed position 195, the second wall 210 may be angled slightly inward toward the work vehicle 10.

The third wall 240 is coupled to the second wall 210. The third wall 240 may be slightly angled inward such that in the closed position 195, the third wall 240 may be in contact with the flat spade 175. The projection 245 may be coupled to the third wall 240 that is in contact with the spatula 175 in the closed position 195. The tab 245 may help the door 185 properly align with the trowel 175 in the closed position 195.

It is contemplated that a fourth wall or stiffening member (not shown) may be coupled to the first wall 200 and the second wall 210. The door 185 may be shaped as a rectangle, sphere, or other shape.

The door actuator 250 may be coupled to the door 185. In one embodiment, the door actuator 250 is a hydraulic cylinder and one end of the door actuator is connected to the door 185 and the other end is connected to the flat blade 175. Alternatively, the door actuator 250 may be a pneumatic cylinder or an electric actuator 252. The door actuator 250 is configured to move the door 185 to an open position 190 (fig. 4), a closed position 195 (fig. 6), or a position 255 (fig. 5) therebetween. When the door actuator 250 is substantially fully extended, the door 185 will move to the closed position 195. When the door actuator 250 is substantially fully retracted, the door 185 will move to the open position 190. When the door actuator 250 is partially extended, the door 185 will be positioned such that it will be disposed between the open position 190 and the closed position 195.

Referring to fig. 7, a global positioning system ("GPS") 260 may be coupled to operator station 65 or frame 15 of work vehicle 10. GPS 260 may be configured to provide work vehicle position 265. Work vehicle position 265 may be associated with stored location data, such as maps, geographic coordinate markers, etc., to make real-time work vehicle position 265 consistent with grade positioning and known objects of preset positions of the work site in three-dimensional space.

Operator interface 270 may be coupled to work vehicle 10 and positioned in operator station 65. The operator interface 270 may be configured to receive operator inputs 275 indicative of a desired ground feature 280, a desired positioning 285, and a desired door position 290 for the automatic control door 185. Operator input 275 may also include a desired blade height 292. Alternatively, the operator interface 270 may be configured to receive a manual operator input 275 for manually operating the door 185.

As used herein, "controller" 295 is intended to be used consistent with how that term is used by those skilled in the art, and refers to a computing component having processing, memory, and communication capabilities for controlling or communicating with one or more other components. In one embodiment, controller 295 is a stand-alone controller 295 dedicated to controlling door actuator 250 and in some embodiments to controlling flat shovel 175, but in alternative embodiments, controller 295 may be a vehicle control unit ("VCU") that controls a variety of functions of work vehicle 10 other than door actuator 250 and flat shovel 175.

The controller 295 may be configured to receive the signal 85 from the sensor 80 and the operator input 275 from the operator interface 270, and automatically control the door actuator 250 to move the door 185 to the desired door position 290 when the ground features 90 and the positioning 91 match the desired ground features 280 and the desired positioning 285. For example, the operator may set the desired door position 290 to the closed position 195 and the desired ground feature 280 to the second path 100, and then the controller will control the door 185 to close when the work vehicle 10 is at or by the second path 100 and control the door 185 to open after the work vehicle 10 passes the second path 100 to prevent the ground material 92 from forming a pile or mounding on the second path 100 and blocking the second path 100 as the work vehicle travels on the first path 95. Alternatively, an operator may manually control the door 185 using the operator interface 270 by providing operator inputs 275 to a controller 295. The controller 295 is configured to control movement of the door 185 to one of the open position 190, the closed position 195, or a position 255 therebetween and to control the height of the blade 175.

In another example, when the ground feature 90 is a low portion, the controller 295 may control the door actuator 250 to move the door 185 to the closed position 195 to deposit the ground material 92 onto the low portion, such as to fill a pothole in the roadway. In yet another example, when the surface feature 90 is a high portion, the controller 295 may control the gate actuator 250 to move the gate 185 to the open position 190 to deposit the surface material 92 near the high portion, such as by removing the surface material 92 from the high portion to create a pile of the surface material 92.