Patent classifications
E02F3/7645
ROAD MAINTENANCE USING STORED MAINTENANCE PASSES
In accordance with an example embodiment, a work vehicle may include a vehicle positioning system providing a vehicle position signal, a ground-engaging blade moveable by blade actuators, a blade sensing system providing a blade position signal, and a controller in communication with the vehicle positioning system, the blade actuators, and the blade sensing system. The controller may be configured to receive the vehicle position signal, receive the blade position signal, determine a target blade position using the vehicle position signal and a stored maintenance pass, the stored maintenance pass indicative of a past position of the blade associated with a past position of the vehicle for a plurality of past vehicle positions, and control the blade actuators to move the blade toward the target blade position.
Sensor for a Motor Grader
A motor grader may include a moldboard assembly movably connected to a main frame of the motor grader to move with respect to a plurality of dimensions. The moldboard assembly may include a blade having a lower cutting edge, an upper free edge, and first blade side, and a second blade side. The moldboard assembly may be adapted to pivot the blade by moving the upper free edge with respect to the lower cutting edge. The moldboard assembly may be adapted to change the cross-slope of the blade by moving the first blade side with respect to the second blade side. To determine the pitch and/or cross-slope, a blade sensor may be mounted to the moldboard assembly. The location of the blade sensor on the moldboard assembly may protect the blade sensor and allow the blade sensor to directly measure the pitch and/or cross-slope of the blade.
Frame assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle
A frame assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle includes a support frame attachable to the vehicle, a lever pivotable on the support frame between a first and second positions, and a biasing assembly connecting the lever to the support frame. The implement is connectable to the lever via an implement support frame. The biasing assembly is movable between an extended position and a compressed position and is biased toward the extended position. The lever and the biasing assembly define an acute angle that opens toward the vehicle when the support frame is removably attached to the vehicle and the lever is in the first position.
Motor grader circle drawbar assembly
A motor grader includes a work implement supported by a frame, a controller, and a circle drawbar assembly for controlling the work implement. The circle drawbar assembly includes a drawbar frame, a circle member coupled to the drawbar frame, and a drive arrangement coupled to the drawbar frame and the circle member for rotation thereof about the circle axis. The drawbar arrangement a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder pivotally coupled to the drawbar frame at a first location and a second location, respectively, on their respective first portions, and pivotally coupled to the circle member at a common third location on their respective second portions. A control arrangement extends and retracts the hydraulic cylinders in timed relationship to rotate the circle member about the circle axis.
Rear frame for a motor grader
A rear frame for a motor grader includes a pair of arms that are disposed equidistantly from a mid-plane. Each arm has a front portion, a rear portion, and a mid-portion located between the front and rear portions. The front portion of each arm is configured to pivotally couple with a front frame of the motor grader. The rear frame also includes a ripper mounting arrangement, a bumper, and a torque resisting member. The ripper mounting arrangement is located at a rear end of the rear portion of each arm. The bumper is laterally disposed with respect to the mid-plane and rigidly attached to a position on the rear portion of each arm located adjacent the rear end of the rear portion of each arm. The torque resisting member is laterally disposed with respect to the mid-plane and rigidly attached to the mid-portion of each arm.
FORWARD LOOKING SENSOR FOR PREDICTIVE GRADE CONTROL
A vehicle grade control system and method of controlling an implement position of a motor grader moving along a path of a surface. The motor grader includes a frame supported by wheels and an implement adjustably coupled to the frame. The control system includes a processor and a memory configured to receive a grade target to grade the surface to a desired grade with the implement based on the grade target. Surface irregularities of the surface in a path of the motor grader are located. An angle of the frame is determined based on the located surface irregularities and a difference between the identified angle of the frame and the grade target is determined. A position of the implement with respect to the frame based on the determined difference is identified and the surface is graded with the identified position of the implement.
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SOIL MANAGEMENT FOR AN IMPLEMENT
A vehicle grade control system and method of controlling an implement position of a motor grader moving along a path of a surface. The motor grader includes a frame supported by a ground engaging traction device and an implement adjustably coupled to the frame. The control system includes a processor and a memory configured to receive a grade target to grade the surface to a desired grade with the implement, based on the grade target. A front image sensor provides images of a front surface profile, an implement image sensor provides images of collected surface material on the implement, and a rear image sensor provides images on a rear surface profile. The surface is graded by adjusting a position of the implement based on the images provided by each of the front image sensor, the implement image sensor, and the rear image sensor.
REAR FRAME FOR A MOTOR GRADER
A rear frame for a motor grader includes a pair of arms that are disposed equidistantly from a mid-plane. Each arm has a front portion, a rear portion, and a mid-portion located between the front and rear portions. The front portion of each arm is configured to pivotally couple with a front frame of the motor grader. The rear frame also includes a ripper mounting arrangement, a bumper, and a torque resisting member. The ripper mounting arrangement is located at a rear end of the rear portion of each arm. The bumper is laterally disposed with respect to the mid-plane and rigidly attached to a position on the rear portion of each arm located adjacent the rear end of the rear portion of each arm. The torque resisting member is laterally disposed with respect to the mid-plane and rigidly attached to the mid-portion of each arm.
CONTROL DEVICE, OPERATION DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND WORK VEHICLE
The control device is a control device that controls a drawbar attached to a main frame of a grader, in which a movement of the drawbar is generated by at least three actuators, and the control device controls, based on an output signal from one operation lever having at least three degrees of freedom, the plurality of actuators such that a movement of the one operation lever corresponds to the movement of the drawbar.
Ground engaging tool control system and method
A ground engaging tool control system including a first sensor system, a second sensor system, a first actuator system, a second actuator system, and an electronic data processor. The first and second sensor systems detect respective positions of a first ground engaging tool and a second ground engaging tool. The first actuator system is coupled to the first ground engaging tool and the second actuator system is coupled to the second ground engaging tool. The electronic data processor determines a target grade profile and generates two or more control signals to adjust target positions of the first ground engaging tool and the second ground engaging tool. The target position of the second ground engaging tool is determined based on at least one of a position of the first ground engaging tool or the comparison of a current grade profile and a desired grade profile.