Systems and methods for automatic moldboard positioning
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsMichael C. Gentle, Ethan M. Tevis, David L. Cox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer-implemented method for automatically adjusting a moldboard of a motor grader can include receiving one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader, and determining, based on the received identifier(s), a first orientation of the moldboard. If the first orientation is not within an operating threshold, the method can further include selecting, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of a plurality of actuators of the motor grader; and actuating the selected actuator(s) to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation within the operating threshold.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for automatically adjusting a moldboard of a motor grader, the method comprising:
- receiving one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader, wherein the motor grader comprises:
- a rear frame,
- a front frame pivotably coupled to the rear frame,
- a moldboard assembly coupled to the front frame, the moldboard assembly including the moldboard, a drawbar, a circle, and a plurality of actuators each operably coupled to at least one of the moldboard, the drawbar, and the circle, and
- a wing assembly coupled to the rear frame and to the front frame, the wing assembly including a wing;
- determining, based on the one or more identifiers, a first orientation of the moldboard relative to the wing;
- and
- if the first orientation is not within an operating threshold:
- selecting, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of the plurality of actuators, and
- actuating the selected actuator to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation relative to the wing,
- wherein the second orientation is within the operating threshold.
A system for automatically adjusting a moldboard of a motor grader, the system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- and
- one or more memory devices having stored thereon instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
- receive one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader, wherein the motor grader comprises:
- a rear frame,
- a front frame pivotably coupled to the rear frame,
- a moldboard assembly coupled to the front frame, the moldboard assembly including the moldboard, a drawbar, a circle, and a plurality of actuators each operably coupled to at least one of the moldboard, the drawbar, and the circle, and
- a wing assembly coupled to the rear frame and to the front frame, the wing assembly including a wing;
- determine, based on the one or more identifiers, a first orientation of the moldboard relative to the wing;
- and
- if the first orientation is not within an operating threshold:
- select, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of the plurality of actuators, and
- actuate the selected actuator to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation relative to the wing, wherein the second orientation is within the operating threshold.
An apparatus for automatically adjusting a moldboard, the apparatus comprising:
- a motor grader comprising:
- a rear frame,
- a front frame pivotably coupled to the rear frame,
- a moldboard assembly coupled to the front frame, the moldboard assembly including the moldboard, a drawbar, a circle, and a plurality of actuators each operably coupled to at least one of the moldboard, the drawbar, and the circle, and
- a wing assembly coupled to the rear frame and to the front frame, the wing assembly including a wing, and
- one or more sensors configured to determine a configuration of the motor grader;
- and
- one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
- receive, via a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors, one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader;
- determine, via the controller and based at least in part on the one or more identifiers, a first orientation of the moldboard relative to the wing;
- and
- if the first orientation is not within an operating threshold:
- select, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of the plurality of actuators, and
- actuate the selected actuator to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation relative to the wing,
- wherein the second orientation is within the operating threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.