Patent Publication Number: US-11661720-B2

Title: Attachment system for a work vehicle implement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/437,161, entitled “ATTACHMENT SYSTEM FOR A WORK VEHICLE IMPLEMENT”, filed Feb. 20, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an attachment system for a work vehicle implement. 
     Certain work vehicles (e.g., tractors, skid steers, etc.) include a cab configured to house an operator, and a chassis configured to support the cab. The chassis is also configured to support wheels and/or tracks to facilitate movement of the work vehicle relative to a ground surface. In addition, various mechanical components of the work vehicle, such as a motor, a transmission, and a hydraulic system, among other components, may be supported by the chassis and/or disposed within an interior of the chassis. Certain work vehicles (e.g., skid steers) have an arm rotatably coupled to the chassis and configured to support an implement (e.g., dozer blade, grapple, etc.). For example, the arm may support a dozer blade to facilitate earth-moving operations. Accordingly, the horizontal forces experienced by the dozer blade are transmitted to the chassis of the work vehicle through the arm. Unfortunately, the maximum force rating of the dozer blade may be limited due to this arrangement (e.g., due to the maximum horizontal force rating of the arm). 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, an attachment system for a work vehicle implement includes an implement attachment assembly. The implement attachment assembly includes a receiver assembly configured to couple to a connector assembly of an arm of a work vehicle. The implement attachment assembly also includes a support structure coupled to the receiver assembly. The support structure includes a first mounting feature configured to engage a first corresponding mounting feature extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the work vehicle, and a second mounting feature configured to engage a second corresponding mounting feature extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the work vehicle. In addition, the first and second mounting features of the support structure are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis relative to a direction of travel of the work vehicle, and the first and second mounting features of the support structure are configured to substantially block horizontal and vertical movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle via engagement with the first and second corresponding mounting features of the work vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, an attachment system for a work vehicle implement includes a work vehicle attachment assembly. The work vehicle attachment assembly includes a connector assembly pivotally coupled to an arm of a work vehicle. The connector assembly is configured to couple to a receiver assembly of an implement attachment assembly. The work vehicle attachment assembly also includes at least one mounting feature configured to extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the work vehicle. The at least one mounting feature is configured to move along a vertical axis of the work vehicle to selectively engage at least one corresponding mounting feature of a support structure of the implement attachment assembly to substantially block horizontal and vertical movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle. 
     In a further embodiment, an attachment system for a work vehicle implement includes an implement attachment assembly. The implement attachment assembly includes a receiver assembly configured to couple to a connector assembly of an arm of a work vehicle. The implement attachment assembly also includes a linkage coupled to the receiver assembly. The linkage is configured to move the work vehicle implement along a vertical axis in response to rotation of the receiver assembly relative to the arm of the work vehicle. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a work vehicle and an embodiment of an attachment system for an implement; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an implement attachment assembly that may be used within the attachment system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a work vehicle attachment assembly that may be used within the attachment system of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram of the implement attachment assembly of  FIG.  2    and the work vehicle attachment assembly of  FIG.  3    coupled to one another. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a work vehicle  100  and an embodiment of an attachment system for an implement. In the illustrated embodiment, the work vehicle  100  is a skid steer. However, it should be appreciated that the implement attachment system disclosed herein may be utilized on other work vehicles, such as tractors and dozers, among other work vehicles. In the illustrated embodiment, the work vehicle  100  includes a cab  102  and a chassis  104 . In certain embodiments, the chassis  104  is configured to house a motor (e.g., diesel engine, etc.), a hydraulic system (e.g., including a pump, valves, a reservoir, etc.), and other components (e.g., an electrical system, a cooling system, etc.) that facilitate operation of the work vehicle. In addition, the chassis  104  is configured to support the cab  102  and wheels  106 . The wheels  106  may be driven to rotate by the motor and/or by component(s) of the hydraulic system (e.g., hydraulic motor(s), etc.). While the illustrated work vehicle  100  includes wheels  106 , it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the work vehicle may include tracks or a combination of wheels and tracks. 
     The cab  102  is configured to house an operator of the work vehicle  100 . Accordingly, various controls, such as the illustrated hand controller  108 , are positioned within the cab  102  to facilitate operator control of the work vehicle  100 . For example, the controls may enable the operator to control the rotational speed of the wheels  106 , thereby facilitating adjustment of the speed and/or the direction of the work vehicle  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cab  102  includes a door  110  to facilitate ingress and egress of the operator from the cab  102 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a front implement, such as the illustrated dozer blade  200 , is coupled to the work vehicle  100 . As illustrated, the dozer blade  200  is positioned forward of the chassis  104  relative to a direction of travel  10 . As discussed in detail below, the dozer blade  200  is coupled to the work vehicle  100  by an attachment system  300 . In certain embodiments, the attachment system  300  includes an implement attachment assembly and a work vehicle attachment assembly. The attachment assemblies are configured to interact with one another to couple the dozer blade  200  to the work vehicle  100 . In certain embodiments, the implement attachment assembly includes a linkage configured to control movement of the dozer blade  200  relative to the work vehicle  100 . For example, the linkage may be configured to move the dozer blade  200  along a vertical axis  12 , while substantially blocking movement of the dozer blade  200  along a lateral axis  14  and/or along a longitudinal axis  16 . In certain embodiments, an actuator assembly may be coupled to the dozer blade  200  and configured to rotate the dozer blade  200  about the longitudinal axis  16  in roll  18 , about the lateral axis  14  in pitch  20 , about the vertical axis  12  in yaw  22 , or a combination thereof. While the front implement is a dozer blade in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the front implement may be another suitable type of implement (e.g., a broom, an auger, a grapple, etc.). 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an implement attachment assembly  400  that may be used within the attachment system  300  of  FIG.  1   . In the illustrated embodiment, the implement attachment assembly  400  includes a receiver assembly  402  configured to couple to a connector assembly of the arm of the work vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver assembly  402  has a recess  404  configured to receive a protrusion of the connector assembly. In certain embodiments, the receiver assembly may also include a locking feature configured to secure the receiver assembly  402  to the connector assembly of the work vehicle. For example, the locking feature may include at least one recess configured to receive an extendable pin from a corresponding locking feature of the connector assembly. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the implement attachment assembly  400  also includes a support structure  406  pivotally coupled to the receiver assembly  402 . The support structure  406  is configured to be positioned beneath a bottom surface of the work vehicle, and the support structure  406  includes mounting features configured to engage corresponding mounting features of the work vehicle while the support structure is positioned beneath the bottom surface of the work vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting features include a first recess  408 , a second recess  410 , and a pin  412 . As illustrated, the mounting features are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis  16  relative to the direction of travel  10 . Each recess is configured to engage a corresponding pin of the work vehicle attachment assembly. Engagement of each recess with the corresponding pin substantially blocks horizontal movement of the support structure  406  relative to the work vehicle (e.g., substantially blocks movement along the longitudinal axis  16  and along the lateral axis  14 ). In addition, engagement of the pins and the recesses substantially blocks rotation of the support structure  406  relative to the work vehicle in yaw  22 . 
     In addition, the pin  412  is configured to engage a retractable hook of the work vehicle attachment assembly. Engagement of the pin  412  and the hook substantially blocks downward movement of the support structure  406  relative to the work vehicle along the vertical axis  12 . Accordingly, the mounting features of the implement attachment assembly  400  are configured to substantially block horizontal, vertical, and rotational movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle. 
     While the illustrated implement attachment assembly includes two recess, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the implement attachment assembly may include more or fewer recesses. For example, in certain embodiments, the implement attachment assembly may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more recesses, and the work vehicle attachment assembly may include a corresponding number of pins (e.g., extendable pins). In addition, while the illustrated implement attachment assembly include a single pin, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the implement attachment assembly may include more pins. For example, in certain embodiments, the implement attachment assembly may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more pins, and the work vehicle attachment assembly may include a corresponding number of hooks (e.g., retractable hooks). In addition, while the illustrated implement attachment assembly includes the pin and the recesses, it should be appreciated that the pin or at least one recess may be omitted in alternative embodiments. Moreover, the implement attachment assembly may include at least one other mounting feature (e.g., instead of the pin and/or recess(es), or in addition to the pin and/or recess(es)) configured to engage at least one corresponding mounting feature of the work vehicle attachment assembly to substantially block at least one of horizontal, vertical, and rotational movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle (e.g., one or more latches, one or more fasteners, one or more magnetic couplings, etc.). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  406  includes one substantially flat plate. The weight of the substantially flat plate may lower the center of gravity of the work vehicle/implement system and/or shift the center of gravity forward, thereby enabling the work vehicle to apply a larger horizontal force with the dozer blade. The recesses are formed in the substantially flat plate, and the pin is coupled to the substantially flat plate (e.g., the pin may extend through an opening in the substantially flat plate). However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the support structure may include multiple substantially flat plates (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more) and/or other suitable structure(s) (e.g., tube(s), rod(s), bar(s), etc.) for mounting to the work vehicle attachment assembly via respective mounting features. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the implement attachment assembly  400  includes a linkage  500  coupled to the receiver assembly  402  and to the support structure  406 . The linkage  500  is configured to move the dozer blade  200  along the vertical axis  12  in response to rotation of the receiver assembly  402  relative to the support structure  406 . As discussed in detail below, the work vehicle attachment assembly may include an actuator configured to rotate the connector assembly relative to the arm of the work vehicle. Accordingly, while the connector assembly is coupled to the receiver assembly  402 , rotation of the connector assembly drives rotation of the receiver assembly. As such, the linkage  500  enables the actuator to control the vertical position of the dozer blade  200 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the linkage  500  includes a first link  502  rotatably coupled to the support structure  406  at a first pivot joint  504 , a second link  506  rotatably coupled to the first link  502  at a second pivot joint  508 , and a third link  510  rotatably coupled to the second link  506  at a third pivot joint  512  and rotatably coupled to the receiver assembly  402  at a fourth point joint  514 . In addition, the third link  510  is non-rotatably (e.g., fixedly) coupled to the dozer blade  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver assembly  402  is rotatably coupled to the support structure  406  at a fifth point joint  516 , and the first and fifth pivot joints are substantially coaxial. Rotation of the receiver assembly  402  in a first pitch direction  24  induces the linkage  500  to move the dozer blade  200  in an upward direction  26  along the vertical axis  12  (e.g., without rotating the dozer blade). In addition, rotation of the receiver assembly  402  in a second pitch direction  28  induces the linkage  500  to move the dozer blade  200  in a downward direction  30  along the vertical axis  12  (e.g., without rotating the dozer blade). 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a work vehicle attachment assembly  600  that may be used within the attachment system  300  of  FIG.  1   . In the illustrated embodiment, the work vehicle attachment assembly  600  includes a connector assembly  602  configured to couple to the receiver assembly of the implement attachment assembly. As illustrated, the connector assembly  602  is pivotally coupled to an arm  112  of the work vehicle  100 . In addition, an actuator  604  extends between the arm  112  and the connector assembly  602 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  604  is a hydraulic cylinder. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the actuator may be an electromechanical actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or any other suitable type of actuator. The actuator  604  is configured to drive the connector assembly  602  to rotate in pitch  20  (e.g., in the first pitch direction  24  and in the second pitch direction  28 ), thereby driving the receiver assembly of the implement attachment assembly to rotate. As previously discussed, rotation of the receiver assembly induces the linkage to move the dozer blade along the vertical axis. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the connector assembly  602  includes a protrusion  606  configured to engage the corresponding recess within the receiver assembly of the implement attachment assembly. In certain embodiments, the connector assembly may include one or more extendable pins configured to engage corresponding recess(es) or opening(s) in the receiver assembly to secure the connector assembly to the receiver assembly. For example, to couple the connector assembly to the receiver assembly, the protrusion of the connector assembly may be engaged with the recess of the receiver assembly. One or more actuators may then drive the extendable pin(s) of the connector assembly into engagement with the recess(es) or opening(s) in the receiver assembly, thereby securing the connector assembly to the receiver assembly. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the work vehicle attachment assembly  600  includes a first pin  608 , a second pin  610 , and a hook  612 . Each pin is configured to engage a corresponding recess within the support structure of the implement attachment assembly. Engagement of each pin with the corresponding recess substantially blocks horizontal movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle  100  (e.g., substantially blocks movement along the longitudinal axis  16  and along the lateral axis  14 ). In addition, engagement of the pins and the recesses substantially blocks rotation of the support structure relative to the work vehicle in yaw  22 . 
     In addition, the hook  612  (e.g., retractable hook) is configured to engage a pin of the implement attachment assembly. Engagement of the hook  612  and the pin substantially blocks downward movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle along the vertical axis  12 . Accordingly, the mounting features of the work vehicle attachment assembly  600  are configured to substantially block horizontal, vertical, and rotational movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle. 
     While the illustrated work vehicle attachment assembly includes two pins, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the work vehicle attachment assembly may include more or fewer pins. For example, in certain embodiments, the work vehicle attachment assembly may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more pins, and the implement attachment assembly may include a corresponding number of recesses. In addition, while the illustrated work vehicle attachment assembly includes a single hook, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the work vehicle attachment assembly may include more hooks. For example, in certain embodiments, the work vehicle attachment assembly may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more hooks, and the implement attachment assembly may include a corresponding number of pins. In addition, while the illustrated work vehicle attachment assembly includes the hook and the pins, it should be appreciated that the hook or at least one pin may be omitted in alternative embodiments. Moreover, the work vehicle attachment assembly may include at least one other mounting feature (e.g., instead of the hook and/or pin(s), or in addition to the hook and/or pin(s)) configured to engage at least one corresponding mounting feature of the implement attachment assembly to substantially block at least one of horizontal, vertical, and rotational movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle (e.g., one or more latches, one or more fasteners, one or more magnetic couplings, etc.). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the work vehicle attachment assembly  600  includes an actuator  614  configured to move the hook  612  between a lowered position to engage the pin of the implement attachment assembly and a raised position to couple the support structure to the work vehicle  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator  614  includes a gear  616  configured to engage teeth  618  on the hook  612 . Rotation of the gear  616  drives the hook  612  to move along the vertical axis  12  from the illustrated lowered position to the raised position. While the hook  612  is in the illustrated lowered position, the hook  612  may engage the pin of the implement attachment assembly. The actuator  614  is configured to drive the hook  612  in a upward direction  32  along the vertical axis  12 , thereby driving the support structure of the implement attachment assembly into contact with a bottom surface  114  of the work vehicle  100 . In certain embodiments, the gear  616  may be driven to rotate by an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, among other suitable drive mechanisms. Furthermore, while the hook is driven to move along the vertical axis by a gear/teeth system, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the hook may be driven to move along the vertical axis by another suitable drive mechanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinders, or an electromechanical actuator, among others. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the work vehicle attachment assembly  600  includes a linkage  620  extending between the hook  612  and the pins  608  and  610 . The linkage  620  is configured to move the pins  608  and  610  in a downward direction  34  along the vertical axis  12  from the illustrated retracted position to an extended position in response to movement of the hook  612  in the upward direction  32 . While the pins  608  and  610  are in the illustrated retracted position, the work vehicle  100  may move in the direction of travel  10  until the hook  612  engages the pin of the implement attachment assembly. Once the hook is engaged with the implement attachment assembly pin, the actuator  614  may move the hook  612  in the upward direction  32 , thereby driving the support structure into contact with the bottom surface  114  of the work vehicle  100  and driving the pins  608  and  610  into engagement with the corresponding recesses in the support structure. While the pins  608  and  610  are engaged with the corresponding recesses, and the hook  612  is engaged with the corresponding pin, horizontal, vertical, and rotational movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle may be substantially blocked. While the pins  608  and  610  are driven by the linkage  620  in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, at least one pin may be driven by a separate actuator (e.g., a separate actuator for each pin, one actuator for both pins, etc.), such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electromechanical actuator, or any other suitable type of actuator. 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram of the implement attachment assembly  400  of  FIG.  2    and the work vehicle attachment assembly  600  of  FIG.  3    coupled to one another. To facilitate coupling the attachment assemblies to one another, the work vehicle  100  may move in the direction of travel  10  toward the dozer blade  200  and the implement attachment assembly  400 , which may be positioned on the ground. Before approaching the dozer blade/implement attachment assembly, the hook  612  may be transitioned to the lowered position, and the pins  608  and  610  may be transitioned to the retracted position. When the work vehicle reaches a target position relative to the dozer blade/implement attachment assembly, the protrusion  606  of the connector assembly  602  may be engaged with the recess  404  of the receiver assembly  402  (e.g., via movement of the arm  112 , via movement of the work vehicle  100 , via rotation of the connector assembly  602 , or a combination thereof). Once the protrusion of the connector assembly is engaged with the recess of the receiver assembly, the extendable pin(s) of the connector assembly may engage the recess(es) or opening(s) of the receiver assembly, thereby securing the connector assembly to the receiver assembly. 
     Positioning the work vehicle in the target position and engaging the connector assembly with the receiver assembly positions the work vehicle such that the hook  612  engages the pin  412 , and the pins  608  and  610  are aligned with the recesses  408  and  410 . Once aligned, the actuator  614  drives the hook  612  in the upward direction  32 , thereby driving the support structure  406  into contact with the bottom surface  114  of the work vehicle  100 . In addition, upward movement of the hook  612  induces the linkage  620  to drive the pins  608  and  610  in the downward direction  34 , thereby driving the pins  608  and  610  into engagement with the respective recesses  408  and  410 . As previously discussed, engagement of the pins  608  and  610  with the respective recesses  408  and  410  substantially blocks horizontal movement of the support structure  406  relative to the work vehicle  100  (e.g., substantially blocks movement along the longitudinal axis  16  and along the lateral axis  14 ). In addition, engagement of the pins  608  and  610  with the respective recesses  408  and  410  substantially blocks rotation of the support structure  406  relative to the work vehicle  100  in yaw  22 . Furthermore, contact between the hook  612  and the pin  412  substantially blocks movement of the support structure  406  in the downward direction  34  along the vertical axis  12 , and contact between the support structure  406  and the bottom surface  114  of the work vehicle  100  substantially blocks movement of the support structure  406  in the upward direction  32  along the vertical axis  12 . Moreover, contact between the support structure  406  and the bottom surface  114  of the work vehicle  100  substantially blocks rotation of the support structure  406  relative to the work vehicle  100  in pitch  20  and roll  18 . 
     In certain embodiments, the support structure may not contact the bottom surface of the work vehicle while the attachment assemblies are coupled to one another. In such embodiments, contact between bottom surfaces of the work vehicle attachment assembly pins and top surfaces of the respective implement attachment assembly recesses may substantially block movement of the support structure in the upward direction along the vertical axis. In addition, contact between side surfaces of the work vehicle attachment assembly pins and side surfaces of the respective implement attachment assembly recesses may substantially block rotation of the support structure relative to the work vehicle in pitch and roll. 
     With the attachment assemblies coupled to one another, the weight of the dozer blade/implement attachment assembly is support by the connector assembly  602  and the hook  612 . As illustrated, the protrusion  606  of the connector assembly  602  is in contact with the receiver assembly  402 . Accordingly, a portion of the weight of the dozer blade/implement attachment assembly is supported by the connector assembly  602  and, in turn, the arm  112  of the work vehicle  100  (e.g., the portion of the weight may be transferred from the arm to the work vehicle chassis via an arm pivot joint). In addition, due to the contact between the hook  612  and the pin  412 , the hook  612  also supports a portion of the weight of the dozer blade/implement attachment assembly. The hook  612 , in turn, transfers the portion of the weight to the work vehicle chassis  104 . 
     The attachment assemblies are also configured to transfer the horizontal load on the dozer blade to the work vehicle. As illustrated, the dozer blade  200  is coupled to the arm  112  of the work vehicle  100  via the linkage  500 , the receiver assembly  402 , and the connector assembly  602 . Accordingly, a portion of the horizontal load on the dozer blade  200  is transferred to the arm  112  (e.g., the portion of the horizontal load may be transferred from the arm to the work vehicle chassis via an arm pivot joint). In the illustrated embodiment, a spacer  116  is coupled to the chassis  104  of the work vehicle  100 . The spacer  116  is configured to transfer the horizontal load, which is applied to the arm  112  by the dozer blade  200 , to the chassis  104 . In addition, the dozer blade  200  is coupled to the support structure  406  by the linkage  500 . Accordingly, a portion of the horizontal load applied to the dozer blade  200  is transferred to the support structure  406 . The support structure  406 , in turn, transfers the portion of the horizontal load to the work vehicle chassis  104  via the pins  608  and  610 . Because a portion of the horizontal load on the dozer blade is transferred to the chassis of the work vehicle via the linkage, the support structure, and the pins, the maximum force rating of the dozer blade may be increased, as compared to a configuration in which the horizontal force is transferred to the arm alone. In addition, because a portion of the horizontal load on the arm is transferred to the chassis via the spacer, the maximum force rating of the dozer blade may be increased, as compared to a configuration in which the spacer is omitted, and the horizontal load is transferred from the arm to the chassis only at an arm pivot joint. 
     As previously discussed, the actuator  604  may be utilized to control the vertical position of the dozer blade  200 . For example, the actuator  604  may rotate the connector assembly  602  in the direction  24 , thereby driving the receiver assembly  402  to rotate in the direction  24 . Rotation of the receiver assembly  402  in the direction  24  induces the linkage  500  to move the dozer blade  200  in an upward direction  26  along the vertical axis  12 . In addition, the actuator  604  may rotate the connector assembly  602  in the direction  28 , thereby driving the receiver assembly  402  to rotate in the direction  28 . Rotation of the receiver assembly  402  in the direction  28  induces the linkage  500  to move the dozer blade  200  in a downward direction  30  along the vertical axis  12 . 
     While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.