Apparatus, system, and method for work tool cushioning

Abstract

A work vehicle comprising a push beam, a work tool, a hydraulic actuator, interconnecting the push beam and the work tool and configured for moving the work tool, an accumulator, wherein the accumulator is fluidly coupled with the hydraulic actuator, a control valve disposed between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator, wherein the control valve is controllable between an open position and a closed position, a controller configured to receive a cushion control signal selecting one of a cushioned operating condition for providing a cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam and a non-cushioned operating condition for providing non-cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam, control the control valve to the open position when the cushion control signal indicates the cushioned operating condition, and control the control valve to the closed position when the cushion control signal indicates the non-cushioned operating condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A work vehicle comprising:
 a push beam;   a work tool configured to scrape a surface;   a hydraulic actuator, interconnecting the push beam and the work tool and configured for moving the work tool relative to the push beam in response to fluid pressure;   an accumulator, wherein the accumulator is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator;   a control valve disposed fluidly between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator, wherein the control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator; and   a controller, wherein the controller is configured to
 receive a cushion control signal selecting one of a cushioned operating condition for providing a cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam and a non-cushioned operating condition for providing non-cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam; 
 control the control valve to the open position when the cushion control signal indicates the cushioned operating condition; and 
 control the control valve to the closed position when the cushion control signal indicates the non-cushioned operating condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The work vehicle of  claim 1 , where the work tool comprises a dozer blade. 
     
     
         3 . The work vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion control signal comprises an operator input or a blade angle signal from a blade position sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The work vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein a set blade angle triggers the cushion control signal from the blade position sensor. 
     
     
         5 . A cushioning system on a work vehicle, the system comprising:
 a push beam;   a work tool configured to scrape a surface;   a hydraulic actuator, interconnecting the push beam and the work tool and configured for moving the work tool relative to the push beam in response to fluid pressure;   a control valve disposed fluidly between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator, wherein the control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the accumulator and the hydraulic actuator; and   a controller, wherein the controller is configured to
 receive a cushion control signal selecting one of a cushioned operating condition for providing a cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam and a non-cushioned operating condition for providing non-cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam, 
 control the control valve to the open position when the cushion control signal indicates the cushioned operating condition, and 
 control the control valve to the closed position when the cushion control signal indicates the non-cushioned operating condition. 
   
     
     
         6 . The cushioning system of  claim 5 , further comprising a display, wherein the controller is further configured to display, on the display, information about a status of the cushioning system. 
     
     
         7 . The cushioning system of  claim 6 , wherein the status comprises a blade cushion system engaged notification or a blade cushion system disengaged notification. 
     
     
         8 . The cushioning system of a  claim 5 , wherein the cushion control signal comprises an operator input or a blade angle signal from a blade position sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The cushioning system of  claim 8 , wherein the operator input comprises one or more of pressing a button, flipping a switch, and interacting with a touch screen icon. 
     
     
         10 . The cushioning system of  claim 8 , wherein a set blade angle triggers the cushion control signal from the blade position sensor. 
     
     
         11 . A method of cushioning a work tool on a work vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving a cushion control signal selecting one of a cushioned operating condition for providing a cushioned response between the work tool and a push beam and a non-cushioned operating condition for providing non-cushioned response between the work tool and the push beam;   controlling a control valve to an open position when the cushion control signal indicates the cushioned operating condition; and   controlling the control valve to a closed position when the cushion control signal indicates the non-cushioned operating condition.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cushion control signal comprises an operator input or a blade position sensor signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the blade position sensor signal is generated when a blade position sensor detects a set blade angle of the blade. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the valve comprises a solenoid valve in fluid communication with a hydraulic actuator coupled with the work tool and a hydraulic accumulator that is fluidly coupled with the hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising displaying, on a display, information regarding a status of a blade cushion system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the status comprises a blade cushion system engaged notification or a blade cushion system disengaged notification.