US 12,084,829 B2
Systems and methods for automatically adjusting a motor grader
Michael C. Gentle, Maroa, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/342,403.
Prior Publication US 2022/0396928 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. E02F 3/84 (2006.01); E02F 3/76 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 3/844 (2013.01) [E02F 3/7613 (2013.01); E02F 3/7636 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for automatically adjusting 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 having a rear frame axis;
a front frame having a first front frame end portion, a front frame axis, and a second front frame end portion spaced apart from the first front frame end portion along the front frame axis, wherein:
the first front frame end portion includes a blade actuator,
the second front frame end portion is pivotably coupled to the rear frame;
a blade rotatably coupled to the first front frame end portion and operably connected to the blade actuator, wherein the blade includes a leading edge; and
a frame actuator connected to the rear frame and the front frame, the frame actuator being configured to change an articulation angle between the rear frame axis and the front frame axis;
determining, based at least in part on the one or more identifiers, a position of the leading edge relative to the rear frame axis; and
if the position is not within an operating threshold, causing the frame actuator to change the articulation angle to move the leading edge to within the operating threshold.