Patent Application
20190337494
The present invention relates to self-propelled construction machines for soil compaction such as tandem rollers usually moved at comparably low speeds during driving operation.
By way of example, reference shall be made to the BOMAG BW 206 AD-5 AM model of the same Applicant, which has a maximum speed of approximately 12 km/h. This is also why generally the maximum brake effect required to bring such a construction machine to a halt is comparatively low despite the high weight of these construction machines. This is why construction machines of the above type are often times sufficiently braked by merely one hydrostatic brake assembly. The advantage of a hydrostatic brake assembly lies with the fact that it is particularly suitable for a recuperative braking process in which the kinetic energy lost through the braking process can be used again. Corresponding brake assemblies are known, for example, from prior art publications DE 10 2006 050 873 A1 and DE 10 2006 060 014 A1. Inter alia, one specific feature of hydrostatic brake assemblies is that they do not require separate actuation by the machine operator in addition to speed regulation.
However, some of the construction machines of the above type, in particular rubber-tired rollers, have a significantly higher maximum speed and may reach up to 20 km/h. A rubber-tired roller is described in DE 11 2011 104 404 T5, for example. The braking effect of one single hydrostatic brake assembly is not sufficient for such machines in order to bring the construction machine to a halt within a satisfactory time period. Accordingly, it is desirable to have an additional brake assembly. However, in contrast to hydrostatic brake systems, such brake assemblies need to be operated by the machine operator explicitly or separately from speed regulation for triggering a braking process. Thus, an actuation device is required via which the brake assembly can be operated by the machine operator. This poses a challenge with regard to the construction of such machines since the operating position of the operator within the operator cabin is oftentimes variable, “variable” in this context not relating to a minimal seat adjustment for consideration of different body sizes, but to various specific operating positions on the operator platform as, for example, alternatively on the right or on the left side. Operator platforms that include multiple operator seats in different positions at the same time are known from the prior art. As an alternative, seat assemblies are known in which an individual operator seat may take different positions on the platform by displacing or rotating said seat. For example, this may be effected by means of suitable rail systems, pivoting arms or pivoting and/or shifting consoles. In particular, in such cases it is known to provide the actuation elements, such as in particular the brake pedal, either in multiple form in the operator platform or to carry them along with the operator seat in a comparatively elaborate fashion, requiring considerable effort for the guidance of hydraulic tubes and/or electric signal lines. The known solutions are thus comparatively complicated and sometimes lead to undesirable redundancy and parallel architectures, respectively, resulting also in higher production and maintenance costs.
Thus, a principle of the present invention is to provide an actuation device for the brake assembly of a construction machine of the aforesaid type, which particularly comprises an operator platform with different operating positions and which has a simple structure and, at the same time, can be operated flexibly from different positions.
Specifically, the principle of the present invention is achieved by a construction machine which comprises a brake assembly for braking the construction machine and an operator platform. The operator platform comprises at least one operator seat with a total of at least two side operating positions for a machine operator. A “side operating position” specifically relates to a position of the operator seat on a side of the construction machine, i.e., the operator seat is positioned on the right or on the left-hand side on the operator platform when viewed in the working direction. The machine operator on the operator platform may thus view the side of the machine or view along the side of a machine from the respective side operating position. The present invention also comprises the option of fine-adjustment of the operator seat in the respective side operating position in order to enable adjustment of the seat position to various body sizes, for example. However, said regular seat adjustment when in a certain side operating position is explicitly not comprised in the adjustment of the entire operator seat to various side operating positions. The side operating positions are preferably located at opposite ends of the operator platform, for example, on the right-hand side of the operator platform and on the left-hand side of the operator platform with respect to the working direction or forward direction of the construction machine. Furthermore, the operator platform comprises an actuation device for foot actuation of the first brake assembly. Thus, the actuation device can be actuated by means of a foot movement by the operator seated on the operator seat.
One aspect of the present invention is to configure the actuation device for the brake assembly with a brake beam, said break beam extending transversely to the working direction of the construction machine on the operator platform in such a way that it can be operated by foot, in particular pressed, from the at least two side operating positions. The brake beam according to one embodiment of the present invention thus refers to a longitudinally extending operating element which longitudinally extends on the operator platform in particular transversely to the working direction in such a way that it can be reached by an operator seated in the operator seat from various positions of the operator seat and ideally across the entire adjustment range of the operator seat and can be actuated by foot for triggering a braking operation. Basically, the brake beam functions as a transferring element from the driver to an actuator of the actuation device, the actuator being arranged below the brake beam. As a result, on the one hand, carrying along the brake pedal upon seat adjustment between various side operating positions may be omitted, resulting in a considerably smaller construction effort. On the other hand, only one single actuator adapted for receiving and transmitting the braking signal is required since the machine operator can trigger the braking signal from various side operating positions centrally via one single brake beam. Accordingly, the specific construction of the brake beam is achieved in a simple and cost-effective manner.
Realization in practice has shown that it is particularly favorable for the brake beam to extend continuously across at least 65% and, more particularly, across at least 80% of the width of the base area of the operator platform, specifically arranged centrally in relation to the longitudinal center line in the working direction. Here, continuously means that the brake beam is configured such that it can be actuated across its entire length. Thus, the brake beam is continuous even if it comprises perforations or comparable structures, provided this does not obstruct continuous operability, in particular operation by foot. The relevant width of the base area depends on the arrangement of the brake beam. If the brake beam extends transversely to the working direction through the operator platform, the width of the operator platform or in particular the width of the floor of said platform is relevant here, more particularly the floor area in which the two side operating positions of the operator seat are located or in which the brake beam is arranged on the floor in a position that can be reached from the operator seat.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the brake beam facing the operator seat corresponding to the step area of the brake beam is designed as a continuous actuation surface, in particular closed to the outside. This configuration is advantageous as it prevents or at least reduces the ingress of dirt into the region below the brake beam. It is particularly preferred here for the actuation surface to have an anti-slip coating so that the risk of the machine operator slipping-off with the foot and not being capable of properly controlling the braking operation is reduced. Such an anti-slip coating may be a roughened or an otherwise appropriately structured surface of a known type. In particular for production-related reasons, a rectangular design of the actuation surface and/or a cuboid design of the brake beam have proven to be advantageous.
The specific mounting of the brake beam may vary. For example, it is possible to mount the brake beam in its edge regions or directly and exclusively on an actuator. Mounting of the brake beam for an operator platform with a platform floor can be achieved in a particularly cost-effective manner which is also suitable for retrofitting if the brake beam is pivotally mounted via a joint, in particular a hinge, preferably directly, on the operator platform base. In order to allow for a particularly safe mounting, it is preferred in light of the longitudinal extension of the brake beam to not exclusively mount the brake beam via a single joint, in particular a hinge, but a plurality of joints/hinges, in particular three or more, which are preferably distributed at regular intervals in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the brake beam. This allows a particularly robust and safe mounting of the brake beam. It is particularly preferred for the brake beam to be mounted with an edge facing the operator seat via the joints/hinges on the platform base such that it can be easily pivoted downward away from the driver. This way, actuation by foot is possible in a particularly preferred manner.
According to another embodiment, the actuation device comprises a joint protection, particularly a hinge protection. Said protection is arranged above the joint/hinge and in particular configured as a chamfered protection strip along the entire edge of the brake beam facing the operator seat. The risk of the joint/hinge being damaged or impaired, for example, caused by the operating behavior of the machine operator or by sand or dirt carried onto the operator platform by the machine operator can be reduced by means of the joint/hinge protection. This results in a considerably reduced maintenance effort for the joint/hinge, for example.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an edge of the brake beam facing away from the operator seat is chamfered relative to the step area of the brake beam, especially bent downwards. In particular, said edge is bent to the inside downwards twice at a right angle so that the double-bent part of the edge forms a support surface in the form of a U-shaped profile for the brake beam. This way, the edge facing away from the operator seat may form a stop, for example, by means of which the brake beam may rest on the operator platform base, without the entire lower side of the brake beam being parallel to the operator platform base. This way, the brake beam, in particular the actuation surface, can maintain a certain inclination relative to the operator platform floor also in a fully actuated position, in particular in a range of bigger than 0° to 20° so that an ergonomically more favorable foot position for the machine operator is enabled even when the brake beam is actuated or pushed down.
Transmission of the beam position to a brake actuator is basically effected indirectly or directly via the brake beam. Now, it is ideal in this case if a transmission mechanism for the actuator is completely covered upwards by means of the brake beam and the operator platform base. This way, a hollow space for the transmission mechanism and the actuator is obtained, which space is more or less shielded relative to the inside of the operator platform, in particular in connection with the aforementioned joints/hinges and the protection strip.
The brake beam is preferably spring-loaded, particularly in direction towards an end position in which no braking actuation is triggered. The spring load may be designed such that it acts directly on the brake beam. Thus, a return spring is articulated on the brake beam. However, return of the brake beam is preferably effected by means of a spring-loaded actuator. Here, the actuator is loaded with the return device in such a way that upon non-actuation of the brake beam said beam is automatically returned to a resting position, i.e., a position not triggering a braking effect. To this end, the return device is in particular arranged below the brake beam. With regard to reliability, it is particularly advantageous if the return device comprises multiple return springs which are in particular arranged to act parallel to one another. The present invention generally also covers such embodiments in which the return spring is replaced by another elastic component, such as a rubber buffer, for example. The embodiment mentioned is basically characterized by the fact that the automatic return of the brake beam into its resting position is ensured.
As the brake is an essential component with respect to the operational safety of a construction machine, it must be ensured that said brake can be actuated reliably during operation. As a safety measure, it is, in particular, provided to that end that the brake beam automatically sinks downward due to its own weight upon breaking of the return spring, thus permanently actuating the actuator. A braking action is triggered thereby and the construction machine is stopped. Another safety measure may consist in that the actuation device comprises a spring break sensor. Said sensor in particular serves for detecting a spring break of the return spring of the brake beam. This way, operational safety of the brake beam can be enhanced since damage of the return spring may be detected and an emergency stop of the machine may be initiated in the case that the detector detects a spring break. The spring break sensor may be arranged below the brake beam, for example. Regardless of the use of the return spring, devices ensuring functionality of the actuation device are generally preferably integrated in the actuation device.
For specific implementation of the present invention according to one embodiment, it has proven to be advantageous that the actuator is arranged centrally relative to the brake beam, in particular with respect to its longitudinal extension. Specifically, this central arrangement relates to the extension of the brake beam along a longitudinal central axis of the brake beam. In relation to the working direction of the construction machine, the longitudinal central axis of the brake beam thus preferably extends horizontally and essentially perpendicular to the working direction. Central arrangement of the actuator on the brake beam can ensure a most uniform operating behavior of the brake beam across the entire width of the brake beam.
Furthermore, the actuator may directly be connected to the brake beam. However, an arrangement of the actuator relative to the brake beam in such a way that said brake beam rests on the actuator and the two components move relative to one another upon actuation of the brake beam is preferred, with the two components remaining in direct contact. In order to reduce frictional forces here, a contact roller is arranged on the actuator, via which roller the brake beam rests on the actuator. The lower side of the brake beam directly forms a rolling surface for the contact roller. This way, inclination of the brake beam may be transferred into a movement of the actuator.
For the specific design of the actuator, the actuators known from prior art can basically be used. An actuator configured as brake pedal, comprising a lever element rotatable about an axis, is particularly suitable to that end. The actuator actuated by the brake beam is preferably connected to an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic brake valve either in mechanical or electrical manner. By means of such a brake valve, a braking operation can be initiated for the braking assembly in a manner known in the prior art.
Furthermore, it is preferred in one embodiment for the actuation device to include a side protection, which side protection is arranged on a side of the brake beam facing away from the operator seat and which is designed to seal a hollow space below the brake beam relative to said side. Here, the side of the brake beam facing away from the operator seat is in particular a face side of the brake beam and essentially extends in parallel to the working direction of the construction machine in its extension plane. This way, parts of the actuation device arranged in the hollow space below the brake beam, such as the actuator, for example, are protected against dirt and unintentional impairment by the machine operator also from this side. The side protection may be designed integrally with the actuation surface of the brake beam.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the actuation device comprises a rotation angle sensor which is arranged below the brake beam or below the platform base. Said rotation angle sensor is designed to determine a rotation angle of the brake beam. Here, determination of the rotation angle can be effected directly, but, in particular, it is effected indirectly, by measuring an angle resulting from a mechanical transmission of the movement of the brake beam, from which the rotation angle of the brake beam can subsequently be determined using a known calculation rule. Also, the rotation angle sensor may be connected to an electronic control unit of the construction machine, such that data derived by the rotation angle sensor for rotating the brake beam may as well be used with control programs of the construction machine.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the operator seat comprises at least one of the following features: The operator seat is configured as a rotatable operator seat, in particular about a vertical rotation axis, the operator seat is configured as a laterally displaceable operator seat, the operator seat is arranged on a laterally displaceable seat support or the operator seat is arranged relative to the brake beam in such a way that the brake beam is located within the comfort region of the seated machine operator, said region defined by the DIN EN ISO 6682:2009-06 standard for foot-actuatable controls in earth moving machines. In other words, it is an essential idea of the present invention that the operator seat is most flexible in positioning, such that only one operator seat which can particularly be adjusted between the side operating positions is required and a second operator seat can be dispensed with.
Furthermore, with respect to the design of the operator platform, the present invention can be combined with the systems disclosed in publications DE 10 2010 035 270 A1 and DE 10 2007 018 744 A1, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The above-described brake assembly according to the present invention is preferably part of a larger brake system of the construction machine. The brake assembly according to the present invention is configured as operating brake here, in particular acting as a disc brake, drum brake or multi-disc brake. To that end, the brake system comprises a second brake assembly, which brake assembly is designed in particular as a hydrostatic brake assembly. Preferably, the braking effect of the brake assembly and the braking effect of the second brake assembly can be combined into a joint braking effect by means of the brake system. This can be effected in a way basically known by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The brake assembly according to the present invention is particularly suitable for construction machines, in particular for road finishers or soil compactors, in particular rubber-tired rollers. Said construction machines require frequent braking operations on the one hand and regular operations from different sides of the operator platform on the other hand.
The present invention is described in more detail below by means of the exemplary embodiments indicated in the figures. In the schematic figures:
Like components are indicated with like reference numerals throughout the drawings, however not every repeating component is necessarily indicated separately in each drawing.
Both construction machines 1 shown in
The following figures explain further details on the configuration of the operator platform and functionality of the present invention.
First, an overview of the specific configuration of the operator platform 4 in a perspective view can be taken from
The brake beam 10 is arranged on the operator platform 4 opposite the operator seat 6 and is comfortably reachable by foot for the machine operator, the brake beam 10 being part of an actuation device 9 for actuating a brake assembly of the construction machine 1. The brake beam 10 is supported on the platform base 8 by multiple joints, in particular rotary joints, in the present exemplary embodiment, for example, by means of parallel arranged hinges 13, on the side facing the operator seat 6 in such a way that it can be pivoted along said hinges 13 with a degree of freedom about an axis oriented horizontally and transversely to the working direction. In other words, the brake beam 10 can be folded up and down along the hinges 13. The brake beam 10 can be pivoted along the hinges 13 between an entirely operated position and a rest position, the rest position and the entirely operated position each being defined by a stop of the brake beam 10.
Furthermore, a surface of the brake beam 10 facing the operator seat 6 is configured as an actuation surface 23. Actuation of the brake beam 10 is effected in such a way that the machine operator acts on the brake beam 10 by foot, as a result of which the brake beam folds downward about pivot axes of the hinges 13 as a result. Said hinges 13 are also located in the region provided for foot actuation by the machine operator. For this reason, the brake beam 10 terminates toward the operator side by means of a joint or hinge protection, which is in the present case configured as a chamfered protection strip 11. Said protection strip 11 covers the hinges 13 and thus protects them against mechanical damages by the machine operator as well as against contamination. The actuation device 9 in each case terminates with a side protection 12 toward the sides of the operator platform 4, said side protection 12 delimiting a hollow space 20 below the brake beam 10 sideward. This way, the side protection 12 also serves for protecting the actuation device 9 overall against ingress of dirt or unintentional mechanical damage. This is relevant particularly because the actuator 15 for the brake beam 10 is also arranged in the hollow space 20 below the brake beam 10, and is thus also protected. However, said hollow space 20 and actuator 15 are not shown in
Due to is central arrangement on the platform 4 and its ergonomic shape, the brake beam 10 can be operated and comfortably reached by foot by the machine operator from all operating positions. Thus, flexibility in positioning the operator seat 6 can be entirely exploited by the machine operator, and he is not limited to a low number of actually possible operating positions by specifically assigned foot actuation devices with limited accessibility, as they are known from the prior art. To that end, the brake beam is designed as a beam-shaped element oriented horizontally and, with its longitudinal extension transversely to the working direction, said element having essentially the surface of a rectangle, with the longitudinal sides being considerably longer than the face sides, i.e., in the present case preferably at least by the factor 5. Furthermore, the width C of the brake beam extends across about 80% of width B of the platform and thus continuously extends across the most part of the platform. This ensures that the operator is capable of reaching the brake beam from the operator seat from a variety of different adjustment positions of the operator seat.
Furthermore, the brake beam with its surface facing the operator is designed continuously and uniformly over its entire width (orientation transversely to the working direction) in order to enable the same operating conditions across the entire width of the brake beam. Here, the term “continuous” should be understood such that the surface is not necessarily designed in a closed fashion (although this is preferred), but forms a continuous operating surface for the foot of the operator.
The actuator 15, which can be seen in this view, is also arranged inside the hollow space 20 below the brake beam 10. The brake beam 10 rests with its own weight on a roller 14 which is part of the actuator 15. The degree of freedom of the actuator 15 is determined by another hinge 17. Actuator 15 is loaded by a return spring for returning the brake beam 10 to a rest position. By the tension of the spring 16, actuator 15 is pushed upwards, lifting the brake beam 10 in direction of its rest position as a result. Here, upwards movement of the brake beam 10 is limited by a stop trunnion 18 protruding beyond the brake beam 10. Therefore, in the rest position of brake beam 10 as shown in
A lever 21 is arranged on one side of the parallel discs 25, said lever connecting the actuator 15 with a rotation angle sensor 24. Lever 21 is connected to disc 25 via a joint so that it is capable of rotating downwards and upwards, i.e., parallel to the extension of disc 25, as well as to the left and to the right, i.e., perpendicularly to the extension of disc 25. If brake beam 10 is folded down via hinge 13, actuator 15 rotates about hinge 17 and thus pushes lever 21 towards the rotation angle sensor 25. As the shank 27 of the rotation angle sensor 24, on which lever 21 is mounted on the opposite side, is mounted to be rotatable about an axis S running perpendicularly to the pivot axis W of actuator 15, clockwise rotation of actuator 15 results in the lever 21 rotating shank 27 about axis S in a direction away from actuator 15. Lever 21 folds to the outside on the joint, when viewed from disc 25. Said movement is effected by actuation of brake beam 10, for example. In turn, a counter-clockwise rotation of actuator 15 causes the lever 21 to fold inwards to the disc 25 and the shank 27 to be rotated about the axis S in a direction toward the actuator 15. This movement is effected by returning brake beam 10 by means of the return springs 16, for example. In both cases, rotation angle β of the shank 27 of the rotation angle sensor 24 changes at the same time. The rotation angle α of brake beam 10 is thus translated via actuator 15 and lever 21 into rotation angle β of the shank 27 of the rotation angle sensor 24, which angle is then measured by the rotation angle sensor 24 and then IT-processed in order to control the brake assembly.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of various embodiments and while those embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of Applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The present invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of Applicants' invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2015 012 666.0 | Sep 2015 | DE | national |
The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 15/278,384, filed Sep. 28, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2015 012 666.0, filed Sep. 30, 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15278384 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Child | 16513960 | US |
