Patent Application
20230287635
The present disclosure relates generally to asphalt and soil compacting work machines, such as compaction machines, and, more particularly, to methods and systems to determine a condition in which a compaction drum of a compaction machine slips relative to a surface.
Compaction machines are commonly employed for compacting earth, freshly laid asphalt, soil, and other similar compactable substrates to form a road surface along an expanse of a roadway. In this regard, compaction machines generally include one or more compactor drums and one or more traction devices. During a compaction operation, a compactor drum typically comes into contact with and rolls against an underlying compactable substrate to push down and provide compaction to the compactable substrate, while the traction devices provide traction against a surface so as to move the compaction machine relative to the surface such that as the machine is driven, the compaction operation may be performed.
A degree of traction offered by the compactor drum and the traction devices against any surface are generally different. Such a difference can be compounded based on factors, such as the type of surface, inclination of the surface, etc., over which the compaction machine may travel or be driven.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,659 relates to hydrostatically driven vehicles and to diagnostic systems and controls monitoring operation of hydraulic circuits operating to propel said type of vehicles. The hydrostatically driven vehicle has an engine operating a variable displacement propel pump, a displacement of which can vary based on an angle of a rotating swashplate, such that a fluid flow impelled by the pump transfers power to at least one propel motor rotating a wheel of the vehicle. An electronic controller of the vehicle senses an operating parameter of the system, for example, the angle of the rotating swashplate or the direction and speed of rotation of the propel motor with a sensor to yield an actual signal, and relays the actual signal to an electronic controller. The controller determines a desired angle for the rotating swashplate based on the control signal, and compares it to the actual signal from the sensor. Motion of the vehicle is stalled when the angle signal differs from the desired angle by a predetermined extent and for a predetermined period.
In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method for operating a compaction machine. The method includes monitoring, by a traction sensing device, a front traction associated with a front driving member. The method further includes monitoring, by the traction sensing device, a rear traction associated with a rear driving member. The front driving member and the rear driving member being propelled through at least one motor. The method further includes comparing, by a controller coupled to the traction sensing device, the front traction with the rear traction to obtain a compared traction. The method further includes identifying, by the controller, a condition in which one of the front driving member or the rear driving member spins higher than the other when the compared traction exceeds a predefined threshold traction.
In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to system for operating a compaction machine. The system includes a traction sensing device configured to monitor a front traction associated with front driving member and a rear traction associated with a rear driving member of the compaction machine. The front driving member and the rear driving member being propelled through at least one motor. The system further includes a controller coupled to the traction sensing device. The controller is configured to compare the front traction with the rear traction to obtain a compared traction, and identify a condition in which one of the front driving member or the rear driving member spins higher than the other when the compared traction exceeds a predefined threshold traction.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a compaction machine. The compaction machine includes a frame mounted on a front driving member and a rear driving member. The compaction machine further includes a traction sensing device configured to monitor a front traction associated with front driving member and a rear traction associated with a rear driving member of the compaction machine. The front driving member and the rear driving member being propelled through at least one motor. The compaction machine further includes a controller coupled to the traction sensing device. The controller is configured to compare the front traction with the rear traction to obtain a compared traction, and identify a condition in which one of the front driving member or the rear driving member spins higher than the other when the compared traction exceeds a predefined threshold traction.
Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts, e.g., 1, 1′, 1″, 101 and 201 could refer to one or more comparable components used in the same and/or different depicted embodiments.
Referring to
The compaction machine 100 includes a front driving member 105 and a rear driving member 110. The compaction machine 100 further includes a frame 115 supported on the front driving member 105 and the rear driving member 110. The front driving member 105 may be a compactor drum 120 which may be used for compacting material such as soil, asphalt, etc. The compactor drum 120 may be a steel drum or may be formed from steel, such that an outer surface contacting a compactable material, may be formed from steel. The rear driving member 110 may include a pair of wheels 125 that may be interconnected to each other by an axle (not shown). Alternatively, the rear driving member 110 may include a compactor drum similar to the compactor drum 120.
Referring to
Referring back to
The compaction machine 100 may include an operator station 140. In some embodiments, the operator station 140 may station one or more operators of the compaction machine 100 to control a functioning of the compaction machine 100. The operator station 140 may include one or more controls, which may be used by an operator to operate and/or control the compaction machine 100. The controls may include one or more input devices, which may take the form of buttons, switches, sliders, levers, wheels, touch screens, displays, or other input/output or interface devices, accessing one or more of which may enable operators of the compaction machine 100 to gain knowhow and/or control of various parameters and functioning of the compaction machine 100.
Referring to
The traction sensing device 205 is configured to monitor a front traction associated with the front driving member 105 and a rear traction associated with the rear driving member 110 of the compaction machine 100. In an embodiment as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to the embodiment of
Referring to
Referring to
Further, the controller 210 receives inputs from the traction sensing device 205 and compares the front traction with the rear traction to obtain a compared traction. In an embodiment, the traction associated with either the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 is indicative of spinning of the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 relative to the ramp 405, i.e., rotational speeds of the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″ vis-à-vis friction offered by surface of the ramp 405 in contact. When both the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 are experiencing traction, the controller 210 evaluates the compared traction based upon the rotational speed of motors 130′ and 130″. In case, the compared traction is within a predefined threshold traction, the controller 210 identifies an optimum working condition for the motors 130′ and 130″. Further, in an embodiment, the controller 210 is configured to identify a condition in which one of the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 spins higher than the other or is slipping with respect to the other due to loss of sufficient friction offered by surface of the ramp 405. When either the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 are slipping, the speed of the slipping member increases. In case, the condition is identified, the controller 210 generates an alert signal indicating that the compared traction has exceeded the predefined threshold traction.
In an embodiment, a notification corresponding to the alert signal may be made available to the operator on displays, or other input/output or interface devices of the compaction machine 100 in the operator station 140 to make the operator aware of the condition associated with the compaction machine 100. In an embodiment, the condition is indicative of a slipping of the compaction machine 100 while movement over the ramp 405. Accordingly, the operator activates the traction control device 225. In an alternative embodiment, the traction control device 225 may be activated by the controller 210 with or without any intimation to the operator. In another alternative embodiment, the traction control device 225 may be activated by the controller 210 in case the operator fails to respond to the notification within a predefined time.
As the controller 210 detects that the compared traction has exceeded the predefined threshold traction, and the traction control device 225 is activated, the traction control device 225 lowers the torque applied by the motor 130′ or 130″ to the slipping member until the compared traction comes within the range of predefined threshold traction. In an embodiment, the traction control device 225 is configured for selectively and independently controlling the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″ for controlling traction associated with at least one of the front driving member 105 and the rear driving member 110 based upon the alert signal generated by the controller 210.
In an embodiment, based upon the inputs from the speed sensors 215, and instructions from the controller 210, the traction control device 225 reduces the hydraulic displacement or stroke associated with either of the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″, to control and reduce the rotational speed of the high spinning motor to regain traction.
In an alternative embodiment, based upon inputs from the pressure sensor 220, and instructions received from the controller 210, the traction control device 225 controls the flow divider 335 associated with the hydraulic circuit 300. In this embodiment, the flow divider 335 is configured to divert hydraulic fluid flow among either of the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″, to control and reduce the rotational speed of the high spinning motor 130′ or 130″ to regain traction.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the traction sensing device 205 may employ both the speed sensors 215 and the pressure sensor 220 for providing inputs to the controller 210 for evaluating the compared traction. Further in this embodiment, the traction control device 225 may simultaneously reduce the hydraulic displacement or stroke associated with either of the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″ and control the flow divider 335 to divert hydraulic fluid flow among either of the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″, to control and reduce the rotational speed of the high spinning motor to regain traction.
Accordingly, while climbing upon the ramp 405 of the trailer 400, the system 200 controls and regains traction associated with the front driving member 105 and/or the rear driving member 110 such that the compaction machine 100, as shown in
Referring to
At step 702, the traction sensing device 205 monitors the front traction associated with the front driving member 105 of the compaction machine 100 climbing upon the ram 405 of the trailer 400. The front traction being corresponding to the rotational speed or the hydraulic pressure of the front driving motor 130′ propelling the front driving member 105. The method proceeds to step 704.
At step 704, the traction sensing device 205 monitors the rear traction associated with the rear driving member 110. The rear traction being corresponding to the rotational speed or the hydraulic pressure of the rear driving motor 130″ propelling the rear driving member 110. As described earlier, the traction sensing device 205 includes the speed sensor 215 and/or the pressure sensor 220 configured for monitoring the front driving motor 130′ and the rear driving motor 130″. The method proceeds to step 706.
At step 706, the controller 210, being coupled to the traction sensing device 205, compares the front traction with the rear traction to obtain a compared traction. The traction associated with either the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 is indicative of spinning of the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 relative to the ramp 405. When both the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 are experiencing traction, the controller 210 evaluates the compared traction based upon the rotational speed of motors 130′ and 130″. The method proceeds to step 708.
At step 708, in case, the compared traction is within a predefined threshold traction, the controller 210 does not cause any action to take place on motors 130′ and 130″. Further in an embodiment, the controller 210 is configured to identify a condition in which one of the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 spins higher than the other or is slipping with respect to the other. When either the front driving member 105 or the rear driving member 110 are slipping, the speed of the slipping member increases. In case, the condition is identified, the controller 210 generates an alert signal indicating that the compared traction has exceeded the predefined threshold traction.
As the controller 210 detects that the compared traction has exceeded the predefined threshold traction, and the traction control device 225 is activated, the traction control device 225 lowers the torque applied by the motor 130′ or 130″ to the slipping member until the compared traction comes within the range of predefined threshold traction.
The method and system for operating a compactor drum 120 of a compaction machine 100 provides an effective solution to counter situations of slipping of the compaction machine 100 while loading on to the trailer 400. When compaction machines are loaded on a trailer, depending on the ramp material, the drums or the tires can spin and often slide which can cause undesirable conditions. The method and system explained in the foregoing specification generates an alert signal to intimate or notify the operator about the condition of the compaction machine and take corrective action. Alternatively, the method and system may initiate the corrective action with or without any intimation to the operator, or in case the operator fails to respond to the alert signal within a predefined time.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and/or system of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method and/or system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.
