Vibratory compacting roller machine with drum steering
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An articulated roller machine comprising:
- a chassis comprising a front subframe and a rear subframe coupled together at a pivot connection;
a front drum assembly rotatably mounted to the front subframe and a rear drum assembly rotatably mounted to the rear subframe, each of the front and rear drum assemblies comprising respective left and right drums, wherein the drums are configured to compact the ground over which the roller machine travels;
a position sensor for detecting a relative position difference between the front subframe and the rear subframe and generating a relative position value; and
a controller configured to receive the relative position value for adjusting at least one of a speed and a direction of rotation of the drums of each of the drum assemblies relative to one another and independently of the drums of the other drum assembly to provide movement and steering for the roller machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method provides for an improved steering system for an articulated vibratory roller machine. Steering can be accomplished without the use of a dedicated steering actuator. Instead, steering angles may be created by independently driving left and right side drum halves at the front and rear ends of the machine at different speeds and/or directions. This differential action creates the desired steering angle by rotating the front and back halves of the machine about a central articulated joint. As a result, a cost-effective and versatile solution that eliminates the need for conventional steering components and their associated disadvantages is provided.
30 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An articulated roller machine comprising:
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a chassis comprising a front subframe and a rear subframe coupled together at a pivot connection; a front drum assembly rotatably mounted to the front subframe and a rear drum assembly rotatably mounted to the rear subframe, each of the front and rear drum assemblies comprising respective left and right drums, wherein the drums are configured to compact the ground over which the roller machine travels; a position sensor for detecting a relative position difference between the front subframe and the rear subframe and generating a relative position value; and a controller configured to receive the relative position value for adjusting at least one of a speed and a direction of rotation of the drums of each of the drum assemblies relative to one another and independently of the drums of the other drum assembly to provide movement and steering for the roller machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for steering an articulated roller machine, the method comprising:
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(a) pivotally coupling a front subframe and a rear subframe together, the front subframe having a front drum assembly rotatably mounted to the front subframe and the rear subframe having a rear drum assembly rotatably mounted to the rear subframe, each of the drum assemblies having left and right drums; (b) commanding the roller machine with respect to movement and steering; and (c) independently adjusting at least one of a speed and a direction of each of the drums of each drum assembly relative to all other drums to propel the articulated roller machine at variable speeds and steering angles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vibratory roller machine comprising:
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a chassis comprising a front subframe and a rear subframe coupled together at a pivot connection; and first and second front drums rotatably mounted to the front subframe and first and second rear drums rotatably mounted to the rear subframe, wherein the drums are excited to vibrate and are configured to compact the ground over which the vibratory roller machine travels; wherein at least one of a direction and a speed of rotation of each of the drums is individually controllable relative to the remaining drums to effect propulsion and steering control of the vibratory roller machine. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification