Vibratory compaction vehicle

Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes front and rear frame portions (3, 9) driven by a first hydraulic motor (40) and a vibration mechanism (44) on at least one of the frame portions also driven by a second hydraulic motor (46). A first sensor (54) on the vehicle senses movement of a member on said vehicle driven by said first hydraulic motor, and sends corresponding signals to a microcontroller (26) on the vehicle. A timing device (60) sends timing signals to the microcontroller, which is programmed to convert the movement signals and timing signals to indicate longitudinal speed of travel of the vehicle. The microcontroller automatically turns the vibration means (44) on or off depending on the speed of the vehicle. A second sensor on the vehicle sends a signal to the microcontroller indicating a reverse direction of travel of the vehicle. The microcontroller (26) automatically coincides the direction of motion of the vibration means with the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Description: This invention relates generally to a vibratory compaction vehicle having a system for controlling the on/off point and the direction of rotation of a vibratory mechanism of the vehicle, and more particularly to a system utilising signals from speed sensing and direction sensing devices on the compaction vehicle to automatically turn the vibratory mechanism on and off at a given speed and to automatically set the direction of rotation of the vibratory mechanism depending upon the forward or reverse direction of movement of the vehicle. Known devices for controlling the on/off point and the direction of rotation of a vibratory mechanism use mechanical connections, such as cables extending between the vehicle's propulsion lever and switches and other activating devices. Over time, mechanical connections become worn and out of adjustment, causing improper operation that leads to inconsistent compaction. EP 655 532 A describes a vibrating mechanism having a rotating shaft and a weight movable with respect to the rotating shaft. The vibrating mechanism can be controlled to generate varying vibration force to a compacting roller. The vibrating mechanism continuously rotates regardless of whether or not vibration is generated by the vibration mechanism. Specifically, the weight on the rotating shaft can be actuated to move with respect to the rotating shaft in order to generate low, high, or no vibratory forces. In one disclosed embodiment, this movement can be initiated at threshold speeds of a vehicle in which the vibration mechanism is installed (so that desired vibration levels are generated only above threshold speeds of the vehicle. A control system for a compactor machine is disclosed in WO 95/10664, and discloses a manner in which the rotational frequency of a vibration device can be measured. In the disclosed control system, a rotation sensor generates signals from the detection of a rotating eccentric weight, and provides these signals to a microprocessor for purposes of measuring rotational frequency of the eccentric weight. Frequency signals are generated in the form of pulses by electronic circuits and a pulse transducer. Also, a vibratory compaction vehicle is disclosed in EP 636 746 A. According to the present invention, there is provided a vibratory compaction vehicle having a system for controlling a vibratory mechanism of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: (a) a first vehicle frame portion mounted on a front driving member rotatably connected to a first transverse axle; (b) a second vehicle frame portion mounted on a rear driving member rotatably connected to a second transverse axle parallel to said first axle, said first and second frame portions being connected together; (c) propulsion means for propelling said vehicle including a first hydraulic motor means for rotating one of said driving members; and (d) vibration means mounted on said one driving member for causing vibratory impacts to be transmitted by said one driving member to material to be compacted thereunder; characterised in that the system comprises (e) rotatable means for determining a longitudinal speed of movement of said vehicle; and (f) means for starting and stopping said vibration means, when said horizontal speed is within a preselected range. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of a compactor, Figure 2 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional plan view of the compactor, and Figure 3 is a block diagram of a signal flow in accordance with which signals are generated and processed, to control a vibratory device based upon speed and direction of movement of the compactor of this invention, Figure 4 is a schematic side view showing a movement sensing arrangement for the compactor, Figure 5 is a view along 5-5 of Figure 4, Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment of a movement sensing arrangement for the compactor; Figure 7 is an expanded view of the circled area of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a view along 8-8 of Figure 6. Figures 1 and 2 show a conventional mobile asphalt compacting vehicle 1 having a first vehicle frame portion 3 mounted on a steel drum front driving member 5, which is rotatably connected to a first transverse axle 7, as is well known. A second vehicle frame portion 9 is mounted on a rear steel drum driving member 11, which is also rotatably connected to a second transverse axle 13 parallel to axle 7. The first and second frame portions are connected to each other by an articulated joint 15, as is well known, although a rigid connection can also be used. Carried on the first frame portion 3 is an operator station of conventional design, including a seat 22, a safety rail 24 and a steering wheel 28, whereby a steering mechanism 30 is actuated. Mounted on the vehicle 1 is a vibration control microprocessor 26, as described hereinafter. Propulsion means for propelling the vehicle 1 includes a first hydraulic motor 40 for rotating the front driving member 5. The motor 40 and its operative connection to the driving member 5 are conventional and well known. A propulsion lever 42 is used by a machine operator (not shown) to control the forward or reverse direction of the vehicle, as well as the speed in either forward or reverse, as is conventional. Mounted on front driving member 5 is a conventional rotary vibration means 44 for causing vibratory impacts to be transmitted by front driving member 5 to material to be compacted thereunder. Vibration means 44 is driven by a second hydraulic motor 46. Motor 46 and its operative connection to driving member 5 are conventional and well known. Motor 46 can be operated in a forward or a reverse direction to cause the eccentrically mounted vibratory means 44 to operate in a forward or reverse direction, corresponding to the direction of travel of the vehicle 1, as is well known. We prefer to operate the motor 46 and vibration means 44 in the same direction as the movement of the vehicle 1. Thus, when the vehicle 1 is moving forward, the vibration means is rotated in a forward direction, and when the vehicle 1 is moving rearwardly, the vibration means 44 is rotated in a reverse direction. A vibratory compactor that coincides the direction of vehicle movement and direction of vibratory rotation exhibits reduced tractive effort to ride up onto a mat of material to be compacted, providing better compaction. We have shown a double drum compactor, but this invention will work with a single drum compactor. With a double drum compactor, a third hydraulic motor 48 rotates rear driving member 11. It is also optional to provide a vibration means 44, 46 on either or both front and rear driving members 5, 11. For a double drum compactor, we prefer a vibration means 44 on both front and rear driving members 5, 11. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, means for controlling the on/off point of a vibration means 44 in vehicle 1 will now be described. The hydraulic motor 40 interacts with a speed reducer 50 having a plurality of gear teeth 52 rotating about the axle 7 of the drum 5. A sensing device 54 induces a magnetic field through which gear teeth 52 move. As each gear tooth 52 and its adjacent gap moves through the magnetic field, sensing device 54 detects an intermittent change in magnetic field flux as a plurality of intermittent events herein termed "pulses", caused by the presence and absence of the metal gear tooth. These "pulses" are transmitted as a plurality of intermittent electrical signals to the microcontroller 26. Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of means for controlling the on/off point of a vibration means 44 in the vehicle 1 will now be described. An annular pick-up ring 70 is mounted adjacent the speed reducer 50 on the axle 7, for rotating with the axle 7. The axle 7 is supported by a frame member portion 71, as is conventional. The ring 70 has a plurality of teeth 72 formed on its outside diameter. The sensing device 54 induces the magnetic field through which the teeth 72 move. As each gear tooth 72 and its adjacent gap moves through the magnetic field, the sensing device 54 detects an intermittent change in magnetic field flux as a plurality of intermittent "pulses", caused by the presence and absence of the metal gear tooth. These "pulses" are transmitted as a plurality of intermittent electrical signals to the microcontroller 26. In either embodiment, simultaneously with the action of the sensing device 54, a timing clock 60 (Fig. 3) transmits a timing signal to the microcontroller 26. The microcontroller 26 includes a microchip, programmed to convert the "pulsed" electrical signal and the timing signal into a number herein called "Sensor Input Frequency", stated in cycles per second (hereinafter called "Hz"). The microcontroller 26 relates the Sensor Input Frequency number to a vehicle longitudinal speed in miles (or km) per hour. Examples I-IV show the algorithm used by microprocessor 26 to perform the calculations herein described for various diameters of drum 5. Other types of speed determining devices can be used, such as radar impinging on the ground, or other optical devices to sense the "pulses" of moving teeth 52, 72, or other moving elements on vehicle 1. EXAMPLE I DD-65 MACHINE SPEED vs. SENSOR FREQUENCY Drum Dia.: 41.3 in. π = C/D C = πD Sensor Input Freq. (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (5280 ft./mi.) (12 in./ft.)(1 hr./60 min.)(1 drum rev./π[41.3 in.])(1 min./60 sec.)(1 motor rev./drum rev.)(56 pulses/motor rev.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (7.60) Machine Travel Speed (mi./hr.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) .2 1.52 .3 2.28 .4 3.04 .5 3.80 .6 4.56 .7 5.32 .8 6.08 .9 6.84 1.0 7.60 EXAMPLE II DD-130 MACHINE SPEED vs. SENSOR FREQUENCY Drum Dia.: 1400 mm (55.1 in.) π = C/D C = πD Sensor Input Freq. (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (5280 ft./mi.) (12 in./ft.) (1 hr./60 min.) (1 drum rev./π[55.1 in.]) (1 min./60 sec.) (1 motor rev./drum rev.) (60 pulses/motor rev.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (6.10) Machine Travel Speed (mi./hr.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) .2 1.22 .3 1.83 .4 2.44 .5 3.05 .6 3.66 .7 4.27 .8 4.88 .9 5.49 1.0 6.10 EXAMPLE III DD-90 MACHINE SPEED vs. SENSOR FREQUENCY Drum Dia.: 48 in. π = C/D C = πD Sensor Input Freq. (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (5280 ft./mi.) (12 in./ft.) (1 hr./60 min.) (1 drum rev./π[48 in.]) (1 min./60 sec.) (34.62 motor rev./drum rev.) (28 pulses/motor rev.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (113.14) Machine Travel Speed (mi./hr.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) .2 22.62 .3 33.94 .4 45.26 .5 56.57 .6 67.88 .7 79.20 .8 90.51 .9 101.82 1.0 113.14 EXAMPLE IV DD-110 MACHINE SPEED vs. SENSOR FREQUENCY Drum Dia.: 54 in. π = C/D C = πD Sensor Input Freq. (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (5280 ft./mi.) (12 in./ft.)(1 hr./60 min.) (1 drum rev./π[54 in.]) (1 min./60 sec.) (34.62 motor rev./drum rev.) (28 pulses/motor rev.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) = (a mi./hr.) (100.57) Machine Travel Speed (mi./hr.) Sensor Input Frequency (Hz) .2 20.1 .3 30.2 .4 40.2 .5 50.3 .6 60.3 .7 70.4 .8 80.5 .9 90.5 1.0 100.6 The microcontroller 26 is programmed to receive an input signal from an operator selector switch 64 (Fig. 3), which signal selects a machine travel speed range wherein the microcontroller will activate the vibration devices 44. When the machine travel speed is within the range, a vibration device activating signal is generated by microcontroller 26 and transmitted to electro-hydraulic valve means 66, 68 to activate vibration device 44 on the drums 5, 11, either in the forward or reverse direction as described hereinafter. Means for sensing the direction of movement of the vehicle 1 and for thereafter controlling the direction of rotation of the motor 48 in the vibration means 44 will now be described. A transducer switch 80 is operatively connected to the propulsion lever 42. A switch 80 is a normally open switch, and thus will permit the microcontroller 26 continuously to indicate a forward direction to the vibration device 44. The switch 80 is only closed when the propulsion lever 42 is in the reverse position, and in the closed position, the switch 80 generates a reverse direction electrical signal. In the forward direction, the microcontroller 26 transmits a first vibration activation signal to a first electro-hydraulic valve 66 that operates the motor 46 of the vibration means 44 on the drums 5, 11 in a forward direction. Reverse direction signal causes microcontroller 26 to transmit a second vibration activation signal to a second electro-hydraulic valve 68 that operates the motor 46 of the vibration means 44 on the drums 5, 11 in a reverse direction. It can be understood that this automatic selection of direction of operation of motor can be eliminated, with such signals being manually input, and only the start/stop points being automatic. We prefer the automatic directional operation together with the automatic start/stop. Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the signal flow in accordance with which signals are generated and processed, to activate the vibration means 44. Figure 3 shows an arrangement having the motors 40, 48 on the members 5, 11, respectively, plus the vibration means 44 on the front and rear driving members 5, 11. The microcontroller 26 can include a plurality of microchips, each microchip being programmed for one drum size, or, alternatively, a single microchip can be programmed with a plurality of programs for various size drums. Each program can be selectively activated by a signal manually input from a machine model selector switch 72. Optionally, the microcontroller 26 can generate a speed display signal that is transmitted to a speed display device 62 visible to an operator. Techniques for programming microchips described herein are conventional and well known. The major elements of this apparatus are readily available. For the motor 40, we prefer a motor from Sauer Sundstrand Company, series 90 designation or a motor from Poclain Hydraulics, Inc., designation T36. For the motor 46, we prefer a series 90 motor from Sauer Sundstrand Company. For the speed sensor 54, we prefer speed sensor part number 727573-02 from the Electro Corporation. For the microcontroller 26, we prefer a Motorola Corporation microcontroller, part number MC68HC7057J2.

Claims: A vibratory compaction vehicle (1) having a system for controlling a vibratory mechanism of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising: (a) a first vehicle frame portion (3) mounted on a front driving member (5) rotatably connected to a first transverse axle (7) ; (b) a second vehicle frame portion (9) mounted on a rear driving member (11) rotatably connected to a second transverse axle (13) parallel to said first axle (7), said first and second frame portions being connected together; (c) propulsion means for propelling said vehicle including a first hydraulic motor means (40) for rotating one of said driving members; and (d) rotatable vibration means (44) mounted on said one driving member for causing vibratory impacts to be transmitted by said one driving member to material to be compacted thereunder; characterised in that the system comprises (e) means far determining a longitudinal speed of movement of said vehicle (1); and (f) means for starting and stopping rotation of said vibration means (44), when said horizontal speed is within a preselected range. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said speed determining means further comprises: (a) movement sensing means (54) for sensing a plurality of intermittent pulses associated with movement of a member (52) of said vehicle, said member being driven by said first hydraulic motor, and for generating a plurality of intermittent electrical signals corresponding to the number of said pulses; (b) clock means (60) for generating a timing electrical signal; (c) selector switch means (64) for transmitting a signal which indicates a preselected machine travel speed range; and (d) microcontroller means (26) electrically connected to said speed sensing means (54), said clock means (60) and said selector switch means, responsive to said intermittent electrical signals, said timing signal, and said speed range selection signal, said microcontroller means including: (i) means for converting said intermittent electrical signals and timing signal to said longitudinal speed of travel; and (ii) means for starting said vibration means (44) when said longitudinal speed is in a forward travel direction and within the preselected speed range; and (iii) said vibration means being operable in a first, forward direction coinciding with said forward travel direction. A vehicle according to claim 2 and further comprising: (a) a second hydraulic motor means (48) for rotating said rear driving member (11); and (b) a second vibration means (44) mounted on said rear driving member (11) for causing vibratory impacts to be transmitted by said rear driving member to material to be compacted thereunder, said second vibration means being responsive to said microcontroller means (26). A vehicle according to claim 2 or 3 and further comprising: (a) a reverse direction sensing means for sensing a reverse direction of travel of said vehicle and for generating a reverse direction indicating signal; (b) said microcontroller means (26) being electrically connected to said direction sensing means, responsive to said reverse direction indicating electrical signal; (c) said microcontroller being operably connected to said vibration means (44) to start said vibration means; and (d) said vibration means (44) being operable in a second, reverse direction corresponding to said reverse travel direction detected by said direction sensing means. A vehicle according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said microcontroller (26) includes means for generating a speed indicating signal and transmitting said signal to a speed indicating device. A vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said movement sensing means (54) includes means for inducing an electromagnetic field around said moving member (52) of said vehicle being driven by said hydraulic motor and means for detecting intermittent changes in said magnetic field caused by said movement of said moving member. A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said moving member (52) is a speed reducing device (50) rotatable about said axle, said speed reducing device having a plurality of gear teeth (52) moving through said electromagnetic field and causing said intermittent changes thereof. A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said moving member is an annular indicator ring rotatable about said axle, said indicator ring having a plurality of gear teeth (52) moving through said electromagnetic field and causing said intermittent changes thereof. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first frame portion (3) is connected to said second frame portion (9) through an articulated joint (15). A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front driving member (5) includes a drum. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rear driving member (11) includes a drum.

Inventors: GASPER KENNETH E, TROPPMAN G LOUIS, GASPER, KENNETH E., TROPPMAN, G. LOUIS
Applicants: INGERSOLL RAND CO, INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E01C19
IPC codes: E01C19