Patent Publication Number: US-6217255-B1

Title: Cleaner module for a compacting machine and an associated method of operating a compacting machine

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a compacting machine, and more particularly to a cleaner module for a compacting machine and an associated method of operating a compacting machine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Work machines, such as compacting machines, are utilized to compact material disposed in a land fill. Compacting such material decreases its volume and thus increases the amount of disposed material the land fill is capable of accepting. 
     Compacting machines typically include compaction wheels having a plurality of compaction tips secured to each compaction wheel. Each compaction tip is spaced apart from the adjacent compaction tip such that a space is defined therebetween. During use, the compacting machine is driven over the surface of the land fill such that the compaction tips engage and compact the material contained within the land fill. 
     However, a problem with the above described arrangement is that the space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips tends to collect material as the compacting machine is driven over the land fill. Collecting material in this space tends to decrease the compactive pressure of the compacting machine. In addition, collecting material in this space tends to cause the compaction wheels of the compacting machine to slip and loose traction. 
     In an attempt to address the above described problem some compacting machines are equipped with cleaner rods. The cleaner rods are attached to the compacting machine such that the cleaner rods are permanently positioned within the space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips. Each cleaner rod operates to dislodge material collected within the space as the compacting machine is driven over the surface of the land fill. 
     However, having cleaner rods permanently positioned within the space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips also has disadvantages. For example, when the compacting machine is driven forward, the direction of rotation of the compaction wheel relative to the cleaner rods is such that the cleaner rods effectively dislodge material from the space so that the material falls to the ground. However, when the compacting machine is driven in reverse, the direction of rotation of the compaction wheel relative to the cleaner rods is such that the material dislodged from the space accumulates on top of the cleaner rods. Having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods can cause maintenance problems. For instance, having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods increases the probability that some of the material may become wrapped around an axle of the compacting machine. Having the material wrapped around the axle inhibits the rotation of the compaction wheel. In addition, the wrapped material can eventually destroy the compaction wheel by constantly rubbing against a side structure thereof. Furthermore, having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods increases the probability that some of the material may bridge between the cleaner rods. Having the material bridged in the aforementioned manner causes excessive mechanical loads to be imparted to the cleaner rods as the compaction wheel rotates. These excessive mechanical loads can eventually cause the cleaner rods to fail structurally and become detached from the compacting machine. 
     What is needed therefore is a cleaner module for a compacting machine and an associated method of operating a compacting machine which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cleaner module adapted for use on a compacting machine having (i) a compaction wheel and (ii) a pair of compaction tips secured to a peripheral surface of the compaction wheel such that the pair of compaction tips are spaced apart from each other so as to define a wheel space interposed therebetween. The cleaner module includes a cleaner rod having a cleaning end. The cleaner module also includes a first bearing member which supports the cleaner rod. The cleaner module further includes an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cleaner rod for positioning the cleaner rod between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein (i) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D 1  from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the extended position, (ii) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D 2  from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the retracted position, and (iii) the distance D 2  is greater than the distance D 1 . 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a compacting machine. The compacting machine includes a frame and a compaction wheel rotatably secured to the frame. The compaction machine also includes a first compaction tip secured to a peripheral surface of the compaction wheel. The compacting machine further includes a second compaction tip secured to the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel such that the second compaction tip is spaced apart from the first compaction tip so as to define a wheel space interposed therebetween. The compacting machine also includes a cleaner module attached to the frame. The cleaner module includes (i) a cleaner rod having a cleaning end, (ii) a first bearing member which supports the cleaner rod, and (iii) an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cleaner rod for positioning the cleaner rod between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein (i) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D 1  from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the extended position, (ii) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D 2  from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the retracted position, and (iii) the distance D 2  is greater than the distance D 1 . 
     In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a compacting machine having (i) a compaction wheel, (ii) a first compaction tip secured to a peripheral surface of the compaction wheel, and (iii) a second compaction tip secured to the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel such that the second compaction tip is spaced apart from the first compaction tip so as to define a wheel space interposed therebetween. The method includes the step of providing a cleaner module attached to the compacting machine. The cleaner module having (i) a cleaner rod having a cleaning end, (ii) a first bearing member which supports the cleaner rod, and (iii) an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cleaner rod for positioning the cleaner rod between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein (i) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D 1  from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the extended position, (ii) the cleaning end of the cleaner rod is located a distance D 2  from the peripheral surface of the compaction wheel when the cleaner rod is located in the retracted position, and (iii) the distance D 2  is greater than the distance D 1 . The method also includes the step of operating the compacting machine for a first time period with the cleaner rod located in the extended position. The method further includes the step of locating the cleaner bar in the retracted position. The method also includes the step of operating the compacting machine for a second time period with the cleaner rod located in the retracted position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a compacting machine which incorporates the features of the present invention therein; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective, partial schematic view of a cleaner module of the compacting machine of FIG. 1; 
     FIG.  3 . is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 which is encircled and indicated as FIG. 3 showing the cleaner rods of the cleaner module located in the extended position; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the cleaner rods in the retracted position. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a compacting machine which incorporates the features of the present invention therein. Compacting machine  10  includes a frame  92  having a striker bar  20  and a striker bar  22 . Compacting machine  10  also includes a number of cleaner modules  44  (see FIG. 2) secured to either striker bar  20  or striker bar  22 . Compacting machine  10  further includes a number of compaction wheels  12  rotatably secured to frame  92  such that each compaction wheel  12  is adjacent to either striker bar  20  or striker bar  22 . Compacting machine  10  also includes an engine (not shown) operatively coupled to each compaction wheel  12  such that compacting machine  10  can be driven in a forward direction as indicated by arrow  106  or in a reverse direction as indicated by arrow  108 . 
     Each compaction wheel  12  has a peripheral surface  14  with a number of compaction tips  16  secured thereto. Each compaction tip  16  is spaced apart from the adjacent compaction tip  16  so as to define a wheel space  18  interposed therebetween. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, each cleaner module  44  includes a cleaner rod assembly  102  (also see FIG.  1 ), an actuation mechanism  82 , a controller  30 , a transmission sensor  28 , and a transmission  26  which is selectively operable between a forward mode and a reverse mode. It should be appreciated that transmission  26  is operatively coupled to (i) the engine (not shown) of compacting machine  10  and (ii) each compaction wheel  12  such that when transmission  26  is in the forward mode compacting machine  10  is driven forward by the engine (i.e. in the direction indicated by arrow  106  of FIG.  1 ). Alternatively, when transmission  26  is in the reverse mode, compacting machine  10  is driven in the reverse direction by the engine (i.e. in the direction indicated by arrow  108  of FIG.  1 ). 
     Each cleaner rod assembly  102  includes a bearing member  68  having a pair of apertures  70  and  72  defined therein, a bearing member  54  having an aperture  58  defined therein, a bearing member  56  having an aperture  60  defined therein, and a support plate  46  having an adapter  78  extending therefrom. Each cleaner rod assembly  102  also a pair of cleaner rods  50  and  52 . 
     An end  98  of cleaner rod  50  is secured to support plate  46  with a mounting plate  48 . Bearing member  54  is positioned relative to cleaner rod  50  such that cleaner rod  50  extends through aperture  58 . Bearing member  68  is positioned relative to cleaner rod  50  such that a cleaning end  94  thereof extends through aperture  70 . Positioning cleaner rod  50 , bearing member  54 , and bearing member  68  in the above described manner results in (i) bearing members  54  and  68  supporting cleaner rod  50  and (ii) bearing member  54  being interposed between support plate  46  and bearing member  68 . 
     In a similar manner, an end  100  of cleaner rod  52  is secured to support plate  46  with a mounting plate  49 . Bearing member  56  is positioned relative to cleaner rod  52  such that cleaner rod  52  extends through aperture  60 . Bearing member  68  is positioned relative to cleaner rod  52  such that a cleaning end  96  thereof extends through aperture  72 . Positioning cleaner rod  52 , bearing member  56 , and bearing member  68  in the above described manner results in (i) bearing members  56  and  68  supporting cleaner rod  52  and (ii) bearing member  56  being interposed between support plate  46  and bearing member  68 . 
     Each cleaner rod assembly  102  is secured to either striker bar  20  or striker bar  22  adjacent to a compaction wheel  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . In addition, each cleaner rod assembly  102  is secured to either striker bar  20  or striker bar  22  such that (i) cleaning end  94  of cleaner rod  50  is aligned with a wheel space  18  and (ii) cleaning end  96  of cleaner rod  52  is aligned with a wheel space  18 . For example, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cleaner rod assembly  102  is positioned relative to striker bar  20  so that a support bracket  62  (see FIG. 2) extending from bearing member  54  contacts striker bar  20 . Cleaner rod assembly  102  is also positioned relative to striker bar  20  so that a support bracket  64  (see FIG. 2) extending from bearing member  56  contacts striker bar  20 . Cleaner rod assembly  102  is further positioned relative to striker bar  20  such that bearing member  68  contacts striker bar  20 . Cleaner rod assembly  102  is then secured to striker bar  20  with a number of bolts. For example, bolts are inserted through bolt hole  66  (see FIG. 2) and bolt holes  104  (see FIG. 2) to secure cleaner rod assembly  102  to striker bar  20 . 
     Actuation mechanism  82  includes a hydraulic cylinder  84  and an extension retraction fluid circuit  32 . Hydraulic cylinder  84  includes a hydraulic cylinder rod  86  and a hydraulic cylinder housing  88 . Hydraulic cylinder  84  is positioned relative to cleaner rod assembly  102  such that hydraulic cylinder rod  86  extends through a rod aperture  76  defined in support plate  46 . Hydraulic cylinder  84  is further positioned relative to cleaner rod assembly  102  such that an aperture (not shown) defined in hydraulic cylinder rod  86  aligns with an aperture  80  defined in adapter  78 . A pin (shown in phantom in FIG. 2) is then inserted through the aperture defined in hydraulic cylinder rod  86  and aperture  80  so as to secure hydraulic cylinder rod  86  to support plate  46 . Hydraulic cylinder  84  is also positioned relative to cleaner rod assembly  102  such that a housing adapter  90  extending from hydraulic cylinder housing  88  extends into a cylinder adapter  74  defined in bearing member  68 . A pin (shown in phantom in FIG. 2) is then inserted through an aperture defined in bearing member  68  and an aperture defined in adapter  90  so as to secure hydraulic cylinder housing  88  bearing member  68 . 
     It should be appreciated that hydraulic cylinder rod  86  is positionable between (i) an extended position relative to hydraulic cylinder housing  88  as shown in FIG.  4  and (ii) a retracted position relative to hydraulic cylinder housing  88  as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Extension retraction fluid circuit  32  is operable between an extension mode and a retraction mode. Furthermore, extension retraction circuit  32  is in fluid communication with hydraulic cylinder  84  via fluid lines  40  and  42 . It should be understood that when extension retraction circuit  32  is in the extension mode, extension retraction circuit  32  causes hydraulic cylinder rod  86  to be in the extended position relative to hydraulic cylinder housing  88  as shown in FIG.  4 . It should also be understood that when extension retraction circuit  32  is in the retraction mode, extension retraction circuit  32  causes hydraulic cylinder rod  86  to be in the retracted position relative to hydraulic cylinder housing  88  as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Having hydraulic cylinder  84  secured to cleaner rod assembly  102  in the above described manner causes cleaner rod  50  and cleaner rod  52  to be positioned in (i) an extended position when hydraulic cylinder rod  86  is positioned in the retracted position as shown in FIG.  3  and (ii) a retracted position when hydraulic cylinder rod  86  is positioned in the extended position as shown in FIG.  4 . Moreover, positioning each cleaner rod assembly  102  relative to a compaction wheel  12  such that cleaning end  94  of cleaner rod  50  is aligned with a wheel space  18  results in (i) cleaning end  94  of cleaner rod  50  being located a distance D 1  from peripheral surface  14  of compaction wheel  12  when cleaner rod  50  is located in the extended position (see FIG. 3) and (ii) cleaning end  94  of cleaner rod  50  being located a distance D 2  from peripheral surface  14  of compaction wheel  12  when cleaner rod  50  is located in the retracted position (see FIG.  4 ). It should be appreciated that distance D 2  is greater than distance D 1 . It should also be appreciated that preferably, cleaner rod  50  is (i) located in wheel space  18  when positioned in the extended position and (ii) located outside of wheel space  18  when positioned in the retracted position. 
     The above described spatial relationship between cleaning end  94 , peripheral surface  14 , and wheel space  18  also applies to cleaning end  96 , peripheral surface  14 , and a wheel space  18  when cleaner rod  52  is positioned in the corresponding retracted or extended position. 
     Referring back to FIG. 2, transmission  26  is electrically coupled to transmission sensor  28  via line  34 . Transmission sensor  28  is electrically coupled to controller  30  via line  36 . Controller  30  is electrically coupled to extension retraction fluid circuit  32  via line  38 . Transmission sensor  28  detects the operation mode of transmission  26  via line  34 . Specifically, transmission sensor  28  detects whether transmission  26  is in the forward or reverse mode. If transmission  26  is in the forward mode, transmission sensor  28  generates a forward control signal which is received by controller  30  via line  36 . Controller  30  generates an extend control signal in response to the forward control signal. The extend control signal generated by controller  30  is received by extension retraction fluid circuit  32  via line  38 . As a result of receiving the extend control signal, extension retraction fluid circuit  32  causes hydraulic cylinder rod  86  of hydraulic cylinder  84  to be placed in the retracted position as shown in FIG.  3 . Placing hydraulic cylinder rod  86  in the retracted position locates cleaner rods  50  and  52  in the extended position as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     On the other hand, if transmission  26  is in the reverse mode, transmission sensor  28  generates a reverse control signal which is received by controller  30  via line  36 . Controller  30  generates a retract control signal in response to the reverse control signal. The retract control signal generated by controller  30  is received by extension retraction fluid circuit  32  via line  38 . As a result of receiving the retract control signal, extension retraction fluid circuit  32  causes hydraulic cylinder rod  86  of hydraulic cylinder  84  to be placed in the extended position as shown in FIG.  4 . Placing hydraulic cylinder rod  86  in the extended position locates cleaner rods  50  and  52  in the retracted position as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     During use of compacting machine  10 , transmission  26  is placed in the forward mode for a period of time, and then placed in the reverse mode for a period of time. As shown in FIG. 1, when transmission  26  is in the forward mode, compacting machine  10  is driven in the direction indicated by arrow  106  such that each compaction wheel  12  rotates around a central axis  110  in a direction indicated by arrow  112 . Alternatively, when transmission  26  is in the reverse mode, compacting machine  10  is driven in the direction indicated by arrow  108  such that each compaction wheel  12  rotates around central axis  110  in a direction indicated by arrow  114 . Alternating between the forward mode and the reverse mode as described above happens throughout the performance of a work function utilizing compacting machine  10  (e.g. compacting the trash contained within a land fill). 
     As previously discussed, when transmission  26  is in the forward mode, and therefore compacting machine  10  is driven in the direction indicated by arrow  106 , cleaner rods  50  and  52  are placed in the extended position as shown in FIG.  3 . Having cleaner rods  50  and  52  in the extended position as compaction wheel  12  rotates in the direction indicated by arrow  112  results in cleaner rods  50  and  52  being able to effectively dislodge material which has collected in wheel space  18  so that the material falls to the ground. It should be appreciated that dislodging material from wheel space  18  in the above described manner maintains the compactive pressure of compaction tips  16 . In addition, dislodging the material collecting in wheel space  18  maintains the traction of compaction wheels  12 . Moreover, dislodging the material collecting in wheel space  18  in the above described manner decreases the probability that any of the previously discussed maintenance problems will occur. 
     However, when transmission  26  is in the reverse mode, and therefore compacting machine  10  is driven in the direction indicated by arrow  108 , cleaner rods  50  and  52  are placed in the retracted position as shown in FIG.  4 . Having cleaner rods  50  and  52  in the retracted position as compaction wheel  12  rotates in the direction indicated by arrow  114  prevents material from accumulating on top of cleaner rods  50  and  52 . Preventing material from accumulating on top of cleaner rods  50  and  52  also decreases the probability that any of the previously discussed maintenance problems will occur. 
     The above described ability of cleaner module  44  to alternatively position cleaner rods  50  and  52  within, and outside of, wheel space  18  is in contrast to other cleaner module designs. Specifically, other cleaner module designs suffer from the drawback that the cleaner rods are permanently positioned within the wheel space defined between each adjacent pair of compaction tips. Having the cleaner rods permanently positioned within the wheel space can cause material to accumulate on top of the cleaner rods as the compacting machine is driven in reverse. Having the material accumulate on top of the cleaner rods increases the probability that some of the material may become wrapped around an axle of the compacting machine thereby resulting in compacting machine maintenance problems. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.