Road Construction Machine, As Well As Method For Controlling The Distance Of A Road Construction Machine Moved On A Ground Surface

A method of controlling a height of a machine frame of a road construction machine relative to a ground surface as the road construction machine moves over the ground surface, comprising:

• (a) transmitting with a transmitter at least one measuring beam to define a reference plane, the reference plane extending parallel to one of the machine frame and the ground surface at a reference location;
• (b) detecting the at least one measuring beam with a receiver extending substantially orthogonal to the other of the machine frame and the ground surface at the reference location, and thereby measuring the height of the machine frame relative to the reference location on the ground surface, one of the transmitter and receiver being rigidly connected to the machine frame;
• and
• (c) controlling the height of the machine frame relative to the reference location on the ground surface in response to the height measured in step (b).

A road construction machine, comprising:

• a machine frame having a direction of travel;
• a plurality of ground engaging supports;
• a plurality of height adjusters, each height adjuster connected between the machine frame and one of the ground engaging supports, the height adjusters configured to adjust a height of the machine frame relative to a ground surface;
• a ground engaging carriage located laterally to one side of the machine frame;
• a laterally adjustable support connecting the carriage to the machine frame such that a lateral position of the carriage relative to the machine frame is adjustable;
• a height detection system, including a transmitter component and a receiver component, one of the components being rigidly attached to the machine frame and the other of the components being mounted on the carriage;
• the transmitter component configured to emit at least one measuring beam representative of a reference plane and the receiver component configured to detect a position of the at least one measuring beam representative of the reference plane;
• and
• a levelling controller configured to receive from the receiver component a distance signal representative of a height of the machine frame relative to a reference location of the carriage on the ground surface, and to control the height adjusters in response to the distance signal.