US 9,803,478 B2Granted

Self-propelled construction machine

AssigneeWirtgen GmbH

InventorsRené Müller, Sebastian Winkels, Cyrus Barimani

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-propelled construction machine, in particular a road milling machine, a recycler or a surface miner, comprising a machine frame 1 supported by a chassis 2 which comprises front and rear running gear 3, 4. A working device 5 is arranged on the machine frame 1 and comprises a working roller 17 for working the ground. Lifting devices 15, 16 are associated with the individual running gears 3, 4 and can each be retracted or extended for raising or lowering the running gears with respect to the machine frame. In addition, the construction machine comprises a control unit 20 for actuating the lifting devices 15, 16, which control unit comprises a lifting position measuring device 22 for detecting the lifting position of the lifting devices and a tilt detection device 23 for detecting the tilt of the machine frame 1 transversely to the working direction A of the construction machine. The control unit 20 provides a first mode of operation for working the ground and a second mode of operation for moving the construction machine, and is characterized in that, in the second mode of operation, the lifting devices 15, 16 associated with the individual running gears 3, 4 or wheel are actuated in such a way that the machine frame 1 is substantially levelled transversely to the working direction A of the construction machine, the ground clearance b preferably being at a maximum or the distance not falling below a minimum distance.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A self-propelled construction machine having a working direction, the machine comprising:

a machine frame;
front and rear running gears for supporting the machine frame from a ground surface;
a working roller arranged on the machine frame for working the ground surface;
a plurality of lifting columns, each lifting column being associated with one of the running gears and configured to be retracted or extended for raising or lowering the associated running gear with respect to the machine frame so that the machine frame is lowered or raised with respect to the ground surface;
a plurality of lifting position measuring sensors, each lifting position measuring sensor being associated with one of the lifting columns and configured to detect a lifting position of the associated lifting column;
one or more tilt sensors configured to detect tilting of the machine frame transversely and longitudinally to the working direction of the construction machine;
and
a controller operably associated with the sensors and the lifting columns, and configured to actuate the lifting columns, the controller being configured to provide a first mode of operation for working the ground surface, the machine frame being in a lowered position with respect to the ground surface with the working roller engaged with the ground surface when in the first mode of operation;
and
the controller being configured to provide a second mode of operation for moving the construction machine, the machine frame being in a raised position with respect to the ground surface with the working roller not engaged with the ground surface when in the second mode of operation, and
the controller being configured such that the lifting columns associated with the running gears are actuated in such a way that the machine frame is substantially horizontally levelled in response to both the detected tilting of the machine frame at least transversely to the working direction and the detected lifting positions of the lifting columns.

8 more elements

A method of operating a self-propelled construction machine, the construction machine including a machine frame, front and rear running gears for supporting the machine frame from a ground surface, a working roller arranged on the machine frame for working the ground surface, a plurality of lifting columns, each lifting column being associated with one of the running gears and configured to be retracted or extended for raising or lowering the associated running gear with respect to the machine frame so that the machine frame is lowered or raised with respect to the ground surface, and a control unit operably associated with the lifting columns and configured to actuate the lifting columns, the method comprising steps of:

in a first mode of operation working the ground surface with the machine frame in a lowered position with respect to the ground surface and with the working roller engaged with the ground surface;
and
in a second mode of operation raising the machine frame to a raised position with respect to the ground surface wherein the working roller is not engaged with the ground surface, and in the second mode of operation:
detecting tilting of the machine frame transversely to a working direction;
detecting tilting of the machine frame longitudinally to the working direction;
detecting a lifting position of each of the lifting columns;
and
actuating the lifting columns associated with the running gears by operation of the control unit such that the machine frame is substantially horizontally levelled in response to both the detected tilting of the machine frame at least transversely to the working direction and the detected lifting positions of the lifting columns.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/062,317Filed 7 Mar 2016
Priority: DE 10 2015 003 15313 Mar 2015
Published: US 2016/0265356 A115 Sep 2016
Granted: 31 Oct 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

E21C 35/06
Details of, or accessories for, machines for slitting or completely freeing the mineral from the seam, not provided for in groups E21C25/00 -…:…
B60G 17/019
The regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements: characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof
B60G 17/01908
Characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof: acceleration or inclination sensors
E01C 23/088
Using power-driven tools, e.g. vibratory tools: rotary tools, e.g. milling drums