U.S. patent application number 15/095102 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for method of controlling a plow of a paving machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.. Invention is credited to Ricky Leon Mings.
Application Number | 20160222605 15/095102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56553938 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160222605 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mings; Ricky Leon |
August 4, 2016 |
METHOD OF CONTROLLING A PLOW OF A PAVING MACHINE
Abstract
A method of controlling a plow of a paving machine includes
receiving a transmission signal indicative of a transmission status
of the paving machine by a first sensor. The method includes
receiving a screed mode signal indicative of a mode of operation of
a screed of the paving machine by a second sensor. Further, the
method includes receiving a parking brake signal indicative of a
status of a parking brake of the paving machine by a third sensor.
A position of the plow is controlled by a controller based on the
transmission signal, the screed signal and the parking brake
signal.
Inventors: |
Mings; Ricky Leon; (Oak
Grove, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. |
Brooklyn Park |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Paving Products
Inc.
Brooklyn Park
MN
|
Family ID: |
56553938 |
Appl. No.: |
15/095102 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01C 19/48 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/48 20060101
E01C019/48 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a plow of a paving machine, the method
comprising: receiving a transmission signal, through a first
sensor, indicative of a transmission status of the paving machine;
receiving a screed mode signal, though a second sensor, indicative
of a mode of operation of a screed of the paving machine; receiving
a parking brake signal, through a third sensor, indicative of a
status of a parking brake of the paving machine; and controlling a
position of the plow, through a controller, based at least on the
transmission signal, the screed mode signal and the parking brake
signal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the plow is
controlled using a dual acting hydraulic cylinder and a control
valve.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a paving
machine. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
controlling a plow coupled with the paving machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Paving machines typically include a tractor with a hopper
for receiving paving material. The hopper is located at the front
of the paving machine. A feeder conveyor for delivering the paving
material to a spreader auger is located to the rear of the paving
machine. The auger distributes the paving material laterally behind
the tractor to the road surface in front of a screed assembly. The
screed assembly is drawn behind the paving machine by a pair of
pivotally mounted tow arms. The screed smoothens out and compresses
the paving material. The paving machine may be driven on wheels or
may include a track assembly. The paving machine may further
include a plow. The plow is an apparatus that aids in removing
material such as obstacles and dirt etc. from in front of the
wheels or tracks of the paving machine. Generally, the plow is
mounted on the back side of a front bumper of the paving
machine.
[0003] The plow has two operating configurations: a working
configuration and a storage configuration. Typically, the plow is
raised and lowered manually by an operator to toggle between the
two configurations. Sometimes, this may lead to unintentional
damage to the plow if the operator forgets to put the plow in the
storage configuration after paving operation is completed. Mat
defects may be introduced in the road surface during paving in case
the plow is not lowered in to the working condition during paving.
Further, the operator manually adjusting the plow may not be
clearly visible from an operator station and may lead to safety
concerns.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,105 discloses a road paving equipment
having a tire track remover. The road paving equipment is provided
with a pair of blade assemblies, each including a semi-flexible
blade with a lower edge and an upper edge. The blade assembly is
attached to the surface of a road paving vehicle near and behind
the rear wheels of the vehicle in such a manner that the lower edge
of the blade is in contact with the road surface. The blade
assembly also includes means for vertical adjustment of blade while
in use. The blade assembly levels the tire tracks created by the
wheels of the road paving equipment on the road surface by
vertically adjusting the blade assembly.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for a method to control the plow of
the paving machine without manual interventions.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method to control
a plow of a paving machine is provided. The method receives a
transmission signal indicative of a transmission status of the
paving machine through a first sensor. The method receives a screed
mode signal indicative of a mode of operation of a screed of the
paving machine through a second sensor. The method further includes
receiving a parking brake signal indicative of a parking brake
status of the paving machine through a third sensor. Thereafter,
the method includes controlling a position of the plow through a
controller based on the transmission signal, the screed signal and
the parking brake signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a paving machine having a plow, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plow of the paving
machine of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control logic of actuating
the plow on the basis of operational parameters of the paving
machine, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling
the plow, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary paving machine (hereinafter
referred to as "the machine") is illustrated. The machine 10
includes a tractor 12 having a frame 14 with a set of ground
engaging members 16 coupled with the frame 14. Though the ground
engaging members are illustrated as wheels in FIG. 1, in various
alternative embodiments, the ground engaging members may be tracks.
The ground engaging members may include a set of front wheels 15
and a set of rear wheels 16. The ground engaging members are driven
by an engine 18 via a transmission (not shown). The transmission
may be a hydrostatic transmission or a mechanical transmission. The
machine 10 may also include a parking brake (not shown).
[0012] A screed assembly 20 is coupled to the tractor 12 and
attached at a rear end of the machine 10 to spread and compact
paving material into a layer or mat of desired thickness, size and
uniformity on a ground surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the
ground surface is abase surface on which a paving operation is
performed. However, the ground surface may alternatively be a
finished or an unfinished ground on which the machine 10 manoeuvres
or travels without performing a paving operation. The machine 10
also includes an operator station 22 having a seat and a console,
which may include various controls for directing operations of the
machine 10. The screed assembly 20 may also include an operator
console 24.
[0013] The machine 10 further includes a hopper (not shown)
configured to store a paving material, and a conveyor system (not
shown) including one or more conveyors configured to move the
paving material from the hopper to the rear end of the frame 14.
The machine 10 further includes an auger (not shown) coupled to the
tractor 12 and located between the tractor 12 and the screed
assembly 20. Specifically, the auger is placed at the rear end of
the frame 14 and adjacent to the screed assembly 20. The auger is
configured to receive the paving material supplied by the conveyors
and spread the paving material evenly ahead of the screed assembly
20.
[0014] The machine 10 further includes plows 26 to remove any
material such as obstacles, dirt etc. from in front of the set of
front wheels 15. The plows 26 are attached to a front bumper 28 of
the machine 10. Specifically, the plows 26 are attached to a back
side of the front bumper 28. Although only one plow 26 is visible
in the side view of the machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, a similar plow
26 is attached in front of the other front wheel 15 which is not
visible.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the plow 26 includes a plate 30 and a
scraper 32 attached to the plate 30. The plate 30 may be rigid, and
preferably fabricated from a metal. Any other material which suits
the need of the application may also be used to fabricate the plate
30. The scraper 32 may be fabricated from a hard plastic material
or any other such material which suits the need of the application.
The plate 30 has a first surface 36 and a second surface 38. The
scraper 32 is attached to the plate 30 on the first surface 36
using a fastening plate 42 and any known mechanical fastening means
34, such as, nut and bolts. Specifically, the plate 30 includes
multiple apertures (not shown) located at same horizontal level to
receive the mechanical fastening means 34 therethrough, and the
scraper 32 includes longitudinal slots 40. After adjusting a height
of the scraper 32 with respect to the ground surface, so that it
either engages the ground surface or remains at a predefined
distance from the ground surface, the fastening plate 42 is placed
transversely over the longitudinal slots 40 so that a number of
apertures 44 in the fastening plate 42 corresponds to the multiple
apertures in the plate 30. The mechanical fastening means 34 then
couples the scraper 32 with the plate 30 through the fastening
plate 42. Since, the scraper 32 may wear at bottom and lose contact
from the ground surface, the height of the scraper 32 can be
re-adjusted through the longitudinal slots 40 to regain contact
with the ground surface.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, a bracket 46 is attached to the second
surface 38 of the plate 30. The bracket 46 may be attached to the
plate 30 by any mechanical fastening means. Alternatively, the
bracket 46 may be attached to the plate 30 by welding, soldering or
any other similar process. Further, an arm 48 is attached to the
bracket 46 to couple the plow 26 with a hydraulic actuator 62
(shown in FIG. 3), such as, a double acting hydraulic cylinder.
[0017] A control system 50 for controlling the plow 26 is shown in
FIG. 3. The control system 50 includes a controller 52. The
controller 52 may be a single controller, or alternatively may
include more than one controller controlling different functions
and/or features of the machine 10. The controller 52 may be an
Electronic Control Module (ECM) of the machine 10. The controller
52 is in communication with various sensors associated with the
machine 10. The controller 52 receives signals from various sensors
including at least a first sensor 54, a second sensor 56 and a
third sensor 58.
[0018] The first sensor 54 provides a signal indicative of a status
of the transmission of the machine 10. The status of the
transmission may indicate a selected gear in a gearbox of the
transmission. The first sensor 54 may detect a selected forward or
reverse gear in the gearbox. The first sensor 54 may be a magnetic
pick-up device that detects the movement of a gear tooth in the
gearbox. The first sensor 54 generates signals indicative of the
status of the transmission. The controller 52 receives signals from
the first sensor 54 and determines the status of the transmission
of the machine 10.
[0019] The second sensor 56 provides a signal indicative of a mode
of operation of the screed assembly 20. The screed assembly 20
slides over the paving material to provide a uniform thickness.
This mode of operation of the screed assembly 20 may be called as a
float mode. The second sensor 56 determines whether the screed
assembly 20 is operating in a float mode. The second sensor 56 may
detect a distance between the screed assembly 20 and the ground
surface to indicate the mode of operation of the screed assembly
20. The second sensor 56 may be any type of sensor that may detect
distance between the screed assembly 20 and the ground surface.
Accordingly, the controller 52 receives signals from the second
sensor 56 and determines the mode of operation of the screed
assembly 20. In another embodiment, the second sensor 56 may
provide the controller 52 with a signal indicative of a distance
between the screed assembly 20 and the ground surface. The
controller 52 may have pre-stored information or look up tables to
determine the mode of operation of the screed assembly 20 based on
the signal provided by the second sensor 56.
[0020] The third sensor 58 provides a signal indicative of a status
of the parking brake. The third sensor 58 may detect whether the
parking brake is activated. The parking brake system may utilize a
mechanical, hydraulic or electronic means to activate or deactivate
the parking brake on the machine 10. The third sensor 58 may detect
parameters such as a mechanical displacement, a hydraulic fluid
pressure or an electric current etc. to determine whether the
parking brake is activated. Accordingly, the controller 52 receives
signals from the third sensor 58 and determines the status of the
parking brake.
[0021] The controller 52 may also receive additional signals
indicating operational parameters of the machine 10. The
operational parameters may include a speed of the machine 10, an
operating mode of the machine 10 such as a paving mode or a
travelling mode. In an embodiment, the operator station 22 includes
a function switch therein. The function switch is turned ON to
start a paving operation. The controller 52 checks whether the
function switch is ON to detect the operating mode of the machine
10. Based on the signals received, the controller 52 determines if
the machine 10 is in the paving mode. If the machine 10 is in the
paving mode, the controller 52 controls the position of the plow 26
on the basis of the signals received from the first sensor 54, the
second sensor 56 and the third sensor 58. The controller 52
determines whether the transmission signal provided by the first
sensor 54 indicates the selection of a gear. The controller 52
determines whether the signal provided by the second sensor 56
indicates the mode of operation of the screed assembly 20 as the
float mode. The controller 52 further determines whether the signal
provided by the third sensor 58 indicates the status of the parking
brake as deactivated. If the signals provided by the first sensor
54, the second sensor 56 and the third sensor 58 meet the required
conditions, the controller 52 moves the plow 26 to the engaged
position. In case, any of the conditions are not met, the
controller 52 moves the plow 26 to the stowage position.
[0022] The controller 52 controls the position of the plow 26
through a control valve 60. The control valve 60 may be a check
valve. The control valve 60 controls a supply of hydraulic fluid to
the hydraulic actuator 62. The hydraulic actuator 62 may be a dual
acting hydraulic cylinder. A dual acting hydraulic cylinder
includes a piston rod and ahead movable inside a cylindrical body.
The cylindrical body may have a first end and a second end. The
cylindrical body has openings for supplying hydraulic fluid on the
first and the second end. The piston head is moved in the
cylindrical body between the first end and the second end based on
the supply of hydraulic fluid from either end. The two positions of
the piston head on the two ends of the cylindrical body may
correspond to an engaged position and a stowage position of the
plow 26. Depending upon the signals received from the first sensor
54, the second sensor 56 and the third sensor 58, the controller 52
determines the position of the plow 26. Thereafter, the controller
52 controls the control valve 60 to supply hydraulic fluid to the
hydraulic actuator 62. The hydraulic actuator 62 actuates the arm
48 of the plow 26 to set the plow 26 in either of the engaged
position or the stowage position.
[0023] Although the control of the plow 26 is explained by example
of the dual acting hydraulic cylinder as the hydraulic actuator 62,
it should be understood that any other similar means to actuate the
arm 48 of the plow 26 may be used without departing from the scope
of the present disclosure.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0024] Paving machines are used to lay a paving material on a
ground surface. It is important to maintain a constant elevation of
the ground surface being paved. This ensures quality of the
finished surface. The plows 26 are provided in front of the ground
engaging members 16 to clear any material in front of the ground
engaging members 16 that may adversely impact the paving operation.
However, currently the plow 26 has to be manually actuated between
the engaged position and the stowage position. The present
disclosure provides a method 64 of controlling the plow 26 based on
the operating conditions of the machine 10. The method 64 ensures
that the plow 26 always remains in correct position for any
operating condition of the machine 10 and avoid any physical damage
to the bracket 46 of the plow 26. Also, it helps in increasing the
productivity of the paving operation by saving time incurred in
manually actuating the plow 26. Further, safety of the operator is
also ensured which may otherwise be at risk while manually
actuating the plow 26.
[0025] The method 64 is explained with the help of a flowchart as
shown in FIG. 4. The method 64 at step 66 receives the signal
indicating the status of the transmission from the first sensor 54.
The controller 52 determines whether the gear is engaged in the
forward or the reverse direction. The method 64 at step 68 receives
the signal indicating the mode of operation of the screed assembly
20 from the second sensor 56. The controller 52 determines whether
the screed assembly 20 is operating in the float mode. The method
64 at step 70 receives the status of the parking brake by the third
sensor 58. The controller 52 determines whether the parking brake
is deactivated.
[0026] The method 64 at step 72 controls the position of the plow
26 by the controller 52 based upon the signals provided by the
first sensor 54, the second sensor 56 and the third sensor 58. The
controller 52 determines the position of the plow 26 as the engaged
position if the first sensor 54 indicates the status of the
transmission as the gear selected in a forward direction, the
second sensor 56 indicates the mode of operation of the screed
assembly 20 as the float mode and the third sensor 58 indicates the
status of the parking brake as deactivated. The controller 52
determines the position of the plow 26 as the stowed position if
any of the above mentioned conditions are not met. The controller
52 controls the control valve 60 to supply hydraulic fluid to the
hydraulic actuator 62. The hydraulic actuator 62 may be the dual
acting hydraulic cylinder or any other similar means. The hydraulic
actuator 62 actuates the arm 48 of the plow 26 to set the plow 26
in either of the engaged position or the stowage position.
[0027] While aspects of the present disclosure have been
particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without
departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such
embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the
present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *