US20240337076A1

US20240337076A1 - Modular edge compaction wheel

Info

Publication number: US20240337076A1
Application number: US18/295,407
Authority: US
Inventors: David Knopp; Bryan Downing; Timothy Lindholm
Original assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
Priority date: 2023-04-04
Filing date: 2023-04-04
Publication date: 2024-10-10
Also published as: CN118773989A; DE102024109139A1

Abstract

A system and assembly including a modular edge compaction wheel with multiple separable sections to form edges of a substrate (e.g., an asphalt mat) at differing depths. After forming a portion of the substrate edge at an initial depth, sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly may be attached by stacking and fastening the sections together for forming another portion of the substrate edge at a greater depth. The edge forming assembly may include an activating mechanism to extend and retract the modular edge compaction wheel assembly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to asphalt compactors, and more particularly, to edge compaction wheels for asphalt compactors.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different machines are known and widely used for compacting a substrate of material such as paving material and various types of soil. In the context of paving systems, compactors are typically either equipped with metallic cylindrical drums, or pneumatic compacting elements formed from rubber or rubber-like materials. A common practice for certain paving endeavors is to employ both drum compactors and pneumatic compactors in a single paving train.
A drum or asphalt compactor typically follows behind a paver and “breaks down” paving material placed by the paver upon a sub-grade, performing an initial treatment to render the paving material suitable for subsequent work. A pneumatic compactor may follow behind the leading compactor and performs what is often described as “kneading” of the paving material, to mix and homogenize the paving material in preparation for finishing with another asphalt compactor.
It is well known in the art to install an edge forming or compaction tool on a compactor to form an edge in a mat of paved material, for example, asphalt. The edge forming tool may be mounted to a frame of the compactor and may include an edge cutting tool or an edge roller depending on specific requirements of an application.
Specific requirements of a particular application may vary (e.g., mat thickness), thus, a paving crew may change out edge compaction tools, such as different size edge compaction wheels, to best suit the particular application. It is envisioned that a modular edge compaction wheel may provide ease to a paving crew and/or operator in changing the desired size of the edge forming tool and reduce the amount of edge forming tools needing transport to job sites.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a perspective front view of a compactor having front and rear drums and including an edge forming assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a front side view of a portion of a compactor having pneumatic tires and including an edge forming assembly with a spray system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an exploded view of an edge forming assembly including an edge compaction wheel, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an exploded view of a modular edge compaction wheel assembly having multiple sections, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a drawing of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly of FIG. 4 including a modular edge compaction wheel base, attachment, and supplemental attachment stacked and fastened together, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a drawing of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly of FIG. 4 without the modular edge compaction wheel supplemental attachment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a drawing of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly of FIG. 4 without the modular edge compaction wheel attachment and supplemental attachment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a compactor 100 including a chassis and/or frame 102 with an operator control station positioned between a front and back end. The operator control station may be configured to house a steering wheel, levers, joysticks, push buttons, and/or other types of user interfaces for controlling various systems of the compactor 100.
In some embodiments, the compactor 100 is a vibratory asphalt compactor. The compactor 100 is configured to compact and finish an asphalt/bitumen mixture for paving a road surface. The compactor 100 may also be configured to finish the edges of the paved road surface. It should be noted that the compactor 100 may include any other industrial machine including, but not limited to, a large mining truck, an articulated truck and an off-highway truck. In other embodiments, the compactor 100 may be one of various types of machinery used in a number of industries such as mining, agriculture, construction, forestry, waste management, and material handling, among others.
The compactor 100 may include an enclosure on the frame 102 for housing a power source. The power source may be any internal combustion engine known in the art powered by a fuel including, but not limited to, gasoline, diesel, natural gas and/or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the power source may include power storage devices like batteries, an electric motor, and so on. The power source is configured to provide power to the compactor 100 for mobility and/or other operational needs. The enclosure may also house various other components required for operational control of the compactor 100 including, but not limited to, electrical and/or electronic components, hydraulic and/or pneumatic components.
A front drum 104 and a rear drum 106 may be coupled to the frame 102 as a pair of rotatable compacting elements and/or ground engaging members for mobility. In some embodiments, the front drum 104 and/or rear drum 106 may be replaced by wheels, as shown in FIG. 2 . The drums 104, 106 are configured to compact the asphalt/bitumen mixture for paving the road surface. The drums 104, 106 are known in the paving art and typically contain vibratory mechanisms, although the present disclosure is also applicable to drums that do not contain vibratory mechanisms.
The front drum 104 defines a cylindrical cavity extending axially therethrough. The cylindrical cavity houses a steering shaft 114 having a longitudinal axis X-X′. The steering shaft 114 is connected to the frame 102 by means of a pivotable steering bracket. During operation of the compactor 100, the steering shaft 114 is configured to remain stationary while the front drum 104 rotates about the longitudinal axis X-X′ of the steering shaft 114. Thus, the longitudinal axis X-X′ is the axis of rotation for the front drum 104.
The compactor 100 further includes an edge forming assembly 120, shown in FIG. 1 as provided on the steering shaft 114.
FIG. 2 shows a portion of another compactor 200 with a frame 202 and compacting element 204 including an edge forming assembly 220. The edge forming assembly 220 may be attached to the frame 202 of the compactor 200 via an attachment means 222, such as a bracket, for example. A support arm 224 of the edge forming assembly 220 may be raised and/or lowered using an activating mechanism 225 via an actuator. An edge compaction wheel 230 may be connected at the end of the support arm 224 of the edge forming assembly 220. In some embodiments, the support arm 224 may be pivotable and/or coupled with a hydraulic actuator. Other types of linkages may be used. For example, the support arm 224 may be slidably connected to the frame 202 of the compactor 200 such that the support arm 224 is axially moveable in relation to the frame 202.
As seen in FIG. 2 , the edge forming assembly 220 has been adjusted such that the edge compaction wheel 230 contacts a substrate 250 beneath the compactor 200. The activating mechanism 225 may be used to lower the edge compaction wheel 230 via the actuator such that a cutting edge of the edge compaction wheel 230 forms a freshly cut clean edge upon substrate 250. The formed edge of the substrate 250 may include a straight vertical edge, or a chamfered edge, depending upon the configuration of the edge compaction wheel 230. The actuator has been retracted, such that edge compaction wheel 230 transmits the retracting force of the actuator downwardly into the substrate 250 to enable the cutting edge to penetrate. The edge forming assembly 220 may further include a spray system 240 configured to selectively spray liquid onto the edge compaction wheel 230. The spray system 240 may aid in preventing material of the substrate 250 from sticking to the edge compaction wheel 330.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an edge forming assembly 320 including attachment means 322—such as a back plate, for example—for attaching the edge forming assembly 320 to a work machine, such as a compactor. The edge forming assembly 320 may include an activating mechanism 325 (e.g., an actuator) for selectively engaging an edge compaction wheel 330 with a substrate (e.g., an asphalt mat). The edge forming assembly 320 may include an edge compaction wheel mount 331 for mounting the edge compaction wheel 330 to the edge forming assembly 320.
The activating mechanism 325 may be controlled remotely and/or configured to be controlled directly by a work machine (e.g., compactor) to which the edge forming assembly 320 is attached. In some embodiments, the position of the edge compaction wheel mount 331 (e.g., degree of raised and/or lowered) may be detected (e.g., via a rotary encoder) and communicated by the edge forming assembly 320.
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430. The modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 may include multiple stackable sections that can be fastened together for forming edges of substrates of differing thicknesses and/or at differing depths. The sections may include a modular edge compaction wheel base 432. The modular edge compaction wheel base 432 may be mountable on an edge compaction wheel mount within an edge forming assembly. The modular edge compaction wheel base 432 may be used without other sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 for forming edges at lesser depths. In some embodiments, the modular edge compaction wheel base 432 is configured to form edges of substrates at depths between about 0.2 inches and about 2 inches, for example.
If forming edges at greater depths is desired, an attachment fastener 433 may connect a modular edge compaction wheel attachment 434 to the modular edge compaction wheel base 432. In some embodiments, the combination of the modular edge compaction wheel base 432 and the modular edge compaction wheel attachment 434 is configured to form edges of substrates at depths between about 2 inches and about 4 inches, for example.
The abutting faces of the modular edge compaction wheel base 432 and the modular edge compaction wheel attachment 434 may be shaped to engage with each other. Other nesting arrangements are possible. In some embodiments, interfacial engagements may aid in distributing torque and/or other loads.
If forming edges at even greater depths, a supplemental attachment fastener 435 may couple a modular edge compaction wheel supplemental attachment 436 to the modular edge compaction wheel attachment 434. In some embodiments, the combination of the modular edge compaction wheel base 432, the modular edge compaction wheel attachment 434, and the modular edge compaction wheel supplemental attachment 436 is configured to form edges of substrates at depths between about 4 inches and about 6 inches, for example.
The modular edge compaction wheel supplemental attachment 436 may include a supplemental attachment alignment feature 437, such as a bore hole shaped to fit over the attachment fastener 433 that may project out from the face of the modular edge compaction wheel attachment 434 when fastened to the modular edge compaction wheel base 432. Any of the sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 may include such alignment features for correctly orienting fastening holes or other formations between the sections.
The modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 may include other sections configured for different depths and/or different edge shapes.
FIG. 5 shows the modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 with three sections (e.g., modular edge compaction wheel base 432, attachment 434, and supplemental attachment 436) fastened together.
FIG. 6 shows the modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 with two sections (e.g., modular edge compaction wheel base 432 and attachment 434) fastened together.
FIG. 7 shows the modular edge compaction wheel assembly 430 with only one section (e.g., modular edge compaction wheel base 432).
In some embodiments, modular edge compaction wheel assembly may be configured into various types of edge forming tools (e.g., cutters, pressers, scorers) for forming desired edge shapes and/or profiles.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The various aspects of the edge forming assemblies and/or modular edge compaction wheel assemblies of the present disclosure may be used in any compacting machine or other work machine to assist in forming a variety of edges on a substrate (e.g., asphalt mat). By adapting an edge compaction wheel assembly to be modular, any desired edge can be constructed by combining, adding, and/or removing sections, rather than having to change out an entire edge forming tool on the same mounting apparatus. Advantageously, the modularity of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly allows for fewer edge forming tools, and thus less weight, that have to be hauled to a jobsite.
Before the addition and/or removal of one or more sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly, the activating mechanism of the edge forming assembly may be activated to raise the edge compaction wheel mount to enable easier access. After the addition and/or removal of one or more sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly, the activating mechanism may be activated to lower the edge compaction wheel mount to the appropriate operating height. Activation of the activating mechanism may be automatic and/or remotely controlled via an operator input, mobile and/or fixed on or near the edge forming assembly.
In some embodiments, the edge forming assembly system may include sensors for detecting which sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly are currently installed. In this way, the system may automatically adjust settings or operation to compensate for the particular sections detected. In some embodiments, the compactor and/or other system may be able to detect the thickness of the substrate (e.g., asphalt mat) on which the edge is to be formed by the edge forming assembly. By detecting changes in substrate thickness, the compactor and/or other system may prompt for and/or automatically stop edge forming to allow for adding and/or removing sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly to appropriately match the substrate thickness.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed machine without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the machine will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the modular edge compaction wheel assemblies for compactors disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for an asphalt compactor comprising:

an edge forming assembly, including a modular edge compaction wheel assembly configured to compact an edge of an asphalt mat as the asphalt compactor travels over the asphalt mat,

wherein the modular edge compaction wheel assembly includes a plurality of sections, each section configured to compact the edge of the asphalt mat at differing depths when stacked together.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an activating mechanism.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the activating mechanism is controllable by the asphalt compactor.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the activating mechanism is remotely controllable.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an attachment means for attaching the edge forming assembly to the asphalt compactor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an edge compaction wheel mount for attaching the modular edge compaction wheel assembly to the edge forming assembly.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly is configured to nest within a portion of a differing section when stacked together.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly comprises an alignment feature, shaped to fit within a corresponding portion of a differing section, wherein, when stacked together, the at least one section and the differing section are rotatably oriented with respect to one another to readily allow for fastening.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the alignment feature is shaped to accept a fastener for holding the at least one section and the differing section stacked together.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the differing depths include at least one of about 2 inches, about 4 inches, and about 6 inches.

11. A modular edge compaction wheel assembly configured to compact an edge of an asphalt mat during travel over the asphalt mat, the modular edge compaction wheel assembly comprising:

a plurality of sections, each section configured to compact the edge of the asphalt mat at differing depths when stacked together.

12. The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly is configured to nest within a portion of a differing section when stacked together.

13. The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one section of the plurality of sections of the modular edge compaction wheel assembly comprises an alignment feature, shaped to fit within a corresponding portion of a differing section, wherein, when stacked together, the at least one section and the differing section are rotatably oriented with respect to one another to readily allow for fastening.

14. The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of claim 13, wherein the alignment feature is shaped to accept a fastener for holding the at least one section and the differing section stacked together.

15. The modular edge compaction wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein the differing depths include at least one of about 2 inches, about 4 inches, and about 6 inches.

16. An asphalt compactor comprising:

17. The asphalt compactor of claim 16, wherein the edge forming assembly further comprises an activating mechanism.

18. The asphalt compactor of claim 17, wherein the activating mechanism is controllable by the asphalt compactor.

19. The asphalt compactor of claim 17, wherein the activating mechanism is remotely controllable.

20. The asphalt compactor of claim 16, wherein the differing depths include at least one of about 2 inches, about 4 inches, and about 6 inches.