Vibratory Compacting Roller Machine and Operator Control Therefor

Abstract

A vibratory ride-on roller machine includes a chassis supported on front and rear vibrating drum assemblies that compact the surface on which the machine travels. The machine is controlled via a control assembly including a control lever. A number of control elements for controlling operations of the roller machine are located on the control lever, the operations including one or more of turning the exciter assembly on and off, switching between exciter assemblies, controlling the level of vibration of the exciter assemblies, controlling a spray assembly, and sounding a horn element. The control elements are advantageously positioned to enable operator actuation regardless of the operator's orientation on the roller and regardless of the position of the control lever within its operating stroke.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention generally relates to a vibratory compactor used, e.g., to compact asphalt or soil, and more particularly, relates to a ride-on vibratory compactor of the above-mentioned type having a multi-function control lever.[0003]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0004]Vibratory compactors are used in a variety of soil and asphalt compaction and leveling applications. Most vibratory compactors have plates or rollers that rest on the surface to be compacted that are excited to vibrate so as to compact and level the worked surface. A common vibratory compactor, and one to which the invention is well-suited, is a so-called “double drum roller” used to compact asphalt or soil.[0005]The double drum roller includes a chassis supported on the surface to be compacted by two (front and rear) rotating drum assemblies, each of which may support a respective subframe of the chassis. Each of the drum assemblies is driven to rotate ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This design improves operator control and safety by allowing continuous hand positioning on the control lever, reducing the need to look away from the direction of travel and minimizing distractions, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of the vibratory roller.

Problems solved by technology

The high duty cycle of the control lever for forward and rearward movement and for switching between the lead vibratory exciters hinders roller control because the operator must remove his or her hand from the control lever or steering wheel to actuate the control elements located on the dash.

Thus, the operator must repeatedly move his or her hand between the control lever or steering wheel and the controls on the dash, which limits the operator's ability to control movement of the roller.

Moreover, when moving in reverse, this process is made even more difficult because the operator must blindly remove his or her hand from the control lever or steering wheel, search for the appropriate control element on the dash, and return his or her hand to the control lever or steering wheel while the roller is in motion.

In the alternative, the operator may take his or her eyes off the direction of travel to find the appropriate control element, which is understandably inherently dangerous to the operator as well as others in the area.

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