Slipform paver with suspended adjustable width mold

Abstract

An adjustable-width die assembly for a slipform paver includes a central portion, a left-side die assembly, and a right-side die assembly. The left-side and right-side die assemblies are movably mounted on a machine frame. Left-side and right-side actuators can independently move the left-side and right-side die assemblies relative to the machine frame. The die width is adjustable without adjusting the width of the machine frame. The die can be laterally displaced relative to the machine frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a slipform paver, and more specifically to a slipform paver including an adjustable width mold device. Background Technology

[0002] Slipform pavers are designed to move across the ground surface in the paving direction and form concrete into a finished concrete structure. A typical slipform paver can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 6,872,028 (WO 2002 / 101150) to Aeschlimann et al. Machines similar to those of Aeschlimann et al. have a machine frame with an adjustable frame width.

[0003] Adjustable width dies are also known for use with adjustable width pavers. Examples of such adjustable width dies can be found in Gunter's U.S. Patent No. 7,950,874 and Thieme's U.S. Patent No. 9,121,141. These adjustable width dies have end portions that are fixed to the machine frame of the paver, such that the die width is adjusted according to the width of the machine frame.

[0004] There is a continued need for improvements to adjustable-width pavers and adjustable-width dies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, an embedded slipform paver includes: a machine frame; at least one left ground engagement unit and at least one right ground engagement unit configured to support the machine frame from the ground surface along a left support path and a right support path, such that a forward operating direction of the machine frame is defined and the machine frame has a frame width transverse to the forward operating direction; and an adjustable width mold suspended from the machine frame between the left support path and the right support path, such that the mold width of the adjustable width mold can be adjusted without adjusting the frame width of the machine frame.

[0006] The adjustable width mold may include: a central portion; a left side mold assembly; and a right side mold assembly.

[0007] The adjustable width mold may include: one or more left-side spacers configured to be received between the left-side mold assembly and the center portion; and one or more right-side spacers configured to be received between the right-side mold assembly and the center portion.

[0008] The adjustable width mold may include: a left mold actuator connected between the left side mold assembly and the center portion to move the left side mold assembly relative to the center portion; and a right mold actuator connected between the right side mold assembly and the center portion to move the right side mold assembly relative to the center portion.

[0009] A slipform paver may include: a left suspension assembly that suspends the left sideform assembly from the machine frame, enabling the left sideform assembly to move relative to the machine frame; and a right suspension assembly that suspends the right sideform assembly from the machine frame, enabling the right sideform assembly to move relative to the machine frame.

[0010] The left suspension assembly may include: a left suspension frame fixedly attached to the machine frame and including a guide; a left carriage movably engaged with the guide such that the left carriage is movable along the guide relative to the left suspension frame, the left carriage being connected to the left side mold assembly; and a left suspension actuator configured to move the left carriage and the left side mold assembly relative to the machine frame. The right suspension assembly may include a similar suspension frame, carriage, and suspension actuator.

[0011] The central portion can be configured to provide an adjustable crown angle, with the left carriage pivotally connected to the left suspension assembly to accommodate the crown angle, and the right carriage also pivotally connected to the right suspension assembly to accommodate the crown angle.

[0012] Each suspension assembly may include a clamping cylinder configured to lock the carriage in place relative to the suspension frame. Each suspension assembly may include more than one clamping cylinder.

[0013] The slipform paver may include: a controller operatively associated with the left and right suspension actuators, the controller being configured to allow an operator to select between: a left-side operating mode, wherein the left suspension actuator is operable to move the left-side carriage and left-side mold assembly relative to the machine frame while the right-side carriage and right-side mold assembly remain fixed relative to the machine frame; a right-side operating mode, wherein the right suspension actuator is operable to move the right-side carriage and right-side mold assembly relative to the machine frame while the left-side carriage and left-side mold assembly remain fixed relative to the machine frame; and a mold shifting operating mode, wherein one of the left and right suspension actuators extends while the other retracts to laterally shift the position of the mold relative to the machine frame without adjusting the mold width.

[0014] The left suspension assembly may further include at least one left clamping cylinder configured to have a locking position that locks the left carriage relative to the left suspension frame. The right suspension assembly may further include at least one right clamping cylinder configured to have a locking position that locks the right carriage relative to the right suspension frame. The controller is configured such that: during a left-side operation mode, the left clamping cylinder is released to unlock the left carriage, and the right clamping cylinder is in the locked position; during a right-side operation mode, the right clamping cylinder is released to unlock the right carriage, and the left clamping cylinder is in the locked position; and during a mold shifting mode, both the left and right clamping cylinders are released to unlock the left and right carriages, respectively.

[0015] The suspension actuator can be a hydraulic smart cylinder.

[0016] The adjustable-width die may include: a first die actuator connected between a central portion and one of a left-side die assembly and a right-side die assembly to move one of the left-side die assembly and the right-side die assembly relative to the central portion. The die may also include a first suspension assembly comprising: a first carriage movably mounted on a machine frame such that the first carriage is capable of lateral movement relative to the machine frame, the first carriage being connected to one of the left-side die assembly and the right-side die assembly; and a first suspension actuator configured to move the first carriage and one of the left-side die assembly and the right-side die assembly relative to the machine frame. The die may also include a controller operably associated with the first die actuator and the first suspension actuator, the controller being configured to coordinate the operation of the first die actuator and the first suspension actuator such that the first die actuator and the first suspension actuator operate together to move the first carriage and one of the left-side die assembly and the right-side die assembly relative to the machine frame.

[0017] In another embodiment, an embedded slipform paver may include: a machine frame; at least one left-side ground engagement unit and at least one right-side ground engagement unit configured to support the machine frame from a ground surface; an adjustable-width die including a left-side die assembly, a central portion, and a right-side die assembly; and a first suspension assembly. The first suspension assembly may include: a first carriage movably mounted on the machine frame such that the first carriage is capable of lateral movement relative to the machine frame, the first carriage being connected to one of the left-side die assembly and the right-side die assembly; and a first suspension actuator configured to move the first carriage and the one of the left-side die assembly and the right-side die assembly relative to the machine frame.

[0018] The slipform paver may also include a second suspension assembly comprising: a second carriage movably mounted on the machine frame such that the second carriage is laterally movable relative to the machine frame, the second carriage being connected to another of the left side formwork assembly and the right side formwork assembly; and a second suspension actuator configured to move the second carriage and another of the left side formwork assembly and the right side formwork assembly relative to the machine frame.

[0019] The slipform paver may also include a controller operably associated with the first suspension actuator and the second suspension actuator, the controller being configured such that each of the first suspension actuator and the second suspension actuator is independently operable to move an associated one of the left side mold assembly and the right side mold assembly relative to the machine frame, thereby adjusting the width of the mold.

[0020] The controller can also be configured such that the first suspension actuator and the second suspension actuator can operate simultaneously to laterally displace the mold relative to the machine frame without adjusting the width of the mold.

[0021] In another embodiment, a method for adjusting the width of the die of a slipform paver, the slipform paver including an adjustable-width machine frame supported on a plurality of ground engagement units, the method comprising the step of adjusting the width of the die without adjusting the width of the machine frame.

[0022] The method may further include laterally shifting the position of the mold relative to the machine frame without adjusting the width of the machine frame.

[0023] The adjustment step may further include laterally moving the side mold assembly of the mold relative to the center portion of the mold, without adjusting the width of the machine frame.

[0024] The adjustment steps can be performed under the control of the controller.

[0025] Many objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments set forth herein will readily become apparent to those skilled in the art when reading the following disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of a slipform paver, including one embodiment of adjustable-width mold equipment.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left elevation view of a slipform paver.

[0028] Figure 3This is an enlarged perspective view of the left-side mold assembly and the central part of the adjustable-width mold equipment.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic rear view of the machine frame, left suspension assembly, right suspension assembly, and adjustable-width mold in a fully extended configuration.

[0030] Figure 5 It is similar to Figure 4 The view shows the left spacer removed and the left suspension assembly and left side mold assembly shifted to the right, so that the left side mold assembly engages the center portion to shorten the left side of the adjustable width mold.

[0031] Figure 6 It is similar to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The view shows that the right-side spacer has also been removed, and the right-side suspension assembly and the right-side mold assembly have been shifted to the left, so that the right-side mold assembly also engages the center portion to shorten the right side of the adjustable width mold.

[0032] Figure 7 It is similar to Figure 5 The view shows the left and right suspension components together connecting the entire mold. Figure 5 Shift the position to the left Figure 7 The position, without needing to adjust the width of the mold.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a lower rear perspective view of the left suspension assembly.

[0034] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The left-side elevation view of the left suspension assembly, with the clamping cylinder of the left suspension assembly shown in its locked position.

[0035] Figure 9A It is similar to Figure 9 The view shows the clamping cylinder in the released position.

[0036] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hydraulic intelligent cylinder.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the control input panel, which allows operators to input control commands to the controller.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the controller, various sensors, and actuators of a slipform paver. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Now refer to the attached diagram, and especially to... Figure 1 and Figure 2The image shows a slipform paver device, which is generally represented by the numeral 10. Construction details of a typical slipform paver device can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 6,872,028 (WO 2002 / 101150) to Aeschlimann et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As schematically shown, the slipform paver 10 is configured to move across the ground surface 14 in the operating direction 12 to spread, level, and finally finish concrete into a finished concrete structure 16 having a generally upward-exposed concrete surface 18 and terminating at a transverse concrete side, such as 20.

[0041] The slipform paver equipment 10 includes a machine frame 22 and a slipform paver mold 24 supported by the machine frame 22. The machine frame 22 may also be referred to as the main frame. The slipform paver mold 24 may be referred to as an adjustable width mold equipment.

[0042] The machine frame 22 is supported from the ground surface by a plurality of ground engagement units, such as 30, along a left support path 26 and a right support path 28, said ground engagement unit being a tracked ground engagement unit 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Wheeled ground engagement units may also be used. The slipform paver equipment 10 includes at least one left ground engagement unit 30L and at least one right ground engagement unit 30R. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two left ground engagement units and two right ground engagement units. The slipform paver equipment 10 is of the type commonly referred to as an embedded paver, wherein the slipform paver mold 24 is received below the machine frame 22 and generally between the left support path 26 and the right support path 28 defined by the movement of the left and right ground engagement units. As used herein, the terms “left” and “right” are relative to the operator’s forward-facing view along the operating direction 12.

[0043] Each ground engagement unit 30 is connected to the machine frame 22 via a lifting column, such as 32, which can be attached to a swing arm, such as 34. An operator's platform 36 is located on the machine frame 22. A plow or spreader device 38 can be supported from the machine frame 22 in front of the slipform paver mold 24. A pin bar inserter device 40 can be installed behind the slipform paver mold 24. Behind the pin bar inserter device 40, an oscillating beam 41 and a super-smoothing device 42 can be installed.

[0044] Machine frame 22 includes multiple laterally telescopic frame members, such as 44 and 46, which allow adjustment of the machine frame width 23 of machine frame 22 (see...). Figure 4The machine frame width 23 is transverse to the operating direction 12. Adjustment of the machine frame width can be achieved using hydraulic cylinder frame actuators 48 and 50 embedded in the machine frame 22, or by using the traction force of the ground engagement unit 30 to extend and retract the machine frame 22. When the width of the machine frame 22 is adjusted, it may also be necessary to adjust the width of the slipform paver mold 24.

[0045] like Figure 4 As schematically shown, the slipform paver mold 24 may include a left side mold assembly 52, a center portion 54, and a right side mold assembly 56. One or more left spacers 58 and 60 may be configured to be received between the left side mold assembly 52 and the center portion 54. One or more right spacers 62 and 64 may be configured to be received between the center portion and the right side mold assembly 56.

[0046] The structure of the slipform paver mold 24 includes details of the left side mold assembly 52, the central portion 54, the right side mold assembly 56, and all spacers 58-62, which can generally be based on the teachings of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0172131, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 3 This is a rear perspective view of the left side mold assembly 52 and the central portion 54, taken from the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0172131, and shows that the left side spacers 58 and 60 have been removed. Figure 3 In the middle section, the left side mold assembly 52 has not yet moved to engage with the center portion 54, and the left mold actuator 66 connecting the left side mold assembly 52 and the center portion 54 is visible. The spacer rod 67 is also visible, which may have a hydraulic nut 69 at its end for holding the left side mold assembly 52 against the center portion 54 or against any spacer between them. Figure 12 In the schematic control system diagram, a similarly constructed right-side mold actuator 68 is shown. As further described below, the left-side mold actuator 66 and the right-side mold actuator 68 are configured to move their respective left-side mold assembly 52 and right-side mold assembly 56 toward and away from the central portion 54. Mold actuators 66 and 68 may be hydraulically driven rotating spindles mounted in their respective side mold assemblies and engaging threaded nuts 71, 73 fixed to the central portion 54, as shown below. Figure 12 As schematically shown, and as described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0172131.

[0047] The difference between the slipform paver mold 24 disclosed herein and the adjustable-width mold of the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0172131 lies in the manner in which the mold is supported from the machine frame 22. In the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0172131, the left and right side mold assemblies are fixedly attached to the machine frame and move with the machine frame when the width of the machine frame is adjusted. However, in this disclosure, the left side mold assembly 52 and the right side mold assembly 56 are suspended from the machine frame 22 by a left suspension assembly 70 and a right suspension assembly 72. The left suspension assembly 70 suspends the left side mold assembly 52 from the machine frame 22, allowing the left side mold assembly 52 to move relative to the machine frame 22. The right suspension assembly 72 suspends the right side mold assembly 56 from the machine frame 22, allowing the right side mold assembly 56 to move relative to the machine frame 22. The left suspension assembly 70 and the right suspension assembly 72 may also be referred to as the first suspension assembly 70 and the second suspension assembly 72.

[0048] See details of the construction of the left suspension assembly 70. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The right-side suspension assembly 72 is typically a mirror image of the left-side suspension assembly 70. The left-side suspension assembly 70 includes a left-side suspension frame 74, a left-side slide 76, a left-side suspension actuator 78, and a pair of left-side clamping cylinders 80.

[0049] The left suspension frame 74 includes an upper mounting plate 82. A plurality of mounting channels 84 extend upward from the mounting plate 82 and are used to securely attach the upper mounting plate 82 to the left machine frame portion 22L (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4 Multiple longitudinally extending (front to rear) gusset plates 86 extend downward from the upper mounting plate 82. A front transverse gusset plate 88 and a rear transverse gusset plate 90 extend downward from the upper mounting plate 82. A front guide or guide channel 92 and a rear guide or guide channel 94 are connected to the front transverse gusset plate 88 and the rear transverse gusset plate 90, respectively. Guides 92 and 94 are also received in cutouts in the longitudinal gusset plates 86. Each guide 92 and 94 is C-shaped, with its open sides facing each other.

[0050] The left carriage 76 includes an upper carriage guide plate 96 having a front edge 98 and a rear edge 100 slidably received in a front guide 92 and a rear guide 94, respectively. A longitudinal carriage gusset plate 102 and a transverse carriage gusset plate 104 extend downward from the guide plate 96 to a carriage mounting plate 106. The carriage mounting plate 106 is bolted to the carriage body 110 by bolts 108. The carriage body 110 includes a front carriage leg 112 and a rear carriage leg 114, which extend downward to connect to the left side mold assembly 52 of the slipform paver mold 24. Figure 4 As seen, carriage legs 112 and 114 are pivotally connected to the left side mold assembly 52 via pivot pin 116. Figure 9 The diagram schematically shows pin holes 118 and 120 in the front carriage leg 112 and the rear carriage leg 114 for receiving pivot pin 116.

[0051] like Figure 8 and 9 As seen, a pair of actuator mounting flanges 121 extend downward from a horizontal plate 123, which spans between two transverse carriage braces 104 of the left carriage 76.

[0052] The left-side suspension actuator 78 can be implemented as a hydraulic smart cylinder 78, which includes a cylinder portion 122 and a piston portion 124 extending from the cylinder portion 122. The cylinder portion 122 can be pivotally mounted on the left-side suspension frame 74 at a pivot pin 126 and project laterally from the left-side suspension frame 74 to the right side, as... Figure 4 and Figure 8 As seen in the diagram. Aside from a slight pivoting motion around pivot pin 126, cylinder section 122 cannot move relative to the left suspension frame 74. (As...) Figure 9 As best viewed from the center, the piston portion 124 extends to the left out of the cylinder portion 122 and includes a yoke 128, which is attached to the mounting flange 121 via a pivot pin 130.

[0053] Therefore, as Figure 4 As seen, the piston portion 124 retracts into the cylinder portion 122, causing the left slide 76 to move from left to right relative to the left suspension frame 74 and the machine frame 22. The extension of the piston portion 124 causes the left slide 76 to move from right to left.

[0054] like Figure 9 As seen, the left suspension assembly 70 includes two clamping cylinders 80 on opposite sides of the left suspension actuator. Each clamping cylinder 80 has a base portion 81 mounted in the left slide 76 and an upwardly extending piston portion 83. The clamping cylinders 80 can be in a locked or clamped position (e.g., Figure 9 (as seen in the image) and release location (such as...) Figure 9A (As seen in the image) The piston portion 83 is pressed upwards to engage with the left suspension frame 74, preventing the left slide 76 from moving relative to the left suspension frame 74. Figure 9A In the release position, piston portion 83 retracts, and left slide 76 slides freely relative to left suspension frame 74 along guides 92 and 94.

[0055] Additionally, it is specified that when the machine is in transport mode, moving from one work position to another, the left carriage 76 is further locked relative to the left suspension frame 74. This additional device consists of multiple locking bolts 85 (see...). Figure 9In the form of a locking bolt 85, the bolt can extend through the guides 92 and / or 94 and engage with the edges 98 and 100 of the upper carriage guide plate 96.

[0056] Similarly, the right-side suspension assembly 72 includes a right-side suspension frame 132, a right-side skid 134, and a right-side suspension actuator 136. The right-side skid 134 is pivotally connected at a pivot connection 138 to the right-side mold assembly 56 of the slipform paver mold 24.

[0057] As described above, the left suspension actuator 78 and the right suspension actuator 136 can be hydraulic smart cylinders. Figure 10 The diagram shows a representative construction of this “smart” hydraulic cylinder, and details of the “smart” hydraulic suspension actuator 78 will be described by way of example. Figure 10 This can also refer to the internal construction of any other actuator described herein (when these actuators are implemented as “smart” cylinders). In the illustrated embodiment, actuator 78 includes an integrated sensor 78S configured to provide a signal corresponding to the extension of piston member 200 relative to cylinder member 202 of actuator 78.

[0058] The sensor 78S includes a position sensor electronics housing 204 and a position sensor coil element 206.

[0059] The piston component 200 of the actuator 78 includes a piston 208 and a rod 210. The piston 208 and the rod 210 have a hole 212 defined therein, in which the position sensor coil element 206 is received.

[0060] The actuator 78 is configured to provide a signal at connector 214 indicating the position of piston 208 relative to position sensor coil element 206.

[0061] This type of intelligent cylinder can operate based on a variety of different physical principles. Examples of such intelligent cylinders include, but are not limited to, magnetostrictive sensing, magnetoresistive sensing, resistance (potentiometer) sensing, Hall effect sensing, sensing using a linearly variable differential transformer, and sensing using a linearly variable inductor transducer.

[0062] The central portion 54 of the slipform paver mold 24 is configured to provide an adjustable crown angle to the paved surface. The central portion 54 includes a central pivot point 140. The pivot point 140 allows the two halves of the slipform paver mold 24, extending to the left and right sides of the pivot point 140, to pivot relative to each other. This can be achieved by raising the central portion 54 or by creating an angle within the central portion 54 using an actuator inside the central portion 54. This further allows the two halves of the slipform paver mold 24 to pivot at their outer ends via pivot pins 116 and pivot connections 138.

[0063] like Figure 4 As seen, the central portion 54 can be supported from the machine frame 22 by a support cable 142. The support cable 142 is attached to the central portion 54 at one end 144 and to a hydraulic cylinder actuator 148 at the other end 146. The cable 142 extends on a guide roller 150. The actuator 148 can apply a tensile load to the cable 142 to assist in supporting the central portion 54 during setup.

[0064] Control system:

[0065] like Figure 12 As schematically shown, the slipform paver equipment 10 includes a control system 160, which includes a controller 162. The controller 162 may be part of the machine control system of the slipform paver equipment 10, or it may be a separate control module. The controller 162 may, for example, be mounted on a control panel located at the operator station 36. The controller 162 is configured to receive input signals from various sensors. Signals transmitted from the various sensors to the controller 162 are... Figure 12 The diagram is schematically indicated by the lines connecting the sensor to the controller, with arrows indicating the signal flow from the sensor to the controller 162.

[0066] For example, extension signals from extension sensors such as 78S and 136S associated with “smart” suspension actuators 78 and 136 will be received, allowing controller 162 to monitor and control the operation of the suspension actuators. Similar input signals from sensors 48S and 50S may be present, indicating the extension of actuators 48 and 50 for the extension of machine frame 22. Additional sensors 66S and 68S may be present, associated with the rotary spindle actuators 66 and 68 of the slipform paver mold 24.

[0067] Similarly, controller 162 will generate control signals for controlling the operation of the various actuators described above, and these control signals will... Figure 12 The diagram schematically indicates the connection of controller 162 to various actuators, with arrows indicating the flow of command signals from controller 162 to the corresponding actuators. It should be understood that, in order to control a hydraulic cylinder-type actuator, controller 162 sends an electrical signal to an electromechanical control valve (not shown) that controls the inflow and outflow of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder.

[0068] Controller 162 includes or may be associated with processor 164, computer-readable medium 166, database 168, and input / output modules or control panel 170 having display 172. Input / output devices 174 (such as keyboards, joysticks, or other user interfaces) are provided so that an operator can input commands to the controller. Further details of one embodiment of control panel 170 are available in [reference needed]. Figure 11 It should be understood that the controller 162 described herein may be a single controller having all the described functions, or it may include multiple controllers, wherein the described functions are distributed across multiple controllers.

[0069] The various operations, steps, or algorithms described in conjunction with controller 162 can be directly embodied in hardware, computer program product 176 (such as a software module executed by processor 164), or a combination of both. Computer program product 176 can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of computer-readable medium 166 known in the art. Exemplary computer-readable medium 166 can be coupled to processor 164, allowing the processor to read information from and write information to the memory / storage medium. Alternatively, the medium can be integrated into the processor. The processor and medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and medium can reside as separate components in the user terminal.

[0070] As used herein, the term "processor" can refer to at least general-purpose or special-purpose processing devices and / or logic, including but not limited to microprocessors, microcontrollers, state machines, etc. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0071] Figure 11 Further details of the control panel 170 are shown. Input switch 178 controls the forward or backward direction of the ground engagement unit 30.

[0072] The toggle switch 180 is a three-position switch that selects whether other selected inputs are applied to the left, right, or both sides. The center position of switch 180 causes the subsequently selected action to be applied to both sides of the slipform paver 10.

[0073] Switches 182 and 184 are up and down controls for the lifting column 32 on the selected side of the slipform paver equipment 10.

[0074] Switch 186 extends and retracts the selected telescopic actuators 48 and 50 of the machine frame 22 (see...) Figure 4 ).

[0075] Switch 188 extends and retracts the selected left suspension actuator 78 and / or right suspension actuator 136.

[0076] Switch 189 extends and retracts the selected left or right rotating mandrel mold actuator 66.

[0077] Operating instructions:

[0078] The slipform paver equipment 10 provides a slipform paver mold 24, which is suspended from the machine frame 22 via a left suspension assembly 70 and a right suspension assembly 72, such that the mold width 190 of the slipform paver mold 24 is adjustable without adjusting the frame width 23 of the machine frame 22. For example, during paving operations, it may be desirable to temporarily change the paving width 190 to create acceleration and deceleration channels.

[0079] Such an operation is Figures 4-7 As shown in the image. Figure 4 The slipform paver die 24 is shown in its fully extended position. Note the two left spacers 58 and 60 between the left side die assembly 52 and the center portion 54, and the two right spacers 62 and 64 between the right side die assembly 56 and the center portion 54. In this example, the die width 190 could be 24 feet, spacers 58 and 62 could each be two feet wide, and spacers 60 and 64 could each be one foot wide.

[0080] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a modification to the slipform paver mold 24 to adjust the paving width 190 from 24 feet to 21 feet. This is achieved by moving switch 180 to the left position. The associated hydraulic nuts 69 of the left mold actuator 66 and / or spacer rod 67 are released, and spacers 58 and 60 are removed. Switch 188 moves to the right position to guide the retraction of the left suspension actuator 78, thereby moving the left slide 76 three feet from left to right, so that the left side mold assembly 52 moves to engage with the center portion 54, thereby closing the three-foot gap created by the removal of spacers 58 and 60. This movement can be coordinated by controller 162 with the operation of the associated hydraulic nuts 69 of the left mold actuator 66 and / or spacer rod 67, causing the left suspension actuator 78 and the left mold actuator 66 to operate together, thereby moving the left slide 76 and the left side mold assembly 52 relative to the machine frame 22. The left suspension actuator 78 and the right suspension actuator 136 can also be coordinated with the operation of the left actuator 48 and the right actuator 50 of the telescopic machine frame 22.

[0081] In one embodiment, any selected actuator of the telescopic machine frame 22, including the left-side actuator 48 and right-side actuator 50, the left-side suspension actuator 78 and right-side suspension actuator 136, and the left-side mold actuator 66 and right-side mold actuator 68, can be hydraulically unlocked or unlocked, allowing them to move freely with the components to which they are attached. For example, if it is desired to use the left-side actuator 48 and right-side actuator 50 to adjust the width 23 of the machine frame, the left-side suspension actuator 78 and right-side suspension actuator 136, as well as the left-side mold actuator 66 and right-side mold actuator 68, can be hydraulically unlocked, allowing them to move freely as the machine frame 22 moves. As another example, if it is desired to adjust the mold width 190 using the left suspension actuator 78 and / or the right suspension actuator 136, the left mold actuator 66 and the right mold actuator 68 can be hydraulically unlocked, allowing them to move freely as the left suspension actuator 78 and / or the right suspension actuator 136 moves. The controller 162 can coordinate these actions by controlling the hydraulic unlocking of the selected actuators. The controller 162 can also coordinate these actions by guiding the simultaneous power operation of the selected actuators.

[0082] The above-described method for transferring slipform paver mold 24 from Figure 4 Move the configuration to Figure 5 The operation of this configuration can be referred to as the left-side operation mode, in which the left-side suspension actuator 78 is operable to move the left-side carriage 76 and the left-side mold assembly 52 relative to the machine frame 22, while the right-side carriage 134 and the right-side mold assembly 56 remain fixed relative to the machine frame 22. During the left-side operation mode, the clamping cylinder 80 of the left-side suspension assembly 70 is in the released position, while the clamping cylinder 80 of the right-side suspension assembly 72 is locked.

[0083] The controller 162 is configured to release the clamping cylinder 80 of the left suspension assembly 70 to allow sliding movement of the left slide 76 when the left suspension actuator 78 is operable to move the left slide 76 relative to the left suspension frame 74. When the left suspension actuator is not operable to move the left slide 76, the clamping cylinder 80 moves back to its locked position to prevent any unintentional sliding movement of the left slide 76.

[0084] Figure 6 Another improvement to the slipform paver mold 24 is shown to adjust the paving width 190 from 21 feet to 18 feet. This is achieved in a similar manner to that described above, except that, after removing spacers 62 and 64, the right side mold assembly 56 is moved three feet to the left using the right side suspension assembly 72.

[0085] The above-described method for transferring slipform paver mold 24 from Figure 5 Move the configuration to Figure 6 The operation of this configuration can be referred to as the right-side operating mode, in which the right-side suspension actuator 136 is operable to move the right-side carriage 134 and the right-side mold assembly 56 relative to the machine frame 22, while the left-side carriage 76 and the left-side mold assembly 52 remain fixed relative to the machine frame 22. Of course, this right-side operating mode can be performed without first adjusting the position of the left-side mold assembly 52. ​​During the right-side operating mode, the clamping cylinder 80 of the right-side suspension assembly 72 is in the released position, while the clamping cylinder 80 of the left-side suspension assembly 70 is locked.

[0086] The controller 162 can be described as being configured such that each of the first suspension actuator 78 and the second suspension actuator 136 is independently operable to move one of the associated left side mold assembly 52 and right side mold assembly 56 relative to the machine frame 22, thereby adjusting the mold width 190.

[0087] By Figure 5 The entire slipform paver mold 24 moved three feet to the left to reach Figure 7 The location can also be seen from Figure 5 The position moved to Figure 7 The orientation. This can be achieved as follows. First, move switch 180 to its middle position to select simultaneous operation of the left and right sides. Then, move switch 188 to the left, which simultaneously causes the left suspension actuator 78 to extend three feet and the right suspension actuator 136 to retract three feet. Furthermore, to accommodate lateral movement of the center section 54, cable 142 can be disconnected at 144 before lateral movement and then reconnected to different points on the center section 54 after lateral movement. The just described... Figure 5 The position moved to Figure 7 The orientation operation can be described as a mold shifting operation mode, in which one of the left suspension actuator 78 and the right suspension actuator 136 extends, while the other of the left and right suspension actuators retracts, to laterally shift the position of the slipform paver mold 24 relative to the machine frame 22 without adjusting the mold width 190. During the mold shifting mode, the clamping cylinders 80 of both the left suspension assembly 70 and the right suspension assembly 72 are in the released position.

[0088] Regarding the mold shifting operation mode, the controller 162 can be described as being configured such that both the first suspension actuator 78 and the second suspension actuator 136 can operate simultaneously to laterally shift the slipform paver mold 24 relative to the machine frame 22 without adjusting the mold width 190.

[0089] The above description of the operation in the left-side and right-side operating modes can be described as a method that includes adjusting the mold width 190 of the slipform paver mold 24 without adjusting the machine frame width 23 of the machine frame 22. This is achieved through comparison. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Or by comparison Figure 5 and Figure 6 To explain.

[0090] The adjustment step can be further described as including laterally moving one or both of the side mold assemblies 52 and 56 relative to the center portion 54 without adjusting the frame width 23 of the machine frame 22.

[0091] The method may also include a step of laterally shifting the position of the slipform paver mold 24 relative to the machine frame 22 without adjusting the frame width 23 of the machine frame 22, as in the mold shifting mode described above. This is achieved by comparing... Figure 5 and Figure 7 To explain.

[0092] All of these methods can be further implemented under partial or full control of controller 162.

[0093] Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus and methods of the embodiments disclosed herein readily achieve the stated objects and advantages, as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of this disclosure, many changes to the arrangement and construction of components and steps can be made by those skilled in the art, and these changes are included within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An embedded slipform paver, characterized in that, include: Machine frame; At least one left-side ground engagement unit and at least one right-side ground engagement unit are configured to support the machine frame from the ground surface along the left-side support path and the right-side support path, such that the forward operating direction of the machine frame is defined, and the machine frame has a frame width transverse to the forward operating direction. as well as An adjustable-width mold, suspended from the machine frame between a left support path and a right support path, allows the mold width to be adjusted without adjusting the width of the machine frame. The adjustable width mold further includes: Central part; Left side mold assembly; Right side mold assembly; One or more left-side spacers configured to be received between the left-side mold assembly and the central portion; and One or more right-side spacers are configured to be received between the right-side side mold assembly and the center portion.

2. The slipform paver according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustable width mold further includes: A left-side mold actuator, connected between the left-side mold assembly and the center portion, for moving the left-side mold assembly relative to the center portion; and A right-side mold actuator is connected between the right-side mold assembly and the center portion to move the right-side mold assembly relative to the center portion.

3. The slipform paver according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: A left-side suspension assembly that suspends the left-side mold assembly from the machine frame, allowing the left-side mold assembly to move relative to the machine frame; as well as A right-side suspension assembly that suspends the right-side mold assembly from the machine frame, allowing the right-side mold assembly to move relative to the machine frame.

4. The slipform paver according to claim 3, characterized in that, The left-side suspension assembly further includes: The left suspension frame is fixedly attached to the machine frame and includes a guide; A left carriage, movably engaged with the guide, such that the left carriage is movable along the guide relative to the left suspension frame, the left carriage being connected to the left side mold assembly; and A left-side suspension actuator configured to move the left-side carriage and the left-side side mold assembly relative to the machine frame.

5. The slipform paver according to claim 4, characterized in that, The central portion is configured to provide an adjustable crown angle to the mold; and The left-side carriage can be pivotally connected to the left-side suspension assembly.

6. The slipform paver according to claim 4, characterized in that, The left-side suspension assembly further includes: A clamping cylinder configured to lock the left carriage in place relative to the left suspension frame.

7. The slipform paver according to claim 4, characterized in that, The right-side suspension assembly further includes: The right-side suspension frame is fixedly attached to the machine frame and includes a guide. A right-side carriage, movably engaged with the guide, such that the right-side carriage is movable along the guide relative to the right-side suspension frame, the right-side carriage being connected to the right-side mold assembly; and A right-side suspension actuator configured to move the right-side carriage and the right-side side mold assembly relative to the machine frame.

8. The slipform paver according to claim 7, characterized in that, Further includes: A controller, operatively associated with the left and right suspension actuators, is configured to allow an operator to select between: Left-side operating mode, wherein the left-side suspension actuator is operable to move the left-side carriage and left-side mold assembly relative to the machine frame, while the right-side carriage and right-side mold assembly remain fixed relative to the machine frame; The right-side operating mode is characterized by the right-side suspension actuator being operable to move the right-side carriage and the right-side mold assembly relative to the machine frame, while the left-side carriage and the left-side mold assembly remain fixed relative to the machine frame. as well as The mold shifting operation mode involves an extension of one of the left and right suspension actuators, while the other retracts, to laterally shift the position of the mold relative to the machine frame without adjusting the mold width.

9. The slipform paver according to claim 8, characterized in that, The left suspension assembly also includes a left clamping cylinder configured to have a locking position that locks the left carriage in place relative to the left suspension frame; The right-side suspension assembly also includes a right-side clamping cylinder configured to have a locking position that locks the right-side carriage in place relative to the right-side suspension frame. as well as The controller is configured such that: During the left-side operation mode, the left-side clamping cylinder is released to unlock the left carriage, and the right-side clamping cylinder is in the locked position; During the right-side operation mode, the right-side clamping cylinder is released to unlock the right-side carriage, and the left-side clamping cylinder is in the locked position. as well as During the mold shifting mode, both the left and right clamping cylinders are released to unlock the left and right carriages.

10. The slipform paver according to claim 7, characterized in that, The left suspension actuator is a left-side hydraulic intelligent cylinder, and the right suspension actuator is a right-side hydraulic intelligent cylinder.

11. The slipform paver according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustable width mold further includes: A first mold actuator is connected between the central portion and one of the left and right side mold assemblies to move one of the left and right side mold assemblies relative to the central portion; The first suspension assembly includes: A first carriage, movably mounted on the machine frame such that it can move laterally relative to the machine frame, is connected to one of a left side mold assembly and a right side mold assembly; and A first suspension actuator, configured to move a first carriage and one of the left and right side mold assemblies relative to the machine frame; and A controller operatively associated with a first mold actuator and a first suspension actuator, the controller being configured to coordinate the operation of the first mold actuator and the first suspension actuator such that the first mold actuator and the first suspension actuator operate together to move a first carriage and one of the left side mold assembly and the right side mold assembly relative to the machine frame.

12. An embedded slipform paver, characterized in that, include: Machine frame; At least one left-side ground engagement unit and at least one right-side ground engagement unit are configured to support the machine frame from the ground surface; An adjustable-width mold, comprising a left side mold assembly, a central portion, and a right side mold assembly; as well as The first suspension assembly includes: A first carriage, movably mounted on the machine frame such that it can move laterally relative to the machine frame, is connected to one of the left side mold assembly and the right side mold assembly; and A first suspension actuator is configured to move the first carriage and one of the left side mold assembly and the right side mold assembly relative to the machine frame. The adjustable width mold further includes: One or more left-side spacers configured to be received between the left-side mold assembly and the central portion; One or more right-side spacers are configured to be received between the right-side side mold assembly and the center portion.

13. The slipform paver according to claim 12, characterized in that, Further includes: The second suspension assembly includes: A second carriage, which is movably mounted on the machine frame, is capable of lateral movement relative to the machine frame, and the second carriage is connected to another of the left side mold assembly and the right side mold assembly; as well as A second suspension actuator is configured to move the second carriage and another of the left and right side mold assemblies relative to the machine frame.

14. The slipform paver according to claim 13, characterized in that, Further includes: A controller operatively associated with the first suspension actuator and the second suspension actuator, the controller being configured such that each of the first suspension actuator and the second suspension actuator can be operated independently to move an associated one of the left side mold assembly and the right side mold assembly relative to the machine frame, thereby adjusting the width of the mold.

15. The slipform paver according to claim 14, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to allow both the first and second suspension actuators to operate simultaneously to laterally displace the mold relative to the machine frame without adjusting the mold width.

16. A method for adjusting the width of the die of a slipform paver, characterized in that, The slipform paver according to any one of claims 1-15, the slipform paver comprising an adjustable-width machine frame supported on a plurality of ground engagement units, the mold comprising a central portion, a left side mold assembly, a right side mold assembly, one or more left spacers, and one or more right spacers, the one or more left spacers configured to be received between the left side mold assembly and the central portion, the one or more right spacers configured to be received between the right side mold assembly and the central portion, the method comprising: Adjust the width of the mold without adjusting the width of the machine frame.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Also includes: The position of the mold is laterally shifted relative to the machine frame without adjusting the width of the machine frame.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The adjustment steps also include laterally moving the side mold assembly of the mold relative to the center portion of the mold, without adjusting the width of the machine frame.

19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The adjustment steps are executed under the control of the controller.

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