CONFIGURABLE HEADLIGHT ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A configurable headlight assembly (110) for a work machine (10) comprises at least one headlight (120) mounted via a movable assembly (130) attached to the frame (22) of the work machine (10). The movable assembly (130) is adjustable and allows the configurable headlight assembly (110) to move between at least two different configurations and to position the headlight (120) at different points in space. The movable assembly (130) can be actuated manually or electronically in response to inputs from the operator, to inputs from a sensor on the work machine (10), or to the environmental conditions around the work machine (10).

Description

Technical FieldThe present disclosure generally relates to a configurable headlamp assembly, and more particularly to a configurable headlamp assembly for use with a work machine.Prior ArtRoadway surfaces typically include a top layer of asphalt or concrete on which vehicles travel. Over time, a road surface may wear or be damaged, for example, by the formation of pinholes or the generation of cracks and track grooves. The damaged road surface can in turn lead to damage to vehicles travelling on the road surface. The damaged road surface can be repaired in situ by filling the pinholes, cracks or track grooves. Often, it is desirable to replace the worn or damaged road surface with a completely new road surface. For this purpose, a layer of the asphalt or concrete is usually removed from the roadway and the roadway is remounted by applying a new layer of asphalt or concrete.A milling machine is often used to ablate the asphalt or concrete layer on the road surface. A typical milling machine consists of a frame supported on wheels or chains and including a milling drum secured to the frame. As the milling machine is driven over the existing road surface, teeth or cutters on the rotating milling drum contact the road surface and tear a layer of the roadway. A milling roller chamber usually encloses the milling roller for receiving the milled material. The milling material is typically transported via a conveyor system to a neighboring vehicle, which transports the material away from the construction site. The conveyor system is typically pivotable at an angle to the forward travel direction of the milling machine such that the machine can deposit the removed material into a container at an angle to or adjacent to the milling machine. After the milling operation, a new layer of asphalt or concrete may be deposited on the milled roadway surface to create a new roadway surface.The milling machine frame is typically supported by support units, such as lifting columns, mounted between the frame and the chains or wheels. By extending or retracting the lifting columns, the frame and the milling drum are raised or lowered relative to the chains or wheels and thus relative to the ground. At least one of the support units is usually constructed in a manner which allows it to swing or pivot between two different operating positions: a protruding position in which the chain or wheel is arranged substantially outside the confines of the machine frame to ensure maximum stability, and a retracted position in which the chain or wheel is arranged substantially inside the confines of the machine frame to allow the machine to mill, for example, road surfaces near a curb or wall. In this way, the cold planer is capable of operating in at least two different positional configurations.Since work on a roadway may interfere with traffic, it is often desirable for teams operating mobile work machines to perform their work during times of day when roads are less traveled, such as at night. In addition, night temperatures are often significantly lower than day temperatures in summer, which may be beneficial to the teams performing the work. Further, some projects require operation around the clock. However, work at night presents additional challenges, such as providing lighting. Further, mobile work machines, such as cold milling, may travel a considerable distance along a road or other worksite during operation, thereby changing environmental factors and lighting requirements over the course of the project. Moreover, a cold planer is typically capable of operating in at least two different positional configurations, such as an extended position and a retracted position, where each configuration requires a different angle of illumination for operation. Further, the conveyor system may be angled on a work machine to deposit the removed material into a suitable container. As this angle changes, the illumination requirement may also change. Given these many variables, a single fixed lighting system may prove inadequate for the needs of the project. Additionally, a work machine with non-configurable headlamp assemblies in an extended position may pose operational, transport, and storage issues. For example, a fixed headlamp assembly extending laterally outward may prevent the work machine from operating immediately adjacent a wall, building, or other obstacle. The same problem arises in the transport of the work machine from one location to the other, as fixed and extended headlamp configurations can cause the work machine to take up more space than can fit into a storage unit for transport. Likewise, when the work machine is stored in a garage or at a similar storage location, a fixed and extended headlight configuration can take up additional space and impair the possibility of parking the work machine. Thus, a fixed lighting system may be associated with multiple logistic problems.U.S. Patent 5,023,760 to Izuno dated June 11, 1991 ("the '760 patent") discloses a retractable flasher for large trucks. The system of the '760 patent allows the turn signaler protruding from the side of the truck to be drawn into the body of the truck, thereby reducing the drag of the vehicle and minimizing the risk of the turn signaler colliding with another vehicle or other object, while still allowing the turn signaler to be positioned upon activation to be easily viewed by other drivers and pedestrians. The system of the '760 patent provides the operator of the truck with the ability to extend or retract the turn signal based on whether the operator wishes to indicate that the truck is turning or whether he wishes to arrange the turn signal to be flush with the truck when the vehicle is not turning.However, the system of the '760 patent only relates to retractable indicators and does not address other lighting requirements of work machines.The work machine of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems listed above or other problems of the prior art.SummaryIn one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a configurable headlamp assembly for use with a work machine, such as a milling machine. The work machine may optionally include various sensors that acquire information regarding the work machine or the environment around the work machine. The configurable headlamp arrangement comprises a headlamp and a movable arrangement that connects the headlamp to the frame of the work machine. The movable arrangement enables the headlamp to be moved into at least two different configurations that change the position of the headlamp. The movable assembly may additionally be adapted to other configurations that provide more than two positions for the headlamp, if desired. The movable assembly can be moved manually using a mechanism such as a slotted plate with an instrument such as a bolt that fixes the movable assembly in various configurations. The movable assembly may also be moved electronically in response to operator inputs, the operating condition of the work machine, or in response to inputs from a sensor on the work machine. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a work machine. The work machine includes a frame and may include various sensors that acquire information regarding the work machine or the environment around the work machine. Additionally, the work machine is equipped with a configurable headlamp assembly that includes a headlamp and a movable assembly that connects the headlamp to the frame of the work machine. The movable arrangement enables the headlamp to be moved into at least two different configurations that change the position of the headlamp. The movable assembly may additionally be adapted to other configurations that provide more than two positions for the headlamp, if desired. The movable assembly can be moved manually using a mechanism such as a slotted plate with an instrument such as a bolt that fixes the movable assembly in various configurations. The movable assembly may also be moved electronically in response to operator inputs, the operating condition of the work machine, or in response to inputs from a sensor on the work machine.In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for adjusting the position of a configurable headlamp assembly of a work machine. The work machine includes a frame and may include various sensors that acquire information regarding the work machine or the environment around the work machine. The work machine is also equipped with a configurable headlamp assembly that includes a headlamp and a movable assembly that connects the headlamp to the frame of the work machine. The method includes selecting a headlamp connected to the frame of the work machine by a movable assembly. The method also includes moving the movable assembly that mounts the selected headlamp from one configuration to another configuration. Moving the movable assembly may be done manually using a mechanism such as a slotted plate with an instrument such as a bolt that fixes the movable assembly in various configurations. The movable assembly may also be moved electronically in response to operator inputs, the operating condition of the work machine, or in response to inputs from a sensor on the work machine.Brief Description of the DrawingsFIG. 1 is a side view illustration of an example work machine equipped with a configurable headlamp assembly. FIG. 2 is a top view of the work machine of FIG. 1 with a conveyor and headlamp assemblies in various configurations. FIG. 3 shows a configurable headlight arrangement as is illustrated, for example, in connection with the working machine of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 shows a first configuration and a second configuration of the configurable headlamp arrangement of FIG. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThis disclosure relates to work machines. An example of such work machines are milling machines or cold milling machines, which are work machines used for removing layers of hardened asphalt, cement or other road surfaces from an existing roadway or for removing other material not associated with a road surface from the ground, such as in mining operations. This disclosure may also be relevant to other work machines such as road pavers and others.FIG. 1 illustrates an example milling machine 10, which may be a cold planer as shown, which may also be referred to as a cold planer, a scarifier, a profiler, etc. The milling machine 10 includes a frame 22 extending from the first end 24 to the second end 26 disposed opposite the first end 24. In some example embodiments, the first end 24 is a front end and the second end 26 is a rear end of the frame 22. the frame 22 may have any shape (e.g., rectangular, triangular, square, etc.) and have a longitudinal axis 28 extending generally in the front-rear direction of travel of the milling machine 10.The frame 22 is supported by one or more drive devices. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the frame 22 is supported by, for example, the driving devices 30, 32, 34, 36. The drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may be equipped with electric or hydraulic motors that may impart motion to the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 to drive the milling machine 10 in forward or reverse directions. As shown in FIG. 1, the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may take the form of chains, which may include, for example, sprockets, idler wheels, or one or more rollers that may carry a continuous chain. However, it is contemplated that the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36 of the milling machine 10 may take the form of wheels or other ground engaging units that may propel the milling machine 10. It is also conceivable that the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36, if they are embodied as wheels, comprise one or more tires.The drive devices 30 and 32 may be disposed adjacent the first end 24 of the frame 22, and the chains 34 and 36 may be disposed adjacent the second end 26 of the frame 22. The driving device 30 may be spaced apart from the driving device 32 along a width direction of the frame 22. Similarly, the driving device 34 may be spaced apart from the driving device 36 along a width direction of the frame 22. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the drive device 30 is a left front chain, the drive device 32 is a right front chain, the drive device 34 is a left rear chain, and the drive device 36 is a right rear chain. Some or all of the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may also be steerable such that the milling machine 10 may be rotated to the right or left during a forward or rearward movement on the ground surface 38. Although the milling machine 10 has been illustrated in FIG. 1 as comprising four propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36, it is contemplated that the milling machine 10 may have only one rear propulsion device 34 or 36, which may be disposed generally centrally along a width of the frame 22, in some example embodiments.The frame 22 may be connected to the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36 via one or more leg columns 40, 42, 44, 46. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the frame 22 is connected to the left front drive device 30 via the leg column 40 and to the right front drive device 32 via the leg column 42. Similarly, the frame 22 is connected to the left rear drive device 34 via the leg pillar 44 and to the right rear drive device 36 via the leg pillar 46. One or more of the leg columns 40, 42, 44, 46 may be height adjustable such that a height of the frame 22 relative to one or more of the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may be increased or decreased by adjusting a length of one or more of the leg columns 40, 42, 44, 46. It should be appreciated that adjusting a height of the frame 22 relative to one or more of the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 also means adjusting the height of the frame 22 relative to the ground surface 38 on which the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may be supported.The milling machine 10 may include a milling drum 50 secured to the frame 22 between the front end 24 and the rear end 26. The milling drum 50 may extend along the transverse axis 52 (see also, e.g., FIG. 2 ) of the frame 22. The milling drum 50 may include cutting tools 54, such as cutting teeth, that may be configured to cut into and tear a predetermined thickness of a roadway or the ground. A height of the milling drum 50 relative to the ground surface 38 may be adjusted by adjusting the height of one or more leg columns 40, 42, 44, 46. As the milling drum 50 rotates, the cutting tools 54 of the milling drum 50 may contact the ground or road surface 38 and thus tear or cut the ground or road surface 38. The milling drum 50 may be enclosed by a drum chamber 56, whereby the pick-up of material ablated from the ground or road surface 38 by the teeth 54 may be facilitated. The milling machine 10 may include one or more conveyors 58, 60 that may be used to transport the material removed from the milling drum 50 to an adjacent vehicle, such as a dump truck or other container.As shown in FIG. 2, at least the conveyor 60 may be rotated or pivoted toward the left side 62 or the right side 64 of the milling machine 10. It should be appreciated that the left side 62 and the right side 64 are determined relative to a direction of advancement of the milling machine 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 60 can be pivoted by a pivot angle θ relative to the longitudinal axis 28 on either side (e.g., left side 62 or right side 64) of the longitudinal axis 28. In this manner, the pivotable conveyor 60 allows the material removed from the ground surface 38 by the milling drum 50 to be conveyed to a dump truck traveling adjacent to the milling machine 10, either on the left side 62 or the right side 64 of the milling machine 10.Referring again to FIG. 1, the milling machine 10 includes a drive 66 that may be attached to the frame 22. The propulsion 66 may be any suitable type of internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or hybrid engine. However, it is conceivable that, in some example embodiments, the driver 66 is driven by electric power. The drive 66 may be configured to provide rotational power output to one or more hydraulic motors associated with the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36 of the milling drum 50 and the one or more conveyors 58, 60. The electrical phase of the hybrid phase is selected from the group consisting of:Drive 66 may also be configured to provide power for operating one or more other components or accessory devices (e.g., pumps, fans, motors, generators, belt drives, transmission devices, etc.) associated with milling machine 10.The milling machine 10 includes an operator platform 68 secured to the frame 22. In some example embodiments, the operator platform 68 may take the form of an open air platform, which may or may not include a canopy. In other exemplary embodiments, the operator platform 68 may take the form of a partially or fully closed cabin. As shown in FIG. 1, the operator platform 68 is at a height "H" above the ground surface 38. The operator platform 68 may include an operator console 70. The operator console 70 may include one or more controllers or input devices that may be used by an operator to operate or control the milling machine 10. The one or more input devices may / may be in the form of buttons, switches, sliders, levers, wheels, touch screens, or other input / output or interface devices.The milling machine 10 also includes a fuel tank 72 and a water tank 74 In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel tank 72 is disposed below the operator platform 68 and the water tank 74 is disposed in front of the operator platform 68. However, it should be appreciated that the fuel tank 72 and the water tank 74 may be mounted at another location of the milling machine 10.The milling machine 10 may also include a warning device 76 that may be located in the operator platform 68. In an exemplary embodiment, the warning device 76 is an audible alarm or speaker configured to generate an audible alarm or message. Additionally or alternatively, the warning device 76 may include one or more visual indicators (e.g., lights or indicators) included on the operator console 70 of the operator platform 68. It is further contemplated that, in some embodiments, the warning device 76 may additionally or alternatively include a display device 78 on the operator console 70. The display device 78 may include one or more cathode ray tubes, a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, a touch screen, or other type of display device configured to display one or more icons or textual or graphical displays to an operator of the milling machine 10.The milling machine 10 may be equipped with numerous sensors, some of which are configured to determine operating parameters (e.g., engine speed, travel speed, milling drum speed, conveyor speed, acceleration, temperature, pressure, etc.) of the milling machine 10. For example, the milling machine 10 may be equipped with an engine speed sensor 80, a travel speed sensor 82, and a conveyor speed sensor 84. The engine speed sensor 80 may be configured to measure the speed of the drive 66 (e.g., in revolutions per minute or U / min), for example. The ground speed sensor 82 may be configured to measure the speed of the milling machine 10 (e.g., in m / s, Km / h, or mph) in the forward or rearward direction relative to the ground surface 38. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may be equipped with one or more ground speed sensors 82 configured to determine a speed of each of the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36 relative to the ground surface 38. However, it is contemplated to determine the travel speed of the milling machine 10 or 20 in other ways, such as by using GPS sensors, inertial sensors, the flow rate or pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic motors connected to the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36, etc.Each of the conveyors 58 and 60 may be equipped with a conveyor speed sensor 84 that may be configured to determine a linear speed of the conveyors 58, 60 (in m / s or ft / s). It is also contemplated that the conveyor speed sensor 84 may be a speed sensor connected to one or more rollers configured to move the conveyors 58, 60, and that the linear speed of the conveyors 58, 60 may be determined from the measured rotational speed of the rollers, in some embodiments. The sensors 80, 82, 84, etc. may be configured to measure operating parameters associated with the operation of the drive 66, the drive devices 30, 32, 34, 36, the conveyors 58, 60, etc. It is contemplated that the milling machine 10 may include many additional operating sensors, such as speed sensors for the milling drum, temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the engine coolant, temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the cutting teeth 54, or other sensors for measuring the flow rate, pressure, or temperature of the hydraulic fluid supply of the various implements of the milling machine 10, etc. The milling machine 10 may also include one or more configuration sensors configured to measure the configuration parameters associated with the milling machine 10. Configuration parameters may provide information regarding a position or configuration of one or more components of the milling machine 10. Configuration parameters include, for example, the height of one or more of the leg columns 40, 42, 44, 46, the pivot angle of the conveyor 60 relative to the axis 28, the steering angle of one or more of the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36, the fuel level in the fuel tank 72, the water level in the water tank 74, the position of one or more optionally attached implements (e.g., additional water tanks, pumps, generators, external sensors, structural supports, etc.). For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the milling machine 10 may include one or more height sensors 86, a pivot angle sensor 90 (see FIG. 2 ), one or more steering angle sensors 92, a fuel level sensor 94, and a water level sensor 96. It is conceivable that the milling machine 10 may include further configuration sensors (e.g. distance sensors, weight sensors, etc.).The height sensor 86 may be configured to determine a height of the frame 22 relative to the bottom surface 38 adjacent the leg pillar 40, 42, 44, or 46. The height sensor 86 may include one or more laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, capacitive or inductive sensors capable of measuring the length of one or more of the leg columns 40, 42, 44 or 46. A height of the frame 22 may be determined based on the measured lengths of the one or more leg columns 40, 42, 44, or 46 and geometric information regarding the frame 22 or one or more of the drive devices 30, 32, 34, or 36. It is further contemplated that in some embodiments, the height sensors 86 include one or more ultrasonic sensors configured to directly measure a height of the frame 22 relative to the ground surface 38. In other example embodiments, the height sensors 86 may include one or more GPS sensors, inertial sensors, or other position sensors configured to determine a height of the frame 22 relative to the ground surface 38.The pivot angle sensor 90 may be configured to measure the pivot angle θ of the conveyor 60 relative to the longitudinal axis 28. In one embodiment, the pivot angle sensor 90 includes a rotation sensor disposed at or near a pivotable connection between the conveyor 60 and the frame 22. The swing angle sensor 90 may be configured to measure an amount of rotation of the conveyor 60 in the transverse left or right direction (e.g., transverse to the longitudinal axis 28). One or more of the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36 may include steering angle sensors 92. The steering angle sensors 92 may be configured to measure a rotational angle of the drive devices 30, 32, 34, or 36 in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis 28.The fuel level sensor 94 may be configured to measure the height of the fuel relative to the bottom of the fuel tank 72. It is also contemplated that fuel level sensor 94 may be configured to measure an inclination of a free surface of fuel in fuel tank 72 relative to the bottom of fuel tank 72. In some embodiments, the fuel level sensor 94 may be configured to determine a fuel volume in the fuel tank 72 and a height of the fuel relative to the bottom of the fuel tank 72, based on the measured fuel volume and the geometric characteristics of the fuel tank 72. The water level sensor 96 may be configured to measure the height of the water in the water tank 74 relative to the bottom of the water tank 74. In some embodiments, the water level sensor 96 may be configured to determine the volume of water in the water tank 74 and a height of the water relative to the bottom of the water tank 74, based on the measured volume of water and the geometric characteristics of the water tank 74. It is also contemplated that the water level sensor 96 may be configured to measure an inclination of a free surface of the water in the water tank 74 relative to the bottom of the fuel tank 72.The milling machine 10 may include the controller 100, which may be configured to receive input, data, and / or signals from one or more input devices, sensors 80, 82, 84, 86, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, etc., or other sensors connected to the milling machine 10. The controller 100 may include or be connected to one or more processors, memory devices, and / or communication devices. The controller 100 may include a single microprocessor or multiple microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuit devices (ASICs), etc. Numerous commercially available microprocessors may be configured to perform the functions of the controller 100. The controller 100 may be associated with various other known circuits including power supply circuits, signal conditioning circuits, and communication circuits, etc.The one or more storage devices connected to the controller 100 may store data or one or more control routines, instructions, mathematical models, algorithms, machine learning models, etc., for example. The one or more storage devices may embody non-transitory computer readable media, such as random access memory (RAM) devices, NOR or NAND flash memory devices, and read only memory (ROM) devices, CD-ROMs, hard drives, floppy disks, optical media, solid state storage media, etc. The controller 100 may execute one or more routines, instructions, mathematical models, algorithms, or machine learning models stored in one or more storage devices to generate and provide one or more command signals to one or more of the propulsion devices 30, 32, 34, 36, the drive 66, the milling drum 50, the conveyors 58, 60, or other implements and components of the milling machine 10.The milling machine 10 also comprises at least one configurable headlight arrangement 110. The configurable headlamp assembly includes a headlamp 120 that provides illumination at an adjustable angle generally in front of the milling machine 10. In a preferred embodiment, the milling machine 10 is equipped with a pair of configurable headlamp assemblies 110. A headlamp assembly is secured to the frame 22 at the front first end 24 of the left side 62 of the milling machine 10 using the bracket 112 facing in the forward direction of travel of the milling machine 10. The other headlamp assembly 110 is secured to the frame 22 at the front first end 24 of the right side 64 of the milling machine 10 using the bracket 112 also facing in the forward travel direction of the milling machine 10. While the preferred embodiment contemplates the use of two configurable headlamp assemblies, those skilled in the art may also equip milling machine 10 with a single configurable headlamp assembly or with more than two configurable headlamp assemblies 110. Those skilled in the art may also combine the use of configurable headlamp assemblies 110 with conventional fixed headlamp assemblies known in the art. Further, those skilled in the art are able to attach configurable headlamp assemblies 110 to other parts of the milling machine 10 and direct the illumination to the rear, sides, or other angles with respect to the milling machine 10.FIG. 3 shows an example of the configurable headlamp arrangement 110. In this embodiment, the headlamp assembly is comprised of the headlamp 120 and the movable assembly 130. In this embodiment, the movable assembly 130 is comprised of the bracket 112, the arm 114 and the pivot points 116 and 118. The bracket 112 is fixed to the frame 22 of the milling machine 10. Extending from the bracket 112 is the arm 114 which terminates in the headlamp 120. The arm 114 also includes pivot points 116 and 118 that allow the arm 114 and headlamp 120 to rotate to different configurations. As an example, the pivot points 116 and 118 may be slotted pivot plates used in conjunction with bolts 126 and 128, but could also be other forms of articulation known in the art. While this preferred embodiment consists of a single headlamp 120 per configurable headlamp assembly 110, additional headlamps 120 could be attached to the configurable headlamp assembly 110. Additionally, although only a single bracket 112 is shown in the preferred embodiment, additional brackets or other connection devices may be used to attach the configurable headlamp assembly 110 to the frame 22. Alternatively, the headlamp assembly 110 could extend directly from the frame 22. Further, those skilled in the art would be able to incorporate additional arms 114 or pivot points 116 and 118 into the movable assembly 130, thereby allowing for various configurations that place the headlamp 120 horizontally or vertically in the room.The headlamp 120 may be any suitable type or construction of artificial illumination. For example, the headlights 120 may be incandescent lamps, where an electrical current is applied to a filament, which then lights up and emits visible light. A further example is a light-emitting diode (LED), in which the light source is a semiconductor material, in particular a diode, which emits light when a current is applied. Other examples include gas discharge or vapor lamps in which an electrical current is conducted through an enclosed gas causing it to ionize and emit light. Moreover, the headlamp 120 may be provided in various colors, intensities, and focal points. The arrangement and direction of the various headlights 120 on the milling machine 10 may be subject to industrial or governmental standards.FIG. 4 shows an example configurable headlamp assembly 110 attached to the frame 22 of the milling machine 10 via a bracket 112. The example headlamp assembly 110 is illustrated in an extended first configuration 122 and a retracted second configuration 124. The configurable headlamp assembly 110 switches from the first configuration 122 to the second configuration 124 by rotating the arm 114 at the pivot point 116. As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the arm 114 is fixed at the pivot point 116 by inserting the bolt 126 to block rotation at the pivot point 116. The headlamp 120 is also rotated to the desired illumination angle at pivot point 118. As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the headlamp 120 is fixed by inserting the bolt 128 to lock the rotation at the pivot point 118. The bolts 126 and 128 may be, for example, spring-loaded bolts. Other means of fixing rotation at pivot points 116 and 118 by mechanical or electrical means are known to those skilled in the art. While the preferred embodiment illustrates a first configuration 122 and a second configuration 124, additional configurations of the headlamp assembly 110 may be achieved by fixing the pivot points 116 and 118 or by fixing additional pivot points in different positions.The headlamp assembly 110 may be manually adjusted from a first configuration 122 to a second configuration 124 by physically adjusting the arm 114 at the pivot points 116 and 118. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same principle applies when additional configurations are desired by incorporating additional arms or pivot points or by locking pivot points 116 and 118 in different positions.The headlamp assembly 110 may also be adjusted from a first configuration 122 to a second configuration 124 by electronic means. This may be accomplished, for example, by entering the desired configuration at the operator console 70. A similar signal could also be input via a remote control device. Once controller 100 receives the signal for adjusting headlight assembly 110, it may send a signal to actuators that may rotate arm 114 and headlight 120 at pivot points 116 and 118, respectively. The same process may be applied by those skilled in the art to achieve additional configurations for the headlamp assembly 110 via additional pivot points or arms. The condition of the vehicle detected by the sensors 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 90, 92, 94, 96 or 98 or by another sensor sending a signal to the controller 100 may also result in the headlamp assembly 110 changing its configurations in response to a particular input of the sensor. For example, if the controller 100 determines that the milling is turned off, it may automatically request that the headlamp assembly 110 be adjusted to a retracted position 124.Industrial applicabilityThe disclosed configurable headlamp assembly 110 may be used with any work machine where variably arranged illumination may be required or preferred. The disclosed arrangement allows the operator to configure the position and angle of a light source on a work machine. This arrangement may be useful for projects that must be performed during night hours or on other low illumination construction sites such as mining sites. By improving the illumination of a construction site, the configurable headlight arrangement 110 increases the visibility of a specific region.A particular application arises when a milling machine 10 is in operation that uses its milling drum 50 to remove material from a ground surface 38. As the material is removed from the floor surface 38, it travels along the conveyors 58 and 60 to be deposited in a container, such as a dump truck, container, or other location for transport or storage. If the container is arranged directly in front of the milling machine 10, the conveyor 60 does not have to rotate and the material can be deposited straight into the container. However, the conditions on the construction site do not always allow this, and the milling machine 10 may need to deposit the material in a container that is at an angle to its longitudinal axis 28 or even directly on the side of the milling machine 10. FIG. 2 illustrates various example configurations of the conveyor 60 with respect to the milling machine 10. The configurable headlamp assembly 110 may further be adjusted manually or in real-time via input signals to the controller 100 as the conveyor 60 moves to ensure maximum visibility.Another example of the practical applicability of the disclosed arrangement occurs when the milling machine 10 is to remove the ground surface 38 directly adjacent to a wall, fence, building, or other obstacle. If the milling machine 10 were equipped with a fixed, extended headlight arrangement, the milling machine 10 could not in this situation machine the ground surface 38 with its milling drum 50 without hitting a wall or an obstacle with the headlight 120. However, the use of the configurable headlamp assembly 110 allows the operator to adjust the configurable headlamp assembly 110 from an extended configuration 122 to a retracted setting 124 such that the milling machine 10 can operate flush with the wall or obstacle. Once work near the obstacle is complete, the configurable headlamp assembly 110 may be re-adjusted to an extended configuration 124 to provide better worksite illumination or meet industrial or regulatory standards or requirements.Because the configurable headlamp assembly 110 may be configured to respond to inputs from various sensors on the milling machine 10, particularly the sensors 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 90, 92, 94, 96 or 98, certain changes in the position of the configurable headlamp assembly 110 may be automated. For example, an input from the swivel angle sensor 90 could be sent to the controller 100, which in turn signals the actuators to adjust the configurable headlamp assembly 110 in response to the input data such that the configurable headlamp assembly 110 automatically tracks the conveyor 60 while the conveyor 60 is adjusted by the operator. Similar automatic configurations could result from, for example, height data from the height sensor 86, the steering angle sensor 92, or the inclination sensor 98, to ensure that the configurable headlamp assembly 110 is arranged to provide optimum lighting of the worksite in front of the milling machine 10. This allows the operator to focus on driving the milling machine 10 and the operation of the milling drum 50 and the conveyor 60 without the need to devote their attention to lighting. These implementations of sensor data are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art are able to apply these principles to a variety of situations and inputs.In addition, the use of the disclosed configurable arrangement provides practical advantages for the transport and storage of milling machine 10. This is made more difficult by a milling machine 10 being equipped with a lighting device. To meet certain regulations, the illumination for a milling machine 10 must be wider than the width of the frame 22. If this lighting is permanently installed, it requires additional space during transport, which can restrict the number of products shipped or increase the transport costs. However, a milling machine 10 using a configurable headlamp assembly 110 may avoid this problem by simply setting the configurable headlamp assembly 110 to the retracted configuration 124 during transport. If desired, the configurable headlamp assembly 110 may be set to a different configuration upon arrival at the destination. Similar advantages result with respect to the storage of the milling machine 10.Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, modifications and variations that will not be discussed in detail in the above description are conceivable to those skilled in the art in view of the entire disclosure. For example, many specifically described structural components and arrangements of such components may be replaced with other components and arrangements without departing from the described invention. Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention may be obtained by studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedU.S. Pat. No. 5,023,760

[0006] Cited Non-Patent LiteratureIzuno dated June 11, 1991

[0006]

Claims

A configurable headlamp assembly (110) for a work machine (10), comprising: at least one headlamp (120); a movable assembly (130) attached to the frame (22) of the work machine (10) that supports the at least one headlamp (120) and is configured to connect the headlamp (120) to the frame (22) of the work machine; and a mechanism for adjusting the movable assembly (130) between at least two configurations.The configurable headlamp assembly (110) of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for adjusting the movable assembly (130) is a slotted pivot plate having an instrument inserted into a slot corresponding to one of the at least two configurations to position the movable assembly (130) in one of the at least two configurations.The configurable headlamp assembly (110) of claim 2, wherein the inserted instrument is a spring-loaded bolt.The configurable headlamp assembly (110) of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises an electronic actuator configured to move the movable assembly (130).The configurable headlamp assembly (110) of claim 4, wherein the actuator actuates in response to an input from the operator of the work machine (10).The configurable headlamp assembly (110) of claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises a motor for driving movement of the movable assembly (130) in response to an operating condition of the work machine (10).The configurable headlamp assembly (110) of claim 4, wherein the actuator actuates in response to input from a sensor of the work machine (10).A method for adjusting at least one headlamp (120) of a mobile work machine (10) having a headlamp (120), a frame (22), and a movable assembly (130) connecting the headlamp (120) to the frame (22), the method comprising: a. selecting at least one headlamp (120) connected to the mobile work machine by a movable assembly (130); b. actuating a mechanism for adjusting the movable assembly (130) connected to the selected headlamp (120); and c. using the mechanism for adjusting the movable assembly (130) connected to the second headlamp (120) from at least one configuration to a second configuration (124).The method of claim 8, wherein the mechanism for adjusting the movable assembly (130) is a slotted pivot plate with an instrument inserted into a slot corresponding to one of the at least two configurations to select one of the at least two configurations of the headlamp (120).The method of claim 9, wherein the instrument inserted into a slot of the slotted pivot plate lock is a spring-loaded bolt.

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