Crawler Track Steering Control for Slipform Paver Cornering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled construction machines with only left and right crawler tracks face limited steerability, leading to the rear reference point failing to follow a predetermined path during cornering, resulting in incorrect placement of structures when building with a slipform paver.
Innovation Solution
A control unit is implemented to adjust the chain speeds of the crawler tracks based on the distance between front and rear reference points and the predetermined path, allowing for steering corrections to ensure the rear reference point follows the path by calculating a corrected path and adjusting the chain speeds of the crawler tracks accordingly, using either guide wire sensors or GPS receivers for navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the construction machine uses only left and right crawler tracks for movement, then the machine structure is simplified, but the steerability is limited causing the rear reference point to fail to follow the predetermined path during cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the chain speeds of the crawler tracks adjustable and variable during operation. The control unit dynamically modifies the chain speeds of the left and right crawler tracks based on the machine's position relative to the predetermined path, enabling the rear reference point to follow the path accurately during cornering while maintaining the simple crawler track structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled construction machine comprises a machine frame having a working means arranged thereon, and a drive means for driving left and right crawler tracks at respective predetermined chain speeds. A control unit is configured such that, based on a distance between a front reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and a predetermined path, the chain speed(s) of the left and/or right crawler track is predetermined such that the front reference point moves on the predetermined path. The control unit is further configured such that, during cornering, the control is corrected based on a distance between a rear reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and the predetermined path such that the distance between the rear reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and the predetermined path is reduced.