Road Milling Machine Leveling Device Asymmetric Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road milling machines face challenges in precisely processing road surfaces without additional information about the inclination of the area, especially when milling on roads with crown profiles or wider surfaces, as they require costly additional data for accurate depth control on both sides.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled road milling machine equipped with a machine frame, multiple drives, and a leveling device featuring two distance measuring devices and a control unit that adjusts the machine frame's height and inclination based on distance measurements, allowing for precise milling depth control without needing additional inclination data, using a control mode that adjusts lifting devices based on deviations from specified distance values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional road milling machines use distance measuring devices mounted on both sides to detect actual milling depth and cross slope, then milling depth control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring additional sensors and inclination data
Solution Approach 1:
The distance measuring devices mounted on only one side of the machine frame serve multiple functions: they detect both the actual milling depth and the cross slope of the road surface by measuring distances to multiple points. This eliminates the need for separate sensors on both sides while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for distance measuring devices on the opposite side of the machine frame. By using the one-side mounted sensors to detect both depth and slope information, the system removes unnecessary components and reduces device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If road milling machines acquire additional inclination data for accurate depth control on roads with crown profiles, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of information and data processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the distance measuring devices to dynamically adjust the milling depth. By continuously measuring distances and calculating cross slope in real-time, the system maintains accurate depth control without requiring pre-acquired inclination data, reducing information loss and processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance measuring devices on one side self-service by providing both depth and slope information needed for control. The system uses its own measurement data to compensate for road profile variations, eliminating the need for external inclination data sources.
3Device complexity
If distance measuring devices are mounted on one side only, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be insufficient for controlling milling depth on both sides of the road
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a symmetric two-side sensor arrangement to an asymmetric one-side arrangement that measures in multiple dimensions. By measuring distances to multiple points on the same side and calculating cross slope from these measurements, the system achieves bilateral control capability from a unilateral sensor position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by mounting all distance measuring devices on only one side of the machine frame rather than symmetrically on both sides. This asymmetric configuration, combined with cross slope calculations, enables the system to control milling depth on both sides of the road effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise processing of road surfaces without additional inclination data, reducing costs by using existing hardware and algorithms for both traffic directions, with only minor programming adjustments, and minimizing the need for additional sensors, thus improving operational efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first distance measuring device (16), in particular with a distance sensor (16A), for measuring a distance (a) between at least one reference point (R1) and the traffic surface (8), thereby determining a first distance value (a)
Data Source
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AI summary
The self-propelled construction machine 1 according to the invention, in particular a road milling machine, has a machine frame 3 on which a milling drum 10 is arranged, and at least one left-hand undercarriage 4, 6 and at least one right-hand undercarriage 5, 7 in the working direction A, to which lifting devices 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A are assigned, supporting the machine frame 3. Furthermore, the construction machine has a leveling device 15 for controlling the lifting devices 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, which is designed such that the height and/or inclination of the machine frame 3 is adjustable with respect to the road surface (8). The leveling device 15 provides a special control mode intended for operating the construction machine 1 when a section of road is to be milled on the outer side 20A of the roadway.This leveling device 15 provides distance measurements for the control of the lifting devices 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A only on one common side of the machine frame 3.