Paving Machine Frame Reorientation with Steerable Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reorienting swing legs of self-propelled construction machines, such as slipform paving machines, for transport do not efficiently align the machine frame with a transport vehicle, requiring separate reorientation of the frame before repositioning the swing legs, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow the machine frame to rotate in place while pivoting the swing legs from a paving position to a transport position, using steerable ground engaging units with drive motors and sensors to control the reorientation angle and pivot the legs simultaneously or sequentially, enabling alignment with a transport vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the swing legs are repositioned using prior art methods (individual track raising or separate frame reorientation), then the swing legs can be moved to transport position, but the process requires separate frame reorientation which is cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines frame reorientation and swing leg repositioning into a single integrated operation. The ground engaging units are steered at angles relative to the swing legs while the frame rotates, causing the swing legs to pivot automatically to the desired transport position. This merging of operations eliminates the need for separate frame reorientation steps required by prior art methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic steering of the ground engaging units during frame rotation. By controlling the steering angles of the ground engaging units relative to the swing legs as the frame rotates through a reorientation angle, the system dynamically pivots the swing legs to the transport position. This dynamic approach allows simultaneous achievement of frame alignment and leg repositioning.
2Loss of time
If separate frame reorientation is performed before swing leg repositioning as in prior art, then the swing legs can be repositioned, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary steering of the ground engaging units to specific angles relative to the swing legs before and during frame rotation. This preliminary positioning of the ground engaging units ensures that as the frame rotates, the swing legs are automatically guided to the correct transport position, eliminating the need for subsequent separate repositioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by performing frame reorientation and swing leg repositioning simultaneously in a single continuous operation. The ground engaging units are steered and the frame is rotated together, ensuring that both functions are accomplished in one uninterrupted sequence rather than through separate discrete steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled paving machine includes a plurality of swing legs, each swing leg being supported from a ground surface by an associated crawler track steerably connected to an outer end of its associated swing leg. The machine may be re-oriented from a paving mode to a transport mode by driving the ground engaging units to rotate the frame substantially in place on the ground through a re-orientation angle of the frame relative to the ground, and as the frame is rotating, pivoting one or more of the swing legs from a paving position relative to the frame, to a transport position relative to the frame.