Method For Soil Compaction With An Attachable Compactor, Attachable Compactor As Well As An Excavator With An Attachable Compactor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating an attachable compactor, an attachable compactor as well as an excavator with an attachable compactor. For a corresponding efficient operation in accordance with the present invention, a display indicates the end of a time interval (required compaction time) that depends on a measured contact force or a parameter corresponding to the contact force.

Claims

1. A method for compacting soil with an attachable compactor, comprising the steps of: A) pressing the attachable compactor on the ground to be compacted via a bearing device; B) measuring the contact force (F) exerted on the compactor by via the bearing device or a measured variable correlating with the contact force (F) exerted; C) determining a required compaction time (t) depending on the measured contact force (F) or the measured variable correlating with the contact force (F); and D) actuating a signaling device at least at the end of the required compaction time (t).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contact force (F) measured in step B) or the corresponding measurement value is relayed to a control unit, and that steps C) and/or D) can be controlled by said control unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step C) a comparison of the measured contact force (F) or the corresponding measurement value of the contact force (F) with a value table, an index field or a plurality of reference curves stored in a memory unit occurs.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step C) the required compaction time (t) corresponds to the time period in which a degree of compaction 95% Proctor density, in particular of 98% Proctor density, and especially of 100% Proctor density is achieved with the measured contact force (F) or with the corresponding measurement value of the contact force (F).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following steps is associated with step D): I) displaying an optical countdown corresponding to the required compaction time (t); II) displaying a total remaining time corresponding to the remaining required compaction time (t); III) displaying a traffic light function depending on the required compaction time (t); IV) emitting an acoustic signal as soon as the required compaction time (t) has expired; V) stopping a vibration function of the attachable compactor; and VI) stopping the currently required compaction time (t)/compaction rate corresponding to the contact pressure by means of the higher or lower frequency of a flashing, light-emitting element.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a reset function is provided so that, if pressure is taken off the attachable compactor or in particular if the attachable compactor is raised off the ground, steps A) to D) are automatically executed.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measured variable correlating with the contact force (F) is one of the following: 1) hydraulic pressure of an actuating cylinder of an excavator arm; 2) electrical voltage signal of a sensor element, such as a displacement measuring sensor; 3) relief pressure or relief force of at least one driving device of the excavator; and 4) a path signal on an elastic connecting element between a base plate and a superstructure of the attachable compactor.

8. A compactor for executing the method according to claim 1, comprising: a) a base plate; b) a motor-driven vibration generator, with which the base plate can be vibrated; c) a superstructure connected to the base plate; and d) a coupling device configured to engage the excavator arm; characterized in that a sensor device is provided, which is configured in such a way that, with said sensor device, a contact force (F) of the excavator arm on the compactor or of the compactor on the ground or of a measured variable correlating with the contact force (F) can be determined, in that a control unit is provided that determines the required compaction time (t) based on the determined contact force (F) or on the basis of the measured variable correlating with the contact force (F), and in that a signal device is provided that is configured in such a way it displays at least the required compaction time (t).

9. The compactor according to claim 8, wherein the sensor device comprises at least one of the following features: a) a sensor element configured as a force sensor as one of a resistive force transducer, a piezo force transducer or a wire strain gauge; b) the sensor device is arranged on the superstructure; c) the sensor device is integrated in the coupling device; d) the sensor device is connected to the control unit via a signal line; and e) the sensor device detects the deformation of an elastic damping element between the superstructure and the base plate.

10. The compactor according to claim 8, wherein the control unit comprises a memory unit, wherein at least one value table, one index field or a plurality of reference curves is stored in a memory unit, which includes the achieved degree of compaction (Q) or a corresponding measurement value for the contact force (F) or a corresponding measurement value depending on the compaction time (t).

11. The compactor according to claim 8, wherein the signal device comprises at least one of the following features: a) the signal device comprises an optical display device, in particular an indicator light, an indicator traffic light or an indication of the time; b) the signal device comprises an acoustic display device with at least one speaker; c) the signal device is arranged on the superstructure of the compactor, in particular oriented to the inside of the compactor; and d) the signal device comprises a control element controlled by the control unit, with which the vibration operation of the vibration generator can be interrupted.

12. The compactor according to claim 8, wherein the compactor comprises a converter for converting vibrations into electric energy, wherein the sensor device and/or the control unit and/or the signal device are supplied with the electrical energy obtained.

13. An excavator, comprising: a drive motor, an operating platform, driving devices, an excavator arm and an attachable compactor, attached to the excavator arm via a coupling device, with a base plate and a superstructure, wherein the excavator is configured to carry out the method according to claim 1.

14. The excavator according to claim 13, wherein the signaling device is arranged in the operating platform of the excavator.

15. The excavator according to claim 13, wherein an electrical connection line is provided, connected with the electrical system of the excavator, that supplies electrical energy to the sensor device and/or the control unit (18) and/or the signaling device.

16. (canceled)

17. An excavator, comprising: a drive motor, an operating platform, driving devices, an excavator arm and an attachable compactor, attached to the excavator arm via a coupling device, wherein the attachable compactor comprises: a) a base plate; b) a motor-driven vibration generator, with which the base plate can be vibrated; c) a superstructure connected to the base plate; and d) a coupling device configured to engage the excavator arm; characterized in that a sensor device is provided, which is configured in such a way that, with said sensor device, a contact force (F) of the excavator arm on the compactor or of the compactor on the ground or of a measured variable correlating with the contact force (F) can be determined, in that a control unit is provided that determines the required compaction time (t) based on the determined contact force (F) or on the basis of the measured variable correlating with the contact force (F), and in that a signal device is provided that is configured in such a way it displays at least the required compaction time (t).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. Depicted schematically are:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a side view of an excavator with an attachable compactor;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a view of a functional scheme of the attachable compactor from FIG. 1; and

[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method according to the present invention.

[0032] Identical components are assigned the same reference numbers in the figures, but not every component repeated in the figures is necessarily indicated each time with a reference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Essential elements of the excavator 1 are: a driving part (2) with driving devices, a machine part (3) which is rotatably mounted on the driving part and has an operating platform (4) and a drive motor (5) and an excavator arm (6). In the example shown here, the excavator arm 6 is of a two-part configuration, comprising an inner first excavator arm 7 and an external excavator arm 8. Excavator arms 7 and 8 can be actuated via hydraulic cylinders, 9 and 10. At the end of the second excavator arm 8, which extends essentially in the vertical direction, an attachable compactor 11 is connected to the excavator arm 6 by means of a coupling device 12. During the compaction operation, the attachable compactor 11 is pressed onto the ground surface 13 by means of the hydraulic cylinders 9 and 10 via the excavator arm 6. Further details of essential elements of the attachable compactor 11 can be seen in FIG. 2.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the second excavator arm 8 from FIG. 1 with the attachable compactor 11 attached. Essential elements of the attachable compactor 11 are: a base plate 14, a superstructure 15, a motor-driven vibration generator 16, and a coupling device 12. The base plate 14 rests on the ground 13 on its underside. The base plate 14 is connected to the superstructure 15 by means of the damping elements 17. The coupling device 12 is arranged on the upper side of the superstructure 15 facing the excavator arm 6. The vibration generator 16 arranged on the base plate 14, in particular an eccentric vibration generator, vibrates the base plate 14, in particular in a vertical manner, during the compaction operation. The vibration generator 16 can, for example, be driven by means of a hydraulic motor of the attachable compactor 11, which is connected to the hydraulic system of the excavator 1 (not shown in the figures).

[0035] In order to render the operation of the attachable compactor 11 more efficient, a control unit 18, a sensor device 19, a memory unit 20 and a signal device 21 are also provided. These components can all be arranged on the attachable compactor 11. Additionally, or alternatively, however, it is also possible to place at least parts of the sensor device 19 and/or signal device 21 elsewhere. For example, the signal device 21 can be configured as a mobile part in the form of a mobile terminal, arranged in the operating platform 4. The arrangement of the sensor device 19 can also vary and, e.g., be integrated in the coupling device 12.

[0036] The sensor device 19 comprises, at least, one sensor element, with which the contact force F exerted on the attachable compactor 11 by the excavator arm 6, or a corresponding value, can be measured. The sensor device 19 is connected to the control unit 18 via a signal line 22. Signal lines 23 and 24 are also provided, which connect the control unit to a memory unit 20. Finally, a further connecting line 25 from the control unit 18 is provided to the signal device 21.

[0037] In the example shown, an index field 26 is stored in the memory unit 20. The index field 26 indicates the densities versus the degree of compaction D. In this case, the curves 27 represent the compaction progress for different contact forces or contact forces F1, F2, F3 and F4. F1 indicates the largest contact pressure force and F4 the lowest contact pressure force in the index field 26. Line Dmax indicates the position of the maximum soil compaction (theoretically). The index field 26 makes it clear that, as the contact pressure increases, the soil is compacted more quickly. The index field 26 makes it clear that the compaction curves approach asymptotically the theoretically maximum soil compaction. This means that as the compaction progresses, the increase in soil compaction D steadily decreases.

[0038] In the present exemplary embodiment, a degree of compaction DX is desired. As a function of the exerted contact force F and taking the index field 26 into account, a required compaction time t1 to t4 results for each individual curve. If the sensor device 19, e.g., measures a contact force F2, the control unit 18 determines, using the index field 26, that the required compaction time requires the time interval t2. Alternatively to a desired (empirical) degree of compaction, the progress of an “efficient” compaction can also be decisive for the required compaction time in question. The compaction time required for the contact force exerted can be determined, for example, by a gradient limit value of the compaction curve. This ensures that an effective soil compaction is always carried out within a time frame.

[0039] If the compaction process begins, for example, by turning on the vibration generator 16, the control unit signals, via the signal device 21, the progress of the currently required compaction time t2. To this end, the control unit controls the signal device 21 via the connecting line 25 and triggers the emission of an acoustic signal, e.g., via the loudspeaker 28. Additionally, or alternatively, the signal device 21 can also have an optical signal device 29. For this purpose, a plurality of signal lamps 30 are arranged next to one another within a bar. At the beginning of the compaction process, all of the signal lamps 30 illuminate and the number of illuminated signal lamps 30 decrease evenly over the required compaction time t. When all signal lamps 30 have been extinguished, the operator knows that the required compaction time t2 has expired. Additionally, or alternatively, a numerical display and/or a multi-colored traffic light display, etc., can also be used.

[0040] Furthermore, a converter 31 for converting vibrations into electric energy is provided, which supplies the control unit 18 with electrical energy. The converter 31 is arranged on the base plate 14 and is connected to the control unit 18 via a connecting line 32. Alternatively, a connecting line 33 can be provided via which an electrical connection is made to an on-board electrical system of the excavator 1.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a specifically preferred location of the signaling device 21 on the attachable compactor 11. The signal device 21 arrangement on the upper side of the attachable compactor 11 is indicated by the reference number 21′. Additionally, or alternatively, the arrangement of a mobile signaling device 21″ can also be provided within the operating platform 4, as indicated in FIG. 1. The signal device 21″ is connected to the control unit 18 via a cable-free signal line.

[0042] Additionally, or alternatively, the control unit 18 can drive a motor control unit 33 of the vibration generator 16 via a connecting line 34. This makes it possible to terminate the required compaction time t by stopping the vibrations generated by the vibration generator 16.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates the essential steps of method 34 according to one embodiment of the present invention for soil compaction by means of an attachable compactor, in particular of the attachable compactor 11 shown in the preceding FIGS. 1 and 2. In step 35, an initial action of the compacting operation is carried out by pressing the attachable compactor 11 onto the ground 13 to be compacted by means of a bearing device, in particular by means of an excavator arm 6 connected to attachable compactor 11 via the coupling device 12. In accordance with step 36, the contact force F exerted on the attachable compactor 11 by the bearing device 12 or the excavator arm 6 or a measured variable correlating with the contact force F is then measured. This occurs using a suitable sensor device 19, e.g., such as the sensor device specified in more detail in FIG. 2. The required compaction time t now results from the measured contact force F or a measured variable correlating with the contact force F in a next step 37. Specifically, e.g., this can take place in step 38 by comparing the measured contact force or the measured variable correlating with the contact pressure with a value table saved in a memory unit, an index field 26 or a plurality of reference curves. If a specific compaction time t is determined for the case at hand, the compaction process is continued until the required compaction time t has expired. Thereafter, at least in step 39, an actuation of the signal device 21 occurs so that the operator of the compactor 11 is made aware of the end of the required compaction time t.

[0044] In step 40, FIG. 3 also illustrates another option for the method according to the present invention. Here, steps 35-39 are designed to run cyclically. Here, for a restart starting with step 35, the required event is the canceling of the contact pressure and/or the lifting of the attachable compactor 11 from the ground 13 and/or the re-setting of the attachable compactor on the ground. The obtained reset function allows a particularly simple operation because the entire system starts again as of step 35 when the attachable compactor 11 is lifted or reset and pressed against the ground. An additional manual input is not required here. The re-pressing can be reliably detected, for example, by exceeding a determined contact pressure threshold value.

[0045] While the present invention has been illustrated by description of various embodiments and while those embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of Applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The present invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of Applicant's invention.