SELF-BALANCING UNI-DRUM COMPACTOR

Abstract

A surface compactor machine includes an unsprung mass including a cylindrical drum and a cylindrical spool disposed within the cylindrical drum, and a sprung mass rotationally coupled to the cylindrical spool. The sprung mass has a center of gravity that is lower than the center of gravity of the unsprung mass when the surface compactor machine is in a stationary position. The sprung mass includes a traction system that rotates the sprung mass relative to the cylindrical spool. When the traction system rotates the sprung mass relative to the cylindrical spool, the second center of gravity of the sprung mass is rotated out of vertical alignment with the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass, thereby imparting torque to the cylindrical spool that causes rotation of the cylindrical drum.

Claims

1. A surface compactor machine, comprising: a cylindrical drum comprising a cylindrical drum shell and a cylindrical spool disposed within the cylindrical drum shell and supporting the cylindrical drum shell, the cylindrical drum shell and the cylindrical spool having an axis of rotation; an eccentric assembly mechanically coupled to the cylindrical drum and arranged to impart vibration to the cylindrical drum when the eccentric assembly is rotated, wherein the cylindrical drum and the eccentric assembly form part of an unsprung mass having a combined first center of gravity; a head plate affixed to the cylindrical spool through a shock isolator; and a sprung mass rotationally coupled to the head plate along the axis of rotation, wherein the sprung mass comprises a plurality of components having a combined second center of gravity that is lower than the first center of gravity when the surface compactor machine is in a stationary position; wherein the sprung mass comprises a traction system including a traction motor and a slewing gear coupled to the traction motor, wherein the traction system is configured to rotate the sprung mass relative to the unsprung mass about the axis of rotation.

2. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein, when the surface compactor machine is in the stationary position, the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass and the second center of gravity of the sprung mass are in vertical alignment.

3. The surface compactor machine of claim 2, wherein, when the traction system rotates the sprung mass relative to the head plate about the axis of rotation, the second center of gravity of the sprung mass is rotated out of vertical alignment with the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass, thereby imparting torque to the cylindrical drum that causes rotation of the cylindrical drum.

4. The surface compactor machine of claim 3, wherein the rotation imparted to the cylindrical drum imparts linear motion of the cylindrical drum in a direction from the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass toward the second center of gravity of the sprung mass.

5. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein the shock isolator provides vibrational isolation of the sprung mass from vibration of the cylindrical drum generated by the eccentric assembly.

6. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein the eccentric assembly comprises an eccentric shaft disposed within the cylindrical drum and rotationally driven by a vibration motor.

7. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein the slewing gear is coupled to the head plate.

8. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein the traction motor is coupled to the slewing gear through a planetary gear.

9. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein the traction system comprises a drive shaft coupled to the traction motor and the slewing gear and a safety brake coupled to the drive shaft.

10. The surface compactor machine of claim 6, wherein the vibration motor is positioned outside the head plate relative to the cylindrical spool and is coupled to the eccentric shaft through a constant velocity joint.

11. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, further comprising: a frame forming part of the sprung mass, wherein the traction system is mounted to the frame.

12. The surface compactor machine of claim 11, wherein the frame extends partially within a space defined by the cylindrical drum shell adjacent the cylindrical spool, and wherein a drive motor is disposed at least partially within the space defined by the cylindrical drum shell adjacent the cylindrical spool.

13. The surface compactor machine of claim 12, wherein the sprung mass further comprises: an engine mounted on the frame; a counterweight mounted on the frame; and/or a bumper mounted on the frame.

14. The surface compactor machine of claim 1, wherein: the cylindrical drum shell comprises a first cylindrical drum shell and a second cylindrical drum shell; the cylindrical spool comprises a first cylindrical spool within first cylindrical drum shell and a second cylindrical spool within second cylindrical drum shell, wherein the first cylindrical spool is rotationally coupled to the second cylindrical spool through a concentric slew bearing; wherein the head plate comprises a first head plate that is coupled to the first cylindrical spool through at least oneshock isolator; the slewing gear comprises a first slewing gear; the traction system comprises a first traction system that is coupled to the first head plate through the first slewing gear, the surface compactor machine further comprising: a second head plate affixed to the second cylindrical spool through a second shock isolator; and a second traction system including a second traction motor and a second slewing gear coupled to the second traction motor, wherein the second traction system is configured to rotate the sprung mass relative to the second head plate about the axis of rotation.

15. A surface compactor machine, comprising: an unsprung mass having a first center of gravity, the unsprung mass comprising a cylindrical drum including a cylindrical drum shell and a cylindrical spool disposed within the cylindrical drum shell and supporting the cylindrical drum shell, the cylindrical drum shell and the cylindrical spool having an axis of rotation; a sprung mass rotationally coupled to the cylindrical spool along the axis of rotation, wherein the sprung mass has a second center of gravity that is lower than the first center of gravity when the surface compactor machine is in a stationary position, and wherein the sprung mass comprises a traction system including a traction motor and a slewing gear coupled to the traction motor, wherein the traction system is configured to rotate the sprung mass relative to the cylindrical spool about the axis of rotation; wherein, when the surface compactor machine is in the stationary position, the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass and the second center of gravity of the sprung mass are in vertical alignment, and when the traction system rotates the sprung mass relative to the cylindrical spool about the axis of rotation, the second center of gravity of the sprung mass is rotated out of vertical alignment with the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass, thereby imparting torque to the cylindrical spool that causes rotation of the cylindrical drum.

16. The surface compactor machine of claim 15, wherein the unsprung mass further comprises: an eccentric assembly mechanically coupled to the cylindrical drum and arranged to impart vibration to the cylindrical drum when the eccentric assembly is rotated.

17. The surface compactor machine of claim 16, further comprising: a head plate affixed to the cylindrical spool through a shock isolator and coupled to the slewing gear of the traction system, wherein the traction system is configured to rotate the sprung mass relative to the unsprung mass about the axis of rotation.

18. The surface compactor machine of claim 17, wherein the slewing gear comprises a slewing gear coupled to the head plate.

19. The surface compactor machine of claim 18, wherein the eccentric assembly comprises an eccentric shaft, the surface compactor machine further comprising: a vibration motor coupled to the eccentric shaft, wherein the vibration motor is positioned outside the head plate relative to the cylindrical spool and is coupled to the eccentric shaft through a constant velocity joint.

20. (canceled)

21. A surface compactor machine, comprising: a cylindrical drum comprising a cylindrical drum shell and a cylindrical spool disposed within the cylindrical drum shell and supporting the cylindrical drum shell, the cylindrical drum shell and the cylindrical spool having an axis of rotation; an eccentric shaft mechanically coupled to the cylindrical drum and arranged to impart vibration to the cylindrical drum when the eccentric shaft is rotated, wherein the cylindrical drum and the eccentric shaft form part of an unsprung mass having a combined first center of gravity; a head plate affixed to the cylindrical spool through a shock isolator; a shock isolated vibration motor coupled to the vibration shaft, wherein the vibration motor is positioned outside the cylindrical spool and is coupled to the vibration shaft through a constant velocity joint; and a sprung mass rotationally coupled to the head plate along the axis of rotation, wherein the sprung mass has a second center of gravity that is lower than the first center of gravity when the surface compactor machine is in a stationary position.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single drum surface compactor machine according to some embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a single drum surface compactor machine according to some embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of a single drum surface compactor machine according to some embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a plan cutaway view of a single drum surface compactor machine according to some embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a single drum surface compactor machine according to some embodiments.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation of a single drum surface compactor machine according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single drum surface compactor machine 10 according to some embodiments. As will be appreciated, a single drum surface compactor machine may be a self-propelled autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle for compacting a substrate.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, the surface compactor machine 10 has a split drum construction. In particular, the surface compactor machine 10 includes a split cylindrical drum 12 including first and second cylindrical drums 12a, 12b arranged along a common axis of rotation. Each of the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b includes an independent drive system and can rotate independently to allow the surface compactor machine 10 to move forward/backward, steer left of right, and/or to change directions. Each of the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b includes a cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b that contacts an underlying substrate. Compaction of the substrate is achieved as a result of the weight of the surface compactor machine 10 as it rolls over the substrate. Compaction of the substrate may be enhanced by vibration of the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b, as described in more detail below.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view, FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view, and FIG. 4 is a plan cutaway view of the surface compactor machine 10 showing various internal components of the surface compactor machine 10. FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the surface compactor machine 10.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b of the surface compactor machine 10 includes a cylindrical spool 16a, 16b disposed within the cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b. As best seen in FIG. 3, the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b and the cylindrical spools 16a, 16b rotate around a common axis of rotation 20. The cylindrical spools 16a, 16b are coupled together by means of a slewing bearing 35 (FIG. 3), which allows independent rotation of the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b about the axis of rotation 20.

[0046] The surface compactor machine 10 includes an eccentric assembly 18 that is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b and arranged to impart vibration to the cylindrical drum when the eccentric assembly 18 is rotated. The cylindrical drums 12a, 12b and the eccentric assembly 18 form part of an unsprung mass 22 having a combined first center of gravity G1 approximately near the axis of rotation 20 (FIG. 5). As will be described in more detail below, other components of the surface compactor machine 10 form a sprung mass 32 that is at least partially isolated from vibration of the unsprung mass 22 by means of shock isolators, although some vibration of the unsprung mass 22 may be transmitted through the shock isolators to the sprung mass 32.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, a head plate 24a, 24b is affixed to each cylindrical spool 16a, 16b through a respective set of shock isolators 26a, 26b. The shock isolators 26a, 26b provide vibrational isolation of the sprung mass 32 from vibration of the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b generated by rotation of the eccentric assembly 18. A frame 60a, 60b is mounted to the head plate 24a, 24b through a slewing gear 38a, 38b. A portion of the frame 60a, 60b may extend partially into a space defined by the cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b adjacent the spool 16a, 16b. Elements of the sprung mass 32 may be mounted to the frame 60a, 60b.

[0048] The eccentric assembly includes an eccentric shaft 42 disposed within the cylindrical drums 12a, 12b and rotationally driven by a vibration motor 44 that is mounted outside the spools 16a, 16b in the illustrated embodiment. The vibration motor 44, which is mounted to the frame 60a, forms part of the sprung mass 32 and is at least partially isolated from vibration of the eccentric assembly 18. The vibration motor 44 is coupled to the eccentric shaft 42 through a constant velocity joint 58. The vibration motor 44 rotates the eccentric assembly to impart vibration to the drums 12a, 12b to enhance compaction of the substrate. The continuous velocity joint 58 is able to transfer high speed and bear with deflections of the shock isolators 26a, 26b. This construction enhances isolation of the electrical and electronical components from vibrations, since all electrical components are mounted on the cushioned frame 60a, 60b.

[0049] The sprung mass 32 includes a plurality of components having a combined second center of gravity G2 (FIG. 5) that is lower than the first center of gravity G1 when the surface compactor machine 10 is in a stationary position (i.e., the drums 12a, 12b are not rotating).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the sprung mass 32 includes traction systems 34a, 34b for each of the drums 12a, 12b. The traction systems 34a, 34b each include a traction motor 36a, 36b and a slewing gear 38a, 38b coupled to the traction motor 36a, 36b. The traction motor 36a, 36b and slewing gear 38a, 38b are mounted to the frame 60a, 60b. The traction system includes a drive shaft 48a, 48b coupled to the traction motor 36a, 36b and the slewing gear 38a, 38b, and a safety brake 52a, 52b coupled to the drive shaft 48a, 48b. The traction motor 36a, 36b is coupled to the slewing gear 38a, 38b through a 90-degree planetary reduction gear 46a, 46b. The slewing gear 38a, 38b contacts a slewing bearing 40a, 40b that is coupled to the head plate 24a, 24b. As is known in the art, a slewing bearing permits independent rotation of the joined bodies. In this case, the slewing bearing 40a, 40b, which is centered on the axis of rotation 20, enables independent rotation of the sprung mass 32 connected to the frame 60a, 60b and the unsprung mass 22 connected to the head plate 24a, 24b. When the traction motor 36a, 36b turns the slewing gear 38a, 38b via the drive shaft 48a, 48b, the sprung mass 32 rotates about the axis of rotation 20 independently of the unsprung mass 22. That is, when the slewing gear 38a, 38b is driven by the traction motor 36a, 36b against the slewing bearing 40a, 40b, the sprung mass 32 rotates about the axis of rotation 20 relative to the unsprung mass 22.

[0051] Accordingly, in each drum 12a, 12b, the traction system 34a, 34b rotates the sprung mass 32 about the axis of rotation 20 relative to the head plate 24a, 24b and the unsprung mass 22. The sprung mass 32 is rotationally coupled to the head plate 24a, 24b along the axis of rotation 20 of the cylindrical drum shells 14a, 14b and the cylindrical spools 16a, 16b via the slewing bearings 40a, 40b.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the traction systems 34a, 34b are offset from the central axis of rotation 20 of the drums 12a, 12b. This offset between the central axis of the traction motors 36a, 36b and the center of the drums 12a, 12b using slewing gears 38a, 38b allows the system to directly drive the eccentric assembly 18 along the central axis 20 of the drum 12a via the constant velocity joint 58.

[0053] The sprung mass 32 further includes a number of other components mounted to the frame 60a, 60b and that contribute to the mass of the sprung mass 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the sprung mass 32 further includes an engine 54 mounted on the frame, a counterweight 56 mounted on the frame, and/or a bumper 64a, 64b mounted on the frame 60a, 60b. Water tanks may be mounted in the bumper 64a, 64b which may also add further mass to the sprung mass 32.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the surface compactor machine is in the stationary position, the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22 and the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 are in vertical alignment (FIG. 5).

[0055] When the traction system 34a, 34b rotates the sprung mass 32 relative to the head plate 24a, 24b about the axis of rotation 20 (for example, by an angle of rotation A1 shown in FIG. 6), the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 is rotated out of vertical alignment with the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 is rotated out of vertical alignment with the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22. This rotation of the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 relative to the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22 lifts the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32. The gravitational force on the sprung mass 32 causes an imbalance within the surface compactor machine 10. As the force of gravity attempts to correct this imbalance by pulling the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 back down beneath the first center of gravity of the unsprung mass 22, friction between the ground and the cylindrical drum 12a, 12b imparts torque to the cylindrical drum 12a, 12b, which in turn causes rotation of the cylindrical drum 12a, 12b in a direction toward the rotated center of gravity of the sprung mass 32.

[0056] That is, the rotation imparted to the cylindrical drum 12a, 12b imparts linear (forward or backward) motion of the cylindrical drum 12a, 12b in a direction 82 from the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22 toward the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32.

[0057] Accordingly, a surface compactor machine 10 according to some embodiments includes an unsprung mass 22 having a first center of gravity, the unsprung mass including a cylindrical drum 12a, 12b including a cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b and a cylindrical spool 16a, 16b disposed within the cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b and supporting the cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b, and a sprung mass 32 rotationally coupled to the cylindrical spool along an axis of rotation 20 of the cylindrical drum shell 14a, 14b and the cylindrical spool 16a, 16b. The sprung mass 32 has a second center of gravity G2 that is lower than the first center of gravity G1 when the surface compactor machine is in a stationary position. The sprung mass 32 includes a traction system 34a, 34b including a traction motor 36a, 36b and a slewing gear 38a, 38b coupled to the traction motor. The traction system 34a, 34b is configured to rotate the sprung mass 32 relative to the cylindrical spool 16a, 16b about the axis of rotation 20. When the surface compactor machine 10 is in the stationary position, the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22 and the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 are in vertical alignment, and when the traction system 34a, 34b rotates the sprung mass 32 relative to the cylindrical spool 16a, 16b about the axis of rotation 20, the second center of gravity G2 of the sprung mass 32 is rotated out of vertical alignment with the first center of gravity G1 of the unsprung mass 22, thereby imparting torque to the cylindrical spool 16a, 16b that causes rotation of the cylindrical drum 12a, 12b.

[0058] Accordingly, as described above, the sprung mass 32, which includes all components other than the drum 12a, 12b and the eccentric assembly 18, is connected with the drum 12a, 12b by a slewing gear 38a, 38b including slewing bearings. The sprung mass 32 has a center of gravity that is displaced from the center of the slewing bearing. Therefore, gravity works to maintain the designed position of the sprung mass 32 without any additional controls or actuators. Heavy components of the sprung mass, such as an internal combustion engine, generator, ultra capacitors, counterweights, etc., are mounted as low as possible in order to keep the frame 60a, 60b in a horizontal position without active control.

[0059] Some embodiments include symmetrical electrical powertrains for both halves of the split drum 12a, 12b. Moreover, each drum 12a, 12b includes an electrical traction motor 36a, 36b with a reduction gear 46a, 46b and slewing gear 38a, 38b for driving the drum 12a, 12b.

[0060] To better utilize space inside the drum 14a, 14b, and to protect components from vibrations, the shock isolators 26a, 26b are mounted directly to the drum spools 16a, 16b.

[0061] Various elements of the machine could be modified. For example, in some embodiments, the engine 54 and generator could be omitted and the drive motors could be powered from batteries/ultra capacitors and be fully electric. The angular planetary gear 46a, 46b could be replaced by straight planetary gear provided that the drive motor 36a, 36b were rotated by 90 degrees. The slewing gear 38a, 38b could be functionally divided into separate units of bearing and gear with internal engagement. There could also be one wrapping frame 60a, 60b at the top of the machine 10 with tanks and space for electronics. Gyro stabilization could also optionally be provided. The electrical safety brake could be implemented into the drive motor 36a, 36b or its function could be performed by inline disc brakes operated with compressed air. Many other such modifications are possible and could be made within the scope of the inventive concepts.

[0062] While embodiments of the inventive concepts are illustrated and described herein, the device may be embodied in many different configurations, forms and materials. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the inventive concepts and the associated functional specifications for their construction and is not intended to limit the inventive concepts to the embodiments illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the present inventive concepts.

[0063] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the inventive concepts has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore intended that the scope of the inventive concepts be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.