WO2015130290A1

WO2015130290A1 - Sensing system between rotating drum and mainframe of vibratory compactor

Info

Publication number: WO2015130290A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/019018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fares BEAINY; Bill LAING
Original assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Ab
Priority date: 2014-02-27
Filing date: 2014-02-27
Publication date: 2015-09-03

Abstract

A compactor is provided, which includes a transmitter module and a receiver module. The transmitter module includes a sensor configured to sense a position of an amplitude setting wheel, a first wireless communicator configured to transmit the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is sensed by the sensor, an energy harvester configured to harvest energy for driving the transmitter module from an outside source, and a first microcontroller configured to control the sensor, the wireless communicator, and the energy harvest. The receiver module includes a second wireless communicator configured to receive the position of the amplitude setting wheel from the transmitter module, and a second microcontroller configured to transfer the received position of the amplitude setting wheel to a speed controller. The receiver module can wirelessly receive sensed data of the roller drum from the transmitter module without any mechanical connection between the roller drum and the mainframe.

Description

SENSING SYSTEM BETWEEN ROTATING DRUM AND MAINFRAME OF VIBRATORY COMPACTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a compactor used in the construction of roads, and more particularly to a vibratory compactor with a sensor relay from a rotating drum to a mainframe.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Some vibratory compactors are manufactured with an option of varying the amplitude and frequency of drum vibrations. The amplitude of the vibrations is changed by rotating a mechanical wheel on the side of a drum. Rotating the mechanical wheel may change the spacing between eccentric masses on an eccentric shaft inside the drum. The more the masses are aligned on one side of the shaft, the greater the impact force is applied onto the ground. The more the eccentric masses are symmetrically distributed around the shaft, the less an impact force is applied onto the ground. Usually, the frequency and amplitude are set in pairs to generate a specific amount of force. The generated force is known as an eccentric or centrifugal force that is applied to the pavement during compaction. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of eccentric weights in the drum of the compactor can be expressed as:

Fee = m_ecr_eco)_ec ² sin(o)_ect) = A sin(2n ft) wherein, m_ecr_ec denotes the moment of the eccentric mass, ωβο denotes the angular frequency of rotation, A denotes the amplitude, and f denotes the frequency. [0003] A sensor is needed to detect the eccentric amplitude setting and inform a controller to set the corresponding frequency. However, an eccentric system and amplitude wheel setting are located on a rotating part of a drum mechanism 1 (in Fig. 1 ). On the other hand, the controller (computer module) is located on a non- 5 rotating part of a frame 2 (in Fig. 1 ). A special design should be considered to communicate the amplitude setting back to the eccentric motor controller.

[0004] In the related art, a hollow shaft motor along with a magnet-inductive proximity sensor is used as a solution to the problem. The hollow shaft may allow sensor cables to run between the sensor and the controller. The magneti c) inductive proximity sensor is installed on a stationary part of the roller frame to allow detection of a wheel position change from a distance. However, the above- described additional components to communicate the sensor and the controller cause the machine structure to be complicated. Accordingly, there is a need for improvement of the connection between the sensor and the controller.

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DISCLOSURE TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above- mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and one subject to be achieved 2 0 by the present disclosure is to provide a compactor, which can change an impact force of the compactor by changing the spacing between eccentric masses on an eccentric shaft according to a position of an amplitude setting wheel inside a roller drum. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a compactor, which includes a transmitter module located on a roller drum of the compactor; and a receiver module located on a mainframe of the compactor, wherein the transmitter module includes a sensor configured to sense a position of an amplitude setting wheel of the roller drum; a first wireless communicator configured to transmit the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is sensed by the sensor; an energy harvester configured to harvest energy for driving the transmitter module from an outside source; a battery may also be used as a power source for the transmitter module; and a first microcontroller configured to control the sensor, the wireless communicator, and the energy harvest, and the receiver module includes a second wireless communicator configured to receive the position of the amplitude setting wheel from the transmitter module; and a second microcontroller configured to transfer the received position of the amplitude setting wheel to a speed controller.

[0007] The energy harvester may harvest energy from at least one of vibration, radio waves, and solar energy, and supply a power of the transmitter module itself.

[0008] The mainframe may be a non-rotating part of the compactor.

[0009] The sensor may be one of a variable resistor, a Hall effect sensor, and a capacitive transducer.

[0010] The transmitter module may be turned on or off based on a speed sensor of the roller drum.

[0011] The speed controller may control an eccentric hydraulic motor based on information received from the receiver module. [0012] The receiver module may use a main roller battery as its power source. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT

[0013] Since the compactor according to the present disclosure includes the transmitter module and the receiver module, which can transmit and receive information as a wireless communicator, the connection structure between the mainframe and the roller can be simplified in comparison to the related art in which the sensed data of the roller drum is transferred to the mainframe through the mechanical connection between the mainframe and the roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above objects, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a compactor in the related art;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0017] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Now, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for the purpose of illustration, and it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure 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 present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

[0019] As described above in the related art, a rotating roller drum of a compactor can change an impact force according to eccentric masses, an angular frequency, amplitude, and a frequency of rotation. The amplitude of the roller drum may be differently set according to the position of an amplitude setting wheel, and may exert an influence on the impact force of the compactor. The compactor is also called a vibratory compactor.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] A compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure briefly includes a transmitter module 10 and a receiver module 20.

[0022] The transmitter module 10 may include a sensor 12 configured to sense a position of an amplitude setting wheel; a first wireless communicator 18 configured to transmit the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is sensed by the sensor; an energy harvester 14 configured to harvest energy for driving the transmitter module from an outside; and a first microcontroller 16 configured to control the sensor, the wireless communicator, and the energy harvest.

[0023] In the compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmitter module is wirelessly connected to a mainframe, and thus requires an energy source that can operate without receiving a power supply by wire. The energy harvester 14 is a constituent element which harvests energy from an outside source and enables the transmitter module 10 to operate wirelessly without being connected to the mainframe by wire. A battery may be used as a source of energy of the transmitter module.

[0024] The energy harvester 14 can harvest energy in various ways. For example, the energy harvester 14 can harvest energy from at least one of vibration, radio waves, and solar energy, and supply the power of the transmitter module itself.

[0025] The transmitter module 10 may include the first microcontroller 16 that controls the sensor 12, the first wireless communicator 18, and the energy harvester 14. In order to efficiently utilize the energy that is harvested by the energy harvester 14, the first microcontroller 16 may function to store and manage the energy in an energy storage.

[0026] The receiver module 20 may include a second wireless communicator 24 configured to receive the position of the amplitude setting wheel from the transmitter module, and a second microcontroller 22 configured to transfer the received position of the amplitude setting wheel to a speed controller 30.

[0027] Here, the transmitter module 10 is located on a roller drum 100, and the receiver module 20 is located on a mainframe 200. The mainframe 200 is a non- rotating part of a construction machine, which serves to support rotation of the roller drum 100. A main controller of the construction machine may be installed on the mainframe 200.

[0028] The transmitter module 100, which is located on the roller drum 100, may sense the position of the amplitude setting wheel of the roller drum 100 and wirelessly transfer the sensed position to the receiver module 20 that is located on the mainframe 200. Since the sensor 12 of the roller drum 100 and the mainframe 200 are wirelessly connected to each other, mechanical constituent elements for transferring the sensing result of the roller drum 100 to the mainframe 200 are not necessary, and thus the mechanical structure between the mainframe 200 and the roller drum 100 can be simplified.

[0029] The sensor 12 of the transmitter module 10 may use one of various types of sensors. For example, one of a variable resistor, a Hall effect sensor, and a capacitive transducer may be used as the sensor 12 of the transmitter module 10.

[0030] An example of a variable resistor may be a potentiometer which converts straight displacement and rotating displacement into a change of electrical resistance.

[0031] The Hall effect sensor uses the Hall effect, and is widely used to measure the position of a cam shaft. The Hall effect sensor senses the direction and level of a magnetic field using the Hall effect that is the production of a voltage across an electrical conductor, transverse to an electric current in the conductor and the magnetic field perpendicular to the current.

[0032] In addition, since the power is not supplied to the transmitter module 10 by wire, it is necessary for the transmitter module 10 to efficiently consume the self-harvested energy. Accordingly, the transmitter module 10 may be designed to operate only when necessary, and specifically, the transmitter module 10 may be turned on or off depending on a speed value that is sensed by a speed sensor of the roller drum 100.

[0033] Since the transmitter module 10 and the receiver module 20 are installed on the compactor having the rotating roller drum 100, they should have physical properties strong enough to endure the environmental abuse and vibration.

[0034] The transmitter module 10 and the receiver module 20 according to the present disclosure should have mutually compatible wireless communicators. Although data is wirelessly transferred from the transmitter module 10 to the receiver module 20, it may not be necessary to wirelessly transfer the data after the receiver module 20. Accordingly, the data transfer from the receiver module 20 to the controller or a computer may be performed by wire.

[0035] Since the receiver module 20 is located on the mainframe 200, it does not require the energy harvester 14 as in the transmitter module 10, and may use a main battery of the compactor as its power source.

[0036] The speed controller 30 of the compactor according to the present disclosure may control an eccentric hydraulic motor using information that is received from the receiver module 20.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for transferring the position of the amplitude setting wheel in the roller drum 100 of the compactor from the roller drum 100 to the mainframe 200 through the wireless communicators may be presented.

[0038] The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a transmitter module located on a roller drum sensing a position of an amplitude setting wheel through a sensor; the transmitter module transmitting the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is sensed by the sensor to a receiver module using a wireless communicator; and the receiver module transferring the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is received from the transmitter module to a speed controller.

[0039] The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an energy harvester harvesting energy for driving the transmitter module from an outside. The energy harvester may harvest the energy from at least one of vibration, radio waves, and solar energy. In the method as described above, the receiver module may use a main roller battery as its power source. [0040] In the method as described above, the mainframe may be a non-rotating part of the construction machine, and one of a variable resistor, a Hall effect sensor, and a capacitive transducer may be used as the sensor.

[0041] The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include turning on or off the transmitter module depending on a speed sensor of the roller drum. Further, the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the speed controller controlling an eccentric hydraulic motor based on information that is received from the receiver module.

[0042] While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0043] According to the compactor according to the present disclosure as described above, the transmitter module and the receiver module can wirelessly transmit and receive information, and thus the connection structure between the mainframe and the roller can be simplified.

Claims

1 . A compactor comprising :

a transmitter module located on a roller drum of the compactor; and a receiver module located on a mainframe of the compactor,

wherein the transmitter module includes:

a sensor configured to sense a position of an amplitude setting wheel of the roller drum;

a first wireless communicator configured to transmit the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is sensed by the sensor;

an energy harvester configured to harvest energy for driving the transmitter module from an outside source; and

a first microcontroller configured to control the sensor, the wireless communicator, and the energy harvest, and

the receiver module includes:

a second wireless communicator configured to receive the position of the amplitude setting wheel from the transmitter module; and

a second microcontroller configured to transfer the received position of the amplitude setting wheel to a speed controller.

2. The compactor according to claim 1 , wherein the energy harvester harvests energy from at least one of vibration, radio waves, and solar energy, and supplies a power of the transmitter module itself.

3. The compactor according to claim 1 , wherein the mainframe is a non- rotating part of the compactor.

4. The compactor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is one of a variable resistor, a Hall effect sensor, and a capacitive transducer.

5. The compactor according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter module is turned on or off based on a speed sensor of the roller drum.

6. The compactor according to claim 1 , wherein the speed controller controls an eccentric hydraulic motor based on information received from the receiver module.

7. The compactor according to claim 1 , wherein the receiver module uses a main roller battery as its power source.

8. A method for transferring a position of an amplitude setting wheel in a roller drum of a compactor from the roller drum to a mainframe, comprising:

a) sensing the position of the amplitude setting wheel through a sensor of a transmitter module;

b) transmitting the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is sensed by the sensor to a receiver module located in the mainframe using a wireless communicator; and

c) transferring the position of the amplitude setting wheel that is received from the transmitter module to a speed controller.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising : d) harvesting energy for driving the transmitter module from an outside source.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the mainframe is a non- rotating part of the compactor.

11 . The method according to claim 9, wherein the energy harvester harvests energy from at least one of vibration, radio waves, and solar energy.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is one of a potentiometer, a Hall effect sensor, and a capacitive transducer.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the transmitter module is turned on or off based on a speed sensor of the roller drum.

14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the speed controller controlling an eccentric hydraulic motor based on information received from the receiver module.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the receiver module uses a main roller battery as its power source.