Flush Mount Vibratory System for Utility Roller

Abstract

A compacting apparatus includes a chassis, at least one drum supporting the chassis, a propel motor operatively associated with and adapted to rotate the at least one drum, a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor, a shaft, and an eccentric weight. The propel motor defines an aperture through which the shaft extends, drivably connecting the vibratory motor and the eccentric weight.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to machines and, more particularly, to compaction apparatuses and methods for compacting material next to a vertical obstruction.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Utility roller compactors, and other machines, may be used to compact materials such as soil, rock, gravel, sand, asphalt, and the like during the construction or maintenance of a road, parking lot, or other area. For example, utility roller compactors may be used to flatten fresh asphalt to a consistent thickness for a new road. Typically, utility roller compactors include a chassis which supports an engine, a hydraulic pump, one or more drums, and an operator cab. A drum may include a hydraulic propel motor that turns the drum with respect to the rest of machine, causing the machine to move, and a vibratory system that shakes the drum to achieve a well-compacted layer of roadway material.

During a work cycle, a utility roller compactor may need to compact roadway material directly next to a vertical obstruction. For instance, a parking lot under construction may extend to a vertical obstruction such as a curb or a wall of a building with no clearance between the vertical obstruction and the parking lot under construction. This situation requires that the utility roller compactor be configured so that a drum may roll flush along the vertical obstruction with nearly zero clearance between the vertical obstruction and the drum. Thus, no other part of the utility roller compactor, such as an axle support, may be further outboard than the end of the drum being run flush against a vertical obstruction. Otherwise, any part further outboard than the end of the drum being run flush against a vertical obstruction would collide with the vertical obstruction, damaging the vertical obstruction or utility roller compactor, or both. Such a configuration may also prevent the roller from accessing all pavement, thus increasing the use of manual labor to accomplish same.

Systems and methods of compacting roadway with a utility roller compactor are available. Such utility roller compactors are often arranged with a propel motor and a vibratory system inside one or more drums. More specifically, the inside of the drum is equipped with structures to connect the drum to the propel motor and vibratory system and to connect the propel motor and vibratory system to the chassis. The structures transmit torque from the propel motor to the drum, moving the utility roller compactor, and vibration from the vibratory system to the drum, shaking the drum to achieve consistent compaction.

Existing strategies for providing a utility roller with vibratory capabilities are well shown by Chisholm in U.S. Pat. No. 8,374,766 (hereinafter the '766 patent). FIG. 3 of the '766 patent discloses a propel motor connected to a drum via one bulkhead and a set of two eccentric weights powered by a vibratory motor connected to the same drum by two additional bulkheads.

While effective, improvements in the arrangement of the propel motor, vibratory system, drum, and associated linking structures are desired to reduce complexity while still enabling the roller to maneuver immediately adjacent a vertical obstruction. Furthermore, reduced complexity may improve reliability, increase assembly efficiency, and reduce cost.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one embodiment, a compacting apparatus having at least one drum is disclosed. The apparatus may include a chassis with first and second sides, at least one support structure connected to a first side, a propel motor, and a vibratory system. The support structure may include a support plate connected to a support arm. The vibratory system may include a vibratory motor, a shaft, and an eccentric weight. The propel motor may define an aperture therethrough configured to accept the shaft. The shaft may extend through the aperture from a vibratory motor to an eccentric weight. The drum may define a cavity in which the propel motor, the support arm, and the vibratory system are at least partially contained.

In accordance with another embodiment, a roller assembly is disclosed. The roller assembly may include a drum defining a cavity, a support arm, a propel motor, and a vibratory system. The support arm, propel motor, and vibratory system may be inside the cavity. The propel motor may define an aperture through it and may be connected to the support arm and the drum. The vibratory system may include a shaft connected to a vibratory motor, extending through the aperture, and further connected to an eccentric weight.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for compacting material proximate a vertical obstruction with a compacting apparatus is disclosed. The method may include configuring the compacting apparatus to include a drum supported from only one side, a propel motor, a shaft passing through the propel motor, a vibratory motor connected to the shaft at one end, and an eccentric weight connected to the shaft at a second end. The method may also include driving the compaction apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical obstruction and such that an end of the at least one roller opposite the support arm is immediately adjacent the vertical obstruction.

These and other aspects and features will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, although various features are disclosed in relation to specific exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the various features may be combined with each other, or used alone, with any of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compacting apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2. is a schematic representation of the compacting apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a roller assembly of the compacting apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of a compacting apparatus compacting material directly next to a vertical obstruction.

FIG. 5. is a schematic perspective view of a compacting apparatus compacting material directly next to a vertical obstruction.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof will be shown and described below in detail. The disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but instead includes all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to FIG. 1, a compacting apparatus consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure is generally referred to by reference numeral 100. It is to be understood that although the compacting apparatus or vibratory compactor 100 is illustrated as having two drums 102, the compacting apparatus 100 may have any combination of at least one drum 102 with any number of additional drums, wheels, or the like. As used herein, the term “compacting apparatus” refers to a mobile machine that performs a driven operation involving physical compaction of materials associated with a particular industry, such as, but not limited to, road construction, landscaping, transportation, etc. It is to be understood that the compacting apparatus 100 is shown primarily for illustrative purposes to assist in disclosing features of various embodiments, and that FIG. 1 does not depict all of the components of a compacting apparatus 100.

The compacting apparatus 100 may include a chassis 104 supported by the drums 102, an enclosure 106 with first and second ends 108, 110, and an operator station 112 in between also carried by the chassis 104. In the depicted embodiment, a second vibratory drum 114 is provided, but it is to be understood that the compacting apparatus can be manufactured with only one roller that vibrates and one roller that does not vibrate, two rollers that vibrate, one roller that vibrates and one alternate form of locomotion such as a tired wheel, or the like. The chassis 104 may be connected to at least one support plate 116. A support plate 116 may support the drum 102 for rotation in one of two directions 118, 120 (i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise) relative to the enclosure 106, thereby moving the compacting apparatus 100 alternatively forward and backward. The linking structures between the support plate 116 and the drum 102 are described more fully in conjunction with FIG. 2 below.

Turning to FIG. 2, the compacting apparatus 100 may also include first and second sides 200, 202, a support arm 204, a propel motor 206, and a vibratory system 208. The drum 102 may define a cavity 209. The support arm 204 may extend from the support plate 116, with the drum 102 being rotatably journaled about the support arm 204, the propel motor 206, and the vibratory system 208. The propel motor 206 may be operatively associated with the support plate 116 and the drum 102. More specifically, the propel motor 206 may also be configured to selectively turn in one of the two directions 118, 120 relative to the enclosure 106, thereby turning the drum 102 and driving the compacting apparatus 100. The propel motor 206 may also be linked to the vibratory system 208, which may also be configured to selectively turn in one of the two directions 118, 120 relative to the chassis 104, thereby inducing vibration in the drum 102.

So as to induce such vibration, the vibratory system 208 may include a shaft 210 connected to a vibratory motor 212 and an eccentric weight 214. The shaft 210 may pass through the propel motor 206 as by, for example, an aperture 216. In addition, the vibratory motor 212 may be connected to the propel motor 206, the importance of which will be described in further detail below and by FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, a roller assembly 300 of the compacting apparatus 100 is shown to include additional structures that operatively associate the vibratory system 208, the support arm 204, the drum 102, and the propel motor 206 together. Starting with the support arm 204, it may terminate with an isolator flange 302 to which elastomeric isolators 304 may be mounted. Another support flange 306 may then be used to flank the elastomeric isolators 304.

As shown, the propel motor 206 may be operatively associated with the support flange 306, thus connecting but vibrationally isolating the propel motor 206 and other structures to be described below from the overall compacting apparatus 100. The propel motor 206 may also be operatively associated with a drive flange 308 which may in turn be connected to the drum 102, thus providing a path for torque transmission to turn the drum 102. For example, in some embodiments, the drive flange 308 may be connected to a center bulkhead flange 310 which is then in turn operatively associated with the drum 102. Providing such an intermediary association between the drive flange 308 and the center bulkhead flange 310 may be advantageous when assembling a new compacting apparatus 100 or when performing repairs or maintenance.

In order to allow the compacting apparatus 100 to have a flat end 311 and thus enable the compacting apparatus 100 to move flush up to a curb or other vertical obstruction, the present disclosure sets forth a number of unique features. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, not only is the vibratory motor 212 mounted directly to the propel motor 206 but, the shaft 210 of the vibratory motor 212 may pass directly through the propel motor 206. This may be accomplished by providing an aperture 216 in the propel motor 206 such that the shaft 210 may freely rotate in the aperture 216. More specifically, the shaft 210 may include a first end 312 connected to the vibratory motor 212 and an eccentric weight assembly 314 mounted thereto, such as at a second end 316. The eccentric weight assembly 314 may be connected to the shaft 210 by a coupling 318 or the like. The coupling 318 is shown to include a transverse fastener 320 or bolt, but it is to be understood that any number of mounting mechanisms may be employed such as splines, keys, compression fittings, or the like. Passing the shaft 210 through the propel motor 206 and arranging the vibratory motor 212 and eccentric weight assembly 314 in this manner may provide a reduction in structural complexity inside the drum 102 and for the compacting apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, with a more specific look at the eccentric weight assembly 314, it may include a housing 322 operatively associated with the coupling 318. The housing 322 may then in turn be operatively associated with a collar 324. In some embodiments, the eccentric weight 214 may be separate from the collar 324, while in others, the eccentric weight 214 and the collar 324 may be one integral piece.

In addition, the housing 322 and the collar 324 may be configured to capture an outer race 326 of a bearing 328. In some embodiments, rolling elements 330 in the bearing 328 may be a cylindrical roller type, while in others, the rolling elements 330 may be a ball type. The outer race 326 may then be rotatably associated with an inner race 332 by the rolling elements 330, with the inner race 332 being captured between a retention flange 334 and a hub 336.

Through the use of bearing 328 and associated structures, the shaft 210 and eccentric weight assembly 314 are supported both vertically and horizontally. These structures may also permit the vibratory system 208 to turn at a rotational speed different than the propel motor 206, drive flange 308, center bulkhead flange 310, and drum 102.

As noted above, the drum 102 may at least partially surround the support plate 116 and the structures attached to it, for example, the elastomeric isolators 304, the propel motor 206, the vibratory system 208, the drive flange 308, and the center bulkhead flange 310. The drum 102 may further include an end plate 338 and, in some embodiments, a strengthening flange 340 opposite the end plate 338 so as to provide the aforementioned flat end 311. The axial placement of the end plate 338 and the strengthening flange 340 in the drum 102 may result in the formation of lips 342, 344, but further configurations without lips 342, 344 are certainly possible.

In order to provide power to the propel motor 206 and vibratory motor 212, the roller assembly 300 may further include power supply and return lines 346, 348, 350, 352. As the propel motor 206 and vibratory motor 212 may each be hydrostatically and/or electrically powered in multiple combinations in various embodiments, the power supply and return lines 346, 348, 350, 352 may, in some embodiments, be electrical wiring and/or hydrostatic tubing. In one embodiment, the power supply and return lines 346, 348, 350, 352 may be routed through the support plate 116 to prevent potential damage thereto caused by the turning drum 102 while the compacting apparatus 100 is in operation. The operation of the compacting apparatus 100 is more fully described below in conjunction with FIG. 4.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In general, the foregoing disclosure finds utility in various industrial applications, such as, but not limited to, construction and road building. In particular, the disclosed compacting apparatus roller assembly may be applied to construction equipment and any other vehicle used to compact a surface such as a roadway, parking lot, or the like. By using the disclosed compacting apparatus and associated roller assembly, operators may compact a surface immediately adjacent a vertical obstruction without damaging the vertical obstruction or compacting apparatus. It should be noted that the term “immediately adjacent” as used herein is intended to mean as close to the vertical obstruction as possible without touching, contacting, or colliding, etc. with the vertical obstruction. As a non-exhaustive example, “immediately adjacent” may mean within one inch proximate to the vertical obstruction. Furthermore, a subsequent step to remove or compact material that would have been left uncompacted by a compacting machine with protruding dual-sided support arms is no longer necessary. Moreover, the reduced internal complexity of compacting apparatus may increase reliability and shorten maintenance procedures. The disclosed compacting apparatus and roller assembly may thus provide safety and cost saving measures.

In general, as noted above, one of the benefits afforded by the present disclosure is its ability to compact material immediately adjacent the edge of a vertical obstruction. FIG. 4 attempts to show this in a schematic fashion. More specifically, the compacting apparatus 100 is shown to be operable so as to compact roadway materials 400 and the like directly next to a vertical obstruction 402. Because the support plate 116 is disposed on only one side 200, an operator may drive the compacting apparatus 100 on a surface 404 to be compacted so that the drum 102 nearly touches the vertical obstruction 402. It will be appreciated that the vertical obstruction 402 or wall may be any height, for example a small curb or an existing building. During operation, the operator may engage the vibratory system 208 inside the drum 102 to aid the drum 102 in achieving smooth and consistent compaction of roadway materials 400 on the surface 404.

The foregoing understanding is perhaps best depicted in the perspective view of FIG. 5. The compacting apparatus 100 thereof is shown being driven over the surface 404 with roadway materials 400 to be compacted immediately adjacent the vertical obstruction 402. The compacting apparatus 100 is able to do so because, among other reasons, the roller assembly 300 is manufactured to have all components mounted on one end of the roller, thus leaving the opposite flat end 311 completely free and clear of apparatus that would otherwise hinder approach to the vertical obstruction 402. In a further embodiment, the compacting apparatus 100 may be equipped with at least one mirror 500 to help the operator drive the compacting apparatus 100 backwards.

While the foregoing detailed description has been given and provided with respect to certain specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the scope of the disclosure should not be limited to such embodiments, but that the same are provided simply for enablement and best mode purposes. The breadth and spirit of the present disclosure is broader than the embodiments specifically disclosed and encompassed within the claims appended hereto. Moreover, while some features are described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments, these features are not limited to use with only the embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be used together with or separate from, other features disclosed in conjunction with alternate embodiments.

Claims

1. A compacting apparatus, comprising:

a chassis;

at least one drum supporting the chassis;

a propel motor operatively associated with the at least one drum and adapted to rotate same, the propel motor defining an aperture therethrough;

a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor;

a shaft drivably extending from the vibratory motor and passing through the propel motor aperture; and

an eccentric weight connected to the shaft.

2. The compacting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support plate connected to the chassis, and a support arm connected to the support plate and to the propel motor.

3. The compacting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a center bulkhead connected to the drum and to the propel motor.

4. The compacting apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a drive flange disposed between the center bulkhead and the propel motor.

5. The compacting apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a hub connected to the center bulkhead.

6. The compacting apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a bearing connected to the center bulkhead and to the shaft, wherein the bearing rotatably connects the center bulkhead and the shaft.

7. The compacting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one strengthening flange connected to the drum.

8. The compacting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the propel motor may selectively turn in one of two directions.

9. The compacting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibratory motor may selectively turn in one of two directions.

10. A roller assembly for a compacting apparatus, comprising:

a drum defining a cavity;

a support arm inside the cavity;

a propel motor connected to the support arm and drivably connected to the drum, the propel motor having an aperture therethrough;

a vibratory motor connected to the propel motor;

a shaft drivably connected to the vibratory motor and extending through the aperture; and

an eccentric weight connected to the shaft.

11. The roller assembly of claim 10, further comprising at least one elastomeric isolator disposed between and linking the support arm and the propel motor.

12. The roller assembly of claim 10, further comprising a drive flange disposed between and linking the propel motor and the drum, and a bearing connected to the drive flange and configured to rotatably support the shaft.

13. The roller assembly of claim 12, further comprising a center bulkhead flange disposed between and linking the drive flange and the drum.

14. The roller assembly of claim 12, further comprising a housing disposed between and linking the eccentric weight and the shaft.

15. The roller assembly of claim 12, further comprising a hub disposed between and linking the drive flange and the bearing, and a retention flange connected to the hub, the hub and the retention flange capturing an inner race of the bearing.

16. The roller assembly of claim 14, further comprising a collar disposed between and linking the eccentric weight and the housing, the collar and the housing capturing an outer race of the bearing.

17. A method for compacting material proximate a vertical obstruction with a compacting apparatus, the method comprising;

configuring the compacting apparatus to have a drum supported from only one side, a propel motor, a shaft passing through the propel motor, a vibratory motor connected to the shaft at one end, and an eccentric weight connected to the shaft at a second end; and

driving the compacting apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical obstruction such that an end of the at least one drum is immediately adjacent to the vertical obstruction.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of vibrating the at least one drum.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a step of recompacting a previously compacted surface by driving the compacting apparatus in an opposite direction.

20. The method of claim 19, further configuring the compacting apparatus to have a center bulkhead connected to the drum, a hub connected to the center bulkhead, and a cylindrical roller bearing connected to the hub and to the eccentric weight.