DRUM OF COMPACTOR

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a compactor, a drum of the compactor, and a method of manufacturing a vibratory system for the drum of the compactor.

BACKGROUND

A compactor is typically used for compacting materials like asphalt, soil, and/or other materials. The compactor includes one or more drums that contact the materials to be compacted. The drums are equipped with a vibratory system that vibrates the drums at a desired vibrating frequency and vibrating amplitude. The vibrating amplitude may be controlled by adjusting an orientation of first eccentric weights of the vibratory system with respect to second eccentric weights of the vibratory system. The vibratory system generally includes a shift assembly to adjust the first eccentric weights with respect to the second eccentric weights.

The shift assembly includes an actuator including a cylinder and a rod member. The shift assembly also includes a shift fork. The rod member may be coupled to the shift fork via one or more dowel pins. Extension and retraction of the cylinder may cause the rod member and/or the shift fork to wear that may result in a loose fit between the rod member and the shift fork and may reduce a service life of the rod member and/or the shift fork, which is not desirable. Further, the loose fit between the rod member and the shift fork may also impact a performance of the vibratory system.

GB1191706A describes a road roller having a vibratory cylinder mounted in side members of the roller frame by means of resilient damping elements which extend through apertures in the side members and are each in contact with the edge of the respective aperture. Removal of the cylinder from the frame in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis is permitted by openings formed in the side members and extending either vertically as shown, obliquely or horizontally. The damping elements are seated in support members carrying bearings for the cylinder end plates and are pre-compressed by pressure plates which are detachable to allow removal of the damping elements axially of the cylinder. A vibrator shaft carrying eccentric masses is journalled by ball bearings in the end plates and driven through a pulley. A shaft on one end plate carries a drive sprocket. In other embodiments, no opening is provided in one or both side members and the pulley and/or sprocket is secured to a taper on the vibrator shaft or end plate respectively by an axial bolt.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a drum of a compactor is provided. The drum includes an outer shell. The drum also includes a vibratory system disposed within the outer shell. The vibratory system includes a first eccentric weight. The vibratory system also includes a second eccentric weight concentric with the first eccentric weight. The vibratory system further includes a shift assembly adapted to vary an amplitude of the vibratory system based on a change in a position of the first eccentric weight relative to the second eccentric weight. The shift assembly includes a shaft adapted to move along a first axis for changing the position of the first eccentric weight relative to the second eccentric weight. The shift assembly also includes an actuator disposed parallel to the shaft. The actuator includes a cylinder and a rod member. The rod member includes a first end received within the cylinder. The rod member also includes a second end opposite the first end. The rod member further includes a first end portion, disposed between the first end and the second end and proximal to the second end of the rod member, that includes a first tapering section which tapers towards the second end. The shift assembly further includes a shift fork assembly including a fork. The fork includes a first side surface. The fork also includes a second side surface. The fork further includes a through-aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface. The through-aperture receives the first end portion of the rod member therein to couple the rod member with the fork. The through-aperture has a second tapering section which tapers towards the second side surface of the fork. The fork includes an engagement surface that faces the through-aperture, such that, when the rod member is coupled with the fork, the engagement surface of the fork engages with the first end portion of the rod member.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a compactor is provided. The compactor includes a frame. The compactor includes at least one drum coupled to the frame. The at least one drum includes an outer shell. The at least one drum also includes a vibratory system disposed within the outer shell. The vibratory system includes a first eccentric weight. The vibratory system also includes a second eccentric weight concentric with the first eccentric weight. The vibratory system further includes a shift assembly adapted to vary an amplitude of the vibratory system based on a change in a position of the first eccentric weight relative to the second eccentric weight. The shift assembly includes a shaft adapted to move along a first axis for changing the position of the first eccentric weight relative to the second eccentric weight. The shift assembly also includes an actuator disposed parallel to the shaft. The actuator includes a cylinder and a rod member. The rod member includes a first end received within the cylinder. The rod member also includes a second end opposite the first end. The rod member further includes a first end portion, disposed between the first end and the second end and proximal to the second end of the rod member, that includes a first tapering section which tapers towards the second end. The shift assembly further includes a shift fork assembly including a fork. The fork includes a first side surface. The fork also includes a second side surface. The fork further includes a through-aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface. The through-aperture receives the first end portion of the rod member therein to couple the rod member with the fork. The through-aperture has a second tapering section which tapers towards the second side surface of the fork. The fork includes an engagement surface that faces the through-aperture, such that, when the rod member is coupled with the fork, the engagement surface of the fork engages with the first end portion of the rod member.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a vibratory system for a drum of a compactor is provided. The method includes forming a rod member of an actuator of a shift assembly. The rod member includes a first end and a second end. The shift assembly is associated with the vibratory system to vary an amplitude of the vibratory system. The rod member includes a first end portion, disposed between the first end and the second end and proximal to the second end of the rod member, that includes a first tapering section which tapers towards the second end. The method also includes forming a fork of the shift assembly. The fork includes a first side surface, a second side surface, a through-aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface, and an engagement surface that faces the through-aperture. The through-aperture has a second tapering section which tapers towards the second side surface of the fork. The method further includes receiving the first end portion of the rod member within the through-aperture of the fork, such that the first end portion engages with the engagement surface of the fork. The method includes coupling, via a retaining member, the actuator with the fork based on receipt of the first end portion of the rod member within the through-aperture of the fork.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary compactor including one or more drums;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the drum of FIG. 1 including a vibratory system, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a shift assembly associated with the vibratory system of FIG. 2, according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shift assembly illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shift assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 depicting another technique of coupling a rod member with a fork of the shift assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shift assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 depicting yet another technique of coupling the rod member with the fork of the shift assembly; and

FIG. 7 is a method of manufacturing the vibratory system for the drum of the compactor of FIG. 1, according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary compactor 100. The compactor 100 is embodied as a soil compactor herein. Alternatively, the compactor 100 may embody another type of compactor, such as, a landfill compactor, an asphalt compactor, a pneumatic roller, a tandem vibratory roller, and the like. Further, the disclosure is not limited to a type of the compactor 100 and may include any other machine that includes a drum. The compactor 100 includes a frame 102, a front end 104, and a rear end 106 opposite the front end 104. The frame 102 supports various components of the compactor 100 thereon. The frame 102 defines an enclosure 108 proximate to the rear end 106. The compactor 100 also includes a power source (not shown) disposed within the enclosure 108. Various components of the compactor 100 are operated by the power source. The power source may be an engine, such as, an internal combustion engine, a fuel cell, a battery system, without any limitations.

The compactor 100 further includes one or more drums 114, 116 coupled to the frame 102. Particularly, the drum 114 is a forward drum disposed at the front end 104 of the compactor 100. The drum 116 is a rearward drum disposed at the rear end 106 of the compactor 100. The drums 114, 116 are similar to each other in terms of design and functionality. Alternatively, the compactor 100 may include wheels instead of any one of the drums 114, 116. Each of the drums 114, 116 supports the frame 102 of the compactor 100 and allows the compactor 100 to travel over a ground surface 119. Further, the drums 114, 116 contact a work surface to perform a compaction operation for compacting materials, such as, asphalt, soil, gravel, and the like. In some examples, each drum 114, 116 may include a pad-foot type drum having a number of segmented pads disposed on the drums 114, 116 to allow the compactor 100 to perform compaction operations. The compactor 100 includes an operator cabin 110. An operator may be seated within the operator cabin 110 to perform and/or observe compaction operations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the drum 114, 116, according to an example of the present disclosure. The drums 114, 116 includes an outer shell 112. The outer shell 112 contacts various surfaces during compaction operations or during mobility of the compactor 100 (see FIG. 1).

The drums 114, 116 also include a vibratory system 118 disposed within the outer shell 112. The vibratory system 118 includes a first eccentric weight 120, 122. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the vibratory system 118 includes two first eccentric weights 120, 122. Each first eccentric weight 120, 122 defines a hollow portion 124, 126. Each first eccentric weight 120, 122 includes a two-piece structure that is bolted together.

The vibratory system 118 also includes a second eccentric weight 128, 130 concentric with the first eccentric weight 120, 122. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the vibratory system 118 includes two second eccentric weights 128, 130. The second eccentric weight 128, 130 is received within the hollow portion 124, 126 of the first eccentric weights 120, 122, respectively. The first eccentric weights 120, 122 and the second eccentric weights 128, 130 are enclosed in a corresponding pod housing 133, 134 disposed in the drums 114, 116.

The vibratory system 118 further includes a motor 132 to spin the first eccentric weight 120, 122 and the second eccentric weight 128, 130. In an example, the motor 132 spins a first shaft 136 and a second shaft 137. In some examples, the motor 132 may be a hydraulic motor or an electric motor that operates based on power received from the power source, without any limitations.

The vibratory system 118 includes a shift assembly 138 to vary an amplitude of the vibratory system 118 based on a change in a position of the first eccentric weight 120, 122 relative to the second eccentric weight 128, 130. The shift assembly 138 is enclosed in a housing 140 disposed in the drums 114, 116.

The shift assembly 138 includes a shaft 142 that moves along a first axis A1 for changing the position of the first eccentric weight 120, 122 relative to the second eccentric weight 128, 130. When the shift assembly 138 is activated, the shaft 142 moves in a direction D1. The movement of the shaft 142 in the direction D1 may cause the amplitude of the vibratory system 118 to reduce. Further, the movement of the shaft 142 in a direction opposite to the direction D1 may cause the amplitude of the vibratory system 118 to increase. The shift assembly 138 also includes an actuator 144 disposed parallel to the shaft 142. In some examples, the actuator 144 may be hydraulically actuated, pneumatically operated, or electrically actuated.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the actuator 144 and a shift fork assembly 156 of the shift assembly 138. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the actuator 144 and the shift fork assembly 156. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the actuator 144 includes a cylinder 146 and a rod member 148. The rod member 148 includes a first end 150 received within the cylinder 146. The rod member 148 also includes a second end 152 opposite the first end 150. The second end 152 is disposed outside the cylinder 146.

The rod member 148 further includes a first end portion 154, disposed between the first end 150 and the second end 152 and proximal to the second end 152 of the rod member 148. The first end portion 154 defines a length L1. The first end portion 154 includes a first tapering section 155 which tapers towards the second end 152. Further, the first end portion 154 of the rod member 148 defines a taper surface 184 extending circumferentially about a central axis A2 extending through the actuator 144 and a fork 158 of the shift fork assembly 156. The taper surface 184 is disposed at a first inclination angle I1 relative to the central axis A2. The first inclination angle I1 may lie in a range of 5 degrees to 85 degrees. In an example, the first inclination angle I1 is 45 degrees.

The rod member 148 further includes a second end portion 186 extending from the second end 152 of the rod member 148 to the first end portion 154. The second end portion 186 is disposed adjacent to the first end portion 154. The second end portion 186 has a uniform cross-section. The second end portion 186 of the rod member 148 includes a number of external threads 188.

The shift assembly 138 further includes the shift fork assembly 156. The shift fork assembly 156 includes the fork 158. The fork 158 includes a first side surface 178. The fork 158 also includes a second side surface 180. When the rod member 148 is coupled with the fork 158, the second end portion 186 axially extends from the second side surface 180 of the fork 158.

The fork 158 includes a housing member 170, a first fork arm 172, and a second fork arm 174. Each of the first fork arm 172 and the second fork arm 174 is coupled to the housing member 170. Further, the first fork arm 172 and the second fork arm 174 together define a central opening 176. The central opening 176 may receive the shaft 142 (see FIG. 2).

The fork 158 further includes a through-aperture 160 extending from the first side surface 178 to the second side surface 180. The through-aperture 160 receives the first end portion 154 of the rod member 148 therein to couple the rod member 148 with the fork 158. The through-aperture 160 has a second tapering section 182 which tapers towards the second side surface 180 of the fork 158.

The fork 158 further includes an engagement surface 162 that faces the through-aperture 160, such that, when the rod member 148 is coupled with the fork 158, the engagement surface 162 of the fork 158 engages with the first end portion 154 of the rod member 148. Specifically, the engagement surface 162 is disposed at a second inclination angle 12 relative to the central axis A2. The second inclination angle 12 may lie in a range of 5 degrees to 85 degrees. In an example, the second inclination angle 12 is 45 degrees. The second inclination angle 12 of the engagement surface 162 is same as the first inclination angle I1 of the taper surface 184 of the first end portion 154.

The engagement surface 162 defines a length L2. It should be noted that the length L1 of the first end portion 154 is same as the length L2 of the engagement surface 162.

Moreover, the shift assembly 138 includes a retaining member 190 that couples the rod member 148 with the fork 158. The retaining member 190 includes a number of internal threads 192 that engage with the number of external threads 188 of the second end portion 186 of the rod member 148 to couple the rod member 148 with the fork 158. In an example, the retaining member 190 includes a nut. It should be noted that the rod member 148 may be coupled with the fork 158 using any other technique, or coupling arrangement, without any limitations.

For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 depict different techniques of coupling the rod member 148 of the shift assembly 138 with the fork 158 of the shift assembly 138. In such techniques, the rod member 148 may omit the second end portion 186 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 5, the shift assembly 138 includes a flange 502 that is disposed around the rod member 148. In an assembled condition of the shift assembly 138, the flange 502 is disposed adjacent to the first side surface 178 of the fork 158. The flange 502 may be embodied as an annular ring surrounding the rod member 148. Further, the shift assembly 138 includes two retaining members 504. In an example, each retaining member 504 includes a mechanical fastener. The retaining member 504 may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, and the like. Further, the flange 502 includes a pair of through-openings. Furthermore, the fork includes a pair of through-openings that align with a corresponding through-opening in the flange 502 to receive a corresponding retaining member 504. This way, the retaining members 504 couple the fork 158 with the rod member 148, via the flange 502. Although only two retaining members 504 are illustrated herein, the shift assembly 138 may include more than two retaining members as per requirements.

As shown in FIG. 6, the shift assembly 138 includes a flange 602 that is disposed around the rod member 148. In an assembled condition of the shift assembly 138, the flange 602 is disposed adjacent to the second side surface 180 of the fork 158. The flange 602 may be embodied as a plate disposed adjacent to the second side surface 180 of the fork 158. Further, the shift assembly 138 includes two retaining members 604. In an example, each retaining member 604 includes a mechanical fastener. The retaining member 604 may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, and the like. Further, the flange 602 includes a pair of through-openings. Furthermore, the fork 158 includes a pair of openings that align with a corresponding through-opening in the flange 602 to receive a corresponding retaining member 604. This way, the retaining members 604 couple the fork 158 with the rod member 148, via the flange 602. Although only two retaining members 604 are illustrated herein, the shift assembly 138 may include more than two retaining members as per requirements.

It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional segments, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure describes the shift assembly 138 having the actuator 144. The actuator 144 includes the cylinder 146 and the rod member 148. The rod member 148 includes the first end portion 154. The first end portion 154 includes the first tapering section 155 which tapers towards the second end 152 of the rod member 148. The first end portion 154 defines the taper surface 184 that extends circumferentially about the central axis A2. The taper surface 184 is disposed at the first inclination angle I1 relative to the central axis A2. The shift assembly 138 also includes the shift fork assembly 156. The shift fork assembly 156 includes the fork 158. The fork 158 includes the through-aperture 160 having the second tapering section 182 which tapers towards the second side surface 180 of the fork 158. Further, the fork 158 includes the engagement surface 162 that is disposed at the second inclination angle 12 relative to the central axis A2.

The present disclosure describes a tapered connection between the first end portion 154 and the engagement surface 162. The tapered connection is provided by the first and second tapering sections 155, 182. The tapered connection may retain a desired fit between the rod member 148 and the fork 158 and maintain a performance of the shift assembly 138. The tapered connection may also mitigate wear at the interface of the first end portion 154 and the engagement surface 162.

Furthermore, the actuator 144 and the shift fork assembly 156 of the present disclosure may improve reliability and efficiency of the compactor 100. Further, the actuator 144 and the shift fork assembly 156 of the present disclosure may reduce frequent service and maintenance costs that may be otherwise associated with servicing/replacement of the rod member 148 and/or the fork 158. Moreover, the actuator 144 and the fork 158 are simple in construction, may be easy to manufacture, and may be cost-effective.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 700 of manufacturing the vibratory system 118 for the drum 114, 116 of the compactor 100. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, at step 702, the rod member 148 of the actuator 144 of the shift assembly 138 is formed. The rod member 148 includes the first end 150 and the second end 152. The shift assembly 138 is associated with the vibratory system 118 to vary the amplitude of the vibratory system 118. The rod member 148 includes the first end portion 154 disposed between the first end 150 and the second end 152 and proximal to the second end 152 of the rod member 148, that includes the first tapering section 155 which tapers towards the second end 152. The rod member 148 further includes the second end portion 186 extending from the second end 152 of the rod member 148 to the first end portion 154. The second end portion 186 has the uniform cross-section.

At step 704, the fork 158 of the shift assembly 138 is formed. The fork 158 includes the first side surface 178, the second side surface 180, the through-aperture 160 extending from the first side surface 178 to the second side surface 180, and the engagement surface 162 that faces the through-aperture 160. The through-aperture 160 has the second tapering section 182 which tapers towards the second side surface 180 of the fork 158.

At step 706, the first end portion 154 of the rod member 148 is received within the through-aperture 160 of the fork 158, such that the first end portion 154 engages with the engagement surface 162 of the fork 158.

At step 708, the actuator 144 is coupled with the fork 158 via the retaining member 190 based on receipt of the first end portion 154 of the rod member 148 within the through-aperture 160 of the fork 158. The step 708 of coupling the actuator 144 with the fork 158 further includes engaging the number of internal threads 192 of the retaining member 190 with the number of external threads 188 of the second end portion 186 of the rod member 148.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed work machine, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.