Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 1 of 11 PageID #:
`12288
`
`Exhibit C
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 2 of 11 PageID #:
`12289
`I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`US007530641B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Berning et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,530,641 B2
`May 12, 2009
`
`(54) AUTOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION MACHINE,
`AS WELL AS METHOD FOR WORKING
`GROUND SURFACES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Christian Berning, Zuelpich (DE);
`Herbert Lange, Overath (DE); Dieter
`Simons, Buchholz (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH, Windhagen (DE)
`
`( *)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 162 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No. : 11/802,277
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 22, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007 /0286678 Al
`
`Dec. 13, 2007
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 22, 2006
`
`(DE)
`
`. .. ... .. ... ... .. . ... ... 10 2006 024 123
`
`(51 )
`
`Int. CI.
`(2006.01)
`EOJC 231088
`(52) U.S. CI. ......... ............................ 299/1.5; 404/84.05
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 299/1.05 ,
`299/1.4, 1.5; 404/84.05
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,139,318 A
`2/ 1979 Jakob et al.
`4,929,121 A *
`5/ 1990 Lent et al ............. ........ 299/ 1.5
`
`4,943,119 A *
`5,607,205 A *
`5,984,420 A *
`6,050,743 A
`6,1 52,648 A *
`
`7/1990 Zarniko et al ............ .. .. 299/1.5
`3/1997 Burdick et al. ... ............ 299/1.5
`11/1999 Murray et al.
`........... .. .. 299/1.5
`4/2000 Medinger
`11/2000 Gfroerer et al. .............. 299/1.5
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EP
`WO
`
`30 07 124 Al
`l 408 158 Al
`WO 97/20109
`
`9/1981
`10/2003
`6/1997
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-John Kreck
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Miles & Stockbridge P.C.;
`Vincent L. Ramik, Esq.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An automotive construction machine for working ground
`surfaces, with a machine frame, a drive engine for driving
`traveling devices and for driving working devices, and a mill(cid:173)
`ing drum fix milling the ground surfaces, which can be raised,
`driven by, and can be uncoupled from a drum drive, the
`milling drum can be moved into a raised position when not in
`milling mode, and when raised, the rotating direction of the
`milling drum corresponds to the rotating direction of the
`traveling devices and remains coupled with the drive engine,
`and a monitoring device monitors the distance between the
`milling drum and the ground surface and uncouples the raised
`milling drum from the drive engine or uncouples the traveling
`devices from the drive engine or raises the machine frame or
`generates an alarm signal when the monitoring device detects
`a deviation that falls below a pre-determined distance, or any
`of the latter.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`20
`
`14
`
`I
`
`21
`
`22
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`WA-0014099
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 3 of 11 PageID #:
`12290
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 12, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 7,530,641 B2
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`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 4 of 11 PageID #:
`12291
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 12, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,530,641 B2
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 5 of 11 PageID #:
`12292
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 12, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,530,641 B2
`
`N
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`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 6 of 11 PageID #:
`12293
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 12, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,530,641 B2
`
`0
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`WA-0014103
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 7 of 11 PageID #:
`12294
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`US 7,530,641 B2
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`1
`AUTOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION MACHINE,
`AS WELL AS METHOD FOR WORKING
`GROUND SURl(,\C ES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`l11e invention provides in an advantageous manner that the
`milling dmm, when in raised position and with a direction of
`travel in which the rotating direction of the milling dmm
`corresponds to the rotating direction of the traveling devices,
`remains coupled with the drum drive and that a monitoring
`device monitors a distance between the milling drum and the
`ground surface and uncouples the raised milling drum from
`the drive engine and/or uncouples the traveling devices from
`the drive engine and/or raises the machine frame and/or gen-
`10 erates an alarm signal when the monitoring device detects a
`deviation which falls below a pre-determined distance.
`According to the invention, the milling drum can remain
`coupled with the drive engine in a permanent manner.
`It is no longer required to uncouple the milling dmm from
`15 the drive train when it is raised out of the milled cut. As a
`result, it is also not necessary to reduce and subsequently
`increase the speed of the combustion engine in order to
`engage the milling drum again after repositioning. The mill-
`ing drum can be removed from the milled cut by swivelling or
`raising it, for instance, via lifting colunrns of the traveling
`devices. When the milling drum is in the raised position, a
`monitoring device detects as to whether the distance between
`the raised milling dnun and the ground surface, which has
`been pre-determined for traveling when not in milling mode,
`is maintained. If the deviation falls below the pre-determined
`distance, the raised milling drum, which at that time contin-
`ues rotating, is uncoupled from the drive engine so that,
`should the milling drum actually come into contact with the
`ground, the drive power has no effect on the milling drum and
`only the milling drum's actual kinetic energy of rotation has
`to be destroyed. When doing so, the mass of the construction
`machine suffices to prevent the construction machine from
`carrying out a jump in the direction of travel in case the
`milling drnm inadvertently engages with the ground surface.
`In this way, it is ensured that no time loss is incurred due to the
`fact that a reduction and increase of the speed of the drive
`engine have to be waited for when the construction machine
`is traveling without being in milling mode.
`A further advantage is that the wear and tear of machine
`40 elements, in particular of the coupling, the combustion engine
`and all other components that are part of the drive train, is
`reduced.
`It is preferably provided that the milling drum mills the
`ground surface in up-milling mode, in which case traveling in
`45 forward direction is uncritical as the milling drnm rotates in
`opposition to the direction of travel. The invention concerns
`itself with traveling in backward direction, in which the mill(cid:173)
`ing drum can, contrary to prior art, remain coupled with the
`drive engine despite the milling drum rotating in opposition to
`50 the direction of travel.
`Likewise, traveling backwards when the milling drnm is in
`down-milling mode is uncritical due to the milling drum
`rotating in the direction of travel, and according to the inven(cid:173)
`tion, the milling drum, when in raised position, remains
`coupled with the drive engine also when traveling in forward
`direction without being in milling mode.
`Monitoring of the pre-determined distance by the monitor(cid:173)
`ing device can be effected either directly or indirectly. Direct
`measuring is effected, for instance, by means of mechanical
`or electronic measurement of the distance, whereas indirect
`measuring of the distance can be effected, for instance, via
`machine elements of the construction machine, via tracers or
`via the actual position of the lifting colunrn carrying the
`machine frame.
`When doing so, the pre-determined distance between the
`raised milling drum and the ground surface can be monitored
`with at least one sensor.
`
`30
`
`invention concerns an automotive constmction
`The
`machine, as well as a method for working ground surfaces.
`Such automotive constmction machines for working
`ground surfaces are known, for instance, from EP 140815 8 A .
`The road milling machine described therein shows a
`machine frame with a drive engine for driving traveling
`devices and for driving working devices. The traveling
`devices may consist of either wheels or crawler tracks, which
`are com1ected to the machine frame via lifting columns.
`A drum drive drives a milling dmm for milling the ground
`surfaces preferably in up-milling mode. The milling dmm is
`capable of being uncoupled from the drive train by means of
`a coupling. A scraper blade is located in a height-adjustable
`manner behind the milling dmm when seen in the direction of 20
`travel, which can glide on the surface milled orto be milled by
`the milling drum. In milling mode, the lower edge of the
`scraper blade is always located at the lowest plane of the
`cutting circle of the milling drum.
`Such construction machines operate in strips in accordance 25
`with the width of the milling drum. This means that the
`construction machine has to travel back after having milled a
`pre-determined length of ground surface in order to then mill
`an adjacent strip.
`It is necessary that the milling drum is idle when traveling
`backwards in order to avoid any accidental collision of the
`tools ofthemilling drum with the ground surface, because the
`construction machine may be accelerated suddenly and
`uncontrollably in case of an inadvertent engagement of the 35
`milling drum with the ground surface. The circumferential
`speed of the milling drum, in particular at operating speed, is
`many times, for instance, three times that of the travel speed
`so that the road constmction machine may be accelerated
`forcefully in case of an engagement of the milling drum.
`This results in a risk of the milling drum being damaged in
`case of an accidental engagement with the ground surface, so
`that the milling dmm is first uncoupled from the drive train
`after it has been raised from the milled cut at the end of a
`ground surface to be worked. The construction machine can
`now be driven back to the beginning of the length of ground to
`be worked, where the speed of the drive engine must be
`reduced to idle speed first to enable coupling of the milling
`drum.
`Contrary to the engine of a passenger car, a considerable
`waiting period elapses until the speed of the drive engine,
`which consists of a combustion engine, has been reduced to
`idle speed and also until it has been increased to operating
`speed again.
`The combustion engine must then be brought back to oper- 55
`ating speed prior to working the next strip . These processes
`are very time-consuming and very annoying for the machine
`operator, in particular in case of short stretches of road to be
`worked. Moreover, the incessant switching operations of the
`coupling and the related frequent load changes of the com- 60
`bustion engine give rise to increased wear and tear of the
`coupling, the combustion engine and all components that are
`part of the drive train.
`The purpose of the invention is, therefore, to create a con(cid:173)
`stmction machine, as well as a method for working ground 65
`surfaces, which is capable ofreducing the time required for
`working a pre-determined ground space.
`
`WA-0014104
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 8 of 11 PageID #:
`12295
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`US 7,530,641 B2
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`3
`The pre-determined distance to be monitored by the moni(cid:173)
`toring device may be capable of being increased in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the travel speed of the traveling device. Ibe pre(cid:173)
`determined distance can, for
`instance, be
`increased
`proportionally or progressively in accordance with the 5
`increasing travel speed.
`A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the
`milling drum is raised by a pre-determined amount that is
`larger than a minimum distance to be maintained between the
`milling drum and the ground surface, and that a sensing 10
`device measuring towards the ground surface shows a lower
`limit position which corresponds to a pre-determined dis(cid:173)
`tance or to a minimum distance to be maintained between the
`milling drum and the ground surface. With such a sensing
`device, the monitoring device has to merely establish as to 15
`whether the sensing device leaves the lower limit position,
`because in this case a pre-determined distance or a minimum
`distance to be maintained by the milling drum is no longer
`adhered to.
`The construction machine may be provided with a sensing 20
`device that is capable of being lowered relative to the milling
`drum, the said sensing device projecting vis-a-vis the milling
`drum towards the ground surface by a pre-determined dis(cid:173)
`tance in relation to the lowest point of the cutting circle of the
`milling drum. With the milling drum in raised position and the 25
`sensing device simultaneously in lowered position, the moni(cid:173)
`toring device generates, for instance, a control signal for
`uncoupling the milling drnm from the drive engine if the at
`least one sensor detects a contact of the at least one sensing
`device with the ground surface or that the at least one sensing 30
`device is raised by the ground surface. This means that the
`sensing device, which may in the most simple case consist of
`a tracer, is simultaneously lowered to a lower limit position
`while the milling drum is raised, the said lower limit position
`corresponding to a pre-detem1ined distance or to a minimum 35
`distance between the rotating milling drum and the ground
`surface. When doing so, the sensing device itself maintains a
`distance vis-a-vis the ground surface. If the sensing device
`touches the ground surface while the construction machine
`travels without being in milling mode, or if it is detected that 40
`the sensing device is raised by the ground surface, then the
`monitoring device generates, for instance, a control signal for
`uncoupling the milling drum from the drum drive or the drive
`train respectively.
`The sensor is capable of detecting a ground contact, for
`instance, by means of a structure-borne sound sensor, or the
`position of the sensing device, i<.Jr instance, by means of a
`path sensor. As an alternative, the lowest position of the
`sensing device can be detem1ined by means of a limit switch.
`Apart from uncoupling the milling drum, the monitoring
`device can additionally or alternatively uncouple the traveling
`devices from the drive engine and/or raise the machine frame
`and/or set off an alarm signal.
`In the raised position of the milling drum, the sensing
`device is lowered towards the ground surface by a pre-deter(cid:173)
`mined amount that is larger than the pre-determined distance
`between the milling drum and the ground surface. The sensor
`is capable of at least detecting the lower limit position of the
`sensing device, with the lower limit position corresponding
`to, for instance, the minimum distance between the milling
`dmm and the ground surface.
`The sensing device may consist of a scraper blade that is
`arranged behind the milling drum when seen in the direction
`of travel. The scraper blade is capable ofbeing lowered down(cid:173)
`wards beyond the lowest position of the cutting circle of the
`milling drum.
`
`4
`A further alternative provides that the sensing device con(cid:173)
`sists of a hood enclosing the milling drum and/or of a side
`plate that is arranged at the side next to a front end of the
`milling drum.
`As described previously in connection with the sensing
`device, the scraper blade, the hood, or the side plates provided
`for at the front ends of the milling drum can also be lowered
`beyond the lowest point of the cutting circle of the milling
`drum in the same way. ·The position of the side plates, of the
`scraper blade and of the hood enclosing the milling drum can
`be monitored with regard to their distance from the ground
`surface in the same way as previously described in connection
`with the sensing device.
`In case of a hood enclosing the milling drum, the said hood
`can be lowered relative to the milling drum. Such hood is
`known, for instance, from WO 97/20109.
`In the following, embodiments of the invention are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an automotive road milling machine for working
`ground surfaces in working mode.
`FIG. 2 the road milling machine in accordance with FIG. 1
`traveling in backward direction.
`FIG. 3 a view of the height-adjustable scraper blade.
`FIG. 4 a drive train with drum drive.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The automotive construction machine 1 for working
`ground surfaces 2 shown in FIG. 1 shows a machine frame 4,
`as well as a drive engine 6 for driving traveling devices 8 and
`for driving working devices. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the
`traveling devices 8 consist of wheels, whereas in the embodi(cid:173)
`ment in FIG. 3, the said traveling devices 8 consist of crawler
`track units. The main working device consists of a milling
`drum 12 for milling the ground surface 2, where the said
`milling drum 12 is capable of being driven by a drum drive 10
`and of being uncoupled from the drive engine 6.
`The milling drum is capable of being moved into a raised
`position when it is not in milling mode.
`The raised position of the milling drum 12 is preferably
`45 achieved by means of the lifting columns 20, by way of
`raising the machine frame 4 altogether. In doing so, the mill(cid:173)
`ing drum 12, which is supported in the machine frame 4, is
`raised out of the milled track until it shows a pre-determined
`distance from the ground surface 2. While the milling drum
`so 12 is raised out of the milled track and during the subsequent
`travel, the milling drum 12 remains coupled with the drive
`engine 6 via the drum drive 10 and a coupling 7 so that it is not
`lK'Cessary to first reduce the speed of the drive engine 6,
`preferably a combustion engine, to idle speed, then uncouple
`55 the milling drum 12 from the drive engine 6 and subsequently
`increase the speed of the drive engine 6 once again to its
`operating speed.
`FIG. 1 shows the milling drum 12 in up-milling mode, in
`which the rotating direction of the milling drum 12 is in
`60 opposition to the rotating direction of the traveling devices 8.
`When traveling backwards, as is shown in FIG. 2, the rotating
`direction of the milling drum 12 corresponds to the rotating
`direction of the tra veling devices 8 so that there is the risk of
`the construction machine 1 being accelerated in an undesired
`65 manner in case of accidental contact with the ground surface
`2. A monitoring device 14 has therefore been provided which
`monitors the distance between the milling drum 12 and the
`
`WA-0014105
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 9 of 11 PageID #:
`12296
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`US 7,530,641 B2
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`5
`ground surface 2 and uncouples the raised milling drum 12
`from the drum drive 10 when the monitoring device 14 detects
`a deviation that falls below a pre-determined distance. It may
`alternatively or additionally be provided that the traveling
`devices 8 are uncoupled from the drive engine 6, or that the 5
`machine frame is raised, or that an alarn1 signal is generated.
`TI1e distance between the milling dmm 12 and the ground
`surface 2 can be measured either directly or indirectly. The
`detection signals of the monitoring device 14 can either be
`forwarded to a machine control system, or can be used
`directly for uncoupling the milling drum 12 or the traveling
`devices 8 from the drive engine 6, or can alternatively or
`additionally be used for raising the machine frame 4 by means
`of the lifting columns 20 or for generating an alann signal.
`A sensor is preferably provided for monitoring the distance 15
`between the milling drum 12 and the ground surface 2. This
`sensor can measure the distance to the ground surface 2 either
`directly or indirectly. The position of a sensing device is
`monitored, for instance, in case of indirect measuring, where
`the said monitoring is effected, for instance, by means of a 20
`path measuring device or by means of a limit switch that
`detects a certain position of the sensing device.
`The distance to be monitored may either be a pre-deter(cid:173)
`mined fixed distance, or may consist of a pre-determined
`fixed minimum distance, or can be variable in that it is capable 25
`of being increased in accordance with an increasing travel
`speed of the traveling devices 8. This means that the pre(cid:173)
`determined distance increases continually and preferably in a
`proportional manner in accordance with the increasing travel
`speed.
`A sensing device capable of being lowered relative to the
`raised milling drum 12 may be arranged at the machine frame
`4 in such a manner that the sensing device projects vis-a-vis
`the milling dmm 12 towards the ground surface 2 by a pre(cid:173)
`determined distance, with the monitoring device 14, in the 35
`raised position of the milling drum 12 and the simultaneously
`lowered position of the sensing device, uncoupling at least the
`milling drum 12 from the drive engine 6 when the monitoring
`device 14 detects a contact of the at least one sensing device
`with the ground surface 2 or that the at least one sensing 40
`device is raised by the ground surface 2. It is understood that,
`apart from uncoupling the milling druni 12 from the drive
`engine 6, the traveling devices 8 may alternatively or addi(cid:173)
`tionally also be uncoupled from the drive engine 6 or the
`machine frame 4 be raised via the lifting colunms 20.
`A preferred embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2
`provides that the sensing device consists of a scraper blade 22
`that is arranged behind the milling dmm 12 when seen in the
`direction of travel.
`When in milling mode in accordance with FlG. 1, the
`scraper blade 22, which is essentially height-adjustable ver(cid:173)
`tically within a portal 21, is located in the milled track and
`scrapes the newly milled track behind the milling drum 12 to
`ensure that no remains are left behind in the milled track.
`The lower edge of the scraper blade 22 is then located in the
`same plane as the lowest point of the cutting circle of the
`milling drum 12 shown in the drawings.
`FIG. 2 shows the milling drum 12 in the raised position, in
`which the lowest point of the cutting circle shows a distance 60
`from the ground surface 2. The scraper blade 22 is also in a
`raised position outside of the milled track, with the lower edge
`of the scraper blade 22 showing a significantly smaller dis(cid:173)
`tance from the ground surface 2 than the milling drum 12. The
`distance of the lower edge of the scraper blade 22 may cor- 65
`respond to a pre-determined distance that the milling drum 12
`has to maintain from the ground surface 2.
`
`6
`TI1e monitoring device 14 is capable of determining, for
`instance, as to whether the scraper blade 22 touches the
`ground surface 2 by using, for instance, a structure-borne
`sound sensor.
`Alternatively, the monitoring device 14 is capable of deter-
`mining, for instance, as to whether the scraper blade 22 is
`raised by the ground surface 2, thus leaving its lower limit
`position. In the simplest case, this can be determined by
`means of limit switches for the lowest position of the scraper
`10 blade 22.
`It is understood that a distance sensor can also be arranged
`at the scraper blade 22, which is capable of measuring the
`distance to the ground surface 2 directly in a non-contact
`manner.
`It is further understood that in lieu of the scraper blade 22,
`a tracer can, for instance, be used that is preferably spring(cid:173)
`loaded and projects from the machine frame 4.
`In a further alternative, the side plate 24, which is prefer(cid:173)
`ably arranged at the front ends on both sides of the milling
`drum 12, may also be used as a sensing device. FIG. 1 shows
`the side plate 24 in operating mode, in which the side plate 24
`rests on the ground surface 2 and prevents the milling edge
`from breaking. For that reason, such a side plate 24 is fre(cid:173)
`quently al so called an edge protection. As can be seen from
`the drawings, the side plate 24 is height-adjustable vertically,
`and it always rests on the ground surface 2 irrespective of the
`current milling depth of the milling dmm 12.
`It can be seen in FIG. 2 that, in the raised position of the
`milling drum 12, the side plate 24 is also raised until it shows
`30 a pre-determined distance from the ground surface 2. It can be
`seen in FlG. 2 that the side plate 24 has reached the lower limit
`position in a vertical guide. Detection of the distance or of a
`minimum distance is effected in the same way as with the
`height-adjustable scraper blade 22.
`FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a scraper blade 22 as it is
`basically already known from EP 1 408 158 A.
`FIG. 4 shows the drive train of the construction machine 1,
`which consists of the drive engine 6, which is capable ofbeing
`coupled with a drum drive 10 via a coupling 7, with the said
`drum drive 10 driving the milling drum 12, which is sup(cid:173)
`ported in the machine frame 4, by means of a belt drive 11. It
`is understood that the coupling 7 may also be arranged on the
`output side in relation to the dmm drive 10.
`It is understood that, although the embodiments show a
`road milling machine as a front-loader, other construction
`machines with a milling drum 12 like, ±ix instance, rear(cid:173)
`loaders or recyclers, can operate in accordance with the same
`principle.
`The monitoring device 14 enables an efficient and safe
`so operation of the construction machine 1 so that it is no longer
`required to repeatedly n .. >duce the drive engine 6 to idle speed
`and subsequently increase the operating speed again at the
`ends of a length of ground to be worked.
`What is claimed is:
`1. Automotive construction machine (1) for working
`ground surfaces (2),
`with a machine frame (4),
`wi th a drive engine ( 6) for driving traveling devices (8) and
`for driving working devices, and
`with a milling drum (12) for milling the ground surfaces
`(2), which is capable of being raised and is driven by and
`capable of being uncoupled from the drive engine ( 6),
`where the milling drum (12) is capable of being moved into
`a raised position when it is not in milling mode,
`characterized in that,
`the milling drum (12) remains coupled with the drive
`engine ( 6) when in raised position and with a direction of
`
`45
`
`55
`
`WA-0014106
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-3 Filed 11/17/22 Page 10 of 11 PageID #:
`12297
`
`US 7,530,641 B2
`
`7
`travel in which the rotating direction of the milling drum
`(12) corresponds to the rotating direction of the traveling
`devices (8), and
`a monitoring device (14) monitors a distance between the
`milling drum (12) and the ground surface (2) and
`uncouples the raised milling drum (12) from the drive
`engine (6) and/or uncouples the traveling devices (8)
`from the drive engine (6) and/or raises the machine
`frame ( 4) and/or generates an alarm signal when the
`monitoring device (14) detects a deviation that falls 10
`below a pre-determined distance.
`2. Construction machine (1) in accordance with claim 1,
`characterized in that the milling drum (12) mills the ground
`surface (2) in up-milling mode, and in that the milling drum
`(12) is capable of being moved into a raised position for the 15
`purpose of traveling in backward direction, in which the
`milling drum (12) remains coupled with the drive engine (6).
`3. Construction machine (1) in accordance with claim l ,
`characterized in that the milling drum (12) mills the ground
`surface (2) in down-milling mode, and in that the milling 20
`drum (12) is capable of being moved into a raised position for
`the purpose of traveling in forward direction, in which the
`milling drum (12) remains coupled with the drive engine (6) .
`4. Construction machine (1) in accordance with claim 1,
`characterized in that the monitoring device (14) monitors, 25
`with at least one sensor, a pre-detemiined distance between
`the raised milling drum (12) and the ground surface (2) .
`5. Construction machine (l) in accordance with claim l,
`characterized in that the pre-determined distance to be moni(cid:173)
`tored by the monitoring device (14) is capable of being 30
`increased in accordance with the travel speed of the traveling
`devices (8).
`6. Construction machine (l) in accordance with claim l,
`characterized in that the milling drum (12) is raised by a
`pre-determined amount that is larger than a minimum dis- 35
`tance between the milling drum (12) and the ground surface
`(2), and in that a sensing device measuring towards the
`ground surface (2) shows a lower limit position that corre(cid:173)
`sponds to a pre-determined distance orto a minimum distance
`to be maintained between the milling drum (12) and the 40
`ground surface (2).
`7. Construction machine (l) in accordance with claim l,
`characterized in that at least one sensing device capable of
`being lowered relative to the raised milling drum (12) is
`arranged at the milling drum (12) in such a manner that the 45
`sensing device projects vis-a-vis the milling drum (12)
`towards the ground surface (2) by a pre-determined distance,
`and in that the monitoring device (14), in the raised position of
`the milling drum (12) and the simultaneously lowered posi(cid:173)
`tion of the sensing device, uncouples at least the milling drum 50
`(12) from the drum drive (10) when the monitoring device
`(14) detects a contact of the at least one sensing device with
`the ground surface (2) or that the at least one sensing device is
`raised by the ground surface (2) .
`8. Construction machine (l) in accordance with claim 6, 55
`characterized in that the sensing device consists of a scraper
`blade (22) that is arranged behind the milling drum (12) when
`seen in the direction of travel.
`9. Construction machine (l) in accordance with claim 6,
`characterized in that the sensing device consists of a hood 60
`(18) enclosing the milling drum (12) and/or of a side plate
`(24) arranged at the side next to a front end of the milling
`drum (12).
`10. Construction machine (l) in accordance with claim l,
`characterized in that the traveling devices (8) show lifting 65
`columns (20) by means of which the machine frame ( 4) is
`capable of being raised together with the milling drum (12),
`
`8
`and in that the monitoring device (14) generates an input
`signal for the position of the lifting columns in accordance
`with the distance monitored and/or the travel speed.
`11. Method for working ground surfaces (2) with a con-
`5 struction machine (l) that is automotive by means of traveling
`devices (8) and in which a milling drum (12) supported in a
`machine frame (4) is driven by a drive engine (6),
`where the nulling drum (12) is moved into a raised position
`when it is not in milling mode,
`characterized in that,
`the nulling drum (12) remains coupled with the drive
`engine ( 6) when in raised position and with a direction of
`travel in which the rotating direction of the milling drum
`(12) corresponds to the rotating direction of the traveling
`devices (8),
`in that a distance is monitored between the rotating, raised
`milling drum (12) and the ground surface (2) or an
`obstacle located in front of the milling (12) when seen in
`the direction of travel, and
`in that the milling drum (12) is uncoupled from the drive
`engine (6), and/or the traveling devices (8) are
`uncoupled from the drive engine ( 6) and/or the machine
`frame (4) is raised and/or an alarm signal is generated
`when detecting that the deviation falls below a pre(cid:173)
`determimxl distance betw een the milling drum (12) and
`the ground surface (2).
`12. Method in accordance with claim 11, characterized in
`that the ground surface (2) is milled in up-milling mode, and
`in that the milling drum (12) is moved into a raised position
`for the purpose of traveling backwards, in whi