Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 1 of 11 PageID #:
`12299
`
`Exhibit D
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 2 of 11 PageID #:
`12300
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 11111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111111
`US008113592B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Busley et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`Feb.14,2012
`
`(54) AUTOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION ENGINE
`AND LIFTING COLUMN FOR A
`CONTRUCTION ENGINE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Peter Busley, Lim/Rhein (DE) ; Giinter
`Tewes, Unkel/Rhein (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH (DE)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. l54(b) by 688 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No. :
`
`11/991,846
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Sep.12,2006
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/EP2006/066305
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), (4) Date: Mar. 12, 2008
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2007/031531
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Mar. 22, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2010/0109422 Al
`
`May 6, 2010
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep . 12, 2005
`Sep . 15, 2005
`
`(DE)
`(DE)
`
`10 2005 043 531
`10 2005 044 211
`
`(51 )
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`E0JC 23112
`B60S 9/00
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 299/39.6; 404/90; 280/6.157
`(58) Field of Classification Search ...... ........... 299/39.4,
`299/39.6, 1.5, 39.1; 404/9094 ; 280/ 6.155,
`280/43, 43.17, 6.157, 5.514; 33/483, 809811 ,
`33/1 LE, 756
`See application flle for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3/1976 Snow, Jr. et al.
`3,946,506 A
`4,213,719 A *
`7/1980 Swisberetal.
`4,247,126 A
`1/1981 Claxton
`4,270,801 A *
`6/1981 Swisher et al.
`4,808,026 A *
`2/1989 Clarke et al.
`4,943,119 A *
`7 / 1990 Zarniko et al.
`5,893,677 A *
`4/1999 Haehn et al .
`5,984,420 A *
`l 1/ 1999 Murrny et al.
`6,1 52,648 A *
`11/2000 Gfroerer et al.
`2002/0047301 Al *
`4/2002 Davis
`2005/0077691 Al *
`4/2005 Witters
`(Continued)
`
`.. 404/84.2
`
`.. 299/1.5
`... 404/90
`.. 299/1.5
`. 404/90
`.. 299/1.5
`... .. 404/84.05
`....... .. ... 299/1.5
`...... . 280/5.514
`
`CA
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2 548 521
`6/2005
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner····· Sunil Singh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Waddey & Patterson, P.C. ;
`Lucian \Vayne Beavers
`
`ABSTRACT
`(5 7)
`A road constmction machine includes a machine frame, a
`working drum and a plurality of ground engaging supports. A
`plurality of lifting columns are connected between the
`machine frame and the ground engaging supports. Each of the
`lifting columns include two telescoping hollow cylinders. A
`plurality of lifting position measuring devices are provided,
`each measuring device being coupled with elements of one of
`the lifting columns, which elements are capable of being
`displaced relative to one another in accordance with the lift(cid:173)
`ing position of the lifting column in such a manner that a path
`signal pertaining to a lifting position of the lifting column is
`continuously detectable by the measuring device. A control(cid:173)
`ler is operably connected to the lifting position measuring
`devices to receive the path signals and to regulate the lifting
`positions of the lifting columns in response to the path sig(cid:173)
`nal s.
`
`22 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`24
`
`4 2
`
`6
`
`1Q
`
`30
`
`WA-0014142
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 3 of 11 PageID #:
`12301
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`Page 2
`
`U .S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2006/0076821 Al*
`4/2006 Troudt et al.
`.... .... .... ... 299/39.2
`2008/0246328 Al* 10/2008 Mannebach et al.
`.. 299/39.6
`2008/0315666 Al* 12/2008 Von Schonebeck et a.I. . 299/39.6
`2009/0108663 Al*
`4/2009 Berning et al.
`........ .. ...... 299/ 1.5
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`38 12 809 Al
`11/1 989
`
`DE
`DE
`EP
`GB
`JP
`WO
`WO
`
`196 17 442 Cl
`103 57 074 B3
`1 154 075 A2
`2 313 347 A
`02279805 A *
`WO 93 08003
`WO 02057 11 2 Al *
`
`lil998
`5/2005
`11/2001
`llil997
`11/1990
`4/1993
`7/2002
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`WA-0014143
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 4 of 11 PageID #:
`12302
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.14,2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`
`N \
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`,--.f
`
`O') ·-LL
`
`(±)
`
`WA-0014144
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 5 of 11 PageID #:
`12303
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.14,2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
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`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 6 of 11 PageID #:
`12304
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.14,2012
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`
`18
`~ ~ 26
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`WA-0014146
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 7 of 11 PageID #:
`12305
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`
`1
`AUTOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION ENGINE
`AND LIFTING COLUMN FOR A
`CONTRUCTION ENGINE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to an automotive construction
`machine as well as a lifting column for a construction
`machine.
`Such construction machinery is known, for instance, from 10
`DE 103 57 074 B3. The said construction machine shows a
`machine frame that is supported by a chassis, as well as a
`working dnm1 that is mounted at the machine frame in an
`immovable and/or pivotable manner, and is used for working
`a ground surface or traffic surface. The chassis is provided
`with wheels and/or crawler track units which are connected to
`the machine frame via lifting columns and are individually
`adjustable in height relative to the machine frame.
`The adjustment in height is made possible by a controller
`that raises or lowers the lifting columns by controlling the
`hydraulic input or hydraulic discharge of piston cylinder units
`in the lifting columns.
`The construction machine described in DE 103 57 07 4 B3
`is a recycler, and the disclosure of this publication is included 25
`in the present application to the extent that it is related to
`recyclers.
`A chassis for a machine used for milling carriageway pave(cid:173)
`ments is known from DE 196 1 7 44 2 C 1, the front axle of the
`said chassis being, for instance, adjustable in height in the
`manner of a full-floating axle. The lifting columns of the
`chassis are capable of being raised or lowered respectively in
`a reciprocally opposed manner. The disclosure of this publi(cid:173)
`cation is also included by reference into the present applica(cid:173)
`tion.
`A known construction machine of the applicant is the recy(cid:173)
`cler WR 2000, the wheels of which are connected to the
`machine frame via lifting columns that are adjustable in
`height hydraulically. Each wheel is driven by an own hydrau(cid:173)
`lic motor. The known construction machine is equipped with
`all-wheel steering, with the front and/or the rear wheels being
`capable of acting as the stL>ered axle.
`It is understood that the present application is not limited to
`wheel-driven construction machines, but also includes such
`construction machines that are provided with crawler track 45
`units or a mixture of wheels and crawler track units.
`In the known construction machines, the lifting columns
`are adjusted manually via switchover valves, with sensors
`detecting that the piston of the piston cylinder unit adjusting
`the lifting column has reached pre-determined positions. The
`sensors may detect, for instance, the upper edge of the piston
`in the piston cylinder unit. A first sensor detects the position
`of the piston in an operating position for milling, and a further
`sensor detects the position of the piston in a transport posi(cid:173)
`tion. In operating position, the machine frame therefore
`always has the same, pre-determined distance from the
`ground surface. When the piston has left the pre-defined
`sensor positions, the information about the position of the
`machine is lost. lt is, in particular, not possible to adjust auy
`other operating positions in a flexible manner without
`remounting the position sensors. It is not even possible to, for
`instance, adjust an operating position that is parallel to the
`pre-adjusted operating position but deviates from the same in
`height. What is more, it is not possible to adjust a defined
`transverse inclination or any other practical position of the
`machine frame or the machine respectively without cumber(cid:173)
`some remounting efforts.
`
`2
`This creates the additional problem that the machine frame
`can adopt a different distance to the grmmd surface or traffic
`surface because of different loads or load distributions which
`are due to, for instance, a different filling level of the fuel tank
`5 or a water tank.
`In case of wheels, deviations additionally result because of
`the filling pressure, the temperature and the interaction of the
`relatively soft wheel with the ground surface or traffic surface,
`which may, for instance, cause an alteration in distance of
`several centimetres. These alterations in distance of the
`machine frame relative to the ground surface require the
`position of the sensors to be displaced. Even though it is also
`possible to unlock the sensor for the operating position and to
`15 override this lifting position, the disadvantage results that the
`piston, at its front surfaces, touches the respective front sur(cid:173)
`faces of the cylinder when the mechanical limit stop of the
`piston cylinder unit has been reached, which may cause the
`piston of the piston cylinder unit to turn loose when carrying
`20 out steering movements of the wheels.
`The purpose of the invention is to avoid the aforementioned
`disadvantages and to enable the vehicle driver to select any
`given lifting position of the lifting columns as operating posi(cid:173)
`tion in particular for the working operation.
`The invention provides in an advantageous marnier that
`each individual height-adjustable lifting column is provided
`with a measuring device for measuring the current lifting state
`of the lifting column, the lifting columns comprise two hol (cid:173)
`low cylinders capable of telescoping which serve as guiding
`30 unit and accommodate at least one piston cylinder unit for
`height adjustment, preferably in a coaxial marnier, on their
`inside, that each individual height-adjustable lifting column
`is provided with a measuring device for measuring the current
`35 lifting state of the lifting column, the measuring device is
`coupled with elements of the lifting column, which are adjust(cid:173)
`able relative to one another in accordance with the lifting
`position, in such a manner that a path signal pertaining to the
`lifting position of each lifting column is continuously detect-
`40 able by the measuring device, and that a controller receiving
`the measured path signals from the measuring devices of all
`the lifting columns regulates the lifting state of the lifting
`columns in accordance with the measured path signals of the
`measuring devices and/or their alteration over time.
`The invention provides in an advantageous manner for
`pre-selectable positions of the lifting columns to be adjusted
`in a regulated mam1er, permitting the use of the measured path
`signal, and of the velocity aud acceleration signals which cau
`be deduced therefrom. Recording of the measured values
`50 enables the lifting state of the lifting columns to be regulated
`automatically. A controller receiving the measured signals
`from the measuring device can adjust a desired lifting posi(cid:173)
`tion of the lifting columns in a regulated manner without
`overshooting or with as little overshooting as possible in
`55 accordance with the measured signals of the measuring
`device and/or their alteration over time.
`The measured signals may be suitable for supplying to au
`indicator device for the lifting position of the lifting columns.
`Because the vehicle driver receives information on the current
`60 lifting state of each lifting colmnn via the indicator device, it
`is possible to adjust and define as operating position a freely
`selectable position of the machine frame without the need for
`limit switches or sensors to be displaced. Hence, the vehicle
`driver has the possibility to L'qUa!ize different load situations
`65 that may arise due to, for instance, a different filling level of
`the fuel tank or the water tank. Furthermore, influences of the
`relatively soft wheels due to different temperatures, a differ-
`
`WA-0014147
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 8 of 11 PageID #:
`12306
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`
`5
`
`4
`Alternatively, it is also possible for the controller to regu(cid:173)
`late the lifting state of the lifting columns by means of the
`measured signals in such a manner that the machine frame is
`subject to the smallest possible transverse inclination or
`transverse oscillation transverse to the direction of travel due
`to the existing stmcture of the ground surface or traffic sur(cid:173)
`face.
`It may additionally be provided that, when altering the
`lifting state of one wheel or crawler track unit, a neighbouring
`10 wheel or crawler track unit in transverse direction or longitu(cid:173)
`dinal direction of the machine frame is adjustable in height in
`an opposite manner. Controlling of the lifting state m ay be
`effected, for instance, in accordance with the hydraulic
`method described in DE 196 17 442 Cl. Incaseofa hydraulic
`15 forced coupling of neighbouring lifting columns, one single
`measuring device for both lifting columns is sufficient due to
`the identical amount of stroke adjustment.
`There is, however, also the possibility of controlling the
`lifting state of each wheel purely electronically in the manner
`of a full-floating axle. With such a full-floating control, an
`additional stroke adjustment can be overridden by the vehicle
`driver.
`With the reciprocal control of the lifting state, the neigh(cid:173)
`bouring wheels or crawler track units are preferably adjusted
`25 in height by the same amount and in an opposite manner.
`In case of a cold milling machine, the rear wheels or
`crawler track units when seen in the direction of travel are
`preferably adjustable in height in the manner of a full-floating
`axle by the same amount and in opposite direction.
`In case of a recycler, the wheels or crawler track units
`arranged behind one another on one side of the machine when
`seen in the direction of travel may be adjustable in height in
`the manner of a full-floating axle by the same amount and in
`opposite direction.
`A controller receiving the measured signals from the mea(cid:173)
`suring devices can adjust a desired lifting position of the
`lifting colunms without overshooting or with as little over(cid:173)
`shooting as possible in accordance with the measured signals
`from the measuring devices and/or their alteration over time.
`The measured signals from the measuring devices may be
`calibrated to a unit oflength, so that a specified stroke amount
`can be entered in millimetres for the purpose of height adjust(cid:173)
`ment.
`The controller may regulate the working depth of the work(cid:173)
`ing dmm, in which case the controller receives the measured
`path signals from the measuring device and includes them
`into the regulation of the working depth of the working dmm.
`Each lifting colunm is provided at the lower end with a
`support for the wheel or crawler track unit, where a distance
`sensor measures the distance of the support to the ground
`surface and traffic surface, preferably in a pre-determined
`distance in front ofor next to the wheel or crawler track unit,
`and transmits a measun..'<1 signal to a controller for the lifting
`position of the lifting columns, and/or to a controller for the
`working depth of the working dmm, and/or to the indicator
`device.
`
`20
`
`30
`
`3
`ent filling pressure or because of the interactions with the
`ground can be equalized individually for each wheel or
`crawler track unit.
`'Ibe measuring device for the lifting position preferably
`includes a path measuring device, and all known path mea(cid:173)
`suring systems like, for instance, capacitive, inductive,
`mechanical path measuring systems or laser measuring sys(cid:173)
`tems may be used.
`The lifting colunms comprise two hollow cylinders
`capable of telescoping which serve as guiding unit and
`accommodate at least one piston cylinder unit, preferably in a
`coaxial manner, on their inside.
`A preferred path measuring device includes at least one
`wire-rope that is coupled with the elements of a lifting col(cid:173)
`umn, and one wire-rope sensor.
`A wire-rope that is under tension and capable of being
`rolled up is coupled with elements of the lifting colunm,
`which are capable of being displaced relative to one another
`in accordance with the lifting position, in such a manner that
`a path signal pertaining to the lifting position of each lifting
`column is detectable continuously. The path signal transmit(cid:173)
`ted to the indicator device may be used for manual control of
`the height adjustment by the vehicle driver with the aid of the
`indicator device, but also for automatic control or regulation.
`The construction machine can be adjusted to a reference
`plane, where a desired spatial position like, for instance, a
`parallel position of the machine frame to the ground surface
`or traffic surface can be stored on the reference plane by
`storing the current measured signals of the measuring device
`in accordance with the current lifting positions of the lifting
`columns as a reference lifting position of the chassis.
`By means of the reference plane, which is preferably a
`horizontal plane, the vehicle driver can bring the machine
`frame into a specific position which he can define as the
`reference lifting position. In case of a level machine frame,
`the said machine frame could, for instance, be brought into a 35
`precisely horizontal position which, with a pre-determined
`distance from the ground or the traffic surface, could be
`defined as the reference lifting position of the lifting columns.
`The vehicle driver can recognize the said reference lifting
`position by means of the indicator device and can approach it
`specifically as and when required. On the other hand, it is also 40
`possible to raise or to lower individual lifting colunms or a
`combination of lifting colunms by a specific amount. The
`vehicle driver can, for instance, also adjust an operating posi(cid:173)
`tion which deviates from the reference lifting position by a
`specific amount, e.g. 100 mm, or a specific transverse incli- 45
`nation or a plane in space arbitrarily defined by the vehicle
`driver.
`In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that at least one
`limiting value for the height adjustment monitored by the
`measuring device is adjustable for each lifting column, the so
`said limiting value limiting the lowest and/or highest lifting
`position of a lifting colunm to a pre-determined position. It is
`thus ensured that the piston cylinder unit provided on the
`inside of a lifting colmnn will not run up against its corre(cid:173)
`sponding mechanical limit stops, as the piston cylinder unit 55
`may be damaged or may turn loose from the lifting column in
`these mechanical end positions, in particular in case of steer(cid:173)
`ing angles.
`Consequently, it is provided that the lowest or highest
`lifting position in the direction of movement is positioned in
`front of the mechanical limit stop of the piston against the 60
`cylinder of the piston cylinder unit.
`Recording of the measured values enables a controller,
`which receives the measured signals from the measuring
`devices, to regulate the lifting state of the lifting colunms
`automatically in such a manner that the machine frame is 65
`subject to the smallest possible displacement due to the strnc(cid:173)
`ture of the ground surface or traffic surface.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEV ERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the following, embodiments of the invention are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The
`following is shown:
`FIG. 1 is a side view of the constrnction machine in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the invention, in which the working drum is in a
`working position,
`
`WA-0014148
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 9 of 11 PageID #:
`12307
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 2 a top view of the construction machine in accor(cid:173)
`dance with FIG. 1, and
`FIG. 3 a lifting column of the construction machine.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a road construction machine 1 for producing
`and working carriageways by stabilizing insufficiently stable
`soils or by recycling road surfaces, with a machine frame 4
`supported by a chassis 2, as it is basically known from DE 103
`57 074 B3. The chassis 2 is provided with two each rear and
`front wheels 10, which are attached to lifting columns 14 in a
`height-adjustable manner and can be raised and lowered inde(cid:173)
`pendently of one another or also synchronously to one
`another. It is understood that other drive means like, for
`instance, crawler track units may also be provide in lieu of the
`wheels 10. The wheels or crawler track units may also be
`referred to as ground engaging supports for supporting the
`construction machine on the ground surface or traffic surface
`24. The lifting columns 14 are attached to the machine frame
`4 .
`
`60
`
`WA-0014149
`
`6
`crawler track unit. The lifting column 14 is further provided
`with a hydraulic piston cylinder unit 16 for the stroke adjust(cid:173)
`ment. The piston cylinder unit 16 acts between the machine
`frame 4 and the support 11, so that the machine frame 4 is
`5 capable ofbeing adjusted in height relative to the support 11
`and thus, ultimately, relative to the ground surface or the
`traffic surface 24 respectively. In the embodiment shown in
`FIG. 3, the piston element of the piston cylinder unit 16 is
`attached at the support 11, and the cylinder element of the
`10 pistoncylinderunit 16 is attached at the upper hollow cylinder
`13, which is attached at the machine fran1e 4.
`It is understood that more than one piston cylinder unit 16
`may also be present in the lifting column 14.
`The piston cylinder unit 16 may also be force-coupled
`15 hydraulically with a neighbouring lifting column 14, as has
`been basically described in DE 196 17 442 Cl, in order to
`form a purely hydraulic full-floating axle.
`The lifting column 14 is provided with a measuring device
`18 for measuring the current lifting state of the lifting column
`20 14. In the embodiment, the said measuring device 18 includes
`a wire-rope 22 that is attached to the support 11 or the lower
`hollow cylinder 15 and is, on the other hand, coupled with a
`wire-rope sensor 21 that is attached at the cylinder element of
`the piston cylinder unit 16 or at the upper hollow cylinder 13.
`25 The stroke path of the lifting column 14 can be measured by
`means of the wire-rope sensor 21. The wire-rope sensor 21 ,
`and the path signal produced by the same, is ultimately also
`suitable for being converted into a velocity signal or accel-
`eration signal by including a time measurement.
`The measured path signal of the wire-rope sensor 21 is
`transmitted to an indicator device 20 and/or a controller 23 by
`means of a signal line 26. The indicator device 20 and/or the
`controller 23 receive measured path signals from each lifting
`column, as indicated in the drawing in FIG. 3 . With a total of
`35 four existing lifting columns 14, four measured path signals
`can be displayed in the indicator device 20, so that the vehicle
`driver is immediately informed about the current lifting state
`of each lifting column and can alter the lifting position, if
`required .
`Toe measured path signals can additionally be supplied to
`a controller 23 , which enables overall control or regulation of
`the lifting position of the lifting columns 14.
`The controller 23 can, for instance, adjust a desired lifting
`position of the lifting column 14 without overshooting or with
`45 as little overshooting as possible in accordance with the mea(cid:173)
`sured path signals of the measuring devices 18 and/or their
`alteration over time.
`In case of a full-floating axle, floating can be effected
`purely hydraulically through piston cylinder units 16 which
`so are provided with a piston capable of being loaded from two
`sides, and the counter-operating cylinder chambers of which
`are force-coupled with the corresponding cylinder chambers
`of the piston cylinder unit of a neighbouring wheel 10. Alter(cid:173)
`natively, a height adjustment in the manner of a full-floating
`55 axle may be effected with purely electronic control by means
`of the measured path signals detected.
`The control or regulation may be such that, for instance, the
`machine frame 4 is subject to the smallest possible displace(cid:173)
`ment.
`The machine frame 4 may alternatively be regulated by
`means of the lifting state of the lifting columns 14 in such a
`manner that a pre-determined transverse inclination of the
`machine frame 4 transverse to the direction of travel is main(cid:173)
`tained.
`A further alternative provides that the time sequence of the
`position of the machine frame 4 such as, for instance, a
`path-dependent transverse
`inclination sequence of the
`
`30
`
`40
`
`Both axles of the chassis, which are formed by the front and
`rear wheels 10 respectively, may be steerable.
`As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, an operator's platform
`12 for a vehicle driver is arranged at the machine frame 4
`above the front wheels 10 or in front of the front wheels 10,
`with a combustion engine 32 for the travel drive and for
`driving a working drum 6 being arranged behind the driver. In
`this manner, the operator's platform 12 can be ergonomically
`optimized for the vehicle driver.
`Ihe working drum 6 which rotates, for instance, in oppo(cid:173)
`sition to the direction of travel when seen in the direction of
`travel, and the axis of which extends transversely to the direc(cid:173)
`tion of travel, is mounted to pivot relative to the machine
`frame 4 in such a manner that it is capable of being pivoted
`from an idle position to a working position, as depicted in
`FIG. 1, by means of pivoting anns 42 arranged on both sides.
`Each pivoting arm 42 is mounted in the machine frame 4 at
`one end and accommodates the support of the working drum
`6 at its other end.
`It is also possible to operate the machine 1 in reversing
`direction, with the milling operation then taking place syn(cid:173)
`chronously to the direction of travel.
`Toe working drum 6 is, for instance, equipped with cutting
`tools that are not depicted in the drawings in order to be able
`to work a ground surface or traffic surface 24.
`The working drum 6 is surrounded by a hood 28 which, as
`can be seen from FIG. 1, is capable of being raised together
`with the working drum 6 by means of the pivoting arms 42.
`In operating position, the hood 28 rests on the ground
`surface or traffic surface 24 to be worked, as can be seen from
`FIG. 1, while the working drum 6 is capable of being pivoted
`further down according to the milling depth.
`It is understood that other embodiments of such a construc(cid:173)
`tion machine exist in which the hood 28, or the hood 28 and
`the working drum 6, are mounted at the machine frame 4 in a
`rigid manner. In the latter case, the working depth of the
`working drum 6 is adjusted via the lifting columns 14, in all
`other cases through an adjustment in height of the working
`drum 6.
`FIG. 3 shows an individual lifting column 14 comprising
`two hollow cylinders 13, 15 which are capable of telescoping
`in a form-fitting manner. The hollow cylinders 13 , 15 serve as
`guiding unit for the height adjustment of the machine frame 4.
`The upper outer hollow cylinder 13 is attached at the machine 65
`frame 4, and the lower inner hollow cylinder 15 is attached at
`a support 11 which may be coupled with a wheel 10 or a
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-4 Filed 11/17/22 Page 10 of 11 PageID #:
`12308
`
`US 8,113,592 B2
`
`7
`machine frame 4, may also be regulated by means of the
`measured path signals and the piston cylinder units 16 in
`combination with a path or machine position measurement.
`Ultimately, it is also understandable that a longitudinal
`inclination or a combination of a transverse and longitudinal 5
`inclination can also be regulated by means of the controller
`23.
`The measured signals of the measuring device 18 may be
`calibrated to a unit oflength like, for instance, millimetres. In
`this way, it is possible for the vehicle driver to also alter the 10
`lifting state of the lifting columns 14 through entering a
`specific stroke in millimetres.
`Each lifting column 14 may be provided with a distance
`sensor 30 each at the supports 11, which measures the dis(cid:173)
`tance of the support 11 to the ground surface and tra±Iic 15
`surface 24. By means of the measured signal of the distance
`sensors 30, and in combination with the measured path sig(cid:173)
`nals of the measuring device 18, the controller 23 for the
`lifting columns 14 can also calculate the current distance of
`the machine frame 4 from the ground surface and tra±Iic 20
`surface 24.
`The distance sensor 30 can measure the distance of the
`support 11 to the ground surface and tra±Iic surface 24 also in
`a pre-determined distance in front of or next to the wheel 10
`or crawler track unit. Measuring in front of the wheel 10 25
`offers the possibility of using the measured signal of the
`distance sensor 30 for the purpose of controlling the height
`adjustment of the lifting columns 14 in a manner that allows
`an immediate reaction to any ground irregnlarity. Finally, the
`distance sensors 30 are also capable of supplying measured 30
`signals for a regulation of the milling depth, where the mea(cid:173)
`sured signals of the distance sensors 30 and the measured path
`signals of the measuring device 18 are evaluated on a joint
`basis.
`Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has 35
`been specifically illu strated and described herein, it is to be
`understood that minor variations may be made in the appara(cid:173)
`tus without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, as defined by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A road construction machine, comprising:
`a machine frame;
`a working drum supported from the machine frame for
`working a ground surface or tra±Iic surface;
`a plurality of ground engaging supports for supporting the 45
`construction machine on the ground surface or tra±Iic
`surface;
`a plurality oflifting columns, each one of the lifting col(cid:173)
`umns being connected between the machine frame and
`one of the ground engaging supports, each one of the so
`lifting columns including two telescoping hollow cylin(cid:173)
`ders and at least one piston-cylinder unit located within
`the telescoping hollow cylinders for adjusting a height of
`the lifting column so that each one of the lifting columns
`is individually adjustable in height relative to the 55
`machine frame, each lifting column having a lifting
`position corresponding to a position of one of the two
`telescoping hollow cylinders relative to the other of the
`two telescoping hollow cylinders;
`a plurality oflifting position measuring devices, each lift- 60
`ing position measuring device being coupled with ele(cid:173)
`ments of one of the lifting columns, which elements are
`capable of being displaced relative to one another in
`accordance with the lifting position of the lifting column
`in such a manner that a path signal pertaining to the 65
`lifting position of the lifting column is continuously
`detectable by the measuring device; and
`
`40
`
`8
`a controller operably connected to the lifting position mea(cid:173)
`suring devices to receive the path signals from the lifting
`position measuring devices, the controller being oper(cid:173)
`able to regulate the lifting positions of the lifting col(cid:173)
`umns in response to the path signals detected by the
`lifting position measuring devices.
`2. The road construction machine of claim 1, further com(cid:173)
`prising:
`an indicator device operable to display the lifting positions
`of each of the lifting columns corresponding to the path
`signals detected by the lifting position measuring
`devices.
`3. The road construction machine of claim 1, wherein:
`each of the lifting