Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 1 of 16 PageID #:
`12333
`
`Exhibit G
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 2 of 16 PageID #:
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 111111111111111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`12334
`
`US007946788B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Jurasz et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`May 24, 2011
`
`(54) ROAD CONSTRUCTION MACHINE,
`LEVELING DEVICE, AS \VKLL AS METHOD
`FOR CONTROLLING THE MILLING DEPTH
`OR MILLING SLOPE IN A ROAD
`CONSTRUCTION MACHINE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jaroslaw Jurasz, Windhagen (DE);
`Giinter Hahn, Kiinigswinter (DE);
`Giinter Tewes, Unkel (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH (DE)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,140,420 A * 2/1979 Swisher et al.
`4,186,968 A *
`2/1980 Barton
`(Continued)
`
`404/84.1
`.. 299/39.2
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`92 04 61 4 U1
`7/1992
`(Continued)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. l54(b) by 245 days.
`
`Primary Examiner ---- Raymond W Addie
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Waddey & Patterson, P.C. ;
`Lucian Wayne Beavers
`
`(21) Appl. No. :
`
`12/225,792
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Apr. 12, 2007
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/EP2007 /053590
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Sep.30,2008
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2007/125017
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Nov. 8, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2009/0311045 Al
`
`Dec. 17,2009
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 27, 2006
`
`(DE) .. ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 10 2006 020 293
`
`(51 )
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`EOJC 23108
`(52) U.S. Cl .
`.... . 404/84.8; 404/83 ; 404/84.05; 404/84.2;
`404/94; 404/96
`(58) Field of Classification Search ...... ..... 404/83-84.8,
`404/92, 96, 94
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`In a road construction machine (1) for the treatment of road
`surfaces with a milling drum (3) height-adjustable with
`regard to the milling dc.'Pth, with a leveling device ( 4) with at
`least one controller (6a, 6c) which receives set values for the
`milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum (3), and
`with at least one exchangeable sensor (A, B, C) or with
`several switchable sensors for registering the current actual
`value of the milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum
`(3) relative to a reference surface, where the controller (6a,
`6c) effects a milling depth control and/or a slope control for
`the milling drnm (3) conditional on pre-determined set values
`and the currently measured actual values of the at least one
`sensor (A, B, C) by returning an adjustment value for achiev(cid:173)
`ing or maintaining the set value during the milling operation,
`where the leveling device ( 4) is provided with an indication
`and setting device (2) for indicating and setting operating
`parameters for the at least one sensor (A, B, C), it is provided
`that the indication and setting device (2) of the leveling device
`(4), in addition to an indication and setting unit (2a, 2c)
`provided for the at least one sensor (A, C) currently in use, is
`provided with an additional indication and setting unit (2b)
`for a selectable sensor (B) that is to be exchanged for the
`sensor (A, C) currently in use.
`
`20 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`3
`
`WA-0014127
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 3 of 16 PageID #:
`12335
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,270,801 A *
`6/ 1981 Swisher et al.
`4,929,121 A *
`5/ 1990 Lent et al.
`5,318,378 A *
`6/ 1994 Lent
`5,378,081 A *
`1/1995 Swisher, Jr.
`5,533,790 A *
`7/1 996 Weiland ..
`7,422,39 1 B2 *
`9/2008 Holl et al.
`
`.... 299i 1.5
`.. .... .... . 404/84 .05
`....... 404/75
`... 299/39.5
`.. .. 299/ 1.5
`... 404/84.l
`
`. 404/75
`2002/0192025 Al* 12/2002 Johnson . .
`....... ... ... ... .. ... 404/17
`2004/0247388 Al * 12/2004 Lloyd
`2008/0152428 Al *
`6/2008 Berning et al.
`404/84.1
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`EP
`1 154 075 A
`11/2001
`* cited by examiner
`
`WA-0014128
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 4 of 16 PageID #:
`12336
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`'r"I
`
`" en ·-u..
`
`WA-0014129
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 5 of 16 PageID #:
`12337
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`10a
`
`10b
`
`2
`
`4
`
`6c
`
`2a
`
`2b
`
`2c
`
`6a
`
`A
`
`B
`
`C
`
`Fig .. 2
`
`WA-0014130
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 6 of 16 PageID #:
`12338
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`00
`..-f
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`◄► <JC> ◄►
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`WA-0014131
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 7 of 16 PageID #:
`12339
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`Set
`
`10 ---+-----------
`
`Actual A 10 - -m -.. -------------------------------------------
`
`Actual B
`
`12 - - - I
`10
`
`Fig.4
`
`Set
`
`12
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`
`Actual A 1 0 -----m-- -----------------------------------------
`
`Actual B 12 ----------w------------
`
`Fig.5
`
`t
`
`....
`,,,..
`
`t
`
`WA-0014132
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 8 of 16 PageID #:
`12340
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`D
`D
`V 10a0 V
`D 10a0 D
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`
`Fig.Ga
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`14a
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`
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`
`WA-0014133
`
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`D 10.0 D 1000
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`
`Fig.6b
`
`10a
`
`10b
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 9 of 16 PageID #:
`12341
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`b
`
`C
`
`D
`D
`V 10.0 V
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`
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`
`Fig. 7a
`
`a
`
`14a
`16
`
`10a
`
`b
`
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`
`14c 2c
`
`2.0 • 1.7
`
`Fig.7b
`14
`
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`
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`
`14c
`
`WA-0014134
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 10 of 16 PageID #:
`12342
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`2a
`
`2b
`
`2c
`
`D
`D
`V 10a0 V 12a0
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`
`Fig.Sa
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`WA-0014135
`
`';) •••a•
`
`0
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`
`0
`
`0
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 11 of 16 PageID #:
`12343
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 24, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`2a
`
`16
`
`2b
`
`2c
`
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`
`14a
`
`10a
`
`10b
`
`14c
`
`2
`
`WA-0014136
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 12 of 16 PageID #:
`12344
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`1
`ROAD CONSTRUCTION MACHINE,
`LEVELING DEVICE, AS WELL AS METHOD
`FOR CONTROLLING THE MILLING DEPTH
`OR MILLING SLOPE IN A ROAD
`CONSTRUCTION MACHINE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`TI1e invention relates to a road construction machine, a
`leveling device and a method.
`It is already known for road milling machines to integrate
`a leveling device by means of which it is to be ensured that an
`even milled surface can be produced.
`The milling depth control system is designed in such a
`fashion that different sensors can be connected. Among oth- 15
`ers, the sensors used include, for example, wire-rope sensors,
`ultrasonic sensors and slope sensors.
`A wire-rope sensor is mounted at the side plates ( edge
`protection) next to the milling drum and thus scans the refer(cid:173)
`ence surface, in this case the road surface, very precisely. The
`ultrasonic sensor operates in a non-contact fashion and is
`therefore not subject to any mechanical wear and tear. It can
`be used in a variety of ways as it can be attached in different
`positions on the machine.
`Ifa defined cross slope is to be produced, a slope sensor can
`also be used which is integrated into the road milling
`machine.
`The known milling depth control system can be provided
`with two independent control loops. A controller is provided
`in each control loop to which the sensors can be connected via
`plug-in connectors. For example, either two height sensors
`are provided, or one height sensor in combination with one
`slope sensor.
`It is unfavorable in the state of the art that the frequent
`change between the many difterent sensors, which is neces(cid:173)
`sary for application-related reasons, is not possible without an
`interruption of the milling operation and without negative
`influences on the work result. To change the current sensor,
`the automatic mode of the control system needs to be left first
`as there is merely one controller, or merely one indication and
`setting device for set values and actual values per controller
`respectively. The new sensor can then be selected, and the
`desired set value can be set before it is possible to change back
`into the automatic mode of the control system. If the road
`milling machine continued milling during changing of the
`sensor, faults in the work result could occur because no con(cid:173)
`trol is effected during that time. The machine therefore needs
`to be stopped for a change of the sensor, which leads to a
`significant time loss. An adverse effect on the work result
`ensues even if the road milling machine is stopped during
`change of the sensor because the milling drum cuts clear
`when standing. This is an unwelcome efft.-ct, in particular
`during fine milling.
`It is therefore the object of the invention to specify a road
`construction machine, as well as a leveling device and a 55
`method for controlling the milling depth and/or the milling
`slope, in which it is possible to change the sensors without any
`interruption of the milling operation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention provides in a favorable manner that the indi(cid:173)
`cation and setting device of the leveling device, in addition to
`an indication and setting unit provided for the at least one
`sensor currently in use, is provided with an additional indi(cid:173)
`cation and setting unit t,x a selectable sensor which is to be
`exchanged for the sensor currently in use. Providing a further
`
`5
`
`2
`indication and setting unit offers the advantage that the new
`sensor, which is to be exchanged for a sensor currently in use,
`can be prepared for the time of switchover in terms of its
`actual and set values while the operation continues. At the
`time of switchover, the sensor can therefore be changed with(cid:173)
`out any alteration of the currently applicable adjustment
`value. The leveling device is provided with a device for the
`switchover of sensors which, upon activation of a switchover
`command, effects switchover of the leveling device from the
`10 at least one current sensor to at least one pre-selected other
`sensor without interruption of the milling operation and with(cid:173)
`out any erratic alteration of the current adjustment value for
`the setting of the milling depth and/or for the setting of the
`slope of the milling drum.
`TI1e switchover device, with the indication and setting
`device, enables a pre-selection of the other sensor and the
`pre-setting of operating parameters (set values and actual
`values) of the other pre-selected sensor.
`In this way, a machine operator can already prepare the
`20 switchover of the sensors during the milling operation so that
`switchover of the sensors is possible at the push of a button
`without any time loss and without an interruption of the
`milling operation.
`For this purpose, the leveling device is provided with an
`25 indication and setting device which is capable of indicating
`and altering the data of the current sensor and the data of the
`pre-selected sensor. By means of the switchover device,
`switching over from the current sensor to the pre-selected
`sensor can be effected during the milling operation without
`30 any repercussion on the work result.
`One embodiment of the invention provides that the cur(cid:173)
`rently measured actual value for the milling depth and/or for
`the slope of the milling drum of the at least one pre-selected
`other sensor can be set, latest at the time of switchover, to the
`35 same, last measured actual value for the milling depth and/or
`for the slope of the previously used sensor.
`It is therefore possible, when changing the sensor, to apply
`the actual value of the sensor last used, so that the adjustment
`value for the setting of the milling depth and/or for the setting
`40 of the slope of the milling drum is not altered on account of the
`change, and that the evenness of the milled road surface is not
`adversely affected by the change of the sensor.
`An alternative embodiment provides that the set value for
`the milling depth and/ or for the slope of the milling drum can
`45 be set, latest at the time of switchover, to the currently mea(cid:173)
`sured actual value for the milling depili of the at least one
`pre-selected sensor.
`Equating the set value to the currently measured actual
`value of the pre-selected sensor which will replace the previ-
`50 ous sensor ensures that no alteration of the adjustment value
`for the setting of the milling depth and/or the slope will be
`made at the time of switchover.
`A third embodiment provides that, in case of a deviation of
`the measured actual values of the selected other sensor from
`the previously used sensor, the adjustment value for the set(cid:173)
`ting of the milling depth and/or the setting of the slope can be
`altered by means of a pre-seeable transition function.
`According to a further alternative, it is therefore provided
`that, in case that an alteration of the current adjustment value
`60 results on account of the switchover of the sensors, said
`alteration follows a pre-setable transition function starting
`from an adjustment value of 0. It is thereby achieved that the
`alteration ofilie adjustment value is no t effocted in an erratic
`fa shion, so that the evenness of the milled road surface is not
`65 adversely affected and adaptation to ilie adjustment value
`resulting on account of the switchover is effected over a
`longer distance, for example, over 10 m or more.
`
`WA-0014137
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 13 of 16 PageID #:
`12345
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`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`3
`It is preferably provided that the leveling device is provided
`with two controllers, the sensors of which are arranged par(cid:173)
`allel to the rotating axis of the milling drum at a lateral
`distance to one another, and which preferably control the
`milling depth independently of one another on the left and 5
`right side of the machine.
`The invention also relates to a leveling device.
`According to the method for controlling the milling depth
`or the milling slope of the milling drum of a road construction
`machine by registering the current actual value of the milling 10
`depth and/or of the slope of the milling drum relative to a
`reference surface using at least one exchangeable or switch(cid:173)
`able sensor, where a milling depth control and/or a slope
`control of the milling drum is effected conditional on pre(cid:173)
`determined set values and currently measured actual values 15
`during the milling operation by returning an adjustment value
`for achieving or maintaining the set value, it is provided that,
`when exchanging a currently used sensor for a pre-selected
`other sensor, control of the milling depth and/or the slope is
`effected without interruption of the milling operation by set- 20
`ting the set values and actual values of the sensor, prior to
`switchover, by means of an additional indication and setting
`unit in such a fashion that the current adjustment value for the
`setting of the milling depth and/or for the setting of the slope
`of the milling drum is not altered in an erratic fashion.
`Upon activation of a switchover command for the switcho(cid:173)
`ver of sensors, the control is effocted without an interruption
`of the milling operation and without an erratic alteration of
`the current adjustment value for the setting of the milling
`depth and/or for the setting of the slope of the milling drum. 30
`TI1e road surface or a defined horizontal plane pre-deter(cid:173)
`mined, for instance, by a laser, or any other freely definable
`pre-selected surface can be used as reference surface, which
`may show a different slope or gradient (positive or n~gative)
`in the course of the road surface.
`In the following, embodiments of the invention are
`explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.
`
`35
`
`4
`sensors A , B, C serve the purpose of registering the current
`actual value of the milling depth and/or the slope of the
`milling drum 3 relative to a reference surface, which may
`consist in the road surface 12, a pre-determined horizontal
`plane or a freely definable, for instance, mathematically pre(cid:173)
`determined plane or surface.
`The at least one controller 6a, 6c effects a milling depth
`control and/or a slope control for the milling drum 3 condi(cid:173)
`tional on pre-determined set values and the currently mea(cid:173)
`sured actual values of the at least one sensor A, B, C, with an
`adjustment value being returned for achieving or maintaining
`the set value in the milling operation.As follows from FIG. 2,
`the leveling device 4 is provided with an indication and set(cid:173)
`ting device which is divided into three nearly identical indi(cid:173)
`cation and setting units 2a, 2b, 2c. The indication and setting
`device 2 serves the purpose of setting operating parameters
`for the sensors A, B, C. Set values and actual values of the
`sensors A , B, C can be set in each indication and setting unit
`2a, 2b, 2c. The indication and setting units 2a and2c right and
`left are each com1ected to a controller 6a, 6c which can be
`activated by means of an automatic button to effect the cor-
`responding control automatically. TI1e controllers remain in
`automatic mode during switchover. The adjustment value of
`the controllers 6a, 6c resulting from the difference of the set
`25 value and actual value is indicated qualitatively by arrows 14,
`with the indication unit being capable of indicating the verti(cid:173)
`cal traverse speed of the machine proportionally, meaning
`quantitatively, as well. The pre-determined set values and
`actual values of the central indication and setting unit 2b,
`which is coupled to a selectable sensor B that is to be
`exchanged for the currently used sensor A or C, can be inter-
`changed, by means of a switchover device 10a or 10b, with
`the set values and actual values of the sensor A or C that is to
`be exchanged for a selectable other sensor B.
`The embodiment shows a version in which one controller
`each 6a, 6c is provided for one side of the road construction
`machine 1. It is understood that the indication and setting
`device 2 may also be provided with merely two indication and
`setting units if merely one controller is present, where one
`40 sensor is exchanged for another selectable sensor.
`The nnmber of indication and setting units provided is
`therefore always larger by one than the number of the sensors
`in use.
`FIG. 2 shows the connection of sensors A, B, C to the
`45 leveling device 4 with two controllers 6a , 6c, where the lev(cid:173)
`eling device is provided with an indication and setting device
`2 with three indication and setting units 2a, 2b, 2c.
`FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the indication and setting
`device 2, wherein setting buttons 16 (up and down) for the
`so setting of set values, as well as setting buttons 18 (up and
`down) for the adjustment of measured actual values are
`present for each indication and setting unit 2a, 2b, 2c.
`The currently adjusted set values and the currently mea(cid:173)
`sured actual values of the sensors A, B, Care indicated on the
`55 displays 20 of the indication and setting units 2a, 2b, 2c. The
`direction of a possibly set slope of the milling drum can also
`be indicated on the displays 20. Furthermore, units are indi(cid:173)
`cated, for example, in inch or cm, or percentages in% relating
`to the value indicated.
`A choice of sensors is indicated at the lower end 22 of the
`display 20, enabling a machine operator to determine by
`means of the current indication as to which type of sensor is
`currently indicated on the indication and setting unit 2a, 2b,
`2c. The symbols represent, from left to right, a wire-rope
`sensor, a slope sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a multiplex sen(cid:173)
`sor, a total station, as well as a laser for pre-determining the
`reference surface.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a road construction machine.
`FIG. 2 shows a leveling device.
`FIG. 3 shows an indication and setting device.
`FIG. 4 shows a matching of the actual values of different
`sensors at switchover.
`FIG. 5 shows a matching of the set value to the actual value
`of a new sensor at switchover.
`FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b shows the change from a milling depth
`control to a milling slope control.
`FIG. 7a through FIG. 7c shows the switchover procedure
`with matching of the set values.
`FIG. Sa to FIG. Sd shows a switchover with matching of the
`actual and set values.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a road machine 1 for the treatment of road
`surfaces with a milling drum 3 height-adjustable with regard
`to the milling depth. The front travel drive unit supports itself 60
`on, for instance, the road surface 12, which can serve as
`reference surface for a milling depth control or slope control.
`For this purpose, the road machine 1 is provided with a
`leveling device 4 with at least one controller 6a, 6c which
`receives set values for the milling depth and/or the slope of the 65
`milling drum 3. Exchangeable sensors A, B, C can be con(cid:173)
`nected to the controllers 6a, 6c of the leveling device 4. The
`
`WA-0014138
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 14 of 16 PageID #:
`12346
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`5
`Above the displays 20, one button each is provided for the
`automatic mode and for the setting mode to set the controller
`parameters. A horn 24, as well as buttons 26 for adjusting the
`height of the travel drive unit may also be provided on the
`indication and setting device 2. Two memory buttons Ml, M2 5
`for memorizing set values are additionally provided below
`the display 20 on the central indication and setting unit 2b.
`Various possibilities of how to avoid an erratic alteration of
`the current adjustment value are explained in FIGS. 4 to 6.
`In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the measured actual value of 10
`the pre-selected sensor B is equated to the last measured
`current actual value of the previously used sensor A at the
`time of switchover.
`In FIG. 5, the pre-determined set value is adapted to the
`currently measured actual value of the pre-selected sensor B 15
`so that, also in this case, there is no alteration of the adjust(cid:173)
`ment value.
`In case of a deviation of the measured actual values of the
`previously used sensor A from the pre-selected new sensor B,
`the adjustment value can, as an alternative to the embodi(cid:173)
`ments of FIGS. 4 and 5, also change into the adjustment value
`that results on account of the differences in the actual values
`by means of a transition function. A temporal transition there(cid:173)
`fore takes place by means of which no erratic alteration of the
`adjustment value can occur.
`FIGS. 6a and 6b show a switchover procedure in compen(cid:173)
`sated condition. FIG. 6a shows the initial situation in which
`the indication and setting unit 2c, which is linked to the
`controller 6c, is to be switched over from the operating mode
`milling depth (set value 10.0 cm) to the operating mode 30
`milling slope (set value 2'1/c,). Switchover takes place in com(cid:173)
`pensated condition. Ibis means that the respective actual
`value on both sides of the machine corresponds to the set
`value, and that the adjustment value is therefore 0 on both
`sides. The compensated condition is indicated by the indica- 35
`tion and setting device 14a , 14c through a horizontal bar. It is
`evident from FIG. 6b that, when actuating the switchover
`button 10b of the switchover device 10, the pre-selected set
`values and actual values are interchanged from the indication
`and setting unit 2b to the indication unit 2c, and are taken as 40
`the basis in continued automatic mode for a mixed milling
`depth and milling slope control.
`FIGS. 7a to 7cshow the switchover procedure with match(cid:173)
`ing of the set values.
`In this example, the adjustment values on both sides of the 45
`machine are unequal 0. The indication and setting unit 2c of
`the controller 6c is switched over from milling depth control
`to milling slope control. The set value of the slope is adapted
`manually in FIG. 7b by actuating the buttons 16, so that no
`erratic alteration of the adjustment value will occur. It is 50
`assumed in this example that the adjustment value is propor(cid:173)
`tional to the control deviation (P controller), and that the
`proportionality factor for the milling depth and milling slopes
`is equal numerically. The control deviation is 0.3 cm for the
`milling depth (indication and setting unit 2c in FIG. 7 a), and 55
`0.6% for the milling slope (indication and setting unit 2b in
`FIG. 7a) so that the adjustment value would therefore double
`in terms of value after switchover. In order to match the
`control deviation, the set value of the slope is reduced to 2.0,
`which results in an equal control deviation numerically. This 60
`can be effected manually via the button 16 "reduce set value",
`or automatically, for example, via the button combination 16,
`18 "increase actual value and reduce set value" (FIG. 7b).
`By actuating the switchover button 10b in the illustration
`according to FIG. 7c, the set value and actual value of the 65
`milling slope is applied, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 7c. In
`this process, the adjustment value remains unchanged.
`
`6
`An additional embodiment not shown may provide auto(cid:173)
`matic matching of the set values. In such an embodiment, the
`alteration of the set values in the embodiment of FIGS. 7a to
`7c mentioned before is effected automatically when the
`switchover button 10b ( or 1 0a) is actuated in automatic mode.
`The first step of the manual alteration of the values in the
`central indication and setting unit 2b (FIG. 7) can then be
`dispensed with as it is effected automatically.
`A further variant not shown consists in altering, in case of
`a deviation of the actual values, the adjustment value by
`means of a pre-set transition ftmction, starting from the cur(cid:173)
`rent adjustment value.
`FIGS. Sa and 8d show an embodiment with matching of the
`actual values and set values.
`The initial situation shown in FIG. Sa indicates, with
`regard to the controller 6c on the right side, the values of a
`milling depth sensor C, for example, a wire-rope sensor
`mounted at the edge protection, while the central indication
`20 and setting unit 2b indicates the values of a milling depth
`sensor B, for example, an ultrasonic sensor with scanning
`point in front of the milling drum.
`The 1nilling depth sensor C is to be replaced by the milling
`depth sensor B, where the set values and actual values of the
`25 two sensors B, C do not match. However, the current adjust(cid:173)
`ment value equals 0, as is evident from the indication device
`14a, 14c.
`As sensor B is adjusted differently, its actual value does not
`match the actual value of sensor C. It can be equated to the
`actual value of sensor A by meaus of the actual value setting
`buttons 18 either manually or automatically, for example, by
`keeping the two actual value setting buttons 18 pressed for an
`extended period of time.
`FIGS. 8c and 8d show the matching procedure of the set
`values. As the set value of the two sensors B, C relates to the
`milling depth on the right, the set value of sensor B is to be
`adapted to the set value of sensor C. This cau be effected via
`set value setting buttons or automatically, for example, by
`keeping the two set value setting buttons pressed for an
`extended period of time.
`Following actuation of the right switchover button 10b, the
`set value and actual value of sensor Bare applied. The adjust(cid:173)
`ment value remains 0 and is thus unchanged.
`All embodiments indicate the set values and actual values
`of the pre-selected sensor 13, which is to be exchanged for a
`previously used sensor C, in the indication and setting unit 2b.
`It is possible in this way to pre-set all setting values (set values
`and actual values) of the pre-selected sensor B, and to adapt
`them to the previously used sensors A, C or their set values or
`actual values respectively even prior to entering a switchover
`command via the switchover buttons 10a or 10b. Upon actua(cid:173)
`tion of the switchover button 10a of the switchover device 10,
`the pre-selected sensor is exchanged with the sensor A that is
`currently used on the left side of the road construction
`machine 1.
`As already explained before in connection with the
`embodiment ofFIG. 7, instead of effecting equalizationofthe
`set values manually, equalization of the set values can also be
`effected automatically when actuating the switchover button
`10b (or 10a) in automatic mode.
`Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has
`been specifically illustrated 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-
`tion, as defined by the appended claims.
`
`WA-0014139
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 119-7 Filed 11/17/22 Page 15 of 16 PageID #:
`12347
`
`US 7,946,788 B2
`
`7
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A road construction machine for the treatment of road
`surfaces, comprising:
`a milling drum, the milling drum being height adjustable
`with regard to milling depth and/or slope; and
`a leveling system operable to control the milling depth
`and/or the slope of the milling drum, the leveling system
`including:
`a plurality of selectable sensors for sensing current
`actual values of operating parameters including the 10
`milling depth and/or the slope of the milling drum
`relative to a reference surface;
`a plurality of indication and setting devices, each of the
`indication and setting devices being associatable with 15
`at least one of the plurality of selectable sensors, each
`indication and setting device being operable to indi(cid:173)
`cate the current actual value of and to set a set value
`for the operating parameter sensed by its associated
`sensor;
`a controller operable to control the milling depth and/or
`the slope of the milling drum conditioned on set val(cid:173)
`ues and sensed current actual values of the operating
`parameters sensed by a selected subset of the plurality
`of selectable sensors by returning at least one adjust- 25
`ment value to adjust the milling depth and/or slope of
`the milling drum so that the sensed current actual
`values of the operating parameters approach the set
`values for the selected subset of the plurality of select(cid:173)
`able sensors;
`a switchover device operable to switch over from control
`based upon a first selected subset of the plurality of
`selectable sensors to control based upon a second
`selected subset, the second selected subset exchang(cid:173)
`ing at