Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 1 of 14 PageID #:
`13153
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`EXHIBIT R
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 2 of 14 PageID #:
`13154
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
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`US00986434 7B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Laux et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,864,347 B2
`Jan.9,2018
`
`(54) METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING AN
`OPERATING FUNCTION OF A GROUND
`MILLING MACHINE AND GROUND
`MILLING MACHINE
`
`(71) Applicant: BOMAG GmbH, Boppard (DE)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Robert Laux, Neuwied (DE); Marco
`Reuter, Emmelshausen (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: BOMAG GmbH, Boppard (DE)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 342 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/620,799
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 12, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Pub lication Data
`
`US 2015/0227120 Al
`
`Aug. 13, 2015
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Feb. 12, 2014
`
`(DE) ........................ 10 2014 001 885
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E0JC 231088
`G0SB 13102
`E0JC 23112
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .......... G0SB 131021 (2013.01); E0JC 231088
`(2013.01); E0JC 231127 (2013.01)
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,317,642 A *
`3/1982 Wirtgen ................ E0lC 23/065
`404/72
`4,946,307 A *
`8/1990 Jakob .................... E0lC 23/088
`404/90
`5,078,540 A * 1/1992 Jakob .................... E0lC 23/088
`299/39.8
`6,033,031 A *
`3/2000 Campbell ............. E0lC 23/085
`299/37.2
`5/2001 Page ..................... E0lC 23/088
`125/13.03
`
`6,227,620 Bl *
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`
`10/2011
`102010050441 Al
`10/2013
`102012006189 Al
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`ROADTEC RX-400 Milling Machine; Operation, Service & Main­
`tenance; 7 pages; printed from Internet on Feb. 28, 2017.*
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Ronald Hartman, Jr.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Wood Herron & Evans
`LLP
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`The present invention relates to a method for optimizing an
`operating function of a ground milling machine by way of
`the adaptation of operating parameters and to a ground
`milling machine which is implemented, in particular, for
`carrying out this method. In an essential aspect an operating
`parameter of a milling machine is provided starting from a
`starting value of the operating parameter to optimize an
`operating function of the ground milling machine in milling
`operation.
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`28
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`29
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`34
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`r-
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`STOP 1
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`1--
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`REPEAT
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 3 of 14 PageID #:
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`US 9,864,347 B2
`Page 2
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`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`References Cited
`8,128,177 B2*
`3/2012 Menzenbach ......... E01C 23/088
`299/1.5
`8,408,838 B2 *
`4/2013 Willis ................... E0 lC 23/088
`299/1.5
`8,632,132 B2 * 1/2014 Menzenbach ......... E0lC 23/088
`299/1.5
`8,967,506 B2 *
`3/2015 Pike, Sr .
`................. C04B 28/04
`241/30
`2005/0207841 Al*
`9/2005 Holl
`B28D 7/00
`404/94
`2006/0076821 Al*
`4/2006 Troudt .................... B24B 7/188
`299/39.2
`2008/0173740 Al*
`7/2008 Parker ................... E0lC 23/088
`241/33
`2009/0035064 Al* 2/2009 Holl
`B28D 7/00
`404/90
`2010/0014917 Al* 1/2010 Willis ................... E0lC 23/088
`404/93
`2010/0021234 Al * 1/2010 Willis
`B62D 7 /026
`404/90
`2011/0080034 Al*
`4/2011 Schonebeck .......... E0lC 23/088
`299/1.5
`2011/0272997 Al* 11/2011 Gaertner ............... E0lC 23/088
`299/1.5
`
`12/2011 Haubrich et al.
`2011/0298188 Al
`2013/0002002 Al* 1/2013 Menzenbach ......... E0lC 23/088
`299/1.5
`2013/0087172 Al
`4/2013 Roetsch
`2013/0300182 Al* 11/2013 Hammes ............... E0lC 23/088
`299/39.4
`2014/0070598 Al* 3/2014 von Schoenebeck . E0lC 23/088
`299/10
`2014/0093315 Al*
`4/2014 Sansone ................ E0lC 23/088
`404/91
`2014/0191560 Al*
`7/2014 Gaertner ............... E0lC 23/088
`299/1.5
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2578749 A2
`4/2013
`2013143652 Al 10/2013
`
`EP
`WO
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Road Building Supplement; Equipment World; Feb. 28, 2007; 14
`pages; printed from Internet on Feb. 28, 2017. *
`Espacenet, English Machine Translation of German Application No.
`DE102012006189Al, published Oct. 2, 2013, retrieved from http://
`worldwide.espacenet com on Feb. 11, 2015 ( 14 pages).
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 4 of 14 PageID #:
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 9,864,347 B2
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`9
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`Fig. 1
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`12
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`11
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`Fig. 2
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`10
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`R
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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 5 of 14 PageID #:
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 9,864,347 B2
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`13
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`16
`
`Fig. 3
`
`19
`
`24
`•
`,·-·
`25
`a +--
`
`I
`
`Fig. 4
`
`20
`7
`11
`20 ----..� :·············: I
`·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-· �:·-·1
`--------------
`·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-1
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`19
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`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 6 of 14 PageID #:
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`Jan.9,2018
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 9,864,347 B2
`
`E
`
`C 30
`�
`Q) 20
`--E �
`<( 10
`C cu
`
`(.)
`
`> "'O
`
`\
`\\ \ •·
`
`..
`\ •· ...
`
`0
`
`150
`
`300 Milling depth [mm]
`
`Fig. 5
`
`27
`
`.. ····•••••••
`...
`..
`
`.. •
`... .,,,,
`.. �
`. �
`
`I
`
`I
`
`150
`
`300 Milling depth [mm]
`
`::c
`--.,
`
`Q) 200
`E �
`E 150
`C cu
`0) 100
`C � 50
`
`(.)
`
`I....
`
`Q)
`Q.
`
`Fig. 6
`
`

`

`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 7 of 14 PageID #:
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`Jan.9,2018
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 9,864,347 B2
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`28 29
`30
`31
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`32
`
`33
`
`p ➔ P'
`
`0
`
`Fig. 7
`
`•- -
`
`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 8 of 14 PageID #:
`13160
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`US 9,864,347 B2
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`1
`METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING AN
`OPERATING FUNCTION OF A GROUND
`MILLING MACHINE AND GROUND
`MILLING MACHINE
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2014 001 885.7,
`filed Feb. 12, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a method for optimizing
`an operating function of a ground milling machine and a
`ground milling machine which is implemented, in particular,
`for carrying out the method according to the present inven­
`tion.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`of a ground milling machine, and which is essentially only
`determined by factors which are intrinsic to the ground
`milling machine itself, i.e., are not influenced by the oper­
`ating conditions or usage conditions during the work opera-
`tion (for example, the milled material). The operating
`parameters can thus be selected and predefined indepen­
`dently of the work operation, for example, manually by the
`operator of the ground milling machine or by an automatic
`controller. Examples of operating parameters are,
`for
`10 example, the power of the drive unit of the milling drum, the
`milling depth, and the rotational speed of the milling drum,
`etc. A variable operating parameter is an operating parameter
`which can be varied over the work process for process
`optimization. This can be the power of the drive unit and/or
`15 the rotational speed of the milling drum, for example.
`Non-variable or constant operating parameters, in contrast,
`are operating parameters which are generally not varied
`within the respective work operation to optimize the work­
`ing mode of the ground milling machine, so that the most
`20 constant possible work result is finally obtained. For
`example, the milling depth is typically a non-variable or
`constant operating parameter, since the milling depth is
`generally predefined as a target variable to be set by the
`operator.
`In contrast, those variables which are determined in work
`operation for relevant parts by factors which are not intrinsic
`to the machine itself, but rather originate from the specific
`work operation, are referred to as operating functions. The
`operating functions are thus substantially determined in
`30 work operation, with uniform operating parameters, by the
`usage conditions during the work operation of the ground
`milling machine, for example, by the properties of the
`ground material or milled material (ground density, ground
`hardness, grain size, etc.). Examples of operating functions
`35 are, for example, the advance of the ground milling machine,
`the milling performance of the ground milling machine, or
`the milling performance efficiency of the ground milling
`machine. In this case, the actual value of such a variable is
`also comprised in the concept of the operating function, as
`40 is the deviation of the actual value of such a variable from
`a previously established target value, for example, a target
`advance velocity of a milling machine. In other words, an
`operating function is the result of at least one operating
`parameter.
`One aspect of the present invention is that in operation of
`the ground milling machine, carrying out a method is
`provided, during which an operating parameter of the
`ground milling machine, for example, the rotational speed of
`the milling drum, is varied in relation to a starting value, for
`50 example, a starting rotational speed, until an operating
`optimum is achieved. Such an operating optimum can be, for
`example, the maximum advance velocity of the ground
`milling machine, the maximum milling performance of the
`ground milling machine, or the maximum milling perfor-
`55 mance efficiency of the ground milling machine. It is,
`therefore, essential that an operating optimum is achieved by
`a systematic variation and adaptation of the variable oper­
`ating parameter, for example, the rotational speed of the
`milling drum, by this method for the respective milled
`60 material, the respective milling drum, the respective milling
`depth, and the respective further specific usage conditions.
`The operating optimum refers in this case to the value of a
`variable operating function, under which
`the milling
`machine fulfills a specific specification for its use in the best
`65 possible manner. In a specific exemplary application, the
`operating parameter can be the rotational speed of the
`milling drum, the operating function can be the milling
`
`Ground milling machines are used wherever the removal
`of ground subsoil material to a desired milling depth is
`required. Typical areas of application are, for example, in the 25
`form of road milling machines for the removal of road cover
`layers, in the form of so-called stabilizers and/or recyclers
`for road and pathway construction, and in the form of
`surface miners for extracting mineral resources. Generic
`ground milling machines are disclosed, for example, in the
`patent applications EP 2 578 749 A2 and DE 10 2010 050
`441 Al, to which reference is hereby made.
`The operation of such ground milling machines is com­
`paratively costly, so that the demand always exists for the
`most optimum possible machine operation, for example,
`with respect to the lowest possible fuel consumption and, at
`the same time, the highest possible milling performance.
`In the patent applications DE 10 2012 006 189.7 and
`PCT/EP2013/000686, which are hereby incorporated by
`reference, a drive device for a self-propelled construction
`machine, in particular, a ground milling machine, and also a
`method for setting a rotational speed ratio in such a drive
`device, are described. The present invention is suitable, in
`particular, for application with this drive device or this
`method. An essential aspect of this patent family is that a 45
`rotational speed variable operation of the milling drum is
`possible. In practical use of such machines, it has been
`shown that various operating optima, for example, the
`optimum of the milling performance, i.e., the milling vol­
`ume per unit of time, for example, in cubic meters per hour,
`and also the optimum of the milling performance efficiency,
`i.e., the milling performance per fuel consumption, are not
`always achieved with higher rotational speed of the milling
`drum. The rotational speed of the milling drum here refers
`to the number of revolutions of the milling drum about its
`axis of rotation per unit of time.
`An object of the present invention is therefore to specify
`a method for optimizing an operating function of a ground
`milling machine by way of adaptation of operating param­
`eters. A further object of the present invention is furthermore
`to specify a ground milling machine which enables carrying
`out such a method.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An operating parameter is in this case a manipulated
`variable which is relevant for the respective work operation
`
`

`

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`3
`performance, and the specification can be that the advance
`velocity of the ground milling machine is to be maximum
`under the existing conditions. The advance velocity of the
`ground milling machine refers in this case to the forward
`movement of the ground milling machine in distance per 5
`unit of time (for example, in meters per second) in the
`working direction of the ground milling machine. The
`present invention is based in this case on the finding that the
`maximum possible milling performance for an available
`drive power is dependent as a whole on the three variables 10
`milling depth, advance velocity, and rotational speed of the
`milling drum. In particular, for the respective desired milling
`depth, a respective individual optimum rotational speed is
`available in this case, at which a maximum advance velocity
`of the ground milling machine is achievable. In this case, a 15
`variety of external factors ( operating conditions) influence
`this optimum, for example, the ground material to be milled,
`the milling drum used or the milling tools used, respectively,
`the milling depth, etc. Proceeding from this optimum rota­
`tional speed, variations of the rotational speed into higher or 20
`lower rotational speed ranges have a negative effect on the
`advance velocity of the ground milling machine, in contrast.
`It is apparent that the spectrum of the rotational speed
`variability is delimited by a maximum rotational speed and
`a minimum rotational speed, which can accordingly also 25
`represent the optimum in particular cases. The goal of the
`present invention is therefore, in particular, also to specify a
`method for how the optimum rotational speed of the milling
`drum can be found for a predefined milling depth at constant
`drive power. The constant drive power can be, in particular, 30
`the maximum drive power of the drive device in this case.
`This is specifically achieved according to the present
`invention in that the following method steps are executed
`during operation of the ground milling machine, in particu-
`lar, in succession: a) predefining a starting value for a 35
`variable operating parameter; b) establishing and setting the
`constant operating parameters; c) ascertaining the starting
`value of the operating function to be optimized; d) varying
`the value of the variable operating parameter to an alterna­
`tive value which is greater or less than the starting value of 40
`this parameter; e) checking whether the value of the oper­
`ating function increases or decreases; and f) repeating steps
`d) and e) until reaching the desired operating optimum, for
`example, the maximum advance velocity, the greatest
`machine efficiency, etc. The step which is essential accord- 45
`ing to the present invention is therefore varying the variable
`operating parameter and monitoring in what regard the
`respective variation of the value of the variable operating
`parameter has an effect on the operating function to be
`optimized, for example, the advance velocity of the ground 50
`milling machine, in relation to a starting value of the
`operating function, for example, the starting advance veloc-
`ity. The starting value of the operating function to be
`optimized is therefore the value of the operating function of
`the ground milling machine to be optimized, which is 55
`provided by the machine operator when beginning milling
`operation and before execution of steps d) to f). Accordingly,
`the starting value of the variable operating parameter is the
`value of the variable operating parameter with which the
`milling operation is initially started, before the variable 60
`operating parameter is varied according to steps d) to f).
`In one embodiment of the method according to the present
`invention, the rotational speed of the milling drum consti­
`tutes the variable operating parameter, while the advance
`velocity of the ground milling machine represents the aper- 65
`ating function to be optimized. By way of the variation of the
`rotational speed of the milling drum or ultimately the tool
`
`4
`velocity, respectively, specifically the cutting tool in the
`ground subsoil material to be milled, optimization of the
`advance velocity of the ground milling machine is thus
`performed. The advance velocity of the ground milling
`machine in work operation is delimited at the upper end by
`the maximum milling performance of the milling drum
`under the present operating conditions (for example, density
`of the ground material to be milled, sharpness of the cutting
`tools) and operating parameters which are variable and
`which are typically constant in work operation (for example,
`milling depth, rotational speed of the milling drum). The
`operator of the ground milling machine can thus drive it in
`work operation at most as rapidly as permitted by the
`maximum milling performance of the milling drum under
`the present parameter settings. By way of the variation of the
`rotational speed of the milling drum, the setting-related
`maximum milling performance also changes, and therefore
`also the setting-related maximum advance velocity. The
`variation of the rotational speed and milling operation
`toward an alternative rotational speed can be performed, for
`example, such that the rotational speed is first increased or
`decreased from the starting rotational speed of the milling
`drum. If this results in an increase in the advance velocity at
`constant drive power,
`the rotational speed is further
`increased or decreased until no further increase of the
`advance velocity is thus achieved. In contrast, if the advance
`velocity decreases due to the variation of the rotational
`speed toward the alternative rotational speed in milling
`operation, the rotational speed of the milling drum is not
`varied further in this direction, but is rather changed in the
`opposite direction. If the rotational speed was first increased
`in relation to the starting rotational speed and this increase
`had a negative effect on the advance velocity of the ground
`milling machine (i.e., the advance velocity decreases), a
`reduction of the rotational speed of the milling drum in
`relation to the starting rotational speed is performed as the
`next step and vice versa. A preferred embodiment provides,
`in other words, that by variation of the rotational speed, an
`ideal rotational speed is obtained at predefined milling depth
`and, in particular, constant, for example, maximum drive
`power and therefore a milling performance of the ground
`milling machine which is maximum for the respective drive
`power and milling depth is achieved. The rotational speed is
`therefore regulated on the basis of the effect on the advance
`velocity, and by means of this on the basis of the effect on
`the milling performance. In this manner, the respective
`optimum of the advance velocity and the rotational speed of
`the milling drum for the respective desired milling depth in
`the respective ground, material are obtained particularly
`effectively. Overall, the optimization of this operating func­
`tion for a predefined milling depth is accordingly performed
`empirically and adapted to the respectively provided ground
`conditions, so that the advantageous effects of the present
`invention are obtained over a particularly broad spectrum of
`ground characteristics, without a variety of individual usage
`conditions having to be determined for this purpose before­
`hand. Accordingly, this method is also usable on all ground
`subsoils to be milled and for all ground milling machines.
`It is fundamentally possible that the variation of the
`variable operating parameter, for example, the rotational
`speed, is performed continuously. According to the above­
`described preferred embodiment, in this way, in particular,
`with homogeneous ground conditions, optimal maximum
`advance velocities can be achieved. The ground subsoils to
`be processed are frequently comparatively heterogeneous,
`however, for example, with regard to their ground density
`and hardness of the ground materials to be milled. As a
`
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`6
`5
`operating range is always desired. Furthermore, transmis­
`result, the optimum rotational speed for obtaining the at least
`sions can principally be integrated in the drive train, for
`theoretically maximum advance velocity varies in a specific
`example, shift transmissions, so that continuous rotational
`range. To nonetheless enable comparatively continuous
`speed variability of the milling drum is not provided. The
`milling operation of the ground milling machine, it is
`therefore preferable if the variation of the rotational speed
`5 variation of the rotational speed is then performed in accor­
`dance with the shift stages of the shift transmission. How­
`according to step d) is performed at fixed rotational speed
`ever, it is particularly preferable if the variation of the
`intervals. In other words, this means that the variation of the
`rotational speed according to step d) of the milling drum is
`rotational speed is performed in steps, for example, in steps
`performed at least partially via a summation transmission, in
`of plus or minus ten revolutions per minute. The graduation
`of the variation steps is also dependent in this case, in
`10 particular, a planetary transmission, by variation of at least
`one input rotational speed of one of at least two drive units.
`particular, on the diameter of the milling drum. By way of
`Such an arrangement is specified, for example, in the patent
`a stepwise change of the rotational speed in milling opera­
`family of DE 10 2012 006 189.7, to which reference is made,
`tion, a comparatively coarser result is obtained with respect
`in particular, in this regard. Accordingly, a total of two drive
`to the maximum achievable advance velocity. However, in
`this way the overall process of steps a) to f) can be
`15 units are provided for the rotational drive of the milling
`drum, wherein the main drive unit runs at a comparatively
`substantially shortened. In summary, this means that the
`constant power level. The rotational speed variation is
`operating parameter, depending on the specific embodiment
`performed mainly via the second drive unit, which can be,
`of the present invention, can be varied either continuously or
`in particular, a lower-power auxiliary drive, in particular, an
`also at fixed intervals.
`For practical use, it has further proven to be advantageous 20 electric motor or hydraulic motor. The drive powers intro­
`duced via the two drive units are subsequently combined via
`if the checking according to step e) is performed in such a
`the summation transmission and transmitted to the milling
`manner that exceeding or falling below difference threshold
`drum via an output shaft, which is connected to the milling
`values is checked. The core element of this preferred refine­
`drum.
`ment is, therefore, that a decrease or increase of the oper­
`It is fundamentally possible to carry out the above-
`ating function to be optimized, for example, the advance 25
`velocity, is only assumed to be present if a minimum amount
`described method manually. Units are preferably provided
`of velocity change is present. This amount, which is referred
`for this purpose,
`for example, corresponding display
`to as a difference threshold, for example, in the magnitude
`screens, via which the operator of the ground milling
`of ±1 km/h, is also used for the purpose of enabling more
`machine can observe the effects of the variation of the value
`uniform milling operation under optimized operating con- 30
`of the variable operating parameter, for example, the rota­
`ditions and therefore to make the responsiveness of the
`tional speed, on the operating function to be optimized, for
`present present invention slower. It is thus ensured that not
`example, the advance velocity. However, it is preferable if
`every minimal change of the advance velocity results in a
`the method according to the present invention is executed in
`change of the rotational speed of the milling drum, but rather
`the framework of an automatic controller. Automatic con-
`this procedure is only triggered when the changes of the 35
`troller means in this case that, in particular, the steps a) to f)
`advance velocity exceed the predefined difference threshold
`and, if present, the method steps of the preferred refine­
`values.
`ments, are executed in a computer-assisted manner and
`Depending on the application, it can furthermore be
`without manual influence, i.e., automatically. The operator
`advantageous if the above-described method according to
`of the ground milling machine must then only activate or
`steps a) to f) is only carried out at the beginning of the 40
`deactivate this operating mode, without subsequently having
`milling operation and after reaching a termination criterion,
`to take care of a further regulation of the adaptation process
`for example, reaching the maximum advance velocity in
`between variable operating parameter and operating func­
`step f) for the first time, the milling operation is continued
`tion to be optimized. A corresponding control unit is pro­
`with the value of the variable operating parameter then
`vided for this purpose.
`ascertained. In this method, the above-described optimiza- 45
`A further essential aspect of the present invention is
`tion process is only carried out again in the event of a change
`furthermore a ground milling machine for milling off ground
`of the operating parameters which are constant with regard
`subsoil material, in particular, a ground milling machine for
`to the optimization method, for example, the milling depth,
`carrying out the method according to the present invention.
`and/or with the beginning of a new milling process. Alter­
`Generic ground milling machines comprise a machine
`natively, however, it can also be preferable if steps a) to f) 50
`frame, travel units connected to the machine frame, such as,
`are continued continuously over the entire milling process.
`in particular, crawler tracks and/or wheels, a drive unit, such
`In this refinement of the method according to the present
`as an internal combustion engine, in particular, and a milling
`invention, an adaptation of the operating parameter of the
`drum. The milling drum has, in addition to a hollow cylin­
`milling drum, therefore, takes place continuously, to achieve
`drical support tube, a plurality of chisel units arranged on the
`the respective operating optimum of the ground milling 55
`outer lateral surface of the support tube, as are already
`machine as much as possible over the entire milling process.
`described in the prior art. The milling drum is mounted
`Finally, it is also possible that the optimization process
`directly or indirectly on the machine frame so it is rotatable
`according to the present invention is carried out over the
`about a horizontal axis of rotation extending transversely to
`respective operating interval at regular time intervals and/or
`the working direction. Furthermore, a drive train is pro­
`according to established milling distance intervals covered. 60
`vided, which transmits drive energy from the drive unit to
`In the specific exemplary embodiment, the variation of
`the milling drum. This drive train can comprise multiple
`the rotational speed of the milling drum can be achieved in
`transmission steps, for example, a shift transmission and/or
`various ways. In the simplest case, for example, the starting
`a belt transmission or chain gear, etc. Furthermore, the
`rotational speed of the drive unit, for example, an internal
`ground milling machine has a unit for ascertaining and
`combustion engine, can be varied. However, this procedure 65
`monitoring an operating function to be optimized, for
`is disadvantageous in that the operation of the main drive
`example, the advance velocity. This unit is implemented
`unit in a comparatively constant and energetically optimum
`such that it either can directly measure the value of the
`
`

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`Case 1:17-cv-00770-JDW-MPT Document 120-5 Filed 11/17/22 Page 11 of 14 PageID #:
`13163
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`US 9,864,347 B2
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`5
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`7
`operating function to be optimized (for example, the
`advance velocity of the ground milling machine), or can
`measure a physical variable, which has a known relationship
`to the operating function to be optimized (for example, the
`rotational speed of the travel units). Such a unit can com­
`prise, for example, a unit for measuring the advance veloc-
`ity, i.e., for example, a rotational speed sensor on one of the
`travel units of the ground milling machine or also another
`unit, via which the travel velocity of the ground milling
`machine can be ascertained, for example, also on the basis
`of the ground subsoil. Depending on the specific operating
`function to be optimized, the unit for ascertaining and
`monitoring the operating function to be optimized can also
`comprise, for example, a sensor for the fuel consumption of
`the drive unit (for example, via measurement of the rota­
`tional speed of the drive motor). The unit for ascertaining
`and monitoring the operating function to be optimized can
`also comprise a data processing unit, which is suitable for
`the purpose of combining various signals recorded by sen- 20
`sors with one another, to calculate the operating function to
`be optimized therefrom, for example, by multiplying the
`ascertained advance velocity of the ground milling machine
`with the set milling depth and dividing by the ascertained
`fuel consumption of the ground milling machine, to ascer- 25
`tain the milling performance efficiency of the ground milling
`machine.
`What is essential for the implementation according to the
`present invention of the ground milling machine is that
`furthermore a control unit is provided for controlling the 30
`milling drum operation. The essential characteristic of this
`control unit is its implementation in such a manner that,
`proceeding from a predefined starting value, it varies at least
`one operating parameter of the ground milling machine, for
`example, the rotational speed of the milling drum, from a 35
`starting value to achieve a maximum operating function.
`Possible specific implementations of this variation accord-
`ing to the method has already been specified, for example,
`in the preceding statements on the method according to the
`present invention, to which reference is now also made with 40
`regard to the ground milling machine.
`Fundamentally, it is possible that the method is carried out
`solely via the tracking of the operating function to be
`optimized, for example, the advance velocity. However, it is
`ideal if the variable operating parameter, for example, the 45
`rotational speed of the milling drum, is also monitored by
`means of a suitable sensor, for example, a rotational speed
`sensor, and transmitted to the control unit.
`The control unit can be implemented in this case for
`manual operation, but also, preferably, for automatic control 50
`of the variable operating parameter of the milling drum in
`dependence on the operating function to be optimized.
`Reference is also made in this regard to the preceding
`statements. Accordingly,
`the ground milling machine
`according to the present invention is implemented, in par- 55
`ticular, in such a manner that it automatically or indepen­
`dently carries out a method according to the preceding
`statements on the method according to the present invention.
`The advantages of the present invention are particularly
`clear in the case of ground