Quick change rotor alignment function

Abstract

A milling machine can include a frame, a milling assembly including a cutting rotor and a rotor housing coupled with the frame, the cutting rotor including a rotor housing disposed about a spindle, and a first axial alignment function on one of the rotor housing or the spindle, the first axial alignment function includes a physical function on the rotor housing or spindle surface positioned and configured to contact an opposing plane of an opposing rotor housing or spindle so as to guide coaxial alignment of the rotor housing and the spindle when the rotor housing is axially loaded onto the spindle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a milling machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for replacing a cutting rotor of a milling machine. Background Art

[0002] Milling machines can include machines such as cold planers and reclaimers. A cold planer is a powered machine used to remove at least a portion of the surface of a paved area such as a road, bridge, or parking lot. Typically, a cold planer includes a frame, a power source, a milling assembly located below the frame, and a conveying system. The milling assembly includes a cutting rotor having a plurality of cutting bits disposed thereon. When power from the power source is transmitted to the milling assembly, the power is further transmitted to the cutting rotor, causing the cutting rotor to rotate about its axis. As the rotor rotates, its cutting bits come into contact with hardened asphalt, concrete, or other material from the existing surface of the paved area, thereby removing layers of these existing structures. The rotation of the cutting bits transmits these removed layers to a conveying system, which transports the removed material to a separate powered machine, such as a haul truck, for removal from the construction site.

[0003] During the milling process, it may be necessary to switch between cutting rotors with different widths or different pitches. Generally, the cutting rotor is changed according to the required cutting characteristics. Due to the size and weight of the components, a forklift is usually used to assemble the components for changing the cutting rotor. However, forklifts cannot provide accurate assembly due to poor visibility, making it difficult to assemble the cutting rotor in a timely manner.

[0004] US 8,118,369 discloses a floor milling machine comprising interchangeable milling tubes for the milling drum. Summary of the invention

[0005] In an example according to the present invention, a milling machine can include a frame, a milling assembly, the milling assembly including a cutting rotor and a rotor housing, the rotor housing being coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor including a rotor shell positioned around a spindle, and a first axial alignment function on one of the rotor shell or the spindle, the first axial alignment function including a physical function on a surface of the rotor shell or the spindle, the physical function being positioned and configured to contact a relative plane of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle so as to guide the rotor shell and the spindle to coaxially align when the rotor shell is axially loaded onto the spindle.

[0006] In one example, a milling assembly can include a cutting rotor and a rotor housing, the cutting rotor including a rotor housing positioned about a spindle, and a first axial alignment feature on one of the rotor housing or the spindle, the first axial alignment feature including a physical feature on a surface of the rotor housing or the spindle, the physical feature being positioned and configured to guide the rotor housing and the spindle into coaxial alignment when the rotor housing is axially loaded onto the spindle, wherein the physical feature is not in supporting contact with an opposing surface of the rotor housing or the spindle after the rotor housing is assembled onto the spindle.

[0007] In one example, a method of connecting a rotor housing to a spindle of a milling machine can include loading the rotor housing onto the spindle from a mounting side of the milling machine, utilizing an axial alignment feature on at least one of the rotor housing or the spindle, moving the rotor housing relative to the spindle to coaxially align the rotor housing and the spindle, and assembling the rotor housing to the spindle, wherein the axial alignment feature does not make supporting contact with an opposing surface of the rotor housing or the spindle after the rotor housing is assembled to the spindle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the accompanying drawings (not necessarily drawn to scale), the same reference numerals may describe similar components in different views. The same numerals with different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The accompanying drawings generally illustrate various embodiments discussed in this document by way of example and not limitation.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a side view of a cold planer according to one embodiment;

[0010] Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of a cold planer according to one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 3 According to an embodiment Figure 2 Bottom perspective view of a cold planer;

[0012] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a rotor housing according to one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a spindle according to one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 6 shows an end view of a rotor housing according to one embodiment;

[0015] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a cutting rotor according to one embodiment is shown; and

[0016] Figure 8 A method of connecting a rotor housing to a milling machine spindle is shown according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 A side view of a milling machine 5 according to one embodiment is shown. In this example, the milling machine 5 is a cold planer 10. The cold planer 10 includes a frame 12 and a power source 14 connected to the frame 12. The power source 14 can be provided in any number of different forms, including but not limited to Otto and diesel cycle internal combustion engines, electric motors, hybrid engines, etc.

[0018] The frame 12 is supported by a transport device 16 via lifting columns 18. The transport device 16 may be any type of ground-engaging device that allows the cold planer 10 to move forward on the ground, such as a paved road or ground that has been processed by the cold planer 10. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the transport device 16 is configured as a track assembly. The lifting columns 18 are configured to raise and lower the frame 12 relative to the transport device and the ground.

[0019] The cold planer 10 also includes a milling assembly 20 connected to the frame 12. The milling assembly 20 includes a rotor housing 28 that houses a rotatable cutting rotor 22 that is operably connected to the power source 14 via a drive belt 34 that drives a pulley drive 36 connected to the drive side of the cutting rotor 22. The cutting rotor 22 is rotatable about a drum or housing axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis. As the rotatable cutting rotor 22 rotates about its drum axis, a cutting bit on the cutting rotor 22 can engage hardened material, such as asphalt and concrete, of existing roads, bridges, parking lots, etc. As the cutting bit engages such hardened material, the cutting bit removes the hardened material layer. The rotation of the rotatable drum 22 and its cutting bit then conveys the hardened material to a primary conveyor 26 through a discharge port 32 in the rotor housing 28. The primary conveyor 26 can be coupled to the frame 12 and located at or near the discharge port 32.

[0020] The rotor housing 28 includes a front wall and a rear wall, and a top cover located above the cutting rotor 22. In addition, the rotor housing 28 includes side covers located on the left and right sides of the cutting rotor 22 relative to the travel direction of the cold planer 10. The rotor housing 28 is open toward the ground so that the cutting rotor 22 can be engaged into the ground from the rotor housing 28. The rotor housing includes a discharge port 32 located in the front wall for discharging material onto the first stage conveyor 26.

[0021] The cold planer 10 also includes an operator station or platform 30 that includes an operator interface for inputting commands to a control system to control the cold planer 10 and outputting information related to the operation of the cold planer 10 .

[0022] According to one embodiment, Figure 2A rear perspective view of the cold planer 10 is shown; Figure 3 A bottom perspective view of the cold planer 10 is shown.

[0023] Here, the cutting rotor 22 includes an outer rotor housing 100 positioned around an inner spindle 110. The spindle 110 is coupled to the machine 10 at a drive side 120 of the milling assembly 20. The drive side 120 may also be referred to as the left side in milling terminology. The non-drive side 122 or right side of the milling assembly 20 is accessible to remove the outer rotor housing 100 from the spindle 110 to install a different cutting rotor housing. For example, the different cutting rotor housings may have cutting teeth with different spacing, different cutting widths, or other cutting characteristics.

[0024] When replacing the rotor housing, the right side plate of the rotor housing 28 is removed, exposing the non-drive side 122 of the cut rotor 22. The old rotor housing is removed, and the rotor housing 100 can then be assembled on the spindle 110.

[0025] As described above, replacing the rotor housing can be difficult due to the size and weight of the rotor housing and the limited space within the rotor housing. As described above, a forklift is often used to assemble the components for replacing the cutting rotor due to the size and weight of the components. However, a forklift cannot provide accurate assembly due to poor visibility, resulting in difficulty in assembling the cutting rotor in a timely manner.

[0026] Thus, the present system provides an assembly interface between the rotor housing 100 and the spindle 110 that includes one or more alignment features to facilitate faster replacement of cutting rotors in a milling machine.

[0027] For example, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a rotor housing 100 according to one embodiment; Figure 5 A perspective view of a spindle 110 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0028] In one embodiment, a plurality of alignment features 140 may be provided on the rotor housing 100. The alignment features 140 may include a tapered plate defining a plurality of tapered surfaces 141 that are used to guide the assembly components of the cutting rotor to achieve a precise fit. The cutting rotor assembly components include the rotor housing 100 that is coaxially loaded onto the tube or spindle 110 of the cold planer 10 from the side of the machine. In one embodiment, the system may include an axial alignment feature on one or both of the rotor housing 100 or spindle 110 that is configured to coaxially align the two parts when the rotor housing 100 is loaded onto the spindle 110. In one embodiment, the alignment features 140 may include a separate machined component, such as made of steel, that may be welded to the inner surface of the rotor housing 100.

[0029] For example, the rotor housing 100 can include a first axial alignment feature 140 comprising a physical feature on an inner surface 142 of the rotor housing 100. Here, the first axial alignment feature 140 is located on the inner surface 142 of the rotor housing 100 and is located on the non-drive side of the rotor housing 100.

[0030] The first axial alignment feature 140 can be constructed, shaped, positioned and configured to contact the relatively flat outer surface 152 of the main shaft 110 when the rotor housing 100 is slid on the main shaft 110. The first axial alignment feature 140 physically guides the relative axial position of the rotor housing 100 and the main shaft 110 so that when the rotor housing 100 is fully pushed onto the main shaft 110, the two components are coaxially aligned, and then the relative keying features 160 and 162 of the rotor housing 100 and the main shaft 110 can be matched. The flat surface 152 of the main shaft 110 refers to the flat outer surface 152 that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft 110 and is not parallel to the tapered surface 141 of the alignment feature 140.

[0031] In one embodiment, the system can include a plurality of axial alignment features 150 on the main shaft 110. Each axial alignment feature 150 can include a tapered surface 151 and can be located at the drive end of the main shaft 110 and can be positioned and configured to contact an opposing flat surface 142 on the interior of the opposing rotor housing 100 to guide the rotor housing 100 and the main shaft 110 to a desired coaxial alignment when the rotor housing 100 is coaxially loaded onto the main shaft 110 from the non-drive side of the machine. This can be achieved by radial movement of the rotor housing 100 relative to the main shaft 110 as the rotor housing 100 moves axially on the main shaft 110. Likewise, the flat inner surface 142 of the rotor housing 100 refers to the flat inner surface 142 of the rotor housing 100 being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor housing 100 and not aligned parallel to the tapered surface of the alignment feature 150.

[0032] In one example, the axial alignment function 140 on the rotor housing 100 can be omitted, and the system only utilizes the axial alignment function 150 on the main shaft 110. Likewise, in another embodiment, the system can utilize the alignment function 140 and omit the alignment function 150. In some examples, the alignment function can be provided on both the rotor housing 100 and the main shaft 110.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first and second axial alignment features 140 , 150 can include a plurality of tapered surfaces 141 , 151 , respectively, which contact corresponding flat surfaces 142 , 152 of the opposing rotor housing 100 or main shaft 110 .

[0034] The plurality of tapered surfaces 141, 151 may be sized to physically axially align the rotor housing 100 and the spindle 110 so as to be coaxially aligned during assembly (in other words, contact between the tapered surfaces 141, 151 causes the rotor housing 100 to move during assembly so that it is coaxially aligned with the spindle 110 when the rotor housing reaches its final position). Here, the axial alignment features 140, 150 include tapered plates defining the tapered surfaces 141, 151. In other examples, the alignment features 140, 150 can include other physical features, such as tapered features.

[0035] Figure 6 An end view of a rotor housing 100 is shown according to one embodiment.

[0036] Here, the plurality of axial alignment features 140 can include a plurality of tapered surfaces 141. For example, eight tapered surfaces 141 can be equally spaced around the circumference of the inner surface 142 of the rotor housing 100. In another embodiment, more or less than eight tapered surfaces 141 can be provided. The plurality of axial alignment features 140 can be positioned around the circumference of the inner surface 142 of the rotor housing, which contacts the relatively flat outer surface 152 of the main shaft 110 to physically align the rotor housing 100 and the main shaft 110 so that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor housing 100 is fully assembled or pushed all the way onto the main shaft 110.

[0037] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a cutting rotor 22 in an assembled state according to an embodiment is shown.

[0038] Here, when the cutting rotor 22 is fully assembled and the rotor housing 100 is completely on the spindle 110, the alignment features 140, 150 are not configured as stops, but are only used for alignment. After the rotor housing 100 is assembled to the spindle 110, the axial alignment feature 140 or the axial alignment feature 150 will not come into supporting contact with the outer surface 152 of the spindle 110 or the inner surface 142 of the rotor housing 100. For example, the alignment feature 140 can be spaced a few millimeters from the outer surface 152 of the spindle 110. Therefore, the alignment features 140, 150 are configured as non-load-bearing and are only used for coaxial alignment during the installation process. Therefore, after the rotor housing 100 is assembled to the spindle 110, when the keying features 160, 162 are engaged, the tapered surfaces of the alignment features 140, 150 will not come into supporting contact with the opposing surfaces of the rotor housing 100 or the spindle 110. In one embodiment, a chamfer 164 may be provided on the outer surface of the non-drive end 161 of the main shaft 110. The chamfer 164 helps the rotor housing 100 slide on the main shaft 110 at the beginning of the installation process, thereby helping during the installation of the rotor housing 100. In addition, when the alignment feature 140 contacts the chamfer 164 and slides on the chamfer 164, the chamfer 164 can also help the alignment feature 140 on the rotor housing 100 to start aligning during installation.

[0039] refer to Figures 1 to 7 In the operation of installing the rotor housing 100 to the spindle 110, the non-drive side plate of the rotor housing 28 is removed to access the non-drive side of the machine. The old rotor housing is removed and the new rotor housing 100 is selected and delivered using a forklift or other machine. The rotor housing 100 slides on the spindle 110 until the rotor housing is fully loaded onto the spindle 110. During installation, the spindle 110 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise at different angles so that the keying features 160, 162 are radially aligned. The alignment features 140, 150 physically axially align the rotor housing 100 and the spindle 110 so that when the components reach the fully assembled position, the two components are coaxially aligned.

[0040] Industrial Applicability

[0041] The system is suitable for a milling assembly of a milling machine, such as a cold planer or a reclaimer. The milling assembly is suitable as a milling unit of a cold planer for removing at least a portion of a surface of a paved area such as a road, a bridge or a parking lot. In some embodiments, the milling assembly as disclosed herein can also be used as a milling unit of a surface miner in surface mining applications, for example, for mining coal in an open pit mine.

[0042] As mentioned above, some users want to be able to quickly and easily replace the milling assembly with a cutting rotor of a different width or a cutting rotor with other different cutting characteristics. However, due to the size and weight of the rotor housing and the limited space, replacing the rotor housing may be difficult.

[0043] Figure 8 A method (200) of connecting a rotor housing to a milling machine spindle is shown according to one embodiment.

[0044] The method (200) can include loading the rotor housing onto the spindle (210) from a mounting side of the milling machine. As described above, when the rotor housing is loaded onto the spindle, the spindle remains coupled to the machine. The method also includes coaxially aligning the rotor housing and the spindle by moving the rotor housing relative to the spindle using an axial alignment feature on at least one of the rotor housing or the spindle (220), and assembling the rotor housing onto the spindle (230), wherein after the rotor housing is assembled to the spindle, the first axial alignment feature is not in bearing contact with an opposing surface of the rotor housing or the spindle.

[0045] In some embodiments, there are keying features on both the main shaft and the rotor housing that cooperate with each other when the rotor housing is fully assembled onto the main shaft. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, keying features 160, 162 are located at mounting side ends of the rotor housing 100 and the main shaft 110, respectively.

[0046] In further examples, the method can include providing a second axial alignment function on the other of the rotor housing or the main shaft.

[0047] In some examples of the method, the axial alignment function can be located on the inner surface of the rotor housing and can be located on the non-drive side of the rotor housing, wherein the axial alignment function includes a plurality of tapered surfaces arranged around the circumference of the inner surface, which contact the relatively flat outer surface of the main shaft to physically align the rotor housing and the main shaft so that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor housing is fully assembled on the main shaft.

[0048] In summary, the present invention relates to the replacement of milling drums on milling machines, such as cold planers. Typically, milling drums are replaced based on the cutting characteristics required of the machine. However, due to poor visibility of forklifts used to replace milling drums, accurate fitting cannot be provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alignment feature for quickly replacing a rotor housing in a cold planer. The alignment feature includes a tapered plate or other physical structure for guiding the cutting rotor assembly components to enable them to fit precisely. The cutting rotor assembly components include a rotor housing that is coaxially loaded from the side onto a tube or spindle of the milling machine. In some instances, a guide alignment feature can be provided on both the rotor housing and the spindle, which can include a tapered plate, a tapered feature, or a series of stepped surfaces.

[0049] The above detailed description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Therefore, when determining the scope of protection of the present invention, reference should be made to the appended claims, as well as the full scope of equivalents granted by the claims.

Claims

1. A milling machine comprising: frame; a milling assembly including a cutting rotor and a rotor housing coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor including a rotor housing disposed around a main shaft; as well as A first axial alignment feature on one of the rotor housing or the spindle, the first axial alignment feature comprising a physical feature on a surface of the rotor housing or the spindle, the physical feature being positioned and configured to contact an opposing flat surface of the rotor housing or the spindle relative to guide the rotor housing and the spindle into coaxial alignment when the rotor housing is axially loaded onto the spindle.

2. The milling machine of claim 1, wherein the first axial alignment feature is located on an inner surface of the rotor housing and is located on a non-drive side of the rotor housing.

3. The milling machine of claim 1 further comprising a second axial alignment feature on the other of said rotor housing or said spindle.

4. The milling machine of claim 3, wherein the first axial alignment feature is located on an inner surface of the rotor housing and on a non-drive side of the rotor housing, and the second axial alignment feature is located on an outer surface of the spindle and on a drive side of the spindle.

5. The milling machine of claim 4, wherein the first axial alignment feature and the second axial alignment feature each comprise a plurality of tapered surfaces that contact corresponding flat surfaces of the opposing rotor housing or the spindle, the dimensions of the plurality of tapered surfaces being used to physically align the rotor housing and the spindle to be coaxially aligned during assembly.

6. A milling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first axial alignment feature is located on an outer surface of the spindle and on a drive side of the spindle.

7. The milling machine according to claim 1, wherein the first axial alignment function includes a plurality of tapered surfaces arranged around the circumference of the inner surface of the rotor housing, the tapered surfaces respectively contacting the relatively flat outer surfaces of the spindle so as to physically align the rotor housing and the spindle so that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor housing is fully assembled on the spindle.

8. The milling machine according to claim 7, wherein: After the rotor housing is assembled to the main shaft, the tapered surface is not in supporting contact with the outer surface of the main shaft.

9. The milling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: When the rotor housing is loaded onto the main shaft, the main shaft is coupled to the frame.

10. The milling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising keying structures on the spindle and the rotor housing, the keying structures cooperating with each other when the rotor housing is fully assembled to the spindle.

11. A method of connecting a rotor housing to a spindle of a milling machine, the method comprising: loading the rotor housing onto the spindle from a mounting side of the milling machine; utilizing the axial alignment feature on at least one of the rotor housing or the main shaft to coaxially align the rotor housing and the main shaft by moving the rotor housing relative to the main shaft; as well as The rotor housing is assembled onto the main shaft, wherein the axial alignment feature is not in bearing contact with an opposing surface of the rotor housing or the main shaft after the rotor housing is assembled onto the main shaft.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a second axial alignment function on the other of the rotor housing or the main shaft.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The axial alignment function may be located on the inner surface of the rotor housing and may be located on the non-drive side of the rotor housing, wherein the axial alignment function includes a plurality of tapered surfaces arranged around the circumference of the inner surface, the plurality of tapered surfaces contacting the relatively flat outer surface of the main shaft to physically align the rotor housing and the main shaft so that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor housing is fully assembled on the main shaft.

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