FEATURE OF A QUICK CHANGE OF ROTOR ALIGNMENT

Abstract

A milling machine (5) can include a frame (12), a milling assembly (20) including a cutting rotor (22), and a rotor housing (28) coupled to the frame, wherein the cutting rotor includes a rotor jacket (100) positioned around a spindle (110), and a first axial alignment feature (140, 150) on either the rotor jacket or the spindle, wherein the first axial alignment feature includes a physical feature on a surface of the rotor jacket or the spindle, the physical feature being positioned and configured to contact an opposite flat surface (142, 152) of the opposite rotor jacket or spindle to guide the rotor jacket and the spindle into a coaxial alignment when the rotor jacket is axially loaded onto the spindle.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a milling machine.

[0002] In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for changing the cutting rotor of the milling machine. background

[0003] Milling machines can include machines such as cold planers and backhoes. Cold planers are powered machines used to remove at least a portion of the surface of a paved area such as a road, bridge, or parking lot. Cold planers typically include a frame, a power source, a milling assembly positioned beneath the frame, and a conveyor system. The milling assembly includes a cutting rotor with numerous cutters mounted on it. As power is transferred from the power source to the milling assembly, this power is further transferred to the cutting rotor, causing the cutting rotor to rotate on its axis. As the rotor rotates, its cutters bite into the hardened asphalt, concrete, or other materials of an existing surface of a paved area, removing layers of these existing structures.The rotating action of the cutters transfers these removed layers to the conveyor system, which transports the removed material to a separate powered machine, such as a dump truck, for removal from a construction site.

[0004] During a milling operation, it may be desirable to switch between cutting rotors with different widths or different pitches. Generally, the cutting rotors are changed depending on the required cutting characteristics. Due to the size and weight of the components, a forklift is typically used to assemble the components for changing the cutting rotors. However, the forklift does not provide precision during assembly due to the poor visibility, which leads to difficulties in installing the cutting rotors on time.

[0005] US 8,118,369 discloses a rotary tiller incorporating a replaceable milling tube of a milling drum. Brief description

[0006] In one example according to this disclosure, a milling cutter may include a frame, a milling assembly including a cutting rotor, and a rotor housing coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor including a rotor shell positioned around a spindle and a first axial alignment feature on one of the rotor shell or the spindle, the first axial alignment feature including a physical feature on a surface of the rotor shell or the spindle, the physical feature positioned and configured to contact an opposing flat surface of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle to guide the rotor shell and the spindle into coaxial alignment when the rotor shell is axially loaded onto the spindle.

[0007] In one example, a milling assembly may include a cutting rotor and a rotor housing, the cutting rotor including a rotor shell positioned around a spindle and a first axial alignment feature on one of the rotor shell or the spindle, the first axial alignment feature including a physical feature on a surface of the rotor shell or the spindle, the physical feature positioned and configured to guide the rotor shell and the spindle into coaxial alignment when the rotor shell is axially loaded onto the spindle, wherein after assembly of the rotor shell to the spindle, the physical feature is not in load-bearing contact with an opposing surface of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle.

[0008] In one example, a method for connecting a rotor shell to a spindle of a milling machine may include loading a rotor shell over a spindle from an installation side of the milling machine, coaxially aligning the rotor shell and the spindle by moving the rotor shell relative to the spindle using axial alignment features on at least one of the rotor shell or the spindle, and mounting the rotor shell to the spindle, wherein after mounting the rotor shell to the spindle, the axial alignment features are not in load-bearing contact with a surface of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals with different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings generally illustrate, by way of example but not limitation, various embodiments discussed in this document. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a cold milling machine according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the cold milling machine, according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view from below of the cold milling machine of Fig. 2, according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a rotor shell according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a spindle according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 shows an end view of the rotor shell according to one embodiment. Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cutting rotor according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a method for connecting a rotor shell to a spindle of a milling machine according to one embodiment. Detailed description

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a planer 5 according to one embodiment. In this example, the planer 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, gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines, electric motors, hybrid engines, and the like.

[0011] The frame 12 is supported by the transport devices 16 via lifting columns 18. The transport devices 16 can be any type of ground-engaging device that allows the cold planer 10 to move in a forward direction over a ground surface, such as a paved road or ground already worked by the cold planer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the transport devices 16 are configured, for example, as track assemblies. The lifting columns 18 are configured to raise and lower the frame 12 relative to the transport devices and the ground.

[0012] The cold planer 10 further includes a milling assembly 20 connected to the frame 12. The milling assembly 20 includes a rotor shell 28 supporting a rotatable cutting rotor 22 connected to the power source 14 via a drive belt 34 that drives a disk drive 36 coupled to a drive side of the cutting rotor 22. The cutting rotor 22 is rotatable about a drum or housing axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the frame's longitudinal axis. As the rotatable cutting rotor 22 rotates about its drum axis, the cutters on the cutting rotor 22 can engage hardened materials such as asphalt and concrete from existing roads, bridges, parking lots, and the like. As the cutters engage such hardened materials, the cutters remove layers of these hardened materials.The rotating action of the rotatable drum 22 and its cutters then transfers the hardened materials to a first-stage conveyor belt 26 via a discharge port 32 on the rotor shell 28. The first-stage conveyor belt 26 can be coupled to the frame 12 and located at or near the discharge port 32.

[0013] The rotor shell 28 includes a front and rear wall and a top cover positioned above the cutting rotor 22. Furthermore, the rotor shell 28 includes side covers on the left and right sides of the cutting rotor 22 with respect to a direction of travel of the cold milling machine 10. The rotor shell 28 is open to the ground so that the cutting rotor 22 can engage the ground from the rotor shell 28. The rotor shell includes the discharge passage opening 32 in a front wall for discharging the material onto the first-stage conveyor belt 26.

[0014] The cold milling machine 10 further includes an operator station or platform 30 that includes an operator interface for inputting commands to a control system for controlling the cold milling machine 10 and for outputting information related to the operation of the cold milling machine 10.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the cold milling machine 10, and Fig. 3 shows a perspective view from below of the cold milling machine 10 according to one embodiment.

[0016] Here, the cutting rotor 22 includes an outer rotor shell 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. A non-drive side 122, or right side, of the milling assembly 20 is accessible to allow removal of the outer rotor shell 100 from the spindle 110 so that a different cutting rotor shell can be installed. The different cutting rotor shell may, for example, have cutting teeth with different pitches, a different cutting width, or other cutting characteristics.

[0017] When changing the rotor shells, the right side plate of the rotor shell 28 is removed to expose the non-drive side 122 of the cutting rotor 22. The old rotor shell is removed, and the rotor shell 100 is then ready to be mounted on the spindle 110.

[0018] As mentioned above, changing the rotor shroud can be difficult due to the size and weight of the rotor shroud and the limited space within the rotor shroud. As mentioned above, due to the size and weight of the components, a forklift is typically used to assemble the cutting rotor replacement components. However, a forklift does not provide precision during assembly due to the poor visibility, leading to difficulties in installing cutting rotors in a timely manner.

[0019] Accordingly, the present system provides a mounting interface between the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 that includes one or more alignment features to enable faster changing of a cutting rotor in a milling machine.

[0020] For example, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rotor shell 100 according to an embodiment; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of spindle 110 according to one embodiment.

[0021] In one embodiment, a plurality of alignment features 140 may be provided on the rotor shell 100. The alignment features 140 may include tapered plates defining a plurality of tapered surfaces 141 used to guide the cutting rotor mounting components for precise alignment. The components of the cutting rotor assembly include the rotor shell 100, which is loaded coaxially onto the pipe or spindle 110 of the cold milling machine 10 from the side of the machine. In one embodiment, the present system may include axial alignment features on one or both of the rotor shell 100 or the spindle 110 configured to coaxially align the two parts as the rotor shell 100 is loaded onto the spindle 110.In one embodiment, the alignment features 140 may include separate machined elements, such as steel, that may be welded to the inner surface of the rotor shell 100.

[0022] For example, the rotor shell 100 may include the first axial alignment feature 140, which includes a physical feature on an inner surface 142 of the rotor shell 100. Here, the first axial alignment feature 140 is located on the inner surface 142 of the rotor shell 100 and is located on the non-drive side of the rotor shell 100.

[0023] The first axial alignment feature 140 can be structured, shaped, positioned, and configured to contact an opposing flat outer surface 152 of the spindle 110 as the rotor shell 100 is slid over the spindle 110. The first axial alignment feature 140 physically guides the relative axial positions of the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 so that when the rotor shell 100 is fully slid onto the spindle 110, the two parts are coaxially aligned and then opposing keyed features 160, 162 of the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 can mate. The flat surface 152 of the spindle 110 is the flat outer surface 152 that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle 110 and is non-parallel aligned with the conical surface 141 of the alignment element 140.

[0024] In one embodiment, the system may include a plurality of axial alignment features 150 on the spindle 110. Each of the axial alignment features 150 may include a conical surface 151 and may be located at the drive end of the spindle 110 and may be positioned and configured to contact an opposing flat surface 142 of the interior of the opposing rotor shell 100 to guide the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 into a desired coaxial alignment when the rotor shell 100 is loaded coaxially onto the spindle 110 from the non-drive end of the machine. This may be achieved by radial movement of the rotor shell 100 relative to the spindle 110 as the rotor shell 100 moves in the axial direction over the spindle 110.Again, the flat inner surface 142 of the rotor shell 100 means that the flat inner surface 142 of the rotor shell 100 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor shell 100 and is not aligned parallel to the conical surface of the alignment feature 150.

[0025] In one example, the axial alignment features 140 on the rotor shell 100 may be omitted, and the system utilizes only the axial alignment feature 150 on the spindle 110. In another embodiment, the system may also utilize the alignment features 140 and omit the alignment features 150. In some examples, the alignment features may be provided on both the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first axial alignment feature 140 and the second axial alignment feature 150 may each include a plurality of conical surfaces 141, 151 that contact the corresponding flat surfaces 142, 152 of the opposite rotor shell 100 or spindle 110.

[0027] The plurality of conical surfaces 141, 151 may be sized to physically axially align the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 so that they are coaxially aligned during assembly (in other words, the contact between the conical surfaces 141, 151 causes the rotor shell 100 to move during assembly such that it is coaxially aligned with the spindle 110 when the rotor shell reaches its final position). Here, the axial alignment features 140, 150 include conical plates that define the conical surface 141, 151. In other examples, the alignment features 140, 150 may include other physical features, such as conical features.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows an end view of the rotor shell 100 according to one embodiment.

[0029] Here, the plurality of axial alignment features 140 may include the plurality of conical surfaces 141. For example, eight conical surfaces 141 may be equally spaced around the perimeter of the inner surface 142 of the rotor shell 100. In another embodiment, more or fewer than eight conical surfaces 141 may be provided. The plurality of axial alignment features 140 may be positioned around the perimeter of the inner surface 142 of the rotor shell, contacting the opposing flat outer surface 152 of the spindle 110 to physically align the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 such that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor shell 100 is fully assembled or fully slid onto the spindle 110.

[0030] Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cutting rotor 22 in the assembled state according to one embodiment.

[0031] Here, when the cutting rotor 22 is fully assembled and the rotor shell 100 is fully seated on the spindle 110, the alignment features 140, 150 are not configured as stops, but are used solely for alignment. After the rotor shell 100 is mounted on the spindle 110, the axial alignment features 140 or the axial alignment features 150 are not in load-bearing contact with the outer surface 152 of the spindle 110 or the inner surface 142 of the rotor shell 100. For example, the alignment features 140 may be separated from the outer surface 152 of the spindle 110 by a few millimeters. Therefore, the alignment features 140, 150 are configured not to bear any load and are used only for coaxial alignment during the installation process.Thus, after assembly of the rotor shell 100 to the spindle 110, when the keyed features 160, 162 are mated, the conical surfaces of the alignment features 140, 150 are not in load-bearing contact with the opposing surfaces of the opposing rotor shell 100 or the spindle 110. In one embodiment, a chamfer 164 may be provided on an outer surface of a non-drive-side end 161 of the spindle 110. The chamfer 164 may be helpful in installing the rotor shell 100 onto the spindle by facilitating the sliding of the rotor shell 100 onto the spindle 110 at the beginning of the installation process. In addition, the chamfer 164 may also help the alignment features 140 begin to align with the rotor shell 100 during installation as the alignment features 140 contact and slide over the chamfer 164.

[0032] With reference to the Fig. 1-7, in a process for assembling the rotor shell 100 to the spindle 110, the non-drive side plate of the rotor shell 28 is removed to gain access to the non-drive side of the machine. The old rotor shell is removed, and a new rotor shell 100 is selected and delivered using a forklift or other machine. The rotor shell 100 is slid over the spindle 110 until the rotor shell is fully loaded onto the spindle 110. During installation, the spindle 110 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise at different angles so that the keyed features 160, 162 align radially. The alignment elements 140, 150 axially align the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110 so that the components reach the fully assembled position and the two components are coaxially aligned. Industrial applicability

[0033] The present system is suitable for a milling assembly for a milling machine, such as a cold milling machine or a backhoe. The milling assembly is suitable as a milling unit of a cold milling machine for removing at least a portion of the surface of a paved surface, such as a road, a bridge, or a parking lot. In some embodiments, the milling assembly disclosed herein can also be used as a milling unit of a surface mining machine in an open pit mine, for example, for the extraction of coal deposits in an open pit mine.

[0034] As mentioned, some users would like to be able to quickly and easily swap out the milling assemblies for cutting rotors with different widths or different cutting characteristics. However, changing the rotor shroud can be difficult due to the size and weight of the rotor shroud and the limited space.

[0035] Fig. 8 shows a method (200) for connecting a rotor shell to a spindle of a milling machine according to an embodiment.

[0036] The method (200) may include loading a rotor shell via a spindle (210) from an installation side of the milling machine. As described above, the spindle remains coupled to the machine while the rotor shell is loaded onto the spindle. The method further includes coaxially aligning the rotor shell and the spindle (220) by moving the rotor shell relative to the spindle using axial alignment features on at least one of the rotor shell or the spindle, and mounting the rotor shell to the spindle (230), wherein after mounting the rotor shell to the spindle, the first axial alignment feature is not in bearing contact with the surface of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle.

[0037] In some examples, there may be keyed features on both the spindle and the rotor shell that mate with each other when the rotor shell is fully assembled with the spindle. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the keyed features 160, 162 are located at the installation-side ends of the rotor shell 100 and the spindle 110, respectively.

[0038] In further examples, the method may include providing a second axial alignment feature on the other of the rotor shell or the spindle.

[0039] In some examples of the method, the axial alignment feature may be located on an inner surface of the rotor shell and located on a non-drive side of the rotor shell, wherein the axial alignment feature includes a plurality of conical surfaces positioned around a circumference of the inner surface and contacting an opposing flat outer surface of the spindle to physically align the rotor shell and the spindle such that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor shell is fully assembled on the spindle.

[0040] In summary, the present disclosure relates to changing milling drums on milling machines, such as a cold milling machine. Generally, the milling drums are changed depending on the required cutting characteristics in the machine. However, a forklift used to change the milling drums does not provide assembly accuracy due to poor visibility. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an alignment feature for quickly changing a rotor shroud in the cold milling machine. The alignment feature includes tapered plates or other physical structures used to guide the cutting rotor assembly components for a precise fit. The components of the cutting rotor assembly include a rotor shroud that is coaxially loaded from the side onto a pipe or spindle of the milling machine.In some examples, the guide alignment features may be present on both the rotor shell and the spindle and may include tapered plates, tapered features, or a series of stepped surfaces.

[0041] The foregoing detailed description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure should therefore be determined by reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 8,118,369

[0005]

Claims

[1] Milling machine (5), which includes: a frame (12); a milling assembly (20) including a cutting rotor (22) and a rotor shell (28) coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor including a rotor shell (100) positioned around a spindle (110); and a first axial alignment feature (140, 150) on one of the rotor shell and the spindle, the first axial alignment feature comprising a physical feature on a surface of the rotor shell or the spindle, the physical feature positioned and configured to contact an opposing flat surface (142, 152) of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle to guide the rotor shell and the spindle into coaxial alignment when the rotor shell is axially loaded onto the spindle. [2] The milling cutter of claim 1, wherein the first axial alignment feature is located on an inner surface (142) of the rotor shell and is located on a non-drive side (120) of the rotor shell. [3] The milling cutter of claim 1, further including a second axial alignment feature on the other one of the rotor shell and the spindle. [4] The milling cutter of claim 3, wherein the first axial alignment feature is located on an inner surface (142) of the rotor shell and is located on a non-drive side (122) of the rotor shell and the second axial alignment feature is located on an outer surface (152) of the spindle and is located on a drive side (120) of the spindle. [5] The milling cutter of claim 4, wherein the first axial alignment feature and the second axial alignment feature each include a plurality of conical surfaces (141, 151) contacting a corresponding flat surface of the opposing rotor shell or spindle, the plurality of conical surfaces being sized to physically align the rotor shell and spindle so that they are coaxially aligned in the assembled state. [6] A milling cutter according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first axial alignment feature is located on an outer surface (152) of the spindle and is located on a drive side (120) of the spindle. [7] The milling cutter of claim 1, wherein the first axial alignment feature includes a plurality of conical surfaces positioned around a periphery of an inner surface of the rotor shell and respectively contacting opposing flat outer surfaces of the spindle to physically align the rotor shell and the spindle so that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor shell is fully assembled on the spindle. [8] Milling machine according to claim 7, wherein after mounting of the rotor shell on the spindle, the conical surface is not in supporting contact with the outer surface of the spindle. [9] A milling machine according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the spindle is coupled to the frame while the rotor shell is loaded onto the spindle. [10] A milling cutter according to any one of claims 1-9, further including keyed structures (160, 162) on both the spindle and the rotor shell that mate when the rotor shell is fully assembled to the spindle. [11] A method for connecting a rotor shell to a spindle of a milling machine, the method comprising: Loading a rotor shell via a spindle from an installation side of the milling machine; coaxially aligning the rotor shell and the spindle by moving the rotor shell relative to the spindle using axial alignment features on at least one of the rotor shell and the spindle; and Mounting the rotor shell to the spindle, wherein after mounting the rotor shell to the spindle, the axial alignment features are not in load-bearing contact with any surface of the opposing rotor shell or the spindle. [12] The method of claim 11, further including providing a second axial alignment feature on the other one of the rotor shell or the spindle. [13] The method of claim 11, wherein the axial alignment feature is located on an inner surface of the rotor shell and is located on a non-drive side of the rotor shell, the axial alignment feature including a plurality of conical surfaces positioned about a circumference of the inner surface and contacting an opposing flat outer surface of the spindle to physically align the rotor shell and the spindle such that they are coaxially aligned when the rotor shell is fully assembled on the spindle.

Images