A milling machine for a road surface

Abstract

A milling machine for a road surface comprising a milling head (2) coupled to locomotion means (3), and having a drum (7) rotating according to a rotation axis (X) and equipped with tools (9) for milling the road surface. The tools (9) are coupled to the rotating drum (7) according to a helical path so as to collect and convey milling residue from the road surface in the helical path.

Description

[0001] A MILLING MACHINE FOR A ROAD SURFACE DESCRIPTION

[0002] Field of application

[0003] The present invention is applicable to the road construction sector and, in particular, relates to road maintenance machines.

[0004] In more detail, the present invention refers to a milling machine for a road surface.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Over time roads are subject to maintenance because weathering, wear and tear and the passage of time can cause damage to the road surface. In all these cases, at least partial resurfacing of the road surface is necessary.

[0007] In addition to this, it is sometimes necessary to carry out work underground, for example to replace or install new pipes or, more generally, to lay underground utilities. In such circumstances, it is necessary to make openings in the road pavement to be able to excavate into the ground below.

[0008] To this end, the use of milling machines is known, which mill asphalt or cement by removing it and reducing it to a residue composed of granules of varying sizes, down to dust.

[0009] In particular, the known milling machines comprise a drum rotating about its own axis of rotation arranged parallel to the ground. A plurality of pointed tools are coupled to the curved side surface of the rotating drum. In this way, as the drum rotates, the tools come into contact with the road surface, 'scraping' it.

[0010] However, the milling machines described above have some recognized drawbacks.

[0011] The residues from the milled road pavement are left on the ground and then collected by another machine, typically a bulldozer, which collects the larger residues and dumps them into a truck for transport to a disposal site. After that, a sweeper is used to clean finer particles.

[0012] However, the aforementioned solution has some recognized drawbacks.

[0013] Firstly, the presence of residues under the drum during milling hinders the operation, sometimes resulting in milling that is not perfectly uniform.

[0014] And not only that. The presence of milling residues under the rotating drum also poses risks to objects and people in the vicinity of the milled area, as some pieces could be accidentally thrown out of the milling machine.

[0015] Moreover, it is known that as the tools rub against asphalt or cement they can overheat, which can cause them to break. To avoid this, the known milling machines require the use of water sprayed directly on the tools to cool them.

[0016] In particular, in known milling machines the tools are sprayed using special nozzles arranged above the drum. This solution, on the one hand, does not allow the tools to be cooled efficiently as the diffused water falls on the drum cooling the tools that are facing upwards at that moment, and therefore not those tools that are in direct contact with the road surface. On the other hand, the solution described above does not allow uniform spraying of the road surface below the drum in order to avoid the finer dust clouds being produced.

[0017] Consequently, it is provided that an operator on the ground will spray water directly onto the tools in contact with the road surface.

[0018] However, with this solution, a large amount of water is poured directly onto the road surface, which, together with the milling residue, creates a slurry.

[0019] Obviously, therefore, the above once again compromises the linearity of the milling.

[0020] Furthermore, the solutions described above also involve a certain expenditure of time and therefore of money for the subsequent cleaning phase of the milled area since the milling residue is spread throughout the milled area.

[0021] Presentation of the invention

[0022] The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the drawbacks highlighted above by providing a milling machine for a road surface which makes it possible to leave the milled area as clean as possible.

[0023] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a milling machine for a road surface that makes it possible to limit if not prevent the milling residue from remaining under the rotating drum during the operating phase thereof.

[0024] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a milling machine for a road surface that facilitates the collection of milling residue.

[0025] And not only that. A further object of the present invention is to provide a road surface milling machine that limits or prevents the formation of slurry on the milled area when the tools are sprayed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a milling machine for a road surface that saves time and therefore money compared to existing milling machines, as it simplifies the collection of residue.

[0026] Said objects , as well as others which will become more apparent below, are achieved by a milling machine for a road surface in accordance with the following claims, which are to be considered an integral part of the present patent.

[0027] In particular, the milling machine of the invention comprises at least one milling head coupled to locomotion means for the movement thereof.

[0028] Like the known milling machines, the milling head in turn comprises a drum rotating according to an axis of rotation arranged perpendicular to the road surface and a plurality of tools coupled to the drum for milling the road surface.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, at least first tools of the plurality of tools are coupled to the rotating drum according to at least one helical path.

[0030] Advantageously, the first tools being disposed on the rotating drum in a helical path allows the milling residue from the road surface to be collected and conveyed along the helical path.

[0031] It follows, still advantageously, that this makes it possible to limit if not prevent the residue from being scattered over the entire milled area, thus leaving the milled area tidy. In fact, since the helical path, as will be seen below, can flow to different destinations, in the most trivial form of application of the invention, the milling residue, still advantageously, is conveyed laterally to the drum, thus preventing the residue itself from being spread over the entire milled area.

[0032] This makes it possible, still advantageously, to facilitate the activity of collecting the milling residue for the cleaning of the milled area itself.

[0033] Another advantage is that this saves time and money compared to known milling machines, which, as mentioned above, leave milling residue on the ground beneath the drum.

[0034] Moreover, still advantageously, the first tools being disposed according to a helical path allows for a linear and uniform milling of the ground, as the residue is conveyed away from its position below the drum, to another area.

[0035] And not only that. Another advantage is that this prevents the risk of any residues being thrown from the rotating drum into the surrounding areas and, therefore, avoids any damage to property or injury to people in the vicinity of the milling machine.

[0036] In fact, the arrangement of the tools in a helical path promotes centripetal force, thereby counteracting the risk of milling residue escaping.

[0037] To that end, according to another aspect of the invention, the milling machine also comprises at least one containment element, coupled to the milling head, which at least partially wraps the rotating drum. More in detail, the containment element is arranged spaced apart from the drum itself.

[0038] Advantageously, this allows at least one chamber for collecting and evacuating the milling residue to be identified between the containment element and the rotating drum.

[0039] Still advantageously, the containment element makes it possible to collect and convey the milling residue from the road surface in a helical path.

[0040] Furthermore, still advantageously, the aforementioned arrangement of the tools together with the containment element, avoiding the release of milling residues under the drum, makes it possible to avoid the risk of slurry formation when the tools are sprayed with water.

[0041] It follows, advantageously, that the above makes it possible to guarantee high performance of the milling machine of the invention.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, the milling machine comprises at least one mechanism for collecting material milled by the rotating drum.

[0043] Advantageously, by means of the collection mechanism, the milling residue is taken from the helical path and conveyed to at least one unloading area.

[0044] It follows that, still advantageously, by means of the collection mechanism, the milling residue is taken from the road pavement by means of the helical arrangement of the tools and then conveyed, by means of the collection mechanism, to an unloading area.

[0045] Further advantageously, the collection mechanism leaves the road surface clean, except for very light dust.

[0046] In detail, according to another aspect of the invention, the collection mechanism is composed of one or more collection elements inside each of which, according to a further aspect of the invention, at least one twisting element is housed.

[0047] Advantageously, the twisting element makes it possible to carry out a continuation of the helical path and convey the milling residue collected by the tools towards the unloading area.

[0048] In light of the above, it is evident that said objects and advantages are also achieved by a milling head that can be coupled to locomotion means and comprising at least one drum equipped with a plurality of tools for milling the road surface, said milling head being characterized in that at least first tools of said plurality of tools are coupled to said at least one rotating drum according to at least one helical path so as to collect and convey milling residue from the road surface in said at least one helical path.

[0049] Brief description of the drawings

[0050] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the light of the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a milling machine for a road surface according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawing tables in which: fig. 1 shows an axonometric view of the milling machine according to the invention; figs. 2 and 3 represent details of the milling machine of fig. 1.

[0051] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0052] With reference to fig. 1 , a milling machine 1 for milling a road surface is described.

[0053] To that end, the milling machine 1 of the invention typically finds application for milling asphalt surfaces, but this should not be considered limiting for the application of the invention to road surfaces of another type.

[0054] Like the known milling machines, the milling machine 1 of the invention comprises a milling head 2 coupled to locomotion means 3 for the movement thereof.

[0055] In the embodiment being described, the locomotion means 3 consist of a special tractor 4, but this must not be considered limiting for different embodiments where, for example, locomotion takes place by means of different types of vehicles or where the milling machine is autonomous, i.e. where the locomotion means integrate the milling head. Again like the known milling machines, the milling head 2 in turn comprises a drum 7 rotating according to an axis of rotation X and a plurality of tools 9 coupled to the drum 7 for milling the road surface.

[0056] In the details of the embodiment described herein, according to one aspect of the invention the rotation axis X of the drum 7 is arranged perpendicular to the road surface. In other words, the drum 7 is not arranged, as is the case in the state of the art, horizontal to the ground, but vertical or otherwise perpendicular to it. To that end, the tools 9 are coupled to the drum 7 at an end portion thereof (one of the two bases of the drum 7) intended to act on the road surface.

[0057] This kind of configuration has a number of advantages.

[0058] The management of the milling is certainly simpler since, compared to known milling machines which have the drum arranged horizontally, it is easier to guarantee the parallelism of the milling head 2 to the surface to be milled.

[0059] Secondly, with the drum 7 vertical it is possible to avoid tilting of the milling machine 1 which typically occurs when the drum rotates around an axis parallel to the ground as the front part of the milling machine is lighter than the rear part. Conversely, with the drum 7 oriented vertically, there is space on either side to add additional tools or similar items useful for the milling activity such as, for example, a tank 7a for the water needed to cool the tools 9. In this way, the weight of the front part of the milling machine 1 is therefore increased without however hindering visibility for the driver thereof.

[0060] By avoiding the tilting of the milling machine 1 , a linear and homogeneous milling of the road surface is obtained.

[0061] Furthermore, another advantage of the above-mentioned configuration of the rotating drum 7 is that it allows for deeper processing, as there are no lateral supports for the drum 7 itself, as is the case with horizontal drums.

[0062] This feature relating to the drum 7, however, should not be considered limiting for the invention as it is also applicable to known milling machines in which the drum is arranged horizontally, i.e. rotates around an axis parallel to the ground.

[0063] The figures show that the drum 7 is partly cylindrical and partly frustoconical, but also this aspect should not be considered limiting for different embodiments where, for example, it is only frustoconical or only cylindrical. With regard to the tools 9, they have, as is known, a body attached to the drum and having an operative portion, typically but not necessarily a cutting portion, shaped to mill the asphalt.

[0064] According to an aspect of the invention, the tools 9 are coupled to the rotating drum 7 according to a helical path.

[0065] Advantageously, the arrangement of the tools 9 on the drum 7 according to a helical path makes it possible to collect and convey in the helical path a milling residue of the road surface.

[0066] To that end, another advantage is that the rotation of the drum 7 and the arrangement of the tools 9 create a flow that removes the milling residue from the road surface.

[0067] This arrangement advantageously means that the tools 9, in addition to their primary function of milling the road surface, create a kind of auger that removes the residue from the area in which it is generated, moving it towards areas where milling is not in progress.

[0068] It is noted that in the case of known milling machines, where the drum is arranged with a horizontal axis of rotation or in any case parallel to the ground, the aforementioned measure is particularly advantageous. In fact, as mentioned above, this allows the residue to be moved laterally with respect to the drum itself, thereby facilitating the activity of collecting the milling residue. Furthermore, with the immediate removal of the residue or most of it, milling is more uniform and responsive to requirements.

[0069] Another advantage is that this saves time and money compared to known milling machines, which, as mentioned above, leave milling residue on the ground beneath the drum.

[0070] Moreover, still advantageously, the above makes it possible to prevent the residue from remaining under the milling machine 1 , hindering it and thus decreasing the quality of the milling carried out.

[0071] In fact, this allows for linear and uniform milling of the ground, which is another advantage.

[0072] In addition, this avoids the risk of formation of the slurry given by the milling residue together with the water sprayed for cooling the tools 9.

[0073] It follows, still advantageously, that once again the above makes it possible to guarantee high performance of the milling machine 1 of the invention.

[0074] And not only that. Further advantageously, this prevents the risk of any residues being thrown out of the rotating drum transversely to its axis of rotation and, therefore, avoids any damage to property or injury to persons in the vicinity of the operating area of the milling machine 1.

[0075] In fact, the arrangement of the tools 9 in a helical path promotes centripetal force, thereby counteracting the risk of milling residue escaping.

[0076] In this regard, moreover, according to another aspect of the invention, the milling machine 1 comprises a containment element 10 coupled to the milling head 2. More specifically, the containment element 10 surrounds the rotating drum 7 while remaining spaced apart from the latter.

[0077] Advantageously, the presence of the containment element 10 makes it possible to prevent the possible escape of fragments of residue and, therefore, to protect objects and people located in the vicinity of the milling machine 1.

[0078] At the same time, the distance between the containment element 10 and the rotating drum 7 makes it possible to identify, although not visible in the figures, a chamber for collecting and evacuating the milling residue. In other words, therefore, the presence of the containment element 10 does not interfere with the passage of the milling residue.

[0079] Obviously, both the fact that all the tools 9 are arranged according to a helical path and the presence and shaping of the containment element 10 are not limiting characteristics for the invention. In fact, according to some variants only some tools are arranged in this way, while according to other embodiments the tools are divided into sub-groups each having a respective helical path.

[0080] Further, according to some embodiments, blades are interposed between the tools along the helical path to increase the conveying force of the residue. According to other design variants, even in parts of the drum not affected by tools, the aforementioned blades are present to increase the helical paths. All this makes it possible to further optimise the removal of the residue and to convey it to areas far from the milled area.

[0081] As for the shaping of the containment element 10, it is evident that, in the case of a drum arranged horizontally, i.e. parallel to the ground, the containment element partially wraps the drum itself, advantageously leaving the part below it, i.e. that facing the ground, uncovered. This allows the tools to be used on the road surface.

[0082] According to a further aspect of the invention, the milling machine 1 comprises a collection mechanism 11 for material milled by the rotating drum 7.

[0083] In particular, in the embodiment shown and described herein, the collection mechanism is directly connected to the rotating drum 7, so that the residue collected by the tools 9 is conveyed along the helical path towards the collection mechanism 11.

[0084] Advantageously, by means of the collection mechanism 11 , the milling residue is taken from the road pavement via the helical arrangement of the tools 9 and then conveyed, by means of the collection mechanism 11 , to an unloading area, which can consist of a truck bed or a container or any other container or delimited area without any limit for the present invention.

[0085] Still advantageously, this saves time by milling the asphalt and simultaneously removing the residues.

[0086] Moreover, still advantageously, the collection mechanism 11 allows the road surface to be left clean, except, possibly, for lighter dust.

[0087] In detail, according to another aspect of the invention, the collection mechanism 11 is composed of two collection elements 13 where the first collection element 13a is rotatable with respect to a point of connection 14 to the milling machine 1.

[0088] Advantageously, the fact that the first collection element 13a is rotatable allows the collection mechanism 11 to be arranged in two main configurations, visible in fig. 3: a first operating configuration and a second rest configuration.

[0089] Obviously, both the number of the collection elements 13 and the fact that only the first collection element 13a is rotatable should not be considered limiting characteristics for different embodiments of the invention. In fact, the number of collection elements can be any and according to some embodiment variants all, or only some, of the collection elements are rotatable and therefore adjustable. In further embodiment variants not represented herein, there is only one collection element rotatable with respect to a point of connection to the milling machine. The positioning of the connection point should also not be considered limiting for the present invention, the relevant aspect being constituted by being able to rotate at least a part of the collection mechanism to be able to arrange it in one of the projections of the milling machine, so as to compact it. In fact, the important aspect is being able to limit, if not eliminate, the presence of protruding parts from the milling machine.

[0090] In the details of the two main configurations, it can be seen that in the first operating configuration (indicated with A) the first collection element 13a is partially protruding from a front projection of the milling machine 1. In particular, the first collection element 13a is arranged laterally with respect to the milling machine 1 since, obviously, the unloading area, although not highlighted in the figure, is also located laterally to the milling machine 1.

[0091] It follows that the milling machine 1 of the invention can also be used in confined areas, in which there is not enough space to arrange the unloading box in line with the milling machine 1 , i.e. in front (as indicated with B) or behind it.

[0092] However, such an arrangement of the first collection element 13a should not be considered a limiting characteristic for the invention. Rather, the fact that it is rotatable with respect to the connection point 14 advantageously makes it possible not only to direct the first collection element 13a towards the areas lateral to the milling machine 1 but also towards the longitudinal direction of the milling machine 1 itself, front or rear, depending on where it is desired or required for the milled material to be unloaded.

[0093] As regards the second rest configuration (indicated with C), according to a further aspect of the invention, the first collection element 13a is arranged recessed in the front projection of the milling machine 1. That is, observing the milling machine 1 from the front or the back, the first collection element 13a does not protrude, but falls perfectly within the lateral boundaries thereof.

[0094] Advantageously, the above makes it possible, once the milling and simultaneous collection of the milled material is finished, to compact the overall dimensions of the collection mechanism 11.

[0095] It follows, still advantageously, that in this way the milling machine 1 can move autonomously along urban streets to be relocated to another area to be milled.

[0096] From the above, it follows that no additional means of transport are required to move the milling machine 1 of the invention. And not only that. This saves the time needed to load milling machine 1 onto the transport truck and then unload it again.

[0097] It follows that the above makes it possible to save costs and personnel energy compared to the milling machines of the prior art.

[0098] In detail of the conformation of the collection elements 13, it is noted that, according to another aspect of the invention, they comprise a first tubular body and a second tubular body arranged operatively consecutive to each other. In other words, the second tubular body is a sort of continuation of the first tubular body, without however constituting a limit for the present invention.

[0099] Moreover, according to a further aspect of the invention, the collection mechanism 11 also comprises a temporary storage area 18 of the milled material interposed, in the embodiment described herein, between the first collection element 13a and the second collection element 13b. Obviously, given the presence of the storage area 18, according to another aspect of the invention, a first end of the first collection element 13a faces the storage area 18 and is constrained thereto.

[0100] Advantageously, the presence of the storage area 18 allows for the creation of a sort of interruption in the path taken by the milled material in order to collect a portion of it at a time and give it the right thrust to be transported along the first collection element 13a. To that end, the storage area 18 consists of a duct arranged perpendicular to the ground, so as to deposit the milled material transported along the second collection element 13b in the storage area 18 by gravity.

[0101] However, both the conformation of the collection elements 13 and the presence of the storage area 18 and its conformation should not be considered limiting characteristics for different embodiments of the invention. In fact, in some embodiments not represented herein, the collection elements consist of U- shaped bodies with the open part facing upwards so as to accommodate the milled material inside them in order to convey it towards the unloading area.

[0102] In further embodiments, the storage area is not provided or is provided in a different conformation and / or location.

[0103] As for the manner of conveying the milled material towards the unloading area, according to another aspect of the invention, the collection mechanism 11 comprises a twisting element 21 housed inside each of the collection elements 13

[0104] Advantageously, the twisting element 21 allows the helical path to be continued and the milling residue collected by the tools 9 to be conveyed to the unloading area.

[0105] To that end, therefore, still advantageously the removal flow generated by the rotation of the drum 7 together with the helical arrangement of the tools 9 continues along the twisting element 21 towards the unloading area.

[0106] More in detail, in the embodiment represented herein the rotating twisting element 21 is a worm.

[0107] In any case, advantageously, the milled material is removed from the underlying ground and conveyed to the unloading area. Specifically, further advantageously, the rotation of the screw collects a certain amount of milled material, that advances with each turn of the screw by a distance equal to the pitch of the screw until, at the end of the first collection element 13a, it is unloaded into the unloading area.

[0108] From what has been said it is evident that the object of the invention is also the individual milling head 2. This has all the features described for the milling machine 1. For this reason, there will not be a detailed examination of the milling head 2, as it would be repetitive with regard to the above.

[0109] In light of the foregoing, it is understood that the milling machine and the milling head of the invention achieve all the intended objects.

[0110] In particular, they make it possible to leave the milled area as clean as possible.

[0111] Furthermore, the milling machine and the milling head of the invention make it possible to prevent the milling residue from remaining under the rotating drum during the operating phase.

[0112] Moreover, they facilitate the subsequent collection of the milling residue.

[0113] And not only that. The milling machine and the milling head of the invention make it possible to prevent the formation of a slurry on the milled area when the tools are sprayed.

[0114] As a result, this saves time and therefore money compared to conventional milling machines. The invention is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the appended claims. All the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

C L A I M S1 . Milling machine for a road surface comprising at least one milling head (2) coupled to locomotion means (3), said at least one milling head (2) having at least one drum (7) rotating according to a rotation axis (X) arranged perpendicular to the road surface and equipped with a plurality of tools (9) for milling the road surface, said milling machine (1) being characterized in that at least first tools of said plurality of tools (9) are coupled to said at least one drum (7) rotating according to at least one helical path, said milling machine (1) also comprising: at least one containment element (10) coupled to said at least one milling head (2), said at least one containment element (10) at least partially wrapping said at least one rotating drum (7) and being spaced apart from it to create between said at least one containment element (10) and said at least one rotating drum (7) at least one collection and evacuation chamber for the milling residue so as to collect and convey milling residue from the road surface in said at least one helical path; at least one collection mechanism (11) for the milling residue from said at least one rotating drum (7) so as to take the milling residue from said at least one helical path and convey it towards at least one unloading area, said at least one collection mechanism (11) comprising: o one or more collection elements (13); o at least one twisting element (21) housed inside each of said one or more collection elements (13), so as to achieve a continuation of said helical path and convey the milling residue collected by said plurality of tools (9) towards said at least one unloading area.

2. Milling machine according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one first collection element (13a) of said one or more collection elements (13) is rotatable with respect to at least one point of connection (14) to said milling machine (1) so as to arrange said at least one first collection element (13a) in a first operating configuration (A) in which said at least one first collection element (13a) is at least partially protruding from at least one front projection of said milling machine (1), and in a second rest configuration (C) in which said at least one first collection element (13a) is arranged recessed in said front projection of saidmilling machine (1) thus compacting the overall dimensions of said at least one collection mechanism (11).

3. Milling machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said one or more collection elements (13) comprise at least one first tubular body and at least one second tubular body arranged operatively consecutive to each other, said at least one collection mechanism (11) comprising at least one temporary storage area (18) of the milled material interposed between said at least one first tubular body and at least one second tubular body.

4. Milling machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that said at least one second tubular body constitutes said at least one first collection element (13a), a first end of said at least one second tubular body facing said temporary storage area (18) being constrained to said temporary storage area (18) by said connection point (14) so as to make said second tubular body rotatable.

5. Milling machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plurality of tools (9) is coupled to said at least one drum (7) at least at an end portion thereof intended to act on the road surface.

6. Milling head that can be coupled to locomotion means (3) and comprising at least one drum (7) provided with a plurality of tools (9) for milling the road surface, said milling head (2) being characterized in that at least first tools of said plurality of tools (9) are coupled to said at least one drum (7) rotating according to at least one helical path so as to collect and convey milling residue from the road surface in said at least one helical path.

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