Collapsible Rotor Drivetrain for Cold Planer Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cold planers face challenges in transporting their rotor assemblies due to size constraints, often requiring special permits or further disassembly to comply with transportation regulations, which increases costs and risks damage during transport.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible rotor assembly with an actuating mechanism that allows the upper pulley wheel and drivetrain mounting plate to be moved from an operation position to a transport position, reducing the assembly's width to fit within standard transportation dimensions, enabling compliant shipping without special permits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotor assembly is designed with a fixed wide configuration to accommodate the drivetrain mounting plate and upper pulley wheel, then the operational functionality is improved, but the transportation compliance deteriorates as it exceeds maximum width limits
Solution Approach 1:
The drivetrain mounting plate is made movable relative to the rotor chamber, allowing it to be positioned in different locations. This enables the rotor assembly to dynamically adjust its width between a first width when the plate is in a first location and a second width when the plate is in a second location, allowing compliance with transportation regulations while maintaining operational functionality
2Length of moving object
If the rotor assembly is disassembled into multiple components to reduce width for transportation, then the transportation compliance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional assembly and disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The drivetrain mounting plate is segmented from the main rotor assembly structure, allowing it to be independently positioned and moved. This segmentation enables the plate to be relocated to different positions along the rotor chamber to adjust the overall width, providing a simpler alternative to complete disassembly while still achieving transportation compliance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable rotor assembly reduces transportation costs and minimizes the risk of damage by aligning with standard shipping regulations, allowing for efficient and safe transport of cold planer components without the need for special permits.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating mechanism operably coupled to the plate, and the actuating mechanism may be configured to move the plate and the upper pulley wheel between an operation position and a transport position
Implementation Method 2
a lower pulley wheel may be rotatably mounted to the rotor chamber and the lower pulley wheel may be operably coupled to the milling drum such that the lower pulley wheel and the milling drum synchronously rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor assembly for a cold planer is disclosed. The rotor assembly may include a rotor chamber that is configured to house a milling drum, and the milling drum may be configured to rotate within the rotor chamber. The rotor assembly may further include a plate movably coupled to the rotor chamber and an upper pulley wheel rotatably mounted to the plate. Furthermore, a lower pulley wheel may be rotatably mounted to the rotor chamber and the lower pulley wheel may be operably coupled to the milling drum such that the lower pulley wheel and the milling drum synchronously rotate. The rotor assembly may further include an actuating mechanism operably coupled to the plate, and the actuating mechanism may be configured to move the plate and the upper pulley wheel between an operation position and a transport position.