Debris Deflecting System for Milling Machine Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debris accumulation in front of milling machine sensors and side plates leads to incorrect depth measurements, affecting productivity and requiring manual labor for removal.
Innovation Solution
A debris deflecting system with deflecting elements such as scraping devices, fluid nozzles, and rotary brushes, actuated by levers, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, to automatically clear debris from the milling machine's front end, preventing incorrect measurements and reducing operator effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual debris removal by ground operators is used, then debris can be cleared from the front end of components, but operator exhaustion increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The milling machine performs debris removal automatically through its own integrated deflecting system, eliminating the need for external manual intervention. The deflecting elements are self-actuating and continuously clear debris during machine operation, making the system self-sufficient for debris management.
Solution Approach 2:
Debris is deflected away from the front end of components before it can accumulate and interfere with sensors or side plates. The deflecting elements proactively prevent debris accumulation rather than reacting to it after it occurs, ensuring continuous accurate operation.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned to measure depth accurately, then measurement precision improves, but debris accumulation in front of sensors causes incorrect readings
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (debris) is extracted or removed from the vicinity of the sensors by deflecting it away from the front end of components. This separates the debris from the sensor measurement zone, allowing accurate depth measurements without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting elements act as intermediary components between the debris and the sensors. They intercept and redirect debris before it can reach the sensors, protecting the measurement system while allowing the sensors to maintain their optimal positioning for accurate measurements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If side plates are positioned to enclose the work tool, then machine structure is stable, but side plates ride up on debris causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
Debris is extracted or removed from between the side plates and the ground surface by the deflecting elements. This prevents debris from wedging between the side plates and ground, eliminating the cause of side plate uplift while maintaining the stable enclosed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting elements apply preliminary counter-action to prevent debris from lifting the side plates. By continuously deflecting debris away from the front end of the side plates, the system prevents the harmful interaction before it can occur, maintaining both structural stability and measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A debris deflecting system for a milling machine includes at least one deflecting element disposed proximate to a component of the milling machine. The deflecting element is configured to deflect debris away from a front end of the component. The component includes at least one side plate of the milling machine and/or at least one sensor of the milling machine. The debris deflecting system also includes at least one actuating element coupled to the deflecting element. The actuating element is configured to actuate the deflecting element to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component.