Quick Change Milling Assembly Movable Locking Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold planer systems lack a reliable and durable method for quickly and easily mounting and removing the milling assembly, which is necessary for transportation and switching between different widths of milling assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A milling assembly with a drum housing and actuator assembly featuring movable locking rods that engage with mounting holes on the frame, allowing for secure and efficient mounting and removal, utilizing conical sections for proper positioning and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used for the milling assembly, then the structure is simple, but the mounting and removal process is time-consuming and not reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The locking rods are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to automatically engage with the mounting holes when the milling assembly is positioned on the frame. This dynamic mechanism enables quick mounting without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between mounting reliability and mounting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking rods are positioned and oriented such that they automatically align with and engage the mounting holes through gravity and geometric constraints alone, without requiring external actuators or manual operation. This self-service mechanism achieves both reliable mounting and time efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the milling assembly is designed for quick removal, then transportation efficiency is improved, but the attachment security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking rods transition from a static fixed-connection design to a dynamic movable design where they can freely engage and disengage. The movable nature allows the assembly to be securely attached during operation yet easily removed for transportation, resolving the contradiction between removal ease and attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into independent locking rods that can individually engage with mounting holes, allowing the milling assembly to be quickly detached from the frame while maintaining secure attachment when engaged.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple milling assemblies with different widths are used, then versatility is improved, but the complexity of managing and switching assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with standardized mounting holes and the milling assemblies are equipped with corresponding standardized locking mechanisms. This universal interface allows different width milling assemblies to be interchangeably mounted on the same frame using the same locking rod mechanism, achieving versatility without increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A milling assembly for a cold planer including a frame and an actuator assembly having a plurality of movable locking rods for mounting the milling assembly to the frame is disclosed. The milling assembly comprises a drum housing, and a plurality of mounting units fixed to the drum housing for mounting the milling assembly to the frame. The mounting units include a plurality of mounting holes configured to receive a respective end portion of one of the plurality of movable locking rods. In another embodiment, a milling assembly including an actuator assembly with movable locking rods is disclosed.