Automotive Milling Machine Conveyor Steering Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of automotive milling machines face challenges in steering and relocating the machines due to the need to continuously adjust the slewing angle of the transport conveyor, which diverts attention from the milling process and increases the risk of collisions, especially when cornering or reversing.
Innovation Solution
A detection and control system that automatically controls the slewing angle of the transport conveyor based on the steering angle of the milling machine, allowing it to mimic the behavior of a fictitious single-axle trailer, thereby reducing the operator's need to constantly adjust the conveyor during steering and enabling safe operation and repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator manually adjusts the slewing angle of the transport conveyor during steering, then the transport conveyor can be positioned correctly, but the operator's attention is diverted from the milling process and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport conveyor positioning system automatically adjusts itself based on detected steering parameters without requiring continuous operator intervention. The control system uses detected steering angle and travel parameters to autonomously control the slewing angle of the transport conveyor, making the system self-regulating and freeing the operator from manual adjustment tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously detects steering angle and travel parameters, then uses this feedback to automatically adjust the transport conveyor's slewing angle. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the transport conveyor remains properly positioned during steering operations without requiring operator attention, thereby reducing collision risk.
2Productivity
If the transport conveyor is made longer to improve material discharge capability, then loading efficiency increases, but the risk of collision with lateral obstacles during cornering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport conveyor's slewing angle is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of steering parameters. During cornering maneuvers, the system automatically changes the slewing angle to accommodate the longer conveyor length, preventing collision with lateral obstacles while maintaining optimal loading efficiency throughout the operation.
3Ease of operation
If the operator continuously monitors and adjusts the transport conveyor during reverse travel, then loading coordination improves, but operational stress and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
During reverse travel operations, the transport conveyor positioning system automatically monitors and adjusts the slewing angle based on detected steering parameters without requiring operator intervention. This self-service capability simplifies the operational complexity while maintaining proper loading coordination between the milling machine and transport vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
In an automotive milling machine, with a machine frame with longitudinal axis, with a chassis with wheels or tracked travelling drive units which support the machine frame, with a controller for the travelling, steering and milling operation, with a height-adjustable working drum, with a slewable last or single transport conveyor of specified length arranged in front of or behind the working drum as seen in the direction of travel of the milling machine, where the transport conveyor is, as a minimum, slewable sideways about an essentially vertical first axis under a slewing angle, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the controller comprises a detection and control system which, as a minimum, detects the steering angle of the steering controller for the chassis or, as a minimum, the steering angle of the steering controller and the distance travelled or the travel speed, and controls the slewing angle of the transport conveyor in accordance with this no less than one parameter.