Milling Apparatus Coupling Mechanism for Axial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical abrasive type milling machines face difficulties in maintaining the alignment of abrasive roll assemblies and the constant gap between abrasive rolls and perforated screens, making it challenging to dismantle and replace these components without disturbing the mechanical axial alignment.
Innovation Solution
A locking disk mechanism is introduced, which includes a shaft with external threading and a sleeve assembly with internal threading, allowing the abrasive roll assembly to be coupled and rotated along the axial center of the milling apparatus without a physical axle through each roll, using a locking disk assembly and a bearing mechanism to maintain alignment and facilitate easy removal and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If abrasive roll assemblies are coupled to the shaft through long bolts throughout the milling machine, then the abrasive rolls can be securely mounted, but removing and replacing the abrasive roll assemblies becomes difficult and disturbs the mechanical axial alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into a locking disk, a shaft with external threading, and a sleeve assembly with internal threading. This segmentation allows the abrasive roll assembly to be independently coupled and uncoupled from the main shaft without disturbing other components, enabling easy replacement while maintaining alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking disk acts as an intermediary component between the abrasive roll assembly and the main shaft. It provides a dedicated coupling interface that simplifies the attachment and detachment process, eliminating the need for long bolts throughout the entire milling machine and preventing alignment disturbances during replacement.
2Manufacturing precision
If a shaft runs through all abrasive roll assemblies to maintain alignment, then the axial alignment is maintained, but the abrasive roll assemblies cannot be easily dismantled without disturbing the alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent connection (long bolts throughout) to a dynamic removable connection. The threading system allows the shaft to be inserted and secured at precise positions, maintaining alignment while enabling easy dismantling and reassembly without disturbing the axial alignment of other components.
3Productivity
If the abrasive roll assembly is rotated along a shaft present throughout the milling machine, then the rotation is supported, but replacing the abrasive roll assembly requires realigning the entire milling machine which is tedious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism extracts the alignment function from the entire milling machine structure and concentrates it into a localized threading interface between the locking disk and the shaft. This allows the abrasive roll assembly to be replaced independently without requiring realignment of the entire milling machine, significantly improving maintenance efficiency while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling mechanism for an abrasive roll assembly placed inside an apparatus to couple the abrasive roll assembly along its axial centre with the axial centre of the apparatus, the coupling mechanism comprising a locking disk (9) placed along the abrasive roll assembly (2) which is in association with the axial centre of the abrasive roll assembly. A shaft (10) fixed along the axial centre of said locking disk such that said shaft and said locking disk have common centre of axis. A rotating means (8), the outer surface of which is fixed to the body of the apparatus to form the stationary end and the inner surface of which is fixed to the outer surface of a hollow guide and lock means (6) to form the rotatable end such that said hollow guide and lock means is capable of being rotated with respect to said rotating means; and in the inner side of said hollow guide and lock means said shaft can be slide as desired to place said shaft in desired position inside said hollow guide and lock means and to hold it rigid in desired position inside said hollow guide and lock means wherein said locking disk can be moved as desired in accordance with said shaft movement such that said locking disk mates the abrasive roll assembly and holds the abrasive roll assembly intact with respect to the apparatus and that said shaft along with said locking disk can be rotated with respect to said rotating means and that the axis of rotation is along the axial centre of the apparatus and a rotating mechanism for an apparatus to hold and to rotate a shaft the rotating mechanism comprising A hollow sleeve (6) which has threading in its internal surface such that a shaft (10) which has a mating thread on its external surface can be threaded along the axis of the sleeve. A bearing (8) whose inner surface of is fixed to the outer surface the sleeve (6) and the outer surface of the bearing is fixed to the apparatus. A retainer ring is fixed on to the bearing and the sleeve such that the shaft can pass though it and the bearing is intact with the sleeve and the apparatus; and a lock nut (11) which can be threaded on to the shaft from the bottom of the sleeve such that the shaft can be locked at desired position in the sleeve wherein shaft can be rotated with respect to the bearing precisely in its centre of axis and the axis of rotation is the axial centre of the apparatus.