Automatic Cut-Transition Milling Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional road milling machines require manual adjustments by operators to achieve a smooth transition between milled and non-milled road surfaces, leading to inconsistent results and diverting attention from other tasks.
Innovation Solution
A milling machine equipped with a controller that automatically adjusts the milling depth based on received milling grade depth and cut-transition factor, using sensors for ground speed and vertical position to incrementally adjust the rotatable mill's height, ensuring a consistent transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of milling depth is used, then operator control is maintained, but transition consistency deteriorates and operator attention is diverted
Solution Approach 1:
The milling machine automatically adjusts its own milling depth through a control system that processes sensor data and actuates the lifting members, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and maintaining consistent transitions without diverting operator attention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the current milling depth and machine position, feeds this information back to the controller, which then automatically adjusts the lifting members to maintain the desired milling grade depth and smooth transitions
2Manufacturing precision
If automatic control system is implemented, then transition consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it processes sensor data, calculates required depth adjustments, actuates lifting members, and maintains overall milling operation coordination, consolidating these functions into an integrated controller that manages the entire automatic depth control process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to automatically adjust milling depth, substituting human operator actions with an automated feedback-controlled mechanical system
3Manufacturing precision
If incremental adjustment of milling depth is used, then surface transition quality improves, but milling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the milling depth in real-time based on current machine position and desired transition parameters, automatically optimizing the rate of depth change to achieve smooth transitions while maintaining efficient milling speeds through continuous adaptive control
Data Source
AI summary
A milling machine is provided including: a frame; a plurality of ground engaging units; a plurality of vertically adjustable legs, the plurality of vertically adjustable legs comprising a front leg and a rear leg; a rotatable mill configured to mill a surface; a user interface configured to receive a milling grade depth and a cut-transition factor; a speed sensor configured to provide a ground speed of the milling machine; a vertical position sensor; and a controller coupled to the speed sensor, the vertical position sensor, and the user interface, the controller configured to lower a height of the rotatable mill to the milling grade depth by incrementally adjusting a length of at least one of the plurality of vertically adjustable legs according to the cut-transition factor, the speed sensor, and the vertical position sensor.