Moldboard Actuator Balancing for Road Milling Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the plunging operation of a road milling machine, components like the moldboard can catch or bind against the roadway, causing instability and lifting of the machine's legs or traction devices, due to the existing inability to effectively manage the weight and positioning of these components during surface milling.
Innovation Solution
A road milling machine equipped with a movable enclosure assembly and a hydraulic actuator system, where a controller detects the lowering of the milling drum and reverses the actuation of the actuator to offset the weight of the moldboard, preventing binding by balancing the forces and maintaining the moldboard in a closed state during the plunging operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the moldboard is kept in closed state to confine milled materials, then material containment is improved, but the moldboard binds on roadway portions during plunging operation causing machine instability
Solution Approach 1:
The moldboard positioning system transitions from a static closed state to a dynamic system that automatically adjusts between closed and open states. The controller receives signals about plunging operation and automatically positions the moldboard accordingly, making the system adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through signals from the controller that detect when a plunging operation is occurring. This feedback mechanism triggers the automated positioning of the moldboard to the open state, preventing binding while maintaining material containment during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If the moldboard is positioned to follow terrain profile, then operational smoothness is improved, but frictional forces increase causing binding during plunging
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by positioning the moldboard in the open state before the plunging operation occurs. This preventive measure eliminates the frictional binding that would otherwise occur during plunging, while still allowing the moldboard to follow terrain during normal milling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The moldboard positioning system dynamically adjusts between following terrain profile during normal operation and moving to open state during plunging. This dynamic behavior reduces frictional forces during critical operations while maintaining operational smoothness during standard milling.
3Reliability
If automated positioning system is implemented, then binding prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is integrated into the existing road milling machine's control architecture, serving multiple functions including detecting plunging operations, controlling moldboard positioning, and coordinating with other machine operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the machine's own control resources and sensors to detect plunging conditions and automatically position the moldboard. The controller leverages existing machine data and capabilities rather than requiring entirely separate detection and control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances machine stability and operational smoothness by reducing frictional forces between the moldboard and the surface, allowing it to follow the terrain profile and preventing binding, thus prolonging the life of machine components.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator adapted to be actuated between a first state and a second state to correspondingly move the member between the closed state and the open state
Implementation Method 2
reverse an actuation of the actuator towards the second state to offset and balance out a weight of the member based on the lowering of the milling drum
Data Source
AI summary
A road milling machine includes a milling drum, an enclosure assembly, an actuator, and a controller. The milling drum may modify surface. The enclosure assembly includes a member moveable between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the member at least partially encloses the milling drum to direct materials milled by the milling drum to a conveyor. The actuator is adapted to be actuated between a first state and a second state to correspondingly move the member between the closed state and the open state. Further, the controller is configured to detect the closed state of the member; determine a lowering of the milling drum with respect to the surface; and reverse an actuation of the actuator towards the second state to offset and balance out a weight of the member based on the lowering of the milling drum.