DESC:TRUCK SIDE CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR PAVEMENT REMOVAL MACHINE

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to a delivery conveyor or material delivery device for a construction machine and other machineries and more particularly, relates to a truck side conveyor system for pavement removal machine that requires swiveling of material delivery device or machines that are used for road construction or maintenance or for surface mining.

Background of the Invention

A mobile milling machine for milling road surface consists of a milling drum which mills off the road pavement. The milled off pavement material is transferred to a mobile vessel cum carrier via conveyor belts. These machines are available in two types called as a front loader machine and a rear loader machines. The front loader machines may consist of a primary conveyor belt and a delivery conveyor belt while the rear loader consist only a delivery conveyor belt. The delivery conveyor transfers milled material from ground level to the mobile vessel cum carrier in case of the rear loader while from the primary conveyor to the delivery conveyor to the mobile vessel cum carrier in case of the front loader. Sometimes it delivers milled material in vicinity of machine at certain location i.e. edge of road.

The delivery conveyor belt is able to swivel left-right and yaw up-down to give wide range of flexibly in material delivery. The delivery conveyor is articulated with main machine body in order to provide swiveling to the delivery conveyor belt; lift assembly is mounted on main body of the machine and attached to the conveyor by means of a pin joint and is used to adjust yaw position of material delivery. The lift assembly increases or decreases its length which in turn sink or raise yaw position of the delivery conveyor. The lift assembly consists of a rope, a linear actuator and other connecting structures.

A prior art patent US 8770386 B2, reveals a folding transport conveyor for a construction machine, an automotive construction machine and a method for pivoting a transport section at the end of the folding transport conveyor. In the folding transport conveyor for a construction machine, with a first transport conveyor section articulated at the construction machine, a second transport conveyor section articulated at the first transport conveyor section in a pivoting fashion, with a conveyor belt continuously revolving around both transport conveyor sections, and with at least one pivoting mechanism acting between the transport conveyor sections, it is provided that the pivoting mechanism includes a cam mechanism.

Another prior art patent US 7131704 B2 discloses a shiftable conveyor for road milling machine. A material collection device for particles received from a processing device on a road processing machine. The material collection device comprises a guide having a material discard opening and an attachment face. A conveyor support is shiftably fixed to the guide and is positionable in a substantially horizontal plane with respect to the attachment face. Additionally, the guide is positioned to direct particles milled from the road through the material discard opening to the conveyor support.

In the prior art patents discussed above and also in existing machine the articulation or center of rotation of the delivery conveyor is matched with the lift assembly mount point so that both lift assembly and conveyor structure rotate about same center and keep conveyor at same yaw position while swivel. If the centers are different the different angle of swivel length requirement of lift assembly changes which results into rising or dipping of conveyor. Due to same axis of a lift assembly mount point and an articulation pin, a cantilever mount of the lift assembly is required and since whole conveyor weight is transferred to lift assembly a very rigid mount structure is required. Due to compulsion in the mounting point machine aesthetic get affected specifically in the front loader machine.

Also, the delivery conveyor is mounted exactly above the articulation joint of a conveyor structure; in such cases due to swiveling requirement at the articulation joint hindrance free mounting location is required such as extreme ends of the main body of the machine. In such case a rigid mounting structure for the lift assembly is required because of articulation is at extreme end of the body. And if it is not mounted exactly above the articulation the delivery conveyor rises or sinks while swiveling in either side because of center offset of main body structure and lift assembly mounts. Due to mounting position constraint machine aesthetics also get affected.

Accordingly, there exists a need to design a lift assembly in such a way that it keeps delivery conveyor height in same plane while swiveling in either side. Also a better aesthetics can be achieved since the mounting point can be decided conveniently which overcomes drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a truckside conveyor system for pavement removal machines.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lift assembly that can be mounted anywhere on the truckside conveyor system because a cam follower mechanism compensates the length while swiveling of the conveyor.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a lift assembly with flexibility in mounting point.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a truck side conveyor system for pavement removal machine/ a milling machine. The system comprises a main body configured with a mounting surface, a milling unit, a delivery conveyor, a lift assembly, a mount structure and. Further, the milling unit is mounted on the milling machine and the lift assembly is mounted on the mount structure and located on mounting surface. The delivery conveyor is attached with the main body by means of an articulation joint in such a way that it can swivel with reference to an articulation joint axis. The lift assembly consists of a mounting pin, an orienting plate, a cam profile, a follower pin, a connecting bar, a lift cylinder/linear actuator, rope mount plate and ropes. The mount pin and the orienting plate is rigidly connected and mounted on the mount structure by means of the pin joint. The follower pin is fitted in the cam profile and rigidly fixed with the connecting bar. A guide bar is rigidly connected with the swivel pin and the swivel pin is mounted on the orienting plate by means of the pin joint and is able to rotate around an axis. The connecting bar is connected with the linear actuator with the help of couplers. The actuator rod is connected with the rope mount plate by means of the pin joint and the ropes other side attached to delivery conveyor by means of a pin joint.

The linear actuator which adjusts length of an actuator rod and able to raise or sink the yaw position of the delivery conveyor. While the follower pin is moving along the cam profile the relative length of the follower pin and the swivel pin varies such a way that the relative length between the follower pin and the conveyor pin remains constant. This slack length or lack length of the lift assembly gets compensated by the cam profile design, wherein the guide bar slides along the connecting bar.

The delivery conveyor swivels from position A to position B. In order to maintain the delivery conveyor yaw position same without actuating the linear actuator, total length of the lift assembly need to increase or decrease depending upon off set of axis and. The follower pin moves along the cam profile such a way that the delivery conveyor remains at same yaw position until and unless the linear actuator adjusts length of the actuator rod, wherein the compensation is achieved using the cam profile. The delivery conveyor is also able to yaw in vertical plane with the help of the lift assembly.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objective and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 shows a full system view of a truckside conveyor, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an arrangement of the system components, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a lift assembly in working position, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the present invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a truckside conveyor system for pavement removal machine. The present invention provides a lift assembly that is designed in such a way that it can be mounted anywhere on a main body structure of the truckside conveyor system because a cam follower mechanism compensates the length while swiveling of the conveyor. The lift assembly is provided with flexibility in a mounting point, thereby giving better aesthetics as well as better optimization of linear actuator forces.

This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and as well as in following table.

1 Milling machine / Pavement Removal Machine
2 Main body of truck
3 Milling unit
6 Delivery conveyor
7 Articulation joint
8 Lift assembly
9 Mount structure
10 Pin joint
11 Mounting surface
12 Mounting pin
13 Orienting plate
14 Guide bar
15 Connecting bar
16 Swivel pin
17 Mounting Axis
18 Follower pin
19 Cam profile
20 Couplers
21 Lift cylinder / Linear Actuator
22 Actuator rod
23 Pin joint
24 Rope mount plate
25 Ropes
28 Articulation joint axis
100 Truckside conveyor system

Referring to figures 1 to 3, there is shown a truckside conveyor system (100) (herein after referred as “the system (100)”) for a pavement removal machine (1), in accordance with the present invention. The pavement removal machine is also referred as “the milling machine (1)”.

The system (100) comprises a main body (2) configured with a mounting surface (11), a milling unit (3), a delivery conveyor (6), a lift assembly (8) and a mount structure (9). Further, the milling unit (3) is mounted on the milling machine (1). The mount structure (9) is located on the mounting surface (11). The lift assembly (8) is mounted on the mount structure (9).

The delivery conveyor (6) is attached with the main body (2) by an articulation joint (7) in such a way that the delivery conveyor (6) can swivel with reference to an articulation joint axis (28). The delivery conveyor (6) is also able to yaw in vertical plane with the help of the lift assembly (8).

The lift assembly (8) consists of a mounting pin (12), an orienting plate (13), a cam profile (19), a follower pin (18), a connecting bar (15), a lift cylinder/linear actuator (21), a rope mount plate (24) and ropes (25). The mount pin (12) and the orienting plate (13) is rigidly connected and mounted on the mount structure (9) by means of a pin joint (not numbered). The follower pin (18) is fitted in the cam profile (19) and rigidly fixed with the connecting bar (15). A guide bar (14) is rigidly connected with the swivel pin (16) and the swivel pin (16) is mounted on the orienting plate (13) by means of a pin joint (not numbered) and is able to rotate around a mounting axis (17). In an embodiment, the articulation joint axis (28) is not same as the mounting axis (17) of the lift assembly (8).

When the follower pin (18) moves along the cam profile (19) the relative position of the connecting rod (15) remains same with reference to the follower pin (18) and the guide bar (14) is able to slide inside a slot along the connecting bar (15). The connecting bar (15) is connected with the linear actuator (21) with the help of couplers (20). The linear actuator (21) is able to adjust extension of the actuator rod (22). The actuator rod (22) is connected with the rope mount plate (24) by means of a pin joint (23). The ropes (25) are attached to the rope mount plate (24) at one side and other sides of the ropes (25) are attached to the delivery conveyor (6) by means of a pin joint (10).

Again, referring to figures 1 to 3, in an operation, the linear actuator (21) adjusts length of the actuator rod (22) and able to raise or sink the yaw position of the delivery conveyor (6). The delivery conveyor (6) swivels from position A to position B as shown in figure 3. In order to maintain the delivery conveyor (6) yaw position same without actuating the linear actuator (21), total length of the lift assembly (8) need to increase or decrease depending upon off set of the articulation joint axis (28) and the mounting axis (17). The follower pin (18) moves along the cam profile (19) such a way that the delivery conveyor (6) remains at same yaw position until and unless the linear actuator (21) adjusts length of the actuator rod (22). The compensation is achieved using the cam profile (19). While the follower pin (18) is moving along the cam profile (19) the relative length of the follower pin (18) and the swivel pin (16) varies such a way that the relative length between the follower pin (18) and the conveyor pin (10) remains constant. This slack length or lack length of the lift assembly (8) gets compensated by design of the cam profile (19). The guide bar (14) slides along connecting bar (15). In an embodiment, the length ‘L1’ is a total length of the connecting bar (15) and the guide bar (14) in a center position as shown in the position A, as shown in the figure 3. The length ‘L2’ is adjusted length of the connecting bar (15) and the guide bar (14) other than in center position as shown in the position B in the figure 3. In a specific embodiment, difference between L1 and L2 gives the require compensation in the slack length or lack length of the lift assembly (8).

Advantages of the invention:

1. The delivery conveyor (6) does not need mounting constraint as mentioned in the prior art.
2. The delivery conveyor (6) is directly mounted on the main body (2) of the milling machine (1) so that no additional structure is required for mounting the lift assembly (8).
3. The mounting point (12) location is flexible (Independent from the articulation joint axis (28)).
4. Less rigid mounting structure.
5. Optimized force along the linear actuator (21).
6. Flexibility in the mounting point (12) of the lift assembly (8) gives better aesthetics.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A truck side conveyor system (100) for a pavement removal machine (a milling machine) (1) comprising:
a main body (2) configured with a mounting surface (11);
a milling unit (3) mounted on the milling machine (1);
a delivery conveyor (6) attached with the main body (2) by means of an articulation joint (7) in such a way that the delivery conveyor (6) swivels with reference to an articulation joint axis (28);
a mount structure (9) located on the mounting surface (11);
a lift assembly (8) mounted on the mount structure (9), the lift assembly (8) having,
• a mounting pin (12),
• an orienting plate (13) rigidly connected with the mounting pin (12),
• a guide bar (14) rigidly connected with a swivel pin (16), wherein the swivel pin (16) is mounted on the orienting plate (13) by the pin joint and is able to rotate around a mounting axis (17),
• a connecting bar (15), wherein the guide bar (14) slides along connecting bar (15),
• a cam profile (19),
• a follower pin (18) fitted in the cam profile (19) and rigidly fixed with the connecting bar (15),
• a linear actuator (21) having an actuator rod (22) attached thereto such that the linear actuator (21) adjust extension of the actuator rod (22),
• a rope mount plate (24), wherein the actuator rod (22) is connected with the rope mount plate (24) by a pin joint (23), and
• ropes (25) attached to the rope mount plate (24) at one side thereof and other sides of the ropes (25) are attached to the delivery conveyor (6) by a pin joint (10);
wherein, the linear actuator (21) adjusts length of an actuator rod (22) and able to raise or sink the yaw position of the delivery conveyor (6), by moving the follower pin (18) along the cam profile (19), the relative length of the follower pin (18) and the swivel pin (16) varies such a way that the relative length between the follower pin (18) and the pin joint (10) remains constant, wherein the slack length or lack length of the lift assembly (8) gets compensated by the cam profile (19) design and by sliding the guide bar (14) slides along connecting bar (15); and
wherein, the delivery conveyor (6) swivels from position A to position B, the follower pin (18) moves along the cam profile (19) such a way that the delivery conveyor (6) remains at same yaw position until and unless the linear actuator (21) adjusts length of the actuator rod (22), wherein the compensation is achieved using the cam profile (19), wherein the delivery conveyor (6) yaws in a vertical plane with the help of the lift assembly (8).

2. The truck side conveyor system (100) for a pavement removal machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mount pin (12) and the orienting plate (13) are mounted on the mount structure (9) by means of a pin joint.

3. The truck side conveyor system (100) for a pavement removal machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting bar (15) is connected with the linear actuator (21) with help of couplers (20).

4. The truck side conveyor system (100) for a pavement removal machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adjustment in total length of the lift assembly (8) depends upon off set of the articulation joint axis (28) and the mounting axis (17).

Dated this on 22nd day of July 2020

Prafulla Wange
(Agent for Applicant) IN-PA/2058