CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR CONVEYING MATERIALS IN WORK MACHINES

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to conveyor systems in work machines. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a conveyor system that includes a conveyor belt having upright walls to retain milled materials during a conveyance of the materials.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as cold planers, generally include one or more conveyor belt assemblies. A conveyor belt assembly typically includes a conveyor belt (or an endless flexible member) that may receive materials (e.g., milled materials) from a milling operation performed by the machine. The conveyor belt may be applied to convey the received material away from the machine by way of a conveying operation of the conveyor assembly.

The materials that are transferred generally include granulated materials, such as asphalt, bitumen, and/or concrete. Such granulated materials may move or be pushed around when being conveyed and may thus escape or spill away from along one or more sides of the conveyor belt, e.g., due to vibrations that accompany conveying operations. To control material spillage, side plates may be positioned along the sides of the conveyor belt. Moreover, rubberized wear pads or elements may seal or close a gap between the side plates and the conveyor belt. However, a contact (e.g., a prolonged contact) between such elements and a moving conveyor belt may wear out such elements, in turn revealing the gap between the side plates and the conveyor belt and potentially leading to material spillage. Hence, an adjustment or replacement of such elements is often needed.

Chinese Patent Publication No. CN202170718U discloses an edge-raised conveying belt for preventing splashing of materials, aiming to solve the technical problems that raised edges and transverse partitions are easily loosened and damaged when in screw connection and the materials are easy to overflow and splash, and the like. The edge-raised conveying belt comprises a base belt, two undulating raised edges and transverse partitions, the two wave-shaped raised edges are arranged on the base belt, the transverse partitions are arranged between the two undulating raised edges, two ends of each transverse partition respectively form retaining plates integrated with the transverse partition, and the transverse partitions are fastened on crests of the wave-shaped raised edges. The retaining plates protrude forwards and are inserted into grooves of the wave-shaped raised edges, therefore, when the conveying belt runs to a roller, no gaps are reserved among the wave-shaped raised edges and the transverse partitions though the wave-shaped raised edges stretch, and overflow and splashing of the bulk materials are effectively avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a conveyor system for conveying materials in a work machine. The conveyor system includes a conveyor frame and an endless flexible member to move with respect to the conveyor frame. The endless flexible member defines a first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a conveying surface therebetween for receiving the materials. The endless flexible member further includes a first wall extending upright from the first edge portion and a second wall extending upright from the second edge portion. The conveyor system further includes one or more rollers. Each roller defines one or more discrete roller segments and one or more clearance segments. When the endless flexible member moves with respect to the conveyor frame, the discrete roller segments correspondingly contacts one or more of the conveying surface, the first edge portion, and the second edge portion, to impinge and support the endless flexible member with the conveyor frame. The one or more clearance segments correspondingly clears the first wall and the second wall, providing passage to the first wall and the second wall across the one or more rollers.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a milling machine comprising a machine frame and a milling assembly coupled to the machine frame and including a milling drum for milling materials from a surface underlying the milling machine. The milling machine further includes a conveyor system for conveying the materials away from the milling assembly to clear the milling assembly of the materials. The conveyor system includes a conveyor frame and an endless flexible member to move with respect to the conveyor frame. The endless flexible member defines a first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a conveying surface therebetween for receiving the materials. The endless flexible member further includes a first wall extending upright from the first edge portion and a second wall extending upright from the second edge portion. The conveyor system further includes one or more rollers. Each roller defines one or more discrete roller segments and one or more clearance segments. When the endless flexible member moves with respect to the conveyor frame, the discrete roller segments correspondingly contacts one or more of the conveying surface, the first edge portion, and the second edge portion, to impinge and support the endless flexible member with the conveyor frame. The one or more clearance segments correspondingly clears the first wall and the second wall, providing passage to the first wall and the second wall across the one or more rollers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a milling machine, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conveyor system of the milling machine of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3 is a top view of the conveyor system of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 4-5 are partial views of an underside of the conveyor system of FIG. 2 having rollers with discrete roller segments and clearance segments, according to different embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary work machine 100 is disclosed. The work machine 100 may include a road construction machine 100`, e.g., a milling machine 100``. Although the milling machine 100`` is disclosed, the work machine 100 may include other road construction machines 100` such as a roadway/pavement profiler, a roadway planer, and/or any machine that may use or include a conveyor system, and to which, aspects of the present disclosure will be applicable. The milling machine 100 may be used to perform a road construction operation, such as a milling operation to modify a surface 104 beneath the milling machine 100``. For example, the milling operation may include one or more of scarifying, removing, mixing, and/or reclaiming material, from the surface 104. The surface 104 may be a worn out surface of a roadway, formed from one or more of asphalt, bitumen, concrete, and/or other road surface materials.

The milling machine 100`` may include a machine frame 108, and a milling assembly 112. The milling assembly 112 may be coupled to the machine frame 108. The milling assembly 112 may be used for milling materials from a surface 104 underlying the milling machine 100``. The milling assembly 112 may further include a milling chamber 116 and a milling drum 120. The milling chamber 116 may be supported by and/or be suspended under the machine frame 108 of the milling machine 100``. The milling drum 120 may be housed within the milling chamber 116. The milling drum 120 may engage and mill the surface 104 during the milling operation so as to produce or obtain milled materials.

The milling machine 100`` may further include an operator station 124 configured to accommodate one or more operators of the milling machine 100. The operator station 124 may include one or more controls, which may include control one or more of panels, levers, steering units, etc., and one or more input/output devices that may include one or more of displays, audible units, touchscreens, and the like. The milling machine 100` further includes a power source 128 configured to power movement of the milling machine 100`` on the surface 104 for milling of the surface 104. The power source 128 may include a combustion engine, a gas turbine, or any other prime mover known in the art. In some embodiments, the power source 128 may be an electric power source and may include battery systems, fuel cells, and the like.

The milling machine 100`` further includes a set of traction units 132. The traction units 132 may support the machine frame 108 over the surface 104. The traction units 132 may be powered by the power source 128 to propel the milling machine 100`` over the surface 104. The traction units 132 may include, but not limited to, crawler tracks, wheels, or a combination thereof. In an example, the milling machine 100`` may include four traction units (e.g., one towards each corner of the machine frame 108 of the milling machine 100``), although lesser or higher number of traction units 132 may be contemplated. In some embodiments, the traction units 132 may include forward traction units 132` and rearward traction units 132``.

The milling machine 100`` further includes a conveyor system 140 for conveying the materials away from the milling assembly 112. The conveyor system 140 is configured to receive the milled materials (e.g., produced during the milling operation) and convey said milled materials from the milling assembly 112 into a dump location or a dump body of a transport vehicle (e.g., a dump truck) (not shown) that may move ahead of the milling machine 100`` during the milling operation.

In some embodiments, the conveyor system 140 may be a primary conveyor system 144 or a secondary conveyor system 148. The primary conveyor system 144 may be disposed closer to the milling assembly 112 so as to receive and clear the milled materials from the milling chamber 116. Further, the secondary conveyor system 148 may be disposed in a manner to receive the milled materials from the primary conveyor system 144 and transfer the milled materials further away from the milling machine 100``. The secondary conveyor system 148 may be movable with respect to the machine frame 108 to be aligned with respect to the dump body of the dump truck. Aspects of the present disclosure may be applied to any of the primary conveyor system 144 and/or the secondary conveyor system 148.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the conveyor system 140 will now be discussed. One or more aspects of the conveyor system 140 are described in relation to the primary conveyor system 144. The description for the primary conveyor system 144 may be suitably applicable to the secondary conveyor system 148 as well. The conveyor system 140 includes a conveyor frame 152. The conveyor frame 152 may include a generally elongated profile with end regions 154 (e.g., a first end region 154` and a second end region 154``). The end regions 154 may be oppositely disposed with respect to each other.

In some embodiments, the conveyor system 140 may include a first side plate 156 and a second side plate 158 coupled to the conveyor frame 152. The first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may be coupled to the conveyor frame 152 by using a plurality of brackets 160 and fasteners 162. The conveyor system 140 may further include a rotating assembly 164. The rotating assembly 164 may include a rotor 166 mounted on the conveyor frame 152 using a mount 168. In some embodiments, the mount 168 may be coupled to the conveyor frame 152 by welding, although other coupling means such as fastening may be contemplated. In some embodiments, the rotating assembly 164 may be mounted on the first end region 154` of the conveyor frame 152. The rotor 166 may be rotated by using an electric motor (not shown), although other means for rotating the rotor 166 may be contemplated.

The conveyor system 140 further includes an endless flexible member 170 configured to move with respect to the conveyor frame 152. In an example, the endless flexible member 170 is movably wound and tensioned around the conveyor frame 152. The endless flexible member 170 may be a conveyor belt 170`. In some embodiments, the endless flexible member 170 may be formed from elastomeric material such as rubber, which may include fabric reinforcements, or the like material(s).

The endless flexible member 170 may convey the milled materials from the milling assembly 112 to an auxiliary conveyor system (e.g., secondary conveyor system 148). In some embodiments, the primary conveyor system 144 may convey the milled materials from the milling assembly 112 to the secondary conveyor system 148 and the secondary conveyor system 148 may convey the milled materials to the dump truck. In some embodiments, the endless flexible member 170 moves around the conveyor frame 152 by using the rotating assembly 164. In an example, the rotor 166 moves the endless flexible member 170 around the conveyor frame 152 so as to allow the conveyor to transfer the milled materials from the milling assembly 112 to the auxiliary conveyor system (e.g., secondary conveyor system 148).

The endless flexible member 170 may include a first edge portion 172 and a second edge portion 174. The first edge portion 172 and a second edge portion 174 may define corresponding edges 172` and 174` respectively. A width, W, of the endless flexible member 170 may be defined by a distance between the corresponding edge 172` of the first edge portion 172 and the edge 174` of the second edge portion 174. The endless flexible member 170 further includes a conveying surface, S, between the first edge portion 172 and the second edge portion 174 for receiving the milled materials. The conveying surface, S, allows the milled material to be conveyed from the milling assembly 112 to the auxiliary conveyor system (e.g., secondary conveyor system 148).

When the endless flexible member 170 moves with respect to the conveyor frame 152, one or more of the conveying surface, S, the first edge portion 172, and the second edge portion 174 defines a first side 176, at which the milled materials are conveyed. The endless flexible member 170 further defines a second side 178 opposite to the first side 176 at which the endless flexible member 170 is devoid of the materials.

The endless flexible member 170 further includes a first wall 180 extending upright from the first edge portion 172, and a second wall 184 extending upright from the second edge portion 174. Each of the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 are integrated into the endless flexible member 170. Each of the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 define a width, T. The width, T, is defined in and along a direction of the width, W, of the endless flexible member 170. In some embodiments, the first wall 180, and the second wall 184 define a height, H. The height is defined in and along a direction perpendicular to the direction of width, W, of the endless flexible member 170. In some embodiments, the height, H, may range from 1 to 8 inches.

In some embodiments, each of the first wall 180 may extend angularly from the first edge portion 172, and the second wall 184 may extend angularly from the second edge portion 174. In some embodiments, the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 may extend outwardly with respect to the first edge portion 172 and the second edge portion 174 respectively. For example, an angle between the first wall 180 and the first edge portion 172 may range from 40 to 90 degrees. Similarly, an angle between the second wall 184 and the second edge portion 174 may range from 40 to 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 are made of a same material as that of endless flexible member 170. In some embodiments, each of the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 are joined on the conveying surface, S, of the endless flexible member 170 by adhesive bonding, cross-linking, vulcanizing, or by mechanical means such as fasteners, and the like.

In some embodiments, the first wall 180, the second wall 184, and the conveying surface, S, collectively define a conveying cavity 186 to retain the milled materials received therein throughout a conveying movement of the endless flexible member 170. The conveying cavity 186 may be a U-shaped region defined by the first wall 180, the second wall 184, and the conveying surface, S. The conveying cavity 188 allows the conveying of the milled material from the milling assembly 112 to the auxiliary conveyor system (e.g., secondary conveyor system 148) without spilling of the milled materials from the conveyor system 140.

In some embodiments, each of the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 includes a corrugated profile, C, to accommodate flexures in the endless flexible member 170 when the endless flexible member 170 moves (e.g., moves around) with respect to the conveyor frame 152. The corrugated profile, C, defines a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves extending serially along a circumference of the endless flexible member 170. In some embodiments, each ridge of the alternating ridges is placed equidistant from each other respectively.

In some embodiments, the first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may be disposed outwardly and upwardly from the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 respectively. In some embodiments, the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 may be spaced apart to define a space, M, therebetween. The first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may be disposed at least partly within the space M. The first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may define clearance with respect to the first wall 180, the second wall 184 and the conveying surface, S, to not interfere with movement of the endless flexible member 170. Further, in some embodiments, the first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may be disposed above the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 respectively. In some embodiments, the first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may be made of metal, although different materials may be contemplated. In an example, the first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 defines a gap, L, with the endless flexible member 170, thus, do not contact the endless flexible member 170 when the endless flexible member 170 is moved. The first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158 may protect the milled material to be conveyed from spilling around the conveyor frame 152.

Referring to FIG. 4, the conveyor system 140 includes one or more rollers 220 (e.g., a first roller 220`, a second roller 220``) disposed on one or more roller shafts 226. The roller shaft 226 may be mounted on the conveyor frame 152. In some embodiments, the roller shaft 226 may be mounted on the conveyor frame 152 by using mounting brackets 222. In some embodiments, the mounting brackets 222 may be coupled to the conveyor frame 152 by welding, although other coupling means such as fastening may be contemplated. The rollers 220 may generally have a cylindrical shape, although other shapes may be contemplated. The rollers 220 may be in a rolling engagement with the endless flexible member 170. In an example, the rollers 220 may be rotatably coupled with the first side 176 (e.g., the conveying surface, S) of the endless flexible member 170. The rollers 220 may help the endless flexible member 170 to be tensioned around the conveyor frame 152. The rollers 220 may help in removing slack from the endless flexible member 170 when the endless flexible member 170 is moving around the conveyor frame 152.

Each roller 220 of the one or more rollers 220 defines one or more discrete roller segments 224 (e.g., a first discrete roller segment 224` and a second discrete roller segment 224``) and one or more clearance segments 228 (e.g., a first clearance segment 228` and a second clearance segment 228``). The discrete roller segments 224 are mounted on the roller shaft 226. In some embodiments, the discrete roller segments 224 are co-axial to each other. In some embodiments, the clearance segments 228 may be formed by removing material of the roller in a certain region. In some embodiments, each clearance segment 228 is positioned between two consecutively arranged discrete roller segments 224.

The one or more discrete roller segments 224 correspondingly define one or more first diameters, D1. In some embodiments, the one or more first diameters may be equal. The one or more clearance segments 228 correspondingly define one or more second diameters, D2. In some embodiments, the one or more first diameters may be equal. In some embodiments, the second diameters, D2, is smaller than the first diameters, D1. Further, each clearance segment 228 of the one or more clearance segments 228 defines a gap, G, bigger than the width, T, of each of the first wall 180 and the second wall 184. This allows the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 to pass through the clearance segment 228 of the rollers 220.

The one or more discrete roller segments 224 are in rolling engagement with one or more of the conveying surface, S, the first edge portion 172, and the second edge portion 174 of the second side 178 to impinge and support the endless flexible member 170 with the conveyor frame 152. In some embodiments, one or more rollers 220 with only discrete roller segments 224 may be in rolling engagement to a bottom surface, B, disposed opposite to the conveying surface, S, of the endless flexible member 170. The rollers 220 contacting the bottom surface, B, of the endless flexible member 170 may only include discrete roller segments 224 because the bottom surface, B, of the endless flexible member 170 do not include any side wall and hence, only the discrete roller segments 224 contact the bottom surface, B, of the endless flexible member 170 when the endless flexible member 170 moves around the conveyor frame 152.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment, the rollers 220 of the conveyor system 140 may include first discrete roller segments 224a and second discrete roller segments 224b. The first discrete roller segments 224a and the second discrete roller segments 224b may be formed by removing material from a region, R, of the discrete roller segment 224 around the shaft 226. Therefore, by removing the material of the rollers 220, weight of the conveyor system 140 may be reduced, thereby providing a cost effective conveyor system 140. In some embodiments, the first discrete roller segments 224a and the second discrete roller segments 224b together form a plurality of wheels 232. The wheels 232 may contact one or more of the conveying surface, S, the first edge portion 172, and the second edge portion 174. In an example, the wheels 232 may contact some portions of the conveying surface, S, and the first edge portion 172, and the second edge portion 174.

Industrial Applicability

In operation, when the milling machine 100`` operates, the milling drum 120 rotates and breaks the surface 104 to form the milled materials. The milled materials are then transferred on to the endless flexible member 170. The endless flexible member 170 moves with respect to the conveyor frame 152 to convey the milled material from the milling drum 120 to the auxiliary conveyor. To prevent spillage of the milled materials around the edges 172` and 174` of the endless flexible member 170, the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 is provided.

When the endless flexible member 170 moves with respect to the conveyor frame 152, the discrete roller segments 224 correspondingly contacts one or more of the conveying surface, S, the first edge portion 172, and the second edge portion 174. The discrete roller segments 224 thus impinge and support the endless flexible member 170 with the conveyor frame 152. At this instance, the clearance segments 228 correspondingly clears the first wall 180 and the second wall 184, providing passage to the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 across the rollers 220 220.

The clearance segments 228 helps keep the motion of the conveyor free from interference with the rollers 220, allowing for a smooth and uninterrupted operation of the endless flexible member 170. Moreover, the conveyor system 140 including the endless flexible member 170 having the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 allows the milled material to be conveyed from the milling assembly 112 to the auxiliary conveyor system (e.g., secondary conveyor system 148) without any spillage. Further, the first wall 180 and the second wall 184 also help in eliminating rubberized wear pads or elements that may be otherwise needed to seal or close a gap between side plates (the first side plate 156 and the second side plate 158) and the endless flexible member 170. Therefore, the life of the conveyor system 140 is increased and the adjustment of replacement of such wear pads are eliminated.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and/or system of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method and/or system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.