MILLING MACHINE FOR ROAD SURFACES OR PAVEMENTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a milling machine (100) comprising a bottom side (11) on which at least two milling heads (1a-1f) are individually movable and controllable in at least one translational movement (15a-15f) in one transverse rail (13a-13f) each, the rails running parallel to one another.

Claims

1. Milling machine, with a milling machine underside, on which at least two milling heads, each in a parallel transverse rail, are individually movable and controllable in at least one translational displacement direction.

2. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling heads are each arranged individually movable and controllable on a carrier slide, each carrier slide as well movable and controllable telescopically extended in the parallel transverse rail, exceeding the milling machine width as far as to a working width.

3. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the parallel transverse rails are arranged at an angle which is diagonal to the milling machine's direction of travel and a forward feed motion of the milling heads is composed of the displacement motion of the milling heads on the carrier slides and of the translational displacement direction of the carrier slides on the transverse rails.

4. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the parallel transverse rails are arranged at a 90 degree angle, perpendicular to the milling machine's direction of travel, and a forward feed motion of the milling heads is composed of a milling heads' displacement motion on the carrier slides and of a translational movement of the carrier slides in the transverse rails and of a crawling speed in the direction of travel.

5. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling machine comprises a stabilizing and levelling apparatus, with supporting legs or supporting wheels.

6. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling machine comprises a chassis/running gear stabilization, which stiffens the suspension and shock absorbers of the milling machine.

7. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling heads are deliverable in direction Z by means of an infeed motion and milling strips are millable in an inclination, which lies in a range of 0.5-5%, and amounts preferably 2.5%.

8. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling machine comprises a cooling and lubrication unit and a cleaning and suction unit.

9. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a drive rotation as well as a milling rotation and the forward feed motion are producible by means of electric motors.

10. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive rotation as well as the milling rotation and the forward feed motion are producible by means of hydraulic oil pump motors.

11. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive rotation as well as the milling rotation and the forward feed motion are producible by means of a mechanical drive that comprises a rack and pinion gear or a spindle drive.

12. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive rotation as well as the milling rotation and the forward feed motion are producible by means of wheel hub motors.

13. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the infeed motions of the milling heads and the forward feed motions of the milling heads are monitorable by means of a position sensor and rotation monitoring system.

14. Milling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling machine comprises an optoelectronic recording system, which identifies a traffic lane center, ends of previously milled milling strips, a traffic lane's transverse gradient and depressions along the carriageway.

15. Procedure for applying the milling machine in accordance with claim 14, is characterized in that the following procedural steps are carried out: a)—Moving the milling machine to a place of use specified in advance; b)—If no place of use is specified in advance, recording and measuring of potential places of use whilst in movement, with the opto-electro-magnetic recording system; c)—Recording and measuring of the transverse gradient of carriageway; d)—Recording and measuring the center of traffic lanes and of road markings; e)—Aligning the milling machine in the center of the first traffic lane and parallel with the road markings; f)—Extending the supporting legs down to the road surface; g)—Stabilizing and levelling the milling machine with the stabilizing and levelling apparatus; h)—Extending the milling heads and the carrier slides so that the milling heads project over the first traffic lane's first road markings; i)—Switching on the cooling and lubrication unit; j)—Switching on the cleaning and suction unit; k)—Applying the milling heads to the road surface, with milling dimension Z; l)—Activation of the forward feed drive; m)—Milling of strips as far as the second road marking in the first traffic lane; n)—Driving back the milling heads in direction Z; o)—Switching off the cooling and lubrication unit; p)—Switching off the cleaning and suction unit; q)—Retracting the milling heads and the carrier slides; r)—Retracting the supporting legs; s)—Moving the milling machine to a second traffic lane adjacent to the first one; t)—Recording and measuring the ends of the milling strips at the transition point between the first traffic lane and the second traffic lane; u)—Aligning the milling machine to the second traffic lane; v)—Repeating procedural steps d)-s), and so on.

16. Procedure for applying the milling machine in accordance with claim 14, is characterized in that the following procedural steps are carried out: a′)—Moving the milling machine to a place of use specified in advance; b′)—If no place of use is specified in advance, recording and measuring of potential places of use whilst in movement, with the opto-electro-magnetic recording system; c′)—Recording and measuring of the transverse gradient of carriageway; d′)—Recording and measuring of the road lane center and of road markings; e′)—Aligning of the milling machine in the center of the first traffic lane and parallel with the road markings; f′)—Extending the supporting wheels down to the road surface, or switching on the chassis/running gear working position stabilization apparatus; g′)—Stabilizing and levelling the milling machine with the stabilizing and levelling apparatus; h′)—Extending the milling heads and the carrier slides so that the milling heads project over the first traffic lane's first road marking; i′)—Switching on the cooling and lubrication unit; j′)—Switching on the cleaning and suction unit; k′)—Applying the milling heads to the road surface, with milling dimension Z; l′)—Activation of translational movement and simultaneously, activation of crawling speed; m′)—Milling of strips as far as the second road marking in the first traffic lane; n′)—Driving back the milling heads in direction Z; o′)—Switching off the cooling and lubrication unit; p′)—Switching off the cleaning and suction unit; q′)—Retracting the milling heads and the carrier slides; r′)—Retracting the supporting wheels, or switching off the chassis/running gear working position stabilization apparatus; s′)—Moving the milling machine to a second traffic lane adjacent to the first one; t′)—Recording and measuring the ends of the milling strips at the transition point between the first traffic lane and the second traffic lane; u′)—aligning of the milling machine to the second traffic lane; v′)—Repeating procedural steps d′)-s′), and so on.

Description

[0112] In this context

[0113] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary, first embodiment of a milling machine according to the present invention that is by preference similar to a truck in construction;

[0114] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the underside of a milling machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, with transverse rails fitted diagonally;

[0115] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the underside of an exemplary second embodiment of a milling machine according to the present invention, with transverse rails fitted perpendicularly to the direction of travel;

[0116] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a milling head also according to the present invention, used for a milling machine according to the present invention;

[0117] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a mechanical drive used in an exemplary third embodiment of a milling machine according to the present invention;

[0118] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a drive housing used in an exemplary fourth, purely mechanical embodiment of a milling machine according to the present invention;

[0119] FIG. 7a is a schematic representation of a special grooved-ball bearing integrated into the drive housing shown in FIG. 6;

[0120] FIG. 7b is a schematic representation of a special bevel gear, which is also integrated into the drive housing shown in FIG. 6;

[0121] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation from the bird's eye view, of an exemplary fifth embodiment of a milling machine according to the present invention, it is seen milling off a second traffic lane in a procedure according to the present invention;

[0122] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an exemplary sixth embodiment of a milling machine according to the present invention, with a device also according to the present invention for detecting depressions along the length of the road.

[0123] FIG. 1 shows the exemplary first embodiment of a milling machine 100 according to the present invention, which is similar to a truck in construction. It consists of a driver's cab 2, a load-bearing chassis or ladder frame 3, as well as a cooling-lubricant tank 4, with a filling cap 5, for cooling lubricant KSS. The load-bearing chassis or ladder frame 3, is fitted with milling heads 1a-1f, with milling drums 5a-5f, each of which is flanked by a spray nozzle 6a-6f for cooling lubricant KSS as well as by a suction nozzle 7a-7f.

[0124] Spraying nozzles 6a-6f, the connection lines (not shown in detail) to the cooling lubricant tank 4, as well as the control unit, again not shown in detail, are part of a cooling and lubrication unit 200.

[0125] In turn, suction nozzles 7a-7f are components of a cleaning and suction unit 300, that includes a container 8 for the abstracted milling waste FS. Container 8 can be emptied by flap 9 and a hydraulic cylinder 10. An underside 11 of the load-bearing chassis or ladder frame 3 is fitted with hydraulic supporting legs, of these only hydraulic supporting leg 12 can be seen in this side view illustration. These hydraulic supporting legs 12 can be extended down to the road surface FBD, thus stabilizing the milling machine 100 during milling operation.

[0126] FIG. 2 shows the underside 11 of the milling machine 100 presented in FIG. 1, or respectively, of the load-bearing chassis or ladder frame 3. This view also shows the other supporting legs 12a-12c, which are a component of a stabilizing and levelling apparatus 400. Transverse rails 13a-13f are arranged at an angle W of approximately 45 degrees. A carrier slide 14a-14f can run along each of them, each in a translational direction of displacement 15a-15f, and each driven by a servomotor 16a-16f.

[0127] Carrier slides 14a-14f are telescopically extendable on both sides of the milling machine 100, each on its own transverse rail 13a-13f. They can project beyond milling machine width FMB.sub.1, to the extent of a working width AB.sub.1, which ideally corresponds to the maximum width of a traffic lane.

[0128] The milling heads 1a-1f can be driven by servomotors (not shown in detail) in a single direction of displacement 17, on their individual carrier slides 14a-14f. The vector sum of the translational direction of displacement 15a-15f, of the carrier slides 14a-14f and of the displacement motion 17 of the milling heads 1a-1f results in the forward feed motion VB.sub.1. This again highlights the fact that—with the stationary milling machine 100, fixed and levelled by means of the supporting legs 12, 12a-12c and the stabilizing and levelling apparatus 400, it is possible for milling heads 1a-1f to mill off the required diagonal grooves or milling strips, respectively, just by means of the forward feed motion VB.sub.1 along the transverse rails at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

[0129] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a milling machine 100a according to the present invention, with an underside 11a of a load-bearing chassis or ladder frame 3a. This time transverse rails 13g-13l are arranged at an angle W.sub.1 of 90 degrees, which is perpendicular to the direction of travel and this is given by crawling speed KG. Each of the transverse rails 13g-13l is fitted with carrier slides 14g-14l, and these can be driven by servomotors 16g-16l in the corresponding translational direction of displacement 15g-15l. This means that they can be telescopically extended to a width projecting beyond milling machine width FMB.sub.2, as far as working width AB.sub.2. What's more, it is also possible to drive milling heads 1g-1l on their individual carrier slides 14g-14l, in a single direction of displacement 17b.

[0130] This results in a translational movement TB, which is any arbitrary combination of the displacement 15g-15l of the carrier slides 14g-14l and the displacement 17a of the milling heads 1g-1l. The fact that, with this embodiment 100a of a milling machine according to invention, the milling process is carried out whilst the machine is moving, preferably at crawling speed KG, results in the forward feed motion VB.sub.2, which represents the vector sum of the translational movement TB and the crawling speed KG. This means that the identity between or synchronization of, respectively, crawling speed KG and translational movement TB result in forward feed motion VB.sub.2, that is then aligned to the direction of travel at an angle W of 45 degrees. Yet, if those two movements (KG and TB) are not identical or synchronized, respectively, the result is a different angle, which is determined by the ratio of the velocities of the two movements. In this way, it is possible to mill off milling strips in any optional angle.

[0131] Only schematically depicted milling drums 27a-27f on milling heads 1g-1l, are aligned at the same angle W.sub.2. This feature is lost if milling heads 1g-1l are arranged with face milling heads instead of milling drums 27a-27f.

[0132] Before engaging crawling speed KG, the milling machine 100a is stabilized and levelled preferably by means of stabilizing and levelling apparatus 400a, that, amongst other things, also includes supporting wheels 18a-18d movable in direction Z.

[0133] FIG. 4 shows milling head 1a, from the FIGS. 1 and 2, that includes a cylinder 19. Rotating around axis RA, with rotation movement RB, the cylinder can be aligned in any required milling direction. This cylinder 19 is fitted with a spraying nozzle 6a for cooling lubricant KSS, and with a suction nozzle 7a for milling-waste FS. In the illustration these two nozzles are arranged at the sides of milling drum 27, however it is also possible for spraying nozzle 6a to be arranged in front of milling drum 27, and the suction line 7a behind it. The whole milling head 1a can be delivered in direction Z, with infeed motion ZB.

[0134] An electric motor or hydraulic oil pump motor (not represented in detail here) can be used to drive a milling head 1a constructed to this design. For example this can drive a worm 20, which in turn drives a first worm wheel 21, which is fixed on a first axle-shaft 22, so as to be torque-proof. The latter is mounted on pivot bearings 23a and 23b. The first worm wheel 21 drives a second worm wheel 24, which is fitted in torque-proof fashion on a second axle-shaft 25, which is again mounted on pivot bearings 26a and 26b. The same applies to the milling drum 27, which is arranged as torque-proof on the second axle-shaft 25. The drum has rows of individual blades 28, with exchangeable cutting inserts.

[0135] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a mechanical drive unit 600 taken as an example for a further milling machine 100b according to the present invention. Ancillary drive shafts 31a and 31b branch off from a main driveshaft 29, using a differential 30, one for each. Another mediating differential 30a is arranged on ancillary driveshaft 31a, ensuring that rotation in the corresponding spur gears 32a and 32b is synchronized. These two spur gears 32a and 32b turn driveshaft 33, which has a continuous hub 34. The hub 34 and preferably, a further hub in a diametrically opposed direction, operates with drive rotation AR and, by means of a bevel gear (not shown in detail here in FIG. 5) inside drive housing 35, drives milling head 1m, with the corresponding milling rotation FR. In this case the head is a face milling head, and its outer circumference is furnished with individual blades 28a, preferably with exchangeable cutting inserts.

[0136] Merely indicated here, a servomotor 36a is accommodated in drive housing 35; it caters for an infeed motion ZB.sub.1 of milling head 1m. Also only indicated here, is servomotor 36b that takes care of a displacement movement 17b along driveshaft 33. In this case the displacement movement 17b corresponds to a forward feed movement VB.sub.3.

[0137] FIG. 6 shows a drive housing 35a, which functions purely mechanically and is used in another embodiment of a milling machine 100c according to the present invention. Between a housing wall 37 and a mounting ring 38 there is the first bevel gear wheel 39a. Its bearings are such that, courtesy of sphere rings 40a and 40b, it can rotate freely in circular grooves 41a and 41b. At the same time, the first bevel gear wheel 39a is torque-proof, but axially displaceable being mounted on driveshaft 33a with a hub 34a.

[0138] Driveshaft 33a is mounted on special ball bearings 42a and 42b, which will be described in greater detail in a subsequent figure. In any case, these special ball bearings 42a and 42b allow for radial direction, whilst at the same time driveshaft 33a remains axially displaceable. Thus it is ensured, in conformity with the present invention, that drive-housing 35a taps drive rotation AR.sub.1 from driveshaft 33a, for rotation FR.sub.1of the milling head. At the same time it remains movable in the direction of displacement 17c.

[0139] The first bevel gear wheel 39a engages a second bevel gear wheel 39b that is again mounted on the milling head shaft 43 so as to be torque-proof. The latter has double-deep-groove ball bearings 53a and 53b and rotates around the rotation axle RA.sub.1. In addition to this, the milling head shaft 43, which is also mounted so as to be torque-proof, is furnished with a front toothed wheel 44, which engages a toothed gear 46 by means of an aperture 45 at the rear of the housing. The front toothed wheel 44 and the gear rack 46 are components of a rack and pinion gear 700. With a purely mechanical drive unit 600a, as illustrated here, the drive rotation AR.sub.1 of the driveshaft 33a causes both the milling rotation FR.sub.1, as well as the simultaneous forward feed motion VB.sub.4.

[0140] Furthermore it can also be seen in FIG. 6 that the milling head 1n is fitted with individual blades 28b, with exchangeable cutting inserts, and that a motion restrictor 47 limits the displacement movement 17c, by making the drive rotation AR.sub.1 stop. The motion restrictor 47 is preferably a component of a position sensor and rotation monitoring system 800.

[0141] FIG. 7a shows special ball bearing 42a, from FIG. 6 in a cutaway view. The balls 50 move along an outer channel 52 of an outer ring 54, and along an inner channel 51 of an inner ring 55. The latter has inside grooves 48a and 48b, which are diametrically opposed to each other. Each of them has its own ball bearings 49a and 49b or Teflon bearings that transmit the drive rotation AR.sub.1 of the inner driveshaft 33a from FIG. 6 radially. However, axially they remain displaceable—that is perpendicularly in the drawing layer. For this purpose, hub 34a in FIG. 6 can have longitudinal grooves that correspond to ball bearings 49a and 49b.

[0142] The same applies by analogy with bevel wheel 39a in FIG. 7b, where the inside grooves 48c and 48d with the ball bearings 49c and 49d hold radially, but not axially.

[0143] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a milling machine 100d at a place of use EO, which is a motorway A, consisting of a carriageway FB, a first traffic lane FSt.sub.1 and a second traffic lane FSt.sub.2. Traffic lanes FSt.sub.1 and FSt.sub.2 are defined by road markings FBM.sub.1-FBM.sub.3. The first traffic lane FSt.sub.1 has already been milled with milling strips 56a-56f running diagonally to the direction of travel FD.

[0144] The milling machine 100d, similarly to the milling machine in FIG. 3, is fitted with carrier slides 14m-14r perpendicular to the direction of travel FD, with their respective milling heads 1o-1t. It is on the second traffic lane FSt.sub.2 approaching the previously milled strips 56a-56f, preferably in balance with the three milling heads 1o-1q on the left-hand side, and the milling heads 1r-1t on the right-hand side, each extended to the maximum working width AB.sub.3.

[0145] It is sufficient to record and measure the milling strips ends 57a-57c of milling strips 56d-56f as well as the center of traffic lane FStM, by means of an optoelectronic recording system 500. Because then, milling heads 1r-1t will start continuing milling strips 56d-56f, precision milling them over road marking FBM.sub.2 and road marking FBM.sub.3. Coming from the opposite direction the milling strips made by milling heads 1o-1q will be automatically aligned with strips 56a-56c, provided the milling machine that made strips 56a-56f was of the same kind, with the same settings.

[0146] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation, showing a milling machine 100e equipped with an optoelectronic recording system 500a, by way of example escorted by a white Multivan MV driving ahead of it. With computer assistance it can measure and record both a depression S and its lowest point TP along the course of a motorway A.sub.1, as well as the transverse gradient QN, thus enabling it to identify a new place of use EO.sub.1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS/SIGNS

[0147] 1a-1t—milling head [0148] 2—driver's cabin [0149] 3, 3a—load-bearing chassis, or ladder frame, respectively [0150] 4—cooling lubricant tank [0151] 5—filling cap [0152] 6a-6f—spraying nozzle [0153] 7a-7f—suction nozzle [0154] 8—milling waste container [0155] 9—flap door [0156] 10—hydraulic cylinder [0157] 11, 11a—bottom side, underside of 3 [0158] 12, 12a-12c—hydraulic supporting leg [0159] 13a-13l—transverse rail [0160] 14a-14r—carrier slide [0161] 15a-15l—translational movement, translational direction of displacement of 14 [0162] 16a-16l—servomotor [0163] 17, 17a-17c—displacement motion of 1 [0164] 18a-18d—supporting wheel [0165] 19—cylinder [0166] 20—worm [0167] 21—first worm wheel [0168] 22—first axle shaft [0169] 23a, 23b—pivot bearing [0170] 24—second worm wheel [0171] 25—second axle shaft [0172] 26a, 26b—pivot bearing [0173] 27, 27a-27f—milling drum [0174] 28, 28a, 28b—individual blade [0175] 29—main driveshaft [0176] 30, 30a—differential [0177] 31a, 31b—ancillary driveshaft [0178] 32a, 32b—spur gear [0179] 33, 33a—driveshaft [0180] 34, 34a—hub [0181] 35, 35a—drive housing [0182] 36a, 36b—servomotor [0183] 37—housing wall [0184] 38—mounting ring [0185] 39a, 39b—bevel gear wheel [0186] 40a, 40b—sphere ring [0187] 41a, 41b—circular groove [0188] 42a, 42b—special ball bearing [0189] 43—milling head shaft [0190] 44—front toothed wheel [0191] 45—housing aperture [0192] 46—gear rack [0193] 47—motion restrictor [0194] 48a-48d—inside groove [0195] 49a-49d—ball bearing, Teflon bearing [0196] 50—ball [0197] 51—inner channel [0198] 52—outer channel [0199] 53a, 53b—double deep-groove ball bearing [0200] 54—outer ring [0201] 55—inner ring [0202] 56a-56f—milling strip [0203] 57a-57c—milling strip end [0204] 100, 100a-100e—milling machine [0205] 200—cooling and lubrication unit [0206] 300—cleaning and suction unit [0207] 400, 400a—stabilizing and levelling apparatus [0208] 500, 500a—optoelectronic recording system [0209] 600, 600a—mechanical drive unit [0210] 700—rack and pinion gear [0211] 800—position sensor and rotation monitoring system [0212] A, A.sub.1—motorway [0213] AB.sub.1-AB.sub.3—working width [0214] AR, AR.sub.1—drive rotation [0215] EO, EO.sub.1—place of use [0216] FB—carriageway [0217] FBM.sub.1-FBM.sub.3—traffic lane marking [0218] FBD—road surface [0219] FD—direction of travel [0220] FMB.sub.1-FMB.sub.2—milling machine width [0221] FR, FR.sub.1—milling rotation [0222] FS—milling waste [0223] FSt.sub.1, FSt.sub.2—traffic lane [0224] FStM—traffic lane center [0225] KG—crawling speed [0226] KSS—cooling lubricant [0227] MV—Multivan [0228] QN—transverse gradient, inclination [0229] RA, RA.sub.1—rotation axle [0230] RB—rotation movement [0231] S—depression [0232] TB—translational movement [0233] TP—lowest point [0234] VB.sub.1-VB.sub.4—forward feed motion [0235] W, W.sub.1, W.sub.2—angle [0236] ZB, ZB.sub.1—infeed motion