EXCHANGEABLE MILLING DRUM BOX UNIT, IN PARTICULAR QUICK-CHANGE MILLING DRUM BOX UNIT, AND GROUND MILLING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE MACHINE AND AN EXCHANGEABLE MILLING DRUM BOX UNIT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a milling drum box unit, in particular a quick-change milling drum box unit, for mounting to a self-propelled base machine to obtain a ground milling machine, the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit, comprising an interior configured to receive a milling drum and open downward in vertical direction and having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and two opposing side walls, a part of a fastening device for mounting the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit, to the base machine, a connection point arranged inside the interior of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit, and configured to receive and establish a drive connection to a milling drum rotatable about a rotation axis, on sides of each side wall a lateral shield height-adjustable relative to the side wall, at least two drive energy-consuming consumer elements and/or at least two sensors for detecting an operating parameter. The present invention further relates to a ground milling machine, comprising a base machine with a machine frame, an operator platform, a drive motor and travel units driven by the drive motor, a milling drum box unit, in particular a quick-change milling drum box unit, with a milling drum for milling ground material. The ground milling machine further has a detachable, in particular hydraulically, electrically, electromechanically or pneumatically detachable, fastening device with which the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit, can be detachably fastened to the base machine of the ground milling machine.

Claims

1. A milling drum box unit for mounting on a self-propelled base machine to obtain a ground milling machine, said milling drum box unit comprising: an interior configured to accommodate a milling drum and open downward in vertical direction, with a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and two opposing side walls; a part of a fastening device for mounting the milling drum box unit to the base machine; and a connection point arranged within the interior of the milling drum box unit which is configured to receive and establish a drive connection to a milling drum rotatable about a rotation axis; on sides of each side wall, a lateral shield which is height-adjustable relative to the side wall; at least two drive energy-consuming consumer elements and/or at least two sensors for detecting an operating parameter, wherein a distributing device or a connection device to a distributing device for hydraulic and/or electrical energy and/or incoming control signals is provided on the milling drum box unit, which performs a distribution of hydraulic and/or electrical energy and/or incoming control signals supplied via a common line to at least two hydraulic and/or electrical energy-consuming consumers and/or actuators controlled via control signals.

2. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the distributing device has a drive energy connection point configured for connection to a drive energy source external to the exchangeable milling drum box unit, the distributing device downstream of the drive energy connection point in the energy supply direction further being comprised by the milling drum box unit which is configured for distributing and allocating drive energy supplied via the drive energy connection point to the at least two consumers, and/or the distributing device has a signal transmission point configured for connection to a signal transmission system external to the milling drum box unit, a control unit being further comprised by the milling drum box unit which is in signal communication with the at least two sensors and the signal connection point, and/or the distributing device has a connector to a CAN bus system of a machine control system of a ground milling machine, wherein signal transmission connections to the at least two sensors originate from this connector.

3. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least two consumers consuming drive energy consume hydraulic or electrical energy and include at least one of the following features: the at least two consumers are hydraulically or electrically actuated linear actuators; the at least two consumers are hydraulically or electrically operated motors; and the at least two consumers are configured such that the at least two consumers drive an adjusting movement of a lateral shield relative to a side wall and/or of a front flap adjustable relative to the front wall and/or of a stripper flap adjustable relative to the rear wall and/or of a hold-down device relative to the front wall.

4. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the distributing device includes at least one of the following features: the distributing device is a distribution device for hydraulic energy and comprises a valve unit with at least two valves controllable between at least two switching positions, one of the valves in each case being assigned to one of the at least two consumer elements; the distributing device is configured as a valve block with at least two valve units; the distributing device comprises a central drive energy supply line and a central drive energy discharge line; the distributing device is arranged outside the milling drum box interior on the milling drum box unit; and the distributing device comprises all valves required to control hydraulically actuated work functions of the milling drum box unit.

5. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors has at least one of the following functions: the at least one of the at least two sensors is a displacement transducer which monitors an adjusting movement of a linear actuator; the at least one of the at least two sensors is a pressure sensor that monitors a fluid pressure of a cooling fluid and/or hydraulic fluid; the at least one of the at least two sensors is a temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of an operating fluid; the at least one of the at least two sensors is a closing sensor that monitors a flap position and/or a locking position of a locking element; the at least one of the at least two sensors is an optical sensor; and the at least one of the at least two sensors is a non-contact distance sensor.

6. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit fulfills at least one of the following features: the control unit is in signal communication with the distributing device and controls the distributing device; the control unit controls all hydraulically driven work functions of the milling drum box unit; the control unit controls at least one ambient light; the control unit is an electronic module (ECU); the control unit is connected to the signal transmission point, which is configured for connection to a CAN bus system on a machine side; and the control unit is configured to receive all sensor data of the milling drum box unit and/or for central signal communication via the signal transmission point.

7. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive energy connection point and/or the signal transmission point: are arranged on the top side of the exchangeable milling drum box unit; and/or are arranged on a side wall of the milling drum box unit.

8. The milling drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the exchangeable milling drum box unit further comprises a connection point for a mechanical drive gear for driving the milling drum, comprising at least one traction roller for integration into a traction drive for driving the milling drum, the drive energy connection point and/or the signal transmission point and/or the distributing device and/or the control unit being arranged on the milling drum box unit in the region to be circled by the traction means, and/or the milling drum box unit comprises a connection device for connection to an on-board electrical system of the base machine, for supplying one or more ambient lights of the milling drum box unit.

9. The milling drum box unit according to claim 8, wherein the exchangeable milling drum box unit has a housing part for enclosing the traction roller, comprising a removable, or pivotable side flap.

10. A ground milling machine, comprising: a base machine with a machine frame, an operator platform, a drive motor and travel units driven by the drive motor; a milling drum box unit with a milling drum for milling ground material; and with a detachable fastening device with which the milling drum box unit can be detachably fastened to the base machine of the ground milling machine, wherein the milling drum box unit is configured according to claim 1, and the base machine has a detachable mating connector for connection to the drive energy connection point and/or the signal transmission point of the milling drum box unit.

11. The ground milling machine according to claim 10, wherein the base machine has a housing part for enclosing a traction roller, wherein, the detachable mating connector is located in a region inside the housing circled by the traction means; and/or the housing part has a connector complementary to the housing part of the milling drum box unit.

12. The mill drum box unit according to claim 1, wherein the milling box unit is a quick-change milling box unit.

13. The milling drum box unit according to claim 5, wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on the embodiment examples illustrated in the figures. In the schematic figures:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a side view of a ground milling machine of the center rotor type with a base machine and a milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a view of the disassembled state of the ground milling machine and the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit;

[0040] FIG. 3 is an oblique perspective view of a milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit; and

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the supply principle of a milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit, according to the present invention.

[0042] Like components are designated by like reference numerals in the figures, although recurring components may not be designated separately throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a generic self-propelled ground milling machine 1, in this case a cold road milling machine. More specifically, it is a large milling machine of the center rotor type. Elements of the ground milling machine include a machine part 2 or a base machine and a milling part 3 in the form of a milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit. The base machine 2 comprises a machine frame 6, which is height-adjustably supported by travel units 4 via lifting columns 5, with a drive motor 7, an operator platform 8 and a milled material conveyor 9. The lifting columns 5 enable height adjustment of the machine frame 6 in vertical direction relative to the ground. The drive motor 7 supplies the drive energy required for the milling and transport operation, in particular for the travel drive and the drive of the milling device, which is described in more detail below. From the operator platform 8, the ground milling machine 1 is operated by an operator during working operation. During working operation, the ground milling machine 1 travels over the ground to be worked in working direction a and mills a material to be milled. Specifically, this is done with the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit, 3, comprising a milling drum box 10 and a milling drum 11 arranged in the interior of the milling drum box 10. The milling drum box 10 in total comprises a front wall b, a rear wall c, a cover d toward the top located above the milling drum 11 and covers e to the left and right sides (shown in FIG. 3). The milling drum box 10 is open toward the ground, so that the milling drum 11 positioned inside the milling drum box 10 can engage the ground from within the milling drum box 10. For milling operation, the milling drum 11 rotates about a horizontal rotation axis R extending transversely to the working direction a.

[0044] The milling part 3 is configured as a modular unit that can be dismounted from the machine part 2 of the ground milling machine 1. To this end, a fastening device 12, which is shown only in highly schematized form in FIG. 1, is provided for connecting the milling part 3 to the machine part 2. The possible structure and the possible mode of operation of this fastening device 12 per se are known in the prior art, for example described in DE102015016678A1. It will be appreciated that for mounting/dismounting the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, the drive train, which in the present embodiment is partially configured as a belt drive, must be separated and restored after the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, has been installed.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the state prior to the installation of the dismounted milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, with the milled material conveyor removed before installation of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, on the machine part 2, as seen in the direction of the arrows toward the section line Hof FIG. 1. For this purpose, the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, is pushed, for example, in the present embodiment example via a suitable transport device (for example a trolley) 13, in direction b from a position located laterally next to the base machine 2 transversely to the working direction a below the machine part 2 between the front and rear travel units 4. The specific procedure may be varied. The machine frame 6 is in this case moved upward in vertical direction via the lifting columns 5, so that there is sufficient space below the machine frame 6 of the machine part 2. Once the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, and the base machine 2 are aligned to each other accordingly, both modules can be connected to each other.

[0046] The special features of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, are illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3. Accordingly, part of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, may be a drive energy connection point 13 and a signal transmission point 14, via which a functional connection to the base machine 2 is made with regard to drive energy and/or signal transmission. In the present case, the drive energy connection point 13 is a connector with a hydraulic fluid supply opening and a hydraulic fluid return opening (not shown in the figures), via which hydraulic fluid can be centrally supplied from the base machine 2 to the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, and returned from the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, to the base machine 2. In a corresponding manner, the signal transmission point 14 is configured to transmit sensor data and control signals. In particular, it may be a CAN bus connection point. Additionally or alternatively, electrical energy may also be transmitted centrally via a central connection point. The connection point may also be configured for combined transmission of hydraulic energy and/or electrical energy and/or sensor signals and/or control signals.

[0047] The milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, further comprises a distributing device 15 configured as a valve block. The valve block centrally supplies the hydraulic fluid coming from the base machine 2 via the drive energy connection point 13 to individual hydraulic consumers of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3. Specifically, these may be, for example, linear actuators 16 for lifting adjustment of lateral shields 17, linear actuators 18 for height adjustment of a hold-down device 19, linear actuators for lifting and/or pivoting adjustment of a rear stripper flap and/or a hydraulic maintenance motor for driving a slow rotational movement of the milling drum (not shown in FIG. 3), for example during the exchange of chisels. These linear actuators may be adjustable individually and/or in pairs and/or in groups. The supply and return lines of the individual linear actuators converge centrally at the distributing device.

[0048] To control the individual hydraulic consumers, the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, comprises a control unit 20 in the form of an electronic module which is in signal or control connection, in particular also with the valve block. The control unit is further connected to the signal transmission point 14 for communication with the base machine 2. Other consumers, such as an ambient light, distance sensors, a camera, etc., may also be connected to the control unit for control and/or signal processing and/or signal forwarding to the base machine 2, and may be controlled by the latter. Further, a further connection point not shown separately in FIG. 3 may be provided by the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, for connection to the on-board electrical system of the base machine 2, i.e., for transmission of electrical energy.

[0049] The control unit 20 may further be in signal communication with a plurality of sensors. Specifically, these may be, for example, displacement measuring devices arranged on or within the linear actuators described above, pressure sensors arranged within one or more hydraulic lines, temperature sensors for determining the temperature of an operating fluid, etc. The control unit 20 combines the incoming sensor data and transmits them, preferably via the CAN bus system, centrally to the base machine 2.

[0050] The drive energy connection point 13 and the signal transmission point 14 may be part of a plug connection with complementary mating elements provided on the base machine 2. The established plug connection can be secured by means of an arresting device and/or monitored by means of a monitoring device.

[0051] Finally, the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, comprises a connection point 21 for a mechanical drive gear, in this case in the form of a traction drive, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3, the connection point 21 is specifically configured as a belt roller as an example. In the present embodiment example, the space circled by the traction means in the assembled state of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, serves, in particular, to accommodate elements 13, 14, 15 and 20. This interior may be closed off and protected from the outside with a cover plate 22. The cover plate 22 is part of a gear housing half 23 configured to enclose the gear components of the drive gear for the milling drum located on the side of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, when the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, is mounted on the base machine 2. This gear housing half 23 is completed in the mounted state of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, on the base machine 2 by a corresponding further gear housing half mounted on the base machine 2.

[0052] Finally, FIG. 4 illustrates the supply principle of a milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, according to the present invention, especially as described in the previous figures. The individual components are for the most part described with respect to the preceding figures, so that reference is made here to the corresponding use of the reference numerals. FIG. 4 now illustrates once again the “tapping principle” of the configuration of a milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, according to the present invention. For example, the hydraulic supply from the base machine 2 to the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, takes place centrally via the connection point 13 (with the high-pressure side P for supplying the unit 3 and the low-pressure side T for returning hydraulic fluid from the unit 3 to the base machine 2). The connection point 13 thus has only two connected lines. The distribution to the individual consumers 16, 18, 18′, on the other hand, only takes place in the domain of unit 3, so that the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, thus only requires two line connections in the hydraulic system (hydraulic supply P and return T) toward the base machine 2. Optionally, further distribution blocks 15′ may be connected to the central distribution block 15, for example to supply individual equipment options 18″ with hydraulic energy. This may thus also be done via the central “tapping point” 15 and thus via said one connection 13 to the base machine. This means that the individualization of the hydraulic system and/or the distribution of the hydraulic energy preferably only takes place on the side of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, and not already on the side of the base machine. Such an equipment option may be, for example, the scanning device of a leveling system, a hydraulic maintenance motor for driving a slow rotational movement of the milling drum, or the like.

[0053] The control unit 20 may be in signal communication with the distribution device 15, for example to switch valves in the distribution device such that they supply hydraulic energy to various consumers as needed.

[0054] The connection point 14 may be used to transmit signals and/or electrical energy between the base machine 2 and the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3. Further, the control unit 2 may be in energy transmission and/or signal communication with one or more sensors 20′.

[0055] FIG. 4 further illustrates schematically that the connection points 13 and/or 14 (these may also be contiguous) are configured as a plug connection with a plug half A on the side of the base machine 2 and a plug half B on the side of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3. The two plug halves are at least partially complementary to each other in the contact region and may also include, for example, leakage protectors, quick couplings, etc. The two plug halves A and B may be additionally secured in the plugged state by an arresting device and/or the established plugged state may be monitored by a monitoring device, for example by a contact switch or the like actuated by the plug half B on the plug half A. The arresting device and/or the monitoring device may transmit sensor data to a machine control system and, for example, reduce and/or switch off machine functions if the plug connection is released during operation, and/or prevent them if the plug connection is not established.

[0056] Within the scope of the present invention, the distribution block may also be positioned on the base machine 2, but then in the immediate vicinity of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, i.e., in particular on the bottom side of the base machine facing the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, in the mounted state of the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, and/or in a bottom edge region of this bottom side. In this case, the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, comprises one or more connection devices for establishing at least one supply connection for hydraulic and/or electrical energy and/or a sensor and/or control signal transmission connection to the distributing device on the side of the base machine. In accordance with the above explanations, these may, for example, be configured analogously to the connection points 13 and/or 14. Mixed forms of these two variants are also possible, in which case a respective distributor device is then arranged on the milling drum box unit, in particular quick-change milling drum box unit 3, and a further distributing device is arranged on the base machine 2, in particular in the preferred region described above.

[0057] While various aspects in accordance with the principles of the invention have been illustrated by the description of various embodiments, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. The various features shown and described herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept.