MATERIAL-RECEIVING DEVICE FOR A SUCTION EXCAVATOR, AND SUCTION EXCAVATOR HAVING SAID MATERIAL-RECEIVING DEVICE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a material-receiving device having an articulated tube support and a suction tube for attachment to a suction excavator. The invention also relates to a suction excavator having the material-receiving device having an articulated tube support and a suction tube.

A suction excavator is a vehicle having a vehicle frame that supports a material-collecting container, preferably one that can be tilted. In expedient embodiments, such a suction excavator has a telescoping device that has two telescopic arms, the container-side end of which in each case is disposed on a tilting axis about which the material-collecting container is rotatable, the frame-side end of each telescopic arm in each case being disposed on the vehicle frame. The suction tube is usually disposed on the suction excavator at one end and has a suction connecting piece at the other end by means of which material can be sucked in. The sucked-in material is transported through the suction tube and placed in the material-collecting container. As is well known, a suction tube has a larger diameter than standard tubes, such as those used for pumping out water or supplying liquid concrete. Known articulated tube supports for suction excavators have angle-adjustable joints between individual links, so that the links can be moved or rotated in a single plane. Furthermore, a rotation of the articulated tube support about a pivot point is made possible via a rotary drive, said rotary drive forming the connection between the articulated tube support and the vehicle. The plane in which the articulated tube support extends can thus be described by the rotation axis of the rotary drive and the pivoting direction of the first link that is attached to the rotary drive; it is usually perpendicular to the vehicle floor or vehicle frame. Accordingly, the connection is a rotationally movable fastening mount. This known arrangement results in a working area that can be described by a cylindrical coordinate system. A typical articulated tube support for suction excavators has a number n of links, preferably n≥4, with joints located in between, it being possible to achieve an angle change between the links in each case by means of an associated drive. However, simple articulated tube supports having fewer than four links are also possible.

The movement of one joint of the articulated tube support affects the position of the further upstream joints and the suction tube. Since the joints only make movements in a single, common plane possible, collisions between the individual limbs can occur. This can be avoided by modern controllers, which may limit the range of motion of individual joints.

The previously known arrangements or material-receiving devices on suction excavators have a limited working surface or a limited working area, because their links can only move in one plane. However, in principle, a broad range of applications is preferred for suction excavators, since a wide variety of areas need to be processed or cleared of material by suction. For example, intersecting lines in the ground need to be cleared of material by suction on all sides or construction rubble needs to be vacuumed out of a building. In order to cover the required working space, it is sometimes necessary to change the position of the vehicle, the maneuvering area on construction sites usually being limited, or manual assistance by a person by means of a shovel or the like is required. Therefore, for certain applications, a more flexible material-receiving device is desirable, in particular one where there is a greater degree of freedom in the articulated tube support.

EP 2 149 434 B1 describes a rotary joint and a rotary joint connection for an industrial robot. The rotary joint connection is disposed between a working apparatus and a joint portion and comprises a rotatable shaft portion having a fluid transport path. The fluid transport path is formed by a tube path that consists of two tubes that are loosely wound in a spiral shape having spacing about a rotating portion. However, such supply tubes are not suitable in type and size for suctioning out coarse material.

DE 10 2007 063 408 A1 discloses a rotary joint for tube and/or pipe connections that is used in particular in the pharmaceutical industry and through which a fluid is passed. However, this rotary joint cannot be used to transport away coarse material because its rigid structure makes it prone to blockages and high wear, the tube length required for suction excavators cannot be realized and the movement of the guided tube is massively restricted.

EP 3 705 662 A1 describes an articulated arm control of a concrete pump. The articulated arm consists of a pivot bracket and four segments, the pivot bracket having a rotary joint that can be controlled by a hydraulic motor.

EP 0 166 800 A1 shows a headpiece for a mobile or stationary refueling system, comprising a refueling coupling and a pipeline. The pipeline consists of five pipe sections, which in each case are connected by a rotary joint having a single degree of freedom. Three of the five rotary joints have parallel rotation axes. The other two rotary joints have rotation axes that are disposed perpendicular to the aforementioned rotation axes of the three rotary joints. Furthermore, the headpiece has a further rotary joint at one end, which serves as a connection to the refueling system. Due to the use of pipe sections that are not flexible, the refueling area is limited.

DE 10 2016 106 427 B3 describes a method for controlling the movement of an articulated tube support. The articulated tube support has at least three links, it being possible to achieve an angle change between adjacent links in each case by means of an associated drive.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,878 A describes a pipe apparatus for the pneumatic transport of bulk material. The apparatus comprises a stationary pipe, a rotatable pipe rotatably connected at one end to the end of the stationary tube, a flexibly bendable tube unit that is connected at its end to the other end of the rotatable pipe. A first drive device causes a rotational movement of the rotatable pipe and the flexible pipe unit. A second drive device is provided for bending the flexible pipe unit, as a result of which a lifting movement is caused.

DE 10 2018 004 334 A1 describes a suction excavator having a chassis and a structure disposed on the chassis. The structure comprises a suction nozzle for receiving suction material and a suction nozzle arm having at least one arm segment for supporting the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle arm is pivotable about a first pivot axis running parallel to a vertical axis of the suction excavator. The suction nozzle arm is mounted on a support element with one end facing the structure. The support element is pivotable together with the suction nozzle arm relative to the structure about a second pivot axis running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the suction excavator and can also be fixed together with the suction nozzle arm in various pivot positions relative to the structure.

EP 3 399 108 B1 shows an articulated suction arm of a suction excavator. The suction arm comprises at least two parts defined in the same plane and hinged to one another in a pivoting connection along a first axis perpendicular to the plane. The two parts define a rear and a front end. A base piece is hinged in a pivoting connection to the rear end along a second axis perpendicular to the plane. Pivoting connection means are disposed on the base piece in order to pivot the at least two parts along a third axis that is defined in the plane. A nozzle disposed in the region of the front end is configured to be connected to a front end of a suction line. The nozzle defines a fourth axis that is defined in the plane according to an initial position. The suction arm comprises a tilting apparatus that is configured to change the orientation of the nozzle so that the fourth axis can be tilted to one side or the other of the plane. Eccentrically disposed hydraulic cylinders are used as the tilting apparatus, which hydraulic cylinders can cause a tilt of the fourth axis or the corresponding portion of the suction arm by approximately 10°. Larger tilts, for example of approximately 90°, are not possible due to the selected structure. Therefore, certain regions in the subsurface also cannot be reached by the nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a material-receiving device for suction excavators having an enlarged or more easily accessible working space, without the risk of the suction tube being damaged or its diameter being reduced during the movement of the articulated tube support, so that a continuous material flow is maintained in any working position. In particular, for extending the operating range of the suction excavator, a working position of the suction connecting piece should be able to be reached from different directions, without the suction excavator having to change its position.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a material-receiving device having an articulated tube support and a suction tube according to the appended claim 1 and by a suction excavator having the material-receiving device having an articulated tube support and a suction tube according to the independent claim 10.

The material-receiving device according to the invention comprises an articulated tube support and a suction tube, the articulated tube support supporting and guiding the suction tube. During operation, the material-receiving device is attached to a suction excavator, so that material can be transported via the suction tube into a container of the suction excavator. The negative pressure and suction air flow required for this is generated by a fan unit on the suction excavator. The articulated tube support has a rotationally movable fastening mount at a first end, by means of which the articulated tube support can be attached to the suction excavator. The fastening mount can be a pivot joint or a rotary joint having a rotation axis. Typically, the rotation axis of the fastening mount is perpendicular to the vehicle floor, the fastening mount usually being fastened to the rear of the suction excavator in the direction of travel. The fastening mount can be used to move the articulated tube support together with the suction tube. At its other end, the material-receiving device comprises a suction connecting piece that is attached to the distal end of the suction tube. The articulated tube support consists of a number n of links, where n≥3, particularly preferably n≥4, between each of which a hinge joint (hereinafter also referred to as joint for simplicity) is formed. Each hinge joint is associated with a drive, the drives preferably being operated hydraulically. Alternatively, electric or pneumatic drives can be used. All the joints have the same degree of freedom, i.e. all the links of the articulated tube support can be moved or pivoted in a single common plane by the joints and their drives.

According to the invention, the material-receiving device also comprises at least one rotary joint that is disposed between the last (distally farthest away) hinge joint, which is located on the link on which the suction connecting piece is located, and the first hinge joint, which is closest to the rotationally movable fastening mount. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary joint is located between the last and the penultimate hinge joint, i.e. between the two hinge joints furthest away from the proximal end of the articulated tube support.

In modified embodiments, the rotary joint is mounted one or two links further towards the proximal end of the articulated tube support. This increases the range of motion of the suction connecting piece, since a plurality of links can be moved out of the plane defined by the rotation axis of the fastening mount and the position of the second link.

In a further modified embodiment, two rotary joints can also be disposed on the articulated tube support. This allows the articulated tube support to be guided around a house corner or a similar obstacle, for example.

The rotary joint has a rotation axis, the rotary joint having a different degree of freedom than the hinge joints, so that a movement of the link disposed subsequently to the rotary joint out of the plane of the other joints is made possible. Furthermore, the rotary joint has a continuous receiving opening along its axis, having a cross section larger than that of the suction tube. The suction tube is passed through the receiving opening. The rotary joint is thus mounted coaxially and concentrically with the suction tube, i.e. the rotation axis of the rotary joint runs in the receiving opening congruent with the longitudinal axis of the suction tube. Thus, the rotation in the rotary joint occurs about the longitudinal axis of the suction tube. In order to be able to carry out such a rotation without hindrance, the rotary joint must also be a supporting component of the articulated tube support (overall supporting structure). Additional (non-rotating) support elements cannot be guided over the rotary joint because they would hinder the rotation.

Due to the previously described structure of the material-receiving device, the suction tube can be moved together with the articulated tube support and its hinge joints and the rotary joint. The material-receiving device according to the invention thus realizes at least one further degree of freedom, so that the suctioning out of material by a suction excavator is also possible outside the plane defined by the joints in conventional suction excavators, e.g. parallel to the direction of travel of the suction excavator.

A further advantage of the material-receiving device according to the invention is that, due to the at least one rotary joint and its additional degree of freedom, a larger working area of the material-receiving device having the articulated tube support and the suction tube is possible in comparison to the other joints.

With the material-receiving device according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to work in larger working spaces without having to move the suction excavator to which the material-receiving device is fastened. The rotary joint makes it possible for the first time to move entire portions of the articulated tube support out of the usual working plane. The range of motion of the articulated tube support is thus qualitatively increased, so that it can only be fully described by a cylindrical coordinate system, while conventional tube supports can only be moved in a working space that is mapped in a Cartesian coordinate system. This makes use possible in confined construction sites or the like, and the suction excavator does not need to be parked as precisely within the working area, since the working area is made more flexible and expansive by the material-receiving device according to the invention. Likewise, no manual assistance using shovels or the like is necessary. Lines, ducts, rails, etc. that need to be exposed can advantageously be exposed from the sides and below using the material-receiving device. This means that material such as soil or gravel can be easily removed from intersecting lines or the like.

For the best effect or a large range of motion, the rotary joint should preferably be disposed in the kinematic chain formed by the articulated tube support, not at the suction-side end of the kinematic chain (suction connecting piece).

The rotary joint of the material-receiving device is preferably rotatable by 90°to 190°in negative and positive directions, starting from a middle position. Preferably, the rotary joint is rotatable by at least 170°to 190°in the negative and positive directions. Particularly preferably, the rotary joint is rotatable by 190°in the negative and positive directions, so that a total rotation range of slightly more than 360°can be achieved. Typically, the middle position is in the common plane of the hinge joints.

An electric drive can be formed on the rotary joint. Particularly preferably, a hydraulic drive is disposed on the rotary joint. Other fluid-based drives, such as a pneumatic drive, are also conceivable. The hydraulic drive of the rotary joint preferably has a brake. The brake is closed in its normal state, in particular in the event of a power failure or during transport.

For the supply lines of the hydraulic drive, including the subsequent joints and their hydraulic drives, the rotary joint is formed in such a way that the supply lines cannot become tangled or damaged. It must also be noted that the rotary joint itself is a supporting component of the articulated tube support. For this purpose, the rotary joint comprises at least two, preferably four tubes and a deflection roller for each tube. The tubes are coupled to the upstream and subsequent hydraulic supply lines by means of connectors. The tubes are preferably disposed together on one side surface of the rotary joint. For example, a tube is connected to a first connector on the rotary joint and runs from there to the spaced deflection roller and around said spaced deflection roller back to a second connector. The first connector is firmly connected to the rotary joint and rotates therewith. The second connector is located on a rotationally fixed component disposed indirectly on the rotary joint. Thus, the second connector forms a rotationally fixed point. The second tube is disposed in a mirrored manner to the first tub. The deflection rollers run in a counter-rotating manner and are connected to one another in a 1:2 ratio. The at least two deflection rollers interact and are preferably connected to one another by an element, in particular a spring. The spring serves to compensate for a possible length error that may occur due to installation.

In an advantageous embodiment, a rotatable tube coupling is formed on the rotary joint, which can also be referred to as a rotary flange or rotary flange pipe. In the case of a rotatable tube coupling on the rotary joint, the suction tube is preferably formed in two parts. The first part of the suction tube is flexible. The second part of the suction tube is flexible and twistable. This means that the suction tube can move together with the articulated tube support without kinking or rotating too much, so that the inner cross section of the suction tube is not or only slightly reduced in order not to hinder the material flow.

The clear cylinder cross section within the rotary joint can preferably have a diameter of approximately 500 mm in order to pass through a typical suction tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the suction tube can be rotatably attached to the suction excavator, in particular to a lid of a material-collecting container of the suction excavator. Particularly preferably, the suction tube is attached to the material-collecting container by means of a rotating flange.

A suction excavator according to the invention comprises the previously described material-receiving device having an articulated tube support and a suction tube. The suction excavator as a vehicle also comprises a vehicle frame, a suction fan (fan unit) and a material-collecting container in which sucked-up material can be collected and transported. The material is removed by means of the suction connecting piece located on the suction tube and transported via the suction tube into the material-collecting container. The suction excavator also comprises a control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and developments of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the drawing. Shown are:

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a material-receiving device according to the invention in the pivoted-out working position, which material-receiving device is attached to a suction excavator;

FIG. 2 a plan view of the material-receiving device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a cross section of a rotary joint of the material-receiving device; and

FIG. 4 a perspective view of the material-receiving device according to FIG. 1 in the pivoted-in transport position on the suction excavator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a material-receiving device according to the invention in a working position having an articulated tube support 01 and a suction tube 10 (for simplification only shown in FIG. 3), the material-receiving device being attached to a suction excavator 02. The material-receiving device is shown extended and ready for operation (working position). The articulated tube support 01 is mounted rotationally movably at a first, proximal end on the suction excavator 02 by means of a rotationally movable fastening mount 03. By means of the fastening mount 03, which has a rotation axis, the articulated tube support 01 is rotatable about the rotation axis, so that the articulated tube support 01 and a suction tube disposed thereon can be rotated from a rest position or transport position on the suction excavator 02 into a working position. At its second, distal end, the articulated tube support 01 has a suction connecting piece 04 to which the suction tube can be attached and which is used to remove and receive material.

In the example shown, the articulated tube support 01 consists of five links 05, between each of which a mechanical hinge joint 06 having a particular hydraulic drive 07 is disposed. The hinge joints 06 can be moved in a manner similar to a hinge. All the hinge joints 06 have the same degree of freedom, so that the links 05 are initially pivotable in a common plane.

According to the invention, the material-receiving device also comprises a rotary joint 08 integrated in the articulated tube support 01. In the embodiment shown, the rotary joint 08 is disposed between the last, distal hinge joint 09, which is farthest away from the rotationally movable fastening mount (03) of the suction excavator and on which the suction connecting piece 04 is located, and the penultimate hinge joint 11. Preferably, the rotary joint 08 is disposed directly on the penultimate joint 11 and can also form a structural unit therewith. The rotary joint 08 can rotate about a rotation axis and therefore has a different degree of freedom than the other joints 06, 09, 11. The rotation of the rotary joint 08 about the rotation axis at a different degree of freedom than the remaining hinge joints 06, 09, 11 allows a movement of the link 05 disposed subsequently to the rotary joint 08 out of the plane of the other joints. As a result, the range of motion of the articulated tube support 01 and thus the working area of the suction excavator 02 are extended by one degree of freedom and the removal of material from the side and below an obstacle, such as intersecting pipes, is made possible. Therefore, the material-receiving device also allows suction digging parallel to the direction of travel of the suction excavator 02.

The rotary joint 08 has a continuous receiving opening 12 having a cross section larger than the cross section of the suction tube, so that the suction tube runs through the rotary joint 08. The suction tube can be attached to a material-collecting container 14 of the suction excavator 02 by means of a flange 13, so that removed material can be transported into the material-collecting container 14 via the suction tube. The rotary joint 08 preferably has a hydraulic drive 20, but can also be operated by means of an electric drive, for example. For supplying the drives, the material-receiving device comprises supply lines 15 that are guided along the articulated tube support 01. The structure of the rotary joint 08 is explained in more detail in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the material-receiving device according to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that, by means of the rotary joint 08, the suction connecting piece 04 is pivotable from a first plane 16, in which the joints and links of the articulated tube support located between the rotary joint and the suction excavator are movable, into a second plane 17. In FIG. 2, the suction connecting piece 04 having the last, distal joint 09 and the link 05 located therebetween is pivoted by approximately 60°, so that the suction connecting piece 04 is parallel to the direction of travel of the suction excavator 02 and can be moved, for example, in a trench A for receiving material.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary joint 08 of the material-receiving device. The rotary joint 08 as a component of the articulated tube support 01 is designed such that when the rotary joint 08 rotates, the supply lines 15 and in particular hydraulic tubes 18 that connect the supply lines 15 via the rotary joint 08 are not kinked and do not become tangled with one another. The supply lines 15 run from the suction excavator 02 via the links 05 to the last, distal joint 09, which is positioned furthest away from the suction excavator. The rotary joint 08 comprises two hydraulic tubes 18, which in each case are connected at one end to a first connector 19 in a rotationally fixed manner. The first connector 19 is disposed on an outer ring 21 on the outer circumference of the rotary joint 08, the outer ring 21 of the rotary joint 08 not being rotatable. The second end of the two hydraulic tubes 18 is in each case connected to a second connector 22. The second connector 22 is disposed on an inner ring 23 of the rotary joint 01, which inner ring is rotatable. The rotating inner ring 23 rotates when the rotary joint 01 rotates, the rotation of the inner ring 23 occurring relative to the outer ring 21. So that the tubes do not become tangled, they are in each case wrapped around a deflection roller 24. The two deflection rollers 24 are disposed on the inner ring 23 so that they can move in a counter-rotating manner and are connected by means of a spring 25, so that possible length errors due to installation are compensated for. Accordingly, the rotary joint 08 according to FIG. 3 comprises two hydraulic tubes 18, two first connectors 19, two second connectors 22 and two deflection rollers 24, said components being disposed in a mirrored manner in one plane. Due to the counter-rotation, the deflection roller 24 of the first tube 18 moves the same distance in the same direction as the counter-rotating second deflection roller 24 having the second tube 18. In modified embodiments, a plurality of counter-rotating systems can be disposed one behind the other; in our case, e.g., there are four tubes in two systems. The inner radius of the rotary joint 08 forms the continuous receiving opening 12 for the suction tube 10. The suction tube 10 is twisted by means of the rotary joint 08, it being possible to avoid excessive twisting of the suction tube, for example, by restricting the rotation of the rotary joint 08 or by a two-part design with a rotary coupling of the suction tube. In FIG. 3, it is also clearly visible that the rotation axis of the rotary joint runs along the longitudinal axis of the suction tube 10. The rotary joint 08 is thus disposed coaxially and concentrically with the suction tube in the region of the receiving opening 12.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the material-receiving device according to FIG. 1 in the transport position on the suction excavator 02. In the transport position, the material-receiving device is disposed at the rear side of the suction excavator 02. In this position, the material-receiving device having the articulated tube support 01 is pivoted approximately at a right angle in the joints and thus “wound up in a spiral shape,” and the rotary joint 08 is rotated to such an extent that a collision of elements of the material-receiving device, in particular the suction connecting piece 04, with other components is avoided.