A tunnel boring machine automatic stepping device and method of use thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine and its usage method, belonging to the field of tunnel construction technology. It includes a front sliding plate, a push-pull hydraulic mechanism, and a rear sliding plate connected in sequence. The front sliding plate has a symmetrically arranged arc-shaped top plate above its first base plate, and the first base plate has a first through groove in which a wedge-shaped buckle is embedded. The rear sliding plate has a buckle groove on its second base plate. This invention, employing the aforementioned automatic stepping device and its usage method for a tunnel boring machine, achieves space optimization, reduces tunnel cross-section requirements, and improves stepping efficiency. This makes the empty-push stepping process of the tunnel boring machine more continuous, simple, and rapid. Furthermore, its simple and reusable structural design reduces production and maintenance costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of tunnel construction technology, specifically relating to an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) require air-pushing upon startup, posing a technical challenge to rapid air-pushing within a pilot tunnel already constructed using the drill-and-blast method. Double-shield TBMs typically employ an arc-shaped guide platform and pre-laid sliding rails in the starting pilot tunnel, a method that is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Open-face TBMs use a flatbed walking mechanism, but this method results in discontinuous walking, hindering rapid air-pushing and making correction difficult. Furthermore, the large space occupied by the headframe support necessitates sufficient clearance on both sides of the tunnel bottom and between the headframe and the tunnel roof, increasing the excavation cross-section for the drill-and-blast method. To address these issues, this invention provides an automatic walking device for a tunnel boring machine and its usage method. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic stepping device for tunnel boring machines. This device achieves space optimization, reduces the tunnel cross-section requirements, and improves stepping efficiency, making the empty-push stepping process of the tunnel boring machine more coherent, simple, and fast. Furthermore, its structural design is simple and reusable, reducing production and maintenance costs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine, comprising a front slide plate, a push-pull hydraulic mechanism, and a rear slide plate connected in sequence. The front slide plate has an arc-shaped top plate symmetrically arranged above a first bottom plate, and the first bottom plate has a first through groove in which a wedge-shaped buckle is embedded. The rear slide plate has a buckle groove on its second bottom plate.

[0005] Preferably, longitudinal stiffening plates are vertically arranged between the first base plate and the top plate, and transverse stiffening plates are vertically arranged between the longitudinal stiffening plates and between the first base plate and the top plate. The transverse stiffening plates extend outward and their ends are right-angled trapezoidal connecting parts.

[0006] Preferably, the first through groove is located between the transverse stiffening plate and the longitudinal stiffening plate.

[0007] Preferably, the top of the wedge-shaped buckle is square, the lower part of the wedge-shaped buckle is wedge-shaped, and the inclined surface of the lower part of the wedge-shaped buckle faces the pushing direction of the push-pull hydraulic mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the push-pull hydraulic mechanism includes a front connecting reinforcement component, which is composed of a triangular plate and a square plate. The triangular plate of the front connecting reinforcement component is connected to the top plate, and the square steel plate of the front connecting reinforcement component is connected to the transverse stiffening plate.

[0009] Preferably, the push-pull hydraulic mechanism further includes a middle connecting reinforcement and a rear connecting reinforcement. The middle connecting reinforcement is an arc-shaped steel plate, which is connected to the rear sliding plate, and the rear connecting reinforcement is connected to the rear sliding plate.

[0010] Preferably, the second base plate is provided with a second through groove, and the row spacing and spacing of the second through groove are set in the same way as those of the first through groove.

[0011] Preferably, the latching groove includes a latching groove side plate, which is made of steel plate, and a sliding plate latching groove top plate is provided on the sliding plate latching groove side plate. The sliding plate latching groove side plate, the sliding plate latching groove top plate, and the second base plate are connected.

[0012] Preferably, the snap-fit ​​groove further includes a snap-fit ​​groove rib, which is composed of a trapezoidal steel plate and is arranged perpendicularly to the snap-fit ​​groove side plate and the second bottom plate. The snap-fit ​​groove rib, the snap-fit ​​groove side plate, and the second bottom plate are connected.

[0013] A method for using an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine includes the following steps: S1: Casting track platform, wherein a reserved groove is provided on the track platform; S2: After the structural strength of the track platform reaches a predetermined threshold, apply drag-reducing liquid to the track platform; S3: Place the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine on the track platform, align the wedge-shaped buckle with the reserved groove, and let the wedge-shaped buckle fall into the groove under the action of gravity. Assemble the tunnel boring machine on the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine, and alternately move the front slide plate and the rear slide plate by pushing and pulling the hydraulic cylinder. S4: Repeat the advance and retraction steps until the tunnel boring machine reaches the target area; S5: After reaching the target area, push the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine forward so that all the wedge-shaped buckles are pushed out of the reserved groove, and then remove the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention, employing the aforementioned automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine and its method of use, has the following significant advantages compared to the prior art: (1) The present invention does not require the use of a head frame lifting cylinder to support the head of the tunnel boring machine, thereby saving the space occupied by the lifting cylinder and reducing the lifting space reserved on the upper part of the tunnel boring machine, making the required tunnel cross-section space smaller. (2) The use of this invention achieves continuity, simplicity and efficiency of the steps, significantly speeds up the stepping speed of the tunnel boring machine and improves construction efficiency; (3) The device of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and is reusable, thereby reducing production and maintenance costs.

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional top-view schematic diagram of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram from below of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front slide plate 1-1 of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front slide plate 2-2 of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the front slide plate of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front slide plate AA of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front slide plate BB of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a wedge-shaped buckle for an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the push-pull hydraulic mechanism of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the rear sliding plate of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the rear slide plate CC of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rear slide plate 3-3 of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the latching groove of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the track platform of an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure Labels 1. Track platform; 2. Front sliding plate; 21. First base plate; 22. Top plate; 23. Transverse stiffening plate; 24. Longitudinal stiffening plate; 25. Wedge-shaped buckle; 251. Buckle top; 252. Buckle middle; 253. Buckle lower; 26. First through groove; 3. Push-pull hydraulic mechanism; 31. Push-pull hydraulic cylinder; 32. Front connector; 33. Rear connector; 34. Rear connecting reinforcement; 35. Front connecting reinforcement; 36. Middle connecting reinforcement; 4. Rear sliding plate; 41. Second base plate; 42. Buckle groove; 421. Buckle groove top plate; 422. Buckle groove side plate; 423. Buckle groove rib; 43. Second through groove; 5. Reserved groove. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Example 1 like Figures 1-2 As shown, this embodiment specifically relates to an automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine consists of a front slide plate 2, a push-pull hydraulic mechanism 3, and a rear slide plate 4 connected in sequence. The front slide plate 2 consists of a first bottom plate 21, a top plate 22, a transverse stiffening plate 23, a longitudinal stiffening plate 24, and a wedge-shaped buckle 25.

[0020] like Figures 3-7 As shown, the first base plate 21 is a rectangular steel plate made of Q235 grade steel. Its length and width are determined by the dimensions of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) shield; the length is approximately equal to the length of the TBM shield, the width is half the diameter of the TBM shield, and the thickness is 10mm. The first base plate 21 has two rows of first through slots 26, each 0.29m × 0.29m in size. The spacing between the first through slots 26 matches the stroke length of the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31, which is 1.5m. The edge of each first through slot 26 is 0.3m from the long side of the first base plate 21, and the first through slot 26 is located in the center of the cavity formed by the transverse stiffening plate 23 and the longitudinal stiffening plate 24.

[0021] A top plate 22 is provided on the first base plate 21. The top plate 22 consists of two symmetrically arranged arc-shaped steel plates. The material of the top plate 22 is Q235 grade steel. The length of the top plate 22 is the same as that of the first base plate 21, and the thickness is 10mm. The curvature of the top plate 22 is the same as that of the tunnel boring machine shield.

[0022] Transverse stiffening plates 23 are arranged vertically between the first bottom plate 21 and the top plate 22. The transverse stiffening plates 23 extend outwards, with their ends forming right-angled trapezoidal connections. The spacing between the transverse stiffening plates 23 is 0.29m, and the thickness of each transverse stiffening plate 23 is 10mm. Longitudinal stiffening plates 24 are arranged vertically between the first bottom plate 21 and the top plate 22, and are perpendicular to the transverse stiffening plates 23. The spacing between the longitudinal stiffening plates 24 is 0.31m, and the thickness of each longitudinal stiffening plate 24 is 10mm.

[0023] like Figure 8 As shown, the wedge-shaped buckle 25 consists of a top part 251, a middle part 252, and a lower part 253. The wedge-shaped buckle 25 is made of Q235 grade steel. The wedge-shaped buckle 25 is embedded in the first through groove 26, and the total height of the wedge-shaped buckle 25 is 110mm.

[0024] The top 251 of the buckle measures 310mm × 290mm × 50mm. The top 251 is square, with its sides 20mm wider than the first through slot 26, allowing the wedge-shaped buckle 25 to be embedded within it. The middle part 252 of the buckle measures 290mm × 290mm × 10mm. The lower part 253 of the buckle is wedge-shaped, with a top dimension of 290mm × 290mm and a height of 50mm. The inclined surface of the lower part 253 faces the pushing direction of the push-pull hydraulic mechanism 3.

[0025] like Figure 9 As shown, the push-pull hydraulic mechanism 3 consists of a push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31, a front connecting member 32, a rear connecting member 33, a rear connecting reinforcement member 34, a front connecting reinforcement member 35, and a middle connecting reinforcement member 36. The push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31, the front connecting member 32, and the rear connecting member 33 are conventional configurations for those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0026] The rear connecting reinforcement 34 consists of two triangular steel plates and one square steel plate, made of Q235 grade steel with a thickness of 10mm. The rear connecting reinforcement 34 is welded to the rear sliding plate 4. The middle connecting reinforcement 36 is an arc-shaped steel plate, made of Q235 grade steel with a thickness of 10mm, and is welded to the rear sliding plate 4 to ensure the stability of the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 during the push-pull process.

[0027] The front connecting reinforcement 35 consists of three triangular steel plates and one square steel plate, made of Q235 grade steel with a thickness of 10mm. The triangular steel plates of the front connecting reinforcement 35 are welded to the top plate 22, and the square steel plate of the front connecting reinforcement 35 is welded to the transverse stiffening plate 23.

[0028] like Figures 10-12As shown, the rear sliding plate 4 consists of a second base plate 41, a latching groove 42, and a wedge-shaped latch 25. The second base plate 41 is a rectangular steel plate made of Q235 grade steel. Its length is 2.5m, its width is less than that of the first base plate 21, and its thickness is 10mm. The second base plate 41 has two rows of second through grooves 43, with two through grooves 43 in each row. The dimensions of the second through grooves 43 are 0.29m × 0.29m. The row spacing and interval of the second through grooves 43 are the same as those of the first through grooves 26.

[0029] like Figure 13 As shown, the snap-fit ​​groove 42 is composed of a snap-fit ​​groove top plate 421, a snap-fit ​​groove side plate 422, and a snap-fit ​​groove rib plate 423. The snap-fit ​​groove top plate 421 is a rectangular steel plate made of Q235 grade steel, with dimensions of 330mm × 310mm and a thickness of 10mm.

[0030] The snap-fit ​​groove side plate 422 is composed of four rectangular steel plates in total, with a height of 60mm and a thickness of 10mm. The distance between the two left and right plates is 310mm, and the distance between the two front and rear plates is 290mm. The snap-fit ​​groove side plate 422 is welded to the snap-fit ​​groove top plate 421 and the second bottom plate 41.

[0031] The snap-fit ​​groove rib 423 is composed of 8 trapezoidal steel plates, each 10mm thick, and is arranged perpendicularly to the snap-fit ​​groove side plate 422 and the second bottom plate 41, and is welded together. The snap-fit ​​groove rib 423 has a top width of 150mm and a bottom width of 300mm.

[0032] like Figure 14 As shown, the track platform 1 is a concrete-poured plane. The width of the track platform 1 is wider than the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine. The track platform 1 is provided with a reserved groove 5. The reserved groove 5 is 350mm×350mm in size and 60mm in depth. The spacing of the reserved groove 5 is the same as the spacing of the wedge-shaped buckle 25.

[0033] The method of using the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine in this embodiment includes the following steps: S1: The track platform 1 is poured in the planned stepping area of ​​the tunnel boring machine, and a reserved groove 5 is provided on the track platform 1; S2: After the structural strength of track platform 1 reaches the predetermined threshold, apply drag-reducing liquid to track platform 1 to reduce the travel resistance of the subsequent tunnel boring machine on track platform 1. S3: Retract the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 to the lowest stroke, place the tunnel boring machine automatic stepping device on the track platform 1, align the wedge buckle 25 with the reserved groove 5, and the wedge buckle 25 slides down into the reserved groove 5 under the action of gravity; The tunnel boring machine is assembled on the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine. After the assembly is completed, the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 is pushed. When the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 is pushed, the wedge-shaped buckle 25 on the rear slide plate 4 is always stuck in the reserved groove 5. The wedge-shaped buckle 25 on the front slide plate 2 gradually retracts into the front slide plate 2 as the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 pushes the front slide plate 2 forward. After the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 is pushed to one stroke, since the distance between the wedge-shaped buckle 25 and the reserved groove 5 is one stroke, the wedge-shaped buckle 25 in the first through groove 26 falls into the reserved groove 5 by its own weight. When the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 retracts, the wedge-shaped buckle 25 on the front slide plate 2 is always locked in the reserved groove 5. The rear slide plate 4 moves forward as the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 retracts, and the wedge-shaped buckle 25 on the rear slide plate 4 gradually retracts into the rear slide plate 4 as the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 retracts. After the push-pull hydraulic cylinder 31 retracts to one stroke, the wedge-shaped buckle 25 in the rear slide plate 4 falls into the reserved groove 5 by its own weight, thus completing one forward step sequence. S4: Repeat the above sequence of pushing and pulling hydraulic cylinder 31 forward and retracting. Each time the push and pull hydraulic cylinder 31 advances and retracts, the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine travels one hydraulic cylinder stroke. S5: After the tunnel boring machine reaches the target area, the support shoe is tightened and there is no weight acting on the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine. At this time, push the automatic stepping device 1 of the tunnel boring machine forward by about 30cm. The wedge-shaped buckles 25 are all pushed out from the reserved groove 5. Then push the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine to the side and finally pull the automatic stepping device 1 of the tunnel boring machine backward.

[0034] It is worth noting that all contents not described in detail in this invention are existing technologies and are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Therefore, the present invention adopts the above-mentioned automatic stepping device for tunnel boring machines and its usage method, which realizes space optimization, reduces the tunnel cross-section requirements, and improves stepping efficiency, making the empty push stepping process of the tunnel boring machine more coherent, simple and fast. Furthermore, its structural design is simple and reusable, reducing production and maintenance costs.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine, characterized in that, It includes a front sliding plate, a push-pull hydraulic mechanism and a rear sliding plate connected in sequence. The front sliding plate has an arc-shaped top plate symmetrically arranged above the first bottom plate. The first bottom plate is provided with a first through groove and a wedge-shaped buckle is embedded in the first through groove. The rear sliding plate has a buckle groove on the second bottom plate.

2. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A longitudinally spaced stiffening plate is vertically arranged between the first base plate and the top plate. A transverse stiffening plate is vertically arranged between the longitudinal stiffening plates and between the first base plate and the top plate. The transverse stiffening plate extends outward and its end is a right-angled trapezoidal connecting part.

3. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first through groove is located between the transverse stiffening plate and the longitudinal stiffening plate.

4. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top of the wedge-shaped buckle is square, and the lower part of the wedge-shaped buckle is wedge-shaped, with the inclined surface of the lower part of the wedge-shaped buckle facing the pushing direction of the push-pull hydraulic mechanism.

5. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The push-pull hydraulic mechanism includes a front connecting reinforcement component, which is composed of a triangular plate and a square plate. The triangular plate of the front connecting reinforcement component is connected to the top plate, and the square steel plate of the front connecting reinforcement component is connected to the transverse stiffening plate.

6. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The push-pull hydraulic mechanism further includes a middle connecting reinforcement and a rear connecting reinforcement. The middle connecting reinforcement is an arc-shaped steel plate. The middle connecting reinforcement is connected to the rear sliding plate, and the rear connecting reinforcement is connected to the rear sliding plate.

7. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second base plate is provided with a second through groove, and the row spacing and spacing of the second through groove are set in the same way as those of the first through groove.

8. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The buckle groove includes a buckle groove side plate, which is made of steel plate. A skateboard buckle groove top plate is provided on the skateboard buckle groove side plate. The skateboard buckle groove side plate, the skateboard buckle groove top plate, and the second base plate are connected.

9. The automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The buckle groove also includes a buckle groove rib, which is composed of a trapezoidal steel plate and is arranged perpendicularly to the buckle groove side plate and the second bottom plate. The buckle groove rib, the buckle groove side plate and the second bottom plate are connected.

10. A method of using the automatic stepping device for a tunnel boring machine as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Casting track platform, wherein a reserved groove is provided on the track platform; S2: After the structural strength of the track platform reaches a predetermined threshold, apply drag-reducing liquid to the track platform; S3: Place the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine on the track platform, align the wedge-shaped buckle with the reserved groove, and let the wedge-shaped buckle fall into the groove under the action of gravity. Assemble the tunnel boring machine on the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine, and alternately move the front slide plate and the rear slide plate by pushing and pulling the hydraulic cylinder. S4: Repeat the advance and retraction steps until the tunnel boring machine reaches the target area; S5: After reaching the target area, push the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine forward so that all the wedge-shaped buckles are pushed out of the reserved groove, and then remove the automatic stepping device of the tunnel boring machine.

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