Tunneling equipment and its shield diameter expansion method

Abstract

This invention provides a tunneling device and a method for expanding the diameter of its shield. The tunneling device includes a front shield and a middle shield, which are arranged axially along the front shield and connected to each other. Each of the front shield and the middle shield includes a shield body, a support drive assembly, and a variable diameter arc plate. The shield body has a mounting cavity. Multiple support drive assemblies are arranged circumferentially within the mounting cavity. Each support drive assembly is configured to extend and retract radially along the shield body. The variable diameter arc plate is located at the outer end of the support drive assembly and forms part of the outer peripheral wall of the shield body. According to the tunneling device of this invention, both the front shield and the middle shield can expand the shield diameter by driving the variable diameter arc plate radially along the shield body through the support drive assembly. The overall expansion structure is simple, which helps save time, reduce costs, and improves the versatility of the tunneling device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tunneling equipment technology, and in particular to a tunneling equipment and a method for expanding the diameter of its shield body. Background Technology

[0002] Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are important equipment for underground tunnel construction and are widely used in urban rail transit, municipal engineering, water diversion tunnels, railways, highways and other projects.

[0003] However, due to limitations such as the excavation diameter and geological environment, tunnel boring machines (TBMs) typically lack versatility. The shield body, as a crucial steel structure support component of the TBM, is usually only compatible with a single TBM specification. If the shield body needs to be enlarged, it must be remanufactured at the factory, consuming significant time and increasing construction costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a tunneling device and a method for expanding the diameter of its shield body. By driving a variable diameter arc plate, which constitutes part of the outer shell, to move radially along the shield body through a support drive assembly, the diameter of the shield body is expanded. Furthermore, the variable diameter arc plate can serve as part of the outer shell after the diameter is expanded, which saves materials, saves labor time, reduces construction costs, and improves the versatility of the tunneling device.

[0005] This invention provides a tunneling device, comprising: a front shield and a middle shield, the front shield and the middle shield being arranged axially along the front shield and connected thereto. Each of the front shield and the middle shield includes a shield body, a support drive assembly, and a variable diameter arc plate. The shield body has a mounting cavity extending circumferentially therefrom. There are multiple support drive assemblies, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the shield body within the mounting cavity. The support drive assemblies are configured to extend and retract radially along the shield body. The variable diameter arc plate is located at the outer end of the support drive assembly and forms part of the outer peripheral wall of the shield body.

[0006] According to the tunneling equipment of the present invention, the variable diameter arc plate is disposed at the radial outer end of the support drive assembly, so that the front shield and the middle shield can drive the variable diameter arc plate to move to a position corresponding to the target outer diameter through the support drive assembly to realize the expansion of the shield body. The support drive assembly can provide support for the variable diameter arc plate, which serves as the outer shell, both before and after the diameter change. At the same time, the variable diameter arc plate, which serves as part of the outer shell before the diameter change, can also serve as part of the outer shell after the diameter change, saving materials. In addition, the variable diameter arc plate can also provide connection support for the outer shell that needs to be added after the diameter change. Thus, the overall diameter expansion structure is simple, which helps to save working time, reduce construction costs, and improve the versatility of the tunneling equipment.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the support drive assembly includes: a telescopic drive cylinder, which is telescopically disposed on the shield body along the radial direction of the shield body; a support sleeve, which includes a fixed support sleeve and a movable support sleeve, wherein the fixed support sleeve is connected to the shield body, the movable support sleeve is movably disposed inside the fixed support sleeve and connected to the telescopic drive cylinder, and the variable diameter arc plate is disposed at the outer end of the movable support sleeve along the radial direction of the shield body.

[0008] Optionally, one of the fixed support cylinder and the movable support cylinder is provided with a plurality of fixing holes arranged radially at intervals along the shield body, and the other is formed with at least one mating hole adapted to the fixing holes. The support drive assembly further includes a fixing pin, which is adapted to be inserted into the mating hole and one of the fixing holes to fix the movable support cylinder.

[0009] In some embodiments, the shield body includes: a central support cylinder; a first outer shell, the first outer shell being disposed radially outside the central support cylinder and spaced apart from the central support cylinder; a first support ring plate, the first support ring plate being disposed between the central support cylinder and the first outer shell, and together with the central support cylinder and the first outer shell defining an installation cavity with an outer end opening; a fixed support cylinder being disposed within the installation cavity and connected to the first support ring plate; and a telescopic drive cylinder being located within the installation cavity and having one end connected to the central support cylinder.

[0010] Optionally, the movable support cylinder is further provided with a plurality of limiting slots arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the shield body, and the tunneling equipment further includes: a limiting member, which is adapted to be inserted into the limiting slots and supported on the first outer shell after the movable support cylinder moves to the target position.

[0011] Optionally, the tunneling equipment further includes a filling shell plate adapted to fill the gap between the plurality of diameter-changing arc plates after the diameter change.

[0012] Optionally, the tunneling equipment further includes a second support ring plate, which is disposed between the first outer shell and the filling shell plate to support the filling shell plate.

[0013] Optionally, the tunneling equipment further includes: a plurality of propulsion cylinders, which extend along the axial direction of the central shield and are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the central shield, and the plurality of propulsion cylinders and the plurality of support drive assemblies disposed on the central shield are arranged alternately along the circumference of the central shield.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tunneling equipment further includes: a tail shield, the tail shield being adapted to the diameter of the middle shield after the diameter change, and the tail shield being detachably connected to the middle shield after the diameter change.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for increasing the diameter of a tunneling shield, applied to the tunneling equipment described in the first aspect of the present invention. The method includes the following steps: determining the diameter variation dimensions of the front shield and the middle shield; controlling each of the support drive assemblies on the front shield and the middle shield to drive the corresponding diameter variation arc plate to extend radially outwards a target distance along the shield body; fixing the support drive assemblies; filling the gaps between the diameter variation arc plates with a filling shell plate; and connecting the tail shield to the diameter-variable middle shield.

[0016] According to the shield diameter expansion method of the tunneling equipment of the present invention, the shield diameter expansion method is simple. The support drive assembly can provide support for the diameter-changing arc plate, which serves as the outer shell, both before and after the diameter change. Simultaneously, the diameter-changing arc plate, which serves as part of the outer shell before the diameter change, can also serve as part of the outer shell after the diameter change. Furthermore, the diameter-changing arc plate can also provide connection support for any additional outer shell required after the diameter change. This eliminates the need to return the tunneling equipment to the factory, saving labor time, reducing production and construction costs, and improving the versatility of the tunneling equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tunneling equipment before diameter change according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the front shield structure before the diameter change in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the front shield after diameter change according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shield before diameter change in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the shield structure after diameter change according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the tunneling equipment after diameter reduction according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a logical schematic diagram of the shield diameter expansion method for a tunneling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 100 - Tunneling equipment;

[0027] 1-Front shield;

[0028] 2-Middle Shield;

[0029] 3-Shield body; 3a-First shield body; 3b-Second shield body; 31-Central support cylinder; 32-First outer shell; 33-First support ring plate; 34-Second support ring plate;

[0030] 4-Support drive assembly; 4a-First support drive assembly; 4b-Second support drive assembly; 41-Telescopic drive cylinder; 42-Support sleeve; 421-Fixed support cylinder; 422-Modible support cylinder;

[0031] 5- Variable diameter arc plate; 5a- First variable diameter arc plate; 5b- Second variable diameter arc plate;

[0032] 6-Filling shell plate; 7-Propulsion cylinder; 8-Limiting component; 9-Tail shield. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] Tunnel boring machines and other excavation equipment are important tools for underground tunnel construction and are widely used in urban rail transit, municipal engineering, water diversion tunnels, railways, highways and other projects.

[0035] However, due to limitations such as the excavation diameter and geological environment, tunnel boring machines (TBMs) typically lack versatility. The shield body, as a crucial steel structure support component of the TBM, is usually only compatible with a single TBM specification. If the shield body needs to be enlarged, it must be remanufactured at the factory, consuming significant time and increasing construction costs.

[0036] In view of this, the present invention provides a tunneling device and a method for expanding the diameter of its shield body. By driving a variable diameter arc plate, which constitutes part of the outer shell, along the radial direction of the shield body through a support drive assembly, the diameter of the shield body is expanded. The variable diameter arc plate can also serve as part of the outer shell after the diameter is expanded, saving materials. The diameter expansion can be completed in the receiving well on site, which helps to save time, reduce construction costs, and improve the versatility of the tunneling device.

[0037] The following is for reference. Figures 1-6 A tunneling device 100 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is described.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the tunneling equipment 100 in this embodiment of the invention can be a tunnel boring machine (TBM), and the tunneling equipment 100 can include: a front shield 1 and a middle shield 2.

[0039] Specifically, the front shield 1 and the middle shield 2 are arranged sequentially and connected along the axial direction of the front shield 1. The front shield 1 and the middle shield 2 can be welded or connected by flanges, or of course, other connection methods can be used.

[0040] Each of the front shield 1 and the middle shield 2 includes: a shield body 3, a support drive assembly 4, and a variable diameter arc plate 5. The shield body 3 has a mounting cavity that extends circumferentially along the shield body. There are multiple support drive assemblies 4, which are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the shield body 3 in the mounting cavity. The support drive assemblies 4 are configured to extend and retract radially along the shield body 3. The variable diameter arc plate 5 is located at the outer end of the support drive assembly 4 along the radial direction of the shield body 3, and the variable diameter arc plate 5 constitutes part of the outer peripheral wall of the shield body 3.

[0041] For example Figure 1 As shown, the front shield 1 may include a first shield body 3a, a first support drive assembly 4a and a first variable diameter arc plate 5a. A first mounting cavity extending circumferentially along itself is formed on the first shield body 3a. The first support drive assembly 4a is disposed in the first mounting cavity and is adapted to perform telescopic movement to extend the first variable diameter arc plate 5a to the target position.

[0042] The middle shield 2 may include a second shield body 3b, a second support drive assembly 4b, and a second variable diameter arc plate 5b. The outer diameter of the second shield body 3b is the same as the outer diameter of the first shield body 3a, and the second shield body 3b and the first shield body 3a are connected axially. A second mounting cavity extending circumferentially is formed on the second shield body 3b. The second support assembly is disposed in the second mounting cavity and is adapted to perform telescopic movement to extend the second variable diameter arc plate 5b to the target position.

[0043] After the diameter change, the first diameter-changing arc plate 5a forms part of the new outer peripheral wall of the first shield 3a, and the second diameter-changing arc plate 5b forms part of the new outer peripheral wall of the second shield 3b. In this way, the material required for the diameter change of the shield 3 can be saved.

[0044] According to the tunneling equipment 100 of the present invention, the variable diameter arc plate 5 is disposed at the radial outer end of the support drive assembly 4, so that the front shield 1 and the middle shield 2 can be driven by the support drive assembly 4 to move the variable diameter arc plate 5 to a position corresponding to the target outer diameter to realize the expansion of the shield body 3. The support drive assembly 4 can provide rigid support for the variable diameter arc plate 5, which serves as the outer shell, both before and after the diameter change. At the same time, the variable diameter arc plate 5, which serves as part of the outer shell before the diameter change, can also serve as part of the outer shell after the diameter change, saving materials. In addition, the variable diameter arc plate 5 can also provide connection support for the outer shell that needs to be added after the diameter change. Thus, the overall diameter expansion structure is simple, which helps to save working time, reduce construction costs, and improve the versatility of the tunneling equipment 100.

[0045] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 or Figure 4 and Figure 5 The support drive assembly 4 may include a telescopic drive cylinder 41 and a support sleeve 42. The telescopic drive cylinder 41 is radially and telescopically mounted on the shield body 3. The support sleeve 42 includes a fixed support cylinder 421 and a movable support cylinder 422. The fixed support cylinder 421 can be a square cylinder or a cylindrical cylinder, and the movable support cylinder 422 is adapted to the fixed support cylinder 421. The fixed support cylinder 421 is connected to the shield body 3; for example, it can be welded to the shield body 3. The movable support cylinder 422 is movably mounted radially on the inner side of the fixed support cylinder 421 and is connected to the telescopic drive cylinder 41. A variable diameter arc plate 5 is located at the outer end of the movable support cylinder 422 radially on the shield body 3.

[0046] In this way, the telescopic drive cylinder 41 can drive the movable support cylinder 422 to move relative to the fixed support cylinder 421. Thus, the fixed support cylinder 421 can provide external support and protection for the movable support cylinder 422, while the telescopic drive cylinder 41 can provide driving force for the movable support cylinder 422. The overall structure is relatively simple and easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0047] Optionally, the movable support cylinder 422 and the variable diameter arc plate 5 are detachably connected, for example, by bolts. This allows the variable diameter arc plate 5 to be quickly replaced when it is heavily worn.

[0048] Optionally, one of the fixed support cylinder 421 and the movable support cylinder 422 is provided with multiple fixing holes (not shown in the figure), which are arranged at radial intervals along the shield body 3. The other cylinder is provided with at least one mating hole that is adapted to the fixing holes. For example, the fixed support cylinder 421 may be provided with multiple fixing holes, and the movable support cylinder 422 may be provided with at least one mating hole; or the movable support cylinder 422 may be provided with multiple fixing holes, and the fixed support cylinder 421 may be provided with at least one mating hole.

[0049] The support drive assembly 4 may also include a fixing pin. Specifically, the fixing pin is adapted to be inserted into a mating hole and one of the fixing holes to fix the movable support cylinder 422. In this way, when the movable support cylinder 422 drives the diameter-changing arc plate 5 to extend to the target position, the fixing pin can be inserted into the mating hole and the fixing hole to radially position the movable support cylinder 422, ensuring the stability of the outer shell structure of the shield body 3 after the diameter change.

[0050] Optionally, refer to Figure 3 Each variable diameter arc plate 5 can be connected to at least one support drive component 4. In other words, each variable diameter arc plate 5 can be driven by only one support drive component 4 or by multiple support drive components 4. Here, multiple means two or more, to ensure that each variable diameter arc plate 5 has sufficient support force to ensure the stability of the outer shell of the shield body 3.

[0051] For example Figure 3 As shown, the portion of the first variable-diameter arc plate 5a belonging to the front shield 1 is connected to two support drive assemblies 4, while the remaining portion of the first variable-diameter arc plate 5a can be connected to one support drive assembly 4. For example... Figure 5 As shown, each of the second variable diameter arc plates 5b belonging to the central shield 2 is associated with a support drive assembly 4. Optionally, the number of support drive assemblies 4 that are connected to the variable diameter arc plates 5 can be reasonably selected according to actual needs to ensure that each variable diameter arc plate 5 has sufficient support force.

[0052] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 and Figure 6 The shield body 3 may include: a central support cylinder 31, a first outer shell 32, and a first support ring plate 33. The central support cylinder 31 is a horizontally arranged cylindrical shape, and the first outer shell 32 is located on the radially outer side of the central support cylinder 31. The first outer shell 32 and the central support cylinder 31 are spaced apart radially along the shield body 3.

[0053] The first support ring plate 33 is disposed between the central support cylinder 31 and the first outer shell 32. Here, the first outer shell 32 refers to the outer shell portion of the shield body 3 before the diameter change, excluding the diameter-changing arc plate 5. The radially inner end of the first support ring plate 33 is connected to the central support cylinder 31, and the outer end is connected to the first outer shell 32. The first support ring plate 33 and the central support cylinder 31 can jointly define an installation cavity with an outer opening. The fixed support cylinder 421 is embedded in the installation cavity. The fixed support cylinder 421 can be connected to the first support ring plate 33, such as by welding, and the fixed support cylinder 421 and the central support cylinder 31 are radially spaced apart. The telescopic drive cylinder 41 is located in the installation cavity. The inner end of the telescopic drive cylinder 41 is connected to the central support cylinder 31, and the other end can pass through the bottom wall of the fixed support cylinder 421 and connect to the movable support cylinder 422 disposed inside the fixed support cylinder 421. In this way, the shield body 3 has a stable structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0054] Furthermore, compared to the scheme of connecting one end of the fixed support cylinder 421 to the central support cylinder 31, in this embodiment, the fixed support cylinder 421 is placed on the first support ring plate 33 and is radially spaced from the central support cylinder 31, which can shorten the length of the fixed support cylinder 421 and the movable support cylinder 422 and save equipment manufacturing costs.

[0055] Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. The inner end of the fixed support cylinder 421 can also be connected to the central support cylinder 31. In this case, the telescopic drive cylinder 41 is located inside the fixed support cylinder 421 and is located on the radial inner side of the movable support cylinder 422 along the shield body 3.

[0056] Optionally, refer to Figure 6 The movable support cylinder 422 may have multiple limiting slots on its peripheral wall, which may be arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the shield body 3. The tunneling equipment 100 may also include limiting components 8. Specifically, the limiting component 8 may be a wedge, bolt, or fixing pin, or other limiting structures. After the movable support cylinder 422 moves to the target position, the limiting component 8 inserts into the limiting slots and is supported on the first outer shell 32. This can further improve the supporting capacity of the movable support cylinder 422 and ensure that the outer shell of the shield body 3 is fixed after the diameter change.

[0057] Optionally, refer to Figure 6 The tunneling equipment 100 may further include a filling shell plate 6. Specifically, the filling shell plate 6 is adapted to fill the gaps between the multiple diameter-changing arc plates 5 after the diameter change, so as to form a new shield shell with the diameter-changing arc plates 5. For example, the filling shell plate 6 can fill the gap between the first diameter-changing arc plate 5a and the second diameter-changing arc plate 5b that have been moved into place, thereby forming a new shell with the first diameter-changing arc plate 5a and the second diameter-changing arc plate 5b to ensure the sealing performance of the shield 3 after the diameter expansion.

[0058] Optionally, the filling shell plate 6 can be detachably connected to the variable diameter arc plate 5, for example by bolting or snapping, so as to facilitate disassembly and flexible diameter expansion later.

[0059] Alternatively, the filling shell plate 6 can be welded to the variable diameter arc plate 5, which makes the expanded shell structure stronger and has better sealing performance.

[0060] refer to Figure 6 The tunneling equipment 100 may further include a second support ring plate 34. Specifically, the second support ring plate 34 is disposed between the first outer shell 32 and the filling shell plate 6. The inner end of the second support ring plate 34 along the radial direction of the shield body 3 can be connected to the first outer shell 32, and the outer end of the second support ring plate 34 along the radial direction of the shield body 3 can be connected to the filling shell plate 6. In this way, the second support ring plate 34 can support the filling shell plate 6 and prevent local depressions.

[0061] Optionally, refer to Figure 1 as well as Figures 4-6 The tunneling equipment 100 may also include a plurality of propulsion cylinders 7. Specifically, the plurality of propulsion cylinders 7 may extend along the axial direction of the middle shield 2 and be arranged at intervals along the circumference of the middle shield 2. The plurality of propulsion cylinders 7 and the plurality of support drive components 4 provided in the middle shield 2 are arranged alternately along the circumference of the middle shield 2, so as to avoid interference between the propulsion cylinders 7 and the support drive components 4.

[0062] Optionally, combined Figure 1 and Figure 6 Multiple diameter-changing units can be provided on the second shield body 3b of the middle shield 2. Each diameter-changing unit includes multiple second support drive components 4b arranged circumferentially along the second shield body 3b and a corresponding second diameter-changing arc plate 5b. Multiple diameter-changing units can be arranged axially along the middle shield 2. In this way, when the length of the middle shield 2 is long, setting multiple diameter-changing units can make the structure of the middle shield 2 after diameter change more stable.

[0063] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in combination Figure 1 and Figure 6 The tunneling equipment 100 may also include a tail shield 9. Specifically, since the overall structure of the tail shield 9 of the tunneling equipment 100 is relatively simple, and the supporting structure inside the outer shell of the tail shield 9 is relatively few, the tail shield 9 can be remanufactured separately when the equipment undergoes diameter change operations. The diameter of the newly manufactured tail shield 9 is adapted to the diameter of the middle shield 2 after the diameter change. After the diameter changes of the front shield 1 and the middle shield 2 are completed, the newly manufactured tail shield 9 is connected to the middle shield 2 after the diameter change. In this way, the process is simple and the cost is low.

[0064] Optionally, the tail shield 9 and the middle shield 2 can be detachably connected. For example, the tail shield 9 and the middle shield 2 can be hinged. In this way, the connection structure between the tail shield 9 and the middle shield 2 is simple and easy to assemble on site.

[0065] The following is for reference. Figure 7 A method for expanding the diameter of the shield body of a tunneling device 100 according to a second aspect embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0066] The shield diameter expansion method of the tunneling equipment 100 in this embodiment of the invention can be applied to the tunneling equipment 100 in the above embodiment. Specifically, the shield diameter expansion method may include the following steps:

[0067] S1, determine the variable diameter dimensions of the front shield 1 and the middle shield 2, and control the various support drive components 4 on the front shield 1 and the middle shield 2 to drive the corresponding variable diameter arc plate 5 to extend the target distance radially along the shield body 3.

[0068] S2, fix the support drive component 4;

[0069] S3, use the filling shell plate 6 to fill the gap between the variable diameter arc plates 5;

[0070] S4, connect the tail shield 9 to the reduced diameter middle shield 2.

[0071] Specifically, the diameter of the shield body 3 can be determined based on the size of the tunnel to be excavated and the current size of the shield body 3. Based on the diameter, the first support drive assembly 4a of the front shield 1 and the second support drive assembly 4b of the middle shield 2 can be controlled to extend radially along the shield body 3 by a target distance, so as to move the first diameter-changing arc plate 5a and the second diameter-changing arc plate 5b to the target position.

[0072] After the first support drive assembly 4a and the second support drive assembly 4b extend to the target distance, the telescopic drive cylinder 41 can be locked. The fixing pin is inserted into the fixing hole on the fixed support cylinder 421 and the mating hole on the movable support cylinder 422. The limiting member 8 is embedded between the limiting slot of the first outer shell 32 and the movable support cylinder 422 to radially position the movable support cylinder 422.

[0073] Then, new diameter filling shell plates 6 are installed around the first diameter-changing arc plate 5a and the second diameter-changing arc plate 5b. A second support ring plate 34 is set between the filling shell plate 6 and the first outer shell 32 to support the filling shell plate 6, and the filling shell plate 6 and the diameter-changing arc plate 5 are connected and fixed to form the second outer shell.

[0074] Finally, based on the dimensions of the middle shield 2 and the front shield 1 after the diameter change, a new tail shield 9 is manufactured, and the tail shield 9 is connected to the middle shield 2 to complete the overall diameter change of the tunneling equipment 100.

[0075] The shield diameter expansion method of the tunneling equipment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention simplifies the shield diameter expansion operation. The support drive assembly 4 can provide support for the diameter-changing arc plate 5, which serves as the outer shell, both before and after the diameter change. Simultaneously, the diameter-changing arc plate 5, which serves as part of the outer shell before the diameter change, can also serve as part of the outer shell after the diameter change. Furthermore, the diameter-changing arc plate 5 can provide connection support for any additional outer shell required after the diameter change. This eliminates the need to return the tunneling equipment 100 to the factory, saving time, reducing production and construction costs, and improving the versatility of the tunneling equipment 100.

[0076] It should be noted that the embodiments referred to in the specification, such as "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and "some embodiments," may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0077] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "a" or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.

[0078] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on top of something” but also “on top of something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0079] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0080] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A tunneling apparatus, characterized by, include: A front shield and a middle shield, wherein the front shield and the middle shield are arranged sequentially and connected along the axial direction of the front shield; Each of the front shield and the middle shield includes a shield body, a support drive assembly, and a variable diameter arc plate. The shield body has a mounting cavity extending circumferentially. There are multiple support drive assemblies, which are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the shield body in the mounting cavity. The support drive assembly is configured to perform telescopic movement along the radial direction of the shield body. The variable diameter arc plate is located at the outer end of the support drive assembly and forms part of the outer peripheral wall of the shield body. The shield body includes a central support cylinder, a first outer shell, and a first support ring plate. The first outer shell is located radially outside the central support cylinder and spaced apart from it. The first support ring plate is located between the central support cylinder and the first outer shell, and together with the central support cylinder and the first outer shell, defines an installation cavity with an outer end opening. The first outer shell is the outer shell portion of the shield body before the diameter change, excluding the diameter-changing arc plate. The radially inner end of the first support ring plate is connected to the central support cylinder, and the radially outer end of the first support ring plate is connected to the first outer shell. It also includes: a filling shell plate and a second support ring plate, wherein the filling shell plate is adapted to fill the gap between the plurality of diameter-changing arc plates after the diameter change, so as to form a new shield shell with the diameter-changing arc plates; the second support ring plate is disposed between the first shell of the shield and the filling shell plate to support the filling shell plate.

2. The excavation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support drive component includes: A telescopic drive cylinder is provided on the shield body in a radial direction; A support sleeve, comprising a fixed support sleeve and a movable support sleeve, wherein the fixed support sleeve is connected to the shield body, the movable support sleeve is movably disposed inside the fixed support sleeve and connected to the telescopic drive cylinder, and the variable diameter arc plate is disposed at the outer end of the movable support sleeve along the radial direction of the shield body.

3. The tunneling equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, One of the fixed support cylinder and the movable support cylinder is provided with a plurality of fixing holes arranged radially at intervals along the shield body, and the other is formed with at least one mating hole adapted to the fixing holes. The support drive assembly further includes a fixing pin adapted to be inserted into the mating hole and one of the fixing holes to fix the movable support cylinder.

4. The tunneling equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fixed support cylinder is located inside the mounting cavity and connected to the first support ring plate. The telescopic drive cylinder is located inside the mounting cavity and is connected at one end to the central support cylinder.

5. The tunneling equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The movable support cylinder is also provided with a plurality of limiting slots arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the shield body. The tunneling equipment also includes a limiting member, which is adapted to be inserted into the limiting slots and supported on the first outer shell after the movable support cylinder moves to the target position.

6. The tunneling equipment according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple propulsion cylinders extend axially along the central shield and are arranged circumferentially within the central shield. The plurality of propulsion cylinders and the plurality of support drive assemblies disposed on the central shield are arranged alternately along the circumference of the central shield.

7. The tunneling equipment according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Also includes: The tail shield is adapted to the diameter of the middle shield after the diameter change, and the tail shield and the middle shield after the diameter change are detachably connected.

8. A method for expanding the diameter of a tunneling shield, applied to the tunneling equipment according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The shield diameter expansion method includes the following steps: Determine the variable diameter dimensions of the front shield and the middle shield, and control each of the support drive components on the front shield and the middle shield to drive the corresponding variable diameter arc plate to extend the target distance radially along the shield body; Fix the support drive component; The gaps between the variable-diameter arc plates are filled with a filling shell plate; Connect the tail shield to the middle shield after the diameter change.

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