A trencher for pipeline laying

Abstract

The application discloses a trenching device for pipeline laying, which comprises a device body, a cockpit, a walking chassis and a mechanical arm, the walking chassis is installed at the bottom of the cockpit, the mechanical arm is hinged to the front face of the cockpit, a soil loosening mechanism for trenching is installed at the working end of the mechanical arm, and a soil taking mechanism for trench cleaning is installed at the front face of the walking chassis; the soil loosening mechanism and the soil taking mechanism are installed, the practicality of the excavator is widened, the underground plant root system can be effectively destroyed, and the soil taking mechanism is prevented from being damaged due to being blocked by the underground plant root system; the friction coupling can prevent the drill or the output shaft from being damaged; the metal ring can emit sharp noise through friction, so as to remind the operator to timely disconnect the hydraulic motor, check the drill condition and prevent further damage; the hollow telescopic cylinder enables the adjacent two drills to move up and down in a staggered mode, and the effect of soil crushing and underground plant root system destruction can be improved by cooperating with the groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of pipeline laying, and more specifically, relates to a trenching device for pipeline laying. Background Technology

[0002] As is widely known, pipeline transportation is one of the most important modes of transporting crude oil, natural gas, and refined oil products. Laying long-distance oil and gas pipelines in the field requires trenching to bury the pipelines. Currently, trenching operations in the field are mostly carried out using excavators. Operators need to control the robotic arm, bucket, and cab rotation for extended periods, resulting in high labor intensity. Various specialized trenching equipment is also available on the market. Most existing specialized trenching equipment is a chain-type trencher, which uses a conveyor chain to drive a scraper to remove soil. It is simple to operate and has high trenching efficiency. However, this type of specialized trenching equipment has a problem: it is only suitable for areas with good soil quality. If underground plant roots are well-developed, the conveyor chain speed needs to be slowed down to prevent root blockage of the scraper, which could damage the scraper or cause the conveyor chain to break. In actual use, even with a slower conveyor chain speed, chain blockage and breakage frequently occur, affecting project progress.

[0003] Chinese patent CN214530850U discloses a chain-type communication pipeline trenching machine. The patent includes a tractor body, a chain trenching mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The chain trenching mechanism includes a chain connected end to end, a trenching mounting frame, a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket mounted on the trenching mounting frame, and trenching cutters mounted on the outside of the chain. A shock-absorbing arm is connected between the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket. Multiple trenching cutters are provided and are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the chain. Each trenching cutter includes a handle fixed on the chain and a cutter head connected to the handle. This patent strengthens the structural design of the cutter head, which can improve the strength of the cutter head.

[0004] The above technical solution has the following drawbacks:

[0005] 1. Trenching tools are ineffective at cutting plant roots and stems inside the soil;

[0006] 2. Traditional chain trenching mechanisms cannot avoid the phenomenon of chain breakage due to obstruction, which affects normal trenching operations;

[0007] 3. Traditional unidirectional fixed trenching tools have low working efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the above deficiencies, the present invention provides a trenching device for pipeline laying, comprising a machine body, the machine body including a cab, a chassis, and a robotic arm, the chassis being mounted on the bottom of the cab, the robotic arm being hinged to the front of the cab, the working end of the robotic arm being equipped with a soil loosening mechanism for trenching, and the front of the chassis being equipped with a soil scraping mechanism for clearing the trench.

[0009] Furthermore, the soil loosening mechanism includes a connecting frame, several driving mechanisms, a drill bit and a misalignment mechanism that are connected to the driving mechanisms. The connecting frame is fixed to the working end of the robotic arm. The driving mechanism includes a hydraulic motor fixed to the top of the connecting frame. A reducer is installed at the hydraulic motor. A hollow column corresponding to the hydraulic motor is fixed at the bottom of the connecting frame. The interior of each hollow column is provided with a transmission shaft connected to the output end of the hydraulic motor. Several transmission boxes are fixedly fitted on the outer surface of the hollow column. The inner wall of each transmission box is connected to an output shaft through a fixed bearing. Each output shaft is connected to the adjacent transmission shaft through a right-angle transmission mechanism.

[0010] The above technical solution adopts a multi-row synchronous method to adapt to the range of trenching operations, improves work efficiency, and at the same time, the use of hollow columns can prevent soil, gravel and other objects from damaging the drive shaft during operation.

[0011] Furthermore, the drill bit includes a drill rod and a spiral blade. The drill rod passes through an adjacent transmission box and is fixedly connected to the output shaft through a warning mechanism. The spiral blade consists of multiple fan-shaped plates arranged along a spiral trajectory on the surface of the drill rod, and the diameter value of the end closer to the output shaft is greater than the diameter value of the end farther from the output shaft.

[0012] Through the above technical solution, the conical design allows for initial contact at the smaller diameter end during trenching, reducing the contact area and facilitating trenching and drilling operations.

[0013] Furthermore, the warning mechanism includes a friction coupling located between the drill rod and the output shaft on the same straight line. A metal ring capable of generating a sharp noise through friction is installed between the driving shaft and the driven shaft of the friction coupling, and an elastic element is filled between the driving shaft and the adjacent metal ring.

[0014] With the above technical solution, when the output shaft and the drill rod rotate relative to each other, the two metal rings rotate and rub against each other, emitting a sharp noise to remind the operator to disconnect the hydraulic motor in time, check the condition of the drill bit, and avoid further damage.

[0015] Furthermore, the misalignment mechanism is alternately distributed at every two adjacent drive mechanisms. The misalignment mechanism includes two guide columns fixed to the upper surface of the connecting frame. The two guide columns are fitted with matching sliding seats. Hollow telescopic cylinders are fixed to the sliding seats and the connecting frame. Hollow columns located on the same vertical line pass through the central hole of the hollow telescopic cylinder and are driven by it.

[0016] The above technical solution can drive the hydraulic motor and the corresponding hollow column to move up and down, so that the drill bits of two adjacent hollow columns can be staggered to further improve the effect of breaking up the soil and underground plant roots.

[0017] Furthermore, the soil-removing mechanism includes a frame, with both the left and right sides of the frame hinged to the left and right sides of the traveling chassis via pins. A telescopic cylinder for adjusting the angle is installed between the traveling chassis and the frame. Sprockets are installed at both the upper and lower ends inside the frame via rotating shafts. The two sprockets are connected by a transmission chain with meshing outer surfaces. A drive motor for driving the sprockets is fixed to the frame. Digging buckets for soil removal are installed at equal intervals on the outer ring of the transmission chain.

[0018] The above technical solution is used to clean and drain the soil after the soil loosening mechanism and drilling tools have dug the trench.

[0019] Furthermore, a material guide trough for diverting soil is fixed at one end of the walking chassis near the top of the frame.

[0020] The above technical solution guides the soil extracted by the soil extraction mechanism, directing it to the outside of the already dug trench, thus preventing it from flowing back into the trench.

[0021] Furthermore, the discharge ends on both sides of the guide chute are hinged with support rods via pin I. The ends of the two support rods away from the guide chute are respectively hinged with baffle plates via pin II. The bottom of the baffle plates is in contact with the soil surface. Vibration motors are installed on the sides of the two baffle plates that are close to each other. Rubber vibration damping columns are fitted on the outside of each pin II.

[0022] The above technical solution allows for adjusting the angle of the baffle plate by adjusting the support rod, while the vibration motor compacts the loose soil surface layer in close contact with the baffle plate, preventing collapse. The rubber shock-absorbing column can adapt to the vibration of the vibration motor, preventing the support rod from restricting the vibration of the baffle plate and reducing the compaction effect.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0024] 1. By installing a soil loosening mechanism and a soil taking mechanism, the practicality of the excavator is broadened; during the drilling process, the drilling tool can effectively destroy the underground plant root system, avoiding the soil taking mechanism from being blocked and damaged by the underground plant root system; the soil loosening mechanism and the soil taking mechanism can work together to effectively improve the work efficiency. When the trenching depth reaches the design requirements, the operator only needs to control the movement of the walking chassis, which can effectively reduce the labor intensity of the operator.

[0025] 2. When the drill bit is accidentally jammed and cannot rotate, the output shaft and the drill rod will rotate relative to each other. By using a friction coupling, damage to the drill bit or the output shaft can be avoided. At the same time, the metal ring can generate a sharp noise through friction to remind the operator to disconnect the hydraulic motor in time, check the condition of the drill bit, and avoid further damage.

[0026] 3. The extension and retraction of the hollow telescopic cylinder can drive the drive mechanism and the matching hollow column to move up and down, so that it can move up and down in a staggered manner with two adjacent drill bits. Combined with the slots opened, it can further improve the effect of breaking up soil and underground plant roots.

[0027] 4. The soil brought out by the bucket from the bottom of the trench can be poured into the guide chute at the discharge end of the frame. The guide chute can divert the excavated soil to both sides of the traveling chassis, preventing the excavated soil from falling back into the trench. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is the right view of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the hollow column in this invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the soil loosening mechanism in this invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the drilling tool in this invention.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a right view of the soil-taking mechanism in this invention.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a top view of the soil-taking mechanism in this invention.

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Walking chassis; 2. Robotic arm; 3. Soil loosening mechanism; 3-1. Connecting frame; 3-2. Hollow column; 3-3. Drive shaft; 3-4. Hydraulic motor; 3-5. Transmission box; 3-6. Output shaft; 3-7. Sliding seat; 3-8. Guide column; 3-9. Hollow telescopic cylinder; 4. Soil removal mechanism; 4-1. Frame; 4-2. Conveyor chain; 4-3. Bucket; 4-4. Telescopic cylinder; 4-5. Material guide chute; 4-6. Baffle plate; 4-7. Vibration motor; 4-8. Support rod; 4-9. Rubber vibration damping column; 5. Drill tool; 5-1. Drill rod; 5-2. Spiral blade; 5-3. Friction coupling; 5-4. Metal ring; 5-5. Elastic element. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the apparatus of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the apparatus are shown in the drawings. However, the apparatus can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and complete.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "configuration" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or configuration, a detachable connection or configuration, or an integral connection or configuration. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] Example

[0038] like Figure 1-6 As shown, this embodiment provides a trenching device for pipeline laying, including a machine body. The machine body includes a cab, a traveling chassis 1, and a robotic arm 2. The traveling chassis 1 is installed at the bottom of the cab and is a traditional tracked chassis used to support the weight of the cab and for movement. It is composed of existing structures such as steel tracks, a dual-speed motor assembly, a chassis steel frame, load-bearing wheels, guide wheels, and drive wheel teeth. The robotic arm 2 is hinged to the front of the cab. The robotic arm 2 has the same structure as a traditional robotic arm, consisting of an arm body, a stick, and a bucket. The movement of the robotic arm is mainly controlled by hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders are driven by the pressure of hydraulic oil to generate power, thereby realizing the extension, rotation, and lifting actions of the robotic arm. The hydraulic control system consists of a hydraulic oil tank, an oil pump, a hydraulic motor, solenoid valves, oil pipes, and control valves. By changing the flow direction and pressure of the oil through the control valves, the direction and speed of the robotic arm are controlled.

[0039] The working end of the robotic arm 2 is equipped with a soil loosening mechanism 3 for trenching. The soil loosening mechanism 3 includes a connecting frame 3-1, several drive mechanisms, a drill 5 that is connected to the drive mechanisms for transmission, and a misalignment mechanism. The connecting frame 3-1 is fixed to the working end of the robotic arm 2. The drive mechanism includes a hydraulic motor 3-4 fixed to the top of the connecting frame 3-1. A reducer is installed at the hydraulic motor 3-4. A hollow column 3-2 corresponding to the hydraulic motor 3-4 is fixed to the bottom of the connecting frame 3-1. The hollow column 3-2 is equipped with a transmission shaft 3-3 connected to the output end of the hydraulic motor 3-4. The hollow column 3-2 not only has a connecting effect, but also protects the internal transmission shaft 3-3 to prevent damage to the transmission shaft 3-3 during operation. Several transmission boxes 3-5 are fixedly fitted on the outer surface of the hollow column 3-2. The inner wall of each transmission box 3-5 is connected to an output shaft 3-6 through a fixed bearing. Each output shaft 3-6 is connected to the adjacent transmission shaft 3-3 through a right-angle transmission mechanism. The right-angle transmission mechanism is a common right-angle direction-changing transmission structure in mechanical structures, which is used to drive the output shaft 3-6 synchronously.

[0040] The drill bit 5 includes a drill rod 5-1 and a spiral blade 5-2. The drill rod 5-1 passes through the adjacent transmission box 3-5 and is fixedly connected to the output shaft 3-6 via a warning mechanism. The spiral blade 5-2 consists of multiple fan-shaped plates arranged along a spiral trajectory on the surface of the drill rod 5-1, with the diameter of the end closer to the output shaft 3-6 being larger than the diameter of the end farther from the output shaft 3-6. This conical design allows for initial contact at the smaller diameter end during trenching, reducing the contact area and facilitating trenching and drilling operations. Simultaneously, the spiral blade 5-2 has multiple equally spaced slots, enabling the breaking and cutting of underground vegetation.

[0041] The warning mechanism includes a friction coupling 5-3, which is a mechanical part used to connect two shafts (driving shaft and driven shaft) in different mechanisms so that they rotate together to transmit torque. The friction coupling 5-3 is located between the drill rod 5-1 and the output shaft 3-6 on the same straight line. A metal ring 5-4, capable of generating a sharp noise through friction, is installed between the drive shaft and driven shaft of the friction coupling 5-3. The two metal rings 5-4 are in contact with each other and are respectively installed on the drive shaft and driven shaft (one metal ring 5-4 is tightly connected to the driven shaft, and the other metal ring 5-4 is splined to the drive shaft). When the output shaft and the drill rod 5-1 rotate relative to each other, the two metal rings rotate and rub against each other, generating a sharp noise to remind the operator to disconnect the hydraulic motor in time, check the condition of the drill bit, and avoid further damage. An elastic element 5-5 is filled between the drive shaft and the adjacent metal ring 5-4. The elastic element 5-5 can be a rubber pad, spring, or other elastic component with deformation effect, used to adapt to the deformation generated when the drive shaft and the adjacent metal ring 5-4 move.

[0042] The misalignment mechanism is alternately distributed at every two adjacent drive mechanisms (i.e., the drive mechanism with the misalignment mechanism installed and the drive mechanism without the misalignment mechanism are arranged alternately). The misalignment mechanism includes two guide columns 3-8 fixed to the upper surface of the connecting frame 3-1. The two guide columns 3-8 are fitted with matching sliding seats 3-7. The sliding seats 3-7 and the connecting frame 3 are fixed with hollow telescopic cylinders 3-9. Hollow columns 3-2 located on the same vertical line pass through the central hole of the hollow telescopic cylinder 3-9 and are driven by it, which can drive the hydraulic motor 3-4 and the corresponding hollow column 3-5 to move up and down, so that the drills 5 of the two adjacent hollow columns 3-5 can be misaligned up and down to further improve the effect of breaking up the soil and underground plant roots.

[0043] A soil-collecting mechanism 4 for ditch clearing is mounted on the front of the chassis 1. The soil-collecting mechanism 4 includes a frame 4-1. A guide chute 4-5 for soil diversion is fixed at one end of the chassis 1 near the top of the frame 4-1. The left and right sides of the frame 4-1 are hinged to the left and right sides of the chassis 1 via pins. A telescopic cylinder 4-4 for adjusting the angle is installed between the chassis 1 and the frame 4-1. Sprockets are mounted at both the upper and lower ends inside the frame 4-1 via rotating shafts. The wheels are connected by a transmission chain 4-2 with meshing outer surfaces. A drive motor for driving the sprockets is fixed on the frame 4-1. The outer ring of the transmission chain 4-2 is equipped with digging buckets 4-3 that are evenly distributed for soil extraction. The digging buckets 4-3 are driven to rotate by the rotation of the sprockets. The soil brought out from the bottom of the trench can be poured into the guide chute 4-5 at the discharge end of the frame 4-1. The guide chute 4-5 diverts the excavated soil to both sides of the walking chassis 1, preventing the excavated soil from falling back into the trench.

[0044] The discharge ends on both sides of the guide chute 4-5 are hinged with support rods 4-8 via pins I (support rods 4-8 are telescopic structures and can be used with electric hydraulic rods to adjust their length as needed, thereby adjusting the angle of the baffle plate 4-6). The ends of the two support rods 4-8 away from the guide chute 4-5 are respectively hinged with baffle plates 4-6 via pins II. The bottom of the baffle plates 4-6 is in contact with the soil surface to prevent the excavated soil from affecting the movement of the chassis 1. Vibration motors 4-7 are installed on the sides of the two baffle plates 4-6 that are close to each other. The vibration motors 4-7 can compact the loose soil surface layer that is close to the baffle plates 4-6 to prevent collapse. Each pin II is fitted with a rubber vibration damping column 4-9. The rubber vibration damping column 4-9 can adapt to the vibration of the vibration motor 4-7 to prevent the support rods from restricting the vibration of the baffle plates and reducing the compaction effect.

[0045] The trenching device for pipeline laying described in this embodiment first moves to the trenching position via the traveling chassis 1 during trenching operations. The angle of the robotic arm 2 relative to the ground is adjusted as needed. Then, the switches for the hydraulic motor 3-4 and the hollow telescopic cylinder 3-9 are turned on, causing the hydraulic motor 3-4 to drive the transmission shaft 3-3 to rotate. The transmission shaft 3-3, through multiple right-angle transmission mechanisms, synchronously drives the output shaft 3-6 to rotate, thereby causing the drill bit 5 to rotate and completing the trenching operation. Simultaneously, the hollow telescopic cylinder 3-9, through the guide post 3-8, limits the movement of the hydraulic motor 3-4 and the corresponding hollow cylinder. The 3-2 moves up and down, creating a height difference with the hollow columns 3-2 on both sides, thus breaking up the soil in a staggered manner and improving work efficiency. During the trenching process, the excavated soil is dug out by the soil-collecting mechanism 4 located at the rear of the loosening mechanism 3. That is, the drive motor drives the sprocket to drive the externally mounted bucket 4-3 to shovel the soil in. By rotating clockwise, the soil is thrown backward (when the bucket 4-3 moves to the side near the cab, it is flipped). The excavated soil is diverted to both sides of the walking chassis 1 through the guide chute 4-5 to prevent the excavated soil from falling back into the trench.

[0046] It should be noted that the structure described in this invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described. Any equivalent transformations made by those skilled in the art based on the description and drawings of this invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, such as the loading and unloading of other items, are included within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A trenching device for pipeline laying, comprising a machine body, characterized in that: The equipment body includes a driver's cab, a chassis, and a robotic arm. The chassis is mounted on the bottom of the driver's cab, and the robotic arm is hinged to the front of the driver's cab. The working end of the robotic arm is equipped with a soil loosening mechanism for trenching. The soil loosening mechanism includes a connecting frame, several drive mechanisms, a drill bit and a misalignment mechanism that are connected to the drive mechanisms. The connecting frame is fixed to the working end of the robotic arm. The drive mechanism includes a hydraulic motor fixed to the top of the connecting frame. A reducer is installed at the hydraulic motor. A hollow column corresponding to the hydraulic motor is fixed to the bottom of the connecting frame. The interior of each hollow column is equipped with a drive shaft connected to the output end of the hydraulic motor. Several transmission boxes are fixedly fitted on the outer surface of the hollow column. The inner wall of each transmission box is connected to an output shaft through a fixed bearing. Each output shaft is connected to the adjacent transmission shaft through a right-angle transmission mechanism. The drill bit is fixedly connected to the output shaft through the adjacent transmission box, and the drill bit includes a drill rod and a spiral blade; The misalignment mechanism is alternately distributed at every two adjacent drive mechanisms. The drive mechanism with the misalignment mechanism installed and the drive mechanism without the misalignment mechanism installed are arranged alternately. The misalignment mechanism includes two guide columns fixed to the upper surface of the connecting frame. The two guide columns are fitted with matching sliding seats. The sliding seats and the connecting frame are fixed with hollow telescopic cylinders. The hollow column located on the same vertical line passes through the central hole of the hollow telescopic cylinder and is driven by it. The front of the walking chassis is equipped with a soil-collecting mechanism for ditch clearing.

2. The trenching device for pipeline laying as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The helical blades are composed of multiple fan-shaped plates arranged along a helical trajectory on the surface of the drill rod, and the diameter value of the end closer to the output shaft is greater than the diameter value of the end farther from the output shaft.

3. The trenching device for pipeline laying as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The warning mechanism includes a friction coupling located between the drill rod and the output shaft on the same straight line. A metal ring capable of generating a sharp noise through friction is installed between the driving shaft and the driven shaft of the friction coupling. An elastic element is filled between the driving shaft and the adjacent metal ring.

4. The trenching device for pipeline laying as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The soil-boring mechanism includes a frame, with both sides of the frame hinged to the left and right sides of the traveling chassis via pins. A telescopic cylinder for adjusting the angle is installed between the traveling chassis and the frame. Sprockets are installed at both the upper and lower ends of the frame via rotating shafts. The two sprockets are connected by a transmission chain with meshing outer surfaces. A drive motor for driving the sprockets is fixed to the frame. Digging buckets for soil-boring are installed at equal intervals on the outer ring of the transmission chain.

5. A trenching device for pipeline laying as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The walking chassis is fixed with a material guide chute for soil diversion at one end near the top of the frame.

6. The trenching device for pipeline laying as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The discharge ends on both sides of the guide chute are hinged to support rods by pin I. The ends of the two support rods away from the guide chute are respectively hinged to baffle plates by pin II. The bottom of the baffle plates is in contact with the soil surface. Vibration motors are installed on the sides of the two baffle plates that are close to each other. Rubber vibration damping columns are fitted on the outside of each pin II.

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