Ice and snow sweeper for stay cable of cable-stayed bridge

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of road deicing, and discloses a cable-stayed bridge cable ice and snow sweeper which comprises an ice breaking mechanism, an ice melting mechanism, an advancing mechanism and a protective shell, the protective shell is arranged outside the ice breaking mechanism, the ice melting mechanism and the advancing mechanism, and the sweeper is divided into four layers from top to bottom, namely the ice breaking mechanism, the advancing mechanism, the ice melting mechanism and the advancing mechanism. The advancing mechanism is provided with two layers, and the four corners of a frame body of the ice breaking mechanism, the advancing mechanism and the ice melting mechanism are all sleeved with vertical rods. According to the sweeper, an ice layer on the inhaul cable is mechanically milled through the milling cutter rotating disc to achieve the effect of sweeping ice and snow, residual ice and snow on the surface of the inhaul cable are heated through the ice melting and heating device for secondary cleaning, and the purpose of sweeping the ice and snow on the surface of the inhaul cable can be effectively achieved after two rounds of cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of road deicing, and particularly to an ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of cable-stayed bridges. Background Art

[0002] The accumulation of un-melted ice and snow on the surface of the stay cables of cable-stayed bridges is a problem. The ice and snow layer accumulated on the stay cables will impose a load burden on the stay cables of the bridge, and the impurity components in the ice and snow will cause a corrosive effect on the surface of the stay cables, thereby endangering the safety of the bridge. As the temperature rises, the icicles condensed on the stay cables have the risk of falling off, which also poses a safety hazard to passing vehicles and pedestrians.

[0003] The following are some possible safety hazards of cable-stayed bridges and their possible causes: 1. Material quality problems: Using low-quality or defective construction materials may lead to structural weaknesses of the bridge, reducing its overall stability and load-bearing capacity; 2. Design errors: Unreasonable designs may lead to structural imbalance, instability, or inappropriate responses when subjected to external forces. Errors in design may include calculation errors, load estimation errors, etc.; 3. Construction quality problems: Errors, negligence, or unqualified engineering practices during construction may affect the safety of the bridge. For example, poor quality at welded or bolted joints may result in weaknesses at the connection points; 4. Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, etc. may damage cable-stayed bridges. Therefore, it is necessary to consider possible natural disasters during design and take corresponding protective measures; 5. Inadequate maintenance: Lack of regular inspections and maintenance may lead to corrosion, fatigue, or other damages to bridge components, thereby affecting the safety of the bridge; 6. Overload and overloading: Traffic loads exceeding the design load-bearing capacity of the bridge, vehicle overloading, etc. may cause excessive stress on the structure, thereby affecting safety; 7. Human sabotage: Malicious damage, theft, or improper use of the bridge may pose a threat to its safety; 8. Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as climate change and pollution may have an adverse impact on the bridge structure, such as corrosion and metal fatigue.

[0004] In central and northern regions of China, every winter, severe weather such as snowstorms and freezing rain is encountered. Due to climate-induced (frozen) rain, snow, icing and other phenomena, for the stay cables of large bridges, after rain and snow weather, a part of the rain and snow will remain on the stay cables. When the temperature is below 0°C, it will freeze. In central regions of China (the lowest winter temperature is around 0°C), the temperature near the bridge deck is above 0°C or there is no icing phenomenon, but the high altitude of the stay cables near the bridge tower is already below 0°C, and the rain and snow remaining on the stay cables will freeze. In addition to the ice layer, there is also a possibility of icicle formation.

[0005] Ice formation on the surface of the stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge not only damages the cable structure, but also the snow covering the stay cables changes the cross-sectional shape of the stay cables, thus changing their aerodynamic characteristics, altering the wind-induced vibration response of the bridge, threatening the safety of the bridge structure. At the same time, the ice cubes condensed on the steel cables will be affected by external factors such as rising temperature, wind blowing or normal vibration of the stay cables, resulting in the ice cubes falling from the stay cables. The ice cubes at higher positions may pose a major safety hazard to the vehicles or pedestrians driving normally on the bridge deck due to their higher speed. In severe cases, it may even trigger a series of traffic accidents, causing significant personal and property losses.

[0006] Regarding the PE sheath on the surface of the stay cable, the possible hazards of ice and snow to the PE sheath are also considered: 1. Low-temperature embrittlement: At extremely low temperatures, the PE sheath may become hard and brittle, resulting in a decrease in its impact resistance; 2. Freezing expansion: When water freezes in the micro-cracks or pores of the PE sheath, the volume of ice is larger than that of water, which may cause the micro-cracks of the sheath to expand or deform; 3. Ice and snow pressure: A large amount of snow accumulation or icing may generate additional pressure on the PE sheath, especially on irregular or protruding parts, which may cause the sheath to deform or rupture; 4. Chemical erosion: Snow melting agents or other chemical substances used to remove ice and snow may cause chemical corrosion to the PE sheath, and long-term contact may reduce its performance; 5. Ultraviolet radiation: The ultraviolet rays in the sunlight reflected by the snow may accelerate the aging process of the PE sheath; 6. Sliding friction: Under ice and snow conditions, the friction coefficient between the stay cable and the PE sheath may change, which may cause sliding or wear; 7. Freezing adhesion: Ice may adhere tightly to the PE sheath, increasing additional weight and stress, and may make it difficult to remove.

[0007] Based on this, there is an urgent need to design a cable-stayed bridge stay cable ice and snow sweeper to solve the problem of ice and snow removal from the cable-stayed bridge stay cables. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a cable-stayed bridge stay cable ice and snow sweeper.

[0009] The present invention is realized through the following technical solutions: A cable-stayed bridge stay cable ice and snow sweeper includes a ice-breaking mechanism, a ice-melting mechanism, a traveling mechanism and a protective shell. The protective shell is arranged outside the ice-breaking mechanism, the ice-melting mechanism and the traveling mechanism. The sweeper is divided into four layers from top to bottom, namely the ice-breaking mechanism, the traveling mechanism, the ice-melting mechanism and the traveling mechanism. The traveling mechanism is provided with two layers. Vertical rods are sleeved on the four corners of the frames of the ice-breaking mechanism, the traveling mechanism and the ice-melting mechanism. The central position inside the ice-breaking mechanism includes a split bearing. A large gear is sleeved outside the split bearing. A small gear is meshed with the large gear on the side. A first driving motor is installed at the central position of the small gear. A motor cover is installed outside the first driving motor. Moving blocks are circumferentially distributed on the frame at the same level as the ice-breaking mechanism. A first lead screw is sleeved inside the moving block. A first stepping motor is installed at the end of the first lead screw. A tray base is assembled outside the moving block. The whole tray base is of a three-petal structure. A milling cutter turntable is fixedly assembled on the surface of the tray base. Multiple groups of adjusting brackets are evenly arranged in the traveling mechanism. A second driving motor is fixedly installed at the end of the adjusting bracket. A V-shaped wheel is fixedly installed on the motor shaft of the second driving motor. A third lead screw is installed on the side of the adjusting bracket. A third stepping motor is sleeved on the third lead screw. The ice melting mechanism is arranged at the middle position of the sweeper. Inside, it includes symmetrically arranged brackets. A second stepping motor is fixedly installed at the end of the surface of the bracket. A second lead screw is assembled on the motor shaft of the second stepping motor. A slider is sleeved outside the second lead screw. A heating ring is fixedly installed on the slider.

[0010] Preferably, the protective shell is of an arc structure. The protective shells form a cylindrical structure to cover the cables of the cable-stayed bridge outside the sweeper.

[0011] Preferably, the tray base is a fan-shaped box body. The first lead screw controls the movement of the moving block to move the tray base and control the opening and closing of the milling cutter turntable.

[0012] Preferably, the large gear is meshed with the small gear, and the diameter of the large gear is 2 times larger than that of the small gear.

[0013] Preferably, the heating ring is of an arc structure. The inner diameter of the heating ring is an arc of 120 mm, adapting to cables with a variation range of 80 - 180 mm. Two semi-circular heating rings can form a complete circle. The power source of the heating ring is an independent lithium battery pack.

[0014] Preferably, when the inclination angle of the hypotenuse of the V-shaped wheel is 30 - 45 degrees, the traveling wheel obtains the maximum driving force.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: The ice-breaking mechanism has been updated from the first-generation three-point cutter to a split-ring milling cutter turntable. According to the calculation based on the model of the cutter and the cable ice layer, the ice removal effect of the milling cutter turntable is better and the damage to the cable is smaller. The ice-melting mechanism mainly consists of a heating ring and a lead screw, which can adapt to the change of the cable diameter. After mechanical milling for ice removal, the heating ring is used to thermally melt the residual ice and snow on the cable surface to improve the snow cleaning efficiency. The traveling mechanism uses an electric push rod to support the tire, clamp the cable, and selects a V-shaped tire, which has a larger contact area than ordinary tires. The greater driving force makes the traveling more stable. This sweeper mechanically mills the ice layer on the cable through the milling cutter turntable to achieve the effect of cleaning ice and snow, and then heats the residual ice and snow on the cable surface through the ice-melting and heating devices for secondary cleaning. After two rounds of cleaning, it can effectively achieve the purpose of cleaning the ice and snow on the cable surface. Using machine cleaning instead of manual ice removal reduces the safety hazards of workers working at heights, improves work efficiency, and ensures road traffic safety. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a front view of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the cooperation between the tray base and the milling cutter turntable of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the opening and closing control part of the milling cutter turntable of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-melting mechanism of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the traveling mechanism of the present invention.

[0022] Marking description: A, ice-breaking mechanism; B, ice-melting mechanism; C, traveling mechanism; 1, protective shell; 2, milling cutter turntable; 3, tray base; 4, split bearing; 5, large gear; 6, moving block; 7, first lead screw; 8, first stepping motor; 9, small gear; 10, first driving motor; 11, motor cover; 12, bracket; 13, second stepping motor; 14, second lead screw; 15, slider; 16, heating ring; 17, V-shaped wheel; 18, third lead screw; 19, third stepping motor; 20, second driving motor; 21, adjusting bracket; 22, vertical rod. Detailed Embodiment

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 1-6 , the present invention provides a technical solution: An ice and snow sweeper for a cable-stayed bridge cable includes an ice-breaking mechanism A, an ice-melting mechanism B, a traveling mechanism C, and a protective shell 1. The protective shell 1 is arranged outside the ice-breaking mechanism A, the ice-melting mechanism B, and the traveling mechanism C. The sweeper is divided into four layers from top to bottom, namely the ice-breaking mechanism A, the traveling mechanism C, the ice-melting mechanism B, and the traveling mechanism C. The traveling mechanism C has two layers. Vertical rods 22 are sleeved on the four corners of the frames of the ice-breaking mechanism A, the traveling mechanism C, and the ice-melting mechanism B. The protective shell 1 is of an arc-shaped structure, and the protective shell 1 forms a cylindrical structure, so that the sweeper covers the cable-stayed bridge cable. Remove the fasteners so that both sides of the traveling mechanism C can perform opening and closing movements. After manually placing the whole sweeper on the cable, open and close the two ends to clamp the cable and install the fasteners to complete the placement of the sweeper; The central position inside the ice-breaking mechanism A includes a split bearing 4. A large gear 5 is sleeved outside the split bearing 4. A small gear 9 is meshed on the side of the large gear 5. The large gear 5 is meshed with the small gear 9. The diameter of the large gear 5 is 2 times larger than that of the small gear 9. A first driving motor 10 is installed at the central position of the small gear 9. A motor cover 11 is installed outside the first driving motor 10. Moving blocks 6 are circumferentially distributed on the frame of the ice-breaking mechanism A at the same level. A first lead screw 7 is sleeved inside the moving block 6. A first stepping motor 10 is installed at the end of the first lead screw 7. A tray base 3 is assembled outside the moving block 6. The whole tray base 3 is of a three-lobe structure. A milling cutter turntable 2 is fixedly assembled on the surface of the tray base 3. The tray base 3 is a fan-shaped box body. The first lead screw 7 controls the movement of the moving block 6 to move the tray base 3 and control the opening and closing of the milling cutter turntable 2. The stepping motor is connected to the small gear through a coupling and rotates synchronously, and drives the milling cutter turntable 2 to rotate by meshing with the large gear, and uses the milling cutter turntable 2 to mill and clean the ice on the cable; Multiple groups of adjusting brackets 21 are evenly arranged in the traveling mechanism C. A second driving motor 20 is fixedly installed at the end of the adjusting bracket 21. A V-shaped wheel 17 is fixedly installed on the motor shaft of the second driving motor 20. When the inclined angle of the hypotenuse of the V-shaped wheel 17 is 30-45 degrees, the traveling wheel obtains the maximum driving force. A third lead screw 18 is installed on the side of the adjusting bracket 21. A third stepping motor 19 is sleeved on the third lead screw 18. The remote control controls the motor at the V-shaped wheel 17 to start; The ice melting mechanism B is arranged at the middle position of the sweeper. Its interior includes symmetrically arranged brackets 12. At the end parts of the surfaces of the brackets 12, a second stepping motor 13 is fixedly installed. A second lead screw 14 is assembled on the motor shaft of the second stepping motor 13. A slider 15 is sleeved outside the second lead screw 14. A heating ring 16 is fixedly installed on the slider 15. The heating ring 16 is of an arc structure. The inner diameter of the heating ring 16 is an arc with a diameter of 120 mm, adapting to a cable with a variation range of 80 - 180 mm. Two semi-ring-structured heating rings 16 can form a complete circle. The power source of the heating ring 16 is an independent lithium battery pack.

[0025] The V-shaped wheel is subject to a vertically downward gravity G on the cable. Due to the action of the driving torque M, at the two contact points, it is respectively subject to two groups of static frictions f along the forward direction and supporting forces N perpendicular to the hypotenuse of the V-shaped wheel and upward.

[0026] When the wheel moves uniformly along the cable, according to the principle of force balance: At this time, ∑X = 0, ∑Y = 0, ∑Z = 0 The wheel is subject to the forward static friction f and has no reverse resistance, and the forces on the X-axis are unbalanced. Only when the driving torque M is 0, the static friction f disappears, and only then can the wheel move forward uniformly.

[0027] When the V-shaped wheel walks uniformly on the cable, its equivalent action point is a pair of points located on the hypotenuse of the V-shaped wheel. At this time, the supporting force N is perpendicular to the hypotenuse of the V-shaped wheel and upward.

[0028] It should be noted that: The ice and snow layer on the surface of the cable is not pure ice and contains impurities. As the thickness increases, its density and compressive strength also increase. For a mechanical ice removal system, if the removal rate is to be improved, the tool generally needs to penetrate into the ice layer and contact the surface of the cable, acting on the bonding layer between the ice layer and the surface of the cable to completely remove the ice and snow layer on the surface of the cable. Also, because the density, thickness, etc. of the ice and snow layer on the surface of the cable are uneven and unmeasurable, in order to improve the removal rate, the pressure exerted by the tool on the ice layer is often much greater than the compressive strength of the ice layer, so the cable is extremely likely to be damaged.

[0029] Operating steps: Step 1. The staff takes out the sweeper, opens the fasteners at both ends of the traveling mechanism C to make it openable and closable, places the middle part of the sweeper stably on the cable to be cleaned, adjusts the opening and closing on both sides so that the V-shaped wheel 17 contacts the cable, fixes the fasteners, and uses the remote control to adjust the third stepping motor 19 on the traveling wheel mechanism C to clamp the cable, and installs the remaining components.

[0030] Step 2. Remotely control and start the two groups of traveling mechanisms C to make the sweeper start to climb upward along the cable, and start the heating ring 16 in the ice melting mechanism B for preheating in advance; Step 3: Remotely control the first driving motor 10 connected to the pinion gear 9 at the ice-breaking mechanism A to make the milling cutter turntable 2 start to rotate with the large gear 5. The milling cutters erected on the turntable break the ice of the encountered ice and snow layers and ice cones through mechanical milling. The snow and broken ice slag are taken away from the cable with the rotation of the milling cutter turntable 2, achieving the purpose of the first-round cleaning.

[0031] Step 4: Remotely control the second stepping motor 13 in the ice-melting mechanism B to rotate forward or backward, so that the heating ring 16 of the working component fixed on the ball screw moves forward or backward to adapt to the diameter change of the cable. The heating ring 16 heats and melts the remaining ice and snow on the cable cleaned by the ice-breaking mechanism A, achieving the purpose of the second-round cleaning.

[0032] This specific embodiment is only an interpretation of the present invention and not a limitation thereof. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without creative contributions as needed, but as long as it is within the scope of the claims of the present invention, it is protected by the patent law.

Claims

1. An ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge, comprising an ice-breaking mechanism (A), a de-icing mechanism (B), a traveling mechanism (C) and a protective shell (1), characterized in that: The protective shell (1) is arranged outside the ice-breaking mechanism (A), ice-melting mechanism (B) and traveling mechanism (C). The sweeper is divided into four layers from top to bottom, namely the ice-breaking mechanism (A), traveling mechanism (C), ice-melting mechanism (B) and traveling mechanism (C). There are two layers of traveling mechanisms (C). Vertical rods (22) are sleeved on the four corners of the frames of the ice-breaking mechanism (A), traveling mechanism (C) and ice-melting mechanism (B). The center position inside the ice-breaking mechanism (A) includes a split bearing (4). A large gear (5) is sleeved outside the split bearing (4). A small gear (9) is meshed with the large gear (5) on the side. A first driving motor (10) is installed at the center position of the small gear (9). A motor cover (11) is installed outside the first driving motor (10). Moving blocks (6) are circumferentially distributed on the frame at the same level as the ice-breaking mechanism (A). A first lead screw (7) is sleeved inside the moving block (6). A first stepping motor (10) is installed at the end of the first lead screw (7). A tray base (3) is assembled outside the moving block (6). The whole tray base (3) is of a three-lobe structure. A milling cutter turntable (2) is fixedly assembled on the surface of the tray base (3). Multiple groups of adjusting brackets (21) are evenly arranged in the traveling mechanism (C). A second driving motor (20) is fixedly installed at the end of the adjusting bracket (21). A V-shaped wheel (17) is fixedly installed on the motor shaft of the second driving motor (20). A third lead screw (18) is installed on the side of the adjusting bracket (21). A third stepping motor (19) is sleeved on the third lead screw (18). The ice-melting mechanism (B) is arranged in the middle of the sweeper. Inside, there are symmetrically arranged brackets (12). A second stepping motor (13) is fixedly installed at the end of the surface of the bracket (12). A second lead screw (14) is assembled on the motor shaft of the second stepping motor (13). A slider (15) is sleeved outside the second lead screw (14). A heating ring (16) is fixedly installed on the slider (15).

2. The ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective shell (1) is of an arc structure. The protective shell (1) forms a cylindrical structure to cover the cables of the cable-stayed bridge outside the sweeper.

3. The ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge according to claim 1, wherein: The tray base (3) is a fan-shaped box body. The first lead screw (7) controls the movement of the moving block (6) to move the tray base (3) and control the opening and closing of the milling cutter turntable (2).

4. The ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge according to claim 1, wherein: The large gear (5) is meshed with the small gear (9). The diameter of the large gear (5) is 2 times larger than that of the small gear (9).

5. The ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating ring (16) is of an arc structure. The inner diameter of the heating ring (16) is an arc of 120 mm, adapting to cables with a variation range of 80 - 180 mm. Two semi-ring structures of the heating ring (16) can form a complete circle. The power source of the heating ring (16) is an independent lithium battery pack.

6. The ice and snow sweeper for stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the inclination angle of the hypotenuse of the V-shaped wheel (17) is 30 - 45 degrees, the traveling wheel obtains the maximum driving force.

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