An automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of concrete safety production technology, specifically disclosing an automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer. The device includes: a support frame disposed between the mixer's discharge port and the hopper's inlet, connected to the mixer body; a nozzle, one end of which is connected to an external high-pressure liquid source, and the other end rotatably connected to the support frame; and a driver fixedly mounted on the support frame, the driver's output end having an eccentric shaft, the nozzle being rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft via a connecting rod. When the driver rotates, the connecting rod moves repeatedly in a linear direction to change the nozzle's position relative to the inlet. This device can replace high-risk manual cleaning operations in confined spaces, enabling rapid, effective, automated, or semi-automatic cleaning of concrete clumps in the hopper, thereby significantly reducing safety risks, improving operational efficiency, ensuring stable product quality, and overcoming the problem of heavy reliance on manual cleaning of the hopper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of concrete safety production technology, specifically to an automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, production safety accidents involving confined space operations have occurred frequently across the country. Accident analysis shows that excessively high operation frequency, inadequate safety management training, and insufficient on-site supervision are the main causes of accidents. In the production process of concrete mixing plants, the cleaning of accumulated materials inside the mixer and in the aggregate hopper is a typical, high-risk, and frequently occurring confined space operation scenario.

[0003] Specifically, due to the material characteristics and working environment, the aggregate hopper area is highly prone to concrete or aggregate adhesion and caking (hereinafter referred to as "concrete lumps"). To ensure smooth material flow and concrete production quality, the hopper requires frequent manual cleaning, averaging at least once a week. For mixing plants with two production lines, this frequency can reach as high as eight times a month. Each cleaning operation is time-consuming, typically exceeding two hours. This not only severely impacts normal production time and efficiency but, more importantly, the frequent entry of personnel into this confined space significantly increases the probability of accidents such as falls from heights, mechanical injuries, suffocation, poisoning, and being struck by objects, posing a serious threat to the lives of workers. Furthermore, if cleaning is not timely or thorough, lumps in the hopper can also lead to poor material flow and mix proportion deviations, directly affecting the quality stability of the finished concrete product.

[0004] To address the issue of cleaning concrete clumps inside mixer main units, the industry has widely adopted automatic mixer cleaning systems (or "main unit self-cleaning systems"). This technology uses high-pressure water or cleaning devices to automatically operate inside the main unit, effectively removing adhering materials from the inner walls. This significantly reduces the frequency and risks of manual cleaning by personnel entering the main unit, achieving excellent results in improving the cleaning efficiency and safety of the main unit.

[0005] However, for the equally critical and easily caking discharge hopper area, there is currently no integrated device or system on the market that can simultaneously, efficiently, and automatically clean the concrete caking inside the mixer and in the discharge hopper area. The mixer's self-cleaning system typically cannot cover or effectively address the specific structure and location of the discharge hopper. Due to the lack of specialized equipment, cleaning the discharge hopper still heavily relies on manual entry into the confined space. As mentioned earlier, the frequency of this work (approximately eight times per month) and the duration of each work (≥2 hours) remain high. The discharge hopper structure is usually deep and narrow, and manual cleaning operations face a combination of risks, including falls from heights, injuries from mechanical parts (such as mixing blades if not effectively isolated), accumulation of harmful gases or oxygen deficiency in the space, slipping, and being struck by objects. Even with enhanced management, the frequent personnel entry itself is a significant risk source. Relying on manual cleaning is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, affecting production continuity, but its cleaning effect is also difficult to guarantee completely consistently, posing a potential threat to quality stability.

[0006] Therefore, in response to the series of problems caused by the current heavy reliance on manual cleaning of the hopper, there is a need to provide a cleaning device that can replace the high-risk manual operation in confined spaces. This device should be able to quickly, effectively, automatically or semi-automatically clean the concrete clumps in the hopper, thereby significantly reducing safety risks, improving work efficiency, and ensuring stable product quality. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer, so as to solve a series of problems caused by the heavy reliance on manual cleaning of the hopper in the prior art.

[0008] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0009] An automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer includes:

[0010] A support frame is installed at the discharge port of the mixer and the inlet of the hopper, and the support frame is connected to the body of the mixer;

[0011] A nozzle, one end of which is connected to an external high-pressure liquid source, and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the bracket; and,

[0012] The driver is fixedly mounted on the bracket. The output end of the driver is provided with an eccentric shaft. The nozzle is rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft via a connecting rod. When the driver rotates, the connecting rod moves repeatedly in a straight line to change the position of the nozzle relative to the feed inlet.

[0013] Alternatively, the nozzle is rotatably connected to the bracket via a bearing.

[0014] Alternatively, each nozzle may be provided with two bearings, and the nozzle may be connected to the bearings via a rotating shaft.

[0015] Alternatively, the automatic cleaning device may further include a first protective cover surrounding the bearing.

[0016] Alternatively, the nozzle may also be provided with a push rod; the two ends of the connecting rod are provided with retaining rings, one retaining ring being sleeved on the eccentric shaft and the other retaining ring being sleeved on the push rod.

[0017] Alternatively, the bracket is provided with a strip-shaped hole, and the nozzle is embedded in the strip-shaped hole, wherein the size of the strip-shaped hole is larger than the deflection range of the nozzle.

[0018] Alternatively, the automatic cleaning device may further include a second protective cover surrounding the drive unit, the second protective cover being connected to the bracket.

[0019] Alternatively, the support is connected to the mixer via a column; the support is welded to the column.

[0020] Alternatively, the automatic cleaning device may further include branch pipes, main pipes, and a hydraulic pump. One end of the main pipe is connected to a liquid source, and the main pipe is equipped with a hydraulic pump. The other end of the main pipe is equipped with a diversion valve. The branch pipes are connected to the nozzles one by one and are connected to the diversion valves.

[0021] Alternatively, the automatic cleaning device may also include a controller that is communicatively connected to the drive and an external terminal.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0023] Through the above technical solution, the drive rotates, causing the eccentric shaft to rotate synchronously. The eccentric structure of the eccentric shaft drives the connecting rods on both sides to swing left and right, indirectly causing the nozzles to deflect. This allows the sprayed high-pressure liquid to directly flush the inner wall of the hopper. In this way, without moving the entire support or device, the high-pressure water flow or cleaning medium can be precisely directed to different areas of concrete lumps simply by rotating the nozzles, effectively reducing the frequency of concrete lump cleaning and significantly improving the cleaning coverage and effect. Simultaneously, the oscillating design of the nozzles allows for flexible adjustment of the spray angle, achieving thorough cleaning without dead angles. The nozzles are connected to the drive (such as a motor, rotary cylinder, stepper motor, or oscillating cylinder) to achieve continuous reciprocating oscillation, forming a fan-shaped sweeping cleaning pattern, thus efficiently and thoroughly cleaning the inner wall of the hopper. This design completely replaces manual operation, significantly reducing safety risks. Furthermore, the water volume can be precisely controlled through the liquid source, maximizing equipment lifespan while ensuring cleaning effectiveness, combining good economy and practicality. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the exemplary embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be considered as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer provided by this utility model in one embodiment.

[0026] The attached diagram shows the following components and their corresponding names: 1-Bracket, 2-Hopper, 3-Nozzle, 4-Driver, 5-Eccentric Shaft, 6-Connecting Rod, 7-Bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that while the description of these embodiments is intended to aid in understanding the present invention, it does not constitute a limitation thereof. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are only for describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0028] According to a specific embodiment of this disclosure, an automatic cleaning device for the hopper of a concrete mixer is provided. Wherein, Figure 1 Specific embodiments thereof are shown.

[0029] See Figure 1 As shown, the automatic cleaning device for the main feed hopper 2 of the concrete mixer includes: a bracket 1, which is set at the discharge port of the mixer and the feed port of the feed hopper 2, and the bracket 1 is connected to the body of the mixer; a nozzle 3, one end of which is connected to an external high-pressure liquid source, and the other end is rotatably connected to the bracket 1; and a driver 4, which is fixedly set on the bracket 1, and the output end of the driver 4 is provided with an eccentric shaft 5. The nozzle 3 is rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft 5 through a connecting rod 6. When the driver 4 rotates, the connecting rod 6 moves repeatedly in a straight line to change the position of the nozzle 3 relative to the feed port.

[0030] Through the above technical solution, when the driver 4 rotates, it drives the eccentric shaft 5 to rotate synchronously. Utilizing the eccentric structure of the eccentric shaft 5, the connecting rods 6 on both sides can be pushed to swing left and right, indirectly causing the nozzle 3 to deflect. This allows the sprayed high-pressure liquid to directly flush the inner wall of the hopper 2. In this way, without moving the entire support 1 or device, the high-pressure water flow or cleaning medium can be precisely directed to different areas of clumps simply by rotating the nozzle 3, effectively reducing the frequency of concrete clump cleaning and significantly improving the cleaning coverage and effect. Simultaneously, the oscillating design of the nozzle 3 allows for flexible adjustment of the spray angle, achieving thorough cleaning without dead angles. The nozzle 3 is connected to the driver 4 (such as a motor, rotary cylinder, stepper motor, or oscillating cylinder), enabling continuous reciprocating oscillation to form a fan-shaped sweeping cleaning mode, thus efficiently and thoroughly cleaning the inner wall of the hopper 2. This design completely replaces manual operation, significantly reducing safety risks. Furthermore, the water volume can be precisely controlled through the liquid source, maximizing equipment lifespan while ensuring cleaning effectiveness, combining good economy and practicality.

[0031] It should be noted that the directional terms used, such as "inner" and "outer," refer to the "inner" and "outer" relative to the outline of the component, facing the component (which can be combined with...). Figure 1 (For understanding purposes) The direction is "inside," and the opposite is "outside." Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms used, such as "first" and "second," are used to distinguish one element from another and do not indicate sequence or importance. Moreover, in the following descriptions with accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element.

[0032] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the nozzle 3 is rotatably connected to the bracket 1 via a bearing 7. The bearing 7 provides a low-friction rotational axis, allowing the nozzle 3 to rotate freely or in a controlled manner around this axis, enabling easy and precise adjustment of the spray direction of the nozzle 3. Under the recoil force of a high-pressure water jet, the nozzle 3 may be affected by external forces or torques. The bearing 7 connection allows the nozzle 3 to undergo slight, compliant rotation or oscillation under these external forces, helping to absorb impact, reduce stress concentration, prevent deformation or damage to the nozzle 3 or the bracket 1, while maintaining relative stability of the spray direction and avoiding the risk of breakage due to rigid connections.

[0033] In this disclosure, each nozzle 3 is provided with two bearings 7, and the nozzle 3 is connected to the bearings 7 via a rotating shaft. The two ends of the rotating shaft are interference-fitted with the inner rings of the bearings 7 to form a rigid double-point supported rotating pair, the axis of which is perpendicular to the direction of the high-pressure water jet from the nozzle 3. This is beneficial to ensuring the stability of the nozzle 3 during rotation, and even if one bearing 7 is stuck, the other bearing 7 can still swing.

[0034] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the automatic cleaning device further includes a first protective cover surrounding the bearing 7. During operation, the automatic cleaning device generates liquids (such as cleaning fluid, wastewater, etc.) and various impurities (such as dirt and debris removed during cleaning). The first protective cover surrounding the bearing 7 forms a physical barrier, effectively preventing these liquids and impurities from entering the bearing 7. Thus, by isolating the bearing 7 from the external environment through the first protective cover, a relatively enclosed space is provided for the bearing 7, reducing the impact of complex external environmental factors on the bearing 7.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle 3 is further provided with a push rod; the connecting rod 6 has retaining rings at both ends, one retaining ring being sleeved on the eccentric shaft 5 and the other retaining ring being sleeved on the push rod. The eccentric shaft 5 serves as the power output component of the device, and its rotational motion can be converted into reciprocating driving force through the eccentric structure. The retaining rings at both ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively sleeved and connected to the eccentric shaft 5 and the push rod. This connection method can stably transmit the rotational eccentric motion of the eccentric shaft 5 to the push rod, thereby driving the nozzle 3 to perform reciprocating motion (such as swinging, translation, etc.).

[0036] Furthermore, the connecting rod 6 is connected to the eccentric shaft 5 and the push rod via a retaining ring, forming a detachable, movable connection structure. The clearance between these rings can compensate for machining and assembly errors within a certain range, reducing stress concentration caused by hard contact. This effectively buffers impacts and vibrations during movement, reducing wear on the connecting rod 6, push rod, and eccentric shaft 5. Simultaneously, the retaining ring provides constraint on the connection points, preventing parts from detaching or shifting during movement, significantly improving the overall structural stability and reducing the probability of equipment downtime due to connection failures.

[0037] Furthermore, by adjusting the eccentricity or rotational speed of the eccentric shaft 5, the movement amplitude and frequency of the nozzle 3 can be flexibly controlled, allowing the cleaning fluid to act evenly on all surfaces of the object to be cleaned. Whether it is a workpiece with a complex shape or a large cleaning area, it can achieve comprehensive and thorough cleaning, significantly improving the uniformity and thoroughness of the cleaning effect.

[0038] In this disclosure, the bracket 1 is provided with a strip-shaped hole, and the nozzle 3 is embedded in the strip-shaped hole. The size of the strip-shaped hole is larger than the deflection range of the nozzle 3, ensuring that the nozzle 3 can move freely within the maximum deflection range without being blocked or restricted by the wall of the strip-shaped hole. This avoids problems such as the nozzle 3 getting stuck or having limited movement due to insufficient movement space, and enables the nozzle 3 to deflect flexibly according to the preset trajectory, giving full play to the advantages of dynamic cleaning and ensuring the comprehensiveness and flexibility of the cleaning operation.

[0039] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the automatic cleaning device further includes a second protective cover surrounding the drive 4, the second protective cover being connected to the bracket 1.

[0040] As the core power component of the device (such as a motor or drive motor), the actuator 4 contains precision electrical components, transmission structures, and wiring, requiring a high degree of cleanliness and dryness in its working environment. The second protective cover isolates the actuator 4 from the external environment, effectively preventing foreign objects such as liquids (such as cleaning fluids and wastewater) and solid impurities (such as dirt, debris, and dust) generated during the cleaning process from entering the actuator 4.

[0041] The second protective cover is connected to the bracket 1, so that the protective cover and the main body of the device form a stable overall structure. It can indirectly play an auxiliary role in fixing the driver 4, reducing the displacement or shaking caused by vibration during the operation of the driver 4, and avoiding problems such as loosening of parts and failure of connection caused by vibration.

[0042] In this disclosure, the second protective cover adopts a detachable structure (such as being connected to the bracket 1 by bolts). When the driver 4 needs to be inspected, maintained or replaced, the protective cover can be easily removed without large-scale disassembly of other parts of the device. This not only ensures the protective performance of the protective cover, but also provides convenience for daily maintenance operations, shortens the downtime of the equipment, and improves the overall efficiency of the equipment.

[0043] In this disclosure, the support 1 is connected to the mixer via a column; the support 1 is welded to the column. The column, as an intermediate support component connecting the support 1 and the mixer, evenly distributes the load borne by the support 1 (such as the gravity of components like the nozzle 3, driver 4, and connecting rod 6, as well as the reaction force during cleaning) to the main body of the mixer, preventing deformation or displacement of the support 1 due to concentrated stress. The welded connection between the support 1 and the column forms a rigid integral structure, significantly improving the vibration resistance of the connection. During the operation of the mixer and the cleaning device, it effectively resists the impact force generated by equipment vibration, ensuring that the support 1 and the nozzle 3, transmission components, etc., mounted on it maintain a stable relative position, providing a structural foundation for the accuracy of the cleaning operation.

[0044] Furthermore, the column is welded to the mixer, and its function and effect are the same as above, so they will not be repeated.

[0045] The automatic cleaning device also includes branch pipes, main pipes and hydraulic pumps. One end of the main pipe is connected to the liquid source and the hydraulic pump is installed on the main pipe. The other end of the main pipe is equipped with a diversion valve. The branch pipes are connected to the nozzles 3 one by one and are connected to the diversion valves.

[0046] One end of the main pipe is connected to a liquid source, and a hydraulic pump installed on it can pressurize the liquid (such as clean water or cleaning medium), converting the low-pressure liquid source into a high-pressure fluid with sufficient impact force. After the high-pressure liquid is transmitted to the nozzle 3 through the pipeline, it can form a strong jet, effectively flushing away stubborn stains such as concrete clumps and residual deposits on the inner wall of the hopper 2, providing the basic kinetic energy for thorough cleaning. The precise pressure control capability of the hydraulic pump can adjust the output pressure according to the cleaning needs (such as increasing the pressure for thick clumps and decreasing the pressure for fragile areas), ensuring efficient cleaning while avoiding excessive impact damage to the inner wall of the equipment. The diversion valve at the other end of the main pipe can distribute the high-pressure liquid to each branch pipe as needed, and the one-to-one connection between the branch pipe and the nozzle 3 ensures that each nozzle 3 receives a stable flow and pressure. The flow of different branch pipes can be adjusted individually through the diversion valve.

[0047] With the combined effect of the high-pressure power provided by the hydraulic pump and the precise distribution of the flow divider valve, each nozzle 3 can spray at a stable set pressure. The high-pressure jet directly impacts the clumps, accelerating the removal of dirt and reducing the frequency of manual cleaning. The coordinated operation of multiple nozzles 3 forms a three-dimensional cleaning network. With the adjustment of the oscillation angle of the nozzles 3, it can achieve coverage without dead angles, significantly shortening the cleaning time per cycle and improving work efficiency.

[0048] In one embodiment, both the flow divider valve and the hydraulic pump are communicatively connected to the controller, allowing the controller to adjust the operating states of both. In another embodiment, the flow divider valve and hydraulic pump can also be controlled manually. Those skilled in the art can flexibly control these components according to the installation environment and usage requirements.

[0049] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the automatic cleaning device further includes a controller, which is communicatively connected to the driver 4 and an external terminal. Traditional cleaning device parameter adjustments often require operators to physically press buttons or knobs at the equipment site, a cumbersome process limited by space constraints. This invention enables contactless adjustment of cleaning parameters via remote input of commands through a terminal (such as a mobile phone, computer, control panel, etc.). Operators can complete settings without close contact with the equipment, making it particularly suitable for scenarios where equipment is installed in confined spaces, high-risk environments (such as high-temperature, high-humidity, or corrosive areas), or where multiple devices are centrally managed. This significantly reduces the difficulty and safety risks of manual operation, while also reducing the time cost of traveling to and from the equipment site and improving overall operational efficiency.

[0050] The controller receives digital instructions through the terminal and can precisely control the cleaning frequency (such as the number of times nozzle 3 sprays per minute), cleaning time (such as the duration of a single cleaning), and cleaning pressure (such as the pressure of the sprayed liquid). The adjustment accuracy can reach the preset minimum unit (such as time accurate to the second and pressure accurate to 0.1MPa).

[0051] When in use, the terminal can preset multiple cleaning programs (such as "daily cleaning", "deep cleaning" and "quick rinsing"). Operators can call them with one click according to actual needs without having to repeatedly set parameters, enabling the device to quickly adapt to different cleaning scenarios and improve the versatility and flexibility of the equipment.

[0052] In addition, the communication connection between the controller and the terminal enables real-time storage and synchronization of cleaning parameter settings. The terminal can automatically save data such as the time, parameters, and operation status of each cleaning session, forming a traceable operation log that can help users optimize cleaning solutions. At the same time, when cleaning quality problems occur, the cause can be quickly located by tracing historical data, providing a basis for troubleshooting and helping to form a standardized cleaning process.

[0053] In this disclosure, the controller is configured as a PLC logic controller. Furthermore, the controller is integrated into the driver 4.

[0054] Of course, in other embodiments, the controller may also be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) and located at the terminal. Alternatively, the controller may be configured as a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0055] In this disclosure, the controller is communicatively connected to various sensors via cables. In other embodiments, the controller may also be connected to the sensors via wireless communication modules such as Wi-Fi or ZigBee modules. Those skilled in the art can flexibly configure the controller based on the concept of this disclosure.

[0056] The above specific embodiments further illustrate the purpose, technical solution and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above are only specific embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaning device for a concrete mixer discharge hopper, characterized by, include: A support frame is installed at the discharge port of the mixer and the inlet of the hopper, and the support frame is connected to the body of the mixer; The nozzle has one end connected to an external high-pressure liquid source and the other end rotatably connected to the bracket. as well as, The driver is fixedly mounted on the bracket. The output end of the driver is provided with an eccentric shaft. The nozzle is rotatably connected to the eccentric shaft via a connecting rod. When the driver rotates, the connecting rod moves repeatedly in a straight line to change the position of the nozzle relative to the feed inlet.

2. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle is rotatably connected to the bracket via a bearing.

3. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each nozzle is provided with two bearings, and the nozzle is connected to the bearings via a rotating shaft.

4. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 2, characterized in that, The automatic cleaning device also includes a first protective cover that covers the outer periphery of the bearing.

5. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle is also provided with a push rod; the two ends of the connecting rod are provided with retaining rings, one retaining ring is sleeved on the eccentric shaft, and the other retaining ring is sleeved on the push rod.

6. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket is provided with a strip-shaped hole, and the nozzle is embedded in the strip-shaped hole, wherein the size of the strip-shaped hole is larger than the deflection range of the nozzle.

7. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic cleaning device also includes a second protective cover surrounding the drive unit, the second protective cover being connected to the bracket.

8. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame is connected to the mixer via a column; the support frame is welded to the column.

9. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic cleaning device also includes branch pipes, main pipes, and hydraulic pumps. One end of the main pipe is connected to a liquid source, and a hydraulic pump is installed on the main pipe. The other end of the main pipe is equipped with a diversion valve. The branch pipes are connected to the nozzles one by one and are connected to the diversion valves.

10. The automatic cleaning device for the concrete mixer discharge hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic cleaning device also includes a controller that is communicatively connected to the drive and an external terminal.

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