A shield machine shield body supporting device
The shield support device of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) utilizes hydraulic cylinders and articulated seats to reliably support the shield, solving the problems of high construction costs and complexity, enabling efficient and automated TBM construction, and ensuring sealing and continuity of the tunneling process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION CO LTD GUANGDONG
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing tunnel boring machines (TBMs) face high construction costs and complex construction processes within diameter variation transition spaces. Tooling and auxiliary solutions rely on manual operation, resulting in low automation levels and impacting construction efficiency and safety.
The shield support device of the tunnel boring machine uses hydraulic cylinders to directly support the shield body. It is integrated into a sealed box and the extension and rotation of the support seat are realized through hydraulic rods and hinge seats. In conjunction with the gate control opening, reliable support and sealing are achieved.
It reduced construction costs, simplified the construction process, improved the reliability and automation of the support, ensured the sealing of the tunnel boring machine and normal tunneling, and did not affect the segment assembly.
Smart Images

Figure CN224532724U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tunnel boring machine technology, and in particular to a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine. Background Technology
[0002] With the accelerated development of urban underground space, tunnel engineering is increasingly facing complex geological conditions and ever-changing tunnel design requirements.
[0003] To address this problem, tunnel boring machines (TBMs) were developed. They can dynamically adjust their excavation diameter, enabling integrated construction of large-section spaces such as tunnel sections and stations, significantly improving construction efficiency, safety, and economy. This represents an important development direction for tunnel engineering technology.
[0004] A key aspect of tunnel boring machine (TBM) operation is providing stable support for the shield within the transitional space created by the diameter change. Currently, a common technical solution involves assembling specially designed fixtures within the annular space created after the cutterhead expands. These fixtures serve two purposes: firstly, they fill the space and assist in the subsequent assembly of the shield's steel components; secondly, by installing sliders on them, they provide a support surface for the TBM's forward sliding. While this method is feasible, it has significant drawbacks:
[0005] 1. High Cost: The complex manufacturing process and high material costs of the tooling directly increase the overall construction cost. These tooling fixtures are typically for single use and require customized design and production based on the specific curvature and dimensions of the transition section. They are usually made of high-strength steel, with large individual pieces, resulting in significant manufacturing and transportation costs. A single adjustment section often requires dozens or even hundreds of such tooling fixtures, leading to substantial cumulative costs.
[0006] 2. Complex and lengthy construction process: The numerous steps involved in assembling the tooling and installing the sliding blocks, along with the high requirements for seamless workflow and limited margin for error, not only increase the difficulty of construction but also extend the construction period. Specifically, workers must operate the segment assembly machine within the limited space inside the tunnel boring machine to precisely hoist the heavy tooling into place and lock it in place. Subsequently, the sliding block device must be installed and adjusted on the inner surface of the tooling. The entire process relies on manual operation, resulting in high labor intensity, low automation, and extremely high requirements for worker precision. Errors in any step can lead to uneven support surfaces, affecting the sliding stability and tunneling posture of the tunnel boring machine.
[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a new technical solution to provide reliable support during the shield expansion process, while replacing costly and complex tooling auxiliary solutions, thereby reducing costs, simplifying processes, and improving construction efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0008] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine (TBM), which can directly provide support for the shield body and can be used for construction without the need for tooling assistance during the shield body expansion process.
[0009] A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
[0010] The shield body has a sealed box formed on its inner wall, the sealed box having a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity;
[0011] A support cylinder has its cylinder body rotatably connected to the inner wall of the cavity via a first hinge seat, and the hydraulic rod of the support cylinder is provided with a support seat that contacts the rock surface;
[0012] A rotary hydraulic cylinder, the cylinder body of which is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the cavity via a second hinge seat, and the hydraulic rod of the rotary hydraulic cylinder is rotatably connected to the cylinder body of the support hydraulic cylinder via a third hinge seat. The rotary hydraulic cylinder is used to drive the support hydraulic cylinder to rotate so that the support seat extends out of the opening or retracts into the cavity.
[0013] A gate is movably disposed at the opening;
[0014] A telescopic hydraulic cylinder is used to drive the gate to move linearly, so as to open or close the opening.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the working process of a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine is as follows:
[0016] First, the telescopic cylinder controls the gate to open the opening. Then, the rotary cylinder drives the support cylinder to rotate, causing the support cylinder to extend from inside the sealed box to outside the opening. At this time, the hydraulic rod of the support cylinder extends, causing the support seat at its end to make close contact with and press into the stratum rock, providing stable and reliable support for the shield. After the work is completed, the support cylinder retracts the support seat, and the rotary cylinder drives it to rotate back to the initial position. The support seat retracts into the sealed box. Finally, the telescopic cylinder controls the gate to close, completing one work cycle.
[0017] And it has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0018] 1. Reduced costs and simplified construction: This device directly supports the shield body, completely replacing the traditional tooling auxiliary scheme, eliminating the manufacturing and assembly of tooling, significantly reducing construction costs and simplifying the operation process;
[0019] 2. Reliable support and efficient control: Direct support is provided by hydraulic cylinders, resulting in large and stable support force; the action logic of each cylinder is clear, and the control process is simple and efficient.
[0020] 3. Ensure airtightness: The entire device is integrated into a sealed box and works with a gate to effectively ensure the airtight environment inside the tunnel boring machine during both working and non-working periods, without affecting conventional tunneling.
[0021] 4. Does not affect normal tunneling: When not in operation, the entire device retracts into the sealed box, does not occupy the space inside the shield, and does not affect the normal tunneling of the tunnel boring machine or the segment assembly.
[0022] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the opening is provided with a slot, and a first sealing strip is provided in the slot, and the gate can be inserted into the slot and abut against the first sealing strip.
[0023] In some embodiments, the gate is provided with a fourth hinge seat on the side facing the cavity, the hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder is located in the cavity and is rotatably connected to the gate through the fourth hinge seat, and the extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder is parallel to the movement direction of the gate.
[0024] In some embodiments, the sealing box has a through hole, a sealing ring is provided in the through hole, and the hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder passes through the sealing ring.
[0025] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the shield body is provided with a sliding groove, and the gate is retractably disposed in the sliding groove, and the sliding groove and the gate are sealed by a second sealing strip.
[0026] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the sealing box is provided with a first limiting block, and the cylinder body of the supporting cylinder is provided with a second limiting block. The second limiting block is used to abut against the first limiting block to limit the rotation stroke of the supporting cylinder.
[0027] In some embodiments, the sealing box is provided with an oil inlet and an oil return port communicating with the cavity, the oil inlet being for an oil inlet pipe to extend into, and the oil return port being for an oil return pipe to extend into.
[0028] In some embodiments, the end face of the support is provided with a conical spike, which is used to enhance the friction with the rock surface.
[0029] In some embodiments, the sealing box is made of steel, and the sealing box is connected to the shield body by welding.
[0030] In some embodiments, when the support cylinder is in the initial position, the axis of the support cylinder is horizontally set, and when the support cylinder is in the end position, the axis of the support cylinder is perpendicular to the axis of the shield body.
[0031] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:
[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the shield body of a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to some embodiments of the present invention;
[0035] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] Figure label:
[0037] Cutting head 1, front and middle shields 2, middle and rear shields 3, tail shield 4;
[0038] Shield body 100, sealing box 110, cavity 111, opening 112, oil inlet 113, oil return outlet 114, slot 120, first sealing strip 121, sealing ring 130, slide groove 140, second sealing strip 141, first limiting block 150;
[0039] Support cylinder 200, support base 210, conical spike 211, first hinge base 220, second limiting block 230;
[0040] Rotary hydraulic cylinder 300, second hinge seat 310, third hinge seat 320;
[0041] Gate 400;
[0042] Telescopic hydraulic cylinder 500, fourth hinge seat 510. Detailed Implementation
[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a shield support device for a tunnel boring machine (TBM) according to an embodiment of this utility model includes a shield body 100, a support cylinder 200, a rotary cylinder 300, a gate 400, and a telescopic cylinder 500. This device can directly support the shield body 100 without the need for tooling. The shield body 100 may include a front and middle shield 2, a middle and rear shield 3, and a tail shield 4. A cutterhead 1 is provided on the front side of the front and middle shield 2.
[0044] The shield body 100 has a roughly cylindrical structure, and a sealed box 110 is formed on the inner wall of the shield body 100. The sealed box 110 has a cavity 111 and an opening 112 communicating with the cavity 111. This sealed box 110 is the core integrated unit of this device, which completely houses all moving parts, such as hydraulic cylinders and hinge seats, in a separate, robust metal shell. This not only protects the internal precision hydraulic components from the erosion of the harsh environment inside the tunnel (such as mud, sand, and dust), but also prevents lubricating substances such as hydraulic oil from leaking to the outside, thus playing a dual role in environmental protection and mechanical protection. The cylinder body of the supporting hydraulic cylinder 200 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the cavity 111 through the first hinge seat 220, and the hydraulic rod of the supporting hydraulic cylinder 200 is provided with a support seat 210 that contacts the rock surface. The cylinder body of the rotary cylinder 300 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the cavity 111 via the second hinge seat 310. The hydraulic rod of the rotary cylinder 300 is rotatably connected to the cylinder body of the support cylinder 200 via the third hinge seat 320. The rotary cylinder 300 is used to drive the support cylinder 200 to rotate, so that the support seat 210 extends out of the opening 112 or retracts into the cavity 111. The initial position and the final position of the support cylinder 200 differ by 90 degrees. The gate 400 has an arc-shaped structure and is movably installed at the opening 112. The shield body 100 has a sandwich space, and the gate 400 is inserted into the sandwich space of the shield body 100. The telescopic cylinder 500 is used to drive the gate 400 to move linearly to open or close the opening 112.
[0045] The working process of this device is as follows: First, as Figure 3 As shown, when the tunnel boring machine control system issues an adjustment support command, the telescopic cylinder 500 controls the gate 400 to open the opening 112. Then, the rotary cylinder drives the support cylinder 200 to rotate, causing the support cylinder 200 to extend from inside the sealed box 110 to outside the opening 112. At this time, the axis of the support cylinder 200 is perpendicular to the axis of the shield body 100, that is, the support cylinder 200 points radially towards the tunnel wall. Subsequently, the control system precisely adjusts the extension of the hydraulic rod of the support cylinder 200, so that the support seat 210 at its end closely contacts and presses into the stratum rock, providing stable and reliable support force for the shield body 100. Through the pressure sensor installed on the hydraulic pipeline, the magnitude of the support force can be monitored in real time, forming a closed-loop control to ensure that the applied support force can effectively support the shield body 100 without causing ground damage due to excessive force. Multiple sets of devices operate synchronously and cooperate to provide support. After the work is completed, the support cylinder 200 retracts the support seat 210, and the rotary cylinder 300 drives it to rotate back to the initial position, as shown. Figure 2 As shown, the support base 210 retracts into the sealing box 110. At this time, the axis of the support cylinder 200 is set horizontally and parallel to the axis of the shield body 100. Finally, the telescopic cylinder 500 controls the gate 400 to close, completing one work cycle.
[0046] This device has the following beneficial effects:
[0047] 1. Reduced costs and simplified construction: This device directly supports the shield body 100, completely replacing the traditional tooling auxiliary scheme, eliminating the manufacturing and assembly of tooling, significantly reducing construction costs, simplifying the operation process, and allowing construction without tooling auxiliary during the expansion of the shield body 100.
[0048] 2. Reliable support and efficient control: Direct support is provided by hydraulic cylinders, resulting in large and stable support force; the action logic of each cylinder is clear, and the control process is simple and efficient.
[0049] 3. Ensure airtightness: The entire device is integrated into the sealing box 110 and works with the gate 400 to effectively ensure the sealing environment inside the tunnel boring machine during both working and non-working periods, without affecting conventional tunneling.
[0050] 4. Does not affect normal tunneling: When not in operation, the entire device retracts into the sealed box 110, does not occupy the space inside the shield, and does not affect the normal tunneling of the tunnel boring machine or the segment assembly.
[0051] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the inner wall of the opening 112 is provided with a slot 120, and a first sealing strip 121 is provided inside the slot 120. The gate 400 can be inserted into the slot 120 and abut against the first sealing strip 121. The first sealing strip 121 is preferably made of a wear-resistant and aging-resistant composite rubber material, which has good elasticity and compression deformation recovery ability. When the gate 400 is inserted into the slot 120, its edge will tightly press against the first sealing strip 121, forming a reliable radial seal, effectively preventing groundwater, mud and other fluids from seeping into the sealed box 110 from the opening 112.
[0052] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the gate 400 has a fourth hinge seat 510 on the side facing the cavity 111. The hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder 500 is located inside the cavity 111 and is rotatably connected to the gate 400 through the fourth hinge seat 510. The extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder 500 is parallel to the movement direction of the gate 400. This design allows the telescopic cylinder 500 to transmit the push and pull force in the most efficient way, directly driving the gate 400 to perform linear reciprocating motion. The hinge seat allows for slight angular deviations during installation and movement, enhancing the system's fault tolerance and reliability.
[0053] Reference Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing box 110 has a through hole, and a sealing ring 130 is installed inside the through hole. The hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder 500 passes through the sealing ring 130 to ensure sealing performance. The sealing ring 130 here is a dynamic seal, which needs to withstand the reciprocating motion of the hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder 500. Therefore, high-performance combined seals such as Glyd rings or Step seals are typically used. These seals can not only withstand high pressure but also maintain an extremely low leakage rate during long-term dynamic operation, ensuring the pressure stability of the hydraulic system and the internal and external isolation of the sealing box 110.
[0054] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the inner wall of the shield 100 is provided with a groove 140, and the gate 400 is telescopically disposed in the groove 140. The groove 140 and the gate 400 are sealed by a second sealing strip 141 to ensure sealing performance. The groove 140 provides precise guidance for the movement of the gate 400, ensuring the smoothness of its opening and closing process. The second sealing strip 141 is usually arranged along the entire length of the groove 140, forming a longitudinal seal, which, together with the radial seal of the first sealing strip 121, constitutes a complete, three-dimensional sealing system, further improving the waterproof and mud-proof capabilities of the device.
[0055] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the inner wall of the sealing box 110 is provided with a first limiting block 150, and the cylinder body of the support cylinder 200 is provided with a second limiting block 230. The second limiting block 230 is used to abut against the first limiting block 150 to limit the rotation stroke of the support cylinder 200. This ensures that the support cylinder 200 can accurately rotate to a 90-degree position. This mechanical limiting is a simple and extremely reliable positioning method. It provides a physical boundary for the control of the rotary cylinder 300, preventing the support cylinder 200 from over- or under-rotating due to control system errors or hydraulic inertia. It ensures that each extension and retraction reaches the preset, precise working and retraction positions, guaranteeing the repeatability and safety of the mechanism's actions.
[0056] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the top plate of the sealing box 110 is provided with an oil inlet 113 and an oil return port 114 communicating with the cavity 111. The oil inlet 113 is used for the oil inlet pipe to extend into, and the oil return port 114 is used for the oil return pipe to extend into. This facilitates the effective connection of the control pipeline of the hydraulic system while ensuring the sealing of the box.
[0057] Reference Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments, the end face of the support base 210 is provided with conical spikes 211. These spikes 211 are used to enhance friction with the rock surface and prevent the support cylinder 200 from slipping under stress. These conical spikes 211 are made of ultra-hard alloy material, possessing extremely high hardness and wear resistance. When the support base 210 presses against the stratum, the conical spikes 211 effectively "bite" into the rock and soil, forming a mechanical interlocking effect, greatly increasing the shear resistance of the contact surface. This is particularly important for providing support on inclined or uneven ground surfaces and resisting the lateral forces generated during tunnel boring machine excavation, ensuring the absolute stability of the support point.
[0058] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the sealing box 110 is made of steel and is connected to the shield body 100 by welding to ensure its internal sealing. High-strength steel of the same or similar nature as the main structure of the shield body 100 is used, and it is firmly bonded to the inner wall of the shield body 100 by full penetration welding. This connection method not only provides the highest structural strength and rigidity but also forms an integrated, leak-free, permanent connection capable of withstanding the intense vibrations, impacts, and high-pressure environments during shield tunneling construction, ensuring the long-term stable operation of the entire device.
[0059] Examples of the embodiments described above are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described above with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
[0060] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0061] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.
[0062] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0063] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine, characterized in that, include: The shield body has a sealed box formed on its inner wall, the sealed box having a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity; A support cylinder has its cylinder body rotatably connected to the inner wall of the cavity via a first hinge seat, and the hydraulic rod of the support cylinder is provided with a support seat that contacts the rock surface; A rotary hydraulic cylinder, the cylinder body of which is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the cavity via a second hinge seat, and the hydraulic rod of the rotary hydraulic cylinder is rotatably connected to the cylinder body of the support hydraulic cylinder via a third hinge seat. The rotary hydraulic cylinder is used to drive the support hydraulic cylinder to rotate so that the support seat extends out of the opening or retracts into the cavity. A gate is movably disposed at the opening; A telescopic hydraulic cylinder is used to drive the gate to move linearly, so as to open or close the opening.
2. The shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the opening is provided with a slot, and a first sealing strip is provided in the slot. The gate can be inserted into the slot and abut against the first sealing strip.
3. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gate is provided with a fourth hinge seat on the side facing the cavity. The hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder is located in the cavity and is rotatably connected to the gate through the fourth hinge seat. The extension and retraction direction of the hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder is parallel to the movement direction of the gate.
4. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing box has a through hole, and a sealing ring is installed inside the through hole. The hydraulic rod of the telescopic cylinder passes through the sealing ring.
5. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the shield is provided with a sliding groove, and the gate is retractably disposed in the sliding groove. The sliding groove and the gate are sealed by a second sealing strip.
6. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the sealed box is provided with a first limiting block, and the cylinder body of the supporting cylinder is provided with a second limiting block. The second limiting block is used to abut against the first limiting block to limit the rotation stroke of the supporting cylinder.
7. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealed box is provided with an oil inlet and an oil return port that communicate with the cavity. The oil inlet is used for the oil inlet pipe to extend into, and the oil return port is used for the oil return pipe to extend into.
8. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end face of the support is provided with a conical spike, which is used to enhance the friction with the rock surface.
9. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing box is made of steel and is connected to the shield body by welding.
10. A shield support device for a tunnel boring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the supporting cylinder is in the initial position, the axis of the supporting cylinder is set horizontally. When the supporting cylinder is in the final position, the axis of the supporting cylinder is perpendicular to the axis of the shield body.