Snowplow

Abstract

Snowplow (1) with a plowshare (2) for snow removal and an adjustable plow frame (3) which supports the plowshare (2), wherein the snowplow (1) has elastic pretensioning devices (4) and the plowshare (2) has at least one upper plowshare segment (5) and two or more lower plowshare segments (6), wherein the lower plowshare segments (6) are arranged in a clearing position under the upper plowshare segment (5) during snow removal and can each be guided with their clearing edge (7) over the surface (14) to be cleared and are elastically pretensioned into the clearing position by at least two of the elastic pretensioning devices (4), wherein the lower plowshare segments (6) can be deflected from the clearing position into a deflected position in the opposite direction to the elastic pretensioning applied by the respective elastic pretensioning devices (4), characterized in thatthat the elastic prestressing devices (4) are elastomeric bands (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow plow with a plowshare for clearing snow and an adjustable plow frame which carries the plowshare, wherein the snow plow has elastic pretensioning devices and the plowshare has at least one upper plowshare segment and two or more lower plowshare segments, wherein the lower plowshare segments are arranged in a clearing position below the upper plowshare segment when clearing snow and can each be guided with their clearing edge over the ground to be cleared and are elastically pretensioned into the clearing position by at least two of the elastic pretensioning devices, wherein the lower plowshare segments can each be deflected from the clearing position into a deflected position against the elastic pretension applied by the respective elastic pretensioning devices when encountering an obstacle.

[0002] Snow plows of this type are known, for example, from AT 519 380 A1. These are snow plows in which the plow blade is formed from at least one upper plow blade segment and several lower plow blade segments. The advantage of this design is that only the mass of a lower plow blade segment, which is relatively small compared to the total mass of an undivided plow blade, needs to be moved during the deflection process. The lower plow blade segment can be deflected relative to the upper plow blade segment, for example, upon collision with an obstacle, against the elastic preload of a compression spring, so that the snow plow can drive over the obstacle.

[0003] The compression springs used in the state of the art are made of metal and are therefore subject to significant corrosion, particularly since they are more or less permanently exposed to a salt water solution on salted roads.

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve a snow plough of the type mentioned above in such a way that the elastic pre-tensioning device is as maintenance-free as possible.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention proposes that the elastic pretensioning devices are elastomer bands.

[0006] The use of elastomer bands as a pre-tensioning device for pre-tensioning the respective lower ploughshare segment toward the clearing position and thus holding the respective lower ploughshare segment in the clearing position as long as it does not encounter an obstacle has the advantage that these elastomer bands are not exposed to the risk of corrosion, resulting in a significantly lower-maintenance snow plow than the state of the art. Another advantage of these elastomer bands over the state of the art is that the elastomer bands are quiet and therefore do not generate the same amount of noise as with metal springs. Furthermore, the elastomer bands can be installed in such a way that their use requires very little space.A further advantage of elastomer bands is their high elasticity, so that the respective lower ploughshare segment can be deflected relatively far compared to the upper ploughshare segment into the deflected position or into the maximum deflected position.

[0007] The plowshare, which could also be referred to as a snow blade, is attached to an adjustable plow frame. This plow frame serves to attach the snow plow to the snow clearing vehicle. For this purpose, the plow frame can comprise, for example, a known quick-mounting plate or the like. However, the plow frame generally also provides the mobility of the plowshare, so that the plowshare can be raised, lowered, and otherwise aligned relative to the snow clearing vehicle as desired for snow clearing. All of this is known per se and can also be implemented in connection with the invention.

[0008] The snow plough's ploughshare can also have several upper ploughshare segments permanently arranged next to each other, to which the lower ploughshare segments are then attached accordingly.

[0009] The dividing line between the at least one upper ploughshare segment and the two or more lower ploughshare segments advantageously runs horizontally when viewed in the clearing position.

[0010] When the respective lower ploughshare segment is deflected into the respective deflected position, an elastic stretching of the respective elastomer bands advantageously occurs. The respective elastomer bands are the elastomer bands with which the respective lower ploughshare segment is pre-tensioned against the upper ploughshare segment toward the clearing position.

[0011] Particularly preferred variants provide for the elastomer bands to be designed as a closed loop. This simplifies their suspension. However, it could also be provided for the elastomer bands to be designed as bands with freely projecting ends. These ends can then be secured and / or clamped accordingly.

[0012] Particularly preferred variants of the invention provide that the elastomer belts are each deflected via at least one deflection point, preferably via at least one deflection pulley. This deflection of the elastomer belts can be used to keep the space required for the elastomer belts very small by optimally utilizing the corresponding installation clearances between the ploughshare and the plough frame. The deflection point or the deflection pulley can be positioned quite individually. A deflection pulley allows for largely friction-free operation of the elastomer belt during tensioning and loosening. Advantageously, the respective deflection point or the respective deflection pulley is fixedly connected to the upper ploughshare segment. However, the deflection point or the deflection pulley could also be fixed to the plough frame, for example.

[0013] Rubber bands, in particular, but also other suitable elastomer bands, can be used as elastomer bands. These elastomer bands can be made of a single material. However, they can also have fiber reinforcement or something similar in addition to the elastic component.

[0014] If the respective lower ploughshare segment encounters an obstacle in the clearing position of the ploughshare, this lower ploughshare segment is deflected against the pretension of the elastomer bands from the clearing position into a deflected position, possibly into the maximum deflected position. In order to ensure the most defined relative movement of the lower ploughshare segment relative to the upper ploughshare segment during deflection and also during resetting of the lower ploughshare segment, preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the upper ploughshare segment is held on the plough frame and the lower ploughshare segments are each deflectably held on the upper ploughshare segment via levers, wherein the levers are each articulated to both the upper ploughshare segment and the respective lower ploughshare segment.

[0015] In this context, preferred variants of the invention provide that the levers are each connected in an articulated manner to the upper ploughshare segment and / or to the respective lower ploughshare segment by means of at least one elastically deflectable joint. Such elastically deflectable joints can be designed, for example, as a combination of rubber and steel bushings. They impart a certain degree of elastic mobility to the overall structure and, among other things, ensure that the respective lower ploughshare segment can also be tilted slightly in the transverse direction.

[0016] In order to ensure the best possible guidance of the respective lower ploughshare segment during the movement from the clearing position to the deflected position and back, preferred variants of the invention can also provide that the upper ploughshare segment is held on the plough frame and that the respective lower ploughshare segment is held in a deflectable manner via at least one guide rail on the upper ploughshare segment.

[0017] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the elastomer bands are each fastened on the one hand to the upper ploughshare segment and on the other hand to the respective lower ploughshare segment. In order to make the pretension exerted by the elastomer band adjustable, preferred variants of the invention provide that the snow plow has at least one adjusting device for adjusting the pretension of the elastomer bands or of the respective elastomer band, preferably for each elastomer band. Whether the pretension of several elastomer bands can be adjusted with a single adjusting device or whether each elastomer band is assigned its own adjusting device depends on the design of the respective snow plow. The suspension of the elastomer bands, any deflection points orDeflection pulleys and any adjusting device for adjusting the pretension of the elastomer bands are advantageously designed to be corrosion-protected. This can be achieved, for example, by appropriate galvanizing of these components. The pretension or the restoring force of the elastomer bands is advantageously continuously adjustable using the adjusting device. However, in embodiments according to the invention, it can also be provided that a graduated adjustment of the pretension of the elastomer bands takes place using the respective adjusting device. An adjusting device for adjusting the pretension of the elastomer bands can, for example, be designed in the form of a threaded rod with a corresponding threaded nut. However, many alternative designs of corresponding adjusting devices are also conceivable.

[0018] If the snow plow encounters an obstacle with one of the lower plowshare segments, it is advantageously provided that the lower plowshare segment is deflected against the direction of travel from the clearing position into the deflected position, i.e., towards the plow frame or the snow clearing vehicle. One could also say that the respective lower plowshare segment can be folded into a negative position towards its deflected position. This deflection movement occurs counter to the pretension of the elastomer bands. The elastomer bands or the elastic pretensioning device then ensure, as soon as the obstacle is overcome, that the respective lower plowshare segment is returned to its clearing position, so that the lower plowshare segment can then be guided with its clearing edge above the ground again for clearing the ground.As long as there is no obstacle, the elastomer bands hold the respective lower ploughshare segment preferably in the clearing position.

[0019] In the area where the respective lower ploughshare segment rests against the upper ploughshare segment in the clearing position, plastic elements are advantageously provided. These elements are arranged between the lower ploughshare segment and the upper ploughshare segment. Such plastic elements, where present, ensure a reduction in noise when the lower ploughshare segment returns to the clearing position.

[0020] To limit the maximum relative movement of the respective lower ploughshare segment relative to the upper ploughshare segment toward the deflected position, stops are advantageously provided. These stops can be integrated, for example, into the link guide.

[0021] Preferred variants, however, provide for these stops to be designed independently of the guide rail. These can be, for example, a rubber stop and a corresponding counter-stop. Both the rubber stop and the counter-stop can be located on a portion of the lever, for example. The other stop is preferably permanently connected to the respective lower ploughshare segment. Noise generation can be reduced by using rubber stops.

[0022] Further features and details of preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below using an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 to 3 different representations of a snow plow according to the invention.

[0023] The Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 all show the same embodiment of a snow plow 1 according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows the snow plow 1 in a first sectional plane in the clearing position. Fig. 2 shows the clearing position in a second section through the snow plough 1. In Fig. 3 is the same cutting plane as in Fig. 2 shown. In Fig. 3, however, the lower ploughshare segment 6 is in the maximum deflected position.

[0024] First, it should be noted that the snow plow 1 according to the invention has a plowshare 2 for clearing snow. The plowshare 2 is attached to an adjustable plow frame 3 and can be attached to a snow clearing vehicle (not shown here) in a manner known per se by means of the plow frame 3. The plow frame 3 thus has the task of supporting the plowshare 2. Furthermore, the plow frame 3 is advantageously designed such that it can be used to lower the plowshare onto the ground 14 to be cleared and to raise it from there. Furthermore, the plow frame 3 advantageously also allows for an adjustment of the orientation of the plowshare 2 relative to the direction of travel of the snow clearing vehicle when clearing the ground, as is known per se in the prior art. The figures also clearly show the upper plowshare segment 5 and a lower plowshare segment 6 arranged directly below it.The elastic pretensioning device 4 designed according to the invention in the form of an elastomer band 8 is shown in . Fig. 1 slightly obscured, in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 but clearly visible. In the clearing position, i.e. for clearing snow on the ground 14, the lower ploughshare segments 6 are always arranged below the upper ploughshare segment 5. They can thus be guided with their clearing edge 7 over the ground 14 to be cleared. As already explained at the beginning, at least two of the elastic pre-tensioning devices 4 or elastomer bands 8 are provided for each lower ploughshare segment 6, which pre-tension the respective lower ploughshare segment 6 into the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown clearing position. If the lower ploughshare segment 6 now hits the ground during the clearing process, as shown in Fig. 3, it can be deflected into the deflected position, as shown in Fig. 3. In this deflected position according to Fig. 3, the lower ploughshare segment 6 can be folded back or deflected so far that the Fig. 3 can be driven over on the ground 14 without the upper ploughshare segment 5 having to be raised by means of the plough frame 3. The question of how high the lower end of the clearing edge 7, i.e. of the lower ploughshare segment 6, is arranged above the ground 14 in the maximum deflected position, is fundamentally a design question. This can therefore be designed accordingly according to the respective requirements. To comply with ÖNorm EN15583-2, edition 2012-04-01 “Winter service equipment - Snow ploughs” Part 2, the design can, for example, be made such that at a test speed of 25 km / h a cylindrical obstacle 15 with a height 22 of 50 mm and a diameter of 100 mm can be overcome without damaging the snow plough 1. The possible pivot angle 21 for this is then derived accordingly from the selected geometry.

[0025] When deflecting the respective lower ploughshare segment 6 into the deflected position according to Fig. 3, the respective elastomer bands 8 are elastically stretched. This creates the forces required for the return to the clearing position according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 required restoring forces, which hold the respective lower ploughshare segment 6 in the clearing position as long as there is no collision with an obstacle 15. In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 clearly shows that the elastomer bands 8 in this exemplary embodiment are each a self-contained loop. It can also be seen that the elastomer bands 8 are each deflected via at least one deflection point 9. The deflection point 9, which is designed as a deflection pulley here, is advantageously, as implemented here, fixedly connected to the upper ploughshare segment 5. By deflecting via deflection points 9 or deflection pulleys, the available installation space can be used particularly well, so that only extremely little additional space is required, if at all, due to the elastomer bands 8. By designing the deflection points 9 as deflection pulleys, a particularly durable, low-friction variant is created.

[0026] In this embodiment, the elastomer bands 8 are also attached to the upper ploughshare segment 5 on the one hand and to the respective lower ploughshare segment 6 on the other. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved via the attachment points 17 and 18.

[0027] If you look into the ploughshare 2 from the front, you can see a clearing position according to this embodiment Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 horizontally extending dividing line 23, which, viewed from the front, represents the transition between the upper ploughshare segment 5 and the lower ploughshare segment 6. In the sections according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 clearly shows that in the clearing position, the lower ploughshare segment 6 rests against the upper ploughshare segment 5 with at least one plastic element 16 interposed. This plastic element 16 is designed in the form of a damper and ensures that unnecessary noise does not occur when the lower ploughshare segment 6 is folded back into the clearing position when it hits the upper ploughshare segment 5.

[0028] In order to move the lower ploughshare segment 6 on a defined path of movement between the clearing position according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and the respective deflected position or the maximum deflected position according to Fig. 3 back and forth, the embodiment shown here includes the levers 10 and the guide rails 12. The guide rails 12 can be clearly seen in Fig. 1. The levers 10 are particularly well positioned in the cutting plane according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The levers 10 are each pivotally connected to both the upper ploughshare segment 5 and the respective lower ploughshare segment 6. In principle, these can be single-axis joints. However, in order to give this type of suspension a certain elastic mobility, preferred variants, as implemented here, provide that the levers 10 are each pivotally connected to the upper ploughshare segment 5 and / or to the respective lower ploughshare segment 6 by means of at least one elastically deflectable joint 11. The link guide 12 serves as a guideway when deflecting the lower ploughshare segment 6, while the upper ploughshare segment 5 is held on the plow frame 3. The link guides 12 can, as implemented here, each be fixed to one of the lower ploughshare segments 6.A bolt 26 fixed to the respective upper ploughshare segment 5 can, as also realized here, engage in the link guide 12 and be guided in it.

[0029] In order to be able to adjust the pretension of the elastomer bands 8 and thus also their restoring forces, in preferred embodiments at least one adjusting device 13 is provided, which serves to adjust the pretension of the respective elastomer band 8 or the respective elastomer bands 8. In this case, each elastomer band 8 can be assigned its own adjusting device 13. However, it is equally conceivable to adjust several elastomer bands 8 with a single adjusting device 13. This adjusting device 13 is shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 of the embodiment shown here. Specifically, this embodiment involves a threaded rod 24, which is connected at its lower end to the respective elastomer band 8. The upper end of the threaded rod 24 is held to the upper ploughshare segment 5 by a nut 25. By turning the nut 25, the pretension of the elastomer band 8 can be continuously adjusted.

[0030] Of course, other types of adjusting devices 13 are also possible. These do not necessarily have to allow continuous adjustment of the preload. It is also entirely conceivable that the preload can be adjusted only in discrete steps. For example, the threaded rod 25 could be replaced with a multi-perforated leg or the like, which can be attached to the upper ploughshare segment 5 in various positions by means of a secured bolt.

[0031] In principle, it is conceivable that the ends of the link guide 12 also serve as stops in order to prevent the back and forth movement of the lower ploughshare segment 6 between the clearing position according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and the maximum deflected position according to Fig. 3. In this embodiment, however, a different type of limitation or stop is implemented in the maximum deflected position. Specifically, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, a rubber stop 19 is mounted on the lever 10, against which the lower ploughshare segment 6 and the counter-stop 20 collide when the maximum deflection position is reached. Of course, there are numerous other possibilities for the design of the stop and counter-stop. Key to the reference numbers: 1 snow plow 2 ploughshares 3 plough frames 4 elastic pre-tensioning device 5 upper ploughshare segment 6 lower ploughshare segment 7 Clearing edge 8 Elastomer band 9 Deflection point 10 levers 11 Joint 12 Scene guide 13 Adjusting device 14 Underground 15 Obstacle 16 plastic element 17 attachment point 18 attachment point 19 Rubber stop 20 Counter stop 21 angles 22 height 23 dividing line 24 threaded rod 25 Mother 26 bolts QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] AT 519 380 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] A snow plough (1) with a ploughshare (2) for clearing snow and an adjustable plough frame (3) supporting the ploughshare (2), wherein the snow plough (1) has elastic pre-tensioning devices (4) and the ploughshare (2) has at least one upper ploughshare segment (5) and two or more lower ploughshare segments (6), wherein the lower ploughshare segments (6) are arranged in a clearing position below the upper ploughshare segment (5) during snow clearing and can each be guided with their clearing edge (7) over the ground (14) to be cleared and are elastically pre-tensioned into the clearing position by at least two of the elastic pre-tensioning devices (4), wherein the lower ploughshare segments (6) can each be deflected from the clearing position into a deflected position upon impact with an obstacle (15) against the elastic pre-tension applied by the respective elastic pre-tensioning devices (4), characterized bythat the elastic pretensioning devices (4) are elastomer bands (8). [2] Snow plough (1) according to claim 1, wherein an elastic stretching of the respective elastomer bands (8) occurs when the respective lower ploughshare segment (6) is deflected into the deflected position. [3] Snow plough (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastomer bands (8) are each formed as a closed loop. [4] Snow plough (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastomer bands (8) are each deflected via at least one deflection point (9), preferably via at least one deflection roller. [5] Snow plough (1) according to claim 4, wherein the respective deflection point (9) is fixedly connected to the upper ploughshare segment (5). [6] Snow plough (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper ploughshare segment (5) is held on the plough frame (3) and the lower ploughshare segments (6) are each held deflectably on the upper ploughshare segment (5) via levers (10), wherein the levers (10) are each pivotally connected to both the upper ploughshare segment (5) and the respective lower ploughshare segment (6). [7] Snow plough (1) according to claim 6, wherein the levers (10) are each connected in an articulated manner to the upper ploughshare segment (5) and / or to the respective lower ploughshare segment (6) by means of at least one elastically deflectable joint (11). [8] Snow plough (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper ploughshare segment (5) is held on the plough frame (3) and the respective lower ploughshare segment (6) is held deflectably on the upper ploughshare segment (5) via at least one link guide (12). [9] Snow plough (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elastomer bands (8) are respectively fastened, on the one hand, to the upper ploughshare segment (5) and, on the other hand, to the respective lower ploughshare segment (6). [10] Snow plough (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the snow plough (1), preferably for each elastomer band (8), has at least one adjusting device (13) for adjusting a pre-tension of the elastomer bands (8) or of the respective elastomer band (8).

Images