TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND TRANSPORTER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport system for transporting a self-propelled work machine, in particular using public traffic space, as shown in document EP 0 826 581 A1.

[0002] In numerous construction projects, particularly in landscaping and gardening, self-propelled machinery is required to move earth, excavated material, and similar materials. Self-propelled machinery includes excavators, loaders, and similar equipment. These machines are available with either tracked or wheeled undercarriages. Typically, excavators and loaders with wheeled undercarriages above a certain size are classified as "self-propelled machinery" under traffic regulations and vehicle registration requirements. However, many other machines are only self-propelled in the sense that they can move independently, but they are not permitted to be driven on public roads, or only at very low speeds.

[0003] This restriction applies particularly to tracked vehicles of all sizes. Furthermore, mini excavators and compact loaders are often not classified as self-propelled work machines with a design-related maximum speed of 25 or 40 km / h. If it is permissible at all to use such vehicles on public roads, their design-related maximum speed is limited to 6 km / h.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore considered to be to provide a system by means of which it is possible to transport a working machine, in particular a self-propelled working machine, by road, wherein the design-related maximum speed of the system is greater than 6 km / h.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a transporter according to claim 1 and a transport system for transporting a self-propelled work machine according to claim 6. Such a design makes it possible, in particular according to the road traffic regulations, for safety and indicator devices not to be arranged on the work machine, but rather on the transporter. The transport system and the transporter according to the invention are preferably intended for use on roads. However, it is also possible, and provided for in the invention, to design the transporter and the transport system for use on rails.

[0006] It is intended that the transporter of the transport system shall, in particular, have a chassis by means of which, for example, unevenness as well as driving dynamics and interactions between the wheels of the transporter and the surface, such as a road, can be compensated for. The chassis may also include suspension and / or damping elements. A multitude of chassis designs, in particular wheeled chassis, tracked chassis, or similar designs, are known to those skilled in the art, all of which are suitable and intended for use in the transporter of the transport system. Due to the specialization of the components of the transport system, namely the work machine and the transporter, it is possible for the work machine to be particularly well adapted to its place of operation, and for the transporter to be particularly well adapted to its transport task.This allows for a mitigation of conflicting objectives regarding the operating locations of these two components when designing the transporter and the work machine. The transporter's chassis does not need to be adapted to rough terrain, but merely to, for example, an access road to a construction site. Conversely, the work machine does not need to be adapted or suitable for driving on public roads.

[0007] Furthermore, it is also possible, and provided for according to the invention, that the chassis of the transporter can be adapted to difficult terrain. Such an adaptation of the transporter is particularly possible if it is designed as a wheeled vehicle, a tracked vehicle, or a half-tracked vehicle. In this context, "half-tracked vehicle" means, in particular, that the chassis has both wheels and tracks. "Tracked vehicle" means that the chassis has only tracks. "Wheeled vehicle" means that the chassis has only wheels.

[0008] To adapt the wheeled transporter to difficult terrain, it is designed to be equipped with features such as knobby tires, extended springs, reinforced shock absorbers, or similar modifications. A key factor in the off-road capability of wheeled vehicles is their ground clearance, i.e., the distance between the ground and the underside of the vehicle's chassis. Tracked vehicles and half-track vehicles inherently possess good off-road capability, particularly due to the reduced ground pressure resulting from the use of tracks.

[0009] Furthermore, it is also intended that the transporter, configured as a tracked or half-track vehicle, may be equipped with side reduction gears. Side reduction gears are transmission components used particularly in off-road vehicles, tractors, and military tracked vehicles to increase the vehicle's ground clearance.

[0010] Self-propelled construction machines, especially mini excavators, typically possess off-road capability sufficient for use on a construction site, but inadequate for traversing moderately to severely challenging terrain, such as muddy forest tracks, wet meadows, scree slopes, or similar surfaces. The primary obstacle is often insufficient ground clearance. By adapting the transporter to such terrain, it becomes possible to move the self-propelled construction machine across these sections.

[0011] According to the invention, the machine has at least one locking means and the transporter has a locking means receptacle, wherein the machine can be detachably secured to the transporter by means of the locking means and the locking means receptacle. In a particularly advantageous implementation of the invention, the locking means and the locking means receptacle are designed, adapted to one another, and dimensioned such that a connection between the machine and the transporter can be established by means of the locking means and the locking means receptacle that meets the requirements for load securing, so that, in particular, further load securing measures, such as lashing the machine to the transporter using, for example, tension straps, are unnecessary.

[0012] It is intended that, by means of the locking device and the locking device receptacle, for example a force-locking, form-locking, magnetic, electromagnetic or similar connection can be established between the working machine and the transporter.

[0013] Furthermore, it is also provided that the locking means and locking means receptacle can, in particular, have two opposing mechanical elements, or can be designed as such. This means, for example, that a bearing edge of an excavator's dozer blade can be brought into contact with a groove formed on the machine platform, and a rear attachment arranged on a side of the excavator's undercarriage opposite the dozer blade can be inserted into a recess on the transporter's machine platform adapted to the rear attachment, so that the excavator can be automatically wedged onto the machine platform by means of the dozer blade and the rear attachment. The dozer blade and / or the rear attachment are particularly preferably hydraulically actuated.

[0014] Furthermore, it is also possible that the excavator may, for example, have one or more gripping elements located on the underside of the excavator chassis, by means of which, for example, a bridge located on the machine platform can be grasped, so that a connection between the excavator and the transporter can be established.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the machine energy system is designed to utilize and / or provide a different form of energy than the transporter energy system, wherein the transporter system includes an energy conversion device by means of which the energy systems are operatively connected. For the purposes of this invention, "energy system" refers to the entirety of lines, switches, relays, capacitors, pressure accumulators, or similar components associated with the transporter or the working machine of the transporter system. It is also possible for one component to have two different energy systems, for example, an electrical energy system and a hydraulic energy system.

[0016] In many of the machines currently in use, energy distribution within the machine is achieved via a hydraulic system. Therefore, it is specifically intended that the transport system may include a hydroelectric generator and / or an electrically driven hydraulic pump. The hydroelectric generator converts hydraulic pressure provided by a hydraulic system into electrical energy.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the transport system according to the invention, the transport system comprises a control device, wherein the control device is operatively connected to the machine energy system, the transporter energy system, and a machine control unit of the working machine, wherein the working machine can be controlled by a person by means of the machine control unit, and wherein the control device, based on control signals from the machine control unit, controls and regulates the energy of the energy systems in such a way that the transport system can be driven out of the working machine by a person. It is provided that the control device may, in particular, include a data processing device by means of which, for example, valves, switches, relays, or similar devices can be switched.Furthermore, it is also possible that the control device could be, for example, a hydraulic or electrical distributor.

[0018] It is possible and provided for according to the invention that the transport system can have a control system, wherein the control system has a signal input that can be or is connected to the operating elements of the working machine and at least one signal output that can be or is connected to control elements of the transporter energy system, so that the transporter energy system can be operated by means of the operating elements of the working machine.

[0019] Furthermore, the transport system may also include a remote control element that can be located in the operator's cab of the machine. This remote control element can be connected to the control unit, for example, via a cable or a radio link.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the transporter has a chassis with at least four wheels, each of which is attached to the transporter by means of at least one wheel suspension. Each wheel suspension can be assigned at least one spring and one damper element. At least two wheels together form an axle, so that the transporter has at least one front axle and one rear axle.

[0021] The machine platform is designed to be constructed in its basic form like a transport platform for passenger cars, such as those used, for example, on tow trucks. According to the invention, the machine platform thus comprises at least a first and a second access section on which the working machine rests with its chassis. Preferably, the access sections are designed, for example, as grids, perforated sheets, checker plates, or similar materials.

[0022] In one embodiment of the transporter, the machine platform has a coupling recess through which the first coupling means of the working machine can be fixed to the second coupling means of the transporter.

[0023] According to the invention, the transporter has a locking device receptacle, wherein the working machine can be detachably secured to the transporter by means of the locking device receptacle and a locking device of the working machine. The locking device receptacles can be, for example, lashing eyes, shackles, lashing hooks or the like.

[0024] It is also possible and intended that the locking device and the locking device receptacle can be specially adapted to each other in order to automate, for example, the securing of the work machine to the transporter. For this purpose, it is possible, for instance, that the work machine has at least one hydraulically pivotable locking device which, after the work machine has driven onto the machine platform, pivots in such a way that it wedges itself into a locking device receptacle.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the transporter according to the invention, it is provided that the transporter energy system is designed in particular for the use and / or provision of electrical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy.

[0026] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transporter is provided to have a transporter hydraulic system comprising at least one hydraulic component and a hydraulic coupling, wherein the hydraulic coupling allows the machine hydraulics of the working machine to be coupled to the transporter hydraulics, so that the hydraulic components of the transporter can be driven by the machine hydraulics via the transporter hydraulics. It is also provided that at least one drive element and / or a steering actuator of the transporter can be designed as a hydraulic component.

[0027] An advantageous implementation of the invention provides that the machine platform is pivotably fixed to the transporter about a tilting axis arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the transporter and parallel to the ground, and can be switched from a driving state to a loading state. In the driving state, a machine plane spanned by the machine platform is aligned parallel to the ground. In the loading state, a ramp angle is formed between the machine plane and the ground, with a leading edge of the machine platform resting on the ground in the loading state, allowing the machine to drive onto the machine platform. It is provided that the ramp angle in the loading state has a value other than 0°.In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the transporter, it is provided that after the work machine has driven onto it, the locking means lock automatically, thus eliminating the need for any further measures to secure the storage.

[0028] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the center of mass of the machine platform is arranged relative to and spaced from the tilting axis in such a way that the machine platform is brought into the loaded state without the application of any external force. In such an embodiment of the transporter according to the invention, the machine platform can also be locked by means of suitable locking elements, after the release of which the machine platform is automatically brought into the loaded state.

[0029] Furthermore, the machine platform may, for example, have adjustable weight elements for setting the center of gravity, which can be used to trigger the loading of the machine platform as needed. It is also possible that the machine platform may be connected to actuators, particularly hydraulic and / or electrical actuators, which can accomplish and / or assist in loading the machine platform.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the transporter according to the invention, the overall center of gravity of the machine platform and the working machine arranged on the machine platform is positioned relative to and spaced from the tilting axis in such a way that the machine platform with the working machine arranged on it is brought into the driving state without any external force being applied. Such a seesaw-like design of the transporter allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective construction. Operation of the transporter is facilitated by this design, and its susceptibility to malfunctions is reduced.

[0031] According to the invention, the transporter comprises a machine part and a load part attached to the machine part by means of an articulated joint. The machine part rests on a first chassis section, and the load part rests on a second chassis section. The articulated joint is associated with at least one steering actuator operatively connected to the transporter's energy system, by means of which the machine part and the load part can be pivoted relative to each other. The machine part, in particular, comprises the machine platform and the second coupling element. This design of the transporter according to the invention ensures good maneuverability, making it easily maneuverable even in confined spaces. Articulated joints are widely used in construction and industrial machinery and are a common design element, for example, in wheel loaders, dump trucks, and similar vehicles.

[0032] It is also possible, though not part of this invention, that the machine part and the load part can be rigidly connected to each other, for example via longitudinal beams, wherein at least one axis of the machine part and / or the load part is designed to be steerable. It is also advantageously provided that, when using an articulated joint, at least one additional axis of the machine part and / or the load part is designed to be steerable.

[0033] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the transporter, the articulated joint is provided with a quick-release coupling, enabling the machine component and the load component to be easily separated. Furthermore, it is possible, and provided for according to the invention, that the quick-release coupling can be adapted to a quick-release coupling receptacle of a machine, in particular the machine belonging to the transport system, so that the individual components of the transport system can be moved by the self-propelled machine. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the transporter according to the invention, the load component has a quick-release coupling adapted to a rear-mounted quick-release coupling receptacle of the machine, wherein the load component has a tracked chassis.Preferably, the tracked chassis of the load component also includes a drive mechanism that can be connected to the machine's power system via the quick-release coupling and quick-release coupling. The machine, together with the load component thus configured and coupled to the machine via the quick-release coupling, forms a combination in which preferably all chassis elements are driveable.

[0034] To improve the controllability of the vehicle combination, it is also possible to connect the work machine and the load via steering actuators. Alternatively, additional steering actuators can be used instead of those on the transporter.

[0035] In a particularly advantageous implementation of the invention, at least one active module, for example a gripper arm, a shredder, a rotary sieve, or the like, can be arranged and / or positioned on the load component. It is particularly preferred that the active module can be connected and / or is connected to the machine energy system and / or the transporter energy system.

[0036] It is also possible and intended that the active module may include a power source and / or an energy converter by means of which electrical devices, such as drills, saws, compressors, or similar equipment, can be supplied with electrical energy. Preferably, the energy converter converts hydraulic energy from the machine energy system and / or the transporter energy system into electrical energy.

[0037] To enable the attachment of various implements and implements to the machine, the invention also provides that the machine may have a three-point linkage at its rear. It is advantageously provided that, in particular, tillage equipment, mowers, and other implements can also be attached to the three-point linkage.

[0038] Three-point linkages typically have at least one hydraulic lifting cylinder by means of which elements of the three-point linkage can be moved relative to one another. Advantageously, according to the invention, the three-point linkage itself and / or the hydraulic lifting cylinder of the three-point linkage can be fixed to the working machine by means of at least one quick-release coupling.

[0039] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the transport system, the three-point linkage, the working machine and the transporter are adapted to each other in such a way that the working machine can be fixed to the transporter at least partially in the area of ​​the machine platform by means of the three-point linkage.

[0040] Furthermore, it is also possible that the three-point linkage may have a quick-release coupling, so that the load part of the transporter can be coupled to the work machine using the three-point linkage.

[0041] Some exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, which are illustrated in the drawing, are explained in more detail below.

[0042] It shows: Figure 1 a schematic representation of a transport system according to the invention and Figure 2 a schematic representation of a transporter according to the invention.

[0043] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the transport system 1, which comprises a self-propelled work machine 2 and a transporter 3. The transporter 3 rests on a surface 4, namely a public access road to a construction site.

[0044] The transporter 3 has a machine platform 5 on which the self-propelled work machine 2 is arranged. The work machine 2 has a first coupling element 6 and the transporter 3 has a second coupling element 7. The coupling elements 6 and 7 have contact sections 8 that are in contact with each other. The coupling elements 6 and 7 establish an operative connection between a symbolically represented machine energy system 9 of the work machine 2 and a similarly symbolically represented transporter energy system 10 of the transporter.

[0045] The working machine 2 of the illustrated transport system has two locking devices 11. One of the locking devices 11 is integrated into a snowplow blade 12 arranged on a chassis of the working machine 2. Another locking device 11 is integrated into a separate, hydraulically actuated connecting device 13, which is arranged and fixed to the chassis of the working machine 2 on the side opposite the snowplow blade 12. The locking devices 11 are inserted into corresponding locking device receptacles 14 of the transporter 3, so that the working machine 2 is detachably fixed to the transporter.

[0046] The transporter 3 of the illustrated transport system 1 has symbolically represented drive means 15, designed as hydraulic motors, each assigned to a wheel 16 of the transporter 3. The wheels are part of the chassis of the transporter 3 (not shown). The drive means 15 are connected to the transporter energy system 10 and are supplied with drive energy by the machine energy system 9 via the coupling means 6, 7.

[0047] The transport system 1 has a control device 17, which is symbolically represented in the figure. The control device 17 is operatively connected to the machine energy system 9, the transporter energy system 10, and a machine control 18 of the working machine 2. The machine control 18 has levers 19 by which a person can control the working machine 2. Based on control signals input to the machine control 18 via the levers 19, the control device 17 controls and regulates the energy of the energy systems 9 and 10 such that the transport system 1 can be moved out of the working machine 2 by the person.

[0048] The transporter 3 of transport system 1 has an energy conversion device 20 designed as a hydroelectric generator. The energy conversion device 20 converts hydraulic energy supplied by the working machine 2 and introduced into the transporter's energy system 10 into electrical energy. The energy conversion device 20 is connected to the transporter's electrical system, which is symbolically represented here by a light source 21.

[0049] The machine platform 5 of the transporter 3 of the illustrated transport system 1 is pivotably fixed to the transporter 3 about a tilting axis 23 arranged transversely to a direction of travel 22 of the transporter 3 and parallel to the ground 4. The machine platform 5 is brought into a driving state in which a machine plane 24 spanned by the machine platform 5 is aligned parallel to the ground 4. The overall center of mass 25 of the machine platform 5 and the working machine 2 arranged on the machine platform 5 is arranged relative to and spaced from the tilting axis 23 such that the machine platform 5 with the working machine 2 arranged on it remains in the driving state without external force being applied.

[0050] In Figure 2Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the transporter 3, in which the machine platform 5 is in a loaded state. A ramp angle 26 is formed between the machine plane 24 and the base 4, and a leading edge 27 of the machine platform 5 rests on the base 4, allowing the machine 2 to drive onto the machine platform 5. In the illustrated transporter 3, the center of gravity 28 of the machine platform 5 is arranged relative to and spaced from the tilting axis 23 such that the machine platform 5 remains in the loaded state without external force.

[0051] Unlike the one in Figure 1 The transporter 3 of transport system 1 shown in the diagram indicates that the transporter is located in the transport system 1. Figure 2The transporter 3 shown comprises a machine part 29 and a load part 31, which is attached to the machine part 29 by means of an articulated joint 30. The machine part 29 rests on a first chassis section 32, and the load part 31 rests on a second chassis section 33 of the chassis. A steering actuator 34, which is operatively connected to the transporter's energy system 10, is associated with the articulated joint 30, enabling the machine part 29 and the load part 31 to pivot relative to each other. In addition to the machine platform 5, the machine part 29 also has the second coupling element 7.

[0052] In the depictions of the Figures 1 and 2 Each of several similar elements is marked with a reference symbol as an example. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0053] 1. Transport system 2. Working machine 3. Transporter 4. Ground 5. Machine platform 6. First coupling element 7. Second coupling element 8. Contact sections 9. Machine energy system 10. Transporter energy system 11. Locking device 12. Snowplow blade 13. Connecting device 14. Locking device receptacle 15. Drive device 16. Wheel 17. Control device 18. Machine control 19. Lever 20. Energy conversion device 21. Light source 22. Direction of travel 23. Tipping axis 24. Machine plane 25. Overall center of gravity 26. Ramp angle 27. Leading edge 28. Center of gravity 29. Machine part 30. Articulated joint 31. Load part 32. First chassis section 33. Second chassis section 34. Steering actuator

Claims

1. Transporter (3) for transporting a self-propelled work machine (2), wherein the transporter (3) has a second coupling element (7) adapted to a first coupling element (6) of the work machine (2), a transporter energy system (10) for storing and / or providing and / or distributing, in particular, electrical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy, a drive means (15) coupled to the transporter energy system (10) for driving the transporter (3) on an underlying surface (4) and a machine platform (5) for receiving the work machine (2) and wherein the transporter (3) stands on the underlying surface (4) with a running gear having the drive means (15) and the machine platform (5) is spaced apart from the underlying surface (4) by the running gear, and wherein the transporter (3) has a locking means receptacle (14), wherein the work machine (2) can be releasably secured to the transporter (3) by means of a locking means (11) of the work machine (2) and the locking means receptacle (14), characterised in that the transporter (3) has a machine part (29) and a load part (31) fixed to the machine part (29) by means of an articulated joint (30), wherein the machine part (29) rests on a first running gear section (32) and the load part (31) rests on a second running gear section (33) of the running gear, wherein the articulated joint (30) is associated with at least one steering actuator (34) operatively connected to the transporter energy system (10), by means of which the machine part (29) and the load part (31) can be pivoted relative to one another, and wherein the machine part (29) includes, in particular, the machine platform (5) and the second coupling element (7).

2. Transporter (3) according to claim 1, characterised in that the transporter energy system (10) is designed, in particular, to utilise and / or provide electrical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic energy.

3. Transporter (3) according to either one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the machine platform (5) is pivotably secured to the transporter (3) about a tilting axis (23) arranged transversely to a direction of travel (22) of the transporter (3) and parallel to the underlying surface (4) and can be transferred from a driving state to a loading state, wherein, in the driving state, a machine plane (24) spanned by the machine platform (5) is aligned parallel to the underlying surface (4), wherein, in the loading state, a ramp angle (26) is formed between the machine plane (24) and the underlying surface (4), wherein a front edge (27) of the machine platform (5) rests on the underlying surface (4) in the loading state, so that the work machine (2) can drive onto the machine platform (5).

4. Transporter (3) according to claim 3, characterised in that the centre of mass (28) of the machine platform (5) is arranged in relation to the tilting axis (23) and spaced apart therefrom in such a way that the machine platform (5) is transferred to the loading state without external force.

5. Transporter (3) according to either one of claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the total centre of mass (25) of the machine platform (5) and the work machine (2) arranged on the machine platform (5) is arranged in relation to the tilting axis (23) and at a distance therefrom in such a way that the machine platform (5) with the work machine (2) arranged thereon is transferred to the driving state without external force.

6. Transport system (1) for transporting a self-propelled work machine (2) on an underlying surface (4), comprising a self-propelled transporter (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a self-propelled work machine (2) arranged on a machine platform (5) of the transporter (3), wherein the work machine (2) has a first coupling element (6), and the transporter (3) has the second coupling element (7), wherein the coupling elements (6, 7) are adapted to each other such that an operative connection can be established between a machine energy system (9) of the work machine (2) and a transporter energy system (10) of the transporter (3) by contacting contact sections (8) of the coupling elements (6, 7), and wherein at least one drive means (15) of the transporter (3) can be supplied with drive energy by means of the transporter energy system (10) such that drive energy of the transport system (1) can be provided by a drive of the work machine (2), wherein the transporter (3) stands on the underlying surface (4) with the running gear having the drive means (15) and the machine platform (5) is spaced apart from the underlying surface (4) by the running gear, and wherein the work machine (2) has at least one locking means (11) and the transporter (3) has the locking means receptacle (14), wherein the work machine (2) can be releasably secured to the transporter (3) by means of the locking means (11) and the locking means receptacle (14).

7. Transport system (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the machine energy system (9) is designed to utilise and / or provide a different form of energy than the transporter energy system (10), wherein the transport system (1) has an energy conversion device (20) by means of which the energy systems (9, 10) are brought into operative connection.

8. Transport system (1) according to either one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the transport system (1) has a control device (17), wherein the control device (17) is operatively connected to the machine energy system (9), the transporter energy system (10) and a machine control (18) of the work machine (2), wherein the work machine (2) can be controlled by a person by means of the machine control (18), wherein the control device (17) controls and regulates the energy of the energy systems (9, 10) on the basis of control signals from the machine control (18) in such a way that the transport system (1) can be moved out of the work machine (2) by a person.