Material pickup device for a vacuum excavator as well as vacuum excavators with this material pickup device

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a material handling device with an articulated hose carrier and a suction hose for attachment to a suction excavator. The invention also relates to a suction excavator with the material handling device, articulated hose carrier, and suction hose.

[0002] A suction excavator is a vehicle with a chassis that supports a preferably tipping material collection container. In advantageous designs, such a suction excavator has a telescopic arm with two telescopic arms. The end of each arm facing the container is mounted on a tipping axis around which the material collection container can rotate, with the chassis-side end of each telescopic arm attached to the vehicle chassis. Typically, one end of the suction hose is attached to the suction excavator, and the other end has a suction nozzle through which material can be drawn in. The drawn-in material is transported through the suction hose and placed into the material collection container. As is well known, a suction hose has a larger diameter than standard hoses, such as those used for pumping water or supplying liquid concrete.Known articulated hose carriers for suction dredgers feature angle-adjustable joints between individual links, allowing the links to be moved or rotated in a single plane. Furthermore, rotation of the articulated hose carrier around a pivot point is enabled by a rotary drive, which forms the connection between the articulated hose carrier and the vehicle. The plane in which the articulated hose carrier extends can thus be described by the axis of rotation of the rotary drive and the pivot direction of the first link attached to the rotary drive; it is typically perpendicular to the vehicle floor or chassis. The connection is therefore a rotatable mounting bracket. This known arrangement results in a working area that can be described by a cylindrical coordinate system.A typical articulated hose carrier for suction dredgers has a number n of links, preferably n ≥ 4, with joints located between them, whereby an angle change can be effected between each link by means of an associated drive. However, simpler articulated hose carriers with fewer than four links are also possible.

[0003] The movement of one joint in the articulated hose carrier affects the position of the other, upstream joints and the suction hose. Since the joints only allow movement in a single, common plane, collisions between the individual links can occur. This can be avoided by modern control systems that may limit the range of motion of individual joints.

[0004] The previously known arrangements and material handling devices on suction excavators have a limited working area or range because their sections can only move in one plane. However, a broad range of applications is generally preferred for suction excavators, as a wide variety of areas need to be worked on or cleared of material. For example, intersecting pipes in the ground need to be completely cleared, or construction debris needs to be extracted from a building. To cover the required working area, it is sometimes necessary to reposition the vehicle, and maneuvering space on construction sites is usually limited, or manual assistance by a person using a shovel or similar tool is required. Therefore, a more flexible material handling device, especially one with an additional degree of freedom for the articulated hose carrier, is desirable for certain applications.

[0005] EP 2 149 434 B1 describes a rotary joint and a rotary joint connection for an industrial robot. The rotary joint connection is arranged between a working device and a joint section and comprises a rotatable shaft section with a fluid transport path. The fluid transport path is formed by a hose path consisting of two hoses loosely wound in a spiral at a distance around a rotating section. However, such supply hoses are not suitable in type and size for the extraction of coarse material.

[0006] From DE 10 2007 063 408 A1, a swivel joint for hose and / or pipe connections is known, which is used particularly in the pharmaceutical industry and through which a fluid is guided. However, this swivel joint cannot be used for transporting coarse material because, due to its rigid construction, it is prone to blockages and high wear, the hose length required for suction dredgers cannot be achieved, and the movement of the guided hose is severely restricted.

[0007] EP 3 705 662 A1 describes an articulated arm control system for a concrete pump. The articulated arm consists of a swivel base and four segments, the swivel base having a rotary joint controllable by a hydraulic motor.

[0008] EP 0 166 800 A1 discloses a headpiece for a mobile or stationary refueling system, comprising a refueling coupling and a pipeline. The pipeline consists of five pipe sections, each connected by a swivel joint with a single degree of freedom. Three of the five swivel joints have parallel axes of rotation. The other two swivel joints have axes of rotation perpendicular to the aforementioned axes of rotation of the three swivel joints. Furthermore, the headpiece has an additional swivel joint at one end, which serves as a connection to the refueling system. Due to the use of rigid pipe sections, the refueling range is limited.

[0009] German patent application DE 10 2016 106 427 B3 describes a method for controlling the movement of an articulated hose carrier. The articulated hose carrier has at least three links, and an angle change can be effected between adjacent links by means of an associated drive.

[0010] US Patent 3,495,878 A describes a pipe device for the pneumatic conveying of bulk materials. The device comprises a stationary pipe, a rotating pipe rotatably connected at one end to the end of the stationary pipe, and a flexible, bendable pipe assembly connected at its end to the other end of the rotating pipe. A first drive mechanism causes a rotary movement of the rotating pipe and the flexible pipe assembly. A second drive mechanism is provided for bending the flexible pipe assembly, thereby causing a lifting movement.

[0011] DE 10 2018 004 334 A1 describes a suction dredger with a chassis and a superstructure mounted on the chassis. The superstructure comprises a suction nozzle for picking up material and a suction nozzle arm with at least one arm section for supporting the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle arm is pivotable about a first pivot axis running parallel to a vertical axis of the suction dredger. The suction nozzle arm is mounted at one end facing the superstructure on a support element. The support element, together with the suction nozzle arm, is pivotable relative to the superstructure about a second pivot axis running parallel to a longitudinal axis of the suction dredger and can also be fixed together with the suction nozzle arm in various pivot positions relative to the superstructure.

[0012] EP 3 399 108 B1 discloses an articulated suction arm of a suction dredger. The suction arm comprises at least two parts defined in the same plane and pivotally connected to each other along a first axis perpendicular to the plane. The two parts define a rear and a front end. A base section is pivotally connected to the rear end along a second axis perpendicular to the plane. Pivoting means are arranged on the base section to pivot the at least two parts along a third axis defined in the plane. A nozzle located in the region of the front end is configured to be connected to the front end of a suction line. The nozzle defines a fourth axis defined in the plane according to an initial position.The suction arm includes a tilting device configured to change the nozzle's orientation, allowing the fourth axis to be tilted to one side or the other of the plane. Eccentrically arranged hydraulic cylinders are used as the tilting device, capable of tilting the fourth axis, or the corresponding section of the suction arm, by approximately 10°. Larger tilts, such as around 90°, are not possible due to the chosen design. Therefore, the nozzle remains unable to reach certain areas underground.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a material handling device for suction dredgers with an enlarged or more easily accessible working area, without the risk of the suction hose being damaged or its diameter reduced during the movement of the articulated hose carrier, so that a continuous material flow is maintained in any working position. In particular, to extend the operating range of the suction dredger, a working position of the suction nozzle should be accessible from different directions without the suction dredger having to change its position.

[0014] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a material handling device with an articulated hose carrier and a suction hose according to the attached claim 1, and by a suction dredger with the material handling device with articulated hose carrier and suction hose according to the dependent claim 10.

[0015] The material handling device according to the invention comprises an articulated hose carrier and a suction hose, wherein the articulated hose carrier supports and guides the suction hose. During operation, the material handling device is attached to a suction excavator, enabling material to be conveyed via the suction hose into a container of the suction excavator. The necessary negative pressure and suction airflow are generated by a fan unit of the suction excavator. The articulated hose carrier has a rotatable mounting bracket at a first end, by means of which the articulated hose carrier can be attached to the suction excavator. The mounting bracket can be a pivot joint or a rotary joint with an axis of rotation. Typically, the axis of rotation of the mounting bracket is perpendicular to the vehicle floor, and the mounting bracket is usually attached to the rear of the suction excavator in the direction of travel.The mounting bracket allows the articulated hose carrier to be moved with the suction hose. At its other end, the material receiving device includes a suction nozzle that is attached to the distal end of the suction hose. The articulated hose carrier consists of a number n of links, where n ≥ 3, particularly preferably n ≥ 4, between each of which a hinge joint (hereinafter also referred to simply as a joint) is formed. Each hinge joint is associated with a drive, the drives being preferably hydraulically operated. Alternatively, electric or pneumatic drives can be used. All joints have the same degree of freedom, i.e., . All links of the articulated hose carrier can be moved or pivoted in a single common plane by means of the joints and their drives.

[0016] According to the invention, the material receiving device further comprises at least one pivot joint, which is arranged between the last (most distal) hinge joint located on the link where the suction nozzle is situated, and the first hinge joint located closest to the rotatable mounting bracket. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot joint is located between the last and the penultimate hinge joint, i.e., between the two hinge joints furthest from the proximal end of the articulated hose carrier.

[0017] In modified embodiments, the swivel joint is mounted one or two links further towards the proximal end of the articulated hose carrier. This increases the range of motion of the suction nozzle, as several links can be moved out of the plane defined by the axis of rotation of the mounting bracket and the position of the second link.

[0018] In a further modified embodiment, two swivel joints can also be arranged on the articulated hose carrier. This allows the articulated hose carrier to be guided around a corner of a building or a similar obstacle, for example.

[0019] The swivel joint has an axis of rotation and possesses a different degree of freedom than the hinge joints, thus allowing movement of the link downstream of the swivel joint out of the plane of the other joints. Furthermore, the swivel joint has a continuous receiving opening along its axis, with a cross-section larger than that of the suction hose. The suction hose passes through this receiving opening. The swivel joint is therefore mounted coaxially and concentrically to the suction hose; that is, the axis of rotation of the swivel joint coincides with the longitudinal axis of the suction hose within the receiving opening. Rotation within the swivel joint thus occurs around the longitudinal axis of the suction hose. To enable such rotation to occur without hindrance, the swivel joint must also be a load-bearing component of the hose support (the overall supporting structure).Other (non-rotating) support elements cannot be guided across the pivot joint, as they would impede the rotation.

[0020] Due to the previously described design of the material handling device, the suction hose, along with the articulated hose carrier, its hinge joints, and the swivel joint, can be moved. The material handling device according to the invention thus realizes at least one additional degree of freedom, enabling the suction of material by a suction excavator even outside the plane defined by the joints in conventional suction excavators, e.g. . parallel to the direction of travel of the suction dredger.

[0021] A further advantage of the material receiving device according to the invention is that, due to the at least one swivel joint and its additional degree of freedom, compared to the other joints, a larger working range of the material receiving device with the articulated hose carrier and the suction hose is enabled.

[0022] The material handling device according to the invention advantageously enables work in larger work areas without having to move the suction excavator to which the device is attached. The swivel joint makes it possible, for the first time, to move entire sections of the articulated hose carrier out of the usual working plane. This qualitatively increases the range of motion of the articulated hose carrier, so that it can only be fully described by a cylindrical coordinate system, whereas conventional hose carriers can only be moved within a work area represented by a Cartesian coordinate system. This allows for use on confined construction sites or similar situations, and the suction excavator does not need to be parked as precisely within the work area, since the material handling device according to the invention makes the work area more flexible and expansive. Likewise, no manual assistance with shovels or the like is necessary.Pipes, ducts, rails, etc. to be exposed can advantageously be exposed laterally and below using the material handling device.

[0023] This also allows material such as soil or gravel to be easily removed from intersecting pipes or similar structures.

[0024] For optimal performance and a large range of motion, the swivel joint should preferably not be located at the suction-side end of the kinematic chain (suction nozzle) formed by the joint hose carrier.

[0025] The pivot joint of the material handling device is preferably rotatable by 90° to 190° in both negative and positive directions, starting from a central position. Preferably, the pivot joint is rotatable by at least 170° to 190° in both negative and positive directions. Particularly preferably, the pivot joint is rotatable by 190° in both negative and positive directions, so that a total rotation range of slightly more than 360° is achievable. The central position is typically located in the common plane of the hinge joints.

[0026] An electric drive can be integrated into the swivel joint. A hydraulic drive is particularly preferred. Other fluidic drives, such as a pneumatic drive, are also conceivable. The hydraulic drive of the swivel joint preferably includes a brake. The brake is normally engaged, especially in the event of a power failure or during transport.

[0027] The swivel joint is designed to prevent the hydraulic supply lines, including those of the downstream joints and their hydraulic drives, from becoming entangled or damaged. It is also important to note that the swivel joint itself is a load-bearing component of the joint hose carrier. To this end, the swivel joint comprises at least two, preferably four, hoses, with a deflection pulley for each hose. The hoses are connected to the upstream and downstream hydraulic supply lines via connectors. The hoses are preferably arranged together on one side of the swivel joint. For example, a hose is connected to a first connector on the swivel joint and runs from there to the spaced-apart deflection pulley, then around it back to a second connector. The first connector is fixed to the swivel joint and rotates with it.The second connector is located on a rotationally fixed component, which is positioned indirectly at the pivot joint. Thus, the second connector forms a rotationally fixed point. The second hose is arranged in the same manner as the first hose, mirroring its position. The deflection pulleys rotate in opposite directions and are connected to each other in a 1:2 ratio. The at least two deflection pulleys work together and are preferably connected by an element, in particular a spring. The spring serves to compensate for any potential length error that may occur during installation.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, a rotatable hose coupling, which can also be referred to as a swivel flange or swivel flange tube, is formed at the swivel joint. With a rotatable hose coupling at the swivel joint, the suction hose is preferably designed in two parts. The first part of the suction hose is flexible. The second part of the suction hose is flexible and twistable. Thus, the suction hose can move with the articulated hose support without kinking or twisting excessively, so that the inner cross-section of the suction hose is not reduced, or only minimally reduced, in order to avoid impeding the material flow.

[0029] The clear cylinder cross-section within the swivel joint can preferably have a diameter of approximately 500 mm to accommodate a typical suction hose.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the suction hose can be rotatably attached to the suction dredger, in particular to a lid of a material collection container of the suction dredger. It is especially preferred that the suction hose is attached to the material collection container by means of a swivel flange.

[0031] A suction excavator according to the invention comprises the previously described material handling device with articulated hose carrier and suction hose. The suction excavator, as a vehicle, further comprises a chassis, a suction blower (fan unit), and a material collection container in which the extracted material can be collected and transported. The material is extracted by means of the suction nozzle located on the suction hose and conveyed via the suction hose into the material collection container. The suction excavator also includes a control unit.

[0032] Further details, advantages, and developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a material handling device according to the invention in a swiveled working position, which is attached to a suction dredger; Fig. 2 a top view of the material handling device according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a cross-section of a swivel joint of the material handling device; and Fig. 4 a perspective view of the material handling device according to Fig. 1 in the swivelled transport position on the suction dredger.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a material receiving device according to the invention in working position with a jointed hose carrier 01 and a suction hose 10 (for simplification only in Fig. 3(shown), wherein the material handling device is attached to a suction excavator 02. The material handling device is shown extended in an operational state (working position). The articulated hose carrier 01 is rotatably attached to the suction excavator 02 at a first, proximal end by means of a rotatable mounting bracket 03. By means of the mounting bracket 03, which has an axis of rotation, the articulated hose carrier 01 can be rotated about the axis of rotation so that the articulated hose carrier 01 and a suction hose arranged on it can be rotated from a rest position or transport position on the suction excavator 02 into a working position. At its second, distal end, the articulated hose carrier 01 has a suction nozzle 04 to which the suction hose can be attached and which serves for removing and receiving material.

[0034] In the illustrated example, the articulated hose carrier 01 consists of five links 05, between each of which a mechanical hinge joint 06 with a corresponding hydraulic drive 07 is arranged. The hinge joints 06 can be moved similarly to a hinge. All hinge joints 06 have the same degree of freedom, so that the links 05 can initially pivot in a common plane.

[0035] According to the invention, the material receiving device further comprises a rotary joint 08 integrated in the articulated hose carrier 01.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot joint 08 is arranged between the last, distal hinge joint 09, located furthest from the rotatable mounting bracket (03) of the suction dredger and on which the suction nozzle 04 is located, and the penultimate hinge joint 11. Preferably, the pivot joint 08 is arranged directly adjacent to the penultimate joint 11 and can also form a single assembly with it. The pivot joint 08 is rotatable about an axis of rotation and thus has a different degree of freedom than the other joints 06, 09, and 11. The rotation of the pivot joint 08 about the axis of rotation, with a different degree of freedom than the remaining hinge joints 06, 09, and 11, allows the link 05 located downstream of the pivot joint 08 to move out of the plane of the other joints.This extends the range of motion of the articulated hose carrier 01 and thus the working range of the suction excavator 02 by one degree of freedom, and makes it possible to remove material from the side and below an obstacle, such as... . This is possible in the case of intersecting pipes. The material handling device therefore also enables suction trenching parallel to the direction of travel of the suction excavator 02.

[0037] The swivel joint 08 has a continuous receiving opening 12 with a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the suction hose, so that the suction hose runs through the swivel joint 08. The suction hose can be attached to a material collection container 14 of the suction excavator 02 by means of a flange 13, so that excavated material can be conveyed via the suction hose into the material collection container 14. The swivel joint 08 preferably has a hydraulic drive 20, but can also be operated, for example, with an electric drive. To supply the drives, the material receiving device includes supply lines 15 that are routed along the articulated hose carrier 01. The design of the swivel joint 08 is described in Fig. 3 explained in more detail.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the material handling device according to Fig. 1 . In Fig. 2It can be seen that, by means of the swivel joint 08, the suction nozzle 04 can be pivoted from a first plane 16, in which the joints and links of the articulated hose carrier located between the swivel joint and the suction dredger are movable, into a second plane 17. Fig. 2 The suction nozzle 04 with the last, distal joint 09 and the intermediate link 05 is pivoted by about 60° so that the suction nozzle 04 lies parallel to the direction of travel of the suction excavator 02 and can be moved, for example, in a trench A to pick up material.

[0039] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the swivel joint 08 of the material handling device. The swivel joint 08, as a component of the articulated hose carrier 01, is designed such that when the swivel joint 08 rotates, the supply lines 15, and in particular the hydraulic hoses 18 connecting the supply lines 15 across the swivel joint 08, are not kinked or entangled. The supply lines 15 run from the suction dredger 02 via the links 05 to the last, distal joint 09, which is positioned furthest from the suction dredger. The swivel joint 08 comprises two hydraulic hoses 18, each of which is non-rotatably connected at one end to a first connector 19. The first connector 19 is arranged on an outer ring 21 on the outer circumference of the swivel joint 08, the outer ring 21 of the swivel joint 08 being non-rotatable. The second end of each of the two hydraulic hoses 18 is connected to a second connector 22.The second connector 22 is arranged on an inner ring 23 of the swivel joint 01, which is rotatable. The rotating inner ring 23 rotates when the swivel joint 01 rotates, with the rotation of the inner ring 23 occurring relative to the outer ring 21. To prevent the hoses from becoming entangled, they are each placed around a deflection pulley 24. The two deflection pulleys 24 are arranged to move in opposite directions on the inner ring 23 and are connected by a spring 25, so that any possible installation-related length errors are compensated for. Accordingly, the swivel joint 08 comprises... Fig. 3Two hydraulic hoses 18, two first connectors 19, two second connectors 22, and two deflection pulleys 24, wherein these components are arranged mirrored in one plane. Due to the counter-rotation, the deflection pulley 24 of the first hose 18 moves the same distance in the same direction as the counter-rotating second deflection pulley 24 with the second hose 18. In modified embodiments, several counter-rotating systems can be arranged one behind the other; in our case, for example, there are... . Four hoses in two systems. The inner radius of the swivel joint 08 forms the continuous receiving opening 12 for the suction hose 10. The suction hose 10 is twisted by means of the swivel joint 08, whereby excessive twisting of the suction hose can be avoided, for example, by limiting the rotation of the swivel joint 08 or by a two-part design with a swivel coupling of the suction hose. In Fig. 3It is also clearly visible that the axis of rotation of the swivel joint runs along the longitudinal axis of the suction hose 10. The swivel joint 08 is thus arranged coaxially and concentrically to the suction hose in the area of ​​the receiving opening 12.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the material acquisition device according to Fig. 1 In transport position on the suction excavator 02. In transport position, the material handling device is arranged at the rear of the suction excavator 02. In this position, the material handling device with the articulated hose carrier 01 is pivoted at approximately right angles in the joints and thus "spirally wound up", and the swivel joint 08 is rotated to such an extent that a collision of elements of the material handling device, in particular the suction nozzle 04, with other components is avoided. Reference symbol list

[0041] 01 Articulated hose carrier 02 Suction excavator 03 Rotating mounting bracket 04 Suction nozzle 05 Link 06 Hinge joint 07 Hydraulic drive 08 Swivel joint 09 Last, distal hinge joint 10 Suction hose 11 Penultimate hinge joint 12 Continuous receiving opening 13 Flange 14 Material collection container 15 Supply line 16 First level 17 Second level 18 Hydraulic hose 19 First connector 20 Swivel joint drive 08 21 Swivel joint outer ring 08 22 Second connector 23 Swivel joint inner ring 08 24 Deflection pulley 25 Spring Trench parallel to the direction of travel

Claims

1. A material-receiving device having an articulated tube support (01) and a suction tube for a suction excavator (02), wherein the articulated tube support (01) having a rotationally movable fastening mount (03) at a first, proximal end and a suction connecting piece (04) connected to the suction tube at a second, distal end, and wherein the articulated tube support (01) having a number n≥3 of links (05), between each of which a hinge joint (06) with an associated drive (07) is formed, wherein all the hinge joints (06) having the same degree of freedom, so that the links (05) are pivotable in a common plane (16), wherein the material-receiving device further comprises a rotary joint (08) which has a different degree of freedom than the hinge joints (06), so that movement of the link (05) arranged distally following the rotary joint (08) out of said plane is possible, characterized in that the rotary joint (08) comprises a continuous receiving opening (12) along its rotation axis having a cross section larger than the cross section of the suction tube and being disposed at a position between the last, distal hinge joint (09) farthest away from the fastening mount (03) and the first hinge joint closest to the rotationally movable fastening mount, wherein the suction tube being guided through the receiving opening (12) of the rotary joint, so that the rotary joint (08) is disposed coaxially with the suction tube.

2. The material-receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of links (05) is n≥4.

3. The material-receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotary joint (08) is disposed between the two hinge joints farthest away from the proximal end of the articulated tube support.

4. The material-receiving device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotary joint (08) has a fluidic or electric drive (20).

5. The material-receiving device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotationally movable fastening mount (03) is a further rotary joint or a pivot joint, wherein it being possible to attach the fastening mount (03) to the suction excavator (02).

6. The material-receiving device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a rotatable tube coupling is installed in the rotary joint (08).

7. The material-receiving device according to claim 6, characterized in that the suction tube, in the case of a rotatable tube coupling, consists of two parts, wherein the first part of the suction tube being bendable and wherein the second part of the suction tube being bendable and twistable.

8. The material-receiving device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rotary joint (08) comprises at least two tubes (18) and one deflection roller (24) for each tube (18).

9. The material-receiving device according to claim 8, characterized in that the deflection rollers (24), which interact in a counter-rotating manner, are coupled to one another via a spring element.

10. A suction excavator (02) having a material-receiving device having an articulated tube support (01) and a suction tube according to any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a material-collecting container (14).

11. The suction excavator (02) according to claim 10, characterized in that the suction tube is rotatably disposed on the material-collecting container (14) of the suction excavator (02).