LOCKING DEVICE FOR A MOVABLE BUNKER WALL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for a movable bunker wall, comprising a support arm pivotable between a transport and an operating position, which supports the bunker wall on a base in the operating position, and a locking element movable along a fixing direction for positive locking of the support arm in the operating position.

[0002] Various mobile machines for processing bulk materials, such as crushers or screening machines, are known from the prior art. In these machines, the bulk material is fed into a hopper with a hopper wall and a base before or after processing. The hopper walls are arranged in a movable position at the base, allowing a choice between a compact transport position and a more expansive operating position, in which the hopper walls are arranged, for example, in a funnel shape (GB2496522A). Furthermore, it is known to support the hopper wall at the base by means of a movable and lockable support arm, thus avoiding the need for a lifting arm to remain active under mechanical load to maintain the operating position.To support the bunker wall in the operating position with the support arm at the base, securing tabs are known for the support arm, whereby a wedge is driven positively into the securing tab to fix the support arm in the operating position.

[0003] A disadvantage of the current state of the art, however, is that inserting the wedge into the locking tab to secure the support arm is questionable with regard to operational safety, as the wedge must be driven into the locking tab manually from above against the weight of the bunker wall and the support arm, requiring considerable force, for example by hammering. Furthermore, the locking tab is only accessible in the operating position if the relative positions of the support arm with the locking tab, the base, and the bunker wall are precisely aligned, meaning that manufacturing tolerances of the mobile machines must be kept extremely small.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the objective of producing the operating position with only minimal effort, although high forces must be introduced into the support arm, while simultaneously enabling a high manufacturing tolerance of the components involved with high operational reliability.

[0005] The invention solves the stated problem by providing a length-adjustable support arm, a mounting position for the locking element at the base or on the bunker wall, and a locking direction parallel to the pivot axis of the length-adjustable support arm. As a result of these measures, the force required to establish the positive locking connection does not have to be applied against the weight force of the bunker wall and the support arm, since the locking direction is essentially perpendicular to the weight force vector. This means that the forces to be transferred only act on the locking element once the operating position has been reached. In other words, the positive locking connection, which can withstand high forces depending on the design, can be achieved by applying relatively small forces.To achieve this without altering the operating position of the bunker wall, the support arm is designed to be length-adjustable. This allows the support arm and locking element to be aligned without unwanted lateral forces, even in the event of manufacturing tolerances. Preferably, the locking element is elongated and extends in the fixing direction. Alignment means that the relative position between the locking element and the support arm is changed so that, when the locking element is moved in the fixing direction, it can again establish the positive locking connection according to the invention without any components obstructing its movement. This adjustability also allows the locking element to be mounted at the base or on the bunker wall, enabling it to absorb and dissipate higher forces.As long as the positive fit between the support arm and the locking element is designed to reliably absorb the forces acting on the support arm, it is irrelevant which parts of the locking element interact with the support arm to create the positive fit. For example, at least partial engagement of the support arm by the locking element is possible. In a preferred version, however, the positive fit is created over the entire surface of the locking element. In a particularly simple embodiment, the locking element is a bolt. The support arm can comprise one or more interconnected support legs. Adjusting nuts and / or set screws can be provided for alignment.

[0006] While the bunker wall can theoretically be moved manually, to further enhance operational safety when using a bunker, it is proposed that the locking device incorporate a lifting arm for moving the bunker wall. As a result of these measures, the bunker wall does not need to be lifted manually and, in a preferred embodiment, can be lifted using a remotely operated lifting arm. The support arm does not necessarily have to perform this lifting function; a separate lifting arm can be provided alongside the support arm. This has the advantage that the lifting and supporting functions can be clearly divided between the two arms, and neither arm needs to be modified in a way that impairs its primary function. The lifting arm can, for example, be moved using a linear actuator. In a preferred embodiment, the lifting arm is hydraulically driven.

[0007] Particularly favorable design conditions, especially regarding the form of the positive locking mechanism, arise when the support arm has an opening into which the locking element can be inserted for positive locking of the support arm in its operating position in one direction of displacement. This allows for a simple positive locking mechanism to be created over a large portion or the entire surface of the locking element, thus better absorbing forces in different spatial directions and enabling more secure fixing of the support arm. Since the locking element can protrude from the opening when the support arm is in its fixed position and does not need to be flush with it, its dimensions can be more flexible. In a particularly simple embodiment, the locking element is a bolt that engages in the opening. Alternatively, a blind hole is also conceivable.When designed as a blind hole, the dimensioning of the locking element must be adapted to the depth of the blind hole, however, the positive locking can also be achieved in the direction of the bottom of the blind hole.

[0008] To easily and reliably verify, even from a safe distance, whether the positive locking mechanism has been properly established, it is proposed that the locking element incorporate a signal section. This signal section protrudes from the area of ​​the positive locking mechanism in the locking direction when the support arm is in its fixed position. The signal section serves as a visual indicator of the positive locking mechanism, as it only protrudes when the positive locking mechanism has been properly established. This type of verification has the advantage of eliminating the need for error-prone systems, such as electronic warning systems, while still allowing for easy verification from a safe distance. For this purpose, the locking element can feature a visually identifiable marking on the signal section.For example, if the positive locking is achieved via a bolt as a locking element in an opening in the support arm, a section of the bolt can be colored, with the user determining the proper positive locking when the colored area protrudes from the opening and its position can thus be clearly perceived visually.

[0009] A particularly space-saving embodiment, in which the positive locking mechanism according to the invention can be produced in a variety of ways, results when the support arm comprises two support legs connected to each other via a joint, and the locking element engages the support arm in the area of ​​the joint in the operating position. Due to the two support legs, the support arm can be stored compactly, especially in the transport position. The positive locking mechanism for securing the support arm in the operating position can be achieved by mechanically blocking the pivoting movement of one support leg in the area of ​​the joint, for example, by providing an opening in the area of ​​the joint or by blocking a support leg in the area of ​​the joint. Furthermore, a stiffening and / or widening of the support leg in the area of ​​the joint can be provided, which increases the stability of the support arm and / or the strength of the positive locking mechanism.Advantageously, the locking element engages the shorter leg due to the acting moments. The legs are pivotally connected to the bunker wall or the base on the side opposite the joint, with two or more pivot axes of the connections of the legs to the bunker wall and / or the base and / or the joint running parallel to each other. Furthermore, the engagement of the locking element in the operating position in the area of ​​the joint with the support arm, as described in the invention, results in an advantageous introduction of forces and thus low shear forces in the locking element.

[0010] To make such a support arm, comprising two support legs connected to each other via a joint, length-adjustable according to the invention, it is sufficient if one support leg is length-adjustable. Preferably, the support leg that is more easily accessible to a user in an ergonomic posture is length-adjustable, as this increases ease of use.

[0011] Operational reliability can be further increased if the locking device has a remotely operated drive connected to the locking element for positive locking of the support arm in the operating position. This eliminates direct manual manipulation by the user, and the locking element can be repositioned while maintaining a safe distance. Since, as already mentioned, the force required for positive locking does not have to be applied against the force vector of gravity, a relatively low-power linear motor, for example, can be used as the drive. Because the locking device according to the invention is typically used for material processing machines such as crushers or mobile screening plants, an actuator cylinder can also be used as the drive, provided the hydraulic system is already present in these cases.The locking element and its remote-controlled drive can be combined into a compact locking unit that can be installed in the immediate vicinity of the support arm, for example at the base or on the bunker wall.

[0012] The invention is illustrated in the drawing as an example. It shows Fig. 1 a perspective view of a locking device according to the invention with a support arm fixed in the operating position, Fig. 2 a schematic section along line II - II of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 one of the Fig. 2 corresponding section through a schematic section through a locking device according to the invention in transport position and Fig. 4 a top view of a locking device according to the invention with a positively locking support arm.

[0013] A locking device according to the invention comprises a support arm 1 that supports a bunker wall 2 against a base 3. The bunker wall 2 and the base 3 are part of a bunker that can be used for material processing machines, such as crushers or screening plants. The bunker wall 2 is mounted on the base 3 in a movable manner, allowing it to be switched between a compact transport position and a more expansive operating position. In the operating position, material to be processed, for example, bulk material, impacts the bunker wall 2, which is therefore subjected to high forces and thus high loads. For this reason, the support arm 1, which supports the bunker wall 2 in the operating position, is secured by a positive locking mechanism formed between the support arm 1 and a locking element 4, so that the bunker wall 2 is not forced out of the operating position by the acting forces.To switch between the transport and operating positions, the positive locking mechanism must be releasable. Therefore, the locking element 4 is movable along a fixed direction, allowing the positive locking mechanism to be both engaged and disengaged. The positive locking mechanism between the support arm 1 and the locking element 4 not only secures the support arm 1 in the operating position, but also allows the forces acting on the support arm 1 to be transferred to the base 3 via the locking element 4. For this purpose, the locking element 4 is mounted on the base 3, as shown in the present embodiment, since this establishes a direct force transmission between the support arm 1 and the base 3, enabling relatively high forces to be absorbed and dissipated.Although in principle the support arm 1 can also have a lifting function for moving the bunker wall 2, in order to avoid having to modify such a support arm 1 to create the positive locking, it is recommended, as in the embodiment shown, that a lifting arm 5 is provided next to the support arm 1, so that the functions of moving and supporting can each be carried out by a specially designed arm.

[0014] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the positive locking mechanism can be achieved particularly easily if the support arm 1 has an opening 6 into which the locking element 4 can be inserted in a locking direction to positively lock the support arm 1 in its operating position. The opening 6 allows the positive locking mechanism to be created over a large part or the entire surface of the locking element 4 without requiring extensive modification of the support arm 1. It is further recommended that the locking element 4 be a bolt that engages in the opening 6, since a bolt can be easily displaced linearly to create the positive locking mechanism. Deformation can occur due to the forces acting upon it, especially during prolonged operation.Alternatively, due to insufficient manufacturing tolerances, the positive locking mechanism may no longer be achieved because the locking element 4 is no longer aligned with the opening 6 in its fixing direction, and other parts may form a physical barrier. However, these effects of such deformations or manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for if the opening 6 and / or the locking element 4 can be aligned transversely to the fixing direction. For this purpose, the support arm 1 is length-adjustable, allowing the opening 6, which is located on the support arm 1, to be aligned transversely to the fixing direction. Since the support arm 1 is pivotably mounted, the opening 6 can thus be aligned on a plane transverse to the displacement direction of the locking element 4.

[0015] The support arm 1 is pivotable along a pivot axis. This allows the support arm 1 to be arranged compactly in both positions. To arrange the locking element 4 in a similarly compact manner, it can be displaced parallel to the pivot axis. Forces acting on the support arm 1 are most likely to cause unintentional pivoting about the pivot axis, which can thus be efficiently prevented by the positive locking mechanism. The support arm 1 can be designed to be particularly compact if it comprises two support legs 8, 9 connected to each other via a joint 7, and the locking element 4 engages the support arm 1 in the area of ​​the joint 7 in the operating position. In addition to this compact design, the moments in the area of ​​the joint 7 can be absorbed more effectively, especially if the area around the joint 7 is stiffened to create the positive locking mechanism.

[0016] To increase operational safety, the user can even verify the positive locking mechanism while maintaining a safety distance if the locking element 4 has a signal section 10. The signal section 10 differs in design from the rest of the locking element 4, allowing the user to easily perceive the difference visually, both from the rest of the locking element 4 and preferably also from the other components of the locking device. This can be achieved, for example, by using a different color. To visually verify the positive locking mechanism, the user must be able to see that the locking element 4 protrudes from the positive locking surface. This can be easily accomplished by using the signal section 10.Although such verification is in principle possible even without signal section 10, the distance from which this verification is clearly possible can be increased by signal section 10, thereby ensuring a safety distance.

[0017] Does the user recognize, based on the visual difference, that signal section 10 protrudes from the positive locking mechanism, as is the case in the Fig. 4 As shown, the user can visually verify that the form fit has been achieved.

[0018] A remotely operated drive 11 can be provided for the locking element 4, thus avoiding the need for a user to manually manipulate the locking element 4 in close proximity to or from the support arm to establish or release the positive locking mechanism. The remote operation of the drive 11 allows the positive locking mechanism, and therefore the locking of the support arm 1, to be established at a safe distance, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the user.

Claims

1. Locking device for a movable hopper wall, the locking device comprising a support arm (1) which is pivotable between a transport position and an operating position and supports the hopper wall (2) on a base (3) in the operating position, and a locking element (4) movable along a locking direction for positively locking the support arm (1) in the operating position, characterized in that the locking element (4) is mounted on the base (3) or the hopper wall (2), and the locking direction extends parallel to the pivot axis of the length-adjustable support arm (1).

2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that a lifting arm (5) is provided for moving the hopper wall (2).

3. Locking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support arm (1) has an opening (6), into which the locking element (4) can be inserted in the locking direction for positively locking the support arm (1) in the operating position.

4. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking element (4) has an indicator portion (10) which, in the locked state of the support arm (1), projects in the locking direction out of the region of the positive-locking engagement.

5. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support arm (1) comprises two support legs (8, 9) connected to one another via a joint (7), and the locking element (4) engages the support arm (1) in the operating position in the region of the joint (7).

6. Locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that one support leg (8) is length-adjustable.

7. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a remote-actuatable drive (11) is provided which is operatively connected to the locking element (4) for positively locking the support arm (1) in the operating position.