EARTHWORKING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN EARTHWORKING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an earthmoving machine with a carrier unit comprising a mobile undercarriage, in particular with a crawler chassis, a processing device designed for processing soil or rock, in particular for removing soil or rock or for installing structures in the ground, and at least one steel cable which is at least temporarily subjected to tension and is adjustable in a longitudinal direction by means of a cable drive, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention relates to a method for operating an earthmoving machine, comprising a carrier unit which has a mobile undercarriage, in particular with a crawler track, a processing device with which soil or rock is processed, in particular soil or rock is removed or a structure is placed in the ground, and at least one steel cable which is subjected to tension at least temporarily and is adjusted in a longitudinal direction by means of a cable drive, according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0003] Earthmoving machines of this type have long been in use, particularly as construction equipment, for example as earth drilling rigs or diaphragm wall excavators. These machines typically employ several steel cables to operate various machine components. For instance, an earth drilling rig has a main cable with a main winch, which raises and lowers a drilling tool, especially a Kelly bar, along a mast. Feed cables can also be used, which, for example, adjust a drill drive carriage along the mast using feed winches. This allows, for example, additional feed force to be applied to a drilling tool. Furthermore, additional steel cables, such as auxiliary cables, can be installed on such an earthmoving machine. These auxiliary cables, operated by an auxiliary winch, can perform additional lifting or pulling functions.

[0004] Steel cables on such earthmoving machines offer the advantage that high tensile forces can be applied to machine components, such as machining tools, by a drive unit, such as a winch, which is positioned at a distance from the machine component. The path of the steel cable can be defined by one or more pulleys. Furthermore, steel cables can be wound very compactly on winch drums, allowing for efficient provision of different working lengths for power transmission.

[0005] A steel cable of this type is constructed from a multitude of wires, particularly those wound axially. Several wires can be bundled together to form a strand, and the steel cable itself can be made up of several such strands. This allows for the creation of high-strength and flexible cables.

[0006] In earthmoving machinery, especially construction equipment, the steel cables are subject to considerable wear. This wear is primarily caused by the operating time, the forces exerted on the cable, the type and number of winding cycles, and environmental and weather conditions, which can be particularly extreme on outdoor construction sites.

[0007] Wear and tear leads, in particular, to the breaking of individual wires within the steel cable. Beyond a certain point and number of wire breaks, a steel cable can lose its necessary strength. At a certain degree of wear, this can lead to failure, i.e., a breakage of the steel cable during operation. The breaking of a steel cable while operating an earthmoving machine can have serious consequences, not only causing significant damage to the machine itself or nearby equipment, but also posing a risk to life and limb for people working on or near the machine. Therefore, the breaking of a steel cable on an earthmoving machine must be avoided at all costs.

[0008] It is common practice to regularly visually inspect the steel cables used on earthmoving equipment for broken wires on the surface and to replace them after a predetermined number of operating hours. However, this procedure has its drawbacks. If the number of operating hours before replacing the steel cables is set too low, fully functional and unworn steel cables are often replaced and discarded. This is not economically efficient, as such cables could have been used for a longer period.

[0009] Secondly, heavy use of the earthmoving machine, and especially extreme weather conditions, can lead to premature cable wear, meaning that a predetermined replacement time may be too late. In these rare but occurrences, there remains a risk of personal injury and machine damage.

[0010] Testing methods and equipment for inspecting steel cables, for example using electromagnetic waves, are known. Using such methods, breaks in individual wires, even within a steel cable, can be detected non-destructively. Thus, during an electromagnetic examination of a steel cable, wire breaks can be identified as anomalies in a measurement report.

[0011] Such testing procedures and the measuring devices used are complex. A measuring device must be positioned precisely in relation to a steel cable, and the test must be carried out by trained personnel. These tests are used, for example, on particularly expensive and safety-relevant steel cables, such as those used in cable cars for passenger transport. Cable cars use very long steel cables, which can be several kilometers long. Even minor temperature changes lead to noticeable changes in length and thus to deviations in the cable's path. Using belt systems, a measuring device can be flexibly positioned on such a cable car system, with the steel cable to be tested either passing through the measuring device or the measuring device moving along the steel cable. Such tests are time-consuming and expensive.

[0012] From US patent 2023 / 0228153 A1, a construction machine is known with a mast along which a tool assembly is movably mounted by means of a winch and a rope. A control device for an electric motor for driving a winch is provided, wherein the control device is designed to keep the rope taut in various operating modes of the electric motor.

[0013] The publication EP 1 914 18 A1 discloses a method for testing load-bearing elements of lifting equipment, in particular ropes of elevator systems, wherein a permanently provided evaluation unit is brought into operative connection with a temporarily provided sensor device in order to provide information regarding the discard readiness of the load-bearing elements in a particularly efficient manner.

[0014] The invention is based on the TaskThe basis is to specify an earthmoving machine and a method for operating an earthmoving machine, with which a particularly economical and safe use of steel cables in operation is ensured.

[0015] The problem is solved according to the invention, firstly by an earthmoving machine with the features of claim 1 and secondly by a method for operating an earthmoving machine according to the features of claim 12. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0016] According to the invention, the earthmoving machine has at least one holding device designed to receive and releasably hold a rope measuring unit, which has a rope passage channel and is designed to detect a rope condition in the area of ​​the rope passage channel, and the holding device is arranged in the area of ​​the steel rope such that when a rope measuring unit is received, it is held in a defined position in which the steel rope is guided appropriately through the rope passage channel.

[0017] The invention is based on the understanding that earthmoving machines have defined cable paths for the steel cables used at many points. Based on this understanding, one aspect of the invention provides for the arrangement of at least one holding device on the earthmoving machine, which is designed to receive and releasably hold a cable measuring unit in a predetermined position. The cable measuring unit can have an open or, preferably, a closed cable passage channel, whereby the condition of the steel cable guided through the cable passage channel can be detected by the cable measuring unit. The holding device thus allows a defined position of the cable measuring unit to be predetermined during a measurement process, ensuring that the steel cable is guided correctly through the cable passage channel, thereby enabling a particularly reliable measurement.

[0018] The processing device can be designed for removing soil or rock, for example as a drilling tool or as a milling machine, or for placing structures into the ground, preferably as a piling device or vibrating device, for placing foundation elements, such as sheet piles or piles, into the ground.

[0019] The measuring device can, in principle, be attached to the holding device for an extended period of time. According to a further aspect of the invention, the holding device attached to the earthmoving machine makes it possible to temporarily use a relatively expensive cable measuring unit on the earthmoving machine. The cable measuring unit can be quickly and precisely installed and removed thanks to the predetermined positioning of the holding device. This enables an efficient measuring process with a cable measuring unit.

[0020] For a measurement process, the steel cable can preferably be moved through the cable measuring unit by means of the cable drive. In this way, a larger section of cable can be measured and non-destructively tested for possible wire breaks within the steel cable. The cable measuring unit can, in particular, perform an electromagnetic inspection of a steel cable, especially an MRI procedure, whereby the steel cable is guided through an electromagnetic test field. Wire breaks, defects, or cracks in the steel cable cause anomalies during the test, which are then detected. This condition monitoring of the individual steel cables allows for the early detection of breaks, wear, or other malfunctions, thus significantly reducing safety risks for the operating personnel and the earthmoving machine. It also prevents the unnecessarily premature replacement of a cable with only minor wear.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, it is particularly preferred that the cable drive comprises a winch and / or a linear drive. Such a cable drive allows a steel cable to be moved efficiently and guided through the cable measuring unit. It is advantageous for the cable drive to include at least one winch, wherein the steel cable is at least partially supported by the winch and is adjustable in its longitudinal direction by means of a winding motion. It is particularly advantageous if the cable drive, which includes a winch, is located in the lower half of a mast or pole of the earthmoving machine according to the invention, particularly on the rear of the mast, or on the carrier vehicle, particularly on the superstructure. Depending on the arrangement and orientation of the cable measuring unit, this allows the steel cable to be guided through the measuring unit particularly easily.

[0022] The holding devices can be arranged on the earthmoving machine in virtually any configuration. It is particularly preferred that two or more holding devices are arranged at different locations on the earthmoving machine, with one or more cable measuring units capable of detecting the condition of a single steel cable at different locations and / or the condition of two or more steel cables. It is particularly advantageous that the two or more holding devices are arranged on a mast head, on the rear of a mast, or on a work carriage at the front of a mast. It is especially preferred if the cable measuring unit is arranged between two or more pulleys and / or a deflection block. This allows the steel cable to be guided through the cable measuring unit with particular efficiency and stability.Furthermore, this ensures a particularly simple attachment of the rope measuring unit to the earthmoving machine according to the invention.

[0023] It is advantageous if the rope measuring unit includes a data storage unit for locally storing the acquired rope condition data. Preferably, a processing unit can also be provided with the rope measuring unit, which is connected to the data storage unit and is designed for evaluating and processing the acquired rope condition data. The evaluation can, in particular, include a rope condition analysis and a usage recommendation. The processing unit can, in particular, be spatially separate from the rope measuring unit, especially as a mobile processing unit, for example, a smartphone or a tablet. This allows the acquired measurement data to be evaluated spatially flexibly and independently of the respective location of the earthmoving machine according to the invention. It is particularly advantageous to display the data acquired by the rope measuring unit graphically in two dimensions using a display device.

[0024] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that the holding device comprises a fastening device for the detachable attachment of the rope measuring unit. The fastening device can be designed, in particular, as a screw connection and / or a plug connection. It is especially advantageous if the fastening device is designed for inserting the rope measuring unit between two opposing metal plates. It is also expedient if the fastening device is designed as a bent part. The fastening device according to the invention allows the rope measuring unit to be installed flexibly and as required on the earthmoving machine, which enables particularly economical operation.

[0025] According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous that the holding device has a receptacle with at least one stop for precisely positioning the rope measuring unit within the holding device. The receptacle can, in particular, have a rectangular base shape with lateral support walls. In this way, particularly precise rope guidance by the rope measuring unit on the earthmoving machine according to the invention can be ensured. Likewise, such a design of the holding device simplifies the installation of the rope measuring unit on the earthmoving machine.

[0026] An additional advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the holding device comprising an adjustment device, in particular with at least one adjustment screw, for adjusting the receiving position of the rope measuring unit. The adjustment screw can preferably be provided for permanently fixing the rope measuring unit to the mounting device. It is advantageous if the adjustment device can be at least partially inserted into the measuring device, in particular screwed in. This ensures simple and precise mounting of both the holding device and the rope measuring unit. The adjustment device can also allow for sliding mounting, so that the position of the rope measuring unit can be continuously adapted to the path of the inserted rope.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device can be arranged on the cable drive or a deflection pulley for the steel cable. In particular, the holding device can be arranged on a deflection block for guiding the steel cable on the earthmoving machine. It is especially preferred that the holding device is arranged between two deflection pulleys at the mast head of a mast of the earthmoving machine, preferably centrally on an upper surface. Likewise, the holding device can preferably be arranged on a rear surface of the mast. In this way, a particularly efficient mounting of the cable measuring unit on the earthmoving machine can be achieved.

[0028] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the earthmoving machine having at least two steel cables arranged side by side, in particular parallel to each other, and in the holding device being adjustable, in particular slidable, between a first measuring position for a first steel cable and at least one further measuring position for the at least one further steel cable. The steel cables can be designed, in particular, for actuating a soil cultivation device. Specifically, a steel cable can be designed to actuate an adjustable base slide on a mast of the earthmoving machine in a feed or a retraction direction. Alternatively or additionally, a cable can be provided for holding the cultivation device on a mast head or a boom arm.With this type of earthmoving machine, various steel cables can be detected and inspected particularly efficiently using a cable measuring unit, ensuring especially safe operation of the machine even when multiple cables are in use. Thanks to the adjustable holding device, the same cable measuring unit can be used to detect several steel cables, thus reducing costs.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the earthmoving machine has a mast or boom arm along which at least one steel cable is guided, and at least one holding device is arranged at the head of the mast or boom arm. The head of the mast can, in particular, have at least one deflection pulley for changing the direction of travel of the at least one steel cable, the steel cable being guided from the rear of the mast to the front of the mast. It is particularly advantageous if the holding device for fixing the cable measuring unit to the earthmoving machine is provided between two deflection pulleys at the head of the mast. The holding device can also be arranged in a lower feed area of ​​a deflection pulley. In this way, particularly stressed areas of the steel cable can be detected and monitored by the cable measuring unit.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the earthmoving machine is equipped with a control unit, and the rope measuring unit is connected to the control unit, either wired or wirelessly, for evaluating and outputting measurement data or results. This allows the data concerning the condition of the steel rope, acquired by the rope measuring unit, to be processed and evaluated directly by the control unit. The rope measuring unit can thus remain permanently in its designated position on the earthmoving machine, and the acquired data can be easily read out by the machine's operators. It is advantageous that the control unit is located on the upper structure of the earthmoving machine, particularly on a vehicle cab.The control unit includes at least one output device, for example a display, VR glasses, a tablet computer or another unit for the graphical or numerical representation of the recorded condition data of the steel cable.

[0031] It is advantageous if the control unit includes a computing unit and / or a data storage device for processing the acquired rope condition data. This allows the rope condition data to be processed and evaluated immediately after acquisition by the rope measuring unit. According to the invention, it is particularly useful that the rope condition data acquired by the rope measuring unit is processed and evaluated by the control unit, generating a graphical representation, for example of the steel rope cross-section, of the condition of the at least one steel rope based on the acquired rope condition data, and in particular also, for example, alphanumeric recommendations for the further use of the steel rope on the earthmoving machine. The graphical representation can preferably depict any detected anomalies.

[0032] In a preferred further embodiment of the earthmoving machine according to the invention, it is designed as an earth drilling rig, a diaphragm wall excavator, a vibratory excavator, or a pile driver. It is advantageous if the earthmoving machine according to the invention has at least one rotary drive with an earthmoving tool, for example, a milling wheel or an auger for rotating penetration into the ground. The at least one steel cable can be used, in particular, to adjust the position of the earthmoving tool on the earthmoving machine, for example, for penetration into the ground and / or for retrieval from the ground. In this respect, the earthmoving machine according to the invention is particularly flexible for use in various fields.

[0033] The method according to the invention is characterized in that the earthmoving machine has at least one holding device with which a rope measuring unit is received and detachably held, which has a rope passage channel, and that by means of the holding device the rope measuring unit is arranged in the area of ​​the steel rope in such a way that the steel rope is guided appropriately through the rope passage channel of the rope measuring unit and the rope measuring unit detects a state of the steel rope in the area of ​​the rope passage channel.

[0034] The method can be used in particular with the earthmoving machine according to the invention described above. The advantages described above can be achieved in this process.

[0035] A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in adjusting the steel cable in its longitudinal direction by means of the cable drive, whereby the steel cable is moved through the cable passage channel of the cable measuring unit, and the condition of the steel cable is thereby detected over a length range. In this way, the condition of a particularly large portion of the steel cable can be continuously monitored. It is particularly advantageous if the entire cross-section of the steel cable is detected during condition monitoring over a length range. It is advantageous if the steel cable is adjusted in its longitudinal direction such that at least one-tenth of the total length of the steel cable passes through the cable passage channel of the cable measuring unit and is detected. Such a design allows the condition of the cable to be assessed with particular reliability.

[0036] According to a further development of the invention, it is advantageous for at least one rope measuring unit to be temporarily attached to a holding device and subsequently detached and removed. This on-demand attachment of the rope measuring unit ensures particularly economical and efficient operation of the earthmoving machine. For example, the rope measuring unit can thus be used for several earthmoving machines and is not necessarily permanently attached to a single machine. In particular, it is advantageous for at least one rope measuring unit to be successively attached to several holding devices of the earthmoving machine according to the invention and subsequently detached and removed, with the holding devices being arranged at different positions on the earthmoving machine, thereby increasing the detectable section of one or more steel cables.This allows for the inspection of steel cable sections that are not detected by the first layer of the cable measuring unit during winding and unwinding. This increases the area of ​​the steel cable covered by the measuring unit and thus improves safety.

[0037] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, measured values ​​acquired by the rope measuring unit are stored in a storage device and evaluated remotely from the earthmoving machine, preferably by a processing unit. In principle, the acquired measured values ​​can be stored in a storage unit of the rope measuring unit and / or in a storage unit of the processing unit. The measured values ​​acquired by the rope measuring unit can be evaluated, in particular, using rope condition monitoring algorithms of the processing unit, whereby the rope condition is analyzed using the acquired rope condition data by the rope condition monitoring algorithms, especially with machine learning. In this way, specific recommendations for maintenance of the wire ropes can be issued to the operating personnel of the earthmoving machine, thus ensuring particularly safe operation.

[0038] The invention is further explained below with reference to preferred embodiments, which are shown schematically in the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a side view of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 2 a side view of a mast head according to the invention with a rope measuring unit; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a section of a mast head of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a deflection block of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 5 a perspective view of a mast rear of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 6 another perspective view of a mast rear of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 7 a perspective partial view of a base slide of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 8 a perspective view of a rope drive of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig. 9 a perspective view of a deflection block of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; Fig.Fig. 10 a perspective view of another deflection block of the earthmoving machine according to the invention; and Fig. 11 a perspective view of a deflection pulley of a mast head of the earthmoving machine according to the invention.

[0039] An earthmoving machine 10 according to the invention with a carrier device 12 is in Figure 1 The carrier unit 12 can preferably comprise a crawler chassis as an undercarriage 14, on which a superstructure 16 can be mounted, in particular rotatably. A control system 60 for the earthmoving machine 10 can be located in an operator's cab of the superstructure 16. The earthmoving machine 10 can, in principle, be designed as a deep-construction machine, as shown here.

[0040] In particular, a mast 20, which may be designed as a boom 21 and can be positioned in an upright, essentially vertical position during operation, can be preferably adjustable via a linkage mechanism 18 on the superstructure 16. The mast 20 can also be directly connected to the superstructure 16 via a joint (not shown) located in the lower region of the mast 20 and one or more actuating cylinders (not shown). It is also possible that, instead of the mast 20, an adjustable, articulated boom (not shown) is adjustably arranged on the superstructure 16.

[0041] According to the illustrated embodiment, the mast 20 can preferably be designed as a mast 21 with a linear guide 24 on its front side. A base slide 38 with a rotary drilling drive 36 can be mounted vertically along the linear guide 24. This allows the earthmoving machine 10 to be configured as a drilling rig. The drawing shows an exemplary middle position of the rotary drilling drive 36 and a lower position, indicated by dashed lines.

[0042] A cable, in particular a first steel cable 40 as the main cable 42, can be guided over a mast head 22 at the upper end of the mast 20. At one end of the cable, a preferably telescopic Kelly bar 32 with an exemplary auger 34 for forming a machining device 30, in particular a deep-drilling tool, can be provided. The Kelly bar 32 can be guided by a sleeve-shaped drive wheel of the rotary drilling drive 36 on the base slide 38, so that a torque is transmitted from the rotary drilling drive 36 to the Kelly bar 32, for example via drive bars (not shown). The auger 34 for creating a borehole in the ground can be arranged at the lower end of the Kelly bar 32. The drilling tool can, in principle, be of any design and, in particular, may include an auger 34 or a drill bucket.

[0043] From the Kelly bar 32, the steel cable 40 can be guided via pulleys 26 at the mast head 22 along the mast 20 to a cable drive 46 in the superstructure 16. As in Figure 1 As shown by way of example, a rope measuring unit 80 for recording rope condition data can be configured at the mast head 22 of the mast 20. The rope measuring unit 80 can preferably be configured centrally between a first and a second deflection pulley. Parallel to the first steel rope 40, an auxiliary rope (not shown here) can preferably run as a further steel rope, wherein the rope measuring unit 80 can be configured for recording rope condition data of the auxiliary rope and / or the steel rope.

[0044] The cable drive 46 is driven by a motor 50, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which can also be operated in a recuperation mode. The Kelly bar 32 with the auger can be raised and lowered by means of the steel cable 40 via the cable drive 46.

[0045] A feed winch 28, in particular an actuator, with a winch on the mast 20, can raise the base carriage 38 with the rotary drilling drive 36 via a further steel cable 40, which can in particular be designed as a feed cable 44. By driving the feed winch 28 in the opposite direction, the base carriage 38 with the rotary drilling drive 36 can also be lowered. Likewise, the base carriage 38 can be pulled downwards by the feed winch 28.

[0046] The rotary drilling drive 36 can be formed by a power rotary head with at least one additional motor. The feed winch 28 can also be equipped with a motor (not shown), for example, an electric or hydraulic motor. The control unit 60 controls the at least one motor 50 for operating the rope drive 46 and preferably also the additional motor for operating the feed winch 28. The feed winch 28 shown here can also be designed as an actuating unit.

[0047] The control unit 60 can, in particular, comprise a computing unit, a data storage unit and / or a communication unit and be in data communication with the rope measuring unit 80. The rope measuring unit 80 can also, in principle, comprise a computing unit, a data storage unit and / or a communication unit and be configured to receive data, in particular control commands.

[0048] For example, the data acquisition of the rope measuring unit 80 can be started, stopped, or adjusted by an operator entering a control command. The data can be stored, in particular, in a memory unit of the rope measuring unit. Likewise, the data from the rope measuring unit can preferably also be stored and / or processed by a separate processing unit, whereby the evaluation can also be carried out at a later time by another processing unit. The rope measuring unit 80 can preferably be connected to the control unit 60 wirelessly and / or via a cable. Similarly, the control unit 60 can be connected to a mobile processing unit for storing and / or graphically displaying the acquired rope condition data and for issuing usage recommendations based on the rope condition data acquired by the rope measuring unit 80.The control unit 60 can therefore preferably be configured to process and analyze the recorded rope condition data, in particular to issue usage recommendations. A mobile computing unit, for example a tablet computer or a smartphone, can be provided for inputting control commands to the control unit 60 and / or the rope measuring unit 80. The control unit 60 can preferably be integrated into the earthmoving machine 10, in particular into the superstructure 16, and have at least one monitor for control by the operating personnel.

[0049] The in Fig. 1The first steel cable 40 shown, as well as all other cables mentioned, in particular the main cable 42 and the feed cable 44, can be formed from several twisted wires, with the cable measuring unit 80 being designed to detect the condition of the individual wires. The condition data thus detected can be evaluated by the cable measuring unit 80 and / or by the control unit 60, enabling early detection of weak points in the steel cable 40. The output of the detected cable condition data can be displayed, in particular, in the cab of the earthmoving machine 10, along with a warning message. The detected data can also be output to a user at a distance, for example, via the internet.

[0050] The earthmoving machine 10 according to the invention with the rope measuring unit 80 is described below with reference to the Figures 2 and 3 explained in more detail. Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a side view of the mast head 22 of an embodiment of the earthmoving machine 10, wherein the rope measuring unit 80 is arranged in a central area between a first deflection pulley 26 and a second deflection pulley. The rope measuring unit 80 can, in particular, be held by a holding device 70 in a position angled with respect to the vertical, parallel to the steel rope 40, as shown here. In particular, the rope measuring unit 80 can be passed through centrally by the steel rope 40, with one measuring passage of the rope measuring unit 80 being aligned parallel to the direction of rope passage. The steel rope 40, which here is designed as an example as the main rope 42 for carrying and adjusting the drilling tool, can pass the rope measuring unit 80 in a straight line between two deflection pulleys, wherein the steel rope 40 has an angle between 0° and 90°, in particular, as shown here, between 30° and 60° to the horizontal. In contrast to the one shown in the Figures 2 and 3 In the arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80 shown in the central area, the rope measuring unit 80 can preferably also be arranged in a side area of ​​the connecting axis between the first and the second deflection pulley of the mast 20.

[0051] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows an enlarged perspective view of a rope measuring unit 80 on the earthmoving machine 10, wherein the rope measuring unit 80 is arranged with the holding device 70 on the mast head 22. As shown here, the holding device 70 can be attached to the mast head 22, in particular by a fastening device 72. Several screw connections can preferably be provided for this purpose. The holding device 70 can, in particular, have a rectangular base shape with two opposing support plates. As shown here, the holding device 70 can laterally encompass the rope measuring unit 80, so that a fixed connection exists between the rope measuring unit 80 and the frame of the mast head 22. The holding device 70 can, in particular, be arranged such that the steel rope 40 runs centrally through the rope measuring unit 80 in the longitudinal direction.

[0052] The arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80 according to the invention on the earthmoving machine 10 is described below with reference to the Figures 4 to 7explained in more detail. In the Figures 4 to 7 Further exemplary arrangements of the rope measuring unit 80 on the earthmoving machine 10 are shown, wherein the rope measuring unit 80 is provided here as a further steel rope 40 for recording rope condition data of the feed rope 44. However, the embodiments shown can be traversed in the same way by another steel rope 40, in particular the main rope 42, and configured to record rope condition data of the same.

[0053] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80, which is attached here to a deflection block 27 of the earthmoving machine 10. As shown, the rope measuring unit 80 can be traversed longitudinally by the feed rope 44 in a rope passage channel 90. The rope measuring unit 80 can preferably be attached to the earthmoving machine 10 by means of a holding device 70 and a fastening device 72. The holding device 70 and the fastening device 72 can, in principle, be of any design. As shown in Figure 1, the rope measuring unit 80 can be attached to the earthmoving machine 10 by means of a holding device 70 and a fastening device 72. Figure 4 As shown, the fastening device 72 can be designed, in particular, for the adjustable arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80 on the feed rope 44. The holding device 70 can, as illustrated here, preferably be designed as a holding frame penetrated by two guides, wherein the rope measuring unit 80 is mounted on the guides with several screws.

[0054] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a variant embodiment in which the rope measuring unit 80 is arranged on the back of a mast 23 and is traversed by a steel rope 40. Both the rope measuring unit 80 and the holding device 70 can, in principle, be arranged arbitrarily along the mast 20. As shown here, the holding device 70 can, in particular, be formed from two opposing holding elements with symmetrically integrated guides, thus forming an adjustment device for changing and adapting the position of the mounted rope measuring unit 80.

[0055] Fig. 6 Figure 1 also shows an exemplary rope condition measurement using the rope measuring unit 80 on the back of a mast 23 in front of a rope deflection (not shown here). The holding device 70 can, as shown here, preferably be designed as a rectangular receiving element for receiving the rope measuring unit 80.

[0056] Fig. 7Figure 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80 on the base slide 38 of the earthmoving machine 10. The holding device 70 can in particular be formed from two flat holding elements arranged at right angles along two sides of the rope measuring unit 80.

[0057] The rope condition detection system according to the invention is described below in connection with the Figures 8 to 11 explained in more detail. Figures 8 to 11 Figure 1 shows embodiments of the rope condition monitoring system according to the invention, in which the rope measuring unit 80 is arranged differently on the earthmoving machine 10 for acquiring rope condition data of the main rope 42. The embodiments shown here are not inherently limiting and can be configured in the same way for acquiring rope condition data of other steel ropes, in particular the feed rope 44 and / or the auxiliary rope. The rope measuring unit 80 can, in particular, be configured as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 8The cable measuring unit 80 is shown to be attached to a frame on the winch 47. The alignment of the cable measuring unit 80 along the steel cable 40 can preferably be provided by the holding device 70, wherein the holding device 70 is formed on an upper element of the frame.

[0058] The Figure 9 and 10 Each figure shows an exemplary arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80 on a deflection block 27 at the rear of the mast of the earthmoving machine 10. The rope measuring unit 80 can preferably be arranged with the holding device 70 on one or more deflection pulleys. The holding device 70 can preferably be designed as an elongated, extended receiving element approximately parallel to the rear of the mast 23 in a position above and below the deflection block 27.

[0059] Fig. 11Figure 1 shows a further exemplary arrangement of the rope measuring unit 80 on the mast head 22 of the earthmoving machine 10 according to the invention. The holding device 70 can preferably be designed, as shown here, as part of a frame element of the deflection pulley 26, wherein the frame element spatially encompasses the deflection pulley 26 and the steel rope 40 at least partially. The holding device 70 can, in particular, be designed for vertically aligning the rope measuring unit 80 along the main rope 42. Likewise, the holding device 70 can be designed for arranging the rope measuring unit 80 parallel to the main rope 42 above the deflection pulley 26, wherein the holding device 70 is designed as a frame element of the deflection pulley 26 and encompasses at least half of the deflection pulley 26. The deflection pulley 26 can preferably be oriented towards the rear 23 of the mast, but in particular also towards an opposite front of the mast.

Claims

1. Soil working machine, having - a carrier device (12) which comprises a movable undercarriage (14), in particular a crawler track, - a processing device (30) which is configured to work soil or rock, in particular to remove soil or rock, or to introduce structures into the soil, and - at least one steel cable (40) which is at least temporarily loaded in tension and is adjustable in a cable longitudinal direction by means of a cable drive (46), characterized in that - the soil working machine (10) comprises at least one holding device (70) which is configured to receive and releasably hold a cable measuring unit (80) which has a cable passage channel (90) and is configured to detect a cable condition in the region of the cable passage channel (90), and - the holding device (70) is arranged in the region of the steel cable (40) in such a way that, upon receiving a cable measuring unit (80), the latter is held in a defined position in which the steel cable (40) is suitably guided through the cable passage channel (90).

2. Soil working machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable drive (46) comprises a cable winch (47) and / or a linear drive.

3. Soil working machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two or more holding devices (70) are arranged at different locations of the soil working machine (10), wherein, with one or more cable measuring units (80), the condition of an individual steel cable at different locations and / or the cable condition of two or more steel cables can be detected.

4. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the holding device (70) comprises a fastening device (72) for releasably fastening the cable measuring unit (80).

5. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding device (70) comprises a receptacle with at least one stop for positionally accurate arrangement of the cable measuring unit (80) in the holding device (70).

6. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding device (70) comprises an adjustment device, in particular having at least one adjustment screw, for adjusting a receiving position of the cable measuring unit (80).

7. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding device (70) is arranged near the cable drive (46) or a deflection pulley (26) for the steel cable.

8. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the soil working machine (10) comprises at least two steel cables arranged next to one another, in particular directed parallel to one another, and that the holding device (70) is mounted adjustably, in particular displaceably, between a first measuring position for a first steel cable and at least one further measuring position for the at least one further steel cable.

9. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the soil working machine (10) comprises a mast (20) or jib arm, along which at least one steel cable (40) is guided, and that at least one holding device (70) is arranged at a head region of the mast (20) or of the jib arm.

10. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the soil working machine (10) comprises a control unit (60) and that the cable measuring unit (80) is connected, in a wired or wireless manner, to the control unit (60) for evaluating and / or outputting measurement data or measurement results.

11. Soil working machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is configured as a ground drill device, a diaphragm wall device, a vibrating device or a ramming device.

12. Method for operating a soil working machine, in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 11, having - a carrier device (12) which comprises a movable undercarriage (14), in particular a crawler track, - a processing device (30) with which soil or rock is worked, in particular soil or rock is removed, or a structure is introduced into the soil and - at least one steel cable (40) which is at least temporarily loaded in tension and is adjusted in a cable longitudinal direction by means of a cable drive (46), characterized in that - the soil working machine (10) comprises at least one holding device (70), with which a cable measuring unit (80) is received and releasably held, which comprises a cable passage channel (90), and - by means of the holding device (70) the cable measuring unit (80) is arranged in the region of the steel cable (40) in such a way that the steel cable (40) is suitably guided through the cable passage channel (90) of the cable measuring unit (80) and a condition of the steel cable (40) in the region of the cable passage channel (90) is detected by the cable measuring unit (80).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that by means of the cable drive (46) the steel cable (40) is adjusted in its cable longitudinal direction, wherein the steel cable (40) is moved through the cable passage channel (90) of the cable measuring unit (80) and, in doing so, the condition of the steel cable (40) is detected over a length region.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one cable measuring unit (80) is arranged only temporarily on a holding device (70) and is subsequently released and removed again.

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that measurement values detected by the cable measuring unit are stored with a storage device and are evaluated, away from the soil working machine, preferably with a computer unit.