SELF-PROPELLED SHEAR PRESS

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a shear press and a method of working using a shear press. Prior art

[0002] As known to a person skilled in the art, a "shear-baler" is a scrap metal processing machine intended to cut and / or compact large-scale metal waste. Such waste is, for example, collection scrap, demolition scrap or the like.

[0003] A shearing press generally comprises a bin for receiving a quantity of scrap to be processed, a hydraulic pusher for advancing the scrap into the bin, and an outlet through which the scrap is released from the bin via the pusher. The outlet is in the form of a vertical guillotine gantry with cutting blades for severing the scrap that is released from the bin via the pusher. Once scrap has been released from the bin by the pusher, the pusher is retracted to reload the empty bin with a new quantity of scrap to be processed. EP 2 177 270 A1 discloses such a shearing press corresponding to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Documents JP S56 89400 A and JP H01 197099 A disclose other types of machines comprising pressing and / or cutting means.

[0005] The scrap metal is processed in turn, bin after bin. The shearing press takes some time to complete a processing cycle. At the end of the cycle, the machine stops and waits for a new load.

[0006] Scrap metal to be processed is generally first stored at a scrap metal recycling site in designated areas. Once cut and compacted, it is temporarily gathered in other areas of the site separate from the areas where scrap metal to be processed is stored.

[0007] Scrap yards are generally equipped with a static shear press. This is fed by a mobile loading machine, for example a crane equipped with a grapple, an electromagnet or any other equipment capable of picking up scrap to be processed and depositing it in the bin. However, several crane movements are necessary to sufficiently fill the shear press bin. In particular, during a shear press processing cycle, the crane must make several round trips to pick up the scrap to be processed stored on the site. Given the large volumes of scrap to be processed, the crane movements are numerous and, moreover, increasingly long since the stock of scrap to be processed is increasingly far from the shear press.

[0008] In addition, after each processing cycle of the shear press, the crane must still be used to collect the processed scrap from the shear press and deposit it in the storage area provided for this purpose. This requires further movements of the crane.

[0009] A static shear press therefore has some disadvantages inherent in its immobility, in particular that: the scrap to be processed must come to the machine; the processed scrap must be cleared and moved after processing so as not to obstruct the subsequent evacuation of a new quantity of processed scrap from the shear-press; no adaptation is possible to the geographical evolution of the site; the shear-press must wait for the scrap to be processed to arrive as soon as the stock of this scrap to be processed is too far away; the movements of the crane generate a loss of time, significant consumption of diesel, noise, dangers, wear and tear on the crane, etc.

[0010] The use of a towed shear press, as known from the prior art, does not meet these limitations. Indeed, such a shear press is in practice used as a static shear press because, given its dimensions and weight, it is very difficult to handle and requires both large maneuvering areas and a traction machine. In reality, towed shear press can be moved from site to site but with difficulty within a site.

[0011] A towed shear press therefore has the same disadvantages as the static shear press, but is also faced with the following disadvantages: a tractor for a semi-trailer must be used; this tractor must potentially be detached during the work of the shear baler to be protected from possible scrap metal falling from the crane; before being able to move the convoy formed by the tractor and the shear baler: several minutes are necessary to reinflate the tractor's pneumatic circuits; stabilizing stands, which the shear baler is equipped with to stabilize it during its work, must be folded up; the ground of the site must be cleared of scrap metal that may have fallen during the loading of the shear baler to avoid damaging the tractor's tires, the braking and suspension circuits and the electrical wiring; the main engine of the shear baler must be stopped for safety reasons;These latter disadvantages also occur after the convoy has been moved because the operations and maneuvers have to be repeated in reverse when the shear press is repositioned.

[0012] It is therefore desirable to have a shear press that can process scrap metal more efficiently on a scrap metal recovery site. Statement of the invention

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide a shear-press making it possible to avoid the disadvantages of the static and towed shear-presses of the prior art, and therefore to process scrap metal more efficiently on a construction site.

[0014] For this purpose, the present invention provides a shear press according to claim 1 and a working method for processing scrap metal according to claim 13. The shear press according to the invention is self-propelled and is provided with a remote control for controlling the movements of the shear press as required.

[0015] The shear-press according to the invention has various advantages. In particular, it allows scrap metal to be processed more efficiently on a construction site than the shear-presses described according to the prior art.

[0016] Indeed, the self-propelled nature of the shear-press of the invention allows the shear-press to be developed at the same time as a loading machine which feeds it with scrap metal to be processed. The long movements of the loading machine to load the shear-press are therefore greatly reduced or even eliminated since the shear-press can follow the movements of the loading machine. This saves time in the processing of scrap metal since: it is no longer necessary to wait for loading by the loading machine; it is no longer necessary to clear the processed scrap from the shear press since the shear press can move forward after each cycle; the shear press can be put to work immediately upon arrival on site. This time saving also results in a reduction in pollution from the shear press, as well as fuel savings for the shear press. The overall efficiency of the shear press is also improved.

[0017] Since the movements of the shear press can be controlled remotely, an operator can work remotely from the shear press, for example, from a cabin (typically a control cabin) of the loading machine, alone and rationally, reducing or even eliminating the movements of the loading machine.

[0018] The processing of scrap metal by means of a shear-press according to the invention is also more efficient because it makes it possible to increase the percentage of the storage volume of scrap metal to be processed on the construction site since the maneuvering area of ​​the loading machine and the self-propelled shear-press can be reduced. In particular, the total length of the shear-press according to the invention is also significantly reduced compared to a static or towed shear-press.

[0019] In addition, since the loading machine moves less, it wears less, consumes less fuel, and generates both less noise and less pollution. The risk of accidents on construction sites is also reduced.

[0020] As is known to a person skilled in the art, a "shear-press", and therefore the shear-press according to the invention, is provided with a filling bin for receiving scrap to be processed and an outlet for the processed scrap. The outlet is part of a gantry also comprising cutting blades and a press for cutting and compressing the scrap. The outlet is preferably closed by a pivotable protective hatch. A horizontal pusher is arranged (at the filling bin) to release the scrap from the filling bin through the outlet.

[0021] As known to a person skilled in the art, the term "self-propelled" refers to the fact that the shear baler is provided with its own means of movement. These preferably comprise traction tracks or wheels. They preferably rest on the ground, for example on the construction site floor. The traction tracks induce a high maneuverability of the shear baler. For example, it is possible to rotate the shear baler on site through 360°, so that a reduced maneuvering area is required, which increases the scrap storage volume. The traction tracks also allow the shear baler to move on uneven sites.

[0022] Preferably, the remote control of the shear press is also configured to control operations of the shear press. For example, the remote control is configured to start and stop an operation of the shear press. For example, the remote control can control press and / or shear functions of the shear press. Since the remote control is preferably used by the operator of the loading machine, the operator can thus control both the movements and the operations of the shear press, for example from the cabin of the loading machine alone, and move the two machines so that they remain close to each other during loading. The operator can thus work alone in a rational manner, reducing or even eliminating the movements of the loading machine during loading.

[0023] The shear baler is preferably sized to be transported on the road on a machine trailer.

[0024] The shear press preferably includes a single motor that serves both for the operation of the shear press and its moving means. Thus, the cost and additional space of a second motor for traction are avoided.

[0025] The shear press according to the present invention is configured to process scrap metals, in particular according to the working method introduced below.

[0026] The present invention also provides a working method for processing scrap metal stored at a scrap metal recovery site using: a shear press according to the invention provided with a filling bin and an outlet for the processed scrap metal, and a loading machine for filling the bin with the scrap metal to be processed.

[0027] The method includes the following steps: provide a storage area with the scrap to be processed; cyclically carry out: moving the shear press in the storage area or along the storage area within the reach of the loading machine; filling the bin with the scrap to be processed using the loading machine; operating the shear press to process the scrap loaded into the bin and to release the processed scrap through the outlet; moving the shear press to process the next pile of scrap to be processed, leaving the processed scrap released from the shear press on site.

[0028] A conventional shearing machine equipped with autonomous mobility, so as to give it a self-propelled character, can be used to implement the method. This method allows the operator of the loading machine to move around a scrap yard without having to make multiple, increasingly long trips, or even to completely eliminate these trips, as explained above.

[0029] In the context of the invention, the remote control of the shear press is used by the operator of the loading machine in order to control said movements of the shear press as required. In particular, it is used to move the shear press after each processing cycle of the shear press, so as to be able to start loading the shear press with a new quantity of scrap to be processed for a new processing cycle.

[0030] In general, the different embodiments and advantages of the shear press according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to the method, and vice versa.

[0031] In particular, where the remote control also allows operations of the shear press to be controlled, it is preferably also used by the operator to start and stop the operation of the shear press.

[0032] Preferably, the shearing machine travels mainly in a straight or curved path. This means that fewer movements and maneuvers are required, saving time.

[0033] Preferably, the path of the shear press is traveled with the outlet of the shear press directed backwards, i.e. in a direction opposite to that of the path traveled. This allows the processed scrap to be left on site without hindering the movements of the shear press, and to leave them aligned along the straight or curved path, which makes it easier to collect this scrap for transport.

[0034] Preferably, the storage area extends along a route with a starting point close to a construction site entrance and an arrival point close to a construction site exit. Preferably, the construction site entrance and exit are close to each other or coincide.

[0035] The loading machine is preferably a mobile machine, for example a crawler crane. Both machines, i.e. the shear press and the loading machine, can thus move simultaneously, so that they are always close to each other, in order to minimize travel.

[0036] The scrap yard can be organized in such a way that the route that the entire shear-press and loading machine must travel is mainly a straight or curved route, which requires less movement and maneuvering and saves time.

[0037] Many of the advantages set out above apply to a static loading machine, for example, a superstructure of a crane which is rotatably mounted on a static column. The loading machine used in combination with the shear press according to the invention, for example, to implement the above-mentioned working method can therefore be static or mobile. Brief description of the figures

[0038] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures among which: there Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a shear press according to the prior art in a normal operating situation; Figure 2 illustrates the shear press of the Figure 1 in working order where processed scrap metal is removed; Figure 3illustrates the organization of a classic scrap metal recovery site with a static shear-press like that of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 4 illustrates a side view like that of the Figure 1 for a shear press according to the invention; the Figure 5 illustrates an elevation view following arrow F5 in the Figure 4 ; there Figure 6 illustrates an organization of a scrap metal recovery site making it possible to implement the working method described in the description of the invention with the shear press figures 4 And 5 . Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0039] An example of an embodiment of a shear press according to the invention is described below for illustrative and non-restrictive purposes, reference being made to: figures 1 to 6 .

[0040] The static scrap shear press 1 illustrated in Figure 1comprises a control cabin 2, a hydraulic unit 3, a filling bin 4 for receiving the scrap metal to be cut 5, a horizontal pusher 6 arranged to release the scrap metal 5 from the bin 4 through an outlet 7.

[0041] The outlet 7 is formed by a gantry 8 which, in a known manner, is equipped with cutting blades and a press (or squeezer) not shown to cut and compress the scrap metal 5 before being released from the bin 4 via the outlet 7. This is covered by a protective hatch 9 which can pivot freely around its axis 10.

[0042] The bin 4 of the shear press 1 is filled by means of a mobile machine 11 of the crane type of which only the arm 12 is shown in the Figure 1 with at its end a grapple 13 to take the scrap metal to be processed 5 and place it in the bin 4, as illustrated in the Figure 1 .

[0043] The shear press 1 is a classic static, i.e. immobile, shear press which is placed at a fixed location on the construction site 14 as seen in Figure 3 .

[0044] The construction site 14 is accessible by an access 15 for the supply of scrap metal to be processed 5, which also serves as an exit for the evacuation of the processed scrap metal 5'. The construction site 14 is organized in a conventional manner as shown in Figure 3 with 16 storage areas for scrap to be processed 5 and 17 storage areas for scrap processed 5' by the shear press 1.

[0045] Between zones 16 and 17 there are paths and maneuvering zones 18 in which the loading machine 11 can maneuver to collect the scrap metal 5 in zones 16 to deposit it in the bin 4 and to recover the processed scrap metal 5' at the outlet 7 of the shear press to deposit it in zones 17 and to provide access to trucks and trailers.

[0046] The paths traveled by the loading machine 11 are indicated by the arrows A, illustrating that these paths A become increasingly longer as the scrap metal 5 is processed.

[0047] There Figure 4shows an example of a shear-press 1 according to the invention, which, in the case shown, is a self-propelled shear-press 1 equipped with movement and traction means 19 in the form of a tracked train with two tracks 20, each track 20 being able to be driven individually by its own hydraulic motor 21, thus making it possible to rotate the shear-press on site.

[0048] The shear-press 1 according to the invention is, in a manner analogous to the stationary shear-press 1 of the Figure 1, also equipped with a filling tank 4, a pusher 6, a gantry 8 with cutting blades and press and with an outlet 7 closed by a pivoting protective hatch 9. The shear press 1 is provided with a hydraulic unit 3, preferably equipped with a single thermal or electric motor, for supplying cylinders and hydraulic motors of the pusher 6, the cutting blades and the press, the hydraulic motors 21 of the crawler train 20, as well as possibly other hydraulic functions.

[0049] The loading of the shear press 1 can be done by means of a loading machine 11 as illustrated in Figure 5 , for example with a crawler crane as loading machine 11. This is preferably equipped with a raised cabin 22 for an operator of the loading machine 11, to have a good view of the loading of the shear press 1.

[0050] The shear-press 1 according to the invention is provided with a remote control 23 for the press, shear and traction functions of the shear-press 1. This is mounted or transported by the operator in the cabin 22 of the loading machine 11 so as to be able to control the operations of the shear-press 1 without having to leave the cabin 22. It is thus possible to move the two machines 1 and 11 to remain close to each other during loading.

[0051] In the case of the invention, the site 14 is organized as shown in Figure 6 The scrap metal to be processed 5 is piled up in an area 16 along a curvilinear path B which is followed by both the shear-press 1 and the loading machine 11 during the cyclic processing of the scrap metal.

[0052] Firstly, the shear press 1 is positioned at the start of the curved zone 16 with the loading machine 11 nearby to take the scrap to be processed 5 and to fill the bin 4 of the shear press 1.

[0053] The shear press 1 is then started to carry out a processing cycle, to cut and compress the contents of the bin 4 which, at the end of the cycle, is discharged through the outlet 7 at the rear of the shear press 1. And then, the shear press 1 and the loading machine 11 are moved along the zone 16 for a new filling and a new processing cycle of the shear press 1 to cut and compact scrap. Since the processed scrap is ejected at the rear of the shear press and the latter is moved forward, the ejected processed scrap 5' does not hinder the movement of the shear press 1 and the loading machine 11.

[0054] The 5' processed scrap that is cleared from shear press 1 remains on site along path B which is now cleared of scrap, allowing easy access for loading onto trucks.

[0055] Route B is preferably a looped route with its starting and ending point close to access 15.

[0056] While both machines 1 and 11 are following the route towards the end of route B, a new quantity of scrap to be processed can be deposited along the cleared area 16 so that when the machines arrive at the end of loop B, they can attack the new quantity of scrap without waiting.

[0057] It is clear that the moving means 19 of the shear-press 1 do not necessarily have to be made in the form of tracks. For example, a self-propelled shear-press 1 on wheels is also suitable for the invention.

[0058] On some construction sites, the loading machine 11 is a stationary machine, for example in the form of a turret of a crane mounted on a column and able to take the scrap metal from all around because the turret can rotate 360° on the column.

[0059] A self-propelled shear press 1 according to the invention has the advantage of being able to limit the movements of the turret and the crane equipment in a sector where the scrap metal 5 is stored around the column and of allowing in the meantime to renew the exhausted stock at another location where the shear press 1 has just passed.

[0060] It is obvious that the invention is in no way limited to the examples described above but that numerous modifications can be made to the shear-press described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Shearing press (1) comprising: - a filling tray (4) for receiving scrap metal (5) to be processed, - an outlet (7) for processed scrap metal (5'), and - a horizontal hydraulic tappet (6) for releasing the scrap metal (5) from the filling tray (4) through the outlet (7), the outlet (7) being in the form of a vertical guillotine gate (8) with cutting blades for cutting through the scrap metal (5) which is released from the filling tray (4) via the hydraulic tappet (6), characterised in that it is self-powered and provided with a remote control (23) configured to control movements of the shearing press (1).

2. Shearing press (1) according to claim 1, wherein the remote control (23) is also configured to control operations of the shearing press (1).

3. Shearing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising traction crawlers (20) as movement means (19).

4. Shearing press (1) according to claim 3, wherein the movement means (19) are formed by a crawler track of two traction crawlers (20), each of which being individually driven by a hydraulic motor (21).

5. Shearing press (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising wheels as movement means (19).

6. Assembly formed by a shearing press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for processing scrap metal (5) and a filling vehicle (11) for loading the shearing press (1) with scrap metal (5) to be processed.

7. Assembly according to claim 6, wherein the filling vehicle (11) comprises an elevated cabin (22) to receive an operator and in which the remote control (23) is mounted or transported.

8. Assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the shearing press (1) and the filling vehicle (11) are two separate machines and configured to operate remotely from each other.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the filling vehicle (11) is static.

10. Assembly according to claim 9, wherein the filling vehicle (11) is a superstructure of a crane rotatably mounted on a static column.

11. Assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the filling vehicle (11) is mobile.

12. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the filling vehicle (11) is a mobile crane.

13. Working method for processing scrap metal (5) stored at a scrap-metal collecting site using: - a shearing press (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and - a filling vehicle (11) for loading the filling tray (4) with scrap metal (5) to be processed, the method comprising the following steps: - of providing a storage zone (16) with scrap metal (5) to be processed; - of proceeding cyclically with the: • movement of the shearing press (1), by means of the remote control (23), into the storage zone (16) or along the storage zone (16) within the range of the filling vehicle (11); • loading of the filling tray (4) with scrap metal (5) to be processed using the filling vehicle (11); • operating the shearing press to process the scrap metal (5) loaded into the filling tray (4) and to release the processed scrap metal (5') through the outlet (7); • movement of the shearing press (1), by means of the remote control (23), for the processing of a next pile of scrap metal (5) to be processed, by leaving in place the processed scrap metal (5') released from the shearing press (1).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the movements of the shearing press (1) are controlled by an operator of the filling vehicle (11), from a cabin (22) of the filling vehicle (11) in which the remote control (23) is mounted or transported.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the filling vehicle (11) is a superstructure of a crane rotatably mounted on a static column, the method further comprising cyclically renewing the scrap metal to be processed (5) at a location from which the shearing press (1) has moved after processing scrap metal (5).