Compacting device for soil

Abstract

The invention relates to a soil compaction device (1) comprising a compaction element, for example, a compaction plate (2). According to the invention, the compaction attachment (1) has two interspaced receiving sections (6) for receiving a rigid retaining element (17a, 17b) of a transport means (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a soil compaction device with a compactor plate.

[0002] Soil compaction equipment in the form of vibrating plates, plate compactors, or rollers, for example, is known as hydraulic attachment compactors, i.e., add-on equipment for excavators, particularly in trench and pipeline construction. In combination with quick-change systems and rotating heads, these cost-effective interchangeable devices offer cost savings and increased work safety, as construction workers no longer have to stay in trenches for compaction work.

[0003] Transport to the carrier device, i.e. the excavator or to the site of use is carried out using suitable transport equipment, such as steel cables, lifting ropes or lifting belts with load hooks in conjunction with special suspension devices. The soil compaction device is lifted onto a transport pallet using the transport equipment, which is then picked up and moved using a lifting fork of an appropriately equipped vehicle, such as a forklift truck or a lifting fork device on a wheel loader. The soil compaction device standing on the transport pallet is usually moved in an unsecured state. Particularly when braking or driving on an uneven road on a construction site, there is a risk of the soil compaction device slipping or tipping off the transport pallet. This can lead not only to damage the soil compaction device itself, but also to personal injury, which is why unsecured transport represents a safety risk.

[0004] EP 2 123 831 A2 and EP 1 936 037 A1 each describe a soil compaction device which can be coupled to an excavator arm.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a soil compaction device that is easy and safe to transport.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a soil compaction device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The rigid holding element of the transport means is a horizontal support of a fork tine of a lifting fork, which can be inserted into the receiving sections, which are spaced apart from one another and aligned in the longitudinal direction of this support. The invention has the particular advantage that the receiving sections arranged on the soil compactor enable safe transport without additional aids, with tipping of the soil compactor being prevented by the axial distance between the two receiving sections of a pair. By using two pairs of receiving sections, the soil compactor is also secured against tipping laterally.

[0008] The inventive design does not require any of the lifting devices described above, such as lifting ropes or lifting straps with load hooks, and does not require a transport pallet. The soil compactor can be moved or relocated using only a lifting fork. Transport to the next site on transport vehicles with a loading area, such as a truck, is easier because the soil compactor can be secured directly to the loading area. A further advantage is that without the transport pallet, the center of gravity of the assembly remains unchanged. This prevents the tipping moment of the soil compactor from changing, thus significantly improving and safer transport.

[0009] The invention is particularly advantageous because the soil compaction device is an attachment compactor that can be coupled to an excavator.

[0010] The receiving sections comprise two spaced-apart and aligned recesses or two spaced-apart and aligned areas of a single recess into which the complementary rigid holding element of the transport means can engage. The latter design takes into account the fact that the spaced-apart receiving sections do not necessarily have to be formed by separate parts. The only essential requirement is that the arrangement is such that the rigid holding element can be connected to the soil compaction device in a moment-rigid manner, at least in its longitudinal direction. The proposed recess is cost-effective and easy to implement and can even be retrofitted to existing soil compaction devices. Furthermore, it requires a particularly stable structure. The load-bearing part of the transport means can accommodate the compactor particularly easily.

[0011] The recess has a rectangular shape, which allows the soil compaction device to be stored particularly securely, as the forks of lifting forks are at least largely enclosed circumferentially in the receiving sections. In addition, the forks of lifting forks also usually have a rectangular cross-section, so that a type of positive connection is achieved which can transmit a moment around the longitudinal axis of the fork. However, other shapes, such as semi-circular designs or similar, are also conceivable. In this case, the load-bearing part of the receiving section is always enclosed circumferentially, at least in sections. This ensures that the soil compaction device cannot slip sideways or tip over. Even in extreme inclines due to uneven terrain on construction sites, the soil compaction device cannot become detached from the transport vehicle.

[0012] As already mentioned, the rigid holding element is a fork of a lifting fork, for example, a forklift. To transport the soil compactor, the lifting fork can be detached from the forklift and secured to the truck. Alternatively, the lifting fork can be removed from the mounting sections and the soil compactor secured to the truck using the mounting sections. This makes transport particularly easy and safe.

[0013] Furthermore, the soil compactor can include at least one adapter that can be inserted into the recess to close the recess and / or to attach variously designed holding devices. This allows the soil compactor to be lifted not only with a lifting fork, but also with other lifting devices, such as rods or similar, or even smaller lifting forks. When the soil compactor is in use, the recesses are protected from contamination.

[0014] Preferably, the compaction element is connected to an upper part of the soil compaction device via connecting devices, and a receiving section is formed in at least one connecting device. This has the advantage that the provision of the receiving sections does not require any modifications to other components of the soil compaction device, which saves costs and facilitates the aforementioned retrofitting.

[0015] In a further development, at least one connecting device comprises a lower support structure connected to the compaction element and an upper support structure connected to the upper part. A buffer device is arranged between the lower support structure and the upper support structure. Such a buffer device can be, for example, a metal-rubber buffer. The support structures are particularly stable and often structurally simple, so that the arrangement of the receiving sections there can be easily implemented.

[0016] In a further embodiment, it can preferably be provided that the receiving sections are formed on an upper part of the soil compaction device. This places the center of gravity below the point of engagement of the holding element, thereby reducing the risk of tipping. It can also be provided that the receiving sections there are designed in the form of rings or hooks to enable the device to be lifted by means of a crane. This allows the compactor to be easily lifted from confined loading areas or lower parking spaces.

[0017] A further embodiment of the invention provides for the receiving sections to be arranged on the upper side of the compacting element. This allows for additional shapes of the receiving sections, such as hooks, eyes, etc., and allows for easy retrofitting by replacing the compacting element.

[0018] It is also proposed that the receiving sections be arranged in or on a coupling section for coupling the soil compaction device to a construction machine. The coupling section can be a quick coupler, such as those commonly used for coupling an attachment compactor to an excavator arm. This is the uppermost section of a soil compaction device, so that the center of gravity is below the receiving sections, thus eliminating the risk of tipping.

[0019] It is also possible for the receiving sections to be located in a common recess. The advantage of this design is its particularly simple and therefore inexpensive construction.

[0020] In a transport system comprising the receiving sections of the soil compaction device and the transport means, the transport means can comprise at least one securing device which prevents the holding element of the transport means from being released from the receiving sections of the soil compaction device.

[0021] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing. These features may be important for the invention both individually and in various combinations. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a soil compaction device in the form of an attachment compactor with receiving sections; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the attachment compactor from Figure 1 with lifting forks inserted into the receiving sections; Fig. 3two spaced apart receiving sections of the add-on compressor of Figure 2 with a fork of a lifting fork in an exploded view; Figure 4 a side view of a compactor plate with alternative receiving sections; Figure 5 a representation similar to Figure 4 with alternative recording sections; Figure 6 a perspective view of a dome section of a soil compaction device with receiving sections; and Figure 7 a representation similar to Figure 6 with alternatively arranged receiving sections.

[0022] In the Figure 11 shows a soil compaction device in the form of an attachment compactor 1, which has a compactor plate 2 as a compaction element. The compactor plate 2 is connected to an upper part 5 of the attachment compactor 1 via four connecting devices 3 with buffer devices 4, in particular metal-rubber buffers. It has a substantially flat structure with an angled front end face (no reference numeral) and an angled rear end face (no reference numeral).

[0023] The connecting devices 3 are arranged opposite one another in pairs, namely a first pair adjacent to the front end face and a second pair adjacent to the rear end face of the compressor plate 2, and each have a recess 6 in their lower region facing the compressor plate 2, the central axis of which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the Figure 1The recesses 6 of a pair, which are aligned with one another and spaced apart from one another in this way, form in this embodiment, in a manner to be shown, receiving sections each for a holding element of a means of transport.

[0024] The attachment compactor 1 is attached to an excavator arm 8 via a coupling section 7. The coupling section 7 can be designed as a quick-change system, whereby a mechanical and hydraulic connection to an excavator (not shown) can be easily established. A rotary motor 9 is located below the coupling section 7, via which the attachment compactor 1 can be rotated relative to the excavator arm 8 by a Figure 1 vertical and dot-dash axis is rotatable.

[0025] The compactor plate 2 is set in motion by an imbalance generator 10, which is driven by a hydraulic motor 11. The hydraulic motor 11 is connected to the compressor via the coupling section 7 and hydraulic lines 12 (in the Fig.1 indicated) hydraulically connected to the excavator's hydraulic system.

[0026] In the Figure 2 is a perspective and somewhat more detailed view of the add-on compactor 1 according to the invention of Figure 1 shown. In this embodiment, the add-on compactor 1 has, as mentioned, four connecting devices 3a-3d, which connect the compactor plate 2 to the upper part 5. The connecting devices 3a-3d are each designed in several parts, with each connecting device 3a-3d in this case being constructed from three components, namely a lower support structure 13, an upper support structure 14, and the buffer devices 4 arranged between them.

[0027] The upper support structure 14 is a metal plate which is fastened to the upper part 5 at an angle to a central axis (without reference symbol) thereof, i.e. tilted obliquely inwards, so to speak. One side of the buffer device 4 is fastened to the upper support structure 14 via connecting means, such as screws. In this embodiment, the buffer devices 4 are designed as single-shell hyperboloids with fastening means on both ends, but can also have other cylindrical shapes. The lower support structure 13 is also a metal plate which is fastened to the compactor plate 2 and is arranged parallel to the corresponding metal plate of the upper support structure 14, i.e. tilted outwards as seen from the compactor plate 2. The other side of the buffer device 4 is fastened to the metal plate of the lower support structure 13.

[0028] The lower support structure 13 has a rectangular shape, with a side edge 13a curved outwards towards the compactor plate 2 (see Figure 3 ). The lower support structure 13 is fastened by welding to the upper side of the compactor plate 2, wherein, as mentioned, it is spaced parallel to the upper support structure 14 and thus arranged at the same angle as the latter to the compactor plate 2. Furthermore, on the side of the lower support structure 13 facing away from the buffer device 4, a wedge element (without reference number) is provided laterally of the recess 6 on both sides in order to give the lower support structure 13 additional stability. The wedge element is also made of a metal plate. On the side of the lower support structure 13 adjacent to the compactor plate 2, the recess 6 is formed in the center, which in this case is rectangular.

[0029] Two of the connecting devices 3a-d are arranged along an axis A (in Figure 3 shown as a dashed line) are arranged axially aligned at a distance B from one another, so that the recesses 6 of two connecting devices 3a-d each lie on the axis A. The distance B is measured according to the width in the lower region of the upper part 5. The connecting device 3a is designed to be axially symmetrical to the connecting device 3b around an axis C which is perpendicular to the axis A.

[0030] A rigid holding element 19 of a transport means in the form of a lifting fork 16 can be inserted into the mutually aligned recesses 6 of a pair of recesses 6. Such a lifting fork 16 can belong to a forklift or a lifting fork device on a wheel loader. The lifting fork 16 has two angled fork tines 17a, 17b, which are arranged parallel to one another at an adjustable distance by means of a suspension plate (not shown). The fork tines 17a, 17b each consist of a rectangular component, which has a support 18 that is generally vertical in the use position and a support 19 that is generally horizontal in the use position, which forms the actual rigid holding element that cooperates with the recesses or receiving sections 6 and serves to receive the load.To attach the forks 17a, 17b to the suspension plate, mutually directed, right-angled hooks 20 are arranged on the vertical support 18 of the forks 17a, 17b.

[0031] In the Figure 2 Both fork tines 17a, 17b are inserted into the respective pairs of recesses 6. In the Figure 3 This area is only for one fork 17a and the corresponding Figure 2front recesses 6 are shown as an exploded view, cut out. Due to the connecting devices 3a, 3b arranged at a distance B from one another, the fork tine 17a can be inserted almost over its entire length into the recesses 6 arranged in axial alignment with one another. A bore 21 is provided in the front end region of the horizontal support 19 (i.e. in the region of the free end of the support 19). After the fork tine 17a has been inserted into the recesses 6, securing means such as bolts, hooks or chains can be inserted into this bore 21 in order to prevent the add-on compactor 1 from slipping during relocation or transport.

[0032] The recesses 6 are sized to accommodate fork tines 17a, 17b of conventional lifting forks 16. Adapters (not shown) can also be inserted into the recesses 6 to enable the use of smaller lifting forks 16, to mount additional securing devices or the like, or to close the recesses 6 if necessary.

[0033] For example, the following procedure is used for transport: First, the forklift truck approaches the add-on compactor 1 standing on the ground and pushes the two holding elements or supports 19 of the lifting forks 16 into the pairs of recesses 6. The above-mentioned securing devices are then inserted into the holes 21. The forklift truck then lifts the add-on compactor 1 and unloads it onto the bed of a truck. The two lifting forks 16 of the forklift truck are then removed from the recesses 6, and the add-on compactor 1 is attached to the truck using other means that interact with the recesses 6, such as ropes or straps. In this way, the add-on compactor 1 is transported to the construction site. There, the lifting forks 16 are reattached to a forklift truck so that the truck can lift the add-on compactor 1 from the bed of the truck and place it on the ground.After removing the securing devices from the holes 21, the retaining elements 19 of the fork tines 17a, 17b are pulled out of the recesses 6. The attachment compactor 1 is now attached to the excavator and used.

[0034] The Figures 4 to 7 show alternative positions and alternative configurations of the receiving sections 6. Elements and regions that have equivalent functions to previously described elements and regions bear the same reference numerals. They will not be described again below.

[0035] In Figure 4Two adjacent receiving sections 6 are provided in a single recess 22 formed by a bracket 23 welded to the top of the compactor plate 2 near its longitudinal edge. An identical bracket (not visible) is welded to the opposite longitudinal edge of the compactor plate 2 and in turn comprises two adjacent receiving sections 6. The horizontal supports 19 of the two lifting forks are in Figure 4 indicated by dotted lines.

[0036] Figure 5 shows a Figure 4 very similar embodiment, in which the length of the bracket 23 is however significantly shorter and therefore the two adjacent receiving sections 6 within a bracket 23 are significantly closer to each other.

[0037] Figure 6shows an add-on compressor 1 in which the receiving sections are provided in the form of rectangular recesses 6 in lateral support walls 24 of the coupling section 7 designed as a quick-change device.

[0038] Figure 7 again shows an add-on compressor 1 in which the receiving sections 6 are provided in four brackets 23 which are welded to the underside of a support plate 25 of the coupling section 7 designed as a quick-change device.

Claims

1. Soil compacting device (1) with a compacting element (2), having a first pair of mutually spaced receiving portions (6) for receiving a first rigid holding element of a transport means in the form of a first fork tine (19) of a lifting fork (16), and a second pair of mutually spaced receiving portions (6) for receiving a second rigid holding element of a transport means in the form of a second fork tine (19) of a lifting fork (16), wherein the receiving portions of a pair are formed by two mutually spaced and axially aligned recesses (6) or by two mutually spaced and axially aligned regions of a single recess (6), which recesses (6) are configured such that the respective fork tine (19) of the lifting fork (16) can engage therein, and wherein the soil compacting device is an attachment compactor which can be coupled to an excavator (8),and wherein the recesses (6) have a rectangular shape, and wherein the compacting element (2) is connected via connecting devices (3a-3d) to an upper part (5) of the soil compacting device (1), and the receiving portions (6) are formed in at least one connecting device (3a-3d) or the receiving portions are formed on an upper part of the soil compacting device or the receiving portions (6) are arranged on a top side of the compacting element (2).

2. Soil compacting device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the compacting element is a vibratory plate, a compacter plate (2) or a roller.

3. Soil compacting device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one adapter which can be inserted in the recesses for closing the recesses (6) and / or for fixing holding means (16) of various designs.

4. Soil compacting device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one connecting device (3a-3d) has a lower supporting structure (13) which is connected to the compacting element (2), an upper supporting structure (14) which is connected to the upper part (5), and at least one buffer device (4) arranged between the lower supporting structure (13) and the upper supporting structure (14), and that the receiving portions (6) are formed in the lower and / or the upper supporting structure (14).

5. Soil compacting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that all receiving portions (6) are present in a common recess (22).

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