Milling box with snow flow regulation system for snow-operated vehicles

Abstract

Snow flow regulation system for regulating the snow flow within a milling box (4) carried by a snow groomer, which partially surrounds at least one horizontal and rotatable milling shaft (2) arranged transversely to the direction of travel and extends over the entire length of the milling shaft, wherein the milling box (4) is mounted on a support frame (6) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (15) and height-adjustable relative to a snow surface (40) by means of an adjusting device (10), wherein the adjusting device has at least one hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder arrangement (10) which is pivotably mounted at one end (12) on the support frame (6) and is mounted at the other end (22) on a bracket (27, 28) on the outlet area (26) of the milling box (4) facing away from the vehicle in order to pivot the outlet area (26) relative to the support frame (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a snow flow regulation system for regulating the snow flow within a milling box carried by a snow groomer according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a milling unit comprises at least one rear-mounted milling cutter and is mounted to a vehicle, preferably a snow groomer or snow removal vehicle, via a coupling device for slope preparation. A support frame consisting of at least one cross member and at least two parallel longitudinal members is typically used, with the milling unit being pivotable about a horizontal axis and height-adjustable relative to the snow surface by means of a hydraulically actuated positioning device.

[0003] The milling box partially surrounds the horizontal and rotatable milling shaft, which is arranged transversely to the direction of travel, and extends over the entire length of the milling shaft, with at least one smoothing board for leveling the snow surface being mounted on the milling box, which is mounted on and downstream of the outlet area of ​​the milling box facing away from the vehicle.

[0004] Most winter sports enthusiasts prefer a homogeneous slope with as little damage or icing as possible, without waves, cross slopes, holes or accumulations of soft snow.

[0005] The main task of slope preparation is to compact fresh snow, mix it with the underlying old snow, and create a stable base layer. This allows for the compensation of slope damage caused by weather and winter sports enthusiasts, for example, by removing snow, milling away ice layers, and optimally distributing the snow across the slope.

[0006] During slope preparation, the snow layers mixed by the snow groomer with its front blade, front snow blower, track links, and rear blower, or the compacted fresh snow, are leveled by the smoothing board, which is made of plastic or rubber. The smoothing board, also called a finisher, preferably has profiles on its underside that create the characteristic longitudinal grooves when driven over the compacted snow.

[0007] The milling action of the rear-mounted snow blower breaks up larger clumps of snow and ice and smooths out the deep tracks left by the caterpillar tracks.

[0008] Such a rear-mounted snow blower is known from DE 10 2013 204 723 A1. The milling shaft shown here is rotatably mounted in a milling box of the rear-mounted snow blower and is driven by a hydraulic or electric motor. When the snow groomer is in operation with the rear-mounted snow blower attached, the milling shaft is driven in such a way that the snow chunks milled from the snow surface to be processed are thrown upwards and forwards in front of the milling shaft over approximately three-quarters of a turn. During this process, the snow chunks are continuously thrown against a baffle wall surrounding the milling shaft in the milling box, from which they are flung back onto the rotating milling teeth of the milling shaft. This snow flow regulation system inevitably results in the crushing of the snow chunks.Behind the milling shaft, a smoothing device with an elastically movable finisher is provided on the milling box, which smooths and compresses the crushed snow chunks.

[0009] In the interest of sustainable, resource-conserving and environmentally oriented operation of a ski slope, efforts are made to optimize slope preparation and snow management, as this often also represents a cost factor for the operator of a ski slope.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a snow flow regulation system of a rear-mounted snow blower of the type mentioned above in such a way that, compared to the prior art, a further improved preparation of snow surfaces for winter sports is possible in order to achieve an evenly distributed, compact layer of snow on the ski slope.

[0011] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0012] An advantageous feature is that the positioning device of the milling box has at least one hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder arrangement, which is pivotably mounted at one end on the support frame and at the other end on a bracket on the outlet area of ​​the milling box facing away from the vehicle, in order to pivot the outlet area relative to the support frame.

[0013] The size and dimensions of the snow particles flowing within the milling box can be regulated. In particular, the quantity and size of the snow chunks can be controlled to influence the size of the snow chunks exiting the milling box.

[0014] Thus, the milling box can be pivoted around a horizontal axis by means of the adjusting device and is mounted on a support frame in a height-adjustable manner relative to the snow surface, which allows the distance between the snow guide edge on the underside of the outlet area and the snow surface to be changed.

[0015] This distance affects the amount of snow that is conveyed into the milling box.

[0016] The support frame consists of at least one crossbeam and at least two parallel longitudinal beams and can be mounted to the snow groomer for preparing the snow surface of a piste by means of a coupling device. At least one smoothing board for leveling the snow surface is mounted on the milling box, positioned downstream of and at the outlet area of ​​the milling box on the side furthest from the vehicle. While the distance between the snow guide edge and the snow surface is adjustable, the smoothing board remains in constant contact with the snow surface. The smoothing board is pressed onto the snow surface by a pressure bar on the support frame.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a serrated strut is present in the area and longitudinal direction of the snow guide edge, the structure of which additionally acts on the snow chunks.

[0018] This strut can be screwed on in a replaceable manner and exchanged for a straight strut. The angle of the strut's alignment can also be adjusted according to snow conditions.

[0019] The pressure point of the pressure bar on the snow surface thus forms a support for lifting the snow guide edge, whereby part of the smoothing board is pressed onto the snow surface, while the part of the smoothing board mounted in the area of ​​the milling box is lifted from the snow surface. This limits the possibility of large chunks of snow exiting the milling box. The snow flow, thus prevented from exiting, remains in the milling box longer and circulates around the milling shaft at least once.

[0020] Preferably, two piston and cylinder arrangements are provided for actuating the outlet area of ​​the milling box, which are spaced apart and essentially parallel to each other.

[0021] An upper mounting eye of the piston and cylinder assembly is rotatably mounted between two side walls fixed to the support frame, and a lower mounting eye of the piston and cylinder assembly is rotatably mounted between two side walls fixed to the milling box.

[0022] However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further embodiments also include one-sided attachment of an upper or lower mounting eye. For example, only a side wall fixed to the support frame or milling box can be present on one side of a mounting eye to achieve this single attachment.

[0023] Thus, an upper mounting eye of the piston and cylinder assembly is rotatably mounted on at least one side wall fixed to the support frame, and a lower mounting eye of the piston and cylinder assembly is rotatably mounted on at least one side wall fixed to the milling box.

[0024] Preferably, at least one further piston and cylinder arrangement is provided that regulates the pressure of the pressure bar on the smoothing board.

[0025] In addition to the adjustable distance between the snow guide edge and the snow surface, the flow of snow conveyed into the milling box can be directed by at least one control flap inside the milling box.

[0026] The at least one control flap is also curved according to the curved shape of the inner surface of the milling box and extends in the direction of the milling shaft, whereby other shapes are also possible.

[0027] By using at least two control flaps mounted on the lateral ends of the milling shaft on the milling box, the snow flow within the milling box can be advantageously regulated. This prevents the snow from exiting the milling box laterally and allows it to be directed onto the milling teeth of the milling shaft according to their orientation.

[0028] In other applications, eight to ten control flaps are used, which can be controlled individually or simultaneously. For example, four control caps on one side and four control flaps on the other side can be aligned in opposite directions to direct the snow towards the center of the milling box.

[0029] Alternatively, a number of opposing control flaps can direct the snow towards the center, onto at least one central control flap positioned between them, which then directs the snow in a straight line relative to the milling box. All control flaps can also be aligned in the same way to direct the snow, for example, to the side of the milling box facing away from the slope, i.e., in a specific direction.

[0030] The control flap can be pivoted by means of a shaft, which forms the axis of rotation of the control flap and via which the angle of attack of the control flap relative to the milling shaft can be changed.

[0031] In a first embodiment, the shaft can be operated manually, and in a second embodiment, it can be operated by means of electric or pneumatic actuators. Thus, based on recorded measurements, the control flaps can be positioned so that the desired amount of snow is always conveyed and directed onto the milling shaft within the milling box. This is particularly important when operating on slopes, as experience has shown that the side of the milling box facing downhill has a greater snow flow than the side facing uphill.

[0032] In another embodiment, the optimal position of the control flaps is determined via a computer-aided evaluation unit. For example, a steering movement during a curve can be detected, and the control flaps can then be adjusted so that, for instance, a larger amount of snow is moved to the outside of the curve.

[0033] This allows the control flaps to work in symbiosis with the machine, both through manual and automatic adjustment.

[0034] The control flaps can be arranged at the front of the milling box, i.e., in the direction of travel, or at the rear of the milling box at the outlet, relative to the milling shaft. Preferably, there are 6 to 12 control flaps, although the invention is not limited to this number.

[0035] This eliminates the need to adjust the teeth of the milling shaft, as the snow flow can now be directed to the center of the shaft or another desired orientation by means of the control flaps.

[0036] The inventive improvement for snow flow regulation, compared to the prior art, enables the transport of a significantly larger quantity of snow chunks over the milling shaft and forward in front of it, thus allowing for efficient crushing of the snow grain size by the milling teeth of the milling shaft. By reducing the potential for large chunks to exit laterally and / or from the side of the milling box facing away from the vehicle, due to a reduced distance between the snow guide edge and the snow surface, a larger quantity of snow remains in the milling box for a longer period, allowing the snow chunks to be crushed.

[0037] A large portion of the milled snow is transported back in front of the milling shaft over approximately three-quarters of a turn, resulting in significantly improved crushing of the snow chunks and snow grain sizes between the milling teeth and the impact wall of the milling box. This leads to a very fine-grained surface on the treated snow slope and, consequently, to improved and particularly uniform snow compaction when used with a subsequent smoothing board.

[0038] The snow flow regulation according to the invention within the milling box thus makes it possible to influence the size and dimensions of the snow chunks expelled from the milling box, so that these, adapted to the weather conditions, form an ideal surface for skiers.

[0039] In another embodiment, additional fins are provided in the area of ​​the smoothing board, which stabilize the milling unit against lateral movements and counteract any potential floating of the milling box. The more snow there is in the milling box, the more it tends to float. The fins then counteract such floating movements and further stabilize the box.

[0040] The subject matter of the present invention is not only derived from the subject matter of the individual patent claims, but also from the combination of the individual patent claims with one another.

[0041] All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the abstract, and in particular the spatial configuration shown in the drawings, could be claimed as essential to the invention, insofar as they are novel individually or in combination compared to the prior art. The use of the terms "essential," "according to the invention," or "essential to the invention" is subjective and does not imply that the features so designated must necessarily be part of one or more patent claims.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings illustrating only one embodiment. Further essential features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and their description.

[0043] They show: Figure 1: A schematic view of a rear-mounted rotary tiller. Figure 2: A front view of the rear-mounted rotary tiller according to an alternative embodiment. Figure 3: A side view of the rear-mounted rotary tiller according to a further embodiment. Figure 4: A perspective view of the rear-mounted rotary tiller illustrating aspects of the present invention. Figure 5: A further perspective detail view of the rear-mounted rotary tiller. Figure 6: A detail view of the bearing of a piston and cylinder assembly. Figure 7: A detail view of the bearing of a piston and cylinder assembly. Figure 8: A side view of the rear-mounted rotary tiller according to a further embodiment. Figure 9: A schematic front view of a rear-mounted rotary tiller with control flaps. Figure 10: A schematic front view of the control flap actuation.

[0044] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a rear-mounted rotary tiller 1 for preparing the snow surface 40 of a ski slope, with a coupling device 5 for attaching the rear-mounted rotary tiller 1 to a vehicle not shown.

[0045] A support frame 6, formed from at least one crossbeam 24 and at least two parallel longitudinal beams 25, is attached to the coupling device 5, wherein a milling box 4 is mounted on the support frame 6 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis 15 and height-adjustable relative to the snow surface 40 by means of two hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangements 10.

[0046] The milling box 4 at least partially surrounds a horizontally and transversely arranged rotatable milling shaft 2 and extends over the entire length of the milling shaft. A hydraulically actuated drive and converter (not shown) is attached to the rear-mounted milling unit, which forces the milling shaft to rotate.

[0047] A smoothing board 9 for leveling the snow surface 40 is stored on the milling box 4, which is mounted on the area 26 of the milling box 4 facing away from the vehicle and is subordinate to it.

[0048] Figure 2Figure 1 shows the front view of the support frame 6, with an upper crossbeam 24a and a lower crossbeam 24b, which are connected to each other via the longitudinal beams 25. The crossbeams in turn hold the pressure beam 8, which presses the smoothing board 9 down against the snow surface 40.

[0049] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a side view of another embodiment in which further cylinder and piston assemblies 34 are mounted on the support frame 6 to control the pressure of the pressure beam 8. For this purpose, the piston and cylinder assembly 34 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal beam 25 via a mounting eye 35. The mounting eye 36 opposite the mounting eye 35 at the other end of the cylinder and piston assemblies 34 is pivotally connected to the upper surface of the receptacle 37, the underside of which is connected to a connecting element 39.

[0050] Since there are two piston and cylinder units 34, each mounted on a longitudinal beam 25, there are also two connecting elements 39 that hold a transverse crossbeam 38, on the underside of which rubber bearings 33 are attached. These rubber bearings 33 establish a connection between the crossbeam 38 and the pressure bar 8 located below it.

[0051] Furthermore, it follows from Figure 3 The piston and cylinder unit 10 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal member 23 via the upper mounting eye 12 and engages the other end of the cylinder and piston assembly 10 at the front, i.e., at the exhaust area 26 of the milling box 4, via the lower mounting eye 22. Thus, the milling box 4 can be moved relative to the longitudinal member 25.

[0052] For this purpose, the milling box 4 is attached to the area opposite the outlet area 26 on an axis 15, which forms the pivot point for the movement of the milling box 4 along the direction of arrow 51. Depending on the swivel angle with respect to the direction of arrow 51, caused by the positioning movement of the cylinder and piston assembly 10, the distance 52 between the snow surface 40 and the outlet area 26, i.e., the snow guide edge 16, also changes.

[0053] A defined portion of the milled snow, represented by the snow chunks 53 on the snow surface 40, is transported in front of the milling shaft 2 over approximately three-quarters of a revolution, thereby significantly improving the size of the snow chunks between the milling teeth and the impact wall 54 of the milling box. This results in a high degree of fineness on the treated snow slope surface.

[0054] The piston and cylinder unit 10 thus regulate the snow flow within the milling box 4, since, through a position of the piston of the unit, snow chunks 53 enter the milling box 4, but these can no longer flow out of it so easily, as the low snow guide edge 16 prevents premature exit of the milling box before the snow chunks have been appropriately crushed.

[0055] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows the longitudinal member 25, which has two housing-fixed side plates 17, 18 on its front side facing away from the vehicle, between which the upper mounting eye 12 of the piston and cylinder unit 10 is mounted. Below this, the longitudinal member 25 is angled forward and transitions into an approximately horizontal boom 7. The pressure bar 8 is mounted on this boom 7 and presses down onto the surface 31 of the finishing board 9.

[0056] In the bending area between the side cheeks 17, 18 and the cantilever 7, the longitudinal beam 25 is covered above the plate 19.

[0057] Below the longitudinal beam 25 are the side plates 27, 28, which are fixedly mounted to the milling box 4. The lower mounting eye of the piston and cylinder unit 10 is mounted between these plates, thus acting directly on the outlet area 26 of the milling box 4. By extending the piston of the cylinder and piston assembly 10, the distance 52 between the snow guide edge 26, located below the outlet area 26, and the snow surface 40 can be reduced. Conversely, by retracting the piston of the cylinder and piston assembly 10, the distance 52 between the snow guide edge 26 and the snow surface 40 can be increased.

[0058] Figure 5Figure 1 shows another perspective view of the longitudinal beam side walls 17, 18 and the outlet area side wall 28, with the parallel side wall 27 not visible. A cylinder and piston assembly 10, represented by a hydraulic cylinder, is guided between the side walls 17, 28, 27, 28.

[0059] Figure 6 shows a top view of the representation according to Figure 5 The bolt 23 is inserted through the lower mounting eye 22 to connect the cylinder and piston assembly 10 to the side walls 27, 28 of the outlet area 26. The cylinder and piston assembly 10 has front hydraulic connections 11.

[0060] Figure 7 Figure 1 shows how the upper mounting eye 12 is also mounted between the side plates 17, 18. A bolt 13 is guided through the mounting eye 12 so that the eye can rotate. The plate 19 serves for stabilization.

[0061] Figure 8 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of the invention, wherein a control flap 42 can be actuated via a shaft 43. The shaft 43 simultaneously forms the horizontal axis of rotation of the control flap 42 and can, for example, be actuated and locked via the control lever 44. In a further embodiment, the actuation of the control flap can also be effected via a hydraulic or electric actuator.

[0062] For example, a hydraulic cylinder can be used to actuate the control flaps.

[0063] A measuring device 41 detects the amount of snow passing over the snow guide edge 16, which is conveyed into the milling box 4. Based on the measurement result of the measuring device 41, one or more control flaps can be aligned to regulate the snow flow towards the milling box and the milling shaft 2.

[0064] In the non-manual embodiment of the control flap adjustment, the measured values ​​of the measuring device 41 act directly on the actuator of the control flap 42 in order to regulate the snow flow accordingly.

[0065] Figure 9 Figure 1 shows the movement of several control flaps 42 around the axis of rotation formed by the shaft 43. The control flaps 42 can thus be pivoted along the direction of arrow 45.

[0066] Figure 10 Figure 1 shows an example of an actuator for moving the control flaps 42. This is a control cylinder 47, which controls the movement along the direction of arrow 45 via its piston rod 46, which can be extended along the path 49. For this purpose, the piston rod 46 is connected via a coupling point 50 to a connecting rod 48, which in turn is connected to all the control flaps 42, thus transmitting a movement of the piston rod 46 directly to the control flaps 42, which can therefore be pivoted along the direction of the arrow. Drawing legend

[0067] 1 Rear tiller 2 Milling shaft 3 Rotary axis 4 Milling box 5 Coupling device 6 Support frame 7 Boom 8 Pressure bar 9 Finisher board 10 Cylinder and piston assembly 11 Hydraulic connections 12 Mounting eye (top) 13 Bolt 14 Rubber buffer 15 Axle 16 Snow guide edge 17 Side plate (top) 18 Side plate (top) 19 Plate 20 Angle bracket 21 Bearing (ball bearing) 22 Mounting eye (bottom) 23 Bolt 24a, b Crossbeam 25 Longitudinal beam 26 Outlet area 27 Side plate (bottom) 28 Side plate (bottom) 29 Finisher board mount 30 Bolted connection 31 Surface (of 9) 32 Joint 33 Rubber bearing 34 Cylinder and piston assembly 35 Mounting eye 36 Mounting eye 37 Mounting 38 Crossbeam 39 Connecting element 40 Snow surface 41 Measuring device 42 Control flap 43 Shaft 44 Control lever 45 Arrow direction 46 Piston rod 47 Control cylinder 48 Connecting rod 49 Travel distance 50 Coupling point 51 Arrow direction 52 Distance 53 Snow clod 54 Baffle 55 Arrow direction

Claims

1. Snow flow regulation system for regulating the snow flow within a milling box (4) carried by a snow groomer, which partially surrounds at least one horizontal and transversely to the direction of travel rotatable milling shaft (2) and extends over the entire milling shaft length, wherein the milling box (4) is pivotable about a support frame-side horizontal axis (15) by means of an adjusting device (10) and is mounted on a snow surface-supported support frame (6) in a height-adjustable manner relative to a snow surface (40), characterized in that the actuating device has at least one hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder arrangement (10) which is pivotally mounted at one end (12) on the support frame (6) and is mounted at the other end (22) on a holder (27, 28) on the outlet region (26) of the milling box (4) facing away from the vehicle in order to pivot the outlet region (26) relative to the support frame (6).

2. Snow flow regulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame (6) is formed from at least one cross member (24) and at least two parallel longitudinal members (25), and can be mounted on the piste vehicle by means of a coupling device (5) for preparing the snow surface of a piste (40), and that at least one smoothing board (9) for leveling the snow surface (40) is mounted on the milling box (4), which is mounted on the outlet area (26) of the milling box (4) facing away from the vehicle and is arranged downstream thereof.

3. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that two piston and cylinder arrangements (10) for actuating the outlet region (26) are provided, which are spaced apart and aligned substantially parallel to one another.

4. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatan upper fastening eye (12) of the piston and cylinder arrangement (10) is rotatably mounted on at least one side cheek (17, 18) fixed to the support frame, and that a lower fastening eye (22) of the piston and cylinder arrangement (10) is rotatably mounted on at least one side cheek (27, 28) fixed to the milling box.

5. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one further piston and cylinder arrangement (34) is present which regulates the pressure of a pressure bar (8) on the smoothing board (9).

6. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flow of snow conveyed in the milling box (4) is controlled by at least one control flap (42) within the milling box (4).

7. Snow flow regulation system according to claim 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe at least one control flap (42) is also curved in accordance with the curved shape of the inner surface of the milling box (4) and extends in the direction of the milling shaft (2).

8. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control flap (42) can be pivoted by means of a shaft (43) which forms the axis of rotation of the control flap (42) and via which the angle of attack of the control flap with respect to the milling shaft (2) can be changed.

9. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the shaft (43) can be operated manually.

10. Snow flow regulation system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the shaft (43) can be actuated by means of an electric or pneumatic actuator and can be automatically controlled by a computing unit on the basis of measurement results.

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