Device for ground consolidation

Abstract

The application relates to a device for soil stabilization comprising a chassis (2), a vehicle body (3) and a milling arm (5) connected to the vehicle body (3) by means of a connecting arm (4), wherein the connecting arm (4) is held on the vehicle body (3) so as to be translationally displaceable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (LAF) of the chassis (2), wherein the milling arm (5) has a milling chain (6) on which a plurality of milling tools (7) are provided and wherein a feed device (8) for a soil stabilization agent is provided, which has an outlet opening in the region of the milling arm (5), wherein the milling tools (7) are formed by pin-shaped milling bits.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for soil stabilization.

[0002] Devices for soil stabilization are already known.

[0003] From the publication DE 195 42 031 A1, a device is known that uses a chain guided on a milling arm to mill the soil in the area of ​​a vertical trench and supplies a soil stabilizing agent during the milling process. This creates a mixture of the loosened soil material and the soil stabilizing agent. After the mixture hardens, soil stabilization is achieved.

[0004] The problem with the known device is that the milling process requires a high drive power of the motor that drives the milling chain.

[0005] Based on this, it is the object of the invention to provide a device which enables a high milling performance and a good mixing of the loosened soil material with the soil stabilizing agent with reduced power requirements.

[0006] The object is achieved by a device having the features of independent patent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a device for soil stabilization is disclosed, comprising a chassis, a vehicle body, and a milling arm connected to the vehicle body by means of a connecting arm. The connecting arm is held on the vehicle body so as to be translationally displaceable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The milling arm has a milling chain on which a plurality of milling tools are provided. In addition, a feed device for a soil stabilization agent is provided, which has an outlet opening in the region of the milling arm. The milling tools are formed by pin-shaped milling bits. These milling bits are, in particular, straight, i.e., not angled.

[0008] The technical advantage of the device is that, by using pin-shaped milling chisels, which are particularly round-shanked chisels, the milling chain can be pulled through the soil to be milled with less effort. The invention is based on the finding that, despite the use of pin-shaped milling chisels, a good loosening of the soil material and thorough mixing of the soil material with the soil stabilizing agent can be achieved.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the milling tools are arranged at least partially in rows that run transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of travel of the milling chain. This allows a milling effect across the entire width of the milling arm to be achieved despite the use of pin-shaped milling tools.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a pair of pin-shaped cutters are arranged laterally next to one another in a row of cutters. The cutters can, for example, be held in a plate-shaped tool carrier that is attached, in particular screwed, to the outer circumferential surface of the cutter chain. It is understood that more than two cutters can be arranged laterally next to one another per row, particularly if the width of the cutter chain measured perpendicular to the running direction is so large that two cutters spaced apart from one another cannot loosen the soil across the entire width.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the spacing of the cutters in a row of cutters, measured transversely to the direction of travel of the cutter chain, varies between consecutive rows in the direction of travel. This varying spacing offers the technical advantage that the cutters in successive rows are moved through the soil at different positions transversely to the direction of travel of the chain, thus achieving uniform removal of the soil material. Furthermore, the soil material is deflected laterally by the lateral offset of the cutters in consecutive rows, which improves the mixing of the soil material with the soil stabilizing agent in the trench.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the distance measured transversely to the running direction of the milling chain between the milling bits arranged in a row changes periodically in the running direction of the milling chain. This means, in particular, that the distance between the milling bits in the running direction either continuously decreases or increases across several rows of milling bits. The distance is then abruptly changed to a maximum or minimum distance between the milling bits, and the continuous decrease or increase in the distance between the milling bits begins again. Thus, the rotatingly driven milling chain can achieve a flat milling effect across the entire width of the milling chain while simultaneously ensuring thorough mixing of the soil material with the soil stabilization agent, despite the use of pin-like milling bits.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the milling chisels are arranged at an angle on the milling chain, such that the longitudinal axis of the milling chisel forms an acute angle with a milling chain center axis, which runs parallel to the milling chain's running direction, and the acute angle opens in the milling chain's running direction. This ensures that the milling chisels are driven into the ground at an angle as the milling chain moves, thus enabling soil removal with reduced force.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the milling bit also has an inclined position relative to a plane extending diagonally outward from a tool carrier supporting the milling bit, i.e., the milling bit protrudes diagonally from the tool carrier in the milling direction. This also facilitates the insertion of the milling bit into the ground, which in turn reduces the force required to move the chain.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the device is designed as a driverless, self-propelled machine. This allows the machine to perform a milling operation at least temporarily autonomously or at least semi-autonomously, without a human operator controlling the device. In particular, the device can be preprogrammed so that the milling chain rotates at a predetermined speed and the drive chains of the device are driven at a predetermined speed. A remote control unit can be provided, by means of which a human operator controls the device from a position located laterally next to the device (i.e., remote from the device).

[0016] According to one embodiment, the chassis has a pendulum chassis to compensate for an inclination of the vehicle body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The pendulum chassis can be controlled by an actuator such that the vehicle body is aligned horizontally regardless of a lateral inclination of the chassis. This ensures that the milling arm remains vertically or essentially vertically aligned, thus also milling a vertical trench. In other words, the pendulum chassis ensures a vertical alignment of the milling arm regardless of a possible inclination of the chassis (e.g., a first crawler track is higher than the second crawler track).

[0017] According to one embodiment, a sensor system for detecting the orientation of the vehicle body and a control unit are provided. The control unit is configured to compensate for an inclination of the vehicle body transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chassis using the pendulum chassis, depending on sensor information from the sensor system. In particular, the control unit controls an actuator connected to the pendulum chassis, depending on the sensor information, in such a way that an inclination of the vehicle body is avoided and the milling arm thus remains vertically or substantially vertically aligned.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the vehicle body is connected to the chassis without a slewing ring. This avoids a simplified overall structure of the device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connecting arm is designed as a single-piece without an articulated joint between a first articulation point, at which the connecting arm is coupled to the vehicle body, in particular a displacement device provided on the vehicle body, and a second articulation point, at which the connecting arm is coupled to the milling arm. The milling arm is pivoted into the ground exclusively by pivoting the connecting arm relative to the vehicle body at the first articulation point and pivoting the milling arm relative to the connecting arm at the second articulation point. This allows for a simplified overall structure of the device.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the milling tools have a tool shank with a round cross-section. The milling tools are designed, in particular, as round-shank chisels, i.e., the tool shank, by means of which the milling chisel can be fixed in a tool holder, has a round cross-section. This allows for easier exchange of the milling tools.

[0021] The terms "approximately", "substantially" or "about" mean, in the sense of the invention, deviations from the exact value by + / - 10%, preferably by + / - 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

[0022] Further developments, advantages, and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally part of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their reference back to them. The content of the claims is also incorporated into the description.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 shows an example of a device for soil consolidation in a side view; Fig. 2 shows an example of a section of a milling chain in a front view.

[0024] Figure 1shows a side view of a device 1 for soil stabilization. The device 1 comprises a chassis 2 on which a pair of tracks 2.1 are provided. Similar to a tracked excavator, the tracks 2.1 are each coupled to a drive, so that the device 1 can be moved by means of the tracks 2.1.

[0025] A vehicle body 3 is provided on top of the chassis 2. This vehicle body 3 includes, among other components, a drive unit and hydraulic units. The connection between the chassis 2 and the vehicle body 3 is preferably designed without a slewing ring, i.e., the vehicle body 3 cannot be rotated about a vertical axis relative to the chassis 2, as is the case, for example, with a tracked excavator.

[0026] The device 1 further comprises a milling arm 5, on which a milling chain 6 is guided. The milling chain 6 is operatively connected to a milling drive in order to be able to drive the milling chain 6 in rotation.

[0027] The milling arm 5 is connected to the vehicle body 3 in an articulated manner via a connecting arm 4. In particular, the connecting arm 4 is articulated to the vehicle body 3 at a first free end by means of a first articulation point G1. At the second free end, the connecting arm 4 is preferably connected to the milling arm 5 via a second articulation point G2. Thus, the milling arm 5 can, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 indicated, can be pivoted relative to the vehicle body 3, so that the milling arm 5 can create a trench in the ground through the milling action of the moving milling chain 6 and thus immerse itself in the ground.

[0028] The device 1 has a feed device 8, by means of which a soil stabilizing agent can be introduced into the trench being milled by the milling arm 5. The soil stabilizing agent can be, for example, a cement-water mixture. The feed device 8 has a feed opening provided on the milling arm, through which the soil stabilizing agent emerges during the milling process. The feed opening is preferably provided in the region of the front half of the milling arm 5, i.e., the half of the milling arm 5 where the free end of the milling arm is located, which is immersed in the ground.

[0029] For soil consolidation, the milling chain 6 is driven in rotation and the milling arm 5 is inserted into the soil so that the longitudinal axis of the milling arm 5 assumes a vertical or substantially vertical position. As shown in Figure 1As shown, the milling chain 6 is driven in rotation in such a way that the milling chain 6 is moved downwards into the trench on the side of the milling arm 5 facing the vehicle body 3 and upwards on the side of the milling arm 5 facing away from the vehicle body 3. The milling tools 7 provided on the milling chain 6 loosen the soil material, but at least the majority of it remains in the trench created by the milling arm 5. By supplying the soil stabilizing agent in the area of ​​the milling arm 5, the soil material in the trench is mixed with the soil stabilizing agent. After hardening, a wall-like stabilization of the soil is achieved.

[0030] A displacement device V is preferably provided between the vehicle body 3 and the connecting arm 4. The displacement device V is designed to be able to displace the connecting arm 4 and the milling arm 5 held thereon relative to the vehicle body 3. The displacement takes place along a displacement direction that runs transversely to the longitudinal axis LAF of the chassis 2. In the Fig. 1the direction of displacement would thus run perpendicular to the image plane. By means of the displacement device V it is possible to change the position of the milling arm 5 relative to the position of the chassis 2, i.e. for example in such a way that the distance of the milling arm 5 to the right and left crawler tracks can be varied, for example in such a way that the milling arm 5 is initially positioned centrally between the crawler tracks 2.1 for a first milling process, closer to the left crawler track 2.1 than to the right crawler track 2.1 for a second milling process, and closer to the right crawler track 2.1 than to the left crawler track 2.1 for a third milling process. This makes it possible to create several trenches next to one another without the entire device 1 having to be positioned differently laterally.

[0031] Fig. 2shows part of a milling chain 6 mounted on the milling arm 5, viewed from the front. The running direction LR of the milling chain 6 is indicated by the arrow. The milling chain 6 comprises, for example, a plurality of plate-shaped tool carriers 6.1, which are detachably connected to a milling chain base. The connection is preferably realized by screws in order to be able to replace the tool carriers 6.1 with the milling tools 7 mounted thereon as needed.

[0032] A group of milling tools 7 is arranged on each of the tool carriers 6.1. The milling tools 7 are preferably arranged in rows R1-R5 on the milling chain 6, with the rows R1-R5 being aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a milling chain center axis FMA, which runs parallel to the running direction LR of the milling chain 6. In the exemplary embodiment, five rows R1-R5 are provided per group GR1, GR2. It is understood that this is purely exemplary, and more or fewer rows per group may be provided depending on the chain width.

[0033] In a row R1 - R5 of milling tools 7, preferably a pair of milling tools 7 is provided, preferably such that a first milling tool is arranged to the left of the milling chain center axis FMA and a second milling tool is arranged to the right of the milling chain center axis FMA. The milling tools 7 of a milling tool row are preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically to the milling chain center axis FMA, i.e. a first milling tool arranged to the left of the milling chain center axis FMA has the same distance from the milling chain center axis FMA as the milling tool arranged to the right of the milling chain center axis FMA in the same row R1 - R5 of milling tools.

[0034] Viewed in the running direction LR of the milling chain 6, the milling tools 7 are arranged in groups GR1, GR2, whereby only two groups GR1, GR2 are shown here as examples. It is understood that, depending on the length of the milling chain, more than two groups GR1, GR2 can be provided. Each group GR1, GR2 comprises a plurality of tool carriers 6.1, on each of which a plurality of milling tools 7 are provided. The tool carriers 6.1 within a group GR1, GR2 differ in that the milling tools 7 provided on the tool carriers 6.1 each have different distances from one another, wherein the distances are measured perpendicular to the milling chain center axis FMA. In particular, the distance d of the milling tools 7 in a group GR1, GR2 changes such that this distance is not constant in the running direction LR of the milling chain 6, but either increases or decreases.

[0035] Across several successive groups GR1, GR2 of milling tools 7, the distance d of the milling tools 7 changes periodically, preferably in such a way that the distance d within a group GR1, GR2 initially increases or decreases continuously and then changes abruptly at the transition between two groups GR1, GR2, namely either increases abruptly or decreases abruptly, and thus the milling tools at the beginning of the second group GR2 have the same or essentially the same distance d from one another as at the beginning of the first group GR1.

[0036] According to the invention, the milling tools 7 are milling chisels. The milling chisels are pin-shaped, tapered at the free end and preferably have a rounded tip. However, it is understood that the milling chisels can also have a different free end shape, for example, a flattened shape. In particular, the milling tools 7 are round-shank chisels. The use of such milling tools, which do not have an angular tool contour, enables loosening of the soil with less effort while simultaneously ensuring thorough mixing of the soil material with the soil stabilizing agent.

[0037] The milling tools 7 are preferably arranged obliquely on the milling chain 6 in such a way that an acute angle α is enclosed between the longitudinal axis LAM of the milling tool 7 and the milling chain center axis FMA, which opens in the running direction LR of the milling chain 6. Preferably, the milling tools 7, which are provided in a row R1 - R5 on the milling chain 6 running perpendicular to the milling chain center axis FMA, are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the milling chain center axis FMA, i.e. the angle α that the left milling tool 7 of a row R1 - R5 encloses with the milling chain center axis FMA is the same size but oriented inversely to the angle that the right milling tool 7 of a row R1 - R5 encloses with the milling chain center axis FMA. As a result, the milling tools 7 protrude outwards at an angle and thus bring about advantageous loosening of the soil with little expenditure of force.

[0038] Preferably, the milling tools 7 also protrude at an angle obliquely upwards in the running direction LR of the milling chain 6 from the plate-shaped tool carriers 6.1, as shown in Fig. 2 with the angle β is indicated, so that the milling tools 7 can be inserted into the ground with their free ends and, when the milling chain 6 is moved, remove the soil and loosen it in the process.

[0039] The device 1 is preferably designed as a driverless, self-propelled machine, ie the machine can move forward autonomously or at least semi-autonomously at a preset speed and, by means of the milling arm 5 inserted into the ground, can mill out a trench and carry out soil consolidation in the area of ​​the trench.

[0040] The device preferably has a pendulum chassis. The pendulum chassis serves to compensate for lateral inclinations, i.e., a height difference between the left and right track chains 2.1. The pendulum chassis is coupled to an actuator that pivots the vehicle body 3 relative to the chassis 2 such that, despite a transverse inclination of the chassis 2, the vehicle body 3 is aligned horizontally or essentially horizontally. This prevents the milling arm 5 from becoming tilted when the ground is uneven between the left and right track chains 2.1.

[0041] In order to automatically hold the vehicle body 3 in a horizontal position regardless of a height difference between the left and right track chains 2.1, the device 1 preferably has a control unit configured to control an actuator acting between the vehicle body 3 and the chassis 2 such that the vehicle body 3 remains horizontally or substantially horizontally aligned. The control unit is preferably coupled to a sensor system configured to detect a transverse inclination of the vehicle body 3 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis LAF of the chassis 2 and to control the actuator such that the vehicle body 3 remains horizontally or substantially horizontally aligned.

[0042] The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of protection defined by the patent claims. List of reference symbols

[0043] 1Device 2Chassis 2.1Travel chain 3Vehicle body 4Connecting arm 5Milling arm 6Milling chain 6.1Tool carrier 7Milling tool 8Feeding device αAngle βAngle dDistance FMAMilling chain center axis G1First pivot point G2Second pivot point LAFLongitudinal axis of the chassis LAMLongitudinal axis of the milling tool LRDirection of rotation of the milling chain R1 - R5Row VShipping device

Claims

1. A device for soil stabilization comprising a chassis (2), a vehicle body (3) and a milling arm (5) connected to the vehicle body (3) by means of a connecting arm (4), wherein the connecting arm (4) is held on the vehicle body (3) so as to be translationally displaceable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (LAF) of the chassis (2), wherein the milling arm (5) has a milling chain (6) on which a plurality of milling tools (7) are provided and wherein a feed device (8) for a soil stabilization agent is provided, which has an outlet opening in the region of the milling arm (5), characterized in that the milling tools (7) are formed by pin-shaped milling chisels.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the milling tools (7) are at least partially arranged in rows (R1 - R5) which run transversely to the running direction (LR) of the milling chain (6).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in thatin a row (R1 - R5) a pair of pin-shaped milling cutters are arranged side by side.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (d) of the milling cutters of a milling cutter row (R1 - R5) measured transversely to the running direction (LR) of the milling chain (6) varies between rows (R1 - R5) following one another in the running direction (LR).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance (d) measured transversely to the running direction (LR) of the milling chain (6) and exhibited by the milling cutters arranged in a row (R1 - R5) changes periodically in the running direction (LR) of the milling chain (6).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe milling chisels are arranged obliquely on the milling chain (6) in such a way that the longitudinal axis (LAM) of the milling chisel forms an acute angle (α) with a milling chain center axis (FMA) which runs parallel to the running direction (LR) of the milling chain (6), and the acute angle (α) opens in the running direction (LR) of the milling chain (6).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the milling bit also has an inclined position relative to a plane which is inclined outwards from a tool carrier (6.1) which carries the milling bit.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is designed as a driverless self-propelled machine.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis (2) has a pendulum chassis to compensate for an inclined position of the vehicle body (3) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (LAF) of the chassis (2).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that a sensor system for detecting the orientation of the vehicle body (3) and a control unit are provided, wherein the control unit is configured to compensate for an inclined position of the vehicle body (3) transversely to the longitudinal axis (LAF) of the chassis (2) by means of the pendulum chassis as a function of sensor information from the sensor system.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle body (3) is connected to the chassis (2) without a slewing ring.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting arm (4) is designed as a single-member without an articulated joint between a first articulation point (G1), at which the connecting arm (4) is coupled to the vehicle body (3), and a second articulation point (G2), at which the connecting arm (4) is coupled to the milling arm (5).

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe milling tools (7) have a shaft which is round in cross-section.

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