Distribution boom for a concrete pump and concrete pump with such a distribution boom

Abstract

The invention relates to a placing boom for a concrete pump, in particular a mobile concrete pump, comprising an arm assembly having several mast arms pivotable relative to each other, and a rotary head rotatable about an axis of rotation and connected to a first mast arm of the arm assembly, characterized in that in a transport position of the placing boom, at least one further mast arm is folded over the second mast arm, preferably several further mast arms are folded in a Z-fold over the second mast arm.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution mast for a concrete pump and to a concrete pump with such a distribution mast.

[0002] A placing boom for a concrete pump, often also called a boom, plays a central role in the efficient transport and precise placement of liquid concrete on construction sites. This structure, consisting of several articulated sections, typically called boom arms, allows the concrete to be conveyed over obstacles and into hard-to-reach areas in conjunction with the other components of a placing package. The hydraulically extendable, foldable, and / or movable boom arms of the mast offer exceptional flexibility and reach, making it indispensable for use in complex construction site environments, such as the construction of high-rise buildings.

[0003] The precise control of the placing boom minimizes material waste and significantly improves the efficiency of concrete work. This not only saves time but also reduces labor, especially compared to traditional concrete distribution methods. Furthermore, the boom contributes to safety on the construction site by reducing the need for workers to be in potentially hazardous areas or to move heavy loads. With its ability to handle large quantities of concrete quickly and effectively, the placing boom is a key element of modern construction processes, particularly important for projects requiring high precision and flexibility.

[0004] Conventional concrete pump masts typically require a considerable height to move from their transport position, in which the mast's multiple arms are folded or retracted, to their working position. This is problematic because the operation of concrete pumps, especially mobile concrete pumps, is also desirable under conditions with certain limitations regarding available height. This is the case, for example, when using a concrete pump or a concrete pump mast inside buildings.

[0005] To enable the use of a state-of-the-art mobile concrete pump or a conventional placing boom even when height restrictions prevent switching from transport to working position, it is sometimes suggested that the mobile concrete pump be moved from its transport position to its working position outside a building, and that the pump be moved into the building with the placing boom raised from its transport position. This typically results in a large portion of the placing boom's arms being positioned in a retracted state directly in front of the operator's cab, severely restricting the operator's view.This, and the fact that improper handling during operation of the mobile concrete pump in a state where the placing boom is not in its transport position also risks the mobile concrete pump tipping over, represent massive disadvantages with regard to the operational safety of a placing boom or a concrete pump equipped with the placing boom.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a placing boom for a concrete pump, or a concrete pump with such a placing boom, which can be used without restrictions even when there are limitations regarding the available height. Therefore, a placing boom is proposed that requires a particularly low height to be moved from its transport position to its working position. This enables concrete pumps equipped with the placing boom to operate inside buildings without having to first move their placing boom into a working position or lift it from the transport position.

[0007] The advantages of the invention are achieved with a distribution mast that has all the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the distribution mast are found in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, the placing boom for a concrete pump, in particular a mobile concrete pump, comprises an arm assembly having several mast arms that are pivotable relative to one another, and a rotating head that is rotatable about an axis and connected to a first mast arm of the arm assembly. The placing boom according to the invention is characterized in that, in a transport position of the placing boom, at least one further mast arm is folded over the second mast arm, preferably several further mast arms are folded in a Z-fold over the second mast arm.

[0009] Furthermore, the first mast arm can be designed to lift Z-folded mast arms, comprising the second and at least one further mast arm, and to pivot them laterally using the rotating head. The second mast arm and the at least one further mast arm form a Z-fold that stacks upwards from the second mast arm, so that the at least one further mast arm is positioned on the upper side (when viewed in transport position) of the second mast arm. The first mast arm, however, is not part of the Z-fold of the second and the at least one further mast arm, but serves to lift the Z-folded mast arms from a transport position, so that (preferably after lateral pivoting) the second mast arm can be vertically aligned, with its end proximal to the first mast arm at the top and its end distal to the first mast arm at the bottom.In this position, the additional mast arms, which are arranged on top of the second mast arm in transport position, can then be unfolded like an accordion. This type of unfolding requires very little height, making it possible to work in halls with very limited available headroom.

[0010] According to the invention, it can be provided that the rotary head defines an axis of rotation that runs parallel to the vertical direction, so that an arrangement of at least one further mast arm above the second mast arm rises in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (namely in the vertical direction).

[0011] Furthermore, the Z-folding allows the distribution mast to be unfolded with minimal height requirements that do not significantly exceed the longitudinal extent of the individual mast arms.

[0012] According to a further modification of the present invention, it can be provided that, in a transport position of the distribution mast, the first mast arm forms an angle with a second mast arm adjoining the first mast arm, which is at least 90°, preferably at least 130°, and preferably at least 150°. According to the invention, it can be provided that the angle lies between the two longitudinal axes or directions of the respective mast arms.

[0013] This arrangement of the first mast arm opposite the second mast arm creates a distribution mast in which the second mast arm is positioned behind the first mast arm (viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first mast arm).

[0014] The first mast arm enables the second mast arm and any further mast arms, which are sequentially connected to the second mast arm by pivots, to move parallel to it. This results in a very low height requirement when moving the distribution mast from a transport position to a working position, since the first mast arm can be moved upwards and, with the further mast arms moving parallel to each other, the distribution mast can be rotated about the axis of rotation of the rotating head very early and requires only a very small amount of vertical space. According to the invention, it is not necessary to fully raise the first mast arm to a vertical position to unfold the further mast arms connected to it, so that unfolding is also possible with the mast arm according to the invention even under restricted height conditions.

[0015] According to an advantageous modification of the present invention, it can be provided that the second mast arm is articulated to a first mast arm, so that the latter is able to increase the angle enclosed between them in a transport position, preferably beyond an angle of 180°, preferably beyond an angle of 270° and according to a particularly preferred variant beyond an angle of 300°.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the angle enclosed in the transport position between the first mast arm and the second mast arm is an angle defined between the two longitudinal directions of the mast arms and is preferably the smaller of the two possible angles between the longitudinal directions of the mast arms.

[0017] According to the present invention, the first mast arm and the second mast arm can be connected to each other via a hinge joint, the hinge axis of which is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first mast arm and the longitudinal direction of the second mast arm, respectively. The angle between the first mast arm and the second mast arm changes accordingly with respect to the rotation of the two mast arms relative to the pivot joint located between them.

[0018] According to an advantageous modification of the present invention, it can be provided that in a transport position of the distribution mast, the first mast arm and the second mast arm claim an extension in the longitudinal direction of the first mast arm which occupies more than 65%, preferably more than 80% and preferably more than 90% of the two respective longitudinal extensions of the first mast arm and the second mast arm.

[0019] This feature stipulates that the first and second mast arms are positioned approximately "one behind the other," and not, as is common with prior art distribution masts, where the second mast arm is already positioned above or below the first in a transport position. The "one behind the other" arrangement of the two mast arms is helpful for enabling the distribution mast to be deployed from its transport position under very limited height conditions.

[0020] Furthermore, according to an advantageous modification of the present invention, it can be provided that the first distribution mast has a longitudinal extent that is smaller than the longitudinal extent of the second mast arm, preferably wherein the longitudinal extent of the first mast arm is smaller than any other mast arm of the arm assembly.

[0021] According to the present invention, the first mast arm serves to lift the second mast arm and any optionally arranged further mast arms above it, so that a lateral pivoting along the axis of rotation of the rotary head is then possible in order to pivot the second mast arm with its end distal to the first mast arm towards the ground. From this position, in which the second mast arm is then arranged approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary head, the optionally provided further mast arms can then be extended.

[0022] According to an optional further development of the present invention, it can be provided that the longitudinal extent of the second mast arm and at least one further mast arm is essentially identical, i.e., does not deviate by more than 20%, preferably more than 15%, and preferably more than 10% of the longitudinal extent of the second mast arm.

[0023] Furthermore, according to an advantageous modification of the present invention, it can be provided that in a transport position of the distribution mast, in which the axis of rotation of the rotary head is vertically aligned, the orientation of the first mast arm is designed such that its longitudinal axis extends obliquely downwards from a proximal area extending from the rotary head towards its distal area.

[0024] In particular, in combination with at least one additional mast arm, which is stacked on the second mast arm in a transport position, a particularly low height requirement in the vertical direction results, so that a very compact distribution mast has been created in this respect.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that in a transport position of the distribution mast, in which the axis of rotation of the rotary head is vertically aligned, the second mast arm is arranged essentially horizontally, preferably wherein further mast arms connected to the second mast arm are also arranged horizontally and are advantageously located in the vertical direction above the second mast arm.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that a substantially horizontal arrangement of a mast arm includes a deviation from the horizontal of 10°, preferably of 5° and preferably of 3°.

[0027] According to a further advantageous modification of the present invention, it can be provided that the first mast arm is not longer than 5 m in its longitudinal extent, preferably not longer than 4 m and preferably not longer than 3 m.

[0028] This relatively short design of the first mast arm advantageously allows the second mast arm (and thus the dispensing of concrete or the like) and any further mast arms to be positioned vertically directly in front of the cab of a truck carrying the distribution mast. This makes it possible to operate the distribution mast according to the invention even in particularly confined spaces.

[0029] According to a further optional modification of the present invention, it can be provided that the second mast arm has a longitudinal extent which exceeds the longitudinal extent of the first mast arm by no more than 50%, preferably no more than 40% and preferably no more than 30%.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it can be provided that at least one further mast arm is connected to the second mast arm.

[0031] Furthermore, according to an advantageous modification of the present invention, the first mast arm and / or the second mast arm can be fixed in their longitudinal extent, in particular not telescopic. The same can also apply to all mast arms of the arm assembly according to a modification of the invention.

[0032] According to an optional further development of the present invention, it can be provided that at least one further mast arm has a longitudinal extent which exceeds the longitudinal extent of the first mast arm by no more than 50%, preferably no more than 35% and preferably no more than 15%.

[0033] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first mast arm and the second mast arm can be articulated to allow for variation of the angle between their two longitudinal extensions or axes. The articulated connection can be implemented by a hinge joint whose hinge axis is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating head.

[0034] The present invention further relates to a concrete pump, in particular a mobile concrete pump with a placing boom according to one of the aspects discussed above.

[0035] The mobile concrete pump may be equipped with a truck designed to carry the placing boom. Specifically, the rotating head of the placing boom may be positioned behind the driver's cab, and in a transport position, the first and second boom arms extend from the rotating head towards the rear of the truck.

[0036] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures. These show: Fig. 1: a side view of a distribution mast according to the invention in a transport position, Fig. 2: a side view of a distribution mast according to the invention in a state lifted from the transport position, Fig. 3: a side view of a distribution mast according to the invention in which the second mast element and further mast elements connected to the second mast element are arranged vertically, and Fig. 4: a perspective view of the distribution mast according to the invention in a working position at medium reach.

[0037] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a side view of a distribution mast 1 according to the invention in a transport position. The rotating head 2, which is rotatable about a pivot axis D, is visible. When the distribution mast is oriented as intended or installed on a truck, the pivot axis is parallel to the vertical. In the transport position, the first mast arm 3 extending from the rotating head 2 forms an angle α with a second mast arm 4 extending from the first mast arm 3, which is at least 90°. Fig. 1 The angle in the illustrated version is approximately 163°. This angle is determined based on the two longitudinal axes of the first mast arm 3 and the second mast arm 4.

[0038] It can further be seen that the first mast arm 3 is coupled to the second mast arm 4 via a pivot joint 6, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation D of the swivel head 2. Furthermore, the axis of the pivot joint 6 is also perpendicular to the respective longitudinal axes of the first mast arm 3 and the second mast arm 4.

[0039] In addition to the second mast arm 4, there are further mast arms 5 arranged in a Z-fold above the second mast arm 4. The first mast arm 3 has a longitudinal extent that is less than the longitudinal extent of the second mast arm 4 or the longitudinal extent of any of the further mast arms 5.

[0040] Furthermore, it can be seen that in the Figure 1 In the depicted transport position of the distribution mast 1, the entire longitudinal extent of the distribution mast occupies more than 65% of the longitudinal extents of the first mast arm 3 and the second mast arm 4. If one imagines the distribution mast 1 mounted on a truck, with the rotating head 2 positioned behind the cab and the first mast arm 3 and the second mast arm 4 extending from the rotating head 2 towards the rear of the truck, it becomes clear that the first mast arm 3 and the second mast arm 4 are arranged approximately one behind the other.

[0041] It can also be seen that the first mast arm 3, in the transport position, is angled downwards from the rotating head 2, whose axis of rotation coincides with the vertical. The second mast arm 4 and any further mast arms 5 arranged above it, on the other hand, are positioned approximately horizontally or exactly horizontally, resulting in a very compact overall structure of the distribution mast 1 in the vertical direction, which runs parallel to the axis of rotation D of the rotating head 2.

[0042] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a side view of the distribution mast 1 according to the invention, in which the distribution mast 1 has been lifted from its transport position. For this purpose, the first mast arm 3, which is actually oriented obliquely downwards, was pivoted upwards relative to the rotating head 2, whereby a corresponding pivoting in the opposite direction takes place simultaneously in the pivot joint 6 between the first mast arm 3 and the second mast arm 4, so that the approximately horizontal orientation of the second mast arm 4 and any further mast arms 5 arranged above it is maintained.

[0043] In such a position, it is then possible to pivot the rotating head 2 about its axis of rotation D, so that, if the distribution mast 1 is mounted on a truck, the distribution mast 1 is pivoted laterally. For example, such pivoting can be used to position the first mast arm 3 above the cab of a truck, so that the pivot joint 6, which is located between the first mast arm 3 and in the second mast arm 4, is positioned longitudinally in front of the cab of the truck. The invention also encompasses the fact that the lateral pivoting serves only to enable the vertical erection of the second mast arm 4 and any further mast arms 5 without colliding with load-bearing elements of the truck supporting the distribution mast 1.

[0044] Fig. 3 This shows the second mast arm 4 in a vertically erect state, opposite the one in Figure 2The position shown is achieved by pivoting the end of the second mast arm 4, which is spaced apart from the first mast arm 3, downwards. Once a vertical alignment of the second mast arm 4 and any further mast arms 5 is achieved, the further mast arms 5 can be extended while maintaining the same maximum required height.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a distribution mast 1 in working position, which differs from the representation in Fig. 3 This is distinguished by the fact that the further mast arms 5 have been partially unfolded in their Z-fold. Depending on the degree of unfolding, the delivery hose 7 can assume a different distance from the rotary head 2, so that concrete or the like can be distributed over a large length range.

[0046] A particular advantage of the distribution mast according to the invention is that it can be deployed under minimal height requirements. Reference symbol list:

[0047] 1Distribution mast 2Rotating head 3First mast arm 4Second mast arm 5Further mast arm 6Hinged joint 7Discharge hose DRotation axis of the rotating head αAngle defined by both longitudinal axes of the first and second mast arms

Claims

1. Distributor mast (1) for a concrete pump, in particular a mobile concrete pump, comprising: an arm assembly having several mast arms pivotable relative to each other, and a rotary head (2) which is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (D) and is connected to a first mast arm (3) of the arm assembly, characterized by the fact that in a transport position of the distribution mast (1), at least one further mast arm (5) is folded over the second mast arm (4), preferably several further mast arms (5) are folded in a Z-fold over the second mast arm.

2. Distribution mast (1) according to the preceding claim 1, wherein in a transport position of the distribution mast (1), the first mast arm (3) with a second mast arm (4) adjoining the first mast arm (3) forms an angle (α) which is at least 90°, preferably at least 130° and preferably at least 150°.

3. Distribution mast (1) according to the preceding claim 2, wherein the angle (α) enclosed between the first mast arm (3) and the second mast arm (4) is an angle (α) defined between the two longitudinal directions of the mast arms (3, 4) and is preferably the smaller of the two possible angles (α) between the longitudinal directions of the mast arms (3, 4).

4. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a transport position of the distribution mast (1), the first mast arm (3) and the second mast arm (4) have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the first mast arm (3) which is more than 65%, preferably more than 80% and preferably more than 90% of the respective longitudinal extensions of the first mast arm (3) and the second mast arm (4).

5. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mast arm (3) has a longitudinal extent that is smaller than the longitudinal extent of the second mast arm (4), preferably wherein the longitudinal extent of the first mast arm (3) is smaller than any respective longitudinal extent of any other mast arm (4, 5) of the arm assembly.

6. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal extent of the second mast arm (4) and at least one further mast arm (5) is substantially identical, i.e., does not differ from each other by more than 20%, preferably more than 15% and preferably more than 10%.

7. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a transport position of the distribution mast (1), in which the axis of rotation (D) of the rotary head (2) is vertically oriented, the orientation of the first mast arm (3) is designed such that its longitudinal axis extends obliquely downwards from a proximal area extending from the rotary head (2) towards its distal area.

8. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a transport position of the distribution mast (1) in which the axis of rotation (D) of the rotary head (2) is vertically aligned, the second mast arm (4) is arranged substantially horizontally, preferably wherein further mast arms (5) are also arranged horizontally and are located vertically above the second mast arm (4).

9. Distribution mast (1) according to the preceding claim 8, wherein a substantially horizontal arrangement of a mast arm (4, 5) comprises a deviation from the horizontal of 10°, preferably of 5° and preferably of 3°.

10. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mast arm (3) is not longer than 5 m in its longitudinal extent, preferably not longer than 4 m and preferably not longer than 3 m.

11. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second mast arm (4) has a longitudinal extent which exceeds the longitudinal extent of the first mast arm (3) by no more than 50%, preferably no more than 35% and preferably no more than 15%.

12. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mast arm (3) and / or the second mast arm (4) are fixed in their longitudinal extent, in particular not telescopic.

13. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one further mast arm (5) has a longitudinal extent which exceeds the longitudinal extent of the first mast arm (3) by no more than 50%, preferably no more than 40% and preferably no more than 30%.

14. Distribution mast (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first mast arm (3) and second mast arm (4) are articulated to each other in order to be able to vary an angle (α) enclosed between their two longitudinal extensions.

15. Concrete pump, in particular mobile concrete pump with a distribution boom (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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