Liquid distribution system for compactor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sprinkler system (110) for a compaction device (100) for compacting a subsoil, wherein the sprinkler system (110) has a liquid tank (111) for receiving a liquid and a distribution device (116) for distributing the liquid on a subsoil to be compacted or on a base plate (106) of a compaction device, wherein the distribution device (116) is detachably connectable to the liquid tank (111) such that, in a connected state, liquid can flow from the liquid tank (111) into the distribution device (116).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sprinkler system for compaction devices, in particular vibratory plates. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a compaction device with a sprinkler system according to the invention. Background of the invention

[0002] When carrying out earthworks involving embankments or other earthmoving, there is a risk that the treated areas will subside over time. This can lead to damage to the floor coverings laid on top. Examples of such coverings include asphalt roads, paved sidewalks, and patios.

[0003] To minimize settling of the soil sections and thus prevent damage to the paving, the soil is compacted. Compaction equipment such as vibratory plates, also known as vibratory compactors, is used for this purpose. These devices consist of a base plate that is set in motion by a drive unit using eccentric weights. This movement compacts the soil.

[0004] Vibratory plate compactors are frequently used for compacting asphalt. However, due to the high temperatures of the liquid asphalt, there is a risk that the asphalt will stick to the underside of the base plate, making compaction of the subgrade difficult or even impossible. To avoid this problem, water is used. Generally, this is applied to the subgrade or base plate via a sprinkler system. The sprinkler system consists of a liquid tank and a distribution device. The distribution device is often tubular and directs water from the liquid tank through small openings onto the base plate and / or the hot asphalt.

[0005] The liquid tank can usually be filled via a lid. However, a common problem on construction sites is the limited availability of water sources. Even if water sources are present, sufficiently long hoses are often lacking to transport the water to the compaction point. Transporting the compaction equipment to the water source is also often difficult or practically impossible.

[0006] Based on the above-mentioned problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compression device which simplifies the filling of the liquid tank.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments relating to the subject matter of the independent claims are found in the dependent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a sprinkler system for a compaction device for compacting a subsoil, wherein the sprinkler system comprises the following: a liquid tank for receiving a liquid; a distribution device for distributing the liquid on a substrate to be compacted or on a base plate of a compaction device, wherein the distribution device is detachably connectable to the liquid tank in such a way that, in a connected state, liquid can flow from the liquid tank into the distribution device.

[0009] The advantages of the irrigation system according to the invention are obvious: due to the two-part, detachable design of the irrigation system, the liquid tank can be quickly and easily separated from the distribution device in order to transport the liquid tank to the water connection. It is therefore only necessary to transport the liquid tank to the water connection. The vibratory plate itself remains at the construction site. The distribution device also remains attached to the vibratory plate. The distribution device can therefore be permanently connected to the vibratory plate, while the liquid tank can be detached from both the vibratory plate and the distribution device without tools. After the liquid tank has been filled with cooling fluid, such as water, it can be reattached to the vibratory plate and fluidically connected to the distribution device.Furthermore, the fact that the distribution device is firmly connected to the vibrating plate ensures that it is always correctly aligned with the base plate, so that coolant is reliably directed onto or in front of the base plate.

[0010] In another embodiment, the sprinkler system has a hose which is detachably connected at one end to the liquid tank and at the opposite end to the distribution device. The hose simplifies connecting the liquid tank to the distribution device after the tank has been filled and reattached to the vibratory plate compactor. Alternatively, the liquid tank could be detachably attached to the distribution device without a hose. However, this may have the disadvantage of making it more difficult to attach the liquid tank to the vibratory plate compactor and simultaneously attach it to the distribution device, as two connections to the liquid tank would then have to be made at the same time.

[0011] In another embodiment, the hose is designed as a flexible fabric hose. This makes the hose particularly easy to connect.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the distribution device has an inlet nozzle which, when connected, is linked to the second end of the hose. The inlet nozzle makes attaching the hose to the distribution device particularly easy. For example, the inlet nozzle can be arranged such that, when the distribution device is installed, it extends towards the liquid tank.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the distribution device has a tubular liquid channel, with the inlet nozzle being permanently connected to the liquid channel. For example, the inlet nozzle can be formed integrally with the liquid channel or welded to it. This effectively prevents leaks.

[0014] In another embodiment, the hose has a hose connector at its other end, which can be detachably pushed onto the inlet fitting. According to this embodiment, the hose can be connected to and disconnected from the inlet fitting particularly quickly and easily. For example, the inlet fitting can be designed like a tap connector, so that the hose can be pushed directly onto the inlet fitting for connection. To remove the hose, a sleeve of the hose connector can be pulled back to allow the hose connector to be detached from the inlet fitting.

[0015] In another embodiment, the hose is permanently connected to a liquid outlet of the liquid tank. The hose is thus used to fill the liquid tank. It is conceivable to design the hose in such a way that it can be connected directly to a tap to fill the liquid tank. According to this example, the liquid tank could also be designed without a lid.

[0016] In another embodiment, the liquid outlet has an outlet valve designed to regulate the flow rate of the liquid from the liquid tank, in particular to regulate it continuously. This allows the amount of coolant dispensed to be easily adjusted to the user's specific needs. For example, the outlet valve can be manually operated.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the distribution device has at least one mounting area, in particular at least one mounting tab, which is designed such that the distribution device can be firmly connected to a base plate of a compaction device. The mounting area makes it particularly easy to attach the distribution device to the base plate in a repeatable orientation. This is especially advantageous for retrofitting the irrigation system according to the invention to existing vibratory plates.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a compaction device, in particular a vibratory plate, which has the following features: a drive unit, a base plate wherein the drive unit is designed to move the base plate to compact a subsoil, and a sprinkler system as described above.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the liquid tank is detachably connected or connectable to a frame of the compression device.

[0020] In another embodiment, the distribution device is permanently attached to the base plate. This allows the distribution device to be aligned easily and reliably.

[0021] Further advantages arise from the following description of the figures. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a compression device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 an embodiment of a sprinkler system according to the present invention; Fig. 3 a cross-section through a distribution device of the sprinkler system according to Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 a cross-section through an outlet valve of the sprinkler system according to Fig. 2 ; Detailed description

[0023] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a compression device according to the present invention. The in Figure 1The compaction device shown is a vibratory plate compactor 100. The vibratory plate compactor 100 has a drive unit consisting of a motor and a vibration system. The vibration system 104 is connected to an electric motor located in the motor housing 102. The electric motor can, for example, be operated at a speed of over 10,000 rpm to drive the vibration system 104. The vibration system 104 is equipped with an eccentric shaft drive, which is driven by the motor to generate imbalances. These rotating imbalances cause a base plate 106 of the vibratory plate compactor 100 to vibrate, generating the vibrations necessary for soil compaction. The vibration system 104 can be connected to the motor shaft, for example, via a belt or chain (not shown here).

[0024] The vibratory plate compactor has a frame 108. The frame shown here is made of bent steel tubes and serves both to protect the motor housing and to facilitate handling the vibratory plate compactor 100. Attachment points 112 are provided at a rear end 112 of the frame 108, via which a handle (not shown) can be connected to the frame 108. The handle can, for example, be pivotally mounted on the attachment points 112 so that it can be folded down for transporting the vibratory plate compactor 100.

[0025] The vibratory plate compactor 100 further comprises a sprinkler system 110, which is designed to sprinkle the base plate 106 or the subsoil to be compacted with cooling fluid, for example, water. The sprinkler system 110 has a fluid tank 111, which is fluidically connected to a distribution device 116 via a connecting hose 118. The fluid tank 111 has a lid 114 through which the fluid tank can be filled with cooling fluid, for example, water. To facilitate filling the fluid tank 111, the fluid tank 111 is designed to be detachable. In particular, the fluid tank 111 is detachably attached to the frame 108, as is the case in connection with Figure 2 will be explained in more detail.

[0026] Figure 2Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the irrigation system 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The irrigation system 110 is made of Figure 2 corresponds to the irrigation system 110 according to Figure 1 In the representation according to Figure 2 It can be seen that hose 118 is connected at one end 120 to the liquid tank 111. At an opposite, second end 122, hose 118 is connected to the distribution system 116.

[0027] On one rear side of the liquid tank 111 are recesses 122 which serve as clamping contours for attaching the liquid tank 111 to the frame 108. In other words, the recesses 122 can be clipped onto the frame 108 to attach the liquid tank 111. Thus, the liquid tank 111 can be detached from and attached to the frame 108 without tools.

[0028] At its first end 120, the hose 118 is permanently connected to the liquid tank 111. In this description, a permanent connection of the hose to the liquid tank 111 means that the hose cannot be detached from the liquid tank without tools. In contrast, the second end 122 of the hose 118 is detachably connected to the distribution device 116. In particular, this means that the second end 122 of the hose 118 can be connected to / detached from the distribution device 116 without tools, as described above. Figure 3 will be explained in more detail.

[0029] The distribution device 116 has a tubular liquid channel. According to the illustrated embodiment, the liquid channel is designed as a metal tube. The tubular liquid channel extends between a first end 124 and a second end 126. An inlet nozzle 132 is provided in the region of the first end 124. The inlet nozzle is permanently connected to the liquid channel. For example, the inlet nozzle can be formed integrally with the liquid channel. Alternatively, the inlet nozzle can be welded to the liquid channel. In this context, the "permanent connection" between the inlet nozzle 132 and the liquid channel of the distribution device 116 means that it cannot be detached without damaging the distribution device.

[0030] A cross-section through the distribution device 116 is shown in Figure 3As shown above, the liquid channel 134 can be a metal tube which is closed at its opposite ends with end caps or end plugs. Fastening elements, such as fastening tabs 140, 142, extend along an outer surface of the liquid channel 134, serving to attach the distribution device 116 to the base plate. This is particularly relevant in Figure 1 The figure shows the distribution device 116 attached to a front end of the base plate 106. For example, the distribution device 116 can be screwed to the front end of the base plate via the mounting tabs 140, 142. The distribution device 116 therefore cannot be detached from the base plate without tools.

[0031] Since the distribution device 116 preferably cannot be detached from the base plate 106 without tools, it is provided that the second end 122 of the hose is first removed from the distribution device 116. The liquid tank 111 can then be removed from the frame and taken to the fresh water supply. Thus, the distribution device 116 remains attached to the vibratory plate even while the liquid tank 111 is being filled. This ensures that the release mechanism of the distribution device is correctly aligned at all times, as the distribution device 116 is always firmly connected to the base plate 106.

[0032] To ensure a quick and easy connection of the hose 118 to the inlet nozzle 132 of the distribution device 116, the second end 122 of the hose 118 can be fitted with a hose connector 130. The hose connector 130 can, for example, be pushed onto the inlet nozzle, as is known from hose connectors for connecting to water taps. A sleeve of the hose connector can be retracted in a known manner to release the clamp connection between the inlet nozzle 132 and the hose connector 130 quickly and, most importantly, without tools.

[0033] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a section of the liquid tank and the first end of hose 118. As mentioned above, there is a fixed connection between the first end 120 of hose 118 and the liquid tank, meaning it cannot be disconnected without tools. For this purpose, an outlet valve 146 is attached to the outside of the liquid tank and secured on the inside, i.e., in the cavity 144 of the liquid tank 111, with a nut 148. A sealing ring 150 is provided between the outlet valve 146 and the nut 148. The outlet valve 146 not only serves to attach hose 118 to the liquid tank 111, but also allows the amount of water to be irrigated onto the surface to be regulated. For example, the outlet valve 146 could be a manually operated ball valve. A handle 152 is provided for actuating the outlet valve 146.Thus, the flow rate of coolant from the liquid tank to the distribution device 116 can be continuously adjusted.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. Rather, it results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list

[0035] 100 Vibratory plate 102 Motor housing 104 Vibration system 106 Base plate 108 Frame 110 Sprinkler system 112 Mounting area 114 Cover 116 Distributor 118 Hose 120 First end 122 Second end 124 First end 126 Second end 128 Fasteners 130 Hose connector 132 Inlet nozzle 134 Fluid channel 136 Plug 138 Plug 140 Mounting tab 142 Mounting tab 144 Cavity 146 Outlet valve 148 Nut 150 Sealing ring 152 Handle

Claims

1. Sprinkler system (110) for a compaction device (100) for compacting a subsoil, wherein the sprinkler system (110) comprises: - a liquid tank (111) for receiving a liquid; - a distribution device (116) for distributing the liquid on a subsoil to be compacted or on a base plate (106) of a compaction device, wherein the distribution device (116) is detachably connectable to the liquid tank (111) such that, in a connected state, liquid can flow from the liquid tank (111) into the distribution device (116).

2. Sprinkler system (110) according to claim 1, wherein the sprinkler system (110) has a hose (118) which is detachably connected at a first end to the liquid tank (111) and at an opposite, second end to the distribution device (116).

3. Irrigation system (110) according to claim 2, wherein the hose (118) is designed as a flexible fabric hose.

4. Irrigation system (110) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the distribution device (116) has an inlet nozzle (132) which, in the connected state, is connected to the second end (122) of the hose (118).

5. Sprinkler system (110) according to claim 4, wherein the distribution device (116) has a tubular liquid channel (134), wherein the inlet nozzle (132) is firmly connected to the liquid channel.

6. Irrigation system (110) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the hose (118) has a hose connector (130) at its second end which can be detachably plugged onto the inlet nozzle (132).

7. Sprinkler system (110) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the hose (118) is firmly connected to a liquid outlet of the liquid tank (111).

8. Sprinkler system (110) according to claim 7, wherein the liquid outlet has an outlet valve (146) which is designed to regulate a flow rate of the liquid from the liquid tank (111), in particular to regulate continuously.

9. Irrigation system (110) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the distribution device (116) has at least one fastening area (128), in particular at least one fastening tab (140, 142), which is designed such that the distribution device (116) can be firmly connected to a base plate (106) of a compaction device (100).

10. Compaction device (100), in particular a vibratory plate, comprising: - a drive unit, - a base plate (106), wherein the drive unit is configured to move the base plate (106) to compact a subsoil, and - a sprinkler system (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Compression device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the liquid tank (111) is detachably connected or connectable to a frame (108) of the compression device (100).

12. Compaction device (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the distribution device (116) is firmly connected to the base plate (106).

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