SUCTION MODULE, CONTAINER AND ASSOCIATED PROCESS

Abstract

The invention relates to a skip comprising a suction module including a chimney equipped with a suction block for conveying a product into the suction module, the suction block comprising pumping means. According to the invention, the module includes a shutter movably mounted within the skip between a neutral position and an operating position in which the shutter at least partially obstructs a suction inlet of the pumping means (9). Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Suction module, bucket and associated method

[0001] The invention relates to a suction module and a skip equipped with such a suction module.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method of using such a suction module.

[0003] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the agricultural field, we know of skips equipped with a suction module, usually comprising a suction column and an expulsion portion, allowing a product to be sucked up from the ground to pour it into the skip.

[0005] In order to ensure the circulation of the product in the suction module, the latter is equipped with a suction block comprising a pump. However, it turns out that the pumps used take a long time to reach their operating speed at start-up.

[0006] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An aim of the invention is to propose a suction module which at least partially overcomes the aforementioned problem. Summary of the invention

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a skip comprising a suction module comprising a chimney provided with a suction block for the routing of a product in the suction module, the suction block comprising pumping means.

[0009] According to the invention, the bucket comprises a shutter mounted movably in the bucket between a neutral position and a service position in which the shutter at least partially obstructs a suction inlet of the pumping means.

[0010] In this way, when the pumping means are started, the shutter is cleverly placed in its operating position to partially or completely obstruct a suction inlet of the pumping means. By sucking in less air, the pumping means require less energy to reach their operating speed. The shutter is then returned to its neutral position.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment, the pumping means comprise at least two pumps.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment, the two pumps are mounted in parallel in the module.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the pumping means comprise at least one centrifugal pump.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment, the shutter is formed by a follower foot.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the shutter is mounted to slide with respect to the chimney.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment, the shutter is carried by a fixed lower portion of the chimney.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment, the module comprises means for actuating the shutter which comprise at least one jack making it possible to raise or lower the shutter.

[0018] Of course, for the entire present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear" ... must be understood according to the operating position of the suction module, that is to say the position in which the module is arranged in the bucket, said bucket then resting on the ground on which it is intended to roll. The terms "front", "rear" must therefore be understood according to the operating position of the bucket and the direction of travel of the bucket on said ground when it is towed by a motorized vehicle.

[0019] The invention also relates to a suction module of such a skip, the suction module carrying the shutter.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method of using such a suction module comprising the successive steps of:

[0021] - before starting the pumping means, arrange the shutter in its service position so that it at least partially obstructs the suction inlet, - start the pumping means.

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description with reference to the figures of the appended drawings, among which:

[0024] [fig. 1] figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a skip equipped with a suction module according to a particular embodiment of the invention,

[0025] [fig.2] figure 2 illustrates a part of the suction module of the bucket shown in Figure 1,

[0026] [fig.3] figure 3 is a front view of the suction module illustrated in figure 2, the follower foot not being shown,

[0027] [fig.4a] figure 4a is an enlarged view, partially in section, of a lower portion of the suction module illustrated in figure 2, when the follower foot is in the high position,

[0028] [fig.4b] Figure 4a is an enlarged view, partially in section, of a lower portion of the suction module illustrated in Figure 2, when the follower foot is in position low.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0030] With reference to Figure 1, the bucket according to a particular embodiment of the invention, generally designated 1, comprises a chassis 2 and a bucket body 3 which is mounted on the chassis 2 and which extends longitudinally along an axis X. The bucket 1 is here connected to a motorized vehicle such as a tractor (not illustrated here).

[0031] In particular, the bucket body 3 comprises a horizontal bottom extended laterally by two vertical lateral flanks, namely a left lateral flank and a right lateral flank (when the tractor is driven). However, the bucket body 3 is open at its rear part. The bucket body 3 also comprises a belt arranged on the bottom of the bucket body 3 ensuring movement of the product contained in the bucket 1 towards the rear or the front of the bucket body 3. The bucket 1 is thus said to have a “moving floor”.

[0032] The front part of the bucket body 3 is closed here by a suction module 4 allowing a product to be sucked up (such as crop or grinding waste of the plant or straw type for example or fodder or generally any other product that can be sucked up).

[0033] Furthermore, the front part of the bucket body 3 comprises a front flank arranged between the suction module 4 and the belt. The front flank is typically inclined with respect to the side flanks and extends from the bottom towards the suction module 4.

[0034] The suction module 4 is thus arranged in the bucket 1 between the front side and an attachment 5 of the bucket 1 to the motorized vehicle.

[0035] Preferably, the suction module 4 is arranged in a removable manner on the chassis 2 in order to be able to equip the skip 1 with another module if necessary or to be able to use the skip 1 without a module.

[0036] Furthermore, the rear part of the skip body 3, which is open because it has no fixed rear side, is in fact closed by a pivoting door which is movable between a closed position where it covers the open rear part of the skip body 3 and an open position where it allows access to the interior of the skip 1 via said open rear part.

[0037] Furthermore, the skip 1 comprises one or more extensions, possibly removable, to increase the volume of the skip body 3. The extensions are potentially slidably mounted on the skip body 3 so that they can be lowered or raised to increase the volume of the skip body.

[0038] The skip body 3 here also comprises a roof 6 at least partially covering the skip body 3. In the present case, the roof 6 is arranged to extend from the door to the suction module 4 so as to cover the suction module 4.

[0039] The roof 6 is optionally foldable.

[0040] Preferably, the roof 6 can be lowered (for example by means of the extensions) in order to be able to compress the product present in the bin 1 to gain storage volume for the product.

[0041] The suction module 4 will now be detailed with reference to all of the figures.

[0042] The suction module 4 comprises a chimney comprising a suction column 7 extended by an expulsion portion 8 bent to facilitate the discharge of a product from the ground into the body of the bucket 3.

[0043] The suction column 7 extends substantially vertically along an axis Z orthogonal to the axis X. The suction column 7 here has a square or rectangular section.

[0044] In order to be able to follow the lowering of the roof 6, the suction module 8 comprises at least one retractable portion making it possible to follow the movement of the roof 6.

[0045] Typically, the suction column 7 is retractable, the lower portion of the suction column remaining fixed relative to the bucket body 3. In particular, the suction column 7 comprises two portions, including an upper portion 7a mounted to slide along the X axis on the lower portion 7b secured to the bucket body 3. If it is not envisaged to remove the suction module, the lower portion 7b can be directly an integral part of the bucket body.

[0046] The expulsion portion 8 extends (apart from its bent end for attachment to the suction column) substantially parallel to the axis X and therefore perpendicular to the suction column 7. The expulsion portion 8 here has a square or rectangular section. The expulsion portion 8 is of course directed towards the rear of the bucket 1 in the direction of the interior of the bucket body 3.

[0047] The suction block 4 thus comprises pumping means 9 arranged in the lower part of the suction column 7. The pumping means 9 are here integral with the lower portion 7b. The pumping means 9 comprise at least one pump and preferably at least two pumps.

[0048] In the present case, the pumping means 9 comprise two pumps 10, 11 arranged so that their axis of rotation is each parallel to the axis X. The pumps 10, 11 are preferably centrifugal pumps.

[0049] The two pumps 10, 11 are thus mounted in parallel, one next to the other in the lower portion 7b of the suction column 7.

[0050] More precisely here, the two pumps 10, 11 are arranged so that their respective volutes open into a common discharge outlet 12 which itself opens into the suction column. The two pumps 10, 11 are further arranged so as to have a common suction inlet. Said inlet is in reality here di directly an orifice provided in the lower end of the suction column 7 and giving access to the outside. The rotors of the two pumps 10, 11 are thus directly in contact with the ambient air.

[0051] In operation, the pumps suck in air laden with a product (particles, waste, fodder or other) and discharge it via the volutes into the suction column 7. The air laden with the product is then discharged into the bucket body 3 via the suction column 7 and the expulsion portion 8, the product being heavier than the air flow transporting it then falling into the bucket body 3.

[0052] The suction module 4 further comprises a follower foot 13 connected to the suction column 7.

[0053] In a manner known per se, the follower foot 13 makes it easier to suck up the product from the ground to the pumping means 9 by creating a suction tunnel between the ground and the pumping means 9 (the air circulating through a channel provided in the follower foot 13 and opening out at the upper end of the follower foot 13 substantially opposite the pumping means).

[0054] Furthermore, the follower foot 13 is mounted movably on the suction column 7. More precisely here, the follower foot 13 is mounted slidingly on the suction column 7. Typically, the follower foot 13 slides along rails secured to the lower portion 7b.

[0055] Said follower foot 13 is generally shaped like a prism with a first main face that is flat and substantially vertical facing the suction column 7 and a second main face that is inclined opposite extending from the top of the follower foot 13 towards the ground.

[0056] The follower foot 13 is preferably shaped so as to have a base that is wider than the rest of the follower foot.

[0057] This makes it possible to improve the suction of air from the ground and its guidance to the pumping means 9.

[0058] The follower foot 13 is further mounted on one or more rollers 14 for its movement on the ground. The follower foot 13 here comprises four rollers 14.

[0059] According to a particular embodiment, the rollers 14 are carried by two left and right lateral arms 15 solarized respectively to the left and right sides of the follower foot 13.

[0060] Each arm 15 is here pivotally mounted, substantially in its center, on respectively one of the left and right sides of the follower foot 13 along an axis Y (here orthogonal to the axis X and to the axis Z).

[0061] According to the invention, the follower foot 13 here forms a shutter for the pumping means. For this purpose, the follower foot 13 is furthermore mounted to be movable relative to the suction column 7 between a low position (corresponding to a neutral position of the shutter) and a high position (corresponding to a service position of the shutter) in which the follower foot 13 at least partially obstructs the inlet of the pumping means 9.

[0062] It is of course necessary to distinguish between the small uncontrolled movements of the follower foot 13 allowing it to follow the contours of the ground, and the large controlled movement of the follower foot 13 between its low position and its high position allowing the follower foot 13 to be able to rise sufficiently to at least partially obstruct the inlet of the pumping means 9.

[0063] In the present case, the follower foot 13 is arranged so that in the low position it rests on the ground via its rollers 14 and in the high position it extends substantially at the height of the pumping means 9. The follower foot 13 then extends more precisely here at the level of the rotors of the two pumps 10, 11, greatly limiting the quantity of air that can be sucked in by the two rotors.

[0064] Preferably, the width of the follower foot 13 (along the Y axis) is equal to or greater than the width (along the Y axis) of the assembly formed by the two rotors of the means of the two pumps 10, 11. Furthermore, the height of the follower foot 13 (along the Z axis) is equal to or greater than the height (along the Z axis) of the assembly formed by the two rotors of the two pumps 10, 11. In this way, when the follower foot 13 is in its high position, the follower foot 13 protrudes from the assembly formed by the two rotors in height (on both sides of the assembly) and in width (on both sides of the assembly) which makes it possible to very effectively block the quantity of air that can be sucked in by the two rotors.

[0065] The suction module 4 further comprises means for actuating the follower foot 13 in order to cause the movement of the follower foot 13 between its two high and low positions. For this purpose, the actuating means here comprise a jack 16 whose body is integral with the suction column 7 and whose rod is integral with the follower foot 13. The jack 16 is thus arranged so that the extension of the rod causes a lowering of the follower foot 13 and the retraction of the jack causes a raising of the follower foot 13.

[0066] In this way, when the suction module 4 is started, the follower foot 13 is in its high position or brought into its high position.

[0067] This limits the quantity of air sucked in by the pumping means, allowing the pumping means to be put into service more quickly.

[0068] The follower foot 13 is then lowered into its low position to leave the inlet of the pumping means free (the air then being sucked through the follower foot 13).

[0069] Advantageously, the follower foot 13 can also be arranged in its high position for other applications, in particular when storing the skip 1.

[0070] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and variant embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the demands.

[0071] Although here the dump body is attached to a motorized vehicle, the dump body may be directly motorized, a driving position then being arranged at the front of the dump body.

[0072] The suction module may be different from what has been indicated.

[0073] Thus the suction module may include a shutter other than the follower foot, such as, for example, a panel mounted so as to be able to move relative to the pumping means in order to be able to obstruct at least part of the inlet of the pumping means in operation. This panel may, for example, be mounted so as to slide, pivot or in any other way move on the suction module.

[0074] Furthermore, although here the shutter is secured to the suction column, the shutter may be secured to a part of the bucket such as for example the chassis or the bucket body. Independently, the follower foot may also be carried by a part of the bucket other than the suction module such as for example the chassis or the bucket body.

[0075] The actuating means may be different from what has been indicated. A different number of jacks may thus be used. Instead of jacks, other means may be used such as a motor associated with a pulley system.

[0076] In the same way, other pumping means may be used. It is thus possible to have a different number of pumps for example and typically a single pump.

Claims

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10. Claims Bucket comprising a suction module comprising a chimney provided with a suction block for the routing of a product in the suction module, the suction block comprising pumping means, characterized in that the bucket comprises a shutter mounted movably in the bucket between a neutral position and a service position in which the shutter at least partially obstructs a suction inlet of the pumping means (9). Bucket according to claim 1, in which the pumping means (9) comprise at least two pumps (10, 11). Bucket according to claim 2, in which the two pumps (10, 11) are mounted in parallel in the module. Bucket according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pumping means (9) comprise at least one centrifugal pump. Bucket according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shutter is formed by a follower foot (13). Skip according to claim 5, comprising means for actuating the shutter which comprise at least one jack (16) making it possible to raise or lower the follower foot. Skip according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shutter is slidably mounted opposite the chimney. Bucket according to one of the preceding claims, in which the shutter is carried by a fixed lower portion of the chimney. Suction module of a bucket according to one of the preceding claims, the suction module carrying the shutter. Method of using a suction module according to claim 9 comprising the successive steps of: - before starting the pumping means, arrange the shutter in its service position so that it at least partially obstructs the suction inlet, - start the pumping equipment.

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