Road surface drying attachment

Abstract

To provide a road surface drying attachment that can use heat from a heater more efficiently than ever before for snow and ice thawing and road surface drying.SOLUTION: A road surface drying attachment 19 includes: an air guide 38 that partitions a drying chamber 37 in contact with the ground GD; a heater 39 that heats air within the drying chamber 37; and a blower 42 that generates swirling flow of heated air in the drying chamber 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a road surface drying attachment that can be used to melt snow and ice and dry road surfaces. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a snow melting device (road surface drying attachment). The snow melting device includes an air guide that guides the airflow blown out from a blower along one path. The airflow is heated by a flame blown out from a burner. The heated airflow is guided toward the road surface. In this way, the hot air flows along the road surface, drying it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6780196 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6462909 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When drying the road surface, hot air is released from the air guide toward the road surface. The hot air traces the road surface once and dissipates to the surroundings. The thermal energy of the hot air mixes with the surrounding cool air and dissipates. Because the hot air only traces the road surface once, only a limited amount of thermal energy can be transmitted to the road surface.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a road surface drying attachment that can utilize heat from a heater more efficiently than ever before in melting snow and ice and drying the road surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one form of the present invention, a road surface drying attachment is provided which includes an air guide that defines a drying chamber in contact with the ground, a heater that heats air within the drying chamber, and a blower that generates a swirling flow of the heated air within the drying chamber.

[0007] The blower creates a swirling flow of hot air in the drying chamber of the air guide. The swirling air flows along the ground and heats it. The snow and ice on the ground can melt in response to the heating. The moisture on the ground can evaporate in response to the heating. The ground can be dried. At this time, since a swirling flow is formed in the drying chamber, the dispersion of heated air can be restricted. The heated air can remain on the ground more than ever before. The heat of the air can be used as effectively as possible to melt the snow and ice and evaporate the moisture. The heat of the heater can be used more efficiently than ever before to melt the snow and ice and dry the road surface.

[0008] The heater may generate a flame in response to combustion of fuel when heating the air, and the blower may introduce air from outside the drying chamber into the drying chamber when generating the swirling flow. The blower introduces fresh air into the drying chamber when generating the flame. Sufficient oxygen can be secured in the drying chamber. The fuel can be combusted well. The heater and the blower can be configured as one combustion burner.

[0009] The road surface drying attachment may further include a guide body having an air outlet facing the ground in front of the air guide body in the forward direction, and guiding air in the drying chamber to the air outlet. When fresh air is introduced into the drying chamber, the fresh air pushes air from the drying chamber toward the air outlet. The air that has transferred heat to the ground is guided from the guide body to the air outlet and blown out toward the ground. The ground can be heated in front of the air guide body as the air guide body advances. Since the ground is heated prior to contact with the swirling flow, the efficiency of melting snow and ice and drying the road surface can be further promoted.

[0010] The swirling flow may have a swirling axis in a direction perpendicular to the ground. In the drying chamber, the air swirls along the ground. A large contact area between the swirling air and the ground can be relatively easily secured. The increase in the contact area can contribute to the promotion of efficiency in melting snow and ice and drying the road surface.

[0011] The guide body may introduce the air from the center of the swirling flow. When the swirling flow is formed, the air is pushed radially outward by centrifugal force. Meanwhile, since the air of the swirling flow flows out from the center of the swirling flow to the guide body, a suction force acts radially inward on the air of the swirling flow. The air can come into contact with the ground over a wide area while swirling in a spiral. Effect of the Invention

[0012] As described above, according to the road surface drying attachment disclosed herein, the heat of the heater can be utilized more efficiently than ever before in melting snow and ice and drying the road surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a wheel loader according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2A is an enlarged plan view of the attachment, partially shown in cross section, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged side view of the attachment, partially shown in cross section. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a schematic configuration of a burner. [Figure 4] 3A corresponds to FIG. 2, and is an enlarged plan view showing the airflow, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged side view showing the airflow. [Diagram 5] 3A corresponds to FIG. 2, and is an enlarged plan view of an attachment according to another specific example, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged side view of the same attachment. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are an enlarged plan view and an enlarged side view of an attachment according to still another specific example, respectively, corresponding to FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of a wheel loader according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wheel loader 11 has a vehicle body 14 supported on the ground (road surface) GD by left and right front wheels 12 and left and right rear wheels 13. The vehicle body 14 has a front body 14a that supports the front wheels 12 rotatably about a horizontal axis, and a rear body 14b that is connected to the rear end of the front body 14a rotatably about a vertical axis Vx and supports the rear wheels 13 rotatably about the horizontal axis. The wheel loader 11 turns when the front body 14a and the rear body 14b are displaced relative to each other about the vertical axis Vx.

[0016] Left and right lift arms 16 are attached to the front body 14a so that they can be raised and lowered about a horizontal axis 15. A hydraulic cylinder 17 is installed between the front body 14a and the lift arms 16. The lift arms 16 can be raised and lowered in response to the extension of the hydraulic cylinder 17. A hydraulic circuit that distributes hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic source (not shown) is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 17. When the hydraulic cylinder 17 extends or retracts, hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic source is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder 17 from the hydraulic circuit.

[0017] An attachment 19 is connected to the front end of the lift arm 16 so as to be tiltable about a horizontal axis 18. A tilt mechanism 21 is connected to the attachment 19. The tilt mechanism 21 includes a bell crank 23 supported by the lift arm 16 at an intermediate position so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis 22, a tilt link member 24 connecting the attachment 19 to the bell crank 23, and a hydraulic cylinder 25 incorporated between the bell crank 23 and the front body 14a. The tilt link member 24 has a first end connected to the bell crank 23 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis 26 at a position away from the intermediate position (horizontal axis 22) in the first direction, and a second end connected to the attachment 19 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis 27 at a position away from the rotation axis (horizontal axis 18) of the attachment 19 relative to the lift arm 16. The hydraulic cylinder 25 comprises a cylinder case 25a rotatably connected to the front body 14a about a horizontal axis 28 and defining a hydraulic chamber, and a rod 25b rotatably connected to the bell crank 23 about a horizontal axis 29 at a position away from the intermediate position (horizontal axis 22) in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and which is moved in and out of the cylinder case 25a in response to the supply of hydraulic pressure. The tilt operation of the attachment 19 can be achieved in response to the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 25. When the hydraulic cylinder 25 extends and retracts, hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic source is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder 25 from a hydraulic circuit.

[0018] A cab 33 is installed on the rear body 14b forward of the rear wheels 13. Behind the cab 33, there are mounted a power source 34 that generates driving force transmitted to the front wheels 12 and rear wheels 13, a hydraulic source (not shown) that is connected to the power source 34 and generates hydraulic pressure in response to the power supplied from the power source 34, and a power source (not shown) that is connected to the power source 34 and generates electric power in response to the power supplied from the power source 34. An operator sits in the cab 33. The wheel loader 11 travels in response to operation by the operator. The tilt angle and height of the attachment 19 can be controlled based on operation by the operator.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the attachment 19 is connected to the lift arm 16 so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axis 18, and includes an air guide 38 that defines a drying chamber 37 in contact with the ground GD, and a burner (heater) 39 that is coupled to the air guide 38 and heats air in the drying chamber 37. A blower 42 that generates an airflow along the axis 41 of the emitted flame is incorporated in the burner 39. The burner 39 blows out an airflow that directs the flame. Here, the airflow of the burner 39 generates a swirling flow of heated air in the drying chamber 37.

[0020] The air guide 38 surrounds the drying chamber 37 along a cylindrical surface having a central axis in the vertical direction of the ground GD, and has a peripheral wall 38a that defines a circular opening that opens downward at the lower end separated by a horizontal plane. The burner 39 ejects airflow in parallel to the peripheral wall 38a. The axis 41 of the flame may be set in the tangential direction of the assumed swirling flow. The airflow of the burner 39 is guided by the peripheral wall 38a to form a swirling flow. The swirling flow has a swirling axis in the vertical direction of the ground GD. Here, two burners 39 are incorporated to form the swirling flow. The number of burners 39 may be determined based on the flow rate of each burner 39 and the flow speed of the swirling flow. The farther the burner 39 is from the central axis of the peripheral wall 38a, the more efficiently the airflow of the burner 39 can contribute to the generation of the swirling flow.

[0021] A circular pipe 43 having a central axis parallel to the horizontal axis 18 is fixed to the air guide 38. A pair of left and right first connecting pieces 44 that are coaxial with the horizontal axis 18 and receive an axis connected to the lift arm 16, and one second connecting piece 45 that is coaxial with the horizontal axis 27 and receives an axis connected to the tilt link member 24 are fixedly attached to the circular pipe 43. The first connecting piece 44 and the second connecting piece 45 can be positioned relative to each other based on the circular pipe 43. The horizontal axes 18, 27 can be disposed in a good positional relationship with respect to the air guide 38.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2(B), the attachment 19 has an air outlet 46 facing the ground GD in front of the air guide 38 in the forward direction, and further includes a guide 47 that guides air in the drying chamber 37 to the air outlet 46. The air guide 38 has a top plate 38b that spreads along a horizontal plane and closes the drying chamber 37 along the upper end of the peripheral wall 38a. The guide 47 is connected to the top plate 38b of the air guide 38. A circular opening 48 is formed in the center of the top plate 38b. The ventilation passage of the guide 47 is connected to the opening 48. The opening 48 has a size that can generate a sufficient swirling flow in the drying chamber 37. If the opening 48 is excessively large, the air will flow out into the ventilation passage of the guide 47 before a sufficient swirling flow is generated in the drying chamber 37.

[0023] The guide body 47 includes a first passage member 47a that defines an air outlet 46 that is as wide as the drying chamber 37 in the left-right direction as shown in Fig. 2(A), a cylindrical second passage member 47b that extends vertically from an opening 48 as shown in Fig. 2(B), and a third passage member 47c that connects the first passage member 47a to the upper end of the second passage member 47b. The third passage member 47c gradually widens in the left-right direction from the size of the ventilation passage of the second passage member 47b to the size of the ventilation passage of the first passage member 47a. Fins or special shapes that diffuse air evenly toward the air outlet 46 may be arranged in the ventilation passage of the guide body 47.

[0024] The drying chamber 37 contacts the ground GD at an opening defined by the peripheral wall 38a. Between the lower end of the peripheral wall 38a and the ground GD, a gap Gp is ​​set that creates an air resistance larger than the air resistance flowing from the drying chamber 37 to the guide body 47. By setting the air resistance in this manner, leakage of the swirling flow from the lower end of the peripheral wall 38a along the ground GD can be prevented. If negative pressure is generated in the drying chamber 37 by the action of the air flowing out from the opening 48, leakage of the swirling flow can be prevented even more effectively. The air resistance flowing out from the drying chamber 37 to the guide body 47 can be controlled based on, for example, the gap Gf between the lower end of the first passage material 47a and the ground GD.

[0025] The air guide 38 and the guide 47 may be made of a material having high rigidity and heat resistance, for example. Such a material may be, for example, steel or stainless steel. The circular tube 43, the first connecting piece 44, and the second connecting piece 45 may be made of a material having high rigidity, for example. Such a material may be, for example, steel or stainless steel.

[0026] 3, burner 39 includes a housing 53 that guides an air flow from an air inlet port 51 toward an outlet 52, and a vaporizer 54 that is disposed within the housing 53 and vaporizes liquid fuel and ejects the vaporized fuel toward the outlet 52. An adjustment valve 55 that adjusts the flow rate of the air being introduced is disposed in the inlet port 51. The adjustment valve 55 includes, for example, a valve body that is disposed within the inlet port 51 and changes the degree of opening of a passage. The valve body is driven, for example, by the action of an electric motor. A current is supplied to the electric motor from a power source.

[0027] Liquid fuel is supplied to the vaporizer 54 through a supply pipe 56. For example, kerosene can be used as the liquid fuel. For ignition, an ignition electrode 57 is arranged inside the housing 53. The ignition electrode 57 generates a discharge in response to the supply of current. Current is supplied to the ignition electrode 57 from a power source. The vaporized fuel is ignited in response to the discharge. Combustion can continue as long as the mixture ratio of the vaporized fuel and the air is maintained satisfactorily. A fuel tank (not shown) is connected to the supply pipe 56. The liquid fuel is held in the fuel tank. The fuel tank may be mounted on the attachment 19.

[0028] The blower 42 includes a fan casing 62 that houses a centrifugal fan or turbo fan rotating around an axis 58, sucks in air from an inlet 59 and blows it out from an outlet port 61, a first air pipe 63 that is connected to the fan casing 62, extends horizontally forward in the forward direction, and defines a flow path that continues from the outlet port 61, a second air pipe 65 that is connected to the front end of the first air pipe 63 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis 64 and extends horizontally coaxially with the horizontal axis 64, and a third air pipe 67 that is connected to the tip of the second air pipe 65 in an orthogonal position and receives the housing 53 so as to be relatively rotatable around an axis 66. The second air pipe 65 defines a flow path that continues from the flow path of the first air pipe 63. The third air pipe 67 defines a flow path that continues from the flow path of the second air pipe 65 to the introduction port 51. The air blown out from the blower 42 passes through the first air pipe 63, the second air pipe 65, and the third air pipe 67 and is introduced into the housing 53 from the inlet port 51. The attitude of the housing 53 can be adjusted based on the rotation of the second air pipe 65 about the horizontal axis 64 and the rotation of the housing 53 about the axis 66. The blower 42 can introduce fresh air from outside the drying chamber 37 into the drying chamber 37. Therefore, oxygen can be adequately ensured in the air mixed with the vaporized fuel. A flame can be generated along the axis 41 by the airflow being ejected from the nozzle 52 when the vaporized fuel is combusted.

[0029] Next, the operation of the wheel loader 11 will be described. The wheel loader 11 can move forward according to the driving force of the power source 34. Prior to moving forward, the attachment 19 is positioned with respect to the ground (road surface) GD. When positioning, the gap Gp between the lower end of the peripheral wall 38a and the ground GD is adjusted. When making the adjustment, the position of the lift arm 16 is controlled by the action of the hydraulic cylinder 17, and the attitude of the attachment 19 is controlled by the action of the hydraulic cylinder 25.

[0030] Here, the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders 17, 25 can be controlled based on the magnitude of the gap Gp, which changes from moment to moment. For this control, the attachment 19 can be equipped with a distance sensor that continuously measures the gap Gp. Based on the output of the distance sensor, for example, a microprocessor (MPU) can calculate the amount of extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders 17, 25. With this control, the gap Gp can be maintained appropriately according to the condition of the ground GD.

[0031] When the burner 39 is operated, air is supplied from the blower 42 to the housing 53. When the vaporized fuel begins to burn, a flame is formed along the axis 41 by the action of the airflow blown out from the nozzle 52. As shown in FIG. 4, a swirling current of hot air is generated in the drying chamber 37. The flame heats the air passing through the housing 53, and heats the air swirling in the drying chamber 37. The hot air flows along the ground GD. The swirling current of hot air heats the ground GD. In response to the heating, snow and ice on the ground GD can melt. In response to the heating, moisture on the ground GD can evaporate. The ground GD can dry. In FIG. 4, the airflow is indicated by black arrows.

[0032] At this time, since a swirling flow is formed in the drying chamber 37, the dispersion of the heated air can be restricted. The heated air can remain on the ground GD more than ever before. The heat of the air can be used as effectively as possible to melt the snow and ice and evaporate the water. The heat of the burner 39 can be used more efficiently than ever before to melt the snow and ice and dry the road surface.

[0033] In this embodiment, the blower 42 introduces fresh air into the drying chamber 37 to generate a flame. Sufficient oxygen can be secured in the drying chamber 37. The vaporized fuel can be combusted well. Since the swirling flow is generated by the action of the blower 42 (air blower) incorporated in the burner 39, the amount of additional equipment can be kept to a minimum. However, a blower separate from the combustion burner may be installed in the drying chamber 37. In this case, the blower is disposed as far away from the central axis of the peripheral wall 38a as possible, while the combustion burner can be disposed close to the central axis of the peripheral wall 38a. The vortex can be generated by the action of centrifugal force.

[0034] As described above, when fresh air is introduced into the drying chamber 37, the fresh air pushes the air out of the drying chamber 37 toward the air outlet 46. The air that has transferred heat to the ground GD is guided from the guide body 47 to the air outlet 46 and blown out toward the ground GD. As the air guide body 38 advances, the ground GD can be heated in front of the air guide body 38. Since the ground GD is heated prior to contact with the swirling flow, the efficiency of melting snow and ice and drying the road surface can be further promoted.

[0035] In this embodiment, the swirling airflow has a swirling axis perpendicular to the ground surface GD. In the drying chamber 37, the air swirls along the ground surface GD. A large contact area between the swirling airflow and the ground surface GD can be relatively easily secured. The increase in the contact area can greatly contribute to the promotion of efficiency in melting snow and ice and drying the road surface.

[0036] The guide body 47 introduces air from the center of the swirling flow. When a swirling flow is formed, the air is pushed radially outward by centrifugal force. On the other hand, since the air in the swirling flow flows out from the center of the swirling flow into the guide body 47, a suction force acts radially inward on the air in the swirling flow. The air can come into contact with the ground over a wide area while swirling in a spiral.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment 19 may further incorporate an enhanced blower 71 that reinforces the airflow along the axis 41 of the flame emitted from the burner 39. Here, the enhanced blower 71 may include the fan casing 62, similar to the blower 42. The enhanced blower 71 may be coupled to, for example, the air guide 38 at the fan casing 62. The enhanced blower 71 includes an air pipe 72 that is coupled to the fan casing 62 and defines a continuous flow path from the outlet port 61. The air pipe 72 blows air from the outlet port at the downstream end. The burner 39 is disposed at the outlet port. The enhanced blower 71 blows airflow that directs the flame of the burner 39. The airflow of the enhanced blower 71 reinforces the formation of a swirling flow. Here, the enhanced blower 71 can introduce fresh air from outside the drying chamber 37 into the drying chamber 37. Therefore, the lack of oxygen in the air mixed with the vaporized fuel can be well avoided.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment 19 may further include an enhanced blower 73 that reinforces the airflow along the axis 41 of the flame emitted from the burner 39. The enhanced blower 73 includes an air pipe 73a that is coupled to the air guide 38 and extends along the flow direction of the swirling flow, and an axial flow fan 73b that is disposed in the air pipe 73a and generates an airflow along the flow direction of the swirling flow in the air pipe 73a. The air pipe 73a blows air from an outlet port at the downstream end. The burner 39 is disposed in the outlet port. The enhanced blower 73 blows airflow that directs the flame of the burner 39. The airflow of the enhanced blower 73 reinforces the formation of the swirling flow. Here, the air pipe 73a can introduce heated air in the drying chamber 37 from the upstream end. The enhanced blower 73 promotes the swirling flow of the heated air. The heated air circulates in the drying chamber 37 when the swirling flow is reinforced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 19...road surface drying attachment (attachment), 37...drying chamber, 38...air guide, 39...heater (burner), 42...blower, 46...air outlet, 47...guide, 71...blower (reinforced blower), 73...blower (reinforced blower), GD...ground (road surface).

Claims

1. A wind guide that divides a drying chamber that is in contact with the ground; A heater for heating air in the drying chamber; a blower for generating a swirling flow of the heated air in the drying chamber; A road surface drying attachment comprising:

2. 2. The road surface drying attachment according to claim 1, wherein the heater generates a flame in response to combustion of fuel to heat the air, and the blower introduces air from outside the drying chamber into the drying chamber to generate the swirling flow.

3. 3. The road surface drying attachment according to claim 2, further comprising a guide body having an air outlet facing the ground in front of the air guide body in the forward direction, and guiding air in the drying chamber to the air outlet.

4. 4. A road surface drying attachment according to claim 3, wherein the swirling flow has a swirling axis in a direction perpendicular to the ground surface.

5. 5. A road surface drying attachment according to claim 4, wherein the guide body introduces the air from a center of the swirling flow.

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