Concrete pump vehicle

Abstract

To provide a concrete pump vehicle that can stably fix the control device that controls the pump unit. [Solution] The concrete pump vehicle comprises a pair of frames arranged in the left-right direction, a pump unit fixed between the pair of frames for pumping ready-mix concrete, and a control device mounted on the pair of frames for controlling at least the pump unit, the control device being fixed to the frame and the pump unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a concrete pump vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a concrete pump device including a concrete pump unit and a base frame for attaching the concrete pump unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1 does not disclose a control device for controlling the concrete pump unit, but simply fixing the control device on the base frame is unstable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the problem is to provide a concrete pump vehicle capable of stably fixing a control device for controlling a pump unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The concrete pump vehicle includes a pair of frames arranged in the left-right direction, a pump unit fixed between the pair of frames for pumping fresh concrete, and a control device mounted on the pair of frames for controlling at least the pump unit. The control device is fixed to the frame and the pump unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a concrete pump vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Left side view of a concrete pump vehicle according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] Plan view of the pump unit according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A schematic plan view showing the pump unit according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of the pump unit and drive unit according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view along line VI-VI in Figure 2 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In each drawing, the dimensions of components may be enlarged or reduced from their actual dimensions for the sake of clarity, and the dimensional ratios between drawings may not be consistent. Furthermore, in each drawing, some components may be omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0009] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "1st," "2nd," etc., are used to describe various components, but these terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from others, and the components are not particularly limited by these terms. Furthermore, the number of components including ordinal numbers is not particularly limited; for example, there may be only one. Also, the ordinal numbers used in the following specification and drawings may differ from the ordinal numbers described in the claims.

[0010] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the first direction (first horizontal direction) D1 is also called the front-back direction D1, and of the first direction D1, the direction of the arrow in the diagram is defined as the front direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in the diagram is defined as the back direction. Also, the second direction (second horizontal direction) D2 is also called the left-right direction D2, and of the second direction D2, the direction of the arrow in the diagram is defined as the left direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in the diagram is defined as the right direction. Also, the third direction D3 is also called the up-down direction D3, and of the third direction D3, the direction of the arrow in each diagram is defined as the up direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in each diagram is defined as the down direction.

[0011] The following description will explain one embodiment of a concrete pump vehicle with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that the following embodiment is provided as an example to aid in understanding the configuration of the concrete pump vehicle, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the concrete pump vehicle.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the concrete pump vehicle 1 may include a frame 2, a pump unit 3 mounted on the frame 2 for pumping ready-mix concrete, a drive unit 4 for driving the pump unit 3, a control device 5 for controlling each of the parts 3 and 4, and a running unit 6 rotatably attached to the frame 2. Note that the concrete pump vehicle 1 does not have a power source for its own movement and is a towed vehicle that is towed by another towing vehicle.

[0013] The running gear 6 may include a pair of left and right wheels 61, 61 and an axle 62 connecting the wheels 61, 61. The axle 62 is supported at the bottom of the frame 2 so as to be freely rotatable. That is, the wheels 61, 61 are non-driven wheels. As shown in Figure 2, the running gear 6 is positioned slightly behind the center of the frame 2 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0014] The frame 2 may include a pair of main frames 21, 21 extending in the front-rear direction D1, and a front frame 22 connecting the front ends of the main frames 21, 21. Further, the frame 2 may include a plurality of cross frames 23 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) extending in the left-right direction D2 and connecting the pair of main frames 21, 21. The cross frame 23 is fixed to, for example, the lower surface of the main frame 21 by welding or the like. The main frame 21 may be, for example, a steel material having a substantially C-shaped (U-shaped) cross section. Also, the cross frame 23 may be, for example, a steel material having a rectangular (square) cross section.

[0015] Further, the frame 2 may include legs 24 fixed to the side surfaces of the main frames 21. The legs 24 may be, for example, jacks that extend to the ground during the concrete placing operation. A plurality of legs 24 may be provided in the front-rear direction D1 as in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the legs 24 are provided at the same position as the cross frame 23 in the front-rear direction D1.

[0016] The frame 2 may include a towing portion 25 provided at the front end of the front frame 22. The towing portion 25 may be, for example, an annular hitch as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] The pump unit 3 is fixed between the pair of main frames 21. The pump unit 3 may include, as shown in FIG. 3, a concrete pump 7 and a valve device 8 disposed behind the concrete pump 7.

[0018] The concrete pump 7 includes a first concrete cylinder 71 on the left side and a second concrete cylinder 72 on the right side arranged in the left-right direction D2.

[0019] Further, the concrete pump 7 is axially connected to the proximal end (front end) of the first concrete cylinder 71 via a center frame 75, and includes a first drive cylinder 73 that drives the first concrete cylinder 71. Similarly, the concrete pump 7 is axially connected to the proximal end (front end) of the second concrete cylinder 72 via a center frame 75, and includes a second drive cylinder 74 that drives the second concrete cylinder 72.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the concrete pump 7 includes first and second concrete pistons 71a and 72a that are slidably fitted into the first and second concrete cylinders 71 and 72, and first and second drive pistons 73a and 74a that are slidably fitted into the first and second drive cylinders 73 and 74. The first concrete piston 71a and the first drive piston 73a are connected by a first piston rod 76 that slidably penetrates the center frame 75, and the second concrete piston 72a and the second drive piston 74a are connected by a second piston rod 77 that slidably penetrates the center frame 75. Each drive piston 73a, 74a partitions the inside of the drive cylinders 73, 74 into rod-side hydraulic chambers 73b, 74b and head-side hydraulic chambers 73c, 74c. The distal ends (rear ends) of the respective concrete cylinders 71, 72 are opened as discharge ends 71b, 72b. The discharge ends 71b, 72b of the respective concrete cylinders 71, 72 are connected to and communicate with the front surface of the valve device 8.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the concrete pump 7 may include a center box 78 that surrounds the first and second concrete cylinders 71, 72. The center box 78 has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction D1. The front end of the center box 78 is connected to the center frame 75, and the rear end is connected to the valve device 8.

[0022] The valve device 8 comprises a valve casing 81, a bottom cover 82, an S-shaped valve 83, an S-shaped valve driving means 84, and a discharge pipe 85. The valve casing 81 is formed in a frame shape, and its lower part is open by an opening. A hopper 86 (see Figure 2) for receiving ready-mix concrete is connected to the upper part of the valve casing 81. The bottom cover 82 opens and closes the opening at the bottom of the valve casing 81, for example, by a cylinder 87 (see Figure 2).

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a curved tubular S-shaped valve 83 is housed in the lower part of the valve casing 81. This S-shaped valve 83 is integral with the S-shaped valve 83 and is rotatable around the axis of a pivot shaft 83a that is parallel to the axis of each concrete cylinder 71, 72, and is configured to alternately switch the discharge ends 71b, 72b of the pair of concrete cylinders 71, 72 and the intake port 83b into communication.

[0024] The pivot shaft 83a is connected to an S-shaped valve driving means 84 for rotating the pivot shaft 83a in synchronization with the operation of both concrete pistons 71a and 72a to drive the S-shaped valve 83 in a switching manner. This S-shaped valve driving means 84 is configured such that the tips of a left-side single-acting valve driving cylinder 84a and a right-side single-acting valve driving cylinder 84b, which work together, are connected via a connecting arm (not shown) that extends integrally from the pivot shaft 83a, and the base ends of both valve driving cylinders 84a and 84b are rotatably connected to the valve casing 81.

[0025] During operation of the pump unit 3, the pair of valve drive cylinders 84a and 84b alternately connect the first and second concrete cylinders 71 and 72 that are in the concrete suction state to the valve casing 81, and the one that is in the concrete pumping state to the suction port 83b, thereby smoothly pumping the concrete. Specifically, the S-shaped valve 83 is capable of reciprocating (oscillating) between a first switching position (shown by a solid line in Figure 4) where the suction port 83b is connected to the discharge end 71b of the first concrete cylinder 71, and a second switching position (shown by a dashed line in Figure 4) where the suction port 83b is connected to the discharge end 72b of the second concrete cylinder 72. The first switching position is achieved by the extension of the left valve drive cylinder 84a, and the second switching position is achieved by the extension of the right valve drive cylinder 84b.

[0026] The discharge pipe 85 has its front end connected to the rear wall of the valve casing 81 and is in constant communication with the S-shaped valve 83, and its rear end is connected to a hose or the like (not shown).

[0027] The drive unit 4 may also include a hydraulic pump 10 that supplies hydraulic fluid to the concrete pump 7, and a valve 11 (see Figure 5) that connects the hydraulic pump 10 and the concrete pump 7. The concrete pump vehicle 1 may also include an oil tank 12 for storing hydraulic fluid and an oil cooler 13 for cooling the hydraulic fluid (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0028] The hydraulic pump 10 may include a pump 10a for a first drive cylinder and a pump 10b for a second drive cylinder. The pump unit 3 may also include an auxiliary pump 10c connected coaxially to the second drive cylinder pump 10b. The auxiliary pump 10c supplies hydraulic fluid to, for example, an S-shaped valve driving means 84 (valve drive cylinders 84a, 84b).

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the pump unit 3 has the pumps 10a and 10b for the first and second drive cylinders connected to the first and second drive cylinders 73 and 74 by a valve 11, and the hydraulic fluid discharged from the pumps 10a and 10b for the first and second drive cylinders operates the first and second drive cylinders 73 and 74.

[0030] The drive unit 4 drives the pump unit 3. Specifically, the drive unit 4 drives the first and second drive cylinder pumps 10a and 10b, and the auxiliary pump 10c. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the drive unit 4 may include a first motor 4a connected to the first drive cylinder pump 10a and a second motor 4b connected to the second drive cylinder pump 10b. Motors 4a and 4b are electric motors. In this embodiment, motors 4a and 4b are powered by an external power source. The drive unit 4 may also include a battery for powering motors 4a and 4b.

[0031] The drive unit 4 is fixed on the frame 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Specifically, the drive unit 4 is fixed on a bracket that connects the upper surfaces of a pair of main frames 21, 21.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the drive unit 4 is located at the front of the frame 2. That is, the drive unit 4 is positioned between the towed section 25 and the running section 6 in the longitudinal direction D1. By positioning the heavy drive unit 4 (motors 4a, 4b, hydraulic pump 10, valve 11) close to the towed section 25, the load is applied to the towed section 25, so that the concrete pump vehicle 1 is towed in a stable state.

[0033] Furthermore, the drive unit 4 may be positioned directly above the leg portion 24 attached to the frame 2. In this embodiment, the drive unit 4 is positioned directly above the front leg portion 24. Here, positioning the drive unit 4 directly above the leg portion 24 means that the drive unit 4 and the leg portion 24 are positioned so that they overlap in the vertical direction D3. Note that it is sufficient if the drive unit 4 and the leg portion 24 overlap even slightly in the vertical direction D3 when viewed from the side. By positioning the drive unit 4 directly above the leg portion 24, a load is applied to the leg portion 24, thereby stabilizing the concrete pump vehicle 1 during concrete pouring work.

[0034] The control device 5 controls at least the pump unit 3 and the drive unit 4. The control device 5 may include first and second control panels 51 and 52 arranged in the left-right direction D2, as shown in Figure 1. The control panels 51 and 52 are equipped with converters, etc. The control device 5 (control panels 51 and 52) is positioned behind the travel unit 6, as shown in Figure 2. As a result, the heavy drive unit 4 and the control device 5 are positioned so as to sandwich the travel unit 6 in the front-rear direction D1, thus achieving good balance between the front and rear of the travel unit 6.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, the control device 5 is mounted on the main frames 21, 21. The outer surface of the control device 5 in the left-right direction D2 is located inward in the left-right direction D2 compared to the outer surfaces of the pair of main frames 21, 21 in the left-right direction D2. That is, the width of the control device 5 in the left-right direction D2 is narrower than the width of the frame 2 in the left-right direction D2. This creates space on the outer upper surface of the main frames 21, 21 in the left-right direction D2, so that, for example, a cover (not shown) that covers the control device 5 can be placed there.

[0036] The first control panel 51 and the second control panel 52 are connected to each other at the top by a connecting member 53. The control panels 51 and 52 may each comprise a main body 51a and 52a and brackets 51b and 52b. The main body 51a and 52a comprise, for example, a power receiving unit to which an external power supply is connected and an inverter unit to which motors 4a and 4b are connected. The brackets 51b and 52b are box-shaped, and for example, cables connecting the inverter unit and motors 4a and 4b are routed through them. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the brackets 51b and 52b are provided below the main body 51a and 52a and extend over the entire length of the main body 51a and 52a in the front-to-back direction D1. However, the brackets 51b and 52b are not limited to these, and may be provided below the main body portions 51a and 52a, only on a portion of the main body portions 51a and 52a in the front-rear direction D1, or they may be provided so as to extend beyond the main body portions 51a and 52a in the front-rear direction D1. Furthermore, multiple brackets 51b and 52b may be provided below the main body portions 51a and 52a in the front-rear direction D1. In addition, the brackets 51b and 52b are positioned between the center frame 75 and the valve device 8.

[0037] The control panels 51 and 52 are fixed to the frame 2 and the pump unit 3. This ensures that the control panels 51 and 52 are fixed at two points, thus providing stability. The control panel 51 may be fixed, for example, to the left main frame 21 and to the center box 78 of the pump unit 3. Similarly, the control panel 52 may be fixed, for example, to the right main frame 21 and to the center box 78 of the pump unit 3. The pump unit 3, including the center box 78, is fixed to the frame 2 by the center frame 75 being fixed to a pair of main frames 21, 21 via a fixing part 75a (see Figure 3). The fixing part 75a is, for example, a pump bracket extending in the left-right direction D2 between the center frame 75 and the main frame 21. The center box 78 may also be fixed to the horizontal frame 23 or to an unillustrated frame (for example, a frame adjacent to the hopper 86) that extends in the left-right direction D2 and connects the pair of main frames 21, 21.

[0038] The lower surfaces of the main body sections 51a and 52a are connected to the upper surfaces of the pair of main frames 21 and 21, respectively. The main body sections 51a and 52a may be fixed to the pair of main frames 21 and 21 by welding or other means.

[0039] Furthermore, the lower sides of brackets 51b and 52b are connected to the upper outer surface of the center box 78, respectively. This restricts the movement of the control panels 51 and 52 in the left-right direction D2, thus further stabilizing them. Additionally, if the top surface of the center box 78 is configured as an openable lid, opening this lid and accessing the top surface of the center box 78 makes maintenance work on the first and second concrete cylinders 71 and 72 easier.

[0040] Brackets 51b and 52b may be fixed to the center box 78 by welding or other means. Alternatively, brackets 51b and 52b may be fixed to the pair of main frames 21 and 21 by welding or other means. In other words, the pump unit 3 may be fixed to the frame 2 by the center box 78 being fixed to the pair of main frames 21 and 21 via the control device 5 (specifically, control panels 51 and 52). This allows the pump unit 3 and the frame 2 to be properly fixed via the control device 5, even in a concrete pump vehicle 1 in which the distance between the pair of main frames 21 and 21 is widened to enable stable use on uneven ground.

[0041] [1] Based on the above, it is preferable that the concrete pump vehicle 1 comprises a pair of frames (main frames in this embodiment) 21, 21 arranged in the left-right direction D2, a pump unit 3 fixed between the pair of frames (main frames in this embodiment) 21, 21 for pumping fresh concrete, and a control device 5 mounted on the pair of frames (main frames in this embodiment) 21, 21 for controlling at least the pump unit 3, wherein the control device 5 is fixed to the frame (main frame in this embodiment) 21 and the pump unit 3.

[0042] With this configuration, the control device 5 is fixed to the frame (main frame in this embodiment) 21 and the pump unit 3 at two points, thus providing stability.

[0043] [2] Furthermore, in the concrete pump vehicle 1 described in [1] above, it is preferable that, as in this embodiment, the outer surface of the control device 5 in the left-right direction D2 is located inward in the left-right direction D2 than the outer surfaces of the pair of frames (main frames in this embodiment) 21, 21 in the left-right direction D2.

[0044] With this configuration, space is created on the outer upper surface of the pair of frames (main frames in this embodiment) 21, 21 in the left-right direction D2, so that, for example, a cover to cover the control device 5 can be placed there.

[0045] [3] Furthermore, in the concrete pump vehicle 1 described in [1] or [2] above, it is preferable that the pump unit 3 includes a center box 78 extending in the front-rear direction D1 between the pair of frames (main frame in this embodiment) 21, 21, and that the control device 5 is fixed to the outer surface of the center box 78, as in this embodiment.

[0046] With this configuration, the control device 5 is also restricted from moving in the left-right direction D2, thus becoming even more stable.

[0047] It should be noted that the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, nor is it limited to the effects and benefits described above. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the concrete pump vehicle 1 can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, one or more of the configurations and methods described below may be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configurations and methods of the embodiment described above.

[0048] (A) In the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, the outer surface of the control device 5 in the left-right direction D2 is located inward in the left-right direction D2 than the outer surfaces of the pair of main frames 21, 21 in the left-right direction D2. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the outer surface of the control device 5 in the left-right direction D2 may be located outward in the left-right direction D2 than the outer surfaces of the pair of main frames 21, 21 in the left-right direction D2. That is, the width of the control device 5 in the left-right direction D2 may be wider than the width of the frame 2 in the left-right direction D2.

[0049] (B) In the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, the pump unit 3 is provided with a center box 78 extending in the front-rear direction D1 between a pair of main frames 21, 21, and the control device 5 is fixed to the outer surface of the center box 78. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the control device 5 may be fixed to the upper surface of the center box 78.

[0050] (C) In the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, the legs 24 are configured as jacks. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the legs 24 may be configured as outriggers that can extend and retract in the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3.

[0051] (D) In ​​the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, the running section 6 is configured to have a pair of left and right wheels 61, 61. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the running section 6 may be configured to have a pair of left and right crawlers.

[0052] (E) In the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, the towed portion 25 is a hitch. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the towed portion 25 may be a hole formed in the frame 2 (specifically, the front frame 22). For example, the forks of a forklift may be inserted into the hole to tow the concrete pump vehicle 1.

[0053] (F) In the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, the pump unit 3 is configured to pump fresh concrete using concrete pistons 71a and 72a. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the pump unit 3 may be configured to pump fresh concrete by squeezing a flexible tube (pumping tube) with rollers. In other words, the method of pumping fresh concrete may be either piston type or squeeze type.

[0054] (G) In the concrete pump vehicle 1 according to the above embodiment, it is configured as a towed vehicle without self-propulsion capability. However, the concrete pump vehicle 1 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the concrete pump vehicle 1 may be configured as a self-propelled vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1...Concrete pump vehicle, 2...Frame, 3...Pump unit, 4...Drive unit, 4a...First motor, 4b...Second motor, 5...Control device, 6...Traction unit, 7...Concrete pump, 8...Valve device, 10...Hydraulic pump, 10a...Pump for first drive cylinder, 10b...Pump for second drive cylinder, 10c...Auxiliary pump, 11...Valve, 12...Oil tank, 13...Oil cooler, 21...Main frame, 22...Front frame, 23...Side frame, 24...Legs, 25...Towed section, 51...First control panel, 51a...Main body, 51b...Bracket, 52...Second control panel, 52a...Main body, 52b...Bracket, 53...Connecting member, 61...Wheel, 62...Axle, 71...First concrete cylinder, 71a...First concrete piston, 71b...Discharge end, 72 ...Second concrete cylinder, 72a...Second concrete piston, 72b...Discharge end, 73...First drive cylinder, 73a...First drive piston, 73b...Rod-side hydraulic oil chamber, 73c...Head-side hydraulic oil chamber, 74...Second drive cylinder, 74a...Second drive piston, 74b...Rod-side hydraulic oil chamber, 74c...Head-side hydraulic oil chamber, 75...Center frame, 75a...Fixed part, 76...First piston rod, 77...Second piston rod, 78...Center box, 81...Valve casing, 82...Bottom cover, 83...S-shaped valve, 83a...Rotating pivot shaft, 83b...Inlet, 84...S-shaped valve driving means, 84a...Valve driving cylinder, 84b...Valve driving cylinder, 85...Discharge piping, 86...Hopper, 87...Cylinder, D1...Front-back direction, D2...Left-right direction, D3...Up-down direction

Claims

1. A pair of frames arranged in the left-right direction, A pump unit fixed between the pair of frames for pumping ready-mix concrete, The pair of frames are equipped with a control device that controls at least the pump unit, The control device is fixed to the frame and the pump unit of the concrete pump vehicle.

2. The concrete pump vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the left-right outer surface of the control device is located inward in the left-right direction from the left-right outer surfaces of the pair of frames.

3. The pump unit includes a center box extending in the front-rear direction between the pair of frames, The concrete pump vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device is fixed to the outer surface of the center box.

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