Earthmoving machinery and methods for operating earthmoving machinery

Abstract

To reduce the costs of equipment and labor for inspecting steel cables on earthmoving machinery. [Solution] The earthwork machine comprises a movable transporter, a working device for working on soil, etc., and a steel cable 40 that can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the cable by a cable drive device to which tension is applied at least temporarily. The earthwork machine also comprises a holding device 70 designed to receive and detachably hold a cable measurement unit 80. The cable measurement unit 80 has a cable passage channel and is designed to detect the cable condition. When the holding device 70 is positioned near the steel cable 40 and receives and holds the cable measurement unit 80, the steel cable 40 is guided through its cable passage channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an earthwork machine according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a transport machine having a movable lower carriage, in particular provided with a track-mounted chassis, and a working device designed to work on soil or rock, in particular to remove soil or rock or to introduce a structure into the ground, and at least one steel cable which is tensioned at least temporarily by a cable drive and can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the cable.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method of operating an earthwork machine according to the preamble of claim 12, comprising a transport machine having a movable lower carriage, in particular provided with a track-mounted chassis, and a working device by which work is carried out on soil or rock, in particular soil or rock is removed or a structure is introduced into the ground, and at least one steel cable which is tensioned at least temporarily by a cable drive and can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the cable.

Background Art

[0003] General-purpose earthwork machines have been used for a long time, particularly as construction machines, such as augers and continuous diaphragm wall construction machines. For operating the machine components, a plurality of steel cables are generally used on this type of earthwork machine. For example, in an auger machine, a so-called main cable equipped with a main cable winch is arranged, by which, for example, a drilling tool, particularly a Kelly rod, can be raised and lowered along the mast. Furthermore, a so-called feed cable may be used, by which, for example, the position of a drill drive slide can be adjusted along the mast by a feed winch. As a result, for example, an additional feed force can be applied to the drilling tool. In addition, further steel cables, for example so-called auxiliary cables, can be arranged on this type of earthwork machine, and an additional lifting or traction function can be attached thereto by an auxiliary cable winch.

[0004] Steel cables on this type of earthmoving machinery have advantages, namely that strong tensile forces can be applied to machine components, such as construction tools, by a drive unit, such as a cable winch, located at a distance from the machine components. The path of the steel cable can be predetermined by one or more deflection rollers. In addition, the steel cable can be wound onto the winch drum in a very simple manner, thereby allowing for efficient force transmission by changing the construction length.

[0005] This type of steel cable is composed of multiple wires, specifically wound along an axis. In this case, the multiple wires can be twisted together to form a stranded wire, and the steel cable itself can be constructed from these stranded wires. A high-strength, flexible cable can be created in this way.

[0006] In earthmoving machinery, especially construction machinery, steel cables suffer significant wear. The degree and progression of this wear are particularly influenced by the duration of use, the force applied to the cable, the type and number of winding processes, and environmental and weather conditions, which are most severe at outdoor construction sites.

[0007] This wear, in particular, results in the breakage of individual wires within the steel cable. When the amount and number of wire breakages within the steel cable exceed a certain level, the steel cable may lose its required strength. When the wear exceeds a certain level, a malfunction, i.e., steel cable breakage, may occur during operation. Steel cable breakage during the operation of earthmoving machinery can have serious consequences, resulting in significant damage not only to the earthmoving machinery itself but also to surrounding equipment. Therefore, steel cable breakage on earthmoving machinery should be avoided at all costs.

[0008] As is well known and commonplace, steel cables used on earthmoving machinery are regularly visually inspected for breaks in the surface wire and replaced after a predetermined total operating time. However, this method has its drawbacks. Firstly, if the total operating time before steel cables are replaced is set too low, perfectly functional and unworn steel cables are often replaced and discarded. This is economically inefficient, as these types of cables could still be used.

[0009] Furthermore, if earthmoving machinery is used aggressively, especially in extreme weather conditions, cable wear will likely occur prematurely. In such cases, replacing the cable after a predetermined time is often too late. While rare, such cases are entirely possible and pose a risk of machine damage.

[0010] Inspection methods and machines for inspecting steel cables, for example, using electromagnetic waves, are known. This type of inspection method can, for example, non-destructively identify the breakage of individual wires within a steel cable. For instance, in electromagnetic testing of steel cables, the breakage of a wire can be identified as an anomaly in the measurement log.

[0011] This type of inspection method and the measuring instruments used are complex. The instruments must be precisely positioned on the steel cable, and the inspection must be performed by trained inspectors. Such inspections are used, for example, on steel cables that are particularly expensive and require safety considerations, such as those used in cable cars that carry people. Cable cars use very long steel cables, which can extend for several kilometers. Even relatively small temperature changes can lead to significant length changes and, consequently, differences in the cable path. The measuring instruments can be flexibly positioned on this type of cable car system by a belt system, either guided through the steel cable being inspected or guided along the steel cable. This type of inspection is time-consuming and expensive. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 218902 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 1914186 [Patent Document 3] European Patent No. 3708528 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 066631 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] The objective of this invention is to provide earthmoving machinery and a method for operating earthmoving machinery, thereby demonstrating how to ensure the use of particularly economical and safe steel cables during operation.

[0014] According to the present invention, its objective is achieved by both an earthmoving machine having the features of claim 1 and an earthmoving machine operating method relating to the features of claim 12. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are presented in dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] Earthmoving machinery provided in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one holding device designed to receive and removably hold a cable measurement unit, wherein the cable measurement unit has a cable passage channel, and the cable design unit is designed to detect the cable condition near the cable passage channel, and the holding device is positioned near the steel cable, and when the cable measurement unit is received, the cable measurement unit is held in a specific position, i.e., a position in which the steel cable is properly guided through the cable passage channel.

[0016] The present invention is based on the understanding that a clear cable path for multi-point steel cables is defined on civil engineering machinery. Based on this understanding, according to one aspect of the present invention, it is provided that at least one holding device be placed on the civil engineering machinery, the holding device being designed to receive and removably hold a cable measurement unit in a predetermined position. The cable measurement unit may have an open, or preferably closed, cable passage channel, and the condition of the steel cable guided through the cable passage channel can be detected by the cable measurement unit. The holding device allows for a clear position of the cable measurement unit to be predetermined during the measurement process, and ensures that the steel cable is properly guided through the cable passage channel, thereby enabling highly reliable measurements.

[0017] The work equipment can be designed, for example, as a drilling tool or cutter to remove soil or rock, or preferably as a pile driver or vibrator to introduce a structure into the ground to introduce foundation elements, such as sheet piles or posts.

[0018] In principle, the measuring instrument can be placed on the holding device for an extended period of time. According to one other aspect of the present invention, since the holding device is placed on an earthmoving machine, a relatively expensive cable measuring unit can be temporarily used on that machine, and because the placement of the holding device is predetermined, the cable measuring unit can be quickly mounted in the correct position and quickly removed. This enables an efficient measurement process using the cable measuring unit.

[0019] In the measurement process, the steel cable can preferably be moved within the cable measurement unit by a cable drive device. This allows for non-destructive inspection and detection of potential wire breaks within the steel cable across a wider range of cable components. The cable measurement unit can, in particular, perform electromagnetic testing of the steel cable, especially the MRT method, with the steel cable guided, for example, through the measurement electromagnetic field. During the inspection, abnormalities resulting from wire breaks, defects, or cracks in the steel cable are detected. Performing these individual steel cable condition checks allows for early identification of breaks, wear, and other defects, thus significantly reducing maintenance risks to operators and construction machinery. It also prevents cables that are only slightly worn from being replaced unnecessarily prematurely.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cable drive device is particularly preferably equipped with a cable winch and / or a linear drive device. Using this type of cable drive device, the steel cable can be efficiently moved and guided through the cable measurement unit. It is advantageous to equip the cable drive device with at least one cable winch, and to suspend the steel cable at least partially on the cable winch so that it can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the cable itself by winding motion. It is particularly advantageous to design the cable drive device, which is equipped with a cable winch, to be built into the lower half of the leader or mast of the earthmoving machine according to the present invention, particularly behind the mast, or on the transport machine, particularly on its superstructure. As a result, depending on the arrangement and orientation of the cable measurement unit, the steel cable can be guided particularly easily through the cable measurement unit.

[0021] In principle, the holding device can be arranged on the earthmoving machine in any manner. In this case, it is particularly preferable to arrange two or more holding devices at different points on the earthmoving machine so that the condition of one steel cable can be detected at different points by one or more cable measurement units, and / or the cable condition of two or more steel cables can be detected. It is particularly advantageous to arrange these two or more holding devices on the mast head, behind the mast, or on an operating slide in front of the mast. It is especially preferable to arrange the cable measurement unit between two or more deflection rollers and / or on a deflection block. As a result, the steel cable can be guided through the cable measurement unit in a particularly efficient and stable manner. Furthermore, this makes it possible to ensure the particularly simple attachment of the cable measurement unit to the earthmoving machine according to the present invention.

[0022] It is advisable to have the cable measurement unit equipped with a data storage unit and locally store the detected cable state data therein. Preferably, in addition to the cable measurement unit, an arithmetic logic unit is also provided, which can be connected to the data storage unit and designed to evaluate and process the detected cable state data. The evaluation can include, in particular, cable state analysis and usage-related recommendations. In this case, the arithmetic logic unit can be, in particular, spatially separated from the cable measurement unit, especially a mobile arithmetic logic unit, such as a smartphone or a tablet. As a result, the acquired measurement data can be evaluated in a spatially flexible manner and independently of the respective positions of the geotechnical machines according to the present invention. In this case, it is particularly advisable to graphically display the data detected by the cable measurement unit in a two-dimensional manner by means of a display device.

[0023] Another advantageous configuration of the present invention lies in that the holding device is provided with a fixing device to which the cable measurement unit is removably fixed. The fixing device can be designed, in particular, as a screw connection and / or a plug-in connection. It is highly advantageous to design the fixing device such that the cable measurement unit is inserted between two opposing metal plates. It is also advisable to design the fixing device as a bending part. With the fixing device according to the present invention, the cable measurement unit can be flexibly and as required installed on the geotechnical machine, thereby enabling a highly economical operation.

[0024] According to a further development of the invention, advantageously, the holding device is provided with a receptacle having at least one stopper, by means of which the cable measuring unit is arranged in the correct position within the holding device. The receptacle can in particular have the basic shape of a cuboid with a transverse support wall. This makes it possible to ensure a particularly accurate cable guidance within the cable measuring unit on the earthmoving machine according to the invention. Similarly, the mounting of the cable measuring unit on the earthmoving machine is simplified by a holding device of such a configuration.

[0025] An additional advantageous configuration of the invention lies in that the holding device is provided with an adjusting device for adjusting the receiving position of the cable measuring unit, in particular an adjusting device having at least one adjusting screw. By means of the adjusting screw, preferably, a permanent fastening of the cable measuring unit to the fixing device can be ensured. It is expedient to make the adjusting device insertable, in particular screwing-in, into the measuring device. As a result, a simple and precise mounting of both the holding device and the cable measuring unit can be ensured. The adjusting device can also be held displaceably so that the position of the cable measuring unit can be continuously adjusted with respect to the path of the cable to be guided.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device can be arranged on a deflection roller for a steel cable or on a cable drive device. In particular, the holding device can be arranged on a deflection block, whereby the steel cable can be guided on the earthmoving machine. It is highly preferred to arrange the holding device between two deflection rollers on the mast head of the mast of the earthmoving machine, preferably in the upper center. The holding device can also be preferably arranged on the rear side of the mast. This makes it possible to perform a particularly efficient mounting of the cable measuring unit on the earthmoving machine.

[0027] A particularly advantageous configuration of the present invention is that the earthmoving machine comprises at least two steel cables arranged side by side, particularly steel cables arranged parallel to each other, and that a holding device is adjustable, particularly displaceable, mounted between a first measurement position for a first steel cable and at least one further measurement position for at least one further steel cable. In this case, the steel cables can be designed in particular to operate the earthmoving device. In particular, the steel cables can be designed to operate an adjustable mounting base slide on the mast of the earthmoving machine in the feed or pull direction. Alternatively or in addition, cables can be provided on the mast head of the mast or on the extension arm to hold the working device. With an earthmoving machine designed in this way, various steel cables can be detected and inspected with particular efficiency by the cable measurement unit, thus ensuring particularly safe operation of the earthmoving machine even when multiple cables are used. Due to the adjustability of the holding device, multiple steel cables can be inspected using the same cable measurement unit, thereby reducing costs.

[0028] A modified embodiment of the present invention provides an earthmoving machine comprising a mast or extension arm, along which at least one steel cable is guided, wherein at least one holding device is positioned on the head region of the mast or on the extension arm. The head region of the mast may be provided with at least one deflection roller, in particular, for changing the direction of cable travel of at least one steel cable, so that the steel cable starts from the rear of the mast and is guided to the front of the mast. Particularly advantageous is to provide a holding device such that a cable measurement unit is fixed to the earthmoving machine between two deflection rollers on the head region of the mast. The holding device may also be positioned in the lower feed region of the deflection rollers. This allows the cable measurement unit to detect and inspect particularly high-load regions of the steel cable.

[0029] An earthmoving machine provided by a preferred embodiment of the present invention is an earthmoving machine equipped with a control unit, wherein a cable measurement unit is connected to the control unit by wire or wireless means, and the control unit evaluates and / or outputs measurement data or measurement results. As a result, data detected by the cable measurement unit relating to the condition of the steel cable can be directly processed and evaluated by the control unit. The cable measurement unit can thus be permanently kept in the intended position on the earthmoving machine, and the detected data can be read out by the operator of the earthmoving machine in a very simple manner. An advantage here is that the control unit is mounted on the superstructure of the earthmoving machine, particularly on the driver's cab. In this case, the control unit is equipped with at least one output device, such as a display, VR glasses, tablet computer or other unit, so that the detected condition data of the steel cable is presented graphically or digitally.

[0030] An advantage is that the control unit is equipped with an arithmetic logic unit and / or data memory for processing the detected cable condition data. This allows the cable condition data to be processed and evaluated immediately after detection by the cable measurement unit. According to the present invention, particularly advantageously, the cable condition data detected by the cable measurement unit is processed and evaluated by the control unit, and a graphical representation is output based on the detected cable condition data and relating to the condition of at least one steel cable being detected, such as a cross-section of the steel cable, and also numerical recommendations relating to further use of the steel cable, especially on earthmoving machinery. Preferably, this graphical representation can be associated with any detected abnormality.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the earthwork machine according to the present invention, an earthwork machine designed as an earth auger, slurry wall builder, vibrator, or pile driver is provided. It is preferable that the earthwork machine according to the present invention be equipped with at least one rotary drive unit having an earthwork tool, such as a cutting wheel or auger, that rotates into the ground. At least one steel cable can be designed to adjust, in particular, the position of the earthwork tool on the earthwork machine, for example, the position where it enters the ground and / or is pulled out of the soil. In this respect, the earthwork machine according to the present invention can be used with exceptional flexibility in a variety of application areas.

[0032] A feature of the method according to the present invention is that the earthwork machine is equipped with at least one holding device having a cable passage channel, which is used to receive and detachably hold a cable measurement unit, and the cable measurement unit is positioned near the steel cable by the holding device, the steel cable is properly guided through the cable passage channel of the cable measurement unit, and the condition of the steel cable is detected near the cable passage channel by the cable measurement unit.

[0033] This method can be used in particular with the earthmoving machinery according to the present invention described above. This makes it possible to achieve the aforementioned advantages.

[0034] A preferred modification of the present invention involves adjusting a steel cable along its longitudinal direction by a cable drive device, moving the steel cable through a cable channel of a cable measurement unit, and detecting the condition of the steel cable over a long area during the process. This allows for permanent monitoring of the condition of a particularly long portion of the steel cable. Particularly advantageous is detecting the cross-section of the steel cable as a whole over a long area while monitoring the condition of the steel cable. It is advantageous to adjust the steel cable along its longitudinal direction so that at least 1 / 10 of its total length passes through the cable channel of the cable measurement unit and is detected. This type of configuration allows for a particularly reliable evaluation of the cable's condition.

[0035] According to a further development of the present invention, it is advantageous to temporarily position at least one cable measurement unit on a holding device and then detach and re-remove it. By attaching the cable measurement unit in a manner appropriate to the needs, particularly economical and efficient operation of the earthmoving machine is ensured. For example, this allows the cable measurement unit to be used with multiple earthmoving machines, eliminating the need to permanently attach it to one machine. Particularly advantageous is that at least one cable measurement unit is sequentially positioned on multiple holding devices provided in the earthmoving machine according to the present invention, and then detached and re-removed, while positioning these holding devices at different locations on the earthmoving machine, thereby expanding the detectable portion of one or more steel cables. As a result, parts of the steel cable that are not detected during winding or unwinding due to the initial position of the cable measurement unit can also be inspected. Therefore, the area of ​​the steel cable that can be detected by the cable measurement unit is expanded, and safety is enhanced.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous configuration of the present invention, measurement values ​​detected by a cable measurement unit are stored in a memory device and, preferably, remotely evaluated from an earthmoving machine using an arithmetic logic unit. In principle, in this case, the detected measurement values ​​can be stored in the memory unit of the cable measurement unit and / or in the memory unit of the arithmetic logic unit. The measurement values ​​detected by the cable measurement unit can be evaluated, in particular, using the cable condition detection algorithm of the arithmetic logic unit, and in this evaluation, the cable condition can be analyzed using the detected cable condition data from the cable condition detection algorithm, in particular using machine learning. This makes it possible to output specific recommended actions for maintaining wire cables to the operator of the earthmoving machine, for example, thereby ensuring exceptionally safe operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of a mast head equipped with a cable measurement unit according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the details of the mast head of the earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the deflection block for earthmoving machinery according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a rear perspective view of the mast of the earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is another perspective view of the rear of the mast of the earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a partial perspective view of the base slide of the earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the cable drive device for earthmoving machinery according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the deflection block for earthmoving machinery according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of another deflection block for the earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Figure 11]This is a perspective view of the deflection roller of the mast head of an earthmoving machine according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the following figures.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an earthmoving machine 10 equipped with a transporter 12 according to the present invention. The transporter 12 may preferably be equipped with a tracked chassis which is a lower carriage 14, on which a superstructure 16 can be mounted, particularly rotatably. A controller 60 for the earthmoving machine 10 can be located in the operator's cabin of the superstructure 16. In principle, the earthmoving machine 10 can be designed as a civil engineering machine as shown here.

[0040] The mast 20 can be designed as a leader 21 and can assume an upright, substantially vertical position during operation, and can preferably be mounted on the superstructure 16, particularly via an articulation mechanism 18. The mast 20 can also be directly connected to the superstructure 16, particularly via a joint (not shown) and one or more operating cylinders (not shown) located in the lower region of the mast 20. Instead of the mast 20, a bendable boom (not shown) can be flexibly positioned on the superstructure 16.

[0041] According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the mast 20 can preferably be designed as a leader 21 with a linear guide 24 on its front side. A base slide 38, equipped with a rotary drill drive unit 36, can be mounted, for example, to move vertically along the linear guide 24. As a result, the earthmoving machine 10 can be configured as a drilling machine. The figure shows an example of the rotary drill drive unit 36 ​​in its central position and its position when lowered, represented by a dashed line.

[0042] A cable, particularly a first steel cable 40 which is the main cable 42, can be guided over the mast head 22 at the upper end of the mast 20, and a work device 30, particularly a civil engineering tool, can be formed by attaching a preferably retractable Kelly rod 32, which in some cases includes an auger 34, to one end of the cable. The Kelly rod 32 can be guided by a sleeve-shaped drive wheel of a rotary drill drive unit 36 ​​located on a base slide 38, and torque from the rotary drill drive unit 36 ​​can be transmitted to the Kelly rod 32, for example, via a drive strip (not shown). To create a borehole in the ground, an auger 34 can be placed at the lower end of the Kelly rod 32. This drilling tool can be designed in any manner in principle, and may particularly include an auger 34 or a drilling bucket.

[0043] The steel cable 40 can be guided from the Kelly rod 32 along the mast 20 via the deflection roller 26 on the mast head 22 to the cable drive device 46 located in the superstructure 16. As illustrated in Figure 1, a cable measurement unit 80 can be built into the mast head 22 of the mast 20, thereby enabling the detection of cable condition data. The cable measurement unit 80 can preferably be built near the center between the first and second deflection rollers. An auxiliary cable (not shown here) can preferably be extended parallel to the first steel cable 40 as an additional steel cable, and the cable measurement unit 80 can be designed to detect cable condition data of the auxiliary cable and / or the aforementioned steel cable.

[0044] The motor 50 that drives the cable drive device 46, in particular an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, can also be operated in regenerative mode. The Kelly rod 32, which is equipped with an auger, can be raised and lowered by the action of the cable drive device 46 via the steel cable 40.

[0045] The base slide 38, equipped with a rotary drill drive unit 36, can be pulled upward by a feed winch 28 (particularly an actuator) mounted on the mast 20, via an additional steel cable 40, specifically a steel cable 40 designed as a feed cable 44. Conversely, the base slide 38, equipped with the rotary drill drive unit 36, can also be lowered downward by appropriately driving the feed winch 28 in the opposite direction. The base slide 38 can similarly be pulled downward by the feed winch 28.

[0046] The rotary drill drive unit 36 ​​can be formed by a top drive unit having at least one additional motor. The feed winch 28 can similarly be configured to have a motor (not shown), for example, an electric or hydraulic motor. The controller 60 can operate the cable drive unit 46 by acting on the aforementioned at least one motor 50, and preferably by acting on an additional motor to operate the feed winch 28. The feed winch 28 shown herein can, in principle, also be designed as an operating unit.

[0047] The control unit 60 may, in particular, include an arithmetic logic unit, a data memory, and / or a communication unit, and may be configured to be data-connected to the cable measurement unit 80. In principle, the cable measurement unit 80 may similarly include an arithmetic logic unit, a data memory, and / or a communication unit, and may be designed to receive data, especially control commands.

[0048] For example, data detection in the cable measurement unit 80 can be started, stopped, or adjusted by control commands input by an operator. This data can be stored, in particular, in the storage unit of the cable measurement unit. Similarly, data from the cable measurement unit can preferably be stored and / or processed in a separate arithmetic logic unit, and its evaluation can be performed by a further arithmetic logic unit with a time delay. The cable measurement unit 80 can preferably be connected to the control unit 60 via a wired and / or wireless connection. Similarly, the control unit 60 can be connected to a mobile arithmetic logic unit, thereby enabling the storage and / or graphical representation of detected cable status data, and the output of usage-related recommendations based on the cable status data detected by the cable measurement unit 80. That is, the control unit 60 can preferably be designed to organize and analyze detected cable status data and, in particular, output usage-related recommendations. A mobile arithmetic logic unit, such as a tablet computer or smartphone, can be provided, in particular, for inputting control commands to the control unit 60 and / or the cable measurement unit 80. The control unit 60 can preferably be integrated into the earthmoving machine 10, particularly within its superstructure 16, and may be equipped with one or more monitors for control by the operator.

[0049] The first steel cable 40 shown in Figure 1, and all other cables mentioned, particularly the main cable 42 and feed cable 44, can be formed from multiple stranded wires, and a cable measurement unit 80 can be designed to detect the condition of each of these individual wires. The detected condition data can then be evaluated by the cable measurement unit 80 and / or the control unit 60, thereby enabling early identification of weaknesses in the steel cable 40. In this case, the detected cable condition data, along with a warning message, can be output, particularly within the driver's cab of the earthmoving machine 10. The detected data can also be output to users in a wide range of remote locations, for example, via the internet.

[0050] The earthmoving machine 10 equipped with a cable measurement unit 80 according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows a side view of the mast head 22 of an earthmoving machine 10 in a modified configuration, in which the cable measurement unit 80 is positioned in the central region between the first deflection roller 26 and the second deflection roller. As shown here, the cable measurement unit 80 can be held parallel to the steel cable 40 by the holding device 70, particularly in a position that is at an angle to the vertical. In particular, the steel cable 40 can be passed through the central part of the cable measurement unit 80, and the measurement passage of the cable measurement unit 80 can be made parallel to the direction of cable passage. The steel cable 40, as illustrated here, is designed as the main cable 42 and is capable of supporting and adjusting the drilling tool. Here it is routed in a straight line between two deflection rollers and passes through the cable measurement unit 80, with the angle the steel cable 40 makes with respect to the horizontal being 0° to 90°, and in particular, 30° to 60° as shown in the illustration. Unlike the arrangement of the cable measurement unit 80 within the central region as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cable measurement unit 80 can also be suitably arranged within the lateral region of the axis connecting the first and second deflection rollers of the mast 20.

[0051] Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the cable measurement unit 80 on the earthmoving machine 10, in which the cable measurement unit 80, equipped with a holding device 70, is positioned on the mast head 22. As shown here, the holding device 70 can be fixed to the mast head 22, in particular by a fixing device 72. For this purpose, a plurality of screw connections can preferably be provided. The holding device 70 can be made to have a basic rectangular parallelepiped shape, in particular having two opposing support plates. As shown here, the holding device 70 can surround the cable measurement unit 80 from the side so that the cable measurement unit 80 is securely connected to the frame of the mast head 22. The holding device 70 can be positioned so that the steel cable 40 passes through the central part of the cable measurement unit 80 along its longitudinal direction.

[0052] The arrangement of the cable measurement unit 80 according to the present invention on the earthmoving machine 10 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figures 4 to 7 show further exemplary arrangements of the cable measurement unit 80 on the earthmoving machine 10, respectively, in which the cable measurement unit 80 is provided to detect cable condition data of the feed cable 44, in this case, the condition data of an additional steel cable 40. However, another steel cable 40, in particular the main cable 42, can be passed through the illustrated embodiment in the same manner, and such an embodiment can be designed to detect cable condition data of the passed cable.

[0053] Figure 4 shows an exemplary arrangement of the cable measurement unit 80, which is fastened to the deflection block 27 of the earthmoving machine 10. As shown in the figure, in this case, the feed cable 44 can be routed along its longitudinal direction through the cable passage channel 90 of the cable measurement unit 80. The cable measurement unit 80 can preferably be attached to the earthmoving machine 10 by a retaining device 70 and a fixing device 72. The retaining device 70 and the fixing device 72 may be designed in any manner in principle. As shown in Figure 4, the fixing device 72 can be designed in particular to allow the cable measurement unit 80 to be adjusted on the feed cable 44. As shown here, the retaining device 70 can preferably be designed as a retaining frame through which two guides pass, and the cable measurement unit 80 can be mounted on these guides by a number of screws.

[0054] Figure 5 shows a modified embodiment in which the cable measurement unit 80 is positioned on the rear side 23 of the mast and the steel cable 40 passes through it. Here, both the cable measurement unit 80 and the retaining device 70 may, in principle, be positioned along the mast 20 in any manner. As shown here, the retaining device 70 may be formed by two opposing retaining elements and equipped with a symmetrically introduced group of guides, thereby forming an adjustment device for changing and adapting the position of the receiving cable measurement unit 80.

[0055] Figure 6 similarly illustrates cable condition detection by the cable measurement unit 80 at the rear side 23 of the mast, prior to cable deflection (not shown here). As shown here, the holding device 70 can preferably be designed as a rectangular receiving element to receive the cable measurement unit 80.

[0056] Figure 7 shows an exemplary arrangement of the cable measurement unit 80 on the base slide 38 of the earthmoving machine 10. The retaining device 70 can be formed along two sides of the cable measurement unit 80, in particular by two flat retaining elements arranged at right angles to each other.

[0057] The cable condition detection method according to the present invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with Figures 8 to 11. Figures 8 to 11 show modified embodiments of the cable condition detection method according to the present invention, in which the cable measurement unit 80 is arranged in various ways on the earthmoving machine 10, thereby detecting cable condition data of the main cable 42. The modified embodiments shown here are not limiting in principle and can be similarly designed for detecting cable condition data of other steel cables, in particular feed cables 44 and / or auxiliary cables. As shown in Figure 8, the cable measurement unit 80 can be fixed in particular to a cable winch 47 on a frame. The direction of the cable measurement unit 80 along the steel cable 40 can preferably be determined by a retaining device 70 formed on the upper element of the frame.

[0058] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the arrangement of the cable measurement unit 80 on the deflection block 27 located behind the mast of the earthmoving machine 10, respectively. The cable measurement unit 80 can preferably be arranged together with the holding device 70 on one or more deflection rollers. In this case, the holding device 70 can preferably be designed as an elongated receiving element that extends substantially parallel to the rear side 23 of the mast at the upper and lower positions of the deflection block 27.

[0059] Figure 11 shows another exemplary arrangement of the cable measuring unit 80 on the mast head 22 of the earthmoving machine 10 according to the present invention. As shown here, the retaining device 70 can preferably be designed as part of the frame element of the deflection roller 26, so that the deflection roller 26 and the steel cable 40 are at least partially enclosed in space by the frame element. The retaining device 70 can be formed in particular to orient the cable measuring unit 80 vertically along the main cable 42. Similarly, the retaining device 70 can be designed to position the cable measuring unit 80 above the deflection roller 26 and parallel to the main cable 42, and the retaining device 70 can be designed as a frame element of the deflection roller 26, enclosing at least half of the deflection roller 26. The deflection roller 26 can preferably be oriented toward the rear side 23 of the mast, and in particular, toward the front side opposite the mast.

Claims

1. It is an earthmoving machine, A transport machine having a movable lower carriage, the lower carriage being equipped with a tracked chassis in particular, A work device designed to work with soil or rock, particularly to remove soil or rock, or to introduce a structure into the ground, A cable drive device applies tension to at least temporarily to at least one steel cable which can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the cable, Earthmoving machinery equipped with, Earthmoving machinery comprising at least one holding device, wherein the holding device is designed to receive and removably hold a cable measurement unit, and the cable measurement unit has a cable passage channel and is designed to detect the cable condition near the cable passage channel. When the holding device is positioned near the steel cable and is receiving the cable measurement unit, the cable measurement unit is held in a specific position, and at that position the steel cable is properly guided through the cable passage channel. Earthmoving machinery characterized by the following features.

2. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthmoving machinery characterized by comprising a cable drive device, a cable winch, and / or a linear drive device.

3. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthmoving machinery characterized in that two or more holding devices are arranged at different points on the machine, and one or more cable measurement units can detect the state of one steel cable at different points, and / or the state of two or more steel cables.

4. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthmoving machinery characterized in that the holding device includes a fixing device for removably fixing the cable measurement unit.

5. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthmoving machinery characterized in that the holding device comprises a receptacle having at least one fastener, thereby positioning the cable measurement unit in the correct position within the holding device.

6. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthmoving machinery characterized in that the holding device includes an adjustment device for adjusting the receiving position of the cable measurement unit, in particular an adjustment device having at least one adjustment screw.

7. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthmoving machinery characterized in that the holding device is located near the deflection roller for the steel cable or the cable drive device.

8. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, The earthmoving machine comprises at least two steel cables arranged side by side, particularly parallel to each other, The holding device is mounted in a manner that allows adjustment, and in particular in a manner that allows displacement, between a first measurement position for a first steel cable and at least one further measurement position for at least one further steel cable. Earthmoving machinery characterized by the following features.

9. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, The aforementioned earthmoving machine is equipped with a mast or extension arm, and at least one steel cable is guided along the mast or extension arm. At least one holding device is positioned on the head region of the mast, or on each of the extension arms, Earthmoving machinery characterized by the following features.

10. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, The aforementioned earthwork machine is equipped with a control unit, The cable measurement unit is connected to the control unit by wire or wireless means, thereby enabling the evaluation and / or output of measurement data or measurement results. Earthmoving machinery characterized by the following features.

11. Earthmoving machinery according to claim 1, Earthwork machinery characterized by being designed as an earth auger, slurry wall construction machine, vibrator, or pile driver.

12. A method for operating earthwork machinery, particularly the earthwork machinery described in claim 1, wherein the earthwork machinery is A transport machine having a movable lower carriage, the lower carriage being equipped with a tracked chassis in particular, A work device for working with soil or rock, particularly for removing soil or rock, or for introducing structures into the ground, A cable drive device applies tension to at least temporarily to at least one steel cable which is adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the cable, Equipped with, The earthwork machine is equipped with at least one holding device, which receives and detachably holds a cable measurement unit, and the cable measurement unit has a cable passage channel. The cable measurement unit is positioned near the steel cable by the holding device, and this positioning ensures that the steel cable is properly guided through the cable passage channel of the cable measurement unit, and that the condition of the steel cable is detected by the cable measurement unit near the cable passage channel. A method characterized by the following:

13. A method according to claim 12, A method characterized by adjusting the steel cable along its longitudinal direction using the cable drive device, moving the steel cable through the cable passage channel of the cable measurement unit, and detecting the state of the steel cable over a long area during this process.

14. A method according to claim 12, A method characterized by temporarily placing at least one of the cable measurement units on the holding device, and then detaching and removing it again.

15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, A method characterized by storing the measured values ​​detected by the cable measurement unit in a storage device, and preferably using an arithmetic logic unit to remotely evaluate them from the earthwork machine.

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