Construction Machinery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a construction machine (10) comprising an upper structure (12), an undercarriage (14) having an undercarriage, on which the upper structure (12) is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis (18), and a feed arm (40) for at least one energy line (50) by means of which energy can be fed to the construction machine (10) from the outside, the feed arm (40) being adjustably mounted on the upper structure (12). According to the invention, at least one drive device (61, 62) is provided for actively adjusting the feed arm (40) relative to the upper structure (12).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a construction machine according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising an upper carriage, a lower carriage having a drive, on which the upper carriage is supported rotatably about an upright axis, and a feed arm for at least one energy line, by means of which the construction machine can be supplied with energy from the outside, the feed arm being adjustably supported on the upper carriage. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical construction machine can be taken from US Pat. No. 5,399,633.

[0003] Particularly for reasons of environmental protection and in order to reduce noise emissions, construction machines are driven partly or even completely electrically. Due to the high energy requirements, mobile construction machines must therefore be supplied with energy, in particular with electricity, via an energy line. In the case of construction machines having an undercarriage and an upper carriage rotatably supported thereon, the problem of a safe energy supply exists. When feeding the undercarriage with an energy line, the risk of damage caused by the drive increases, since the energy line is guided relatively close to the ground.

[0004] When feeding energy to a rotatable upper carriage, a risk arises that when the rotational position is changed, the energy line will be undesirably overstretched, leading to damage to the energy line or even causing a break in the energy line. To address this risk, it is known, for example, from the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 5,399,433 for a pivotably supported feed arm to be provided on the upper side of the upper carriage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 162448 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a construction machine in which the line feeding to the construction machine is particularly safe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This object is achieved by a construction machine having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0008] The construction machine according to the invention is characterized in that at least one drive means is provided for active adjustment of the feed arm relative to the upper carriage.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to provide at least one drive means, i.e. an electric motor or motorized drive mechanism, with or without a transmission arrangement, by which the feed arm can be actively adjusted relative to the upper carriage. The transmission arrangement can comprise a gear wheel, a lever or a rope. Through the active adjustment of the feed arm, stresses on the energy line, and in particular tensile stresses on the energy line, can be specifically prevented or effectively reduced, in particular when the upper carriage is rotated. Thus, the force required to pivot the feed arm does not have to be applied through the movement of the upper carriage and therefore does not have to be applied through mechanical tension between the feed arm and the energy line. In fact, the feed arm can be specifically and actively adjusted. This can reduce the stresses on the energy line caused by mechanical forces. This also reduces the risk of breakage of the energy line during work, which can lead to work interruptions. In particular when transmitting power, this leads to an increase in occupational safety. The energy line does not have to be provided for power or only for it. It may also be designed to transport hydraulic fluids, pressurized air, etc., and data.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that a control means is provided, by means of which the position of the upper carriage relative to the lower carriage can be detected, the control means being designed to control at least one drive means depending on the detected change in the position of the upper carriage. The position of the upper carriage relative to the lower carriage can be determined by suitable sensors, in particular a rotation angle detector. If, starting from an initial position in which the lower carriage and the upper carriage are preferably aligned in the same way as in the basic arrangement, the upper carriage is swung relative to the lower carriage during the construction operation, the swiveling angle can be detected and transferred to the control means. Depending on the detected change in angle, the control means can control at least one drive means such that the feed arm with the energy line is adjusted in a desired way relative to the upper carriage.

[0011] According to a further development of the invention, the control means is preferably designed to control the at least one drive means in such a way that the feed arm is stationary or almost stationary with respect to the externally fed energy line, so that the transmission of mechanical forces to the energy line due to the movements of the upper carriage can be significantly or almost completely reduced. One or several drive means designed for rotation, pivoting, height displacement or longitudinal displacement of the components of the feed arm can be provided.

[0012] According to a further development of the invention, it is particularly efficient for the feed arm to be pivotally supported around a pivot axis on the upper side of the upper carriage. For this purpose, the feed arm can be designed as a cantilever arm that extends radially from the pivot axis beyond the outer dimensions of the upper carriage or the construction machine. This configuration allows particularly good feeding and following of the energy line.

[0013] According to a further development of the invention, it is particularly advantageous for the pivot axis of the feed arm to be oriented parallel to the upright axis of the upper carriage and / or to be located in the region of the upright axis. An upright axis is to be understood as a substantially vertically oriented axis aligned perpendicularly to a horizontal base plane. The closer the pivot axis of the feed arm is located in the region of the upright axis of the upper carriage, the better the rotational movement of the upper carriage can be counterbalanced with respect to the energy line. The pivot axis can be formed by a vertically oriented axle, on which a transversely oriented cantilever arm is arranged to form the feed arm. The axle can be a rotatably supported shaft which is itself an integral part of the feed arm. Alternatively, the axle can be rigidly mounted on the upper carriage, with the feed arm being rotatably supported on the axle.

[0014] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that the pivot axis of the feed arm is arranged coaxially with the upright axis of the upper carriage, the upright axis and the pivot axis therefore forming a joint axis of rotation, which prevents to a particularly high extent the occurrence of mechanical tensions in the energy line when the upper carriage is pivoted.

[0015] Furthermore, according to a variant of the embodiment of the invention, the feed arm is preferably designed to have a length, directed radially towards the upright axis of the upper carriage, and in each pivot position the feed arm protrudes laterally above the upper carriage. In particular, the feed arm can be designed in such a way that the energy line does not come to rest on the upper carriage rubbing against the upper carriage, so that frictional wear on the outer side of the energy line is prevented.

[0016] According to a further development of the invention, it is particularly advantageous that the length of the feed arm is adjustable, in particular depending on the pivoting position of the feed arm relative to the upper carriage. For this, in particular, the feed arm can have a variable length in the radial direction and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction by corresponding drive means. More specifically, the feed arm can be telescopic in the radial direction, whereby a sufficient length of the feed arm is ensured during pivoting depending on the pivoting angle and the upper carriage, which is usually approximately rectangular. In this way, it can be ensured that the energy line does not rub against the upper carriage even when it extends over the corner area of ​​the upper carriage, and that no excessively far protrusion of the feed arm in the radial direction above the upper carriage occurs also in other rotation positions. The length of the feed arm can be set by the control means depending on the pivoting angle of the upper carriage and the position of the feed arm.

[0017] According to a further embodiment variant of the invention, the feed arm comprises at least two arm members that are adjustable relative to one another, so that particularly good adjustment can be achieved. Three or more arm members may also be provided. For this purpose, the arm members may be linearly displaceable relative to one another and / or may be pivotally supported relative to one another via corresponding swivel joints. Preferably, the arm members are clearly adjustable relative to one another via one or several drive means, in which case each of the drive means may be controlled by the control means.

[0018] According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous for at least two arm members to be pivotally connected to one another via at least one joint, whereby the axis of the pivot joint can be parallel to the upright axis or can also be oriented transversely thereto, in this way allowing a desired two- or three-dimensional adjustment of the feed arm relative to the upper carriage in space to be set.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous that the height of the feed arm is adjustable in the axial direction of the pivot shaft. Thus, for example, for transport, the feed arm can be retracted and moved to a retracted position, preferably into a corresponding recess on the upper carriage. This can also result in folding or retraction in the radial direction. Then, during operation, the feed arm can be extended from the retracted position to a working position, such that at least the radial cross section of the feed arm is arranged away from the upper carriage. For this, in particular, the shaft of the pivot shaft can be telescopic and adjustable via the drive means.

[0020] Preferably, the control means is designed to detect the setting state of the construction machine, with or without sensors, especially if additional components such as a concrete pump or a counterweight are mounted on the upper carriage. Depending on the detected state, the control means can set the appropriate size of the feed arm.

[0021] Another preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that warning means are provided, by means of which the position of the feed arm relative to the upper carriage and / or further components of the construction machine and / or obstacles in the surrounding area can be detected and possible collisions with the feed arm can be ascertained. As a warning means, an indication, in particular a warning signal, can be provided to the operator of the machine acoustically, visually and / or in some other way. Additionally or alternatively, by means of the warning means the swivel range of the upper carriage can be limited or the movement of the upper carriage can be stopped. For this purpose the warning means are connected to a control means, which controls the drive of the upper carriage.

[0022] A preferred further development of this embodiment is provided, in which one or several sensor means, in particular a camera unit, are arranged for detecting obstacles. In general, the sensor means can be designed in any suitable manner. In particular, ultrasonic sensors, radar units or other non-contact sensors can also be used for detecting components or obstacles in the range of motion of the feed arm. In principle, sensor means that rely on contact with contact elements can also be provided. When contacting an obstacle, these contact elements can trigger a corresponding contact signal.

[0023] Furthermore, according to a variant of the embodiment of the invention, the energy line is preferably guided with a variable length along the feed arm, for which the energy line is guided along the feed arm in such a way that a change in the length of the feed arm and an adjustment of the components of the feed arm can be performed without difficulty.

[0024] In this connection, it is particularly preferred that the line drum, the cable track and / or the line tensioning means for the energy line are arranged on the upper carriage. If necessary, additional energy lines can be unwound from the line drum on the upper carriage. The line drum can also be designed in such a way that, as a whole, energy lines up to a length of 100 meters or more are kept available on the construction machine itself for establishing a line connection with a corresponding local energy source at any time. The cable track constitutes an arcuate arrangement along the feed arm by one or several arcuate sections for the energy line, whereby changes in the length of the feed arm are compensated for.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, line tensioning means may be provided, by means of which the energy lines, for example arranged in a spiral, can be stretched and re-tensioned in a flexible manner in order to compensate for length changes on the feed arm. Preferably, plug means are provided in the region of the feed arm, by means of which the external energy lines can be releasably connected to the internal energy lines on the upper carriage. At the corresponding ends of the opposing energy lines corresponding plugs are arranged. In particular, the plugs may be conventional plug connections for three-phase or high-voltage currents, preferably having a locking function.

[0026] Another preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the fact that emergency disconnection means are provided in the region of the feed arm, by means of which the energy supply via the energy line can be disconnected in the event of a particular emergency, either by the machine operator or automatically. In particular, the emergency disconnection means can have a lifting element, by means of which the plug of the provided plug connection can be pulled apart. In this way, a reliable mechanical disconnection and interruption of the energy line can be brought about.

[0027] In particular, the emergency disconnect means may be connected to the machine control and / or warning means of the construction machine.

[0028] In the following, the invention is further explained by means of preferred embodiments illustrated diagrammatically in the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a construction machine, in particular a foundation construction machine, according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the construction machine of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] According to the drawings, a construction machine 10 according to the invention comprises an upper carriage 12 and a lower carriage 14 equipped with a drive 16, more specifically a track-type drive. The upper carriage 12 is rotatably supported on the lower carriage 14 and driven about a substantially central vertically oriented upright axis 18. On the front side of the upper carriage 12, a substantially vertically oriented mast 20 is mounted in an adjustable manner by means of an adjustment mechanism 22, along which a ground working tool 30 is adjustably supported. The ground working tool 30 may for example be a drill tool or, as shown, a cutting device for producing holes in the ground.

[0031] Furthermore, a cabin 13 for the operator of the machine is arranged on the upper carriage 12. Preferably, in the cabin 13, control means 60 are arranged, which are preferably designed for the overall control of the construction machine 10.

[0032] Depending on the mode of operation of the construction machine 10, counterweights 24 may be releasably mounted on the upper carriage 12 at the rear side opposite the forward side having the mast 20. The number and size of the counterweights 24 may vary and may preferably be sensed by the control means 60 via sensors, not shown. For example, the counterweights may be equipped with transponders that can be read by the sensors to transmit information regarding the dimensioning.

[0033] For supplying energy, in particular electrical energy, from the outside to the construction machine 10, an energy line 50 is provided. The energy line 50 has an external first energy line 50a connected via a releasable plug connection 54 to a second energy line 50b inside the machine.

[0034] According to the present invention, the second energy line 50 b inside the apparatus is guided and held along a feed arm 40 disposed above the upper carriage 12 .

[0035] Here, the feed arm 40 has a pivot shaft 42 with an axis oriented parallel to the upright axis 18 of the upper carriage. In the embodiment shown, the pivot shaft 42 is arranged at a certain radial distance from the upright axis 18, but may also extend coaxially thereto. On the upper side of the upper carriage 12, at the upper end of the pivot shaft 42, which may be, for example, 5 to 50 cm above, a cantilever arm 44 of the feed arm 40 is attached, which is approximately radially or horizontally oriented. In the embodiment shown, the cantilever arm 44 is formed by a first arm member 45 and a second arm member 46, which are pivotally connected relative to each other via a pivot joint 47. Preferably, the joint axis of the pivot joint 47 is oriented parallel to the pivot shaft 42 and the upright axis 18. At the same time, the first arm member 45 and / or the second arm member 46 may be of telescopic design so that additional length variations of the horizontally oriented cantilever arm 44 can be set.

[0036] Preferably, the cantilever arm 44 is set by the control means 60 to ensure that it projects above the outer periphery of the upper carriage 12, including the counterweight 24, preferably in a rearward direction, to avoid rubbing contact between the energy line 50 and the upper carriage 12 or the counterweight 24.

[0037] For an active motorized adjustment of the feed arm 40, a first drive means 61 is provided on the pivot 42, by means of which the pivot 42 can be pivoted and / or the height of the pivot 42 can be adjusted in the axial direction. Here, in the drawing, the feed arm 40 is shown in its upwardly extended working position, from which the feed arm 40 can be moved downwards or folded up into a retracted position, for example for transport.

[0038] By means of a second drive means 62 on the joint 47 the first arm member 45 arranged on the pivot 42 can also be actively adjusted relative to the second arm member 46 .

[0039] In particular, to ensure sufficient length change of the feed arm 40 in the horizontal direction, the second, device-constrained energy line 50b is supported along the underside of the feed arm 40 by several arcuate bodies along its longitudinal guides, not shown, so that length compensation can be achieved during extension or retraction of the feed arm 40.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the respective movement options of the feed arm 40 are indicated by schematic arrows. A movably or adjustably supported plug at the free end of the feed arm 40 can be provided for the energy line 50, so that when the feed arm 40 is adjusted, the energy line reaches as far as possible into the feed arm 40 at the same position.

[0041] By means of the control means 60, the machine operator can actively adjust the feed arm 40 in a desired manner. Preferably, the control means 60 comprises an automatic mechanism, by which the feed arm 40 is adjusted relative to the upper carriage 12 during the construction operation according to the movement of the upper carriage 12. In particular, when performing this adjustment, the allocation of the first energy line 50a and the second energy line 50b can be kept the same relative to each other, so that mechanical tensions and stresses on the overall energy line 50 caused by the movement of the energy line 50 rubbing against the ground can be significantly reduced or even avoided. Thus, by means of the configuration according to the invention, a particularly safe operation of the construction machine 10 can be achieved when feeding energy via the external energy line 50. In addition, the automatic mechanism can comprise a limit of slewing to avoid collisions.

Claims

1. A construction machine, An upper carriage (12); a lower carriage (14) having a drive (16) and on which said upper carriage (12) is supported for rotation about an upright axis (18); a feed arm (40) for at least one energy line (50), by means of which energy can be supplied from the outside to said construction machine (10); having The feed arm (40) is adjustably supported on the upper carriage (12); A construction machine, characterized in that at least one drive means (61, 62) is provided for actively adjusting said feed arm (40) relative to said upper carriage (12).

2. 2. A construction machine according to claim 1, further comprising control means (60) for detecting the position of the upper carriage (12) relative to the lower carriage (14); A construction machine, characterized in that said control means (60) is designed to control said at least one drive means (61, 62) in response to a detected change in the position of said upper carriage (12).

3. 3. A construction machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means (60) is designed to control the at least one drive means (61, 62) in such a way that the feed arm (40) is stationary or nearly stationary with respect to the externally fed energy line (50).

4. 4. A construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the feed arm (40) is supported pivotably about a pivot axis (42) on the upper side of the upper carriage (12).

5. 5. A construction machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot axis (42) of the feed arm (40) is oriented parallel to and / or positioned adjacent to the upright axis (18) of the upper carriage (12).

6. 6. A construction machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot axis (42) of the feed arm (40) is arranged coaxially with the upright axis (18) of the upper carriage (12).

7. 7. A construction machine according to claim 4, wherein the feed arm (40) comprises at least two arm members (45, 46) pivotally connected relative to one another via at least one joint (47) and is designed to have a length, such that in each pivot position the feed arm (40) projects laterally above the upper carriage (12).

8. 8. A construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the feed arm (40) comprises at least two arm members (45, 46) pivotally connected relative to one another via at least one joint (47), and the length of the feed arm (40) is adjustable, in particular depending on the pivot position of the feed arm (40) relative to the upper carriage (12).

9. 8. A construction machine according to claim 4, wherein the height of the feed arm (40) is adjustable in the axial direction of the pivot shaft (42).

10. 10. A construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that warning means are provided, by means of which the position of the feed arm (40) relative to the upper carriage (12) and / or further components of the construction machine (10) and / or obstacles in the surrounding area can be detected and possible collisions with the feed arm (40) can be ascertained.

11. 11. A construction machine according to claim 10, characterized in that one or several sensor means (70), in particular a camera unit, for detecting obstacles are arranged.

12. 12. A construction machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that along the feed arm (40) the energy line (50) is guided with a variable length.

13. 13. A construction machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a line drum, a cable track and / or a line tensioning means for the energy line (50) is arranged on the upper carriage (12).

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