Roller brush mounting structure for pavement sweepers

Abstract

The invention is made up of a set of modules that surround or form a rotation axis of the brush, wherein each of the modules comprises: An annular body (1) carrying a set of bristles (4) of the brush, with an outer surface and an inner surface; and a cover (2) of the annular body that attaches to the inner surface of the annular body. The annular body is provided with a set of sockets (111) carrying the bristles, having a U-shape with the ends thereof turned outwards, said sockets being arranged on the perimeter of said annular body. Each pair of bristles (4) is made up of a single cable portion, the central part of which is arranged in the U-shaped sockets, and the ends of which protrude from said sockets. The cover (2) comprises a fastening means for fastening the bristles (4) in the sockets (111).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers

[0003] Technical sector

[0004] The present invention relates to a structure used to modularly compose a pavement sweeping brush of a sweeping machine, which is composed of a set of substantially annular elements including at least one bristle support disc, a disc forming a cap for holding the bristles on the support disc, in which each support disc and each cap form a support unit, and also a separating element between each pair of support units.

[0005] Background and state of the art

[0006] The sweeping machines to which the brush referred to in this description is applicable are generally used for cleaning road and other road surfaces to remove all types of unwanted elements, such as stones, dirt, metal elements, and other objects that could affect road traffic and safety. Another aspect that makes road sweeping suitable is the aesthetic aspect, since the delivery made by a road pavement builder or repair company must be "finished," and if there is dirt on the pavement, it loses that character.

[0007] These sweeping machines can be part of a sweeping vehicle or incorporated as an accessory to a machine. They are typically more than a meter wide and have a brush diameter that is usually less than a meter, but can be larger for certain applications. The brush consists of a core with a set of bristles, which can be metal or plastic fibers.

[0008] The brush assembly is placed in a cavity or scoop that is emptied periodically when it reaches a certain level of fullness or at the end of the operation.

[0009] 1

[0010] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) ES 2244256 A1 describes a mounting arrangement for the cleaning bristles of a sweeping machine, which comprises a ring provided with a set of holes, such that each cable exits through two adjacent holes, with the central part of said cable remaining inside the ring. It requires cable fixing clamps on the outside. This solution, although effective, inserting the cables is a complicated and somewhat dangerous task, which, in addition to the required resistance of the materials used, normally metallic bodies, results in a high cost, and when the cables have worn out, it also requires dismantling of the worn or broken cables and their replacement.

[0011] ES 22869498 A1 describes a brush structure for a sweeping machine in which each unit comprises two half-rings that define, on their respective inner faces, a set of housings for the sweeping cables. These half-rings are equal and placed symmetrically. This solution solves the difficulty in assembling the cables, since their ends do not have to be introduced through the holes. However, since sweepers have a fairly high rotation speed and great tensions are generated, the weakness of the central union tends to break the cable support and displace it, giving rise to irregularities and knocking, which not only produce a loss in sweeping capacity, but also favor the breakage of other elements, shaft imbalances, unwanted vibrations, and other adverse effects.

[0012] Explanation of the invention

[0013] A mounting structure for a roller brush for pavement sweepers is described, such a brush being understood as the union of a set of modules that, juxtaposed, form or surround a motor roller, and each module includes an annular body carrying the bristles and a cap for securing the bristles, and preferably also having a body or disc separating each module from its adjacent one, in which the bristles are normally metal cables, but can also be made of plastic or other fibers. The components, according to the invention, are injected in plastic material.

[0014] The annular body is asymmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis, and has a thinner outer part and a thicker inner part. The inner face is

[0015] 2

[0016] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) provided in the area of ​​its outer perimeter with a plurality of “II” shaped alveoli, said “II” being able to be slightly open, so that said alveoli house the central part of each cable, which once placed in its place has two branches that extend substantially radially outwards, said cables constituting the bristles of the brush.

[0017] To provide the module with adequate strength, a solid portion is provided in the center of each alveolus. At least one of the solid portions is provided with a stud (112) for fixing in a corresponding hole provided in the lid.

[0018] The cap also has an inner face that faces the inner face of the annular body and is coupled to it, and an outer face. Preferably, the inner face of the cap is substantially flat, because it has been proven to properly hold the wires inserted into the "II" of the annular body; however, it may have smooth portions and protrusions or recesses, any of these or other non-functional configurations or those oriented toward better holding the bristles, such as providing the closure of the alveoli with a wraparound geometry, being within the scope of the present invention.

[0019] Thus, the geometry of the inner surface of the cover minimizes the stresses produced by the bristles during work operations. The cover, in correspondence with the solid portions of the annular body, has housings for the pins on said annular body. However, it should be understood that the fact that the pins are on the cover and the housings are on the annular body does not modify the object of the invention and should be understood to be included within it. The fact that pins and holes alternate in the annular body and the cover also applies.

[0020] The outer surface of the annular body is provided with recesses along its surface, minimizing the amount of material required for injection; similarly, the outer surface of the cap is also provided with recesses.

[0021] To prevent breakage of the shaft or the brush holder assembly, the cover is designed to be provided with breakage-resistant elements in the event of mechanical overstress, for example, when a bristle is caught. This allows the areas where the breakage should be determined to be minimal, causing minimal damage to the assembly. Breakage will also occur if tampering is attempted, rendering the assembly unusable.

[0022] 3

[0023] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) thus ensuring that the parts in use meet all the manufacturer's specifications.

[0024] It is also envisaged that a separating body is provided between each pair of modules. The separating body is arranged and coupled between the lid of one module and the annular body of the adjacent module. It has a substantially annular shape and is provided externally with a set of protuberances, which are in turn provided with fixing holes or perforations. As a non-preferred option, it is possible, but not necessary, for at least some of these protuberances to be over-widened, with a portion projecting laterally relative to the width of the rest of the separating body. These over-widened portions would match corresponding recesses on the outer face of the annular body and the lid.

[0025] The inner part, closest to the shaft, or, in other words, the hollow of the ring formed by at least one of the annular body, the cover, or the separating body, and preferably all three, has recesses for fitting a square-section carrier or drive shaft. Furthermore, they are provided with protrusions for securing an adapter piece to a drive shaft, thus making the assembly highly versatile for use with shafts of different geometries.

[0026] Brief description of the drawings

[0027] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of figures is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a front view of the inner part of the annular body that houses the bristles of the brush of each module;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a front view of the outside of the annular body of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a side view of the annular body of Figures 1 and 2;

[0031] 4

[0032] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Figure 4 shows a front view of the inside of the cover that holds the bristles of the brush of each module;

[0033] Figure 5 shows a front view of the outside of the cover of Figure 4;

[0034] Figure 6 shows a side view of the cover of Figures 4 and 5;

[0035] Figure 7 shows a front view of the separator body;

[0036] Figure 8 shows a side view of the separator body;

[0037] Figure 9 shows a side view of the assembly of a module with two separating bodies;

[0038] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 9;

[0039] Figure 11 shows a sectional view of a detail of the cover weakening.

[0040] We can see in these figures the following reference signs:

[0041] 1 Annular body

[0042] 2 Ring body cover

[0043] 3 Separator body

[0044] 4 Cable

[0045] 5 Drive axle

[0046] 14 Adapter piece clamping protrusions

[0047] 15 Square section shaft fitting recess

[0048] 29 Break weakening

[0049] 31 Outer protuberance of the separator body with protruding portion

[0050] 5

[0051] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) 32 External protuberance of the separator body without protruding portion

[0052] 110 Recesses on the outside of the annular body

[0053] 111 “II” shaped alveoli

[0054] 112 Teton

[0055] 114 holes in the outer part of the annular body

[0056] 121 Solid portion of the annular body

[0057] 130 Hole for fixing a stud

[0058] 311 Protruding portion of outer protuberance 31 , optional

[0059] Description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

[0060] A mounting structure for a roller brush for pavement sweepers is described, in which these sweepers are formed by a collecting bucket and a brush driven by a shaft, which in turn is driven by a motor.

[0061] The shaft houses a plurality of modules, formed by an annular body (1) and a cover (2) of the annular body. Each pair of modules is separated from each other by a separating body (3).

[0062] The annular body (1) is provided with a plurality of alveoli (111) that have a “U” shape. These alveoli (111) are arranged peripherally, so that their ends constitute openings towards the outside, on the outer perimeter face of said annular body (1). Each of said alveoli (111) holds and secures the central part of a cable (4) whose portions located on the outside of the alveolus constitute the bristles of the brush.

[0063] The cables (4) are held and confined in the cells (111) by means of the cover (2). Preferably, the surface of the cover is smooth, but it could also have roughness or any other geometry, particularly in the areas corresponding to the cells, where they have the function of fixing the cables (4), as has been said.

[0064] 6

[0065] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) According to a preferred embodiment, the cells have a solid central portion (121). At least some of said solid central portions (121) are provided with a stud (112) that performs the functions of fixing the cover when inserted into a corresponding hole (130) of said cover. It should be understood that the inversion of the elements, that is, stud in the cover (2) and hole in the annular body (1) is only an inversion of elements without functional difference, and therefore also contained within the scope of the invention.

[0066] Since the structure of the brush must have high reliability and safety conditions, it has been planned that the cover (2) is provided in at least one and preferably several points of its circumference, with break-away weakenings (29). These weakenings allow the cover to break in the event of special tension caused by mechanical overvoltages or unauthorized disassembly, rendering the brush unusable or impairing its use and requiring the replacement of the damaged elements.

[0067] The separator body (3) also has a ring shape and is provided with a set of protuberances (31, 32) extending radially outwards. Said protuberances may be provided with transverse holes.

[0068] According to an optional embodiment, at least some of said protuberances (31) are provided with portions (311) projecting slightly to both sides. According to this embodiment, the outer faces of the cover (2) and of the annular body (1) are also provided on their outer face with recesses (114), which in the assembly position accommodate the respective projecting portions (311).

[0069] The part that forms the central hollow of both the annular body (1) and the cover (2) and the separating body (3) have some notches or cavities (15) for coupling to a traction shaft (5) of square section, without needing any other coupling means. However, it is planned that in said central hollow there are also some protuberances (14) for coupling an adaptation piece to a traction shaft of other geometries.

[0070] It is planned that, in order to minimize the amount of material used in manufacturing, the outer faces of the annular body (1) or the cover (2) have a set of recesses (110), without weakening the structural solidity of the assembly.

[0071] 7

[0072] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

MODIFIED CLAIMS received by the International Office on 12 July 2023 (12.07.2023) 1.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, formed by a set of modules that surround or form a rotation axis of the brush, characterized in that each of the modules comprises the following elements: • An annular body (1) carrying a set of bristles (4) of the brush, with an outer face and an inner face; and • A cover (2) of the annular body that engages the inner face of the annular body; and In which the annular body is provided with a set of alveoli (111) in the form of a “U” with their ends facing outwards, said alveoli arranged around the perimeter of said annular body, and said alveoli (111) being where the bristles are located; In which each pair of bristles (4) is formed by a single portion of cable, the central part of which is arranged in the alveoli in the shape of a “U”, and the ends of which protrude from said alveoli; And, in which the cover (2) is substantially flat and constitutes a means of holding the bristles (4) in the alveoli (111). 2.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to claim 1, characterized in that a solid portion (121) is arranged in the center of each of the alveoli, at least some of said solid portions (121) of the annular body (1) having a fixing pin (112) in a corresponding hole arranged in the cover (1) 3.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the cover (2) is provided with break weakenings (29), to prevent mechanical overvoltages. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 4.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it also comprises a separating body (3) between each pair of modules, which is coupled between the cover (2) and the outer face of the annular body (1) of said adjacent module. 5.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to claim 4, characterized in that the separating body (3) also has an annular shape and comprises a set of external protuberances (31, 32) provided with transverse fixing perforations, and also characterized in that the annular body (1) comprises at least on its external face a set of holes (114). 6.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to claim 5, characterized in that at least some of the external protuberances (31) have a projecting portion (311) from a frontal point of view, in accordance with some of the gaps (114) of the annular body (1). 7.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hollow of the ring formed by the annular body (1) and the cover (2) have cavities (15) for adjusting a square section shaft (5). 8.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hollow of the ring formed by the annular body (1) and the cover (2) has protuberances (14) for holding an adaptation piece to a traction shaft. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 9.- Mounting structure of a roller brush for pavement sweepers, according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the hollow of the ring that forms the separating body (3) has protuberances (14) for holding an adaptation piece to a traction shaft. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) Amendments are made pursuant to Art. 19 PCT. The modifications made are as follows: A new set of claims is presented in which claim 1 has been modified, including the features described on page 4, line 23. The accompanying letter contains comments on the written opinion and highlights the differences with respect to the cited background information. A favorable opinion is expected in later stages of the procedure. DECLARATION ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 19 (1)

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