Elongated support structure and a module thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a module (400) for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine comprising two mounting frames (402, 404) for a winch, wherein the first mounting frame (402) and the second mounting frame (404) are arranged at opposite ends of a winch drum of the winch and each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame is configured to attach to a first portion of the elongated support structure towards a working equipment of the civil engineering machine and a second portion of the elongated support structure that is away from the working equipment

Description

[0001] ELONGATED SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND A MODULE THEREOF

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement of winches in a civil engineering machine and a supporting structure.

[0004] Background

[0005] Civil engineering machines often comprises an under carriage and an upper carriage attached to each other using a slewing ring. The upper carriage of the civil engineering machine comprises various components, which may be used during the execution of civil engineering machine tasks by the machine. However, the civil engineering machines are often moved between construction sites which may require said machines to fulfil certain requirements regarding the size of the machine. These requirements may limit the width, length, height or weight of the machine. Meanwhile the structure of the machine should be strong to withstand forces caused by the execution of civil engineering machine tasks. Thus, it is relevant to find solutions to improve the structure of the civil engineering machine with minimal addition to the weight or size of the machine.

[0006] Summary

[0007] According to a first aspect there is provided a module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine comprising two mounting frames for a winch, wherein the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged at opposite ends of a winch drum of the winch and each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame is configured to attach to a first portion of the elongated support structure towards a working equipment of the civil engineering machine and a second portion of the elongated support structure that is away from the working equipment.

[0008] The first portion of the elongated support structure associated with the module may comprise another module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine or a main frame of the civil engineering machine. The second portion of the elongated support structure associated with the module may comprise another module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine or a rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0009] The main frame associated with the module may be configured to support a working equipment movably with respect to the civil engineering machine.

[0010] The rear frame associated with the module may be configured to support a counterweight to the civil engineering machine.

[0011] The rear frame associated with the module may be configured to attach outriggers to the civil engineering machine.

[0012] Each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame of the module may comprise attachment points for attaching the module to the first portion of the elongated support structure and the second portion of the elongated support structure and the attachment points are arranged at an elevated position with respect to an axis of the winch drum and at a lowered position with respect to an axis of the winch drum, and on opposite sides of the winch drum with respect to a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

[0013] The first and second mounting frames of the module may comprise attachment point for lifting the module.

[0014] The module may comprise support bars extending from the first mounting frame to the second mounting frame.

[0015] The first and the second mounting frames of the module may comprise holes for mounting the winch.

[0016] The first and / or the second mounting frame may comprise a hole for driving a winch drum of the winch by a motor through the hole.

[0017] According to a second aspect there is provided a support structure for a civil engineering machine comprising at least two modules for accommodating winches arranged as an elongated part of the support structure, wherein each of the modules are attached to at least one another module using attachment points of the modules. The support structure may be a support structure extending between a main frame of the civil engineering machine and a rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0018] The first module of the support structure may be configured to be attached to the main frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0019] The second module of the support structure may be configured to attached to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0020] The support structure may comprise spacer plates arranged between the modules, a module and the main frame of the civil engineering machine, and a module and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0021] According to a third aspect there is provided a civil engineering machine comprising an elongated support structure comprising at least two modules, the elongated support structure extending in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0023] The novel features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Fig. 1 Illustrates an example of a civil engineering machine Fig. 2 Illustrates an example of a frame arrangement of a civil engineering machine

[0026] Fig. 3 Illustrates an example of a module of an elongated support structure

[0027] Fig. 4 Illustrates an example of a module of an elongated support structure

[0028] Fig. 5 Illustrates an example of a frame arrangement

[0029] Fig. 6 Illustrates an example of an elongated support structure

[0030] Fig. 7 Illustrates an example of an elongated support structure

[0031] Detailed description

[0032] Civil engineering machines such as piling rigs, drilling rigs, drilling machines, deep foundation machines etc. are typically working with elongated objects such as piles or holes at a construction site. The object for such a machine is to work these objects into the ground for supporting a building to a bed rock, for supporting soil, supporting surface water management, and / or subsurface water management. Performing these types of tasks requires the civil engineering machine to direct a force towards the elongated object such as a pile for working the object into the ground or soil. Thus, the civil engineering machine is exposed to various forces caused by performing said tasks. A solution to direct and even out these forces, various kinds of supporting structures may be implemented in the body of the civil engineering machine. However, to meet up with requirements to the size and weight of a civil engineering machine, it is reasonable minimise the presence of complex and heavy structures in the civil engineering machine. In other words, it is meaningful to implement compact and efficient supporting structures to the civil engineering machine.

[0033] Even if an example of a piling rig is used as an example above, it is relevant to note that there are further types of civil engineering machines such as cranes and excavators which may benefit from compact and efficient solutions regarding the supporting structures of components of the machines.

[0034] An object of the invention is to alleviate at least some of the problems relating to the known prior art. The invention improves at least some of the aspects related to the placement of the winches in a civil engineering machine and the amount of components implementing a supporting structure in a civil engineering machine. The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

[0035] An example of a civil engineering machine 100 is shown in Fig. 1. The civil engineering machine may comprise a leader 102 used for the construction work performed by the machine such as working a pile 110 into the ground at a construction site, an upper carriage 104 and an under carriage 106. The upper carriage and the under carriage are connected using a slewing ring 112 such that the carriages may be rotated in relation to each other. Additionally, the civil engineering machine may comprise lateral inclination cylinders 114, a forward inclination cylinder 116 and a horizontal slide 108. The lateral inclination cylinders, the forward inclination cylinder and the horizontal slide are used for adjusting the orientation, such as an inclined angle from a vertical direction, of the leader based on an instruction associated with the pile meant to be installed.

[0036] Fig. 2 provides an example of a frame arrangement 200 of a civil engineering machine. The frame arrangement may comprise a main frame 202 and a rear frame 214 of a civil engineering machine. The main frame 202 may comprise supports for lateral inclination cylinders 204, a slewing ring component of the upper carriage 206, a horizontal slide enclosure 208, frame side attachment points for a supporting structure 210 and attachment points for the lateral inclination cylinders 212.

[0037] The directions used in the drawings are the following. Direction X as provided in the Fig. 1 -7 is the longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine extending from the rear of the civil engineering machine towards the working equipment of the civil engineering machine, direction Y is the vertical direction of the civil engineering machine, and direction Z is the horizontal direction of the civil engineering machine. The direction X is essentially parallel to the axis A of a winch described in some of the figures. The direction X may be a dominant direction of the civil engineering machine, the civil engineering being longer in the dominant direction than in the vertical direction Y. It should be noted that the directions used here are for explanation only and thus, some components, such as an elongated support structure, may be deployed in the civil engineering machine in one of a plurality of alternative positions and / or orientations.

[0038] The invention relates to the placement of a winch used in a civil engineering machine, more specifically the placement of a winch in a module which forms a part of a supporting structure of a civil engineering machine. Furthermore, a plurality of said modules may be used to implement at least a part of a supporting structure. The term component refers to any part of an elongated support structure such as a module of the elongated support structure, or a first portion of the elongated support structure or a second portion of the elongated support structure, or a main frame of a civil engineering machine, or a rear frame of a civil engineering machine.

[0039] According to a first aspect there is provided a module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine comprising two mounting frames for a winch, wherein the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged at opposite ends of a winch drum of the winch and each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame is configured to attach to a first portion of the elongated support structure towards a working equipment of the civil engineering machine and a second portion of the elongated support structure that is away from the working equipment.

[0040] The module may be a part of a structure comprising multiple modules, which makes it possible to introduce a larger structure with smaller individual components. In other words, the module may be a module for a modular elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine. These modules may have different features, composition, or size etc. depending on which part of the structure they are intended to be placed at. As described above, civil engineering machines may comprise different kinds of structures, especially supporting structures such as elongated supporting structures. Thus, the supporting structures of civil engineering machines may comprise a plurality of modules. Furthermore, in a situation where a part of the structure is relevant to be changed or repaired, changing of the structure as a single unit may be expensive, labour intensive, or time consuming. Therefore, a modular structure makes it possible that the part to be changed or repaired concerns only a single module or some of the modules instead for one large and solid structure. In a civil engineering machine, some equipment may be associated with said supporting structures and upon the structure or the equipment failing or receiving damage, a need for replacement concerns both of said components. In order to save time in replacing or changing the component, the modular structure makes it possible to remove the relevant module from the supporting structure for a replacing or repairing the component. Compared to a solution with a single piece support structure where the supporting structure would be removed from the civil engineering machine and replaced or repaired, the replacement only the defective module is faster, requires less labour, and is cheaper. A rapid fix for a component possibly causing an interruption to the execution of civil engineering machine tasks enables the tasks to be continued sooner, reducing costs of the operation of the civil engineering machine.

[0041] A module may comprise two mounting frames, e.g. planar surfaces, on which a winch and / or winch drum of a civil engineering machine may be attached to. These mounting frames may be arranged at the same orientation, at a distance from each other such that a winch drum may be fitted in between said mounting frames. In other words, the mounting frames are arranged at the ends of the winch drum. The ends of the winch drum are the ends along the axis A of the winch drum, wherein the axis of the winch is the rotational axis of the winch drum. The winch drum of the winch reinforces the structure of the module by stiffening the structure. While it is relevant to ensure a free space for a winch drum that may e.g. be rotating, the introduced frames enable the winch to be attached e.g. to an external structure. In other words the module may serve for a winch bed for the winch, thus it may be referred as a winch bed. The external structures, the module may be attached to may be a first part of the elongated support structure which may extend towards a working equipment of the civil engineering machine. Attaching the module to the first part of the extending structure may be achieved by configuring the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame of the module to be attached to the first part of the elongated support structure. Similarly, the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame of the module to be attached to the second part of the elongated support structure, which second part of the elongated support structure extends away from the away from the working equipment of the civil engineering machine. In an example, the elongated support structure may be extending in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine thus reinforcing the frame arrangement of the civil engineering machine.

[0042] The first portion of the elongated support structure associated with the module may comprise another module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine or a main frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0043] Said another module or the main frame of the civil engineering machine may be a part of the elongated support structure, the elongated support structure may extend in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine. The first portion of the elongated support structure is the portion which is connected to the working equipment of the civil engineering machine and to the module and thus directing the forces between the working equipment of the civil engineering machine and the second part of the elongated support structure via the module. The first portion of the elongated support structure may comprise the main frame of the civil engineering machine, and the module may be attached to the to the main frame either directly or via at least one another module. Attaching the module to the first portion of the of the elongated structure of the civil engineering machine introduces an operative connection between the module and the working equipment of the civil engineering machine for directing forces between said components.

[0044] The second portion of the elongated support structure associated with the module may comprise another module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine or a rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0045] Said another module or the rear frame of the civil engineering machine may be a part of the elongated support structure, the elongated support structure may extend in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine. The second portion of the elongated support structure is the portion which is connected to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine and to the module and thus directing the forces between the rear frame of the civil engineering machine and the first part of the elongated support structure via the module. The second portion of the elongated support structure may comprise the rear frame of the civil engineering machine, and the module may be attached to the to the rear frame either directly or via at least one another module. Attaching the module to the second portion of the of the elongated structure of the civil engineering machine introduces an operative connection between the module and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine for directing forces between said components.

[0046] The main frame associated with the module may be configured to support a working equipment movably with respect to the civil engineering machine.

[0047] A module associated with an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine may further be operatively connected to a working equipment of the civil engineering machine. In this way forces caused by the movement of the working equipment may be directed towards the rear frame of the civil engineering machine. Directing the forces improves the stability of the civil engineering machine while it executes civil engineering machine tasks requiring the working equipment to move.

[0048] Civil engineering machines may be associated with a counterweight or counterweights to enhance the distribution of the weight and load of the civil engineering machine. For instance, a working equipment of a civil engineering machine may cause load which affects instability to the civil engineering machine and needs to be distributed by the frame arrangement of the civil engineering machine. Furthermore, a position a position of the working equipment with respect to the frame arrangement may change causing the centre of gravity to differ from the geometric centre of the machine.

[0049] The rear frame associated with the module may be configured to support a counterweight to the civil engineering machine.

[0050] Thus, the counterweight serves for stabilising the civil engineering machine by balancing the forces from the working equipment and acting on the frame arrangement. The supporting structure may be an elongated supporting structure of a civil engineering machine strengthening the frame of the civil engineering machine between the main frame and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine. The rear frame associated with the module may be configured to attach outriggers to the civil engineering machine.

[0051] Thus, forces may be present at the rear frame to stabilise the civil engineering machine. During the execution of civil engineering machine tasks, the load distribution of the civil engineering machine may vary based on e.g. a position and / or a movement of the working equipment of the civil engineering machine. The working equipment may be experiencing fast accelerations and / or be heavy, which emphasises the importance of stabilising the civil engineering machine to be operable safely. The outriggers may be configured to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine for various reasons such as space, safety, and load distribution. This introduces the need for a supporting structure between the rear frame and the main frame associated with the working equipment of the civil engineering machine. Thus, the supporting structure may be an elongated supporting structure of a civil engineering machine strengthening the frame of the civil engineering machine between the main frame and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0052] Each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame of the module may comprise attachment points for attaching the module to the first portion of the elongated support structure and the second portion of the elongated support structure and the attachment points are arranged at an elevated position with respect to an axis of the winch drum and at a lowered position with respect to an axis of the winch drum, and on opposite sides of the winch drum with respect to a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

[0053] There may be attachment points provided in the first and the second mounting frame at elevated and lowered positions with respect to the axis of the winch drum to improve the structure of the elongated support. Thus, the structure of the elongated support structure is reinforced e.g. against bending in different transverse directions. The attachment points may be configured such that they may be attached to another attachment points on another module by using, e.g. bolts, in the longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine. Furthermore, the attachment points enable the module to be separated and attached from another module, or a first portion of the elongated support structure, or a second part of the elongated support structure. The attachment points are configured to receive another attachment point of another module, or a first part of the elongated support structure or a second part of the elongated support structure and thus extending an I-beam structure of the another module, or the first part of the elongated support structure, or the second part of the elongated support structure. Thus, the I-beam structure of the mounting frames of the module extends the I-beam structure of the another module, or the first part of the elongated support structure, or the second part of the elongated support structure.

[0054] The first and second mounting frames of the module may comprise attachment point for lifting the module.

[0055] Said attachment points for lifting the module improves the ability to detach the module form the elongated support structure and be serviced or replaced. The module may be constructed such that following the removing of the fasteners attaching the module to the main frame of the civil engineering machine, the rear frame of the civil engineering machine or another module, the module is free to move in an essentially perpendicular direction in respect to the length of the support structure, such as in the vertical direction of the civil engineering machine. Thus, the module may be lifted up from the spot of the module of the elongated support structure and to be replaced or serviced outside the frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0056] The module may comprise support bars extending from the first mounting frame to the second mounting frame.

[0057] The module may comprise support bars to reinforce the elongated support structure and the module in addition to the support introduced by the winch drum of the winch. Furthermore, the support bars may support the module even if the winch has been removed from the module and the module is installed to the elongated support structure.

[0058] The first and the second mounting frames of the module may comprise holes for mounting the winch.

[0059] The first and / or the second mounting frame of the module may comprise a hole for driving a winch drum of the winch by a motor through the hole. Holes provided in the first and the second mounting frames of the module, enables some components of the winch to be installed outside of the space limited by the mounting frames of the module. In an embodiment the winch drum is placed between the first and second mounting frames and the motor of the winch may be attached to the outer side of one of the mounting frames for achieving e.g. a specific construction or specific dimensions for the module for an ideal support to the elongated support structure of the civil engineering machine. Thus, the motor may be attached to the winch drum through the one or more holes on the mounting frame whereby the winch drum may be driven by the motor.

[0060] The holes provided in the first and the second mounting frames of the module enable a stiff structure as the winch drum may be mounted to the holes. The holes support the winch drum radially at its ends to edges of the holes.

[0061] The holes provided in the first and the second mounting frames of the module enable a stiff structure as the winch drum is supporting the first mounting frame to the second mounting frame. The support between the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame is improved as the support is provided by a single component, thereby the motor driving the winch drum may be provided on another side of the mounting frame in relation to the winch drum. Wherein the motor for driving the winch drum is arranged on another side of the mounting frame in relation to the winch drum, the power train of the motor is improved as the motor is easier to access from outside thereby improving the serviceability of the motor, the winch and the module. According to an example a hole for driving a winch drum of the winch by a motor through the hole may be provided at the first mounting frame or at the second mounting frame or both of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame.

[0062] According to a second aspect there is provided a support structure for a civil engineering machine comprising at least two modules for accommodating winches arranged as an elongated part of the support structure, wherein each of the modules are attached to at least one another module using attachment points of the modules.

[0063] The support structure may comprise modules for accommodating winches, a module being the module described in the first aspect. The support structure may have supporting features, which reinforces the civil engineering machine. At least some winches may be accommodated by the modules of the support structure and thus save space in the civil engineering machine while utilizing the space required by the support structure in an efficient way. Furthermore, the support structure being modular improves the process when a winch needs to be serviced or replaced without extensive disassembly or a servicing the winch being installed on the civil engineering machine.

[0064] The support structure may be a support structure extending between a main frame of the civil engineering machine and a rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0065] An elongated support structure extending between the main frame and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine enables the distribution of forces caused by the operation, such as performing civil engineering machine tasks, of the civil engineering machine. For instance, a working equipment associated with the main frame of the civil engineering machine may cause forces that may be distributed and directed to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine to stabilise the civil engineering machine. In an example, equipment such as counterweights and / or outriggers may be associated with the rear frame, working as stabilising components. Thus the supporting structure may operatively connect the working equipment of the main frame with the equipment of the rear frame.

[0066] The first module of the support structure may be configured to be attached to the main frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0067] Of the at least two modules being part of the elongated support structure, the first module may be configured to be attached to the main frame and further to another module directing forces between the another module and the main frame. The another module thus is at least indirectly operatively connected to another part of the frame of the civil engineering machine, the modules directing forces between said frame components.

[0068] The second module of the support structure may be configured to attached to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine. Of the at least two modules being part of the support structure, the second module may be configured to be attached to the rear frame and further to another module directing forces between the another module and the main frame. The another module thus is at least indirectly operatively connected to an another part of the frame of the civil engineering machine, the modules directing forces between said frame components.

[0069] The support structure may comprise spacer plates arranged between the modules, a module and the main frame of the civil engineering machine, and a module and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0070] The spacer plates may be arranged at gaps between two modules, or the module and the main frame of the civil engineering machine, or the module and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine. The gaps being present in the elongated support structure in the longitudinal direction of the elongated support structure. Thus, the individual modules may be moved with respect to other parts of the elongated support structure after disconnection. This improves the fit of the module to the specific part of the support structure and reduces the amount of wear to the components when a module is removed from the structure for replacement or service. Furthermore, the spacer plates together with the gaps between the modules may improve changing / removing / replacing / inserting a module of at least one of the following: the module; or one or more adjacent modules of the module; or the frame of the civil engineering machine. The gap may be equal or greater than 1 mm but equal or less than 5cm, such as 4cm or less, or 3cm or less, or 2cm or less, or 1 cm or less, or 9mm or less, or 8mm or less, or 7mm or less, or 6mm or less, or 5mm or less, or 5mm or less, or 4mm or less, or 3mm or less, or 2mm or less. The spacer plates may be configured to fill the gap such that the module is operatively connected to the main frame or the rear frame via the spacer plate. In an example, the spacer plates may be made of steel. In an example a strength class of the spacer plates may be lower than a strength class of the main frame and the rear frame of the module, whereby machining the spacer plates is easy. The strength class of the spacer plates may also facilitate fitting the spacer plates between the modules, module and rear frame and module and main frame may be facilitated. It should be noted that changing / removing / replacing / inserting a module may be facilitated by spacer plates in some situations also in case of thermal expansion of the modules, rear frame and / or the main frame. Thickness of the spacer plates may be selected to fit the gap.

[0071] According to a third aspect there is provided a civil engineering machine comprising an elongated support structure comprising at least two modules, the elongated support structure extending in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

[0072] A civil engineering machine may be a machine working on a construction site such as a piling apparatus, a piling rig, excavator, drilling machine, drilling rig etc. Civil engineering machines may be use for earth working operations such as operations for supporting a building to a bed rock, operations for supporting soil, supporting surface water management, and / or subsurface water management. Said tasks may be associated with objects such as civil engineering elements. Examples of the civil engineering elements comprise piles and other elements that can be driven into the ground or built into the ground.

[0073] The civil engineering machine may comprise an elongated support structure according to the second aspect extending in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine. The elongated support structure may comprise a plurality of modules of the first aspect, whereof each are configured to be attached to another module and one of the following: the main frame of the civil engineering machine, the rear frame of the civil engineering machine. Thus, the elongated support structure may direct and / or distribute forces between the main frame and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine. The civil engineering machine may comprise a working equipment accommodated on the main frame side of the civil engineering machine in relation to the elongated support structure, and outriggers and / or counterweights accommodated on the rear frame side of the civil engineering machine in relation to the elongated support structure. Thus the elongated support structure establishes a connection between the working equipment and the outriggers and / or a counterweight for directing / distributing forces between the working equipment and the outriggers and / or a counterweight.

[0074] Fig. 3 and 4 illustrates examples of modules 300 and 400. The module 300 and 400 are configured to accommodate a winch, the module 300 being equipped with one and the module 400 not being equipped with a winch but configured to accommodate one.

[0075] The module 300 is equipped with a winch drum 306 between the first mounting frame 302 and the second mounting frame 304. The first and second mounting frames may be configured to be attached to a first and a second portion of an elongated support structure using attachment points 308 provided on the first and second mounting frames. The first and second mounting frames may comprise planar surfaces 312 and the first and the second mounting frames may be arranged at a distance from each other while maintaining a common orientation with respect to the plane defined by the planar surface of the mounting frames.

[0076] The winch drum 306 may have an axis about which the winch drum rotates in use. According to an example the axis of the winch is substantially perpendicular in relation to the plane of the planar surfaces of the first mounting frame 302 and the second mounting frame 304 thereby enabling an unrestricted access for a cable to the winch drum 306 wherein the cable is pulled or let out by the winch drum 306.

[0077] The winch drum may have a first end and a second end that are separated in a longitudinal direction of the axis of the winch drum. The first end of the winch drum 306 may be attached to the first mounting frame 302 at hole provided at the first mounting frame and the second end of the winch drum 306 may be attached to the second mounting frame 304 at hole provided at the second mounting frame. In this way the winch drum is supported by the holes radially to edges of the holes. It should be noted that the hole at the first mounting frame, or the hole at the second mounting frame or both holes may be of circular shape.

[0078] The planar surfaces are configured to extend between an upper flange 314 and a lower flange 316 of each mounting frame. Thus, the planar surface, upper flange and the lower flange forms a profile having a shape that serves for of an I-beam for the mounting frame. The axis A of a winch drum of the winch may be substantially perpendicular with respect to the planar surfaces of the mounting frames. The distance between the mounting frames may configured such that the winch drum of the winch fits between the mounting frames and the mounting frames are arranged to the opposite ends of the winch drum. While the winch is reinforcing the structure of the module additional support bars 310 may be provided extending between the first and the second mounting frames. The support bars reinforce the structure of the module even if there is not a winch or a winch drum present in the module.

[0079] The module 400 comprises a first mounting frame 402 and a second mounting frame 404. The first and second mounting frames may be configured to be attached to a first and a second portion of an elongated support structure using attachment points 408 provided in the first and second mounting frames. The module further comprises a mounting hole 406 for a winch. In an example, the module may be configured such that the spacing between the first and second mounting frames fits a winch drum of the winch, while other components such as the motor of the winch is provided outside the space defined by the module. The mounting hole for the winch may further comprise means for attaching the winch and / or the winch drum of the winch to the mounting frame.

[0080] Fig 5 illustrates an example of a frame arrangement of a civil engineering machine equipped with an elongated support structure comprising modules 300, 502, and 400. The module 502 accommodates a winch similarly to the module 300 and is configured to be attached to the module 300 and to the module 400. Thus the modules provide a part of the elongated support structure by connecting the main frame 208 of the civil engineering machine to the rear frame 214 of the civil engineering machine. In this way the elongated support structure the machine may direct / distribute forces and / or load between the equipment at the rear frame and the working equipment of the civil engineering machine operatively connected to the main frame.

[0081] In an example the working equipment of the civil engineering machine may be operatively connected to the horizontal slide 208. The module 400 is operatively connected to the module 502 and to the horizontal slide. Between the rear frame of the civil engineering machine and the module 502 is the module 300 which to the module 502 and the rear fame are operatively connected to. The equipment of the rear frame such as outrigger and / or counterweights may be operatively connected to the rear frame. Thus the elongated support structure comprises the main frame 208, module 400, module 502, module 300, and the rear frame 214 extending in an elongated form in the longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

[0082] In an example the supports for lateral inclination cylinders 204 may be exposed to forces. The lateral inclination cylinders 114 may further be operatively connected to the working equipment of the civil engineering machine directing forces to the supports for lateral inclination cylinders 204. These supports 204 may further be operatively connected to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine utilising the elongated support structure of the civil engineering machine extending between the supports for lateral inclination cylinders and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

[0083] In an example the module 400 may be the module which is attached to the first portion of the elongated support structure extending towards the working equipment of the civil engineering machine. Furthermore, the module 400 is attached to another module 502 which is part of the second portion of the elongated support structure extending away from the working equipment of the civil engineering machine.

[0084] In an example, the elongated support structure is further operatively connected to the slewing ring of the upper carriage, which may receive at least a part of the forces caused by the operation of the civil engineering machine and / or civil engineering machine tasks. Thus at least a part of the force may be directed to the tracks of the civil engineering machine, which are supporting the civil engineering machine towards the ground. Furthermore, the horizontal slide enclosure 208 may accommodate components such as actuators and / or means of transmission for the slewing ring for saving space in the civil engineering machine.

[0085] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 illustrates an example of an elongated support structure 600 comprising three modules 300, 502, 400 each configured to accommodate a winch. In Fig. 6 the modules are separated from each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the elongated support structure whereas in the Fig. 7 the modules are attached to each other. The modules 300 and 502 are accommodating a winch, while the module 400 is not accommodating a winch. Additionally, Fig. 7 illustrates spacer plates 702 between the modules. The removal of the spacer plates introduces a gap between at least a part of the facing mounting frame ends of two modules, facilitating an effortless removal of a module from the elongated support structure. It should be noted that that spacer plates may be introduced between a module and the main frame of the civil engineering and / or between a module and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine or any other component being a part of the elongated support structure.

[0086] The invention described by the aspects and examples above alleviates at least some of the problems related to elongated support structures in civil engineering machines. Furthermore, some advantages, the invention and the examples described above provide are the reduced weight of the civil engineering machine, utilisation of the winch drum as a part of the elongated support structure which stiffens the structure, and saving space by efficient placement of the winch drums.

[0087] Numbers in figures

[0088] 100 Civil engineering machine

[0089] 102 Leader

[0090] 104 Upper carriage

[0091] 106 Under carriage

[0092] 108 Horizontal slide

[0093] 110 A pile

[0094] Slewing ring

[0095] 114 Lateral inclination cylinder

[0096] 116 Forward inclination cylinder

[0097] 200 Frame arrangement

[0098] 202 Main frame

[0099] 204 Supports for lateral inclination cylinders

[0100] 206 Slewing ring component of the upper carriage

[0101] 208 Horizontal slide enclosure

[0102] 210 Frame side attachment points for a supporting structure

[0103] 212 Attachment point for lateral inclination cylinder

[0104] 214 Rear frame

[0105] 300, 400 Module

[0106] 302, 402 First mounting frame

[0107] 304, 404 Second mounting frame

[0108] 306 Winch drum of a winch

[0109] 308, 408 Attachment points of the module

[0110] 310, 410 Support bar

[0111] 312 Planar surface

[0112] 314 Upper flange

[0113] 316 Lower flange

[0114] 406 Mounting hole

[0115] 500 Frame arrangement comprising an elongated support structure

[0116] 300, 502, 400, Module

[0117] 600 Elongated support structure

[0118] 702 Spacer plate

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 11 May 2026 (11 .05.2026)1 . A module for an elongated support structure of a frame arrangement of a civil engineering machine comprising two mounting frames for a winch, wherein the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame are arranged at opposite ends of a winch drum of the winch and each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame is configured to attach to a first portion of the elongated support structure towards a working equipment of the civil engineering machine and a second portion of the elongated support structure that is away from the working equipment wherein the module, the first portion and the second portion form parts of the frame arrangement.

2. The module according to claim 1 wherein the first portion of the elongated support structure comprises another module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine or a main frame of the civil engineering machine.

3. The module according to any of the preceding claims wherein the second portion of the elongated support structure comprises another module for an elongated support structure of a civil engineering machine or a rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

4. The module according to any of the claims 2 or 3, wherein the main frame is configured to support a working equipment movably with respect to the civil engineering machine5. The module according to any of the claims 3-4 wherein the rear frame is configured to support a counterweight to the civil engineering machine.

6. The module according to any of the claims 3-5 wherein the rear frame is configured to attach outriggers to the civil engineering machine.

7. The module according to any of the preceding claims wherein each of the first mounting frame and the second mounting frame comprise attachment points for attaching the module to the first portion of the elongated support structure and the second portion of the elongated support structure and the attachment points are arranged at an elevated position with respect to an axis of the winch drum and at a lowered position with respect to an axis of the winchdrum, and on opposite sides of the winch drum with respect to a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

8. The module according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first and second mounting frames comprise attachment points for lifting the module.

9. The module according to any of the preceding claims comprising support bars extending from the first mounting frame to the second mounting frame.

10. The module according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first and the second mounting frames comprises holes for mounting the winch.

11. The module according to any of claims 1 -9 wherein the first and / or the second mounting frame comprise a hole for driving a winch drum of the winch by a motor through the hole.

12. An elongated support structure of a frame arrangement of a civil engineering machine comprising at least two modules for accommodating winches arranged as an elongated part of the elongated support structure, wherein each of the modules are attached to at least one another module using attachment points of the modules.

13. The elongated support structure according to claim 12, wherein the elongated support structure is an elongated support structure extending between a main frame of the civil engineering machine and a rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

14. The elongated support structure according to claim 13 wherein the first module is configured to be attached to the main frame of the civil engineering machine.

15. The elongated support structure according to any of claims 13 or 14 wherein the second module is configured to attached to the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

16. The elongated support structure according to any of claims 13-15 comprising spacer plates arranged between the modules, a module and themain frame of the civil engineering machine, and a module and the rear frame of the civil engineering machine.

17. A civil engineering machine comprising an elongated support structure of a frame arrangement of the civil engineering machine comprising at least two modules, the elongated support structure extending in a longitudinal direction of the civil engineering machine.

18. The civil engineering machine according to claim 17, wherein the elongated support structure comprises the elongated support structure of any of claims 12 to 16.

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