Patent Application
20250067015
The present invention relates to a rotary disaggregator which comprises a rotary member with a conical extent, from which a plurality of teeth extend, and which is intended to be connected to the arm of an excavator or an earth moving machine in general.
Among accessories which can be applied to the arms of excavators and similar operating machines, it is known to use milling equipment items, typically called milling heads or rotary disaggregators, which are formed by a pair of drums which are provided with a series of teeth.
These equipment items have the advantage of having a high level of versatility and efficiency and are typically used in the sector of infrastructure for constructing tunnels or, more generally, in the field of construction works for communication channels and during the milling of blocks of rock.
An example of this type of equipment is described in the American patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,500 which refers to a rotary miller comprising a frame, on which two rotating drums are supported. The drums are mounted on the same axle which is rotated by means of a hydraulic motor which is actuated by means of an oil flow which is supplied by the operating machine itself. The equipment can be fixed to the arm of an excavator by means of a connection attachment in such a manner that the operator can move and orientate the milling cutter in the desired manner in order to excavate in the required position. Other similar equipment items are described in JP 2004250931, CN 105002884 or EP 2199468.
However, such rotary milling equipment items are not found to be completely suitable for carrying out deep processing operations because the body of the milling cutter has such dimensions that some portions thereof come into contact with the ground when the milling cutter reaches a specific depth. This prevents the milling cutter from exceeding this depth or in any case prevents easy operation thereof.
One possible solution to this problem is described in WO 2012045327 A1 which refers to a rotary milling cutter in which, in addition to the two lateral drums, there is further provided a central element which is provided with teeth which allows work also to be carried out in the region of the central portion which, conversely, would prevent the milling cutter from excavating beyond a specific depth.
However, this solution has additional disadvantages which are linked with a certain construction complexity, a poor reliability of the central element which is also used to transmit the movement to the two lateral drums and, generally, the manageability of the milling cutter.
Furthermore, this solution concentrates on the central portion of the milling cutter while, conversely, portions of the body of the milling cutter could also represent an obstacle to the advance movement of the disaggregator.
Therefore, the technical problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a rotary disaggregator which allows one or more of the disadvantages mentioned above with reference to the prior art to be at least partially overcome.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary disaggregator which is particularly suitable for carrying out excavations at great depth.
Another object is to provide a rotary disaggregator which is particularly agile during the excavation operations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary disaggregator in which the risk that the structure which supports the rotating drum may form an obstacle to the normal advance of the disaggregator during the excavation operations is minimized.
Another object is generally to improve the known rotary disaggregators within the context of a rational solution and with relatively low costs.
This problem is solved and one or more of the above-mentioned objects is/are at least partially achieved by a rotary disaggregator for operating machines, such as an excavator, comprising a support structure which can be connected to a movable arm of the operating machine, a rotating drum which comprises a plurality of teeth and a drive unit which is configured to rotate the rotating drum about a rotation axis (X).
Preferably, the rotating drum has a frustoconical shape.
The support structure preferably comprises a connection plate which defines a connection plane with respect to the operating machine. In preferred embodiments, the connection plate is configured to fix the rotary disaggregator to the arm of the operating machine in such a manner that the connection plane is substantially perpendicular to the arm of the operating machine.
The support structure preferably comprises a support arm, on which the rotating drum is rotatably supported.
The rotation axis is preferably inclined with respect to the connection plane a in such a manner that a generatrix of the frustoconical shape is essentially parallel with the connection plane.
It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the drum, in such manner that a generatrix is parallel with the plate, allows a particularly compact structure to be obtained and the movement offered by the movable arm of the operating machine to be used effectively.
Preferably, the support arm is lateral and preferably comprises a side which is arranged in the axially opposite direction to the rotating drum and which defines an external surface of the lateral arm.
In some embodiments, an end of the rotating drum is aligned with the side in a direction parallel with the generatrix or, alternatively, projects with respect to the side in this direction.
It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the rotating drum of the disaggregator of the present invention prevents the presence of zones which are not covered by the action of teeth of the rotating drum, at least during the advance of the disaggregator at great depth.
In fact, by using a conical shape with an inclined rotation axis, it is possible to provide an end of the drum which covers the arm which supports the drum itself, this end projecting therefrom in the case in which a single drum is present, or maintaining the drums near each other in the case in which two adjacent drums are used.
Preferably, the rotating drum defines a base surface which is opposite along the rotation axis with respect to the end, and comprises a plurality of additional teeth.
In this manner, the disaggregating action is also carried out in the region of the base surface of the truncated cone corresponding to the smaller base thereof, thereby making the action of the disaggregator more effective in the region of the end of the drum.
This solution contributes to reducing or in any case limiting the generation of blockages in the rotation of the drum which can occur in the case of deep excavations following contact between the base surface of the drum and the wall of the excavation.
According to another aspect, the frustoconical shape defined by the rotating drum has a conicity with an angle which is substantially equal to double an angle of inclination which is formed between the rotation axis and the connection plane.
In this manner, the generatrix of the frustoconical drum is positioned in a horizontal manner with a simple structure which is particularly suitable for withstanding the stresses to which the disaggregator is subjected during the earth processing operations.
The angle of inclination is preferably between 10° and 30° and even more preferably between 15° and 25°, and even more preferably it is 20°.
The Applicant has observed that these values allow optimization of the dimensions of the structure of the disaggregator and definition of a sufficient volume if the drum is hollow to receive the components intended for the movement thereof.
In some embodiments, the external surface of the lateral support arm extends substantially perpendicularly to the connection plane.
Preferably, the connection plate extends from the external surface of the lateral support arm in the same direction as the rotating drum.
These features contribute both to making the structure more compact. Furthermore, in this manner the connection plate also cannot interfere with the operations of the rotary disaggregator.
Preferably, the support structure comprises a pair of tapered connection plates which form a pair of additional walls of the support structure and which extend from the support plate towards the support arm, tapering in a direction away from the support plate.
It is thereby possible to ensure sufficient robustness for the structure of the disaggregator while using a cantilevered structure for the drum with respect to the support arm.
In some embodiments, the teeth define a rotation trajectory with a diameter equal to or greater than the extent of the support plate in a direction perpendicular to the generatrix.
Preferably, the rotating drum defines a greater diameter and a smaller diameter, wherein the teeth which are arranged in the region of the smaller diameter define such a rotation trajectory that the teeth which are arranged in the region of the smaller diameter project with respect to the connection plate in a direction parallel with the generatrix.
Preferably, the teeth project with respect to the connection plate in a direction parallel with the generatrix in a direction which extends from the greater diameter to the smaller diameter, that is to say, in a direction counter to the side, if present.
In fact, it will be appreciated that, at the side opposite the drum, that is to say, the side furthest away from the arm, the structure of the disaggregator including the support plate may be covered by the teeth themselves, these being able to be the ones which project towards the exterior with respect to the frustoconical shape of the drum.
Preferably, the teeth which are arranged in the region of the greater diameter of the rotating drum do not project with respect to the connection plate in the direction parallel with the generatrix.
This feature allows a compact structure to be maintained, the portion of drum adjacent to the greater diameter being arranged under the upper plate. At the same time, this does not affect the efficacy of the excavation because, at the opposite side, that is to say, in the region of the smaller diameter, the teeth project with respect to the plate.
According to another aspect, the drive unit comprises a hydraulic motor and a reduction gear, preferably of the epicyclic type. Preferably, the hydraulic motor has a rotation axis which is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating drum. Preferably, the reduction gear has a rotation axis which coincides with the rotation axis of the rotating drum.
It is thereby possible to optimize the dimensions, allowing the use of a drive unit with adequate power, but with small dimensions of the structure of the rotary disaggregator of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the rotating drum is hollow, the reduction gear being received inside the cavity which is defined by the rotating drum. This feature also contributes to the dimensions of the structure being optimized.
In some embodiments, the teeth comprise a coupling element which is connected to an external mantle of the drum, which defines the frustoconical shape thereof, and a cutting element which is supported by the coupling element and which is intended to come into contact with the surface which is intended to be processed. Preferably, the coupling element is configured so as to support the cutting element in such a manner that it extends in an inclined direction with respect to a direction which is normal to the external mantle. In preferred embodiments, the cutting element has an inclination with respect to a tangential direction of the mantle in the region of the coupling element between 20° and 70°.
This angle is found to be effective when used in frustoconical drums and particularly in the case of the angles provided by the present invention. In fact, the angle at which the teeth strike the material which is intended to be disaggregated is thereby optimized.
In some embodiments, the additional teeth comprise a respective coupling element which is connected to the base surface of the drum and a respective cutting element which is supported by the coupling element and which is intended to come into contact with the surface which is intended to be processed. Preferably, the coupling element is configured so as to support the cutting element in such a manner that it extends in an inclined direction with respect to a plane which is defined by the base surface. Preferably, the coupling element is of elongate form and the cutting element is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the coupling element. In preferred embodiments, the coupling element has an inclination with respect to the plane between 20° and 70°.
These characteristics of the teeth allow optimization of the disaggregation operation, obtaining a diverse action in the region of the mantle which comes into contact parallel with the ground, and in the region of the base surface which instead is inclined with respect to the side of the excavation.
In some embodiments, the teeth which are arranged in the region of the end project in the direction X away from the support structure. Preferably, the teeth arranged adjacent to the base surface project in the direction X away from the support structure.
Preferably, the teeth project outwards from the rotating drum in the region of the smaller diameter of the drum.
Each of these features contributes to limiting the possibility of contact between the support structure and the walls of the excavation during the operation of the disaggregator.
Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
Other advantages, characteristics and the methods for use of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description of a number of embodiments which are set out by way of non-limiting example. Reference will be made to the Figures of the appended drawings, in which:
Initially with reference to
The disaggregator 100 is of the type intended to be used in an operating machine, such as, for example, an excavator, the excavator not being illustrated in the Figures.
According to an aspect of the invention, the disaggregator 100 is intended to be fixed to a movable arm of the excavator, as will be better illustrated below.
Still with reference to
For example, the connection plate can be provided with a plurality of holes in which corresponding screws are engaged in order to bring about the connection with respect to the disaggregator which may therefore be moved by means of the arm of the excavator in order to carry out the excavation operations and generally the processing operations required.
In preferred embodiments, the connection plate 10 is configured to fix the rotary disaggregator 100 to the arm of the operating machine in such a manner that the connection plane a is substantially perpendicular to the arm of the operating machine.
It will be appreciated that a person skilled in the art will be able to recognize the direction in which the arm of the excavator develops, this typically being in a longitudinal development and therefore defining a corresponding plane which is perpendicular to this longitudinal development direction.
As illustrated in the example of
Preferably, the disaggregator comprises a single rotating drum 2 which extends in a cantilevered manner from the support arm 11.
In any case, it will be appreciated that the present invention may also be used in the case of two rotating drums which are arranged one beside the other.
The drum 2 is preferably provided with a plurality of teeth 20 which act on the earth or other material to be processed in order to carry out the milling operations.
The milling is carried out by means of the rotation of the drum about a rotation axis X, which is brought about by means of a drive unit 3 illustrated in
According to another aspect of the invention, the rotating drum 2 has a frustoconical shape and has an axis which is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. In other words, the disaggregator is configured in such a manner that, when it is arranged with the connection plane a parallel with a horizontal plane, the rotation axis X is inclined with respect thereto. Consequently, the rotation axis X is also inclined with respect to the connection plane a.
Preferably, the rotating drum 2 comprises an external mantle 26 which defines the frustoconical shape thereof, from which the teeth 20 extend. In some embodiments, the rotating drum 2 defines a base surface 25 which essentially defines the smaller base of the frustoconical shape and which in turn comprises a plurality of additional teeth 20A.
Preferably, the inclination of the rotation axis X and the shape of the drum are such that a generatrix Y of the frustoconical shape is essentially parallel with the connection plane a. In particular, this is carried out in the region of the generatrix Y which is arranged in the region of the end of the rotary disaggregator 100 opposite the connection plate 10. This generatrix will therefore be parallel with the ground when the movable arm of the excavator is perpendicular thereto, allowing the maximum efficiency to be obtained during milling operation.
This feature can be obtained in some embodiments, such as, for example, the one illustrated in
In the context of the present invention, the term “substantially” is intended to be understood to mean that a deviation of ±5% may be provided.
In this manner, the generatrix of the frustoconical drum is positioned in a horizontal manner with a simple structure which is particularly suitable for withstanding the stresses to which the disaggregator is subjected during the earth processing operations.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Advantageously, if there are provided two rotating drums, the second drum will be arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the generatrix Y.
Now also with reference to
As can be seen in
In some embodiments, the external surface 12A extends substantially perpendicularly to the connection plane a and is essentially aligned therewith.
In some embodiments, the rotating drum 2 has an end 21 which is arranged in a projecting manner with respect to the above-mentioned side 12. This end is formed in the region of the greater diameter of the frustoconical shape and, as can be observed in the figure, it is arranged along the generatrix Y.
In other words, the end 21 corresponds to the end which is directed downwards during use.
The end 21 may alternatively be aligned with the side 12, there generally being provision for the spatial requirement towards the exterior of the disaggregator 100, in the direction of the generatrix Y, to be contained within the end 21 of the drum.
In this manner, there will not be present portions of the side 12 which are intended to come into contact with the earth while the disaggregator is lowered in the earth, that is to say, it is moved in a direction perpendicular to the connection plane a.
In the region of an end which is axially opposite the end 21, there may also be provision for there to be no portions of the structure 1 which project beyond the rotating drum 2.
In this case, in light of the inclination of the drum 2, in some embodiments there may be provision for the teeth 20 to cover the portions of the structure 1 projecting furthest.
In some embodiments, in fact, the teeth 20 which are arranged in the region of the end 21 project in the direction X away from the support structure 1.
To this end, there may also be provision for the teeth 20 which are arranged in the region of the smaller diameter to define such a rotation trajectory that the teeth 20 which are arranged in the region of the smaller diameter d project with respect to the connection plate 10 in the direction X.
In other words, the teeth 20 which are arranged adjacent to the base surface 25 preferably project in the direction X away from the support structure 1.
It is thereby possible to prevent any impact between the plate and the earth during a processing operation perpendicular to the ground.
According to another aspect, as may be observed in
Now with reference to
In some embodiments, the additional teeth 20A also comprise a respective coupling element 28 which is connected to the base surface 25 of the drum 2 and a respective cutting element 27 which is supported by the coupling element 28 and which is intended to come into contact with the surface to be processed. Preferably, the coupling element 28 is configured so as to support the cutting element 27 in such a manner that it extends in a direction which is inclined with respect to a plane b which is defined by the base surface 25. Preferably, the coupling element 28 has an elongate shape and the cutting element 27 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the coupling element 28. In preferred embodiments, the coupling element 28 has an inclination δ with respect to the plane b between 20° and 70°, as illustrated in
Now with reference to
The connection plates 13 which extend from the support plate 10 towards the support arm 11, tapering in a direction away from the support plate 10, therefore allowing the cantilevered configuration previously described to be defined.
According to yet another aspect, the drive unit 3 comprises a hydraulic motor 30 and a reduction gear 31, preferably of the epicyclic type.
Advantageously, the rotating drum 2 is hollow, with the reduction gear 31 being received inside the cavity 22 which is defined by the rotating drum 2 itself.
In some embodiments, the hydraulic motor 30 can be arranged in an inclined manner with respect to the reduction gear 31, optimizing the overall dimensions of the drive unit. In general, the hydraulic motor 30 may have a rotation axis R which is inclined with respect to the rotation axis X.
Vice versa, the rotation axis of the reduction gear 31 coincides with the rotation axis X of the rotating drum 2.
The rotation drum 2 can be connected to the reduction gear 31 in order to be rotated by means of a connection flange 4, which is illustrated in the embodiments of
Advantageously, the connection flange 4 can be connected to an external body 33 of the reduction gear 31 by means of threaded connections 34.
In preferred embodiments, the connection flange 4 has a plurality of seats 40 which extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to the rotation axis X of the drum 2. Now also with reference to
In this manner, the drum can be constructed in a single piece and can be fixed, once assembled, to the drive unit 3.
In order to allow simple access to the drive unit 3, without compromising the solidity of the structure, the side 12 preferably comprises a side wall 14 and a removable covering plate 15 for covering an opening 14A.
Therefore, the invention solves the problem proposed, at the same time achieving a plurality of advantages, including the possibility of carrying out deep processing operations. Furthermore, the disaggregator of the present invention is particularly versatile and manageable as a result of a structure having particularly small dimensions.
The characteristics of the structure and the drive unit of the disaggregator can further also allow sufficiently high powers to be provided for challenging operations.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102021000031592 | Dec 2021 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/062368 | 12/16/2022 | WO |
