Self-propelled construction machine or mining machine

Abstract

In a self-propelled construction machine or mining machine, in particular milling machine for working a ground surface, including a machine frame, a working device for working the ground surface, which is supported on the machine frame, wherein the working device is at least partially enclosed by a housing, at least one movable side plate, which closes the housing on at least one of the two sides of the working device , wherein the movable side plate rests on the ground surface in floating position during the working operation, it is provided that a clearing scraper is arranged in front of the at least one movable side plate as seen in the direction of travel, wherein the clearing scraper comprises at least one clearing edge for penetrating ground material lying on the ground surface in front of the movable side plate, and clears the ground material for the movable side plate so that the movable side plate may rest on the ground surface.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A self-propelled construction machine for working a ground surface in a direction of travel, comprising: a machine frame; a milling drum supported from the machine frame for working the ground surface; a milling drum housing receiving the milling drum, the milling drum housing including at least one movable side plate at least partially closing at least one side of the housing, the movable side plate being configured to rest on the ground surface in a floating position during working operation of the milling drum; and a clearing scraper arranged in front of the movable side plate as seen in the direction of travel, the clearing scraper including at least one clearing edge configured to penetrate ground material lying on the ground surface in front of the movable side plate and to clear the ground material ahead of the movable side plate so that the movable side plate may rest on the ground surface.

17. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the clearing scraper is pivotable about a pivoting axis extending essentially orthogonal to the direction of travel.

18. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 17, wherein: the pivoting axis is offset horizontally in relation to the clearing edge.

19. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 18, wherein: the pivoting axis is offset vertically in relation to the clearing edge.

20. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 17, wherein: the pivoting axis is offset vertically in relation to the clearing edge.

21. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the clearing edge includes a first clearing edge section including a first contour curved toward the ground surface and in the direction of travel when the clearing scraper is in an operating position.

22. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 21, wherein: the clearing edge includes a second clearing edge section including a second contour curved toward the ground surface and opposite to the direction of travel when the clearing scraper is in the operating position.

23. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 22, wherein: the second contour is shaped such that the clearing scraper tapers toward a free end.

24. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 22, wherein: In the operating position the first clearing edge section is arranged above the second clearing edge section.

25. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the clearing scraper is configured such that the movable side plate may rest on a previously milled area of the ground surface with the clearing scraper penetrating previously milled ground material lying on the ground surface ahead of the movable side plate.

26. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the clearing scraper is pivotable about a pivoting axis extending essentially orthogonal to the direction of travel; and the clearing scraper has a center of gravity arranged relative to the pivoting axis such that a weight of the clearing scraper pushes the clearing scraper toward the ground surface.

27. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the clearing edge includes a first clearing edge section including a first contour curved such that when the clearing scraper is in an operating position a force acting on the first clearing edge section as a result of penetrating the ground material lying on the ground surface is directed in such a manner that at least a portion of the force pushes the clearing scraper toward the ground surface.

28. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, further comprising: an actuator configured to apply a force to the clearing scraper to push the clearing scraper toward the ground surface.

29. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 28, wherein: the clearing scraper is pivotable about a pivoting axis extending essentially orthogonal to the direction of travel; and the clearing scraper is configured such that when a force acting on the clearing edge as a result of penetrating the ground material lying on the ground surface overcomes a weight of the clearing scraper and the force applied by the actuator, the clearing scraper is pivoted about the pivoting axis such that the clearing scraper moves away from the ground surface.

30. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the clearing scraper is pivotable about a pivoting axis extending essentially orthogonal to the direction of travel; and the clearing edge includes a contour configured such that a force acting on the contour as a result of the contour penetrating the ground material lying on the ground surface is directed such that at least a portion of the force pivots the clearing scraper and moves the clearing scraper away from the ground surface.

31. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, further comprising: an actuator configured to apply a force to the clearing scraper to push the clearing scraper toward the ground surface, the force being adjustable such that the clearing scraper may penetrate the ground material lying on the ground surface when the ground material has a density lower than a predefined density.

32. The self-propelled construction machine of claim 16, further comprising: a plurality of ground engaging units configured to support the machine frame from the ground surface; and wherein the clearing scraper is mounted on one of the ground engaging units.

33. A method of operating a self-propelled construction machine for working a ground surface in a direction of travel, the construction machine including a machine frame, a plurality of ground engaging units supporting the machine frame from the ground surface, a milling drum supported from the machine frame for working the ground surface, and a milling drum housing receiving the milling drum, the milling drum housing including at least one movable side plate at least partially closing at least one side of the housing, the movable side plate being configured to rest on the ground surface in a floating position during working operation of the milling drum, the method comprising: clearing ground material lying on the ground surface in front of the movable side plate with a clearing scraper mounted on the construction machine so that the movable side plate rests on the ground surface.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising: previously milling a portion of the ground surface so that the ground material is previously milled ground material lying on the previously milled portion of the ground surface; milling a second portion of the ground surface adjacent the previously milled portion of the ground surface; and wherein the clearing step is further characterized as clearing the previously milled ground material ahead of the movable side plate, while milling the second portion of the ground surface, so that the movable side plate rests on the previously milled portion of the ground surface.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising: pivotally supporting the clearing scraper from one of the ground engaging units of the construction machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The following is shown schematically:

[0050] FIG. 1 a self-propelled construction machine or mining machine;

[0051] FIG. 2 a clearing element according to the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 3 a schematic view of the clearing element penetrating the ground material; and

[0053] FIG. 4 a schematic view of the movable side plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a self-propelled construction machine or mining machine 1. The self-propelled construction machine or mining machine 1 may be, for example, a surface miner. The self-propelled construction machine or mining machine 1 preferably comprises a machine frame 2. A working device may be arranged on the machine frame 2. The working device 6 may preferably be a milling drum. The working device 6 is at least partially enclosed by a housing 10. At least one movable side plate 8 is provided, which closes the housing 10 from at least one of the two sides of the working device 6, wherein the movable side plate 8 rests on the ground surface 11 in floating position during the working operation.

[0055] In floating position means that the movable side plate 8 follows the contour of the ground surface or the ground material that it rests on, respectively, as a result of own weight or a light pressure applied by a non-depicted adjustment device in order to shield the housing 10 towards the outside.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the clearing element 12 according to the present invention is arranged on one of the travelling devices 4 in front of the movable side plate 8 as seen in the direction of travel A. The travelling devices 4 may also be referred to as ground engaging units 4, which may include wheels or tracks. The clearing element 12 may also be referred to as a clearing scraper 12 or as a clearing ripper 12.

[0057] The clearing element is depicted in more detail in FIG. 2. The clearing element 12 is arranged in front of the at least one movable side plate 8 as seen in the direction of travel A, wherein the clearing element 12 comprises at least one clearing edge 14, by means of which the clearing element 12 may penetrate ground material 16 lying on the ground surface in front of the movable side plate, and clears the ground material 16 for the movable side plate 8 so that the movable side plate 8 may rest on the ground surface 11. The clearing element 12 may be pivotable about a pivoting axis 18, wherein the pivoting axis 18 preferably extends essentially orthogonal to the direction of travel A. Provided that the working device 6 is a milling drum, said milling drum 6 may feature a milling drum axis 21, which is supported on the machine frame 2. The pivoting axis 18 is preferably arranged parallel to the milling drum axis 21.

[0058] In operating position, the pivoting axis 18 is offset horizontally and/or vertically in relation to the clearing edge 14. In the present embodiment, the pivoting axis 18 is arranged in front of the clearing edge 14 as seen in the direction of travel A. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pivoting axis 18 is arranged above the clearing edge 14. In the present invention, above the clearing edge means in the direction away from the ground surface. In FIG. 2, the clearing element 12 is depicted in operating position. In operating position means that the clearing element 12 penetrates the ground material 16. This is always the case when the clearing element 12 projects downwards in relation to the travelling device 4 or rests on the ground surface that the travelling devices rest on.

[0059] The centre of gravity S of the clearing element 12 is depicted in FIG. 2. The center of gravity S of the clearing element 12 is arranged relative to the pivoting axis 18 in such a manner that the own weight of the clearing element 12 pushes in the direction of the ground pavement.

[0060] An actuator element 19 is preferably also provided, which in operating position applies an additional force to the clearing element 12, wherein the force pushes the clearing element 12 in the direction of the ground surface. The actuator element 19 may be, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. The actuator element 19 may also be used to pivot the clearing element into the stowing position. In the stowing position, the clearing element 12 does not project downwards in relation to the lower edge of the travelling device. The actuator element 19 may also be referred to as an actuator 19.

[0061] As soon as the horizontal and/or vertical portion of the force acting on the clearing edge 14 in operating position as a result of penetrating the ground is larger than the force exerted on the clearing element 12 as a result of the own weight and/or the actuator element 19, the clearing element 12 is pivoted about the pivoting axis in such a manner that the clearing element 12 moves away from the ground surface 11.

[0062] This means that, when the clearing element encounters an obstacle in the ground material, or the clearing element encounters the solid and dense ground surface, the horizontal and/or vertical portion of the force increases to such an extent that the clearing element 12 pivots away from the ground pavement.

[0063] It is also intended for the clearing element 12 to be adjusted or selected, respectively, in such a manner that the clearing element 12 does specifically not penetrate a solid material, since the clearing element 12 is intended to solely clear loose material to the side and is not intended to penetrate the ground surface 11 to be milled.

[0064] In addition, however, the contour of the clearing edge 14 may also be shaped in such a manner that the clearing element 12 is supported in penetrating loose ground material on the one hand and in being pivoted away from excessively solid ground material 16 on the other.

[0065] In this design, it is provided that the clearing edge 14 comprises a first and second clearing edge section 20, 22.

[0066] The first clearing edge section 20 may be shaped in such a manner that, in operating position, the force acting on the first clearing edge section 20 as a result of penetrating the ground material 16 is directed in such a manner that at least a portion of the force pushes the clearing element 12 in the direction of the ground surface. In the embodiment depicted, the clearing edge features, at least in the first clearing edge section 20, having a first contour, which in operating position is curved, in the direction of the ground surface, in the direction of travel A.

[0067] The clearing edge 14 may comprise at least a second clearing edge section 22 featuring a second contour, which in operating position is curved, in the direction of the ground surface, in a direction opposite to the direction of travel A.

[0068] The second clearing edge section 22 may be shaped in such a manner that the clearing element 12 tapers towards the free end 24.

[0069] The clearing edge section 20 is preferably arranged above the second clearing edge section 22. The contour of the second clearing edge section 22 may be shaped in such a manner that, in operating position, the force acting on the second clearing edge section 22 as a result of penetrating the ground material 16 is directed in such a manner that at least a portion of the force pivots the clearing element 12 and moves it away from the ground surface.

[0070] The own weight and/or the force of the actuator element 19 and/or the contour of the first and/or second clearing edge section 20, 22 may thus be selectable in such a manner that the clearing element 12 may penetrate the ground material 16, which may exhibit a density that is lower than a predefined density. This selection may at least in part be accomplished by adjusting the force applied by the actuator 19.

[0071] The actual own weight, the force of the actuator element and the contour of the first and/or second clearing edge section 20, 22 are tested by means of comparative tests using different contours, different own weights and forces of actuator moments and different materials with different densities, and are then selected accordingly.

[0072] The clearing element 12 is preferably arranged, as depicted, on a travelling device 4 of the construction machine or mining machine.

[0073] A schematic image is shown in FIG. 3, which schematically depicts the travelling devices 4 resting on the ground surface to be milled, as well as the clearing element 12. In the Figure shown, the clearing element clears the ground material 16 in front of the movable side plate 8 as seen in the direction of travel A. In the process, the clearing element 12 does not penetrate the area 11a of the ground surface 11, above which milling has already taken place.

[0074] FIG. 4 schematically shows the example in which the ground material 16 lying on the previously milled area 11a of the ground surface has already been cleared away. In this case, the movable side plate 8 may rest on the area 11a of the ground surface 11, above which milling has already taken place. The milling depth may therefore be determined by means of the movable side plate 8.

[0075] A method of operating the construction machine described above may include a step of clearing ground material 16 lying on the ground surface 11 in front of the movable side plate 8 with the clearing scraper 8 mounted on the construction machine 1 so that the movable side plate 8 rests on the ground surface 11.

[0076] The method may further include steps of: [0077] previously milling a portion 11a of the ground surface so that the ground material 16 is previously milled ground material lying on the previously milled portion 11a of the ground surface; [0078] milling a second portion of the ground surface 11 adjacent the previously milled portion of the ground surface as is seen in FIG. 4; and [0079] wherein the clearing step is further characterized as clearing the previously milled ground material 16 ahead of the movable side plate 8, while milling the second portion of the ground surface 11, so that the movable side plate 8 rests on the previously milled portion 11a of the ground surface as is seen for example in FIG. 4.

[0080] The method may further include a step of pivotally supporting the clearing scraper from one of the ground engaging units of the construction machine.