Machine for Treating a Concrete Surface

Abstract

This invention relates to a treating machine (1) for a concrete surface comprising a treating tool (2) mechanically coupled to one end of a telescopic arm (3), a chassis (5) in which a compartment for the arm (3) is formed, and two axles (61, 62) attached at the level of two respective end segments (51, 52) of the chassis (5) each supporting at least one wheel (41, 42). The wheels (41, 42) are orientable and their arrangement via the above-mentioned axles (61, 62) and the chassis (5) is such that they allow the machine (1) to be supported regardless of the position of the tool (2) and the arm (3).

Claims

1. A machine for treating a concrete surface comprising: a tool for treating a concrete surface mechanically coupled to one end of a telescopic mechanical arm, so that the tool is movable over the concrete surface along a direction of extension of the arm; a hollow compartment for the arm; wheels coupled to the compartment and arranged to move the machine; wherein the compartment is formed in a chassis of the machine extending mainly along the direction of extension, wherein the chassis comprises two end segments at the level of each of which is attached at least one axle extending transversely to the direction of extension and supporting at least one of the wheels, and wherein the wheels are orientable and adapted to support the machine for any position of the tool along the extension direction.

2. The machine according to claim 1, having a wheelbase measured along the extension direction of between 35% and 65% of a maximum extension length of the arm measured along the extension direction.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein each axle comprises: an axial portion extending mainly transversely to the direction of extension, from the chassis; two legs each of which comprises: an upper end mechanically coupled to one end of the axial portion by means of gyration means arranged to allow a rotation relative between the axial portion and the leg, a lower end attached at the level of a hub of one of the wheels.

4. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the gyration means comprises a gyration motor mechanically coupled to an orientation ring gear.

5. The machine according to claim 3, wherein each leg is arcuate, with the upper and lower ends being aligned in a direction orthogonal to the direction of extension.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the axles comprises elevating means arranged to allow a variation of a distance between the chassis and the at least one wheel supported by the axle.

7. The machine according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the axles comprises elevating means arranged to allow a variation of a distance between the chassis and the at least one wheel supported by the axle, and wherein each leg of the axle comprises a pivot connection about which two portions of the leg articulate, the elevating means comprising a hydraulic jack arranged or coupled at the level of the pivot connection.

8. The machine according to claim 1, wherein each wheel comprises a hub within which an electric motor for advancing the wheel is arranged.

9. The machine according to claim 1, comprising an electrical power supply coupled to at least one electric motor and a hydraulic system for powering functionalities of the machine, which comprise any displacement of the wheels, the arm, and the tool.

10. The machine according to claim 1, consisting in a leveler for levelling a concrete surface, wherein the tool is a levelling tool.

11. The machine according to claim 1, comprising an electric motor arranged in the chassis for moving the arm by means of a belt, preferably toothed, engaged at the level of the electric motor.

12. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the tool is mechanically coupled to the end of the arm via a tool-carrying structure attached to the end of the arm on either side of which are arranged two elevating jacks carrying the tool for modifying an elevation of the latter, each elevating jack being equipped with a position sensor.

13. A method for regulating a speed of displacement of the arm of a machine according to claim 12, the machine further comprising: an electric motor arranged in the chassis for moving the arm by means of a toothed belt engaged at the level of the electric motor, and a revolution sensor for the toothed belt arranged thereat, the method comprising a regulation of the speed of displacement of the arm in a closed loop based on data measured by the position and the revolution sensors.

14. A method for regulating an elevation of the tool of a machine according to claim 12, the method comprising a regulation of the elevation of the tool in a closed loop based on a fluidity data of the concrete and data measured by the position sensors.

15. A method for treating a succession of similar concrete surfaces aligned along a guiding direction, by means of a machine according to claim 1, the machine further comprising at least one rotary sensor arranged at the level of at least one of the wheels for measuring a distance travelled by that wheel, the method comprising the following steps: (0) positioning the machine opposite the first concrete surface to be treated in the succession, so that the direction of extension overcomes the concrete surface, with the wheels of the machine being oriented according to the guiding direction; (i) treating the concrete surface by means of the machine; (ii) moving the machine by a predetermined distance so that the direction of extension overcomes the concrete surface to be treated next in the succession, which comprises an end overlapping strip with the concrete surface treated in the step (i) extending parallel to the direction of extension; (iii) iterating the steps (i) and (ii); the step (ii) being regulated by means of a central computer module of the machine coupled electronically and/or electromechanically to the wheels and based on data received from the at least one rotary sensor.

16. A method for manufacturing a concrete surface comprising a use of a machine according to claim 1 to treat the concrete surface.

17. A machine for treating a concrete surface comprising: a tool for treating a concrete surface mechanically coupled to one end of a telescopic mechanical arm, so that the tool is movable over the concrete surface along a direction of extension of the arm; a hollow compartment for the arm formed in a chassis of the machine extending mainly along the direction of extension; orientable wheels supported by axles attached to the chassis to move the machine; wherein the wheels and the axles are arranged so that a gravity centre of the machine overcomes or is in a space between the wheels for any position of the tool along the direction of extension.

18. The machine according to claim 17, wherein the space corresponds to an inner space of a non-square rectangle having the wheels as vertices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0092] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the attached figures, among which:

[0093] FIG. 1 represents a global three-dimensional view of a machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention when its arm is retracted into the compartment;

[0094] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate schematically from above the orientations of the wheels of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

[0095] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically from above the positioning of the centre of gravity of the machine shown in FIG. 1 in relation to its wheels; and

[0096] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically from above an embodiment of the method for treating successive concrete surfaces according to the invention and by means of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

[0097] The figure drawings are generally not to scale. Similar elements may be denoted by similar references in the figures. In particular, the same or similar elements may have the same references. In addition, the presence of numbers or letters referring to the drawings is not limiting, in particular when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0098] A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention is presented. This is described with particular embodiments and references to figures, but the invention is not limited by them. The drawings or figures described below are schematic only and are not limiting.

[0099] In particular, the embodiments described below relate to the case where the treating is a levelling. In particular, the machine is a leveler for uncured concrete surfaces and the tool is a levelling tool dedicated to this purpose. However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0100] The tool in question is shown in FIG. 1 and referenced by 2. It comprises a head formed by a screeding rule arranged to displace on a concrete surface by the machine 1. This head allows to establish a desired slope on the concrete surface. This tool 2 is widely known to the person skilled in the art.

[0101] The tool 2 is mechanically coupled to the end of a telescopic arm 3, which allows the aforementioned displacement along an extension direction d. The mechanical coupling is done via a tool-carrying structure 21 attached to the end of the arm 3 supporting the tool 2. Two hydraulic elevating jacks 22 are arranged on either side of the tool-carrying structure 21 and allow to support the tool 2 at its ends. These jacks allow to modify the elevation of the tool 2 at its ends. Each is overcome with a laser receiver 24 for detecting a laser reference plane generated in the operating environment of the machine 1 as described in the disclosure of the invention. The hydraulic elevating jacks 22 are known to be controlled based on signals emitted from these receivers 24, so as to control the elevation of the tool 2 with respect to the reference plane and to ensure that the levelling is done according to the desired slope and/or plane.

[0102] In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic elevating jacks 22 are each equipped with a position sensor 23 which also allow the elevation of the tool 2 to be regulated as detailed in the disclosure of the invention, particularly when laser reception is compromised.

[0103] The machine 1 comprises a main and central chassis 5 extending mainly along the extension direction d, in which a hollow compartment for the arm 3 is formed when the latter is retracted. The chassis supports a manual control area of the machine 1 comprising a seat 91 for an operator, control commands 92 (for example in the form of joysticks potentially comprising buttons) and a preferably interactive screen 93. The operator can manually control all the operations of the machine 1 by means of the control commands 92 and possibly via the screen 93. The screen 93 also allows the operator to supervise the operation of the machine 1. For example, a two-axis joystick of a control command 92 allows to control the direction and the acceleration of the machine 1.

[0104] The control data that follows the interactions of the operator with the control commands 92 and the screen 93 are transmitted through a central computer module 8 (or central electronic module) arranged at the end of the chassis 5 opposite the arm 3 for reasons of balance of the centre of gravity of the machine 1. This central computer module 8 is coupled electrically, electronically and/or electromechanically as the case may be to the control commands 92, but to the components of the machine that allow to control the functionalities of the machine, and in particular to implement the instructions of the operator. Preferably, the machine 1 comprises sensors at the level of these components (e.g., the position sensors 23) coupled to the central computer module 8, so that it can automatically control at least one portion of the operations of the machine 1, and/or regulate parameters of the operation of the machine 1 as discussed in detail in the disclosure of the invention.

[0105] The machine 1 comprises two axles 61, 62, which are directly attached (or even extend from where appropriate) at the level of two end segments 51, 52 respectively or the chassis 5. Each axle 61, 62 comprises an axial portion 611, 621 respectively extending perpendicularly to the direction of extension d, from the chassis 5, and two arcuate legs 612, 622 respectively of the wheel support, on either side of the axial portion 611, 621. Each of the legs 612, 622 comprises an upper end 613, 623 respectively mechanically coupled to an end of the axial portion 611, 621 by means of gyration means 7. These allow a relative rotation between the axial portion 611, 621 and the leg 612, 622 respectively. Such gyration means 7 can be realized as a hydraulic gyration motor mechanically coupled to an orientation ring gear.

[0106] A lower end 614, 624 of each leg 612, 622 is provided to be attached at the level of a hub 43 of a wheel 41, 42, respectively.

[0107] The machine 1 comprises at least two pairs of wheels 41, 42 supported by the axles 61, 62 respectively and mechanically coupled thereto. The hub 43 of each wheel 41, 42 is attached to a lower end 614, 624 of one of the legs 612, 622, and an electric motor for advancing the wheel 41, 42 is arranged therein. Thus, the wheels are independently orientable, preferably 360. The machine can thus displace on its wheels 41, 42 via the above-mentioned electric motors in any direction by combining translation and rotation.

[0108] FIGS. 2A-C illustrate the freedom of the motions possible by means of these wheel-axle couplings on the chassis 5. In FIG. 2A, the wheels 41, 42 are oriented so as to displace the machine 1 longitudinally with a turning radius (counter-steering wheel mode). In FIG. 2B, the wheels 41, 42 are oriented so as to displace the machine 1 laterally in a crab manner (parallel wheel mode). In FIG. 2C, the wheels 41, 42 are oriented to make undergo a rotation of the machine 1 in place, which is useful for orienting the arm 3.

[0109] Since the axles 61, 62 supporting the wheels 41, 42 are attached at the level of the end segments 51, 52 respectively of the chassis 5, the wheelbase E of the machine 1 is 30 to 50% larger than in machines known in the prior art as described in the invention. It is made possible that the centre of gravity of the machine 1 is and remains in a space P between (or overcome) the wheels 41, 42 as shown in FIG. 3 where the centre of gravity is indicated by a cross, and this regardless of the position of the tool 2 along the extension direction d. This position, as well as other parameters (e.g. the inclination of the arm 3), is indeed likely to unbalance the machine 1 given the weight of the tool 2 and the arm 3. Due to the arrangement of the wheels 41, 42 and the axles 61, 62 directly on the end segments 51, 52 respectively of the chassis 5, the centre of gravity of the machine 1 remains in an area V within the space P. As a result, the machine 1 is supported and stabilized on its four wheels 41, 42 regardless of the position of the tool 2, without the need for stabilizing feet. The machine 1 does not comprise any.

[0110] In the case shown in FIG. 1, the rear axle 62 is equipped with elevating means arranged to allow a variation of a distance between the chassis 5 and the wheels 42 supported by the axle 62. In other words, they allow a variation in the height of the axle 62, thus of the rear of the machine 1, allowing to modify the inclination of the arm 3. In particular, when the arm 3 is deployed, it is useful to lower the rear of the machine 1 because the arm 3 tends to bend due to its weight. The elevating means comprises a pivot connection 625 in each leg 622 of the axle 62, with the two portions of the legs 622 articulating, on either side of the pivot connection 625. A hydraulic jack is arranged or coupled at the level of the pivot connection 625 to allow the above distance to be varied.

[0111] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of an execution of a method for treating similar concrete surfaces S aligned successively along a guiding direction g. In this case, a rotary sensor is arranged at the level of the wheels 41, 42 and coupled to the central computer module 8 to measure a distance travelled by the wheels 41, 42, and thus the machine 1.

[0112] The machine 1 is first positioned opposite the first concrete surface S to be treated, so that the extension direction d of the arm 3 overcomes the concrete surface S. The wheels 41, 42 of the machine are then oriented in the guiding direction g.

[0113] The concrete surface S is then levelled. To do this, the arm 3 is extended over the concrete surface S and then retracted in the direction of the machine 1, as shown in FIG. 4. The central computer module 8 allows to automatically regulate various aspects of this step, and in particular the inclination of the arm 3 via the hydraulic jacks coupled at the level of the pivot connections 625, the retraction speed of the arm 3, the elevation of the tool 2, etc., as detailed in the disclosure of the invention, and this potentially based on data introduced by the operator by means of the control commands 92 or the screen 93, such as the fluidity data of the concrete and/or the desired quality of the levelling.

[0114] The central computer module 8 allows, based on the data received from the rotary sensors, to control a displacement of the machine 1 (whose wheels 41, 42 are already oriented in crab towards the next concrete surface S) by a predetermined (and/or pre-programmed) distance equal to the width L of the tool 2 from which is deducted the desired width L of a possible end overlapping strip R, this width L being able to be null in the case where no such strip would be necessary. However, this width L is preferably non-zero, especially in the case of a levelling machine.

[0115] The levelling of the concrete surfaces S is thus made simple and efficient for the operator, thanks to the orientation of the wheels 41, 42, their capacity to support and stabilize the machine 1 in all circumstances, the presence of the central computer module 8 which allows to control the displacement of the machine 1 and to regulate various parameters of its operation.

[0116] In brief, the present invention relates to a machine 1 for treating a concrete surface comprising a treating tool 2 mechanically coupled to one end of a telescopic arm, a chassis 5 in which a compartment for the arm 3 is formed, as well as two axles 61, 62 attached at the level of two respective end segments 51, 52 of the chassis 5 each supporting at least one wheel 41, 42. The wheels 41, 42 are orientable and their arrangement via the above-mentioned axles 61, 62 and chassis 5 is such that they allow the machine 1 to be supported whatever the position of the tool 2 and the arm 3.

[0117] The invention has been set forth and described in this document in relation with specific embodiments having a purely illustrative value. These should not be considered as limiting. More generally, it will be apparent to one person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or described above.