Comminuting apparatus comprising a feed device with an electromotive drive device

Abstract

A comminuting apparatus for comminuting comminution stock like recyclable material, waste and product residues, including a comminuting rotor mounted rotatably to a machine frame and having comminuting tools arranged thereon, a receiving region for receiving comminution stock and a feed device having a ram device which is moveable in the direction towards the comminuting rotor by a drive device and which is adapted for feeding comminution stock to the comminuting rotor. The comminuting apparatus is distinguished in that the drive device of the feed device has at least two spaced electric actuators which are controlled by a control device and which are connected at the drive output side by a transverse member, wherein the transverse member is operatively connected to the ram device by a resilient damping device.

Claims

1. A comminuting apparatus to comminute comminution stock, the comminuting apparatus comprising: a comminuting rotor mounted rotatably to a machine frame and having comminuting tools arranged thereon, a receiving region to receive comminution stock, a feed device having a ram device which is moveable in a direction towards the comminuting rotor by a drive device and which is configured to feed comminution stock to the comminuting rotor, wherein the drive device of the feed device has at least two spaced electric actuators which are controlled by a control device and which are connected at a drive output side by a transverse member, wherein the transverse member is operatively connected to the ram device by a resilient damping device configured to store energy by elastic deformation and to apply the stored energy to the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor, and wherein the resilient damping device includes at least one elastomer body.

2. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ram device is arranged moveably on a floor portion delimiting the receiving region and is supported by the floor portion.

3. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the ram device is rollably supported on the floor portion.

4. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transverse member, the resilient damping device and the ram device are coupled together such that the operative connection of the transverse member and the ram device implemented by the resilient damping device, is provided in a movement of the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor and is removed in a movement of the ram device in an opposite direction.

5. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transverse member of the drive device is coupled by the resilient damping device to an associated transverse member of the ram device, wherein the resilient damping device is supported at both the transverse member and the associated transverse member in at least one relative operative position of the two transverse members relative to each other.

6. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein arranged between the transverse member of the drive device and the ram device is a tie anchor for a movement of the ram device away from the comminuting rotor by the drive device of the feed device.

7. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein a predetermined free play is provided between the transverse member of the drive device and the ram device.

8. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the tie anchor is arranged between the transverse member of the drive device and an associated transverse member of the ram device.

9. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resilient damping device is fixed under a preload between the transverse member of the drive device and an associated transverse member of the ram device.

10. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least the transverse member of the drive device is of a telescopic structure including at least two transverse elements fitted into each other and which are freely moveable relative to each other in a longitudinal extent of the transverse member for compensation of alignment errors between the at least two actuators.

11. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least two electric actuators are spaced relative to each other in parallel relationship with a longitudinal direction of the comminuting rotor and are arranged outside the receiving region and are fixed to the machine frame.

12. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least two electric actuators respectively have an electric motor with downstream-connected reduction gear which is connected at an output side to a worm gear which worm gear is connected at an output side to the transverse member.

13. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the respective reduction gear is in a form of a planetary gear connected at the output side to a ball screw drive, wherein a respective recirculating ball nut is fixed at an associated end portion of the transverse member of the drive device and a respective screw spindle is mounted to the machine frame.

14. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to actuate in load-dependent relationship respective electric motors of the actuators in dependence on a torque load of the drive of the comminuting rotor.

15. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resilient damping device is configured to receive energy for movement of the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor in a first operating situation by elastic deformation for providing a pressing force on the ram device with the actuators stationary.

16. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resilient damping device is configured to convert energy stored by elastic deformation by movement of the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor in a second operative position.

17. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to carry out position measurements in respect of both actuators for such actuation of a respective electric motor of the actuators that the transverse member of the drive device is moved synchronously by both actuators.

18. The comminuting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device is configured, upon attainment of a predetermined load moment, to actuate respective electric motors of the actuators to provide a motor moment corresponding to the predetermined load moment or to apply a trigger to fix the ram device.

19. A comminuting apparatus to comminute comminution stock, the comminuting apparatus comprising: a comminuting rotor mounted rotatably to a machine frame and having comminuting tools arranged thereon, a receiving region to receive comminution stock, a feed device having a ram device which is moveable in a direction towards the comminuting rotor by a drive device and which is configured to feed comminution stock to the comminuting rotor, wherein the drive device of the feed device has at least two spaced electric actuators which are controlled by a control device and which are connected at a drive output side by a transverse member, wherein the transverse member is operatively connected to the ram device by a resilient damping device configured to store energy by elastic deformation and to apply the stored energy to the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor, and wherein the resilient damping device is configured to receive energy for movement of the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor in a first operating situation by elastic deformation for providing a pressing force on the ram device with the actuators stationary.

20. A comminuting apparatus to comminute comminution stock, the comminuting apparatus comprising: a comminuting rotor mounted rotatably to a machine frame and having comminuting tools arranged thereon, a receiving region to receive comminution stock, a feed device having a ram device which is moveable in a direction towards the comminuting rotor by a drive device and which is configured to feed comminution stock to the comminuting rotor, wherein the drive device of the feed device has at least two spaced electric actuators which are controlled by a control device and which are connected at a drive output side by a transverse member, wherein the transverse member is operatively connected to the ram device by a resilient damping device configured to store energy by elastic deformation and to apply the stored energy to the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor, and wherein the resilient damping device is configured to convert energy stored by elastic deformation by movement of the ram device in the direction towards the comminuting rotor in a second operative position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described hereinafter by the description of an embodiment together with modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view showing the principle of a comminuting apparatus according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the drive of a feed device for the comminuting apparatus of FIG. 1 as an overall view; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a partial view of FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a view illustrating the principle of a comminuting apparatus 1 designed according to the invention. In the described embodiment the comminuting apparatus 1 is designed for comminuting household waste and has an approximately rectangular machine frame 2 having two side plates 20a, 20b between which a comminuting rotor 3 is held rotatably by way of bearings (not shown). Over its working width at its periphery the comminuting rotor 3 has a plurality of comminuting tools (not shown). In that arrangement a floor plate 40 and inside surfaces 21a, b of the side plates 20a, b form a receiving chamber or comminuting chamber 4 for the comminution stock. Beneath the comminuting rotor 3 the machine frame 2 has a drop chamber in which the material comminuted by the rotor 3 drops downwardly into a catch container (not visible in FIG. 1). In operation comminution stock is introduced into the receiving chamber 4 and, for example by virtue of a predetermined inclination of the floor plate 40, can slip in the direction towards the comminuting rotor 3 at which it is comminuted in known fashion, possibly in cooperation with counterpart blades fixedly mounted to the frame. The drive of the comminuting rotor 3 is not shown in the FIG. 1 view, for example electromotive drives fitted at the side plates 20a, b can be used, which are flange-mounted on the comminuting rotor.

(6) In order to ensure that the comminution stock in the receiving or comminuting chamber 4 is processed by means of comminuting tools on the comminuting rotor 3 the comminuting apparatus 1 according to the invention has a feed device including a ram 80 which here, depending on the respective embodiment, can be of a rectangular or wedge-shaped configuration and is arranged displaceably on the floor plate 40 perpendicularly to the axis of the rotor 3. The ram 80 delimits the receiving chamber 4 in the described embodiment with a delimitation portion facing towards the comminuting rotor 3, which hereinafter is also referred to as the ram plate. In that respect the receiving chamber can be increased or reduced in size by the displacement of the ram or the pusher 80, for example to prepare for refilling of the receiving chamber or for pushing the comminution stock in the direction of the comminuting rotor 3.

(7) To drive the ram 80 the feed device in the described embodiment has two actuators of the same structural configuration, arranged at a respective side plate 20a, b of the machine frame 2. They each include an electric motor 50a, b, the motor shaft of which drives a reduction gear which is in the form of a planetary gear 51a, b and which at the drive output side is connected to a ball screw spindle 52a, b on which a recirculating ball nut 53a, b is displaceably arranged. Both actuators designed as described are connected at the drive output side, that is to say here at their respective recirculating ball nut 53a, b by means of a transverse member 70 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor. A mechanical coupling between the transverse member 70 and the ram 80 is effected by a plurality of d resilient damping devices 7a, b which are only symbolically illustrated in FIG. 1.

(8) The described drive portion of the feed device 5 is shown in detail and on its own in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity of the illustration. As can be seen from the Figure the transverse member 70 which connects the two electric actuators together at the drive output side is arranged approximately perpendicularly to the ball screw spindles 52a, b and in that respect in the described embodiment parallel to the rotor axis, see FIG. 1. In the described embodiment the transverse member 70 is of a three-part structure having a hollow central part 71 and two side parts 72a, b which can be fitted into the hollow central part. The two side parts 72a, b are fitted telescopically into the hollow central part 71 and are arranged displaceably in the direction relative to the rotor axis to provide for compensation of possible alignment errors in the parts relative to each other, in particular also during operation. Fixed to the central part 71 of the transverse member 70 or an associated intermediate plate 77 at the inward side are a plurality of barrel-shaped elastomer bodies 74a, b which extend in the transverse direction of the transverse member and which are spaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the transverse member and which together provide a resilient damping device within the path of the force of the feed device 5 from the transverse member 70 of the drive device to the ram device 80. In addition arranged at the transverse member 70 is a tie anchor 75 which here includes two entrainment bolts and which is operative in a manner still to be described for the transmission of force between the transverse member 70 and the ram 80. FIG. 2 also shows the two mountings 60a, b and 61a, b for the two actuators, wherein the mountings 60a, b near the motor are arranged or are in the form of fixed mountings and the mountings 61a, b remote from the motor are arranged or are in the form of floating mountings with a possibility of movement in the movement direction (X-direction) of the pusher 80.

(9) FIG. 3 shows the detail of the coupling of the transverse member 70 to the actuators shown at the left in FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale. It is possible to see the central part 71 of the transverse member, into which the side part 72a is inserted, which includes at the end portion a fork mounting 73a adapted to embrace the outer peripheral surface, which here is cylindrical, of the recirculating ball nut 53a. It has a radial flange Ma which faces towards the floating mounting 61a and by way of which the arms of the fork mounting 73a are screwed to the recirculating ball nut 53a for entrainment of the transverse member 70 in the movement of the recirculating ball nut on the associated ball screw spindle 52a. As can further be seen from FIG. 3 the fork arms of the fork mounting 73a bear laterally against the flange Ma of the recirculating ball nut to provide for optimum load transfer in the high-load direction, that is to say in the movement of the recirculating ball nut 53a in the direction of the comminuting rotor. In contrast load transfer in the movement of the recirculating ball nut 53a in the opposite direction is effected solely by way of the connecting bolts between the fork arms of the side part 72a and the flange Ma. The coupling of the second actuator (this is not shown in FIG. 3) is implemented in the same fashion.

(10) To illustrate the coupling of the transverse member 70 of the drive device to the pusher 80 reference is made hereinafter to FIGS. 1 and 2. The pusher or ram 80 in the described embodiment is for example of a wedge-shaped configuration with a ram plate 81 which faces towards the rotor and a coupling plate or coupling transverse member 82 facing the transverse member 70 of the drive device. That coupling plate or coupling transverse member 82 delimits the pusher rearwardly in the direction towards the transverse member 70 of the drive device and acts as an abutment surface for the ends of the elastomer bodies 74a-d, that are towards the rotor, see FIG. 2. At the bottom side the pusher 80 has a plurality of running wheels (not visible) which are supported on an associated rail or the floor plate 40 of the receiving chamber. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2 the pusher 80 is positively guided by the side plates 20a, b in a direction perpendicular to the rotor axis. The ends of the elastomer bodies 74a-d, facing away from the rotor, can be connected to the transverse member 70 directly or indirectly by way of an intermediate plate 77 as in the described embodiment, for example by means of a material-bonding connection by adhesive or vulcanization. In the described embodiment the elastomer bodies 74a-d are not connected to the coupling plate 82, see FIG. 1, but depending on the respective operating situation can be arranged in spaced relationship with the coupling plate, in particular upon withdrawal of the pusher away from the comminuting rotor 3 or can bear against the coupling plate 82, in particular in the movement of the pusher 80 in the direction of the comminuting rotor.

(11) To withdraw the pusher away from the comminuting rotor there is a tie anchor 75 which in the described embodiment includes the two entrainment bolts 76a, b which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the pusher 80 and which are supported at the rear side of the transverse member 70 of the drive device and at the rear side of the coupling plate 82. The tie anchor 75 disposed between the transverse member 70 and the pusher 80 is of such a configuration that, in a movement of the pusher in a direction away from the comminuting rotor, the elastomer bodies 74a-d experience just no tensile forces while they allow an approaching movement of the transverse member 70 in the direction of the pusher 80. Accordingly in a movement of the transverse member 70 in the direction towards the rotor or pusher 80 the ends of the elastomer bodies 74a-d, that are towards the rotor, come into contact with the coupling plate 82 of the pusher 80 and thereupon compress the elastomer bodies in dependence on the interaction of the ram plate 81 with the comminution stock in the receiving chamber and thus elastic energy can be stored in the elastomer bodies. Depending on the respective operating situation that energy ca be used for example to maintain a pressing pressure on the comminution stock for example when the drive is switched off or to liberate the stored energy for movement of the pusher and therewith the comminution stock in the direction towards the rotor.

(12) In an embodiment which is not shown here it can also be provided that the entrainment bolts can be adjusted in respect of their length in such a way that the elastomer bodies 74a-d are preloaded in any operating situation, for example to set a given characteristic curve for the elastomer bodies. In this embodiment also the tie anchor acts in particular upon withdrawal of the pusher for transmitting the movement of the transverse member 70 to the pusher to avoid a tensile loading on the elastomer bodies.

(13) In a further embodiment which is not shown here it can also be provided that one or more steel springs are arranged between the transverse member 70 of the drive device and the coupling plate 82 of the ram or the pusher 80, wherein those steel springs are again fixed to one of the parts being the transverse member or the intermediate element or coupling plate while they are fixed at the other end. In this embodiment too a tie anchor which may be of an identical structural configuration as in the above-described embodiment serves to avoid tensile forces which may possibly act destructively on the damping element.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(14) 1 comminuting apparatus 2 machine frame 3 comminuting rotor 4 receiving/comminuting chamber 5 feed device 6a, b electric actuator 7a, b resilient damping device 20a, b side plate 21a, b inside surface 22a, b support flange 30 comminuting tool 40 floor plate, floor portion 50a, b electric motor 51a, b planetary gear 52a, b ball screw spindle, screw spindle 53a, b recirculating ball nut 54a, b flange 60a, b fixed mounting 61a, b floating mounting 70 transverse member 71 central element 72a, b side element 73a, b fork mounting 74a-d elastomer body 75 tie anchor 76a, b entrainment bolt 77 intermediate plate 80 ram, pusher, ram device 81 ram plate, ram element 82 coupling plate, associated transverse member