MATERIAL-COLLECTING CONTAINER OF A SUCTION DREDGER

Abstract

The invention relates to a material collection container of a suction excavator, having a suction connection at its rear end-face wall and a suction flow duct that leads from the suction connection through a collection chamber and a filter unit. The suction connection is positioned at the rear end-face wall in such a way that its cross section is intersected by the plane of symmetry of the material collection container. After passing through the collection chamber, the suction flow is divided into at least two subflows that are conducted in air ducts situated on both sides of the plane of symmetry.

The invention further relates to a suction excavator having this type of material collection container.

Claims

1. A material collection container of a suction excavator comprising: a suction connection at a rear end-face wall; a filter unit; a collection chamber; and a suction flow duct that leads from the suction connection through the collection chamber and the filter unit, wherein the suction connection is positioned at the rear end-face wall in such a way that its cross section is intersected by the plane of symmetry of the material collection container, and wherein after passing through the collection chamber the suction flow is divided into at least two subflows that are conducted in air ducts situated on both sides of the plane of symmetry, wherein the air ducts are combined outside the collection chamber and open into an inlet of a suction fan of the suction excavator.

2. The material collection container according to claim 1, wherein the plane of symmetry of the material collection container in an untipped state of the material collection container coincides with a vehicle center plane of the suction excavator.

3. The material collection container according to claim 1, wherein air ducts situated on both sides of the plane of symmetry extend, in sections, in parallel to the side walls of the collection chamber in the upper third of the material collection container.

4. The material collection container according to claim 1, wherein the collection chamber is situated in front of the filter unit in the travel direction of the suction excavator.

5. The material collection container according to claim 1, further comprising an at least two-part cover, wherein each cover part is rotatably fastened to a folding axis situated in the plane of symmetry of the material collection container.

6. The material collection container according to claim 1, further comprising a pivot bearing on each of its two end-face sides that allows a suspension of the material collection container in a tilt axis that extends in the plane of symmetry.

7. A suction excavator having: a vehicle chassis, wherein a vehicle longitudinal axis of the vehicle extends in a vehicle center plane; a dumpable material collection container suspended in a tilt axis extending in parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis, wherein the dumpable material collection container comprises: a suction connection at a rear end-face wall; a filter unit; a collection chamber; and a suction flow duct that leads from the suction connection through the collection chamber and the filter unit, wherein the suction connection is positioned at the rear end-face wall in such a way that its cross section is intersected by the plane of symmetry of the material collection container, and wherein after passing through the collection chamber the suction flow is divided into at least two subflows that are conducted in air ducts situated on both sides of the plane of symmetry, wherein the air ducts are combined outside the collection chamber and open into an inlet of a suction fan of the suction excavator.

8. The suction excavator according to claim 7, wherein the tilt axis extends in the plane of symmetry of the dumpable material collection container, which in an untipped state coincides with the vehicle center plane and further comprises: a telescoping device that has two telescoping arms whose ends on the container side are each situated on the tilt axis about which the dumpable material collection container is rotatable, and whose ends on the chassis side are each pivotably fastened to the vehicle chassis in the vehicle center plane; at least one rotary drive is situated on the container-side end of at least one telescoping arm to allow a rotation of the material collection container about the tilt axis; and at least one slew drive which allows the telescoping arms to swivel out of the vehicle center plane in both angular directions.

9. The suction excavator according to claim 8 wherein the swiveling of the telescoping arms is at least wide enough that the projected tilt axis extends outside the surface area described by the vehicle chassis.

10. The material collection container according to claim 2, wherein air ducts situated on both sides of the plane of symmetry extend, in sections, in parallel to the side walls of the collection chamber in the upper third of the material collection container.

11. The material collection container according to claim 2, wherein the collection chamber is situated in front of the filter unit in the travel direction of the suction excavator.

12. The material collection container according to claim 3, wherein the collection chamber is situated in front of the filter unit in the travel direction of the suction excavator.

13. The material collection container according to claim 1, wherein the collection chamber is situated behind the filter unit in the travel direction of the suction excavator.

14. The material collection container according to claim 2, wherein the collection chamber is situated behind the filter unit in the travel direction of the suction excavator.

15. The material collection container according to claim 3, wherein the collection chamber is situated behind the filter unit in the travel direction of the suction excavator.

16. The material collection container according to claim 2, further comprising an at least two-part cover, wherein each cover part is rotatably fastened to a folding axis situated in the plane of symmetry of the material collection container.

17. The material collection container according to claim 3, further comprising an at least two-part cover, wherein each cover part is rotatably fastened to a folding axis situated in the plane of symmetry of the material collection container.

18. The material collection container according to claim 4, further comprising an at least two-part cover, wherein each cover part is rotatably fastened to a folding axis situated in the plane of symmetry of the material collection container.

19. The material collection container according to claim 2 further comprising a pivot bearing on each of its two end-face sides that allows a suspension of the material collection container in a tilt axis that extends in the plane of symmetry.

20. The material collection container according to claim 5 further comprising a pivot bearing on each of its two end-face sides that allows a suspension of the material collection container in a tilt axis that extends in the plane of symmetry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Further particulars, advantages, and refinements of the present invention result from the following description of one preferred embodiment, with reference to the drawings, which show the following:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a simplified side sectional view of a suction excavator with a material collection container according to the invention, in a first embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the material collection container of the first embodiment in a perspective view;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a simplified side sectional view of a suction excavator with a material collection container according to the invention, in a second embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the material collection container of the second embodiment in a perspective view;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a simplified view of the suction excavator from the rear;

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an emptying module of the suction excavator with the material collection container tilted; and

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a view of the suction excavator from the rear during an emptying operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a simplified, partially sectional side view of a suction excavator 01, which first of all typically includes a vehicle chassis or an auxiliary frame 02 and multiple vehicle wheels 03. In addition, the suction excavator includes a material collection container 05 according to the invention which is mounted on the vehicle chassis 02. Provided on the rear end-face side of the material collection container 05 is a suction connection 06, to which a suction hose 20 is connected. Material is drawn in at the free end of the suction hose 20 with the aid of a suction flow 21, symbolized by flow arrows.

[0044] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the suction flow 21 initially travels in the upper area of the material collection container 05 in an upper air duct 27 until reaching a baffle plate 22, where it is deflected into a collection chamber 23. Due to the increase in volume, the flow velocity in the collection chamber 23 decreases, so that material 24 is deposited in the collection chamber. The suction flow then passes into a filter unit 25, in which smaller particles still present in the suction flow are filtered out. In the illustrated embodiment, the collection chamber 23 is situated in front of the filter unit 25 in the travel direction.

[0045] The suction excavator 01 also bears a suction fan 26, positioned in front of the material collection container 05 in the travel direction, which generates the air stream for forming the suction flow 21.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a perspective, partially sectional view of the material collection container 05 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. It is apparent first of all that the material collection container 05 on its top side is closed by a cover 12 made up of two cover parts. The cover half situated on the left in the travel direction is illustrated in the open state, while the cover half situated on the right in the travel direction is closed. The flow arrows indicate the course of the suction flow 21, which initially enters the suction connection 06 at the rear end-face wall and travels in the upper air duct 27 until reaching the baffle plate 22, where it is introduced into the interior of the collection chamber 23. The suction flow passes over multiple baffles 28 of a pre-separator 29 and to the filter unit 25. The suction flow 21 leaves the filter unit 25 on both sides of the material collection container 05, in each case through a side outlet 30, and at that location enters a side air duct 31. The two side air ducts 31 run on the respective left and right side walls of the material collection container 05. The two side air ducts 31 are combined into a front air duct 32 at the front end-face side of the material collection container 05. The front air duct 32 opens into the inlet 33 of the suction fan 26 (FIG. 1).

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment of the suction excavator with an altered material collection container 05. The change from the embodiment described above is essentially that the collection chamber 23 is situated behind the filter unit 25 in the travel direction, which results in a modified conduction of the suction flow 21 in the area of the air ducts, as described below.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows the modified embodiment of the material collection container 05 as used in the embodiment according to FIG. 3. As is apparent from a review of FIGS. 3 and 4, the suction flow 21 initially passes through an upper air duct 27 that is shorter compared to the embodiment in FIG. 1, and after the coarse material 24 is deposited in the collection chamber 23, reaches baffles 28 of a rear pre-separator 29a, situated in the rear area, and via the two side outlets 30 passes into the side air ducts 31. At approximately the front third of the material collection container 05, the suction flow exits from a rear section 31a of the side air ducts and once again passes into the interior, in particular into a front pre-separator 29b, from where it is led into the filter unit 25. After passing through the filter unit 5 [sic; 025], the air stream once again enters the area of the side air duct 31, namely, in a front section 31b, and from there passes to the front air duct 32, where the two substreams are recombined.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a simplified view of the suction excavator 01 from the rear. With regard to the vehicle wheels 03, the vehicle has a symmetrical design with respect to a vehicle center plane 04, as illustrated by a dash-dotted line in FIG. 5. A vehicle longitudinal axis 04a (FIG. 6) extends in the vehicle center plane. As an add-on element, the suction excavator 01 has the material collection container 05, which may be designed in the form of an emptying module. In this view it is clearly apparent that the suction connection 06 is situated in the middle of the rear end-face wall on the upper edge, so that the midpoint of the cross-sectional area of the suction connection lies in the vehicle center plane 04.

[0050] The material collection container 05 is suspended in a tilt axis 07 whose course is defined by two pivot bearings 08 situated on the end-face walls of the material collection container 05 that extend transversely with respect to the travel direction of the suction excavator.

[0051] In the embodiment shown, a telescoping device includes two telescoping arms 09 whose ends on the container side are respectively coupled to one of the pivot bearings 08, and whose ends on the chassis side are respectively pivotably mounted on a pivot bearing 10 on the vehicle chassis 02.

[0052] It is apparent from FIG. 5 that the material collection container 05 is situated essentially above the vehicle chassis or an auxiliary frame 02 during an idle, transport, or working position. A top side 11 of the material collection container 05 extends essentially horizontally in this state. The top side 11 is closed by the cover 12. The telescoping arms 09 are essentially perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle chassis 02.

[0053] A hydraulic cylinder 13 that operates as a slew drive extends between the vehicle chassis 02 and a coupling point 14 on the section of the particular telescoping arm 09 that is not changeable in length. The slew drive 13 is designed in such a way that when actuated, it can swivel the telescoping arm 09 in both angular directions from the vertical position, i.e., out of the vehicle center plane 04 to the left or to the right.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a simplified perspective view of the emptying module as a component of the suction excavator 01 described above. The chassis elements that are part of the suction excavator 01 are for the most part not illustrated in FIG. 6. Portions of the vehicle chassis may be assigned directly to the vehicle and/or to the auxiliary frame of the emptying module, designed as a stand-alone part.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows the state of emptying the material collection container 05. For this purpose, the telescoping arms 09 are extended in the longitudinal direction, and after reaching a minimum height that allows swiveling, arc swiveled to one of the two vehicle sides or module sides by activating the slew drive 13. In the illustrated example, the material collection container 05 has been swiveled to the left, based on the travel direction.

[0056] To ensure secure positioning of the suction excavator during the emptying operation, stanchions 15 may be extended so that the vehicle is standing in the most horizontal position possible.

[0057] After the telescoping arms 09 are axially extended and swiveled, a rotary drive 16, situated in the area of the pivot bearings 08 or integratable into same, is activated. The activation of the rotary drive 16 causes the material collection container 05 to rotate about the tilt axis 07, so that the top side 11 is inclined downwardly and to the side in order to dump the material collected in the material collection container 05, with the cover 12 open.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows once again the state during emptying of the material collection container 05, in a simplified view from the rear. It is clearly apparent in this illustration that, due to the extension of the telescoping arms 09, the tilt axis 07 is displaced upwardly until the edge of the top side 11, which is situated at the bottom when the material collection container 05 is tipped, may be at a height of 2-3 m, for example, so that it is possible to empty the material collection container 05 into a truck situated next to the vehicle. This requires that the cover 12 is at least partially open. preferably as the result of swiveling a cover half about a folding axis that extends approximately in the centerline of the top side 11.

[0059] It is also apparent from FIG. 7 that, due to the lateral swiveling of the telescoping arms 09 with the aid of the slew drive 13, the tilt axis 07 may extend to the left next to the suction excavator, or, for swiveling in the other direction, may extend to the right next to the suction excavator 01. It is thus possible to empty the material collection container 05 on the left side and on the right side of the suction excavator.

[0060] The telescoping arms 09 are preferably equipped with an integrated linear guide, and are extendable in and out by hydraulic cylinders in a manner known per se. Concurrent operation of the two telescoping arms is generally possible with appropriate control, and in certain application situations, extension of the two telescoping arms by different amounts may be advantageous.

[0061] To avoid torsions, a slew drive 13 is preferably associated with each of the two telescoping arms 09, as is apparent from FIG. 6. These two slew drives 13 are likewise operated synchronously. The stated rotary drive 16 may be situated in each case at the container-side ends of the telescoping arms 09, or it is possible to equip only one of the telescoping arms 09 with the rotary drive, while a journal bearing implements the pivot bearing on the other telescoping arm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0062] 01 suction excavator [0063] 02 vehicle chassis/auxiliary frame [0064] 03 vehicle wheels [0065] 04 vehicle center plane [0066] 04a vehicle longitudinal axis [0067] 05 material collection container [0068] 06 suction connection [0069] 07 tilt axis [0070] 08 pivot bearing [0071] 09 telescoping arms [0072] 10 pivot bearing [0073] 11 top side [0074] 12 cover [0075] 13 slew drive [0076] 14 coupling point [0077] 15 stanchions [0078] 16 rotary drive [0079] 20 suction hose [0080] 21 suction flow [0081] 22 baffle plate [0082] 23 collection chamber [0083] 24 deposited material [0084] 25 filter unit [0085] 26 suction fan [0086] 27 upper air duct [0087] 28 baffles [0088] 29 pre-separator [0089] 30 side outlet [0090] 31 side air duct [0091] 32 front air duct [0092] 33 inlet of the suction fan