Multifunctional articulated drilling machine with improved stability

Abstract

A multifunctional articulated drilling machine, particularly but not exclusively adapted for excavation and drilling operations in galleries and tunnels, includes a vehicle equipped with tracks and a drilling member, a connection arm adapted to connect the drilling member to the vehicle, a first constraining system constraining the lower end of the arm to the vehicle, and a second constraining system constraining the guide of the drilling member to the upper end of the arm. The tracks can be translated crosswise in order to vary the distance between them.

Claims

1. A multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) comprising: a self-propelled motor vehicle (1), with a chassis (11) equipped with at least one pair of tracks (61, 62) for a forward movement of the drilling machine in at least one advancement direction (X); and at least one drilling member (3) comprising a drilling head (32) mounted and translating (G) on a respective guide (31), further comprising: at least one arm (2) configured to connect said drilling member (3) to said motor vehicle (1); a first constraining system (5) adapted to constrain a lower end (2a) of said arm (2) to said vehicle (1), wherein said first constraining system (5) comprises: at least one first pin (51) with vertical axis of rotation (Z1), adapted to enable a rotating movement (A) of an entire arm (2)drilling member (3) assembly on said vertical axis (Z1) at least one first hinge (52) which directly or indirectly connects to said first pin (51) and to which said lower end (2a) of said arm (2) is hinged, said first hinge (52) being adapted to enable a rotating movement (C) of said arm (2); and a drilling member (3) assembly around a horizontal axis (Y1), which is orthogonal to the advancement direction (X) of the machine; a second constraining system (4) adapted to constrain the guide (31) of the drilling member (3) to an upper end (2b) of said arm (2), wherein said second constraining system (4) comprises: at least one second hinge (41) mounted at an upper end (2b) of the arm (2) and enabling a rotating movement (D) of said guide (31) around an axis (Y2), which is parallel to the axis (Y1) of said first hinge (52) at the opposite end (2a) of the arm (2); at least one second pin or ring bearing (42) connected to said second hinge (41) and adapted to enable a rotating movement (E) of said guide (31) around a rotation axis (Z2) which is orthogonal to said second hinge (41); and at least one third hinge (43) connected to said second pin or ring bearing (42) and adapted to enable a rotating movement (F) of said guide (31) around an axis (Y3), which is orthogonal to the rotation axis (Z2) of said second pin or ring bearing (42), wherein said tracks (61, 62) of said chassis (11) selectively translate in a direction (Y) which is substantially orthogonal to the advancement direction (X) and in an opposite direction, thereby increasing or reducing a distance (63) therebetween, in a symmetric or asymmetric manner with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the drilling machine (M).

2. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 1, wherein a translation of each track (61) is substantially opposite and equal to a translation of an opposite track (62) with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the drilling machine (M).

3. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 1, further comprising at least one control or safety system which, according to data regarding position and movement of the drilling machine (M) and of the drilling member (3), indicates a most appropriate position for said tracks (61, 62).

4. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 3, wherein said control or safety system authorizes or prevents the movement of said drilling member (3) according to data regarding a position of said tracks (61, 62) and to data regarding position and movement of said machine (M) and of said drilling member (3).

5. The multifunctional articulated machine according to claim 1, wherein said first constraining system (5) further comprises at least one front ring bearing (53) constrained to said first pin (51) and rotating on a plane on which said first pin lies, a horizontal rotation axis (X1) of said pin being orthogonal to said vertical rotation axis (Z1) of the pin (51), said front ring bearing being adapted to enable a rotary movement (B) of said arm (2)drilling member (3) assembly around said horizontal axis (X1), wherein said front ring bearing (53) rotates by an angle included at least between +90 and 90 with respect to a vertical direction (Z).

6. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 5, wherein said arm (2) is orientable in any direction on a vertical half plane orthogonal to the advancement direction (X) of the drilling machine through said first constraining system (5), and wherein said half plane is rotatable on the vertical axis (Z1) of said first pin (51) and becomes inclined by way of said first hinge (52).

7. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 6, wherein said head (32) is adapted to be inclined with respect to said half plane (P) and rotated around the rotation axis (Z2) of said second pin (41) through said second constraining system (4).

8. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 1, wherein said second constraining system comprises a connection element (45) hinged to said arm (2), a coupling element (46) constrained to the drilling member (3) and hinged to said connection element (45) with one pair of superimposed hinges (47) having the same rotation axis (Z2), and one pair of pistons or actuators (44) each hinged to said connection element (45) and to said coupling element (46) and configured to rotate said coupling element (46), wherein said superimposed hinges (47) are spaced from each other so as to enable a passage of the piston (44) during an extension thereof, in order to enable said coupling element (46) and consequently said drilling member (3) to be rotated around said rotation axis (Z2).

9. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 1, wherein said drilling member (3) is mounted on a front part (14) of said vehicle (1) with respect to the advancement direction (X).

10. The multifunctional articulated drilling machine (M) according to claim 1, wherein said arm (2) comprises one or more hydraulic cylinders (21, 22) or other member adapted to control the movements of said arm (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The characteristics of the new articulated drilling machine will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings, attached by way of a non-limiting example.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the new machine (M), showing a first movement (A) of the drilling member (3), actuated by means of the tilting support, and especially the rotation movement around a first vertical axis (Z1). The tracks (61, 62) are shown in a retracted position towards the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the machine (M).

[0040] FIG. 1a shows a top view of the new machine (M) with the tracks (61, 62) in a expanded configuration.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the movement (C) of rotation of the arm (2) of the drilling member (3) is shown around a first horizontal axis (Y1), orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine (M).

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the movement (D) of rotation of the drilling member (3) is shown with respect to the arm (2) around a second horizontal axis (Y2), orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine (M).

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the new machine (M), showing a further movement (E) of the drilling member (3), and especially the rotation around a second vertical axis (Z2).

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the movement (F) of rotation of the drilling member (3) is shown around a third horizontal axis (Y3), orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine (M). In FIG. 5 the translation movement (G) of the drilling head (32) on the relative translation guide (31) of the drilling member (3) is also shown.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the machine (M) highlighting the movement (H) of the tracks (61, 62) which can increase or reduce their reciprocal distance (63), as needed by simultaneous and opposite translation along a horizontal orthogonal direction (Y) to the direction of motion (X).

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the machine (M) where the possible movement (G) of rotation (X1) of the drilling member (3) together with the arm (2) of the drilling member itself is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The new articulated drilling machine (M) is particularly useful for excavations and drilling in tunnels as well as for ordinary drilling in open environments. The new machine (M) comprises a self-propelled motor vehicle (1), in turn comprising a chassis (11) equipped with at least one pair of tracks (61, 62) arranged substantially next to each other and parallel, for the movement of the machine in a direction (X) generally horizontal or parallel to the ground (T).

[0048] The new machine (M) also comprises at least one drilling member (3), preferably mounted on the front of the vehicle (1), with respect to the direction of movement (X).

[0049] Said drilling member (3) in turn comprises a drilling head (32) mounted and translating on a relative guide (31).

[0050] Said drilling member (3) is connected to the vehicle (1) by at least one arm (2), first constraining means (5) of the lower end (2a) of the arm (2) to the vehicle (1), and second constraining means (4) of the guide (31) of the drilling member (3) at the upper end (2b) of said arm (2).

[0051] Said arm (2) further comprises one or more oleodynamic cylinders (21, 22), preferably a pair, or means generally suited to control the movements of the arm (2) itself.

[0052] The first constraining means (5) comprises at least one first pin (51) with a vertical rotation axis (Z1) (FIG. 1), suited to rotate the whole arm (2)drilling member (3) assembly on the vertical axis (Z1).

[0053] The rotation movement (A) of the arm (2)drilling member (3) assembly on the vertical axis (Z1) is shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, the first constraining means (5) may also include at least one front ring bearing (53) constrained to the first pin (51) and rotating on its resting plane with a horizontal rotation axis (X1) orthogonal to the vertical rotation axis (Z1) of the pin (51).

[0055] The rotation of said front ring bearing (53) is preferably controlled by means of a gear box connected thereto, which causes its controlled rotation about its axis (X1).

[0056] Said front ring bearing (53) can rotate at an angle comprised at least between +90 and 90 with respect to the vertical direction (Z), thus being able to orientate the arm (2)drilling member (3) assembly in any direction on the vertical half-plane orthogonal to the direction of motion (X) of the machine, that is, on the resting plane of the front ring bearing (53).

[0057] The movement (G) due to the rotation of the front ring bearing (53) is shown in FIG. 7.

[0058] The first constraining means (5) also comprises at least one first hinge (52) directly or indirectly constrained to the first pin (51) or to the front ring bearing (53), with a horizontal rotation axis (Y1) and orthogonal to the vertical axis (Z1) of the pin (51) or parallel to the resting plane of the front ring bearing (53).

[0059] In this way, the hinge (52) varies the inclination of the arm (2), and the relative movement (C) is shown in FIG. 2.

[0060] The first constraining means (5) of the arm (2) to the vehicle (1) therefore allows the arm (2)drilling member (3) assembly to be oriented in any direction.

[0061] The second constraining means (4) of the guide (31) of the drilling member (3) to the arm (2) comprises at least one second hinge (41) mounted at the upper end (2b) of the arm (2) (FIG. 3). Said second hinge (41) has a rotation axis (Y2) parallel to the axis (Y1) of the first hinge (53) at the opposite end (2a) of the arm (2).

[0062] Said second hinge (42) allows the movement (D) of rotation of the drilling member (3) as indicated in FIG. 3.

[0063] The second constraining means (4) also comprises at least one second pin or ring bearing (42) connected to the second hinge (41) and having a rotation axis (Z2) orthogonal to the second hinge (41) (FIG. 4).

[0064] The movement (E) of rotation of the drilling member permitted by the second pin or ring bearing (42) is indicated in FIG. 4.

[0065] The second constraining means (4) also comprises at least one third hinge (43) (FIG. 5) connected to the second pin or ring bearing (42) and with a rotation axis (Y3) orthogonal to the axis (Z2) of the second pin or ring bearing (42).

[0066] The movement (F) of rotation of the drilling member (3) allowed by the third hinge (43) is shown in FIG. 5.

[0067] The second constraining means (4) of the drilling member (3) to the arm (2) therefore enables the inclination of the head (32) to vary with respect to a vertical plane and to rotate it around the axis (Z2) of the second pin (41).

[0068] The second constraining means (4) is for example and preferably of the type described in patent EP1696100 of Comacchio International S.A. That is, it comprises a rotatable support for inclinable masts, comprising a connecting element (45) hinged to the arm (2), a coupling element (46) constrained to the drilling member (3) and hinged to the connecting element (45) by means of a pair of superimposed hinges (47) having the same rotation axis (Z2), a pair of pistons or actuators (44), each of which is hinged to the connecting element (45) and to the coupling element (46), suited to rotate the coupling element (46), and where the superimposed hinges (47) are spaced apart from each other to allow the piston (44) to pass as it elongates in order to rotate the coupling element (46) and consequently the drilling member (3), around the axis (Z2).

[0069] To ensure the stability of the machine according to the conditions of the ground on which the machine rests and depending on the type of work and movements to be performed, it is possible to vary the distance (63) between the tracks (61, 62) of the chassis (11).

[0070] Specifically, the tracks (61, 62) can move apart or toward each other, thus increasing or reducing the distance (63) between them, translating in a direction (Y) substantially orthogonal to the direction of motion (X). The movement (H) performed by the tracks (61, 62) is shown in FIG. 6.

[0071] The translation of each track (61, 62) is suitably equal and opposite to that of the counterposed track (62, 61), with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine (M), in such a way as to maintain the symmetry of the chassis (11).

[0072] These specifications are sufficient for the expert person to make the invention, as a result, in the practical application there may be variations without prejudice to the substance of the innovative concept.

[0073] Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings the following claims are made.