Slipform paver

Abstract

The road construction machine according to the invention, in particular a slipform paver or curing machine for freshly manufactured concrete layers, has a machine frame 1 supported by running gears 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, on which machine frame a working device 11 is provided, which has a working means 18 that can be moved in a direction running transversely to the working direction I, which working means is fastened to a carriage 13 which is guided on a linear guide 12 running transversely to the working direction. The carriage 13 is connected to a cable 15 that is deflected on one longitudinal side of the machine frame, the free ends of which are fastened to the cable drum 19 of a cable winch 16 on the other longitudinal side of the machine frame in such a way that the carriage can be moved in the transverse direction by rotating the cable drum. The road construction machine is characterised in that the cable drum 19 has a first and a second drum half 20, 21, one end of the cable 15 being fastened to one drum half 20 and the other end of the cable being fastened to the other drum half 21. The cable winch 16 can assume a first operating mode in which the first and second drum halves 20, 21 are connected to one another in such a way that the carriage 13 is moved by rotating the first and/or second drum half. The cable winch 16 can assume a second operating mode in which the first and second drum halves 20, 21 can be rotated in opposite directions at least in one direction of rotation, so that the cable tension can be adjusted by rotating one drum half relative to the other drum half.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A road construction machine, comprising: a machine frame having first and second longitudinal frame sides and having a working direction; a plurality of wheels or tracks supporting the machine frame; a linear guide running transversely to the working direction; a carriage guided on the linear guide; a working tool fastened to the carriage so that the working tool is movable in a direction running transversely to the working direction; a deflector located on the machine frame closer to one of the first and second longitudinal frame sides; a cable winch including a cable drum located on the machine frame closer to the other of the first and second longitudinal frame sides, the cable drum including a first drum half and a second drum half; a cable extending about the deflector and including first and second free ends fastened to the first and second drum halves, respectively; and wherein the cable winch is configured such that the cable winch can assume either of: a first operating mode in which the first and second drum halves are connected to one another such that rotating the first and/or second drum halves in one direction or the other causes the carriage to move in one direction or the other; and a second operating mode in which the first and second drum halves can be rotated in opposite directions at least in one direction of rotation, so that a cable tension of the cable can be adjusted by rotating one drum half relative to the other drum half.

17. The road construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the first drum half includes at least one first connecting element and the second drum half includes at least one second connecting element, the at least one first and second connecting elements being configured such that in the first operating mode a non-positive connection is established between the at least one first and second connecting elements.

18. The road construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the first drum half includes at least one first connecting element and the second drum half includes at least one second connecting element, the at least one first and second connecting elements being configured such that in the first operating mode a positive connection is established between the at least one first and second connecting elements.

19. The road construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the cable winch is configured such that the first and second drum halves form a clutch which acts only in one direction of rotation.

20. The road construction machine of claim 19, wherein: one of the first and second drum halves includes at least one locking piece and the other of the first and second drum halves includes at least one spring-loaded locking pawl, the at least one pawl engaging in the at least one locking piece.

21. The road construction machine of claim 20, wherein: the one of the first and second drum halves includes a plurality of the locking pieces arranged circumferentially distributed about an axis of rotation of the one of the first and second drum halves at predetermined intervals, and the other of the first and second drum halves includes a plurality of the pawls distributed circumferentially about an axis of rotation of the other of the first and second drum halves at predetermined intervals.

22. The road construction machine of claim 21, wherein: the predetermined intervals at which the locking pieces of the one of the first and second drum halves are arranged and the predetermined intervals at which the pawls of the other of the first and second drum halves are arranged are matched to one another so that the drum halves can assume a variety of locking positions.

23. The road construction machine of claim 20, wherein: the first drum half and the second drum half are axially displaceable relative to each other between a first position in which the at least one pawl engages the at least one locking piece, and a second position in which the at least one pawl is disengaged from the at least one locking piece.

24. The road construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the cable winch includes a lock configured such that one of the first and second drum halves can be locked in relation to the machine frame.

25. The road construction machine of claim 24, wherein: the lock includes a perforated body provided on the one of the first and second drum halves, the perforated body including a plurality of holes arranged circumferentially around an axis of rotation of the one of the first and second drum halves, and the lock includes a stationary frame including a bore configured such that a locking element can be pushed through the bore of the stationary frame into one of the holes of the perforated body.

26. The road construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the cable winch includes a drive motor for driving one of the first and second drum halves.

27. The road construction machine of claim 16, the road construction machine being a slipform paver, wherein: the machine frame includes a right-hand frame part running in the working direction and a left-hand frame part running in the working direction; the road construction machine further includes a slipform arranged between the right-hand frame part and the left-hand frame part; and the working tool is a pusher arranged in front of the slipform for distributing concrete to be paved in the direction running transversely to the working direction.

28. The road construction machine of claim 16, the road construction machine being a slipform paver, wherein: the machine frame includes a right-hand frame part running in the working direction and a left-hand frame part running in the working direction; the road construction machine further includes a slipform arranged between the right-hand frame part and the left-hand frame part; and the working tool is a smoothing tool arranged behind the slipform for smoothing freshly poured concrete, the smoothing tool being movable in the direction extending transversely to the working direction.

29. The road construction machine of claim 16, the road construction machine being a curing machine for curing freshly poured concrete, wherein: the working tool is a brush that can be moved in the direction transversely to the working direction for texturing the freshly poured concrete.

30. The road construction machine of claim 16, the road construction machine being a curing machine for curing freshly poured concrete, wherein: the working tool is a spray head that can be moved in the direction transversely to the working direction for spraying the freshly poured concrete with a liquid.

31. The road construction machine of claim 16, wherein: the machine frame and the linear guide are configured for variable setting of different working widths.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a schematic representation of a slipform paver having a variable working width as an example of a road construction machine, which slipform paver has a front and rear working device in the working direction,

[0033] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a schematic representation of a curing machine for freshly manufactured concrete layers having a variable working width as an example of a road construction machine, which has a working device,

[0034] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic representations of a first embodiment of the cable winch of the working device to illustrate the functional principle,

[0035] FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views of a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the cable winch,

[0036] FIG. 5A shows one of the two drum halves of the cable drum of the cable winch in the plan view of a third embodiment of the cable drum,

[0037] FIG. 5B is a plan view of the other of the two drum halves of the cable drum of the cable winch of the third embodiment, and

[0038] FIG. 5C shows a pawl of the cable drum of the third embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a slipform paver as an example of a self-propelled construction machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The slipform paver has a machine frame 1 which is supported by a chassis 2. The chassis 2 comprises, in the working direction I, a front, left chain drive 3A and a front, right chain drive 3B and, in the working direction, a rear left chain drive 4A and a rear right chain drive 4B. The chain drives are fastened to the machine frame by means of front left and right lifting devices 5A, 5B and rear left and right lifting devices 6A, 6B. The chain drives may also be referred to as crawler tracks. Wheels may also be used instead of crawler tracks. The crawler tracks or wheels may also be referred to as running gears.

[0041] The machine frame 1 comprises, in the working direction I, a left frame part 7A, a right frame part 7B, and a middle frame part 8. The middle frame part 8 can be lengthened or shortened to change the working width of the slipform paver. For this purpose, piston/cylinder arrangements 9 that are only indicated in outline can be provided, or individual frame pieces 8A can be inserted into or removed from the central frame part 8. The machine frame 1 may be described as having first and second longitudinal frame sides defined by the left and right frame parts 7A and 7B.

[0042] Between the outer frame parts 7A, 7B, a slipform 10 running transversely to the working direction is arranged for producing a concrete layer for a roadway. The slipform 10 also has a variable working width, for example by inserting and removing individual slipform segments 10A.

[0043] In addition, the slipform paver comprises a front working device 11 in the working direction I, which is arranged in front of the slipform 10, and a rear working device 11′ in the working direction I, which is arranged behind the slipform in the working direction.

[0044] The front and rear working devices 11, 11′ each comprise a longitudinal guide 12 running transversely to the working direction, on which a carriage 13 is guided in the transverse direction, and a cable system 14 for moving the carriage. The same reference signs are used for the parts of the working device that correspond to one another. The working width of the longitudinal guide 12 can also be changed by inserting and removing longitudinal guide parts 12A. The cable system 14 of the two working devices has a cable 15 running in the transverse direction, which is wound up or unwound by means of a cable winch 16 on the left in the working direction I and is deflected on a deflection roller 17 on the right in the working direction I. The deflection roller 17 may also be referred to as a deflector 17. The carriage 13 is fastened to the cable 15. A working means 18, 18′ is fastened to the carriage 13. The working means 18, 18′ may also be referred to as a working tool 18, 18′.

[0045] If the working width of the slipform paver is changed, the width of the working device 11, 11′ must be adjusted. To do this, the free cable length of the cable system 14 must be changed. In addition, the cable 15 must be tensioned or re-tensioned for the cable system 14 to function properly. The structure and the function of the cable system 14 are described in detail below.

[0046] The front working device 11 is a distribution device for distributing the concrete to be paved in a direction running transversely to the working direction over the entire working width, with the working means 18 being a pusher, which is also referred to as a spreading plough. The rear working device 11′ is a smoothing device for smoothing the freshly manufactured concrete, and the working means 18′ is a smoother.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a curing machine for freshly manufactured concrete layers as an example of a self-propelled construction machine having a working device. The components corresponding to the slipform paver are denoted by the same reference signs. In the case of the curing machine, the working device 11″ can be a texturing device for texturing the freshly manufactured concrete, with the working means 18″ being a brush element that can be moved in a direction running transversely to the working direction I. However, the working device 11″ can also be a spraying device for spraying the freshly manufactured concrete with a liquid, the working means 18″ being a spray head that can be moved in the transverse direction.

[0048] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show a first embodiment of the cable winch 16 of the cable system 14 in a simplified schematic representation. The cable winch 16 has a cable drum 19 which comprises a first and a second drum half 20, 21. The first and second drum halves 20, 21 are fastened to the machine frame 1 such that they can rotate about a common axis of rotation 22. FIG. 3A shows the cable winch 16 in the first mode of operation, and FIG. 3C shows the cable winch in the second operating mode. FIG. 3B shows a view of the end face of the cable drum 19 from a direction opposite to the working direction I.

[0049] The first drum half 19 is driven by means of a drive unit 23 which is provided on the machine frame 1. The drive unit 23 can have a hydraulic motor or an electric motor, for example. The drive unit 23 can also be referred to as a drive motor 23.

[0050] The first and second drum halves 20, 21 each have a connecting element 20A, 21A on the end faces, which in the present embodiment is a clutch disc having a clutch lining. The two drum halves 20, 21 are resiliently prestressed against one another in the axial direction, as a result of which the clutch discs are pressed against one another. The torque that can be transmitted with the clutch discs is sufficient to be able to transmit the carriage 13 during operation of the road construction machine. The torque that can be transmitted is determined by the design of the clutch discs and the contact pressure.

[0051] The free ends of the cable 15 deflected on the deflection roller 17 are fastened to the cable drum 19 in opposite directions. The free end of the upper piece of cable (FIG. 3B) is fastened to the first drum half 20 (FIG. 3A), and the free end of the lower piece of cable (FIG. 3B) is fastened to the second drum half 21 (FIG. 3A), so that, when the cable drum 19 rotates clockwise A (viewed from the plan view of the cable drum from a direction opposite to the working direction I), the incoming, upper piece of cable is wound onto the first drum half 20 and the outgoing, lower piece of cable is unwound from the second drum half 21. Consequently, the carriage 13 fastened to the upper piece of cable is moved with the working means 18, 18′, 18″ in the direction of the arrow a (FIG. 1, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B) from right to left (seen in the working direction) (FIG. 1). However, the carriage can also be fastened to the lower piece of cable, whereby the direction of movement is reversed. A counter-clockwise rotation of the cable drum B results in a movement of the working means in the direction of arrow b from left to right (seen in the working direction). Consequently, the working means can be moved in both directions a, b, which corresponds to the first operating mode.

[0052] To tension the cable 15, the cable winch 16 has a locking device 24 fastened to an outer frame 1A of the machine frame 1, which locking device in the present embodiment has a hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromagnetically actuated locking element 24A, for example a bolt, which can be displaced. On the outside, the second drum half 21 has a perforated body 25 with holes 25A arranged circumferentially around its axis of rotation 22, into which the locking element 24A, which can be pushed forward through a bore 1AA in the frame 1A, can engage in order to attach the second drum half 21 to be locked to the stationary frame 1A. Instead of a locking device with an automatically actuable locking element, a bolt can also be pushed manually through the bore 1AA into one of the holes 25A for locking. The locking device 24 may also be referred to as a lock 24.

[0053] To set the second operating mode, the second drum half 21 is locked by means of the locking device 24 (FIG. 3C). To tension the cable 15 in the second operating mode, the first drum half 20 is rotated clockwise A by means of the drive unit 23, with the second drum half 21 being held in place. The two drum halves 20, 21 act as a slipping clutch (FIG. 3C), which corresponds to the second operating mode.

[0054] To adapt the free cable length to a reduced or increased working width, the second drum half 21 is locked and the first drum half 20 is rotated clockwise A or counter-clockwise B, which corresponds to the second operating mode.

[0055] To control the drive unit 23 and the locking device 24, a control unit 26 (FIG. 3A) is provided, which can be a component of the central control unit of the road construction machine (not shown). The drive unit 23 and the locking device 24 are connected to the control unit 26 via control lines 23A, 24C. The control unit 26 can be configured in such a way that the individual method steps for tensioning the cable or for adjusting the free cable length are carried out fully automatically.

[0056] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an alternative embodiment in which the connecting elements do not produce a non-positive connection but rather a positive connection. The corresponding parts are designated with the same reference signs. In the present embodiment, the connecting element 20A of the first drum half 20 has claws 20AA (only shown in outline in FIGS. 4A and 4B) which engage in corresponding recesses 21AA provided on the second drum half 21, so that a positive connection is produced.

[0057] In the alternative embodiment, the cable winch has an adjustment device 27 which is designed in such a way that the first drum half 20 can be moved in the axial direction relative to the second drum half 21. The adjusting device 27 can comprise hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromagnetic drive means, for example a piston/cylinder arrangement, which are connected to the control unit 26 via a control line 27A. The control unit 26 can again be configured in such a way that the individual method steps for tensioning the cable or for adjusting the free cable length are carried out fully automatically. However, the adjusting device 27 can also comprise, for example, an adjusting screw that can be operated manually.

[0058] To tension the cable 15, the control unit 26 actuates the adjusting device 27 in such a way that the first cable drum 20 is moved from a first position in which the claws 20AA are engaged (FIG. 4A) in the axial direction to a second position in which the claws 20AA are disengaged (FIG. 4B). In addition, the control unit 26 actuates the locking device 24 in such a way that the second drum half 21 is locked. After locking the second drum half 21, the control unit 26 activates the drive unit 23 so that the cable 15 is wound up on the first cable drum 20 to tension it (rotational direction A is clockwise as seen from a direction opposite to the working direction I) or in the event of a change of the working width for shortening or lengthening the free cable length, the cable is wound up on the first cable drum 20 or unwound from the cable drum 20 (direction of rotation A or B). The first cable drum 20 is then moved back into the first position and the locking device 24 is released again (FIG. 4A).

[0059] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show a further alternative embodiment in a simplified schematic representation, which differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B in that the cable winch 16 is designed in such a way that the first and second drum halves 20, 21 form a clutch which acts only in one direction of rotation. The construction and function of the cable winch 16 from FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C otherwise correspond to the embodiment from FIGS. 4A and 4B. The cable winch 16 therefore also has the drive unit 23 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the locking device 24 and the adjustment device 27 as well as the control unit 26. FIG. 5A shows a plan view of the end face of the first drum half 20, while FIG. 5B shows a plan view of the end face of the second drum half 21.

[0060] On the end face of the first drum half 20, locking pieces 20AB are provided circumferentially distributed around its axis of rotation 22 at predetermined intervals (FIG. 5A). On the end face around its axis of rotation 22, the second drum half 21 has circumferentially distributed locking pawls 21AB at predetermined intervals which engage in the first position of the drum halves in the locking pieces 20AB (FIG. 5B), so that the drum halves 20, 21 form a freewheel. FIG. 5C shows one of the plurality of pawls 21AB engaging in one of the plurality of locking pieces 20AB. The pawl 21AB is spring-biased with a spring (not shown in FIG. 5C) so that a force F acts on the pawl, whereby the pawl bears with a first abutment surface 28A against a stop surface 28B on the end face of the second drum half 21 and bears with a second abutment surface 29A against a second stop surface 29B on the locking piece 20AB of the first drum half 20. When the first drum half 20 is rotated relative to the stationary second drum half 21 in the direction of arrow A, which corresponds to the direction of rotation A in FIG. 4A, the locking piece 20AB catches the pawl 21AB on its inclined surface 30, so that the pawl is rotated (freewheel) in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 5C). A rotation of the first drum half 20 in the opposite direction of rotation B (FIG. 5C) is not possible, however, since the pawl 21AB blocks rotation in this direction of rotation. Therefore, in the direction of rotation B, the torque required to move the working means 18, 18′, 18″ can be easily transmitted. The spring tension F can be dimensioned in such a way that, if the first cable drum 20 is driven by the drive unit 23 in the direction of rotation A and the locking device 24 releases the second cable drum 21 (first operating mode), the torque required to move the working means in both directions (left and right) can be transmitted without “the clutch slipping.”

[0061] To tension the cable 15 or to shorten the free cable length, the second drum half 21 is locked, with the first drum half 20 being rotated in the direction of rotation A. The predetermined intervals at which the locking pieces 20AB of one of the two drum halves 20 are arranged and the predetermined intervals at which the pawls 21AB of the other of the two drum halves 21 are arranged are matched to one another in the manner of a nonius. This creates a large number of locking positions, so that the cable tension can be adjusted in relatively small steps.

[0062] However, when the first drum half 20 is in the first position, the free cable length cannot be extended because the “clutch is engaged” (see FIG. 4A). In order to lengthen the free cable length, the first drum half 20 is moved into the second position by means of the adjustment device 27, in which the pawls 21AB are disengaged (cf. FIG. 4B). The first drum half 20 is then rotated in the direction of rotation B so that the cable 15 can unwind from the first drum half 20. For this purpose, the second drum half 21 does not need to be locked.