DK180342B1

DK180342B1 - Vacuum suction apparatus for digging machine

Info

Publication number: DK180342B1
Application number: DKPA201901020A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Toft Eddy
Original assignee: Toft V/Eddy Toft
Priority date: 2019-08-30
Filing date: 2019-08-30
Publication date: 2021-01-08
Also published as: DK201901020A1

Abstract

A vacuum suction apparatus (100) configured to collect lightweight materials, includes a generally cuboidal frame (101), a suction unit (102), and a container (106). The suction unit (102) is positioned within the cuboidal frame (101) and comprises a suction port (103), an impeller (109), and a discharge port (105). The suction port (103) is positioned at a bottom end (102a) of the suction unit (102), and the impeller (109) positioned within a casing (104) positioned above the suction port (103). The impeller (109) is in fluid communication with the suction port (103), where the impeller (109) rotates to generate a vacuum to suction the lightweight materials through the suction port (103). The impeller (109) further shred the light materials during the suctioning of the lightweight materials. The discharge port (105) is circumferentially positioned along the casing (104) of the impeller (109) and is configured to discharge the suctioned light weight material into a container (106).

Description

l DK 180342 B1

VACUUM SUCTION APPARATUS FOR DIGGING MACHINE BACKGROUND

[0001] Digging machines are widely used around the world for digging or excavation activities. These activities are performed especially in places where construction work is going on. The construction and related activities at a worksite can create bulk of waste material. Many systems were used in the past to collect and remove waste matter, for example, lightweight material comprising styrofoam, cardboard, plastic, etc, from industrial sites. The first methods involved manual disposal using the digging machine itself where the waste material was carried using the digging machine and disposed into a truck, where the truck carries the waste and disposes it in a waste disposal site where the waste is either recycled or incinerated. Conveyor belts were also used to carry the waste from the site to a waste collection truck. Another method involved disposing the waste at the site itself by incineration or digging compost pits. Advanced methods involved the use of blowers to create vacuum to suction the waste material to transfer the waste material to a disposal truck.

[0002] Prior art systems include, for example, US patent number 3651621 discloses a portable machine used to raise dirt, rocks, and the like from holes, such as fence post and utility pole holes and similar purposes, where components are provided in a closed chamber to extract the heavy and the light dirt particles by gravity separation and then to extract the fine particles by cloth bag filtration. Further, a blower draws a vacuum through a chamber and then through a hose which is lowered into the hole being cleaned.

— Another example is, for example, US patent number 5142732 which discloses an attachment for an industrial vacuum machine, where the attachment separates bulky items from finer materials passing through the hose. Here, the materials enter a separator chamber through a hose discharging into one side and exit through a second hose leading to the vacuum machine. In most of these cited prior arts, the lighter materials are separated by additional machinery which is time consuming and energy consuming.

, DK 180342 B1 There is no method available which can absorb as well as reduce the size of the light weight material in one-shot which will considerably reduce time and costs.

[0003] Another prior art, US 2006/0059652 of Vry Alan, discloses a debris collector is provided with an impeller mounted forward of the drive vehicle. The impeller is coupled to a movable snout which may be utilized to collect debris from the path of the vehicle, as well as areas lateral to the vehicle and debris which may be attached of a vertical structure. Still, another prior art, JP S62235126 A of Morita Tokushu Kiko, discloses suction of a solid and a congelation ever so easy, by connecting the attachment installed in an arm of a backhoe, supporting a suction tube to be extended out of a suction source at the vacuum side, to an opening at the suction side of the suction tube. However, above- mentioned prior arts fail to provide an alternative vacuum suction apparatus with cuboidal frame and the position of components within the frame. Further, above- mentioned prior arts also fail to describe an alternative vacuum suction apparatus with coulter members, which could be positioned proximal to the suction port.

[0004] Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a vacuum suction apparatus for collecting lightweight materials, where the lightweight materials are suctioned using vacuum and reduced to smaller size within the same equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The vacuum suction apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above stated need for collecting lightweight materials, and where the lightweight materials are suctioned — using vacuum and reduced to smaller size within the same equipment. The vacuum suction apparatus disclosed herein which is configured to collect lightweight materials, comprises a generally cuboidal frame, a suction unit, and a container. The suction unit is positioned within the cuboidal frame and comprises a suction port, an impeller, and a discharge port. The suction port is positioned at a bottom end of the suction unit, and the impeller positioned within a casing positioned above the suction port. The impeller is in

2 DK 180342 B1 fluid communication with the suction port, where the impeller is configured to rotate and generate a vacuum to suction the lightweight materials through the suction port. The impeller is further configured to shred the light materials during the suctioning of the lightweight materials. The discharge port is circumferentially positioned along the casing of the impeller and is configured to discharge the suctioned light weight material into a container. The container is fixedly attached to the cuboidal frame and configured to receive lightweight material through the discharge port.

[0006] In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus disclosed herein, further comprises an external crushing unit removably attached proximal to the suction port, where the external crushing unit is configured to split or crush a selected set of materials from amongst the lightweight materials. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus disclosed herein, further comprises a set of coulter members fixedly attached to the cuboidal frame and positioned proximal to the suction port, where the set of coulter members are configured to break and loosen the lightweight materials. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus disclosed herein, further comprises a quick disconnect member positioned at a bottom end of the suction port, where the quick disconnect member is configured to removably attach suction tubes with variable dimensions.

[0007] In an embodiment, the suction tube comprises an elongate flexible tube, a connector member, and a solid ring. The connector member is positioned at an upper end of the elongate flexible tube which is removably connected to the quick disconnect member positioned at a bottom end of the suction port, where the connector member is configured to enable a quick connection and disconnection between the suction tube and — the suction port. The solid ring is positioned at the distal end of the elongate flexible tube, where the solid ring retains the shape of the suction port during suction of the lightweight materials. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus disclosed herein, further comprises a hydraulic motor positioned at an upper section of the cuboidal frame, where the hydraulic motor is connected to the shaft of the impeller to provide drive to the impeller.

DK 180342 B1 4

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the vacuum suction apparatus.

[0009] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a cutaway view of the vacuum suction apparatus, showing the suction unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the vacuum suction apparatus 100. The vacuum suction apparatus 100 is used along with a grave digging machine which is used for digging and excavation. Digging and excavation is primarily done on waste dump yards, removing building construction/demolition debris, etc. During such digging and excavation processes a large quantity of waste, for example, light weight hard materials like styrofoam, cardboard, plastic piles up which needs to be removed from the site for recycling or for incineration. The vacuum suction apparatus 100 uses vacuum suction principle to effectively remove the lightweight materials from the work site. Additional attachments are provided to crush certain lightweight materials which are hard and which does not fit into the components of the vacuum suction apparatus 100.

[0011] The vacuum suction apparatus 100 disclosed herein which is configured to collect such lightweight materials comprise a generally cuboidal frame 101, a suction unit 102, and a container 106. The cuboidal frame 101 is made of, for example, wrought iron. The suction unit 102 is positioned proximal to the ground so that the suction unit 102 is closer to the ground level where the lightweight materials are dumped. The suction unit 102 is positioned within the cuboidal frame 101 and comprises a suction port 103, an impeller 109, and a discharge port 105. The suction port 103 is positioned at a bottom end

. DK 180342 B1 102a of the suction unit 102, and the impeller 109 positioned within a casing 104 positioned above the suction port 103. The suction port 103 is, for example, about 400 millimeter (mm) in diameter. The impeller 109 is in fluid communication with the suction port 103, where the impeller 109 is configured to rotate to generate a vacuum to suction the lightweight materials through the suction port 103.

[0012] The impeller 109 is further configured to shred the light materials during the suctioning of the lightweight materials. The discharge port 105 is circumferentially positioned along the casing 104 of the impeller 109 and is configured to discharge the suctioned light weight material into a container 106. The container 106 is fixedly attached to the cuboidal frame 101 and configured to receive lightweight material through the discharge port 10S. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus 100 further comprises a lid member 107 positioned within the container 106, where the lid member 107 is hingedly connected proximal to the discharge port 105 and is configured to open — and close the discharge port 105. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus 100 disclosed herein, further comprises a set of coulter members 108 fixedly attached to the cuboidal frame 101 and positioned proximal to the suction port 103, where the set of coulter members 108 are configured to break and loosen the lightweight materials.

[0013] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a cutaway view of the vacuum suction apparatus 100, showing the suction unit 102. The impeller 109 mentioned in the description of FIG. 1 is positioned inside the casing 104 as shown in FIG. 2. The impeller 109 is, for example, about 500 millimeter (mm) in diameter. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus 100 disclosed herein, further comprises a quick disconnect member 110 positioned at a bottom end 103a of the suction port 103, where the quick disconnect member 110 is configured to removably attach suction tubes 111 with variable dimensions. In an embodiment, the suction tube 111, for example, an elongate flexible hose, comprises an elongate flexible tube 112, a connector member 113, and a solid ring

114. The connector member 113 is positioned at an upper end 112a of the elongate flexible tube 112 which is removably connected to the quick disconnect member 110

. DK 180342 B1 positioned at a bottom end 103a of the suction port 103, where the connector member 113 is configured to enable a quick connection and disconnection between the suction tube 111 and the suction port 103.

[0014] The solid ring 114 is positioned at the distal end 112b of the elongate flexible tube 112, where the solid ring 114 retains the shape of the suction port 103 during suction of the lightweight materials. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus 100 disclosed herein, further comprises a hydraulic motor 115 positioned at an upper section 101a of the cuboidal frame 101, where the hydraulic motor 115 is connected to the shaft — 116 of the impeller 109 to provide drive to the impeller 109. In an embodiment, the vacuum suction apparatus 100 disclosed herein, further comprises an external crushing unit 117, removably attached proximal to the suction port 103, where the external crushing unit 117 is configured to split or crush a selected set of materials, for example, materials of larger dimensions, from amongst the lightweight materials.

[0015] The lightweight materials are collected are positioned or transferred proximal to the solid ring 114 is positioned at the distal end 112b of the elongate flexible tube 112 via a digging machine or a belt conveyor. The hydraulic motor 115 is activated which drives the impeller 109 creating a vacuum suction force, and therefore the suction process of the lightweight materials is initiated. The lightweight material is first suctioned through the suction tube 111, the suction port 103 and then into the casing 104 containing the impeller 109 as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2. Inside the casing 104, the impeller 109 further shred the lightweight materials into finer particles and then the lightweight materials are transferred to the container 106 through the discharge port 105 as shown by — the arrows in FIG. 2. In example, the external crushing unit 117 splits and crushes lightweight materials of larger dimensions, from amongst the lightweight materials transferred proximal to the suction tube 111. The suction tube 111 is disconnected via the quick disconnect member 110, so that the crushed lightweight material via the external crushing unit 117 is suctioned directly through the suction port 103.

, DK 180342 B1

[0016] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

DK 180342 B1 1 KRAV

A vacuum suction apparatus (100) configured to collect lightweight materials, comprising: a generally square frame (101); a suction unit (102) located within a square frame (101), the suction unit (102) comprising: a suction port (103) located in a lower end (102a) of the suction unit (102); fan wheel (109) located in a housing (104) located above the suction port (103), the fan wheel (109) in fluid communication with the suction port (103), the fan wheel (109) being configured to rotate to generate a vacuum for suction of the light materials through the suction port (103), wherein the fan wheel (109) is further configured to shred the light materials during the suction of the light materials; a set of cutting members (108) attached to the square frame (101) and located proximal to the suction port (103), the set of cutting members (108) configured to break and loosen the lightweight materials; a quick disconnect member (110) located in a lower end (1032) of the suction port (103), the quick disconnect member (110) configured to remove the removable suction tube (111) of variable dimensions and an outlet port (105) located in a peripheral sidewall of the vent wheel (109), the outlet port (105) configured to discharge the lightweight material of the suction into a container (106);

DK 180342 B1 where the container (106) is attached to the square frame (101) and configured to receive lightweight material through the exit port (105).

The vacuum suction apparatus (100) of claim 1, further comprising a suction tube (111), the suction tube (111) comprising: an elongate flexible tube (112); a connecting member (113) located in an upper end (112a) of the elongate flexible tube (112) removably connected to the quick coupling member (110) located in a lower end (103a) of the suction port (103), the connecting member (113) being configured to allow rapid connection and disconnection between the suction pipe (111) and the suction port (103); and a fixed ring (114) located in the distal end (112b) of the elongate flexible tube (112), the fixed ring (114) retaining the shape of the suction port (103) while sucking the light materials.

The vacuum suction apparatus (100) of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic motor (115) located in an upper section (101a) of the square frame (101), the hydraulic motor (115) being connected to the shaft (116) of the impeller. (109) to drive the impeller (109).

The vacuum suction apparatus (100) of claim 1, further comprising a lid member (107) located in the container (106), the lid member (107) being hinged near the outlet port (105) and configured to open and close the outlet port (105).