EP0973973A1

EP0973973A1 - Rotary snow plow

Info

Publication number: EP0973973A1
Application number: EP98912189A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner Zaugg; Klaus Maurer
Original assignee: Zaugg AG Eggiwil
Current assignee: Zaugg AG Eggiwil
Priority date: 1997-04-16
Filing date: 1998-04-16
Publication date: 2000-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-16
Also published as: CA2287393A1; JP2001520714A; ATE220149T1; ES2178182T3; AU6716298A; NO324800B1; DE59804671D1; EP0973973B1; NO995047L; NO995047D0; CA2287393C; JP3460088B2; US6367176B1; WO1998046832A1

Abstract

The rotary snow blower plow with a plow worm (18) which delivers the snow and a fan blower (19) which throws the delivered snow. The fan blower (19) is located on a line with the plow worm (18). The fan blower (19) and the plow worm (18) can be mounted on a common shaft (23) so that they rotate with the same angular speed. The rotary snow blower plow is characterized by high efficiency since the flow of snow need not be deflected by 90 degrees. It is especially suited for clearing of side walls and preparation of half pipe courses.

Description

Snow blower

Technical field

The invention relates to a snow-blower with a milling screw feeding the snow and a blower wheel ejecting the snow. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device with such a snow blower. State of the art

Snow blowers are used to clear larger amounts of snow. These have a milling auger on the one hand and a centrifugal wheel on the other. The milling auger crushes the snow and feeds it to the centrifugal wheel, from which it is thrown off specifically via a chimney.

Snow blowers are not only used in the communal area (streets, parking lots, etc.) but also to prepare ski and snowboard slopes. In any case, the user is interested in the snowblower being as efficient as possible. If a commercial vehicle already exists, the highest possible speed of work should be achieved with its (often limited) performance. If a new commercial vehicle has to be purchased anyway, a lower power consumption of the snow blower has the advantage that the performance of the commercial vehicle can be saved accordingly.

Snowboarding is particularly popular with young people. Demanding skiers are not satisfied with driving on ordinary ski slopes, but look for the challenge in specially prepared, channel-like snow troughs, which are called half pipes. Such a snow trough has a flat central part in cross section and two arcuate side walls. The radius of the side walls is in the range of 2.0 - 3.5 m.

For the mechanical production and maintenance of such snow troughs, a device is now available on the market that can be attached to a conventional snow groomer. It essentially consists of a carriage and an arc mill protruding from the side of the track. The (often slightly compacted or hardened) snow is broken up using the arc milling machine mentioned above and transported outwards using a shovel chain. The final shape of the side wall is produced with a correspondingly curved knife edge. When preparing a half pipe slope, it should be borne in mind that it must be cut into a slope with considerable steepness (typically 14 ° to 22 °). Despite the high weight, the known device has the problem that it can drift from the correct position (ie from the direction of travel) in heavy or hard snow.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a snow blower of the type mentioned, which is characterized by an increased efficiency.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the centrifugal wheel is arranged on a line (i.e. on the same geometric axis) with the milling worm.

In contrast to conventional snow blowers, the snow flow does not have to be deflected by 90 ° for the feed to the blower wheel. This has an advantageous effect on efficiency and the power consumed.

The principle according to the invention is particularly suitable for clearing side walls and creating half pipe slopes.

A particularly good level of efficiency can be achieved if the centrifugal wheel and the milling worm are mounted on a common shaft. The centrifugal wheel and milling worm are therefore rigidly coupled to one another in terms of rotation. As a result, the drive can be structurally relatively simple.

The device is preferably equipped with a hydraulic drive. This is fed by the commercial vehicle. Instead of a hydraulic one, a mechanical one can also be used. The milling worm and the centrifugal wheel preferably run at different speeds. For this purpose, a gear can be provided that generates a certain reduction. The lower rotation speed of the milling worm is advantageous for optimizing the efficiency. In addition, it may be desirable in the municipal sector (e.g. when clearing side walls) for safety reasons if the milling auger runs relatively slowly (the circumferential speed of the centrifugal wheel must not be less than a specified minimum size). The reduction ratio is at least 1: 2, preferably about 1: 4.

The snow-blower according to the invention is preferably used as part of a device for creating half-pipe slopes. Such a device not only has a single milling screw, but also a plurality of milling elements which are arranged on an arc (corresponding to the side wall to be created). The milling elements themselves have barrel-shaped envelopes in order to be able to mill a continuous arc.

The device comprises a knife edge and an arc mill preceding this edge (in the direction of travel). The snow blower is located on the lower side of the archer. The archer itself and its drive are designed so that the snow to be removed is driven downwards or inwards to the snow blower.

From a procedural point of view, the snow is first shredded and conveyed downwards or inwards by the arc cutter and then transported away from there with a snow blower in a direction that can be freely selected according to the requirements of the individual case.

In contrast to the known procedure, in the case of the invention the snow is not brought directly outside, but first brought inside (where it actually cannot remain). From this location, the snow is now thrown away in a targeted manner. The destination can be chosen quite freely by the user. This makes it possible, for example, to fill holes in a targeted manner when maintaining the snow trough or to increase the side wall. Another advantage of the invention is that the side wall can be made as steep as desired. In particular, it is not a problem to create a wall with a vertical section at the top, since the snow is not shoveled directly over this section, but is always brought down to the snow blower first.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention is guided rigidly on the front of the snow groomer. This gives the driver more precise control over the direction of travel. He notices immediately on the vehicle when the archer wants to break out and can therefore take countermeasures.

If an archer is installed on the left and right of the vehicle, you can always work from bottom to top (i.e. uphill). It is therefore not necessary to turn the vehicle around at the top of the half pipe (which is often problematic). Otherwise, both side walls of the half pipe slope can be milled out of the fresh snow at the same time. This procedure leads to a largely symmetrical load. The undesirable torques that tend to turn the entire device out of the direction of travel are minimal.

The drive is e.g. a hydraulic motor, which is connected in series with another hydraulic motor for driving the snow blower. The arc milling machine is e.g. formed by multi-flight milling worms.

In contrast to the prior art, the aggregate according to the invention does not require a blade chain. This results in a simplified construction.

The knife edge is advantageously arranged in a surface inclined to the vertical plane. The knife edge should form a curve that moves ever further forward with increasing height (ie from the vertical plane in the direction of travel). In steep terrain (when driving uphill) it is ensured that the snow masses slide inwards to the snow blower without any problems. The knife edge preferably runs in a plane which is inclined at most by 30 ° (in particular by 10 ° to 25 °) to the vertical. The archer can be pivoted about an axis in such a way that it can be placed inwards over the snow blower for transport purposes. The pivot axis runs essentially in a horizontal plane (ie a plane parallel to the road). It can be rotated slightly in relation to the direction of travel in order to bring the center of gravity of the arc cutter closer to the vehicle when folded.

The archer according to the invention is preferably designed as a detachable unit for an existing snow blower. That it can be mounted on the side as required.

In contrast to the prior art, the arc milling machine according to the invention does not require a particularly large dead weight to ensure the directional stability. It is rigidly connected to the vehicle and therefore has the appropriate guidance. The aim is therefore to make the detachable unit as light as possible. It has been shown that it is possible to get by with around one eighth of the dead weight of a known device.

From the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result.

Brief description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

Figure 1 seen a preferred embodiment from behind.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the same embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the same embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of cross section II from FIG. 1; 5a, b an inventive snow blower seen from the front and from the side;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a gear for the geared drive of the milling worm;

Fig. 7 is a snow blower for preparing a half pipe slope.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

5a, b show a snow blower according to the invention with a milling screw 18 (also called milling reel) and a centrifugal wheel 19 (ejection fan), which have a common axis of rotation 21. That the centrifugal wheel 19 is arranged on a line behind the milling worm 18 (“inline”). The snow milled and shredded by the milling screw 18 is thus pushed directly into the centrifugal wheel 19 without being deflected. There it is detected and ejected through the chimney 22 at high speed.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the milling worm 18 and the centrifugal wheel 19 are seated on the same shaft 23 so that they rotate at the same angular velocity. The shaft 23 is only supported on one side, the snow blower is open at the outer end of the milling screw 18. An input gear 20 is provided on the rear side (i.e. opposite the milling worm 18) of the centrifugal wheel 19. For example, are a simple bevel gear transmission which is driven by a propeller shaft of a commercial vehicle carrying the snow blower.

In the exemplary embodiment described, the centrifugal wheel 19 is accommodated in a closed housing 24 (in the radial direction). That is, no snow can be removed in the axial region of the centrifugal wheel 19. It is only cleared in the area of the milling auger 18. The snow-blower described is therefore suitable for applications true, where only one side of a lane or a slope needs to be cleared or prepared. Examples include clearing the side walls in the communal area and creating and maintaining half-pipe slopes.

The peripheral speed of the centrifugal wheel 1 is determined by the desired throwing distance. Typically it is e.g. at 20 - 35 m / s. For the milling worm 18, which is seated on the same shaft in the exemplary embodiment described, this angular velocity is quite high. In order to keep the axial conveying speed within the desired limits, the pitch of the screw is therefore preferably reduced in comparison to conventional snow blowers.

For safety reasons, it may be desirable in certain applications for the milling worm to run down from the centrifugal wheel. To achieve this, e.g. the gear construction shown schematically in FIG. 6 may be provided. Milling worm 25 and centrifugal wheel 26 are still arranged one behind the other on a common axis of rotation 21, but have independent drive shafts 27, 28. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the drive shaft 28 of the centrifugal wheel 26 is e.g. around a hollow shaft. In this, the drive shaft 27 of the milling worm is mounted coaxially. (A first bearing 29 is provided between the drive shafts 27, 28 and a second bearing 30 is provided - for mounting the centrifugal wheel 26 - between the drive shaft 28 and the centrifugal wheel 28.) Drive shaft 28 and centrifugal wheel 26 are rigidly connected to one another by connecting pieces 31.

The drive shafts 27, 28 are coupled, for example, by a reduction gear known per se in a ratio of 1: 4. That is, the ratio of the size of the gear wheels 32, 34 on the one hand and the gear wheels 33, 35 on the other hand is selected such that the milling worm 25 (on whose drive shaft 27 the gear wheel 32 is seated) has an angular speed that is reduced by a factor of 4 compared to the centrifugal wheel 16. The drive shaft 27, on which the gear 32 wins, can be connected to the drive PTO of the commercial vehicle via a bevel gear 37 by means of a cardan shaft. The gears 34, 35 responsible for the reduction sit on the axis 36. The snow blower can also be driven hydraulically instead of mechanically.

A preferred exemplary embodiment is explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

A snow blower 1 is permanently mounted on the front of a snow groomer (not shown). It prepares the flat roadway 3, which forms the bottom of the half pipe. On the left side in the present example, an arc cutter 2 is attached. It prepares the side wall 4 of the half pipe that is curved in cross section. The radius of curvature is e.g. 3 m.

According to the invention, the archer 2 works the snow from the side inwards, i.e. down to the snow blower 1. The latter is equipped with two blowers 5.1, 5.2, which eject the snow through the chimneys 6.1, 6.2. At the upper ends, the chimneys 6.1, 6.2 have adjustable, flexible directional tubes 7.1, 7.2, which can be turned and bent in the desired direction.

The snow-blower 1 is e.g. equipped in a manner known per se with a milling screw (not shown in the figures).

In the present example, the arc milling machine 2 has four synchronously running milling worms 8.1 to 8.4. The enveloping surface of each milling auger 8.1 to 8.4 is curved in a barrel shape. Furthermore, the axes of rotation of the milling worms 8.1 to 8.4 are not on a straight line, but enclose a certain angle. The barrel-shaped curvature of the milling augers 8.1 to 8.4 and the angles mentioned are selected such that a continuous circular arc is formed in the view according to FIG. 1.

It should be noted that the enveloping surfaces of the neighboring milling augers 8.1 / 8.2 or 8.2 / 8.3 partially overlap. As a result, the gap between the milling screws on the lower side of the arc milling machine (ie in the case of knife 9) can be minimized. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the milling augers 8.1 to 8.4 are located under a cover 10 (which is, for example, angular in cross section). A knife 9 is attached to the underside of this cover 10. This is (with regard to the direction of travel) behind the milling augers 8.1 to 8.4 and forms the side wall 4 with its knife edge 11 (which is preferably finely corrugated or toothed). The waves or teeth of the knife edge 11 press a ribs / Groove patterns in the snow, resulting in a high quality half pipe track.

4 shows the milling worm 8.4 of the arc milling machine 2 in cross section. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is an open three-flight screw. That there are three spiral milling cutters 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 which are supported by several spokes 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. The milling cutters 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 can be provided with teeth.

The milling augers 8.1 to 8.4 are mechanically coupled to each other (e.g. by universal joints). The innermost milling worm 8.4 is driven by a hydraulic motor (not shown in the figures). This hydraulic motor is e.g. connected in series with the hydraulic drive of the snow blower 1 and operated by the snow groomer.

The direction of rotation of the milling augers 8.1 to 8.4 and the direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor are selected according to the invention in such a way that the snow tends to be conveyed inwards to the snow blower 1.

It should be noted that the outermost milling worm 8.1 can possibly be omitted. This means that the arc processed by the milling screws does not have to coincide with that of the knife edge 1 1. There can consequently be a segment 14 on the outside of the arc milling machine 2 which only works with a knife. Since the snow in the arch cutter 2 according to the invention is always conveyed downwards (and not upwards as in the prior art), the snow scraped off in the segment 14 can in any case fall down into the milling auger 8.2, which then brings it to the snow blower. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the archer 2 is advantageously inclined forward. That is, there is an angle <90 ° between the plane of the carriageway 3 and the plane in which the knife edge 11 runs. The angle β shown in FIG. 3 is, for example, 20 °. This has the advantage that when traveling up steep slopes, the archer 2 is never tilted backwards against the vehicle. The snow always flows down well.

In the top view according to FIG. 2, the inclination of the arc cutter 2 just described can be recognized in that the knife edge 11 moves away from the vertical plane the more it runs away from the inside (i.e. from the snow blower 1).

It can also be seen from FIG. 2 that the augers 8.1 to 8.4 are located in front of the snow blower 1 as seen in the direction of travel. That the snow is introduced from the front into the snow-blower 1, which is closed at the side.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the arc milling machine can be folded in about a pivot axis 16 with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder 15 (cf. FIG. 2). In the folded state, the archer 2 is located directly above the snow blower 1. Because the direction of the pivot axis 16 to the direction of travel 17 is rotated by a small angle α> 0, the center of gravity of the archer 2 folded comes closer to the vehicle. The angle α is matched to the inclination β. It is on the order of 10 ° to 20 °.

The archer 2 is advantageously designed in the manner of an independent unit which can be fastened to the side of a conventional snow blower with quick-release fasteners.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 represents a combination of the snow blower according to the invention with the arc cutter just described. It is a coherent functional unit that is mounted on the front frame 38 of a crawler vehicle 39. It has a lower weight than the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 with the conventional snow blower. It is clear that the invention is not restricted to details of the exemplary embodiment described. For example, the number and design of the milling augers can be tailored to requirements, whereby - as already mentioned - the milling augers do not necessarily have to run to the outermost edge of the arc milling machine (ie to the outer end of the knife edge). In addition, other aggregates can be used instead of milling screws, which are suitable for crushing or breaking hardened snow cover.

The snow-blower specified in the preferred exemplary embodiment is an aggregate that first shreds the snow and then throws it away in a targeted manner. It usually includes a milling screw and a blower with a chimney. In principle, a blower with an ejection chimney is sufficient for carrying out the invention. The milling screw is optional. It allows the clearing or processing of the road.

It is of great advantage, but not essential, that the device according to the invention be attached to the front of the vehicle. If it is only a matter of maintaining an existing half pipe, then it is quite conceivable that the arc milling machine is mounted on the rear of the snow groomer.

The tilt of the archer can also be used to make the curvature of the side wall elliptical rather than circular. It is also not excluded that the inclination (within certain limits) can be set by the user as desired. In addition, it is easy to change the course of the curvature of the side wall by changing the knife.

In summary, it can be stated that the invention has created an efficient, structurally simple unit for clearing snow or preparing slopes. It is particularly suitable for combination with an archer for the production of half pipe slopes.

Claims

claims

1. Snow-blower with a milling auger (18) feeding the snow and a centrifugal wheel (19) ejecting the snow, characterized in that the centrifugal wheel (19) is arranged in line with the auger (18).

2. Snow-blower according to claim 1, characterized in that the centrifugal wheel (19) and milling screw (18) sit on a common shaft (23) so that they rotate at the same angular velocity.

3. Snow-blower according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a hydraulic drive for driving the centrifugal wheel (19) and

Milling worm (18) is provided.

4. Snow-blower according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a reduction gear is provided which allows the milling screw (18) to rotate at a lower angular speed than the centrifugal wheel (19).

5. Snow-blower according to claim 4, characterized in that the reduction gear implements a ratio of at least 1: 2, preferably of about 1: 4.

6. A device with a snow-blower in particular according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is used to create and maintain a side wall (4) of a snow trough that increases in arc shape in cross section

Knife edge (1 1) and one of the knife edge (1 1) preceding sheet mill, the sheet mill (2) is designed and driven so that the to be removed Snow is first driven down to the snow blower (1) in order to be blown away by it.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the arc cutter (2) and snow blower (1) are rigidly attached to the front of a vehicle, the arc cutter (2) projecting laterally with respect to a roadway of the vehicle.

8. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the knife edge (1 1) is designed such that it gradually moves forward from an imaginary vertical plane with increasing height.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the knife edge (1 1) extends in a plane which is inclined relative to the vertical by an angle β <30 °, in particular 10 ° <β <25 °.

10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the arc cutter (2) for transport purposes can be folded about a pivot axis (16) so that it comes to lie above the snow blower (1).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the pivot axis (16) is rotated by an angle α <30 ° with respect to the direction of travel (17).

12. Device according to one of claims 6 to 1 1, characterized in that the arc cutter (2) is designed as a detachable unit which can be fastened laterally to a snow blower (1) by means of quick-release fasteners.

13. A method for creating and maintaining a side wall (4) of a snow trough that increases in arc shape in cross-section, the snow to be removed first being milled with an arc cutter (2) and conveyed downward, and then specifically transported away in a selectable direction using a snow blower (1) .

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the arc cutter (2) and snow blower (1) are performed on the front of a vehicle.