EP1825063A1

EP1825063A1 - Asphalt distributing-dosing unit.

Info

Publication number: EP1825063A1
Application number: EP05813391A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Andrea Gelai
Original assignee: Veneta Tecnologie Srl
Current assignee: Veneta Tecnologie Srl
Priority date: 2004-12-01
Filing date: 2005-12-01
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Also published as: ITVI20040274A1; WO2006058904A1

Abstract

A distributing-dosing unit (1; 40) for asphalt (A), comprising: a container (2; 43) for containing the asphalt (A) to be distributed and dosed, a discharge outlet (3; 42) for the asphalt (A) made in one wall (11) of the container (2; 43) and a base (4) for supporting said container (2; 43). The container (2; 43) and the base (4) are connected to each other via hinge means (5) and cooperate with lifting means (6) suited to lift the container (2; 43) from the base (4) at the level of the side opposite the discharge outlet (3; 42) through rotation on the hinge means (5).

Description

Description of the Letters Patent entitled: "ASPHALT DISTRIBUTING-DOSING

UNIT".

In the name of the Company VENETA TECNOLOGIE SRL - Via Serenissima,

4 - 36075 MONTECCHIO MAGGIORE (Vl). DESCRIPTION

The invention concerns an asphalt distributing-dosing unit suited to be used for spreading asphalt over the holes that are created on road surfaces.

It is known that in the sector of road maintenance there is the need to cover the holes created on the road surface because of the progressive consumption of the asphalt layer, which is due to the daily contact with the tyres of the vehicles running on the road surface.

This situation also depends on weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, etc.

To solve this problem, the holes are filled and covered using asphalt consisting of a mixture of crushed stone and bitumen contained in a suitable container.

The bitumen mixture is first spread on the hole to be covered and then levelled via manual means or rollers while it is still hot, in such a way as to obtain a smooth surface.

To distribute asphalt on the holes to be covered, self-propelled vehicles or trucks are used, whose body contains the asphalt to be distributed.

When the body is tipped, the asphalt flows downwards due to the force of gravity through the tailgate, which opens spontaneously also because of the thrust force exerted by the asphalt itself.

The drawback of this system lies in that it is not possible to dose with precision the quantity of asphalt that flows out.

To overcome this drawback, suitable containers placed on self-propelled vehicles are provided, constituted by a hopper-shaped container in which the asphalt is kept hot by means of suitable inner burners.

A removable cloth covering the container top prevents the asphalt from cooling down too quickly and a longitudinal auger positioned on the bottom and connected to a hydraulic rotation motor conveys the asphalt towards an outlet made in the container.

The outlet communicates with a fixed container from which the operator directly takes the asphalt with shovels or similar tools to spread it on the holes to be covered. Alternatively, the outlet communicates with a conveyor element whose discharge opening is positioned at the level of the hole to be covered, in such a way as to avoid the use of shovels o similar tools.

Distributing devices of this type allow the operators to cover the holes more quickly and to dose the asphalt with greater precision, thus carrying out a work of higher quality.

The containers with hopper and auger mentioned above have the advantage that they make it possible to carry out the job quickly and effectively and to dose with greater precision the quantity of asphalt distributed, thanks to the controlled turning of the auger.

However, they also have some recognised drawbacks .

A first recognised drawback is represented by their high production cost, which is mainly due to the cost of the hydraulic unit that sets the auger rotating.

Another recognised drawback is due to the possibility of asphalt lumps forming inside the hopper, since the auger may get clogged.

In these cases, the operator must intervene, sometimes even manually, inside the hopper, in order to remove the asphalt lump that clogged the auger.

At worst, it may also be necessary to remove the auger and reassemble it after proper cleaning. The present invention intends to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above.

It is a first aim of the invention to produce an asphalt distributing-dosing unit that costs less than the known distributing devices equipped with auger.

It is a further aim of the invention to produce an asphalt distributing-dosing unit that prevents the formation of asphalt lumps during distribution. It is a further aim of the invention to produce an asphalt distributing-dosing unit that is less likely to get blocked or clogged than the distributing devices equipped with auger of the known type.

It is the last, but not least aim of the invention to implement an asphalt distributing-dosing unit whose operation is more reliable than that of the known distributing devices.

The aims mentioned above have been achieved through the implementation of an asphalt distributing-dosing unit that, according to the main claim, comprises:

- a container for the asphalt that must be distributed and dosed; - an asphalt discharge outlet made in one wall of said container; - a support base for said container, and is characterized in that said container and said base are connected to each other via hinge means and cooperate with lifting means suited to lift said container from said base at the level of the side opposite said discharge outlet through rotation on said hinge means.

According to the preferred embodiment of the distributing-dosing unit described herein, the container has a bottom, a pair of side walls opposite each other, a front wall and a rear wall where the asphalt discharge outlet is provided. To allow the asphalt to flow out through the discharge outlet, the container is lifted via lifting means constituted by hydraulic actuators interposed between the base and the container in a position spaced from said hinge means. The distributing-dosing unit is preferably used in the movable version, positioned on the loading bed of a self-propelled vehicle. The distributing-dosing unit can be removably associated with adjustable support means resting on the ground, said support means being suited to keep it lifted when it is in rest position and to allow it to be easily loaded on/unloaded from the bed of the self-propelled vehicle that transports it. Furthermore, there is a discharge throttling hatch that allows the discharge outlet to be partially opened according to the position defined by the opening and closing means with which the hatch is provided.

The distributing-dosing unit also comprises an asphalt heating unit inside the container and a power unit for the autonomous generation of the energy necessary for its operation. Advantageously, compared to the products carried out according to the known art, the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention has lower manufacturing costs, thanks to the fact that it is not equipped with the auger and the relevant hydraulic unit necessary for its operation. Still advantageously, the operation of the distributing-dosing unit carried out according to the invention is more reliable than the operation of the distributing-dosing devices of the known type provided with auger, since it is less likely to get clogged due to the formation of asphalt lumps during use. The aims and advantages described above will be highlighted in greater detail in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention given as an example without limitation with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein: - Figures 1 and 2 are two different axonometric views of the distributing- dosing unit subject of the invention while it is resting on the ground;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention positioned on a self-propelled vehicle; - Figure 4 is a side view of the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention;

- Figure 5 is the rear view of the distributing-dosing unit shown in Figure 4;

- Figure 6 shows the distributing-dosing unit shown in Figure 4 in the raised position from which the asphalt contained therein is unloaded; - Figures from 7 to 11 are side views of the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention equipped with adjustable support means;

- Figures from 12 to 14 show construction variants of the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention;

- Figure 15 diagrammatically shows the internal elements that make up a detail of the Figures from 12 to 14.

The asphalt distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention is shown in two different axonometric views in Figures 1 and 2, and in other views in Figures 4, 5 and 6, where it is indicated as a whole by 1. It can be observed that it comprises a container 2 suited to contain the asphalt A to be distributed and dosed, a discharge outlet 3 for the asphalt A provided in a wall of the above mentioned container 2 and a support base 4 for the container itself.

According to the invention, the container 2 and the base 4 are connected to each other via hinge means 5 and cooperate with lifting means 6 suited to lift said container 2 from the base 4 at the level of the side opposite the discharge outlet 3 through rotation on said hinge means 5.

It can be observed in particular in Figures 4 and 5 that the container 2 has a bottom 7, a pair of side walls 8, 9 opposite each other, a front wall 10 and a rear wall 11 where there is the discharge outlet 3 for the asphalt A contained in the container 2.

As regards the bottom 7 of the container 2, it forms an acute angle α with the rear wall 11 in which the discharge outlet 3 is made, while the side walls 8, 9, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, respectively, are inclined by an obtuse angle β with respect to the bottom 7. In this way the container 2 behaves like a hopper where the bottom 7 and the side walls 8, 9 favour the conveyance of the asphalt A towards the discharge outlet 3.

It can also be observed that on the top of the container 2 doors 12 are provided, which when open allow the asphalt A to be loaded, while when closed they reduce heat dispersion and maintain the asphalt A at the temperature desired for use.

For this purpose, the container 2 is combined with a fuel burner that will be described in greater detail below with reference to Figures from 12 to 14, which represent construction variants of the invention, As regards the hinge means indicated as a whole by 5, it can be observed in

Figure 5 that they comprise one or more coaxial pins 13 belonging to the container 2 that rotatingly fit into one or more corresponding holes 14 made in the support base 4.

According to a different embodiment of the invention not represented herein, the hinge means may comprise one or more coaxial pins belonging to the support base 4 that rotatingly fit into one or more corresponding holes made in the container 2.

According to a further, not represented embodiment of the invention, the hinge means comprise one or more pins, each one of said pins being suited to rotatingly fit into one or more coaxial holes made in the container 2 and into one or more coaxial holes made in the support base 4.

As regards the lifting means indicated as a whole by 6, they comprise fluid-operated actuators, in this specific case a pair of linear hydraulic actuators, each one indicated as a whole by 15 and comprising a rod 16 with one end 16a hinged to the container 2 and the liner 17 with one end 17a hinged to the base 4.

In a different, not represented embodiment of the invention the end 17a of the liner 17 may be hinged to the container 2, while the end 16a of the rod 16 may be hinged to the base 4. Furthermore, the number of actuators provided may also be different from two.

It can finally be observed that at the level of the discharge outlet 3 there is a discharge throttling hatch 18 coupled to the container 2 and in particular to the rear wall 11 via hinges 19.

There is also a fluid-operated actuator 20, interposed between the hatch 18 and the rear wall 11 , suited to open and close the hatch 18 itself through rotation on the hinge 19.

The distributing-dosing unit is employed as shown in Figure 3 arranged on the bed P of a self-propelled vehicle M and therefore the actuators 15 and 20 are fed by the hydraulic unit of the self-propelled vehicle. Alternatively, the actuators 15 and 20 may be fed by an independent pressurised fluid unit.

From an operative point of view, when the distributing-dosing unit 1 is positioned on the self-propelled vehicle M, as can be observed in Figure 3, by means of the actuator 15 it is possible to properly adjust the lifting and therefore the inclination γ of the axis X that identifies the displacement direction Xa of the asphalt A towards the discharge outlet 3. At the same time, the opening of the discharge outlet 3 is adjusted by means of the actuator 20. In this way it is possible to portion the quantity of asphalt A that flows out of the discharge outlet 3 according to the operator's needs.

It can thus be seen that the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention ensures the same precision in the distribution of the asphalt A on the holes to be filled as the distributing-dosing devices provided with auger, which however are much more expensive and less reliable during operation, since they are more likely to get clogged.

Furthermore, the invention also achieves the aim to carry out a distributing- dosing unit that requires less maintenance, since the revolving members that convey the asphalt A to the discharge outlet have been completely eliminated. It can also be observed with reference to Figures from 7 to 11 that the distributing-dosing unit 1 is associated with adjustable support means that rest on the ground and comprise front telescopic legs indicated as a whole by 30 and rear telescopic legs indicated as a whole by 31 , each one of which comprises a rod, indicated by 30a, 31a, respectively, arranged with the end resting on the ground and telescopically fitting into a tubular element indicated by 30b, 31b, respectively, wherein the tubular element 31b of the rear legs 31 has the free end 31c fixed to the front and lower portion of the container 2. In this way, by properly adjusting the extended position of the rods 30a, 31a, it is possible to support the distributing-dosing unit 1 and to make it rest on the ground as shown in Figure 7. To position it on the bed P of a self-propelled vehicle M as shown in Figure 3, the bed P of the self-propelled vehicle M is placed under the distributing- dosing unit as shown in Figure 8, after which, by operating the actuators 15 and making the rod slide out of the liner, the base 4 is positioned with the end 4a resting on the bed P as shown in Figure 9. In this way the front legs 30 can be removed, thus achieving the configuration shown in Figure 10, in which the distributing-dosing unit is supported by the rear leg 31 and by the end 4a of the base 4 that rests on the bed P. By operating the actuators 15 again to withdraw the rod completely, the base 4 is arranged so that it rests completely on the bed P as shown in Figure 11 , through the rotation of the entire container 2 on the fulcrum point 35 between the rear leg 31 and the container 2.

At this point, the distributing-dosing unit is completely supported by the bed P and the rear leg 31 can be removed, too, reaching the situation shown in Figure 3, where the distributing-dosing unit 1 can be moved on site. Construction variants of the invention are shown in the Figures from 12 to 14, where it can be observed that the distributing-dosing unit, indicated as a whole by 40, differs from the embodiment described above due to the fact that it is provided with a discharge throttling hatch 41 of the discharge outlet 42 constructed in a different way. In fact, it can be observed that the discharge throttling hatch 41 is coupled to the container 43 through slide rails 44 and is connected to a fluid-operated actuator 45, in particular a linear hydraulic jack, interposed between the discharge throttling hatch 41 and the container 43. The opening and closing of the discharge outlet 42 is thus achieved through the discharge throttling hatch 41 that slides along the slide rails 44 when the actuator 45 is fed with a pressurised fluid.

With reference to Figure 14, it can be observed that on the bottom of the container 43 there is a heating unit indicated as a whole by 50, which comprises one or more burners 51 with a duct 52 for conveying heat into the container 43, in such a way as to keep the asphalt A at the desired temperature.

The distributing-dosing unit 40 also comprises a power unit, indicated as a whole by 60, for the autonomous generation of the energy necessary to operate the heating unit and all the actuators that set in motion the moving parts of the distributing-dosing unit. It can be observed, with reference to Figure 15, that the power unit comprises:

- a tank 61 containing fuel, for example diesel oil;

- an engine 62 having the output shaft 62a mechanically connected to an electric generator 63; - an electric motor 64 having the output shaft 64a mechanically connected to a hydraulic pump (not represented) belonging to a hydraulic unit 65 for the production of pressurised fluid;

- a control panel 66;

- a power outlet 67 belonging to the control panel 66 for connection to an external power supply line;

- a first pipe 61a connecting the tank 61 to the engine 62 for feeding the latter with the fuel contained in the tank 61;

- a second pipe 61b connecting the tank 61 to the burner 51 for feeding the latter with the fuel contained in the tank 61; - an electric line 63a connecting the generator 63 to the electric motor 64;

- one or more hydraulic lines 65a departing from the hydraulic unit 65 for feeding the actuators of the distributing-dosing unit;

- a plurality of electric control lines 66a departing from the control panel 66. From an operative point of view, the engine 62 sets the electric generator 63 rotating and this produces the electric current that powers the electric motor 64 and also the burner 51.

The electric motor 64 sets rotating the hydraulic pump of the hydraulic unit 65 that feeds the actuators.

The fuel contained in the tank feeds both the burner 51 and the engine 62. Therefore, thanks to the presence of the power unit 60, the distributing-dosing unit is completely autonomous and therefore can be fully operative even in areas where there is no electric energy.

The presence of the power outlet 67 makes it possible to power the distributing-dosing unit by taking energy from a fixed external distribution network, when such is available.

The above shows that the distributing-dosing unit subject of the invention achieves all the set aims.

Upon implementation, modifications may be made to the distributing-dosing unit, which are aimed at improving its functionality or making its construction more economic. It is understood that these variants, even if not represented and not described, must certainly be considered protected by the present invention, provided that they are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1 ) Asphalt distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40), comprising:

- a container (2; 43) for containing the asphalt (A) to be distributed and dosed; - a discharge outlet (3; 42) for the asphalt (A) made in one wall (11 ) of said container (2; 43);

- a base (4) for supporting said container (2; 43), characterized in that said container (2; 43) and said base (4) are connected to each other via hinge means (5) and cooperate with lifting means (6) suited to lift said container (2; 43) from said base (4) at the level of the side opposite said discharge outlet (3; 42) through rotation on said hinge means (5).

2) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1), characterized in that said container (2; 43) has a bottom (7), a pair of side walls (8, 9) opposite each other, a front wall (10) and a rear wall (11 ), said discharge outlet (3; 42) being provided in said rear wall (11 ).

3) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 2), characterized in that said bottom (7) forms an acute angle (α) with said rear wall (11 ).

4) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 2), characterized in that each of said side walls (8, 9) forms an obtuse angle (β) with said bottom (7).

5) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said container (2; 43) is provided with opening doors (12) on the top.

6) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1), characterized in that said hinge means (5) comprise one or more coaxial pins (13) belonging to said container (2; 43), which rotatingly fit into one or more corresponding holes (14) made in said support base (4).

7) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1), characterized in that said hinge means comprise one or more coaxial pins belonging to said support base (4) that rotatingly fit into one or more corresponding holes made in said container (2; 43).

8) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1), characterized in that said hinge means comprise one or more pins, each one suited to rotatingly fit into one or more corresponding coaxial holes made in said container (2) and into one or more coaxial holes made in said support base (4).

9) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1), characterized in that said lifting means (6) comprise one or more linear fluid-operated actuators (15), each one of which has the rod (16) with one end (16a) hinged to said container (2; 43) and the liner (17) with one end (17a) hinged to said support base (4).

10) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that said lifting means (6) comprise one or more fluid-operated actuators (15), each one of which has the rod (16) with one end (16a) hinged to said support base (4) and the liner (17) with one end (17a) hinged to said container (2; 43).

11 ) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises a discharge throttling hatch (18; 41 ) of said discharge outlet (3; 42). 12) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ) according to claim 11 ), characterized in that said discharge throttling hatch (18) of said discharge outlet (3) is coupled to said container (2) via one or more hinges (19).

13) Distributing-dosing unit (40) according to claim 11 ), characterized in that said discharge throttling hatch (41 ) of said discharge outlet (42) is coupled to said container (43) via slide rails (44).

14) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ) according to claim 12), characterized in that it comprises at least one fluid-operated actuator (20) interposed between said discharge throttling hatch (18) and said container (2) for opening and closing said discharge outlet (3) through rotation of said discharge throttling hatch (18) on said hinges (19).

15) Distributing-dosing unit (40) according to claim 13), characterized in that it comprises at least one fluid-operated actuator (45) interposed between said discharge throttling hatch (41 ) and said container (43) for opening and closing said discharge outlet (42) through the sliding of said discharge throttling hatch (41 ) along said slide rails (44).

16) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises adjustable support means resting on the ground, which can be removably associated with said support base (4).

17) Distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 16), characterized in that said adjustable support means are telescopic legs (30, 31 ).

18) Distributing-dosing unit (40) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises a heating unit (50) for said asphalt (A) contained in said container (43) constituted by one or more burners (51 ) connected to said container (43) via a duct (52) for conveying the heat produced by said one or more burners (51 ).

19) Distributing-dosing unit (40) according to claim 1 ), characterized in that it comprises a power unit (60) for the autonomous generation of energy, comprising: - a tank (61 ) containing fuel;

- an engine (62) having the output shaft (62a) mechanically connected to a current generator (63);

- an electric motor (64) having the output shaft (64a) mechanically connected to a hydraulic pump belonging to a hydraulic unit (65) for the production of pressurised fluid;

- a control panel (66);

- a first pipe (61a) connecting said tank (61 ) to said engine (62);

- a second pipe (61 b) connecting said tank (61 ) to said burner (51 );

- an electric line (63a) connecting said electric generator (63) to said electric motor (64);

- one or more hydraulic lines (65a) departing from said hydraulic unit (65e), connected to said hydraulic actuators of said distributing-dosing unit;

- a plurality of control lines (66a) departing from said control panel (66);

- a power outlet (67) belonging to said control panel (66). 20) Self-propelled vehicle (M) equipped with at least one bed (P), characterized in that it comprises an asphalt distributing-dosing unit (1 ; 40) according to claim 1 ) arranged so that it rests on said bed (P).