EP2597200B1 - Variable snowplough blade - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a variable snow blade, which can be used both as a straight snow blade, as well as a V-shaped snow blade.

STATE OF THE ART

Snow blades, which can be grown for snow removal on suitable vehicles, such as trucks and the like, in order to push snow from roads, sidewalks and other surfaces have long been known and used in many ways. Since for different snow removal tasks, such as clearances of wide or narrow paths or the clearance of large areas different snow blades and vehicles are suitable, has already been trying to reduce the number of required vehicles and snow blades by forming variable usable snow blades.

Thus, for example, vario-snow blades are known in which the snow blade is divided in the middle, so that two mutually pivotable halves of the snow blade are present. Thus, for example, from a straight snow blade, which is used for example for clearing large areas, form a V-shaped snow blade, which is used for clearing sidewalks or the like. In a V-shaped position of the snow blade the cleared snow is pushed to the left and right of the vehicle to the edge and so evenly distributed on both sides, which is advantageous for example when clearing sidewalks. In a straight position of the snow blade, the snow blade can be placed in one or the other direction inclined to the direction of travel to deposit the snow either on one or the other side of the vehicle.

This is how the document reveals US 2007/089325 A1 For example, a variable Schneeräumschild with at least two mutually folding Schneeräumschildteilen, wherein at least one free end of the folding Schneeräumschildteile a hinged wing element is arranged.

Although such a Vario snow plow can already be used variably, there is still room for improvement in order to increase the efficiency of snow plowing for different purposes.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to further improve a corresponding Vario snow plow with at least two mutually pivotable shield halves.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

This object is achieved by a snow blade with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The vario snow plow described above is further improved according to the invention in that at the free ends of the variably adjustable Schneeräumschildteile (shield halves) additional wings are arranged, which are pivotally hinged to the Schneeräumschildteilen, about a vertical axis, transverse to the clearing direction and is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the Schneeräumschilds.

In particular, the at least one wing hinged to at least one of the snow blade portions may be folded from a position where the snow blade is extended to a position behind the snow blade to reduce the snow blade length, or the effective snow width in the folded state and to enlarge in the unfolded state. Preferably, corresponding wings are arranged at both free ends of the snow blade.

In addition to a pivoting of the wing or wings seen in the snow removal direction to the rear, a pivoting of the wings in Schneeräumrichtung forward is possible to achieve a U-shaped configuration of Schneeräumschilds, which is particularly suitable for sliding transport of snow mass, since then the snow can not slide off the side of the snow blade. This is especially beneficial when using large areas of snow should be cleared, since then a lateral deposition of the snow during the sliding process is not desirable because either the already cleared area is covered with snow or accumulates on one side of the snow blade ever greater mass of snow, so that the effective clearing width , which can be cleared with a clearing process, must be reduced, which increases the effort. With a forward position of one or two wings, the lateral escape of the snow from the snow blade can be avoided, and the snow can be more effectively held in front of the snow blade and transported by the sliding action.

In the lower part of the snow blade on the snow removal edge, the snow blade can include other moving parts, which are biased by means of springs in snow clearing direction, but can fold back against an obstacle against the spring force to hinder the snow blade when hitting a solid obstacle and to avoid any damage to the snow blade and the corresponding push vehicle. Corresponding hinged parts can also be used on the outer wings.

In the longitudinal direction of the snow blade the folding parts are divided, i. There are several parts along the snow blade provided to compensate variable obstacles and bumps can.

The wings can be driven by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, wherein the articulation of the wings can be done at the free end of the snow blade over a scissor assembly.

Since the adjustment of the Schneeräumschildteile (Schneeräumschildhälften) via appropriate hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders can be done, which can be hinged on the one hand to the folding snow blade portion and on the other hand on the support of the snow blade on the push vehicle, via a suitable hydraulic control and control, the operation of the entire snow blade via a standard hydraulic connection on the pushing vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig.1

eine Vorderansicht eines Schneeräumfahrzeugs mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Schneeräumschild;

Fig.2

eine Rückansicht eines Teils des Schneeräumschilds aus Figur 1;

Fig.3

eine Draufsicht auf einen Teil des Schneeräumschilds aus Figur 1 und 2;

Fig.4

eine Seitenansicht des Schneeräumschilds aus Figuren 1 bis 3;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf das erfindungsgemäße Schneeräumschild; und in

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Schneeräumschilds

The attached figures show in purely schematic manner in FIG

Fig.1

a front view of a snow removal vehicle with the snow blade according to the invention;

Fig.2

a rear view of a part of the snow blade from FIG. 1 ;

Figure 3

a plan view of a part of the snow blade from FIG. 1 and 2 ;

Figure 4

a side view of the snow blade from FIGS. 1 to 3 ;

Fig. 5

a plan view of the snow blade according to the invention; and in

Fig. 6

a side view of a snow blade according to the invention

Embodiment

Further advantages, characteristics and features of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, which merely serves to illustrate the inventive concept.

The FIG. 1 shows a front view of a snow removal vehicle 1 with a snow blade 2, which is designed as a so-called Vario - snow blade. This means that the snow blade 2 has two snow blade portions 3, 4 which can be pivoted to each other, so that the snow blade 2 can be used as a straight snow blade in which the snow blade portions 3 and 4 are juxtaposed, that is, the snow sliding surfaces of the snow blade portions 3 and 4 are arranged at an angle of substantially approximately 180 ° to each other. In addition, the snow blade 2 can also be used in a V position of the snow blade parts 3, 4, so that the snow clearing surfaces of the snow blade parts 3, 4 enclose an angle with each other, as for example in FIG FIG. 1 is shown.

According to the invention, the snow blade 2 from FIG. 1 at the free ends of the Schneeräumschildteile 3.4 each have a wing part 5.6, with which the Schneeräumschildteile 3.4 can each be extended. The wing parts 5,6 are pivotable about the common edge with the Schneeräumschildteilen 3,4 so that they can be folded behind the snow blade 2, so that the total length of the snow blade 2 are reduced can. In the unfolded state, the wing parts 5, 6 are arranged next to the snow blade parts 3, 4, so that the overall length of the snow blade 2 is increased.

How to continue from the FIG. 1 results are at the snow removal edge or the lower bottom edge of the Schneeräumschildteile 3,4 and 5,6 wing parts so-called Streifelemente 7 to 12 are arranged, which in turn are pivotable about the common edge with the wing parts 5,6 and Schneeräumschildteilen 3,4 and although in a direction opposite the Schneeräumrichtung. This makes it possible that with obstacles on the ground, such as protruding stones or the like, the stripping elements 7 to 12 fold away to the rear. For biasing the stripping elements in the snow removal direction, corresponding spring elements are installed on the rear sides, as will be shown in detail later.

By providing a plurality of stripping elements along the longitudinal extension of the snow blade 2, the stripping elements 7 to 12 can react variably to different sized land elevations.

The FIG. 2 shows a part of the snow blade 2 from FIG. 1 from the back, namely the left part seen in the snow removal direction. As the figure can be seen, a holder 13 is provided, with which the snow blade 2 can be arranged on a snow removal vehicle. On the holder, the snow blade portion 4 is rotatably articulated, wherein an actuating cylinder 14 with an extendable piston 21, such as a hydraulic cylinder is also hinged via hinges 15,16 on the bracket 13 and the Schneeräumschildteil 4. By actuation of the actuating cylinder 14 or the retraction and extension of the piston 21 from the cylinder 14, the Schneeräumschildteil 4 can be pivoted relative to the holder 13, so that the Schneeräumschildteil 4 can be placed in different inclined positions with respect to the direction of travel or Schneeräumrichtung. Thus, both a straight position with the adjacent Schneeräumschildteil, as well as an angled position adjustable.

At the snow blade portion 4, a wing portion 6 is rotatably articulated by means of a pivot pin 28 which is mounted in two pivot joints 29 and 30. Accordingly, the wing member 6 about a vertical axis, which coincides with the pivot pin 28, are pivoted relative to the Schneeräumschildteil 4, on the one hand so that the free end the wing element in the snow removal direction protrudes from the snow blade part 4 or that the wing element 6 is folded behind the snow blade part 4.

To actuate the wing part 6, an actuating cylinder 17 is provided with a piston 20 on the snow blade portion 4, which is articulated on the one hand on the snow blade portion 4 via the joint 18 and on the other hand articulated to the free end of the actuating piston 20 on a scissor mechanism. The articulation on the scissor mechanism via the pivot 19.

The scissors mechanism consists of two rotating arms 23, 24 and 25, wherein the rotary arm 23, 24 of two rods 23 and 24 is formed, which receive in the pivot joint 27 of the rotary arm 25 between them. About the pivot joint 27, the rotary arms 23, 24 and 25 are rotatably connected to each other and the rotary arm 23, 24 is pivotally connected via the rotary joint 22 with the Schneeräumschildteil 4, while the rotary arm 25 is pivotally connected to the pivot 26 with the wing part 6. By the rotatable articulation of the actuating cylinder 17 and the piston 20 on the pivot 19 of the rotary arm 23, 24, the wing part 6 can be pivoted relative to the Schneeräumschildteils 4. A symmetrical structure is provided for the second snow blade part 3, as well as in the FIG. 5 can be seen.

The FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the snow blade portion 4 with the hinged wing portion 6 to illustrate the arrangement of the various pivots and the actuating mechanism.

Like from the FIG. 3 can be clearly seen, the scissors mechanism, the rotary joints 22, 19, 27 and 26, wherein the actuating cylinder 17 is arranged with the piston 20 on the one hand with the pivot 19 on the scissors mechanism and on the other hand with the pivot 18 on the snow blade portion 4. The FIG. 3 further shows the pivot pin 28 for rotatable connection of snow blade portion 4 and wing portion. 6

The FIG. 4 shows a side view of the Schneeräumschildteils 4 and in dashed position of the wing portion 6 to illustrate the oblique position of the pivot pin 28 with respect to the Schneeschiebefläche the Schneeräumschildteils 4. The pivot pin 28 causes by its inclination by the angle α relative to the Schneeräumschildteil 4 that during a pivoting the wing part 6 from a position in which the wing part 6 is arranged in alignment with the Schneeräumschildteil 4, the bottom side lower edge 40 of the wing part 6 is pivoted upwardly to a position in which the wing part 6 is folded behind the Schneeräumschildteil 4, a To create greater space between the ground and the snow blade portion 6, so as to prevent it may come to a lock with the folded wing part 6 by bumps. In a position of the wing part 6 in alignment with the Schneeräumschildteil 4, the bottom-side lower edge 40 is also arranged in alignment with the bottom-side lower edge 41 of the Schneeräumschildteils.

The FIG. 5 illustrates the hydraulic of the actuating mechanism for the Schneeräumschildteile 3,4 and the wing part 5,6. As can already be seen from the FIGS. 2 and 3 has revealed, for each snow blade portion 3.4 and 5.6 for each wing part an actuating cylinder 14,17 are provided, which may be hydraulic cylinder in the illustrated embodiment. The hydraulic cylinders 14,17 each have two hydraulic connections, which are connected via the lines 31,32 and 33,34 with a valve block 35, which in turn is connected via the terminals 36 and 37 with a hydraulic connection of a snow removal vehicle. Through the valve block 35, which can be controlled electronically, the individual hydraulic cylinders 14,17 are operated to operate the Schneeräumschildteile 3,4 or wing parts 5,6.

The FIG. 6 again shows the snow blade in a side view to make it clear that the Streifelemente 7 to 12, as shown in the FIG. 1 are shown, are pivotally mounted on the Schneeräumschildteilen. In the FIG. 6 the snow blade portion 4 is shown, on which a swivel joint 39, a stripping element 10 is articulated, which can be pivoted in accordance with the arrow shown against the Schneeräumrichtung. In order to bias the stripping element in the direction of the snow removal direction, a spring element 38 is provided, such as, for example, a spiral spring, which pretensions the stripping element 10 in the snow removal direction.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to this embodiment, but rather modifications are possible in the manner that individual features omitted, or other combinations of features unless the scope of the appended claims is exceeded.

Claims (13)

1. Variable snow plough blade with at least two snow remover blade parts (3, 4) hinged to each other, wherein the hinged blade parts can be folded from a linear position, in which they essentially form a linear snow remover blade, into a V-shaped position, wherein a hinged wing element (5, 6) is disposed at at least one free end of the hinged blade parts,
   characterised in that
   the wing element (5, 6), as seen in the snow removing direction, can be folded at least behind one of the hinged snow remover blade parts so that it trails behind the blade part (3, 4).
2. Snow plough blade in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the wing element (5, 6) can be pivoted by more than 180 degrees in relation to the snow remover blade part (3, 4) at which it is hinged.
3. Snow plough blade in accordance with claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the wing element (5, 6) has a snow contact surface, which is pivotable from a first position, in which the snow contact surface is rotated relative to a snow pushing surface of the snow remover blade part such that snow contact surface and snow pushing surface point away from each other, and from a second position in which snow contact surface and snow pushing surface form an obtuse angle.
4. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the wing element (5, 6) is pivotable about a vertical axis, which is formed transversely to the removing direction of the snow remover blade and transversely to the longitudinal extension of the snow plough blade.
5. Snow plough blade in accordance with claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the vertical axis is disposed such that it is inclined at an angle a to a snow pushing surface of the snow remover blade part, such that, as the blade part pivots, its ground-side lower edge, upon pivoting into a position in which the wing element (5, 6) is disposed behind the snow remover blade part (3, 4), is offset with respect to the height position, relative to a position in which the wing element is disposed adjacent to the snow remover blade part, wherein the height position is defined by a direction in the direction of the vertical axis.
6. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the wing element (5, 6) can be disposed in the snow removing direction so as to project relative to the snow remover blade part (3, 4).
7. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a wing element (5, 6) is disposed at each free end of the snow remover blade parts (3, 4).
8. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the snow remover blade parts and/or the wing elements are actuated by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic drive.
9. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   each wing element and/or each snow remover blade part is actuated by an actuating cylinder (14, 17).
10. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the snow plough blade has a valve block (35), especially an electronically controllable valve block, with which a hydraulic or pneumatic driving of the snow remover blade parts and/or wing elements can take place, wherein the valve block especially is formed such that a single hydraulic or pneumatic connection of a snow plough vehicle is sufficient.
11. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the wing element (5, 6) is disposed at the snow remover blade part via a scissors arrangement (23, 24, 25) and a swivel joint (28, 29, 30), wherein the swivel joint is disposed at adjacent edges of snow remover blade part and wing element such that wing element and snow remover blade can rotate towards each other and wherein the scissors arrangement comprises two swivel arms which can swivel towards each other and are hinged by their free ends at a wing element and at a snow removing part such that they can swivel, wherein the actuating end of an actuating cylinder is hinged at a pivot arm such that it can swivel.
12. Snow plough blade in accordance with any of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the snow remover blade parts and/or the wing elements have, at their ground-side lower edges, a folding blade element (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), which can pivot counter to the snow removing direction about a transverse axis, which is formed transversely to the snow removing direction and in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the snow plough blade.
13. Snow plough blade in accordance with claim 12,
    characterised in that
    several blade elements are disposed adjacently at a snow remover blade part and/or wing element and/or are pre-tensioned in the snow removing direction by a spring element

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