EP3399108B1 - Articulated suction arm of a suction excavator, provided with a tilting nozzle - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of Public Works, more particularly to the “Roads and Miscellaneous Networks” branch of Public Works, the invention relating to an articulated suction arm which is arranged on a suction excavator. The invention also relates to a suction excavator equipped with such an articulated suction arm.

State of the art

Suction excavators, also called rubble suction trucks, are commonly used when carrying out roadwork and various networks (more commonly called VRD) of the earthmoving type, in order to excavate, vacuum and evacuate the rubble when making trenches in soils already congested by distribution networks such as water pipes, gas conduits or electric cables with strong currents and / or weak currents, so as not to damage or tear these networks. CA 2982509 A1 describes such an excavator.

Traditionally, a suction excavator comprises an articulated suction arm making it possible to maintain and guide a flexible suction duct which is connected to a suction turbine arranged inside the enclosure of a vehicle of the truck type. The movement of the arm makes it possible to guide a nozzle arranged at its end, this nozzle being connected to the front end of the flexible suction duct.

Current suction excavators are not efficient in all work situations. Indeed, the Applicant has observed that the articulated suction arms are not able to properly excavate and suck up the rubble in the trenches when the latter are located near a wall, the suction arm articulated being limited in displacement due to the presence of said wall.

This problem also appears when the suction excavator is located on sloping ground, the suction arm articulated according to the inclination of the vehicle while the trench is dug vertically.

Summary of the invention

The present invention overcomes this drawback by designing an articulated suction arm capable of excavating and sucking the entire surface of the trench whatever its location, including on sloping grounds or near walls.

To this end, the invention relates to an articulated suction arm of a suction excavator. This articulated suction arm comprises at least two parts defined in the same plane and articulated to one another in a pivot connection along a first axis perpendicular to the plane. These arm parts in pivotal connection between them define a rear end and a front end. The articulated suction arm comprises a base part on which said rear end is articulated in a pivot connection along a second axis perpendicular to the plane. Pivot connection means are arranged on the base part to pivot said parts along a third axis defined in the plane. The articulated suction arm also includes a nozzle arranged at said front end and configured to be connected to a front end of a flexible suction duct, while the rear end of the flexible suction duct is connected to. a suction system arranged in the enclosure of the suction excavator. The nozzle defines a fourth axis which is arranged in the plane according to an initial position of this nozzle on the arm. Furthermore, according to the invention, the articulated suction arm comprises a tilting device configured to modify the orientation of the nozzle so as to tilt said fourth axis to one side or the other of the plane.

The terms “rear”, “upstream”, “front” and “downstream” will be used in consideration of the direction of the articulated suction arm, the base part defining the rear or the upstream side of said arm and the nozzle defining the suction arm. 'before or downstream of said arm.

Thus, the tilt device allows the front end of the nozzle to move through the trenches to excavate and vacuum up the rubble without the need to rotate the entire arm or when the swing of the entire arm is no longer possible. , for example due to the presence of a wall adjoining the trench. The present invention therefore advantageously makes it possible to properly excavate and suck up the rubble in the trenches located near walls.

This possible inclination of the nozzle also facilitates the excavation and suction of all the rubble in the trenches located on sloping grounds. In fact, the vehicle on which the suction excavator is arranged necessarily follows the slope of the ground, which modifies the inclination of the pivot angle of the entire arm and that of the fourth axis of the nozzle in its initial position on the arm. It is therefore understood that a fixed position of this nozzle on the arm would not sweep the entire surface of the bottom of the trench. On the contrary, the articulated suction arm according to the invention achieves this objective thanks to the device for tilting the nozzle.

In a preferred embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the tilting device is configured to tilt said fourth axis to one side or the other of the plane, by an angle of between five degrees and fifteen degrees. Preferably, this angle is equal to ten degrees. However, variants could be provided with a greater or lesser angle, in particular greater in order to access steeper terrain on which trenches can be made.

According to the articulated suction arm which is the subject of the invention, the tilting device comprises a movable plate on which the nozzle is mounted and two jacks each arranged on one side of the plane. Each jack comprises a body and a piston, the body having one end which is mounted in a pivot connection with respect to said front end of the arm along a fifth axis parallel to the plane and the piston having one end which is mounted in a pivot connection. vis-à-vis the movable plate along a sixth axis parallel to the fifth axis (and to the plane).

In one embodiment of the articulated suction arm which is the subject of the invention, the nozzle passes through the movable plate. In addition, the tilting device comprises a fixed plate secured to said front end of the arm. The fixed plate has an opening through which passes a rear part of the nozzle. This opening has dimensions greater than the section of said rear part of the nozzle to ensure the inclination. The term “section” is understood to mean that defined along a plane perpendicular to the fourth axis of the nozzle. In other words, the sizing of the opening ensures that the rear portion of the nozzle will not abut against said opening upon actuation of the tilt device. This implementation minimizes the size of the articulated suction arm. This further facilitates the connection of the nozzle with the flexible suction duct by placing said duct in alignment with the parts of the arm. Of course, one could envisage variants according to which the nozzle is fixed to the movable plate without passing through the latter, thanks to a holding part; this would, however, increase the size of the articulated suction arm and would necessitate moving the flexible suction duct relative to the parts of the arm, in order to effect its connection with the nozzle.

According to this embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the fixed plate comprises two oblong holes in which a part of the jacks, preferably the pistons, pass respectively. This also aims to reduce the size of the tilting device, the jacks being able to be housed in the downstream part of the arm at its front end.

According to the articulated suction arm which is the subject of the invention, the latter comprises a device for rotating the nozzle along the fourth axis. This rotation of the nozzle facilitates the excavation and suction of rubble in the trench. However, it is possible to envisage variants of articulated suction arms simply equipped with a device for tilting the nozzle, the device for rotating the nozzle being optional.

In one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, this device for rotating the nozzle comprises a support secured to the movable plate of the aforementioned tilting device. In addition, the nozzle is mounted in a pivot connection with respect to the support along the fourth axis. In one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the nozzle passes through said support, centering means being arranged between the nozzle and the support. In one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the rotation device additionally comprises means for driving the nozzle in rotation on the support, along the fourth axis.

In one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the latter comprises four parts defined in the plane and successively hinged to each other in a pivot connection along three first axes mutually parallel and perpendicular to the plane. One could envisage variants with two or three parts, or even with more than four parts. This choice of four parts offers a suitable and sufficient possibility of displacement on the suction excavator and makes it possible to limit the number of actuators of the cylinder type arranged between the successive parts. As such, the articulated suction arm comprises at least one cylinder arranged between each successive part of said arm for activating the downstream part with respect to the upstream part. Preferably, two jacks are arranged between each successive part of the arm, in order to limit the forces on these jacks.

According to one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the latter comprises at least one cylinder arranged between the base and the upstream part of said arm in connection with this base. Preferably, two jacks are arranged between said part and said base, in order to limit the forces on these jacks.

According to one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the latter comprises means for receiving a flexible suction duct. These receiving means make it possible to properly maintain the flexible suction duct along the arm which deforms during its movements due to the articulations between its successive parts.

According to one embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the base comprises a mast pivoting along the third axis and a head arranged at the upper end of the mast. This head receives in a pivot connection said rear end of the arm along the second axis.

The invention also relates to a suction excavator, which comprises a vehicle, an articulated suction arm having one or other of the characteristics defined above, the base of the arm being articulated in a pivot connection on the vehicle along the third axis . Further, the suction excavator comprises a flexible suction duct, said flexible duct being arranged on said arm and having its downstream end connected to the nozzle. The suction excavator also comprises a suction system to which the upstream end of said flexible suction duct is connected, the suction system being arranged on the vehicle.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 illustre une réalisation du bras d'aspiration articulée selon l'invention dans une position initiale de la buse ;
• Les figures 2 à 4 illustrent plus en détail, selon différents angles de vue, la partie avant du bras d'aspiration articulée de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 5 illustre une autre réalisation du bras d'aspiration articulé selon l'invention dans une position inclinée de la buse ;
• Les figures 6 à 7 illustrent plus en détail, selon différents angles de vue, la partie avant du bras d'aspiration articulée de la figure 5.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which:

• The figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the articulated suction arm according to the invention in an initial position of the nozzle;
• The figures 2 to 4 illustrate in more detail, from different viewing angles, the front part of the articulated suction arm of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the articulated suction arm according to the invention in an inclined position of the nozzle;
• The figures 6 to 7 illustrate in more detail, from different viewing angles, the front part of the articulated suction arm of the figure 5 .

detailed description

In the remainder of the description, the term arm will be used to denote the articulated suction arm according to the invention.

In addition, the same references will be used to designate the same characteristics according to the various variants described.

The following description will relate more particularly to the arm which is designed to be arranged on a suction excavator (not illustrated), which comprises in particular a vehicle allowing the movement of this suction excavator on the sites where it will be used. This suction excavator further comprises a flexible suction duct which is arranged along the arm and a suction system to which the upstream end of said duct is connected. All the components of this excavator are mounted either directly on the vehicle frame or on an enclosure receiving the suction system. Those skilled in the art will refer to the suction excavators currently on the market, which does not exclude the use of the arm on suction excavators comprising other innovations, for example as regards the design of the suction system. Of course, the invention also relates to a suction excavator provided with such an arm.

As illustrated in figure 1 , the arm 1 comprises a base part 2 which is designed to be mounted on the chassis of the vehicle of the suction excavator, or even on the enclosure of this suction excavator receiving the suction system. On the figure 2 , this base part 2 comprises a mast 21 which comprises a tube 211 and a shaft 212 mounted in rotation in this tube 211 along an axis X1, the lower end 212a of this shaft 212 being arranged to be coupled to a motor d 'drive (not shown), which allows the entire arm 1 to be pivoted along this axis X1. A base 22 is fixed to the lower part 211a of the tube and allows the reinforcement and the fixing of the mast 21 on the vehicle (not shown). The base part comprises a head 23 fixed to the upper end 212b of the shaft 212.

As illustrated in figure 1 , the arm 1 extends longitudinally in a plane P which defines a plane of symmetry on this arm 1. This plane P pivots with the arm 1 along the axis X1 which is defined in said plane P. The arm 1 is composed of several parts articulated between them successively. On the figure 1 , the arm 1 comprises four parts 3, 4, 5, 6. However, it is possible to have a greater or lesser number of parts on this arm 1. The upstream part 3 comprises a rear end 31 which is mounted in a pivot connection with respect to screw of the head 23 of the base part 2, along an axis X2 which is perpendicular to the plane P. The front end 32 of the upstream part 3 is mounted in a pivot connection with respect to the rear end 41 of a first intermediate part 4, along an axis X31 which is perpendicular to the plane P. The front end 42 of the first intermediate part 4 is mounted in a pivot connection with respect to the rear end 51 of a second intermediate part 5, along an axis X32 which is perpendicular to the plane P. Likewise, the front end 52 of the second intermediate part 5 is mounted in a pivot connection with respect to the rear end 61 of a downstream part 6, along an axis X33 which is perpendicular to the plane P.

As illustrated in more detail on figures 2 to 4 , the front end 62 of the downstream part 6 receives a nozzle 7 which is present on these figures 2 to 4 in the form of a rigid conduit defines along an X4 axis. This nozzle 7 is mounted on the downstream part 6 by means of a tilting device 8.

This tilting device 8 comprises a fixed plate 81 which is fixed with the front end 62 of the upstream part 6, for example by welding. This fixed plate 81 comprises an opening 611 through which passes a rear part 71 of the nozzle 7, as shown in particular by figure 2 . We see on this figure 2 that the diameter of the opening 811 is greater than the diameter of the rear part 71 of the nozzle 7, in order to leave freedom of movement of the nozzle 7 for its inclination with respect to the downstream part 6.

As illustrated by figure 2 , the fixed plate 81 comprises two oblong holes 812, 813 arranged transversely on the arm, that is to say perpendicular to the plane P. The tilting device 8 comprises two jacks 82, 83 which each comprise a body 821, 831 and a piston 822, 832. The pistons 822, 832 pass respectively through the oblong holes 812, 813, which leave a degree of freedom for transverse movements of these pistons 822, 832. The rear ends 821a, 831a of the bodies 821, 831 are respectively mounted in a pivot connection with respect to two lateral branches 63, 63 of the downstream part 6 of the arm, along axes X51, X52 which are parallel to the plane P and arranged symmetrically with respect to said plane P , as illustrated in particular by figure 4 .

As illustrated by figures 2 to 4 , the tilting device 8 comprises a movable plate 84 on which are mounted in a pivot connection the front ends 822a, 832a of the piston 822, 832, respectively along two axes X61, X62 which are parallel to the axes X51, X52 and to the plane P The nozzle 7 is mounted on the movable stage 84, the axis X4 being defined perpendicular to the movable stage 84.

All the characteristics described above for the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 are also found on the embodiment of figures 5 to 7 ; these are therefore not detailed again. By comparing in particular the figures 2 to 4 with the figures 6 and 7 , it can be seen that the actuation of the jacks 82, 83 makes it possible to incline the movable plate 84 and, thus, the axis X4 of the nozzle 7 relative to the plane P. In an initial position of the nozzle 7 on the arm 1 , illustrated in particular on the figure 4 , the axis X4 of the nozzle 7 coincides with the plane P. On the contrary, when the piston 822 is taken out of the first cylinder 82 and that the piston 832 of the second cylinder 83 is simultaneously retracted, the axis X4 of the nozzle 7 tilts to one side of the plane P. The inclination of the axis X4 with respect to the plane P will be reversed by retracting the piston 822 and simultaneously removing the piston 832. Preferably, the strokes of the pistons 822, 832 and the opening 811 and the oblong holes 812, 813 on the fixed plate 81 are dimensioned so that the inclination of the axis X4 to one side or the other of the plane P can reach an angle a of between five degrees and fifteen degrees, preferably equal to ten degrees.

Compared to the embodiment of arm 1 on the figures 5 to 7 which provides for fixing the nozzle 7 vis-à-vis the movable plate 84, the embodiment of the arm 1 on the figures 1 to 4 comprises a device 85 for rotating the nozzle 7 along its axis X4. This rotation device 85 is integrated into the tilting device 8 described above.

As illustrated in particular by figure 3 , the rotation device 85 comprises a support 851 which is fixed to the movable plate 84. The support 851 comprises a plate 8511 and a sleeve 8512 which passes through the movable plate 84, the nozzle 7 being mounted in a pivot connection of axis X4 in the sleeve 8512. Centering studs 8513 are arranged on the sleeve 8512 and allow the nozzle 7 to be properly positioned in the sleeve 8512 so that said elements are coaxial. A toothed wheel 852 is fixed around the nozzle 7 and a motor 853 is fixed on the plate 8511, this motor 853 rotating a pinion 854 along an axis X7 parallel to the axis X4. A toothed belt (not illustrated) meshes on the one hand with the toothed wheel 852 and on the other hand with the pinion 854. Thus, the rotation of the motor 853 allows the rotational drive of the nozzle 7 with respect to the sleeve 8512 along axis X4. Knives or teeth (not shown) can be provided at the front end 72 of the nozzle (not shown) which will make it possible to scrape the ground with the aid of excavating and sucking up the rubble.

On the figure 1 , the upstream part 3 and the first intermediate part 4 of the arm 1 each comprise a sheath 10, 11 allowing the reception of the flexible suction duct of the suction excavator. A third sheath 12 can also be provided on the second intermediate part 5, as illustrated by the variant of the arm 1 on the figure 5 . Thus, these sheaths 10, 11, 12 properly maintain and guide the flexible suction duct along the arm 1 during its deformation, that is to say when said parts 3, 4, 5, 6 move between them. Rollers 16 are also provided on the upstream part 3 and on the two intermediate parts 4, 5, as illustrated by figures 1 and 5 , in order to participate in guiding and maintaining the flexible suction duct along the arm 1 while avoiding friction of said flexible suction duct on the arm 1 during its deformations. The downstream end of the flexible suction duct (not shown) is connected to the rear part 71 of the nozzle 7; provision will be made for a pivot connection of axis X4 between said elements, in particular for the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 where the nozzle 7 rotates along the axis X4 under the action of rotating device 85. The rear end of the flexible vacuum duct is connected to the vacuum system (not shown) on the vacuum excavator.

The actuation between the parts 3, 4, 5, 6 of the arm 1 is carried out by means of cylinder systems 13, 14, 15 arranged between said parts. Next to figures 1 and 5 , of which the designs of the cylinder systems 13, 14, 15 correspond, it can be seen that two first cylinders 131, 132 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P and each mounted between the upstream part 3 and the first intermediate part 4. It is observed for one of the first jacks 131 that its two ends 131a, 131b are mounted in a pivot connection along two axes X81, X82 respectively vis-à-vis the upstream part 3 and the first intermediate part 4. It is the same for the other first cylinder 132. Similarly, two second cylinders 141, 142 are arranged between the first intermediate part 4 and the second intermediate part 5 and two third cylinders 151, 152 are arranged between the second intermediate part 5 and the part downstream 6. Similarly, it can be seen that a system of jacks 17 comprising two jacks 171, 172 is arranged between the base part 2 and the upstream part 3. These jack systems 13, 14, 15, 17 ensure the deployment of arm 1 in the P plane; they are managed by an automated system (not illustrated) and control means (not illustrated) allowing the operation of the arm 1, which will also allow the operation of the tilting device 8 of the nozzle 7 (for the two embodiments of the figures 1 to 4 and figures 5 to 7 ) and the rotating device 85 of the nozzle 7 (for the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 ).

The foregoing description is in no way limiting as to the scope of the invention, many variants being possible, in particular as regards the implementation of the tilting device 8 of the nozzle 7 and as regards the implementation. work of the rotation device 85 of this nozzle 7. The number of parts on the arm 1 can also vary; one can for example remove the second intermediate part 5 or, on the contrary, add a third intermediate part (not illustrated) between the second intermediate part 5 and the downstream part 6, with an additional system of jacks (not illustrated).

Claims (15)

1. An articulated suction arm (1) of a suction excavator, comprising at least two portions (3, 4, 5, 6) defined in the same plane (P) and articulated together in pivot connection about a first axis (X31, X32, X33) perpendicular to the plane (P), said at least two portions defining a rear end (31) and a front end (62), a base part (2) which is articulated in pivot connection with said rear end (31) about a second axis (X2) perpendicular to the plane (P), pivot connection means being arranged on the base part (2) to pivot the at least two portions (3, 4, 5, 6) about a third axis (X1) defined in the plane (P), and a nozzle (7) arranged at said front end (62) and configured to be connected to a front end of a suction duct, said nozzle defining a fourth axis (X4) defined in the plane (P) according to an initial position characterised in that said arm (1) comprises a tilting device (8) configured to change the orientation of the nozzle (7) so as to tilt said fourth axis (X4) to either side of the plane (P).
2. The articulated suction arm (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tilting device (8) is configured to tilt said fourth axis (X4) to either side of the plane (P), by an angle (α) comprised between five degrees and fifteen degrees, preferably ten degrees.
3. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tilting device (8) comprises a movable plate (84) on which is mounted the nozzle (7) and two cylinders (82, 83) each arranged on one side of the plane (P), each cylinder comprising a body (821, 831) and a piston (822, 832), the body having one end which is mounted in pivot connection relative to said front end (62) about a fifth axis (X51, X52) parallel to the plane (P) and the piston having one end which is pivotally mounted relative to the movable plate (84) about a sixth axis (X61, X62) parallel to the fifth axis.
4. The articulated suction arm (1) according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle (7) passes through the movable plate (84), the tilting device (8) comprising a fixed plate (81) secured to said front end (62), said fixed plate comprising an opening (811) through which passes a rear portion (71) of the nozzle (7), said opening being of dimensions greater than the section of said rear portion to ensure tilting the nozzle.
5. The articulated suction arm (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fixed plate (81) comprises two oblong holes (812, 813) into which pass the pistons (822, 832) of the cylinders (82, 83) respectively.
6. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a device (85) for rotating the nozzle (7) about the fourth axis (X4).
7. The articulated suction arm (1) according to claim 6 attached to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rotation device (85) comprises a support (851) secured to the movable plate (84), the nozzle (7) being mounted in pivot connection relative to the support about the fourth axis (X4).
8. The articulated suction arm (1) according to claim 7, wherein the nozzle (7) passes through the support (851), centring means (8513) being arranged between the nozzle and the support.
9. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the rotation device (85) comprises means (852, 853, 854) for rotating the nozzle (7) on the support (851), about the fourth axis (X4).
10. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises four portions (3, 4, 5, 6) defined in the plane (P) and successively articulated to one another in pivot connection about three first axes (X31, X32, X33) parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane (P).
11. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises at least one cylinder (131, 132, 141, 142, 151, 152) arranged between each successive portion (3, 4, 5, 6) of said arm (1) for the activation of its downstream portion (6) relative to its upstream portion (3).
12. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises at least one cylinder (171, 172) arranged between the base part (2) and the portion (3) in connection with this base part.
13. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises means (10, 11, 12) for receiving a flexible suction duct.
14. The articulated suction arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (2) comprises a mast (21) pivoting about the third axis (X1) and a head (23) arranged at the upper end (212b) of the mast, said head receiving said rear end (31) in pivot connection about the second axis (X2).
15. A suction excavator, which comprises a vehicle, an articulated suction arm (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, the base part (2) being articulated on the vehicle in pivot connection about the third axis (X1), a flexible suction duct, said duct being arranged on said arm (1) and having its downstream end connected to the nozzle (7), and a suction system to which the upstream end of said duct is connected, the suction system being arranged on the vehicle.

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