EP4116495A1 - Snow plough - Google Patents

Abstract

The clearing structure (2) of a snow plow has a frame assembly (3) and a share assembly (4) supported thereon. The frame arrangement (3) comprises a main frame (20) which can be pivoted about a vertical axis (X) with respect to a supporting structure (1) by means of a main pivoting adjustment drive (24) and two pivotally mounted ends on this and two associated lateral pivoting adjustment drives (31; 32) pivotable side frames (21; 22); and the share arrangement (4) comprises a main share (40) and two side shares (41; 42). A common electronic control unit configured in such a way acts on the main pivoting adjustment drive (24) and the two side pivoting adjustment drives (31; 32) that in a first adjustment program that can be called up by actuating a user interface, the main pivoting adjustment drive (24) controls the main frame (20) is pivoted to the right according to a first angular velocity profile, the right side pivot adjustment drive (31) pivots the right side frame (21) with the same angular velocity profile in the sense of an increase in the folding angle (α) and the left side pivot adjustment drive (32) the left Side frame (22) pivots with the same angular velocity profile in terms of reducing the folding angle (α).

Description

The present invention relates to a snow plow for attachment to the front of a carrier vehicle, comprising a carrier structure which can be attached to an attachment structure of the carrier vehicle and a clearing structure which is suspended therefrom and which in turn has a frame arrangement and a blade arrangement supported thereon, the frame arrangement having a main frame which can be pivoted with respect to the carrier structure and two side frames pivotably mounted on the end of this and the coulter arrangement comprises a main coulter supported on the main frame by means of a main fall-back arrangement and two side coulters each supported by means of a side fall-out arrangement (independent of the main fall-out arrangement) on the relevant side frame. In particular, the invention relates to such a snow plow, in which a pivoting adjustment drive arrangement is provided with a main pivoting adjustment drive acting on the main frame, serving to change the pivoting angle of the main frame with respect to the supporting structure, and two acting between the main frame and one of the two side frames, the changing of the swivel angle ("folding angle") of the side frame in question with respect to the main frame serving side swivel adjustment drives.

In addition to standard snow ploughs, in which the ploughshare has a fixed, unchangeable width, so that - taking into account the pivoting angle of the ploughshare, i.e. its inclination in relation to the direction of travel/longitudinal axis of the vehicle - the clearing operation takes place with a given, unchangeable clearing width, Such snow plows are also known in which the width of the ploughshare and therefore the clearing width can be changed during clearing operation, ie can be more or less adapted to the individual circumstances. This applies in particular to snow plows intended for winter service on motorways, where ideally two lanes are cleared simultaneously during clearing operation using a single snow plow. However, since it would be impossible to drive on or even clear exits and driveways as well as parking lots and the like with a snow plow of appropriate width, it must be possible to reduce the width of the ploughshare.

An approach to solving this problem, which has been taken in practice and is also known from the patent literature, consists in the telescopic variability of the width of the ploughshare. Such snow plows are disclosed, for example, in WO 2009/040630 A2 , PL67946Y1 , KR 10-1046258 B1 and CH678344A5 ; and the concept in question is realized with the snow plows Gmeiner Assaloni E90 and Bucher TE90X. This conception, which is characterized in particular by the advantage of the stepless changeability of the working width of the clearing blade, is quite useful under certain conditions. However, it comes up against its limits or even proves to be seriously unsuitable for snow plows in which the direction of snow ejection can be changed, so the snow plow should be able to switch between operating modes with snow ejection to the right and snow ejection to the left; because here the offset between the individual telescopically movable elements is a hindrance to an undisturbed snow runoff.

For such applications, snow plows of the type mentioned are advantageous, in which on the end of the (main) frame carrying the main crowd, two side frames are pivotably mounted - typically each about a more or less vertical (vertical) axis, on which supports a side panel. In their unfolded position (together with the associated side frame), the side shares can overhang the main share without offset, i. H. ideally extend in alignment with this, which accommodates smooth operation of the snow plow with different snow ejection directions. With regard to the state of the art, for example, reference should be made to the MF 2S/84 multi-blade snow plow from Marcel Boschung AG.

The present invention has set itself the task of providing a snow plow of the type specified at the outset, which is characterized by a particularly high degree of practicability. Properties that are relevant in this respect are, in particular, good usability and easy handling by the operator and a high level of inherent safety, including the minimization of the risks resulting from operation and the risk of incorrect operation.

The task set out above is solved by a snow plow - in addition to the features specified at the outset - having a common electronic control unit which acts on the main pivoting adjustment drive and the two side pivoting adjustment drives and is equipped with a user interface, which is configured in such a way that in a first adjustment program called up by actuation of the user interface, the main swivel adjustment drive the main frame according to one first angular velocity profile, the right side pivot actuator pivots the right side frame out with the same angular velocity profile to increase the folding angle, and the left side pivot actuator pivots the left side frame in with the same angular velocity profile to decrease the folding angle. In the implementation of the invention, a corresponding actuation of the user interface causes the calling up and execution of a complex first snow plow adjustment program, in which the three pivot adjustment drives - ie the main pivot adjustment drive, the right side pivot adjustment drive and the left side pivot adjustment drive - by means of of the electronic control unit are operated synchronously, coordinated with one another and coordinated with one another, in such a way that a change in the pivoting angle of the main frame is compensated for at the same time and thus has no effect on the alignment of the respective side frame relative to the longitudinal axis of the clearing vehicle on which the snow plow is attached . Thus, when the snow plow is operated with a small clearing width, i.e. with the side frames folded in - in each case in a position oriented essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the snow clearing vehicle - when changing the pivoting angle of the main blade by pivoting the main frame relative to the supporting structure, there is no further effort and automatically Changing the orientation of the side frames and the side panels relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; The side frames and side panels remain oriented essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Especially in the already typically critical operating phases in which the snow plow - because existing obstacles or other circumstances, e.g. B. in parking lots - is operated with a minimum clearing width, the operator is relieved in this way to the maximum. When adjusting the pivoting angle of the main blade used (alone) for clearing snow (possibly by changing the ejection direction from left to right or vice versa), he can concentrate entirely on the surrounding situation and does not have to pay attention to the side blades. As a result, this substantial relief for the driver makes a significant contribution to increasing the safety of the clearing operation. In this respect, it should be considered that clearing operations are extremely stressful for the operator of the clearing vehicle anyway due to the circumstances (poor visibility, often at night, etc.), so that relieving the operator regularly also means an increase in safety.

As a synchronous actuation of the three swivel adjustment drives in the above sense, their quasi-synchronous actuations are also to be regarded, in particular in that the three overall adjustment movements, i. H. the pivoting movement of the main frame and the pivoting movements of the two side frames relative to it run incrementally clocked and the relevant individual incremental adjustment movements of the three adjustment drives are controlled cyclically by the electronic control unit in chronological order.

As part of the technical control processes running in the electronic control unit during processing or execution of the first adjustment program, the relation between the two current folding angles (of the side frames) and the Swivel angle (of the main frame) and checking whether a permissible relation stored in the control unit is present. This is because a right-hand permissible minimum folding angle and a left-hand permissible minimum folding angle are specified for each pivoting angle of the main frame. Taking this into account, the pivoting movement of the main frame to the right is stopped and/or the right side frame is extended further - automatically as part of the execution of the first adjustment program - if the relationship between the right folding angle and the pivoting angle would leave the permissible range as a result of continued pivoting of the main frame; And in a corresponding manner - the pivoting movement of the left side frame, which reduces the left folding angle, is stopped if the relation between the left folding angle and the pivoting angle would leave the permissible range as a result of continued pivoting of the left side frame.

The aspects explained above with reference to the adjustment of the snow plow by pivoting the main blade to the right also apply in a corresponding manner when the main blade is pivoted to the left, as a person skilled in the art will readily recognize. In this respect, the electronic control unit of the snow plow according to the invention is expediently also configured to carry out mirrored processes—according to a “mirrored” adjustment program—which can be called up by correspondingly actuating the user interface.

A first preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the first angular velocity profile can be changed via the user interface. The main frame swing angle adjustment speed is in not fixed in this case. Rather, the operator/vehicle driver can adapt them individually to the local and temporal conditions. The operator/vehicle driver has the capacities precisely for this, ie for the individual situational optimization of the dynamics of the adjustment of the main share (ie minimizing the time required for changing the snow plow configuration), because he is completely relieved of the burden of monitoring the side shares. In this respect, there is a mutually synergistic technological combination. As part of the implementation of this further developed concept, adjustment drives designed as proportional drives are preferably used as the main swivel adjustment drive and as lateral swivel adjustment drives, for example by applying pressure to hydraulic adjustment cylinders via proportional valves (see below). Since ideally the entire geometry of the angular velocity profile over the entire adjustment movement can be influenced individually by the operator in this way, i.e. in addition to the maximum swiveling speed, in particular also ramps at the beginning and end of the adjustment movement, is - through jerk-free or jerk-free acceleration and braking - a particularly material-friendly operation possible.

According to another preferred development of the invention, the electronic control unit is configured in such a way that in a second adjustment program called up by actuating the user interface, with the right side frame continuously swiveled out to the maximum extent, the main swivel adjustment drive swivels the main frame to the right according to a second angular velocity profile and the left side swing actuator swings the left side frame in with the same angular velocity profile to decrease the fold angle. With this further development, the advantages as described above in connection with an adjustment of the pivoting angle of the snow plow with a minimum clearing width are achieved in a corresponding manner with a snow plow set to a medium clearing width, i.e. in particular with a snow plow operation in which a side share fully swung out (unfolded) and the other meanwhile swung in (folded) as far as possible without colliding with the vehicle. In view of the above detailed explanations regarding the advantages that can be achieved with the invention, further explanations and explanations regarding the development discussed here are superfluous at this point. Here, too, "mirrored" versions of the second adjustment program are possible in the above sense, namely both with regard to a mirroring/reversal of the pivoting movement and with regard to a mirrored plow configuration (left side frame folded out to the maximum and right side frame folded in to the maximum permissible extent); and again an individual changeability of the second angular velocity profile by the operator via the user interface is advantageous.

Yet another preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the electronic control unit is configured in such a way that, in a third adjustment program called up by actuating the user interface, the right-hand side swivel adjustment drive and the left-hand side swivel adjustment drive are activated at the same time for swiveling out the right or left side frame are controlled in the sense of an increase in the right or left folding angle until the respective side frame end position is reached. This further development is also entirely in line with the present invention, in that it supports the advantageous effects described. Since both side shares can be swiveled into their fully unfolded end position at the same time with a single operation of the user interface, the operator is substantially relieved when adjusting the snow plow to its maximum clearing width. In particular, this third adjustment program is used to move the snow plow from its standard transport configuration (clearing structure raised, main frame pivoted to the maximum to the right, both side frames folded in) to its standard clearing configuration (clearing structure lowered, main frame pivoted to the maximum to the right, both side frames folded out). transfer, whereby in view of this main application for the third adjustment program ideally within its framework a lifting device - assigned to the support structure - is automatically acted upon by the electronic control unit in the sense of lowering the clearing structure when the two side frames - confirmed by two folding angle sensors (see below) - maximum are unfolded. The third adjustment program can, however, also be used in a corresponding manner from other snow plow configurations, for example for the convenient reconfiguration of the snow plow from clearing operation with a minimum clearing width to clearing operation in the standard clearing configuration (with maximum clearing width). of the third adjustment program, the main frame is not already in its maximum pivoted position to the right Main adjustment drive for pivoting the main frame is controlled to the right until it reaches the right end position of the main frame. In all of the applications mentioned - in line with the intended objective of the invention - the operator can devote his full attention to the surrounding and clearing situation during the transition from the transport journey or the transition from clearing with a reduced clearing width to regular clearing use, in order to ensure maximum safety to ensure during clearing operations.

• aus jeder beliebigen Pflug-Konfiguration heraus aufrufbaren - vierten Verstellprogramm der Schneepflug durch koordinierte, aufeinander abgestimmte Aktivierung der - der Tragstruktur zugeordneten - Hubeinrichtung sowie des Haupt-Schwenkverstellantriebs, des rechten Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebs und des linken Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebs in seine Transport-Konfiguration überführt wird, indem
• die Räumstruktur angehoben wird,
• der Hauptrahmen, falls er sich nicht bereits in dieser Stellung befindet, unter Veränderung des Schwenkwinkels in seine maximal nach rechts geschwenkte Endstellung verschwenkt wird,
• der rechte Seitenrahmen, soweit sie sich nicht bereits in dieser Stellung befindet, unter entsprechender Veränderung des rechten Klappwinkels auf den auf die maximal nach rechts geschwenkte Stellung des Hauptrahmens bezogenen rechten zulässigen minimalen Klappwinkel verschwenkt wird und
• der linke Seitenrahmen, soweit sie sich nicht bereits in dieser Stellung befindet, unter entsprechender Veränderung des linken Klappwinkels auf den auf die maximal nach rechts geschwenkte Stellung des Hauptrahmens bezogenen linken zulässigen minimalen Klappwinkel verschwenkt wird.

The same applies--even to a significantly greater extent--to yet another preferred development of the invention, according to which the electronic control unit is configured in such a way that in a function called up by operating the user interface

• fourth adjustment program, which can be called up from any desired plow configuration, the snow plow is converted into its transport configuration by coordinated activation of the lifting device assigned to the supporting structure, as well as the main swivel adjustment drive, the right-hand side swivel adjustment drive and the left-hand side swivel adjustment drive , in which
• the clearing structure is raised,
• the main frame, if it is not already in this position, is pivoted by changing the pivoting angle into its end position, which is pivoted to the maximum to the right,
• the right side frame, insofar as it is not already in this position, is pivoted with a corresponding change in the right folding angle to the right permissible minimum folding angle in relation to the maximum right-pivoted position of the main frame and
• the left side frame, insofar as it is not already in this position, is pivoted with a corresponding change in the left folding angle to the left minimum folding angle related to the maximum right-pivoted position of the main frame.

Here again - by processing the measured values of a swivel angle sensor, a right folding angle sensor and a left folding angle sensor - it is monitored that the permissible relationships between swivel angle, right folding angle and left folding angle are not left at any time during the execution of the complex adjustment program. In this respect, as already mentioned above, the knowledge that each of the two side frames may only be swiveled towards the carrier vehicle to a certain extent, which is dependent on the current swiveling angle of the main frame in the sense of reducing the respective folding angle, comes into play to prevent an otherwise possible collision with the latter. The minimum folding angles permitted in each case as a function of the current pivoting angle of the main frame are stored in the electronic control unit, in particular in the form of a data record with permissible relationships between the two folding angles and the pivoting angle or as two characteristic curves. With appropriate activation of the two side swivel adjustment drives by the electronic control unit, both side frames can be folded in synchronously at a comparatively high speed into the permissible position without the risk of damage to the snow plow. The simultaneous folding of both side frames with high swiveling speed is in terms of low time losses in the clearing of significant benefit, especially given that this is an often repetitive process in typical clearance operations.

According to what has been said above, the snow plow according to the invention comprises, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a swivel angle sensor, a right folding angle sensor and a left folding angle sensor, with the measured values of these angle sensors being processed in the electronic control unit in terms of an actual value feedback. This is useful in terms of high reliability and operational safety. In addition, the measured values of said angle sensors in the electronic control unit can also advantageously be further processed in another way, in particular by the lighting devices arranged on the main panel and on the side panels being actuated by the control unit as a function of the measured values provided by the right folding angle sensor and the left folding angle sensor will.

• beidseitig jeweils ein zwischen dem Seitenrahmen und der zugeordneten Seitenschar wirkender Hubantrieb vorgesehen, mittels dessen die betreffende Seitenschar - bei fortgesetztem Bodenkontakt der Hauptschar - vom Boden abhebbar ist. Insbesondere kann dabei eine automatische Ansteuerung bzw. Beaufschlagung des jeweiligen Hubantriebs im Sinne eines Anhebens der betreffenden Seitenschar erfolgen, wenn der zugeordnete Seitenrahmen eine andere als seine maximal bzw. vollständig ausgeschwenkte Stellung einnimmt, in welcher die betreffende Seitenschar die Hauptschar seitlich verlängert. Eine entsprechende Ansteuerung der beiden Hubantriebe kann dabei - unter Berücksichtigung der Messwerte des rechten und des linken Klappwinkelaufnehmers (s. o.) - über die Steuereinheit erfolgen, wobei in diesem Fall die Hubantriebe als solche funktional unabhängig sein können von dem jeweils zugeordneten Seiten-Schwenkverstellantrieb. In ganz besonders bevorzugter Ausgestaltung ist allerdings eine - eine funktionale Abhängigkeit bewirkende - Koppelung jedes der beiden Hubantriebe mit dem jeweils zugeordneten Seiten-Schwenkverstellantrieb vorgesehen; hiermit sind insbesondere Funktions- und Kostenvorteile verbunden. Sind die Hubantriebe und die Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebe hydraulisch ausgeführt, so besteht eine denkbare funktionale Koppelung solcher Art namentlich in einer hydraulischen Folgesteuerung, welche (z. B. über entsprechend ausgelegte Druckstufen) das Einschwenken des betreffenden Seitenrahmens aus seiner vollständig ausgeklappten Stellung durch Beaufschlagung des betreffenden hydraulischen Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebs erst nach dem Anheben der betreffenden Seitenschar mittels des zugeordneten hydraulischen Hubantriebs in ihre vollständig angehobene Stellung beginnt.

With regard to a good operating behavior of the snow plow and a good clearing result with different configurations - according to yet another preferred development of the invention

• provided on both sides in each case a lifting drive acting between the side frame and the associated side panel, by means of which the relevant side panel - with continued ground contact of the main panel - can be lifted off the ground. In particular, the respective lifting drive can be automatically controlled or acted upon in the sense of raising the side panel in question if the associated side frame is different from its maximum or complete occupies a swung-out position in which the side panel in question extends the main panel laterally. The two lifting drives can be actuated accordingly - taking into account the measured values of the right and left folding angle sensors (see above) - via the control unit, in which case the lifting drives as such can be functionally independent of the respectively assigned lateral swivel adjustment drive. In a very particularly preferred embodiment, however, a coupling of each of the two lifting drives to the respectively assigned lateral pivoting adjustment drive is provided--causing a functional dependency; this is associated in particular with functional and cost advantages. If the lifting drives and the lateral swiveling adjustment drives are hydraulic, a conceivable functional coupling of this type consists in particular in a hydraulic sequence control which (e.g. via appropriately designed pressure stages) swivels in the relevant side frame from its fully unfolded position by applying pressure to the relevant hydraulic side-pivot adjustment drive begins only after the relevant side panel has been lifted into its fully raised position by means of the associated hydraulic lifting drive.

If, as explained above as a very advantageous embodiment, the lifting drive and the lateral fall-back arrangement are functionally connected in parallel in the sense that both act between the side frame and the side blade, a decoupling ("freewheel") is expediently implemented in such a way that a - induced by an obstacle - Evasive movement of the side panel without Effects on the lifting drive remains. This is explained in more detail below.

Modifications to the particularly preferred embodiment explained above are possible, within the scope of the present invention, while sacrificing various advantages. For example, the respective lifting drive can be controlled by the electronic control unit depending on the measured values of the folding angle sensor assigned to the side frame in question in such a way that when the side frame in question is folded in, reaching the respectively permissible minimum folding angle (or approaching this) triggers actuation of the assigned one Side plough-lift drive causes in the sense of raising the side plough, or their lifting off the ground. Moreover, instead of raising the side panel relative to the associated side frame, the entire unit made up of side frame and side panel could also be raised by means of a corresponding lifting drive, in that the lifting drive acts between the main frame and the side frame. This would even allow the lifting drive to be completely separated from the associated side fall-back arrangement (acting between the side frame and the side blade).

A result which in a certain respect corresponds to raising the side panel relative to the side frame (or the side frame-side panel arrangement relative to the main frame) by means of a separate lifting drive explained above - with the side panel folded in - can be achieved by a defined inclination of the pivot axis with respect to which the relevant side frame is pivoted to the main frame. Because a suitable inclination of the pivot axis (forwards) leads to an increasing lifting of the free end of the side frame when it is pivoted towards the carrier vehicle with a reduction in the folding angle. And by means of a lifting ramp or helical connecting link provided in the area of the articulated connection of the side frame and main frame, the side frame could be raised parallel to the pivot axis when it is pivoted towards the carrier vehicle while reducing the folding angle.

According to yet another preferred development of the invention, at least one side blade of the snow plow comprises a plurality of side blade segments, with the side blade deflection arrangement enabling the individual side blade segments to deviate independently of one another. In this way, the advantageous effects known from multi-share plows also come into their own in the snow plow according to the invention over its entire maximum working width.

It is also particularly advantageous if the snow plow is asymmetrical in the sense that the two side shares have different widths. It is surprisingly easy to increase flexibility in terms of possible uses, as the snow plow can be operated with four different clearing widths. In addition to the maximum working width (with the side frames folded out) and the minimum working width (with the side frames folded in), two different intermediate widths are available, depending on whether the right side frame is folded in and the left side folded out, or vice versa.

According to yet another preferred development of the invention, a wind deflector with a main wind deflector assigned to the main section and side wind deflectors assigned to the two side sections extends at the upper edge of the panel arrangement, with the side wind deflectors being foldable (foldable to the front or set up upwards). are stored in the respectively assigned side panel. A folding drive controlled by the control unit particularly preferably acts between the respective side panel and the side wind deflector associated with it. The respective folding drive can be connected in parallel to the lifting drive associated with the relevant side panel in the sense that the side panel is raised and the associated side wind deflector folded simultaneously. Conceivable specific configurations for this are, for example, a hydraulic coupling of the lifting drive and the folding drive or their parallel loading implemented in terms of control technology or other activation. With regard to activation of the respective folding drive by the electronic control unit as a function of the measured values of the folding angle sensor assigned to the side frame in question, the above statements on the lifting drive apply accordingly.

With regard to all the adjustment programs explained above, various options are conceivable in the sense that either the relevant adjustment of the snow plow only takes place during the sustained actuation of the user interface and stops when the actuation ends, or that the one-time actuation of the user interface Execution of the adjustment program called up in this way initiated and the latter then, at least as long as it is not actively interrupted or - if necessary by an emergency stop function - is stopped, runs automatically until a specified end configuration for the respective snow plow adjustment is reached. In the last-mentioned case in particular, the respective completion of the relevant adjustment of the snow plow, which is taking place under program control, is advantageously confirmed or acknowledged to the operator by a corresponding (eg acoustic) signal output. In this way, the operator is immediately informed that the snow plow has assumed its desired configuration via the respective adjustment program, without having to divert his attention from the road situation.

As has been comprehensively explained above, the snow plow design according to the invention is associated with a wide range of advantages of very high practical relevance. In a slightly weaker, but still practice-relevant form, as a specialist can easily see, the corresponding advantages also arise with a (rather atypical) snow plow design with not two side frames (and two side shares) pivoted on a main frame, but only a single side frame and only a single side panel supported on this via a side evasion arrangement. Against this background, the applicant reserves the right to claim protection in a suitable manner (e.g. by way of a divisional application) for a snow plow that has been modified in comparison with the version detailed above in such a way that - with the rest of the full validity of the aspects characteristic of the invention claimed here - only a single left or right pivoting / foldable on the main frame main crowd arrangement arranged side frame side crowd arrangement is provided.

Fig. 1

in Draufsicht von oben den Schneepflug gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel in seiner Konfiguration mit maximaler Räumbreite und einer Orientierung quer zur Fahrtrichtung (0° Schwenkwinkel),

Fig. 2

den Schneepflug gemäß Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Ansicht von hinten-links-oben,

Fig. 3

den Schneepflug gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 in Seitenansicht von rechts,

Fig. 4

im Detail den Bereich der Verbindung des rechten Seitenrahmens mit dem Hauptrahmen in perspektivischer Ansicht von hinten-rechts-oben,

Fig. 5

in Draufsicht von oben den Schneepflug gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel in seiner Konfiguration mit minimaler Räumbreite und Schneeauswurf nach rechts bei 30° Schwenkwinkel,

Fig. 6

den Schneepflug in der Konfiguration nach Fig. 5 in perspektivischer Ansicht von hinten-links-oben,

Fig. 7

im Detail den Bereich der Verbindung des rechten Seitenrahmens mit dem Hauptrahmen in perspektivischer Ansicht von hinten-links-oben und

Fig. 8

im Detail den Bereich der Verbindung des linken Seitenrahmens mit dem Hauptrahmen in perspektivischer Ansicht von hinten-rechts-oben. Weiterhin veranschaulicht

Fig. 9

in schematischer Weise die bei dem Schneepflug nach den Figuren 1 bis 8 implementierte Steuerung.

The present invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing. while showing

1

in plan view from above the snow plow according to the exemplary embodiment in its configuration with maximum clearing width and an orientation transverse to the direction of travel (0° swivel angle),

2

according to the snow plow 1 in perspective view from back-left-top,

3

the snow plow according to the figures 1 and 2 in side view from the right,

4

in detail the area of connection of the right side frame with the main frame in a perspective view from the back right top,

figure 5

in plan view from above the snow plow according to the exemplary embodiment in its configuration with minimum clearing width and snow ejection to the right at a pivoting angle of 30°,

6

the configuration of the snow plow figure 5 in perspective view from back-left-top,

7

in detail the area of connection of the right side frame with the main frame in perspective view from back-left-top and

8

in detail the area of connection of the left side frame with the main frame in a perspective view from the rear-right-top. Further illustrated

9

in a schematic way in the snow plow after Figures 1 to 8 implemented control.

The snow plow shown in the drawing, intended and set up for attachment to the front of a carrier vehicle, comprises a support structure 1, which can be attached to an attachment structure of the carrier vehicle, and a clearing structure 2 suspended from it. This in turn has a frame arrangement 3 and a blade arrangement 4 supported thereon on.

The supporting structure 1 comprises a device plate 5 with a base 6, two spars 7 projecting from this and a traverse 8 connecting them to one another. Claws 9 are provided on the spars 7 for hanging in corresponding receptacles of the attachment structure of the carrier vehicle. Fixing bolts 10 are attached to the base 6 on both sides thereof. This form of attaching an attachment to a carrier vehicle is common prior art; an explanation is not required. Furthermore, the support structure 1 comprises a lifting link arrangement 11 with a stool 12, an upper link 13 hinged to this and the cross member 8 (length adjustable) and two lower links 14 hinged to the stool 12 and the base 6. Part of the lifting link arrangement 11 are also a main lifting cylinder 15, which extends and acts between the base 6 of the supporting structure 1 and the upper link 13, and a supporting and stabilizing device 16 with a diagonal link 17, an articulated cross brace arrangement 18 and a stabilizer integrated into the clearing structure 2 serving in the transverse direction stabilizer assembly 19. In this respect, the lifting arm assembly 11 is based on the revelation of EP 467 310 A1 and the EP 1 136 625 A2 , so that for this reason - and also because the details are not important - further explanations are superfluous in this respect. At best, it should be pointed out that—in view of the asymmetry of the snow plow (see below)—the flexible stabilizer elements of the stabilizer arrangement 19 are designed with different rigidities in order to balance the raised clearing structure 2 .

The frame assembly 3 comprises a main frame 20, a right side frame 21 and a left side frame 22. All three are designed as box frames. The main frame 20, on which two support wheel arrangements 23 - alternatively, support skid arrangements would be conceivable without further ado - are attached is pivoted about a (substantially vertical) vertical axis X on the bolster 12 of the lifting link arrangement 11, with the bearing point not is arranged centrally on the main frame 20, but slightly offset to the left. The pivoting of the main frame 20, i. H. To adjust the pivoting angle of the main frame 20 relative to the supporting structure 1 (and thus relative to the direction of travel), a main pivoting adjustment drive 24 is used, which comprises two hydraulic cylinders 25, 26 that extend between the bolster 12 and the main frame 20 and act between these parts. The actual swivel angle is detected by a swivel angle sensor 27, the function of which is explained in more detail below.

The two side frames 21 and 22 are articulated, namely pivotable (that is, can be folded out and in) about a (substantially vertical) vertical axis Y or Z, at the respectively associated end of the main frame 20 . For this purpose, at the relevant end of the main frame 20 a joint tube 28 is attached, which defines the respective pivoting or vertical axis Y or Z and forms a bearing 29 at its upper and lower end for a bearing fork 30 attached at the end to the associated side frame 21 or 22. The vertical distance between the two bearings 29 is significantly greater than the height of the main frame 20.

The pivoting of the respective side frame 21 or 22 relative to the main frame 20 is served by a side pivot adjustment drive 31 or 32, which comprises a hydraulic cylinder 34 articulated on the main frame 20 and acting on the upper leg 33 of the respective bearing fork 30. In the area where the respective hydraulic cylinder 34 is articulated on the associated bearing fork arm 33, a (secondary) mechanical overload protection 36 designed as a shear bolt 35 is provided, which, particularly in the event of the side panel in question colliding with an obstacle, is of such force that the - over Pressure relief valves realized - (primary) hydraulic overload protection is overwhelmed, the associated side frame 21 or 22 releases, so that it can pivot freely. The actual right fold angle existing between the main frame 20 and the right side frame 21 is detected by a right fold angle sensor 37 . Accordingly, a left fold angle sensor 38 detects the actual left fold angle existing between the main frame 20 and the left side frame 22 . The function of the two folding angle sensors 37, 38 is explained in more detail below. The smallest mechanically possible folding angle is defined in each case by a mechanical stop 39 provided on the main frame 20 for the relevant side frame 21 or 22 .

The crowd arrangement 2 includes a main share 40, a right side share 41 and a left side share 42. The main share 40 includes three crowd segments 43, which are supported on the main frame 20 via a main alternate arrangement 44. For this purpose, each crowd segment 43 of the main crowd 40 is supported on the main frame 20 via four links, two upper links 45 and two lower links 46 . The arrangement of the upper and lower links 45 and 46 is such that their planes intersect in front of the relevant crowd segment 43 . The upper link 45 and the lower link 46 differ in their properties. Namely, the upper links 45 are more flexible than the lower links 46; they have greater elasticity and lower flexural rigidity. The lower links 46 also serve as an abutment for an associated stop 47 attached to the rear of the relevant share segment 43, via which the position of the relevant share segment 43 is defined when the clearing structure 2 is raised. A pressure spring 48 in the form of a helical tension spring 49 is attached to the relevant crowd segment 43 at the bottom of the main frame 20 and at the top--adjustable to change the preload.

The right side panel 41 , which has two panel segments 51 , is supported on the right side frame 21 , and the left side panel 42 on the left side frame 22 , via an associated side fallback arrangement 50 . For the two side avoidance arrangements 50, in particular their upper link 52 and lower link 53, stops 54 and the (in 7 shown with the upper ends hung out) pressure springs 55 - the above explanations apply to the main fallback arrangement 44 in a corresponding manner. Unlike the main fallback arrangement 44, however, the left side panel 42 and the two panel segments 51 of the right side panel 41 are each connected via one between the relevant side frame 22 or 21 and the left side panel 42 or the respective panel segment 51 the hydraulic cylinder 56 acting on the right side panel 41, which is part of a lifting drive 57, can be actively raised; By means of the respective lifting drive 57, the left side panel 42 or the panel segments 51 of the right side panel 41 can be lifted off the ground with continued ground contact of the main panel 40. In order not to impede an intended evasive movement of the left side panel 42 or the panel segments 51 of the right side panel 41 when hitting an obstacle, the respective lifting drive 57 is assigned a freewheel. For this purpose, support plates 90 mounted in pairs on the rear of the left side panel 42 or the relevant panel segment 51 of the right side panel 41 have slotted holes 91 in which the piston rod head 92 of the respective hydraulic cylinder 56 engages via a bolt 93 .

A wind deflector 58 extends at the upper edge of the panel arrangement 4. This includes a main wind deflector 59 assigned to the main panel 40, a left side wind deflector 60 assigned to the left side panel 42 and a right side wind deflector 61 assigned to the right side panel 41. The latter comprises two screen segments 62, which are assigned to the individual crowd segments 51, so that - especially when driving over obstacles - the individual crowd segments 51 together with the screen segments 62 arranged on them can perform evasive movements independently of one another. The side wind deflectors 60, 61 are forward stored foldable on the respectively assigned side panel 42 or 41. And between the respective side panel 41, 42 and the associated side wind deflector 61, 60, a folding drive 63, comprising a hydraulic cylinder 64 fixed to the rear of the left side panel 42 or to the rear of the respective panel segment 51 of the right side panel 41, acts with it whose piston rod 65 is connected to a cable 67 which is deflected via a pulley 66 and whose end 68 is attached to the left-hand side wind deflector 60 or to the relevant screen segment 62 of the right-hand side wind deflector 61.

9 illustrates - in a schematic representation - the control engineering design of the Figures 1 to 8 shown having the structural components discussed above. A self-sufficient hydraulic unit 72, which is assigned to the snow plow and comprises an electric motor 70 and a hydraulic pump 71, is shown as an example of the hydraulic source 69, although it is readily apparent to the person skilled in the art that the consumers could be supplied in the same way via the hydraulic system of the carrier vehicle.

• ein die Beaufschlagung des Haupt-Hubzylinders 15 steuerndes Haupt-Hubventil 77,
• eine die Beaufschlagung der beiden Hydraulikzylinder 25, 26 des Haupt-Schwenkverstellantriebs 24 steuerndes, als Proportionalventil ausgeführtes Haupt-Schwenkventil 78,
• ein die Beaufschlagung des Hydraulikzylinders 34 des linken Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebs 32 sowie der Hydraulikzylinder 56, 64 des Hubantriebs 57 der linken Seitenschar 42 sowie des Klappantriebs 63 des linken Seiten-Windleitschirms 60 steuerndes linkes Seiten-Schwenkventil 79 und
• ein die Beaufschlagung des Hydraulikzylinders 34 des rechten Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebs 31 und der Hydraulikzylinder 56, 64 des Hubantriebs 57 der rechten Seitenschar 41 sowie des Klappantriebs 63 des rechten Seiten-Windleitschirms 61 steuerndes rechtes Seiten-Schwenkventil 80

an. In das - ebenfalls jeweils als proportional arbeitende Ventilgruppe ausgeführte - linke und rechte Seiten-Schwenkventil 79 bzw. 80 ist dabei jeweils eine hydraulische Logik in Form einer hydraulischen Folgesteuerung baulich integriert, mittels derer sichergestellt ist, dass nur bei vollständig ausgeschwenktem Seitenrahmen 21 bzw. 22 die jeweils zugeordnete Seitenschar 41 bzw. 42 abgesenkt und der jeweils zugeordnete Seiten-Windleitschirm 60 bzw. 61 in seine Betriebsstellung aufgestellt ist.The electronic control unit 73, which is equipped with an input and output unit 75 designed as a user interface 74 and on which the swivel angle sensor 27, the left folding angle sensor 38 and the right folding angle sensor 37 act as additional input units 76, controls

• a main lift valve 77 controlling the loading of the main lift cylinder 15,
• a main swivel valve 78 designed as a proportional valve that controls the loading of the two hydraulic cylinders 25, 26 of the main swivel adjustment drive 24,
• a left side swivel valve 79 that controls the loading of the hydraulic cylinder 34 of the left side swivel adjustment drive 32 and the hydraulic cylinders 56, 64 of the lifting drive 57 of the left side blade 42 and the folding drive 63 of the left side wind deflector 60 and
• a right side swivel valve 80 that controls the loading of the hydraulic cylinder 34 of the right side swivel adjustment drive 31 and the hydraulic cylinders 56, 64 of the lifting drive 57 of the right side blade 41 and the folding drive 63 of the right side wind deflector 61

on. A hydraulic logic in the form of a hydraulic sequence control is structurally integrated into the left and right side swivel valve 79 or 80 - also each designed as a proportionally working valve group - by means of which it is ensured that only when the side frame 21 or 22 is completely swiveled out the respectively assigned side panel 41 or 42 is lowered and the respectively assigned side wind deflector 60 or 61 is set up in its operating position.

Depending on the actuation of the user interface 74 (e.g. mechanically via its buttons, control surfaces, a joystick, etc. or acoustically/voice-controlled), the control unit 73 retrieves one of the adjustment programs stored there from the connected program memory 83 and executes it .

According to a first adjustment program - acting on the main swivel valve 78, the left side swivel valve 79 and the right side swivel valve 77 - the main frame 20 is swiveled to the right by controlled loading of the two hydraulic cylinders 25, 26 of the main adjusting drive 24, while at the same time, by controlled loading of the hydraulic cylinders 34 of the two lateral adjustment drives 31, 32, the right side frame 21 is pivoted out to increase the folding angle α and the left side frame 22 is pivoted in to reduce the folding angle α. The instantaneous angular speeds of the three pivoting movements agree with one another, which is monitored by evaluating the signals from the pivot angle sensor 27, the left folding angle sensor 38 and the right folding angle sensor 37. Irrespective of the fact that the three controlled adjustment movements thus take place with the same angular velocity profile, the operator—via actuation of the user interface 74—has an influence on the actual adjustment speed as well as on the adjustment path; ie as part of the first adjustment program, the operator specifies how fast and how far the three pivoting movements coordinated with regard to the angular velocity are to take place. A modification such that by actuating the user interface 74 the first adjustment program runs automatically up to the end position of the main frame 20 pivoted to the maximum to the right, unless it is previously stopped by an active intervention, is evidently also possible. Since this first adjustment program relates to the pivoting of the main frame 20 of the snow plow operated with a minimum clearing width, are and remain - by acting on the lifting drives 57 - the Raised side panels 41, 42 and - by acting on the folding drives 63 - the side wind deflectors 60, 61 folded down. The above applies in a corresponding manner to a pivoting of the main frame 20 (and the main share 40) to the left.

According to a second adjustment program that acts on the main pivoting valve 78 and the left side pivoting valve 79, which, however, can only be called up - confirmed by the right folding angle sensor 37 - when the right side frame 21 is fully folded out, controlled loading of the two hydraulic cylinders 25, 26 of the Main adjusting drive 24 pivots the main frame 20 to the right, while at the same time the left side frame 22 is pivoted in the sense of reducing the folding angle α by controlled loading of the hydraulic cylinder 34 of the left lateral adjusting drive 32. The hydraulic cylinder 34 of the right-hand side adjustment drive 31 is hydraulically locked, so that the right-hand side frame 21 remains in its maximum swung-out position. The instantaneous angular velocities of the two pivoting movements again agree with one another, which is monitored by evaluating the signals from the pivoting angle sensor 27 and the left folding angle sensor 38 . Irrespective of the fact that the two controlled adjustment movements thus take place with the same angular velocity profile, the operator once again has an influence—by actuating the user interface 74—on the actual adjustment speed as well as on the adjustment path; ie as part of the second adjustment program, the operator specifies how fast and how far the two in terms of Carry out angular velocity coordinated pivoting movements. A modification is again possible such that by actuating the user interface 74 the second adjustment program runs automatically until the end position of the main frame 20 is pivoted to the maximum to the right, unless it is stopped beforehand by an active intervention. Since this second adjustment program relates to the pivoting of the main frame 20 of the snow plow operated with a medium clearing width, the left side share 41 is and remains raised during the execution of this adjustment program - via appropriate loading of the lifting drive 57 assigned to the left side share 41 and the assigned folding drive 63 - and the left-hand side wind deflector 60 is folded down, whereas the right-hand side wind deflector 42 is lowered and the right-hand side wind deflector 61 is and remains set up - via corresponding loading of the lifting drive 57 assigned to the right side panel 42 and the associated folding drive 63.

For an opposite adjustment movement (with the right side frame 21 fully folded out) while executing a correspondingly modified ("mirrored") second adjustment program, it applies that the main frame 20 is pivoted to the left by controlled loading of the two hydraulic cylinders 25, 26 of the main adjustment drive 24, while at the same time, the left side frame 22 is swiveled out in the sense of an increase in the folding angle α by controlled loading of the hydraulic cylinder 34 of the left side adjusting drive 42 . The above applies in a corresponding manner to further modified second adjustment programs for the pivoting of the main frame 20 (when the left side frame 22) to the left or to the right with coordinated adjustment of the folding angle α of the right side frame 21.

According to a third adjustment program - which acts on the left-hand side swivel valve 79 and the right-hand side swivel valve 80 - (when the hydraulic cylinders 25, 26 of the main swivel adjustment drive 24 are hydraulically locked) by simultaneous, controlled loading of the hydraulic cylinders 34 of the two side swivel adjustment drives 31 , 32, the right-hand lateral swivel adjustment drive 31 and the left-hand lateral swivel adjustment drive 32 are actuated at the same time to swivel out the right or left side frame 21 or 22 in the sense of increasing the right or left folding angle α until the respective side frame end position is reached. The latter is monitored by the two folding angle sensors 37, 38. If this third adjustment program is called up from the transport configuration of the snow plow (with the clearing structure 2 raised), as part of its execution - via a corresponding activation of the main lifting valve 77 by the electronic control unit 73 - the clearing structure 2 is also lowered onto the lane to be cleared or other traffic area.

• durch entsprechende (unter Einwirkung der oben erläuterten hydraulischen Folgesteuerung erfolgende) gesteuerte Beaufschlagung der Hydraulikzylinder 56 und 64 der Hubantriebe 57 und Klappantriebe 63 sowie der Hydraulikzylinder 34 der Seiten-Schwenkverstellantriebe 31 und 32 die Seitenschare 41 und 42 angehoben und die Seiten-Windleitschirme 60 und 61 abgeklappt und (anschließend) der rechte Seitenrahmen 21 und der linke Seitenrahmen 22 im Sinne einer Verringerung des rechten bzw. linken Klappwinkels α bis zum Erreichen eines jeweiligen, auf die maximal nach rechts geschwenkte Stellung des Hauptrahmens 20 bezogenen rechten bzw. linken Minimalwerts eingeklappt,
• durch entsprechende gesteuerte Beaufschlagung der Hydraulikzylinder 25 und 26 des Haupt-Schwenkverstellantriebs 24 der Hauptrahmen 20, falls er sich nicht bereits in dieser Stellung befindet, unter Veränderung des Schwenkwinkels in seine maximal nach rechts geschwenkte Endstellung verschwenkt und
• durch entsprechende gesteuerte Beaufschlagung des Haupt-Hubzylinders 15 die Räumstruktur angehoben.

According to a fourth adjustment program - acting on the main swivel valve 78, the left side swivel valve 79, the right side swivel valve 80 and the main lift valve 77 - when this is called up from the standard clearing configuration of the snow plow,

• by appropriate (under the influence of the hydraulic sequence control explained above) controlled loading of the hydraulic cylinders 56 and 64 of the lifting drives 57 and folding drives 63 as well as the hydraulic cylinders 34 of the side swivel adjustment drives 31 and 32, the side shares 41 and 42 are raised and the side wind deflectors 60 and 61 folded down and (subsequently) the right side frame 21 and the left side frame 22 in the sense of a reduction the right or left folding angle α is folded in until a respective right or left minimum value is reached, based on the maximum pivoted position of the main frame 20 to the right,
• by correspondingly controlled loading of the hydraulic cylinders 25 and 26 of the main swivel adjustment drive 24, the main frame 20, if it is not already in this position, is swiveled by changing the swivel angle into its end position swiveled to the maximum to the right and
• raised by appropriately controlled loading of the main lifting cylinder 15, the clearing structure.

The two folding angle sensors 37, 38 monitor the respective current left and right folding angle α and ensure that during the adjustment process running according to the fourth adjustment program, the two permissible folding angle minimum values - which are dependent on the current swivel angle in each case - are not undershot at any time.

• individuelle Verstellung der Konfiguration des Schneepflugs möglich ist. Allerdings werden auch auf solche die Schneepflug-Konfiguration verändernden "manuellen" Eingriffe die vorstehend im Zusammenhang mit dem vierten Betriebsprogramm erläuterten Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Schwenkwinkel des Hauptrahmens 20 und dem jeweiligen Minimalwert der Klappwinkel α der beiden Seitenrahmen 21, 22 angewandt. Die Steuereinheit 73 stellt sicher, dass ein (weiteres) Anklappen der Seitenrahmen 21, 22 unter Unterschreitung des jeweiligen Minimalwerts für den Klappwinkel α zuverlässig unterbleibt, wobei über die Benutzer-Schnittstelle 74 beim Erreichen bzw. Vorliegen des minimalen Klappwinkels ein - beispielsweise optisches, akustisches und/oder haptisches - Warnsignal abgegeben wird.

It should be pointed out that regardless of the possibility of the above-explained program-controlled processing of complex adjustment sequences that go beyond this—also carried out via the user interface 74

• individual adjustment of the configuration of the snow plow is possible. However, the above in connection with relationships, explained in the fourth operating program, between the pivoting angle of the main frame 20 and the respective minimum value of the folding angle α of the two side frames 21, 22 are applied. The control unit 73 ensures that (further) folding of the side frames 21, 22 when the respective minimum value for the folding angle α is not reached reliably does not occur, with a - for example optical, acoustic and/or haptic warning signal is emitted.

A further function is automatically processed via the control unit 73 of the snow plow, taking into account the signals from the two folding angle sensors 37, 38. This is because lighting devices 84, which are each placed near the end via a post 85 on the left side frame 22 and the right side frame 21, and lighting devices 86, which are each placed near the end via a post 87 on the main frame 20, are dependent on the control unit 73 controlled by the measured value or signal of the folding angle sensor 38, 37 assigned to the relevant side frame 22, 21. The respective side frame lighting device 84 is switched on in its function as a side lamp when the side frame 22, 21 in question has a folding angle other than the minimum permissible one (see above), whereas when the side frame 21 or 22 in question exceeds the minimum permissible folding angle is present, the main frame lighting device 86 arranged on the relevant side of the main frame 20 is switched on in its function as a side lamp. While in the snow plow according to the exemplary embodiment explained above, all adjustment movements are carried out by means of hydraulic actuators, it is readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that—depending on the individual requirements—some of the hydraulic actuators or even all of them can be replaced by other types of converters . For example, electric drives can be used.

Claims (19)

Snow plow for attachment to the front of a carrier vehicle, comprising a support structure (1) which can be attached to an attachment structure of the carrier vehicle and a clearing structure (2) suspended therefrom, which in turn has a frame arrangement (3) and a blade arrangement (4) supported thereon, wherein - the frame arrangement (3) comprises a main frame (20) which can be pivoted about a vertical axis (X) with respect to the supporting structure (1) and two side frames (21; 22) which are pivotably mounted on the end of this about a vertical axis (Y; Z), - the share arrangement (4) has a main share (40) supported on the main frame (20) by means of a main fall-out arrangement (44) and two side shares, each supported on the relevant side frame (21; 22) by means of a side fall-out arrangement (50). (41; 42) includes, - A swivel adjustment drive arrangement with a main swivel adjustment drive (24) acting on the main frame (20) and serving to change the swivel angle of the main frame (20) with respect to the supporting structure (1), and two main swivel adjustment drives between the main frame (20) and one of the two Side frame (21; 22) acting, the change of the folding angle (α) of the relevant side frame (21; 22) relative to the main frame (20) serving side swivel adjustment drives (31; 32) is provided, - A common electronic control unit (73) equipped with a user interface (74) acts on the main pivoting adjustment drive (24) and the two side pivoting adjustment drives (31; 32), which is configured in such a way that in one by actuating the User interface (74) callable first adjustment program, the main pivoting adjustment drive (24) pivots the main frame (20) according to a first angular velocity profile to the right, the right side pivoting adjustment drive (31) pivots the right side frame (21) with the same angular velocity profile in the sense of a Enlargement of the folding angle (α) swings out and the left side swivel adjustment drive (32) swings in the left side frame (22) with the same angular velocity profile in terms of reducing the folding angle (α). Snow plow according to claim 1, characterized in that the first angular velocity profile is changeable via the user interface (74). Snow plow according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the main pivoting adjustment drive (24) and the two side pivoting adjustment drives (31; 32) are designed as proportional drives. Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electronic control unit (73) is configured in such a way that in a second adjustment program which can be called up by actuating the user interface (74). With the right side frame (21) pivoted out to the maximum extent, the main pivoting adjustment drive (24) pivots the main frame (20) to the right according to a second angular velocity profile and the left side pivoting adjustment drive (32) pivots the left side frame (22) with the same angular velocity profile in the sense of a reduction of the folding angle (α) swings in. Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electronic control unit (73) is configured in such a way that in a third adjustment program which can be called up by actuating the user interface (74), the right-hand side swivel adjustment drive (31) and the left-hand side -Swivel adjustment drive (32) are actuated at the same time as swinging out the right or left side frame (21; 22) in the sense of increasing the right or left folding angle (α) until the respective end position of the side frame is reached, with the main swivel adjustment drive preferably continuing to be used (24) for pivoting the main frame (20) to the right until the right main frame end position is reached and/or a lifting device assigned to the support structure (1) for lowering the clearing structure (2). Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electronic control unit (73) is configured in such a way that, in a fourth adjustment program called up by operating the user interface (74), the main pivot adjustment drive (24) is used to pivot the main frame ( 20) to the right until you reach the right main frame end position and the right one Side swivel adjustment drive (31) and the left side swivel adjustment drive (32) at the same time for swiveling the right or left side frame (21; 22) to change the right or left folding angle (α) until a respective one is reached on the right main frame - End position-related right or left minimum value can be controlled. Snow plow according to Claim 6, characterized in that a main lifting device integrated into the support structure (1) for lifting the clearing structure (2) into an upper end position is controlled via the fourth adjustment program. Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a pivoting angle sensor (27), a right folding angle sensor (37) and a left folding angle sensor (38), the measured values of which are stored in the control unit (73) in the form of an actual value feedback are processed. Snow plow according to Claim 8, characterized in that a data set with permissible relationships between the two folding angles (α) and the pivoting angle of the main frame is stored in the control unit (73). Snow plow according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, characterized in that lighting devices (84, 86) arranged on the main frame (20) and the two side frames (21; 22) are controlled by the control unit (73) as a function of the angle measured by the right folding angle sensor (37 ) and the measured values provided by the left folding angle sensor (38). Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a side share lifting drive (57) acting between the side frame (21; 22) and the associated side share (41; 42) is provided on both sides. Snow plow according to Claim 11, characterized in that the respective side blade lifting drive (57) and the associated side pivot adjustment drive (31; 32) are structurally coupled in such a way that the folding angle (α) can only be changed when the side blade (41; 42) is raised. is possible. Snow plow according to Claim 11 in combination with Claim 8, characterized in that the respective side share lifting drive (57) is activated by the control unit (73) as a function of the measured values of the folding angle sensor (37; 38) assigned to the side frame (21; 22) in question will. Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one side share (41; 42) comprises a plurality of side share segments (51), side share deflection arrangements assigned to these allowing the individual side share segments (51) to deflect independently of one another allows. Snow plow according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a wind deflector (58) extends at the upper edge of the blade arrangement (4) with a main wind deflector assigned to the main blade (40). (59) and the side wind deflectors (60; 61) assigned to the two side panels (41; 42), wherein the side wind deflectors (60; 61) are each hingedly mounted on the associated side panel (41; 42) and their position relative to the relevant side panel can be changed by means of a folding drive (63). Snow plow according to Claim 15 in combination with Claim 14, characterized in that the side blade (61) extending at the upper edge of the side blade (41) comprising a plurality of side blade segments (51) comprises a corresponding number of side blade segments (62). . Snow plow according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, characterized in that the respective folding drive (63) can be activated by the control unit (73). Snow plow according to Claim 15 in combination with Claim 11, characterized in that the respective side blade lifting drive (57) and the associated folding drive (63) are structurally coupled in such a way that synchronous actuation takes place. Snow plow according to any one of Claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the snow plow is asymmetrical in the sense that the two side shares (41; 42) have different widths.

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