FR2785205A1 - Chipping mill for waste material, comprises frame for retracting feed funnel, interchangeable cutter, power source and discharge conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

Incoming waste material is fed to the cutter through a funnel (103), while a hydraulic thruster (107,108) rams it into the cutting drum throat. By disconnecting the drive, unscrewing the end-plate fixings and sliding - opt., tilting - back the funnel, the cutter can be removed for refurbishing or replacement by one of several modular equivalents designed for other materials, lifting eyes being fitted in the end-plate edges. The support frame (101), standing on fixed feet (102), has opposed parallel side-plates, provided at the top with rectangular cut-aways (110) whose side (120) and bottom (121) edges are rebated to receive and locate the corresponding edges (20,21) of the end-plates (11) of a removable cutter (10). A bladed rotor (12), transversely mounted in bearings in the end-plates, is rotated by a quick-release hydraulic or electrical drive, the prime mover being a geared (115) electric motor (114) mounted in the frame. Chipping is effected by the joint action of the rotor blades and stationary blades, passing between them, which are fixed transversely in the cutting unit at the beginning (13) and end (14) of a semi-cylindrical screen (15), through which the chips fall.

Description

 The present invention relates to a waste shredding device, of the fixed frame type supporting a shredding unit comprising a rotor whose periphery is furnished with knives intended to cooperate with a knives of similar profile, said rotor being driven in rotation around its axis by associated motorized means.

 Several types of waste grinding devices are known, which usually fall into two categories. The first category of devices comprises a hopper arranged in the upper part of the fixed frame, and which makes it possible to supply the mill with products which fall by gravity into a chamber, one end of which has an opening revealing part of the periphery of the rotor furnished with knives . The counter-blades cooperating with the blades of the rotor is then arranged at the bottom of this receiving housing, and a pusher is used which causes the products to be shredded against the rotor with rotating blades. The devices of the second category use a mobile hopper, sliding horizontally during operation, and the rear wall of which then acts as a pusher by bringing the products which fall to the bottom of the hopper housing against the periphery of the knife rotor.

For this purpose, we can refer to the documents
EP-A-0 809 533, EP-A-0 723 479, EP-A-0 605 382, EP-A-0 514 327 and EP-A-0 419 919. The sliding hopper devices forming the product pusher are also well illustrated in documents EP-A-0 387 868 and DE-A-38 08 675.

 These different grinding devices are intended to treat products or waste of extremely diverse types, which may be wood, cardboard, paper, plastics, glass waste, waste with metal inserts, or even household waste.

 Specialists are well aware that a specific type of knife rotor and associated counterknife must be used for each category or grinding job. For example, in the case of coarse grinding, a rotor will be used whose knives are in the form of very projecting teeth, and whose counter-knives also carry projecting teeth. For brittle, non-clogging products, such as wood, plastic purges, hard plastic, or plastic materials with metal inserts, a smooth rotor with recessed knives is used instead. If we want a more precise work, with products very contaminated by inserts, nails, staples (for example wooden pallets), we will rather use a V-grooved rotor with knives housed in the groove bottoms of the rotor. If we are finally looking for precision work, or if we have to deal with products that tend to curl up, such as agricultural mulch lines made of polyethylene or rubber, we will then try to use a V-grooved rotor with knives housed in machined indentations.

 All this shows that specialists have always designed a type of machine equipped with its rotor and its associated counter-blades for a particular type of work. Consequently, it is necessary to have several grinders when the waste to be treated is of different types, or when the same waste must undergo a rough preliminary grinding treatment, before a subsequent finer grinding treatment.

 The invention aims to design a grinding device whose design allows versatility of use depending on the waste to be treated, while being simple in design.

 This problem is solved in accordance with the invention thanks to a waste grinding device, having a fixed frame supporting a cutting unit of the type comprising a rotor whose periphery is furnished with knives intended to cooperate with a counter-knife of homologous profile. , said rotor being driven in rotation about its axis by associated motorized means, the cutting unit being produced in the form of an independent cassette which is received in an associated housing of the fixed frame, said housing being opening out in a superior manner to be able to vertically extract the cassette in place and possibly replace it with another cassette, the cutting unit of which is designed for work of another type, the or each cassette being additionally equipped, in the vicinity of one of the two rotor bearings, quick coupling or uncoupling means with motorized means.

 Thus, when it is desired to change the type of work or the type of waste to be shredded, it suffices to extract the cassette in place to replace it with another cassette whose cutting unit is better suited. This arrangement allows rapid replacement of the cassettes without having to make adjustments to the components of the grinding unit each time. Indeed, each cassette has its own rotor and its own counter knives, which are already perfectly positioned relative to each other.

 Provision may be made in particular for the cassette cutting unit used to further comprise an articulated grid enveloping the lower part of the rotor, and a second counter-knife forming an output comb for said grid. In this case, each cassette comprises components which are perfectly positioned in relation to each other, and adapted to one another (knife rotor, counter-blades, articulated grid, grid outlet comb) .

 In all cases, if you wish to carry out a maintenance operation, simply extract the cassette used and bring it to the factory for the necessary adjustments and revisions. This therefore avoids moving a much more bulky and heavy device.

 According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cassette used comprises a support frame formed by two end plates joined by crosspieces, said plates each being received in an opening opening associated with the fixed frame.

 Advantageously then, each end plate has two lateral edges and a lower edge by which it is guided and centered in its associated housing. In particular, the lateral edges and / or the lower edge have a recess cooperating with the homologous edges of the associated housing. It will also be advantageous to provide that the lateral edges and / or the lower edge have holes coming opposite homologous holes provided on the corresponding edges of the associated housing, so as to allow the insertion of centering pins.

 Thus, each cassette installed is perfectly centered in its associated housing thanks to its two end plates, and the forces during operation are taken up by the support frame of the cassette.

 Preferably, each end plate carries upper lifting rings, optionally mounted removable, to allow the release or insertion of the cassette used by external lifting means.

Removable rings will be provided in the case of grinding devices having a hopper the lower edge of which passes over the upper edge of the end plates of the cassette.

 Preferably finally, the or each cassette laterally has a shaft outlet associated with the rotor which it supports, with a view to rapid coupling or uncoupling with the motorized means. In particular, the shaft outlet is detachably fixed to the adjacent bearing of the rotor, so that an outlet of the desired type can be used, in particular a smooth shaft end or a key or splined shaft end. This arrangement makes it possible to use several types of geared motors, in particular hydraulic geared motors or electric geared motors, the latter possibly being with hollow shaft, with elastic coupling, or with cold clamping hoop.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows, relating to a particular embodiment, with reference to the figures where
FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a device for grinding waste according to the invention, with its incorporated cutting unit cassette, said device here being of the pusher type arranged at the bottom of the hopper;
FIG. 2 illustrates the same device, the hopper of which is moved back to the erasing position in order to allow the cassette to be extracted by external lifting means;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grinding device of another type, the hopper of which itself constitutes a sliding pusher;
FIG. 4 illustrates in schematic section a waste compactor, the feed hopper of which is equipped with a grinding cassette, the waste falling directly into a chamber exposed to a pusher;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a cassette, the grinding unit of which is more particularly suitable for pre-grinding or for rough grinding, this view also illustrating the removal system used for the homologous edges of the plates end and associated receiving housing,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below illustrating the same cassette, and making it possible to better distinguish the articulated grid which equips it;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the same cassette, making it possible to distinguish the different components of the cutting unit;
FIG. 8 illustrates in perspective three different types of cassettes, the knife rotors of which are arranged for grinding work of different types, each cassette being able to be indifferently used on the device concerned, which can be of the type of that of FIGS. 1 and 2, or of the type of those of FIGS. 3 or 4;
FIG. 9 is an elevation view schematically illustrating the rapid coupling of the motorized drive means at a shaft outlet associated with the rotor of the cassette.

 FIG. 1 illustrates a grinding device 100, comprising a fixed frame 101 which rests on the ground by legs 102. The frame 101 supports a feed hopper 103 which rests by a lower edge 104 on the upper edge 105 of said frame 101 In this case, this hopper is slidably provided (possibly by means of an associated jack not shown here), the rear position being illustrated in phantom, so as to be able to be released as will be described below. As a variant, it is naturally possible to provide a hopper which would be articulated at the level of a horizontal axis arranged behind the latter.

 The interior space of the hopper 103 opens into a working chamber 106, the front end of which is exposed at the periphery of a knife rotor 12, a counter knife 13 associated with homologous profile being arranged at the bottom of the chamber 106. Conventionally, a pusher 107 is provided which is actuated by an associated jack 108, the slightly more advanced active position of the pusher being illustrated in phantom. The pusher 107 is intended to push the products or waste to be ground in the direction of the rotor 12 in order to cause them to shear between the knives lining this rotor and the knives 13. In the present case, although this is not compulsory, the unit of cutting of the grinding device 100 also comprises a grid 15 articulated about a horizontal axis 16, this grid having openings for calibrating waste downstream of the shearing which is carried out at the level of the counter knives 13. There is also provided a second counter-knife 14, disposed downstream of the axis 16 of articulation of the grid 15, so as to form an outlet comb for said grid.

 The fixed frame 101 also carries motorized means for driving the rotor 12, namely a motor 114 and an associated reduction gear 115. The ground products fall by gravity below the rotor 12 onto a deflector 109 which serves to bring the shredded waste to a disposal system, here represented by an Archimedean screw 113. It would naturally be possible, as a variant, to provide arrangements of continuous belt belts for the discharge of the shredded waste.

 In accordance with an essential characteristic of the invention, the cutting unit is produced in the form of an independent cassette 10 which is received in an associated housing 110 of the fixed frame 101, said housing being opening out above so as to be able to extract vertically the cassette 10 in place, possibly replacing it with another cassette, the cutting unit of which is designed for work of another type. In addition, the or each cassette 10 is further equipped, in the vicinity of one of the two bearings of the rotor 12, with rapid coupling or uncoupling means with the motorized means, as will be described in more detail below. with reference to Figure 9.

 The cassette used 10 comprises a support frame which is here formed of two end plates 11, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1, these two plates being joined by crosspieces not visible here.

Each of the two plates 11 is received in an associated opening housing 110 of the fixed frame 101, each end plate 11 thus having two lateral edges 20 and a lower edge 21 by which it is guided and centered in its associated housing 110. The edge lower 21 of the end plate 11 is thus supported on a horizontal edge 121 of the housing 110, and the lateral edges 20 contact two homologous vertical edges 120 of said housing 110. As will be described in more detail below, will see that it is advantageous to provide that the lateral edges 20 and / or the lower edge 21 has a recess cooperating with the homologous edges of the associated housing 110. This recess is illustrated here in the form of dotted lines. It is also advantageous to provide that the lateral edges 20 and / or the lower edge 21 have holes 22 coming opposite homologous holes 122 provided on the corresponding edges of the associated housing 110, so as to allow the insertion of centering pins .

 In the position of FIG. 1, the cassette 10 is in place, and it is perfectly guided and centered in its associated housing 110. This corresponds to the normal operating position, and everything then happens as if the cutting unit were invariably secured to the fixed frame of the machine.

 When one wants to extract the cassette 10 to have the cutting unit, either for the purpose of adjustment or maintenance, or more advantageously for the purpose of substitution for having another cassette including the cutting unit cutting is designed for work of another type, it then suffices to decouple the coupling means with the motorized means. Then, the hopper 103 should be erased, here by sliding, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper horizontal edge of the plates 11 has threads which make it possible to have lifting rings 30, here removable. It is then easy to bring external lifting means, here shown schematically by a cable 50 which is split by branches 51 attached to the lifting rings 30. Once these lifting means put in place, it is easy to release the cassette 10 by vertical lifting, the hopper 103 being sufficiently moved back so as not to interfere with the cassette suspended by the lifting means. In the same way, the same external lifting means are used to replace a new cassette 10 equipped with the desired cutting unit.

 As has been said above, for the erasure of the hopper 103 in order to access the removable cassette 10, one could as well provide a pivoting system, with an axis arranged behind said hopper.

 The invention is of course in no way limited to this type of grinding device which has just been described, but aims to cover any type of machine using a rotor and counter-knife cutting unit arranged in a removable cassette.

 As examples, two other variants will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

 FIG. 3 illustrates a device for grinding waste 200, the fixed frame 201 of which supports a sliding hopper 203. The hopper 203 rests by its lower frame 204 on a horizontal support edge 205. In this case it is a question of a system in which the hopper simultaneously performs the function of pushing waste towards the cutting rotor 12 and the associated counter-cutters 13. In fact, the bottom of the reception space 206 is at a low level relative to to the support frame 204, this level corresponding in fact to the rear plate 209 of the chassis 201. Thus, the rear vertical wall 207 of the hopper 203 can push the waste against the rotor 12 set in rotation. The sliding movement of the hopper 203 is ensured by a system of jacks 208 in a completely traditional way. For the rotational drive of the rotor 12, an electric motor 214 is distinguished here connected by belts 216 to a reduction gear 215. These motorized means are visible thanks to the exploded representation of the protective cover 213.

 Again, and in accordance with an essential characteristic of the invention, the cutting unit is produced in the form of an independent cassette 10 which is removable, and there are two end plates 11 which are each received in an associated opening 210 associated with the fixed frame 201. As before, the housing 210 has two vertical lateral edges 211 and a horizontal bearing edge 212 associated with the homologous edges of the end plates 11.

 During operation, everything happens as if the grinding device 200 was of traditional design. When it is desired to release the cassette 10, it suffices to stop the rotor and move the hopper 203 back, which will be possible by providing an overshoot of the associated jacks 208, until the frame 204, or more exactly the front edge of it, comes behind the end plates 11. It then suffices to install lifting rings, and to bring external lifting means to release the cassette 10 vertically. In the same way , it is easy to bring back a new cassette 10, the cutting unit of which is designed for work of another type.

 FIG. 4 illustrates a compactor 300 having a fixed frame 301 which defines a main chamber 305 intended to receive the compacted waste. For compacting, a pusher 307 is conventionally used, the sliding movement of which is controlled by an associated jack 308. The compactor 300 has a feed hopper 303, and a lower receiving chamber 306 coming from the pusher 307, so that the waste to be compacted can be pushed through a feed corridor 304 inside the main chamber 305.

 Up to this point, compactors of this type have never been arranged to carry out a preliminary grinding work of the waste which is brought there. The invention precisely overcomes this limitation, thanks to the arrangement of an independent cassette 10, with its knife rotor 12, its counter-knife counterpart 13, and here also possibly its articulated grid 15 and its outlet comb 14 The frame 301 of the compactor comprises for this purpose a housing 310 opening out above, which serves to receive a cassette 10 with its cutting unit. For this purpose, the housing 310 has vertical edges 311 and a horizontal bearing edge 312 which are associated with the guiding and centering of the two end plates 11 of the cassette 10. The waste brought by the hopper 303 thus arrives directly at the level of the grinding space, to then fall into the lower chamber 306 where the crushed waste is pushed inside the main chamber 305.

 FIG. 5 makes it possible to better distinguish a cassette 10 with its end plates 11, the lateral edges 20 and the lower edge 21 of which have a recess cooperating with the homologous edges 120 and 121 of the associated housing 110 of the fixed frame 101. The housing 110 is shown here only in part, with its lower bearing edge 111. In FIG. 5, only one of the walls of the fixed frame 101 with its housing 110 can be distinguished. When the two end plates 11 are in place in their associated housing 110, holes 22 provided on the end plates 11 come opposite homologous holes 122 provided on the corresponding edges of the associated housing 110, which allows the insertion of centering pins (not shown here). This ensures perfect guidance and centering of each end plate 11 in its associated housing, and as a result of optimal retention of the removable cassette 10.

 The cutting unit illustrated in Figure 5 rather corresponds to a pre-grinding or coarse grinding job. This will, for example, be a treatment of waste glass, wood or cardboard. To this end, the cutting rotor 12, held by its two bearings 12.1 so as to be able to rotate around its axis X, has a smooth cylindrical central part of small diameter 12. 2 fitted with long knives in the form of projecting blades 12.3. The counterknives 13 have welded teeth 13.1 which are interposed with the passage of the teeth 12.3 of the rotor 12.

Although this is not illustrated here, it can naturally be provided that the counter-knife 13 is adjustable in position, both in inclination and in depth. The second counter-knife 14, forming an outlet comb for the articulated grid (of which only the end post 15.3 can be distinguished here) also has welded teeth 14.1 of a shape similar to that of the teeth 13.1 mentioned above.

 We also distinguish the presence of threaded holes 31 at the upper edge of the end plates 11, these holes used to set up, when it is desired to operate a substitution operation, lifting rings such as the rings 30 previously described.

 The two end plates 11 are of course stiffened by connecting crosspieces which are not visible in this figure, but are visible in FIG. 7.

 FIG. 6 makes it possible to better distinguish the arrangement of the grid 15 which is articulated around a horizontal axis 16. Traditionally, the grid 15 has a cylindrical plate 15.1 perforated with circular holes here 15.2, this grid being reinforced by crown segments 15.4 going from the end upright 15.3 which is adjacent to the counter knives 13, up to the upright 15.5 corresponding to the articulation of the grid 15.

 In Figure 7, we see that the rotor 12 has an arrangement of knives very different from that illustrated in Figure 5. Indeed, the knives 12.3 are here embedded in a machined housing 12.4 associated. Each knife is fixed by bolting, so that it can possibly be replaced. This arrangement of knives in fact corresponds to rotors which are illustrated in FIG. 8 which will be described later.

 In FIG. 7, a distinction is made between the anvil 13.2 of the counter knife 13 and the anvil 14.2 of the grid outlet comb 14. There are also the two cross members 17 which serve to stiffen the entire cassette 10, joining the two end plates 11.

 FIG. 8 illustrates three different types of cassettes, each equipped with a cutting unit adapted to a particular type of work.

 In a), there is a cassette 10 whose cutting rotor 12 is smooth, each of its knives 12.3 being disposed in an associated machined housing 12.4, while being in abutment against the bottom of this housing. Each knife 12.3 is bolted in its housing, so that it can possibly be replaced. The arrangement of the various knives may, as the case may be, be zigzag or according to a spiral profile. Due to the smooth surface of the rotor 12, the grinding work carried out will rather concern brittle non-clogging products, such as wood, plastic purges, hard plastic waste of ABS type, or products with metal inserts.

 In b), the rotor 12 is V-grooved, each of its knives 12.3 being fixed at the bottom of the groove, with a support against an associated retaining heel 12.5. The arrangement with V-shaped grooves of the outer surface of the rotor 12 naturally reduces the free space at the zigzag formed by the homologous profile of the counter-cutters 13. The shredding work is then finer than that carried out with the smooth rotor cassette illustrated in a). This work will then be reserved for products very contaminated by stones, inserts, nails, staples, for example pieces of furniture or wooden pallets.

 In c), the rotor 12 is still V-grooved, but tangential recesses 12.4 have been made to arrange the knives 12.3, which are in abutment against an associated retaining heel 12.5. Each knife 12.3 is again fixed by bolting so that it can be easily replaced. The intermediate space with the zigzag profile of the counterknives 13 is then even more reduced compared to the cutting system illustrated in b). It will then be precision work, particularly suited to the products that roll up, such as agricultural mulch spinning (in polyethylene or rubber), or even confidential paper documents.

 FIG. 8 aims to show that the concept of removable cassette which constitutes an essential characteristic of the invention is in no way limited to a particular type of rotor, so that other types of rotors can already be provided existing, but known only when they are rigidly secured to the fixed frame of the machine.

 FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an example of rapid coupling or uncoupling means with the motorized means serving to drive the knife rotor 12 in rotation.

 An arrangement has been illustrated here according to which the cassette 10 has a shaft outlet 12.6 laterally associated with the rotor 12 which it supports, with a view to rapid coupling or uncoupling with the corresponding motorized means. Preferably, as illustrated here, the shaft outlet 12.6 is detachably fixed, by a bolted crown 12.7, to the adjacent bearing 12.1 of the rotor 12, so as to be able to use an outlet of the desired type, in particular a tip of smooth shaft or end of a key shaft.

 In FIG. 9, a smooth shaft end 12.6 has been illustrated, which can allow coupling indiferently with a motorized drive unit of hydraulic type, comprising a motor 414 and an associated reduction gear 415, and a crown of coupling output 420, or alternatively an electric geared motor system, which comprises a motor 514, a reduction gear 515 connected to the motor by a belt 516, and an output coupling system 520. The arrows in phantom illustrate the possibility of direct mounting of one or other of the motorized units illustrated here on the smooth shaft outlet 12.6.

 If desired, it is easy to disassemble this shaft outlet 12.6 to replace it with a keyed or grooved shaft outlet (not shown here), in order to mount an electric gear motor of the hollow shaft type, elastic coupling, or with cold clamping hoop.

 In all cases, it will be understood that the cassette 10 can be very quickly coupled or uncoupled with the motorized means which are available on site, this with a view to quick release or insertion of the cassette.

 The invention is not limited to the modes of execution which have been illustrated, but on the contrary encompasses any variant incorporating, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics stated above.

Claims (9)

 1. Waste shredding device, having a fixed frame supporting a cutting unit of the type comprising a rotor (12) whose periphery is furnished with knives intended to cooperate with a counter-knives (13) of homologous profile, said rotor being driven in rotation about its axis (X) by associated motorized means, characterized in that the cutting unit is produced in the form of an independent cassette (10) which is received in an associated housing (110; 210; 310) of the fixed frame (101; 201; 301), said housing being opening outwardly so as to be able to vertically extract the cassette (10) in place for possibly replacing it by another cassette (10) whose cutting unit is conch for work of another type, the or each cassette (10) being further equipped, in the vicinity of one of the two bearings (12.1) of the rotor (12), of means (12.6) for coupling or uncoupling - fast positioning with motorized means.  2. Grinding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cassette cutting unit used (10) further comprises an articulated grid (15) enveloping the lower part of the rotor (12), and a second counter knives (14) forming an outlet comb for said grid.  3. Grinding device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the cassette used (10) comprises a support frame formed by two end plates (11) joined by crosspieces (17), said plates being received each in an associated opening housing (110; 210; 310) of the fixed frame; 201; 301).  4. Grinding device according to claim 3, characterized in that each end plate (11) has two lateral edges (20) and a lower edge (21) by which it is guided and centered in its associated housing (110) .  5. Grinding device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral edges (20) and / or the lower edge (21) have a recess cooperating with the homologous edges (120,121) of the associated housing (110).  6. Grinding device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the lateral edges (20) and / or the lower edge (21) have holes (22) coming opposite homologous holes (122) provided on the corresponding edges of the associated housing (110), so as to allow the insertion of centering pins.  7. Grinding device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that each end plate (11) carries upper lifting rings (30), optionally mounted removable, to allow the release or insertion of the cassette used (10) by external lifting means.  8. Grinding device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the or each cassette (10) has laterally a shaft outlet (12.6) associated with the rotor (12) which it supports, in view of '' a quick coupling or uncoupling with motorized means.  9. Grinding device according to claim 8, characterized in that the shaft outlet (12.6) is detachably fixed to the adjacent bearing (12.1) of the rotor (12), so that an outlet of the desired type can be used, in particular a smooth shaft end or a keyed or splined shaft end.