FR2980220A1 - Waste e.g. dead leaves, suction device for cleaning e.g. ditch, has activatable/deactivatable clutch units that are deactivated to activate hydraulic throttle valve for ensuring braking of driving shaft of suction turbine via hydraulic pump - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a frame (2) comprising a suction turbine (3) with a driving shaft (5) rotated by a motor via transmission units e.g. wheel (16) and driving belt (18). A generator e.g. hydraulic pump (27), is connected to the shaft and associated with an energy dissipating unit e.g. hydraulic throttle valve, that is activatable/deactivatable by a selector i.e. three-way valve (26). The selector is controlled by an operating handle (22) of activatable/deactivatable clutch units. The clutch units are deactivated to activate the throttle valve for ensuring braking of the shaft via the pump. The clutch units comprise an idler roller (19) that is mounted on a swiveling arm (20).

Description

The present invention relates to devices vacuuming waste, in particular plant waste such as leaves, to ensure the cleaning of any place, for example the living areas, roadsides, ditches, etc..

There are vacuum devices adapted to ensure the collection of dead leaves and more generally waste of all types, plants or other. In general, as described for example in the document FR 2 946 671, these vacuum devices comprise a suction turbine with an inlet connected to a hose whose tip is intended to be handled by an operator to achieve the aspiration sought, and with an outlet which is extended by a discharge chute arranged to discharge the waste sucked into a receiving container. The suction turbine is formed of a set of radial blades carried by a motor shaft driven in rotation by a disengageable motor. The vacuum cleaner device described in document FR-2 946 671 comprises a particular fastening system on the side of a support body, in the form of clamp-vise comprising movable jaws associated with a cylinder operated by a hydraulic hand pump. However, when the suction of this device is stopped by the disengagement of the engine, the turbine continues to rotate for a relatively long time (often a few tens of seconds), this under the effect of its drive inertia, this which can pose security problems. The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by implementing a braking system of the rotation of the turbine during the disengagement control of its drive motor. The corresponding waste suction device is therefore of the type comprising a chassis equipped with a suction turbine associated with a suction pipe and a discharge chute, which suction turbine comprises a motor shaft driven in rotation by a motorization this by means of transmission means associated with activatable / deactivatable clutch means provided with a manual control; and in accordance with the present invention, this vacuum device comprises a generator device, in engagement with said drive shaft of said turbine, which generator device is associated with energy dissipating means activatable / deactivatable by a selector whose position is controlled by said manual control of said clutch means, the activation of said energy dissipating means, controlled by the deactivation of said clutch means, ensuring the braking of the drive shaft of said turbine, through said generator device. This results in rapid braking of the turbine, controlled by the disengagement of its engine, this in a safe, efficient and durable, requiring no or very little maintenance.

According to a first embodiment, the generating device consists of a hydraulic pump engaged with the drive shaft of the turbine by means of transmission means, which hydraulic pump is placed on a hydraulic circuit incorporating in particular an oil reservoir a three-way valve constituting said selector controlled by said clutch means, and a choke device constituting said energy dissipating means; the three-way valve is arranged on the hydraulic circuit so as to ensure the return of the oil from the hydraulic pump to the tank, or via said choke, in one of its positions, or directly , without passing through said choke, in its other position. In the context of this first embodiment, it is advantageous to use the hydraulic pump of the braking system to control the attachment of the vacuum device on its support. Thus, the vacuum cleaner device according to the invention is advantageously equipped with a gripper for attachment to a support, for example the sideboard of a bucket, which gripper is operated by a hydraulic actuator double controlled effect by a manual hydraulic distributor placed under the circuit of said hydraulic pump. The hydraulic distributor then advantageously comprises, in particular: - a neutral position of oil passage having no effect on the hydraulic actuator, - a position ensuring the actuation of this actuator in a first direction (for example for tightening the clamp), and - a position ensuring the operation of the actuator in a second direction (for example for loosening the clamp). A second embodiment of the invention uses a pneumatic energy. According to this variant, the generating device consists of a pneumatic compressor engaged with the drive shaft of the turbine by means of transmission means. This pneumatic compressor is placed on a pneumatic circuit including in particular an air tank, a three-way valve constituting the selector controlled by the clutch means and a choke device constituting the energy dissipating means. The three-way valve is arranged on the pneumatic circuit so as to ensure air circulation - either by said pneumatic choke, in one of its positions - or directly, without passing said choke, in its other position. , the vacuum device can be equipped with a gripper for attachment to a support, for example the sideboard of a bucket, and this gripper is operated by a pneumatic actuator double effect which is controlled by a distributor manually operated pneumatic tire placed on the circuit of the aforesaid pneumatic compressor. According to yet another possible embodiment using an energy of an electric nature, the generating device consists of an alternator in engagement with the drive shaft of the turbine via transmission means, which alternator is placed on an electrical circuit integrating in particular a switch, constituting the selector controlled by the clutch means, and a set of resistors constituting the energy dissipating means. Said switch is arranged on the electric circuit so as to allow or not (depending on its open or closed position) the current generated by said alternator to pass through said energy dissipating resistors; and when the current passes through said resistors, the desired turbine braking is obtained due to the action of the alternator. Again, the vacuum cleaner device is advantageously equipped with a hooking clamp for its attachment to a support such as the sideboard of a bucket, and this gripping clamp is operated by an electric actuator which is controlled by a manual contactor three positions, one having no effect on said electric actuator, a second ensuring the movement of the actuator in one direction, and a third ensuring the movement of the actuator in the other direction. According to another characteristic of the invention, the transmission means of the turbine engine advantageously consist of a belt equipped with an activation / inactivation tensioning roller, constituting the activatable / deactivatable clutch means, which roller is associated with maneuvering means equipped with a handle, which operating means also comprise an arm for actuating said selector. On the other hand, the turbine is advantageously constituted by a plurality of blades each comprising an axial end provided with a one-piece lateral extension comprising at least one orifice for fixing it by screws on a support disk, and a peripheral end provided with a monobloc side hook, for its interlocking in a groove on the periphery of the support disc. The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of several particular embodiments, given solely by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first possible embodiment of a vacuum device according to the invention, oriented front side and slightly above; - Figure 2 shows the vacuum device of Figure 1, seen in perspective on the side of its rear face; - Figure 3 is a rear view of the vacuum device shown in Figures 1 and 2; - Figure 4 shows the same vacuum device, seen from the side; - Figures 5 to 8 correspond to hydraulic diagrams illustrating the various operating configurations of the vacuum device illustrated in Figures 1 to 4; - Figure 9 is a schematic representation illustrating a pneumatic brake variant of a vacuum device according to the invention; - Figure 10 is a schematic representation of an electric brake variant of a vacuum device according to the invention; - Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the blade turbine of the vacuum device according to the invention. The vacuum cleaner device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is of the same type as that described in document FR-2 946 671. It comprises a mechanically welded frame 2 mounted on four wheels 2a, serving as a support for a turbine. suction 3, in this case a turbine rotor blade type, integrated in a volute 4, and provided with a drive shaft 5. The inlet 6 of the volute 4 is connected to a suction hose (not shown to simplify the figures), for example of the outer annular type, whose diameter may be of the order of 20 to 30 cm, and its outlet 7 is extended by an ejection chute 8 consisting of a first vertical section 8 ' followed by a second bent section 8 "defining the axis of ejection of the sucked waste The chassis 2 still carries a motor 10 for driving the suction turbine 3.

This engine 10 may be a thermal engine equipped with an electric starter or associated with a manual launcher (rope type). This frame 2 also carries means 11 for attachment to a support, for example the rear side wall of a bucket carried or towed by a tractor vehicle (not shown). These fixing means 11 are in the form of a vertical clamp comprising an upper jaw 12 and a lower jaw 13, vertically movable relative to each other and associated with means for their operation in spacing and in approximation , of the slide / slider type associated with actuating means, here in the form of a hydraulic actuator 14. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a wheel 15 integral with the drive shaft 5 of the turbine 3 is driven in rotation by a wheel 16 secured to the output shaft 17 of the motorization 10, by means of a transmission belt 18. This transmission of movement is carried out in association with a tensioner roller 19 mounted at the end of a pivoting actuating arm 21, controlled by a handle 22 associated with a rod 23, this clutch system assembly activatable / deactivatable.

With the engine 10 in operation, in the disengaged position of the roller 19 (inactivated clutch), the transmission belt 18 is expanded and the outgoing shaft 17 of said engine 10 rotates without driving the drive shaft 5 of the turbine 3 (FIG. ). When the roller 19 is placed in the engaged position (activated clutch), by a maneuver of the handle 22, the transmission belt 18 is stretched and the motor 10 drives the turbine 3 (Figure 3), ensuring the desired suction to harvest the By these two figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the pivoting arm 20, on which the tensioning roller 19 is mounted, has an extension 24 equipped with a 98022 0 7. an end finger 25 constituting an arm capable of controlling a selector 26 of the two-position type, whose function will be explained later. A first position of the selector 26 is illustrated in Figure 2, when the roller 19 is in the disengaged position (transmission belt 18 relaxed); and a second position of this selector 26 is illustrated in FIG. 3 when the roller 19 is in the engaged position (tensioned belt 18). According to the present invention, the waste suction device 1 comprises means which are able to ensure the braking of the drive shaft 5 of the turbine 3 when passing from the activated position to the inactivated position of the drive means. clutch 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. This safety braking, to quickly stop the rotation of the turbine 3 when the operator wishes to stop the suction, is achieved by means of a generator device associated with dissipating means d energy activable / deactivatable by the aforementioned selector 26, controlled by the clutch means 19 to 23. In the example described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, these particular braking means comprise, as a generator, a hydraulic pump 27 which is engaged with the drive shaft 5 of the turbine 3 via a wheel 28 and a transmission belt 29; and, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, this hydraulic pump 27 is placed on a hydraulic circuit incorporating an oil reservoir 30, a three-way valve forming the aforementioned selector 26, and a hydraulic throttling device 31. As can be seen in FIG. see it in these FIGS. 5 to 8, the three-way valve 26 is in two positions to manage the sending of the oil coming from the pump 27, to the tank 30, either directly, by the pipe marked 32 (this in the activated clutch position), or by passing through the choke 31, by the pipe marked 33 (this in the clutch position inactivated). In this way, it will be understood that, in the activated clutch position (transmission belt 18 stretched by the roller 19), the turbine 3 driven in rotation itself drives the hydraulic pump 27 via the transmission means 28, 29; and the oil exiting the pump 27 is directly returned to the tank 30, via the selector 26 in the form of a three-way valve and via the pipe 32, without causing any particular effects on the turbine 3 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) .

On the other hand, when the operator disengages the actuator 10, by an action on the operating handle 22, the selector / three-way valve 26 is tilted to its other position; the oil leaving the pump 27 (still driven by the turbine 3 because of the inertia thereof), returns to the tank 30 via the pipe 33 and the choke device 31 (Figure 5).

This choke device 31 then serves as an energy dissipating member, and the hydraulic pump 27 brakes the drive shaft 5 of the turbine 3 via the transmission means 28, 29, this by pressure rise of the oil in the circuit, accompanied by a decrease in flow. Such a braking device is particularly effective since it allows the complete shutdown of the turbine a few seconds after disengagement of the engine 10, while in its absence, this complete stop is obtained only after a few tens of seconds. Such a feature improves the safety of the vacuum device. It does not require maintenance and wear over time is very limited.

On the other hand, and particularly advantageously, it takes advantage here of the presence of the hydraulic pump 27 to provide motorized control of the clamp 11 of the vacuum device 1 which allows its attachment to a support. The movement of the jaws 12, 13 of this gripper 11 is here managed by the hydraulic actuator 14 double acting which is controlled by a hydraulic distributor 34, of the manual control type 35, placed on the circuit of said hydraulic pump 27 as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. In these FIGS. 5 to 8, the hydraulic distributor 34, controlled by an operating handle 35, interposed and on the hydraulic circuit between the pump 27 and the valve three, is indeed noted. 26, and managing the movements of the hydraulic actuator 14. This hydraulic distributor 34 is in three positions: - a first position, called neutral position, in which the oil passes therethrough, from the pump 27 to the three-way valve 26, without effect on the actuator 14 (Figures 5 and 8), - a second position in which it operates the actuator 14 in one direction (for example for the separation of the gripper 11), such as 6, and a third position in which it actuates the actuator 14 in the other direction (for example to bring the jaws closer to the gripper 11), as illustrated. in Figure 7. These second and third positions of the hydraulic distributor 34 allow the operation of the gripper 11 when the motor 10 is in the engaged position. Such a motorized maneuver of the actuator 14 greatly facilitates the operations of attachment and removal of the vacuum cleaner device 1 on its support (for example on the sideboard of a bucket of a towing vehicle). In a second variant embodiment, the braking system of the turbine 3, and possibly assisting the attachment / removal of the vacuum device 1 on its support, uses a pneumatic energy (replacing the hydraulic as described above in connection with Figures 1 to 8). A variant of this type, diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9, comprises a pneumatic compressor-shaped generator 27 'in engagement with the drive shaft of the turbine 3 via suitable transmission means. This compressor 27 'is placed on a pneumatic circuit comprising in particular an air reservoir 30', a three-way pneumatic valve 26 'constituting the selector controlled by the clutch means, and a pneumatic throttle device 31' constituting the means energy dissipator.

The pneumatic valve 26 'is arranged on the pneumatic circuit so as to ensure air circulation, either by a pipe 33' equipped with the pneumatic choke 31 ', or by a pipe 32' without a choke, to obtain the braking or no-braking functions of the turbine 3, in a manner similar to that described above with the hydraulic principle (by increasing the pressure of the air in the circuit, accompanied by a reduction in flow rate ). Here again, a manually operated pneumatic distributor 34 'is advantageously interposed between the compressor 27' and the pneumatic valve 26 ', for controlling a pneumatic actuator 14' adapted to manage the movement of the gripping clamp 11, as described hereinabove. above in relation to the hydraulic principle. In a third embodiment, the braking system of the turbine 3, and possibly assistance in fixing / removing the vacuum device 1 on its support, uses an energy of the electric type. A variant of this type, diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 10, comprises an alternator-shaped generator 27 "in engagement with the drive shaft 5 of the turbine 3, via suitable transmission means.

This alternator 27 "is placed on an electrical circuit comprising in particular a switch 26" constituting the selector controlled by the clutch means, associated with a set of electrical resistors 31 "constituting the energy dissipating means. the motorization 10, the closing of the switch 26 "(here associated with an electrical relay 26a), allows the current generated by the alternator 27" to pass through the electrical resistors 31 ". Then, the heat dissipation related to the passage of current in these resistors 31 "ensures charging of the alternator, resulting in the desired turbine braking.

In addition, and in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the hydraulic and pneumatic versions, a manual three-position switch 34 "is advantageously placed on the circuit of the alternator 27" to control an electric actuator 14 controlling the movement of the gripping tong 11. This contactor 34 "has a first neutral position (illustrated in FIG. 10) having no effect on the electric actuator 14", a second position in which the actuator 14 "spreads the jaws of the gripper 11, and - a third position in which the actuator 14" brings the jaws closer to the gripper 11. On the other hand, as mentioned above, and as detailed in Figure 11, the suction turbine 3 comprises a set of radial blades 36 (in this case six), of generally curved section, which are carried by the drive shaft 5 and which are integrated in the volute 4. More precisely, we note that one of the side edges of each blade 36 comprises - a monobloc extension to the bracket 37, axial end side, provided here with two orifices 38, and - a monoblock hook 39, peripheral end side. The various blades 36 are fixed on a lateral support disc 40 to form the turbine 3: - firstly by means of a pair of screws (not shown), through said holes 38 of their leg at the bracket 37, cooperating with corresponding orifices formed in said support disc 40, - and secondly by means of their side monobloc hook 39 which fits into a nesting groove 41 arranged in the periphery of said support disc 40.

The motor shaft 5 is secured axially with the support disc 40 and with the blades 36 by means of the aforementioned screws, in particular by means of the most axial screw of each pair of screws. On the side of the passage of the motor shaft 5, the volute 4 is closed by an attached circular plate 42, provided with a bearing 43. In addition, the free end of this drive shaft 5 is associated with the wheel of drive 15, previously described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3.

On the other side, the volute 4 has the inlet 6 on which is connected the suction hose (not shown). The opening delimited by this inlet 6 is of circular shape, axially offset to limit the material jams and the accumulation of waste at the axis of the turbine 3. The corresponding opening further allows the disassembly of the blades 36 of the turbine 3, this possibly individually for their replacement or maintenance, this disassembly being facilitated by the fastening means with screws and hooks described above.

Claims (1)

1.- Vacuuming device for waste, including plant waste, comprising a frame (2) equipped with a suction turbine (3) associated with a suction pipe and a discharge chute (8), which suction turbine (3) comprises a motor shaft (5) driven in rotation by a motor (10), by means of transmission means (15, 16, 18) associated with activatable / deactivatable clutch means (19, 20, 21) provided with a manual control (22, 23), characterized in that it comprises a generating device (27, 27 ', 27 ") engaged with said drive shaft (5) of said turbine (3), which generating device (27, 27 ', 27 ") is associated with energy dissipating means (31, 31', 31") which can be activated / deactivated by a selector (26, 26 ', 26 ") controlled by said manual control (22, 23) of said clutch means (19, 20, 21), activating said energy dissipating means (31, 31 ', 31 "), controlled by ar the deactivation of said clutch means (19, 20, 21) for braking said motor shaft (5) of said turbine (3) via said generating device (27, 27 ', 27 "). 2.- waste suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that said generating device consists of a hydraulic pump (27) engaged with the drive shaft (5) of said turbine (3) via means of transmission (28, 29), which hydraulic pump (27) is placed on a hydraulic circuit incorporating in particular an oil reservoir (30), a three-way valve (26) constituting said selector controlled by said clutch means (19, 20, 21), and a choke device (31) constituting said energy dissipating means, which valve (26) is arranged on said hydraulic circuit so as to ensure the return of the oil coming from said pump (27), towards said tank (30), - either via said choke (31), in one of its positions, - or directly, without passing through said choke (31), in its other position. 3.- Waste suction device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is equipped with a gripper (11) for safixation on a support, for example the sideboard of a bucket, which gripping pliers (11) is operated by a double acting hydraulic actuator (14), and in that said hydraulic actuator (14) is controlled by a manually operated hydraulic distributor (34) placed on the circuit of said hydraulic pump (27). 4.- waste suction device according to claim 3, characterized in that said hydraulic distributor (34) comprises, in particular: - a neutral position of oil passage having no effect on said hydraulic actuator (14), a position ensuring the actuation of said actuator (14) in a first direction, and a position ensuring the actuation of said actuator (14) in a second direction. 5.- waste suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that said generating device consists of a pneumatic compressor (27 ') engaged with the drive shaft (5) of said turbine (3) via means transmission, which compressor (27 ') is placed on a pneumatic circuit including in particular an air tank (30'), a three-way valve (26 ') constituting said selector controlled by said clutch means (19, 20). 21) and a choke device (31 ') constituting said energy dissipating means, which valve (26') is arranged on said pneumatic circuit so as to ensure air circulation - either by said pneumatic choke (31). '), in one of its positions, - either directly, without passing through said choke (31'), in its other position. 6. A vacuum cleaner device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is equipped with a gripping clamp (11) for attachment to a support, for example the sideboard of a bucket, which clamp of hooking (11) is operated by a double acting pneumatic actuator (14 '), and in that said pneumatic actuator (14') is controlled by a manually operated pneumatic distributor (34 ') placed on the circuit of said pneumatic compressor (27') ). 7. A vacuum cleaner device according to claim 1, characterized in that said generating device consists of an alternator (27 ") engaged with the drive shaft (5) of said turbine (3) via means of transmission, which alternator (27 ") is placed on an electrical circuit integrating in particular a switch (26") constituting said selector controlled by said clutch means (19, 20, 21) and a set of resistors (31 "), constituting said energy dissipating means, which switch (26 ") is arranged on the electric circuit so as to allow or not allow the current generated by said alternator (27") to pass through said resistors (31 "). 8.- Waste suction device according to claim 7, characterized in that it is equipped with a gripping clamp (11) for attachment to a support, for example the sideboard of a bucket, which clamp of latching (11) is operated by an electric actuator (14 "), and in that said electric actuator (14") is controlled by a manual switch (34 ") at three positions, a first neutral position having no effect on said electric actuator (14 "), a second position ensuring the movement of said electric actuator in one direction, and a third position ensuring the movement of said electric actuator (14") in the other direction. 9. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said transmission means of the turbine motor (10) consist of a belt (18) equipped with an activation tensioner roller / inactivation (19), constituting said activatable / deactivatable clutch means, which roller (19) is associated with operating means (20, 21) equipped with a handle (22), which actuating means (20, 21 ) further comprise an arm (24, 25) for actuating said selector (26). 10. A vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said turbine (3) consists of a plurality of blades (36) each having - an axial end provided with a lateral extension monobloc (37) having at least one orifice (38) for fixing it by screw on a support disk (40), and - a peripheral end provided with a monoblock lateral hook (39), for its interlocking in a groove (41) arranged on the periphery of said support disk (40).