FR3065975A1 - ARTICULATING VACUUM ARM OF AN ASPIRATOR EXCAVATOR WITH A RECLINING NOZZLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an articulated suction arm (1) of a suction excavator, comprising parts (3, 4, 5, 6) defined in the same plane (P) and hinged together in the plane (P), these portions defining a rear end (31) and a front end (62). A base piece (2) is articulated with a rear end (31) and pivots on the suction excavator to simultaneously pivot all the parts (3, 4, 5, 6) of the arm (1). A nozzle (7) is arranged at the front end (62) of the arm and configured to be connected to a flexible suction pipe, said nozzle defining an axis (X4) defining in the plane (P) in an initial position. The arm (1) comprises a tilting device (8) configured to change the orientation of the nozzle (7) so as to incline said axis (X4) on one side or the other of the plane (P). The invention also relates to a suction excavator equipped with such an arm (1).

Description

Holder (s): limited.

LOMAROUTE Liability company

O Extension request (s):

® Agent (s): CABINET RIFFLART VANDENBOSSCHE.

(54) ARTICULATED SUCTION ARM OF A SUCTION EXCAVATOR, PROVIDED WITH A TILTING NOZZLE.

FR 3 065 975 - A1 (57) The invention relates to an articulated suction arm (1) of a vacuum excavator, comprising parts (3, 4, 5, 6) defined in the same plane (P) and articulated between them in the plane (P), these parts defining a rear end (31) and a front end (62). A base piece (2) is articulated with rear end (31) and pivots on the suction excavator to simultaneously pivot all the parts (3, 4, 5, 6) of the arm (1). A nozzle (7) is arranged at the front end (62) of the arm and configured to be connected to a flexible suction duct, said nozzle defining an axis (X4) defined in the plane (P) according to an initial position. The arm (1) comprises an inclination device (8) configured to modify the orientation of the nozzle (7) so as to incline said axis (X4) on one side or the other of the plane (P). The invention also relates to a vacuum excavator equipped with such an arm (1).

i

ARTICULATED SUCTION ARM OF A SUCTION EXCAVATOR, PROVIDED

OF A TILTING NOZZLE

Technical area

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

State of the art

Vacuum excavators, also called rubble suction trucks, are commonly used when carrying out road works and various networks (more commonly called VRD) of the earthwork type, in order to excavate, suck and evacuate rubble during the construction of trenches in soils already congested by distribution networks such as water pipes, gas conduits or high current and / or low current electric cables, so as not to damage or tear off these networks.

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

Current vacuum excavators are not effective in all work situations. Indeed, the Applicant has found that the articulated suction arms are not able to excavate and properly vacuum the rubble in the trenches when these are located near a wall, the suction arm articulated being limited in movement due to the presence of said wall.

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

Summary of the invention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In an embodiment of the articulated suction arm which is the subject of the invention, the nozzle passes through the movable plate. In addition, the tilting device comprises a fixed plate fixed to said front end of the arm. The fixed stage includes an opening through which a rear part of the nozzle passes. This opening is of dimensions greater than the section of said rear part of the nozzle to ensure the inclination. By section is meant that defined along a plane perpendicular to the fourth axis of the nozzle. In other words, the dimensioning of the opening guarantees that the rear part of the nozzle will not abut against said opening when the tilting device is actuated. This implementation minimizes the size of the articulated suction arm. This also makes it easier to connect the nozzle with the flexible suction duct by placing said duct in alignment with the parts of the arm. Of course, it would be possible to envisage variants according to which the nozzle would be fixed to the movable plate without passing through the latter, by virtue of a holding part; this would however increase the size of the articulated suction arm and would require the flexible suction duct to be offset relative to the parts of the arm, in order to make its connection with the nozzle.

According to this embodiment of the articulated suction arm, the fixed plate comprises two oblong holes through which pass part of the cylinders, preferably the pistons.

This also aims to reduce the size of the tilting device, the jacks being able to be accommodated in the downstream part of the arm at its front end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brief description of the figures

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

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the articulated suction arm according to the invention in an initial position of the nozzle;

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate in more detail, from different viewing angles, the front part of the articulated suction arm of Figure 1;

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the articulated suction arm according to the invention in an inclined position of the nozzle;

Figures 6 to 7 illustrate in more detail, from different viewing angles, the front part of the articulated suction arm of Figure 5.

detailed description

In the following description, the term arm will be used to designate the articulated suction arm according to the invention.

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

The description which follows will relate in particular to the arm which is designed to be arranged on a suction excavator (not illustrated), which in particular comprises a vehicle allowing the movement of this suction excavator on the sites where it will be used.

This vacuum excavator further comprises a flexible suction duct which is arranged along the arm and a suction system to which the upstream end of said duct is connected. All of the components of this excavator are mounted either directly on the vehicle chassis or on an enclosure receiving the suction system. Those skilled in the art will refer to vacuum excavators currently on the market, which does not exclude the use of the arm on vacuum excavators comprising other innovations, for example as regards the design of the suction system. Of course, the invention also relates to a vacuum excavator provided with such an arm.

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

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the arm 1 extends longitudinally in a plane P which defines a plane of symmetry on this arm 1. This plane P pivots with the arm 1 according to Tax XI which is defined in said plane P. The arm 1 is composed of several parts articulated together successively. In FIG. 1, the arm 1 comprises four parts 3, 4, 5, 6. However, there could be a more or less significant number of parts on this arm 1. The upstream part 3 comprises a rear end 31 which is mounted in pivot connection with respect to the head 23 of the base piece 2, along an axis X2 which is perpendicular to the plane P. The front end 32 of the upstream part 3 is mounted in pivot connection with respect to the rear end 41 of a first intermediate part 4, along an axis X31 which is perpendicular to the plane P. The front end 42 of the first intermediate part 4 is mounted in pivot connection with respect to the rear end 51 of a second intermediate part 5, along an axis X32 which is perpendicular to the plane P. Similarly, the front end 52 of the second intermediate part 5 is mounted in pivot connection with respect to the rear end 61 d 'a downstream part 6, along an axis X33 which is perpendicular to the plane P.

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

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

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

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

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

Compared to the embodiment of the arm 1 in FIGS. 5 to 7 which provides for fixing of the nozzle 7 with respect to the movable plate 84, the embodiment of the arm 1 in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises a device for rotation 85 of the nozzle 7 along its axis X4. This rotation device 85 is integrated into the tilt device 8 described above.

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

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

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

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

Claims (15)

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