FR3067726A1 - GRAVILLONNEY ON THE FRONT - Google Patents

Abstract

A gravel-grinding machine (1) for graveling a road in the forward direction comprises a gravity hopper bucket (30) with a partially open bottom adapted to contain gravel (63). A graveling system (60) is connected to the front of the booth (20) with respect to the direction of travel in the forward direction of the gravel (1). The gravel system (60) is adapted to deliver gravel (63) on the road. A conveyor system (70) is adapted to convey gravel from the bucket device (30) through the partially open bottom to the gravel system (60). The graveling system (60) communicates with the conveyor system (70) so that at least a portion of the content conveyed by the conveying system (70) can be transferred from the bucket (30) to the gravel system (60). ). The conveying system (70) comprises a conveying ramp (72). The conveying ramp (72) passes through the space (50) and extends longitudinally from the gravel system (60) to at least a portion of the bucket (30).

Description

GRAVILLONNEUSE IN FORWARD

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a gravel spreader.

More particularly, the invention relates to a gravel spreader for graveling a road in forward motion on previously spread bitumen.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Gravel spreaders traditionally spread gravel on the road before spreading bitumen. The gravel spreaders can also spread gravel without spreading bitumen. This is the case for example for snow removal from roads.

Gravel spreaders generally work in reverse with a tilting of the bucket backwards. However, driving in reverse can be difficult for the operator of the machine and can lead to imprecise spreading of gravel.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to improve the gravel spreaders of this type, in particular to facilitate the graveling.

To this end, the present offers a gravel spreader (1) for graveling a road in forward gear, comprising: a chassis (10), a cabin (20) mounted on the chassis (10), positioned at the front of the chassis (10 ) relative to the direction of travel in front of the gravel spreader (1), a reserved space (50) being included between the cabin (20) and the chassis (10) in a vertical direction, a bucket (30) mounted on the chassis (10) at the rear of the cabin (20) relative to the direction of travel in the forward direction of the gravel spreader (1), the bucket (30) being adapted to contain gravel (63), the bucket (30) being a gravity hopper with a partially open bottom, a gravel system (60) connected to the front of the cabin (20) relative to the direction of travel in forward motion of the gravel spreader (1), said gravel system (60 ) being adapted to deliver gravel (63) on the road, and a conveying system (70) adapted for convey the gravel of the bucket device (30) via the partially open bottom to the gravel system (60), the gravel system (60) communicating with the conveyor system (70) so that at least one part of the content conveyed by the conveyor system (70) can be transferred from the bucket (30) to the gravel system (60), the conveyor system (70) comprising a conveyor ramp (72), the conveyor ramp ( 72) crossing the reserved space (50) and extending longitudinally from the gravel system (60) to at least part of the bucket (30).

Thanks to these provisions, the gravel spreader is operated in forward gear, which improves the safety and the quality of spreading of gravel, offering a saving of 15 to 20%. In addition, the gravel bucket being gravitational, it does not need a push bottom or to be raised, and can thus be supplied with gravel continuously, without having to stop the operation of the gravel spreader. This thus makes it possible to work on large road surfaces in a reduced time, making it possible for example to treat on a single rotation a site surface of 2000 m ² . In addition, working in forward gear, the non-tilting skip and the absence of an operator on the rear of the equipment are all elements that optimize safety.

In various embodiments of the gravel spreader, one can optionally have recourse to one and / or the other of the following arrangements:

• the conveying ramp (72) extends longitudinally from the gravel system (60) to a rear (30b) of the bucket (30) • further comprising a motor (40) adapted to actuate the gravel spreader (1) in movement , the cabin (20) comprising a floor (21) facing the chassis, and the engine (40) being located vertically below the cabin (20), the reserved space (50) being located vertically between the engine (40 ) and the floor (21) of the cabin (20).

• the conveying system (70) includes a conveying ramp (72) in the form of an endless band supported by pulleys (74a, 74b).

• the conveyor system (70) is actuated by two motors (76a, 76b), capable of moving the endless belt in two opposite directions.

• each of the two motors (76a, 76b) is arranged at one end of its own endless belt.

• each of the two motors (76a, 76b) is housed in one of the two pulleys (74a, 74b) which is specific to it.

• the conveyor system (70) is inclined relative to the road plane so that the vertical position of the conveyor system (70) at the gravel system (60) is above the vertical position of the conveying system (70) at the level of the bucket (30).

• the gravel system (60) is a telescopic gravel system.

• the conveyor system (70) can be moved longitudinally between a first position where the conveyor system (70) extends longitudinally from the gravel system (60) to at least part of the bucket (30), and a second position wherein the conveying system (70) extends longitudinally from a position vertically below the cabin (20) to at least part of the bucket (30).

• the conveyor system (70) is longitudinally movable in a third position, where the conveyor system (70) extends longitudinally from a front (30a) of the bucket (30) to a longitudinally rear position at the rear (30b) of the bucket (30).

• the conveying system (70) is removable relative to the chassis (10).

• further comprising a bucket turning system (30) making it possible to place the bucket (30) between two positions where the front (30a) and the rear (30b) of the bucket (30) are reversed one by compared to each other.

Thanks to these provisions, the gravel system can be removed from the gravel spreader for multiple use of the gravel spreader (with or without gravel). In addition, the different longitudinal positions of the gravel system allow the bucket to be emptied when the gravel spreader is not in operation. But also by the reversibility of the bucket means that it can also be used as gravel skips for road plaster campaigns over 60 to 70 days per year and become a classic skip over the rest of the year, this by a simple forward-backward rotation and with the front gravel system off the hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

- Figure la is a schematic front perspective view of a gravel spreader having a front telescopic gravel system in the folded position;

- Figure lb is a schematic rear perspective view of the gravel spreader of Figure la; and

- Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the gravel spreader of Figures la and lb partially transparent to reveal a gravel system before.

In the various figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the present description, the terms "front" and "rear" are used with respect to the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, and a traditional driving of the motorized vehicle. The terms "upper" or "upward" and "lower" or "downward" are used with respect to the vertical direction Z, upward, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

According to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a motorized machine, in the form of a gravel spreader 1, of the semi-trailer type for example, used for graveling a road in forward direction on which bitumen has been previously spread, comprises a cabin 20, of advanced type or flat nose for example, in which will be the operator driving the gravel spreader 1, a bucket 30 at the rear of the cabin 20 used to transport the gravel, a gravel system 60 at the front of the cabin 20 allowing the gravel to be spread on the road and a conveying system 70 between the bucket 30 and the gravel system 60, used to convey the gravel from the bucket 30 to the gravel system 60, passing under the cabin 20.

More precisely and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the truck 1 comprises a chassis 10, the cabin 20 being connected to the chassis 10 by a suspension system (not illustrated). The cabin 20 is positioned towards the front of the chassis 10 with respect to the direction of movement in front of the gravel spreader 1, with a front face and a rear face defined with respect to the direction of movement of the gravel spreader 1 in forward direction. The cabin 20 is an enclosed space of generally parallelepiped shape with, among other things, a floor 21 which is substantially parallel and facing the chassis. The cabin 20 contains a driving station 22 with a seat for the operator and means for driving located above the floor 21. The bucket 30 is mounted on the chassis 10 at the rear of the cabin 20 relative to the direction forward movement of the truck. The bucket 30 has a front 30a and a rear 30b.

The gravel system 60 comprises an enclosure 62 adapted to receive gravel 63 and a processing ramp 61 situated under the enclosure with respect to the vertical, located opposite the road to be graveled, and which makes it possible to pour gravel on the road. The gravel system 60 is for example fixed to the front end of the chassis of the truck 1 or to the front face of the cabin 20 by one of the lateral faces of its enclosure 62 so that the gravel system 60 is in door-to-door position. -false above the road. In this case the bottom of the gravel system 60 is facing the road.

The gravel system 60 is fixed to the front of the gravel spreader 1 using a quick-fixing plate, which will have hooks on which the equipment will be placed and tightened by fastening elements such as bolts. The gravel system 60 is thus easily detachable from the gravel spreader 1, in order to use the gravel spreader as a single truck if the need arises.

The gravel system 60 may be a telescopic gravel system in the transverse direction Y. FIG. 1a is a schematic front perspective view of the gravel spreader with the front telescopic gravel system 60 in the folded position, and FIG. 1b in the extended position . The telescopic treatment ramp 61 is wider than a non-telescopic ramp, thus allowing better efficiency. The telescopic ramp 61 typically has a width of the order of 2m50, 3m60, 4m, 4m40, 5m, 6m.

The gravel system 60 comprises one or more hatches (not shown) oriented towards the road and through which the contents (in particular the gravel) can flow of the gravel system 60. Each hatch can for example be an orifice with or without gravel guiding means. In the case where the gravelling system is cantilevered above the road, the hatch can be placed in the bottom of the gravelling system. The gravel system 60 can typically comprise twenty hatches of width of the order of 20 cm each, the activation of which, ie the transition from the open state to the closed state, is controlled to allow graveling in required areas. The operator can for example then select, with a few seconds of anticipation, the areas over which gravel must be spread. The machine control orders are then made by operator action on a control arm or on a touch screen. As a variant, the graveling orders can be given for example by voice command, to an on-board computer system which can identify the hatches to be opened according to the driver's instruction.

Referring to Figure 2, the cabin 20 is mounted on the chassis 10, on an axis of rotation R located at the front face of the cabin 20 so as to be able to tilt the cabin 20 in the transverse direction Y around this axis towards the front of the truck tilting taking place in the vertical plane, to access the motor 40 mounted on the chassis 10 vertically located under the cabin 20 for example.

The cabin 20 rests at its rear part on two suspensions (not shown). Said suspensions and said axis of rotation are here typically extended by a length of between 40cm and 60cm and typically of the order of 45cm relative to their usual dimensions so that the cabin 20 is raised relative to the chassis 10 according to the vertical direction and therefore vertically higher than its usual position relative to the chassis 10 in a traditional gravel spreader. The cabin 20 is thus kept suspended at a distance from the chassis 10 freeing up a reserved space 50 between the cabin 20 and the chassis 10.

The floor 21 of the cabin and the chassis 10 are then substantially parallel, the reserved space 50 having an extension in the vertical direction between 20cm and 80cm and preferably between 40cm to 45cm.

The engine 40 is thus located under the floor 21 of the cabin, the reserved space 50 being situated vertically between the floor 21 and the engine 40.

The gravelling system 60 communicates with the conveying system 70 so that at least part of the content conveyed by the conveying system 70 can be transferred to the gravelling system 60. More particularly, the gravelling system 60 comprises a orifice communication with the conveyor system 70 adapted so that at least part of the content conveyed by the conveyor system 70 can be transferred to the gravel system 60.

The conveyor system 70 is adapted to convey the gravel from the bucket device 30 to the gravel system 60. The conveyor system 70 crosses the reserved space 50, between the bucket 30 and the gravel system 60, and extends up to bucket 30.

The conveyor system 70 comprises a conveyor ramp 72. The conveyor ramp 72 consists essentially of an endless band of flexible material driven and supported by motorized pulleys 74a, 74b, located at the ends of the conveyor system 70 .

The conveying ramp 72 is substantially horizontal and inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal in order to convey the gravel 63 from a low rear point at the level of the bucket 30, to a high front point at the level of the graveling 60. The inclination of the conveying ramp 72 is, for example, 3 degrees. The inclination of the conveying ramp 72 is, for example, between 2 and 5 degrees. The inclination of the conveying ramp 72 is, for example, less than 10 degrees. Thus, the conveying ramp 72 is inclined relative to the road plane so that the vertical position of the conveying ramp 72 at the gravel system 60 is above the vertical position of the conveyor ramp 72 at the level of the bucket 30.

The ramp 72, more or less wide, has a lower strand 72a and an upper strand 72b, which supports and drives the gravel placed on it. The conveying ramp 72 can be provided with chevron ribs allowing better gravel entrainment. The path of the conveying ramp 72 can be horizontal, that is to say parallel to the road plane or ascending or descending. It can be straight or include curves.

The pulleys 74a, 74b are motorized by means of a motor 76a, 76b each which, in one embodiment, is specific to them. Only one of the two motors 76a, 76b could be driving, the other being passive. One of the two motors 76a, 76b could be operated in the direction of the ramp. The conveyor system 70 can thus operate in forward mode to bring the gravel to the gravel system 60, and in reverse to empty the gravel from the bucket 30. For example, the engine 74a furthest from the ramp 72 could actuate the ramp 72 so as to supply the gravel system 60 with gravel (displacement from the rear to the front), and the rearmost motor 74b of the ramp 72 could actuate the ramp 72 so as to empty the gravel by dumping them on the road (moving from front to back). It could also be that the two motors 74a, 74b are actuated simultaneously to carry out a forward or reverse movement of the strip.

In one embodiment, the motors 74a, 74b are integrated into the pulleys 72a, 72b, preferably inside of them, so that the conveying system 70 is detachable from the gravel spreader 1.

In one embodiment, a speed of the motors 74a, 74b is adjustable in order to adjust a flow rate of the gravel ultimately spilled on the road. The operator can for example adjust the gravel flow from the cabin 20.

The conveying system 70 can be positioned at different positions relative to the chassis 10, depending on whether the conveying system 70 is used in graveling, emptying mode, or for dismantling the conveying system 70. The conveying system 70 is mounted on slides to be easily disassembled, for example to power the motor 40 in the event of necessary maintenance.

Thus, the conveyor system 70 can be moved longitudinally between a first position where the conveyor system 70 extends longitudinally from a vertical position at the gravel system 60 to at least part of the bucket 30, and a second position where the conveyor system 70 extends longitudinally from a position vertically below the cabin 20 to at least part of the bucket 30. In the first position, the conveyor system 70 can extend longitudinally from the gravel system 60 at the rear 30b of the bucket 30 without extending beyond the rear 30b of the bucket 30, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The first position corresponds to an operating or graveling position. The second position corresponds to a disassembly position of the conveyor system 70. A longitudinal offset between the first position and the second position is for example 800mm. In the second position, a rear part of the ramp 72 can extend behind the bucket 30.

The conveyor system 70 can be moved longitudinally to a third position, where the conveyor system 70 extends longitudinally from a front of the bucket 30 to a longitudinally rear position behind the bucket 30. The third position corresponds to an emptying position in order to empty the gravel bucket 30, by dumping them directly onto the road by the rear of the gravel spreader 1, without passing through the gravel system 60. In the third position, a rear part of the ramp 72 may substantially extend beyond the rear 30b of the bucket 30. A longitudinal offset between the first position and the third position is for example 400mm.

As illustrated in FIG. 1b, the bucket 30 is a gravity hopper bucket. In particular, the bucket 30 is of substantially parallelepiped shape with a funnel-shaped bottom open at its lowest point. The bucket 30 communicates with the gravel device 60 via the funnel-shaped bottom. The hole can in particular be closed by a bucket door (not shown), the opening of which is controlled, for example automatically from the cabin by the user. The hole may be longitudinal extending partially or completely along the bucket 30 with a width corresponding to a width of the conveying ramp 72 or less in order to pour gravels 63 therein.

The arrival of the gravel on the conveyor system 70 is controlled by a gravel level sensor, for example an ultrasonic sensor, which may or may not trigger the operation of the conveyor system 70 depending on the filling of the gravel system.

The bucket 30 typically has as dimensions a height of 10m to 20m and in particular about 15m, a width of 20m to 30m and in particular around 25m and a length between 40m and 60m and typically 55m. A longitudinal distance can be reserved between the cabin 20 and the bucket 30.

As a variant, the bucket 30 could be a semi-tilting bucket. Alternatively, the bucket 30 can also be insulated.

Alternatively, the bucket 30 is reversible. The bucket 30 can be arranged on a bucket turning system, which allows the front and rear of the bucket to be swapped according to the desired applications (gravel bucket or conventional bucket) by a simple front-rear rotation.

The bucket 30 can for example be continuously supplied by a supply of gravel which would be mounted on an exterior tipper truck, and which could follow the gravel spreader 1 during its movement, and the content of the tipper of which could be gradually poured into the tipper. the gravel pit. The dump truck could, for example, travel in reverse behind the gravel spreader 1 which is traveling in forward gear and pour the contents of its grab in the grab 30 of the spreader.

For the winter season, for example, in order to be able to use the truck in a snow plow, for example, the conveyor system 70 can be removed by removing it from its slide, and the gravel system 60 can be removed from the quick-fixing plate, then the bucket 30 will be returned for another use.

Claims (13)

1. Gravel spreader (1) for graveling a road forward, comprising: a chassis (10), a cabin (20) mounted on the chassis (10), positioned at the front of the chassis (10) relative to the direction of travel in forward motion of the gravel spreader (1), a reserved space (50 ) being included between the cabin (20) and the chassis (10) in a vertical direction, a bucket (30) mounted on the chassis (10) at the rear of the cabin (20) relative to the direction of movement in motion front of the gravel spreader (1), the bucket (30) being adapted to contain gravel (63), the bucket (30) being by gravity hopper with a partially open bottom, a gravel system (60) connected to the front of the cabin (20) with respect to the direction of travel in the forward direction of the gravel spreader (1), said gravel system (60) being adapted to deliver gravel (63) on the road, and a conveyor system (70) suitable for conveying gravel from the bucket device (30) via the partially open bottom towards the system gravel (60), the gravel system (60) communicating with the conveyor system (70) so that at least part of the content conveyed by the conveyor system (70) can be transferred from the bucket (30 ) to the gravelling system (60), the conveying system (70) comprising a conveying ramp (72), the conveying ramp (72) crossing the reserved space (50) and extending longitudinally of the graveling system ( 60) to at least part of the bucket (30). 2. A gravel spreader (1) according to claim 1, in which the conveying ramp (72) extends longitudinally from the gravel system (60) to a rear (30b) of the bucket (30). 3. gravel spreader (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 further comprising a motor (40) adapted to actuate the gravel spreader (1) in movement, the cabin (20) comprising a floor (21) facing the chassis , and the engine (40) being located vertically below the cabin (20), the reserved space (50) being located vertically between the engine (40) and the floor (21) of the cabin (20). 4. A gravel spreader (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, for which the conveyor system (70) includes a conveyor ramp (72) in the form of an endless band supported by pulleys (74a, 74b). 5. Gravel spreader (1) according to claim 4, for which the conveyor system (70) is actuated by two motors (76a, 76b), capable of causing the endless belt to move in two opposite directions. 6. A gravel spreader (1) according to claim 5, in which each of the two motors (76a, 76b) is arranged at one end of its own endless belt. 7. Gravel spreader (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, in which each of the two motors (76a, 76b) is housed in one of the two pulleys (74a, 74b) which is specific to it. 8. gravel spreader (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, for which the conveyor system (70) is inclined relative to the road plane so that the position along the vertical of the conveyor system (70 ) at the gravel system (60) is above the vertical position of the conveyor system (70) at the bucket (30). 9. Gravel spreader (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, for which the gravel system (60) is a telescopic gravel system. 10. A gravel spreader (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the conveyor system (70) can be moved longitudinally between a first position where the conveyor system (70) extends longitudinally from the gravel system (60) at least part of the bucket (30), and a second position where the conveyor system (70) extends longitudinally from 10 position vertically below the cabin (20) at least part of the bucket (30). 11. A gravel spreader (1) according to claim 10, in which the conveyor system (70) is longitudinally movable in a third position, where the 15 conveyor system (70) extends longitudinally from a front (30a) of the bucket (30) to a position longitudinally rear at the rear (30b) of the bucket (30). 12. Gravel spreader (1) according to one of claims 10 and 11, in which the conveying system (70) is removable relative to the chassis (10). 13. gravel spreader (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a bucket turning system (30) for placing the bucket (30) between two positions where the front (30a) and the rear (30b) of the bucket (30) are reversed relative to each other.