FR3125030A1 - Bulk goods unloading facility - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bulk goods unloading installation (10) comprising a receptacle (12) adapted to receive the bulk from a skip (112), said receptacle (12) comprising a plurality of walls (14, 16, 18, 20) delimiting an inlet end (44), the walls converging towards an outlet end (32) forming a hopper opposite said inlet end to allow gravity flow of the bulk material outside of said receptacle (12). One (14) of said walls of said receptacle (12) extends along a longitudinal component and along a transverse component. And said receptacle (12) is movable in pivoting, between a lying position in which said one (14) of said walls is supported at ground level, and a raised position, after said motor vehicle has left said receptacle, to cause gravity flow of said given volume of solid bulk commodity. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Bulk goods unloading facility

The present invention relates to an installation for unloading solid bulk goods.

A field of application envisaged is in particular, but not exclusively, that of the transfer of aggregates, from a road transport vehicle to a treatment facility, or else to another transport facility.

Usually, the aggregates are transported in skips fitted to motor vehicles. They can support several tens of tons of material. The aggregates are thus transported close to the site where they are used or treated. The content of the skips is then unloaded on the ground and the aggregates are then taken up by means of a backhoe loader for example, to be dumped into a processing or conveying installation.

Such methods allow a rotation of the motor vehicles between the source of aggregates and the place of their implementation, without dead time, but require a resumption of the aggregates and consequently, an expenditure of energy and additional means.

Also, it is known to dig the ground to arrange a conical receptacle therein so as to be able to pour therein the solid goods in bulk from the dump body of the motor vehicle, usually a truck. The conical receptacle has a usually rectangular inlet end flush with the ground, and on the opposite end, an outlet end opening into a basement fitted out to recover the bulk goods by gravity, then evacuate them to other destinations of storage or processing.

Such installations are well known in the cereal field.

However, the density of cereal products and their method of processing do not have the same needs in terms of transport or energy compared to much denser aggregates.

Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide an installation which allows the unloading of solid goods in bulk at advantageous transfer costs.

In order to solve this problem, it is proposed an installation for unloading solid bulk goods comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a given volume of solid bulk goods from a dump body of a motor vehicle resting on the ground, said receptacle comprising a plurality of walls delimiting an inlet end , the walls of said plurality of walls converging towards an outlet end forming a hopper opposite to said inlet end to allow the gravity flow of said given volume of solid bulk goods outside of said receptacle. One of said walls of said receptacle extends along a longitudinal component and along a transverse component; and that said receptacle is movable in pivoting, between a lying position in which said one of said walls is supported at ground level to be able to accommodate said motor vehicle inside said receptacle and to allow the unloading of said given volume of solid goods in bulk on said one of said walls, and a raised position, after said motor vehicle has left said receptacle, to cause the gravity flow of said given volume of solid bulk goods.

Thus, a characteristic of the invention resides in the implementation of a mobile receptacle having a longitudinal wall adapted to bear at ground level and so as to receive a container mounted, for example tilting, on a motor vehicle. The longitudinal wall extends from a free edge to the outlet end. The bucket is thus moved back inside the receptacle, from the free edge, towards the outlet end, so as to be able to empty its contents onto the longitudinal wall. Then, after the vehicle withdraws from the receptacle, it is driven in pivoting to raise it so that the solid bulk goods it contains can be driven by gravity towards the outlet end of the receptacle, in order to be able to then cross it.

Therefore, the motor vehicle can ensure rotations between the site of loading of the goods and the site of implementation of these goods without interruption, while the time and the energy necessary for the transfer of the goods are relatively tenuous.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis substantially parallel to said transverse component of said one of said walls.

Thus, the unloading of the bulk goods on the longitudinal wall could form a heap also extending longitudinally. And the receptacle is pivoted about an axis transverse to the pile of goods. In this way, the bulk goods are driven in translation relatively symmetrically along said longitudinal axis.

Also, and preferably, said pivot axis extends along a line intersecting said output end. In other words, the receptacle pivots around an axis, extending in a transverse direction and located towards the rear of the receptacle. In this way, the bulk goods are gradually drawn towards the outlet end as the receptacle pivots rearward.

In addition, said pivot axis advantageously extends above ground level. In this way, and as will be explained in more detail later in the description, during the pivoting of the receptacle, the outlet end then also fits above ground level. Therefore, it is easy to come and collect the goods in bulk under the exit end.

According to a particularly advantageous implementation characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises two opposite lateral supports, and said output end is rotatably mounted on said lateral supports. The side supports respectively have a base and a top.

And the output end comprises a framework having two lateral yokes respectively connected to the top of the supports via a ball joint and a shaft as will be explained below. The ball joints thus make it possible to correct possible misalignments.

Advantageously, the installation further comprises a support platform located at ground level to receive said one of said supporting walls. The support platform is for example made of a concrete slab making it possible to support relatively large weights of the order of ten tons. In addition, the surface of the platform is thus flat and can be deformed. It can then accommodate the longitudinal wall of the flat receptacle without it being able to deform under the weight of the vehicle load.

Preferably, the installation comprises two lifting members connected to said receptacle and resting on the ground, said lifting members being opposite one another with respect to said one of said walls of said receptacle. The two lifting devices are respectively installed on the edge of the receptacle and at the same distance from the two side supports. In this way they can exert a substantially equivalent force on each side of the receptacle in order to be able to drive it in pivoting about its axis of rotation.

Also, the lifting members are advantageously hydraulic cylinders of high capacity and high power. In other words, the hydraulic cylinders have thrust powers of several tens of tons, and a deployment amplitude of the order of magnitude of a meter, for example two meters.

In addition, the installation comprises, according to a preferred embodiment, a conveyor mounted integrally outside of said receptacle, said conveyor comprising a receiving end located opposite said outlet end and an opposite free end. In this way, the conveyor which is rigidly connected to the receptacle preferably extends substantially vertically when the receptacle is lying down and the goods are deposited therein in bulk. Also, in this position, it is inactive. As soon as the receptacle is raised, the conveyor pivots and extends along a horizontal component. Its free end is then carried for example above another type of conveyor as will be explained below.

Preferably, the installation comprises locking members to hold said receptacle in the raised position. For example, each of the side supports has a receiving yoke inside which a perforated flat portion of the receptacle engages. When the latter is in the raised position, the pierced flat part engages inside the receiving yoke and the assembly is then traversed by a locking pin. In this way, the receptacle is kept locked in a vertical position, while the lifting devices can remain at rest, or at the very least no longer be stressed.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a schematic side view of the unloading installation according to the invention, at rest;

is a schematic perspective view of a detail of the object of the ;

is a schematic view in axial section of another detail of the object of the ;

is a schematic view in axial section of yet another detail of the object of the ;

is a schematic three-quarter front perspective view of the subject of the ;

is a schematic side view of the unloading installation according to the invention in the active position; And,

is a schematic detail view of the object of the .

There shows, seen from the side, an unloading installation 10 according to the invention and in a rest position. Installation 10 has a median plane parallel to the plane of the , and it thus has two parts totally symmetrical to each other with respect to this median plane. Therefore, the opposite side, behind the plane of the , is totally analogous to that which will be described below.

Thus, the loading installation 10 comprises a receptacle 12 which comprises a longitudinal wall 14 flanked by two facing side walls 16, 18, and a front wall 20.

The walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 comprise a metal frame supporting metal plates.

The longitudinal wall 14 has a first substantially rectangular part 22 having a free edge 24, and an isosceles trapezoidal part 26 which extends it opposite the free edge 24.

According to the mode of implementation of the invention presented here, the longitudinal wall 14 has a total length, close to 8 m. Also, the first substantially rectangular part 22 has a width close to 4 m.

The two opposite side walls 16, 18 each have two trapezoidal parts, a front part 28, 29, laterally connected to the first rectangular part 22 of the longitudinal wall 14, and a rear part 30, 31 laterally connected to the isosceles trapezoidal part. 26. Thus, the two front parts 28, 29 of the two opposite side walls 16, 18 respectively, are substantially parallel to each other, while the two rear parts 30, 31 which extend them respectively, converge the one towards the other.

Also, the front wall 20 and the isosceles trapezoidal part 26 of the opposite longitudinal wall 14, also converge towards each other and they delimit with the two rear parts 30, 31 of the two facing side walls 16, 18, a open outlet end 32.

In addition, the front wall 20 has a free front edge 34, while the two trapezoidal parts 28, 29 have, on the one hand two free edges inclined 36, 38 with respect to the rectangular part 22 of the longitudinal wall 14, and respectively joining the front free edge 34, and on the other hand two vertical free edges 40, 42 joining the free edge 24 of the rectangular part 22.

Thus, the front free edge 34 extended laterally by the two inclined free edges 36, 38, then respectively by the two vertical free edges 40, 42 interconnected by the free edge 24 of the rectangular part 22, together define an end of entrance 44 of the receptacle 12. In addition, the front wall 20 opposite the isosceles trapezoidal part 26 of the longitudinal wall 14 on the one hand, and the rear parts 30, 31 of the two facing side walls 16, 18, respectively converge the towards each other and towards the open exit end 32. And they thus define a hopper.

Furthermore, it will be observed that the first rectangular part 22 of the longitudinal wall 14 rests flat on a concrete slab 46, with a thickness close to 400 mm for example, ie a very slightly deformable rigid platform. On the side of the free edge 24 of the rectangular part 22, the concrete slab 46 extends bevelled. The platform 46 is arranged on the surface of the ground in a recess. Therefore, it is considered as an integral part of the ground.

Opposite, and offset, two parallel concrete stringers 48, 50 extend behind and from the slab 46. Another concrete platform 52 with a thickness close to 200 mm is provided on these two stringers 48, 50.

The two stringers 48, 50 are also cast on the surface of the ground in a recess arranged for this purpose. And the concrete platform 52 which forms a bridge between the two, is also an integral part of the ground.

Also, the installation 10 comprises two opposite side supports 54, 56 installed on the other concrete platform 52, respectively in line with the two stringers 48, 50. In this way, the two side supports 54, 56 are perfectly stabilized with respect to on the ground and also, one in relation to the other.

Each of the two opposite side supports 54, 56 have a median foot 58 and two opposite inclined legs 60, 62 from each other with respect to the median foot 58. The three feet being aligned in the same plane in line with the corresponding sill . In addition, each of the two side supports 54, 56 has a fourth inner foot 64. In this way, the two supports 54, 56 are in stable support on the other concrete platform 52.

Also, each of the supports 54, 56 comprises a top 66 surmounted by a fixing lug 68.

In correspondence, the receptacle 12 has two lateral fixing yokes 70, 72, integral with the framework of the walls 14, 16, 18 and 20 and located on either side of the open outlet end 32, to come respectively straddling the fixing lugs 68.

In addition, the two lateral attachment yokes 70, 72 and the attachment lugs 68 engaged inside, are respectively traversed by a connecting shaft 74. In this way, the receptacle 12 is connected in rotation to the two opposite lateral supports 54, 56, along a substantially horizontal line connecting the two connecting shafts 74.

We partially find on the , in vertical axial section, the connection shaft 74 passing through the lateral attachment yoke 70 and the attachment lug 68 located at the top 66 of the support 54. In addition, the attachment lug 68 has a ball joint 76 engaged at the inside and through which the connecting shaft 74 passes. Such a ball joint 76 makes it possible to correct the misalignment of the axes of the various elements engaged in each other, while maintaining optimum support.

Of course, the receptacle 12 and the other opposite side support 56 are connected together in the same way.

We will refer again to the on which it will be observed that the installation 10 comprises two lateral hydraulic cylinders opposite each other with respect to the receptacle 12, and of which only one 78 appears on the .

The hydraulic cylinder 78 has a body 80 with a length substantially equal to 2 m, and a rod 82 extending inside the body 80.

The rod 82 has a free end 84 pivotally mounted on an encroachment 86 anchored on the other platform 52 in line with the sill 48. In addition, the body 80 of the hydraulic cylinder 78 has a lower end 88 mounted integral with the receptacle 12 thanks to trunnions articulated substantially at the level of the longitudinal wall 14.

Advantageously, the distance separating the encroachment 86 and the connecting shaft 74 is for example between 1.50 m and 2.50 m depending on its horizontal component.

The other lateral hydraulic cylinder is connected to the receptacle 14 on the other side in a completely analogous and symmetrical manner. He is here masked on the by the receptacle 14 itself.

Also, the installation 10 comprises a conveyor 90 installed at the rear of the receptacle 14 and of which it is entirely integral. The conveyor 90 comprises a receiving end 92 which is held opposite the outlet end 32, and an opposite free end 94. The latter is held to the receptacle by two arms opposite each other 96, 98. The conveyor 90 is thus held in a fixed position on the receptacle 12, in alignment with the longitudinal wall 14 and at an angle of between 120° and 90° for example, with respect to this longitudinal wall 14.

Also, the conveyor 90 comprises a conveyor belt 100 adapted to be driven in rotation by means of a geared motor 102 installed near the free end 94 of the conveyor 10.

Furthermore, the installation 10 comprises locking members of the receptacle 12 comprising two locking yokes 104, respectively installed on the opposite side supports 54, 56, while the receptacle 12 comprises two rearwardly projecting branches 106. These latter are adapted to cooperate respectively with the locking yokes 104 as will be explained below.

We find more detail on the the locking yoke 104 mounted on the rear inclined feet 60 of the side support 54, and the projecting branch 106, the end of which has a recess 108.

As will be explained below, the pivoting of the receptacle 12 around the connecting shaft 74, thanks to the action of the hydraulic cylinder 78 will allow, at the end of its travel, the engagement of the projecting branch 106 in the locking yoke 104. We will explain in more detail in the remainder of the description how this locking takes place.

We will now refer to the showing the installation 10 as represented on the in front profile view and inside which is installed a truck 110 equipped with a bucket 112 of aggregates. The bucket 112 is tilted backwards.

Skip 112 contained, for example, 35 t of aggregates, for example sand and gravel of the silico-limestone type and massive limestone with a grain size between 2 mm and 50 mm.

Beforehand, the tipper truck was moved back inside the receptacle 12 on the rectangular part 22 of the longitudinal wall 14, between the two facing side walls 16, 18. The dumpster 112 was tilted backwards to empty the contents inside the receptacle 12. Also, the truck 110 drives the dumpster 112 thus tilted substantially towards the outside of the receptacle 112 so as to completely empty the dumpster 112 on the longitudinal wall 14.

Then, the dumpster 112 is lowered and the truck moves away from the receptacle 12 so as to release it.

Therefore, and as will be explained below, the receptacle 12 will be able to be lifted and its contents will be able to be delivered gradually to another installation, while the truck 110 equipped with its tipper 112 will be able to reach its loading point. without having to wait.

Advantageously, a noria of trucks can be implemented between the installation 10 and said loading point, in order to be able to supply the receptacle with aggregates at a high frequency.

The advantage of the object of the present invention is to be able to supply another installation with aggregates, for example, at a certain relatively continuous rate, which rate is lower than that provided by the instantaneous unloading of the bucket 112. Also, the installation 10, object of the invention allows the supply of the other installation without recovery of the contents of the bucket and therefore without additional means of backhoe loader type for example.

Thus, after the truck 110 has left the receptacle 12, the latter is driven in pivoting around the connecting shafts 74, connecting it to the two opposite side supports 54, 56, thanks to the two side cylinders 78.

We find on the the receptacle 12 thus straightened, while the conveyor 90 is substantially inclined above a take-up conveyor 114. And the free end 94 of the conveyor 90 opens out to the right of the take-up conveyor 114.

During the pivoting of the receptacle 12, the aggregates it contains tend to be driven by gravity into the part forming the hopper towards the outlet end 32 of the receptacle 12.

Also, the outlet end 32 is advantageously equipped with a movable closure hatch, not shown, and making it possible to prevent the flow of aggregates through the outlet end 32, as long as the receptacle 12 is not not fully straightened and the conveyor 10 is not in operation.

As soon as the receptacle 12 is fully straightened as illustrated in the , the branch 106 has come to engage in the locking yoke 104, and this, on both sides of the outlet end 32.

We find on the , in more detail, the branch 106 engaged in the locking clevis 104. Also, the end of the projecting branch 106, which has a recess 108, is housed entirely in the locking clevis 104.

And laterally, it is equipped with a locking pin 116 which is found in axial section on the .

Thus, on the , in addition to the locking pin 116, there is the locking clevis 104 and the recess 108 of the branch 106 in the center of the clevis 104.

Also, the locking pin 106 is intended to be driven in translation by means of an actuator 118 through the locking yoke 104 and the branch 106 to secure them to each other. The locking axis 106 is controllable in translations thanks to the actuator 118, both to secure the clevis 104 and the branch 106 and conversely, to release them.

As soon as the receptacle 12 has been fully straightened, and held in a fixed position thanks to the locking pins 116, as illustrated in the , the conveyor 17 is put into operation and hence the conveyor belt 100 is driven, on the top of the conveyor 90, from the outlet end 32 of the receptacle 12 towards its free end 94. The movable closing hatch can then be released from the outlet end 32 to release the aggregates which, by gravity, fall directly onto the receiving end 92 of the conveyor 90. The conveyor belt 100 then drives the aggregates to the free end 94 of the conveyor 90 so that these finally fall into the recovery conveyor 114.

The conveyor belt 100 is for example driven at a linear speed of between 0.5 m/s and 1 m/s, and the flow rate of the conveyor 90 is then close to 200 kg per second. These conditions of implementation are of course adapted according to the capacities of the reception conveyor 114. Under the aforementioned conditions, 35 t of aggregates brought by the dump truck can be evacuated through the recovery conveyor 114 in three minutes.

Claims (7)

Installation for unloading solid bulk goods (10) comprising a receptacle (12) adapted to receive a given volume of solid bulk goods from a dumpster (112) of a motor vehicle (110) resting on the ground, said receptacle (12) comprising a plurality of walls (14, 16, 18, 20) delimiting an inlet end (44), the walls of said plurality of walls converging towards an outlet end (32) forming a hopper opposite said end of entry to allow gravity flow of said given volume of solid bulk goods outside of said receptacle (12), one (14) of said walls of said receptacle (12) extending along a longitudinal component and along a transverse component;
characterized in that said receptacle (12) is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis substantially parallel to said transverse component of said one (14) of said walls, said pivot axis extending above ground level along a line intersecting said outlet end (32);
and in that said receptacle (12) is movable in pivoting, between a lying position in which said one (14) of said walls is supported at ground level to be able to accommodate said motor vehicle inside said receptacle (12) and to authorize the unloading of said given volume of bulk solid merchandise on said one (14) of said walls, and a raised position, after said motor vehicle has left said receptacle, to cause the gravity flow of said given volume of solid merchandise in bulk. Unloading installation according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two opposite side supports (54, 56), and in that the said outlet end (32) is rotatably mounted on the said side supports. Unloading installation according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it further comprises a support platform (46) located at ground level to receive said one (14) of said supporting walls. Unloading installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises two lifting members (78) connected to the said receptacle (12) and resting on the ground, the said lifting members (78) being opposite the each other with respect to said one (14) of said walls of said receptacle (12). Unloading installation according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said lifting elements (78) are hydraulic jacks. Unloading installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises a conveyor (90) integrally mounted outside of the said receptacle (12), the said conveyor (90) comprising a receiving end ( 100) located opposite said outlet end (32) and an opposite free end (94). Unloading installation according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises locking members (104, 106) to hold the said receptacle in the raised position.