GB2355749A

GB2355749A - A cleaning vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2355749A
Application number: GB0025693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Der Valk Ferdinandus Van; Dijk Leonardus Hendrikus J Van
Original assignee: Vandervalk & Degroot BV
Current assignee: Vandervalk & Degroot BV
Priority date: 1999-10-21
Filing date: 2000-10-19
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-19
Also published as: BE1012961A3; NL1013366C2; GB2355749B; GB0025693D0

Abstract

A cleaning vehicle for sucking out media, includes a vacuum installation (3), a storage tank (1), and a suction hose (2) having a free end and having an end which is connected to the storage tank (1), to which suction hose an underpressure can be applied by means of the vacuum installation. A suction hose guide structure supports part of the suction hose in such a way that it can be positioned, and actuable positioning means for positioning the free end (11) of the suction hose by means of a movement of the guide structure. The suction hose guide structure includes a segmented arm assembly (5) which has at least two arm segments (7, 8) which are hingedly connected to one another, which arm segments together define a curved shape and support the suction hose in a predetermined curvature, the suction hose being guided displaceably over the arm segments, and movement means (10) being provided in order to enable the arm segments to be rotated with respect to one another so as to reduce or increase the curvature of that part of the suction hose which is guided over a hinge point (6).

Description

2355749 A CLEANING VEHICLE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning vehicle for sucking out media, the vehicle being intended in particular for cleaning sewers and drains.

Background to the Invention

A cleaning vehicle which has hitherto been in widespread use by the applicant comprises a storage tank which is positioned on a chassis and to which a vacuum can be applied by means of a vacuum pump. On the rear side, the storage tank is provided with a connection nipple, to which one or more sections of suction hose can be coupled. During use, a driver parks the vehicle at, for example, a drain and manually connects the one or more sections of suction hose to the storage tank. The free end of the suction hose is then guided into the drain, after which the vacuum installation is switched on and the drain can be sucked empty. The slurry which is sucked out and consists predominantly of mud and water enters the tank, where the solid particles can settle. The liquid fraction can be filtered and, if desired, rendered suitable for further use, for example for high-pressure spraying into sewers and 25 drains. A drawback of this known vehicle is that the sections of suction hose have to be coupled and moved manually, which is very heavy and awkward work in view of the considerable weight of these sections. A further drawback is that kinks are often formed in the suction hose, for example over the edge of the drain. This may damage the suction hose and, during operation, blockages are frequent at the location of the kinks or other sharp bends in the suction hose. The blockages may, for example, be caused by sticky or other elongate objects which have entered the drain. Changes in pressure which occur during the formation 2 and clearing of blockages may cause the suction hose to flap dangerously sideways and upwards.

To make it easier to move the heavy sections of suction 35 hose, a cleaning vehicle having a hoist which is 5 provided on an arm projecting behind the vehicle is known. It will be clear that the risk of kinking and blockages is not eliminated by the hoist.

variants of cleaning vehicles with a winch device, onto which several meters of suction hose are wound, provided on top of the storage tank are also known. During use, an operator can unwind the desired number of meters of suction hose from the hoist device. Consequently, there is no longer any need to move separate, heavy sections of suction hose. However, one drawback is that, during use, it is always necessary for suction to take place through the entire length of the suction hose, even if only a very short length is required. Consequently, a relatively heavyduty and expensive vacuum installation is required. There is a high risk of objects causing blockages in the suction hose. If stubborn blockages occur, in particular at the location of the turns on the winch, these blockages are very difficult and sometimes impossible to remove.

DE-A-41 14 837 discloses a cleaning vehicle in which a jib with a suction hose which can be hinged up and down and can pivot about the vehicle is provided on top of a storage tank of a cleaning vehicle. At its end, the jib comprises a curved suction-hose support which can be extended and retracted with respect to the jib.

In practice, this known cleaning vehicle has proved to have the drawback that blockages occur regularly in the suction hose, in particular at the location of the curved suction-hose support. Furthermore, the jib with suctionhose support is expensive, susceptible to faults and takes up large amounts of space. The means for hinging and pivoting the jib have to be of relatively heavy-duty design. Coupling additional sections of suction hose is still heavy work.

3 Sununary of the Invention According to the present invention, a cleaning device for sucking out media comprises:

a vacuum installation; a storage tank; a suction hose having a free end and having an end which is connected to the storage tank, to which suction hose an underpressure can be applied by means of the vacuum installation; a suction hose guide structure for supporting a part of the suction hose in such a way that it can be positioned; and actuable positioning means for positioning the free end of the suction hose by means of a movement of the guide structure, is wherein the suction hose guide structure comprises a segmented arm assembly which has at least two arm segments which are hingedly connected to one another, which arm segments together define a curved shape and support the suction hose in a predetermined curvature, the suction hose being,guided displaceably over the arm segments, and first movement means being provided in order to enable the arm segments to be rotated with respect to one another so as to reduce or increase the curvature of that part of the suction hose which is guided over a hinge point at the location of this hinge point.

In the present invention, a vehicle comprises a suction hose guide structure with a segmented arm assembly. The arm assembly comprises two or more arm segments which are hingedly connected to one another. The arm segments together define a curved shape, over which part of a suction hose is displaceably supported. The suction hose substantially follows the curved shape defined by the arm segments. The arm segments can execute a hinged movement with respect to one another via actuable first movement means. Actuation leads to the arm segments moving into a different position with respect to one another, so that the curvature of the suction hose, at least at the location of 4 the hinge point between the two arm segments which have been moved with respect to one another, is increased or reduced. The extent to which the arm segments can move with respect to one another is limited by the maximum travel of the first movement means. The actable adjustability of the arm segments has -a number of significant advantages. Should a blockage occur in the suction-hose part which is supported in the shape of a curve, it is advantageously possible for the blockage to be shaken free in the suction hose by means of suitable actuation of the first movement means. In this event, the movement means may be actuated jerkily and/or rapidly to and fro, leading to jerky and/or rapid movements of the suction hose. However, a single movement will often be enough. Since the curvature of the suction hose becomes smaller and greater during the movement, there is a considerable likelihood of an obstacle which has become jammed being deformed or broken in such a manner that it can then pass through without problems. The actuable adjustability of the arm segments furthermore enables the position and height of the free end of the suction hose to be adjusted. Consequently, the suction hose or an auxiliary suction-hose section which is coupled thereto can be accurately manoeuvred within a space which is to be sucked empty. It is also possible in this way to position the free end of the suction hose close to an auxiliary suction- hose section which is to be coupled to it, and consequently this auxiliary section has to be moved and/or lifted only slightly. All this makes the work of an operator easier. The suction hose, or an auxiliary suction- hose section which is coupled thereto, hangs freely downwards from the end of the arm assembly into a space which is to be sucked empty. Consequently, it is easy to prevent kinking at the location of the peripheral edge of the space. Finally, a significant part of the suction hose is reliably supported over the arm segments and consequently cannot perform major, hazardous flapping movements in the working area between the vehicle and the suction point in the event of sudden changes in pressure. The segmented arm assembly is of compact design and is inexpensive to produce.

The segmented arm assembly is advantageously connected to the vehicle in such a manner that it can pivot about a substantially vertical pivot shaft. Actuable second movement means are provided for rotating the arm assembly about the pivot shaft. The pivotability provides an additional freedom of movement for the arm assembly which, together with the fact that the arm segments can be hinged with respect to one another, enables the free end of the suction hose to be positioned very accurately where desired.

In particular, the segmented arm assembly is connected to the rear side of the vehicle, for example to a movable rear flap of its storage tank. As a result, it is advantageously possible for the arm assembly not to project or to project only slightly above the vehicle, making it possible to build low vehicles. Low vehicles are aerodynamic and can also get to locations which are difficult to reach. If the segmented arm assembly is connected to the movable back flap, it is possible for the storage tank to be emptied as soon as the back f lap has been opened. In this case, the arm assembly moves out of the path of the material being emptied out of the storage tank together with the back f lap and does not have to manoeuvred out of the way separately beforehand, as, for example, in DE-A-41 14 837.

More particularly, the segmented arm assembly is pivotably connected to the back of the vehicle. It is then possible for the arm assembly to be pivoted into a retracted position against the rear of the vehicle. Since, in addition, the arm segments can be to some extent folded together, it is possible to establish a travel position in which neither the suction hose nor the arm segments project beyond the contours of the cross section of the vehicle.

6 Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a preferred embodiment of a cleaning vehicle according to the invention, with a segmented arm assembly extended in the backwards direction; Fig. 2 shows a rear view of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, with an arm assembly which has been retracted into a travel position; Fig. 3 shows a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1 while an additional section of suction hose is being coupled; is Fig. 4 shows a view corresponding to that shown in LO Fig. 1, with an arm assembly which has been moved into a raised position; Fig. 5 shows a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2. of a cleaning vehicle while a drain is being sucked empty; and, Fig. 6 shows a view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2, with an arm assembly which has been extended sideways.

Detailed Description

The cleaning vehicle shown in Fig. 1 comprises a storage tank 1 with a suction hose 2 connected to it. The suction hose 2 may, for example, have a diameter of up to mm and a wall thickness of up to 10 mm. The suction hose 2 is to some extent flexible over its entire length, and is heavy and difficult to handle manually. The vehicle furthermore comprises a vacuum installation 3 for applying a pressure reduction to the storage tank 1 and the suction hose 2 connected to it. The suction hose 2 is supported by a suction hose guide structure having a segmented arm assembly 5. The arm assembly 5 comprises two arm segments 7, 8 which are hingedly connected to one another about a 7 hinge point 6. Between the two arm segments 7, 8 there is a hydraulically actuable cylinder 10 (first movement means), by means of which the angle between the arm segments 7, 8 can be reduced or increased. The suction hose 2 can be guided slideably over the arm segments 7, S. The arm segments 7, 8 together define a curved shape, via which the suction hose 2 is gradually guided from a substantially horizontal position into a substantially vertical position.

By suitable actuation of the cylinder 10, it is possible f or the curvature of the suction hose 2 to be adjusted as desired at the location of the hinge point 6, and the free end 11 of the suction hose can be moved downwards or upwards and forwards or backwards.

The arm assembly S is connected to a back flap 15 of the storage tank 1 in such a manner that it can pivot about a vertical pivot shaft 14. A hydraulically actuable cylinder 16 (second movement means), by means of which the arm assembly 5 can be rotated about the pivot shaf t 14 through an angle of approximately 1800, between a fully retracted position (Fig. 2) and a fully extended position (Fig. 6), is provided between the rear flap 15 and the arm assembly 5. Between the two positions mentioned above, the arm assembly 5 can adopt any desired position.

Furthermore, the arm assembly 5 is connected to the vehicle in such a manner that it can rotate about a horizontal hinge pin 20. In this case, a hydraulically actuable cylinder 21 (third movement means) is provided for rotating the arm assembly S about the hinge pin 20. The hinge pin 20 is connected to a pivot part 23, which can rotate about the pivot shaft 14, of the suction hose guide structure. The cylinder 21 is arranged between the arm segment 7 and the pivot part 23. The arm assembly 5 can be rotated upwards (Fig. 4) and downwards (Fig. 3) about the hinge pin 20. In this way, it is possible for the free end 11 of the suction hose to overcome considerable height differences of several metres.

8 Fig. 2 shows that, in the fully retracted position, the arm assembly 5 does not project beyond the contours of the vehicle at any point. This is advantageously achieved by the fact that the pivot shaft 15 is fitted on the left- hand side of the rear f lap 15, the entire arm assembly S can rotate downwards about the hinge pin 20, and the arm segment 8 can rotate inwards with respect to the arm segment 7. In this so-called travel position, the vehicle can be driven without risk of damage to the suction hose guide structure. During operation, and in particular during suction, the arm segments 7, 8 are preferably moved with respect to one another and with respect to the hinge pin 20 into a suction position which is such that the curvature of the suction hose 2 is optimum, in order to prevent blockages. In practice, this means achieving a good gradual curve shape with considerable curvature, it being possible for the radius of curvature in the suction position to be greater than that of the storage tank 1, which in this case is of cylindrical design.

Both the arm segment 7 and the arm segment 8 are formed by an uninterrupted curved channel. To prevent there being any possibility of the suction hose 2 falling out of the channel, the suction hose 2 is delimited at the top by loop-shaped delimiting members which are not shown. The delimiting members therefore do not hinder a sliding movement of the suction hose 2 inside the channel.

The free end 11 of the suction hose is provided with coupling means 24 for coupling auxiliary suction-hose sections 25 thereto. These auxiliary suction-hose sections 25 are situated on one side of the storage tank 1. Suitable actuation of the cylinders 10, 16, 21 advantageously enables the free end 11 of the suction hose to be moved towards the auxiliary suction-hose sections 25. Fig. 3 clearly shows that, during a coupling operation, an operator simply has to pull an auxiliary suction-hose section 25 a short distance backwards and to 9 manoeuvre the free end 11 of the suction hose towards it.

It is then easy to effect coupling. After this coupling has taken place, the arm assembly S is rotated upwards about the hinge pin 20, with the auxiliary suction-hose section 25 which has been coupled on being pulled all the way out of its support next to the storage tank 1 so that it hangs freely beneath the suction hose 2. Additional upwards movement of the suction-hose section 25 can still be brought about by rotating the arm segment 8 upwards with respect to the arm segment 7.

Fig. 5 shows that the auxiliary suction-hose section has been lowered from the elevated position shown in Fig. 5 into a drain 30. If desired, it is possible for a plurality of auxiliary suction-hose sections 25 to be added in between, making it possible to reach very deep drains. The lowering is carried out by means of suitable actuation of the cylinders 21 and/or 10. As a result, the arm segments 7, 8, together with the suction hose 2 and the auxiliary suction-hose section which is coupled thereto, move downwards. As soon as the desired penetration depth has been reached, the vacuum installation 3 can be switched on and the drain 30 can be sucked empty. If, during suction, objects become jammed in the suction hose 2 at the location of the curve, it is advantageously possible to remove this blockage by rotating the arm segments 7, 8 one or more times about the hinge point 6, the hinge pin 20 and/or the pivot shaft 14. Pulling the suction hose 2 and the auxiliary suction-hose sections 25 coupled thereto out of the drain 30 takes place in the reverse order.

Fig. 6 shows that the arm assembly 5, in the fully extended position, leaves clear a space between the vehicle and the suction hose 2. In this way, it is possible to reach over obstacles, such as guard rails, and to suck empty a drain even in such a location.

Numerous variants are conceivable in addition to the preferred embodiment shown. For example, it is also possible for the movement means to be formed by pneumatically actable cylinders or screw jacks. Instead of uninterrupted curved arm segments, it is also possible to use supporting-arm segments which are of more open design. If desired, f rict ion- reducing means, such as guide rollers, may be arranged in the arm segments. As an alternative to two arm segments, the arm assembly may also be composed of three or more arm segments. In this case, it is necessary to provide correspondingly more actuable movement means.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the connection of the suction hose 2 to the storage tank 1.

The connection is made in such a way that it no longer includes a sharp bend. Sticks and other large objects are cleared without being able to remain hanging in the tank 1. The connection comprises an elongate, rectangular inlet receptacle 40 which at one end is coupled to the suction hose 2 and at the underside is in open communication with the tank 1 (cf. Fig. 1). That end of the inlet receptacle 40 which lies opposite the suction hose connection is provided with a wearing plate which is of variable thickness and with which the flow of medium which has been sucked out collides at speeds of up to 200 km/h. The inlet receptacle 40 is provided on the front part of the tank 1. As a result, the tank 1 has a greater load at the front, which enhances the distribution of the weight of the solid fraction of the medium which has been extracted over the axles of the vehicle. Since, in addition, the inlet receptacle 40 is positioned to the side of the top of the cylindrical storage tank 1, it does not increase the height of the vehicle. The inlet receptacle can advantageously also be used in combination with other types of suction hose guide structures.

Therefore, the invention provides a cleaning vehicle with a suction hose guide structure which makes the work of an operator considerably easier and, moreover, much safer, without detracting from the positional flexibility I 11 of the suction hose. There arescarcely any further blockages in the suction hose, and such blockages as do arise can easily be removed by means of a suitable actuation of the various movement means of the segmented arm assembly.

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Claims

1 A cleaning device for sucking out media comprising:

a vacuum installation; a storage tank; a suction hose having a free end and having an end which is connected to the storage tank, to which suction hose an underpressure can be applied by means of the vacuum installation; a suction hose guide structure for supporting a part of the suction hose in such a way that it can be positioned; and actuable positioning means for positioning the free end of the suction hose by means of a movement of the guide structure, wherein the suction hose guide structure comprises a segmented arm assembly which has at least two arm segments which are hingedly connected to one another, which arm segments together define a curved shape and support the suction hose in a predetermined curvature, the suction hose being guided displaceably over the arm segments, and first movement means being provided in order to enable the arm segments to be rotated with respect to one another so as to reduce or increase the curvature of that part of the suction hose which is guided over a hinge point at the location of this hinge point.

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the segmented arm assembly is pivotably connected to the vehicle about a substantially vertical pivot shaft, and second movement means are provided for rotating the arm assembly about the pivot shaft.

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3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the segmented arm assembly is connected to the rear side of the vehicle.

4. A cleaning device according to claims 2 and 3, in which the segmented arm assembly can be pivoted into a retracted position, until it is against the rear side of the vehicle, and the arm segments can be rotated with respect to one another into a travel position in which 10 the curvature is smaller than or the same as the outermost contours of the cross section of the vehicle.

5. A cleaning device according to claim 4, in which the LO segmented arm assembly is connected to one side of the 15 rear of the vehicle.

6. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the segmented arm assembly is connected to the vehicle in such a manner that it can 20 execute a hinged movement about a substantially horizontal hinge pin, and third movement means are provided for rotating the arm assembly about the hinge pin. 25

7. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each arm segment comprises a channel shape which provides substantially uninterrupted support for the suction hose. 30

8. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the free end of the suction hose is provided with coupling means for auxiliary suction- hose sections to be coupled to. 35

9. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the movement means comprise hydraulically or pneumatically actuable cylinders.

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10. A cleaning device substantially as shown in and/or described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.