WO1998008663A1

WO1998008663A1 - Dismountable concrete mixer

Info

Publication number: WO1998008663A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/001532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis Lamure
Original assignee: Ateliers De Saint-Denis
Priority date: 1996-08-30
Filing date: 1997-08-27
Publication date: 1998-03-05
Also published as: AU4121497A; EP0923437A1; FR2752767B1; FR2752767A1

Abstract

A concrete mixer (1) comprises a frame (12), struts (13, 14), a mixing trough (2) which turns about a rotation axis (R), a stirrup (3) supporting the trough (2) for its rotation, the stirrup-trough assembly capable of being tilted, a driving assembly (8), said driving assembly (8) comprising in particular a housing (24), a motor (26), its transmission (43, 44, 46), a driving shaft (27) and a pinion (9) for driving the trough (2) meshing with an annular gear (11) fixed around the trough (2). The driving assembly (8) comprises a piece for nesting it onto the frame (12), the piece (31) being fixed on the housing (24) of the driving assembly (8) and allowing through a bearing (37) for the driving shaft (27). The invention is useful for concrete mixer capable of being mounted and dismounted.

Description

DEMOUNTABLE CONCRETE

The present invention relates to a concrete mixer which can be assembled and disassembled.

In the field of construction and building and in the field of sale in specialized stores, it is essential to have dismantled concrete mixers delivered ready to assemble. All the constituent parts of a dismantled concrete mixer are then placed in a compact carton. For the manufacturer, the assembly costs of demountable concrete mixers are reduced and transport by truck or container of cartons of dismantled concrete mixers is particularly easy and shipments are optimized. For the seller, the storage and stacking of cartons containing dismantled concrete mixers takes up little space and requires little space. And for the buyer or user, the storage of their removable concrete mixer before or after use occupies a small storage volume. An cement mixer in kit which can be easily assembled and disassembled at will, with an assembly plan, without particular technical skills and without complex tools, is thus an advantage.

State of the art

Dismountable or non-dismountable concrete mixers are of the type which include a mixing tank for cement, water and loads. The tank which rotates around an axis of rotation is set in motion by a drive assembly. A stirrup supports the tank for this rotation and the stirrup-tank couple can be more or less tilted with respect to a horizontal axis for loading the ingredients, for mixing and for pouring the freshly made concrete. A chassis provides ground support and stability for the concrete mixer. The drive assembly comprises in particular a protective housing, an electric or thermal motor, its transmission, a drive pinion for the tank, connected to a drive shaft, and coming to mesh with a toothed ring fixed around the tank.

FR-A-1 501 571 describes a demountable concrete mixer, the drive motor of which is provided with means for fixing it to the chassis, means which allow mounting and dismounting the engine. The caliper-tank couple is removably attached to the drive motor while allowing rocking movement. To do this, retrier has a passage in which is inserted the drive shaft without its drive pinion. A major drawback lies in the fact that after having attached the drive motor and after having threaded the drive shaft into the caliper, it is necessary to mount the drive pinion, with the dangers that this represents in case of bad fixing.

US-A-3,768,785 describes a removable concrete mixer whose drive assembly, comprising a housing, is provided with first means for fixing the housing to the chassis, in order to ensure the mounting and dismounting of this housing and so of the drive assembly. The drive assembly is also provided with a device which ensures easy attachment of the drive assembly to the caliper. This device forms a passage for the drive shaft and allows the rocking movement of the caliper-tank couple. The drive assembly is also provided with second means which allow the attachment of the drive assembly to the chassis. These second means constitute a passage for the device for fixing the drive assembly to the stirrup and consequently for the drive shaft.

A first drawback is that to fix the drive assembly to the chassis, several operations have to be carried out. First, the case must be attached to the chassis. And to carry out this manipulation, the case must be opened. If an electric motor is used, the risk of causing short-circuit problems is not zero, and moreover the entry of dust and sand inside the motor is inevitable. It is then necessary to close the box. Finally, the second fixing means are fixed to the chassis forming a passage for the device for fixing the drive assembly to the stirrup. A second drawback is the lack of rigidity of this attachment of the drive assembly to the chassis. The passage for the drive shaft is subject to significant vibrations, and even if it is integral with the chassis, it is not directly connected to this same drive assembly. Statement of the invention

The problem is to make a concrete mixer whose drive assembly can be very easily assembled and disassembled.

The object of the invention is to overcome the complexity of mounting and dismounting conventional drive assemblies, by providing mounting means having the double function of forming a passage for the drive shaft and of serving for fixing. from the drive assembly to the chassis.

A removable concrete mixer includes a chassis, feet, a mixing tank which rotates around an axis of rotation, a bracket supporting the tank for rotation, the couple of stirrup-tank which can be tilted, a drive assembly and a device for the removable fixing of the stirrup to the drive assembly, said drive assembly comprising in particular a housing, a motor, its transmission, a drive shaft and a drive pinion of the tank meshing with a toothed crown fixed around the tank.

According to the invention, the concrete mixer is characterized in that the drive assembly comprises means for its removable mounting to the chassis, the means being associated with the housing of the drive assembly and forming a passage for the drive shaft. 'training. Thus thanks to these means, and in a single fixing operation, the operator makes a rigid mounting, on the chassis, of the drive assembly, comprising housing and passage for the drive shaft. Advantageously and to make the assembly particularly rapid, the means comprise a part which fits at the level of the chassis, and if possible is shaped identically to the part of the chassis on which they fit. The drive assembly performs the three functions of rotating the tank, tilting the stirrup-tank couple and maintaining the stirrup-tank couple on the chassis. Preferably, the drive assembly is in one piece. This expression means that it constitutes a monobloc assembly, which can be secured and separated from the rest of the concrete mixer, without requiring the installation or removal of additional elements, and without the need for additional adjustments. This configuration, set at the factory and from the start, avoids accidental openings and untimely dismantling during use.

The concrete mixer furthermore comprises, for its device for removable attachment of the stirrup to the drive assembly, a lateral element, providing a functional connection between the stirrup and the drive assembly. This lateral element is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the tank. This lateral element can be dismantled in two parts, one is permanently fixed to the drive assembly, the other is permanently fixed to one of the ends of the stirrup. The first part and the second part of the lateral element have means of the slots type intended to vary and optimize, during assembly, the position of the drive pinion relative to the crown of the tank. A second lateral element of the same conformation as that described above is fixed to the other end of the stirrup. To take up a minimum of space in a carton and ensure good mechanical strength, the first and second parts of the side element are flat with a groove. Other parts of the concrete mixer can be dismantled, tank top, tilting flywheel, right foot, left foot, wheels, mixing paddles, ring gear. The concrete mixer can be dismantled in a limited number of pieces, pieces which can be placed in a box so as to occupy a minimum space.

Other advantages of the demountable concrete mixer according to the invention will appear on reading the detailed embodiment of the invention, with reference to the drawings given by way of illustration, in which:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective of the different parts of a removable concrete mixer; - Figure 2 shows in perspective a mounted concrete mixer;

- Figure 3 shows a side view of a drive assembly;

- Figure 4 shows in perspective a detail of the mounting of the drive assembly to the chassis and the caliper;

- Figure 5 shows a partial side view of a concrete mixer without tank top with two extreme positions that the stirrup can take relative to the drive assembly; - Figure 6 shows a longitudinal view of the interior of the drive assembly of Figure 3 without the fixing device to the bracket.

Detailed description of the invention A concrete mixer 1 has a mixing tank 2, substantially in the shape of a barrel and open at one of its ends. The tank 2 rotates relative to an axis of rotation R. A stirrup 3, tubular and V-shaped, carries the tank 2 at the other of its ends, by its base. At the center of the concave part of the V of the stirrup 3, is arranged a pivot coaxial with the axis of rotation R and provided with suitable ball bearings, to allow the rotation of the tank. The caliper-tank couple can be tilted along a horizontal axis with respect to the ground, by means of a tilting flywheel 4 in different loading, concrete mixing, emptying and cleaning positions. The axis of rotation R is always perpendicular to the horizontal axis of tilt. These different positions are maintained by a rod 6, blocking a notched disc of a tilting system 7 with pivoting pivot.

A drive assembly 8 allows the rotation of the tank 2 around the axis R, by means of a drive pinion 9 meshing, according to the principle of the rack, with a toothed crown 11 disposed on the circumference of a rim of the tank 2. By orienting the concrete mixer 1, the drive assembly 8 is placed on the right; the locking rod 6, the steering wheel 4 and the tilting system 7 are placed on the left. The caliper-tank couple and the drive assembly 8 are held on a chassis 12. The chassis 12 rests on a left vertical foot 13 and on a right vertical foot 14. The right foot 14 comprises, as close to the ground, a horizontal axis at the ends of which are fixed two wheels 16 and 17 which facilitate the movement of the concrete mixer 1. In a removable concrete mixer, the tank 2 is dismantled into a tank bottom 18 and a tank top 19. Advantageously, for avoid mounting difficulties with ball bearings, and also to keep these bearings sealed and always constantly lubricated, the tank bottom 18 with the pivot at its base remain integral with the caliper 3. The chassis 12 comprises a horizontal cross member 21 of square hollow section, from which two vertical uprights, left and right, respectively 22 and 23, in hollow profile, integral with the crosspiece 21. The left foot 13, in hollow profile, is fixed in a removable manner by fitting in the lower part of the left vertical upright 22. The right foot 14, in hollow profile, is fixed removable manner by fitting in the lower part of the right vertical upright 23. The wheels 16 and 17 are inserted in a removable manner on the axis of the right foot 14.

The drive assembly 8 is organized in one piece and operatively connects the chassis 12 to the stirrup 3 and to the tank 2. It comprises a closed housing 24. The housing 24 contains a drive motor 26 and all the elements of rotation transmission. These transmission elements include in particular a rotary horizontal drive shaft 27 leaving the housing 24. The drive pinion 9 is associated with the outer end of this shaft 27.

The manner in which the drive assembly 8 connects the chassis 12 to the tank 2 for its rotation, with meshing of the pinion 9 with the ring gear 11, will be described below. Means 29, ensuring the removable mounting of the drive assembly 8 to the chassis 12, are associated with one of the faces 28 of the housing 24. Thus, the housing 24 is fixed to the chassis 12 by the vertical face 28, by which exits the horizontal drive shaft 27. In the simplest embodiment, these means 29 consist of a single piece 31 having a passage 32 for the drive shaft 27. This piece 31 is elongated , extends downwards over the entire height of the housing 24 from the passage 32 for the shaft 27 and largely exceeds the bottom of the housing 24 opposite the passage 32. This part 31 is preferably welded to the outside of the housing 24 on the face 28 of the output of the shaft 27.

The part 31 plays a double role, namely that of allowing the drive assembly 8 to be fixed to the chassis 12 and that of allowing the passage of the shaft 27. This same passage is provided with a bearing 33 with bearings with balls to ensure regular rotation of the drive shaft 27. By means of the part 31, the drive shaft 27 is supported on the chassis 12.

By its lower part which protrudes from the bottom of the housing 24, the part 31 fits into the right vertical upright 23 of the chassis 12 up to the intended mounting level. Since the straight upright 23 is a square U-shaped profile, the part 31 is shaped substantially like this straight upright 23, with a slightly lower to allow sliding without play. It could be conceived that the means 29 comprise several separate parts for forming a passage and for fixing to the frame, but requiring only a single mounting operation.

The manner in which the drive assembly 8 connects the chassis 12 to the stirrup 3, for the tilting of the stirrup-tank couple, will be described below. The mounting, and more particularly the removable mounting of the drive assembly 8 - caliper 3, is carried out by means of a first specific right lateral element 34.

As the disassembled elements of the concrete mixer 1 are placed in a cardboard as compact as possible, it is observed that the dimensions of the cardboard mainly depend on the diameter of the tank 2. But as we choose not to separate the bottom of the tank 18 from the stirrup 3, it is the length of the stirrup 3 that the size of the carton will depend on. This is why, on the one hand, the length of the stirrup 3 does not exceed the diameter of the tank 2, including the rim of the tank 2 which carries the toothed crown 11. And on the other hand, for a gain additional space, the right lateral connecting element 34 is conformed, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R of the tank or to the sides of the tank bottom 18. The side element 34 is also elongated, flat and slim. The lateral element 34 has a groove or is a rib, in order to increase its mechanical resistance to bending and to torsion. The length of this right lateral element 34 is a function of the more or less concave shape of the V of the stirrup 3, therefore of the more or less pointed shape of the tank bottom 18 and of the height of this tank bottom 18 and therefore the vertical distance between the ring gear 11 and the pivot of the tank bottom 18.

The lateral element 34 is fixed, on one side to the right end 36 of the bracket 3, and on the other side is inserted on and can rotate relative to the drive shaft 27. It can be removably attached to it. In order to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of the stirrup 3 relative to the drive assembly 8, it has been chosen to separate the lateral element 34 into two parts 38 and 39. These parts 38 and 39 may have a length equal or different, the length of the complete side element 34 to be respected.

The first 38 of the two parts of the right lateral element 34 comprises in its upper portion an opening for a passage, into which a bearing 37 is inserted. The first part 38 is fixed to the drive assembly 8 by engagement of the bearing 37 on the bearing 33 of the drive shaft 27, behind the drive pinion 9, so that the tilting takes place on the bearing 33, the axis of tilting of the caliper-tank couple being the drive shaft 27. The first part 38 of the lateral element 34 is shaped, in its entire lower portion after its bearing 37, with a slightly pronounced projection, to make it slightly deviate, while remaining parallel to the axis of rotation R, of the part 31 of the drive assembly 8.

The second 39 of the two parts of the lateral element 34 is permanently fixed by its lower portion to the right end 36 of the stirrup 3.

Thus, the first part 38 of the side element 34 can be removably assembled with the second part 39 of the side element 34. The faces opposite the first part 38 and the second part 39 enter and are rigidly held in contact with each other. The projection of the first part 38 and the corresponding spacing serve to facilitate this mounting. The first part 38 and the second part 39 are elongated, flat and thin, each with a complementary groove or ribs.

In traditional demountable or non-demountable concrete mixers, it has been found that the rotation of the tank 2 was not always as regular as desired. The engagement of the drive pinion 9 with the ring gear 11 is not always perfect. This problem is sometimes due to the shape of the stirrup. Thus, according to the invention, the position of the drive pinion 9 can be varied relative to the toothed ring 11 of the tank, by adjusting the height H of the assembly before a rigid attachment. drive 8 relative to the caliper-tank couple (dotted representation of the caliper 3a in FIG. 5).

To do this, the first part 38 and the second part 39 of the lateral element 34 have been provided with means intended to vary this height H. These means are preferably slots 41 longitudinal with respect to the first part 38 and the second part 39 of the lateral element 34 for screws. The operator, during assembly of the concrete mixer 1 thus makes an adjustment and obtains a regular and silent meshing.

It can thus be observed that the drive assembly 8 comprises a stirrup element 3, in the form of the first part 38 of the lateral element 34, and a vertical upright element 23 of chassis, in the form of the Exhibit 31. The manner in which the tilting system 7 connects the chassis 12 to the stirrup 3, for the tilting of the stirrup-tank couple, will be described below. This mounting is carried out by means of a second specific left lateral element 42, which provides a functional connection between the stirrup 3 and the tilting system 7 of the stirrup-tank pair.

It could also be conceived that the left lateral element 42 separates into two parts of equal or different length (not shown). One of the two parts would remain integral with the stirrup 3. The other part would remain integral with the tilting system 7. It would be possible to assemble or disassemble the two parts. Analogous to the first right side element 34, and still to save space in a storage box, the left side element 42 is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R of the tank 2. This left side element 42 or else l both of its constituent parts are elongated, thin and flat and have a groove or are ribs. The tilting system 7 is then fixed removably by fitting to the left vertical upright 22 of the chassis 12. By this position diametrically opposite the drive pinion 9 relative to the tank 2, the tilting of the stirrup-tank couple takes place perfectly along the tilt axis defined by the drive shaft 27. The tilt flywheel 4 of the caliper-tank couple is removably attached to the tilt system 7. The locking rod 6 with its return spring is fixed removably to the left foot 13 and abuts at the bottom of a notch of the notched disc for positioning the tilting system 7.

As it is desired to have in the closed housing 24, a drive assembly without adjustment, the transmission elements are chosen so as to require no intervention on the part of the user for their optimal operation. Either, a pinion of the drive motor 26 meshes directly with an internal drive pinion, which is connected to it to the external drive pinion 9 by the shaft 27. Or, a toothed pulley 43 of the drive motor 26 is connected by a toothed belt 46 to an internal toothed pulley 44 which it is connected to the external drive pinion 9 by the shaft 27. This latter training mode is advantageous, since it is a positive training, without skating problems, and without adjustment by the user. In addition, it makes the concrete mixer 1 particularly silent, while retaining the identical mechanical characteristics of the direct drives with two pinions. The box 24 meets the standards for double insulation class II, at least a degree of protection IP 44. The power supply is done in compliance with European regulations in force to date.

Advantageously, the ring gear 11 is made of composite material and can be dismantled in several sections, which allows its replacement in the event of wear. The same is true for the two mixing paddles placed at the bottom of the tank 2.

All the separate elements, the parts separated from the concrete mixer 1 are fixed to each other rigidly by means of coincident lights provided for screws and nuts. In an assembly example, the user takes his concrete mixer out of the box, assembles the two wheels 16, 17 to the horizontal axis of the right foot 14, inserts this obtained right foot and the left foot 13 into the chassis 12, places this vertically last, fits the drive assembly 8 in the upright upright 23, fixes the sections of the toothed ring 11 on the periphery of the tank bottom 18, fits the caliper-tank bottom couple by the tilting system 7 in the left vertical upright 22, fixes the first part 38 of the right side element 34 to the second part 39, matches the teeth of the drive pinion 9 with the teeth of the toothed crown 11, has the stirrup 3 with its bottom tank 18 tip of the V downwards, rotate the tank bottom 18 by hand, check if the engagement is regular, if necessary readjust the mounting of the first part 38 of the right side element 34 to the second part 39, fixes the tilt wheel 4 , attaches the locking rod 6, fixes the mixing paddles, closes the tank with the tank top 19, connects the supply and can thus start mixing concrete.

The concrete mixer according to the invention is not limited by the details of the embodiments and of the examples chosen to illustrate it. Any other fixing device may also be suitable. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Concrete mixer which can be assembled and disassembled (1), comprising a frame (12), feet (13, 14) a mixing tank (2) which rotates around an axis of rotation (R), a stirrup (3 ) supporting the tank (2) for rotation, the couple of stirrup-tank can be tilted, a drive assembly (8) and a device (34) for the removable fixing of the stirrup (3) to the assembly of drive (8), said drive assembly (8) comprising in particular a housing (24), a motor (26), its transmission (43, 44, 46), a drive shaft (27) and a pinion drive (9) of the tank (2) meshing with a toothed ring (11) fixed around the tank (2), characterized in that the drive assembly (8) comprises means (29) for its removable mounting to the chassis (12), the means (29) being associated with the housing (24) of the drive assembly (8) and forming a passage (32) for the drive shaft (27).

2. Concrete mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive assembly (8) is organized in one piece, functionally connecting the chassis

(12) to the stirrup (3) and to the tank (2), and being able to be detached from the frame (12), the stirrup (3) and the tank (2).

3. Concrete mixer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (29) for the removable mounting of the drive assembly (8) to the frame (12) comprise a part (31) which allows interlocking between the drive assembly (8) and the chassis (12).

4. Concrete mixer according to claim 3, characterized in that the interlocking piece (31) fits with a vertical upright (23) of the frame (12).

5. Concrete mixer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the interlocking part (31) is shaped substantially like the vertical upright (23) of the frame (12).

6. Concrete mixer according to claim 3 to 5, characterized in that the interlocking piece (31) is permanently fixed vertically on an outer face (28) of the housing (24) of the drive assembly (8).

7. Concrete mixer according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the interlocking part (31) comprises an opening for passing a bearing (33) of the drive shaft (27).

8. Concrete mixer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for the removable fixing of the stirrup (3) to the drive assembly (8) comprises a first lateral element (34) substantially parallel to the 'axis of rotation (R) of the tank (2), providing a functional connection between the stirrup (3) and the drive assembly (8).

9. Concrete mixer according to claim 8, characterized in that the first lateral element (34) can be removably or permanently assembled at one of the ends (36) of the stirrup (3) and removably or at remains with the drive assembly (8).

10. Concrete mixer according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the first lateral element (34) comprises a first part (38) and a second part (39) of equal or different length, the first part (38) of the side element (34) which can be removably assembled with the second part (39) of the side element (34).

11. Concrete mixer according to claim 10, characterized in that the first (38) of the two parts of the first lateral element (34) is permanently fixed to the drive assembly (8), having as axis of rotation the drive shaft (27).

12. Concrete mixer according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the second part (39) of the first lateral element (34) is permanently fixed to one of the ends (36) of the stirrup (3).

13. Concrete mixer according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the first part (38) and the second part (39) of the first lateral element (34) have means (41) intended to vary the position of the drive pinion (9) relative to the ring gear (11) of the tank (2).

14. Concrete mixer according to claim 13, characterized in that the means intended to vary the position are slots (41) longitudinal with respect to the first part (38) and to the second part (39) of the first lateral element (34 ).

15. Concrete mixer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive assembly (8) comprises both a stirrup element (3), in the form of the first part (38), and a chassis part (31) in the form of the interlocking part (31).

16. Concrete mixer according to claim 15, characterized in that in the housing (24), a toothed pulley (43) of the drive motor (26) is connected to a toothed inner drive pulley (44) by a toothed belt (46).

17. Concrete mixer according to claim 15, characterized in that in the housing (24), a pinion of the drive motor (26) meshes directly with an internal drive pinion.

18. Concrete mixer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second lateral element (42), substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (R) of the tank (2), and providing a functional connection between caliper (3) and the tilting system (7) of the caliper-tank couple.

19. Concrete mixer according to claim 18, characterized in that the second lateral element (42) is removably attached to the tilting system (7) or to the stirrup (3) and / or separates into two parts of equal length or different.

20. Concrete mixer according to one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that the first lateral element (34) or the first part (38) of the first lateral element (34) and the second part (39) of the first lateral element ( 34), the second lateral element (42) or the two parts of the second lateral element (34) are elongated, thin and flat.

21. Concrete mixer according to claim 20, characterized in that the first lateral element (34) or the first part (38) and the second part (39) of the first lateral element (34), the second lateral element (42) or the two parts of the second side member (34) are ribs or have a groove.

22. Concrete mixer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank (2) comprises a tank bottom (18) and a tank top (19), the tank bottom (18) being mounted for permanent rotation on the stirrup (3), the tank top (19) being removed from the tank bottom (18).

23. Concrete mixer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, removably attached to the frame (12), a left foot (13) and a right foot (14) comprising two removable wheels (16, 17 ), a tilting flywheel (4) of the caliper-tank couple removably attached to the tilting system (7), a locking rod (6) of the tilting system (7) removably attached to the front leg (13) , the ring gear (11) separating from the bottom of the tank (18) into several sections and two removable mixing paddles.