WO2021094654A1

WO2021094654A1 - A screening device

Info

Publication number: WO2021094654A1
Application number: PCT/FI2020/050747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arto Suojala
Original assignee: Huvilaveistämö A. Suojala
Priority date: 2019-11-14
Filing date: 2020-11-12
Publication date: 2021-05-20
Also published as: FI128703B; FI20195972A1

Abstract

A screening device is described herein that is connectable to a working machine such as a tractor or a front loader. The screening device has a rotatable drum (10) having a longitudinal axis, wherein the drum (10) has one open end. The material to be screened may be scooped in using the open end of the rotatable drum (10). The open end of the rotatable drum (10) is closable by a blocking plate (19) that is connected to a swivel arm (17).

Description

A SCREENING DEVICE BACKGROUND

The invention relates to machines for moving and sorting rocks or other objects. More specifically, the invention relates to screening devices as an attachment to a working machine such as a tractor or a front loader.

Trommel screens and screening devices having a drum being rotated about its longitudinal axis are known in the prior art. The drum has one open end, and the material to be screened enters the drum via the open end. The drum has openings on its side that allow small particles to fall through when rotating the drum. Such devices operate by scooping the material through the drum’s open end, lifting the open end up and rotating the drum. The drum may not be lifted to completely upright position, as the material exiting the drum would fall uncontrollably around the drum and partially over the working machine. With smaller lifting angles, the open end of the drum may release some of the unscreened material. That results to two piles near each other; the screened material and the unscreened material that may easily get mixed.

US8534371 B1 discloses one example of a front end loader attachment for picking and sorting objects. The attachment has a drum rotated about its longitudinal axis, wherein sidewalls of the drum comprises a plurality of openings.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

A screening device is described herein that is connectable to a working machine such as a tractor or a front loader. The screening device has a rotatable drum having a longitudinal axis, wherein the drum has one open end. The material to be screened may be scooped in using the open end of the rotatable drum. The rotatable drum has openings that allow smaller particles of the material to fall through when the drum is rotated. The rotatable drum is connected to a frame from its rotating base. Means for connecting the screening device to the working machine are also connected to the frame.

The open end of the rotatable drum is closable by a blocking plate that is connected to a swivel arm. The swivel arm is connected to the frame. The blocked open end ensures that only the small sized material or particles will fall through the openings and the larger objects will stay inside the rotatable drum. The blocking plate may rotate along the rotating drum. In one embodiment the blocking plate is connected to the swivel arm by a bearing arranged at the longitudinal axis of the rotatable drum.

In one embodiment the screening device comprises multiple rotatable drums arranged side by side. In one example three rotatable drums may scoop the material in simultaneously. The arrangement allows more material to be screened in less time.

The closable open end of the rotatable drum allows the working machine to travel short distances without spilling the material to be screened. The larger particles remain inside the drum, allowing free selection of the position for the pile of screened material. The structure of having the rotatable drum supported only from the base is easy and affordable to manufacture. The rotating parts such as bearings are kept at a distance from the material to be screened, providing added protection to the bearings. Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations which solve any or all the disadvantages of screening devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically side view of one exemplary embodiment in a closed position;

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically front view of one exemplary embodiment in the closed position; FIG. 3 illustrates schematically side view of one exemplary embodiment in an open position;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically side view of one exemplary embodiment having multiple rotatable drums.

FIG. 5a illustrates schematically side view of one exemplary embodiment in a closed position having side rollers;

FIG. 5b illustrates schematically front view of the same embodiment; and

FIG. 6 illustrates schematically side view of one exemplary embodiment in a closed position having side rollers.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein as being implemented as a tractor attachment, they are provided as an example and not a limitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitable for application in a variety of different types of working machines.

One exemplary embodiment of a screening device for a material to be screened is illustrated as a side view in FIG. 1. One application for the screening device is a rock picker and tumbler. A user may scoop top layer of soil into a drum and rotate the drum to separate the rocks from the soil. The screening device is applicable for collecting and moving objects besides rocks, and for purposes other than cleaning fields. The screening device may be used to separate fine constituents from excavated materials such as topsoil, and coarse constituents such as rocks, roots or root crops.

The screening device according to FIG. 1 comprises a first rotatable drum 10. The first rotatable drum 10 has a base 12 at a first end. Sidewalls 11 are connected to the base 12. The sidewalls 11 define an opening at the second end, opposite to the base 12. The first rotatable drum 10 is connected to a frame 14 rotated around its longitudinal axis. In one example the first rotatable drum 10 is rotated by a motor connected to an axle, wherein the axle is connected via a bearing to the base 12. In one example the motor is connected to a roller 13 configured to rotate the base 12. The motor is in one example a hydraulic motor receiving its power from the working machine via a mount 15.

The sidewalls 11 are in the present example longitudinal bars that are connected to the base 12 and to a front edge 20 at the second end of the first rotatable drum 10. In one embodiment the front edge 20 is part of the sidewall 11 and defines the opening at the second end. Distances between the longitudinal bars define a plurality of openings to the sidewalls 11. The distances define the magnitude of particles that may fall though the screening device. In one embodiment the first rotatable drum 10 is replaceable, wherein the desired size of the openings to the sidewalls 11 may be selected by installing the first rotatable drum 10 having the desired plurality of openings. In one embodiment the openings to the sidewalls 11 are defined by a wire mesh.

In one embodiment the sidewalls 11 comprise a support structure for the wire mesh and the wire mesh is arranged inside, leaning against the sidewalls 11. The wire mesh may be replaceable by an alternative wire mesh having different mesh size.

The frame 14 comprises means for rotating the first rotatable drum 10. In one example the motor is mounted to the frame 14 and the motor rotates the first rotatable drum 10. The frame 14 comprises the mount 15 for mounting the screening device to a working machine, such as the tractor or the front loader. The mount 15 may comprise means for receiving electric and/or hydraulic power from the working machine’s power outlet. The screening device may be tilted, lifted and/or rotated according to working machine’s abilities by the mount 15. The frame 14 provides support for the structure between the working machine and the first rotatable drum 10. In one embodiment the frame 14 is a sturdy steel bar comprising the mounting means and the auxiliary devices. The frame 14 may comprise alternative shapes and sizes configured to support the structure.

A first end of a swivel arm 17 is connected to the frame 14. In one embodiment the swivel arm 17 is connected to the frame 14 in a position between the base 12 of the first rotatable drum 10 and the mount 15. The swivel arm 17 swings from the first end connected to the frame 14. A blocking plate 19 is connected to a second end of the swivel arm 17. A linear actuator 16, for example a hydraulic cylinder, is connected between the swivel arm 17 and the frame 14. The linear actuator 16 extends and retracts and causes a reciprocating motion to the swivel arm 14. The blocking plate 19 at the end of the swivel arm 14 reciprocates between an open position and a closed position. The closed position is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which shows a front view of the screening device. The blocking plate 19 is illustrated as being round, but other shapes are possible. In the closed position the blocking plate 19 is positioned over the opening at the second end of the first rotatable drum 10. The blocking plate 19 is connected to the swivel arm 17 by a bearing 18 that allows the blocking plate 19 to rotate along the first rotatable drum 10. The bearing 18 is positioned at the longitudinal axis of the first rotatable drum 10, when the blocking plate 19 is in the closed position.

The open position is illustrated in FIG. 3. In the open position the blocking plate 19 allows the rotatable drum 10 to scoop up the material to be screened via the opening at the second end. The swivel arm 17 is configured to lift the blocking plate 19 from covering the opening. The lifting angle and the direction of the open position may be adjusted to match the needs of the application. In one embodiment, in the open position the blocking plate 19 is moved to the side of the first rotatable drum 10.

In one exemplary embodiment the swivel arm 17 comprises a support roller 13 that is configured to rotate against the first rotatable drum 10 or the blocking plate 19. In one exemplary embodiment the support roller 13 is positioned below the longitudinal axis of the first rotatable drum 10, wherein the support roller at least partially supports the weight of the first rotatable drum 10 or the blocking plate 19. This reduces the forces on the bearings on the first rotatable drum 10 and/or the motor rotating the first rotatable drum 10. In one embodiment the first rotatable drum 10 is rotated by rotating the support roller 13, which transfers the motion to the first rotatable drum 10. The support rollers 13 may be arranged only to one end or both ends of the first rotatable drum 10.

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically one exemplary embodiment, wherein the screening device comprises multiple rotatable drums 10, 40, 41 connected to the frame 14. In this embodiment the functionality of the first rotatable drum 10 is multiplied. The illustration is viewed from the front side, hiding the frame 14.

In the present example the three drums 10, 40, 41 have parallel longitudinal axes and openings. The swivel arm 17 has three fingers, each connected to one blocking plate 19, 42, 43. The swivel arm 17 is configured to lift all three blocking plates 19, 42, 43 simultaneously. The multiple blocking plates 19, 42, 43 reciprocate along the swivel arm 17 between a closed position and an open position. The multiple drums 10, 40, 41 may be rotated simultaneously. In one embodiment all drums 10, 40, 41 rotate to the same direction. In one embodiment adjacent drums 10, 40, 41 rotate to opposite directions. Multiple drums 10, 40, 41 allow more material to be scooped and screened simultaneously.

FIG. 5a illustrates one exemplary embodiment, wherein the swivel arm 17 comprises multiple side rollers 50, 51. FIG. 5b is a side view of the same embodiment. The side rollers 50, 51 are configured to rotate against sides of the blocking plate 19, when the blocking plate 19 rotates along the first rotatable drum 10. The side rollers 50, 51 reduce the loads from the bearing 18. In one exemplary embodiment the blocking plate 19 comprises a lip that enters at least partially inside the first rotatable drum 10. The side rollers 50, 51 stabilize possible vibrations of the swivel arm 17.

FIG. 6 illustrates one exemplary embodiment, wherein the multiple side rollers 50, 51 are configured to rotate against the sidewalls 11 at the second end of the rotatable drum 10. In one embodiment the side rollers 50, 51 rotate against the front edge 20. The side rollers 50, 51 stabilize possible vibrations of the swivel arm 17 and reduce the loads from the bearing 18. Any combination of positioning the side rollers 50, 51 may be applied. In one embodiment the side rollers 50, 51 are configured on multiple drums 10, 40, 41.

The rotatable drums 10, 40, 41 may gather mud or other material that may stick to the drum. In one embodiment the rotatable drum 10, 40, 41 is made of steel. The drum 10, 40, 41 may be cleaned from dried and stuck material by inserting a large rock to the drum 10, 40, 41 and rotating it according to normal screening procedure. The rock tumbles inside the drum 10, 40, 41 and the resulting impacts break loose the stuck material. The open end of the drum 10, 40, 41 allows inserting large rocks or other objects having different size and shape for cleaning the drum 10, 40, 41. The cleaning method is cheap, simple and effective.

A screening device is disclosed, comprising: a first rotatable drum having a longitudinal axis, comprising a base at a first end; sidewalls connected to the base; an opening opposing the base and defined by the sidewalls, wherein the opening is configured to scoop up the material to be screened. The sidewalls comprise a plurality of openings and the rotatable drum is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The device further comprises a frame comprising means for rotating the first rotatable drum, a mount for reversibly mounting the screening device to a working machine, a swivel arm connected to the frame; a blocking plate connected to the swivel arm, configured to reciprocate between a closed position and an open position; wherein in the closed position the blocking plate closes the opening and in the open position the blocking plate allows the opening to scoop up the material. In one embodiment, the blocking plate is connected to the swivel arm rotatably, allowing the blocking plate to rotate along the rotatable drum in the closed position. In one embodiment, the screening device comprises at least two rotatable drums connected to the frame, having parallel longitudinal axes and openings. In one embodiment, the screening device comprises multiple blocking plates connected to the swivel arm, configured to reciprocate between a closed position and an open position. In one embodiment, the swivel arm comprises a support roller configured to support the rotating blocking plate in the closed position. In one embodiment, the swivel arm is connected to the frame in a position between the base and the mount. In one embodiment, a linear actuator is connected between the swivel arm and the frame to provide the reciprocating motion between the open position and the closed position. In one embodiment, the linear actuator is a hydraulic cylinder. In one embodiment, the blocking plate is connected to the swivel arm at the longitudinal axis of the rotatable drum when the blocking plate is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the swivel arm comprises at least one side roller configured to rotate against side of the blocking plate. In one embodiment, the swivel arm comprises at least one side roller configured to rotate against the sidewalls at the second end of the rotatable drum.

Alternatively, or in addition, the screening device control function can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware components or hardware logic components. The controls may be implemented on the working machine. An example of the control system described hereinbefore is a computer-based device comprising one or more processors which may be microprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type of processors for processing computer- executable instructions to control the operation of the device in order to control one or more sensors, receive sensor data and utilize the sensor data. The control system may be positioned on the host system and connected to the apparatus. The computer-executable instructions may be provided using any computer-readable media that is accessible by a computer-based device. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media, such as memory and communications media. Computer storage media, such as memory, includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not include communication media. Therefore, a computer storage medium should not be interpreted to be a propagating signal per se. Propagated signals may be present in a computer storage media, but propagated signals per se are not examples of computer storage media. Although the computer storage media is shown within the computing-based device, it will be appreciated that the storage may be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link, for example, by using a communication interface.

The apparatus or the device may comprise an input/output controller arranged to output display information to a display device which may be separate from or integral to the apparatus or device. The input/output controller is also arranged to receive and process input from one or more devices, such as a user input device (e.g. a mouse, keyboard, camera, microphone or other sensor). The screening device may comprise the controller or receive the commands from the controller arranged at the working machine. Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought.

Although at least a portion of the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims. It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.

The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the elements identified, but that such elements do not comprise an exclusive list and an apparatus may contain additional elements.

It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A screening device comprising: a first rotatable drum (10) having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a base (12) at a first end; sidewalls (11) connected to the base (12); an opening opposing the base (12) and defined by the sidewalls (11 ), wherein the opening is configured to scoop up the material to be screened; wherein the sidewalls (11 ) comprise a plurality of openings and the rotatable drum (10) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis; the device further comprising: a frame (14) comprising means for rotating the first rotatable drum (10) and a mount (15) for reversibly mounting the screening device to a working machine, characterized by the screening device comprising: a swivel arm (17) connected to the frame (14); a blocking plate (19) connected to the swivel arm (17), configured to reciprocate between a closed position and an open position; wherein in the closed position the blocking plate (19) closes the opening and in the open position the blocking plate (19) allows the opening to scoop up the material.

2. A screening device according to claim ^characterized in that the blocking plate (19) is connected to the swivel arm (17) rotatably, allowing the blocking plate (19) to rotate along the rotatable drum (10) in the closed position.

3. A screening device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by comprising at least two rotatable drums connected to the frame (14), having parallel longitudinal axes and openings.

4. A screening device according to claim 3, characterized by comprising multiple blocking plates connected to the swivel arm (17), configured to reciprocate between a closed position and an open position.

5. A screening device according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the swivel arm (17) comprises a support roller (13) configured to support the rotating blocking plate (19) in the closed position.

6. A screening device according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the swivel arm (17) is connected to the frame (14) in a position between the base (12) and the mount (15).

7. A screening device according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a linear actuator (16) is connected between the swivel arm (17) and the frame (14) to provide the reciprocating motion between the open position and the closed position.

8. A screening device according to claim 7, characterized in that the linear actuator (16) is a hydraulic cylinder.

9. A screening device according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the blocking plate (19) is connected to the swivel arm (17) at the longitudinal axis of the rotatable drum (10) when the blocking plate (19) is in the closed position.

10. A screening device according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the swivel arm (17) comprises at least one side roller (50, 51) configured to rotate against side of the blocking plate (19).

11. A screening device according to any of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the swivel arm (17) comprises at least one side roller (50, 51 ) configured to rotate against the sidewalls (11 ) at the second end of the rotatable drum (10).