阅读说明：本技术 用于移动从植物的处理中获得的有机材料的履带式车辆 (Tracked vehicle for moving organic material obtained from the treatment of plants ) 是由 卢卡·萨焦拉托 罗伯托·马萨雷 塞巴斯蒂安·拉普 于 2018-10-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于移动从植物的处理中获得的有机材料的履带式车辆,具有：车架(2)；舱室(3),布置在车架(2)的前部上；发动机(4),布置在车架(2)的中心部分上；两个履带总成(5),布置在车架(2)的相对侧上；所述履带总成(5)中的每一个均包括一个驱动轮(11)和履带(12)；以及前部铲刀(6),用于移动和卸下有机材料。(A tracked vehicle for moving organic material obtained from the processing of plants, having: a frame (2); a cabin (3) arranged on the front of the frame (2); an engine (4) disposed on a central portion of the frame (2); two track assemblies (5) arranged on opposite sides of the frame (2); each of said track assemblies (5) comprising a drive wheel (11) and a track (12); and a front blade (6) for moving and discharging the organic material.)

1. A tracked vehicle for moving organic material obtained from the processing of plants, in particular dry bagasse, the tracked vehicle (1) comprising:

-a frame (2);

-a cabin (3) arranged on the front of the frame (2);

-an engine (4) arranged on a central portion of the frame (2);

-two track assemblies (5) arranged on opposite sides of the frame (2);

-each of said two track assemblies (5) comprises a drive wheel (11) and a track (12); and

-a front blade (6) for moving and loading the organic material.

2. The tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, having a total weight of less than 15000 kg.

3. The tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, wherein each track (12) has a width in the range 0.5m and 1.7 m.

4. the tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, wherein the theoretical contact length of each track (12) is in the range of 2.1m and 3.5 m.

5. The tracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame (2) comprises a base structure (7) arranged between the two track assemblies (5) and configured to support the engine (4), which is arranged partially between the two track assemblies (5).

6. the tracked vehicle defined in claim 5, wherein the carriage (2) comprises a raised structure (8) arranged at a higher level with respect to the track (12) and defining a resting anchoring surface for equipment.

7. the tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, wherein each track assembly (5) comprises a drive wheel (11) and a plurality of support wheels (18, 19) aligned with each other, the plurality of support wheels and the drive wheel (11) and the plurality of support wheels (18, 19) of the other track assembly (5) together defining a wheel gauge of a given width (a).

8. the tracked vehicle of claim 7, wherein each track (12) extends on opposite sides of the respective drive wheel (11) and of a plurality of support wheels (18, 19) such that the width (A) of the wheel gauge is narrower than the maximum distance (B) of the lateral ends of the two track assemblies (5).

9. The tracked vehicle of claim 8, wherein the front blade (6) has a width (C) greater than the maximum distance (B), in particular the front blade (6) has a width (C) greater than 80% of the maximum distance (B).

10. The tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, wherein each track comprises cross-links (14) and the drive wheel (11) comprises teeth (17) made of metal material configured to engage with the cross-links (14, 14A) of the respective track (12, 12A).

11. The tracked vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cross-links (14, 14A) comprise track guides (15, 15A) in endless contact with the drive wheel (11), the track guides (15, 15A) being made of a metal which is harder than the metal of the teeth (17).

12. The tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, wherein each track assembly (5) comprises a first support wheel (18) and a second support wheel (19), the first support wheel (18) being stiffer than the second support wheel (19).

13. The tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, comprising rear attachment means (20) for selectively supporting ballast or rakes.

14. the tracked vehicle of claim 1, comprising a front connection device (21) configured to connect the front blade (6) to the frame (2), and comprising:

-a first rigid structure (22) hinged to the frame (2) about an axis parallel to the axis of the driving wheel;

-a second rigid structure (23) fixed to the front blade (6); and

-a joint (24) arranged between said first rigid structure (22) and said second rigid structure (23).

15. the tracked vehicle of claim 14, wherein the front attachment (21) comprises a first actuator (25) for raising and lowering the front blade (6) relative to the frame (2).

16. The tracked vehicle of claim 14, wherein the front attachment (21) comprises a second actuator (26) for rotating the front blade (6) about the joint (24).

17. the tracked vehicle of claim 14, wherein the front attachment (21) comprises a third actuator (27) for tilting the front blade (6) about the joint (24).

18. The tracked vehicle of claim 14, wherein the front attachment (21) comprises a fourth actuator (28) for revolving the front blade (6) about the joint (24).

19. The tracked vehicle of claim 1, comprising an air conditioning system (29) for the cabin (3); the air conditioning system (29) is arranged partly behind the cabin (3) or above the cabin (3).

20. The tracked vehicle of claim 1, comprising a fire extinguishing system (31) for providing fire extinguishing material at a given point of the tracked vehicle (1).

21. The tracked vehicle defined in claim 20, wherein the fire extinguishing system comprises fire detection means (32), at least one container (33) of fire extinguishing material and a supply circuit (34) of fire extinguishing material.

22. The tracked vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fire extinguishing system (31) comprises a control and display interface (35) for actuating the fire extinguishing system (31) in a manual mode and in an automated mode.

23. the tracked vehicle defined in claim 1, comprising an air intake device (36) for supplying air to the engine (4), the air intake device (36) comprising a cyclonic filter (37).

24. The tracked vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an engine cooling system (38) for cooling the engine (4), the engine cooling system (38) comprising:

-a heat sink (39); and

-a reversible fan (40) configured to alternately suck air from the outside through said radiator (39) and blow air from the inside to the outside through said radiator (39).

25. Use of a tracked vehicle according to claim 1 for moving organic material obtained from the treatment of plants.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tracked vehicle for moving organic material obtained from the treatment of plants.

In particular, the invention relates to tracked vehicles for moving and accumulating bagasse and the like (such as silage, wood chips, and the like).

Background

Bagasse is the residue obtained by crushing and pressing sugar cane extractions, which comprises a fiber fraction and a powder fraction and which is further processed for the preparation of wood pulp, building materials or for use as biofuel.

since bagasse corresponds to 25-30% of the overall material of sugarcane before extraction, a large amount of bagasse must be moved and stored. For this reason, it has become common practice to stack bagasse into relatively high stacks.

typically, earth moving machines (such as track or wheel dozers) are used to move and deposit the dry bagasse. These earth-moving machines have proven to be not particularly effective in moving and accumulating bagasse for a number of reasons, as described below. When the earth-moving machine is driven on dry bagasse it tends to sink and exhibits poor traction, poor maneuverability and a difference in climbing angle on the pile of dry bagasse. In addition to this, the above identified earth-moving machines present the risk of tipping over on the steep slopes of the pile of dry bagasse. Moving the bagasse implies other problems deriving from the fact that the natural origin of the sugarcane has characteristics of a hot climate, which inevitably has an impact on the working conditions of the workers and on the risk of ignition of the bagasse. In addition, the powdery portion of the bagasse tends to enter the engine and another mechanism and cause damage thereto. In other words, the earth-moving machines used to move the bagasse exhibit several drawbacks mainly caused by the environmental conditions and the nature of the bagasse.

Disclosure of Invention

the object of the present invention is to make a tracked vehicle for moving organic material obtained from the treatment of plants that alleviates the drawbacks of the known art.

according to the present invention, there is provided a tracked vehicle for moving organic material (in particular, dry bagasse) obtained from the processing of plants, the tracked vehicle comprising:

-a frame;

-a cabin arranged on a front portion of the frame;

-an engine arranged on a central portion of the frame;

-two track assemblies arranged on opposite sides of the frame;

-each of said track assemblies comprises a drive wheel and a track; and

-a front blade for moving and loading organic material.

In this manner, the approximate proximity of the center of gravity of the tracked vehicle to the geometric center of the tracked vehicle facilitates stability of the tracked vehicle. This configuration allows for optimal distribution of weight along the tracks and traction of the tracked vehicle.

in particular, the tracked vehicle having a total weight lower than 15000kg facilitates the manoeuvrability of the tracked vehicle on supports made of organic material obtained from the treatment of plants.

Specifically, each track has a width in the range of 0.5m and 1.7 m. The choice of width and caterpillar type depends on the organic material: this makes it possible to apply to the organic material a specific pressure optimal for the compaction of the organic material or for the manoeuvrability of the tracked vehicle.

Maneuverability of the tracked vehicle is made easier by the theoretical contact length of the tracks being in the range of 2.1m and 3.5 m.

specifically, the frame includes a base structure disposed between two track assemblies and configured to support an engine configured to be partially disposed between the track assemblies.

The very low centre of gravity determined by the position of the base structure and the engine contributes to the stability of the tracked vehicle.

In particular, the frame comprises a raising structure arranged at a higher level (upper level) with respect to the tracks and defining a resting anchoring surface for the installation means of the tracked vehicle.

in this way, the operator may have easy access to the device apparatus.

Specifically, each track assembly includes a drive wheel and a plurality of support wheels aligned with one another, and the plurality of support wheels and the drive wheel and the plurality of support wheels of another track assembly together define a gauge (gauge) of a given width.

each track extends on opposite sides relative to the respective plurality of support wheels such that the width of the gauge is much narrower than the maximum distance of the lateral ends of the two track assemblies.

In other words, the protrusion of the track relative to the drive wheel and the support wheels facilitates lateral stability of the tracked vehicle without compromising the overall weight of the track assembly.

In this way, the lateral stability is further improved and the tracked vehicle can be advanced on organic materials with high lateral inclinations.

the improved lateral stability allows for safe operation of the front blade having a width wider than the maximum distance between the lateral ends of the track, in particular the front blade may reach a width 80% wider than the maximum distance of the lateral ends of the track.

Specifically, each track includes cross-links and the drive wheel is made of metal and includes radial teeth that engage the cross-links of the respective track.

In this way, the wear of the driving wheel is reduced, taking into account the fact that the organic material is clearly worn away. The track guides are made of a harder metal than the metal of the drive wheels because when replaceable, it is easier to replace the drive wheels than to replace multiple track guides.

Specifically, each track assembly includes first and second support wheels, the first support wheel having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the second support wheel.

As the tracked vehicle advances, circulating the first support wheel to contact the cross-links of the respective tracks and generate vibrations that tend to compact the organic material facilitates stability and traction of the tracked vehicle. The tendency of the second support wheel to damp vibrations contributes to the comfort of the driver.

In particular, the tracked vehicle comprises rear attachment means for selectively supporting a ballast or rake (a ballast or a harrow).

This possibility of placing ballast allows to increase the overall weight of the vehicle if necessary and to modify the centre of gravity if necessary, whereas raking allows to rake the organic material in case it is excessively hardened and stressed by exposure to rain and the sun.

according to another embodiment of the invention, a tracked vehicle includes a front attachment configured to connect a front blade to a frame and comprising:

-a first rigid structure hinged to the frame about an axis parallel to the axis of the driving wheel;

-a second rigid structure fixed to the front blade; and

-a joint arranged between the first rigid structure and the second rigid structure.

the forward attachment provides great versatility to the movement of the forward blade.

Controlling a front connection from the cabin, the front connection comprising:

-a first actuator hinged to the frame and to the first rigid structure for raising and lowering the front blade with respect to the frame;

-a second actuator hinged to the first and second rigid structures for rotating the front blade about the joint;

-a third actuator hinged to the frame or to the first and second rigid structures to tilt the front blade about the joint; and

-a fourth actuator hinged to the first and second rigid structures for pivoting the front blade about the joint.

This configuration allows combining more than two movements of the front blade.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a tracked vehicle comprises an air conditioning system for a cabin; the arrangement of the air conditioning system partly in the hood behind the cabin or on the roof of the cabin contributes to the comfort of the driver of the tracked vehicle.

The location of the air conditioning system has the purpose of keeping the air conditioning system as far away as possible from the dust generated by moving the organic material.

Tracked vehicles include a fire suppression system that provides a fire suppressant material at a given point of the tracked vehicle for ensuring the safety of workers and the tracked vehicle.

Specifically, the fire suppression system includes a fire detection device; at least one container for fire suppressant material and a supply circuit for fire suppressant material are provided to ensure a rapid reaction in the event of a fire.

specifically, the fire suppression system includes a control and display interface for actuating the fire suppression system in a manual mode and an automatic mode.

Specifically, the tracked vehicle includes an air intake device for providing air to the engine, the air intake device including a cyclonic filter.

in this way, the vehicle can also be operated with a large amount of fine powder suspended in the air.

In particular, a tracked vehicle includes an engine cooling system for cooling an engine, the engine cooling system comprising:

-a heat sink; and

-a reversible fan configured to alternately suck air from the outside through the radiator and blow air from the inside to the outside through the radiator.

In this way, the powders can be removed from the heat sink regularly and remain effective.

In particular, the tracked vehicle of the invention is used to obtain organic material from the processing of plants, like dry bagasse.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tracked vehicle for moving organic material obtained from the treatment of plants, according to the invention, with parts removed for the sake of clarity;

figure 2A is a side view of the tracked vehicle of figure 1, with parts removed and shown in an enlarged manner for the sake of clarity;

Figure 2B is a side view of a detail of figure 2A, with parts removed and shown in an enlarged view for clarity;

Figure 3 is a front view of the tracked vehicle of figure 1, with parts removed and shown in an enlarged manner for the sake of clarity;

Figure 4 is a perspective view, with parts removed and shown in an enlarged manner for the sake of clarity, of a portion of the track of the tracked vehicle of figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view, with parts removed and shown in an enlarged manner for the sake of clarity, of a portion of the track of the tracked vehicle of figure 1, according to another embodiment;

Figure 6 is a section view of the track portion of figure 5 along section line VI-VI, with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 7 is a perspective and partially exploded view of a detail of the tracked vehicle according to the invention, with parts removed and shown in an enlarged manner for the sake of clarity;

Figure 8 is a side view of the tracked vehicle of figure 1 in a different working configuration, with parts removed and shown in a reduced manner for the sake of clarity;

figure 9 is a front view of the tracked vehicle of figure 3 in a different working configuration, with parts removed and shown in a reduced manner for the sake of clarity;

figure 10 is a side view of the tracked vehicle of figure 1 in a different working configuration, with parts removed and shown in a reduced manner for the sake of clarity; and

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the tracked vehicle of fig. 1 in a different working configuration, with parts removed and shown in a reduced manner for the sake of clarity.

Detailed Description

with reference to fig. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a tracked vehicle for moving organic material (in particular, dried bagasse) obtained from the treatment of plants.

The track vehicle 1 includes: a frame 2; a cabin 3 arranged at the front of the frame 2; an engine 4 disposed in a central portion of the frame 2; two track assemblies 5 arranged on opposite sides of the frame 2 (fig. 2A); and a front blade 6 for moving and/or loading organic material.

The tracked vehicle 1 has a weight below 15000kg for easy handling on a dry bagasse pile.

The frame 2 includes a base structure 7 extending generally between the track assemblies 5. The frame 2 supports: a track assembly; a cabin 3; and an engine 4 and including a raised structure 8 extending at a level higher than the track assembly 5 and defining a support surface for mounting a plurality of utility devices; a front plate 9 configured to connect the front blade 6; and a rear plate 10. Each track assembly 5 includes a drive wheel 11 and a track 12 engaged with the drive wheel 11.

Specifically, and with reference to fig. 4, each track 12 includes a plurality of belts 13 made of a composite material, a generally reinforced elastomeric polymer material, or reinforced rubber, and a plurality of cross-links 14 mounted on the belts 13.

each of the cross links 14 includes: a body made of metal; a metal track guide 15 mounted on the body between the belts 13; and a rubber pad 16 partially embedded in the body on the opposite side of track guide 15 and defining a seating surface for each cross-link 14. The belt 13 is spaced apart by track guides 15 that allow the drive wheel 11 to engage the track 12.

Fig. 5 and 6 refer to an alternative embodiment of track 12 and show track 12A including a plurality of belts 13A made of composite material, a plurality of cross links 14A, a plurality of track guides 15A, and a plurality of rubber pads 16A. In this embodiment, belt 13A and pads 16A are made of a single body of elastomeric material and each cross link 14A and respective track guide 15B are made of a single metal body partially embedded in pads 16A.

Referring to fig. 3, the track 12 has a width in the range of 0.5m and 1.7m, while the theoretical contact length of the track 12 is in the range of 2.1m and 3.5m (fig. 1). The drive wheel 11 is made of a metal material and includes a plurality of radial metal teeth configured to sequentially penetrate into the space between the cross links 14 and contact the track guides 15. The track guides 15 and 15A are made of a harder metal than the metal of the drive wheel 11.

Referring to fig. 1, each track assembly 5 includes support wheels 18 and 19, wherein support wheels 18 are stiffer than support wheels 19. Each support wheel 18 comprises a metal rim and an annular outer body made of hard plastic mounted on the metal rim, whereas each support wheel 19 comprises a metal rim and an annular outer body made of rubber mounted on the metal rim.

A support wheel 18 is located at the forward end of track assembly 5 and is selectively adjustable back and forth by actuators (not shown) controlled from cabin 3 to vary the tension of track 12 to allow for installation and removal of track 12.

As the track laying vehicle 1 advances, the support wheels 18 and 19 are in endless contact with the track guide 15. Repeated impacts between the support wheels 18 and 19 generate vibrations that are transmitted to the frame 2 and the underlying support on which the tracked vehicle 1 is located. The support wheels 18 generate strong vibrations due to their stability and are arranged in front and behind (adjacent to the drive wheel 11) to compact the bagasse below and define a stable substructure. Instead, the support wheels 19 damp vibrations and are arranged below the engine for the comfort of the driver.

With reference to fig. 3, each track 12 is arranged symmetrically on the opposite side with respect to the respective drive wheel 11 and to the support wheels 18 and 19 aligned with each other. The width a of the wheel gauge (distance) between the drive wheel 11 and the support wheels 18 and 19 of one track assembly 5 and the drive wheel 11 and the support wheels 18 and 19 of the other track assembly 5 is narrower than the maximum distance B of the lateral ends of the two track assemblies 5. It can be seen that the tracked vehicle 1 has significant lateral stability and can operate a front blade 6 having a width C that is wider than the maximum distance B. Specifically, the front blade 6 has a width C that is 80% wider than the maximum distance B.

Referring to fig. 1, a tracked vehicle 1 includes a rear attachment 20 for selectively supporting ballast or rakes (not shown in the drawings). Specifically, the rear attachment 20 is a three-point attachment controlled from the cabin 3.

the tracked vehicle 1 comprises a front attachment 21 for connecting the front blade 6 to the frame 2. The front connection device 21 includes: a rigid structure 22 hinged to frame 2; and a rigid structure 23 fixed to the front blade 6 and hinged to the rigid structure 22 by means of a universal joint 24, in particular a ball-and-socket joint.

it is clear that the universal joint can be replaced by any other connection scheme providing a similar effect.

Referring to fig. 4, the front connection device 21 includes:

Two actuators 25, hinged to the frame 2 and to the rigid structure 22, for raising and lowering the front blade 6 (fig. 5);

Two actuators 26 hinged to the rigid structures 22 and 23 for rotating (rotate) the front blade 6 (fig. 6);

an actuator 27 hinged to the rigid structure 22 or to the frame 2 (front plate 9) and to the rigid structure 23, for tilting the front blade 6 (fig. 7); and

Two actuators 28 hinged to the rigid structure 23 and to the rigid structure 22 for swivelling (swival) the front blade 6 (fig. 8). The control means for controlling the front connection means 21 are housed in the cabin 3 and allow to combine the four movements disclosed above and shown in fig. 8 to 11.

With reference to fig. 1, the cabin 3 is closed and the tracked vehicle 1 is provided with an air conditioning system 29 of the cabin 3. Fig. 1 shows a part of an air conditioning system 29 mounted behind the cabin 3 and accommodated in a hood 30 mounted on the elevated structure 8.

The hood 30 is configured to house the engine 4 and other facilities.

the tracked vehicle 1 comprises a fire extinguishing system 31 for providing fire extinguishing material at a given point of the tracked vehicle 1. In detail, the fire extinguishing system 31 is mounted on the elevated structure 8, is generally housed in a hood 30, and comprises fire detection means 32, two containers 33 of fire extinguishing material and a supply circuit 34 of fire extinguishing material. The fire suppression system 31 includes a control and display interface 35 housed in the cabin 3 for actuating the fire suppression system 31 in manual and automatic modes.

referring to fig. 2A and 2B, the tracked vehicle 1 comprises an air intake 36 system comprising a cyclonic filter 37 (fig. 1) for cleaning the air supplied to the engine 4.

The tracked vehicle 1 comprises an engine cooling system 38 (fig. 1) of the engine 4, which system comprises a radiator 39 arranged to the left and right of the tracked vehicle 1 and partially defining the cowl 30. The cooling system 38 and the fan 40 are configured to draw air from the outside of the hood 30 through the radiator 39. The fan 40 is reversible for reversing the direction of airflow through the heat sink 39 to clean the heat sink 39 from organic material that may accumulate on its surface. The reversal of the rotation of the fan 40 may be actuated in an automatic mode or in a manual mode.

It is clear that the invention comprises variants falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims.