U.S. patent application number 12/757448 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-21 for soil compaction machine with internal combustion engine and improved air supply.
This patent application is currently assigned to BOMAG GMBH. Invention is credited to Hans-Werner Kuerten.
Application Number | 20110091279 12/757448 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42813573 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110091279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuerten; Hans-Werner |
April 21, 2011 |
Soil Compaction Machine with Internal Combustion Engine and
Improved Air Supply
Abstract
A hand-guided soil compacting machine, such as a vibration
tamper, is provided. The compacting machine includes an internal
combustion engine for driving a compacting plate and at least one
guide bar for holding and/or guiding the soil compacting
machine.
Inventors: |
Kuerten; Hans-Werner;
(Goedenroth, DE) |
Assignee: |
BOMAG GMBH
Boppard
DE
|
Family ID: |
42813573 |
Appl. No.: |
12/757448 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/133.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 3/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
404/133.1 |
International
Class: |
E01C 19/32 20060101
E01C019/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 017209.2 |
Claims
1. A hand-guided soil compacting machine, comprising: an internal
combustion engine for driving a compacting plate; and at least one
guide bar, for holding and/or guiding the soil compacting machine,
including at least one flow channel through which a supply of
combustion air to the internal combustion engine flows at least in
sections.
2. A soil compacting machine according to claim 1, wherein the flow
channel is integrated in the guide bar.
3. A soil compacting machine according to claim 2, wherein the
guide bar is formed at least in sections from a hollow section
whose cavity forms the integrated flow channel.
4. A soil compacting machine according to claim 2, wherein at least
one air-filter unit is arranged on the guide bar which is in fluid
connection with the integrated flow channel.
5. A soil compacting machine according to claim 4, wherein the
fluid connection between the integrated flow channel and the
air-filter unit is realized by means of a connecting flange.
6. A soil compacting machine according to claim 1, wherein the
guide bar is fastened in a vibration-dampened manner to the soil
compacting machine.
7. A soil compacting machine according to claim 6, wherein the
vibration-dampened fastening of the guide bar comprises at least
one elastic damping element which allows conducting the combustion
air.
8. A soil compacting machine according to claim 7, wherein the
damping element is arranged as a rubber buffer with at least one
bore hole for conducting the combustion air.
9. A soil compacting machine according to claim 8, wherein the bore
is an axial bore hole.
10. A soil compacting machine according to claim 8, wherein the
fluid connection between the integrated flow channel and the bore
hole in the rubber buffer is realized by means of a connecting
flange.
11. A soil compacting machine according to claim 1, wherein a fuel
tank is arranged on the guide bar.
12. A soil compacting machine according to claim 11, wherein the
air-filter unit and the fuel tank are arranged in a common housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to foreign Patent
Application DE 10 2009 017209.2, filed on Apr. 9, 2009, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a hand-guided soil compaction
machine and, especially, a vibration tamper for soil
compaction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One known soil compaction machine includes a superstructure
with an internal combustion engine which drives a compacting plate
belonging to a substructure via a crank mechanism or the like, with
which soil or the like can be compacted. A handlebar is arranged on
the superstructure, with which a user can keep the tamper in
operation and/or can guide the same.
[0004] One known tamper or vibration tamper with a low-vibration
guide bar includes a superstructure, or an upper mass, and a
substructure, or a lower mass. The total mass and especially the
mass ratio of superstructure to substructure have a relevant
influence on the effectiveness and the convenience in operation of
a soil compaction machine, and especially a vibration tamper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention advantageously reduce
the overall mass of a hand-guided soil-compaction machine with an
internal combustion engine.
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present the
invention, a soil compaction machine comprises an internal
combustion engine for driving a compacting plate and at least one
guide bar for holding and/or guiding the soil compaction machine,
with the guide bar comprising a flow channel through which a supply
of the combustion air to the internal combustion engine occurs at
least in sections.
[0007] The guide bar thus assumes a conducting function in
accordance with the invention in addition to the mere holding and
guiding function, which is the conduction of the combustion air.
This advantageously allows for a reduction in weight or mass,
especially in the superstructure of the soil compacting machine.
Furthermore, there is a reduction in the overall size and reduction
in individual parts. As a result of new constructional degrees of
freedom, it is further possible to use air-filter types whose use
was previously not possible. As a result of the spatial spacing of
air filter and internal combustion engine which is bridged by means
of the flow channel, the combustion air can be drawn in a region in
which the thermal loading and/or the dust exposure is low.
Moreover, heating up of the air filter or the air-filter housing by
heat conduction and/or heated engine cooling air by the internal
combustion engine can be prevented.
[0008] The combustion air is used for the combustion process in the
internal combustion engine. It expressly does not concern the
exhaust gases from the combustion process. Preferably, the flow of
the combustion air is caused by the intake process of the internal
combustion engine.
[0009] An advantageous further development of the invention
provides that the flow channel is arranged to be integrated in the
guide bar. As described herein, this integrated arrangement
("integrated flow channel") comprises a defined flow route or flow
path which is fixedly connected with the guide bar, which flow path
is suitable to pass through at least a part of the combustion air
to bridge a distance. Preferably, this flow path follows the
contour of the guide bar at least in sections.
[0010] A soil compacting machine in accordance with another aspect
of the present invention is a tamping device or a vibration tamper
with a tamping plate or the like which is driven by means of the
internal combustion engine. This aspect of the invention is not
exclusively limited to such tamping devices, but can advantageously
be implemented in all hand-guided soil compacting machines with an
internal combustion engine and a guide bar such as a vibration
plate for example.
[0011] It is provided according to a preferred further development
that the guide bar is formed by a hollow section at least in
sections whose hollow space forms the integrated flow channel. The
guide bar can comprise for this purpose a metal material and/or a
plastic material and/or a composite material. The term "hollow
section" also comprises multi-chamber sections within the terms of
the invention. The axial longitudinal extension of the hollow
section can be straight and/or spatially curved. In particular, the
guide bar is made at least in sections of a bent or multi-component
tube of a random and especially circular cross section.
[0012] It is provided according to a preferred further development
that further functional means are arranged on the guide bar, such
as especially an air-filter unit which is in flow connection with
the integrated flow channel. Said air-filter unit preferably
comprises an air filter and is used for cleaning the combustion
air. One fundamental idea of this further development is to provide
several additional functions to the guide bar in addition to the
further conducting of combustion air.
[0013] The realization of the flow connection between an air-filter
unit on the guide bar and the integrated flow channel is achieved
in an especially elegant manner by means of a connecting flange.
This connecting flange is preferably arranged as a separate
component and can be L-shaped or T-shaped for example.
[0014] In a further advantageous further development, the guide bar
is arranged on or fastened to the soil compacting machine in a
vibration-dampened or vibration-insulated manner. Preferably, the
guide bar is further arranged on a frame of the superstructure of
the soil compacting machine which also accommodates the internal
combustion engine. The term "frame" shall be interpreted in a broad
fashion and shall also comprise a self-supporting construction of
the internal combustion engine.
[0015] At least one elastic damping element may be present for
vibration insulation or damping of the guide bar, which damping
element also allows the conduction of the combustion air. The
damping element thus assumes a multiple function in this embodiment
of the invention (conduction of the combustion air and vibration
damping).
[0016] The damping element may be arranged as a rubber buffer with
at least one bore hole, preferably an axial bore hole, for
conducting the combustion air. The combustion air can be conducted
through this bore hole. In this case, the integrated flow channel
thus opens at least on one side into the rubber buffer. A rubber
buffer is characterized by its rubber-elastic properties.
Preferably, a rubber buffer is made of a natural material or an
artificial material. This also includes elastic silicone
materials.
[0017] It is provided according to a preferred further development
that the flow connection between the integrated flow channel and
the bore hole in the rubber buffer is realized by means of a
connecting flange. This connecting flange may be arranged as a
separate component which can be arranged in an L-shaped or T-shaped
manner. In particular, this component can also be identical to the
one for flow connection between the air-filter unit and the
integrated flow channel.
[0018] A fuel tank may also be further arranged on the guide bar.
This offers the advantage for example of a similarly
vibration-dampened suspension of the fuel tank. One fundamental
idea of this further development is also to provide several
additional functions to the guide bar in addition to the further
conducting of combustion air.
[0019] It is also provided that the air-filter unit and the fuel
tank are arranged in a common housing. This will be explained
be-low in closer detail in connection with the drawings. The term
"housing" also comprises holding apparatuses and the like which are
capable of fastening the fuel tank and the air-filter unit to the
guide bar. This allows for further reduction in overall space in an
outstanding way and a further reduction of individual parts. This
arrangement of an air-filter unit and a fuel tank in a common
housing on an initially mentioned soil compacting machine and
especially on its guide bar can also occur independently from a
guide bar with a flow channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention will be explained below in closer detail by
reference to the drawings, with the same reference numerals
indicating the same components, with the drawings showing
schematically:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a soil compacting machine according to the
state of the art in a perspective view;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the superstructure of a soil compacting machine
according to an embodiment of the present the invention in a
perspective view; and
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the soil compacting machine of
FIG. 2 in a partial sectional view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In accordance with FIG. 1, a generic soil compacting machine
which is known from the state of the art and is arranged as a
vibration tamper 10 comprises a substructure 20 and a
superstructure 30. The substructure 20 comprises a compacting plate
or tamping plate 21 and the superstructure 30 an internal
combustion engine 31 with an air-filter unit 32, a fuel tank 33 and
a guide bar 34. The internal combustion engine 31 drives the
compacting plate 21 in a manner known from the state of the art via
a crank mechanism (not shown) which is arranged partly behind the
cover plate 50.
[0025] Aspects that are relevant to the invention will be explained
below by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows, among other things, the superstructure 30 of
the vibration tamper 10. The superstructure 30 comprises an
internal combustion engine 31 and guide bar 34' in accordance with
the invention. The guide bar 34' offers various handling features
for a user in order to enable keeping the vibration tamper 10 in
operation or to guide the same. The guide bar 34' is arranged in a
vibration-dampened or vibration-insulated manner at two fastening
points via the damping elements 35a and 35b on a frame of the
superstructure 30. It is understood that also any other number of
fastening points could be provided. The damping elements 35a and
35b are arranged as integral rubber buffers. It is understood that
also a multi-part arrangement of these damping elements 35a and 35b
would be possible.
[0027] An air-filter unit 32 and a fuel tank 33 are fastened in a
common housing 40 to the guide bar 34'. As a result of this special
manner of arrangement on the guide bar 34', the air-filter unit 32
and the fuel tank 33 are thus also arranged in a vibration-dampened
or vibration-insulated manner on the vibration tamper 10. A common
housing 40 further allows simple and rapid mounting or dismounting
of these components and further leads to a reduction in weight. The
cover over the air-filter unit 32 has been removed for the purpose
of better illustration. In the separating area between the
air-filter unit 32 and the fuel tank 33, the common housing 40 is
arranged with a double wall with an air gap. When seen from the
internal combustion engine 31, the air-filter unit is arranged
substantially before the fuel tank 33 in the common housing 40. It
is alternatively possible to arrange the air-filter unit 32 also
behind the fuel tank 33. It is understood that the air-filter unit
32 and the fuel tank 33 can also be arranged as separate components
on the guide bar 34', i.e. without any common housing 40.
[0028] The combustion air required for the combustion process in
the internal combustion engine 31 is supplied, and especially drawn
in, via the air-filter unit 32. It is now provided in accordance
with the invention that this supplied combustion air flows from the
air-filter unit 32 to the internal combustion engine 31 via a
section of the guide bar 34' which is designated with 34A. The
direction of through-flow is indicated with the arrow shown in FIG.
2. This section 34A of the guide bar 34' thus comprises an
integrated flow channel.
[0029] For this purpose, at least this section 34A of the guide bar
34' is arranged as a hollow section, with the cavity representing
the integrated flow channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the
hollow section is realized by a tube with a circular cross section,
with other shapes of cross sections being possible. The integrated
flow channel extends in the present case from a fastening point of
the air-filter unit 32 up to a fastening point of the guide bar 34'
on the frame of the superstructure 30. In the region of the section
34A, the flow channel has a straight axial expansion. The flow
channel 34A can also have any desired curved axial extension,
irrespective of the respective arrangement of the guide bar
34'.
[0030] The combustion air is introduced into the integrated flow
channel at the fastening point of the air-filter unit 32 at the
guide bar 34' and guided out of the same at the fastening point of
the guide bar 34' on the frame of the superstructure 30. As an
alternative to this or in addition, the combustion air can
principally flow on other flow paths through the guide bar 34',
with short and substantially straight flow paths being
preferable.
[0031] The introduction of the combustion air into the integrated
flow channel occurs by means of a separate connecting flange 37.
The connecting flange 37 is thus arranged in such a way that a flow
connection (i.e. a connection through which the combustion air can
flow from the air-filter unit 32 into the integrated flow channel)
is produced between the flow channel integrated in the guide bar
34' or 34A and the air-filter unit 32. This connecting flange 37
can also be designated as a connecting flange 37 on the air-filter
side.
[0032] The discharge of the combustion air from the integrated flow
channel occurs through the damping element 35a. It is provided for
this purpose in accordance with FIG. 3 with an axial,
circular-cylindrical and central bore hole 36a. The discharge
through the damping element 35a occurs via a connecting flange 38
which connects at least the section 34A of the guide bar 34' with
the damping element 35a in the manner that a respective flow
connection is obtained. This connecting flange 38 can also be
designated as the connecting flange 38 on the motor side. The flow
through section 34A of the guide bar 34' and the discharge through
the axial bore hole 36a in the damping element 35a is shown
schematically in FIG. 3 with the flow arrows.
[0033] The section 34A of the guide bar 34' which is disposed
between the connecting flanges 37 and 38 can preferably have a
larger diameter, and especially a larger inside diameter, than the
other sections of guide bar 34'. The section 34A is especially
arranged as a separate straight pipe section. It can also be
provided to arrange only this section 34A as a hollow section.
[0034] The combustion air is guided from the damping element 35a to
the internal combustion engine 31 by means of a separate flow
connection or a flexible air hose 39. It is alternatively possible
to forward the flowing air through an integrated flow channel
within the frame of superstructure 30. The damping element 35a is
used both for damping or insulating vibrations of the guide bar 34'
and the conduction or transmission of the combustion air. Moreover,
the damping element 35a provides sealing in the connecting area and
prevents the intake of secondary air. The damping element 35a thus
assumes a multiple function.
[0035] The flow channel integrated in the guide bar 34' or 34A
advantageously enables a reduction in weight or mass, especially in
the superstructure 30 of the vibration tamper 10. It is thus
possible to omit the entire air-filter housing as shown in FIG. 1
for example. This leads to a reduction in overall space and
individual parts. Moreover, performed measurements having not shown
any reduction in the engine output.
[0036] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *