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EP 2 495 369 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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27.11.2019 Bulletin 2019/48 |
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Date of filing: 27.02.2012 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Snowplough blade
Räumleiste für den räumschild eines schneepfluges
Lame de déblaiement d'un chasse-neige
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Priority: |
04.03.2011 FI 20115221
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Date of publication of application: |
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05.09.2012 Bulletin 2012/36 |
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Proprietor: Arctic Machine OY |
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77800 Iisvesi (FI) |
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Inventor: |
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- Tervamäki, Petteri
24100 Salo (FI)
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Representative: Kolster Oy Ab |
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(Salmisaarenaukio 1)
P.O. Box 204 00181 Helsinki 00181 Helsinki (FI) |
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References cited: :
WO-A1-91/15637 DE-U1- 29 704 896 US-A- 2 290 060
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WO-A1-2004/031490 JP-A- 2001 248 127
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to a snowplough blade, which is elastically fastened to the
lower section of the plough wing.
[0002] Surfaces being ploughed by snowploughs have irregularities due to the preparing methods
of the surface, the wear of pavement surfaces, possible frost damages, and equipment
installed on the surface. When the surfacing is performed by lanes with a certain
work width, the pavement can include irregularities between the lanes. Furthermore,
e.g. cambers required for water removal cause irregularities. Pit cover plates and
possible lights engineered on the pavement increase the irregularities of the surface.
Surfaces built of concrete slabs can be very irregular due to errors in the installation
of the slabs. The wear of the surface also causes local depressions. Frost damages
are factors increasing the irregularity of the surface, which occur, frequently in
cold conditions.
[0003] The main operation of a snowplough is removing snow from a surface being ploughed.
Furthermore, the snowplough can be used for removing slush or even water before it
freezes, which has a great effect in preventing slipperiness before freezing. All
removed moisture directly decreases the amount of ice to be formed on the ploughed
surface and the requirement of de-icing chemicals and assists in keeping the surface
unfrozen.
[0004] When ploughing by the snowplough, the snowplough blade should follow the surface
being ploughed as precisely as possible even in the irregularities of the surface
if aiming at a good cleaning result. Challenges in following the surface increase
even more along with the increase in the work widths of the snowplough. Another important
requirement is the tightness of the snowplough blade, which is yet emphasised when
trying to remove also water from the area being ploughed.
[0005] There have been attempts to improve the following ability of the snowplough blade
by manufacturing it of an elastic material and by fastening the elastic blade stationarily
of its top edge as an extension of the snowplough wing. However, this arrangement
is not sufficient when requiring a good cleaning result.
[0006] A second common arrangement is to manufacture the snowplough of relatively short,
separate elements of the width of 0.8-1.0 m moving in the vertical direction, where
the elastic blade connects as an extension of the wing section by a bolt connection.
Each element follows the highest point of the ground as the elasticity of the blade
follows in a limited way. As the elements move in the vertical direction, the shape
of the wing is limited to quite large circular arches because, otherwise, gradation
is created on the wing from the mutual moving of the elements. It is not possible
to realise the shape of the wing most advantageous for dry frost snow with a smaller
radius of curvature. A problem of the element-structured snowplough is leaks from
between the elements. Element-structured snowploughs are heavy and this problem is
particularly emphasised as the work width of snowploughs increases. The large mass
of the moving elements together with a quite high running speed induce large loads
applied to the blades when hitting obstacles.
[0007] A third common and known elastic blade arrangement of a snowplough is to divide the
snowplough blade to elements of the length of 0.8-2.0 m which are elastically suspended
as the extensions of a uniform snowplough wing or a divided one in a folding-wing
snowplough. In these arrangements, the blade element is also able to tilt, whereby
the surface following ability is better than that of element snowploughs at least
with the same blade lengths. Disadvantages are leaks from between the blade elements
and connecting the moving blade to the fixed wing without leaks.
[0008] To tighten the construction, there are known arrangements where the moving blade
section is connected with a rigid extension, which slides controlled or uncontrolled
on the front surface of the wing. A known arrangement is also an elastic plate or
clothe fastened to the moving blade and the fixed wing.
[0009] WO 91/15637 discloses a wear strip for use on material handling equipment, such as plough blades,
comprising an elongate body of metal and wear resistant tiles bonded to the body and
spaced along at least one face with gaps between the tiles to enable bending the strip
to suit the curvature of the plough blade.
JP 2001 248127 discloses a cutting edge with increased abrasion resistance in the snow removing
edge comprising a hard member dispersed with hard grains at a high filling density
and integrally bound with a metal having a melting point lower than that of the hard
grains, and a protective member having shock resistance and covering at least the
blade advancing direction side of the hard material at the tip part of an edge body.
WO 2004/031490 discloses a blade holder comprising a beam with a first fixing element adapted to
be fixed to the lower edge of a snow-clearing device; a second fixing element adapted
to engage the rear side of the blade, the blade holder allowing the blade to have
a given cutting angle and to be folded backwards when running into an obstacle to
prevent damage.
[0010] An object of the invention is to introduce a snowplough blade, which eliminates disadvantages
related to prior-art blades. A particular object of the invention is to introduce
a snowplough blade, which follows well the irregularities of a surface being ploughed,
and removes effectively snow, slush and water. Furthermore, an object of the invention
is to introduce a snowplough blade having a tight construction, which also enables
the ploughing of water.
[0011] The object of the invention is achieved with a snowplough blade and a snowplough
comprising a snowplough blade, which are characterised by what is presented in the
independent claim. Some preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.
[0012] According to the invention, the snowplough blade is of one construction without gaps
between the blade elements: the blade is provided with elastic sections chamfered
of the rear surface, between which, there are more rigid, controlled and sprung blade
elements.
[0013] By chamfering the massive blade, it is possible to provide a simple maintenance-free
arrangement including few parts.
[0014] The blade is as long as possible thus minimising the number of blade connections
as possible leaks points. The elastic sections connect the blade elements jointlessly
without leaks, and the elastic section operates as a blade like the blade elements.
Furthermore, a wiper section is arranged to slide along with the movements of the
blade on the surface of the lower section of the plough wing. Such a construction
is elastic, it follows the irregularities of the surface, but is tight.
[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the blade is manufactured of one
or more long sections. There still are elastic sections between them or they include
elastic sections.
[0016] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elastic sections are provided
at regular intervals. At the elastic sections, the blade bends more easily and yields
also in the longitudinal direction more easily. The elastic sections enable delivering
the blade as rolled up, thus facilitating the transport.
[0017] The elements between the elastic sections are controlled as sprung from the middle
to their working position.
[0018] The controlled support prevents the cutting angle of the blade from changing during
ploughing, but allows the blade to move in accordance with the shapes of surfaces
being ploughed.
[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is a curved wiper section
as the extension of the snowplough blade. The wiper section can be a separate section,
which is fastened to the blade, or it is part of an expendable blade, which is tensioned
against the wing and arranged to slide along with the movements of the blade on the
surface of the lower section of the wing. The wiper section tensioned as curved operates
as a small ramp when the material being ploughed slides over it, whereby the wiper
presses more heavily against the plough wing as the material flow increases. As the
force increases, the tightness of the connection improves. The wiper section makes
the inner surfaces of the plough, on which the material slides, extremely tight and
leakfree.
[0020] In an additional advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is a straight wiper
section as the extension of the snowplough blade. The wiper section can be a separate
section which is fastened to the blade or it is part of an expendable blade, which
has been pretensioned straight to its use position against the wing and arranged to
slide along with the movements of the blade on the surface of the lower section of
the wing. The wiper section tensioned straight enables the smooth slide of snow from
the blade to the plough wing such that the material being ploughed maintains its sliding
contact to the snowplough as well as possible. With the long sliding contact of snow,
the material being ploughed obtains a rotary motion within the plough. The wiper section
makes the inner surfaces of the plough, on which the material slides, extremely tight
and leakfree.
[0021] The blade element is controlled to move parallel with the tangent of the lower edge
of the cylindrical wing. As the blade moves against irregularities, the sprung wiper
section of the blade is tightly on the wing surface against it preventing the access
of water or snow behind the blade. The outward motion of the blade element is limited
and the extension is dimensioned considering the required normal elastic travel and
keeping the wiper on top of the wing in all situations.
[0022] The construction allows a simple blade replacement without extra work compared with
the normal blade replacement.
[0023] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Fig. 1 shows a rear view of a snowplough blade according to the invention fastened
to a plough wing,
Fig. 2 shows the blade according to Fig. 1 at a larger scale,
Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the blade according to Fig. 1 in its working position,
and
Fig. 4 shows a side view of the blade.
[0024] Fig. 1 shows a rear view of a snowplough blade 6 fastened to a snowplough wing 7.
The blade includes chamfers i.e. elastic sections 9 at regular intervals on its rear
surface. They increase the elasticity of the blade and it's setting on the irregular
ground. The blade elements include fastening holes 11 for its fastening.
[0025] Fig. 2 shows the blade at a larger scale and the chamfered elastic sections 9 of
the fastening elements. The front surface of the wing is the same as with the blade.
The elastic section operates as a blade in the same way as the other blade elements.
[0026] Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the blade 6 in its working position. The lower surface
of the blade is parallel with the ground. As an extension of the blade, there is an
elastic wiper section 10 the top section of which is tensioned against the wing 7
and arranged to slide along with the movements of the blade on the surface of the
lower section of the wing.
[0027] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the blade and its suspension to the wing. The snowplough
blade 6 is fastened to blade holders 4. To the blade holder is fastened a slide 1.
To the snowplough wing is fastened a support construction 8, which includes a slide
guide 2, which is parallel with the tangent of the lower edge of the wing. The slide
1 fastened to the blade holder is located to the slide guide and it slides in the
slide guide 2 parallel with the tangent of the lower edge of the wing. A spring section
3 is between the blade holder and the support construction 8 and it is arranged to
press the blade holder 4 downwards. Above the slide guide, there is a limiter 5, which
is arranged to stop the movement of the slide downwards. The limiter 5 enables the
pretensioning of the spring section 3 in the rest position.
[0028] The blade holders are shorter than the distance between the elastic sections. Each
blade holder includes two slide guides with their springs. The slides are loose in
the lateral direction allowing tilting and small longitudinal movements of the blade.
The location of the blade element in relation to the wing plate 7 pretensions the
top edge of the wiper section 10 against the wing plate.
[0029] The construction shown in the figures illustrates one implementation alternative.
The characteristic features of the invention are the continuous blade construction
without leaking gaps between the blade sections and the pretensioned wiper extension
of the moving blade connected to the stationary wing section against the wing plate.
[0030] The invention is not limited to the advantageous embodiment described, but it can
vary within the scope of the appended claims.
1. A snowplough blade (6) for being elastically fastened to the lower section of a plough
wing (7), comprising a wiper section (10) arranged to be able to slide along with
the movements of the blade (6) on the surface of the lower section of the plough wing
(7), the wiper section (10) being optionally provided as a separate section connected
to the rest of the blade (6), characterised in that the snowplough blade (6) is provided with elastic sections (9), which are formed
by chamfering of the rear surface of the snowplough blade (6), when seen in a ploughing
direction of the blade (6), such that the blade (6) is formed as a continuous elastic
blade construction, wherein the sections of the blade (6) located between the elastic
sections (9) form blade elements, which are more rigid than the elastic sections (9),
and which are able, in use, to be controlled and spring biased to their working position.
2. A snowplough blade according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic sections (9) are provided at regular intervals.
3. A snowplough blade according to any one of claims 1-2, characterised in that the wiper section (10) is a straight wiper section (10), which is able to be tensioned
against the snowplough wing (7).
4. A snowplough blade according to any one of claims 1-2, characterised in that the wiper section (10) is a curved wiper section (10) which is able to be tensioned
as curved against the wing.
5. A snowplough comprising a plough wing (7) and a snowplough blade (6) according to
any one of claims 1-4 elastically fastened to the lower section of the plough wing
(7), wherein the snowplough blade (6) is fastened to blade holders (4), to which is fastened a
slide (1), and wherein to the snowplough wing (7) is fastened a support construction
(8), which includes a slide guide (2), which is parallel with the lower part of the
plough wing (7), the slide (1) being located in the slide guide (2) to slide in the
slide guide (2), and wherein the snowplough construction includes spring sections
(3), which are arranged between the blade holders (4) and the support construction
(8) and which are arranged to press the blade holder (4) downwards, when seen in use
condition.
6. A snowplough according to claim 5, wherein above the slide guide (2), there is a limiter
(5) which is arranged to stop the movement of the slide downwards, when seen in use
condition.
1. Schneepflugschild (6), der am unteren Bereich eines Pflugflügels (7) elastisch befestigt
wird und einen Wischerbereich (10) umfasst, der angeordnet ist, zusammen mit den Bewegungen
des Schilds (6) auf der Fläche des unteren Bereichs des Pflugflügels (7) gleiten zu
können, wobei der Wischerbereich (10) wahlweise als ein separater Bereich, der mit
dem Schild (6) verbunden ist, bereitgestellt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schneepflugschild (6) mit elastischen Bereichen (9) versehen ist, die durch Abschrägen
der hinteren Fläche des Schneepflugschilds (6) gebildet sind, wenn in eine Pflügerichtung
des Schilds (6) gesehen, derart, dass der Schild (6) als eine durchgehende elastische
Schildkonstruktion gebildet ist, wobei die Bereiche des Schilds (6), die sich zwischen
den elastischen Bereichen (9) befinden, Schildelemente bilden, die starrer als die
elastischen Bereiche (9) sind und die im Gebrauch gesteuert und zu ihrer Arbeitsposition
hin federvorgespannt werden können.
2. Schneepflugschild nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elastischen Bereiche (9) in regelmäßigen Intervallen bereitgestellt sind.
3. Schneepflugschild nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wischerbereich (10) ein gerader Wischerbereich (10) ist, der gegen den Schneepflugflügel
(7) gespannt werden kann.
4. Schneepflugschild nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wischerbereich (10) ein gekrümmter Wischerbereich (10) ist, der als gekrümmt
gegen den Flügel gespannt werden kann.
5. Schneepflug, der einen Pflugflügel (7) und einen Schneepflugschild (6) nach einem
der Ansprüche 1 bis 4 umfasst, der am unteren Bereich des Pflugflügels (7) elastisch
befestigt ist, wobei der Schneepflugschild (6) an Schildhaltern (4) befestigt ist,
an denen ein Schieber (1) befestigt ist, und wobei am Schneepflugflügel (7) eine Stützkonstruktion
(8) befestigt ist, die eine Gleitführung (2) beinhaltet, die parallel zum unteren
Teil des Pflugflügels (7) verläuft, wobei der Schieber (1) in der Gleitführung (2)
positioniert ist, um in der Gleitführung (2) zu gleiten, und wobei die Schneepflugkonstruktion
Federbereiche (3) beinhaltet, die zwischen den Schildhaltern (4) und der Stützkonstruktion
(8) angeordnet sind und die angeordnet sind, den Schildhalter (4) im Gebrauchszustand
nach unten zu drücken.
6. Schneepflug nach Anspruch 5, wobei sich über der Gleitführung (2) ein Begrenzer (5)
befindet, der angeordnet ist, die Bewegung des Schiebers im Gebrauchszustand nach
unten zu beenden.
1. Lame de chasse-neige (6) destinée à être élastiquement fixée à la section inférieure
d'une aile de chasse-neige (7), comprenant une section d'essuyage (10) agencée pour
pouvoir coulisser conjointement avec les déplacements de la lame (6) sur la surface
de la section inférieure de l'aile de chasse-neige (7), la section d'essuyage (10)
étant facultativement prévue sous la forme d'une section séparée, raccordée à la lame
(6), caractérisée en ce que la lame de chasse-neige (6) est prévue avec des sections élastiques (9) qui sont
formées en chanfreinant la surface arrière de la lame de chasse-neige (6), lorsqu'elles
sont observée dans une direction de raclage de la lame (6), de sorte que la lame (6)
est formée comme une construction de lame élastique continue, dans laquelle les sections
de la lame (6) positionnées entre les sections élastiques (9) forment des éléments
de lame, qui sont plus rigides que les sections élastiques (9) et qui peuvent, à l'usage,
être commandées et sollicitées par ressort dans leur position de travail.
2. Lame de chasse-neige selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les sections élastiques (9) sont prévues à intervalles réguliers.
3. Lame de chasse-neige selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisée en ce que la section d'essuyage (10) est une section d'essuyage droite (10) qui peut être tendue
contre l'aile de chasse-neige (7).
4. Lame de chasse-neige selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisée en ce que la section d'essuyage (10) est une section d'essuyage incurvée (10) qui peut être
tendue lorsqu'elle est incurvée contre l'aile.
5. Chasse-neige comprenant une aile de chasse-neige (7) et une lame de chasse-neige (6)
selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4 élastiquement fixée à la section inférieure
de l'aile de racleur (7), dans lequel la lame de chasse-neige (6) est fixée aux supports
de lame (4), auxquels est fixée une glissière (1), et dans lequel, à l'aile de chasse-neige
(7), est fixée une construction de support (8) qui comprend un guide de coulissement
(2) qui est parallèle à la partie inférieure de l'aile de chasse-neige (7), la glissière
(1) étant positionnée dans le guide de coulissement (2) pour coulisser dans le guide
de coulissement (2) et dans lequel la construction de chasse-neige comprend des sections
de ressort (3), qui sont agencées entre les supports de lame (4) et la construction
de support (8) et qui sont agencées pour comprimer le support de lame (4) vers le
bas, lorsqu'elles sont observées dans la condition d'utilisation.
6. Chasse-neige selon la revendication 5, dans lequel au-dessus du guide de coulissement
(2), il y a un limiteur (5) qui est agencé pour arrêter le déplacement de la glissière
vers le bas, lorsqu'il est observé en condition d'utilisation.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description