EP3647042A1 - Machine for high efficiency compacting of compressible waste - Google Patents

Abstract

A waste compacting machine (10) comprising: a cylindrical cavity (14); a compacting roller (44) and drive members (38, 36, 42) for driving said compacting roller (44) inside said cylindrical cavity (14), a measuring device for providing a representative value forces exerted by said drive members; a device for lifting the compacting roller (44) and control members connected to said lifting device and to said measuring device for controlling the lifting of said compacting roller (44), when said measuring device provides a higher force value to a limit value. Said control members include a timer in order to be able to control the lifting of said compacting roller (44), if and only if said measuring device supplies during a predetermined time interval, a force value greater than said limit value.

Description

The present invention relates to a compacting machine for high-yield compressible waste making it possible to form transportable bales.

A field of application envisaged is in particular, but not exclusively, that of the compacting of cellulosic type waste, for example cardboard, or even, plastic waste.

Known compaction machines include a substantially vertical cylindrical compaction cavity having an upper end open to receive waste and an opposite lower end. This lower end receives a support, such as a handling pallet, easily transportable by means of a pallet truck. Also, the cylindrical compaction cavity is delimited at the front, by a semi-cylindrical portion divided into two hinged doors pivotally mounted along two diametrically opposite parallel axes of the cavity. Prior to using the machine, an open plastic bag with a volume equivalent to that of the cylindrical compacting cavity is installed precisely inside the cavity and supported on the handling pallet. In addition, the compacting machine comprises a compacting and shredding device comprising a compacting roller equipped with teeth and drive members for driving it in a vertical translational movement and a double rotational movement inside the cylindrical compacting cavity so as to vertically compact the waste on the handling pallet as it is introduced through the open upper end. In this way, a cylindrical compacted waste ball is formed inside the plastic bag.

On the other hand, when too large quantities of waste are introduced through the open upper end, or else the waste introduced is less compressible, risks of jamming of the compacting machine appear. Also, to overcome this, it has been imagined to automatically vary the operating speed of the compacting cylinder, in function of the mechanical resistance encountered by the cylinder inside the cylindrical cavity. Consequently, a measuring device provides a value representative of the power delivered by the drive members of the compacting roller, and when this power value is greater than a given threshold, the compacting roller is raised and its direction of rotation is reversed. We can refer in particular to the document FR2802462 , which describes such a mode of implementation.

However, if this mode of implementation has advantages, in certain circumstances, in particular when the waste to be treated is not very compressible or even rigid, or even when too large quantities of waste are introduced, the compacting roller is raised immediately and compaction is no longer done, or else with degraded productivity.

Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a compaction machine which makes it possible to compact the waste with high productivity under all circumstances and in particular, when a large quantity of waste is introduced into the cylindrical cavity.

For this purpose, a waste compacting machine is proposed comprising: a substantially vertical cylindrical cavity having an open upper end for receiving waste; a compacting roller and drive members for driving said compacting roller in a double rotational movement inside said cylindrical cavity, while said roller is free in vertical translation, so as to be able to compact said waste; a measuring device connected to said drive members, to provide a value representative of the forces exerted by said drive members to drive said compacting roller; a device for lifting said compacting roller and control members connected to said lifting device and said measuring device for controlling the lifting of said compacting roller, when said measuring device provides a force value greater than a limit value. Said control members also comprise a timer in order to be able to control the lifting of said compacting roller, if and only if said measuring device supplies during a predetermined time interval, a force value greater than said limit value.

Thus, a characteristic of the invention resides in the implementation of a timer, that is to say a clock making it possible to count down the time, which surprisingly makes it possible to reduce the frequency of reading of the compaction roller. , while overcoming the jams. In other words, when the waste in a clogging situation offers the compaction roller a high resistance, consequently, the drive members must exert greater efforts. Also, instead of causing the compacting roller to be raised as soon as the forces reach a limit value, the forces are prolonged. Therefore, and in most cases, this overcomes the resistance offered by the waste and the compaction roller to continue its course. In this way, the compacting roller compresses the waste over longer periods of time, and makes it possible to ensure better compaction, and also a better yield. The yield can be seen as the amount of waste compacted per unit of time.

In addition, thanks to the timer, there is no need to interrupt the operation of the compaction machine to operate manual cleaning, in the event of severe jamming.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the predetermined time interval is greater than one second. In this way, it turns out that after one second, the power supplied by the drive members is sufficient for the compacting roller to overcome a majority of the obstacles it encounters. On the other hand, for a minority, this power is not sufficient, and consequently, the lifting device causes the lifting of the compacting roller. It will be observed that the determined time interval is advantageously between one and two seconds. It can then be adjusted according to the type of waste to be compacted so as to obtain maximum yield.

Furthermore, and according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said control members are also connected to said drive members in order to be able to reverse the direction of drive of said roller. compaction. In this way, as soon as the compacting roller is raised, the control members order the drive members to operate the compacting roller in reverse, both in its direction of rotation around its own axis of symmetry and in its rotation in the cylindrical cavity as will be explained in more detail in the following description. Consequently, when the accumulated waste offers resistance to the compacting roller in a direction of rotation, the change of direction of rotation allows the compacting roller to take the accumulated waste backwards and shred it and then compact it. In addition, the compacting roller is raised, then released to compact the waste again under the action of its own weight.

In addition, and preferably, said drive members comprise a hydraulic motor, while said measuring device comprises a pressure indicator. The use of a hydraulic motor makes it possible to obtain a large driving force located in a space that is not very bulky. Thus, by installing a pressure indicator on the fluid supplying the hydraulic motor, it is easy to measure the forces encountered by the hydraulic motor since the fluid pressure increases correspondingly. In addition, the drive members include gear trains allowing the single hydraulic motor to rotate the compacting roller, both around its own axis of symmetry, and also in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis which will be detailed below.

In addition, said lifting device advantageously comprises a hydraulic cylinder. In this way, thanks to a single hydraulic pump, both the hydraulic motor is supplied to drive said compacting roller and the hydraulic cylinder to raise said compacting roller. Thus, the energy resources are rationalized. Still pursuing this latter goal, said hydraulic motor and said hydraulic cylinder are advantageously supplied by the same hydraulic circuit. As soon as the compaction roller is raised thanks to the hydraulic cylinder, the drive members require little energy, because the compaction roller does not act little or no waste. Consequently, the implementation of the same hydraulic circuit does not raise any difficulties, and makes it possible to reduce both the power of the hydraulic pump and the length of the supply line.

Preferably, said control members also comprise another timer in order to be able to control the lifting of said compacting roller during another determined time interval. Thus, said other timer makes it possible to control the operation of the hydraulic cylinder for another determined time, for example three seconds, during which the compacting roller is raised. At the expiration of these three seconds, the hydraulic cylinder ceases to be supplied and the compacting roller, under the effect of its own weight, falls in abutment on the compacted and compacted waste.

According to another embodiment, said drive members comprise an electric motor, while said measuring device comprises an indicator of electric power consumed by the motor. Thus, thanks to the indicator of electrical power consumed, it is easy to measure the forces encountered by the motor during the compaction of the waste.

• la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective de dessus d'une machine de compactage conforme à l'invention ;
• la Figure 2 est vue schématique de côté de la machine de compactage représenté sur la Figure 1 ;
• la Figure 3 est une vue schématique d'un circuit hydraulique mis en œuvre dans la machine de compactage selon l'invention ; et,
• la Figure 4 est un synoptique des moyens de commande de la machine de compactage selon l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of a compacting machine according to the invention;
• the Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the compacting machine shown in the Figure 1 ;
• the Figure 3 is a schematic view of a hydraulic circuit implemented in the compacting machine according to the invention; and,
• the Figure 4 is a block diagram of the control means of the compacting machine according to the invention.

The Figure 1 shows a compaction machine 10 according to the invention. It includes a first part forming a bracket 12 and a second receiving part 14 intended to be engaged under the first part forming a bracket 12. Thus, the latter comprises a U-shaped section 16 maintained in a vertical position on a floor wall 15, by virtue of a base 18 having two longitudinal members 20, 22 separated l of each other. The two longitudinal members 20, 22 define on the ground wall 15 a receiving surface 25. Also, the compacting machine 10 has an upper part 27 which extends overhanging the receiving surface 25. Thus, the upper part 27 and the receiving surface 25 do they vertically delimit a receiving space 29. In addition, the upper part 27 comprises a cylindrical jacket with a circular base 31 and delimiting an upper opening 32 and an opposite lower opening 33.

The U-shaped profile 16 is adapted to form a slide. Also, the compacting machine 10 comprises an arm 24 having a first end 26 slidably mounted in the upper part of the U-shaped section 16 and a second opposite end 28.

The first end 26 of the arm 24 which is found illustrated on the Figure 2 is connected to an actuator rod 30, which extends longitudinally inside the U-shaped profile 16 to engage in an actuator body 35. The latter is for a single effect and it extends longitudinally to the inside the U-shaped section 16 up to the base 18. In this way, the jack rod 30 can drive the arm 24 in translation in a vertical direction.

The arm 24 extends overhanging the upper part 27 of the compacting machine 10 and at its second end 28 is installed a column 36.

We find column 36 on the Figure 1 to which we will refer again. It is thus held vertically substantially coaxially inside the cylindrical jacket 31.

The column 36 has an upper end of the column 37 receiving here a hydraulic motor 38, and a lower end 40 receiving a return block 42. And the return block 42 laterally receives a compacting roller 44. The compacting roller 44 comprises in protrusion from its cylindrical surface of the asperities in point 47 of diamond or arrows, making it possible to engage in plastic waste in order to be able to better entrain and shred it.

We will refer to the Figure 3 , illustrating a hydraulic circuit 50 housed inside the compacting machine 10 and on which we find, according to conventional diagrams, the jack body 35 and the hydraulic motor 38. The hydraulic circuit 50 comprises an oil tank 52, to which a pump 54 is connected; which pump 54 is rotated by means of an electric motor 56.

The hydraulic motor 38 is then supplied with oil by means of the pump 54 by means of a three-position reversing distributor 58. The three positions allow the hydraulic motor to rotate in two opposite directions and also to bring it to a standstill, in particular to ensure the transition between the two directions of rotation as will be explained below.

The cylinder body 35 is also supplied with oil by the pump 54 thanks to a two-position distributor 60; which distributor controls the pressurization of the cylinder body 35 or the exhaust in the tank 52. When the cylinder body 35 is exhausted, the cylinder rod 30 retracts itself inside under the weight of the elements it supports.

Also, the oil pressure in the supply circuit of the hydraulic motor 38 is controlled by a pressure sensor 62, which measures the pressure of the oil supplying the hydraulic motor 38, and provides a signal when this pressure value exceeds a limit value.

We also represented on the Figure 4 a control diagram of the compacting machine 10 represented on the Figure 1 . So, we find on this Figure 4 , the pressure detector 62, which is capable of supplying a signal for exceeding a limit pressure value to control members 64 including a first timer 65, a second timer 66, a third timer 67 and a microcontroller 68. timers 65, 66, 67 are respectively clocks allowing the countdown of time in a step corresponding to the hundredth of a second. The control members 64 are connected, on the one hand to the three-position reversing distributor 58 and on the other hand, to the two position distributor 60.

The operation of the compacting machine according to the invention will now be described.

According to a first step, it is installed in the receiving part 14 shown on the Figure 1 a plastic recovery bag and engaging the receiving part 14, then forming a cylindrical cavity, directly above the upper part 27. The jack body 35 shown in the Figure 2 is exhausted in the oil tank 52 via the control members 64 shown in the Figure 4 , so that the cylinder rod 30 in extension to maintain the arm 24 in the high position, descends under the weight of the elements that it supports. In this way, the column 36, the deflection unit 42 and the compacting roller 44 descend inside the cylindrical cavity.

Thus, still through the control members 64, the three-position reversing distributor 58 is controlled to drive the hydraulic motor 38 in a direction of rotation. In addition to the hydraulic motor 38, the drive members include meshes making it possible to rotate the return unit 42 about itself around the axis of the column 34, and the compacting roller 44 rotating around its own axis of symmetry, which extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of the column 34.

Waste is thus introduced through the upper opening 32, shown in the Figure 1 , and as and when they are introduced, they accumulate in the bottom of the plastic bag then causing the progressive ascent of the compaction roller 44, which remains pressing down on the waste that it compacts. Thanks to its double rotational movement, it both shreds the waste and distributes it evenly inside the cylindrical cavity.

However, as soon as the compacting roller 44 encounters mechanical resistance, due to an accumulation of waste, the hydraulic motor 38 provides a greater effort. Therefore, the pressure in the hydraulic circuit increases, and if this pressure reaches a pre-recorded limit value, between 50 and 150 bar, for example 90 bar, the pressure detector 62 shown in the Figure 3 transmits a signal to the control members 64 shown in the Figure 4 .

Consequently, the second timer 66 preset, for example to 1.5 seconds, starts. And when this time has elapsed, if the pressure detector 62 still transmits a signal representative of the pressure limit value, then the first timer 65 is started in turn and the microcontroller 68 of the control members 64 orders the distributor to two positions 60 the supply of pressurized oil to the jack body 35. In this way, the compacting roller 44 is driven in translation upwards. The setting of the first timer 65 is between two and five seconds, for example three seconds. In parallel with the triggering of the first timer 65, the third timer 67 is triggered. At the expiration of the duration of this third timer 67, the microcontroller 68 orders the inverter distributor 58 to stop the hydraulic motor 38. This third timer 67 is set for a duration shorter than that of the first timer 65 , for example at two seconds. In this way, after two seconds, the compacting roller 44 ceases to be driven, while the jack body 35 ceases to be fed after three seconds. Consequently, after three seconds, the compacting roller is controlled to rotate in an opposite direction, while it descends in support of the waste it compacts. In this way, it comes back to compact the waste causing the jam and in this way, eliminate it.

Thus, in the above example, the ascent of the compaction roller 44 and the reversal of its direction of rotation, takes place only if the resistance to movement of the compaction roller inside the cylindrical cavity reaches a certain intensity, measured by the oil pressure in the hydraulic circuit and for a determined time, one and a half seconds. Thanks to this characteristic, it avoids untimely rising of the compaction roller.

Claims (8)

Waste compacting machine (10) comprising: - a substantially vertical cylindrical cavity (14) having an open upper end (32) for receiving waste; a compacting roller (44) and drive members (38, 36, 42) for driving said compacting roller (44) according to a double rotational movement inside said cylindrical cavity (14), while said compaction roller (44) is free in vertical translation, so as to be able to compact said waste; - a measuring device (62) connected to said drive members (38) to provide a value representative of the forces exerted by said drive members to drive said compacting roller (44); - a lifting device (30, 35) of said compacting roller (44) and control members (64) connected to said lifting device (30, 35) and to said measuring device (62) for controlling the lifting of said roller compacting (44), when said measuring device (62) provides a force value greater than a limit value; characterized in that said control members (64) further comprise a timer (66) for being able to control the lifting of said compacting roller (44), if and only if said measuring device supplies during a predetermined period of time, a value force greater than said limit value. Compaction machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined time interval is greater than one second. Compaction machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control members (64) are further connected to said drive members (58) so as to be able to reverse the direction of drive of said compacting roller (44). Compaction machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said drive members comprise a hydraulic motor (38), while said measuring device (62) includes a pressure indicator. Compaction machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said lifting device (30, 35) comprises a hydraulic cylinder. Compaction machine according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said hydraulic motor (38) and said hydraulic cylinder (30, 35) are supplied by the same hydraulic circuit. Compaction machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said drive members comprise an electric motor, while the said measuring device comprises an indicator of the electric power consumed by the said motor. Compacting machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said control members (64) further comprise another timer (66) in order to be able to control the lifting of the said compacting roller (44) during another interval of determined time.

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