Patent Publication Number: US-11643309-B2

Title: Rotary tower with ballast

Description:
This invention relates to a rotary tower equipped with ballast. 
     More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a rotary tower equipped with ballast for an operator vehicle. 
     In the operator vehicles equipped with a rotary tower, use is made of a ballast for at least partly counterbalancing the weight of an apparatus, such as, for example, an operator arm or other tool, associated with the rotary tower itself, which also supports the operating cabin. 
     The rotary tower is provided with the possibility of rotating relative to the vehicle about a main axis, normally perpendicular to the supporting surface of the vehicle. The rotation available for the tower is typically a full and multiple circles, in both directions. 
     Since the operator arm or other tool associated with the rotary tower often has quite a significant weight, the ballast associated with the tower also has an equally significant weight, so as to provide a suitable balancing for the operator arm. The ballast, consequently, also has considerable dimensions, which must be taken into account during the rotation of the tower. 
     In fact, the ballast is normally located behind the driver&#39;s cab, in a position opposite the operator arm relative to the axis of rotation of the tower, protruding laterally to the driver&#39;s cab. 
     By performing the rotation of the tower, the operator must therefore ensure that the circular trajectory followed by the ballast is free from obstacles, so as not to produce impacts which could trigger dangerous oscillations of the tower and of the vehicle. On the other hand, the attention of the operator is directed mainly to the operator arm and the maneuvering of the latter, so that the risk that the ballast can strike an obstacle cannot be excluded. Currently, there are no operator aids for controlling the trajectory followed by the ballast during rotation of the tower. 
     The aim of the invention is to provide a rotary tower equipped with ballast which allows the above-mentioned drawback to be overcome, providing an aid to the operator for controlling the trajectory followed by the ballast. 
    
    
     
       Features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows of an embodiment of the invention according to the invention, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings in which:— 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view of a ballast according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of an operator vehicle equipped with a ballast according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     The ballast according to the invention comprises a main body ( 10 ), equipped with coupling means designed to allow a connection to the rotary tower of an operator vehicle. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the operator vehicle comprises a platform ( 3 ), equipped with movement means, structured to allow the resting and the movement on a ground of the platform. In short, the platform ( 3 ) is the part of the vehicle which comprises the load-bearing frame, to which the means of movement, the motor and other devices for driving and controlling the vehicle are associated. Depending on the type of vehicle, the size and the tools supported, the platform ( 3 ) has different features, known in the trade. In  FIG.  2    the movement means consist of wheels, but according to other embodiments, known in the sector, the movement means could also comprise tracks and/or further wheels. The movement means are connected to a main motor, for receiving the drive force produced by the motor. 
     The operator vehicle is provided with a tower ( 1 ), equipped with a frame ( 2 ) connected to the platform ( 3 ) in a rotary fashion about a main axis (X). According to the non-limiting example embodiment illustrated, the tower ( 1 ) supports an apparatus (A), in the form of a telescopic arm, articulated to the frame ( 2 ) of the tower ( 1 ) about a horizontal axis of rotation (Y). In known manner, the telescopic arm can rotate about the horizontal axis (Y) to adopt different inclinations on a vertical plane. The tower ( 1 ) also carries a driving position (D) for an operator, equipped with the controls necessary for driving and operating the vehicle and the apparatus (A). 
     A rotary motor, of the type known in the sector, is designed for producing the rotation of the tower ( 1 ) relative to the platform ( 3 ) about the main axis (X); preferably, the rotary motor is of the hydraulic type and is driven by a distributor subject to the control signals sent by the control unit. 
     The ballast (B) according to the invention is associated with the frame ( 2 ) of the tower ( 1 ). According to the non-limiting example embodiment illustrated, the ballast (B) is associated with the frame ( 2 ) under the articulated end of the apparatus (A), that is, of the telescopic arm. The ballast (B) is located in a zone behind the driving position (D), that is to say, it is located behind the operator. 
     The ballast (B) comprises a detecting device ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ), associated with the main body ( 10 ). The detecting device is designed for detecting the presence of an obstacle positioned at a distance which is less than a predetermined safety distance from the main body ( 10 ). Moreover, the detecting device is designed for emitting a proximity signal, indicating the presence of an obstacle at a distance which is less than the safety distance from the main body ( 10 ). 
     In short, the detecting device is able to perceive the presence of an obstacle which is closer to the main body ( 10 ) than a predetermined safety distance, and emit a corresponding signal, which may be transmitted directly to the operator, in the form of an acoustic or visual signal, and/or can be transmitted to a control unit, as described in more detail below. If, during the rotation of the tower ( 1 ), the ballast (B) moves closer to an obstacle than a predetermined safety distance, the detecting device emits the relative proximity signal. The proximity signal can be sent directly to the operator, who can slow down and/or stop the rotary motor, stopping the ballast before impact against the obstacle. Alternatively or in combination with the proximity signal transmitted to the operator, the proximity signal may be transmitted to the control unit, which can act on the rotary motor. 
     In particular, the operator vehicle is equipped with a control module, for example provided in the control unit, connected to the detecting device ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ) and to the rotary motor, which is designed to transmit control signals to the above-mentioned distributor, in such a way that this drives the rotary motor as a function of the proximity signal emitted by the detecting device ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ). According to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the control module is set up to slow down and/or stop the rotary motor (through the distributor), in the presence of the proximity signal. In other words, the control module is able to slow down, and stop at the suitable moment, the rotation of the tower ( 1 ), acting on the distributor which in turn controls the rotary motor, to prevent the ballast (B) from striking the obstacle. This function is performed by the control module thanks to a suitable algorithm. The stopping of the rotation of the tower ( 1 ) is preceded by a slowing down suitable for preventing the triggering of oscillations. 
     According to a possible embodiment, the detecting device ( 11 ,  12 ,  13 ) comprises one or more proximity sensors. For example, the proximity sensors are ultrasound sensors or radar sensors. In any case, one skilled in the trade is able to select a proximity sensor who uses a technology suitable for the planned use. The proximity sensors are positioned in the most protruding zones of the main body ( 10 ). For example, according to the embodiment illustrated, the main body ( 10 ) has an ogival shape, elongate along a substantially horizontal direction. The detecting device comprises a sensor ( 12 ) located in a central or middle position of the main body ( 10 ), and two lateral sensors ( 11 ,  13 ), located at the ends of the main body ( 10 ). Obviously, the sensors face towards the outside of the vehicle. Thanks to the ballast according to the invention, in both the presence of a control module and in the presence of a proximity signal transmitted directly in visual or acoustic form, the operator can calmly rotate the tower, concentrating mainly on the operation of the apparatus (A). This is because the detecting device, either directly, or indirectly through the control module, warns the operator of the presence of an obstacle along the trajectory of the ballast (B), allowing a timely stopping of the rotation of the tower, preceded by a slowing down suitable to prevent the triggering of oscillations.