The invention relates to a movable breaker system for lumpy material, comprising a frame provided with at least one undercarriage element, a breaker arranged on the frame with a discharge opening for broken material, and a charging conveyor device rigidly mounted on the frame for loading the breaker, wherein the end of the charging conveyor device on the feeding side comprises a charging container, in particular a bunker, wherein at least one first undercarriage element is secured at the end region of the frame on the feeding side, and at least one second undercarriage element is secured at the end region of the frame on the breaker side.

The material excavated in the mining sector with the various different excavating machines and excavating methods is, in general, largely inhomogeneous with regard to the size of the rock pieces, and, in particular, there are frequently very large pieces present in the broken material, which are not suitable for conveying on conveyor belts. It is therefore necessary in most cases for comminution devices to be used, which reduce the lumpy comminution material, such as ores (iron ore, brown iron ore (limonite), copper ore, gold ore), rock (granite, bedrock, gypsolith, serpentine rock, limestone), stone coal, oil shale, marl, clay, and rubble, to a desired predetermined maximum grain size.

The principle is known of using mobile breaker systems, which are loaded directly at the extraction location by the excavating machine, such as a bucket loader, and which follow the development progress of the excavation. Such comminution devices can be designed as run-through or continuous breakers, wherein continuous conveyors and in particular apron conveyors are used for the charging. The apron conveyors then convey the material to be comminuted into the operational area of breaker or impact rollers, wherein, with such breaker systems, design arrangements are known with which a plurality of such breaker and impact rollers are arranged one behind another in the conveying direction to take effect. The mobile breaker system further comprises in most cases an integrated removal conveyor device, which in most cases is designed as a conveyor belt, with which material comminuted by the breaker can be transferred onto a separate stationary conveyor.

Movable breaker systems are known in the most widely varied design forms. From AT 507654 Bl a movable comminution device of type referred to heretofore is known, with which the material to be comminuted is conducted to a charging container and transferred to a downstream discharge conveyor, with the intermediate engagement of a comminution device. In order to avoid an oscillation movement, during the loading of the charging container, of the end of the charging conveyor device on the charging side, the charging container is secured rigidly to a load-bearing structure formed by the frame.

In addition, various different design embodiments of movable breaker systems have become known, which allow for the direct charging of the charging container via a slope edge. From DE 2834987 Al, for example, a movable breaker system can be derived with which the conveyor belt is arranged with its feeding hopper capable of being raised and lowered about a horizontal axis, in order to allow for direct charging of the receiving hopper in different height positions. During the feeding or breaking processes, this mobile breaker is supported by adjustable supports on the levelled ground.

The principle of guiding a mobile breaker along the slope edge is known from DE 3936681 Al, but in that case there is no height adjustment of the feeding line.

A further embodiment of the receiving bunker can be derived from DE 102011051941 Al, in which the apron conveyor extends beyond a section opposite to the conveying direction over the base of the receiving bunker, and the carrying structure comprises free connection points for the bolting on of the receiving bunker. Different sizes of a receiving bunker are intended to be interchangeable against one another as modules.

With the receiving bunker from WO 2008/032057 Al, the apron delivery conveyor is likewise arranged to extend beyond the receiving bunker, and interacts with a filling hopper formed from a sealing material. A disadvantage with the prior art, however, is that the breakers described are either not suitable for direct charging over a slope edge, or have to be continuously retracted along a slope edge in order to take account of the excavation development. This, however, is associated with a high degree of effort and expenditure in terms of control and monitoring, as well as with high apparatus expense, and leads to restrictions on the delivery capacity of the breaker.

The object of the present invention is therefore to avoid the disadvantages referred to heretofore.

To solve this object, the movable breaker system of the type referred to heretofore is further developed essentially in such a way that at least one undercarriage element is arranged to be retractable in the height direction, such that a region of the frame or of the charging container, arranged at the end of the feeding side, can be set down on the ground. As a result of the feeding side region of the frame or of the charging container being capable of mounting on the ground, an adequate support of the frame on the ground is assured such that the stability is increased. The weight and oscillation load which occurs during the loading of the charging container is therefore conducted directly into the ground, so that the burden on the undercarriage element is eased. With this measure the capacity of the charging container can be increased, such that the movable breaker can remain at one location for a longer and extended period. The effort required for the follow-on moving the movable breaker is therefore

considerably reduced.

With the arrangement according to the invention, a method is achieved with which the mobile breaker is manoeuvred approximately at right angles to an existing slope edge, such that the charging container of the mobile breaker can be moved forwards directly following the course of the slope. For the charging process, the undercarriage elements arranged beneath the charging container are raised, such that direct support on the ground is achieved, in order to relieve the burden on the crawler undercarriage. During this entire charging period, the mobile breaker remains at one location, transfers the material onto a further conveyor element, in particular a discharge delivery device, which transfers the material to the stationary discharging conveyor system. A preferred embodiment makes provision for the region of the frame or of the charging container, which can be mounted on the ground, carries reinforcement plates on the ground side. As a result of this, the supporting of the frame or of the charging container respectively on the ground is improved, wherein a snug contact on the ground is guaranteed. The first undercarriage element on the feeding side can in this situation be retracted sufficiently far that it reaches with its ground contact plane at least onto the plane corresponding to the ground contact plane of the reinforcement plates, or even further up.

A preferred embodiment makes provision in this situation for the first undercarriage element on both sides laterally outside the reinforcement plates to comprise in each case an undercarriage unit which is retractable in the height direction.

According to a preferred further embodiment, an optimum support is then achieved if the undercarriage elements overall comprise three support bearings for the frame, which form a triangle. In this situation provision can advantageously be made for the undercarriage element secured at the feeding-side end region of the frame to comprise on both sides, outside the longitudinal mid-plane, an undercarriage unit in each case, and the undercarriage element secured at the end region of the frame on the breaker side comprises a middle support bearing. In this manner a support triangle is formed, such that a correspondingly stable support is ensured.

A preferred further embodiment provides for the charging conveyor device is formed by a conveyor belt, in particular an apron conveyor belt.

A preferred further embodiment makes provision for the charging container to comprise a front container wall, inclined forwards, which is screened by a front screening wall inclined forwards, wherein the screening wall preferably extends as far as the plane of the reinforcement plates. The front screening wall, in the retracted state of the first undercarriage element, forms a screen which extends as far as the base of the terrain, and thereby protects the region of the undercarriage element fully and reliably against falling material. The front screening wall further allows for a flat surface contact with the respective slope, such that the charging device can be moved as far as directly at the slope.

An immediate placement of the front screening wall or the load edge of the charging container at the slope is particularly favoured in that, as this corresponds to a preferred further embodiment, the conveyor belt is arranged in its entirety behind the plane of the front screening wall.

In order to allow for an adjustment to the respective slope angle, a preferred further embodiment makes provision for the inclination of the front screening wall to be adjustable.

In order to attain an effective screening of the movable breaker, a preferred further embodiment makes provision for the front screening wall to project on both sides over the width of the charging container.

A preferred further embodiment makes provision for the front screening wall to comprise two lateral protection walls, arranged at a distance from one another, projecting upwards from the upper edge of the front screening wall and preferably perpendicular, between which the upper edge of the front container wall or the front screening wall respectively forms a loading edge for the loading of the charging container. As a result of this, a loading region is created which is defined in its width, such that the falling of material to the side of the charging container can be avoided. This facilitates the transfer of material by a plurality of delivery vehicles, such as, for example, crawler dozer vehicles.

A preferred embodiment makes provision for the lateral protection walls to be arranged in the region of the undercarriage units of the first undercarriage element, in order to protect the undercarriage units against falling material.

In order also to ensure a lateral protection of the charging container, of the frame, and/or of the undercarriage, a preferred embodiment provides for lateral screening walls to connect to the front screening wall, which lateral walls preferably extend as far as the reinforcement plates. A preferred embodiment makes provision for the charging container to exhibit a height which corresponds at least to half the conveying height of the charging conveyor device, such that an adequate receiving capacity is ensured.

A preferred embodiment makes provision for the first and second undercarriage elements in each case to be connected to the frame such as to pivot about an oscillating journal running horizontally and transverse to the conveying direction. This allows for account to be taken of any unevenness in terrain.

The mobility is preferably ensured by the first and/or the second undercarriage elements being arranged as crawler undercarriage elements. As an alternative, the undercarriage element can also be arranged as a travelling mechanism.

A preferred embodiment makes provision for a discharge conveyor device to be provided, the feeding-side end of which is arranged beneath the discharge opening of the breaker. For particular preference, the discharge conveyor device is detached from the breaker, and formed as a separately mobile unit, provided with its own

undercarriage. Due to the fact that the discharge conveyor device is not mounted on the same frame as the charging conveyor device and the breaker, any oscillations which occur during the transfer of lumpy material onto the charging conveyor device will not be transferred onto the discharge conveyor device. Accordingly, no rigid connection pertains between the charging conveyor device and the breaker on the one hand and the discharge conveyor device on the other, such that the feeding-side end of the discharge device is subject only to the load imposed by the impact of the comminuted material falling out of the discharge opening of the breaker. This loading is, however, substantially more uniform than the dynamic loading incurred by impact pulses caused by the lumpy and not yet comminuted material, such that the discharge conveyor device is essentially not subjected to any oscillation loading. Due to the fact that the discharge conveyor device is provided with its own undercarriage element, a substantially more flexible engagement of the discharge conveyor device is achieved. In particular, the discharge device can be arranged in different positions and alignments relative to the breaker, as a result of which, in a simple manner, the conveying away of the comminuted material into an area laterally outside the excavated stretch is achieved. In addition, almost any desired discharge conveyor devices can be used, wherein the only requirement is that the feeding-side end of the discharge device can be placed beneath discharge opening of the breaker.

In a further preferred embodiment, the discharge conveyor device can be arranged as a bridge conveyor, in particular a bridge belt conveyor. In comparison with the embodiment with two discharge conveyors projecting from a movable frame, this achieves a substantial technical simplification of the further conveying of the material, since the feeding-side end and the output-side end of the onward-leading conveyor is mounted on bearings at the end points, and can be adjusted to changes in terrain.

In order to allow for a pivoting of the discharge conveyor, and in particular for an adjustment of the conveyor device, provision is preferably made for the conveyor device(s) of the discharge conveyor to be arranged so as to pivot about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the undercarriage element of the discharge conveyor.

The invention is explained hereinafter on the basis of the exemplary embodiments schematically represented in the drawings. In these, Fig. 1 shows a movable breaker system according to the invention in a side view during the charging process, Fig. 2 shows the breaker system according to Fig. 1 in the situation of moving to the next operational location, Fig. 3 the position of the movable breaker system during charging and during the procedure, in a plan view, and Fig. 4 a front view of the movable breaker system with the front screening wall.

In Fig. 1, a breaker system according to the present invention is designated as 1, wherein the breaker system 1 consists of a charging conveyor device 2 and a discharge conveyor device 3. The charging conveyor device 2 comprises at its feeding- side end a charging container in the form of a bunker 4, into which the excavated material from the excavator machine is filled. The material located in the bunker 4 is conveyed via an apron conveyor 5 to the breaker 6, in which the material is comminuted and then transferred to the feeding- side end 7 of the discharge conveyor device 3. The discharge conveyor device 3 is only indicated schematically in Fig. 1, wherein this can preferably be a bridge belt conveyor. The bridge belt conveyor can comprise two projecting arms which are essentially capable of pivoting horizontally, and is provided with its own undercarriage element, such that the point of charge and discharge of the material conveyed by the discharge conveyor device 3 can be selected flexibly. Preferably, there is no fixed connection, or no connection at all, between the breaker 6 or, respectively, a downstream discharge hopper and the feeding-side end of the discharge conveyor device 3, such that no vibrations are transferred onto the discharge conveyor device 3 due to the projection of a discharge belt located on the frame. The discharge conveyor device 3 transfers the conveyed comminuted material onto a stationary conveyor device 14.

It can further be seen in Fig. 1 that the breaker system 1 comprises a crawler undercarriage element 8 in the region of the charging conveyor device 2 beneath the bunker 4, which has been retracted for the charging of the charging conveyor device 2 upwards in the direction of the arrow 9, such that the crawler undercarriage 8 can be kept free of loads. For moving the crawler undercarriage 8 inwards and outwards, a hydraulic cylinder and piston device 10 is provided. Arranged in the rear region of the breaker system 1 is a further crawler undercarriage 12.

The frame of the breaker system 1 and the underside of the charging conveyor device 2 respectively carry reinforcement plates 11, which, in the lowered charging state represented in Fig. 1, are lying on the ground 13.

The charging of the bunker 4 takes place from an elevated plane 15 of the terrain by way of delivery vehicles, such as, for example, crawler dozers 16. In this situation, a slope 17 is formed, onto which the breaker system 1 is moved. The front bunker wall is designated in this situation by 18, and extends with its loading edge 19 to the upper edge of the slope 17, in order to allow for a direct charging of the bunker 4. In order to protect the breaker system 1 and the crawler undercarriage 8 against falling material, a front screening wall 20 is allocated to the front bunker wall 18, the inclination of which corresponds to the inclination of the slope 17. The front screening wall 20 comprises two lateral protection walls 21, arranged at a distance from each other, projecting perpendicularly upwards from the upper edge of the front screening wall 20, which are intended to avoid material falling to the side of the charging area of the bunker 4. This is shown in more precise detail in Fig. 4. Represented in Fig. 2 is the breaker device 1, in a position located at a distance from the slope 17. It can be seen that the crawler undercarriage 8 has again been moved out for the purpose of moving the breaker system 1, as a result of which the frame, together with the reinforcement plates 11, has been raised.

In the plan view according to Fig. 3, the breaker system 1 is represented in a first position, in which the bunker 4 is charged by means of a plurality of delivery vehicles 16. After the completion of the charging process, the breaker system 1 is first moved back in accordance with the arrow 22, and then moved in accordance with the arrow 23 in a direction parallel to the slope 17, in order to reach a new operational position. During the entire movement process, the discharge conveyor device 3 is followed on by pivoting in such a way that a material transfer onto the stationary delivery device 14 is possible at all times. The breaker 6 can therefore also be operated continuously even during the movement process. In the movement position, the breaker system is designated by 1 ' .

In Fig. 3 it can further be seen that the front screening wall 20 projects laterally over the width of the breaker system 1. As well as this, it can be seen from Fig. 1 that the front undercarriage element comprises two undercarriage units 8, which are arranged outside the reinforcement plates 11 which are arranged in the middle.

In Fig. 4, the front screening wall 20 can be seen, which in the region projecting over the slope 17 comprises two lateral protection walls 21. In the region between the protection walls 21 runs the loading edge 19, over which the bunker 4 can be charged. The front screening wall 20 is arranged as wider than the width of the breaker system 1, wherein it extends as far as the ground 13, in order also to be able to protect the undercarriage units 8 of the front crawler undercarriage element.