The invention relates to a comminution device for comminuting material to be comminuted, such as hard rock or raw materials in the stone and earth industry, in ore and natural stone processing, in mining and/or in the cement industry, in particular a crushing device designed as a gyratory crusher or cone crusher, preferably with an input power in the range from 50 up to 2000 kW.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a comminution device of the type mentioned at the outset with a camera. The invention also relates to the use of a camera for performing maintenance on a comminution device of the type mentioned at the outset. Finally, the invention relates to a method for performing maintenance on the comminution device of the type mentioned at the outset.

The comminution device has a plurality of components that have to be maintained when the comminution device is at standstill. It is usually the case that during a standstill a plurality of the components are maintained independently of one another and/or at the same time in order to minimize the time at standstill required for the entire maintenance. These components include a bevel gearing with the bevel gear and the bevel pinion, which should be maintained every three months, for example, with regard to contact pattern and backlash. However, the service life and thus in principle the maintenance-free time of the majority of the components of the comminution device is constantly increasing as a result of developments. For example, an increased service life of a (rotary) bearing of a comminution tool leads to a typically longer maintenance-free running time, i.e. longer maintenance-free intervals between maintenance. This results in less and less time at standstill and fewer opportunities to perform maintenance on the bevel gearing while performing maintenance on other components such as the comminution tool bearings. Complex dismantling must be carried out to perform maintenance on the bevel gearing, in particular in order to detect a contact pattern and/or to set backlash. For example, heavy housing parts from below the crusher housing or at the bottom of the crusher housing must be removed. Furthermore, the material to be comminuted usually has to be removed below, above and in the comminution device. This leads to high personnel costs for maintenance. Also, because most of the work has to be done below or in the comminution device, especially in the area of possibly falling material to be comminuted, the necessary occupational health and safety requires a lot of effort. Last but not least, the standstill of the comminution device leads to costs due to loss of production.

The object of the invention is therefore to specify a comminution device, a use and a method with reduced maintenance costs. In particular, occupational health and safety should be improved if a contact pattern is to be detected or backlash is to be set.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a comminution device according to claim 1 , a comminution device according to claim 12, a use according to claim 13 and a method according to claim 14. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

A comminution device for comminuting material to be comminuted, in particular a gyratory crusher or cone crusher, is proposed. This comminution device has a crusher housing, a comminution tool with an eccentrically movable mounted cone and with an outer crushing tool surrounding the cone, an input shaft for driving a bevel pinion, a/the bevel pinion for driving a bevel gear, a/the bevel gear operatively connected to the comminution tool and a countershaft with the bevel pinion which can be driven via the input shaft.

In particular, the comminution device is a crusher. The crusher is used to comminute brittle and hard materials. The brittle or hard materials are, for example, rock. A crusher is used when impact comminution is no longer possible due to the high compressive strength of the crushed material. Impact comminution is often no longer possible in mining operations and limestone quarries. The comminution tool, in particular the cone, is mounted so that it can move eccentrically - in particular in the crusher housing. Basically, this means that the comminution tool, in particular the cone, can be moved off-center to a reference point, for example an axis in the crusher housing, in particular in the middle of the outer crusher tool, in a circling manner about this reference point with a particularly constant and/or adjustable distance. The cone can rotate in the eccentric movement, but does not have to rotate. In particular, the cone is mounted eccentrically movable in a lower region and mounted centrically (i.e. immovably or possibly rotatably) in an upper region or an upper bearing, in order to be able to cause a type of wobbling in the crusher housing.

The eccentric mobility of the comminution tool, in particular of the cone, can be caused by an eccentric mechanism, in particular in connection with an axial bearing. The eccentric mechanism can have a recess that is eccentric to the center axis of the bevel gear, substantially in the middle of the bevel gear. For example, an eccentric bushing with the recess can be provided. In the recess, the comminution tool or the cone can be mounted eccentrically to the bevel gear or guided in a rotatable manner. The bearing housing can have the recess and/or a particularly hydrostatic bearing and/or rotary bearing or axial bearing for the comminution tool or the cone.

In the operative connection between the bevel gear and the comminution tool or cone, what matters in particular is an eccentric movement or eccentrically guided movement rather than a rotation of the comminution tool or the cone. The comminution tool or the cone therefore does not have to be rotationally operatively connected to the bevel gear. Nevertheless, the comminution tool or the cone can move at least substantially freely in its lower bearing, for example the eccentric recess.

Furthermore, an opening is provided for passing through an endoscopic camera, wherein the opening extends from external surroundings on the countershaft along and/or through the countershaft to a bevel gear toothing of the bevel gear and/or a bevel pinion toothing of the bevel pinion.

For example, an elongated opening on and/or in the vicinity of the countershaft or a countershaft housing is proposed as an opening, in order to be able to guide a camera directly from the outside right up to the bevel gearing without dismantling maintenance flaps or lines that are typically used for other purposes or to have to carry out connections in order to be able to insert the camera. This ensures in a simple way that there is little maintenance required.

According to a modified embodiment, it is provided that the comminution device has the camera, which is designed in particular as an endoscopic camera, and/or a control device for the camera for communication with a machine control and/or with an external gadget.

The camera can be an endoscopic camera or have one. In principle, the camera can provide an image signal that can be displayed on a monitor/display. In principle, the comminution device does not have to be equipped with the camera; rather, the opening for such a camera is proposed. An endoscopic camera has, for example, an elongated neck part for holding, in particular in a stiffened manner, a free end provided with a camera unit. This camera can simply be inserted into the opening and then held at a desired location, e.g. to view toothing in a confined space on a camera monitor.

Maintenance includes, in particular, servicing measures, for example repairs, replacements, adjustments and/or configurations. During maintenance, it may alternatively or additionally be possible to gain knowledge about the existence or nonexistence of a need for action with regard to servicing measures, in particular also called an inspection.

The opening provides an easy way to carry out maintenance or inspections on the bevel gear and bevel pinion without having to do major dismantling and without bringing personnel into areas where material to be comminuted typically falls during operation.

According to a modified embodiment, it is provided that the opening is integrated in a countershaft housing of the countershaft, the crusher housing and/or a lower bearing housing of the comminution tool and/or points to the bevel gear toothing and/or to the bevel pinion toothing. The opening may be located next to or very close to the intermediate transmission housing, for example at a distance in the range of 150 cm, 50 cm, 25 cm, 10 cm or less from it. It is particularly advantageous to place it in or through the countershaft housing, i.e. very close to the bevel pinion or its bearing. The opening is arranged in particular above a drive axle of the countershaft, in particular so that the opening is not in the flow of lubricant or gear oil or hydraulic oil. In this way, the camera can be brought to the region of engagement of the bevel pinion without any complex redesign of the comminution device. It has also surprisingly turned out that the positioning of the opening on or in the countershaft/countershaft housing leads to a negligible structural weakening of the comminution device.

The opening is not intended to guide lubricant or gear oil or hydraulic oil of the comminution device. The opening should therefore not be a connection or a connection hole for a lubricant circuit, precisely because the lubricant has a negative effect on the imaging of the camera. Such a connection is basically not suitable for inserting a camera, because a lubricant circuit should always be kept closed and due to the inevitable wetting with lubricant. Such a connection is also mostly unfavorably oriented for a camera. In other words, a hose, a pipe or the like for lubricant is typically connected to such a connection when the comminution device is ready for comminuting material to be comminuted, while the opening is not provided with it and/or is approximately freely accessible from the surroundings. An apparatus for supplying lubricant is typically connected directly or indirectly to the connection. The lubricant is provided, for example, for lubricating the bevel gearing. The opening should therefore advantageously be arranged separately or independently, above and/or away from the connection.

The opening can be closed from the surroundings or from the outside with a shutter that is removable, e.g., for maintenance. A screw or a screwing plug can be screwed into the opening or a closure can be inserted. The closure may include a seal. This provides protection against the outflow of lubricant or the inflow of contamination.

The comminution tool includes the cone and the outer crushing tool. The cone typically has a conical, in particular funnel-shaped and/or conical, jacket for contact with the material to be comminuted and a shaft for holding or stabilizing and for mounting the jacket. The jacket can also be referred to as a crushing jacket. The outer crushing tool can have, for example, a large number of crushing jaws which can be fixed in the crusher housing in a particularly conical or cone-shaped or funnel-shaped arrangement. The cone and/or the outer crushing tool are/is in particular in a plurality of parts in order to enable a cost-effective replacement. The cone can typically rotate and/or move eccentrically while the outer crushing tool is generally stationary. The outer crushing tool is typically arranged inside the crusher housing and/or enclosing or surrounding the cone. The comminution tool is preferably provided and designed to come into contact with the material to be comminuted for comminution. The outer crushing tool therefore usually has a conical and/or funnel-shaped shape that encloses the cone. The outer crushing tool can also be designed in a plurality of parts, wherein it is possible for the plurality of parts or plurality of outer crushing tools to be fixed in the crusher housing. For the sake of simplicity, an outer crushing tool composed of a plurality of parts is understood to mean a single outer crushing tool.

Typically, the comminution tool rotates vertically, wherein the countershaft is arranged transversely thereto, for example horizontally. The countershaft can be driven by a drive motor in order to drive the bevel gear via its bevel pinion. The drive motor has a typical maximum output of between 50 and 2000 kW. An eccentric mechanism or the prescribed eccentric mechanism is typically arranged as an operative connection between the bevel gear and the cone, which can ensure an eccentric movement of the cone in the crusher housing when the bevel gear rotates, wherein, however, the rotation of the bevel gear does not have to be impressed on the cone, for example. A bearing housing below the crusher housing can be used for the lower bearing of the crushing tool, support the comminution tool in particular in a height-adjustable manner (e.g. by means of axial bearing and/or hydraulic mechanism, in particular hydraulic cylinder) vertically or axially and/or contain the eccentric mechanism. Another bearing housing (for example in or on or below the bearing housing) can also be provided, which in particular has the hydraulic mechanism or hydraulic cylinder, but preferably not the eccentric mechanism, in order to simplify exchangeability and/or assembly. In other words, the bearing housing can be in a plurality of parts.

The bevel gear can point upwards or downwards with the bevel gear toothing. If the bevel gear points upwards, this is advantageous because lubricant can then lie well on it and ensure good lubrication. In this way, long intervals between maintenance and inspection of the toothing can be achieved because there is little wear. If the bevel gear points downwards, this is advantageous because then the bevel gear — in particular together with the cone — can be removed upwards from the bearing housing, in particular without the bevel pinion having to be pulled out of the bearing housing first. In this way, expenses for maintenance and inspections can also be saved. The opening has an advantageous effect in both of the above-described arrangements of the bevel gear in order to identify the need for action at an early stage when inspecting the toothing by means of an endoscopy.

The countershaft housing serves to mount the bevel pinion and can have at least one bearing such as a ball and/or roller bearing. The countershaft housing is in particular at least substantially cylindrical and/or tubular. The countershaft housing may be fixed, e.g. bolted and/or inserted, to the crusher housing. The countershaft housing can also be embedded in the crusher housing, for example it can be designed in one piece with it.

The camera is preferably designed, in particular as an endoscopic camera, and/or a control device of or for the camera is provided for communication with a machine control and/or with an external gadget, for example as a component of the comminution device. The camera can be brought into cooperation with the comminution device. For example, the control device can send out a command to advance so that the bevel gearing is moved. The control device can also have an evaluation unit in order to be able to set or evaluate the backlash and/or the contact pattern.

A/the external gadget can be, in particular, a mobile computer or a smartphone. In particular, the external gadget has a monitor or a display in order to display a/the image signal of the camera. In this way, a plurality of comminution devices can be worked on with just one external gadget. This increases flexibility.

In a simple case, the opening is to be understood as a borehole and/or an elongate through-hole between one side of a wall and the other side of the wall. The opening is in particular round in cross section and/or elongated in longitudinal section. The opening is made and/or can be made, for example, by means of a drill and/or milling cutter. The opening can be sealed in its surface, for example painted or coated. This leads to the lowest possible notch effect in the structural component in which the opening is arranged. In particular, if regions of the opening close to the surface are subject to residual compressive stresses, this is beneficial to the fatigue strength. This can be achieved by mechanical processing such as machining, grinding, polishing, deep rolling and/or by blasting the opening.

The opening can be designed deburred and/or burr-free at the end, e.g. so that lubricant sprayed into the opening for lubricating the tooth flanks can drain out again as independently as possible. In this respect, the opening can also have a drain, e.g. an end and/or underside incline.

It is possible for the opening to be integrated into a/the countershaft housing, the crusher housing and/or a/the lower bearing housing of the crusher tool and/or point towards the bevel gear toothing and/or the bevel pinion toothing. The opening can thus enable easy maintenance because the inserted camera encounters as few collision points as possible, is safe from incorrect operation and quickly leads to the bevel gearing. The opening can also be easily retrofitted in this way. The opening can have been cast in during the production of the parts or, for example, can have been machined in after the production of raw parts.

According to a modified embodiment, it is provided that the opening extends longitudinally, in particular parallel, to a drive axle of the countershaft and/or is aligned at least in regions, in particular at one or both ends, pointing away from the comminution tool.

If the opening extends longitudinally, in particular parallel or at an angle of no more than 25°, 15°, 10° or 5°, to a drive axle of the countershaft and/or is oriented away from the comminution tool at least in certain regions, in particular at one or both ends, the camera can be guided to the bevel gear or bevel pinion easily and without great risk of incorrect operation. The opening is also easy to keep clean and injected lubricant is easy to remove or, in principle, removes itself. This also enables the opening to be produced inexpensively, because it can be incorporated, for example, during the production of the countershaft or the countershaft housing.

The opening is elongate, that is to say designed longitudinally. In this respect, the opening has a greater length than width or diameter, in particular at least twice as large. The more elongated the opening, the less significant is the influence of the opening on the static and dynamic strength of the comminution device. This also has a positive influence on the way the camera is guided, so that the same or a similar camera image can be recorded whenever possible during maintenance. The longitudinal extent is ultimately determined by the ratio of length to diameter or width.

According to a modified embodiment, it is provided that the opening has a length/diameter ratio of at least 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 or more, preferably drilled and/or at least substantially round in cross section.

If the opening has a length/diameter ratio of at least 3 or more, there is as little structural weakening of the comminution device as possible. A length/diameter ratio of 5, 10, 20, 30 or more is preferably provided. The opening can be drilled and/or round in cross section. In particular, there is a negligible influence on the dynamic strength of the comminution device.

According to a modified embodiment, it is provided that the opening, in particular on the crusher housing, bearing housing and/or countershaft housing, has or is provided with a self-closing protective cap. This can be understood to mean, in particular, a hinge-mounted flap which can swing open in the direction of the comminution tool, for example when the camera is pushed through the opening against the protective cap. When the camera is pulled out again, the protective cap can be automatically moved to close, for example by spring force. It is also possible that the protective cap is provided with a taper, in particular elastic and/or self-sealing, which can be pushed open by the camera, which is therefore self-closing when the camera is pulled out. In this way, the opening and also the external surroundings can be protected from escaping lubricant. In addition, it is possible for the protective cap to seal itself so that a positive pressure can be maintained in the space behind. It is possible for the camera to be assigned, arranged and/or able to be guided on a head side of the countershaft. The opening can also be arranged or open out on a/the head side of the countershaft. The head side is to be understood in particular as an at least substantially annular region with a bearing for the bevel pinion. This ensures that the camera can be kept as stable as possible in the relevant region. The camera typically has to capture the bevel gear and bevel pinion in equal measure. Due to the fact that the camera is arranged or can be guided on the head side, a free end of the camera is as short as possible and good imaging is achieved.

It is possible that the camera is designed to be advanced and/or turned by a motor in response to a command to advance, in particular from a machine control and/or an external gadget. The camera can therefore be remote-controlled and/or operated or moved remotely with the machine control or the external gadget. This simplifies maintenance, because actions that are cumbersome and difficult to reproduce can be replaced by simple and reproducible commands to advance.

According to a modified embodiment, it is provided that an illumination device for illuminating the bevel gear toothing and/or the bevel pinion toothing and/or a cleaning device for cleaning the bevel gear toothing and/or the bevel pinion toothing are provided

If an illumination device for illuminating the bevel gear toothing and/or the bevel pinion toothing and/or a cleaning device for cleaning the bevel gear toothing and/or the bevel pinion toothing are provided, maintenance is further simplified. The cleaning device helps to clean dirt and oil from the toothing. This can be a compressed air device that can blow the toothings free by means of compressed air. The illumination device helps with the illumination and imaging of the toothing by means of the camera.

The camera can have the illumination device and/or the cleaning device. The illumination device and/or the cleaning device can also be arranged in the region of the opening, the camera and/or the camera guide. The illumination device and/or the cleaning device can also be controlled, for example moved, aligned and/or changed in terms of their intensity. In this respect, the actuation includes, for example, changing the color temperature, color and/or brightness. Pressure, flow rate and/or outlet cross section should also be mentioned here. The illumination device can have an LED light source.

It is possible that a device for adjusting a backlash and/or intermeshing Zyklo-palloid toothing is/are provided. The device can be integrated in the countershaft. The device can adjust the vertical and/or horizontal distance between the bevel gear and bevel pinion. The device may be constituted by a drive axle which is coaxial or eccentric to the axis of the outer surface of the countershaft housing; thus, rotation of the countershaft housing can shift the drive axle relative to the bearing housing or bevel gear. The Zyklo-palloid toothings require little maintenance and are suitable for transmitting high torques. These toothings are particularly suitable for the bevel gear and the bevel pinion in order to be able to transmit the necessary torque in a small space. This also makes maintenance easier because the contact pattern is smaller and easier to maintain in relation to other toothings. In particular, the opening is advantageous in this regard in order to achieve a long service life for the bevel gearing, because maintenance and inspection can be carried out flexibly, depending on the requirements.

A maintenance flap that can be removed for maintenance of the bevel gear and bevel pinion is preferably provided, which closes a maintenance opening on the countershaft housing and/or on the crusher housing and/or on the bearing housing, wherein the maintenance opening provides maintenance access for direct inspection of the bevel gear toothing and/or the bevel pinion toothing. The maintenance opening or maintenance flap is preferably arranged below, at the level of and/or above the bevel gear and/or bevel pinion, so that the bevel gear and bevel pinion can be reached by hand, e.g. with a brush. This maintenance flap helps if, for example, maintenance through the opening or using the camera reveals that coarse dirt has to be removed. Personnel then have manual access to the bevel gear or the bevel pinion in particular via the maintenance flap, usually from below in the comminution device. During normal operation of the comminution device, the maintenance flap is installed or the maintenance opening is closed and can be opened as required, wherein the material to be comminuted in this case has to be removed from the comminution device almost completely. A supplementary or alternative solution is proposed with regard to the comminution device mentioned at the outset and/or the previously described comminution device with a permanently installed camera and/or permanently installed camera guide to remain in place during comminution, in particular wherein the permanently installed camera and/or permanently installed camera guide is fixed to the countershaft housing, the crusher housing and/or the bearing housing. The camera used can be designed more cost-effectively because it does not have to be an endoscopic camera and/or because the camera guide can take over functions of the camera. In particular, not every comminution device necessarily has to have a camera if a camera guide is provided. The camera guide is provided for guiding or directing and/or holding the camera. The camera guide can be a guide where the camera is redirected to point to the location desired for maintenance. For example, when the camera is inserted through the opening described above, the camera guide can deflect the camera at the free end towards the opening or, in the case of an endoscopic camera, bend it. The camera guide can be designed to be movable in order to move the camera that may be guided. This solution consisting of a camera and/or camera guide is in particular installed permanently or at least for as long as possible and can remain installed during a comminution process and can be used for maintenance when the comminution device is at a standstill. The camera can be the camera described above. The camera can be a stationary camera that is fixed, e.g. screwed, in/on the crusher housing, bearing housing and/or countershaft housing (in particular via the camera guide). In this case, the camera can be arranged next to the bevel gear and/or the bevel pinion, in particular pointing to its/their backlash.

The camera can have an energy storage, for example a battery or an accumulator. The energy storage can be charged, for example, when the maintenance flap is removed. This enables wireless operation.

The camera can have a radio module in order to transmit an image signal, e.g. to the control device and/or to the external gadget. For this purpose, a receiving module of the control device or the external gadget can be provided apart from the camera, which is arranged e.g. on an outer surface of the crusher housing, countershaft housing and/or storage housing, in particular in the vicinity of or at a maximum distance of 2 meters, 1 meter or 0.5 meters from the radio module. Then there is no need to create a through-hole for cabling.

A further solution is proposed with the use of a camera for the maintenance of a comminution device driven by means of a bevel gear and bevel pinion. The comminution device is preferably a gyratory crusher, a cone crusher or designed as described. The comminution device thus has the bevel pinion as the drive pinion, which engages in the bevel gear as the driven wheel. The bevel gear is operatively connected to an eccentrically movably mounted comminution tool, in particular having a cone. The bevel pinion is preferably assigned to a countershaft which is driven by a drive motor. The bevel pinion can rotate transversely to the bevel gear.

In this solution, it is proposed that the camera on the comminution device is pushed through an opening, in particular an elongated one, and/or is guided by means of a camera guide, wherein a bevel gear toothing of the bevel gear and/or a bevel pinion toothing of the bevel pinion is/are recorded by the camera, wherein a contact pattern and/or a backlash is/are examined, preferably wherein a maintenance flap or flaps that can be removed for maintenance of the bevel gear and bevel pinion is/are installed. The comminution device can be a gyratory crusher or a cone crusher. In particular, it is the comminution device described here. It has turned out to be surprisingly advantageous if maintenance on the bevel gear and pinion is carried out with the camera. This saves a great deal of effort for dismantling the comminution device.

According to a further solution of the invention, a method for maintaining the comminution device is proposed. In the method, a contact pattern and/or a backlash play is examined using the camera. The camera can be inserted into the opening and/or permanently installed. The camera can be moved to the bevel gear or bevel pinion gear. The camera can be guided to a backlash. In the method, the bevel gear and bevel pinion can be rotated during the examination in order to examine other rotational positions and/or backlash on reversal. In the method, the comminution device can also be used to comminute material to be comminuted, and the contact pattern or backlash can then be examined. In the method, the backlash can also be adjusted, for example via the above-described device for setting backlash. In the method, the position of the bevel gear and bevel pinion can also be adjusted relative to one another, taking into account the contact pattern or backlash. Operation of the comminution device with as little wear and tear as possible is advantageously achieved with regard to the bevel gearing However, it is also possible that the comminution process is improved with minimal backlash and minimized transmission friction losses, because a more continuous movement and a greater torque can be coupled in for comminution.

The method can be further improved if residues of material to be comminuted to be comminuted remain in and/or above the comminution device during the examination, for example on a traverse with an upper bearing of the comminution tool and/or in a feed bunker on the crusher housing. Accordingly, it is proposed not to free the comminution device from the material to be comminuted when maintenance is being carried out on the bevel gearing. This has the advantage that less effort is required to examine or adjust the backlash or contact pattern. In any case, there is no longer any danger from the material to be comminuted above the bevel gear, as long as the maintenance is carried out by means of the camera, the camera guide and/or the opening, and as long as no personnel go into the space directly below the bevel gear and bevel pinion.

Alternatively or additionally, the method is improved when the maintenance flap(s) is/are installed. In this respect, it is proposed to keep the direct manual access to the bevel gear closed, so that no personnel stay or have to stay in the comminution device for maintenance. This is not even necessary if the camera, the opening or the camera guide is/are used.

In the method, the camera can be pushed into the opening of the comminution device, in particular wherein the protective cap is thereby pressed on, and/or the camera can be used in the region of the bevel gearing with a view of the toothing in the crusher housing. In the method, an image signal from the camera can be recorded, wherein the image signal is evaluated and/or represented graphically, e.g. by means of the control device or the gadget.

The abbreviation "or" should always indicate alternative and/or synonymous features/terms in order to convey the idea of using a feature or term. "Or" can always be replaced with "and/or". In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to the attached drawings using preferred exemplary embodiments, wherein it is possible for the features presented below to represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. In the following:

Figure 1 shows an endoscopic camera for a comminution device according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a comminution device according to the invention in the form of a gyratory crusher in a perspective view,

Figure 3 shows the comminution device of Figure 2 in a manipulated sectional view through a countershaft and part of a traverse,

Figure 4 shows a further comminution device according to the invention with an opening through a countershaft housing in a sectional view, and

Figure 5 shows a further comminution device according to the invention with an opening through a bearing housing in a sectional view.

In Figure 1, a camera 50 is depicted schematically. This is, for example, a commercially available endoscopic camera 50 with an elongated neck part 54 and with a camera unit 56 at a free end 52. The camera unit 56 has a diameter D2 in the range of 5 to 15 mm. The neck part 54 is about 1 meter long and has a maximum diameter of 10 mm. Thanks to the camera unit 56, the camera 50 can provide an image signal to its control device 64, for example, and send the image signal to a control unit via a radio module 58, for example.

The elongated neck part 54 can be turned and can maintain the turned shape. In other words, the neck part 54 can be bent reversibly or without damage. In the case of the camera 50 shown, it is also possible for the neck part 54 to be advanced or turned by a motor in response to a command to advance.

In the region of the camera unit 56 , the camera 50 has an illumination device 60 in order to illuminate the region recorded by the camera 50. The illumination device 60 has an LED light source. The illumination device 60 can be operated by means of an energy storage 62 which is integrated into the camera 50. The camera 50 described above is suitable for use in the maintenance of a comminution device 2 driven by means of a bevel gear 20 and a bevel pinion 22, in particular a gyratory crusher or cone crusher. The camera 50 can be pushed on the comminution device 2 through an in particular elongated opening 4 and also guided by means of a camera guide, wherein a bevel gear toothing 21 of the bevel gear 20 and/or a bevel pinion toothing 23 of the bevel pinion 22 is recorded by the camera 50, wherein a contact pattern and/or a backlash is/are examined. Thanks to the camera 50, a maintenance flap 40 that can be removed for maintenance of the bevel gear 20 and the bevel pinion 22 can remain installed on a maintenance opening 42 of the comminution device 2.

With reference to Figure 2, a comminution device 2 for comminuting material to be comminuted is shown: a gyratory crusher for comminuting hard rock with an input power of max. 1500 kW. The gyratory crusher has a crusher housing 6, a comminution tool 8 with a rotatable and eccentrically movably mounted cone 10 and with an outer crusher tool 9 surrounding the cone 10, a countershaft 24 and an input shaft 28 for driving a bevel pinion 22.

The countershaft 24 has a bevel pinion 22 for driving a bevel gear 20 that is operatively connected to the crusher tool 8, wherein the bevel pinion 22 and the bevel gear 20 are being visible in Figure 2. The bevel pinion 22 can be driven to revolve or rotate about a drive axle 30 via the input shaft 28. The bevel pinion 22 is rotatable and mounted to engage in the bevel gear 20 in that the bevel pinion 22 is rotatably mounted in a countershaft housing 26 of the countershaft 24 fixed to the crusher housing 6 via a bearing 27. The countershaft housing 26 is substantially integrated into a bearing housing 12 fixed to the crusher housing 6 underneath the crusher housing 6 by being almost completely enclosed by the bearing housing 12 and fixed there.

The bearing housing 12 is used for lower or eccentric mounting of the comminution tool 8, for vertical support of the comminution tool 8 and for guiding falling comminuted material to be comminuted in the direction of a substructure 19. The bearing housing 12 is in a plurality of parts. A hydraulic mechanism 66 accessible via a connection 44 with a hydraulic cylinder for setting a working gap 11 by adjusting the height, i.e. raising or lowering the comminution tool 8 is arranged in the bearing housing 12.

There is an axial bearing 37 of the cone 10 in the bearing housing 12, in particular on the hydraulic cylinder.

The comminution device 2 has an elongated opening 4 next to and along the countershaft housing 26 for inserting and passing through, for example, the camera 50 described above, extending from external surroundings A on the countershaft 24 to a bevel gear toothing 21 of the bevel gear 20 (not visible in Figure 1 ) and a bevel pinion toothing 23 of the bevel pinion 22 (not visible in Figure 1 ). In this respect, the external surroundings A are the region around the countershaft 24 which, so to speak, represents an “outside” of the comminution device 2. Personnel can gain access here without having to undertake major dismantling.

The opening 4 can be closed from the outside with a stopper or a screw plug. In practice, the opening 4 will for example be arranged behind a drive pulley or a housing with the drive pulley, since the drive pulley is then fixed to the input shaft 28.

The comminution tool 8 is rotatably mounted at the top in the comminution device 2 via a two-armed traverse 14 by means of an upper bearing 15. By means of an eccentric mechanism 32 (not visible in Figure 1) in the form of an eccentric bushing with an eccentric recess 33 in the bearing housing 12 in the middle of the bevel gear 20 and rotatable together with the bevel gear 20, the comminution tool 8 is mounted eccentrically, wherein a non-eccentric rotation on the input shaft 28 leads to an eccentric movement of the comminution tool 8; in this case, rotation of the input shaft 28 does not necessarily rotate the cone 10 .

It can be seen in Figure 2 that the crusher housing 6 is designed in a plurality of parts. Firstly, there are two annular parts 16, 18 fixed to one another. Secondly, the two annular parts 16, 18 are each formed from two semi-annular parts fixed together. Thirdly, the two annular parts 16, 18 are offset by 90° with respect to the joining surfaces of the semi-annular parts. Fourthly, the two-armed traverse 14 is again offset by 90° to the joining surfaces of the adjacent annular part 18. These features alone or in combination are advantageous for the stability, assembly and transportability of the comminution device 2.

In principle, however, the crusher housing 6 does not have to be constructed in a plurality of parts, for example from annular parts 16, 18 or semi-annular parts. The crusher housing can therefore have at least or only one annular part 16, 18 which, at least in one section, is annular in one piece. In this respect, there are also advantages in terms of high stability of the crusher housing 6, the simple manufacture of the crusher housing 6 and the simple assembly of the crusher housing 6.

The multi-part outer crushing tool 9 in the form of a plurality of crushing jaws is arranged around the cone 10 and fixed to the crusher housing 6 on the inside. Between the cone 10 and the outer crushing tool 9, the material to be comminuted is comminuted or broken by the eccentric movement of the cone 10 and the downwardly tapering or V-shaped working gap 11. Basically, the cone 10 can rotate freely for the comminution. The comminuted material to be comminuted can fall out downwards.

With reference to the sectional view of Figure 3, the operative connection of the countershaft 24 or the bevel pinion 22 to a bevel gear 20 is shown. The countershaft 24 is integrated or fixed to the bearing housing 12 via its countershaft housing 26. The bevel gear 20 is operatively connected via the eccentric mechanism 32 to the comminution tool 8 , more precisely to the cone 10. In the present case, the bevel gear 20 points upwards with its bevel gear toothing 21 .

The bevel pinion 22 and the bevel gear 20 form a bevel gearing that is designed in one stage and has a horizontal input axis 30 of the bevel pinion 22 and a vertical axis 34 of the bevel gear 20. The eccentric mechanism 32 ensures a deviation dependent on the angle of rotation, so that the eccentric axle 35 in the middle of the cone 10 inclines to the vertical axis 34. Even if Figure 3 suggests spur toothing for reasons of abstraction, the bevel gear 20 and the bevel pinion 22 are provided with interlocking Zyklo-palloid toothings. The gear/pinion toothings 21 , 23 are each a Zyklo-palloid toothing. The countershaft 24 has a device 36 for setting a backlash. The device 36 functions via an eccentric principle, so that when the countershaft housing 36 rotates, the drive axle 30 is adjusted. The bevel pinion 22 can thus be moved along the drive axle 30 and possibly transversely thereto. An incremental rotation of the countershaft housing 26 within the bearing housing 12 can position the drive axle 30 - and thus the bevel pinion 22 to the bevel gear 20 - vertically because the countershaft housing 26 is eccentric with respect to the axis of the outer surface and the drive axle 30. In other words, the drive axle 30 is coaxial and therefore eccentric to the reception for the countershaft housing 26 in the bearing housing 12.

On the bearing housing 12, below the bevel pinion 22 and at the level of the bevel gear 20, there is a maintenance flap 40 that can be removed for maintenance of the bevel gear 20 and the bevel pinion 22 and closes a maintenance opening 42 on the bevel gearing. The bevel gear toothing 21 can be viewed through the maintenance opening 42.

Below the countershaft 24, a connection 44 for a lubricant supply is provided, at which the lubricant can flow out of the region around the bevel gear, for example can be fed back to a (not shown) lubricant supply. The connection is located within a substructure 19 for guiding the comminuted material to be comminuted and therefore not in the external surroundings A. The connection 44 is designed as a passage with a connection piece for a hose or a pipe through which the lubricant can be discharged from the space around the bevel gearing. The connection 44 is not suitable for inserting the camera 50 because it does not lead from the external surroundings A on the countershaft 24 to the toothings 21 , 23 and is therefore difficult to access, because the connection 44 carries lubricant and is therefore unfavorably dirty, and because in practice the connection 44 is permanently connected to a lubricant supply and therefore cannot be used economically.

The opening 4, circular in cross section, is provided along and adjacent to the countershaft housing 26 for the insertion of a camera 50, such as an endoscopic camera 50, such as that of Figure 1 . The camera 50 can thus be inserted from the surroundings up to the bevel gear toothing 21 of the bevel gear 20 and to the bevel pinion toothing 23 of the bevel pinion 22. The opening 4 is easily accessible because it is provided above the countershaft 24. No maintenance flaps 40 have to be dismantled in order to bring the camera 50 to the bevel gear.

The opening 4 is integrated, more precisely introduced, in the bearing housing 12 of the comminution tool 8. The opening 4 faces the bevel gear toothing 21 and the bevel pinion toothing 23. The opening 4 runs along the drive axle 30 of the countershaft 24 or the bevel pinion 22 and is aligned on one side or side downwards so that the camera 50 can be easily guided to the bevel gearing and so that an injected lubricant from the comminution device 2 cannot automatically flow from the inside into the opening 4. The opening 4 is also deburred or provided with a chamfer on the inside.

The opening 4 has a length/diameter ratio of more than 2. More precisely, this ratio is about 10, wherein the length is 150 mm and the diameter D1 is about 15 mm. With this diameter D1 , the opening 4 is well suited for endoscopic cameras 50 with a corresponding diameter D2 below this value, in particular for the camera 50 of Figure 1 with a (maximum) diameter D2 of the camera 50 of at most 15 mm. The opening 4 is provided with a self-closing protective cap 5 which opens or is opened automatically when the camera 50 is pushed against it.

The opening 4 opens out on a head side 38 of the countershaft 24, so that the camera 50 can be guided on the head side 38 and can be arranged there.

Not shown is a comminution device 2 with a camera 50 or camera guide permanently installed to remain in place during comminution.

With reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5, a comminution device 2 can be seen in each case, which substantially corresponds to the comminution device 2 of Figures 2-3. Deviating from this, the bevel gear 20 with its bevel gear toothing 21 is not directed upwards but downwards. The elongate opening 4 is also placed and formed differently in each of Figures 4-5 than in Figures 2-3, which will be described below. The features described in this respect can already be advantageously provided in isolation on other embodiments.

In Figure 4 , the opening 4 is located substantially below the bevel gear 20 so as to be located on the side with the bevel gear toothing 21 . The opening 4 is also arranged here along and through the countershaft housing 26. The opening 4 is therefore not located next to the countershaft 24, but in or running through the countershaft 24. The opening 4 runs longitudinally and parallel to the drive axle 30 and above the drive axle 30. The opening 4 opens out on the head side 38 next to the bevel pinion 22 and enables access by means of the camera 50 to the toothings 21 , 23. The opening 4 opens out on a flat surface of the bearing housing 12. A protective cap 5 closes the opening 4 on the inside until a camera 50 is pushed against it. The opening 4 has a length/diameter ratio of 35 +/-5.

In Figure 5 , the opening 4 is arranged substantially below the bevel gear 20 to be arranged on the side of the bevel gear toothing 21 . The opening 4 is arranged along but not through the countershaft housing 26. The opening 4 runs substantially horizontally and is aligned or tilted in the horizontal plane at an angle to the drive axle 30 and is arranged above the drive axle 30. The opening 4 runs longitudinally to the drive axle 30. The opening 4 opens out on the head side 38 next to the bevel pinion 22 and enables access by means of the camera 50 to the toothings 21 , 23. The opening 4 does not have a protective cap 5 in the present case. The opening 4 opens into an inner curve of the bearing housing 12. The opening 4 has a length/diameter ratio of 30 +Z-5.

Each of the openings 4 shown here is oriented away from the comminution tool 8 at both ends. In particular, this means and it is preferred that at least one end or both ends of an opening 4 do not point in the direction of one of the conical surfaces of the comminution tool 8 or of the outer crushing tool 9, which come into contact with the material to be comminuted, i.e. in particular do not point in the direction of the working gap 11 . A basically tangential course of the opening 4 to the comminution tool 8 is preferred in this respect. In this sense, it has surprisingly turned out that the forces acting on the countershaft 24 produce the smallest possible notch effect in the material directly around the opening 4 during comminution.

The camera 50 can be used according to the invention and a method according to the invention can be carried out on each of the comminution devices 2 described above. This is a method for the maintenance of the comminution device 2, wherein a contact pattern and/or a backlash is examined by means of the camera 50. The camera 50 can be inserted into the opening 4 and/or can be permanently installed in the region of the countershaft 24. In the method, residues of the material to be comminuted to be comminuted can surprisingly remain in or above the comminution device 2 during the examination, for example on the traverse 14 and/or in a feed bunker on the crusher housing 6. Surprisingly, the maintenance flap 40 can also remain installed in the method.

List of Reference Numerals

2 comminution device

4 opening

5 protective cap

6 crusher housing

8 comminution tool

9 outer crusher tool

10 cone

11 working gap

12 bearing housing

14 traverse

15 upper bearing

16 annular part

18 annular part

19 substructure

20 bevel gear

21 bevel gear toothing

22 bevel pinion

23 bevel pinion toothing

24 countershaft

26 countershaft housing

27 bearing

28 input shaft

30 drive axle

32 eccentric mechanism

33 eccentric recess

34 axle of the bevel gear

35 eccentric axle of the cone

36 device

37 axial bearing

38 head side of the countershaft

40 maintenance flap

42 maintenance opening

44 connector

50 camera

52 free end

54 neck part

56 camera unit

58 radio module

60 illumination device

62 energy storage

64 control device 66 hydraulic mechanism

D1 diameter of opening

D2 diameter of camera