EP1651818A1

EP1651818A1 - Arrangement for fixing an add-on piece, e.g. an excavator shovel, to a boom of a shovel or a vehicle in a replaceable manner

Info

Publication number: EP1651818A1
Application number: EP04741287A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dietmar Martin
Original assignee: Josef Martin GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Josef Martin GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2003-08-04
Filing date: 2004-07-27
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Also published as: CA2534335A1; DE10335667B3; WO2005017267A1; US20060191169A1; HRP20060048A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for fixing an add-on piece (1), e.g. an excavator shovel, to a boom (2) of a shovel in a replaceable manner. According to the invention, two parallel holding bolts (3, 4) are arranged on the add-on piece (1) and can be gripped by grippers (6, 7) that can be displaced in relation to each other and are arranged on a holding element (5) on the boom (2) of the shovel. Said grippers (6, 7) comprise at least partially open insertion openings (8, 9) for the holding bolts (3, 4). One gripper (6) is connected to the holding element (5) in a fixed manner and one (7) can be held in a guide of the holding element in a linearly displaceable manner. Spring elements (11) acting in the closing direction of the gripper (7) are associated with the linearly displaceable gripper (7). An insertion opening (8) which is open in the direction of an imaginary plane through the axes of the holding bolts (3, 4) is provided on the fixed gripper (6), and an abutment (12) which is oriented at least approximately at right angles to the imaginary plane, at a distance matching the distance (A) between the holding bolts (3, 4), is provided on the holding element (5) as an insertion part for the second holding bolt (4). The displaceable gripper (7) comprises a hook-shaped section (13) for at least partially gripping the second holding bolt (4).

Description

Description:

The invention relates to an arrangement for the interchangeable fastening of an attachment, e.g. an excavator shovel, on an excavator boom or a vehicle, two attaching bolts arranged parallel to each other at a distance from each other, which can be gripped by grippers arranged on the excavator boom or on the vehicle on a retaining element and adjustable relative to one another, the grippers being at least partially open insertion openings for have the retaining bolts, and wherein a gripper is fixedly connected to the holding element and a gripper is held in a linear manner in a guide of the holding element.

An arrangement as known from WO 93/01366 is common to all attachments that can be coupled to an excavator boom or to a vehicle, such as e.g. Excavator shovels, excavator signs, snow removal signs, tools, etc. can be used effectively. In the area of the arrangement for the interchangeable fastening of the add-on part, relatively high forces arise which have to be taken over by this arrangement. WO 93/01 366 does not deal with a special guide for the gripper and an optimization of the power transmission between the boom or vehicle and the attachment. On the other hand, US-A-4 881 867 shows a guide of a displaceable gripper which absorbs forces perpendicular to the direction of displacement.

Another known device for the interchangeable attachment of a tool-like attachment to the front end of an excavator arm (EP-A-0625613) provides that the insertion openings of two grippers are aligned offset from one another by approximately 90 °. After threading the one gripper into the one holding bolt, the entire arrangement is pivoted about this holding bolt until the other gripper with the insertion opening lying transversely to it grips the other holding bolt. The insertion opening of the second gripper can now be blocked by means of a hydraulically displaceable locking element. All of the forces affect the locking element. Another known tool changing device (W097 / 28314) for hydraulic excavators provides a fixed and a pivotable gripper. Here, too, there is a large torque on the swiveling gripper, which is increased especially when operating an excavator.

Furthermore, an arrangement in an excavator is known (WO88 / 02421), in which one of the grippers is designed in two parts and is therefore formed by a fixed stop and by a displaceable locking member which can be adjusted via a hydraulic unit arranged laterally offset to the two grippers. The hydraulic unit consisting of cylinder and piston must be rotatably supported at both ends by means of bolts, since this must perform a pivoting movement when the locking member is moved.

Furthermore, a quick-change device for an excavator bucket to be attached to an excavator boom is known (EP-A-0058058), on the one hand there is a gripper which can be pressed onto a correspondingly designed bar. On the other hand, a hook-like part is arranged on the boom, which has an opening facing towards a hydraulic drive with an oblique boundary surface on one side. A clamping shoe arranged on the piston of the hydraulic drive has a rectified oblique boundary surface, so that the interaction of the two oblique boundary surfaces allows locking and tensioning. Movable suspension of the hydraulic drive cylinder is also essential here.

In another known coupling device (EP-A-0468771) two coupling pairs are always required, of which one gripper element is fixed and the other gripper element is held displaceably by a hydraulic drive. The two coupling pairs of displaceable gripper elements are connected to one another via a connecting element in order to be able to actuate them simultaneously from the hydraulic drive. Such a construction is complex and, due to the long connecting bracket required, is hardly able to withstand the forces that occur.

Another known quick-change arrangement (US 5,465,513) of the type mentioned initially sees between a fixed and a displaceable gripping device. fer a hydraulic unit consisting of piston and cylinder, this unit being connected to the grippers in the usual way via axle bolts. This results in force components acting in a wide variety of directions and, furthermore, the manufacture, assembly and rough construction site operation are disadvantageous for such a configuration.

An arrangement of the type mentioned is known from AT-B-410.333. Here the grippers are displaced relative to each other by a hydraulic cylinder, the axes of the retaining bolts, the insertion openings of the grippers and the hydraulic cylinder being in one plane. This ensures optimal power transmission without the hydraulic or pneumatic drive having to absorb high forces. It is therefore only necessary to apply small forces in order to hold the displaceable gripper in its closed position.

The object of the present invention is to manufacture an arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction more simply and, above all, with structurally simpler means, in order thereby to be able to achieve a purely mechanical locking and solution between the attachment part and the excavator boom or vehicle.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that spring elements acting in the direction of the closed position of the gripper are assigned to the gripper, which can be displaced in a straight line, and in that an open opening is provided on the fixed gripper in the direction of a plane imagined by the axes of the holding bolts and is inserted at a distance which is matched to the spacing of the holding bolts at least approximately at right angles to the imaginary plane, the stop is provided on the holding element as an insertion part for the second holding bolt, and that the displaceable gripper has a hook-like, freely projecting section for at least partially encompassing the second holding bolt in the area opposite the stop.

With such a configuration, the add-on part is locked in a simple manner with the holding element, so that a rigid connection is ensured after this locking, without a load being created in the opening direction on the displaceable gripper. A small force is therefore sufficient to hold the displaceable gripper in the closed position, this force being able to be applied by a structurally simple spring element. A mechanical solution has thus been created which shows optimal effect and with can bring about a secure locking at low cost and maintain it even with heavy loads during excavator operation.

It is further proposed that the displaceable gripper is designed as an essentially T-shaped component, one part engaging in the guides of the holding element and the other part being designed as a hook-like section which projects freely at approximately a right angle to it. So only one part is required for the slidable engagement in the guide and the hook-like section, which can partially encompass the one holding bolt.

A special design variant provides that a mounting element is fixedly connected to the displaceable gripper, which has means for fastening one end of the spring element. A connection to the spring element can thus be created in a simple manner.

In this context, it is advantageous if the displaceable gripper and the mounting element are screwed together. This enables simple assembly or disassembly and, in addition, the movable gripper is not a complicated part to manufacture.

The optimal effect can be brought about in a simple manner precisely by the design of the gripper which can be displaced in a straight line and the arrangement of a spring element. It is therefore provided that the spring element acts on the one hand on the mounting element and on the other hand on a fixed part of the holding element.

So that the spring element is particularly protected during rough construction site operation, it is proposed that the mounting element have a freely projecting flange which covers the spring element in the closed position of the displaceable gripper toward the attachment part.

It is proposed within the scope of the invention that the spring element is formed by at least one helical spring. A very simple structural design can thus be provided, so that no expensive and fault-prone hydraulic or pneumatic elements are required. An advantageous arrangement provides that the spring element is formed by two helical springs aligned parallel to one another. A correspondingly strong closing force can thereby be brought about and, in addition, special security is ensured if one element of the spring element would fail.

When attaching the attachment, a simple push-on using the force of the excavator arm can be possible. In order that simple detachment of the add-on part can also be ensured, it is further proposed that means for attaching a hand tool, e.g., on the displaceable gripper and / or on the mounting element connected thereto. a rod for moving the gripper. It can then be opened by manual intervention of the movable gripper against the force of the spring element against the closed position so that the attachment can then be pivoted away.

A structurally simple solution is achieved if a tab bent at the free, outwardly projecting end of the mounting element is provided as a means for attaching a hand tool. Then a corresponding hand tool can simply be inserted behind this tab and then by pivoting the tool the displaceable gripper is then moved into the open position against the force of the spring element.

A further embodiment variant provides that an elongated hole formed at the freely outwardly projecting end of the mounting element is provided as a means for attaching a hand tool.

So that an optimal locking between the holding bolt and the grippers can take place, and in addition no special forces are exerted on the spring element in the closed position, it is proposed on the one hand that the insertion opening of the fixed gripper has a base section which is semi-circular in cross-section and adapted to the diameter of a holding bolt subsequent, possibly kinked insertion surfaces is formed.

On the other hand, a special design in the area of influence of the displaceable gripper is proposed, which is characterized in that, opposite the insertion opening on the fixed gripper, a stop running at an acute angle to the plane through the central axes of the retaining bolts is formed is, which merges into a circular arc section at the upper end and overlaps the other retaining bolt as a supporting section.

In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the hook-like, freely projecting section of the displaceable gripper has an insertion opening directed towards the stop, which at least approximately has a base section which is semicircular in cross section and insertion surfaces adjoining it on both sides. As a result, the movable gripper only has the task of preventing the one holding bolt from pivoting about the axis of the other holding bolt. The holder in the plane of the retaining bolts is caused by the insertion opening on the fixed gripper and by the stop opposite the insertion opening of the fixed gripper.

It is further proposed that the free end region of the hook-like section lying opposite the insertion opening has a rounded end surface and is thus tapered towards the insertion opening. This creates a significant improvement, especially when coupling between the attachment and the excavator arm. This special design provides a good possibility of pushing the displaceable gripper aside during the assembly process of the add-on part until the corresponding retaining bolt can snap into place and the displaceable gripper can get into its closed position.

So that the displaceable gripper is always supported somewhat under the force of the spring element on the one holding bolt and thus a spring-loaded system is always guaranteed, it is provided that an opening which is smaller than remains remains between the stop and the insertion opening on the hook-like section of the displaceable gripper the diameter of a retaining bolt so that there is a permanent positive and non-positive connection when the retaining bolt is inserted.

Further features according to the invention and special advantages are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a front view of a holding element which is mounted on an excavator arm or on a vehicle.

2 shows a section along the line II-II in Fig. 1. 3 shows a section along the line III-III in FIG. 1;

4 shows an oblique view of the holding element in the manner of an exploded drawing;

Fig. 5 is a side view of part of an excavator boom with attached holding element and mounted attachment.

In the case of an arrangement for the interchangeable fastening of an attachment 1, e.g. an excavator shovel, on an excavator boom 2 - also known as an excavator arm - or another vehicle, for example a construction site vehicle or a vehicle for forestry or agriculture, two attachment bolts 3 and 4 are arranged on the attachment part at a distance from one another, which are arranged on the excavator boom 2 a holding element 5 arranged, relative to each other adjustable grippers 6 and 7 can be detected. The holding element 5 can also be referred to as a mechanical quick coupler. The grippers 6 and 7 have at least partially open insertion openings 8 and 9 for the retaining bolts 3 and 4. A gripper 6 is fixedly connected to the holding element 5 and a gripper 7 is held in a guide 10 of the holding element 5 so that it can be displaced in a straight line. Spring elements 11, which act in the direction of the closed position of gripper 7, are assigned to gripper 7, which can be displaced in a straight line. On the fixed gripper 6, an imaginary plane in the direction of a plane through the axes of the holding bolts 3 and 4 has an insertion opening and, with the spacing matched to the spacing A of the holding bolts 3 and 4, there is an at least approximately perpendicular to the imaginary plane stop 12 on the holding element 5 as Insertion part for the second retaining bolt 4 is provided. The displaceable gripper 7 has a hook-like, freely projecting section 13 for at least partially encompassing the second holding bolt 4 in the area opposite the stop 12.

The measures according to the invention make it possible to quickly and easily disassemble and replace the various attachments 1 required. The attachments 1 can then be pivoted by the hydraulic cylinders 33 arranged on the excavator boom 2 about the bearing bolts 34 and 35, which are arranged on the holding element 5, so that the excavating work can be carried out.

The displaceable gripper 7 is designed as an essentially T-shaped component, one part 14 engaging in the guides 10 of the holding element 5 and the other other part is designed as an approximately cantilevered, hook-like section 13.

A mounting element 15 is fixedly connected to the displaceable gripper 7 and has means 16 for fastening one end of the spring element 11. The displaceable gripper 7 and the mounting element 15 are expediently screwed together. The spring element 11 is advantageously mounted or mounted on the one hand on the mounting element 15 and on the other hand on a fixed part 17 of the holding element 5. For the mechanical protection of the spring element 11, the mounting element 15 has a freely projecting flange 18 which covers the spring element 11 in the closed position of the displaceable gripper 7 towards the attachment 1. 2 shows a position in which the retaining bolts 3 and 4 do not yet engage in the retaining element 5. Therefore, the flange 18 abuts directly against the fixed part 17 with its free end 19. In this position shown, an opening 20 remains between the stop 12 and the insertion opening 9 on the hook-like section 13 of the displaceable gripper 7, which overall is smaller than the diameter of a retaining bolt 4, so that when the retaining bolt 4 is inserted there is a permanent positive and non-positive connection , In this position, with the retaining bolt 4 inserted, the flange 18 does not yet abut the fixed part 17 with its free end 19. An imaginary distance B thus remains between the center point of the semicircular insertion opening 9 and the center point (central axis) of the retaining bolt 4 when the retaining bolt 4 is not inserted.

The spring element 11 is advantageously formed by at least one coil spring 21, 22. However, the spring element 11 is expediently formed by two helical springs 21, 22 aligned parallel to one another. However, other designs of spring elements 11 are also conceivable within the scope of the invention. For example, any elastic, stretchable and retractable components that can withstand tensile loads could be used. Such spring elements or combinations of different types of spring elements can also be used and thus form a mechanically flawlessly effective arrangement for quickly changing attachments.

Since the attachment 1 can be attached by the force of the excavator boom 1, a simple execution of the unlocking should also be created. For this purpose, means for attaching a hand tool, for example one, are on the displaceable gripper 7 and / or on the mounting element 15 connected to it Rod provided for the displacement of the gripper 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a tab 32 bent at the free, outwardly projecting end of the mounting element 15 is provided as a means for attaching a hand tool. Within the scope of the invention, however, it would also be conceivable to provide an elongated hole formed on the freely projecting end of the mounting element 15 as a means for attaching a hand tool.

An important design feature is the arrangement and design of the insertion openings 8 and 9 of the grippers 6 and 7. The insertion opening 8 of the fixed gripper 6 is of a base section 24 which is semicircular in cross-section and which adjoins the diameter of a retaining bolt 3, and adjoining, if necessary, bent-in insertion surfaces 25 and 26 formed. The insertion opening

8 on the fixed gripper 6 opposite a stop 12 is formed at an acute angle to the plane through the central axes of the holding bolts 3 and 4, which at the upper end merges into a circular arc section 27 and can overlap the other holding bolt 4 as a supporting section.

The hook-like, freely projecting section 13 of the displaceable gripper 7 has an insertion opening 9 directed towards the stop 12, which at least approximately has a base section 28 which is semicircular in cross section and insertion surfaces 29 and 30 adjoining it on both sides. That of the insertion opening

9 opposite end region of the hook-like section 13 has a rounded end surface 31 and is thus tapered towards the insertion opening 9. As a result, the section 13 and thus also the displaceable gripper 78 can be pushed back into the open position when pressed with a retaining bolt 4 until the retaining bolt 4 is in its correct position in the system against the stop 12 and at the height of the insertion opening 9. Then the displaceable gripper 7 can also be pulled back into its closed position by the spring element.

All in all, the arrangement according to the invention is a simple structural design with an optimal effect for a mechanical quick coupler. No hydraulic or pneumatic parts are required for the arrangement and mounting of an attachment.

Claims

claims:

1. Arrangement for replaceable attachment of an attachment, e.g. an excavator shovel, on an excavator boom or a vehicle, two attaching bolts arranged parallel to each other at a distance from each other, which can be gripped by grippers arranged on the excavator boom or on the vehicle on a holding element and adjustable relative to one another, the grippers being at least partially open insertion openings for have the holding bolts, and wherein a gripper is fixedly connected to the holding element and a gripper is held in a linearly displaceable manner in a guide of the holding element, characterized in that the linearly displaceable gripper (7) acts in the direction of the closed position of the gripper (7) spring elements ( 11) and that on the fixed gripper (6) there is an insertion opening (8) which is open in the direction of a plane through the axes of the retaining bolts (3, 4), and that the distance (A) of the retaining bolts (3, 4 ) coordinated distance at least approximately at right angles to the gedac hht level aligned stop (12) on the holding element (5) is provided as an insertion part for the second holding bolt (4), and that the displaceable gripper (7) has a hook-like, freely projecting section (13) for at least partially encompassing the second holding bolt (4 ) on the area opposite the stop (12).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the displaceable gripper (7) is designed as a substantially T-shaped component, one part (14) engaging in the guides (10) of the holding element (5) and the other part is designed as an approximately cantilevered, hook-like section (13).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that with the displaceable gripper (7) a mounting element (15) is fixedly connected, which has means for fastening one end of the spring element (11).

4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the displaceable gripper (7) and the mounting element (15) are screwed together.

5. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring element (11) engages on the one hand on the mounting element (15) and on the other hand on a fixed part (17) of the holding element (5).

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mounting element (15) has a freely projecting flange (18) which covers the spring element in the closed position of the displaceable gripper (7) towards the attachment part (1).

7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring element (11) is formed by at least one helical spring (21, 22).

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the spring element (11) is formed by two mutually parallel helical springs (21, 22).

9. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that on the displaceable gripper (7) and / or on the mounting element (15) connected thereto means for attaching a hand tool, e.g. a rod for the displacement of the gripper (7) are provided.

10. The arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that as a means for attaching a hand tool on the free, outwardly projecting end of the mounting element (15) bent tab (32) is provided.

11. The arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that an elongated hole formed on the freely outwardly projecting end of the mounting element (15) is provided as means for attaching a hand tool.

12. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion opening (8) of the fixed gripper (6) of a diameter of a retaining bolt (3) adapted, in cross-section semicircular base section (24) and adjoining, optionally bent insertion surfaces ( 25, 26) is formed.

13. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion opening (8) on the fixed gripper (6) opposite an acute angle to the through the central axes of the retaining bolts (3, 4) imaginary plane stop (12) is formed, which on the upper end merges into a circular arc section (27) and engages over the other retaining bolt (4) as a supporting section.

14. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hook-like, freely projecting section (13) of the displaceable gripper (7) has an insertion opening (9) directed towards the stop (12), which at least approximately has a semi-circular cross section of the basic section (28) and adjoining insertion surfaces (29, 30) on both sides.

15. The arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the free end region of the hook-like section (13) opposite the insertion opening (9) has a rounded end surface (31) and is thus tapered towards the insertion opening (9).

16. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the stop (12) and the insertion opening (9) on the hook-like section (13) of the displaceable gripper (7) remains an opening (20) which is smaller than the diameter a retaining bolt (4), so that when the retaining bolt (4) is inserted there is a permanent positive and non-positive connection.