EP0625613A1 - Coupling device for attaching an implement to an arm of an excavator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for interchangeably attaching an implement to the front end of an arm 3 of an excavator. The implement is provided with a first, transversely running rod 12 as well as with a first locking element. The exchange device 1 is provided with a first recess 7, by means of which the exchange device 1 can be slipped onto the first rod 12, as well as with a second, displaceable locking element which can be brought into engagement with the first locking element and as a result the implement is held by positive locking on the exchange device 1. In order to provide a technically simple and universally usable device for interchangeably attaching an implement to the front part of an arm of an excavator, it is proposed with the invention that the first locking element of the implement be a second rod 12' parallel to the first rod 12, that the exchange device 1 be capable of being slipped onto the second rod 12', and that the second, displaceable locking element block the escape of the second rod 12' from the second recess 7' in a positive-locking manner in the locking state. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for the interchangeable attachment of a tool-like attachment to the front end of an excavator arm of an excavator, the attachment with a first, transverse rod and with a first locking element, the exchange device with a first recess, by means of which the exchange device can be pushed onto the first rod , as well as with a second, displaceable locking element, which can be brought into engagement with the first locking element and the attachment is held by positive locking on the replacement device.

With the fastening device according to the invention, a wide variety of tools can be attached to the front end of an excavator arm, for example digging vessels (spoons or grabs) or other attachments, such as hammers. Each excavator usually has different types of attachments available depending on the application.

In the basic version of an excavator bucket, this has two bolt receptacles in a row. A bolt can be inserted through each so that the bucket can be pivoted on a corresponding mechanism of the excavator arm is. In this standard version, the spoons are replaced by hand using the appropriate auxiliary personnel, by removing the corresponding two bolts, so that the spoon that is no longer required is released, and then a new spoon or a gripper or other attachment can be added by inserting the to attach two bolts to the excavator arm. Although this version is inexpensive due to the bolt attachment, it is cumbersome to use because the excavator operator cannot change the bucket himself, but only with the help of a second person. With a frequent change, this is cumbersome and uneconomical.

To remedy this problem, there are automatic mounting devices for the attachments. With these it is possible for the excavator operator to change the appropriate bucket without the help of an additional person. For this purpose, the receiving device is arranged pivotably at the front end of the excavator arm. This device has a slot-shaped recess at one end, by means of which the receiving device can be pushed onto a corresponding transverse pin of the spoon. With the other end, the receiving device extends a bolt in its longitudinal center line, which engages in a corresponding opening in the spoon. The bolt is conical and has a certain reserve play. This conical bolt is thus pressed into the opening, thus creating a positive connection between the receiving device and the spoon.

The disadvantage here is that the corresponding attachments must be converted so that the receiving device can be adapted. This is done in such a way that the old standard equipment is removed and replaced with a new adapter device. If several attachments are assigned to the excavator (which is the rule), this is very expensive because each attachment has to be converted. In addition, the known adapter is subject to a relatively large amount of wear. Another disadvantage is that the respective spoon can only be picked up in one direction, that is, either only as a spoon or as a spoon. It is therefore not possible to change one and the same spoon from a backhoe to a backhoe and vice versa.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to create a technically simple and universally applicable device for the interchangeable fastening of a tool-like add-on part at the front end of an excavator arm of an excavator.

As a technical solution , the invention proposes that the first locking element of the attachment is a second rod parallel to the first rod, that the Exchange device has a second recess, by means of which the exchange device can be pushed onto the second rod, and that the second, displaceable locking element in the locked state blocks the exit of the second rod from the second recess in a form-fitting manner.

This creates a quick-change device in a compact design for fast and easy interchangeable attachment of attachments, for example digging vessels at the front end of an excavator arm of an excavator. This quick-change device enables the quick and easy replacement of attachments on appropriate excavators without the help of an additional person. The adapter device according to the invention is based on original add-on parts which have a standard gripping device, that is to say an add-on part with two rods arranged one behind the other and aligned parallel to one another in the form of retaining bolts. Of course, parts equivalent to the rod can also be used. According to the two bolts, the actual adapter device has two slit-shaped recesses one behind the other, by means of which the adapter device is pushed onto the rods so that they come to rest in these recesses. Preferably, the first recess is pushed onto the one rod and then the adapter is pivoted such that the second recess is pushed onto the second rod and, on the other hand, a positive connection between the first recess and the first rod is created by the pivoting movement. The locking element is then moved, in particular hydraulically, so that the corresponding rod can no longer emerge from the associated slot-shaped recess and thus there is a positive fit. In addition to the simple option of attaching the available attachments, inclined attachments can also be easily accommodated. In addition, if the quick-change device is defective, all buckets, grabs, hydraulic hammers or other add-on parts can be attached immediately in their original condition, thereby avoiding downtimes or loss of use. Of course, the profile of the replacement device is adapted to the contour of the attachments.

In a preferred development of the replacement device according to the invention, the two recesses are designed with respect to one another in such a way that the second recess can be pushed onto the second rod if the first recess has been pushed onto the first rod and is held in it by a positive fit after a pivoting movement. This has the advantage that such a positive connection between the first recess and the first rod due to the pivoting movement it is created that additional locking elements in the region of the first recess can be dispensed with. This is a constructive simplification.

In a further development of the recesses, it is proposed that the first recess be of such a length that attachments with differently spaced rods can be fastened with the same replacement device. This allows add-on parts with different axial dimensions of the rods to be accommodated with regard to their spacing.

A further development suggests that the second, displaceable locking element are at least one, preferably two, wedges. This represents a technically simple possibility for locking the replacement device on the corresponding add-on part, in that the wedges are preferably extended hydraulically in a simple manner. The wedge shape also ensures that the locking elements rest firmly on the associated rod and a game is avoided, which could lead to increased wear. The locking and unlocking of the wedges can be controlled electrically and hydraulically from the cab and is done at the push of a button. Unlocking can be signaled to the driver by two red control lamps and an acoustic buzzer. Unintentional unlocking is therefore impossible. Preferably, the locking wedges are always under pressure so that wear on the wedges is minimal.

A further development suggests that the second locking element can be displaced by a double-acting cylinder / piston unit. This can preferably be operated hydraulically and represents a technically simple and reliable way of moving the wedges.

A further development suggests that an omega-shaped bracket is provided for the connection between the cylinder / piston unit and the two wedges, which consists of two Z-shaped bracket elements which are essentially point-shaped with one leg in the region of the piston axis are attached to each other and are fixed to the respective wedge with the other legs. This fastening device of the cylinder / piston unit on the two wedges has the advantage that the specially designed bracket creates a certain amount of play in the connection mechanism, which reduces malfunctions to a minimum due to the forces that occur.

A further development suggests that a spring is additionally provided, which forcibly displaces the second locking element into the locking position. These additional spring forms a kind of redundancy if the cylinder / piston unit should ever be defective. In this case, the wedges are held in their locking position by the spring pressure, so that the attachment cannot fall off the fastening device.

A further development suggests that the attachment with its two rods can be attached to the exchange device both from one side and from the other side. This means that the original bucket can be used as a bucket or a bucket without additional conversion measures, which further increases the possible uses.

Finally, it is proposed in a further development that the replacement device consists of an upper part for the articulation on the excavator arm and a lower part for the recesses and for the displaceable locking element. This represents a structurally simple structure of the replacement device.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Befestigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Befestigungsvorrichtung in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a bis d

die Anwendung der Befestigungsvorrichtung in Fig. 1 und 2 bei einem Tieflöffel, wobei die verschiedenen Stufen des Befestigungsvorganges dargestellt sind;

Fig. 4a bis d

die Anwendung der Befestigungsvorrichtung in Fig. 1 und 2 bei einem Hochlöffel, bei dem es sich um den um 180° gedrehten Tieflöffel in Fig. 3a bis d handelt und wobei die verschiedenen Stufen des Befestigungsvorganges dargestellt sind.

An exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for the interchangeable fastening of a digging vessel at the front end of an excavator arm of an excavator is described below with reference to the drawings. In these shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of the fastening device;

Fig. 2

is a schematic plan view of the fastening device in Fig. 1;

3a to d

the application of the fastening device in Figures 1 and 2 in a bucket, the different stages of the fastening process are shown.

4a to d

the application of the fastening device in Fig. 1 and 2 in a spoon, which is the 180 ° rotated bucket in Fig. 3a to d and the different stages of the fastening process are shown.

The interchangeable device 1 for the interchangeable fastening of a digging vessel 2 at the front end of an excavator arm 3 of an excavator consists of an upper part 4 'and a lower part 4''. The upper part 4 'is used for articulation on the excavator arm 3, while the lower part 4''serves for the actual attachment of the digging vessel 2 to the excavator arm 3.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper part 4 'and the lower part 4' 'consist of pairs of side elements which are connected to one another by corresponding transverse elements.

The upper part 4 'has a bore 5 at each of the two ends. The upper part 4 'is articulated directly to the front end of the excavator arm 3 by means of one bore 5, while a coupling 6 in the form of a double lever is articulated in the other bore 5. The other end of this coupling 6 is articulated on the excavator arm 3, while a pivoting device, in particular in the form of a cylinder / piston unit, acts on the pivot point between the two levers of the coupling 6. This is indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result, the exchange device 1 and thus the grave vessel 2 attached to it can be pivoted.

The lower part 4 ″ has slot-shaped recesses 7, 7 ′ formed in the side elements. The recess 7 extends essentially in the longitudinal direction of the exchange device and the recess 7 'at an acute angle transversely thereto, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1. The meaning and purpose of these different orientations of the recesses 7, 7 'will be described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. The two recesses 7 'are each assigned a displaceable wedge 8 such that the wedges 8 protrude into the recesses 7' in the locking position. The wedges 8 are actuated by means of a schematically indicated hydraulic cylinder / piston unit 9. In addition, the wedges 8 are forced into the locking position by means of a spring 10, which is only indicated schematically. The mechanical connection between the cylinder / piston unit 9 and the wedges 8 takes place via a bracket 11, as can best be seen in FIG. 2. This bracket 11 is essentially omega-shaped and consists of two bracket elements 11 ', 11' ', which are each essentially Z-shaped, the two legs projecting perpendicularly from the base element and in opposite directions. While the one corresponding leg of the two bracket elements 11 ', 11' 'are connected to one another in a substantially punctiform manner in the region of the piston axis, the other, outwardly directed legs of the two bracket elements 11', 11 '' engage in indicated wedges 8 Wedge holder and establish the operative connection. This type of mechanical connection between the cylinder / piston unit 9 and the wedges 8 creates a flexible structure which gives the bracket 11 a certain amount of play within the exchange device 1, which counteracts deterioration in wear.

The grave vessel 2 finally has two transverse rods 12, 12 'on the top on how they are known from standard grave vessels. The diameters of these rods 12, 12 'correspond to the widths of the recesses 7, 7'.

The exchange device 1 works as follows:
While a backhoe bucket is shown in FIGS. 3a to d, a backhoe bucket is shown in FIGS. 4a to d. These two applications do not differ in terms of the basic principle, only the orientation of the grave vessel 2 is different.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 3a to d (backhoe bucket), it can be seen in FIG. 3a how the excavator arm 3 is located above the digging vessel 2 without any attachment having already taken place. The excavator arm 3 is thus intended to accommodate the digging vessel 2. For this purpose, the exchange device 1 is transferred into the extended position by means of the coupling 6 and the recess 7 is pushed onto the rod 12, as can be seen in FIG. 3b. In the next step (FIG. 3c), the exchange device 1 is then pivoted by actuating the coupling 6 in such a way that the second recess 7 'is pushed onto the rod 12'. The center of rotation is the rod 12. The wedges 8 are then moved into the recess 7 'by means of the cylinder / piston unit 9, so that the rod 12' can no longer emerge from the recess 7 'by a corresponding positive fit (see also FIG . 1). At the same time, the wedges 8 are held in this locking position by the spring 10, even if the cylinder / piston unit 9 should fail. In this pivoting position, as shown in Fig. 3c and in Fig. 1, the rod 12 can not come out of this recess 7 by the corresponding orientation of the recess 7, so that overall a positive connection for attaching the digging vessel 2 to the replacement device 1 is created. This makes it possible to operate the burial vessel 2, i.e. to pivot, as shown in Fig. 3d. In addition, the recess 7 is lengthened such that rods 12, 12 'at different distances can be received with one and the same exchange device 1. Correspondingly, the differently positioned center points of rods 12 are drawn in.

The embodiment in FIGS. 4a to d differs from the embodiment in FIGS. 3a to d only in that the same grave vessel 2 is rotated through 180 ° without any structural changes being made either to the exchange device 1 or to the grave vessel 2 had to. The attachment is carried out in a manner corresponding to that described in connection with the embodiment in FIGS. 3a to d.

Reference list

1

Exchange device

2nd

Grave vessel

3rd

Excavator arm

4 '

Top

4 ''

Lower part

5

drilling

6

Paddock

7, 7 '

Recess

8th

wedge

9

Cylinder / piston unit

10th

feather

11

hanger

11 ', 11' '

Bracket element

12, 12 '

pole

Claims (9)

Device for exchangeably attaching a tool-like attachment to the front end of an excavator arm (3) of an excavator,
the attachment with a first, transverse rod (12) and with a first locking element,
the exchange device (1) with a first recess (7), by means of which the exchange device (1) can be pushed onto the first rod (12), and with a second, displaceable locking element, which can be brought into engagement with the first locking element and thereby Attachment is held on the exchange device (1) by positive locking,
characterized by
that the first locking element of the add-on part is a second rod (12 ') parallel to the first rod (12),
that the exchange device (1) has a second recess (7 ') by means of which the exchange device (1) can be pushed onto the second rod (12'), and
that the second, displaceable locking element in the locked state blocks the exit of the second rod (12 ') from the second recess (7') in a form-fitting manner. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two recesses (7, 7 ') are aligned with respect to one another in such a way that the second recess (7') can then be pushed onto the second rod (12 ') if the first recess ( 7) has been pushed onto the first rod (12) and is held by a positive fit after a pivoting movement. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first recess (7) has a length such that attachments with differently spaced rods (12, 12 ') can be fastened with the same replacement device (1). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second, displaceable locking element is at least one, preferably two wedges (8). Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second Locking element is displaceable by a double-acting cylinder / piston unit (9). Device according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that an omega-shaped bracket (11) is provided for the connection between the cylinder / piston unit (9) and the two wedges (8), which bracket consists of two Z-shaped bracket elements ( 11 ', 11' '), which are fastened to one another in a point-like manner with one leg in the region of the piston axis and which are fixed to the respective wedge (8) with the other legs. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a spring (10) is additionally provided which forcibly displaces the second locking element into the locking position. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the attachment with its two rods (12, 12 ') can be fastened to the exchange device (1) both from one side and from the other side. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the replacement device (1) consists of an upper part (4 ') for articulation on the excavator arm (3) and a lower part (4' ') for the recesses (7,7' ) and for the sliding locking element.

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