Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3622—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a locking element acting on a pin
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3627—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3663—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat hydraulically-operated

Definitions

• the invention relates to a quick coupling device for connection to a work tool as disclosed in the preamble of the attached claim 1, preferably for use with excavators.
• the quick coupling device When a quick coupling device is used, the whole operation can be done by the operator or driver alone.
• the quick coupling device is usually mounted on the working arm of the machine.
• the work tool must have mounted thereon fastenings which mate with the gripping device on the quick coupling device.
• the quick coupling device is brought into engagement with the work tool by manoeuvring the excavator.
• the work tool is then lifted up and put in a position which allows gravity to press it against the quick coupling device.
• the locking of the quick coupling device to the work tool is effected by a hydraulically generated driving force against the wedge or the like, or another mechanically generated driving force. If the locking driving force is hydraulic, it can be actuated from the cab of the machine. If it is a mechanical arrangement, it must be actuated by a key, handle or the like and the driver must stand close to the quick coupling. Ih both cases, the whole operation can be done by the driver alone, and relatively quickly.
• the fastenings on the work tool 2 are formed of a first and a second parallel shaft, 3 and 4 respectively, which are fastened to two supporting frames 5, 6 on the bucket.
• the quick coupling device has two semicircular hooks or cups 7, 8 whose opening faces downwards, and which abut with a part of the circumference of the first shaft 3.
• the quick coupling device also has two semi-circular hooks or cups 9, 10 which are oriented with their opening facing towards said second end 1" and shaped so that they abut with a part of the circumference of the second shaft 4 on the work tool 2.
• the work tool 2 is then locked to the quick coupling device by means of a mechanically or hydraulically operated wedge 11 which passes under the shaft 3.
• the device disclosed in this document is a quick coupling device which, inter alia, is intended to guard against the loss of equipment, and this is supported by the use of an extra safety bolt in front of the coupling. Means to remedy problems of slack and wear are not described. Moreover, both clamps act basically in the "horizontal plane", whilst the main direction of force is “vertical”.
• US Patent 6691438 teaches a solution which corresponds to that shown in the attached Fig. 1.
• the hooks or cups that cooperate with a wedge form almost point contact with the respective shaft on the work tool because the radius of curvature of the hooks/cups is substantially greater than that of the shaft. This causes substantial load forces on the wedge. There is no wedging action on the second shaft, which results in gradually increasing slack at this point of support for the work tool.
• French Patent 2765601 relates to a quick coupling device with locking wedges at one end.
• the invention is directed towards remedying the deficiencies of the known quick couplings, and this is accomplished by means a quick coupling device of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is characterised by the features disclosed in the characterising clause of claim 1
• Fig. 1 shows a per se known quick coupling device.
• Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration, in partial section, of an embodiment of the quick coupling device according to the invention in cooperation with a work tool.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the quick coupling device from below.
• Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the quick coupling device.
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the section in Fig. 4 seen from below.
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the quick coupling device and a work tool prior to connection
• Figs. 7 and 8 show respectively partial and full connection.
• the traditional reversible quick coupling devices have had cup-shaped hooks 7, 8 at a first end which grip partly around one of the shafts 3 of the work tool, whilst at the second end it has also been usual to have hooks 9, 10.
• hooks 9, 10 there is a wedge 11 which presses the shaft 3 into the hooks 7, 8.
• the quick coupling device 1 is designed for connection to a work tool 2 which has quick coupling fastenings in the form of the two parallel shafts 3, 4 that extend between supporting frames 5, 6 on the work tool.
• the device has at its first end a first set of said hooks or cups 7, 8 with their opening facing downwards and adapted to abut with a part of the circumference of the first 3 of the shafts, and has at its second, opposite end the second set of hooks or cups 9, 10 with their opening facing towards the second end and adapted for abutment with a part of the circumference of a second 4 of the shafts.
• the first wedge 11 is insertable under the first shaft 3 for locking the work tool 2 to the quick coupling device 1.
• the quick coupling device also has a second wedge 12 which is intended for insertion under the second shaft 4.
• the first 11 and the second 12 of the wedges are designed to press the hooks or cups 7, 8; 9, 10 against the respective one 3; 4 of the shafts with a clamping force essentially along the same axis as the load forces on the hooks or cups 7, 8; 9, 10 which are caused by the work tool when in use. Therefore, the need for the adjustment of slack by using inserts, so-called shims, is obviated, which slack adjustment would otherwise be necessary because of movements, jars, jolts and wear, as mentioned in the above.
• the two wedges 11, 12 are slidable along respective sliding guides 11', 12' and are movable back and forth by a single actuator 13, and the actuator has respective ends 14, 15 thereof connected to a bracket 16, 17 on a respective one of the wedges 11, 12.
• a stop 23 is provided in connection with the sliding guides 11', 12' to define the retracted positions of the respective wedges 11, 12 and to ensure that the wedges are drawn back into a suitable starting position.
• connection takes place in that the quick coupling device 1 is first positioned with its second end and the hooks/cups 9, 10 on a shaft, for example, the shaft 4 on the work tool, after which it is positioned with its first end and the hooks/cups 7, 8 on the other shaft, for example the shaft 3.
• the actuator 13 is designed to drive the wedges 11, 12 away from or towards each other in order to produce an essentially equal clamping force from the two wedges 11, 12.
• the actuator according to a preferred embodiment is a hydraulic jack.
• the actuator is so positioned on the quick coupling device 1 that once the connection with the work tool has been completed, it lies between the supporting frames 5, 6 on the work tool 2.
• both wedges 11, 12 When the quick coupling device 1 and the work tool 2 are brought together as described above, and the actuator, for example, the hydraulic jack, is actuated, both wedges 11, 12 will be moved out and press the hooks or cups 7, 8, 9, 10 together with respective shafts 3 and 4 at both ends of the device. If any wear occurs, the wedges 11, 12 with their respective inclined plane 11", 12" will be pressed further out and prevent movement.
• the actuator 13 will at all times be actuated and provide a force which presses the wedges apart.
• the possible movement of the wedges 11, 12 is indicated by double arrows. As the actuator 13 is only connected to the two wedges 11, 12 and is otherwise freely moveable, it will be ensured that there is an equal force on both wedges 11, 12 at any given time.
• the quick coupling according to the invention can be made in different sizes and adapted to varying dimensions such as shaft diameter, distance between shafts and width between supporting ribs on the work tool.
• quick coupling device will normally be suitable for use with most work tools that are to be operated by a machine, it is also - as mentioned - highly suitable for use with work tools that are to be reversible, for example, where in one operation mode masses are to be dug up in a backward direction, whilst in another operation mode the masses are to be dug up in a forward direction.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Shovels (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (14)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2005
  • 2005-02-04 NO NO20050638A patent/NO20050638D0/no unknown
• 2006
  • 2006-01-30 EP EP06701671A patent/EP1844199A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-01-30 WO PCT/NO2006/000042 patent/WO2006083172A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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