EP4089236B1

EP4089236B1 - Quick release coupling with locking device for excavator bucket coupling

Info

Publication number: EP4089236B1
Application number: EP22169578.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: António Marco NEVES CRUZ
Original assignee: Ribalde Fabrica Equipamentos De Movimentacao De Terras E Cargas Lda
Current assignee: Ribalde Fabrica Equipamentos De Movimentacao De Terras E Cargas Lda
Priority date: 2021-04-22
Filing date: 2022-04-22
Publication date: 2024-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2042-04-22
Also published as: EP4089236A1; EP4089236C0

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present description concerns a locking device for quick release couplings of earth moving equipment. More specifically, it concerns a locking device for quick release couplings of excavators, backhoes and loaders, among other equipment.

BACKGROUND

Locking devices are used in earthmoving equipment such as excavators, wherein an element such as the excavating bucket can be quickly fixed or removed from the earthmoving equipment.
The quick release coupling allows a machine operator to secure the equipment without moving from the cab or the machine's operating position.
In general, quick release couplings comprise a pair of parallel pins for coupling to the machine arm. A pair of recesses are formed in the body of the coupler and are configured for receiving the parallel pins of the equipment. One or more locking mechanisms lock the received pins in one or both recesses. Prior art document US 2010/067982 A1 shows an example of this type of quick release couplings.
However, a problem that may arise is that the operator of a machine may move the part of the machine to which the quick release coupling is fixed before the rear coupler pin is fixed or the locking mechanism is actuated before the pin is in position on the mounting part. This can happen because experienced operators tend to position a quick release coupling with the equipment, lock the quick release coupling and move the instrument all in one action. This problem leads to the operation not going as intended and when the equipment is moved, the excavating bucket may fall and be damaged or even injure others.
The present solution intends to provide an automatic locking device to be applied, among other applications, in a quick release coupling of earthmoving machinery equipment in order to be more efficient, safe and to work automatically.
These facts are described in order to illustrate the technical problem solved by the embodiments of the present document.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The present description concerns an automatic locking device to be applied in various equipment, being preferably applied to a quick release coupling of earthmoving equipment.
The automatic locking device (quick coupler or quick hinge) described in the present disclosure meets the automatic safety required by the ISO 13031:2016 standard.
It is an object of the present invention to present a safe, efficient and automatically operating locking device, which can be applied to earthmoving equipment such as excavators, backhoes or loaders, among others.
This device allows the automatic closing of at least one safety side pin, for locking and securing equipment in earthmoving machines.
The mechanism can be used (although not exclusively) in systems for quick release coupling of excavation machinery equipment. The mechanism complies with the legislation in force on the safety of excavating machines, which requires a safety system with automatic locking during equipment change operations.
The locking device allows the automatic locking and anti-rotation of a system. For security reasons, its unlocking is always done manually.
The system is automatically locked by an external force that causes the device to rotate. This rotation will actuate a jaw locking pawl, causing a rotation of the wedged bushes and consequent opening of the side pins after centering with an existing hole in the system, thus locking it.
The locking system maintains the coupler in the normal working position by a system of at least two components that engage perpendicularly to the working forces so that the working forces do not tend to cause detachment.
The system is unlocked by turning the device's manual actuator, causing the side pins to close, unlocking the system. That is, the side pin moves between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position.
The present description relates to a quick release coupling for an excavator bucket coupler comprising a jaw for engaging and holding a bucket pin and a locking device for locking said jaw in a holding position of said bucket pin, wherein the locking device comprises:

a side pin arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole of the bucket coupler to prevent relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler;
a locking spring arranged to bias the side pin into the protruding position; and
a socket for receiving a manual actuator for moving said side pin into the retracted position.

In an embodiment, the locking device comprises:

a locking bush fixed to the side pin;
a supporting bush fixed to the jaw;

In an embodiment, one end of the supporting bush has said wedge-shaped tilted surface to cooperate with the tilted surface of the locking bush, and one end of the locking bush has said wedge-shaped tilted surface to cooperate with the tilted surface of the supporting bush; wherein the locking device comprises a hollow guide cylinder comprising mounted therein:

said side pin,
said locking spring,
a synchronizing pin slidably mounted in a longitudinal groove of said guide cylinder, and
said locking bush jointly mounted with the side pin and with said synchronizing pin,

In an embodiment, the guide cylinder comprises the socket for receiving the manual actuator to rotate the guide cylinder and move said side pin into the retracted position.
In an embodiment, the supporting bush is mounted around the cavity or hole of the quick release coupling.
In an embodiment, the quick release coupling comprises a lever as manual actuator.
In an embodiment, the locking device comprises:

a second side pin arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole of the bucket coupler to prevent relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler;
wherein the first and the second side pins move in opposite directions between the retracted unlocking position and the protruding locking position.

In an embodiment, the locking device comprises:
a second locking spring arranged to bias the second side pin into the protruding position;
and wherein said socket is arranged to receive said manual actuator for moving the second side pin into the retracted position.
In an embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of locking springs.
In an embodiment, the quick release coupling comprises a second supporting bush, a second locking bush and a second synchronizing pin.
In an embodiment, the supporting bush comprises at least one bore to receive one or more fixing screws or bolts for fixing the supporting bush in the jaw.
In an embodiment, the quick release coupling comprises said fixing screws or bolts fixing the supporting bush in the jaw.
Some of the advantages of the quick release coupling consist of:

withstanding work forces applied to the coupler and keeping the attachment in the working position;
it being possible to verify (e.g. by visual and audible sign), from the place where the coupler system is actuated (e.g. the operator's station), whether the coupler system is fully engaged and in its working position;
it not being necessary to confirm the connection of the quick release coupling with the bucket coupler by moving the machine;
not relying solely on gravity;
preventing the bucket coupler from detaching if the engagement force is lost, reduced or removed and ensures that the quick release coupling will be held in the working position;
the locking system, once activated, remaining locked until the unlocking process is initiated by the operator.

The locking system:

is suitable to the design of the coupler system;
prevents the attachment from detaching if coupling force is lost, reduced or removed and ensures working position is maintained. If the coupling force is lost or reduced, small movements of the connection are acceptable as long as the movement is not so great as to create hazard. Connection movements, such as balancing or rotations around a mount point, are not considered small movements;
for power and mixed quick release couplings, the locking system is automatically activated as part of the fitting process;
for manual quick release couplings, the locking system is activated by an automatic action during the coupling process. Any locking device used must be kept in the quick release coupling so that it cannot be removed without the use of tools;
in case of loss of coupling force, the working forces applied to the quick release coupling do not result in the loss of the locking function;
the locking system is not solely dependent on gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For an easier understanding, figures are herein attached, which represent preferred embodiments which are not intended to limit the object of the present description.

Figure 1 : Schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device.
Figure 2 : Schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device where an inner view thereof is represented.
Figure 3 : Schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device where an inner view thereof is represented.
Figure 4a : Schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device showing the maximum opening wherein the side pin is in the protruding locking position.
Figure 4b : Side view of an embodiment of the quick release coupling with the locking device with the manual actuator facing upwards.
Figure 5a : Schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device showing the minimum opening, wherein the side pin is in the retracted unlocking position.
Figure 5b : Side view of an embodiment of the quick release coupling with the locking device with the manual actuator facing downwards.
Figure 6 : Schematic representation of an embodiment of the locking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description concerns a locking device for quick release couplings of earth moving equipment.
The present description relates to a quick release coupling (18) for an excavator bucket coupler (15) comprising a jaw (8) for engaging and holding a bucket pin (14) and a locking device for locking said jaw in a holding position of said bucket pin (14), wherein the locking device comprises: a side pin (3) arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler to prevent relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler; a locking spring (5) arranged to bias the side pin (3) into the protruding position; and a socket for receiving a manual actuator (9) for moving said side pin (3) into the retracted position.
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment wherein (1) represents connecting elements, (2) represents a supporting bush; (3) represents the side pin; (4) represents a locking bush; (5) represents the locking spring; (6) represents the synchronizing pin; (7) a guide cylinder; (9) a manual actuator, preferably a lever and (8) represents the jaw of the quick release coupling.
In an embodiment, the device system comprises one or more screws at each side end.
In an embodiment, the system comprises one or more locking springs (5), preferably two locking springs, two locking bushes (4), two side pins (3), two supporting bushes (2), two pins (6) and a plurality of screws (1).
In an embodiment, the pins are automatically actuated by one or more locking springs (5).
In an embodiment, the hanger plates of the quick release coupling (16) comprise a cavity or hole (17) that will receive the side pin (3).
Fig. 2 is a side inner view of an embodiment, wherein the interaction of the various elements forming the locking system is visible. In this embodiment, the shaft of the jaw (10); the jaw closing spring (12); the jaw locking pawl (13); the bucket pin (14); the coupler for the bucket (15) and the coupler hanger plates (16) are visible.
Fig. 3 represents an embodiment showing the bucket coupler (15) and the quick release coupling (18) comprising the locking device. The quick release coupling (18) further comprises a jaw closing spring (12), jaw shaft (10) and a cylinder comprising an inlet for lubricating the jaw shaft (10). The lubrication inlet (11) comprises a cover. The hanger plates (16) comprise a hole or cavity (17) for the passage of the pins, when in the protruding position.
Figures 4a and 4b represent an embodiment of the quick release coupling (18) with the locking device wherein the manual actuator (9) is directed upwards, which causes the opening of the side pins (3) of the system and the corresponding system lock. In this figure it is visible that the side pins (3) are inserted in the hole of the supporting bushes (2) and are inserted in the cavity or hole of the quick release coupling (17), in the locking position. In this position, the relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler (15) is prevented.
Figures 5a and 5b represent an embodiment of the quick release coupling (18) with the locking device wherein the manual actuator (9) is directed downwards, which causes the opening of the side pins (3) of the system and the resulting system unlock. The side pin (3) is in a retracted unlocking position and the relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler (15) is free.
In an embodiment, the side pin (3) advances laterally by the action of one or more locking springs (5). The supporting bush (2) and locking bush (4) have a tilted face. The supporting bush (2) is fixed to the quick release coupling (8) by the action of the screws (1).
In an embodiment, the rotation and advancement of the locking bush (4) with respect to the guide cylinder (7) is limited by the synchronizing pins (6). The automatic closing of the side pin (3) is guaranteed by the action of the locking springs (5). With the locking bush (4) leaned against the supporting bush (2), a rotation of the locking bush (4) and consequently the advancement of the side pin (3) is imposed. The bush (2) and the side pin (3) are fixed by the synchronizing pin (6).
In an embodiment, the manual opening of the side pin (3) is done with the manual rotation of the lever (9), causing a relative rotation between the supporting bush (2) and the locking bush (4) and consequent recoil of the side pin (3).
The jaw (8) is the connecting interface between the system and an equipment of the earthmoving machine.
In an embodiment, the solution has two independent side pins that are automatically actuated by locking springs (5).
Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the quick release coupling (18) and the locking device. In this figure it is possible to observe each element associated with the mechanism, namely the quick release coupling (18), the jaw (8), the jaw shaft (10); the lubrication inlet (11); the screws (1); the supporting bush (2); the side pin (3); the locking bush (4); the locking spring (5); the synchronizing pin (6); the hollow cylinder (7); the lever (9).
The present description describes a quick release coupling (18) for an excavator bucket coupler (15) comprising a jaw (8) for engaging and holding a bucket pin (14) and a locking device for locking said jaw (8) in a holding position of said bucket pin (14). The locking device comprises: a side pin (3) arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler (15) to prevent relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler; a locking spring (5) arranged to bias the side pin into the protruding position; and a socket for receiving a manual actuator (9) for moving said side pin (3) into the retracted position.
In an embodiment, the locking device comprises a locking bush (4) fixed to the side pin (3); a supporting bush (2) fixed to the jaw (8). The locking bush (4) comprises a tilted surface and the supporting bush (2) comprises a tilted surface arranged so that when the locking bush (4) is moved relative to the supporting bush (2), the tilted surfaces cooperate with each other, so that when the locking bush is moved by the manual actuator (9), the locking bush moves away from the cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler (15) and causes the side pin (3) to move into the retracted position.
In an embodiment, the supporting bush (2) and the locking bush (4) each comprise a tilted surface, preferably wedge-shaped.
In an embodiment, one end of the supporting bush (2) has said wedge-shaped tilted surface to cooperate with the tilted surface of the locking bush (4), and one end of the locking bush (4) has said wedge-shaped tilted surface to cooperate with the tilted surface of the supporting bush (2). The locking device comprises a hollow guide cylinder (7) comprising mounted therein:

the side pin (3),
the locking spring (5),
a synchronizing pin (6) slidably mounted in a longitudinal groove of said guide cylinder (7), and
the locking bush (4) jointly mounted with the side pin (3) and with said synchronizing pin (6),

In an embodiment, the guide cylinder (7) comprises the socket for receiving the manual actuator (9) to rotate the guide cylinder (7) and move said side pin (3) into the retracted position. Preferably, the manual actuator is a lever.
In an embodiment, after the movement of the manual actuator (9), which is preferably a lever, the side pin (3) moves into the hole of the supporting bush (2) and into the cavity or hole of the bucket coupler (17).
In an embodiment, the supporting bush (2) is mounted around the cavity or hole of the quick release coupling.
In an embodiment, the locking device comprises a second side pin (3) arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole of the bucket coupler (15) to prevent relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler. The first and second side pins (3) move in opposite directions between the retracted unlocking position and the protruding locking position.
In an embodiment the locking device comprises a second locking spring (5) arranged to bias the second side pin into the protruding position; and the socket is arranged to receive said manual actuator (9) for moving the second side pin (3) into the retracted position.
In an embodiment, the quick release coupling (18) comprises a second supporting bush (2), a second locking bush (4) and a second synchronizing pin (6).
In an embodiment, the supporting bush comprises at least one bore to receive one or more fixing screws or bolts (1) for fixing the supporting bush in the jaw. The fixing screws or bolts (1) fix the supporting bush in the jaw.
The following characteristics are illustrated in the figures: fixing screws or bolts (1); supporting bush (2); side pin (3); locking bush (4); locking spring (5); synchronizing pin (6); guide cylinder (7); jaw (8); manual actuator (9); jaw shaft (10); lubrication inlet (11); jaw closing spring (12); jaw locking pawl (13); bucket pin (14); bucket coupler (15); coupler hanger plates (16); bucket coupler cavity or hole (17) and quick release coupling (18).
The term "comprises" or "comprising" when used herein is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, elements, integers, steps and components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps and components, or groups thereof.
The present invention is of course in no way restricted to the embodiments described herein and a person of ordinary skill in the art can foresee many possibilities of modifying it and replacing technical features with equivalent ones depending on the requirements of each situation as defined in the appended claims.
The following claims define additional embodiments of the present description.

Claims

Quick release coupling (18) for an excavator bucket coupler (15) comprising a jaw (8) for engaging and holding a bucket pin (14) and a locking device for locking said jaw in a holding position of said bucket pin (14), wherein the locking device comprises:
a side pin (3) arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler to prevent relative movement between the jaw and the bucket coupler;

a locking spring (5) arranged to bias the side pin (3) into the protruding position; and

a socket for receiving a manual actuator (9) for moving said side pin (3) into the retracted position.
Quick release coupling (18) according to the previous claim, wherein the locking device comprises:
a locking bush (4) fixed to the side pin (3);

a supporting bush (2) fixed to the jaw;
wherein the locking bush (4) comprises a tilted surface and the supporting bush (2) comprises a tilted surface arranged so that when the locking bush (4) is moved relative to the supporting bush (2), the tilted surfaces cooperate with each other in such a way that when the locking bush (4) is moved by the manual actuator (9), the locking bush (4) moves away from the cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler (15) and causes the side pin to move into the retracted position.
Quick release coupling (18) according to the previous claim wherein
one end of the supporting bush (2) has said wedge-shaped tilted surface to cooperate with the tilted surface of the locking bush (4), and

one end of the locking bush (4) has said wedge-shaped tilted surface to cooperate with the tilted surface of the supporting bush (2);

wherein the locking device comprises a hollow guide cylinder (7) comprising mounted therein:
said side pin (3),

said locking spring (5),

a synchronizing pin (6) slidably mounted in a longitudinal groove of said guide cylinder (7), and

said locking bush (4) jointly mounted with the side pin (3) and with said synchronizing pin (6),

arranged so that when the guide cylinder (7) is rotated by the manual actuator (9), the synchronizing pin (6) is moved by said groove to rotate together with the guide cylinder (7), the locking bush (4) rotates together with the synchronizing pin (6), said wedge-shaped surfaces cooperate with each other so that the locking bush moves away from the cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler (15) and causes the synchronizing pin (6) to move along said groove and the side pin (3) into the retracted position.
Quick release coupling (18) according to the previous claim, wherein the guide cylinder (7) comprises the socket for receiving the manual actuator (9) to rotate the guide cylinder (7) and move said side pin (3) into the retracted position.
Quick release coupling (18) according to claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the supporting bush (2) is mounted around the cavity or hole of the quick release coupling.
Quick release coupling (18) according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a lever as a manual actuator (9).
Quick release coupling (18) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the locking device comprises:
a second side pin (3) arranged to move between a retracted unlocking position and a protruding locking position wherein the pin enters a cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler to prevent relative movement between the jaw (8) and the bucket coupler (15);
wherein the first and second side pins move in opposite directions between the retracted unlocking position and the protruding locking position.
Quick release coupling (18) according to the previous claim, wherein the locking device comprises:
a second locking spring (5) arranged to bias the second side pin (3) into the protruding position;
and wherein said socket is arranged to receive said manual actuator (9) for moving the second side pin (3) into the retracted position.
Quick release coupling (18) according to the previous claim and claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, comprising a second supporting bush (2), a second locking bush (4) and a second synchronizing pin (6).
Quick release coupling (18) according to any claims 2-9 wherein the supporting bush (2) comprises at least one bore for receiving one or more fixing screws or bolts for fixing the supporting bush in the jaw.
Quick release coupling (18) according to the previous claim, comprising said fixing screws or bolts fixing the supporting bush (2) in the jaw (8).
Quick release coupling according to any one of the previous claims wherein the cavity or hole (17) of the bucket coupler is a hole (17).