FI123051B - Adapter for attachment to boom attachment and rotator and similar arrangement - Google Patents

Description

ADAPTER FOR BOARD TOOL AND ROTATOR RELATED APPLICATION AND SIMILAR APPLICATION

The invention relates to an adapter for a boom attachment implement 5 and a rotator assembly comprising an implement and its boom, an implement comprising at least two actuators, for rotation in a horizontal plane with respect to the boom, the rotatable 15 having a static upper portion comprising fastening means for hose shielding and at least two pairs of flow channels.

The invention also relates to a corresponding arrangement.

20 Various implements are known in the art for attaching to the boom of a machine tool. For example, a work tool is a multifunction grapple of a forestry machine in which a rotator is used. The purpose of the rotator is to enable the implement to be rotated with respect to the vertical axis of the rotator during operation. The implement requires hydraulics to operate, which is supplied to the implement from the implement via a boom via hydraulic hoses, o

(M

o Patent application FI20060771, which discloses a multifunctional grapple for a forestry machine, is known in the art. In this solution c the hydraulic flow is brought directly by the hydraulic hoses (n from the forest machine through the boom to the multifunction grapple cylinders, co g The problem with this solution is that the hydraulic hoses are secured between the boom and the multifunction grapple

CM

35 unlimited rotation of the grapple using a rotator.

2

It is an object of the invention to provide an adapter for an attachment in connection with a work attachment and a rotator, which allows unrestricted rotation of the implement by means of a rotator. Characteristic features of the adapter of the present invention are set forth in the appended claim 1. It is a further object of the invention to provide a corresponding arrangement which also allows unrestricted rotation of the implement by means of a rotator. Characteristic features of the arrangement of the present invention are apparent from the appended claim 4.

This object may be achieved by an adapter for an attachment to a boom-mounted implement and a rotator comprising an implement and its boom, the implement comprising at least two actuators and hydraulic lines for directing hydraulic flow from the implement to the implement. The arrangement further comprises a valve assembly for distributing the hydraulic flow to the at least two actuators and a rotator for hanging the implement on the boom and pivoting horizontally with respect to the boom, the rotator having a static top comprising fastening means for hose protection and at least two pairs of flow passages. The adapter is adapted to be mounted on a rotator for attachment responses and the adapter comprises a valve assembly, whereby the actuators can be connected to the valve assembly via flow channels, allowing unrestricted rotation of the implement by a rotator in relation to the boom. With the help of an adapter all hyd-? the raul lines can be connected to a valve assembly co at the top of the rotator co, whereby the arrangement can be realized x £ 30 without the export of hydraulic lines directly to the working equipment of the implement. The valve unit can, for example, use § hydraulic flow for rotating the rotator o to actuate other implement actuators when the c \ i rotator is idle.

35 3

Preferably, the adapter includes a body portion surrounding the static top of the rotator, comprising mounting brackets for attaching the adapter to the static top of the rotator, and an attachment portion attached to the body for the valve assembly. This simple construction allows the valve unit to be compactly connected to the rotator.

According to one embodiment, the adapter is adapted to be attached to the rotator using screws for attaching the rotor hose guard 10 to the rotator. The attachment of the adapter can then be carried out using standard rotator parts.

The object of the arrangement according to the invention can be achieved by means of an arrangement of a rotary attachment of a working implement which comprises an implement and its boom, an implement comprising at least two actuators and a rotator for hanging and rotating the implement horizontally with respect to the boom. The arrangement further includes hydraulic lines for directing hydraulic flow from the implement to the implement and a valve unit 20 for distributing the hydraulic flow to the at least two actuators. The valve assembly is connected to the static top of the rotator by an adapter according to one of the above embodiments.

25 According to one embodiment, the implement is a harvester grapple. At least one of the implement actuators is preferably a tilt cylinder.

(M

According to another embodiment, the implement is a pole post. oo

X

£ 30 According to a third embodiment, the implement is a timber section.

C/O

o

LO

The adapter and the arrangement according to the invention achieve a free rotatability of the C / I implement by means of a rotator relative to 35 booms. When using the adapter, the valve unit can be compactly assembled in one location on the top of the rotator, which is easy to maintain. The adapter and the arrangement also achieve controlled control of the implement, for example, the valve unit controls the hydraulic flow of the rotator to other actuators of the implement when the rotator is idle.

5

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some embodiments of the invention, in which axonometric representation of a prior art arrangement of a machine boom is shown,

Figures 2a to 2d show a prior art rotator in different directions, Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the prior art rotator,

Figure 4a is an axonometric view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on a rotator in position, 20A is an axonometric view of an adapter according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5 is an axonometric view of the adapter of Fig. 4a when taken separately from the rotator. Fig. 6 is an axonometric view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the invention fixed to the rotator in position with the collision guard.

Fig. 7 shows the hydraulic connections of the valve unit of the adapter according to the invention in axonometric view x g 30 ti, Fig. 8a shows the hydraulic diagram of the arrangement according to the invention with the directional valve in a straight flow position;

(M

Fig. 8b shows an arrangement according to the invention with the directional valve in the cross-flow position.

5

In the figures, the reference numerals refer to the following: 5 10 Arrangement 50 'Valve unit source 12 Boom working links 14 Implement 52 Blade rotor 15 Multifunction grapple 54 Rotor section 16 Rotator 56 Stator section 10 20 Flow channels 60' Valve package 22 Rotator top valve 60 '24 28 Valve unit 66 Crossflow position 15 30 Hose guard 68 Pre-drive unit 31 Hose guard attachment 69 Throttle bolts 70 Adapter body 32 Adapter attachment 33 Rotor attachment brackets 20 tees 12 'Impact guard attachment 34 Multi-purpose attachment latch Impact Guard 77 Hose Holes 36 Multifunction Grapple Blade 101 Stator Plate Top 25 Strapping Element 102 Stator Plate Bottom cvj 1- 38 Loading Elements 103 Shaft o ^ Device 104 Stator Body Co? 40 Multifunction grapple vertical 105 Attachment o 0X1 and horizontal swivel 107 Wing

X

£ 30 44 Hydraulic lines 108 Throttle co 46 Boom responses 109 Sealing plate co § 48 Rotator inlet connections 110 Sealing plate o 48 'Valve unit inlet 111 Sealing ring

(M

connectors 112 Wedge 35 50 Rotator outlet connectors 113 Pin 114 Locking screw 6 115 Connecting tube 126 Screw 116 Axial roller bearing 127 Screw ring 128 Sealing ring 117 Axial needle bearing 130 Pin 5 ri 131 Disc spring 118 Spring 132 Needle 119 Seal 133 Needle 120 Gasket 134 121 135 Seal ίο 122 Connecting tube 136 Slide ring 123 Plug 137 Slide ring 124 Screw 138 O-ring 125 Spring seal 139 V-seal

Figure 1 shows a prior art arrangement in connection with a work boom. Figures 2a to 3 show a prior art rotator. Figures 4a to 8b illustrate an adapter and an arrangement according to the invention and their embodiments.

The arrangement shown in Figure 1 consists of a working machine boom 12, a working attachment 14 mounted on the boom and a rotator 16 mounted on the working implement 14 and suspended on the boom 12. The working device 14 is a multifunction grapple 15 including a body 32, loading members 34, the actuator 38 of the loading members 34 and the vertical and horizontal swivel 40 of the multifunction grapple 15, in this case the tilt cylinder 40.

For the hydraulic system of the multifunction grapple 15, a hydraulic flow is led to the multifunction grapple 15 by means of hydraulic lines 44.

? The figure does not show the two hydraulic traversal lines to the rotator. The hydraulic lines 44, unlike in the illustration, are closed by x £ in both the multifunction grapple 15 and the boom 12, which means that the multifunction grapple 15 has only limited rotation

C/O

S relative to the vertical axis of the rotator 16. When turning the multifunction grapple 15 o relative to the boom 12 the hydraulic lines 44

CM

finally, preventing rotation of the multifunction grapple 15.

35 7

For example, in the arrangement according to the invention, the working device 14 may be a multifunction grapple exactly similar to the arrangement in Fig. 1. In the arrangement according to the invention, all hydraulic lines 44 driven from the implement are connected to the rotor 16. The direct connections of the hydraulic lines 44 to the multifunction grapple 15 according to Fig. 5 are unnecessary in the arrangement according to the invention. More specifically, the hydraulic cams 44 are attached to the valve assembly 28 of the adapter, and the adapter is further mounted to the upper portion 22 of the rotator 16, statically mounted to the boom 12. The adapter 26 and valve assembly 28 are shown in Figures 4a-6. mounted on the upper part of the rotator 22 and thus adapted to pivot about the vertical axis of the rotator 16. During rotation, the upper portion 22 15 of the rotator 16 remains stationary and only the lower portion 24 rotates. Such an arrangement avoids the movement restrictions caused by the hydraulic hoses.

In this connection, the cutting element 36 may be a cutting blade 20 having a plate-like shape and a sharp cutting edge. In the cutting blade, the trees are cut so that the loading members 34 of the multifunction grapple 15 pull the cutting member 36 through the trees, i.e. the multifunction grapple 15 moves in the direction of the trees during the cutting.

The actuator 38 of the loading members 34, i.e. in this case the loading cylinder 38, closes and opens the loading members 34, i.e. the jaws, of the multifunction grapple 15. The cutting element may also be ^ for example, a saw used for hydraulic operation of loading members? flow. The multi-function grapple and its loading members are controlled and controlled by the operator of the machine. The control-x £ 30 devices may be known as lever or button controls or oo appropriate application controls.

§ The actuator actuators can be controlled by wire or by radio if power is supplied to the actuator.

CM

Figures 2a to 2d show a prior art rotator 16 in various directions 8, without adapter, suitable for the arrangement of the invention. The rotator shown in the figures may be of the prior art and may be used in an arrangement according to the invention by attaching an adapter according to the invention. The upper portion 22 of the rotator 16 includes boom responses 46 5 for securing the rotator 16 to the boom, a hose guard 30 for protecting the hydraulic lines, and inlets 48. By way of example, the inlet connections 48 may be two fewer than the flow channels. for left and right movement 10, for closing and opening the grapple cylinder, and for the functions of the third optional actuator. The number of inlets can vary depending on the number of attachments required, but preferably there are at least 6 inlets. In this context, the inputs and outlets are used to distinguish between the various connections, although both the inlet and the outlet can be used to bring hydraulic flow to and from the implement.

The lower part 24 of the rotator 16, in turn, comprises output ports 50, 20 which are two fewer than the inlet connections 48. This is because the two inlet connections 48 conduct hydraulic flow to the blade rotor 52 of the rotator 16 (Figure 3). The hydraulic flow is led from the inlet 48 to the outlet 50 by the internal throughflow channels 20 of the rotator 16 (Figure 3).

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a prior art rotator of the arrangement. The different components of the image are shown? namely in the partial list. Inside the rotator 16 is a blade rotor co 52, by means of which the lower part 24 of the rotator 16 is rotated with respect to x 30 to the upper part 22. The blade rotor 52 consists of a rotor part 54 and a lower part 24

C/O

The stator portion 56 has chambers in which the hydraulic flow supplied rotates the rotor portion 54. In this case, the stator portion 56 is static and the rotor portion 56 attached to the shaft 103 35 rotates the attachment portion 105 of the lower portion 24.

9

Inside the rotor portion 54 is an axis 103 of the rotator 16, within which throughflow channels 20 of the rotator 16 pass, through the throughflow channels 20, the hydraulic flow passes into the annular grooves 24 of the lower portion of the rotator 165. There are four flow-through channels shown in this embodiment, but the number of flow-through channels may vary from one embodiment to another.

Figures 4a and 4b show an adapter 26 according to the invention mounted on a rotator 16. The adapter 26 is adapted to be mounted in place of the original hose guard 30 of the rotator 16 shown in Figures 2a to 3, whereby the adapter 26 replaces the hose guard 30. 33 and mounting screws 31, both of which are illustrated in greater detail in Figure 5. Adapter 26 includes valve assembly 28, body portion 70, mounting brackets 72, and auxiliary portion 74. As illustrated, valve assembly 28 may consist of two valve packages 60 'and 60' ' 20 both include inlets 48 'and outlets 50'. Inlet connections 48 'are intended for attachment of hydraulic hoses from the implement to valve unit 28 and outlet connections 50' for conducting flows from valve unit 28 to inlet 48 of rotator 16.

25 ^ The embodiment of Figure 4a differs from the embodiment of Figure 4b,

O

that both valve packages 60 'and 60' 'of valve unit 28? 4b, the valve expander chains 60 'and 60' 'are disposed on opposite sides of the rotatable x x 30 market 16. It is common for both embodiments of Figure 4a and 4b that the valve assembly 28 of the adapter 26 is compactly fitted to the upper portion 22 of the rotator 16, where it is protected from impact. Figure 5 shows an adapter 26 for a removable

CM

The adapter 26 is fastened with help-35, since it can be fitted with screws 31 or bolts 31 of the original hose guard of the rotator 16. The adapter 10 may be attached to the original rotator mounting brackets 33, which are more than the fastening screws 31 required for the adapter mounting. The adapter may have multiple mounting brackets 72 for different bolt rotors 5 of different manufacturers, or the location of the adapter mounting brackets. In connection with the adapter, the valve units of the valve unit can be used with the usual commercial valve packages without special solutions.

6 illustrates an adapter 26 according to the invention mounted on a rotator top 22 with a collision guard 35. The collision guard may be a housing-like structure for protecting the valve assembly having hose openings 77 for hydraulic hoses. The collision guard can be secured to the adapter 16 by means of the clamping catch 72 'of the collision guard.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary coupling of hydraulic flows to valve assembly 28. The valve assembly 60 'of the left valve assembly 28 is provided with hydraulic lines coming from the rotator controls. The attachment is made to the inlet connections 48 '. The valve package 60 'distributes the flow as needed to the rotator inlets C1 and C4 or the actuator inlets C2 and C3. The valve package 60 'is controlled by the inlet LV and the return LD of the pre-control line. The right valve chain 25 ', in turn, is supplied with a hydraulic flow of the grapple cylinder. The valve package 60 '' distributes the flow when using a grapple cylinder ^ to the inlets A and B and the left valve? lipet 60 'to the LV and LD pre-control lines.

c/o

X

The operation of the valve unit 28 is illustrated in more detail in the hydraulics diagram in Fig. 8a, showing the rotator 16 and the vent unit 28 consisting of valve packages 60 'and 60' '.

o Pictured left valve package 60 'pressure-controlled

CM

the directional valve 62 is in the direct flow position 64 pressed by the LD pilot flow 35. Thereby, the hydraulic inlet flow P1 can flow directly to the lamella rotor of the rotator 16 through one of C4 of the rotor 11 16, rotating the rotator, and the return stream P2 returns directly to one through C1 through the directional valve 62.

In Fig. 8b, the pressure-controlled directional valve 62 is located at the cross-flow position-5 66 under the pressure of the pre-pilot flow LV. In this case, the inlet flow P1 is directed through the cross-flow position 66 of the directional valve through one of the rotators 16 through C3 and the return flow through one of C2. The terminals C2 'and C3' marked on the rotator 16 represent the actuator output terminals at the bottom of the rotator as well as A 'and B'. The hydraulic inlet flows A and B to the multifunction grapple loading members are led directly through the right-hand valve package 60 '' to the rotary joint A and B and thereby to the loading members.

The valve package 60 '' includes a pre-control unit 68 of the valve package 60 ', by means of which a portion of the inputs A and B is captured to control the directional valve 62. When the actuator controls the actuator of the loading members to a position where the multifunction grapple loading members are closed or opened, the hydraulic flow 20 is able to push the directional valve 62 to the crossflow position 66 so that the rotary actuator can move the multifunction grapple cylinder. The throttle 69 of the pre-control unit 68 can be used to control the rate of change of the position of the directional valve 62. The directional valve 62 is pressure-controlled at least in one position, the other 25 being, for example, spring-controlled.

In the arrangement according to the invention, the hydraulic current of the rotator? the background rotates the multifunction grapple by means of a tilting cylinder co to the cutting position and to the tipping position. Further, during the closing and opening movement of the multifunction grapple x £ 30 loading members, the multifunction grapple tilt cylinder is available for changing the position of the multifunction grapple S. The hydraulic inlet flow to the loading means actuator turns the directional valve 62 to a position where the command from the control means of the rotator 16 allows 35 hydraulic flow to the tilt cylinder, whereby the loading actuator and tilt cylinder are operable simultaneously.

12

In other words, the rotator hydraulics inlet flow allows the rotator and multifunction grapple tilt cylinder to be operated alternately. The rotation is effected by the direction valve 62 of the valve package 60 '.

5

With the arrangement, the multifunction grapple can be rotated with the rotator when the multifunction grapple loading members are stationary. In this case, the directional valve 62 is guided to a direct flow position 64, whereby the hydraulic flow 10 from the control device of the rotator 16 reaches the lamella rotor of the rotator 16.

The adapter and arrangement of the invention are suitable for use in general with a variety of implements, for example forestry machines, loader cranes or any of the 15 applications where a rotator is used in conjunction with other implements that require hydraulics. The implement implements may have one or more hydraulically actuators, for example cylinders. Such implements may include, for example, multifunctional grapples, cranes, agricultural equipment, excavators, drills or brushes. The arrangement can also be used for pole posts with saws.

The adapter is suitable for attachment to prior art adapters without modifications to the implement boom or hydraulics. According to one embodiment, lock valves may be used to connect the hydraulic lines to the actuators. Standard hydraulic hoses, co., Can be used for all hydraulic lines

X

cc

CL

C/O

C/O

o uo δ

(M

Claims (8)

An adapter for a boom-mounted implement and a rotator assembly comprising: 5 - the implement and its boom (12), the implement (14) comprising at least two actuators, hydraulic lines (44) for directing hydraulic flow from the implement to the implement (14), valve assembly (14). 28) for distributing the hydraulic flow 10 to at least two of said actuators, a rotator (16) for hanging the implement (14) on said boom (12) and pivoting horizontally with respect to the boom (12) comprising a static upper part (22) for a hose guard 15 (30) and at least two pairs of flow channels (20), characterized in that said adapter (26) is adapted to be mounted on a rotator (16) to said fixing means (33) and the adapter comprises said valve assembly (28) by means of flow channels (20), the valve constant to the thruster (28) allowing unrestricted rotation of the implement (14) by a rotator (16) in a horizontal plane relative to the boom (12). Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that - the adapter (26) comprises a body (70) surrounding the static upper part C 1, (22) of the rotator (16), comprising fastening means (72) for securing the adapter (26). 16) auxiliary part (74) fixed to the upper part (22) of the static co (22) and to the body part (70) for the valve unit (28), co CO ιλ Adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that the adapter (26) is adapted to be fixed to the rotator CM (16) by means of fastening screws (31) for attaching the hose guard (30) 35 to the rotator (16). Arrangement in conjunction with a rotary attachment rotary implement comprising an implement and its boom (12), an implement (14) comprising at least two actuators and a rotator 5 (16) for hanging the implement (14) on said boom (12) and pivoting horizontally on the boom (12), and the arrangement further includes hydraulic lines for directing hydraulic flow from the implement to the implement (14) and a valve unit (28) for distributing the hydraulic flow to at least 10 said actuators, characterized in that said valve unit (28) is connected to a static (22) an adapter (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the working device (14) is a harvester grapple. Arrangement according to Claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the actuators of the implement (14) is a tilting cylinder (40). Arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the working device (14) is a pole post. Arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the working device (14) is a timber crane. CM O CO X tr CL CO CO o LO δ CM