KR20150073867A - A Disarm Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disarm device for being used with a hitch device on a working arm of the working machine. According to the present invention, the disarm device comprises a measuring device for measuring characteristics related to an arm which can be used to determine whether working equipment transported by a working arm is fully supported by the surface wherein the working equipment will be disarmed.

Description

A Disarm Device}

The invention relates to a release device for use with a work machine hitch device, hitch and working arm, and more particularly to a release device for a quick-hitch device on the working arm of an excavator or backhoe loader or telescopic handler, ≪ / RTI >

A typical working machine such as a backhoe loader, such as used in the fields of construction industry, agriculture, mining, civil engineering, object handling, etc., can be at least partly an automated hitch device and also configured for connection to a work implement And at least one working arm for carrying a hitch or coupler device. The hitch device typically includes a hook for connection to the pin of the work implement and the hook extends around at least a portion of the pin. The hitch device also generally includes another hook, which is configured to receive the other pin of the work implement.

The hitch device may be removable from the work arm and may be coupled to the work arm by an attachment device. Wherein the attachment device is also configured to couple the work implement to the work arm.

The hitch device includes a closure arrangement for the other hook, the closure device being movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the other hook. When in the closed position, the other pins received by the other hooks are prevented from leaving the other hooks by the closure device; When in the open position, the other pins received by the other hooks are allowed to leave the other hooks. The hooks and other hooks are arranged so that the pins held by the hooks are prevented from leaving the hooks when the other pins are received by the other hooks. Thus, the hitch device can be used to secure the workpiece to the hitch device, and in order to release the pins and other pins from the hooks and the other hooks respectively, the workpiece can be moved between the operation of the closure device and the movement of the hitch device Lt; / RTI >

The closure device is driven between the open position and the closed position by the closure drive. Here, the closure drive is a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric (solenoid or motor) closure drive, although passive devices are also known. The closure drive is operated by an operator actuating a user-operable control coupled to the closure drive.

It will be appreciated that there is a risk that the work implement will fall out of the hitch device in an undesirable manner under gravity if the closure device of the hitch device of the working arm is actuated to take the open position when the working arm is in some position.

It is also possible to move the work arm to a position where there is a risk that the work implement will fall out of the hitch device in an undesirable and potentially dangerous manner under gravity when there is a working arm in a position with little or no risk of falling out of the hitch device in an undesired manner, The closure device of the hitch device of the working arm can be actuated to assume the open position.

Previous attempts to solve this problem include a device in which the closure device of the hitch device of the working arm is only operable to assume an open position when the hydraulic ram associated with the hitch device is fully extended. However, this does not eliminate the risk of the work arm falling out of the hitch device in an undesirable and potentially dangerous manner under gravity.

In another device, a signal is generated indicative of the orientation of the work implement fixed to the hitch device with respect to gravity and the control module is configured to receive the signal and to perform a safety function in response to receipt of the signal, If the direction of the fixed work piece is in an unacceptable direction, the safety function is performed.

The provision of the sensor and control module means that the work machine of the present invention has a system with intelligence to prevent the work implement from falling off the hitch due to gravity in the location area. This advantage is achieved by sensing the actual orientation of the workpiece rather than relying on the relevant elements of the work machine, for example the sensed position of the hydraulic ram. Nevertheless, it is more desirable that the work implement is not suspended above the ground before releasing the mechanism from the working arm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved release device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disarm device for use with a hitch device on an operating arm of a work machine, the work device comprising: ) ≪ / RTI > surface of the arm that can be used to determine whether it is fully supported.

In this way, the release device checks that the work implement is not suspended above the ground, thereby reducing the risk of the work implement falling when released.

The release device can be detached from the arm, integrated into the hitch device, integrated into the arm, or delivered to the device. The device may be an embedded feature or may be retrofitted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a working arm having a hitch device and a measuring device, the working device being attachable to the arm by means of a hitch device and the measuring device being characterized in that the working device carried by the arm Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI > surface).

The following features form part of the first or second aspect of the invention above. The measuring device preferably provides a signal to the controller which, based on the measured characteristic, determines whether the working tool carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to which the working tool is released). The controller may be a dedicated microprocessor for the release device or a computer that performs various functions with respect to the work machine. The controller is preferably configured to receive a signal from the measuring device indicative of the measured characteristic before processing the signal, so as to determine whether the working mechanism is adequately supported by the surface (to which the working mechanism is to be released) If the mechanism is not sufficiently supported by the surface to be released, it performs a safety function.

When the working arm is driven by the hydraulic device, the measuring device may be a pressure sensor. In this case, the controller compares the sensed pressure with the pressure limit level to determine whether the work implement carried by the work arm is fully supported by the surface (to which the work implement is released). The measuring device may be a load sensor on the hitch device for measuring the load on the hitch. In this case, the controller compares the measured load on the hitch with the load limit level to determine whether the work tool carried by the working arm is fully supported by the surface (to which the work tool is released). The load sensor may be a strain gauge or other load sensing means. The releasing device according to the first aspect or the working arm according to the second aspect can use a pressure sensor on the arm hydraulic device and a load sensor on the hitch device and the controller can control the pressure sensor It is possible to determine whether the work implement is sufficiently supported by the surface (the work implement to be released). Optionally, the unlocking device of the first aspect or the working arm of the second aspect is configured to determine the orientation of the work implement fixed to the hitch device and to output a signal to gravity indicating the orientation of the work implement fixed to the hitch device The controller may be further configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors and to perform a safety function in response to receipt of the signal such that orientation of the work implement fixed to the hitch device for gravity is not allowed If it is not, the safety function is performed. Preferably, the releasing device of the first aspect or the working arm of the second aspect comprises a sensor for determining the angle of the working arm. In some extreme configurations of the working arms, some load sensing devices may in fact provide errors reading that the work tool is supported on the ground when the work tool remains floating. The arm angle sensor performs a check function to prevent unintentional release. In such a case, the controller according to the first or second aspect may be arranged such that, in order to determine whether the working mechanism carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to which the working tool is to be released) A signal from a measuring device that measures a characteristic associated with the arm in combination with a signal indicative of a direction of the working mechanism from one or more sensors configured to determine the orientation of the mechanism.

The working arm may be an excavator arm, a backhoe arm, or a telescopic handler arm. The work implement may be a bucket, a fork lift assembly or other suitable mechanism.

The safety function preferably includes releasing or locking the hitch device by the controller to prevent unintentional release of the work implement secured to the hitch device. Alternatively or additionally, the safety function includes providing the user with visual, auditory or visual and audible indication as required by the relevant safety standard.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a work machine having a release device according to the first aspect of the invention or an operation arm according to the second aspect of the invention, Including.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a hitch device on an operating arm of a work machine, the method comprising the steps of providing an operating arm having a hitch device, Determining whether the workpiece carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to which the workpiece is to be released) using the measured characteristic, and Allowing the operation of the hitch device to determine that the device is sufficiently supported and effectively release the device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a hitch device on a work arm, the method comprising the steps of providing an operation arm having a hitch device, providing a work mechanism attached to the work arm by a hitch device Measuring the characteristics associated with the arm, determining whether the workpiece carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (the workpiece being released) using the measured characteristic, And preventing operation of the hitch device in order to prevent release of the work mechanism.

In the fourth aspect, the hitch device is normally released and ready when the method determines that the device is sufficiently supported, whereas in the fifth mode, when the method determines that the work device is not sufficiently supported, Ready and released.

The following features characterize the method of the fourth and fifth aspects. The step of measuring the characteristics associated with the arm is preferably to measure the pressure in the hydraulic circuit used to drive the arm. In this case, the step of using the specified characteristic to determine whether or not the mechanism carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to be released) is to compare the specified pressure with the pressure limit level . Alternatively or additionally, measuring the characteristics associated with the arm includes measuring the load carried by the hitch device. In such a case, the step of using the measured characteristic to determine whether the working tool carried by the arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to which the working tool is released) is to compare the measured load to the load limit level . Both the pressure and the load are selectively measured, the measured pressure and the measured load are compared with the pressure limit level and the load limit level, respectively. Both aspects of the invention relate to a method for determining a direction of a workpiece fixed to a hitch device, for gravity, for determining a direction of a workpiece fixed to the hitch device, and for a gravity, And determining whether the direction of the first block is an unacceptable direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises providing the user with an indication that operation of the hitch device is permitted. In a preferred embodiment of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the step of indicating to the user that operation of the hitch device is not permitted.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a backhoe loader working machine with a release device, a hitch device and a working arm according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, and the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention; Fig. Side view.
2 is a side view of an excavator work machine using the first to fifth aspects of the present invention.
Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are side views of a telescopic handler working machine embodying the first to fifth aspects of the present invention; Fig.
Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are flow charts illustrating a method of operating an operating arm according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention;

 A work machine 1 such as a backhoe loader (as shown in Fig. 1) or an excavator (as shown in Fig. 2) has a ground engaging device (see Fig. 1) including two or more wheels 3 mounted on each axle 2). Here, at least one axle is coupled to a drive device, which drives the rotational motion of at least one pair of wheels 3 or more than two endless tracks (see FIG. 2).

More than two pairs of wheels 3 or endless tracks are arranged to engage with the ground 4 and the rotational motion of each pair of wheels 3 or trajectories causes movement of the work machine 1 across the ground 4 .

In Fig. 1, the ground engaging device 2 carries the main body 5 of the machine 1, and the first working arm 6 extends forward from the main body 5. The proximal end 61 of the first working arm 6 is coupled to the main body 5 and the distal end 62 of the first working arm 6 is connected to the first working mechanism by the first hitch device 7 8).

1, a second working arm 9 extending from the main body 5 is provided. In Fig. 2, the second working arm 9 is merely a mechanical working arm. The second working arm 9 may extend rearward (see FIG. 1) or forward (see FIG. 1). The second working arm 9 includes a boom 91 connected to the near end 911 of the main body 9 by a king post or other pivoting device. The end 912 of the boom 91 is connected to the near end 921 of the dipper 92 by a pivoting device. The distal end 922 of the dipper arm 92 is configured for connection to the second working mechanism 11 by the second hitch device 10.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may include a work machine 1 having only a second work arm 10 without a first work arm (e.g., 11 in FIG. 2).

The first and / or second hitch devices 7 and / or 10 may be part of each working arm 6 and 9 or may be movably attached to the working arm.

The driving device or engine of the machine 1 is accommodated in the main body 5 of the machine 1 including the operator's driver's seat 12. [ The operator's seat 12 accommodates a plurality of user-operable controls 13, and the operation of the controls controls the operation of the components of the machine 1.

The first and second working arms 6 and 9 are coupled to the hydraulic drive devices 63 and 93 and the hydraulic drive device is connected to the first and second working arms 6 and 9 for the main body 5 of the machine 1 And 9). The hydraulic drive devices 63 and 93 can also drive the movement of the hitch devices 7 and 10 and / or the work implements 8 and 11 relative to the work arms 6 and 9. The hydraulic drive device 63 coupled to the first working arm 6 of Figure 1 includes a bucket ram 631 and a boom ram 632.

The hydraulic drive device 93 (see Figures 1 and 2) coupled to the second working arm 9 has a boom 91 for the main body 5 of the machine 1 between the first boom position and the second boom position And a first (boom) hydraulic ram 932 (see FIG. The hydraulic drive device 93 coupled to the second working arm 9 is configured to drive the second movement of the second working arm 9 between the first and second dipper arm positions, And a hydraulic ram 933. The hydraulic drive device 93 coupled to the second work arm 9 also includes a second hitch device 10 for the dipper arm 92 between the first work tool position and the second work tool position, And a third hydraulic ram 93 (sometimes known as a bucket ram 931) configured to drive the rotational movement of any work implement (such as the second work implement 11) The ram 931 is fully retracted and the third hydraulic ram 931 is fully extended at the second work implement position). The third hydraulic ram 931 is configured to drive the rotational movement of the part of the second hitch device 10 relative to the dipper arm 92 and any work implement connected thereto between the first work tool position and the second work tool position do.

The working arm 9 may be a triple joint boom arm.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a working machine 1 in the form of a telescopic handler. Like the machine in Fig. 1, the machine 1 is supported by two pairs of wheels 3, which engage the ground 4. The machine 1 has a main body 5 for mounting an operator's driver's seat 12 and a telescopic working arm 17. The working arm 17 is pivotally mounted to the body 5 at the rear of the body and can be lifted about the pivot by a hydraulically driven boom cylinder (not shown) Lift up. The arm 17 can be telescopically extended by the hydraulic driver 173. [ A hitch device 7 similar to the hitch device of Fig. 1 is mounted on the free end of the arm 17. The hitch device 7 can be used to mount the working arm 8, in this case a fork (only part shown).

One or both of the first and second hitch devices 7 and 10 may be at least partly automated hitch devices 7,

The hitch devices 7, 10 include a hitch attachment device configured to be coupled to a corresponding work implement attachment device of the work implement 8, 11. Therefore, the hitch attaching device and the work implement attaching device are configured to cooperate to couple with each other. In one embodiment, the hitch attachment device comprises at least one hook for coupling the hitch attachment device to at least one first pin of the work implement attachment device of the work implement (8, 11), wherein the first hooks A first hook extends around at least a portion of the circumference of the first pin or each first pin.

One or more second hooks or recesses are provided, each of which is configured to receive one or more second pins of the work implement (8, 11).

The work implement attachment device includes one or more hooks or recesses configured to receive one or more pins of the hitch attachment device.

The apparatus attachment device includes one or more hooks or recesses and one or more pins, wherein the hooks or hooks, recesses or recesses and pins or pins are adapted to receive or accommodate each hook or recess or pin of the attachment device. .

The one or more second hooks or recesses may be one or more second hooks or recesses of the work implement attachment device or the hitch attachment device. The at least one second pin may be at least one second pin of the work implement attachment device or the hitch attachment device.

A closure device is provided for each second hook or recess, the closure device being movable between a closed position and an open position.

When in the closed position, each second pin received by each second hook or recess is prevented from leaving the respective second hook or recess by the closure device. When in the open position, each second pin received in each second hook or recess is allowed to leave the second hook or recess. In such a manner that each first pin retained by each first hook is prevented from leaving the respective first hook when each second pin is received by the respective second hook or recess, And a respective second hook or recess.

The closure device may include one or more movable bolts, which are axially movable relative to each second hook or recess. The closure device may include one or more claws which are rotatably axially movable with respect to each second hook or recess. It will be appreciated that in embodiments, the closure device may form part of a hitch attachment device or work implement attachment device. The closure device need not have a second hook or recess in combination, but other elements of the attachment device may be provided in combination. In an embodiment, a closure device is provided with respect to the first hook or recess and / or the second hook or recess. Reference to a closure device in this specification refers to a closure device or a plurality of devices of a hitch attachment device or work implement attachment device.

Thus, the hitch devices 7, 10 can be used to secure each of the working devices 8, 11 to the hitch device, and the working devices 8, 11 can be actuated by the operation of the closure device of the associated hitch devices 7, And by the movement of the associated hitch device 7, 10 relative to the work implement 8, 11, for example - to move the pin out of the first hook and second hook or recess.

The hitch devices 7, 10 may include one or more locking pins or other locking devices (not shown) that are moved automatically or manually (in the unlocking position) to the locking position when the closure device is in the closed position . Similarly, when it is desirable to move the closure device to the open position, one or more locking pins or other locking devices may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. Each locking pin or other locking device can be arranged in such a way that the movement of the closure device from the locked position to the open position is substantially prevented by the respective locking pin or other locking device. Each locking pin or other locking device thus reduces the risk of disengagement of the work device 8, 11 from the hitch device 7, 10 at an unwanted point of time by unintentional movement of the closure device to the open position It is a safety device to help. A pneumatic, hydraulic or electric drive may be provided to move each locking pin or other locking device between a locked position and an unlocked position (a single drive may be provided for a plurality of locking pins or other locking devices have). A user operable control 13 may be provided and operation of this control by the user causes movement of each locking pin or other locking pin device between the locking position and the unlocking position.

The closure device is preferably driven between an open position and a closed position by a closure drive device, wherein the closure drive device may be a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric drive device.

The closure drive may be moved by an operator operating a user actuatable control 13 which may be provided in the driver's seat 12 of the machine 1. The user actuatable control 13 is connected to the closure drive And to cause movement of the closure device between the open position and the closed position. In embodiments of the present invention, one or more closure driving devices may be provided. A single closure device may be provided for a plurality of second hooks or recesses and / or a plurality of second pins.

Thus, as will be appreciated, by controlling the operation of the closure device (and of the locking pin or locking device if provided), the user can attach the second working mechanism 11 to the second hitch device 10, It can be separated from the apparatus.

It will be appreciated that a number of different hitch devices are possible and compatible with the embodiments of the present invention. The above example is just some examples of an appropriate hitch device. In some working arm devices, there may be two successively arranged hitch devices on the same arm, the first hitch device being, for example, a rotary manipulator carrying a second hitch on which the working arm is mounted . In this case, the release device is associated with a pre-selected hitch device of the two hitch devices. Alternatively, the control part may be used to operate one of the two hitch devices separately, in which case the release device performs a function with respect to the operated hitch.

The machine 1 of Figures 1 and 2 is equipped with a pressure sensor 20 on the hydraulic circuits 63 and 93 for driving the arms 6 and 9. The pressure sensor measures the pressure in each hydraulic circuit (63, 93) and also outputs a pressure signal to the controller (22). The controller 22 may be a dedicated microprocessor or it may be an onboard computer that controls a number of functions of the machine 1. The sensor 20 can output a signal by wire or wirelessly.

In Figure 1, one sensor is provided for the entire hydraulic system 63, 93. However, a dedicated sensor may be provided for each circuit 63, 93 for each arm 6, 9, which outputs a pressure signal indicative of the pressure in each circuit. These dedicated sensors can output their signals to a single controller or to each dedicated controller. In particular, the pressure sensor 20 measures the pressure in each boom cylinder 632, 932.

The machine 1 of Figure 3 has a load sensor 24, such as a strain gauge, on the hitch device 7, arranged to output a signal indicative of the load on the hitch device. The load signal is transmitted to the controller (22) of the device (1) by wire or wireless. In this case, the controller 22 is in the driver's seat 12, but may be a dedicated controller or an onboard computer as in Figures 1 and 2. The machine 1 of Figure 3 optionally has a pressure sensor 20 on the boom cylinder of the hydraulic circuit 173 as in the machines of Figures 1 and 2, .

The machine 1 of Figures 1 and 2 may optionally include respective load sensors 24 on the hitch devices 7,

When the operator of the machine 1 of Figs. 1 and 2 wants to separate the working devices 8 and 10 from the heaters 7 and 9, the operator operates the closure device of the hitch device.

The controller 22 receives pressure signals from the pressure sensors on the hydraulic circuits 63 and 93 that measure the pressures in the respective boom cylinders 632 and 932. If the pressure in the cylinder exceeds the limit level, this indicates that the working implement 8, 10 is suspended above the ground as the arm is supporting the weight of the implement. If the instrument is supported on the paper surface 4, the pressure in the cylinder will fall below the limit level. If the pressure is above the threshold, the controller releases the closure device or activates the lock to prevent disconnection. If the pressure is below the limit, the controller either arms the closure device or does not actuate the lock, allowing the operator to remove the workpiece 8, 10 from the arm (see Figure 5a).

The first and second working arms 6 and 9 or the telescopic working arm 17 (17) are arranged so that each arm 6, 9, 17 can take a number of different positions relative to the main body 5 of the machine 1 during operation And their respective hydraulic drive units 63, 93 and 173 are constituted. Each arm 6, 9, 17, 15 optionally has a sensor 16 which outputs a signal indicative of the direction of the arms of the work implement 7, 10 relative to gravity.

In the embodiment, the working devices 8, 10 fixed to the hitch devices 9, 11 and the working devices 8, 10 for gravity and the hitch devices 11, 9, 11) of the sensor (16). According to an embodiment, each of the one or more sensors 16 may include one or more Hall effect sensors and / or one or more Reed switches and / or one or more mercury switches and / or one or more proximity sensors, . A direction or tilt sensor may be used in addition to a pressure or load sensor to release / lock or prepare / unlock the hitch (see FIG. 5B).

Fig. 5C shows a detailed method for operating the machine 1 of Fig. 1, for example. When the operator wants to detach the work machine 8 from the hitch 7, the operator presses the hitch button in the driver's seat. This creates a confirmation question on the display in the driver's seat and directs the user to press another control button to enable the hydraulic machine. The tilt sensor outputs a signal to the controller 22, which acknowledges the orientation of the work implement and allows the procedure to proceed if it is in a direction that is acceptable. If the orientation of the instrument is not allowed, the controller sends an appropriate error message to the display in the driver's seat, and the procedure returns to the starting point.

After directional approval, the pressure sensor 20 and / or the load sensor 24 provide a signal to the controller 22, which compares the signal or each signal to a respective threshold level to determine if the working mechanism is sufficient Lt; / RTI > If sufficiently supported, the hitch device 7 is ready and pressing the hitch button causes separation of the work mechanism in accordance with the machine specific operating sequence; For example, a hydraulically actuated hitch may require increased system pressure. Otherwise, the hitch device remains in an unlocked or locked state to prevent separation, and a "ground tool" message is displayed.

When the hitch is rejoined, the hitch locks again and the machine returns to its normal mode and stops the hitch hydraulic device.

When cycling the power to the machine controller (for example, turning off the engine or disconnecting the control), the hitch returns to its normal mode and stops the hydraulic machine.

As used herein, a "signal" refers to the transmission of information, which may include changes in voltage and / or current in the electrical system or fluid flow or pressure within a fluid system (e.g., pneumatic or hydraulic) As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description, or any methodology or process disclosed in the following claims or accompanying drawings, for expressing the features or means disclosed for performing the specified functions or the disclosed functions, Or may be used in a combination of these features.

Claims (30)

And a measuring device for measuring a characteristic associated with the arm that can be used to determine whether the working tool carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to which the working tool is to be released) A disarm device for use with a hitch device on the body. A hitch device capable of attaching a work implement and a measurement device for measuring a related characteristic, wherein the measurement device determines whether or not the work implement carried by the arm is sufficiently supported by the surface An arm that measures the characteristics associated with the arm that can be used to make the arm. A release device according to claim 1 or an operating arm according to claim 2. The measuring device according to claim 3, characterized in that the measuring device is arranged to provide a signal to the controller which determines whether the working tool carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (on which the working tool is to be released) Release device or working arm. 5. The unlocking device or work arm of claim 4, wherein the controller is a dedicated microprocessor for the unlocking device or a computer that performs various functions related to the working machine. 6. A method as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal from the measuring device indicative of the measured characteristic before processing the signal to determine whether the working mechanism is sufficiently supported by the surface And the releasing device or working arm performing the safety function when the device is not sufficiently supported by the surface to be released. 7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the working arm is driven by a hydraulic device and the measuring device is a pressure sensor. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the work tool carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (to which the work tool is released) by comparing the sensed pressure to a pressure limit level, Arm. 7. A releasing device or working arm according to one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the measuring device is a load sensor on the hitch device for measuring the load on the hitch. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the work tool carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (the work tool is to be released) by comparing the measured load to a load limit level, Arm. 11. A release device or work arm according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the load sensor is a strain gauge. 7. A release device or work arm according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by the features of claims 7 to 9. 13. Device according to any one of the claims 3 to 12, characterized in that it is arranged to determine the direction of the work implement fixed to the hitch device and to output a signal to gravity indicating the orientation of the work arm or work implement fixed to the hitch device Wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors and to perform a safety function in response to receipt of the signal so that the orientation of the working arm or work piece fixed to the hitch device for gravity is acceptable A release device or work arm in which the safety function is performed if it is not in the desired direction. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the direction of the working arm or work implement attached to the hitch device to determine whether the work tool carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface Wherein the signal from the measuring device measures a characteristic associated with the arm, in combination with a signal indicative of a direction of the working mechanism from the at least one sensor configured to determine the arm. 15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the working arm is an excavator arm, a backhoe arm, or a telescopic handler arm. 16. A releasing device or working arm according to one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the working mechanism is a bucket, a forklift assembly or other suitable mechanism. A safety function according to one of the claims 6 or 6, characterized in that the safety function comprises a releasing device or operation including a controller releasing or locking the hitch device to prevent unintentional release of the work device fixed to the hitch device Arm. 14. A releasing device or an operating arm according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the safety function comprises visually, audibly or visually and audibly providing instructions to the user. A release device or work arm as claimed in claim 17 or 18. A work machine with a release device or work arm according to one of the claims 1 to 19. Providing an operation arm having a hitch device;
Providing a work implement attached to the arm by a hitch device;
Measuring characteristics associated with the arm;
Determining whether the workpiece carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (the workpiece being released) using the measured characteristic; And
A method of operating a hitch device on a working arm of a work machine, the method comprising: allowing the operation of the hitch device to determine that the device is fully supported and to release the device effectively. Providing an operation arm having a hitch device;
Providing a work implement attached to the work arm by a hitch device;
Measuring characteristics associated with the arm;
Determining whether the workpiece carried by the working arm is sufficiently supported by the surface (the workpiece being released) using the measured characteristic; And
And determining that the mechanism is not fully supported and preventing operation of the hitch device to prevent release of the work mechanism. 23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein measuring the characteristic associated with the arm measures the pressure in the hydraulic circuit used to drive the arm. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of using the measured characteristic to determine whether the mechanism carried by the arm is sufficiently supported by the surface to be released Wherein the hitch device is operable. 23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein measuring the characteristics associated with the arm comprises measuring a load carried by the hitch device. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein using the measured properties to determine whether the work tool carried by the arm is fully supported by the surface (to which the work tool is released) And comparing the measured values of the hitches. 26. A method of operating a hitch device according to claims 23 and 25. 28. A method according to any one of claims 21-27, comprising the steps of: determining the orientation of the work arm or work implement fixed to the hitch device; determining the orientation of the work arm or work implement fixed to the hitch device; And determining, for gravity, whether the direction of the working arm or the working arm secured to the hitch device is in an unacceptable direction. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing the user with an indication that operation is allowed. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising indicating to the user that operation of the hitch device is not permitted.

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