KR20150123787A - A coupler - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupler assembly for coupling a tool of the type having two connecting pins to a carrier. The coupler has a body component connectable to a carrier, such body component including a forward depression for receiving a first connecting pin of the tool. The coupler also has a movable component that is supported by the body component and movable relative to the body component through the stroke range. The movable component includes, or forms part of, a rear depression for receiving a second connecting pin of the tool. The actuator selectively moves the movable component relative to the body component. The rear deflecting member is a part of the movable component and the rear deflecting actuator enables the use of the rear deflecting member to prevent the second connecting pin from escaping from the back depression.

Description

Coupler {A COUPLER}

The present invention relates to a coupler, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a coupler for attaching an implement to an arm or a boom of an excavator or similar carrier.

Couplers are often used to connect work attachments or tools to booms such as excavators, mining equipment, backhoes, and the like. Couplers are also often referred to as "quick hitch" or "pin grabber" couplers because such couplers can be used to couple two attachments to many attachments for the purpose of connecting the attachments to the arms This is because it grips the connecting pin.

The coupler allows the tool to be swapped quickly and efficiently by using a remotely controlled hydraulic actuator on the coupler, allowing the connection pin of one tool to be released and the connection pin of the other tool to be gripped .

However, the ability to swap tools quickly has caused a number of accidents, including loosening of tools, or falling from a mining apparatus and the like. Most of today's couplers will have a safety locking feature that will keep one of the pins of the tool in case the coupler fails or the other pin is free for some reason.

Experience has shown that a single safety lock feature is not sufficient. As a result of using this quick-change coupler with a single safety feature, accidents are still occurring. Although additional safety locks can be added, such locks need to be robust enough to withstand the harsh environment and rough handling experienced by the coupler at the end of the excavator arm. For example, a dirt or other foreign matter may accumulate in the coupler component, and such soil or other foreign matter may affect the operation of the coupler or its safety feature. For this reason, in order to ensure a high level of reliability of the lock, it is required that any additional safety locks be relatively simple and endurable.

There is also a limit with respect to the number of hydraulic lines used to control the hydraulic coupler. It is not always convenient to simply add additional lines for each additional safety lock, and such installation and maintenance can be expensive. It is required to provide additional safety features that do not require additional hydraulic lines.

In the present specification, unless a document, work or article is referred to or described in relation to knowledge, unless expressly stated to the contrary otherwise, such reference or description shall include any reference to such knowledge, That on the priority day, the public was part of the common general knowledge available and publicly known; Or attempted to solve any problems associated with the present specification.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coupler that will present at least some ways to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems, or at least provide a useful choice to the public.

Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention may be said to be composed in a broad sense of a coupler assembly for coupling a tool having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin to a carrier, such a coupler comprising:

A body component connectable to a carrier and including a forward depression for receiving a first connection pin,

A movable component supported by the body component and movable relative to the body component through a travel range and including an aft depression for receiving a second connection pin or forming a portion of a rear depression; Element, and

A moveable component actuator for selectively moving the moveable component relative to the body component,

And the rear locking member prevents the second connecting pin from coming out of the rear depression at an extended position where the rear locking member prevents the second connecting pin from coming out of the rear depression A rear locking member movable between a retracted position with respect to the movable component, and

And a rear anchoring actuator for moving the rear opening locking member between its extended position and its retracted position.

Preferably, the connection between the rear actuating actuator and the rear locking member comprises a link member.

Preferably, the back side locking member and the link member are constructed in the following manner;

The initial range of movement of the link member pushes the back side locking member from its retracted position to its extended position,

A second and further range of movement of the link member places a stop member which prevents the rear locking member from moving away from its extended position.

Preferably, the stop member is part of the link member.

Preferably, a rear ancillary actuator is mounted on the movable component.

Preferably, the movable component is slid relative to the body component.

Preferably, the link member is slid relative to the movable component.

Preferably, a back side locking member is pivotally connected to the movable component.

Preferably, the coupler is arranged between the extended position in which the front locking member prevents the first connecting pin from escaping the front depression and the retracted position in which the front locking member does not prevent the first connecting pin from escaping the front depression, Further comprising a front locking member movable with respect to the element.

Preferably, the coupler includes a front lock actuator for moving the front locking member between its extended position and its retracted position.

Preferably, the front lock actuator is pivotally connected to the hydraulic manifold of the coupler assembly.

Preferably, a pivotal connection is made between the front lock actuator and the hydraulic manifold to provide a hydraulic fluid flow path between the hydraulic manifold and the front lock actuator.

Preferably, the movable component actuator, the rear lock actuator and the front lock actuator are both hydraulic actuators.

Preferably, the hydraulic system of the coupler includes a sequential valve for controlling the sequence of movements of the movable component actuator, the rear lock actuator and the front lock actuator during any coupling and / or separation process.

In a second aspect, the present invention may be said to comprise, in a broad sense, a coupler assembly for coupling a tool having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin to a carrier, such a coupler assembly comprising:

A front depression for receiving the first connecting pin,

A rear depression for receiving the second connection pin,

A front locking member for fixing the first connecting pin in the front depression,

The hydraulic system including at least one actuator configured to allow the coupler assembly to be in positive engagement with the first and second connection pins of the tool,

The hydraulic system also includes at least one hydraulic manifold block;

The coupler assembly also includes a hydraulic front lock actuator supported on the hydraulic manifold block and receiving a hydraulic supply from the hydraulic manifold block.

Preferably, a front lock actuator is pivotally connected to the hydraulic manifold block.

Preferably, the hydraulic supply from the hydraulic manifold block to the front lock actuator passes through a pivotal connection between the front lock actuator and the hydraulic manifold block.

Preferably, the front lock actuator is a single actuating actuator having a spring return mechanism.

In a third aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in a broad sense of a carrier substantially comprising at least one coupler as embodied herein.

Preferably, the carrier is an excavator.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention may be said to be made in a broad sense by a method of separating a work attachment or tool from a coupler having a body and a movable element, the method comprising:

Operating the front lock actuator to move the front locking member from the extended position to the retracted position,

Operating the rear ancill actuator to move the rear deflecting member from the extended position to the retracted position, and

And actuating the movable component actuator to move the movable component away from engagement with the rear fins of the work attachment when the backing locking member is in its retracted position,

And then separating the front pin of the work attachment from the body.

Preferably, the separation method further comprises the step of moving the front locking member from the retracted position to the extended position for a predetermined period after operation of the front lock actuator, the rear lock actuator or the movable component actuator for separating the coupler from the tool And automatic operation of the front lock actuator.

The invention also comprises, in its broadest sense, individually or collectively, any or all combinations of any or all of the parts, elements and features mentioned or indicated in the specification, and any part, element or feature And concrete integers having known equivalents are mentioned herein, such equivalents are included herein as such equivalents are individually described.

Additional aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a first example of a coupler according to the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view of the first example of the coupler.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the slide assembly of the first example of the coupler.
4 is a perspective view of the slide component of the slide assembly;
5 is a perspective view of a front locking member of a first example of a coupler.
6 is a perspective view of a rear side locking member of the slide assembly;
7 is a perspective view of the link member of the slide assembly;
8 is a perspective view of the slide assembly actuator of the first example of the coupler.
9 is a right side elevational view of a first example of the coupler.
10 is an incised side elevational view of a first example of a coupler.
11 is a perspective view of a rear auxiliary actuator of a first example of the coupler.
12 is an exploded side elevational view of the coupler showing the first stage of the coupling sequence;
13 is an incisional side elevational view of a coupler showing a second stage of the coupling sequence.
14 is an incisional side elevational view of a coupler showing a third stage of the coupling sequence.
15 is an incisional side elevational view of a coupler showing a fourth stage of the coupling sequence.
16 is an incisional side elevational view of the coupler showing the first stage of the uncoupling sequence;
17 is an incisional side elevational view of the coupler showing the second stage of the uncoupling sequence;
18 is an incisional side elevational view of the coupler showing the third stage of the uncoupling sequence;
19 is an incisional side elevational view of the coupler showing the fourth stage of the uncoupling sequence;
20 is an incisional side elevational view of the coupler showing the fifth stage of the uncoupling sequence;
Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic circuit, including components of a coupler as well as the hydraulic components of a carrier to which the coupler is attached.
22 is an electric wiring diagram used for controlling the operation of the coupler.
23 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of a second example of a coupler according to the present invention showing a front locking member of an extended configuration coupler.
24 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of a second example of a coupler showing a front locking member in a retracted configuration.
25 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a second example of a coupler that defines an exploded view (A).
26 is an exploded view (A) showing a hydraulic pressure supply that routes to a front lock actuator that controls the placement of the front locking member.

Example 1

Referring to Figures 1-22, a first example of the coupler assembly 31 is shown in exploded perspective and in a series of perspective and cutaway views. Also included are hydraulic and electrical circuitry used to control the operation of the coupler assembly 31. The coupler assembly 31 is a type typically used to couple a tool having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin to a carrier such as an excavator or backhoe.

It can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that the coupler assembly 31 has a body component 33 that can be connected to a carrier. The body component 33 itself includes two coupler mounting pins 35 that are used to connect the coupler assembly 31 to the ends of the arms of the carrier. The body component 33 also includes a forward depression 37 for receiving a first connecting pin of the tool.

Coupler assembly 31 also includes a movable component or slide assembly 39 that is supported by body component 33. The slide assembly 39 is movable relative to the body component 33 through the stroke range. The stroke range of the slide assembly 39 is substantially the longitudinal direction with respect to the main body 33. The slide assembly 39 includes or forms at least a portion of a rear depression 41 for receiving a second connecting pin of the tool.

The slide assembly 39 is selectively moved relative to the body component 33 using the movable component actuator or slide assembly actuator 43 of the coupler assembly 31. [ Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the sliding component 45 of the slide assembly 39 includes the elongate tab 47. The elongate tab 47 engages a corresponding slot 49 on the body component 33 to allow the slide assembly 39 to slide back and forth with respect to the body component 33.

The slide assembly 39 includes a back side locking member 51. The back side locking member 51 is configured such that the back side locking member 51 prevents the second connection pin from coming out of the rear side depression 41 and the extended position where the second connection pin is pulled out of the back depression 41 Is movable with respect to the slide assembly 39 between a retracted position in which the rear blocking member 51 does not prevent it from coming out.

The slide assembly 39 also includes a rear anchor actuator 53 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 11) for moving the back side locking member 51 between its extended and retracted positions. A rear ankle actuator 53 is mounted on the slide assembly 39 and moves with the slide assembly 39. The rear lock actuator 53 includes a rear lock actuator spring 54 that deflects the actuator toward an extended configuration in which the rear lock actuator 53 pushes the back lock member 51 to its extended position do.

The feature of the coupler assembly 31 is the connection between the rear extension actuator 53 and the rear locking member 51. The connecting portion includes a link member (55). The back side locking member 51 is pivotally connected to the sliding component 45 by a back side locking pin 57. The link member 55 slides back and forth with respect to the slide assembly 39 under the influence of the rear extension actuator 53. [

The back side locking member 51 and the link member 55 are configured in such a manner that the initial movement range of the link member 55 presses the back side locking member 51 from its retracted position to its extended position. And, the second and further movement range of the link member 55 places a stop member 59 which prevents the rear locking member 51 from moving away from its extended position. In this example, the stop member 59 is a part of the link member 55. [

In Figure 7 the link member 55 is in the form of a substantially rectangular plate 61 having tabs 63 extending from the plate 61 for connection to the rear actuator 53. The plate 61 includes a rectangular shaped hole 65 substantially centrally disposed in the major plane of the plate 61. Instead the link member 55 may include a front transverse member 67 and a rear transverse member 69 and side plates 71, One on the left side and the other on the right side. Each of the side plates 71 spans between the outermost extremities of the front and rear transverse members 67 and 69.

The side plate 71 of the link member 55 is engaged with and slides in the slide groove 73 on each side of the slide assembly 39.

Similarly, in Fig. 6, it can be seen that the back side locking member 51 includes an upwardly projecting control tab 75 and two rearwardly extending locking tabs 77. Each of the two rearward extending locking tabs 77 includes a locking surface 79. The locking surface 79 is located on the upper portion of each locking tab 77 and the lower edge of the sliding groove 73 when the rear locking member 51 is in its fully extended position 81).

When the slide assembly 39 is assembled, the link member 55 is held in the slide groove 73. The control tab 75 of the back side locking member 51 is then positioned in the rectangular hole 65 in the link member 55 when the rear side locking member 51 is in its fully extended position. The rectangular hole 65 has a sufficient size to allow the range of movement of the link member 55 with respect to the rear side locking member 51 without any contact between the link member 55 and the rear side locking member 51 . However, movement of the link member beyond this range of movement results in contact between the link member 55 and the back side locking member 51. And, as described below, such contact is used to move the back side locking member 51 between its retracted position and its extended position.

The movement of the rear locking member 51 from its retracted position to its extended position is achieved as follows. The link member 55 is moved in the rearward direction from the most forward position by the rear extension actuator 53. [ The rear edge 83 of the side plate 71 comes into contact with the front edge 85 of the locking tab 77 during the initial movement range of the link member 55 along the backward direction. This contact causes rotation of the back side locking member 51 around the rear side auxiliary lock connection pin 57 and rotation of the back side locking member 51 to the fully extended position.

Continuous movement of the link member 55 along the backward direction does not cause any further movement of the back side locking member 51 but the subsequent movement causes the side plate 71 of the link member 55 to move to the rear side locking member 51 on the locking surface 79. The rectangular hole 65 in the link member 55 is configured to allow continued backward movement of the link member 55, even though the control tab 75 is now located within the rectangular hole 65. The slide assembly 39 is also configured so that the locking surface 79 is immediately adjacent the side plate 71 when the link member 55 is fully rearward. In this manner, the side plate 71 acts as a stop preventing the back side locking member 51 from moving away from its fully extended position.

For example, when the second connecting pin of the working tool tries to come out of the rear depression 41, any force applied to the rear auxiliary locking member 51 causes the locking surface 79 to move away from the side plate 71 ) Bearing against the lower side of the body (e. An upward force from the locking surface 79 may be suppressed by engagement of the link member 55 in the slide groove 73. [ This is advantageous in that this force applied to the rear deflecting member 51 is not directly felt in the rear deflecting actuator 53.

The movement of the back side locking member 51 from its extended position to its retracted position is achieved as follows. The link member 55 is moved forward by the rear extension actuator 53. The initial forward movement range of the link member 55 moves the side plates 71 away from their position on the locking surface 79. This unlocks the back side locking member 51 to allow the back side locking member 51 to be moved to its retraction position. The second forward movement range of the link member 55 initially causes the forward edge 87 of the rearward transverse member 69 to contact the rearward surface 89 of the control tab 75.

Subsequent forward movement of the link member 55 pushes the control tab 75 forward, causing the back side locking member 51 to move to its retracted position. The back side locking member 51 is held in its retracted position by the rear side transverse member 69 lying on and adjacent to the control tab 75 when the back side locking member 51 is in its retracted position. do.

The coupler assembly 31 further includes a front locking member 91. The front locking member 91 is provided at an extended position where the front locking member 91 prevents the first connecting pin from coming out of the front depressed portion 37 and that the first connecting pin comes out of the front depressed portion 37 Is movable relative to the body component (33) between retracted positions that the front locking member does not prevent.

The coupler assembly 31 also includes a front lock actuator 93 for moving the front locking member 91 between its extended position and its retracted position.

In this example, a coupler assembly 31 is used with the hydraulic control system 111 and the electrical control circuit 113, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, respectively.

The electrical control circuit 113 includes two manually controlled switches and a timer and the hydraulic control system 111 includes a solenoid operated control valve and a sequential valve so that during any coupling and / The slide assembly actuator 43, the rear attachment actuator 53, and the front lock actuator 93. [ The design of the hydraulic control system 111 allows the coupler assembly 31 to be controlled using only two hydraulic lines. The electrical and hydraulic control system will now be described in more detail.

The electric control circuit 113 has a master switch 115 used to supply or stop the electric power to the control circuit. When the master switch 115 is switched on, the alarm 117 generates sound and optionally a warning light is also operated. This alerts the person close to the carrier that the coupler 31 is to be actuated to release and / or engage the tool against the arm of the carrier.

The second switch 119 is a 'hold to run' style switch, which means that contact of the switch is made only while the operator keeps the switch down continuously. The second alarm 121 and the warning light are activated and power is supplied to the first solenoid operated valve 123 of the hydraulic control system 111 when the second switch 119 is pressed " A timer 125 is also initiated which again provides power to the second solenoid actuated valve 127 through the timer relay 128 after a pre-determined period of time, for example, a period in the range of 3 to 8 seconds do.

The first and second solenoid operated valves 123 and 127 of the hydraulic control system 111 are coupled to the carrier pressure regulating valve 129 together with the pressure regulating valve 129 for regulating the hydraulic pressure to the set value and minimizing the spike, . The first solenoid operated valve 123 is used to initiate a disconnect or coupling signal to the coupler 31. The second solenoid operated valve 127 is configured to allow the front lock actuator spring 99 in the front lock actuator 93 to move the front locking member 91 back to its extended position, The control of the discharge of the hydraulic fluid from the front lock actuator 93 is effected.

Two hydraulic lines, i.e., the supply line 131 and the return line 133, are used to power the coupler assembly 31 and control the coupler assembly 31.

The coupler assembly 31 itself controls the sequencing of the three actuators and controls the movement of the rear attachment actuators 53 and 43 prior to retraction of the slide assembly actuator 43 to move the slide assembly 39 forward And a first sequential valve 135 which ensures that the front lock actuators 93 operate to retract their respective locking members 51 and 91.

The first pressure actuated check valve 137 and the second pressure actuated check valve 139 serve as a safety lock for locking the position of the slide assembly actuator 43 in the event of a hydraulic failure. The locked slide assembly actuator 43 keeps the slide assembly 39 stationary to prevent the pins of the tool from escaping the forward and rear depressions 37 and 41 of the coupler 31. [

The second sequential valve 141 controls the sequencing of the slide assembly actuator 43 and the rear attachment actuator 53 so that before the slide assembly actuator 43 begins to move the slide assembly 39 rearwardly And ensures that the rear lock actuator 43 moves the rear locking member 51 to its retracted position.

When the fluid is discharged from the front lock actuator 93 by the second solenoid operated valve 127 as described above, the third pressure action type check valve 143 moves the rear anchor actuator 53 forward Isolates it from the lock actuator 93.

Now, the separation procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 20. FIG.

At the beginning of this sequence (see FIG. 15), the slide assembly actuator 43 is at least partially extended and maintains engagement of the slide assembly 39 with the tool's rear connection pin 95. The rear extension actuator 53 is extended under hydraulic pressure so that the rear auxiliary locking member 51 is in its extended position and the rear connection pin 95 can be prevented from escaping the rear depression 41. [ It is possible to prevent the front lock actuator from being retracted only under the spring tension and to hold the front locking member 91 in its extended position and to prevent the front connecting pin 97 from escaping from the front depression 37. [

To initiate the separation process, the master switch 115 is switched on. Then, the second switch 119, that is, the switch operating only at the time of operation is pressed. Then, the first solenoid operated valve 123 is operated to provide the hydraulic pressure to the return line 133. Due to the configuration of the first sequential valve 135, the hydraulic pressure is initially directed to the rear lock actuator 53 and the front lock actuator 93 to retract the rear and front locking members 51 and 91 - Reference.

The first sequential valve 135 is opened to the retracted side of the slide assembly actuator 43 and to the first pressure actuated check valve 137 To allow the slide assembly actuator 43 to retract and to permit the slide assembly 39 to move fully forward, allowing the pressure in the return line 133 to accumulate See FIG. This separates the rear connecting pin (95) from the rear depression (41).

The use of a crowd actuator of, for example, an excavator then allows the coupler assembly 31 to be rotated without coupling with the rear connection pin 95 in the rear depression 41, To be moved backwards - see FIG.

Then, the coupler assembly 31 is moved backward to separate the front connecting pin 97 from the forward depression 37 to complete the separation process - see FIG.

Fig. 20 shows the subsequent movement of the front locking member 91 to the extended position after the time delay period. After the set period of time, the second solenoid operated valve 127 is operated to release fluid from the front lock actuator 93, allowing the spring 99 in the front lock actuator 93 to retract the actuator, So that the locking member 91 can be moved to its extended position. Pressure actuated check valves 137, 139 and 143 prevent any fluid movement from slide assembly actuator 43 and rear ancillary actuator 53. This automatic resetting of the front locking member 91 to its extended position is such that as soon as the pick up or coupling process begins, the front locking member 91 moves the front connecting pin 97 of the next tool to the front depression (37). ≪ / RTI >

Now, the combining order will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 15. Fig.

The backlocking member 51 is retracted and the front locking member 91 is extended and prepared for holding and fixing the front connecting pin 97 as described above. The coupler assembly 31 is operated using, for example, an arm of an excavator to engage the front connecting pin 97 of the next tool into the front depression 37. [ The front locking member 91 is configured so that the front locking member 91 is pressed away from its extended position by the front connecting pin 97 when the front connecting pin enters into the front depression 37. [ Reference. The coupler assembly 31 is configured such that the spring 99 urges the front locking member 91 back to its extended position once the front connecting pin 97 has fully passed into the front depression 37- Reference.

The operator of the excavator then rotates the coupler assembly 31 until the body 33 touches the tool's rear connecting pin 95. Then, the operator operates the 'second operation switch only' or the second switch 119 is released. This induces the supply of energy to the first solenoid operated valve 123 to be de-energized and the first solenoid operated valve returns to the steady state configuration as shown in FIG. This connects the hydraulic supply pressure to the supply line 131. This causes the hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the extended side of the slide assembly actuator 43 and the second pressure activated check valve 139 to allow the slide assembly actuator 43 to extend and the slide assembly 39 to move to the rear connection pin 95) - See FIG. 14. FIG.

When the slide assembly 39 is engaged with the rear connection pin 95, pressure builds up on the extended side of the slide assembly actuator 43 until there is sufficient pressure to actuate the second sequential valve 141 . Subsequently, pressure is applied to the extended side of the rear actuator 53, and then the rear actuating actuator 53 is extended and the rear locking device is moved to its extended position - see FIG.

This is a configuration in which the coupler assembly 31 is retained while the excavator or other carrier uses the coupler assembly 31 to hold the tool. The first locking feature includes a first and a second pressure actuated check valve 137 that hydraulically locks the slide assembly actuator 43 in the event of a hydraulic failure, such as a break in the feed or return line 131 or 133, And 139, respectively. The second locking feature is provided by a front locking member 91 that holds the front connecting pin 97 within the front depression 37. [ And the third locking feature is provided by the rear side locking member 51 which holds the rear connection pin 95 in the rear depression 41. [

In use, the coupler assembly 31 may employ the following method of separating the work attachment or tool from the coupler assembly 31;

The front lock actuator 93 is operated to move the front locking member 91 from its extended position to its retracted position,

The rear lock actuator 53 is operated to move the rear locking member 51 from its extended position to its retracted position,

The slide assembly actuator 43 is then operated to move the slide assembly 39 away from engagement with the rear fins 95 of the work attachment when the backing locking member 51 is in its retracted position,

The front pin 97 of the work attachment is then detached from the body 33 when the front locking member 91 is retracted and the rear fins 95 are no longer engaged with the slide assembly 39.

In the coupler assembly 31, the separation method may also be used to separate the coupler 31 from the tool;

A front lock actuator 93,

A rear auxiliary actuator 53, or

The slide assembly actuator 43,

And an automatic operation of the front lock actuator 93 for moving the front locking member 91 from the retracted position to the extended position for a predetermined period of time after the operation of the front lock actuator 91. [

Example 2

Referring to Figures 23-26, a second example of the coupler assembly 161 will now be described. The operation of the coupler assembly 161 is similar to that of the first example of the coupler assembly 31 and the only significant difference between the first and second examples is the configuration of the front locking assembly 163.

In this second example, the front lock actuator 165 of the front lock assembly 163 is pivotally connected to the hydraulic manifold block 167 of the coupler assembly 161 at its rear end. In this manner, the front lock actuator 165 is supported by the hydraulic manifold block 167. A hydraulic manifold block 167 routes the fluid for the slide actuator 169 and the rear actuator 171 and also directs the hydraulic fluid to the front lock actuator 165.

The pivot pin 173 connects the rear end of the front lock actuator 165 to the hydraulic manifold block 167. The first passage 175 in the hydraulic manifold block 167 communicates with the second passage 177 in the pivot pin 173. The second passage 177 communicates with the hydraulic cylinder 179 of the front lock actuator 165 through the third passage 181 in the end fitting 183 of the front lock actuator 165.

In this manner, hydraulic fluid may be directed into or out of the front lock actuator 165 to extend or retract the front locking member 185. As can be seen in Fig. 26, the front lock actuator 165 is a single actuating actuator having a spring return mechanism. For this reason, the front lock actuator 165 requires only a single hydraulic pressure supply.

This configuration eliminates the need for an external hydraulic connection to the front lock actuator 165 while at the same time permitting the front lock actuator 165 to pivot when the front lock actuator 165 moves the front locking member 185 do. This allows a compact configuration of the front locking assembly 163, and such configuration is expected to have great reliability.

Example of change

Those skilled in the art to which the invention relates will appreciate that many variations and widely different embodiments and adaptations of the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosure and description herein is purely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting in any sense.

In the above example, the slide assembly actuator, the rear lock actuator and the front lock actuator are both hydraulic actuators. However, it will be appreciated that other actuators, e. G. Electrically operated linear actuators, may be used.

Justice

The word " comprise ", and variations such words such as " comprises "and" comprising "do not exclude other additions, components, integers, or steps.

Advantages

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that at least the preferred form of the invention provides a coupler that provides a high level of safety. The back side locking member locks the rear connection pin in a shape-fitting manner in the rear depression, and the arrangement of the rear side auxiliary actuators and the connection of the rear side auxiliary actuator to the rear side locking member is made at the extended position of the rear side locking member Lt; / RTI > and robust locking. The configuration of the rock is relatively simple and is not excessively disturbed from soil or other foreign matter that may accumulate around the component.

The coupler assembly can be controlled using only two hydraulic lines, which is advantageous in that it eliminates the need for additional lines where two hydraulic lines are already available.

Also, for the slide assembly, the hydraulic actuators for the front lock and the rear lock are both isolated from each other, which means that in the event of one of the actuators failure, the remaining two actuators will continue to provide their safety locking feature it means. In addition, each actuator includes a spring-shaped biasing means that deflects each actuator toward a fail-safe structure, i. E., A configuration that keeps the pins of the tool within the coupler.

Claims (20)

A coupler assembly for coupling a tool having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin to a carrier, the coupler comprising:
A body component connectable to a carrier and including a front depression for receiving the first connection pin,
A movable component supported by the body component and movable relative to the body component through a stroke extent and including a back depression for receiving the second connection pin or forming a portion of a back depression;
A movable component actuator for selectively moving the movable component relative to the body component,
Wherein the rear locking member is a part of the movable component and the rear locking member prevents the second connecting pin from coming out of the rear depression, A rear locking member movable between said retracted position and said retractable position relative to said movable component; and
And a rear anchoring actuator for moving said back side locking member between its extended position and its retracted position. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the connection between the rear actuator and the rear locking member comprises a link member. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the rear blocking member and the link member comprise:
The initial moving range of the link member presses the rear auxiliary locking member from its retracted position to its extended position,
Wherein the second and further movement range of the link member is arranged in such a way that a stop member is disposed which prevents the rear locking member from moving away from its extended position. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Wherein the stop member is part of the link member. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the rear ancillary actuator is mounted on a movable component. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Wherein the movable component slides relative to the body component. 7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
Wherein the link member is slid relative to the movable component. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
And wherein said rear locking member is pivotally connected to said movable component. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Wherein the coupler has an extended position in which the front locking member prevents the first connecting pin from escaping from the front depressed portion and a retracted position in which the front locking member does not prevent the first connecting pin from escaping from the front depressed portion, Further comprising a front locking member movable with respect to the body component at a first position. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the coupler includes a forward lock actuator for moving the forward locking member between its extended position and its retracted position. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the front lock actuator is pivotally connected to a hydraulic manifold of the coupler assembly. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein a pivotal connection between the front lock actuator and the hydraulic manifold is configured to provide a hydraulic fluid flow path between the hydraulic manifold and the front lock actuator. 13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Wherein the hydraulic system of the coupler comprises a sequential valve for controlling the sequence of operations of the movable component actuator, the rear lock actuator and the forward lock actuator during a coupling and / or separation process. CLAIMS 1. A coupler assembly for coupling a tool having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin to a carrier, comprising:
A front depression for receiving the first connection pin,
A rear depression for receiving the second connection pin,
A front locking member for fixing the first connection pin in the front depression,
And a hydraulic system including at least one actuator configured to allow said coupler assembly to engage in shape with said first and second connecting pins of a tool,
Wherein said hydraulic system also includes at least one hydraulic manifold block;
Wherein the coupler assembly further comprises a hydraulic front lock actuator supported on the hydraulic manifold block and receiving a hydraulic supply from the hydraulic manifold block. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the front lock actuator is pivotally connected to the hydraulic manifold block. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein a hydraulic supply from said hydraulic manifold block to said front lock actuator passes through a pivotal connection between said front lock actuator and said hydraulic manifold block. 17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
Wherein the forward lock actuator is a single actuating actuator having a spring return mechanism. 17. A carrier substantially comprising at least one coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 17. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method of detaching a work attachment or tool from a coupler having a body and movable components, the method comprising:
Operating the front lock actuator to move the front locking member from the extended position to the retracted position,
Operating the rear ancill actuator to move the rear deflecting member from the extended position to the retracted position,
And actuating the movable component actuator to move the movable component away from engagement with the rear fins of the work attachment when the back side locking member is in its retracted position,
And then separating the front pin of the working attachment from the body. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the separation method comprises the step of releasing the front locking member from the retracted position to the extended position after the operation of the front lock actuator, the rear lock actuator or the movable component actuator for separating the coupler from the tool, And a front locking actuator for moving the front lock actuator to the first position.

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