SE1451030A1 - Quick coupler for attaching a hydraulically operated tool / implement to an excavator - Google Patents

Abstract

A quick coupling (20) for coupling a hydraulically operated tool / tool (10) to the crane arm equipped with a tiltrotator (1) and bucket lock (5) for an excavator, comprising a mechanical coupling part (21) intended to be mounted on the tool / tool and designed to be able to locked to the tiltrotator by means of the bucket lock, a first valve block (27) for hydraulics, which valve block is intended to be fixedly mounted on the tiltrotator, and a second valve block (28) movably mounted on the mechanical coupling part, which is arranged to lock the tool / tool to the tiltrotator , is displaced by the bucket lock into contact with the first valve block, so that the two valve blocks are connected together to allow flow of hydraulic medium therethrough. Fig. 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a quick coupling for attaching a hydraulically operated tool to a tool and a tool.

STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY At present, there are a number of quick couplings and other connections between machines and tools / implements for construction work in various construction activities. Common simple connections, which require the operator to get out of the machine and manually connect the tool / implement, but there are also quick couplings, which allow the operator to connect the tool / implement without having to exit the machine, see e.g.

SE 524 668, SE 535 681, SE 1150837 A1, DE 101 59 417 A1, US 6,385,872 B1, US 6,813,851 B2, US 7,464,967 B2 and US 2014/0030005 A1. Where there are quick couplings, the buyer is usually guided to choose the coupling and tools / implements from the manufacturer who manufactures the machine. The buyer is thus locked into buying coupling and tools / implements from the manufacturer of the machine, which can be a very costly investment for the purchasing company.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide a quick coupling, which makes it possible to connect hydraulically operated products from different manufacturers.

This main object is achieved in that the quick coupling specified in the first paragraph above in accordance with the present invention comprises: a mechanical coupling part intended to be mounted on the tool / tool and designed to be locked to the tiltrotator by means of the bucket lock, - a first valve block for hydraulics, which valve block is intended to be fixedly mounted on the tiltrotator, and - a second valve block movably mounted on the mechanical coupling part, which is arranged that, when the bucket lock locks the tool / tool to the tiltrotator, is moved by the bucket lock into contact with the first valve block, so that the two valve blocks are coupled together to allow flow of hydraulic medium therethrough. 2 (13) Such a quick coupling is suitable for olika your different models / types of machines and is a universal coupling of the quick coupling type, with which the operator does not need to get out of the cab and engage the hydraulics manually. If the tool / tool is already provided with a quick-release bracket or the like, this can be disassembled and replaced with the quick-release coupling according to the invention. Furthermore, such a quick coupling offers great opportunities to fulfill another purpose of the invention, namely to be able to manufacture the quick coupling at a low cost.

Preferably, the mechanical coupling part is U-shaped in cross-section and comprises a rectangular, flat bottom plate and two projecting side walls perpendicular to the bottom plate from longitudinal sides, between which two continuous bolts extend, one at each short side of the bottom plate, one of which bolts is located at a greater distance from the base plate than the other. In this way, a conventional bucket lock can grip and hold the mechanical coupling part.

It is suitable for the base plate to be provided with a number of through holes to facilitate mounting on the tool / tool.

The said second valve block is preferably divided into two mirror-inverted valve block parts, which are located on the outside of each of the two side walls and in connection with the bolt located closest to the bottom plate, which valve block parts are mutually rigidly connected to each other by a transverse rod extending through an opening in each of the side walls and has an abutment surface for the bucket lock, which opening is slotted to allow the movement of said second valve block towards said first valve block upon locking of the tool / tool. This automatically provides a hydraulic connection of the two valve blocks when the bucket lock locks the mechanical coupling part mounted on the tool / implement against the tiltrotator.

To make it easier for the bucket lock to move the second valve block towards the first valve block, the rod is suitably vertically located between the bottom plate and the bolt located closest to the bottom plate.

Furthermore, cooperating guide means are preferably arranged on each of the two valve block parts and the outside of the side walls to control the movement of the second valve block towards and from an active position, where the second valve block is hydraulically connected to the first valve block, and a rest position where the second valve block is located at a distance from the first valve block. In this way, the two valve blocks are aligned so that each other can be connected. 3 (13) In order to ensure an accurate alignment, it is then appropriate that said guide means comprise a guide rail arranged on the outside of each of the side walls, which is parallel to the bottom plate and located adjacent to the opening on each of the side walls. , and for each valve block part a guide carried by the valve block part, which grips the surrounding rail.

Preferably, a spring mechanism is arranged to move the second valve block towards the sitting position. As a result, none of the valve blocks is at risk of being damaged during disassembly or coupling.

In order to eliminate or at least greatly reduce the risk of the second valve block being tilted relative to the mechanical coupling part, it is suitable that the spring mechanism comprises a spring for each valve block part.

These springs are then suitably located on the outside of the respective side wall, whereby they do not risk being damaged by the bucket lock when coupling or uncoupling the tool / tool from the tiltrotator.

In order to be able to easily dimension the spring force and the working length, the spring frames are suitably tension springs of the helical spring type.

Preferably, one of the valve blocks comprises at least one female-type disconnecting part and the other of the valve blocks comprises a male-type disconnecting-type disconnecting part, which disconnecting parts allow flow through the valve blocks when they are connected, but prevent hydraulic outflow. Such fluid coupling parts are well known and of conventional design and provide the intended function at a reasonable cost.

It is suitable that the said first valve block mounted on the tiltrotator comprises at least two male-type coupling parts, and the said second valve block the same number of female-type coupling parts. Because the protruding handles are thus carried by the tiltrototator, there is less risk of them being damaged over time than if they were carried by the tool / tool.

It is also suitable that the two disconnecting parts in the first valve block are mounted in a carrier with internal channels for supply and removal of hydraulic medium. This is how a construction is maintained that is simple and cheap to manufacture and easy to mount on the tiltrotatom. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tiltrotator, on which a first valve block in the quick coupling according to the invention can be mounted.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of tool / tool, here a surface cutter, on which a single-mechanical coupling part with a movable second valve block in the quick coupling according to the invention can be mounted.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the quick coupling according to the invention with the first valve block on the right and the mechanical coupling part with the movable second valve block on the left.

Figure 4 is a side view of the mechanical coupling part with the movable second valve block in the quick coupling according to Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 4.

Figures 6a and 6b are an end view and a side view, respectively, of a rod transverse to the mechanical coupling part, which connects two valve block parts enclosed in the movable second valve block and has an abutment surface for the bucket lock.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the mechanical coupling part.

Figures 8a and 8b are an end view and a side view, respectively, of the first valve block.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mechanical coupling part mounted on a tool / tool, here a surface cutter.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the lower part of a tiltrotator, which is provided with the first valve block and has hooked the mechanical coupling part (here not mounted on a tool / implement).

Figure 11 is a perspective view similar to Figure 8, but with the mechanical coupling part locked to the tiltrotator and the two valve blocks connected to each other. s (13) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For many types of work in the construction industry, it is necessary to be able to hydraulically maneuver hydraulically maneuver a tool / tool mounted on the excavator crane, which can be set in many positions and angles. For turning and tipping the tool in different directions, the crane arm carries at its free end a tiltrotator, which in turn carries the tool / tool. A tiltrotator makes it possible to dig, rotate and tilt the excavator (or other tools intended for excavators) in one and the same movement.

Many different tiltrotators are on the market and Figure 1 shows one of them, a Rototilt RT20, which is marketed by Indexator Rototilt Systems AB, Vindeln. The lower part 2 of the tiltrotrotator 1 is rotatable 360 ° and is provided with a so-called bucket lock 5 in the form of a hydraulically reciprocable tongue, for locking the tool / implement to the tiltrotator 1.

An example of a tool / tool 10 that can be connected to the tiltrotator 1 by means of the bucket lock 5 is shown in Figure 2. Neither the tiltrotator 1 nor the tool / tool 10 forms any part of the present invention, but is only shown as preferred examples. The tool / tool 10 shown in Figure 2 is a hydraulically driven surface cutter, YTF-420, which is marketed by YTF SwedenAB, Falun. The surface cutter 10 shown has a rotatable milling plate 11 driven by a hydraulic motor 13 with replaceable rotatable cutting grooves 12 of cemented carbide and is used e.g. for removed tar from the outside of exterior walls in basements. The surface cutter 10 is provided with a quick mount 15, which can be gripped by the tiltrotator 1 and locked by the shoe lock 5 for quick locking of the surface cutter 10 to the tiltrotator 1, but to connect the hydraulics to drive the milling plate 11, the excavator operator must leave his cab and connect the hydraulic hoses manually. The quick-release bracket 15 basically consists of a substantially U-beam-shaped base 16 with a transverse rear bolt 17 and a transverse front bolt 18. The tiltrotator 1 is provided with two rearwardly directed recesses 3 for an initial hooking of the rear bolt 17 at its ends. and on the other hand two-way recessed 4 for a subsequent hooking of the front bolt 18 at its ends. When locked with the bucket lock, the locking tongue 5 enters under the front bolt 18 and pushes it up against the upper edge of the downwardly directed recess 4.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a quick coupling 20, which makes it possible to connect hydraulically operated products (tools / implements 10 to tiltrotators 1 with bucket locks 5) from different manufacturers.

This main object is achieved in that the quick coupling 20, as shown in the accompanying drawings, perhaps best in figure 3, according to the present invention comprises: 6 (13) - a mechanical coupling part 21 intended to be fixedly mounted on the tool / tool 10 and designed to be lockable to the tiltrotator 1 by means of the bucket lock 5, - a first valve block 27 for hydraulics, which valve block is intended to be fixedly mounted on the tiltrotator 1, and - a second valve block 28 movably mounted on the mechanical coupling part 21, which is arranged that when the bucket lock 5 locks the tool / gear 10 to the tiltrotator 1, the disc lock 5 is displaced into contact with the first valve block 27, so that the two valve blocks 27, 28 are connected together to be able to allow flow of hydraulic medium therethrough.

Such a quick coupling 20 fits several different models / types of machines and is a universal coupling of the quick coupling type, with which the operator does not have to go out of the cab and engage the hydraulics manually. If the tool / tool 10 is already provided with a quick coupling 15 or the like, this can be disassembled and replaced with the quick coupling 20 according to the invention. Furthermore, such a quick coupling offers great possibilities for further fulfilling an object of the invention, namely to be able to manufacture the quick coupling 20 at a low cost.

As best seen in Figure 5, the mechanical coupling part 21 in cross section is preferably substantially U-shaped and comprises a rectangular, flat bottom plate 22 and two side walls 23 projecting perpendicularly from long sides of the bottom plate 22, between which extend two-through bolts, namely a rear 24 at one and a front 25 at the other short side of the bottom plate 22, of which bolts one 24 is preferably located at an greater distance from the bottom plate 22 than the other 25. Hereby a conventional bucket lock 5 can grip and hold the mechanical coupling part 21, and the hooking of the rear bolt 24 in the rearwardly directed recesses 3 of the tiltrotator 1 is facilitated.

As shown in Figure 3, it is suitable that the base plate 22 is provided with a number of through holes 26 to facilitate mounting of the mechanical coupling part 21 on the tool / tool 10. The hole pattern must of course be adapted to the make of the tool / tool 10 as the mechanical coupling part. 21 must be attached.

The said movable second valve block 28 is, as best shown in Figure 5, preferably divided by two mirror-inverted valve block parts 29, which are located on the outside of each of the two-side walls 23 and in connection with the transverse front bolt 25, which is closest to the bottom plate 22. These valve block parts 29 are mutually rigidly connected to each other by means of a transverse rod 30, which extends through an opening 34 in each of the side walls 23. Each valve block part 29 also comprises a screwed-on arm 43 shown in Figures 3-5, which extends substantially parallel with the base plate 22 and along 7 (13) the adjacent side wall 23 and connects the transverse rod 30 with force transmitting with the valve block part 29.

As best shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the rod 30 is suitably composed of two screwed-together flat bars, one 31 having its greatest width in the horizontal plane to withstand deformation in this plane, and one 32 having its greatest width in the vertical plane to offer single stop surface 33 for locking tongues 5 of different designs. The rod 30 is suitably located in height between the bottom plate 22 and the underside of the front bolt 25, and the abutment surface 33 is suitably such that it extends from the lower edge of the front bolt 25 to the bottom plate 22. The opening 34 in each side wall 23 is slotted to allow the movement of said second valve block 28 against said first valve block 27, when locking the tool / tool 10 against the tiltrotator 1 the locking tongue 5 goes under the front bolt 25 and pushes it up against the upper edge of the downwardly directed recess 4 in the lower part 2 of the tiltrototom 1. When the locking tongue 5 locks the coupling part 21 mounted on the tool / tool 10 against the tiltrotator 1, a hydraulic connection of the two valve blocks 27 and 28 is effected simultaneously and automatically, as shown in figure 11.

Furthermore, cooperating guide means 35, 36, best shown in Figures 4 and 5, are preferably provided on each of the two valve block portions 29 and the outside of the side walls 23 to control the movement of the second valve block 28 toward and from an active position, where the second valve block 28 is hydraulically connected to the first valve block 27, and a rest position where the second valve block 28 is located at a distance from the first valve block 27. As a result, the two valve blocks 27, 28 are aligned so that each other can be connected.

In order to ensure an accurate alignment, it is then suitable that said guide means, as shown in Figures 3-5, comprise a guide rail 35 arranged on the outside of each of the side walls 23, which is parallel to the bottom plate 22 and located adjacent the opening 34. on each of the side walls 23, and for each valve block part 29 a valve block part mounted in a recess, e.g. screwed guide follower 36, which grips the guide rail 35, which is also suitably screwed on. The guide follower 36 can consist of e.g. a saddle, carriage or carriage with wheels, and if desired, the guide rail 35 may be provided with longitudinal, not shown tracks for the guide follower 36.

Preferably, a spring mechanism 37, shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, is arranged to move the second valve block 28 towards its rest position. As a result, none of the valve blocks 27, 28 risk being damaged during disassembly or coupling. In order to eliminate or at least greatly reduce the risk of the second valve block 28 being tilted relative to s (13) the mechanical coupling part 21, it is suitable that the spring mechanism comprises a spring 37 for each valve block part 29. These springs 37 are then suitably located on the outside respectively. side wall 23, whereby they do not risk being damaged by the reciprocable locking tongue 5 when coupling or uncoupling the tool / tool 10 from the tiltrotator 1. In order to be able to easily dimension the spring force and the working length, the springs are suitably coil spring type tension springs 37.

Preferably, one of the valve blocks comprises at least one female-type coupling part 38 and the other of the valve blocks to said male-male female part 38 at least one female part 38, which female coupling parts 38, 39 allow flow through the valve blocks 27, 28 when they are hydraulically connected are separated. Such disconnection parts 38, 39 are well known and of conventional design and provide the intended function at a reasonable cost.

As shown in Figures 3-8b, it is suitable that the said first valve block 27 mounted on the tiltrotator 1 comprises at least two male-type coupling parts 39, and the said second valve block 28 the same number of female-type fluid coupling parts 38. Because the projecting handles 39 are thus carried by the tiltrotator 1, there is less risk of them being damaged over time than if they were carried by the tool / tool 10.

It is also suitable that the two disconnecting parts 39 in the first valve block 27, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, are mounted in a carrier 40 with internal channels 41 with connections 42 for supplying and removing hydraulic medium. The connections 42 are connected to corresponding connections on the tiltrotator 1 with hoses or pipes. In this way, a construction is obtained that is simple and cheap to manufacture and easy to mount on the tiltrotator 1.

Each of the two mirror-inverted valve block members 29 includes a through-channel 44, best shown in Figure 4, at one end of which a female-type fluid coupling member 38 is screwed in and the other end of which is configured to receive a male-type disengagement member 39.

Figure 9 shows the mechanical coupling part 21 mounted on a tool / implement, here a surface cutter 10. From the female type coupling parts 38, hydraulic hoses 14 (one shown) lead to the surface motor hydraulic motor 13 for driving the rotatable milling plate.

Figure 10 shows the lower part of a tiltrotator 1, which is provided with the first valve block 27 with the male-type coupling parts 39 and has hooked the transverse rear bolt 24 on the mechanical coupling part 21 (here not yet mounted on a tool / tool 10). When the tiltrotator 1 is further angled backwards, the lower end of the mechanical 9 (13) coupling part 21 will by means of the force of gravity acting on the tool / tool 10 pivot the first valve block 27, so that the transverse rear bolt 24 moves downwards 4 of the initial rotor 1. the tool / tool 10 is locked with the co-bucket lock 5, which then also pushes the movable second valve block 28 into connection with the first valve block 27 and thereby hydraulic connection of the tiltrotator 1 with the tool / tool 10. Figure 11 shows the position when the mechanical coupling part 21 is locked to the tiltrotator 1 and the two valve blocks 27 and 28 are connected to each other.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment of the quick coupling described and shown in the drawings, but can be varied within the scope of the appended patent claims. The design may need to be slightly modified to accommodate different tiltrotators. If desired, as shown in Figures 3 and 10, the top of the transverse front bolt 25 may be provided with a pair of relatively bolt transverse recesses, the surface of which forms part of a substantially internal cylindrical surface.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The invention should be used mainly by contractors who own excavators and in companies that rent out construction machinery, to enable them to connect hydraulically operated products as various tools / implements to bucket-locked tiltrators from different manufacturers.

Claims (1)

Quick coupling (20) for coupling a hydraulically operated tool / implement (10) to a crane arm fitted with a tiltrotator (1) and bucket lock (5) to an excavator, known as V - a mechanical coupling part (21) intended to be fixed to the tool / tool (10) and designed to be able to be locked to the tiltrotator (1) by means of the bucket lock (5), - a first valve block (27) for hydraulics, which valve block (27) is intended to be fixed to the tiltrotatom (1) , and - a second valve block (28) movably mounted on the mechanical coupling part (21), which is arranged that, when the bucket lock (5) locks the tool / tool (10) to the tiltrotator (1), is displaced by the bucket lock (5) into contact with the first valve block (27), so that the two valve blocks (27, 28) are connected together to allow flow of hydraulic medium therethrough. Quick coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical coupling part (21) is in cross-section substantially U-shaped and comprises a rectangular thigh, flat bottom plate (22) and two side walls projecting at an angle from long sides on the bottom plate (22). 23), between which extend two continuous bolts (24, 25), one at each short side of the bottom plate (22), of which bolts one (24) is located at a greater distance from the bottom plate than the other (25). Quick coupling according to claim 2, characterized in that the base plate (22) is provided with a number of through holes (26) for failing to mount the tool / tool (10). Quick coupling according to claim 3, characterized in that the movable second valve block (28) is divided into two mirror-shaped valve block parts (29), which are located on the outside of each of the two side walls (23) and in connection with the bolt (25) which is located closest to the base plate 22, which valve block portions (29) are rigidly interconnected by a transverse rod (30) extending through an opening (34) in each of the side walls (23) and has an abutment surface (33) for the bucket lock (5), which opening (34) is slotted to allow the movement of the second valve block (28) towards the first valve block (27) when locking the tool / tool (10). Quick coupling according to Claim 4, characterized in that the rod (30) is located in the height guide between the bottom plate (22) and the bolt (25) which is located closest to the bottom plate (22). Quick coupling according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that cooperating guide means (35, 36) are arranged on each of the two valve block parts (29) and the outside of the side walls ( 23) for controlling the movement of the second valve block (28) towards and from an active position, where the second valve block (28) is hydraulically connected to the first valve block (27), and a rest position where the second valve block (28) is spaced from the first valve block (27). Quick coupling according to claim 6, characterized in that said guide means (35, 36) comprise a guide rail (35) arranged on the outside of each of the side walls, which is parallel to the bottom plate (22) and located adjacent to the opening (34) on each of the side walls (23), and for each valve block part (29) one of the valve block part (29) carried guide (36), which grips the guide rail (35). Quick coupling according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a spring mechanism (37) is arranged to move the second valve block (28) towards its rest position. A quick coupling according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring mechanism comprises a spring (37) for each valve block part (29). Quick coupling according to claim 9, characterized in that the spring frames (37) are located on the outside of the respective side wall (23). Quick coupling according to Claim 10, characterized in that the spring frames (37) are tension springs of the helical spring type. Quick coupling according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one of the valve blocks (27, 28) comprises at least one female-type fluid coupling part (38) and the other of the valve blocks (27, 28) has a male-type coupling part (39) which fluid coupling parts (38, 39) allow flow through the valve blocks (27, 28) when connected, but prevent outflow of hydraulic medium when separated. Quick coupling according to claim 12, characterized in that the first valve block (27) mounted on the tiltrotator (1) comprises at least two fluid coupling parts (39), and the second valve block (28) has the same number of coupling parts (38). Quick coupling according to claim 13, characterized in that the two disconnection parts (39) in the first valve block (27) are mounted in a carrier (40) with internal channels (41) for connection and removal of hydraulniediuni.