SE541644C2

SE541644C2 - Rotator arrangement with hydraulic coupling via rotor

Info

Publication number: SE541644C2
Application number: SE1750714A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Joakim Harr
Original assignee: Indexator Rotator Sys Ab
Priority date: 2016-08-26
Filing date: 2016-08-26
Publication date: 2019-11-19
Also published as: SE1750714A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotator arrangement (10) for providing a rotating movement between a crane arm or the like and a hydraulic tool, the rotator arrangement comprising: a first attachment piece (15) arranged to be attached to the crane arm or the like, a second attachment piece (16) arranged to be attached to a hydraulic tool, a motor comprising a stator (13) and a rotor (12), the rotor (12) being arranged inside the stator so as to rotate with respect to the stator (13) around the same axis of rotation (A) as the first and second attachment pieces. Hydraulic couplings (31) to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid are arranged to the rotor (12) facing the first attachment piece (15) and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) via or through the rotor (12), the rotor (12) being arranged inside a casing (20), wherein a torque transmission unit (14) is arranged to transmit a rotational movement provided by the motor (11) between the first and second attachment pieces (15,16), the torque transmission unit transmitting said rotational movement without transmitting substantial axial and radial loads.

Description

ROTATOR ARRANGEMENT WITH HYDRAULIC COUPLING VIA ROTOR TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a rotator arrangement for providing a rotating movement to a hydraulic tool attached to said rotator arrangement.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Rotator arrangements are widely used in foresting, harvesting or the like where a carrier, truck, tractor or the like carries an arrangement for handling excavators, timber tools, harvest tools or the like. Often such arrangements are hydraulically driven and include a crane arm, wherein the rotator arrangement is arranged to the free end of the crane arm. The rotator arrangement typically includes a motor, i.e. a hydraulic motor, to provide the rotational movement.

[0003] A challenge related to such rotator arrangements is that the rotators are exposed to heavy forces both radially and axially. Conventionally, this has been solved by dimensioning the rotator arrangement and specifically the motor with components adapted to withstand very high efforts. A problem is that that the motor, and specifically the fit between the stator and rotor needs to be very accurate and precise, which is difficult to achieve in combination with the high demands concerning the mechanical strength.

[0004] In WO 2012/134370 a rotator arrangement is described in which the forces are arranged to be taken up in an arrangement arranged to leave the interaction between the rotor and stator separated from the load distribution other than the torque provided by the motor. The arrangement is advantageous, but it is also relatively heavy and space demanding, especially in the radial direction.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need of a rotator arrangement that is lighter and more compact especially radially than an ordinary arrangement, but that is capable of withstanding high efforts, without compromising the accuracy and durability of the arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotator arrangement for providing a rotational movement, which is compact and which is arranged to provide the rotational movement without undue stress between the stator and rotor. A further object is to provide for a tangle free cable and hose arrangement.

[0007] The invention relates to a rotator arrangement for providing a rotating movement, the rotator arrangement comprising: a first attachment piece arranged to be attached to the crane arm or the like, a second attachment piece arranged to be attached to a hydraulic tool, a casing joining the first attachment piece to the second attachment piece, which casing is arranged to carry the loads of the hydraulic tool and includes a bearing or the like allowing a first part of the casing to rotate with respect to a second part of the casing, and a hydraulic rotation motor arranged to provide a rotational movement between the first and second attachment pieces around an axis of rotation, the motor comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor being arranged inside the stator so as to rotate with respect to the stator around the same axis of rotation as the first and second attachment pieces. Further, hydraulic couplings to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid, are arranged to the rotor of the motor facing the first attachment piece and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation via the rotor, the rotor being arranged at least partly inside said casing, wherein a torque transmission unit is arranged to transmit a rotational movement provided by the motor between the first and second attachment pieces, the torque transmission unit transmitting said rotational movement without transmitting substantial axial and radial loads, and wherein a swivel connector is arranged via which the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tool is arranged to be provided.

[0008] With said arrangement hoses and cables may be arranged centrally such that they will not limit rotation of the rotator. Further, this is achieved in a slim construction in which the precision between the rotor and stator of is not compromised by heavy loads acting on the rotator.

[0009] The swivel connector makes sure that the hydraulic hoses for the hydraulic tool will not hinder the rotation of the rotator.

[0010] According to yet another specific embodiment of the invention the central portion of the swivel connector is arranged to rotate with the rotor, which is arranged inside the stator and a swivel house of the swivel connector is arranged to house the central portion of the swivel connector and is rotationally connected to the stator.

[0011] In one specific embodiment hydraulic couplings to provide the hydraulic motor with hydraulic fluid are arranged facing the first attachment piece and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation via or through the rotor of the motor.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment the hydraulic couplings to provide the hydraulic motor with hydraulic fluid are arranged separated from the hydraulic couplings to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid, at a distance from and/or off-set from the axis of rotation of the rotor. In this embodiment the hydraulic fluid is preferably fed directly to the motor without the need of swiveling the supplied hydraulic fluid, i.e. said hydraulic couplings lead directly to the motor and not via a swivel connector.

[0013] In one specific embodiment the rotor and a central portion of the swivel connector are integrated and the hydraulic couplings to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid are arranged are provided on an axial end of the integrated rotor and said central portion of the swivel connector facing the first attachment portion.

[0014] In another specific embodiment the torque transmission unit is arranged to transmit a rotational movement provided by the motor from the rotor to the first attachment piece.

[0015] Preferably, an angle meter is arranged to monitor the rotation of the first attachment piece with respect to the second attachment piece. The angle meter may be provided between any two parts that rotate with respect to each as a result of the rotation provided by the motor.

[0016] In a specific embodiment the torque transmission unit comprises an connective element arranged to slide in mating radial track extending in a radial direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation, so as to provide a connection between the motor and one of the attachment pieces, which connection provides substantially no gap between the motor and said attachment piece in a direction of rotation around the axis of rotation, but includes a freedom to move in a radial direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation, and in an axial direction along the axis of rotation.

[0017] In another specific embodiment the torque transmission unit comprises an intermediate element between the motor and the casing, which intermediate element comprises substantially no gap between the motor and the attachment piece in a direction of rotation around the axis of rotation, wherein the torque transmission unit includes a freedom to move both in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation, and in an axial direction along the axis of rotation. With this arrangement substantially no axial or radial forces are transmitted between the rotor and the stator.

[0018] In yet another specific embodiment the rotator further comprises an electric connection arranged facing the first attachment piece and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation via or through the rotor of the motor, wherein an electric swivel is arranged to provide electric signals and/or power to the hydraulic tool.

[0019] In yet another specific embodiment the rotator further comprises a coupling for a urea connection arranged facing the first attachment piece and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation via or through the rotor of the motor, wherein a swivel is arranged to provide urea to the hydraulic tool.

[0020] Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Below the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rotator arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the rotator attachment piece, torque transmission unit and rotor of a rotator arrangement in accordance with the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the rotator arrangement in accordance with the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a specific embodiment of a torque transmission unit between a rotor and an attachment piece; and Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the torque transmission unit in fig. 4 seen from the opposite side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT

[0022] In figure 1 a first embodiment of a rotator arrangement 10 in accordance with the invention is shown. The rotator arrangement 10 is arranged for providing a rotating movement between a crane arm and a hydraulic tool, such as grip arm, shovel, harvester or the like. The rotator arrangement comprises a first attachment piece 15 arranged to be attached to the crane arm or the like, and a second attachment piece 16 arranged to be attached to the hydraulic tool. A casing 20 is arranged and joins the first attachment piece 15 to the second attachment piece 16. The casing 20 is arranged to carry the loads of the hydraulic tool and includes a bearing 18 or the like for allowing a first part of the casing to rotate with respect to a second part of the casing. A swivel 41 for swiveling hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tool is arranged in connection to the motor 11. The second attachment piece 16 is arranged between said motor 11 and the swivel connector 41. The swivel connector 41 is hence arranged to be housed within the hydraulic tool (not shown).

[0023] The motor 11 is arranged to provide a rotational movement between the first and the second attachment pieces 15,16 around an axis of rotation A, i.e. the axial axis of the motor. The motor comprises a stator 13 and a rotor 12, the rotor 12 being arranged inside the stator so as to rotate with respect to the stator 13 around the same axis of rotation A as the first and second attachment pieces. Hydraulic couplings 31 arranged to connect to hydraulic hoses 40 to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid are arranged facing the first attachment piece 15 and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation A. In accordance with the invention the hydraulic hoses are arranged to the rotor 12 of the motor 11.

[0024] An important aspect of the invention is that the rotor 12 carries no axial or radial load. This is achieved in that the casing 20 is arranged to carry axial and radial loads acting between the first and second attachment pieces 15,16. Further though, a torque transmission unit 14 is arranged to transmit a rotational movement provided by the motor 11 between the first and second attachment pieces, the torque transmission unit 14 transmitting said rotational movement without transmitting substantial axial or radial loads.

[0025] As is shown in exploded view in figure 2 the torque transmission unit 14 comprises an intermediate element 17 arranged between the motor 11 and the casing 20. In the shown embodiment it is arranged between the rotor 12 and the first attachment piece 15. The intermediate element 17 comprises substantially no gap between the rotor 12 and the first attachment piece 15 in a direction of rotation around the axis of rotation A. On the contrary, the torque transmission unit 14 includes a freedom to move both in a plane X,Y orthogonal to the axis of rotation A, and in the axial direction along the axis of rotation A. Hence, substantially no axial or radial forces are transmitted between the rotor 12 and the stator 13. The torque transmission unit 14 may alternatively be arranged between the rotor 12 and the second attachment piece 16, the stator in such an embodiment being connected to the first attachment piece 15 instead of the second attachment piece 16. Further, the torque transmission unit 14 may be arranged to connect the rotation of the stator to one of the attachment pieces, wherein the rotor is connected to the other of the two attachment pieces. Such an embodiment would however demand a specific casing not incorporating the stator.

[0026] The specific intermediate element 17 of the torque transmission unit 14 of the shown first embodiment comprises a first set of engagement portions 21, in the form of protrusions in the axial direction A with parallel sides, which are to be received in engagement parts 26 in the form of recesses in the rotor attachment piece 15. A second set of engagement portions 22, also in the form of protrusions in the axial direction A with parallel sides, are received in engagement parts 25 in the form of recesses in the rotor 12. The first set of engagement portions 21 are arranged to allow a freedom of movement with respect to said rotor in a first direction X that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation A and the second set of engagement portions 22 are arranged to allow a freedom of movement with respect to said rotor attachment piece 15 in a second direction Y that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation A and to said first direction X. The parallel sides of the respective protrusions of the engagement portions 21,22 are arranged to slide within the parallel sides of the respective engaging recess of the engagement parts 25,26. Both sets of engagement portions 21,22 allow a certain freedom of movement in the axial direction A. Typically, the width of the intermediate element 17 is less than the space available provided between rotor 12 and rotor attachment part 15, such that an axial gap 34 is available to provide the certain freedom of movement in the axial direction A, as indicated in fig 3. The sets of engagement portions 21,22 of the intermediate element 17 may extend radially or axially, whatever is most suitable in any specific application.

[0027] Further, in a simpler embodiment shown in figs. 4 and 5 the torque transmission unit comprises a connective element 37, typically in the form of a dowel pin, that is arranged in a mating track 38 that extends radially and in which connective element 37 may travel in the radial direction. In the embodiment shown in figs. 4 and 5 the connective element 37 is fixed in a bore 39 in the first attachment part 15, which connects to the rotor 12, wherein the rotor comprises a mating track 38 that extends radially, said track 38 having a width that corresponds to the width of the connective element 37 so as to not allow any gap in the rotational direction but to allow a sliding motion in the radial direction. In an alternative embodiment two connective elements are arranged to slide in a track extending from side to side or two corresponding mating tracks extending parallel along the same line on opposite sides of the rotor 12. As an alternative the connective element(s) 37 may be arranged on the rotor and the track(s) 39 may be arranged in the first or second attachment part. Further, the interaction may instead be arranged between the stator and one of the first and second attachment parts.

[0028] As is shown in fig. 3 a swivel connector 41 is arranged via which the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tool (not shown) is arranged to be provided.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 the rotor 12 and the central portion 42 of the swivel connector 41 are integrated, wherein the hydraulic couplings 31 to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid are provided on an axial end of the integrated rotor 12 and said central portion 42 of the swivel connector 41, facing the first attachment portion 15 in order to connect to hydraulic hoses 40 arriving from the crane arm. The hydraulic couplings 32 to connect to the hoses 44 for providing hydraulic fluid to the motor 11 are also provided on an axial end of the integrated rotor 12 and said central portion 42, e.g. alongside the hydraulic couplings 31 for the hydraulic tool. Connections for urea and electrical power and signals are preferably also provided alongside said hydraulic couplings 31,32. An electric swivel 47 is arranged in connection to the swivel connector 41.

[0030] In this embodiment the electric swivel 47 is arranged to be housed at least partially inside the hydraulic tool (not shown), whereas the swivel connector 41 is a part of the casing 20. Specifically, the second attachment piece 16 for attaching the hydraulic tool to the rotator 10 is provided as an integrated part of the house 43 of the swivel connector 41.

[0031] As is visible in figure 3 the first attachment part 15 is attached to an outer part 18a of the bearing 18, which is arranged to rotate with the rotor 12. The torque transmission unit 14 is however arranged to transmit the rotational movement provided by the motor 11 from the rotor 12 to the first attachment piece 15, the torque transmission unit 14 transmitting said rotational movement without transmitting substantial axial and radial loads. The first attachment piece 15 is hence not rigidly connected to the rotor 12. Instead the first attachment piece 15 and the rotor 12 are rotationally interconnected via the torque transmission unit 14. The inner part 18b of the bearing 18 is rotationally connected to the stator 13 and to the house 43 of the swivel connector 41.

[0032] An advantage of the inventive embodiments with respect to prior art rotators is that the hydraulic hoses will not limit the rotation of the motor 11. Further, this may be achieved in a slimmed, non-bulky construction because the couplings are arranged centrally along the axial direction A to or through a rotor that is not carrying loads, which may be accomplished due to the torque transmission unit 14.

[0033] As apparent in fig. 3 the rotator arrangement is provided with a brake 46 for limiting a swinging movement of the rotator 10 with respect to the crane arm or the like, on which it is arranged.

[0034] Above the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. The invention is however no limited to these embodiments. For instance, the invention comprises any feasible combination of the shown embodiments as well as other not shown embodiment with similar functionality. The invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rotator arrangement (10) for providing a rotating movement between a crane arm or the like and a hydraulic tool, the rotator arrangement comprising: a first attachment piece (15) arranged to be attached to the crane arm or the like, a second attachment piece (16) arranged to be attached to the hydraulic tool, a casing (20) joining the first attachment piece (15) to the second attachment piece (16), which casing (20) is arranged to carry the loads of the hydraulic tool and includes a bearing (18) or the like allowing a first part of the casing (20) to rotate with respect to a second part of the casing (20), and a hydraulic rotation motor (11) arranged to provide a rotational movement between the first and second attachment pieces (15,16) around an axis of rotation (A), the motor comprising a stator (13) and a rotor (12), the rotor (12) being arranged inside the stator (13) so as to rotate with respect to the stator (13) around the same axis of rotation (A) as the first and second attachment pieces, characterised in that hydraulic couplings (31) to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid are arranged to the rotor (12) of the motor (11), facing the first attachment piece (15) and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) via the rotor (12), the rotor (12) being arranged at least partly inside said casing (20), wherein a torque transmission unit (14) is arranged to transmit a rotational movement provided by the motor (11) between the first and second attachment pieces (15,16), the torque transmission unit transmitting said rotational movement without transmitting substantial axial and radial loads, and wherein a swivel connector (41) is arranged via which the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tool is arranged to be provided.

2. The rotator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rotor (12) and a central portion (42) of the swivel connector (41) are integrated and wherein the hydraulic couplings (31) to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid are provided on an axial end of the integrated rotor (12) and said central portion (42) of the swivel connector (41) facing the first attachment portion (15).

3. The rotator arrangement (10) according to anyone of claims 1 or 2, wherein the torque transmission unit (14) comprises a connective element (37) arranged to slide in mating radial track (38) extending in a radial direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation (A), so as to provide a connection between the motor 11 and one of the attachment pieces (15,16), which connection provides substantially no gap between the motor (11) and said attachment piece (15,16) in a direction of rotation around the axis of rotation (A), but includes a freedom to move in a radial direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation (A), and in an axial direction along the axis of rotation (A).

4. The rotator arrangement (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the torque transmission unit (14) comprises an intermediate element (17) between the motor and the casing, which intermediate element (17) comprises substantially no gap between the motor (11) and one of the attachment pieces (15,16) in a direction of rotation around the axis of rotation (A) and wherein the torque transmission unit (14) includes a freedom to move both in a plane (X,Y) orthogonal to the axis of rotation (A), and in an axial direction along the axis of rotation (A).

5. The rotator arrangement according to anyone of the claims 1-4, wherein hydraulic couplings (33) to provide the hydraulic motor (11) with hydraulic fluid are arranged separated from the hydraulic couplings (31) to provide the hydraulic tool with hydraulic fluid, at a distance from and/or off-set from the axis of rotation (A) of the rotor (12).

6. The rotator arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the hydraulic couplings (33) to provide the hydraulic motor (11) with hydraulic fluid are led directly to the motor (11) and not via a swivel connector.

7. The rotator arrangement according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the torque transmission unit (14) is arranged to transmit a rotational movement provided by the motor (11) from the rotor (12) to the first attachment piece (15).

8. The rotator arrangement according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein an angle meter (34) is arranged to monitor the rotation of the first attachment piece (15) with respect to the second attachment piece (16).

9. The rotator arrangement (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the rotator further comprises an electric connection arranged alongside the hydraulic couplings (31) facing the first attachment piece (15) and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A) via the rotor (12) of the motor (11), and wherein an electric swivel (47) is arranged to provide electric signals and/or power to the hydraulic tool.