WO2010061165A1 - Coupleur avec capteurs d'état de couplage - Google Patents

Coupleur avec capteurs d'état de couplage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010061165A1
WO2010061165A1 PCT/GB2009/002602 GB2009002602W WO2010061165A1 WO 2010061165 A1 WO2010061165 A1 WO 2010061165A1 GB 2009002602 W GB2009002602 W GB 2009002602W WO 2010061165 A1 WO2010061165 A1 WO 2010061165A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
coupler
sensor
jaw
excavator
accessory
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2009/002602
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gary Miller
Ronald Keith Miller
Doreen Jacqueline Miller
Original Assignee
Miller International Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Miller International Limited filed Critical Miller International Limited
Priority to US13/127,059 priority Critical patent/US20110313625A1/en
Priority to EP09753174A priority patent/EP2350396A1/fr
Priority to CN200980144237.4A priority patent/CN102224303B/zh
Publication of WO2010061165A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010061165A1/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
    • E02F3/36—Component parts
    • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
    • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
    • E02F3/3663—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat hydraulically-operated
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
    • E02F3/36—Component parts
    • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
    • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
    • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
    • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
    • E02F3/36—Component parts
    • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
    • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
    • E02F3/365—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
    • E02F9/26—Indicating devices
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/20—Joints and connections with indicator or inspection means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coupler for remotely attaching accessories, such as buckets, to an excavator arm of an excavator, e.g. from the cab of the excavator, the coupler being provided with coupling status sensors.
  • Couplers for remotely attaching accessories to an excavator arm of an excavator are well known per se. However, few such couplers have sensors built into them. Nevertheless, such couplers, with sensors, are known, and one such coupler is disclosed in EP 1318242, to Geith Patents Limited. That document discloses a coupler with a sensor for detecting when the coupler has been moved into a crowd position (i.e. a fully curled position), and control electronics for permitting the coupler to commence a decoupling procedure only while the coupler is in that crowd position.
  • a crowd position i.e. a fully curled position
  • That crowd position is deemed to be a safe position for decoupling procedures since in that crowd position, the coupler is arranged such that its front jaw is pointing at least partially upwards, whereby an accessory to be attached, or detached, which coupler will already have an attachment pin located within that front jaw, cannot fall off the coupler even if all other retaining mechanisms for that accessory are released.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a mechanism for preventing or dissuading a user from engaging in such improper uses of couplers.
  • a coupler comprising a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the jaw being for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory, wherein a sensor is provided for that jaw for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein.
  • the sensor may be adapted to output a signal to signify the presence of an attachment pin in the jaw. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensor may be adapted to output a signal to signify no detected presence of an attachment pin in the jaw.
  • the sensor's signal may be transmitted or sent to a receiving unit, or to a transmitter, for allowing an indication of the sensed information to be passed to a user.
  • the transmission may be along a wire, or it may be wireless, for example a radio transmission.
  • Such wireless transmitting technologies are well known in the automobile arts. See, for example, keyless entry systems, tire pressure monitoring systems, and Bluetooth® systems for linking mobile telephones to the vehicle's audio system.
  • the user to whom the sensed information is passed preferably sees, hears or feels the indication while he is within a cab of the excavator to which the coupler is attached.
  • That receiving unit, or a display/indicator mechanism therefor may therefore be integrated into the excavator's dashboard.
  • the receiving unit, or a display/indicator mechanism therefor may be provided as one or more separate components for fitting onto or into the excavator, again preferably within the cab of the excavator.
  • the user while in the cab, can thus be notified whether an attachment pin is positioned in that first jaw.
  • the sensor may be a strain sensor. This could detect the presence of an attachment pin within the jaw since accessories, and excavator arms, are generally very heavy.
  • the weight of the accessory or the weight of the arm, will usually cause a force to be applied to the jaw by the accessory's attachment pin. That force will stress the jaw, thereby creating a detectable strain, perhaps in the throat of the jaw. Therefore, a strain gauge located at or in the jaw would be able to detect the presence of an attachment pin within that jaw.
  • sensors might be contact sensors, e.g. PTM (push-to-make) switches.
  • sensors might be magnetic sensors - the attachment pin is usually made of steel.
  • the skilled person will appreciate, however, that numerous different sensors, or combinations thereof, could be used for detecting the presence, or not, of an attachment pin within the jaw.
  • the advantage of a strain sensor is that it will detect the presence of the attachment pin irrespective of where the pin bears against the jaw, since the stain will be distributed around the throat of the j aw.
  • the coupler may also comprise a second jaw, longitudinally spaced from the first jaw with respect to the frame of the coupler. That second jaw is preferably facing substantially downwards, i.e. approximately perpendicularly to the first jaw, and away from the end of the arm of the excavator that is attached to the coupler.
  • the second jaw is for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, and it is preferably associated with a pivoting or sliding latch for locking that second attachment pin within that second jaw. In some known couplers, however, just the pivoting or sliding latch is provided — the jaw is omitted.
  • a sensor is associated with that second jaw, or the pivoting or sliding latch.
  • That second sensor can be instead of the first sensor, or in addition to the first sensor.
  • the second sensor is preferably also for detecting the presence of, or the absence of, an attachment pin. However, that detection is for the second jaw, or for the pivoting or sliding latch, instead of the first jaw.
  • the second sensor is mounted directly onto or into to the pivoting or sliding latch, or onto or into that second jaw's alternative locking mechanism. Locating it into or onto a pivoting or sliding latch, however, is most preferred since most commercial couplers feature either a pivoting hook or a sliding plate for providing such a locking function.
  • the second sensor is a strain gauge.
  • any suitable sensor could be provided, as for the first sensor.
  • the second sensor may have similar or identical features to the first sensor.
  • the source of the signals i.e. with respect to which sensor they came from, is preferably discernable by the receiving unit. For transmissions made wirelessly, this can easily be achieved by using ID codes in the transmitted signals, or even by using a single transmitter for transmitting both sensors' signals in receiver-recognisable manner.
  • ID codes in the transmitted signals
  • Such coding technologies are well known in radio transmitting arts, such as tyre pressure monitors.
  • sensors and transmitters can readily be made suitably tough to cope with the environments to which couplers are exposed by using designs developed for tyre pressure monitors. After all, such prior art systems are designed to cope with high speed tyre environments, and the associated forces encountered therein. Therefore, a further discussion of the specific design of suitable sensors and transmitters is not required herein.
  • the indicator unit for indicating the sensed information to the user is preferably in the cab of the excavator. It preferably has visual indicators. They preferably separately provide an indication of the coupling status of the first and second jaws, i.e. whether there is an attachment pin in the respective jaw.
  • that may be by means of a light for each jaw.
  • the light for a jaw could be illuminated when an attachment pin is located within the relevant jaw, or perhaps when an attachment pin is not located within the relevant jaw.
  • the user can therefore instantly determine the accessory engagement status of the coupler.
  • a green light signifies safety and a red light signifies danger. Therefore, when both jaws are correctly engaged against a pin, i.e.
  • the front jaw's sensor senses the presence of a pin
  • the rear latch's sensor also senses the presence of a pin
  • two green lights can show on the indicator unit. This indicates a safe mounting of an accessory on the coupler. However, if only one pin is sensed, a red light could be illuminated. That would indicate an unsafe mounting condition.
  • An alternative arrangement would have a green light show when the first jaw is correctly engaging a pin, but with a red light showing for the second jaw until that second jaw is correctly engaged with the second pin.
  • couplers typically also feature a lifting eye, which can be used for lifting items with chains or ropes.
  • a third sensor, and a third light might also be incorporated into the coupler at the hydraulic ram. It can sense the location of the latch mechanisms by determination of the state of the ram. That status information can also be transmitted to the receiver for analysis and evaluation. Likewise, a sensor could be provided for sensing the orientation of the coupler.
  • sensors may be used together with other sensors to build a virtual picture of the condition of the coupler for analysis by a control system, which control system can provide suitable warnings to the user if dangerous conditions are encountered, or simply feedback to the user to assist with coupling or decoupling procedures since those procedures usually require a number of steps to be undertaken, and the control system could signal to the user when a particular step has been completed, e.g. retraction/advancement of the ram, or inversion of the coupler. See WO2008/029112 or GB0808113.5 for disclosures of various coupling and decoupling procedures.
  • the sensing systems, or the receiver can be linked to the hydraulic control system of the excavator.
  • the hydraulic system's output can be restricted.
  • the detection of just one attachment pin e.g. in the first (front) jaw, could cause not just the illumination of a red light on the display unit for the second jaw's sensor, but also a restriction in the operability of the excavator arm.
  • lifting or swinging motions might be restricted, prevented or slowed.
  • One such restriction might be the provision of a half throttle setting for the hydraulics, or rotation limits for swinging elements.
  • the excavator's manoeuvrability or engine power might also be linked to the sensing system, or to the receiver, whereby they might also be restricted if a dangerous or unsafe accessory condition is sensed.
  • an additional or separate sensor forms part of a work-tool recognition system.
  • the work-tools for such a system are additionally provided with a readable or transmittable indicator. That indicator might be optically, magnetically, inductively or capacitively readable, or it might be a transmitted signal that can be received and read by the coupler's sensor. Such transmissions can be via wires or they can be wireless.
  • the indicator is either a barcode (and the sensor on the coupler is a barcode reader) or an RF (radio-frequency) transmitted signal, which signal might be emitted in response to an interrogation by a sensor on the coupler, or in response to a circuit being completed by the coupling process.
  • RF signals would preferably be in the form of a transmitted ID code, or in the form of a more informative signal containing an ID code and some other usable information.
  • the other usable information is preferably indicative or one or more of the following parameters: tool type (i.e. bucket, grabber or drill), tool weight or tool capacity (to allow the operator, or the excavator itself, to know/decide whether the excavator is man enough to handle to tool), tool serial number (to allow the specific tool to be tracked), tool age or duty cycle (to allow the operator, or the excavator itself, to know/decide whether the tool is still safe to use, or whether it is likely to suffer a fatigue failure), and tool configuration (e.g. attachment pin size or attachment pin spacing, to allow the coupler to know whether the tool is mountable onto the coupler).
  • tool type i.e. bucket, grabber or drill
  • tool weight or tool capacity to allow the operator, or the excavator itself, to know/decide whether the excavator is man enough to handle to tool
  • tool serial number to allow the specific tool to be tracked
  • tool age or duty cycle to allow the operator, or the excavator itself, to know/decide whether
  • a sensor might be provided on the coupler to read information from the excavator or the excavator arm.
  • the excavator and/or the excavator arm can be additionally provided with a readable indicator. Similar readable indicators as those that are disclosed above for the accessory could be suitable also for the excavator and/or the excavator arm.
  • the additional sensors might be mounted onto the accessory, or onto the excavator arm/excavator, with the coupler then having the readable/transmittable indicator(s).
  • couplers, excavators and accessories can be recognised, and thus known limitations of the accessories, couplers or excavators can be accommodated by the control electronics of the excavator.
  • the excavator might want to be limited as to how much lateral force gets applied to the accessory during drilling operations.
  • limitations can be imposed automatically by the excavator's control electronics, thereby reducing the likelihood of, or preventing, operator error causing severe damage to accessories.
  • the sensed information is sent to the excavator's receiver for processing by the excavator's OEM ECU. That ECU preferably has a memory for storing use information for particular tools or accessories.
  • an ECU is located in the coupler, also with a memory, whereby information as to which accessories and which excavators have been attached to the coupler can be stored, or even to allow the coupler to have its own intelligence for enabling it to refuse to couple to accessories that fall outside the achievable capacities of that coupler, i.e. accessories that are too heavy.
  • Additional sensors might also be provided in the coupler to sense the loading applied to the coupler during use of an accessory.
  • Those sensors could be the above-mentioned strain gauges. These could be used to sense overload conditions in the coupler during such use.
  • Those overload conditions might be overloading of the coupler, e.g. the jaws or the latching hook, or of the lifting eye, or they might be overloading of the accessory, e.g. where the coupler has recognised the accessory to have a maximum loading capacity, or a maximum digging/drilling force capacity.
  • the coupler could then emit a warning to the operator to inform the operator of that overload condition, or it may signal that condition instead to the excavator's receiver/ECU, whereby the excavator can impose operational restrictions automatically.
  • Sensors might also be provided in the coupler, or in the accessory, or in the excavator, to provide coupler/accessory/excavator tracking capacity, e.g. by the use of GPS sensors, and memorising the identity and location of each accessory/excavator/coupler coupling combination. Then, that stored information might be used to locate specific products in the future, or for tracking the movement of specific products. This allows the movements of a company's fleet and assets to be tracked. Further it can assist in the tracking down of stolen accessories or couplers.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates an excavator fitted with a coupler in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates details of that coupler.
  • an excavator 10 comprising an excavator arm 12, a cab 14, an engine area 16, tracks 18 and hydraulic rams 20 for controlling the operation of the excavator arm 12.
  • a coupler 24 in accordance with the present invention is attached to the free end 22 of the excavator arm 12.
  • two attachment points 26 are provided on the coupler 24, and two attachment pins (not shown) extend through those attachment points 26 for making the attachment.
  • This type of attachment system is conventional in the art.
  • the accessory 28 is a bucket, so normal operations will be digging.
  • the two arm attachment points 26 are positioned in a top portion of the coupler 24.
  • the bottom portion of the coupler 24 then has the accessory attachment components. They include a front jaw 30 and a rear jaw 32, each of which will engage attachment pins, but this time on the accessory 28.
  • the front jaw 30 points substantially longitudinally relative to the main axis of the coupler 24 (i.e. towards the cab in Figure
  • the rear jaw 32 points downwardly, i.e. towards the main body of the accessory.
  • the front or first jaw 30 can pick up the accessory by hooking onto a first attachment pin of the accessory, and the second attachment pin of the accessory can then be swung into the open mouth of the rear or second jaw 32.
  • the rear jaw 32 can be closed for securing the second attachment pin as well.
  • the accessory 28 is thus fully coupled onto the coupler 24.
  • the pivoting latching hook 34 is driven into its pin-engaging position by the coupler's own hydraulic ram 36, i.e. a hydraulic ram 36 that is contained within the coupler 24.
  • coupler is also all conventional. They are also interchangeable with alternative mechanisms known in the art. For example, additional securement mechanisms can be incorporated into the coupler, such as in GB2330570 or WO2008/029112. Further, instead of a pivoting latching hook 34, a sliding latching plate might be preferred. Likewise, instead of the hydraulic ram 36, a screwthread drive, or merely a lever-releasable spring could be provided for moving the pivoting or sliding latch 34.
  • the rear of the coupler 24 is also provided with a lifting eye 38. This allows items to be safely hoisted using ropes or chains.
  • the coupler is adapted to include sensing and communication technologies. They serve to provide information to the excavator driver in the cab via a display, although the information might be presented elsewhere if preferred. The presentation of the information, however, allows the status of the coupler, or of any coupling/decoupling procedure, i.e. "work tool attachment status" to be communicated to the driver. Likewise it can be reported to a control system in the excavator for providing automated interlocks, which once implemented can prevent certain undesirable or unsafe actions from being carried out by the operator until an appropriate verification of the coupler's condition or status is achieved by the system.
  • the sensing and communication technologies comprise a selection of sensors, any one of which can provide a useful and advantageous function in its own right.
  • the first sensor 40 is a sensor provided for the first jaw 30. It is for detecting whether an attachment pin is located within that front jaw 30. This could be a proximity sensor, a touch or push actuated sensor or a parameter measuring sensor — e.g. a stress or strain measurement or sensing device. It is shown, to be located at the throat of the front jaw 30. This is where an attachment pin will typically sit, whereby it will usually be the optimum position. However, it is possible that more than one sensor, in different positions on that jaw 30, will be necessary to ensure that any attachment pin within that jaw can be sensed.
  • the optional second, or further sensor 42 is provided for the second or rear jaw 32. In this embodiment it is located in the pivoting latching hook 34.
  • This second sensor 42 can be identical to the first sensor, in that it is also for detecting the presence of an attachment pin in its associated jaw - the rear jaw 32. By positioning it in the hook, it will only detect the attachment pin upon the engagement of that attachment pin by the pivoting latching hook 34. This prevents a false detection of an unsecured attachment pin. However, if a separate sensor detects the location of the hook, that same level of detection could be achieved with the second sensor being located in the throat of the second jaw.
  • the coupler of this exemplary embodiment also has a third sensor 44, which sensor is located within or upon the hydraulic ram 36. It might likewise be located within the ram's hydraulic supply-line. This sensor serves to detect either or both hydraulic pressure or hydraulic ram extension status. Such data can serve to allow an even better picture of the coupler's status to be determined. For example, it allows the position of the pivoting latching hook 34 to be checked, or it can identify a hydraulic fluid leak.
  • sensors can include orientation sensors, for determining whether the coupler has been inverted, or perhaps to what degree it has been inverted. These can be helpful in ensuring that a decoupling procedure is not commenced while the accessory 28 is in an unsafe position relative to the coupler 24, i.e. such that it could fall from the coupler if the rear jaw was opened.
  • sensors might be provided to identify information from the accessory themselves, for example from a transponder in the accessory, for detecting accessory type or accessory capacities, which information can also be of potential use to a central control unit. That information could be stored in the transponder within the accessory.
  • the various sensor components are shown to be integrated into the components of the couplers.
  • the coupler is bespoke fabricated with the sensors built therein. It should be appreciated, however, that sensors will be incorporatable into existing couplers, or known coupler designs, by way of retrofits.
  • the associated control electronics such as those that will be found in the coupler's central control unit 46 in Figure 2, can be either pre-built onto or into the coupler's frame as an integrated part of the coupler 24, or they might be an aftermarket addition.
  • the first two sensors 40, 42 are adapted to sense the presence of an attachment pin in their respective jaw or hook, and the third sensor 44 serves to detect the hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic ram 36. That sensed data is then either intermittently or continuously sent to the associated control electronics for analysis, or for transmission to further control electronics such as a receiver 48 in the cab. The resulting status information about the coupler is then displayed to the user, or else (or in addition) the data is acted upon by the excavator's own control electronics in the appropriate manner, such as by allowing excavator operations, or by implementing appropriate "limp modes" for the detected coupler status. Numerous possible actions in that regard are possible.
  • the display could have lights signifying good or bad conditions for each sensor, such as a green light for a good sensed condition and red for a bad sensed condition, with the display showing all green lights when an accessory is fully coupled to the coupler, and at least one red light when an accessory is detected to be incorrectly coupled to the coupler.
  • a limp mode for the excavator would be likely to be implemented whenever such a red light is indicated.
  • the jaws' sensors should be designed to detect a variety of different attachment pins, such as pins with different radiuses, or different centre-to-centre pin spacings. This is because an excavatore will frequently be used with a variety of different accessories, and not all necessarily from the 1 same manufacturer - such different accessories often have different pin spacings, or different pin radiuses. Further, attachment pins can become worn, whereby the pin spacing between the two pins of an accessory can vary over time.
  • the sensors should be capable of handling, or at least be protected from, the various harsh environmental conditions that a coupler is likely to be exposed to, such as temperature extremes, regular exposures to abrasive materials such as stones, rocks and mud, rough handling, and also immersion in sea water, fresh water or mud.
  • Such toughened sensor technologies are already available, such as from neighbouring fields like tyre pressure monitors.
  • the pin sensors 40, 42 in the front and rear jaws 30, 32 are stress or strain sensing sensors. The can detect the presence of an attachment pin within a jaw since accessories are generally very heavy, whereby the jaws will be exposed to significant loading under the weight of an attached accessory. Such stress or strain sensors could therefor detect the presence of an attachment pin by the detection of such forces. Further, since those forces will be experienced around the jaw, rather than just at a specific location on the jaw (i.e. the contact location between the pin and the jaw), the location of the sensor is less significant in determining the ability of the sensor to achieve its function.
  • proximity sensors might be provided. They could detect the proximity of an attachment pin within the jaws.
  • the three illustrated sensors 40, 42, 44 are connected to the central control unit 46 either with wires or wirelessly - the sensors can be wired to the central control unit 46, or they can have their own radio transmitters built into them. That central control unit 46 therefore receives the sensed signals from those sensors and can compile that information ready for transmission to the receiver 48 in the cab 14 as intermittent databursts. That receiver 48 is shown to be within the cab of the excavator 10, but it could be elsewhere, with it instead being connected to a display.
  • the receiver therefore receives the transmissions through a wireless transmission such that the receiver can process the sensor data and cause the display or the excavator's control system to act appropriately.
  • the present invention therefore allows the coupler to transmit its own coupler status information reliably to the driver in the cab of the excavator.
  • a wired system could be used to transfer the data. This has the advantage of no local power being needed at the coupler — the sensors could be powered by the excavator's own power system.
  • wireless transmissions are preferred since they are easier to incorporate into existing excavators and couplers — they need minimal setting up, and can readily allow couplers to be removed from the excavator for servicing.
  • an onboard power system is provided on the coupler. That could simply be a battery within the central control unit 46. However, a generator might be alternatively be provided on the coupler for generating the required power through kinetic energy recovery - couplers experience a great deal of shaking when they are in use.
  • a further sensor might be provided to monitor battery power.
  • the sensor system could therefore also provide a low battery power signal in its transmission when a low battery status is detected to alert the operator of that fact.
  • the display or man-machine interface (MMI) in the cab (for indicating the sensor information, or coupler status information) can be programmed to provide its information in a number of ways, or just such that it interacts with the excavator's controls in a number of different ways.
  • the signals are translated into visual indicia such as lights or coupler status representations, such that a display can guide the operator through an accessory coupling or decoupling procedure by providing graphical indications when certain individual steps of that coupling or decoupling process have been achieved.
  • a display can guide the operator through an accessory coupling or decoupling procedure by providing graphical indications when certain individual steps of that coupling or decoupling process have been achieved.
  • the interface can provide excavator functionality lockouts (i.e. "limp modes") in response to certain detected situations, such as an incomplete coupling of an accessory to the coupler (e.g. just in the front jaw).
  • specific excavator or excavator arm movements can be restricted or disabled until the coupling procedure has been completed.
  • engine or hydraulic power may be reduced, whereby digging or manoeuvring is made more difficult. That should dissuade the driver from commencing or continuing an improper use of the coupler/excavator.
  • One preferred feature is that when no attachment pin is detected, full functionality for the excavator is allowed. That is because the coupler is usually fitted with a lifting eye 38, which is often used for lifting items on a chain or rope. To disable that function would be a significant inconvenience. Further, without such freedom to move in an uncoupled condition, manoeuvring the coupler and excavator to align the front jaw with a first attachment pin of a new accessory for coupling thereto would also be is made more difficult, which would also obviously be undesirable.
  • one such mode could be a low power mode in which the throttle is limited to a maximum of a quarter throttle. That could be for either the excavator's engine or just for the hydraulic pump.
  • the senor 44 for the hydraulic ram 36 could provide an additional overriding control, whereby in the event of the detection of a failure in that hydraulic system, that alone would be enough to cause a limp mode to be effected.
  • transmissions can be coded with unique identity information that can be transmitted for identifying the coupler/sensors from which the transmission had originated.
  • Transmissions could perhaps also include details of the accessory that is connected to the coupler, e.g. accessory type information. That would be detectable by a sensor on the coupler that can read information from a transceiver on the accessory.
  • Duty cycle information such as hours used or cycle completed, might be monitored by the control system, either at the coupler or at the receiver. That information could be logged at the coupler and transmitted to the receiver, or logged at the receiver, whereby accessories having a finite duty life can be tracked and repaired or replaced as and when necessary.
  • sensed information can be logged or transmitted, such as work-tool recognition information, excavator recognition information, pairing information, tool suitability information (e.g. tool capacities, types, or sizes), tool or coupler use information (e.g. current loading information), and tracking information (e.g. GPS positioning information) for allowing fleet or asset tracking to be automatically carried out, or for it to be discernable at a later date from stored information.
  • tool suitability information e.g. tool capacities, types, or sizes
  • tool or coupler use information e.g. current loading information
  • tracking information e.g. GPS positioning information
  • the present invention provides a coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator, the coupler comprising a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the jaw being for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory and having a first sensor for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein, the coupler further having a second jaw, or a latch, longitudinally spaced from the first jaw, and being for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, and having a second sensor for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein.
  • Other features may then be added to it as described above.
  • the additional sensors replace one or the other, or both, of the first two sensors.
  • the sensors of the coupler, or a central transmitter are adapted to transmit or send signals to a receiver for notifying the driver or operator regarding the coupling status of the coupler, or the loading status of the coupler, so as to keep the driver informed as to that status, or in more advanced embodiments, to allow the excavator to apply operational limitations to the control electronics/hydraulics when problems are identified.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Component Parts Of Construction Machinery (AREA)
  • Operation Control Of Excavators (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un coupleur (24) pour coupler un accessoire (28) à un bras d'excavateur (12) d'un excavateur (10). Le coupleur comprend une première mâchoire (30) qui est orientée dans une direction généralement longitudinale par rapport au cadre du coupleur (24), laquelle mâchoire (30) sert à recevoir une première goupille de fixation d'un accessoire (28) et a un premier capteur (40) destiné à détecter la présence d'une goupille de fixation à l'intérieur. Le coupleur (24) comporte en outre une deuxième mâchoire (32), ou un verrou (34), espacé longitudinalement de la première mâchoire (30), qui sert à recevoir une deuxième goupille de fixation de l'accessoire (28) et qui a un deuxième capteur (42) destiné à détecter la présence d'une goupille de fixation à l'intérieur. Les capteurs (40, 42) transmettent ou envoient des signaux à un récepteur (46, 48) pour indiquer au conducteur l'état de couplage du coupleur (24) par rapport à l'accessoire (28).
PCT/GB2009/002602 2008-11-03 2009-11-03 Coupleur avec capteurs d'état de couplage WO2010061165A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/127,059 US20110313625A1 (en) 2008-11-03 2009-11-03 Coupler with coupling status sensors
EP09753174A EP2350396A1 (fr) 2008-11-03 2009-11-03 Coupleur avec capteurs d'état de couplage
CN200980144237.4A CN102224303B (zh) 2008-11-03 2009-11-03 具有连接状态传感器的联结器

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0820116.2 2008-11-03
GB0820116A GB2464988B8 (en) 2008-11-03 2008-11-03 Coupler with coupling status sensors

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010061165A1 true WO2010061165A1 (fr) 2010-06-03

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PCT/GB2009/002602 WO2010061165A1 (fr) 2008-11-03 2009-11-03 Coupleur avec capteurs d'état de couplage

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20110313625A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2350396A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN102224303B (fr)
GB (1) GB2464988B8 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010061165A1 (fr)

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KR101319658B1 (ko) 2011-10-11 2013-10-17 주식회사 동남중공업 마그네틱을 이용한 굴삭기용 클램프 안전장치
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US9114815B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-08-25 Brandt Road Rail Corporation Assembly for extendable rail-supported vehicle coupler
EP2803768A3 (fr) * 2013-05-12 2015-04-22 Hiltec Designs Ltd Coupleur avec détection de broche de fixation
EP3508658A1 (fr) * 2017-10-27 2019-07-10 Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Machine de travail
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2464988A (en) 2010-05-05
CN102224303A (zh) 2011-10-19
EP2350396A1 (fr) 2011-08-03
US20110313625A1 (en) 2011-12-22
GB2464988B8 (en) 2013-02-20
GB2464988B (en) 2013-01-30
CN102224303B (zh) 2014-05-14
GB0820116D0 (en) 2008-12-10

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