WO2010134999A1 - Support adaptateur pivotant permettant le montage d'instruments sur un équipement d'excavation - Google Patents

Support adaptateur pivotant permettant le montage d'instruments sur un équipement d'excavation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010134999A1
WO2010134999A1 PCT/US2010/001507 US2010001507W WO2010134999A1 WO 2010134999 A1 WO2010134999 A1 WO 2010134999A1 US 2010001507 W US2010001507 W US 2010001507W WO 2010134999 A1 WO2010134999 A1 WO 2010134999A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plate
swivel
bearings
implement
relative
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/001507
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jason Wayne Mcdonald
Darrell Grayson Higgins
Original Assignee
Jason Wayne Mcdonald
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 Jason Wayne Mcdonald filed Critical Jason Wayne Mcdonald
Publication of WO2010134999A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010134999A1/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
    • E02F3/3677—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like allowing movement, e.g. rotation or translation, of the tool around or along another axis as the movement implied by the boom or arms, e.g. for tilting buckets
    • 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
    • E02F3/3677—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like allowing movement, e.g. rotation or translation, of the tool around or along another axis as the movement implied by the boom or arms, e.g. for tilting buckets
    • E02F3/3681—Rotators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C33/306—Means to synchronise movements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C33/34—Rollers; Needles
    • F16C33/36—Rollers; Needles with bearing-surfaces other than cylindrical, e.g. tapered; with grooves in the bearing surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2350/00—Machines or articles related to building
    • F16C2350/26—Excavators

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a swivel adapter mount that can be used with excavating equipment, such as a backhoe or excavator. A bucket of other implement can then be moved to positions that would not be possible with a conventional backhoe or similar device.
  • This invention is also related to bearing assemblies that will operate in such an environment with a relatively long service life.
  • a swivel adapter mount is employed to swiveling an earth moving implement relative to a boom.
  • the earth moving implement is also being tiltable relative to the articulated boom about a tilt axis transverse to a swivel axis.
  • the swivel adapter mount includes a mounting member, a rotatable member and bearings between the rotatable member and the mounting member.
  • the mounting member is attachable to the boom.
  • the rotatable member is attachable to the earth moving implement and is rotatable about the swivel axis extending through a central section of the rotatable member.
  • the rotatable member is driven to rotate relative to the mounting member to swivel the earth moving implement transverse to the tilt axis and relative to the articulated boom when the swivel adapter mount is attached thereto.
  • the bearings are located between the mounting member and the rotatable member, and the bearings extend around the rotatable member near an outer edge of the rotatable member and are spaced from the swivel axis extending through the rotatable member. These bearings, which are preferably gear bearings, bear external loads acting on the earth moving implement when the earth moving implement is swiveled.
  • an apparatus for swiveling and tilting an implement is mounted on an articulated boom operated by hydraulic pressure.
  • a tilt mechanism forming part of this apparatus includes pistons actuated by hydraulic pressure and an implement attachment.
  • a swivel mechanism is also actuated by hydraulic pressure to rotate the tilt mechanism and an implement attached to the tilt mechanism.
  • the swivel mechanism includes a boom attachment, the swivel mechanism including a central member extending therethrough, the central member being attachable to the tilt mechanism.
  • the central member also includes at least one passage extending therethrough to deliver hydraulic fluid from the articulated boom to the tilt mechanism.
  • the swivel mechanism includes a first member attached to the central member and a second member attached to the articulated boom, the first member is rotatable relative to the second member to swivel the tilt mechanism and the implement relative to the articulated boom.
  • a bearing assembly includes first and second plates with gear bearings positioned therebetween.
  • the first plate rotates about a central axis.
  • the second plate has an annular configuration and extends parallel to the first plate, and is spaced from the first plate in the direction of the central axis.
  • the first plate rotates relative to the second plate.
  • First inner and outer tapered raceways are located on the first plate facing and are opposed to second, inner and outer, tapered raceways on the second plate.
  • Bearings are located between the first plate and the second plate. The bearings have conical surfaces engaging the tapered raceways on the first and second plates and bearing gears.
  • Raceway gears are located on the first and second inner and outer raceways.
  • the bearing gears engage the raceways gears so that the bearings rotate about axes transverse to the central member axis as the first annular plate rotates relative to the second annular plate.
  • the bearing assembly bears external loads applied relative to the central member and the second annular plate.
  • Figure l is a view of a prior art crawler type excavator employing a bucket.
  • the apparatus according to this invention can be used with this and other types of conventional excavating equipment.
  • Figure 2 is an exploded three dimensional view, viewed slightly from above, showing components of a swivel mount and a bucket that it will mount to otherwise conventional excavating equipment.
  • Figure 3 is an elevational view, partially form the rear, of the swivel mount with a bucket attached thereto.
  • Figure 4 is a top view of one of the gear bearings.
  • Figure 5 is a side view of one of the gear bearings.
  • Figure 6 is a view of the rotary gear bearing assembly including inner and outer raceways and gear bearings positioned between the inner and outer plates.
  • Figure 7 is a view of an alternate configuration showing the use of hydraulic tilt pistons in conjunction with a swivel adapter mount.
  • Figure 8 is a view of a second embodiment of a swivel and tilt mechanism that can be mounted on a boom of a conventional excavator.
  • Figure 9 is a cross section view of the swivel mechanism of the second embodiment showing a heavy duty gear bearing assembly included in the swivel mechanism.
  • Figure 10 is a view of a shaft or central member extending through the center of the swivel mechanism of Figure 9 showing passages through which hydraulic lines can extend.
  • Figure 1 1 is a view of an annular disk with a driven gear that extends around the periphery of the disk.
  • Figures 12A and 12B are views respectively of a top annular plate and a top center plate in the swivel mechanism of Figure 9.
  • Figures 13A and 13B are views respectively of a bottom annular plate and a bottom center plate in the swivel mechanism of Figure 9.
  • Figures 14A and 14B are views of one of the individual gear bearings employed in the swivel mechanism of Figure 9.
  • Figures 15 A and 15B are views respectively of an outer raceway and an inner raceway that are engaged by bearing surfaces on the gear bearings shown in Figures 14A and 14B.
  • Figures 16A and 16B are view of raceway gears that engage the gear portions of the gear bearings shown in Figures 14A and 14B.
  • Figure 17 is a view of one of a supplemental gear bearing employed in the embodiment of Figure 9.
  • Figure 18 is a view of a supplemental outer raceway gear employed in the embodiment of Figure 9.
  • Figure 19 is a view of a supplemental inner raceway gear employed in the embodiment of Figure 9.
  • Figure 20 is a view of a supplemental lower tapered raceway and support plate employed in the embodiment of Figure 9.
  • Figure 21 shows the position of the drive gear relative to the top center plate of the swivel mechanism of Figure 9.
  • Figure 22 is a view of a snap mechanism that can be used in conjunction with the swivel and tilt mechanisms of Figure 9.
  • Figure 23 is an elevational view of a third embodiment employing a one-piece annular rotatable member in conjunction with a hydraulic union mounted in the center of the annular rotatable member.
  • Figure 24 is a three dimensional view of the one-piece rotatable member of Figure 23.
  • Figure 25 is a view of an alternate implement in the form of an auger that could be mounted to excavating equipment by a swivel adapter mount according to this invention.
  • Figure 26 is a view of another alternate implement in the form of a router used in conjunction with grapplers so that excavating equipment such as a crawler excavator or a backhoe could be adapted to cut tree limbs or even trees.
  • excavating equipment such as a crawler excavator or a backhoe could be adapted to cut tree limbs or even trees.
  • FIG 1 is a view of a prior art excavator 1 with which the swivel adapter mount or swivel mounting adapter according to this invention can be used to mount implements such as an excavating bucket or claw 2.
  • Figure 1 shows a crawler type excavator but it should be understood that this excavator is merely representative of other types of excavating equipment.
  • the swivel adapter or swivel adapter mount of this invention can be used on a backhoe.
  • swivel mounting adapters of this invention can be used on various types of excavating equipment, without modifying the swivel adapter itself.
  • the prior art crawler type excavator 1 shown in Figure 1 employs a boom 3 and an articulated main arm 4.
  • a hydraulic arm cylinder 7 and a hydraulic bucket cylinder 8 can be employed to rotate the main arm 4 relative to the boom 3 about an elbow joint 9.
  • Hydraulic cylinders 13 can raise and lower the boom 3.
  • the main arm 4 is attached to the bucket 2 by a wrist joint 10 through a forward bucket pivot 11, so that the bucket 2 can be rotated relative to the arm 4.
  • an auxiliary arm 5 is also connected to the bucket 2 through a rear bucket pivot 12, and the auxiliary arm 5 is connected to the main arm 4 by a link 6.
  • Reciprocation of a piston in hydraulic cylinder 8 will cause the bucket 2 to rotate about an axis Al-Al, shown in Figure 1, substantially perpendicular to the main arm 4, though an angle of approximately one hundred eighty degrees, so that the bucket 2 can be used for excavating in a conventional manner.
  • Articulation of the bucket 2 and the main arm 4 is essentially confined to motions parallel to the plane through the centerline of the boom 3, and in a standard excavating apparatus such as the crawler excavator 2, the bucket 2 cannot be swiveled or twisted relative to the main arm 4 or the boom 3.
  • the entire apparatus can be turned relative to the crawler tracks, but this movement is normally intended to deposit dirt of other debris to another location after excavation.
  • a backhoe does not normally permit the boom assembly to be turned in this manner.
  • the instant invention provides a mounting adapter assembly that will allow a bucket or other implement to be swiveled or twisted relative to the main arm 4 of standard excavating equipment or mechanism, such as backhoes and crawler excavators, without requiring modification to the main arm assembly 4 or to the boom 3, other than perhaps mounting additional hydraulic transmission lines or electric wires or transmission lines to power the swiveling adapter. Only minor modifications need be made to standard implements or other mechanisms, such as buckets.
  • Figure 2 shows the manner in which a standard bucket 2, of the type shown in Figure 1, can be modified for use with the swiveling adapter of this invention, simply by the addition of a bracket 14 to the bucket 2.
  • the bracket 14 is attached to the bucket 2 by two pins 18 and 19 extending through the pivots 11 and 12 on a conventional bucket 2.
  • the bracket 14 includes a connector 15, which in this embodiment is generally U-shaped with two side rails 16 and 17, which will overlap and retain a corresponding bracket on the swiveling adapter 20 in a manner that will be subsequently discussed in more detail.
  • this subassembly can be attached to and removed from a swivel adapter mount 20 according to this invention.
  • the bracket 14 can remain attached to the bucket 2, and brackets 14 can be permanently mounted on other implements that can also be mounted on excavating equipment by using this swivel adapter mount 20.
  • bracket 14 can be used interchangeably with other implements, especially when changeovers are expected to be infrequent. It should be understood that the bracket 14 is merely representative of a number of different types of brackets that could be used in accordance with this invention.
  • the same swiveling adapters or swivel adapter mounts 20 and implements, such as buckets 2, can be used on different types of excavating equipment, with only the possible requirement is some cases, that adapter brackets designed to fit specific equipment, may need to be interchanged.
  • the swivel adapter mount 20 includes an outer mounting plate 22 and an inner rotatable plate 30, that is received within a central opening 24 formed in the outer plate 22.
  • the inner plate 30 rotates relative to the relatively stationary outer plate 22 about a vertical axis, and the bucket 2 attached thereto, will also rotate about the vertical axis, a movement that is not possible with a conventional wrist joint 10 on conventional excavators or backhoes.
  • the outer plate 22 can rotate relative to a relatively stationary inner plate 30, if the inner plate 30 is attached to the wrist joint 10.
  • the preferred embodiment swivel adapter mount 20 and the bucket 2 can rotate through an angle of at least three hundred sixty degrees so that the bucket 2 can assume any angular orientation relative to the wrist joint 10 and arm 4 to which it may be attached.
  • the swivel adapter mount 20 can also continuously turn in either direction so that the bucket 2 or other implement attached to the swivel adapter mount 20 can also continuously turn through any number of revolutions. Although continuous revolution may be unnecessary for a bucket 2, other implements, such as augers or routers, can be mounted by the swivel adapter mount 20, and continuous revolution through angles greater than three hundred sixty degrees would be required.
  • the outer plate 22 includes two couplers 26 adjacent opposite sides thereof. These couplers 26 allow the swivel adapter mount 20 to be attached to the wrist joint 10 in substantially the same manner as a conventional bucket 2 is attached directly to a wrist joint 10.
  • the circular inner plate 30 includes a plate connector 32 attached to its lower face. This plate connector 32 can be attached to a bracket connector 15 or a bracket 14 that has been secured to an implement such as bucket 2. This connection will attach the bucket 2 or other implement to the inner plate 30 so that rotation of inner plate 30 relative to outer plate 22 will impart rotation to the bucket 2 or other implement.
  • a rotary actuator 70 is mounted on the outer plate 22, and includes a drive gear 62.
  • This rotary actuator 70 can be a hydraulically powered actuator or an electrically powered actuator.
  • Lines 74 which can be hydraulic or electric lines will be mounted on the boom 3 and arm 4 of excavating equipment so that the rotary actuator 70 can be controlled from the cab by the equipment operator.
  • a peripheral lip 36 is mounted to the inner plate 30 by fasteners or bolts 28 so that the lip 36 and the inner plate 30 are secured to each other an move in unison.
  • a driven gear 38 extends around the peripheral lip 36 and is engaged by the drive gear 72 so that rotation of the drive gear 72 imparts rotation to the inner plate 30 on which the bucket 2 or other implement is mounted.
  • outer plate 22 Since the outer plate 22 is rigidly attached to the main arm 4 of the excavating equipment 1 by couplers 26, rotation of inner plate 30, relative to outer plate 22, imparts rotation of the bucket 2 or other implement relative to the main arm 4 about axis A2-A2, a motion that is not possible with conventional wrist joints 10.
  • a gear box could be added between the rotary actuator 70 and the driven gear 38.
  • a gear box could be used to limit the loads that would be placed on the rotary actuator 70, especially where a hydraulic actuator is employed.
  • a gear box could also provide additional resistance to loads applied in an opposite direction from which the rotary actuator 70 is trying to rotate the inner plate 30.
  • the peripheral lip 38 overlaps the portion of the outer plate 22 around the periphery of the central opening 24.
  • the depth of the swivel adapter mount 20 is relatively small, because the inner plate 30 fits within the outer plate 22. These plates are also oriented parallel to the back face of the bucket 2. Therefore, the swivel mount adapter 20 will not add any significant length to the boom assembly, and the presence of the swivel mount adapter 20 will not significantly affect normal operation of the wrist joint 10. However, the swivel mount adapter 20, when combined with the wrist joint 10 will permit the bucket 10, or any other implement, to be oriented in any conceivable direction that is possible by any combination of rotation about both axes Al-Al and the vertical axis.
  • the swivel adapter mount 10 Since the swivel adapter mount 10 is attached to the ends of the main arm 4, and auxiliary arm 5, with the plates 22 and 30 transverse to the main arm 4, the swivel adapter mount 20 will not restrict movement of the bucket 2 relative to the main arm 4 or the degree of motion of the wrist joint 10.
  • any operation that would be possible with a normal bucket mount would be possible when the swivel adapter mount 20 is attached between the main arm 4 and the bucket 20.
  • Other operations will possible.
  • One particular operation that would be possible is to grade sloping sides of a ditch, an operation that is not possible with a standard backhoe or excavator.
  • Rotation of the bucket 2 by movement of the wrist joint 10 will permit excavation of a ditch as the bucket 2 is rotated and moved toward the operator by movement of the boom 3 and the articulated arm 4.
  • the boom 3 and main arm 4 When digging a ditch in this manner the boom 3 and main arm 4 would be parallel to a vertical plane along which the ditch is being dug. Side edges of the ditch would remain perpendicular due to the shape of a conventional bucket 2.
  • the swivel adapter mount 20 will, however, allow the bucket 2 to be rotated relative to this plane so that the bottom edge of the bucket 2 will be at an angle relative to the vertical plane extending though the ditch.
  • the bottom edge of the bucket 20 will grade a slope extending from the ditch to the surface.
  • the swivel adapter mount 20 allows rotation of the bucket in each direction, and both sides of the ditch can be graded to form a suitable slope.
  • FIGs 4-6 shows details of the gear bearing assembly that comprises the preferred embodiment of the bearings used with this invention.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show a single gear bearing 40.
  • Figure 4 is a top view and Figure 5 is a side view.
  • Each gear bearing 40 includes an upper conical bearing surface 42 and a lower conical bearing surface 44. These conical surfaces face in generally perpendicular directions and the inclination of these gear bearing surfaces 42 and 44 will bear both lateral loads and transverse loads.
  • Stud gears or gear teeth 46 encircle the gear bearings 40 and in this embodiment these gears 46 are disposed between the oppositely facing conical bearing surfaces 42 and 44.
  • a number of gear bearings 40 are disposed between the inner plate 30 and the outer plate 22.
  • Figure 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the bearing assembly that would employ gear bearings 40 as it would be positioned between the inner plate 30 and the outer plate 22.
  • Figure 6 is not intended to be to scale, nor are the components shown therein necessarily to scale, so that the individual components can be shown with greater clarity.
  • An outer bearing raceway 50 is either formed on or attached to the outer plate edge forming the central opening 24. In the preferred embodiment, the outer raceway 50 would be attached to the outer plate 22, and the outer raceway 50 would be formed as separate pieces, both for more efficient fabrication and for easier assembly of the gear bearing subassembly. Outer raceway 50 would extend completely around the central opening 24 of outer plate 22. Outer raceway 50 has an upper tapered or conical bearing surface 52 and a lower tapered or conical bearing surface 54.
  • Bearing surfaces 52 and 54 will about conical bearing surfaces 42 and 44 on the gear bearings 40 and a line contact will be maintained because the gear bearings will rotate relative their own axis and will progress or revolve around the outer raceway 50 as the inner plate 30 rotates relative to the outer plate 22.
  • Outer raceway gears 56 will engage bearing gears 46 so that the gear bearings 40will walk around the outer raceway 50.
  • An inner raceway 60 is also formed around the edge of the inner plate 30. Again the inner raceway 60 may be formed on the edge of the inner plate 30 or it may be attached thereto as either a single component or as a multi-piece subassembly, depending upon manufacturing considerations. Inner raceway also has an upper tapered or conical bearing surface 62 and a lower tapered or conical bearing surface 64, which will bear against the gear bearing surfaces 42 and 42 in opposition to corresponding bearing surfaces on the outer raceway 50. The inner raceway gear teeth 66, between bearing surfaces 62 and 64 will engage bearing gears 46, so that rotation of the inner plate 30 will impart rotation to the gear bearings 40. As the inner plate 30 turns, the gear bearings 40 will then turn and will walk around inner plate 22 and inner plate raceway 60.
  • Figure 6 shows a version of this invention in which the upper peripheral Hp 36 joined to the inner plate 30 is used with a lower peripheral lip 37.
  • Both peripheral lips 36 and 37 extend from the inner plate 30 and overlap a portion of the outer plate 22.
  • a small gap between the peripheral lips 36 and 38, and adjacent faces of the outer plate 22 will be small enough so that a grease or other suitable lubricant will remain trapped around the gear bearings 40. Once injected, this grease will remain in the cavity bounded by the peripheral lips 36 and 27 and will not only lubricate the bearings 40 but also prevent dirt, dust and other debris from penetrating this cavity.
  • the peripheral lips 36 and 37 may not be needed, if sufficiently close tolerances can be maintained above and below these bearings, but the peripheral lips 36 and 37 do provide a simple means for trapping grease or other suitable lubricants.
  • FIG. 7 is one example of the use of a swivel adapter mount 20 with a bucket 2, and with an additional tilt mechanism 80.
  • the swivel adapter mount 20 is attached to the bucket 2 in the same manner as previously discussed.
  • the tilt mechanism 80 would attach the swivel adapter mount 20 to the wrist joint of an excavator or backhoe arm.
  • This tilt mechanism comprises an auxiliary mounting plate 82 that would be attached to the wrist joint by conventional couplers 83.
  • Two U-shaped yokes 84 would attach the swivel adapter mount 20 to the auxiliary mounting plate 82.
  • One yoke extends from the auxiliary mounting plate and the other would extend from the outer plate 22 on the swivel adapter mount 20.
  • a pin 86 extending through the yokes 84 would secure the swivel adapter mount 20 to the auxiliary mounting plate 82.
  • Two hydraulic pistons 88 extending between the auxiliary mounting plate 82 and the inner plate 22, would impart rotation to the swivel adapter mount 20 relative to auxiliary mounting plate 82 because the yokes 84 can rotate relative to each other about the axis formed by the pin 86.
  • the auxiliary tilt mechanism 80 could tilt the bucket 2.
  • This auxiliary tilt mechanism 80 is useful in certain situations encountered with the use of excavating equipment. For instance, in some situations excavating equipment must be positioned on an inclined slope and not on level ground. For example, it may not be possible to position the excavating equipment on a paved street when digging a ditch, because any damage to the pavement must be reimbursed by the operator. Often the width of the space to which the piece of excavating equipment must be confined is limited by contract or by regulation. This can require an operator to build up a level surface on which he can position the piece of excavating equipment. However, the tilt mechanism 80 will permit the operator to operate an implement, such as a bucket, as if the implement were level, even though the piece of excavating equipment is sitting at an angle relative to the horizontal.
  • an implement such as a bucket
  • swivel mechanism 20 can be used to grade an inclined slope without reliance upon the tilt mechanism 80, and since the swivel adapter mount mechanism 20 can rotate through a much wider angle than the auxiliary tilt mechanism, the swivel adapter mount mechanism 20 will be the more effective tool.
  • coordinated use of both the swivel mechanism 20 and the auxiliary tilt mechanism 80 will increase the range of motion to enhance the efficiency of the excavating equipment.
  • swivel mechanism 20 and the tilt mechanism will make it much easier to grade on the diagonal as the boom 3 and main arm 4 retract the bucket toward the cab and operator, even though that movement may not be parallel to the direction of a ditch on which the slopes are graded.
  • Slopes with gradients of 1 : 1 to 1 :4 can be easily graded using this invention and especially using this combination of swivel and tilt.
  • the combination of the two mechanisms can simplify other jobs, such as grading valleys that are needed for drainage at many sites. Irregular shapes and surfaces for swimming pools can be easily formed using this invention.
  • This apparatus can also simplify digging sewer lines.
  • FIG. 8-22 A second embodiment of swivel apparatus or mount 102 is shown in Figures 8-22.
  • Swivel mount or adapter 102 is also suitable for use on a conventional excavator, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the swivel mount adapter 102 would be mounted on a wrist joint 10 at the end of a main arm 4 on an articulated boom.
  • a boom attachment connects the swivel mount mechanism 102 to the wrist joint 10 so that manipulation of the wrist joint 10 in a conventional manner will raise and lower the swivel mount 102, and any other implements attached thereto through an implement attachment 119.
  • Figures 101 and 102 show the swivel mechanism 102 employed with a tilt mechanism 170, which will tilt the bucket 2 about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wrist joint 10, no matter what the angular orientation to which the swivel mechanism 102 has positioned the bucket 2.
  • the second embodiment of the swivel mount 102 is especially suited for applications in which the loads applied to the swivel mount 102 through either the articulated boom mechanism or thought the implement, such as bucket 2 are relatively large, and the components of the swivel mount 102 must be sturdy enough to bear those loads.
  • the swivel mount 102 also can be rotated through at least three hundred sixty degrees without becoming entangled with transmission lines, such as hydraulic lines that may be needed to activate implements, equipment or mechanisms attached to the swivel mount 102. Provision is thus made to allow transmission through the center of the swivel mount 102.
  • swivel mount 102 includes a shaft or central 110 passing through the center of three annular plates or members that are positioned, one of top of the other.
  • the shaft 110 includes a sufficient number of passages 111 for transmission of hydraulic fluid or electrical cables.
  • multiple passages are dimensioned to allow hydraulic fluid to be transmitted through those passages.
  • Conventional hydraulic lines or hoses can be attached to the top shaft end 116 and to the shaft bottom end 118.
  • Conventional hydraulic couplings, not show, can be employed.
  • the swivel mount will rotate through angles of at least 360 degrees about shaft axis 112, and since the passages 111 are parallel to shaft axis 112, hydraulic lines or other transmission lines attached to the shaft 110 will not become entangled.
  • the entire swivel mount 102 along with any implements attached thereto can be rotated about axis 114 extending transversely to shaft axis 112 by conventional manipulation of the wrist joint 10.
  • the shaft 110 can be rotated relative to a top mounting member, comprising a top annular plate 130 and a bottom annular plate or member 132, which is parallel to the top annular plate 130.
  • An intermediate annular member or disk 120 is positioned between the top annular mounting member 130 and the bottom annular plate 132.
  • the intermediate disk 120 is attached to the exterior of the shaft 110, and the intermediate disk 120 will rotate together with the shaft 110 relative to the annular plates 130 and 132. Both the top mounting member 130 and the bottom plate having central openings though which the shaft 110 will extend, but the intermediate disk 120 remains sandwiched between plates 130 and 132.
  • two rims 134 and 136 are stacked between the top and bottom annular plates 130 and 132, and surround the intermediate annular plate, member or disk 120.
  • the stack including the top annular plate 130, the top rim 134, the bottom rim 136 and the bottom annular plate 132 are bolted together, with the shaft 110 extending through central openings in the top and bottom annular plates 130 and 132.
  • the top and bottom rims 134 and 136 each have a larger central opening to provide room for the disk 120 as well as radially projecting portions of the shaft 110.
  • the shaft 110 When employed to swivel an implement, such as bucket 2, relative to a boom on an excavator or in similar situations, the shaft 110 will rotate relative to the mounting member in the form of the top annular plate 130, as well as relative to the plates 132, 134 and 136.
  • the implement can be attached to the implement attachment 119 in the form of a threaded connection at the lower end 118 of shaft 110.
  • Boom attachment 138 on the top annular plate or mounting member 130 is used to attach the swivel mount 102 to the main arm 4 of a boom 3 on the excavator or similar equipment. Since the shaft 110 is not connected directly to the boom 3, rotation of the shaft 110 will impart rotation to the attached implement, such as bucket 2, about the shaft axis 112.
  • Rotation is imparted to the shaft 110 by a hydraulic drive motor 180, which includes a drive gear 182.
  • Drive gear 182, shown in Figure 21 engages the driven gear 122 which extends around the circumference of the disk 120 as shown in Figure 1 1.
  • the hydraulic drive motor 180 is mounted on the top of the mounting member or top annular plate 130.
  • the drive gear 182 is mounted on a shaft extending from the hydraulic drive motor 180 through an opening 131 on top plate 130, which is aligned with an inwardly facing recess 135 on the top rim plate 134.
  • the inwardly facing recess 135 provides space for the drive gear 182 which will engage the driven gear 122 on disk 120.
  • Rotation of the drive gear 122 will thus cause the shaft 110 to rotate in either direction and through as many partial or complete revolutions as needed to manipulate the implement, such as bucket 2.
  • the hydraulic drive motor 180 is connected to the hydraulic lines mounted on a boom for a piece of equipment, such as an excavator.
  • the hydraulic motor 180 does not rotate relative to the main arm 4 of the boom as the swivel mount 102 rotates the bucket 2, and therefore the hydraulic lines will not become entangled.
  • the standard boom hydraulic lines, not shown, are also attached to a hydraulic union 184 mounted on the top end 116 the shaft 110.
  • the passages 111 communicate with the hydraulic union 184 to permit hydraulic fluid to be transmitted through the shaft 110, and therefore to the swivel mount apparatus 102, so that hydraulic fluid can be supplied to a mechanism or implement mounted to the bottom of the shaft 110.
  • the hydraulic union comprises a conventional component that will allow rotation between two connected sets of hydraulic lines without entangling the lines.
  • a hydraulic tilt mechanism 170 will allow the implement to be tilted as well as swiveled by the swivel mount apparatus 102.
  • the tilt mechanism comprises two brackets 172 and 174 that can be rotated relative to each other about a pin 176 joining the two brackets at an upper end. Two pistons, not shown, would extend between the brackets 172 and 174 on opposite sides of the pin 170.
  • brackets 172 and 174 are attached to the swivel mount apparatus 102 and the other bracket 174 is attached to an implement, such as a bucket 2.
  • the bucket 2 can be tilted relative to the swivel mount apparatus 2, and the swivel mount apparatus 2 can still swivel the bucket 2 about and axis transverse to the tilt axis.
  • the tilt mechanism 170 is hydraulically driven by the same source of hydraulic pressure as the swivel mount apparatus 102, and the pistons comprising parts of the tilt mechanism 170 are connected to this source of hydraulic pressure without entanglement of the hydraulic lines by rotation of the swivel mount apparatus 102.
  • the implement such as the bucket 2
  • the implement can thus be positioned in almost any orientation by combined manipulation of the wrist joint 10, the swivel mount apparatus 102 and the tile mechanism 170 using the source of hydraulic pressure employed with an excavator or with a similar source of hydraulic pressure.
  • Other hydraulically mechanisms can also be employed in this system.
  • a snap mechanism can be mounted on a bucket 2.
  • a snap arm 186 can be attached to a bucket 2, and a snap piston 188 can extend between the snap arm 186 and a bucket mount. Hydraulic pressure can be applied to snap piston 188 to snap or jar the bucket 2 to dislodge debris, such as wet dirt that may stick to the sides of the bucket 2. The hydraulic lines extending through the shaft 110 and the swivel mount 102 would supply the pressure to activate piston 188.
  • Bearings are included in the swivel mount apparatus 102 to ensure that the shaft 110 and disk 120 can rotate relative to the top annular plate or mounting member 130, as well as with respect to the bottom annular plate 132 in the presence of relatively large loads that could be exerted on the swivel mount apparatus 102, either through the boom 3 or through the implement, such as bucket 2, attached to the opposite side of the swivel mount apparatus 102.
  • gear bearings 150 are employed to bear these loads that would be expected in the use of earth moving equipment or in similar activities where large loads or forces will be encountered. Gear bearings of this type are also shown in US Published Patent Application 2009/0097794, previously incorporated herein by reference.
  • Gear bearings 150 are located between the rotating disk 120 and the top annular plate 130. In the preferred embodiment, gear bearings 150 are also located between the disk 120 and the bottom annular plate 132, so that the disk 120 will be supported on both sides by gear bearings 150.
  • each gear bearing 150 comprises conical surfaces 152 on opposite ends of each gear bearing with peripheral bearing gears 154 extending between conical bearing surfaces 152.
  • the conical surfaces 152 will comprises the primary load bearing surfaces, and the bearing gears 154 will act to ensure that the gear bearings 150 will rotate under all anticipated operating conditions so that the bearings will not be damaged or will at least have a relatively long service life.
  • a number of gear bearings 150 are positioned in a circular array surrounding the shaft 110.
  • the gear bearings 150 are evenly spaced and are positioned in circular raceways extending around the shaft 110. In the preferred embodiment, gear bearings 150 are positioned above and below the disk 120. The gear bearings 150 on the upper side of disk 120 are positioned in inner first tapered raceway 141 and outer first tapered raceway 142 on the disk so that the conical bearing surfaces 152 engage the tapered surfaces on the upwardly facing first circular raceways 141 and 142. The same gear bearings 150 are also located between inner second tapered raceway 143 and outer second tapered raceway 144 along the interior side of the top annular plate 130. The conical bearing surfaces 152 engage the tapered surfaces on the first and second raceways 141-144 to bear the majority of the loads applied between the disk 120 and the top annular plate 130.
  • Gear bearings 150 located below the disk 120 reside in third inner and outer tapered raceways 145 and 146 on the lower surface of the disk 120 and also in the fourth inner and outer tapered raceways 147 and 148 on the bottom or third annular plate 132.
  • the gear bearings located above and below the disk 120 reside in the respective raceways in a similar manner, the angular position of the gear bearings 150 above disk 120 can be staggered relative to the angular position of the gear bearings 150 between the disk 120 and the third annular plate 132.
  • the shaft is replaced by a hydraulic union that is attached through a spacer to the implement of an intermediate mechanism such as the tilt mechanism.
  • the spacer is also attached to a one-piece disk that engages the gear bearings on the interior face between the top and bottom plates.
  • This hydraulic union is spaced from the central openings of the top and bottom plates and the supplemental gear bearings of the embodiment of Figure 9 are no longer needed.
  • the main gear bearings provide adequate vertical and horizontal support.
  • the swivel mechanism 202 of Figure 23 is an example in which a single piece rotor or disk 220 is supported by a series of gear bearings 250 located in circular rows above and below the rotor 220. Gear bearings 250 engage bearing raceways 240, as well as raceway gears 248.
  • Top a bottom plates 230 and 232 include raceways that engage opposite sides of the gear bearings 250.
  • Upper and lower center plates 234 and 236 are located between the top and bottom plates 230 and 232, and the center plates 234 and 236 extend around the periphery of the rotor 220.
  • a hydraulic union 234 is mounted on or affixed to the rotor 220 and permits hydraulic lines to extend through the swivel mechanism 202 so that hydraulic pressure can be delivered to implements attached at the lower end of the swivel mechanism 220.
  • An anti-friction bushing 290 can be positioned between the hydraulic union 284 and the edges of the central opening in top plate 230.
  • a spacer 210, attached to the rotor 220 can include mounting means for attaching implements or other actuators, such as a tilt mechanism similar to that employed with the second embodiment.
  • Figure 24 shows the rotor or disk 220.
  • a peripheral gear 222 extends around the rotor 220, and this peripheral gear 220 is driven by a drive gear, not shown but similar to drive gear 182, which is driven by a motor, not shown.
  • the rotor 220 is driven in the same way as the rotor or disk 120 and rotation of the rotor 220 will swivel or rotate implements attached to the swivel mechanism.
  • Inclined or conical raceway bearing surfaces 241 and 242 are located inboard of the peripheral gear 222. Similar raceway bearing surfaces are located on the opposite side of the rotor 220.
  • the swivel adapter mounts depicted in the three representative embodiments are intended for use with earth moving equipment in which relatively large loads must be resisted by the gear bearing assemblies employed therewith. Normally the angular velocity of the swivel mechanism for such earth moving applications will be relatively low, and high speed operation is not normally required. The emphasis is rather on withstanding the larger loads that might be encountered when used with implements such as an excavating bucket 2.
  • FIG. 25 and 26 show examples of other implements that may be substituted for bucket 2.
  • One of the plates 22 or 30 on the swivel adapter mount 20 is capable of rotating though angles of three hundred sixty degrees and greater. Continuous rotation in one direction makes the swivel adapter mount easily suited for use with an auger 90 of the type shown in Figure 25.
  • Auger 90 can be mounted on the rotatable inner plate 30, and the outer plate 22 can be rotated about the wrist joint of the excavating equipment until the outer plate 22 is horizontal. In this position rotation of the inner plate 30 will cause the auger 90 to dig into the ground, and appropriate movement of the boom 3 and arm 4 will advance the auger 90 as it digs a hole.
  • Figure 26 shows that a tree trimming device 92 can be mounted on the swivel auxiliary mount 20, A rotating shaft in the form of a router 94 can be mounted on the rotating inner plate 30. Hooks or grappling arms 96 can be mounted on the stationary outer plate 22. A tree limb may be grasped by the hooks 92 on opposite sides of the router 94. A means for moving the hooks 96, and the limb being grasped, linearly relative to the rotating router 94 will cause the router 94 to cut the limb, which can then be deposited in a suitable location by movement of the boom 3 where the hooks 96 will be opened to deposit the severed limb. Hydraulic cylinders 98 for opening and closing the hooks 96 are shown.

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

Abstract

Un support adaptateur pivotant peut être monté sur l'extrémité d'un bras d'un équipement d'excavation, comme une pelle hydraulique sur chenilles, ou sur une chargeuse pelleteuse. La rotation du support adaptateur pivotant va communiquer la rotation à un instrument, comme un godet, monté sur le bras. Cette rotation n'est pas possible avec un poignet traditionnel sur le bras d'une excavatrice ou d'une chargeuse pelleteuse. Lorsque le godet pivote au moyen du présent support adaptateur pivotant, une inclinaison peut être définie sur les côtés d'un fossé, en utilisant seulement la chargeuse pelleteuse ou l'excavatrice. L'instrument peut pivoter ou être incliné autour des axes transversaux, ou bien être manipulé par un poignet traditionnel.
PCT/US2010/001507 2009-05-22 2010-05-21 Support adaptateur pivotant permettant le montage d'instruments sur un équipement d'excavation WO2010134999A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21691009P 2009-05-22 2009-05-22
US61/216,910 2009-05-22
US34075410P 2010-03-22 2010-03-22
US61/340,754 2010-03-22

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WO2010134999A1 true WO2010134999A1 (fr) 2010-11-25

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2511777A (en) * 2013-03-12 2014-09-17 Maurice Lenane Excavator Bucket
WO2013192603A3 (fr) * 2012-06-22 2015-07-02 Mcdonald Jason Wayne Appareil d'excavation employant un adaptateur pivotant à paliers à engrenages dont les engrenages ont une épaisseur divergente

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5330242A (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-19 Lucky Sr Bobby D Rotatable hydraulic grapple
US20080016728A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2008-01-24 Cole Technology Limited Boom Assembly
US20090097794A1 (en) * 2005-03-24 2009-04-16 Darrell Grayson Higgins Gear Bearing

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5330242A (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-19 Lucky Sr Bobby D Rotatable hydraulic grapple
US20080016728A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2008-01-24 Cole Technology Limited Boom Assembly
US20090097794A1 (en) * 2005-03-24 2009-04-16 Darrell Grayson Higgins Gear Bearing

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013192603A3 (fr) * 2012-06-22 2015-07-02 Mcdonald Jason Wayne Appareil d'excavation employant un adaptateur pivotant à paliers à engrenages dont les engrenages ont une épaisseur divergente
GB2511777A (en) * 2013-03-12 2014-09-17 Maurice Lenane Excavator Bucket

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