WO2015090472A1

WO2015090472A1 - Implement tilting apparatus for an excavator

Info

Publication number: WO2015090472A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/077816
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stig Engström
Original assignee: Ommapo Ab
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: EP3084081A1; EP3084081B1; DK3084081T3

Abstract

An apparatus for an excavator for providing its implement with a tilting function, the apparatus comprising: - an implement coupling, which is rotatably connectable with an arm of the excavator, at a first connection portion at an implement end of the arm, via an attachment device, wherein the attachment device is arranged to enable the implement coupling to rotate about a tilt axis, and to pivot about a breakout axis, which extends at an angle to the tilt axis; and - a hydraulic cylinder assembly for breaking out and tilting the implement coupling, which hydraulic cylinder assembly is connectable with the arm at a second connection portion at a distance from the first connection portion, and which is connected with the implement coupling.

Description

IMPLEMENT TILTING APPARATUS FOR AN EXCAVATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for an excavator for providing its implement with a tilting function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art of digging it is desirable to be able to move the implement in any direction in order to perform complicated sequences of movement. The most advanced solution today is the tilting and rotating implement coupling apparatus, often called tiltrotator, which for instance is manufactured by

Engcon^®. A tiltrotator is an implement coupling apparatus, which has an arm coupling member arranged to be coupled to the wrist of an excavator arm, and an implement coupling member comprising the very implement coupling that engages with an implement, such as a bucket, a grabber, etc.

Consequently, the arm coupling member corresponds with the arm coupling of the implement, and the implement coupling member corresponds with the implement coupling of the excavator wrist. The tiltrotator furthermore comprises a rotator, interconnecting the coupling members with each other via a rotatable interface. The rotator is pivotally connected with the arm coupling member and rigidly connected with the implement coupling member. Additionally, the tiltrotator comprises, typically, two tilting cylinders, which are arranged between the arm coupling member and the rotator for tilting the implement. Thereby, the implement can be provided with a combined movement of rotation, tilting, and the ordinary movements provided by the ordinary excavator arm.

However, the tilting cylinders mounted at the sides of the arm

implement coupling member and the rotator sometimes prevent the excavator driver from working in narrow passages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to provide a solution providing the same movements but enabling work in more narrow passages.

To better address this concern, in a first aspect of the invention there is presented an apparatus for an excavator for providing its implement with a tilting function, wherein the apparatus comprises:

- an implement coupling, which is rotatably connectable with an arm of the excavator, at a first connection portion at an implement end of the arm, via an attachment device, wherein the attachment device is arranged to enable the implement coupling to rotate about a tilt axis, and to pivot about a breakout axis, which extends at an angle to the tilt axis; and

- a hydraulic cylinder assembly for breaking out and tilting the implement coupling, which hydraulic cylinder assembly is connectable with the arm at a second connection portion at a distance from the first connection portion, and which is connected with the implement coupling.

Consequently, the hydraulic cylinder assembly provides both the breakout function and the tilting function for the implement. Since the apparatus thus includes the implement coupling and the hydraulic cylinder assembly, and since the hydraulic cylinder assembly thus contains the traditional breakout cylinder and adds the tilting function, and is arranged between the arm and the implement coupling, it is possible to design the apparatus in a more compact way than the known tiltrotators.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the attachment device is pivotally attachable with the arm at said breakout axis, such that the breakout axis extends laterally of the arm.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly is connected with the implement coupling on at least one side of the attachment device for tilting the implement coupling by causing the implement coupling to rotate about the tilt axis. In a most simple embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder assembly is acting on the implement coupling at one side of the tilt axis. The combination of the breakout axis and the tilt axis of the attachment device enables breaking out and tilting in this way. In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a first hydraulic cylinder being connectable, at one end thereof, with the arm at said second connection portion, a second hydraulic cylinder, and two linkages, each connected with a respective one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders, wherein the linkages are connected with the implement coupling at opposite sides of the tilt axis, and wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend side by side between the second connection portion and the respective linkage. Thereby, each one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders provides the combined functions of breaking out and tilting the implement coupling.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, each linkage comprises first and second links, which are pivotally interconnected and pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder at a first end of each link, wherein a second end of the first link is pivotally connected with the

implement coupling, and wherein a second end of the second link is pivotally connectable with the arm at the implement end of the arm. This linkage provides both stability and movability to the apparatus.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the implement coupling comprises two connection members, each one of which is rotatably mounted at its ends, in parallel with the tilt axis, and pivotally connected with the respective first links, wherein the pivot axis of each connection member extends perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connection member.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a breakout cylinder connectable at one end thereof to the arm at the second portion, a first tilting cylinder, connected at a first end thereof to the implement coupling on one side of the tilt axis, and an interconnection linkage, wherein the breakout cylinder is pivotally connected at a second end thereof with the interconnection linkage, and wherein the first tilting cylinder is pivotally connected at a second end thereof with the interconnection linkage. According to this embodiment two cylinders, at least, are used where one provides the breakout function and the other provides the tilt function. In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a second tilting cylinder, pivotally connected, at a first end thereof, with the implement coupling at an opposite side of the tilt axis relative to the first tilting cylinder, and pivotally connected at a second end thereof to the interconnection member. With two tilting cylinders greater tilt forces can be handled.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a centre rod arranged between the first and second tilting cylinders, and pivotally connected at one end of the centre rod with the hydraulic cylinder at its second end, and pivotally connected at the other end of the centre rod with an intermediate shaft, which in turn is rotatably connected with the implement coupling, wherein a longitudinal axis of the intermediate shaft is aligned with the tilt axis. The centre rod increases the breakout force that can be provided by the apparatus, and/or relieve the breakout load on the tilting cylinders.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the first and second tilting cylinders, the centre rod, and the hydraulic cylinder are interconnected via a common interconnection shaft.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the

interconnection linkage is pivotally connected with the arm at the implement end of the arm.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the

interconnection linkage comprises first and second side links, which are pivotally connected with the first and the second tilting cylinders, respectively, and which are pivotally connected with the arm at the implement end of the arm, and wherein the interconnection linkage comprises a centre link pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder at its second end, and with the arm between the connections of the first and second side links.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the implement coupling comprises two connection elements, which are rotatably mounted at their ends, in parallel with the tilt axis, and pivotally connected with the respective first and second tilting cylinders, wherein the pivot axis of each connection element extends perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connection element.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the implement coupling comprises a rotation device, having an implement coupling part arranged to be coupled to an implement, and an arm coupling part arranged to be coupled to the arm, wherein the implement coupling part and the arm coupling part are rotatable relative to each other about an implement rotation axis, wherein the arm coupling part comprises the attachment device, and wherein the implement rotation axis extends at an angle to the rotation axis of the attachment device. Thereby, the implement is provided with a full rotation operation comparable to that of the tiltrotators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an excavator equipped with an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Figs. 2 to 5 are perspective views of the embodiment of Fig. 1 mounted at an excavator arm;

Figs. 6 to 8 are perspective views of another embodiment of the apparatus mounted at the arm; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a further embodiment of the apparatus mounted at the arm. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The apparatus according to this invention is intended to be used at an excavator. For the purposes of this application, the term excavator is to be widely interpreted as any construction machine that has a hydraulically controllable arm able to carry some kind of hydraulically controllable implement for performing digging, moving material, and the like.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a first embodiment of the apparatus 4 for an excavator 1 for providing its implement 3 with a tilting function, generally comprises an implement coupling 5, which is rotatably connectable with an arm 2 of the excavator 1 , at a first connection portion 6 at an implement end 7 of the arm 2. The apparatus further comprises a hydraulic cylinder assembly 8 for breaking out and tilting the implement coupling 5. The hydraulic cylinder assembly 8 is connected with the implement coupling 5, and it is connectable with the arm 2 at a second connection portion 9 at a distance from the first connection portion 6, i.e. closer the body of the excavator 1 .

Furthermore, the implement coupling is connectable via an attachment device 1 1 , which is arranged to enable the implement coupling 5 to rotate about a tilt axis 12, and to pivot about a breakout axis 13, which extends at an angle, in this embodiment perpendicular, to the tilt axis 12. Thus, the attachment device 1 1 is pivotally attachable with the arm 2 at said breakout axis 13, such that the breakout axis 13 extends laterally of the arm 2.

The hydraulic cylinder assembly 8 is connected with the implement coupling 5 on at both sides of the attachment device 1 1 for tilting the implement coupling 5 by causing it to rotate about the tilt axis 12. More particularly, the hydraulic cylinder assembly 8 comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 14, which is connectable, and in the figures connected, at one end 15 thereof, with the arm 2 at said second connection portion 9, a second hydraulic cylinder 16, which is connectable, at one end 17 thereof, with the arm 2 at the second connection portion 9, and two linkages 18, 19, each connected with a respective one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders 14, 16 at the other ends 20, 21 thereof. The linkages 18, 19 are connected with the implement coupling 5 at opposite sides of the tilt axis 12, and the first and second hydraulic cylinders 14, 16 extend side by side between the second connection portion 9 and the respective linkages 18, 19. Each linkage 18, 19 comprises a first link 22, 23, and a second link 24, 25, which are pivotally interconnected, and also pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder 14, 16 by means of a common shaft 26, 27 at first ends of the first and second links 22, 23, 24, 25. A second end of the first link 22, 23 is pivotally connected with the implement coupling 5, and more particularly with a connection member 28, 29 comprised in the implement coupling 5. The connection member 28, 29 is rotatably journalled at its ends. According to an alternative embodiment, the connection members comprises spherical plain bearings. A second end of the second link 24, 25 is pivotally connectable with the arm at the implement end 7 of the arm 2, via a pivot shaft 30 (only one is visible in the figures). The longitudinal axes of the connection members 28, 29 extend in parallel with the tilt axis 12.

When the hydraulic cylinder assembly 8 is operated, the first and second hydraulic cylinders 14, 16 are operated both for breaking out movement and for tilting movement of the implement 3. For instance, if both the first and the second hydraulic cylinders are extended simultaneously, a pure breaking out movement is obtained, where the implement 3 is bent inwards, or towards the excavator body. This has been done between the implement position of Fig. 1 and the implement position of Fig. 4. If only one hydraulic cylinder 14, 16 is extended or retracted, or if both hydraulic cylinders 14, 15 are simultaneously extended or retracted, but one of the hydraulic cylinders is extended or retracted faster than the other hydraulic cylinder, then the implement 3 is both broken out and tilted. Finally, if the hydraulic cylinders 14, 16 are simultaneously operated in opposite directions, and at the same speed, the implement 3 is merely tilted.

For instance, originating from the position of Fig. 1 , if the first hydraulic cylinder 14 is extended and the second hydraulic cylinder 16 is not operated, then the first and second links 22, 24 of the associated linkage 18 are pivoted at all connections, the connection member 28 is rotated relative to the rest of the implement coupling 5, the other connection member 29 is rotated as well, and the attachment device 1 1 is rotated about the tilt axis 12 and pivoted about the breakout axis. Then the implement 3 arrives at the position shown in Fig. 2. Due to modern control systems, these advanced movements are possible to perform by means of the present apparatus with an anticipated result.

In addition to the operations described above, the apparatus according to this first embodiment is provided with a rotation part for rotating the implement 3 about a further axis. The implement coupling 5 comprises a rotation device 32, having an implement coupling part 33 arranged to be coupled to the implement 3, and an arm coupling part 34 arranged to be coupled to the arm 2, as shown in Fig. 4. The implement coupling part 33 and the arm coupling part 34 are rotatable relative to each other about an implement rotation axis 35, wherein the arm coupling part 34 comprises the attachment device 1 1 . The implement rotation axis 35 extends at

perpendicular to the rotation axis, i.e. the tilt axis 12, of the attachment device 1 1 . However, the rotation device 32 is optional, and can be omitted if undesired. The need varies between different excavators.

According to a second embodiment 40 of the present apparatus, the hydraulic cylinder assembly 41 comprises a breakout cylinder 42 connectable at one end 43 thereof to the arm 2 at the second portion 9, a first tilting cylinder 44, connected at a first end 45 thereof to the implement coupling 5 on one side of the tilt axis 12, and an interconnection linkage 46, wherein the breakout cylinder 42 is pivotally connected at a second end 47 thereof with the interconnection linkage 46, and wherein the first tilting cylinder 44 is pivotally connected at a second end 48 thereof with the interconnection linkage 46. Furthermore, the hydraulic cylinder assembly 41 comprises a second tilting cylinder 49, which similarly to the first tilting cylinder 44 is pivotally connected with the implement coupling 5, though at an opposite side of the tilt axis 12 relative to the first tilting cylinder 44, and pivotally connected to the interconnection linkage 46. The first and second tilting cylinders 44, 49, and the breakout cylinder 42 are interconnected via a common

interconnection shaft 52. Furthermore, the interconnection linkage 46 is pivotally connected with the arm at the implement end 7 of the arm 2.

The interconnection linkage 46 comprises first and second side links 53, 54, which are pivotally connected with the first and the second tilting cylinders 44, 49, respectively, and which are pivotally connected with the arm 2 at the implement end 7 of the arm 2. More particularly, the side links 53, 54 are connected with the tilting cylinders 44, 49 via the interconnection shaft, i.e. the side links 53, 54 are connected with the interconnection shaft 52 next to the first and the second tilting cylinders 44, 49, respectively. Furthermore, the interconnection linkage 46 comprises a centre link 55 pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder 42 at its second end, via the interconnection shaft 52, and with the arm 2 between the connections of the first and second side links 53, 54. The hydraulic cylinder 42 has a conventional U-shaped end piece 56 with holes for the interconnection shaft 52 in the legs of the U, wherein the end of the centre link 55 is received between the legs, but as for other parts of the apparatus, other alternatives are feasible.

The implement coupling 5 comprises two connection elements 57, 58, which are rotatably mounted at their ends, in parallel with the tilt axis 12, and pivotally connected with the respective first and second tilting cylinders 44, 49, wherein the pivot axis of each connection element 57, 58 extends perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connection element 57, 58.

In this second embodiment, the large hydraulic cylinder 42 has the single function of breaking out the implement coupling 5, and thus the implement 3, while the first and second tilting cylinders 44, 49 provide the tilting movements. The control of the implement movements is slightly simplified relative to the first embodiment, while the tilting cylinders 44, 49 are more difficult to manufacture due to the requirements of both high forces, i.e. breakout and tilting forces in combination, and their relatively small size in order to fit between the interconnection linkage 46 and the implement coupling 5.

Like in the first embodiment, the apparatus preferably additionally comprises a rotation device 59 comprised in the implement coupling 5, as in the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the present apparatus, shown in Figs. 9 and 10, is similar to the second embodiment, except for some additional parts. Thus the hydraulic cylinder assembly 60 comprises a breakout cylinder 61 , first and second tilting cylinders 62, 63, and an interconnection linkage 64 comprising similar pars as in the second embodiment. These parts are interconnected in the same way as in the second embodiment. Additionally, the hydraulic cylinder assembly 60 comprises a centre rod 65 arranged between the first and second tilting cylinders 62, 63, and pivotally connected at one end of the centre rod 65 with the hydraulic cylinder 61 at its second end, and more particularly with their common interconnection shaft 66, and pivotally connected at the other end of the centre rod 65 with an intermediate member 67, arranged between the connection elements 68, 69. The intermediate member 67, like the connection elements 68, 69, is rotatably connected with the implement coupling 70, wherein a longitudinal axis of the intermediate shaft is aligned with the tilt axis.

The centre rod 65 relieve the tilting cylinders 62, 63 of the breaking out force applied to the implement coupling 70 by the hydraulic cylinder, or breakout cylinder 61 .

Like in the first embodiment, the apparatus preferably additionally comprises a rotation device 71 comprised in the implement coupling 70, as in the first embodiment.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for an excavator for providing its implement with a tilting function, the apparatus comprising:

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is pivotally attachable with the arm at said breakout axis, such that the breakout axis extends laterally of the arm.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly is connected with the implement coupling on at least one side of the attachment device for tilting the implement coupling by causing the implement coupling to rotate about the tilt axis.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a first hydraulic cylinder being connectable, at one end thereof, with the arm at said second connection portion, a second hydraulic cylinder, and two linkages, each connected with a respective one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders, wherein the linkages are connected with the implement coupling at opposite sides of the tilt axis, and wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend side by side between the second

connection portion and the respective linkage.

5. the apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each linkage comprises first and second links, which are pivotally interconnected and pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder at a first end of each link, wherein a second end of the first link is pivotally connected with the implement coupling, and wherein a second end of the second link is pivotally connectable with the arm at the implement end of the arm.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the implement coupling comprises two connection members, each one of which is rotatably mounted at its ends, in parallel with the tilt axis, and pivotally connected with the respective first links, wherein the pivot axis of each connection member extends perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connection member.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a breakout cylinder connectable at one end thereof to the arm at the second portion, a first tilting cylinder, connected at a first end thereof to the implement coupling on one side of the tilt axis, and an interconnection linkage, wherein the breakout cylinder is pivotally connected at a second end thereof with the interconnection linkage, and wherein the first tilting cylinder is pivotally connected at a second end thereof with the interconnection linkage.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a second tilting cylinder, pivotally connected, at a first end thereof, with the implement coupling at an opposite side of the tilt axis relative to the first tilting cylinder, and pivotally connected at a second end thereof to the interconnection linkage.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly comprises a centre rod arranged between the first and second tilting cylinders, and pivotally connected at one end of the centre rod with the hydraulic cylinder at its second end, and pivotally connected at the other end of the centre rod with an intermediate shaft, which in turn is rotatably connected with the implement coupling, wherein a longitudinal axis of the intermediate shaft is aligned with the tilt axis.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second tilting cylinders, the centre rod, and the hydraulic cylinder are interconnected via a common interconnection shaft comprised in the interconnection linkage.

1 1 . The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the interconnection linkage is pivotally connected with the arm at the implement end of the arm.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 1 1 , wherein the interconnection linkage comprises first and second side links, which are pivotally connected with the first and the second tilting cylinders, respectively, and which are pivotally connected with the arm at the implement end of the arm, and wherein the interconnection linkage comprises a centre link pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder at its second end, and with the arm between the connections of the first and second side links.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the implement coupling comprises two connection elements (57, 58), which are rotatably mounted at their ends, in parallel with the tilt axis (12), and pivotally connected with the respective first and second tilting cylinders (44, 49), wherein the pivot axis of each connection element extends perpendicular to the rotation axis of the connection element.

14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the implement coupling comprises a rotation device, having an implement coupling part arranged to be coupled to an implement, and an arm coupling part arranged to be coupled to the arm, wherein the implement coupling part and the arm coupling part are rotatable relative to each other about an implement rotation axis, wherein the arm coupling part comprises the attachment device, and wherein the implement rotation axis extends at an angle to the rotation axis of the attachment device.