WO2015193546A2

WO2015193546A2 - Tiltrotator device for a tool to be attached to the end of a utility machine's boom for rotating the tool around a rotational axis and for tilting the tool within a desired angular range

Info

Publication number: WO2015193546A2
Application number: PCT/FI2015/050435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tuomo SIHVO; Asko TOROPAINEN
Original assignee: Rotyx Oy
Priority date: 2014-06-18
Filing date: 2015-06-15
Publication date: 2015-12-23
Also published as: WO2015193546A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a tilting arrangement for a tool (20) attachable to the end of a boom (18) in a utility machine (21) for tilting the tool within a desired angular range. The arrangement comprises a tilting unit (1) which is attachable to the end of the boom (18) and which includes a body member (2) provided with coupling elements (3, 4) for attaching the body member in an articulated manner to the boom end. The body member (2) is formed with attachment flanges (5, 6), which are present below the coupling elements (3, 4) and which are provided with through-holes (7) defining a rotation axis (9). On the rotation axis is provided at least one torsion motor (10, 11), which includes at least one chamber portion (13) divided into two chamber volumes (13a, 13b) by means of a vane member (14) adapted to be reciprocally movable in the chamber portion. The vane member (14) is adapted to rotate an axle/stub axle (15) associated therewith around said rotation axis (9) in a reciprocating manner. To the tilting unit is connected directly or indirectly a desired tool (20) for tilting the same along with the reciprocating rotary motion of the vane member.

Description

Tiltrotator device for a tool to be attached to the end of a utility machine's boom for rotating the tool around a rotational axis and for tilting the tool within a desired angular range

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a tiltrotator device for a tool attachable to the end of a boom in a utility machine, especially an excavator, for rotating the tool around a rotation axis and for tilting the tool within a desired angular range. The invention further relates to a tilting arrangement for a tool attachable to the end of a boom in a utility machine, especially an excavator, for tilting the tool within a desired angular range. Prior art

It is prior known to provide excavators with a tiltrotator device attachable to the end of a boom for extending the reach of a bucket or some other implement used as an excavating tool and for increasing its motion freedoms. The utility machine making use of the device is for example an excavator, which can be a crawler excavator, wheeled excavator, a backhoe loader or a separate boom shovel. The utility machine can also be e.g. a hoist. With the help of a coupling unit, the device is fitted with an implement, for example a bucket. The primary functions of a tiltrotator device include lateral tilting and rotation. In addition, the implement can be fitted with hoist attachments, for example a gripper or a lifting hook, which are included in one and the same implement and do not require a driven actuator. In addition, the tiltrotator device can be provided with auxiliary means for passing hydraulics and a control signal from driving unit to driv- en unit. Such a device can also be manufactured solely in the form of a tilting or rotating device.

In commercially available tiltrotator devices, the tilting action is effected either with hydraulic cylinders or a piston-type hydraulic actuator. In a device designed with hydraulic cylinders there will be a problem caused by the width of an actuator due to the position of hydraulic cylinders, which leads to trouble especially in cramped jobsites. In particular, excavation operations carried out in cramped urban areas are troublesome if, because of the hydraulic cylinders, the width of a device exceeds that of a bucket. In addition, the protruding hydraulic cylinders increase the risk of damage or getting stuck, especially at extreme tilt angles. Due to the kinematics of a cylinder-type embodiment, the tilting force varies as a function of tilt angle and therefore the tilting force is weak in extreme positions of the device.

The piston-type hydraulic actuator is installed in the middle of a tiltrotator device, thereby managing to minimize the width of the device. However, the actual construction of the actuator results in an increased overall height of the device, which leads to a reduction of the excavator's breaking power and thereby a deterioration of digging performance. In addition, the actuator maintenance operations are inconvenient to carry out and the repair of possible defects requires a dismantling of the entire device.

Description of the invention

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved tiltrotator device, which enables a compact design and a tilting force that remains substantially constant in various tilt angle positions. In order to attain this goal, a tiltrotator device of the invention is characterized in that the body member is formed with attachment flanges, which are present below the coupling elements and at least one of which has associated therewith said at least one torsion motor; and that said at least one torsion motor is set in association with the attachment flange in a manner to enable accommodation of the rotator unit in a space left between the attachment flanges so as to be coupled with the axle/stub axle of said at least one torsion motor's vane member for tilting the rotator unit along with the reciprocating rotary motion of the vane member. A tilting arrangement of the invention, on the other hand, is charac- terized in that the body member is formed with attachment flanges, which are present below the coupling elements and at least one of which has associated therewith said at least one torsion motor; and that said at least one torsion motor is set in association with the attachment flange in such a manner that the tool coupling elements, or a separate rotator unit to which the tool is attachable, are capable of being accommodated in a space left between the attachment flanges so as to be coupled with the axle/stub axle of the vane member.

The arrangement of the invention enables a minimization of the external dimen- sions, i.e. width and height, essential from the operational standpoint. This is particularly in the case of using also a rotator device, the solution of the invention enabling accommodation of the rotator device in a space between the attachment flanges. The stub axles of a tilting device can be coupled directly to the body of the rotator device, whereby the tilt axis coincides with the rotator device and the as- sembly can be given a substantially lower height compared to a solution that employs a piston-type actuator in which the actuator must be disposed above the rotator device. The kinematics of a vane-type torsion motor ensures that the tilting force remains substantially constant regardless of tilt angle. In addition, by mounting a vane-type torsion motor on outer ends of the device and by constructing hy- draulic fluid supply passages required thereby inside the attachment flanges, the possible maintenance operations are easy to perform and the replacement of a possibly damaged torsion motor involves a lot less work than the replacement of a normal cylinder. The hydraulic fluid supply means for the chamber portion of a torsion motor are preferably designed as passages constructed inside the attachment flanges, thus avoiding the use of external hydraulic hoses in connection with the tiltrotator device, as well as the risks involved in such a use of hoses getting caught up. Drawings

The invention will now be described more closely with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: fig. 1 shows one prior art excavator in a schematic view of principle, fig. 2 shows a tiltrotator device, included in an arrangement of the invention, in a schematic lateral view of principle, fig. 3 shows one preferred embodiment for a torsion motor of the tiltrotator device in an anterior section view, fig. 4 shows the torsion motor of fig. 3 in a lateral view.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows one excavator 21 according to the prior art, which is provided with a bucket 20 attached to a boom 18 and a hydraulic cylinder 19 by way of a tiltrotator device 1. The arrangement according to the present invention is suitable for use e.g. in connection with such an excavator. The arrangement according to the invention can also be used for providing just a tilting motion, and instead of being an excavator, the utility machine can be e.g. a hoisting machine such as a telehandler or a fork-type lifter.

The tiltrotator device 1 shown in fig. 2 includes a body member 2, which is provided with coupling elements for attaching the body member 2 in an articulated manner to the end of a boom. In this example, the coupling elements comprise holes 3, 4 through each of which is passed a fastening pin (not shown), one of which extends through a respective fastening hole (not shown) present e.g. at the end of a boom 18 shown in fig. 1 and the other extends through a respective fastening hole (not shown) present at the end of an articulated arm mounted on the end of a hydraulic cylinder 19, thereby making up an articulated joint. The body member 2 is formed with attachment flanges 5, 6, which are present below the holes 3, 4 and each of which is provided with a through-hole 7, said holes coinciding with each other and defining a rotation axis 9. In the present embodiment, each attachment flange 5, 6 is accompanied by a hydraulic torsion motor 10, 11 whose output shaft 15 is located on said rotation axis 9. The torsion motor shown in fig. 3 comprises a downward converging body 12 in a circular segment resembling shape, which is connectable to the attachment flange 5, 6, e.g. with a bolted joint through fastening holes 23. Inside the body 12 is established a chamber portion 13, which is designed to resemble a downward converging circular segment and divided into two chamber volumes 13a, 13b by means of a vane member 14 adapted to be reciprocally movable in the chamber portion. The vane member 14 is mounted on the output shaft 15 present in a lower region of the chamber portion and rotates the output shaft 15 in a recip- rocating manner by delivering the pressure of hydraulic fluid by way of apertures 22a, 22b alternately into either chamber volume 13a, 13b. The vane member 14 is disposed on the output shaft 15 so as to place the vane member for the most part on one side of the output shaft 15. It is by means of this design of the body mem- ber and this arrangement of the output shaft and the vane member that enables, with an assembly of identical height, the generation of a greater force as compared to circular-shaped configurations in which the output shaft is present in the middle of a vane member. Instead of a one-piece vane member as presented, the vane member may also consist of two or more pieces, but in this may lead to a problem in the form of an increasing space demand, particularly in vertical direction. The embodiment shown in figs. 3, 4 is advantageous by virtue of a relatively modest height required thereby. The chamber portion 13 is preferably designed with a stopper surface 24, which establishes boundaries defining a maximum position for the vane member 14. The chamber portion 13 is closed with a lid 16, e.g. by means of fastening bolts (not shown). The hydraulic fluid supply means for the chamber portion 13 can be preferably designed as passages 25, 26 constructed inside the attachment flanges, thus avoiding the use of external hydraulic hoses in connection with a tilting unit and the risks of hoses getting caught up. The output shaft 15 is connected directly or indirectly to a desired tool for tilting the same along with a reciprocating rotary motion of the vane member 14. The tool or implement can be e.g. the bucket 20 of the excavator 21 shown in fig. 1. Between the tilting unit and the bucket can be a rotator unit. Fig. 2 shows a rotator unit 17 installed in a space between the attachment flanges. The rotator unit has its body mounted on the output shafts 15 of the torsion motors 10, 11 for tilting the rotator unit. The rotator unit includes a hydraulic rotation motor 29, driving a helical screw which is meshed with the complementary gear teeth of a slewing ring 27. The rotator unit 17 has the bucket 20 connected therewith by means of fastening pins 28. The rotation motor's drive brings about rotation of the slewing ring 27 in a desired direction and at the same time rotation of the bucket 20 around a vertical axis 32. It is by operating the torsion motors 10, 11 that the bucket 20 is enabled to tilt in a desired direction. The solution according to the invention enables the bucket to be tilted up to about ±70 degrees.

The torsion motor can be designed also in such a way that its chamber portion is integrated with an attachment flange by constructing the flange itself with said cavi- ty space, which is closed with a separate lid member. Conceivable is also a combined solution, wherein the flange is formed with a cavity space and outside the flange is disposed a separate body member, thereby enabling the width of a vane to be increased in a depth direction (in the direction of rotation axis) and thereby the torsional strength to be increased while just moderately increasing the overall width of the assembly.

The solution according to the invention enables a construction of the tiltrotator as a structure whose height is substantially lower than in the prior art solutions. Thus, the inclusion of a rotator device does not substantially compromise the breaking power and hence does not undermine the digging performance.

The number of chamber portions can also be more than one.

List of reference numerals

1 tiltrotator device

2 body member

3, 4 coupling elements

5, 6 attachment flange

7 through-hole

9 rotation axis

10, 11 torsion motor

12 body

13 chamber portion

13a, 13b chamber volume

14 vane member

15 output shaft/stub axle

16 lid

17 rotator unit

18 boom

19 hydraulic cylinder

20 bucket

21 excavator

22a, 22b hydraulic fluid flow port into chamber volume 13a, 13b fastening hole for torsion motor's flange stopper surface

, 26 hydraulic fluid supply passage

slewing ring

fastening pin

hydraulic motor for rotator device shaft clamping spline

seal

vertical axis

Claims

1. A tiltrotator device (1) for a tool (20) attachable to the end of a boom (18) in a utility machine (21) for rotating the tool around a rotation axis and for tilting the tool within a desired angular range, said device comprising a body member (2) which is attachable to the end of the boom (18) and which includes coupling elements (3, 4) for attaching the body member in an articulated manner to the boom end, said body member (2) being provided with at least one hydraulic torsion motor (10, 11) which has at least one chamber portion (13) divided into two chamber vol- umes (13a, 13b) by means of a vane member (14) adapted to be movable in a reciprocating manner in the chamber portion, said vane member (14) being adapted to rotate an axle/stub axle (15) associated therewith reciprocally around a rotation axis (9), said axle/stub axle (15) having operatively coupled therewith a desired tool (20) for tilting the tool along with a reciprocating rotary motion of the vane, said body member (2) being further fitted with a rotator unit (17), characterized in that the body member (2) is formed with attachment flanges (5, 6), which are present below the coupling elements (3, 4) and at least one of which has associated therewith said at least one torsion motor (10, 11); and that said at least one torsion motor is set in association with the attachment flange in a manner to enable ac- commodation of the rotator unit (17) in a space left between the attachment flanges so as to be coupled with the axle/stub axle (15) of said at least one torsion motor's vane member (14) for tilting the rotator unit along with the reciprocating rotary motion of the vane member (14).

2. A tiltrotator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one torsion motor (10, 11) is mounted as a separate unit on an external surface of the body member's (2) attachment flange (5, 6), said torsion motor (10, 11) having its axle/stub axle (14) adapted to extend through a through-hole (7) made in the attachment flange (5, 6).

3. A tiltrotator device according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber portion (13) of said at least one torsion motor is integrated with the attachment flange (5, 6) by constructing the flange (5, 6) itself with a cavity space in which is located said through-hole (7) for the axle/stub axle (15) of the vane member (14), said cav- ity space (13) being closed with a separate lid member (16).

4. A tiltrotator device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each attachment flange (5, 6) has a torsion motor (10, 11) associated therewith.

5. A tiltrotator device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one torsion motor is accommodated in a space between internal surfaces of the attachment flanges (5, 6).

6. A tiltrotator device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torsion motor has its chamber portion (13) designed to resemble a downward converging circular segment, and that the output shaft (15) is located in a lower region of the chamber portion.

7. A tiltrotator device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torsion motor has its chamber portion (13) designed with a stopper surface (24) which establishes boundaries that define a maximum position for the vane member (14).

8. A tiltrotator device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torsion motor has two more chamber portions.

9. A tiltrotator device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic fluid supply means for the torsion motor's chamber portion are designed as passages (25, 26) constructed inside the attachment flanges.

10. A tilting arrangement for a tool (20) attachable to the end of a boom (18) in a utility machine (21) for tilting the tool within a desired angular range, said arrangement comprising a tilting unit (1) which is attachable to the end of the boom (18) and which includes a body member (2) provided with coupling elements (3, 4) for attaching the body member in an articulated manner to the boom end, said body member (2) being provided with at least one hydraulic torsion motor (10, 11) which has at least one chamber portion (13) divided into two chamber volumes (13a, 13b) by means of a vane member (14) adapted to be movable in a reciprocating manner in the chamber portion, said vane member (14) being adapted to rotate an ax- le/stub axle (15) associated therewith reciprocally around a rotation axis (9), said axle/stub axle (15) having coupled directly or indirectly therewith a desired tool (20) for tilting the tool along with a reciprocating rotary motion of the vane, characterized in that the body member (2) is formed with attachment flanges (5, 6), which are present below the coupling elements (3, 4) and at least one of which has associated therewith said at least one torsion motor (10, 11); and that said at least one torsion motor is set in association with the attachment flange in such a manner that the tool fastening elements, or a separate rotator unit (17) to which the tool is attachable, are capable of being accommodated in a space left between the attach- ment flanges so as to be coupled with the axle/stub axle (15) of the vane member (14).

11. A tilting arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the hydraulic fluid supply means for the torsion motor's chamber portion are designed as pas- sages (25, 26) constructed inside the attachment flanges.