Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COUPLING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AN IMPLEMENT TO A WORKING
MACHINE
The present invention relates to a coupling
device. An implement of this kind, e.g. a so-called
combi-bucket, is normally coupled to a working machine with
the aid of a coupling arrangement that is designed to enable
coupling of the implement to be achieved from the operating
cabin of the working machine, so that the operator need not
leave the cabin to couple the implement manually. The
implement is normally maneuvered with the aid of pressure
fluid, normally a hydraulic fluid. Thus, it is not only the
implement that shall be coupled mechanically, but also the
hydraulic lines. Quick coupling devices with which
implements can be connected both mechanically and
hydraulically without manual assistance are known to the
art; cf., for instance, SE-443 437, SE-467 742
and Se-463 319.
When mechanically coupling the implement to the
machine, the respective implement-mounted and machine-
mounted coupling devices engage one within the other. A
relatively large clearance of about 20 mm is required, to
facilitate coupling of the implement. Such a large
clearance cannot be accepted when quick-coupling the
hydraulic couplings automatically, and consequently the
clearance must be eliminated or at least limited in some way
or the other. One possibility in this regard is to weld
guide shoulders on one of the coupling parts. This
solution, however, makes quick-coupling of the implement
difficult to achieve, since the operator must position the
coupling parts very precisely.
Against this background, it is an aspect of the
present invention to provide a coupling arrangement that
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will enable the coupling parts for the operating fluid to be
mutually coupled effectively and reliably without placing
high demands on the mechanical precision at which the
coupling parts are presented to one another.
A broad aspect of the invention provides a
coupling arrangement comprising a first coupling part
connected to a working machine and having first fluid
coupling means, and a second coupling part connected to a
working implement and provided with second fluid coupling
means, wherein the first coupling part includes drive means
for maneuvering the first fluid coupling means into
connection with said second fluid coupling means,
characterized in that the second fluid coupling means are
movable in the maneuvering direction; in that the drive
means have a length of stroke sufficient to move the first
fluid coupling means into contact with a second fluid
coupling means on the one hand and to move said second fluid
coupling means into abutment with abutment means via said
first fluid coupling means on the other hand; and in that
the arrangement includes at least one spring means which
functions to act on the said second fluid coupling means
with a spring force that is opposed to said maneuvering
movement.
Because the fluid coupling devices on the
implement-mounted coupling part are resilient in the
coupling direction, said devices, when no load acts on the
spring, may be orientated in a position in which there is no
risk of the mechanical machine-mounted coupling parts
striking against the implement-mounted fluid coupling parts
when mechanically coupling said coupling parts, even when
there exists a clearance in the order of 20 mm. In
conjunction with coupling the hydraulics, the implement-
mounted fluid coupling device is moved to its correct
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position against the action of the spring by said
maneuvering movement, wherein the implement-mounted fluid
coupling is pressed in said position into abutment with a
surface on the machine-mounted coupling part. This ensures
a rapid, positive and correct coupling, both mechanically
and hydraulically, without requiring the operator to leave
the driving cabin of the machine.
Resilient or sprung hydraulic coupling
arrangements are known in the art. For instance,
US-3 750 703 discloses a hydraulic coupling in which one
part is resiliently mounted. This part is resilient only in
a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction, for the
purpose of compensating for the case when the coupling
elements are not in register with one another. WO 90/10544
teaches a hydraulic coupling arrangement in which one
coupling part is resilient in the coupling direction. The
sole purpose of this arrangement is to provide a smooth
coupling action. No direct movement of the resiliently
mounted coupling element from a first to a second distinct
position is achieved with this arrangement.
A simple and effective embodiment is obtained when
resiliency is achieved with a mechanical spring, preferably
a compression spring.
An optimal distance of resilient or spring
movement is in the order of 20-50 mm, preferably 30-40 mm.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
invention is applied to a coupling arrangement with which
the hydraulic coupling connections of the machine-mounted
coupling part are disposed directly opposite and move
outwards towards inwardly facing connections on the
implement-carried part when effecting said coupling.
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In another preferred embodiment, the hydraulic
coupling connections of one or both parts are movable along
guide bars.
In a still further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein each of said
fluid coupling means includes a plurality of fluid coupling
elements each of which is connected to a fluid line.
In another further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein the spring device
is a mechanical compression spring device.
In another further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein the first fluid
coupling means includes at least one coupling arm on which
first fluid coupling elements are disposed and with which
said drive means is connected.
In a yet further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein the coupling arm
includes locking means for locking said first coupling part
to said second coupling part.
In a yet further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein said second fluid
coupling means include at least one coupling block on which
second fluid coupling elements are disposed and to which
said spring device is connected.
In another embodiment there is provided a coupling
arrangement as aforesaid, wherein said second fluid coupling
means are movable through a distance of 20-50 mm before
being stopped by said abutment means.
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In yet another embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein said distance
is 30-40 mm.
In another further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein said first and
said second coupling parts include first frame means and
second frame means which are spaced a short distance apart
when coupling said coupling parts, seen in the direction of
maneuvering movement; and wherein said second fluid coupling
means are arranged to be kept spaced from said first frame
means by a distance that is greater than said short
distance, calculated in the direction of maneuvering
movement.
In still another embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein said drive means
includes a fluid operated piston.
In still another embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein at least either
the first fluid coupling means or the second fluid coupling
means is guided on guides.
In a further embodiment there is provided a
coupling arrangement as aforesaid, wherein all of said
coupling means are duplicated and arranged in mirror-image
in relation to a symmetry plane passing through the coupling
parts, and wherein said maneuvering movement is an outward
movement in each direction from said symmetry plane.
The above preferred embodiments and other
preferred embodiments of the invention will be evident from
the following.
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The invention will now be described in more detail
with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof and also
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a stylized side view of a working
machine with which the invention is applied;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of parts of the
machine-mounted and implement-mounted coupling parts, with
said parts in an uncoupled state;
Figure 3 is a view corresponding to the view of
Figure 2 but showing a stage in which mechanical coupling of
said parts has begun;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the devices
shown in Figures 2 and 3 as seen in the opposite direction,
wherein the coupling devices are in mutually coupled non-
locked state but not hydraulically coupled;
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Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 in which the
coupling devices have been locked and hydraulically coupled;
Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the coupling devices in
the position shown in Figure 4; and
Figure 7 is a view corresponding to the view of Figure 6 but
with the coupling devices in the position shown in Figure 5.
The working machine 1 shown in Figure 1 has coupled thereto an
implement in the form of a hydraulic combibucket 2. The bucket
is maneuvered hydraulically from the driving cabin of the
machine_ Coupling and uncoupling of the implement 2 is also
effected from the driver's cabin. The remaining Figures
illustrate how the implement 2 is coupled to the arm of the
machine 1_
With the intention of providing an understanding of the inven-
tion, Figure 2 shows the vital parts of the machine-mounted
coupling part 3 and the implement-carried coupling part 4. The
machine-mounted coupling part 3 includes two side members each
20 , having an outer plate 5, 5a and an inner plate 6, 6a with a
space between. each of said plates, wherein an engagement pin
7, 7a is disposed in said space at the upper end thereof . The
two side members are interconnected by an upper strut 8 and a
connecting element 9 mounted at the bottom of said side
25 members. Mounted in the connecting element 9 is a double-acting
hydraulic cylinder 10 which is operated from the driving cabin
of the machine through hydraulic lines 11. The hydraulic
cylinder 10 is connected to a coupling arm 12, 12a in each
direction through the medium of respective piston rods 24, 24a.
30 (It will be noted that, for the sake of illustration, the
coupling arm 12 shown to the right in the Figure is shown
laterally displaced from its actual position. The coupling arm
would actually be hidden by the inner plate 6). A locking
plunger 13, 13a and hydraulic coupling elements 14, 14a are
35 mounted on respective coupling arms 12, 12a, and the coupling
arm is controlled by a guide way. These components will be
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explained in more detail further on. Hydraulic lines 15, 15a
extend to the hydraulic coupling elements 14, 14a.
The implement-mounted coupling part 4 has provided on each side
thereof an gripping arm 16, 16a, each of which has a hook 17,
17a at its top end. Extending between the two gripping arms 16,
16a is a pair of guide rails 28, 29 on which a coupling block
18, 18a located adjacent each gripping arm 16, 16a can move and
on which the hydraulic coupling elements 19, 19a are mounted.
Compression springs 20, 20a are disposed between each coupling
block 18, 18a and respective gripping arms 16, 16a (of which
springs those on the left side of the Figure are hidden from
view. )
Figure 3 illustrates how the hooks 17, 17a of the respective
gripping arms 16, 16a of the implement-mounted part are hooked
around respective engagement pin 7, 7a on the side members of
the machine-mounted part when coupling said parts together. The
machine-mounted coupling part 3 is then swung from the
illustrated position in towards the implement-mounted coupling
part in the direction of the arrows, to a coupled position in
which the imt~lement is ready to be locked and the hydraulics
connected. In order for hooking of the parts illustrated in
Figure 3 to be possible from the driving cabin in practice, it
is necessary for the space between each plate pair on the
machine-mounted coupling part to be slightly larger than the
thickness of the hooks 17, 17a. It is therefore necessary to
tolerate a clearance of about 10-20 mm.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of part of the two coupling parts
subsequent tc said parts having been swung from the position
shown in Figure 3 to a position in which they are firmly locked
and the hydraulics connected. This view shows the components
from the other direction, i.e. rearwardly from Figure 2 and
Figure 3.
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The gripping arm 16 is shown in a position in
which its lower part projects in between the outer and inner
side plates 5 and 6 on the machine-mounted coupling part.
In this position, a hole 21 in the gripping arm 16 is
located opposite holes 22 and 23 provided in the inner and
outer side plates respectively. The locking plunger 13
extends into the hole 22 in the inner side plate 6. The
guides 28, 29 on the implement-mounted coupling part are
situated so as not to contact the inner plate 6. The
pressure springs 20 keep the coupling block 18, which is
movably mounted on the guides and carries the hydraulic
coupling elements 19, at a sufficiently large distance from
the griping arm 16 to ensure that the inner side plate will
not strike against the coupling block 18 during the coupling
movement illustrated in Figure 3, and leave a safe distance
thereto.
The coupling arm 12 carries the hydraulic coupling
elements 14 (hidden in this Figure by the coupling arm)
connected to the hydraulic lines 15, and the locking
plunger 13 is movable along guide ways (hidden in Figure 4)
and is maneuvered with the aid of the piston rod 24
projecting from the hydraulic cylinder and connected to the
coupling arm 12.
When coupling together the aforesaid coupling
parts, the hydraulic cylinder 10 is activated so as to press
the piston rod 24 outwards and move the coupling arm 12 in
the arrowed direction. The locking plunger 13 will
therewith be pressed through the hole 21 in the gripping
arm 16 and the hole (hidden in this Figure) in the outer
plate 5, so as to lock the implement-mounted coupling part
mechanically through the machine-mounted coupling part. At
the same time, the hydraulic coupling elements 14 will move
towards corresponding hydraulic coupling elements 19 on the
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coupling block 18 and be brought into engagement with one
another. The hydraulic coupling elements are of the male
and female kind, wherein the female elements are disposed on
the machine-mounted coupling part in the illustrated
embodiment. When the hydraulic couplings are
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mutually connected, continued movement of the piston rod 24
will cause the coupling arm 12 to push the coupling block 18
~ forwards while overcoming the counterpressure force exerted by
the compression springs 20. The inner side plate 6 forms an
abutment surface for the coupling block 18, such as to
terminate the coupling movement, wherewith the hydraulic
connections are locked. This position is illustrated in Figure
5, in which abutment between the coupling block 18 and the
inner side plate 6 is marked symbolically with the distance A
diminished to zero.
The positions shown in Figures 4 and 5 are illustrated more
schematically in Figures 6 and 7, with the intention of illus-
trating the function of the described arrangement more clearly.
Thus, Figure 6 shows how the piston rod 24 is retracted in the
hydraulic cylinder I0, prior to having coupled the connection,
and therewith holds the coupling arm 12 in a rearwardly
retracted position in which the locking plunger 13 extends in
through the hole in the inner side plate and .the hydraulic
coupling elements 14 are located opposite corresponding
hydraulic coupling elements 19 on the implement-mounted
coupling part, although not in contact therewith.
In Figure 7 tine cylinder 10 has been placed under pressure and
the piston rod 24 is therefore extended to the left in the
Figure, wherein the coupling arm 12 has been dogged by the
piston rod and has moved the locking plunger 13 through the
hole in the gripping arm 16 and through the hole in the outer
side plate 5 such as to firmly lock said gripping arms, and has
also moved the hydraulic coupling elements 14 into coupling
engagement with the hydraulic coupling elements 19 and has
moved said hvdraulic coupling elements until the movement is
stopped by abutment of the coupling block 18 with the inner
side plate 6.
Figures 6 and 7 also show tine guide 25 -on which the coupling
arm 12 is guided and which are hidden in the other figures.
