Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COUPLER FOR COUPLING TO AN EXCAVATION TOOL
FIELD
[0001] The improvements generally relate to excavators and more particularly
relates to
couplers for coupling to excavation tools to such excavators.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An excavator is a heavy construction vehicle with a boom, a stick and
an
excavation tool such as a bucket, a rake, a ripper and the like which are
controllable through
a hydraulic system. It is generally known to use a coupler to removably couple
the
excavation tool to the stick. In practice, an excavation tool can be coupled
to the stick of the
excavator to accomplish a given task, and when that task is completed, the
excavation tool
can be uncoupled from the stick, allowing a different excavation tool to be
coupled to the
stick to accomplish another task.
[0003] It was known to power the coupler using the hydraulic system of the
excavator to
which the coupler is installed. Accordingly, some hydraulic fluid had to be
redirected from a
hydraulic system of the excavator towards a separate hydraulic cylinder which
could be
configured to move a part of the coupler between an open position and a closed
position as
desired. Although existing couplers were found to be satisfactory to a certain
degree, there
remains room for improvement.
SUMMARY
[0004] The inventors found that as hydraulic systems differ from one excavator
to another,
installing the coupler to the hydraulic system of a given excavator could be
complex thus
costly. For instance, in some cases, installing a coupler to a given excavator
could take 1.5
working days. Moreover, in some other cases, some hydraulic functions of the
hydraulic
system of the excavators had to be sacrificed to allow the powering of the
separate hydraulic
cylinder of the coupler.
[0005] In an aspect, there is described a coupler of the type for
coupling to an excavation
tool having a pair of brackets extending longitudinally and being
transversally spaced-apart
from one another. Each bracket having longitudinally spaced-apart first and
second coupling
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notches defined therein. In this aspect, the coupler has a frame which extends
longitudinally
between first and second end portions of the frame. The frame has a pair of
opposite, first
coupling protrusions which transversally protrude from the first end portion.
A pair of
opposite, second coupling protrusions is movably mounted to the frame wherein
each
second coupling protrusions transversally protrudes from the second end
portion in opposite
directions from one another. The coupler is provided with an electrical motor
which is
mounted to the frame and which is configured for selectively moving the second
coupling
protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position and a
closed position.
More specifically, in an embodiment, when in the open position, one of the
first and second
coupling protrusions are engageable in one of the first and second coupling
notches, with
the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions being out of
interference from the
other one of the first and second coupling notches. When in the closed
position, the other
one of the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged
against the other
one of the first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler
fixedly coupled
to the excavation tool.
[0006] While still providing a satisfactory force (e.g., above 2600 lbs
in at least some
embodiments) to couple the excavation tool to the stick, the inventors found
that the coupler
described here could be more easily installed to an excavator as electrical
connections to
the battery of the excavator can be straightforward and more easily
standardizable to all
excavators, which was not previously the case with burdensome hydraulic
connections.
[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a
coupler for removably coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets
extending
longitudinally and being transversally spaced-apart from one another, each
bracket having
longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein,
the coupler
comprising: a frame extending longitudinally between first and second end
portions, the
frame having a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions transversally
protruding from the
first end portion; a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions being
movably mounted to
the frame and transversally protruding from the second end portion; and an
electrical motor
being mounted to the frame and being configured for selectively moving the
second coupling
protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position, in
which one of the
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first and second coupling protrusions are engageable in one of the first and
second coupling
notches, the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions being out
of interference
from the other one of the first and second coupling notches, and a closed
position, in which
the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly
engaged against
the other one of the first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining
the coupler
fixedly coupled to the excavation tool.
[0008] Further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the electrical
motor can for example have a power supply port being connectable to an
excavator
electrical power supply.
[0009] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the
coupler can for example have an electric motor assembly comprising a support,
the electric
motor being mounted to the support, and a power conversion system being
mounted to the
support.
[0010] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the electric
motor can for example be configured to rotate a shaft, and the power
conversion system is
configured to convert a rotational movement of the shaft into a longitudinal
movement of the
second coupling protrusions, for longitudinally moving the second coupling
protrusions
between the open position and the closed position.
[0011] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the power
conversion system can for example have a longitudinally extending worm being
rotatable
upon rotation of the shaft by activation of the electric motor, and a worm nut
threadingly
engaged to the worm and being rotatably fixed relative to the worm, the worm
nut being
moved longitudinally upon rotation of the worm, the worm nut being mounted
relative to the
second coupling protrusions for longitudinally moving the second coupling
protrusions
between the open position and the closed position upon rotation of the worm.
[0012] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the shaft
and the worm can for example be separate parts being rotatably coupled to one
another via
a gear system.
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[0013] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the gear
system can for example have a plurality of gears being rotatably mounted
relative to the
frame, a first one of the plurality of gears being rotatably coupled to the
shaft, at least
another one of the plurality of gears being gearingly engaged to the first
gear and to the
worm.
[0014] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the
support can for example have a first support plate to which is fixedly mounted
the electric
motor, and a second support plate being fixedly mounted relative to the first
support plate
and extending perpendicularly to the first support plate, the plurality of
gears being rotatably
mounted to the second support plate.
[0015] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the shaft
and the worm can for example be longitudinally extending and transversally
spaced from
one another.
[0016] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the
coupler can for example have a base which is fixedly mounted to the second
coupling
protrusions, the base being biasingly engaged to the worm nut via at least one
biasing
member.
[0017] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the biasing
member can for example have at least one conical spring washer around the worm
nut,
longitudinally between the second coupling protrusions and the base.
[0018] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the frame
can for example have a seat being sized and shaped to snugly receive the
electric motor
assembly.
[0019] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the second
coupling protrusions can for example be opposite ends to a coupling bar
extending
transversally through the frame.
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[0020] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the frame
can for example have two longitudinally extending lateral walls from which the
first and
second coupling protrusions protrude, the lateral walls having an opening
through which the
second coupling protrusions protrude and inside which the second coupling
protrusions are
longitudinally movable.
[0021] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the
opening can for example have two longitudinally, opposite spaced-apart
stoppers configured
to stop a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions between the
open
position and the closed position.
[0022] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, the
opening can for example have two opposite longitudinally extending guide
members
configured for snugly guiding a longitudinal movement of the second coupling
protrusions
between the open position and the closed position.
[0023] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present
disclosure, each
bracket can for example have a third coupling notch defined between the first
and second
notches, the coupler further comprising a pair of opposite, third coupling
protrusions
transversally protruding from a middle portion of the frame, the third
coupling protrusions
being engaged to the third coupling notches when the first coupling
protrusions are engaged
to the first coupling notches and the second coupling protrusions are engaged
to the second
coupling notches.
[0024] In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a
coupler for removably coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets
extending
longitudinally and being transversally spaced-apart from one another, each
bracket having
longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein,
the coupler
comprising a frame extending longitudinally between first and second end
portions, the
frame having a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions transversally
protruding from the
first end portion; a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions being
movably mounted to
the frame and transversally protruding from the second end portion; and an
electrical motor
being mounted to the frame and being configured for selectively moving the
second coupling
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protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position allowing
engagement
between the coupler and the excavation tool, and a closed position, in which
the first and
second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged against respective first
and second
coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler fixedly coupled to the
excavation tool.
[0025] Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present
improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of
the instant
disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0026] In the figures,
[0027] Fig. 1 is a side view of an example of an excavation tool, in
accordance with one or
more embodiments;
[0028] Fig. 1A is a front elevation view of the excavation tool of Fig.
1;
[0029] Fig. 2 is an oblique view of an example of a coupler for coupling
to the excavation
tool of Fig. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0030] Figs. 3A and 3B are side views of the coupler of Fig. 1 during a
coupling operation
with the excavation tool of Fig. 1;
[0031] Figs. 3C and 3D are enlarged side views of the coupler of Fig. 1
during a coupling
operation with the excavation tool of Fig. 1;
[0032] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the coupler of Fig. 2, showing a
frame and an electric
motor assembly;
[0033] Fig. 5 is an oblique and partial view of the electric motor
assembly of Fig. 4, with a
few parts being omitted; and
[0034] Fig. 5A is a sectional view of the electric motor assembly of
Fig. 4, taken along line
5A-5A of Fig. 4.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The following disclosure describes examples of a coupler for coupling
to an
excavation tool of the type having brackets on top of it, for attachment to a
stick of an
excavator. As can be understood, the coupler can be removably or fixedly
attached to the
stick of the excavator, prior to coupling to the excavator tool. Such
attachment between the
stick and the coupler will be apparent to the skilled reader.
[0036] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an example of such an excavation tool
10. In this
example, the excavation tool 10 is a bucket 12. However, in other embodiments,
the
excavation tool 10 can be a rake, a ripper and any other suitable excavation
tool.
[0037] As shown in this example, the bucket 12 has a pair of brackets 14 which
both
extend longitudinally on a top portion 16 of the bucket 12. Each bracket 14
has a first
coupling notch 18a and a second coupling notch 18b (which may be referred to
as "the first
and second coupling notches 18a and 18b" herein). As depicted, the first and
second
coupling notches 18a and 18b are longitudinally spaced-apart from one another
by a
longitudinal spacing L in this example. As shown in this specific embodiment,
each bracket
14 has a third coupling notch 18c defined between the first and second notches
18a and
18b. As best seen in Fig. 1A, the brackets 14 are transversally spaced-apart
from one
another, thereby leaving a transversal spacing T.
[0038] Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown an example of a coupler
100 for coupling to
the bucket 12 described with reference to Fig. 1. As illustrated, the coupler
100 has a frame
102 which extends longitudinally between first and second end portions 104a
and 104b. The
frame 102 has a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions 106a which both
transversally
protrude from the first end portion 104a of the frame 102, but in opposite
transversal
directions.
[0039] As shown, a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions 106b is also
provided. In
this example the second coupling protrusions 106b transversally protrude from
the second
end portion 104b of the frame 102. As will be described below, the second
coupling
protrusions 106b are movably mounted to the frame 102.
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[0040] As can be understood, the first coupling protrusions 106a can
alternately protrude
from the second end portion 104b instead of protruding from the first end
portion 104a.
Similarly, the second coupling protrusions 106b can alternately protrude from
the first end
portion 104a instead of protruding from the second end portion 104b.
Accordingly, the first
and second end portions 104 and 104b are terms which can be used
interchangeably.
[0041] A pair of opposite, third coupling protrusions 106c is also
provided in this specific
embodiment. As shown, in this example, the third coupling protrusions 106c are
transversally protruding from a middle portion 104c of the frame 102. As will
be understood
from the following, the third coupling protrusions 106c can help in
maintaining the coupler
100 satisfactory coupled to the excavation tool 10. However, the third
coupling protrusions
106c are only optional, they can be omitted in alternate embodiments.
[0042] In this specific embodiment, the first coupling protrusions 106a
are opposite ends
to a first transversal member 108a which extends transversally through the
frame 102. The
second coupling protrusions 106b are opposite ends to a second transversal
member 108b
which extends transversally through the frame 102 when movably mounted
thereto.
Similarly, the third coupling protrusions 106c are opposite ends to a third
transversal
member 108c which transversally extends through the frame 102 as well. As
depicted in this
example, the first and third transversal members 108a and 108c are provided in
the form of
a pin member 112 fixedly mounted to two opposite lateral walls 110 of the
frame 102.
However, the second transversal member 108b is provided in the form of a
coupling bar 114
which is movably mounted to the two opposite lateral walls 110 of the frame
102.
[0043] The coupler 100 has an electrical motor 116 which is mounted to
the frame 102.
The electric motor 116 is configured for selectively moving the second
coupling protrusions
106b along a longitudinal orientation 118 between an open position and a
closed position in
order to allow the coupling of the coupler 100 to the excavation tool 10. An
example of the
electric motor 116 includes, but is not limited to, a 12 V rotary electric
motor (e.g., model
D1221GBXXCL, Thompson) and the like. Preferably, the electric motor has a
torque of at
least 70 lb-in, a speed of rotation of at least 80 RPM, and a reverse parallel
tree
configuration to provide compactness to the resulting coupler.
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[0044] As can be understood, the frame 102 can have a transversal dimension Td
which
is configured to snugly fit in the transversal spacing T of the excavation
tool 10. Moreover,
the first and second coupling protrusions can be spaced by a longitudinal
dimension Ld
which is configured to snugly fit in the longitudinal spacing L of the
excavation tool 10, when
measured with the second coupling protrusions in the closed position. In some
embodiments, the traversal dimension Td can range between 6 inches and 15
inches,
preferably between 7.81 inches and 10.75 inches whereas the longitudinal
dimension Ld can
range between 10 inches and 25 inches, preferably between 13.87 inches and 21
inches.
[0045] Figs. 3A through 3D show the coupler 100 in a coupling operation,
with Figs. 3C
and 3D being enlarged views of the second end portion 104b of the coupler 100
during the
coupling operation. As will be appreciated by the skilled reader, an
uncoupling operation can
be performed by performing the following steps but in a reverse order.
[0046] As depicted in Fig. 3A, the coupling operation begins in this
embodiment with the
coupler 100 being already attached to an excavator (not shown). More
specifically, an end
20 of the excavator stick 22 is attached to an attachment portion of the first
transversal
member 108a of the frame 102 of the coupler 100. An H link 24, which is
pivotably mounted
to the excavator stick 22 via a side link 26 and a tool cylinder 28, is
attached to an
attachment portion of the third transversal member 108c of the frame 102 of
the coupler 100.
[0047] As shown in this example, the excavator stick 22 is moved so as to
engage the first
coupling protrusions 106a of the first end portion 104a of the coupler 100 to
the first coupling
notches 18a of the excavation tool 10. The second end portion 104b of the
frame 102 of the
coupler 100 is then pivoted towards the excavation tool 10. With the second
coupling
protrusions 106b moved in the open position, the second coupling protrusions
106b are out
of interference from the second coupling notches 18b of the excavation tool
10, which allow
the second coupling protrusions 106b to move pass the second coupling notches
18b, and
ultimately reach the position shown in Figs. 3B and 3C.
[0048] From the position shown in Fig. 3C, the electric motor of the
coupler 100 can be
activated so as to move the second coupling protrusions 106b into the closed
position, which
can bring the second coupling protrusions 106b into engagement with the second
coupling
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notches 18b of the excavation tool 10, to reach the position shown in Fig. 3D,
in which the
second coupling protrusions 106b are pressingly engaged to the second coupling
notches
18b of the excavation tool 10, thereby maintaining the coupler 100 fixedly
coupled to the
excavation tool 10.
[0049] It will be understood that in alternate embodiments, the second
coupling
protrusions 106b can first be engaged with the second coupling notches 18b.
Then, with the
second coupling protrusions 106b being in the open position, the first end
portion 104a of the
frame 102 can be pivoted towards the excavation tool 10. In this case, the
first coupling
protrusions 106a are out of interference from the first coupling notches 18a
of the excavation
tool 10, which allow the first coupling protrusions 106a to move pass the
first coupling
notches 18a, and ultimately reach a suitable position for coupling. In this
position, the
second coupling protrusions 106b can be moved from the open position to the
closed
position, which will bring the excavation tool 10 in coupling with the coupler
100.
[0050] In any of the above-described two alternate coupling operations,
it is intended that
the third coupling protrusions 106c be engaged to the third coupling notches
18c when both
the first and second coupling protrusions 106a and 106b are engaged to
respective first and
second coupling notches 18a and 18b. Although only optional, the engagement
between the
third coupling notches 18c and the third coupling protrusions 108c can
conveniently increase
the stability of the coupling between the coupler 100 and the excavation tool
10.
[0051] As can be understood, the specific shapes of the first, second and
third coupling
notches 18a, 18b and 18c are not limited to the shapes shown in the
illustrated
embodiments illustrated herein. Similarly, the specific shapes of the first,
second and third
coupling protrusions 106a, 106b and 106c are not limited of the shapes
described in this
disclosure. It is intended that the shapes of the coupling notches 18a, 18b
and 18c and of
the coupling protrusions 106a, 106b and 106c can differ from one embodiment to
another
and still achieve their respective functions, e.g., to engage with one another
in a satisfactory
manner.
[0052] For instance, as best seen in Fig. 3D, the second coupling
notches 18b have a
convex actuate shape 30 which has a given slope relative to the longitudinal
orientation 118.
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Accordingly, in this example, it was found convenient to provide the second
coupling
protrusions 106b with a correspondingly sloped engagement surface 120, which
can
increase the surface of contact between the second coupling notches 18b and
the second
coupling protrusions 106b when engaged to one another.
[0053] Now referring to Fig. 4, an exploded view of the coupler 100 is
provided. As
depicted, the coupler 100 has an electric motor assembly 132 which includes a
support 134,
the electric motor 116 discussed above, and a power conversion system 136,
with both the
electric motor 116 and the power conversion system 136 being mounted to the
support 134.
An example of the power conversion system 136 is described further below with
reference to
Figs. 5 and 5A.
[0054] Still referring to Fig. 4, the electric motor assembly 132 has a
first cover 138a
covering the electric motor 116 and being fixedly mounted to the support 134.
As shown, the
first cover 138a has an opening 140 through which a power supply port 142 of
the electric
motor 116 is exposed. In this example, it was found convenient to sealingly
connect the first
cover 138a to the support 134 so as to avoid any fluid to reach the electric
motor 116. The
power supply port 142 can also have a seal 144 preventing fluid entry.
[0055] In some embodiments, the power supply port 142 can be connected to a
distal
power supply, such as a battery or battery pack, of the excavator to which it
is attached. In
these embodiments, the connection can be embodied by a power supply cable
which may
run along the excavator stick to ultimately reach an electrical power supply
of the excavator.
However, in some other embodiments, the power supply port 142 of the electric
motor 116
can be connected to a proximal power supply which is also mounted to the frame
102 of the
coupler 100.
[0056] The electric motor assembly 132 is also provided with a second cover
138b
covering the power conversion system 136 and being fixedly mounted to the
support 134. In
this example, the second cover 138b is also sealingly connected to the support
134 to
prevent fluid to reach the power conversion system 136.
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[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 102 is provided with a
seat 146 being
sized and shaped to snugly receive the electric motor assembly 132. As can be
understood
from the exploded view, the electric motor assembly 132 can be received in a
cavity 148
defined by the seat 146. The electric motor assembly 132 can be fixedly
mounted to the
.. frame 102 using fasteners 150 so that the electric motor 116 remains in a
fixed position
relative to the frame 102 of the coupler 100, regardless of whether the second
coupling
protrusions 106b are in longitudinal movement. In this embodiment, the
fasteners 150 are
used for safety purposes only, as electric motor 116 can be mounted to the
frame 102 via a
snug engagement between an interior surface 152 of the seat 146 and the
exterior surface
.. of the electric motor assembly 154.
[0058] The two longitudinally extending lateral walls 110 of the frame
102 each have a
corresponding opening 156 through which the second coupling protrusions 106b
protrudes.
As can be understood, the longitudinal movement of the second coupling
protrusions 106
can be defined by one or more inside surfaces of these openings 156.
[0059] As such, each opening 156 has two longitudinally, opposite spaced-apart
stoppers
158 which are configured to stop a longitudinal movement of the second
coupling
protrusions 106b between the open position and the closed position.
[0060] Moreover, in this example, each opening 156 has two opposite
longitudinally
extending guide members 160 configured for snugly guiding a longitudinal
movement of the
second coupling protrusions 106b between the open position and the closed
position.
[0061] Described with reference to Figs. 5 and 5A, the electric motor 116
is configured to
rotate a shaft 162, and the power conversion system 136 is configured to
convert a rotational
movement of the shaft 162 into a longitudinal movement of the second coupling
protrusions
106b. Accordingly, the second coupling protrusions 106b can be longitudinally
moved
between the open position and the closed position.
[0062] In this embodiment, the power conversion system 136 has two
longitudinally
extending worms 164 which are rotatable upon rotation of the shaft 162 by
activation of the
electric motor 116, and two corresponding worm nuts 166 which are threadingly
engaged to
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respective worms 164. Each worm nut 166 is rotatably fixed relative to the
corresponding
worm 164. Accordingly, when the worms 164 are rotated, the worm nuts 166 do
not rotate.
Instead, the worm nuts 166 are longitudinally moved via the threading
engagement
therebetween.
[0063] As such, the worm nuts 166 are moved longitudinally upon rotation of
the worms
164. More specifically, when the worms 164 are rotated in a first direction of
rotation, upon
rotation of the shaft 162 in a given direction of rotation, the worm nuts 166
are moved in a
first longitudinal direction. However, when the worms 164 are rotated in an
opposite, second
direction of rotation, upon rotation of the shaft 162 in an opposite direction
of rotation as well,
the worm nuts 166 are moved in an opposite, second longitudinal direction.
[0064] As shown, each worm nut 166 is mounted, directly or indirectly,
relative to the
second coupling protrusions 106b in a manner that, upon rotation of the worms
164, and
longitudinal movement of the worm nuts 166, the second coupling protrusions
106b be
correspondingly moved along the longitudinal orientation 118, along either one
of the
longitudinal directions, between the open position and the closed position.
[0065] In this example, the power conversion system 136 includes two worms 164
and
two corresponding worm nuts 166. However, in other embodiments, the power
conversion
system 136 can have one or more combinations of worms 164 and worm nuts 166.
[0066] Referring specifically to Fig. 5, the shaft 162 and the worms 164
are provided as
separate parts which are rotatably coupled to one another via a gear system
168. However,
it is noted that the gear system 168 is only optional. In alternate
embodiments, the gear
system 168 is omitted as a shaft which is threaded, and configured for
threadingly receive a
worm nut to achieve a similar result. In other words, in these embodiments,
the worm and
the shaft are made integral to one another, which thereby render the gear
system 168
optional.
[0067] The gear system 168 is fixedly mounted relative to the frame 102, and
incorporates
a set of gears 170 which are rotatably mounted relative to the frame 102. For
instance, the
gears 170 can be rotatably mounted to the support 134. As shown, a first one
of the plurality
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of gears 170 (hereinafter "the first gear 170a") is rotatably coupled to the
shaft 162.
Accordingly, when the shaft 162 rotates, the first gear 170a rotates as well.
One or more of
the other gears 170 are gearingly engaged to the first gear 170a and to the
worms 164.
Accordingly, a rotational movement imparted by the shaft, upon activation of
the electric
motor, can cause a corresponding rotational movement of the worms 164, and
ultimately a
longitudinal movement of the worm nuts 166 and of the second coupling
protrusions 106b.
[0068] The illustrated embodiment shows that the first gear 170a and the shaft
162 are
two separate parts which are fixedly mounted to one another. However, in some
other
embodiments, the first gear 170a can be made integral to the shaft 162 and
still achieve the
above-described function.
[0069] Referring back to Fig. 4, the support 134 is shown with a first
support plate 134a
and a second support plate 134b perpendicular to the first support plate 134a.
In this
example, the electric motor 116 is fixedly mounted to the first support plate
134a whereas
the gear system 168 of the power conversion system 136 is mounted to the
second support
plate 134b.
[0070] The second support plate 134b is best seen in Fig. 5. As shown, the
second
support plate 134b has a projecting part 172 which is inserted inside an
opening of the first
support plate (not shown), to project on a same level than the electric motor
116. As shown,
a rotational movement occurring on one side of the first support plate 134a,
adjacent the
electric motor 116, can be transferred into a rotational movement occurring on
the other side
of the first support plate 134a, adjacent the worms 134a.
[0071] It was also found convenient to provide the shaft 162 and the
worms 164 parallel to
one another, aligned with the longitudinal orientation 118 of the frame 102.
However, in
some other embodiments, the shaft 162 and the worms 164 may not longitudinally
extend
alongside each other.
[0072] The worm nuts 166 can be directly or indirectly mounted to the second
coupling
protrusions 106b. For instance, Fig. 5A shows an embodiment where the second
coupling
protrusions 106b are indirectly mounted to the worm nuts 166. More
specifically, in this
CA 3061934 2019-11-15
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example, the coupling bar 114 which carries the second coupling protrusions
are fixedly
mounted to a base 174 which is itself biasingly engaged to the worm nuts 166
via one or
more biasing members 176. Examples of such biasing members 176 can include,
but is not
limited to, spring(s), leaf spring(s) and the like. However, in this specific
embodiment, it was
found convenient to provide the biasing members 176 in the form of one or more
conical
spring washers 178 (also known as Belleville washers) around each worm nut
166,
longitudinally between the coupling bar 114 and the base 174. Accordingly,
when the second
coupling protrusions 106b are pressingly engaged to the second coupling
notches 18b, the
conical spring washers 178 can absorb forces that may be applied on the
excavation tool 10
during use, and still maintain the coupling between the excavation tool 10 and
the coupler
100.
[0073] The materials of the components of the coupler 100 can differ from one
embodiment to another. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame
110 is made
of a plurality of parts formed out of a metal sheet, having a thickness of at
least 0.2 inches,
preferably about 0.3 inches and most preferably 0.5 inches, and welded or
otherwise
connected to one another in a manner that the resulting frame is sturdy. The
coupling bar
114 can have a thickness of at least 0.4 inches, preferably at least 0.5
inches and most
preferably at least 0.71 inches. The first and second support plates 134a and
134b can have
a thickness of at least 0.3 inches, preferably at least 0.4 inches and most
preferably 0.55
inches. The first and third transversal member 108a and 108c can have a
diameter of at
least 25 mm, preferably at least 35 mm and most preferably at least 40 mm. The
first gear
170a can have a diameter of at least 0.15 inches, preferably at least 0.2
inches and most
preferably at least 0.25 inches. Examples of material includes, but is not
limited to,
aluminium, brass, copper, steel, tin, nickel, titanium and the like.
[0074] As can be understood, the examples described above and illustrated are
intended
to be exemplary only. For instance, although the illustrated electric motor is
a rotary electric
motor, the electric motor can be a linear actuator in alternate embodiments.
In such
embodiments, many of the parts described above may be omitted including the
gear system,
the worm, for instance. Moreover, the coupler can have more than only one
electric motor.
For instance, two or more electric motors can be used to move the second
coupling
CA 3061934 2019-11-15
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protrusions. Moreover, in some alternate embodiments, two or more electric
motors can be
used to simultaneously or sequentially move both the first and second coupling
protrusions
in opposite directions from one another, in such a manner so as to grip
respective first and
second coupling notches. The scope is indicated by the appended claims.
CA 3061934 2019-11-15
