System for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines

Abstract

A system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines, which comprises: a fixing element (1) that fixes an adapter (2) to an edge (10) of a shovel of the earth-moving machine; and a wedge (3) placed in contact between the fixing element (1) and the edge (10), characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of sensors (4) arranged on the wedge (3) or on the fixing element (1) that detect at least one detection element (5) arranged in the other of the fixing element (1) or the wedge (3). It makes it possible continuously to detect and to monitor the position of the wedge relative to the fixing element without the need to check the position of the wedge visually.

Claims

1. A system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines, which comprises: a fixing element that fixes an adapter to an edge of a shovel of the earth-moving machine; and a wedge placed in contact between the fixing element and the edge, characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of sensors arranged on the wedge or on the fixing element that detect at least one detection element arranged in the other of the fixing element or the wedge.

2. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensors are magnetic field sensors.

3. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensors are metal sensors.

4. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one detection element is a magnet or a plurality of magnets.

5. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one detection element is an orifice or a plurality of orifices.

6. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 3, wherein said metal sensors are spirals printed on a printed circuit board.

7. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensors are connected to a control means that performs the calculations for determining the position of the wedge relative to the fixing element.

8. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one detection element is a magnet or a plurality of magnets.

9. The system for fixing an adapter for earth-moving machines as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one detection element is an orifice or a plurality of orifices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For the purposes of a better understanding of that which has been set forth, there are accompanying drawings which, schematically and solely by way of non-limiting example, show certain embodiments.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fixing of a tooth and an adapter to an edge of a shovel of an earth-moving machine;

(3) FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of the fixing of the tooth and the adapter of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view in cross section showing the fixing system of the present invention according to a first embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 is a view in cross section showing the fixing system of the present invention according to a second embodiment; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a view in cross section showing the fixing system of the present invention according to a third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an edge 10 of a shovel of an earth-moving machine on which is fixed an adapter 2, a tooth 11 of an earth-moving machine being fixed to the front end thereof.

(8) The adapter 2 is fixed to the edge 10 of the shovel by means of a fixing element 1 with a C cross section, as shown in FIG. 2, and a wedge 3 placed in contact between the fixing element 1 and the edge 10.

(9) In order to detect the position of the wedge 3 relative to the fixing element 1, the fixing system comprises a plurality of sensors 4 that detect at least one detection element 5.

(10) The data on detection of the position of the wedge 3 are sent to a control means 6 that may be placed in the actual fixing system, for example on the wedge 3 or on the fixing element 1, and this control means 6 may be connected to an external processor, by cable or wirelessly, for example, to a cell phone provided with a specific app, indicating the position and possible changing of the wedge 3 to the user.

(11) Three different embodiments of the fixing system according to the present invention are shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

(12) In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the sensors 4 are placed on the wedge 3 vertically and are magnetic sensors, and the fixing element 1 comprises a plurality of magnets that are likewise placed vertically, these being the detection elements 5.

(13) It should, however, be pointed out that the sensors 4 could be placed on the fixing element 1 and the detection elements 5 could be placed on the wedge, as the detection effect would be the same.

(14) In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sensors 4 are likewise placed vertically on the wedge 3 and are metal detection sensors, for example, a plurality of spirals printed on a printed circuit board which is arranged vertically. For its part, the detection element 5 is an orifice made in the fixing element 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control means 6 is placed on the wedge 3.

(15) The third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is very similar to the second embodiment. The principal difference is that the sensors 4 are arranged on the fixing element 1 while the wedge 3 comprises a plurality of orifices used as detection elements 5.

(16) In this third embodiment, the sensors 4 are also metal detection sensors, and likewise a plurality of spirals printed on a printed circuit board. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control means 6 is placed on the fixing element 1.

(17) The fixing system according to the present invention functions as follows:

(18) The adapter 2 is fixed onto the edge 10 of the shovel of the earth-moving machine in a conventional manner by means of the fixing element 1 and the wedge 3 which have been described previously.

(19) Unlike conventional fixing systems, in which it is not possible automatically and continuously to determine the position of the wedge 3 relative to the fixing element 1, in the fixing system of the present invention the detection elements 5 continuously and precisely determine the position of the wedge 3 relative to the fixing element 1.

(20) In the first embodiment, the relative position of the magnetic sensors 4 relative to the magnets 5 is detected. The signal relating to this position is sent to the control means 6, which performs the necessary calculations to provide a user with information as to the position of the wedge 3.

(21) The user is able to view said information by means of an external device, for example a computer, a cell phone or any other suitable device. Furthermore, if required, the control means 6 can emit an alert signal in the event that the position of the wedge 3 is determined to be unsuitable as a function of predetermined parameters.

(22) For example, on the external device there may be an indication in different colors. Thus, green could indicate that the position of the wedge is correct, orange could indicate that intervention will be required in the near future, and red could indicate that the functioning of the machine must be had in order to change the wedge or to reconstruct the blade.

(23) In the second and third embodiments, functioning is the same. In this case, the position of the orifice or orifices is determined by means of the sensors 4, the necessary calculations likewise being performed by means of the control means 6 in order to determine the specific position of the wedge 3.

(24) Despite the fact that reference has been made to a concrete embodiment of the invention, it is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the fixing system described is able to encompass numerous variations and modifications and that all the details mentioned may be replaced by other, technically equivalent details without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.