Quick-hitch for construction vehicle tools

Abstract

A quick-hitch for coupling a tool to an excavator arm or a similar tool manipulator includes two hitch halves that can be latched together, coupled to one another at a first pair of latching parts, and pivoted together, about the coupled first pair of latching parts, into a coupling position in which a second pair of latching parts of the hitch halves can be latched. Energy coupling parts are provided on and a coupling carrier is attached to each of the two hitch halves.

Claims

1. A quick-hitch for coupling a tool to an excavator arm or a similar tool manipulator, comprising two hitch halves that can be latched together and that can be coupled to one another at a first pair of latching parts and can be pivoted together, about the coupled first pair of latching parts, into a coupling position in which a second pair of latching parts of the hitch halves can be latched, wherein energy coupling parts are provided on each of the two hitch halves, an energy coupling part pair formed by a cooperative energy coupling part on each of the two hitch halves being a pair of a male and a female coupling plug to be plugged into one another, which energy coupling parts move together when the hitch halves are pivoted together about the pivot axis formed by said first pair of latching parts, wherein a coupling carrier is attached to each hitch half, which coupling carrier carries a plurality of energy coupling parts in each case, wherein the energy coupling parts are designed so as to be self-centering including centering chamfers on end-face edge portions, wherein at least one of the coupling carriers is mounted on the associated hitch half by means of a rubber-elastic carrier bearing so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner, wherein at least one energy coupling part of each energy coupling part pair that is to be moved together is mounted on the associated coupling carrier by means of a rubber-elastic coupling part bearing so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner, and wherein, when the energy coupling parts of an energy coupling part pair couple into each other by means of pivoting the hitch halves, a rotary component of a circular arc path due to pivoting is compensated solely by means of the self-centering design of the pair of male and female coupling plugs.

2. The quick-hitch of claim 1, wherein the centering chamfers are contoured in the form of centering tapers.

3. The quick-hitch of claim 1, wherein the coupling carrier is rigidly mounted on the hitch half on one hitch half, and the other coupling carrier is mounted on the other hitch half, by means of the rubber-elastic carrier bearing, so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner.

4. The quick-hitch of claim 3, wherein the rubber-elastic carrier bearing comprises two block-shaped or plate-shaped rubber bearing parts which are received in bearing recesses in the hitch half, wherein the coupling carrier is fastened to the two rubber bearing parts by means of opposing end portions.

5. The quick-hitch of claim 3, wherein the rubber-elastic coupling part bearing, by means of which the energy coupling parts can be resiliently tilted in a multiaxial manner relative to the associated coupling carrier, comprises annular or plate-shaped rubber bearing parts which interconnect adjacent portions of the energy coupling parts.

6. The quick-hitch of claim 1, wherein each energy coupling part comprises at least two rubber bearing parts which are arranged so as to be mutually spaced and which each connect two adjacent coupling part portions.

7. The quick-hitch of claim 1, wherein the energy coupling parts are formed as hydraulic couplings.

8. The quick-hitch of claim 1, wherein a latching device that operates exclusively in an interlocking manner is provided for latching the energy coupling parts in the coupled position, which latching device exhibits clearance in the latched position and provides for limited mobility of the energy coupling parts relative to one another.

9. A quick-hitch comprising: two hitch halves, each comprising: a latching part of a first pair of latching parts; a latching part of a second pair of latching parts; self-centering energy coupling parts; and a coupling carrier carrying two or more of the self-centering energy coupling parts; a carrier bearing; a coupling part bearing; and a latching device; wherein: the hitch halves are configured to be: latched together in a latched position; coupled to one another at the first pair of latching parts; pivoted together about a pivot axis formed by the coupled first pair of latching parts; and coupled together in a coupled position in which the second pair of latching parts are latched; the self-centering energy coupling parts of the hitch halves move together when the hitch halves are pivoted together; at least one of the coupling carriers is mounted on the associated hitch half by means of the carrier bearing so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner; at least one self-centering energy coupling part of an energy coupling part pair is mounted on the associated coupling carrier by means of the coupling part bearing so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner; the latching device is configured to: operate exclusively in an interlocking manner for latching the self-centering energy coupling parts in the coupled position of the hitch halves: exhibit clearance in the latched position of the hitch halves; and provide for limited mobility of the self-centering energy coupling parts relative to one another; the latching device comprises a displaceable transverse latch comprising latching recesses on one hitch half, and furthermore comprises latching pins that are mounted on the other hitch half and have undercut heads, the undercut heads of which latching pins can be inserted into the latching recesses of the transverse latch; and the transverse latch can be moved under the undercut heads by means of transverse displacement.

10. The quick-hitch of claim 9, wherein the displaceable transverse latch can be latched and/or unlatched by means of a pressure medium actuator.

11. The quick-hitch of claim 10, wherein the latching heads of the latching pins comprise a conical lead-in chamfer, by means of which the transverse latch can be pressed out of the latched position thereof and into the unlatched position thereof, and the latching pins can be inserted into the latching recesses of the transverse latch.

12. The quick-hitch of claim 9, wherein an energy coupling part pair formed by a cooperative energy coupling part on each of the two hitch halves comprises a pair of a male and a female coupling plug to be plugged into one another.

13. The quick-hitch of claim 12, wherein the self-centering energy coupling parts include centering chamfers on end-face edge portions.

14. The quick-hitch of claim 13, wherein, when the energy coupling parts of an energy coupling part pair couple into each other by means of pivoting the hitch halves, a rotary component of a circular arc path due to pivoting is compensated solely by means of the self-centering design of the pair of male and female coupling plugs.

15. A quick-hitch for coupling a tool to an excavator arm or a similar tool manipulator, comprising two hitch halves that can be latched together and that can be coupled to one another at a first pair of latching parts and can be pivoted together, about the coupled first pair of latching parts, into a coupling position in which a second pair of latching parts of the hitch halves can be latched, wherein energy coupling parts are provided on each of the two hitch halves, which energy coupling parts move together when the hitch halves are pivoted together about the pivot axis formed by said first pair of latching parts, wherein a coupling carrier is attached to each hitch half, which coupling carrier carries a plurality of energy coupling parts in each case, wherein the energy coupling parts are designed so as to be self-centering, wherein at least one of the coupling carriers is mounted on the associated hitch half by means of a rubber-elastic carrier bearing so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner, wherein at least one energy coupling part of each energy coupling part pair that is to be moved together is mounted on the associated coupling carrier by means of a rubber-elastic coupling part bearing so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner, wherein the rubber-elastic coupling part bearing between the coupling carrier and the energy coupling parts mounted thereon, includes annular or plate-shaped rubber-bearing parts forming rubber hinges provided between each of energy coupling parts and the coupling carrier, and wherein the rubber-elastic carrier bearing, between the coupling carrier and the hitch half to which the coupling carrier is mounted, includes block-shaped or plate-shaped rubber bearing parts inserted into recesses of the hitch half, wherein the coupling carrier is fastened to such rubber bearing parts.

16. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein the energy coupling parts comprise centering chamfers on end-face edge portions.

17. The quick-hitch of claim 16, wherein the centering chamfers are contoured in the form of centering tapers.

18. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein tilting movements of the energy coupling parts for compensating a rotary component of the circular arc path of the energy coupling parts that move towards one another, when the hitch halves are pivoted together, are controlled only by the self-centering of the energy coupling parts.

19. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein the coupling carrier is rigidly mounted on the hitch half on one hitch half, and the other coupling carrier is mounted on the other hitch half, by means of the rubber-elastic carrier bearing, so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner.

20. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein each energy coupling part comprises at least two rubber bearing parts which are arranged so as to be mutually spaced and which each connect two adjacent coupling part portions.

21. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein the energy coupling parts are formed as hydraulic couplings.

22. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein a latching device that operates exclusively in an interlocking manner is provided for latching the energy coupling parts in the coupled position, which latching device exhibits clearance in the latched position and provides for limited mobility of the energy coupling parts relative to one another.

23. The quick-hitch of claim 15, wherein the latching device comprises a displaceable transverse latch comprising latching recesses on one hitch half, and furthermore comprises latching pins that are mounted on the other hitch half and have undercut heads, the undercut heads of which latching pins can be inserted into the latching recesses of the transverse latch; and wherein the transverse latch can be moved under the undercut heads by means of transverse displacement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following, with reference to a preferred embodiment and accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1: is a schematic side view of a quick-hitch according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which quick-hitch is attached to a jib arm of an excavator and a grab bucket is coupled as an add-on tool,

(3) FIG. 2: is a perspective view of the quick-hitch from FIG. 1 in an uncoupled position in which the two hitch halves that can be coupled together are shown shortly before being hooked onto the hook portion,

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b: are each a perspective view of the two hitch halves, showing energy coupling parts attached to each hitch half, wherein partial view FIG. 3a shows the hitch half which is mounted on the excavator arm and on which a coupling carrier is rigidly mounted, and partial view FIG. 3b shows a tool-side hitch half on which a coupling carrier is mounted in a rubber-elastic manner,

(5) FIG. 4: is a perspective view of the two hitch halves in the state when coupled together but not yet pivoted together,

(6) FIG. 5: is a perspective view of the quick-hitch halves that is similar to FIG. 4, wherein the quick-hitch halves have been moved together and the energy coupling parts are coupled,

(7) FIG. 6: is a partial perspective view of the energy coupling parts shortly before being coupled together,

(8) FIG. 7: is a perspective plan view of the energy coupling parts on one hitch half, and an oblique side view of the energy coupling parts on the other quick-hitch half, wherein the two quick-hitch halves are not yet fully pivoted together, wherein the interlocking latching device for latching the energy coupling parts is shown, wherein a transversely displaceable latch comprising recesses is shown on the upper hitch half and the mushroom-shaped latching pins that can be inserted therein are shown on the lower hitch half, and

(9) FIG. 8: is a perspective partial view of the latching means of the energy coupling parts, wherein the mushroom-shaped latching pins are inserted into the latching plate and latched, and the clearance present in this case is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) As shown in FIG. 1, the quick-hitch 1 can be mounted between the free end of the jib arm 5 of an excavator 30 and the tool 4 that is to be attached thereto, wherein said add-on tool 4 can be designed for example as a grab bucket, as is shown in FIG. 1, but which can, in a manner conventional per se, also comprise other construction, handling or demolition tools, for example in the form of clamshell buckets, demolition jaws, pincers, or the like.

(11) In this case, said quick-hitch 1 can be able to be mounted on said jib arm 5, by means of an arm-side hitch half 2, so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis that is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the jib arm 5, such that the quick coupling 1, together with the tool 4 attached thereto, can be pivoted relative to the jib arm 5 for example by means of a pressure medium cylinder 36 and an interposed pivot piece 37.

(12) A tool-side hitch half 3 (cf. FIG. 2) can be attached to the add-on tool 4 and/or an interposed rotary drive.

(13) As shown in FIG. 2, the two hitch halves 2 and 3 comprise two pairs of latching parts that can be latched together and that allow for a two-stage coupling or latching process. Firstly, one pair of latching elements is hooked in or coupled, in order to then pivot the two hitch halves together about the coupled first latching pair. In the pivoted-together coupling position, the second pair of latching parts are then latched together, cf. a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5.

(14) As shown in FIG. 2, one hitch half, in particular the arm-side hitch half 2, can comprise, as latching parts, a coupling receptacle 6 and a displaceable latch 11 that can be moved in front of the opening of a latching receptacle 10, wherein said latching receptacle 10 can have a different opening direction from the coupling receptacle. In particular, the coupling receptacle 6 can be open in the direction facing away from the latching receptacle 10, while the latching receptacle 10 can be designed so as to be open towards the other hitch half 3. However, as an alternative to the embodiment shown in the figures, according to FIG. 2, the second latching part of the hitch half 2 could also comprise a latching jaw that is displaceable as a whole, as is known per se. The latch 11 can be displaceable approximately in a direction transversely to the opening of the latching receptacle 10, in order to be able to be pushed in front of said opening. For example, the latch 11 can be moved into the latching receptacle 10 from above, so as to be slightly obliquely inclined.

(15) The other hitch half, in particular the tool-side hitch half 3, can comprise two transverse bolts 33 and 34 as latching parts which can be oriented so as to be in parallel with one another and mutually spaced to such an extent that they fit into the openings of the coupling and latching receptacles 6 and 10.

(16) In order to couple the two hitch halves 2 and 3 together, firstly the coupling receptacle 6 is suspended on the transverse bolt 33, wherein a securing element 7 can capture or secure the transverse bolt 33 in the coupling receptacle 6 in order to prevent said bolt from inadvertently slipping out when the two hitch halves 2 and 3 are pivoted together. Said securing element 7 can for example be spring-preloaded and opened by a pressure actuator when the quick-hitch is intended to be decoupled.

(17) If the coupling receptacle 6 is suspended on the transverse bolt 33, as is shown in FIG. 4, the two hitch halves 2 and 3 can be pivoted towards one another about the pivot axis formed by the suspended coupling receptacle 6 or the transverse bolt 33 captured therein, as far as the coupling position shown in FIG. 5. In the mentioned coupling position according to FIG. 5, the second transverse bolt 34 is inserted into the latching receptacle 10 such that the latch 11 can be moved into the latching position in order to secure or fix the transverse bolt 34 in the latching receptacle 10. The latch 11 can be actuated by a pressure medium cylinder 8 for example.

(18) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, energy coupling parts 12 and 13 are provided on a portion of the hitch halves 2 and 3 that is spaced apart from the coupling receptacle 6, which energy coupling parts can in particular be arranged on an end portion of the hitch halves 2 and 3 that is opposite the coupling receptacle 6.

(19) Said energy coupling parts 12 and 13 can be hydraulic couplings for example. Irrespective thereof, the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 can be designed as plug-in couplings which can be moved into one another and can comprise coupling sleeves and coupling pins that can be inserted therein; cf. FIG. 7.

(20) In order to mount the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 on the two hitch halves 2 and 3, a coupling carrier 14 and 15 is provided on each hitch half 2 and 3, which coupling carrier 14 and 15 can be designed in the form of a carrier plate for example, on which the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 can be mounted.

(21) As made clear in FIGS. 6 and 7, the coupling carrier 14 can be rigidly mounted on “its” hitch half, wherein the rigidly mounted coupling carrier 14 can in particular be provided on the arm-side hitch half 2. The other coupling carrier 15 can be mounted on the other hitch half, in particular the tool-side hitch half 3, by means of a rubber-elastic bearing 16, so as to be resiliently tiltable in a multiaxial manner. Said rubber-elastic coupling carrier bearing 16 can advantageously comprise at least one rubber bearing block 17 which is fastened to the hitch half 3 on one side and to the coupling carrier 15 on the other side. Advantageously, two block-shaped or plate-shaped rubber bearing parts 17 can be inserted into recesses of the hitch half 3 which can for example extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the coupling carrier 15. The coupling carrier 15 is fastened to the rubber bearing parts 17 fastened to the hitch half 3 for example by means of bolts or in another manner, such that the bearing forces can be carried away via the rubber bearing parts 17.

(22) As FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 further show, the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 are mounted so as to be movable in themselves and/or relative to the respective coupling carrier 14 or 15 by means of rubber-elastic coupling bearings 18, such that the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 can move relative to the coupling carriers 14 and 15, respectively, thereof, in particular can tilt resiliently in a multiaxial manner.

(23) The rubber-elastic coupling bearings 18 can advantageously comprise a plurality of annular or plate-shaped rubber bearing parts 19 which are connected between adjacent portions of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 and/or can be provided between the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 on one side and the coupling carriers 14 and 15 on the other side. Said rubber bearing parts 19 can form rubber hinges which allow for multiaxial tilting of the tips or front portions, to be inserted, of the energy coupling parts.

(24) As FIGS. 6 and 7 make clear, entry pockets 20 and protrusions 21 can be provided on the hitch halves 2 and 3, in the vicinity of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13, in order to prevent the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 from moving together in an entirely incorrect relative position. Said entry pockets 20 and protrusions 21 allow for complete pivoting together only if the coupling receptacle 6 has been correctly suspended on the transverse latch 13, and prevents pivoting together if this is not the case. Said entry pockets 20 and protrusions 21 do not form a centering device for the energy coupling parts 12 and 13, and can be rigidly attached to the hitch halves 2 and 3, such that they do not bring about any tilting of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 relative to the hitch halves 2 and 3. Said entry pockets 20 and protrusions 21 are effective before the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 come into engagement, and have sufficient clearance relative to one another that they do not bring about any pre-centering.

(25) Specifically, the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 center themselves, relative to one another. The self-centering design of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 comprises lead-in chamfers 22 at the end-face edges of the sleeve-like coupling parts 12, which chamfers may be designed for example in the form of a conical lead-in chamfer or a conical insertion funnel. Alternatively or in addition, a corresponding lead-in chamfer, in particular in the form of a conical chamfering, could also be provided on the end-face edges of the coupling pins 13.

(26) If the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 are moved towards one another and into one another on a circular arc path, by means of pivoting together the hitch halves 2 and 3, said lead-in chamfers 22 bring about self-centering of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 and compensation of the rotary components of the circular arc path.

(27) In this case, the rubber-elastic bearings of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 and of the coupling carrier 15 allow for tilting of the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 relative to one another and relative to the particular coupling carrier, as well as, by means of the rubber-elastic carrier bearing 16, also overall tilting of all the energy coupling parts 13 on the tool-side coupler part.

(28) The energy coupling parts 12 and 13 are thus coupled together fully and only by means of pivoting together the two hitch halves 2 and 3, wherein the energy coupling parts are moved together at the same time as the pivoting together takes place and before the process of latching the latch 11 onto the latching receptacle 10 has yet been completed.

(29) In order to prevent the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 from moving apart undesirably, under high hydraulic pressure, an interlocking latching device 23 can be provided which latches the two coupling carriers 14 and 15 in an interlocking manner and prevents said carriers from moving apart. As shown most clearly in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the latching device 23 comprises latching pins 24 comprising a head 25 designed in an undercut manner, which pins can be inserted through latching recesses 27 of a displaceable transverse latch 26; cf. FIG. 8. Said head 25 of the latching pins 24 can in particular be formed approximately in a mushroom-shaped manner and/or comprise a chamfered and/or conically contoured lead-in region which enters the latching recesses 27 in each case, in order to optionally push these apart if the transverse latch 26 is not in the open position thereof.

(30) Said transverse latch 26 can be displaced or moved transversely to the insertion direction of the latching pins 24, which can be achieved by means of a suitable actuator, for example in the form of a pressure medium cylinder.

(31) As shown in FIG. 8, there is air or play between the latching pins 24, in particular the undercut heads 25, and the transverse latch 26, such that the energy coupling parts 12 and 13 are not pressed against one another in a frictional manner, but rather merely interlockingly secured if this is required.