LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR A CONSTRUCTION MACHINE

Abstract

An arrangement for a construction machine includes a machine frame; and an articulated boom. The articulated boom is arranged on the machine frame. The articulated boom includes a proximal arm that is mounted in an articulated manner to the machine frame and a distal arm that is connected in an articulated manner to the proximal arm. The arrangement is configured to be operated in an operational mode, in which the proximal arm and the machine frame are interlocked.

Claims

1. An arrangement for a construction machine, comprising a machine frame; and an articulated boom being arranged on the machine frame, the articulated boom comprising a proximal arm that is mounted in an articulated manner to the machine frame and a distal arm that is connected in an articulated manner to the proximal arm, wherein the arrangement is configured to be operated in an operational mode, in which the proximal arm and the machine frame are interlocked.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the arrangement is configured to be operated in a further operational mode, in which the proximal arm and the machine frame are not interlocked.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a locking device being arranged on the machine frame, wherein the locking device is engageable with the proximal arm so as to block any relative movement between the proximal arm and the machine frame.

4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the locking device comprises at least one hydraulically operated hook for engaging the proximal arm.

5. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the locking device comprises at least one electrically operated hook for engaging the proximal arm.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a pin being arranged to the proximal arm, for fixing a piston rod eye of a positioning cylinder of the proximal arm, is configured to be locked to the machine frame.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an arm support comprising a supporting portion for supporting the proximal arm when interlocked with the machine frame, wherein the arm support is configured to absorb forces induced by the proximal arm.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the proximal arm is lockable substantially flush with the machine frame or in a manner at least forming an acute angle with the machine frame when interlocked therewith.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the articulated boom further comprises: an intermediate arm that is interconnected in an articulated manner between the proximal arm and the distal arm; and a positioning cylinder of the distal arm that is arranged above the intermediate arm.

10. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein the intermediate arm, a positioning cylinder of the intermediate arm, and the positioning cylinder of the distal arm are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

11. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a tool mount being mounted in an articulated manner to the distal arm for mounting a tool on the articulated boom.

12. A construction machine, comprising: a chassis for moving the construction machine on a ground; and an upper structure being arranged on the chassis with an arrangement according to claim 1.

13. The construction machine of claim 12, wherein the upper structure comprises a recess for accommodating the proximal arm of the arrangement when interlocked with the machine frame of the arrangement.

14. The construction machine of claim 13, wherein the construction machine is configured to be operated in a load mode, in which the proximal arm of the arrangement is interlocked with the machine frame of the arrangement.

15. The construction machine of claim 13, wherein the construction machine is configured to be operated in an excavator mode, in which the proximal arm of the arrangement is not interlocked with the machine frame of the arrangement.

16. The construction machine of claim 13, wherein the construction machine is configured to be operated in a load mode, in which the proximal arm of the arrangement is interlocked with the machine frame of the arrangement, and wherein the construction machine is configured to be operated in an excavator mode, in which the proximal arm of the arrangement is not interlocked with the machine frame of the arrangement.

17. A method for changing an operational mode of a construction machine that includes a machine frame and an articulated boom, the articulated boom being arranged on the machine frame, the method comprising: interlocking a proximal arm of the articulated boom with the machine frame for switching between a first operational mode and a second operational mode of the construction machine.

18. A method for changing an operational mode of a construction machine that includes a machine frame and an articulated boom, the articulated boom being arranged on the machine frame, the method comprising: unlocking a proximal arm of the articulated boom from the machine frame for switching between a first operational mode and a second operational mode of the construction machine.

19. A method for retrofitting a construction machine with an arrangement according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

[0037] FIG. 1 generally illustrates a side view of a construction machine in an excavator mode according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 2 generally illustrates a perspective view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 during an operational mode change to or from the excavator mode.

[0039] FIG. 3 generally illustrates a side view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a hammer mode.

[0040] FIG. 4 generally illustrates a perspective view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 during an operational mode change to or from the hammer mode.

[0041] FIG. 5 generally illustrates the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a loader mode.

[0042] FIG. 6 generally illustrates the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a dozer mode or during an operational mode change to or from the loader mode.

[0043] FIG. 7 generally illustrates a plan view of a bottom side of an upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with a tool changer in a stowed condition.

[0044] FIG. 8 generally illustrates a plan view of an upper side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer in the stored condition.

[0045] FIG. 9 generally illustrates a plan view of the bottom side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer in an alignment condition.

[0046] FIG. 10 generally illustrates a plan view of the upper side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer in the alignment condition.

[0047] FIG. 11 generally illustrates a plan view of the bottom side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer in a further alignment condition.

[0048] FIG. 12 generally illustrates a plan view of the upper side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer in the further alignment condition.

[0049] FIG. 13 generally illustrates a side view of a loaded tool changer of the construction machine of FIG. 1 according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 14 generally illustrates a further side view of the loaded tool changer of FIG. 13.

[0051] FIG. 15 generally illustrates a plan view from above the loaded tool changer of FIG. 13.

[0052] FIG. 16 generally illustrates a side view of the tool changer of FIG. 13 without tools.

[0053] FIG. 17 generally illustrates a further side view of the tool changer of FIG. 16.

[0054] FIG. 18 generally illustrates a plan view from above the tool changer of FIG. 16.

[0055] FIG. 19 generally illustrates a perspective view of an arrangement comprising a machine frame and an articulated boom of the construction machine of FIG. 1 in an unlocked configuration.

[0056] FIG. 20 generally illustrates a sectional side view of the arrangement of FIG. 19.

[0057] FIG. 21 generally illustrates a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 19 in a locked configuration.

[0058] FIG. 22 generally illustrates a sectional side view of the arrangement of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure are subsequently described with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 22.

[0060] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a multi tool construction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the construction machine 1 is shown in different operational modes. The construction machine 1 comprises a chassis 4, an upper structure 5 and an articulated boom 2.

[0061] The chassis 4 may be a chain-driven chassis 4 or a wheel-driven chassis (not shown). The upper structure 5 may be arranged on the chassis 4 in a pivotable manner to be rotatable with respect to the chassis 4. The rotatability of the upper structure 5 with respect to the chassis 4 may be provided around a vertical axis of rotation. Additionally, or alternatively, the upper structure 5 is 360-rotatable with respect to the chassis 4.

[0062] The upper structure 5 may comprise a machine frame 6 as a base frame or basic framework of the upper structure 5. The upper structure 5 may further comprise a driver's cabin 9, an engine-hydraulic unit 15, and/or a counterweight 16. A hydraulic pump (not shown) for operating hydraulic actuators and a swing drive (not shown) for rotating the upper structure 5 with respect to the chassis 4 may further be provided. The driver's cabin 9, the engine-hydraulic unit 15, and the counterweight 16 may be arranged on the machine frame 6. The upper structure 5 may further comprise a recess 7. The recess 7 may be formed above the machine frame 6 for accommodating at least part of the articulated boom 2, i.e. the proximal arm 62, when being folded towards or against the machine frame 6. The driver cabin 9, the engine-hydraulic unit 15, and/or the counterweight 16 may be arranged around the recess 7. In other words, the recess 7 may be surrounded by the driver cabin 9, the engine-hydraulic unit 15, and/or the counterweight 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, the engine-hydraulic unit 15 may be arranged on both sides of the recess 7. The driver cabin 9 as well as the engine-hydraulic unit 15 may be arranged on opposite sides of the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. The articulated boom 2 may be arranged between the driver cabin 9 and the engine-hydraulic unit 15. The construction machine 1 may comprise, instead of or in addition to the engine-hydraulic unit 15, at least one battery (not shown) and at least one electric motor (not shown) for operating the chassis 4, the upper structure 5, the machine frame 6, the hydraulic pump, and/or the articulated boom 2.

[0063] The articulated boom 2 may be arranged on the upper structure 5, wherein the articulated boom 2 may be a three-armed boom 2 or a two-armed boom (not shown). At one boom end, the articulated boom 2 may be pivotably attached to the machine frame 6 by means of a first articulation 61. The first articulation 61 may be a pivot joint. The first articulation 61 may be provided at a central position of the machine frame 6 in widthwise direction of the upper structure 5 and in front of to the vertical axis of rotation of the upper structure 5 in lengthwise direction of the upper structure 5. At the other end of the articulated boom 2, which is not attached to the machine frame 6, a tool mount 3 may be pivotably arranged.

[0064] The articulated boom 2 may comprise a proximal arm 62, an intermediate arm 64 and a distal arm 66. The proximal arm 62 may be hinged to the machine frame 6 by means of the first articulation 61, the intermediate arm 64 may be hinged to the proximal arm 62 by means of a second articulation 63 and/or the distal arm 66 may be hinged to the intermediate arm 64 by means of a third articulation 65. The articulations 61, 63, 65 may be designed as pivoting joints. The first articulation 61 may interconnect the proximal arm 62 and the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively, the second articulation 63 may interconnect the intermediate arm 64 and the proximal arm 62 and the third articulation 65 may interconnect the distal arm 66 and the intermediate arm 64.

[0065] The articulated boom 2 may further comprise a first positioning cylinder 82 for pivoting the proximal arm 62, a second positioning cylinder 84 for pivoting the intermediate arm 64, a third positioning cylinder 86 for pivoting the distal arm 66 and/or a fourth positioning cylinder 88 for pivoting the tool mount 3.

[0066] The first positioning cylinder 82 may be hinged to the machine frame 6 rearward of the first articulation 61. Furthermore, the first positioning cylinder 82 may be hinged to the backside of the distal end of the proximal arm 62, the backside being that side which is facing away from the intermediate arm 64. The first positioning cylinder 82 may be a boom cylinder for pivoting the entire articulated boom 2 with respect to the machine frame 6. The second positioning cylinder 84 may be hinged to the distal end of the proximal arm 62 and to a distal end of the intermediate arm 64. The second positioning cylinder 84 may be arranged beneath the intermediate arm 64. The third positioning cylinder 86 may be hinged to a proximal end of the intermediate arm 64 and to a proximal end of the distal arm 66. The third positioning cylinder 86 may be arranged above the intermediate arm 64 and/or above the second positioning cylinder 84. The second positioning cylinder 84 and the third positioning cylinder 86 may be arranged substantially parallel to each other in all operating positions of the boom. The fourth positioning cylinder 88 may be hinged to a proximal end of the distal arm 66 and to the tool mount 3 at the distal end of the distal arm 66. The fourth positioning cylinder 88 may be arranged above the distal arm 66, i.e. on that side of the distal arm 66 which is facing away from the proximal arm 62.

[0067] Different tools 10, 20, 30 may be provided on the construction machine 1, which are configured to be mounted to the tool mount 3 that may be pivotably attached to the distal arm 66. A fourth articulation 67 may interconnect the distal arm 66 and the tool mount 3. Tools 10, 20, 30 not mounted to the tool mount 3 are carried by the construction machine 1. A first tool 10 may be a loader bucket 11, a second tool 20 may be an excavator bucket 21 and a third tool 30 may be a hammer 31, wherein at least the loader bucket 11 and the excavator bucket 21 may be provided on the construction machine 1. The hammer 31 may be a hydraulic hammer. Alternatively, only two tools out of the different tools 10, 20, 30 may be provided on the machine.

[0068] The chassis 4 may comprise a first tool carrier 40 and the upper structure 5 may further comprise a second tool carrier 50, wherein the first tool carrier 40 and/or the second tool carrier 50 may provide a tool storage on the construction machine 1. The second tool carrier may be configured as a tool changer 50. The first tool carrier 40 may be arranged at the rear side of the chassis 4 and may be configured to carry the first tool 10. The first tool carrier 40 may be tiltable and may be moved between an upward position as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and a downward position as shown in FIG. 6. The upward position may serve for carrying the first tool 10 and the downward position may serve for utilizing the first tool 10, e.g. the loader bucket 11, for carrying out dozer work with the construction machine 1. In other words, in the upward position, the first tool 10 is spaced from the ground, whereas it is in contact with or at least in proximity of the ground in the downward position.

[0069] The second tool carrier 50 may be arranged at the front end of the upper structure 5, wherein the second tool carrier 50 may be positioned adjacent to the articulated boom 2 and/or in front of the engine-hydraulic unit 15. The articulated boom 2 may be arranged in between the driver cabin 9 and the second tool carrier 50. The second tool carrier 50 may be accommodated in a frame recess 8 of the machine frame 6 and may be pivoted from a stowed position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6, to at least one pivot position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Hereto, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivotably attached to the machine frame 6. A pivoting movement of the second tool carrier 50 may be provided by a positioning cylinder 52, for example a hydraulic positioning cylinder. Two tools 20, 30 may be carried on the second tool carrier 50. The tools 20, 30 may be the excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31, both mountable to the tool mount 3. The second tool carrier 50 may be operated by at least one battery (not shown) and at least one electric motor (not shown). The at least one battery and the at least one electric motor may power the second tool carrier for providing the pivoting movement.

[0070] Different operational modes of the construction machine 1 are subsequently described with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows the construction machine 1 in an excavator mode being an operational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operational mode, the articulated boom 2 may be arranged in an unlocked configuration such that all boom articulations 61, 63, 65, 67 are unlocked and all arms 62, 64, 66 are movable. In this excavator mode, the excavator bucket 21 may be mounted to the tool mount 3. The loader bucket 11 and the hammer 31 may be carried by the construction machine 1 by depositing them in the tool storage, i.e. the first tool 10 or second tool carrier 50.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows the construction machine of FIG. 1 during a step of selecting or picking of the excavator bucket 21 by the tool mount 3 attached to the distal arm 66 of the articulated boom 2 for operation of the construction machine 1 in the excavator mode as shown in FIG. 1. Hereto, the excavator bucket 21 may be taken by the tool mount 3 from a first tool retaining portion 152 of the second tool carrier 50. To allow for such a pickup, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from a stowed position as shown in FIG. 1 to a first changing position. This first changing position is situated in a working space of the articulated boom 2, i.e. at a position that is reachable by the tool mount 3 of the articulated boom 2. The tool mount 3 may snap in the excavator bucket 21 automatically.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows the construction machine 1 in a hammer mode as a further operational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operational mode, the articulated boom 2 may be arranged in an unlocked configuration, in which all boom articulations 61, 63, 65, 67 are movable. The hammer 31 may be mounted on the tool mount 3, and the loader bucket 11 and the excavator bucket 21 may be carried by the construction machine 1.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows the construction machine 1 in a step of selecting or picking of the hammer 31 by the tool mount 3 attached to the distal arm 66 of the articulated boom 2 for operation of the construction machine 1 in the hammer mode as shown in FIG. 3. Hereto, the hammer 31 may be taken from a second tool retaining portion 154 of the second tool carrier 50 by the tool mount 3. To allow for such a pickup, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from a stowed position as shown in FIG. 3 to a second changing position. This second changing position is situated in a working space of articulated boom 2. The second changing position may be less changing than the first changing position as shown in FIG. 2. The tool mount 3 may snap into the hammer 31 automatically.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows the construction machine 1 in a loader mode as a further operational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operational mode, the articulated boom 2 may be arranged in a partly locked configuration, in which the first articulation 61 may be blocked by interlocking the proximal arm 62 of the articulated boom 2 with the upper structure 5 and/or the machine frame 6 of the construction machine 1. In the loader mode, the articulated boom 2 may be de facto a two-armed boom. The loader bucket 11 may be mounted to the tool mount 3, and the excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be carried by the construction machine 1.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows the construction machine 1 in a dozer mode as a further operational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operational mode, the articulated boom 2 may be not operated. The construction machine 1 exhibits an identical configuration as that shown in FIG. 6 during a change of the operational mode to an excavator mode. For conducting such a change, the loader bucket 11 may be taken by the tool mount 3 from the first tool carrier 40 by pivoting the upper structure 5 around a vertical rotation axis to move the tool mount 3 of the articulated boom above the loader bucket 11 attached to the first tool carrier 40. The upper structure 5 may be pivoted about 180 degrees from the front of the chassis 4 to the rear of the chassis 4 for picking up the loader bucket 11. The tool mount 3 may snap in the loader bucket 11 automatically. After picking of the loader bucket 11 with the tool mount 3, the upper structure may be rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the chassis. Thereafter, the proximal arm 62 may be interlocked with the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0077] The configuration of the second tool carrier 50, i.e. the tool changer, is subsequently described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. In these figures, only the upper structure 5 of the construction machine 1 together with the tool changer 50 is illustrated from above and below. The tool changer 50 comprises the positioning cylinder 52 and a tool carrier articulation 54, for example a pivot joint.

[0078] The positioning cylinder 52 may be pivotably attached to the machine frame 6 adjacent to the vertical axis of rotation of the upper structure 5 and further pivotably attached to a base plate 55 of the second tool carrier 50. When extending a piston rod 53 of the positioning cylinder 52, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted outwardly to at least one changing position, and when retracting the piston rod 53, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted back inwardly into its stowed position.

[0079] For providing a defined pivoting movement of the second tool carrier 50 by means of the positioning cylinder 52, the tool carrier articulation 54 of the second tool carrier 50 may be arranged on the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. The second tool carrier 50 may be hinged to the tool carrier articulation 54 via a hinging portion 156, which may be attached to the base plate 55 and may be constructed as a pivot arm 157 for providing the pivoting movement.

[0080] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the second tool carrier 50 in a stowed position, in which the second tool carrier 50 is accommodated in the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. Specifically, in the stowed position, the second tool carrier 50 is positioned in the frame recess 8 within the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. The frame recess 8 can be seen from above in FIGS. 10 and 12, for example. If the second tool carrier 50 is in the stowed position, the construction machine 1 may be in a loader mode, in which the excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be carried by the tool carrier 50 as shown in FIG. 8. The stowed position of the tool changer 50 may also be defined as an initial position of a tool exchange process.

[0081] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the second tool changer 50 in a first changing position, in which the tool changer 50 is pivoted outwardly and away from the machine frame 6. This first changing position may be an alignment condition, in which a hammer 31 that is provided on the second tool carrier 50 may be picked up with the tool mount 3 of the articulated boom 2 (both not shown). By picking the hammer with the articulated boom 2 from the second tool carrier 50, the operational mode of the construction machine 1 may be changed to a hammer mode. In the hammer mode, the excavator bucket 21 may still be carried on the second tool carrier 50.

[0082] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the tool changer 50 in a second changing position pivoted outwardly and away from the machine frame 6. This second changing position may be an alignment condition, in which an excavator bucket 21 that is provided on the second tool carrier 50 may be picked up with the tool mount 3 of the articulated boom 2 (both not shown). By picking the excavator bucket 21 from the second tool carrier 50, the operational mode of the construction machine 1 may be changed to an excavator mode. In the excavator mode, the hammer 31 may still be carried on the second tool carrier 50.

[0083] FIGS. 13 to 18 show the tool changer 50 with and without tools 20, 30. The excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be arranged adjacent to each other on the second tool carrier 50, wherein the excavator bucket 21 may be arranged next to the positioning cylinder 52 and the hammer 31 may be arranged next to the hinging portion 156. The excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be situated at opposite portions of the tool changer 50. The hammer 31 may be arranged obliquely with respect to the excavator bucket 21 in a top view from above for providing an orientation of the tools 21, 31 that is aligned, i.e. parallel, with the first and second changing positions, respectively.

[0084] The second tool carrier 50 may have two tool retaining portions 152, 154. The excavator bucket 21 may be carried at the first tool retaining portion 152 and the hammer 31 may be carried at the second tool retaining portion 154. The base plate 55 may be divided into the two retaining portions 152, 154. Within the first tool retaining portion 152, a seating 56 may be provided for supporting an excavator bucket 21. The seating 56 may comprise an inclined surface for accommodating the excavator bucket 21.

[0085] For securing the tools, the second tool carrier 50 may comprise clamping means 153, 155 for holding the tools. A first clamping means 153 may be provided as a clamp on the first tool retaining portion 152 for holding the excavator bucket 21 and a second clamping means 155 may be provided as a further clamp on the second tool retaining portion 154 for holding the hammer 31. Both clamping means 153, 155 may be actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 151. The first clamping means 153 may be of a pusher-type or pestle-type to exert a pressing force onto the excavator bucket 21 against the seating 56. The second clamping means 155 may be of a pliers-type to exert a holding or pressing force onto the hammer 31 from two opposite sides thereof.

[0086] FIGS. 19 to 22 show an arrangement 100 comprising at least part of the machine frame 6, the articulated boom 2, which is pivotably attached to the machine frame 6, and a locking device 70. The articulation 61 of the proximal arm 62 of the articulated boom 2 may be arranged at the front portion of the machine frame 6 and the locking device 70 may be arranged at the rear portion of the machine frame 6. The distance lying therebetween may substantially correspond to the length of the proximal arm 62.

[0087] Furthermore, FIGS. 19 to 22 show a folded-in position of the proximal arm 62 and the intermediate arm 64 of the articulated boom 2, wherein the machine frame 6 and the proximal arm 62 as well as the proximal arm 62 and the intermediate arm 64 each form an acute angle. Folded in, the first positioning cylinder 82, the second positioning cylinder 84 and the third positioning cylinder 86 of the articulated boom 2 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0088] The locking device 70 may comprise a double hook 72 or a single hook (not shown) and an arm support 74. The arm support 74 provides a rest surface, against which the proximal arm 62 can be supported. The hook 72 may be hydraulically actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 73. Alternatively or additionally, the hook 72 may be electrically actuated by an electric actuator (not shown). The hook 72 may be arranged to engageable with a pin 89 that is mounted to the proximal arm 62. Besides, the pin 89 may primarily serve for fixing a piston rod eye 90 of the first positioning cylinder 82 of the proximal arm 62.

[0089] FIGS. 19 and 20 show an unhooked condition, in which the hook 72 does not engage with the pin 89. However, the proximal arm 62 rests on the arm support 74 allowing for hooking up of the hook 72. In this unhooked condition, the articulated boom 2 may be operated as a three-armed boom, for example in the excavator or hammer mode.

[0090] FIGS. 21 and 22 show a hooked-up condition, in which the hook 72 engages with the pin 89. The proximal arm 62 rests on the arm support 74 for stabilizing the arrangement 100. Based on this hooked-up condition, the articulated boom 2 may be operated as a two-armed boom, for example in the loader or dozer mode. In this hooked-up condition, the proximal arm 62 is interlocked with the machine frame 6.

[0091] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS. 1 to 22, a single construction machine 1 may be efficiently operated in several different operational modes as a plurality of tools 10, 20, 30 is directly provided on the machine body. These tools may be automatically changed by utilizing the tool changer 50, wherein a multiple-armed boom 2 may be partly blocked to allow for variable boom operations tailored to the different operational modes of the construction machine 1.

[0092] As used herein, the terminology or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, X includes A or B is intended to indicate any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then X includes A or B is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles a and an as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

[0093] Further, for simplicity of explanation, although the figures and descriptions herein may include sequences or series of steps or stages, elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur in various orders or concurrently. Additionally, elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur with other elements not explicitly presented and described herein. Furthermore, not all elements of the methods described herein may be required to implement a method in accordance with this disclosure. Although aspects, features, and elements are described herein in particular combinations, each aspect, feature, or element may be used independently or in various combinations with or without other aspects, features, and elements.

[0094] While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.