Multiple Tool Electric Construction Machine

Abstract

A construction machine comprises a machine frame and an articulated boom pivotably mounted to the machine frame. An electric motor is connected to a battery for operating a component of the construction machine. The construction machine is configured to be operated in a loader mode in which a first tool is mounted to the articulated boom, and in an excavator mode in which a second tool is mounted to the articulated boom. The construction machine comprises a tool storage for storing the first tool and/or the second tool. The construction machine is configured to replace one of the first tool and second tool when mounted to the articulated boom with the other one of the first tool and the second tool when stored in the tool storage. A method of changing an operational mode and a method of selecting an operational mode of a construction machine are also described.

Claims

1. A construction machine, comprising: a chassis; an upper structure comprising a machine frame pivotably mounted to the chassis; at least one battery and at least one electric motor connected to the at least one battery for operating at least one component of the construction machine; wherein the at least one battery and/or the at least one electric motor is arranged at the chassis and/or the upper structure; and an articulated boom pivotably mounted to the machine frame; wherein the construction machine is configured to be operated in a loader mode in which a first tool is mounted to the articulated boom and in an excavator mode in which a second tool is mounted to the articulated boom; wherein the construction machine further comprises a tool storage for storing the first tool and/or the second tool; wherein the tool storage comprises a first tool carrier adapted to carry the first tool and a second tool carrier adapted to carry the second tool; wherein the first tool carrier is arranged at the chassis and the second tool carrier is arranged at the machine frame; and wherein the construction machine is configured to replace one of the first tool and the second tool when mounted to the articulated boom with the other one of the first tool and the second tool when stored in the tool storage.

2. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the chassis, the upper structure, and/or the articulated boom is operable by the at least one electric motor.

3. The construction machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a hydraulic pump for operating at least one hydraulic actuator for hydraulically actuating the at least one component of the construction machine; wherein the hydraulic pump is drivable by the at least one electric motor.

4. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the first tool carrier and/or the second tool carrier is powered by the at least one battery and the at least one electric motor.

5. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the first tool carrier or the second tool carrier comprises retaining means for holding the first tool or the second tool; and wherein the retaining means comprise at least one electrically driven pin for engaging with the first tool or the second tool.

6. The construction machine according to claim 1, comprising: a first tool mountable to the articulated boom in the loader mode; and a second tool mountable to the articulated boom in the excavator mode.

7. The construction machine according to claim 6, wherein the first tool is a loader bucket and the second tool is an excavator bucket.

8. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the tool storage is further configured to simultaneously store a third tool.

9. The construction machine according to claim 1, comprising a third tool mountable to the articulated boom in the excavator mode; wherein the third tool is a hammer.

10. The construction machine according to claim 1, wherein the articulated boom comprises multiple arms pivotably connected in series to each other; wherein the construction machine further comprises a locking device for selectively locking at least one of the multiple arms of the articulated boom; and wherein the articulated boom is directly connected to the machine frame so as to block any relative movement between at least one of the multiple arms and the machine frame in the loader mode.

11. A method of changing an operational mode of a construction machine comprising: a chassis; an upper structure comprising a machine frame pivotably mounted to the chassis, at least one battery, and at least one electric motor connected to the at least one battery; and an articulated boom; the method comprising: operating the articulated boom by the electric motor; depositing, by the articulated boom, a tool for one of a first or a second operational mode that is mounted to the articulated boom; and picking, by the articulated boom, a tool for the other one of the first and the second operational modes from a tool storage provided on the construction machine; wherein the tool storage comprises a first tool carrier adapted to carry the tool and arranged at the chassis and a second tool carrier adapted to carry the tool and arranged at the machine frame.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tool is deposited in the tool storage.

13. A method of selecting an operational mode of a construction machine comprising: a chassis; an upper structure comprising a machine frame pivotably mounted to the chassis, at least one battery, and at least one electric motor connected to the at least one battery; and an articulated boom; wherein the construction machine is operable in a first operational mode and a second operational mode different from the first operational mode; and wherein the first operational mode is a loader mode and the second operational mode is an excavator mode; the method comprising: simultaneously providing a first tool for the first operational mode and a second tool for the second operational mode on the construction machine; operating the articulated boom by the electric motor; and selecting one of the first tool or the second tool by the articulated boom for operation of the construction machine in the first or the second operational mode from a tool storage provided on the construction machine; wherein the tool storage comprises a first tool carrier adapted to carry the first tool and arranged at the chassis and a second tool carrier adapted to carry the second tool and arranged at the machine frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising locking an arm of the articulated boom that is directly connected to the machine frame of the construction machine so as to block any relative movement between the arm and the machine frame.

15. (canceled)

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first tool carrier or the second tool carrier comprises retaining means for holding the first tool or the second tool, and wherein the retaining means comprise at least one electrically driven pin for engaging with the first tool or the second tool.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the articulated boom comprises an arm directly connected to the machine frame of the construction machine so as to block any relative movement between the arm and the machine frame.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tool storage is further configured to simultaneously store a third tool.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first tool carrier or the second tool carrier comprises retaining means for holding the first tool or the second tool, and wherein the retaining means comprise at least one electrically driven pin for engaging with the first tool or the second tool.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the tool storage is further configured to simultaneously store a third tool.

21. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first tool carrier and/or the second tool carrier is powered by the at least one battery and the at least one electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a construction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in an excavator mode.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 during an operational mode change from or to the excavator mode shown in FIG. 1.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a hammer mode.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 during an operational mode change from or to the hammer mode shown in FIG. 3.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a loader mode.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the construction machine of FIG. 1 in a dozer mode or during an operational mode change from or to the loader mode shown in FIG. 5.

[0077] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the bottom side of an upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with a second tool carrier in a stowed condition.

[0078] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the upper side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the second tool carrier in the stowed condition.

[0079] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the bottom side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the second tool carrier in an alignment condition.

[0080] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the upper side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the second tool carrier in the alignment condition of FIG. 9.

[0081] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the bottom side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the second tool carrier in a further alignment condition.

[0082] FIG. 12 shows a plan view of the upper side of the upper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the second tool carrier in the further alignment condition of FIG. 11.

[0083] FIG. 13 shows a side view of a loaded second tool carrier of the construction machine of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] FIG. 14 shows a further side view of the loaded second tool carrier of FIG. 13.

[0085] FIG. 15. shows a plan view from above of the loaded second tool carrier of FIG. 13.

[0086] FIG. 16 shows a side view of the second tool carrier of FIG. 13 without tools.

[0087] FIG. 17 shows a further side view of the second tool carrier of FIG. 16.

[0088] FIG. 18. shows a plan view from above of the second tool carrier of FIG. 16.

[0089] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an arrangement comprising a machine frame and an articulated boom of the construction machine of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked configuration.

[0090] FIG. 20 shows a sectional side view of the arrangement of FIG. 19.

[0091] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 19 in a locked configuration.

[0092] FIG. 22 shows a sectional side view of the arrangement of FIG. 21.

[0093] FIG. 23 shows schematically an electric operation system of the construction machine of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

[0094] FIG. 24 shows schematically an electric operation system of the construction machine of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment.

[0095] FIG. 25 shows schematically an electric operation system of the construction machine of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0096] Embodiments of the present invention are subsequently described with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 22.

[0097] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a multi tool construction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, 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.

[0098] 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. Optionally, the upper structure 5 is 360-rotatable with respect to the chassis 4.

[0099] 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 cabin 9, a hydraulic unit (not shown) or an optional engine-hydraulic unit 15, and/or a counterweight 16. The hydraulic unit may be powered by at least one electric battery and/or at least one electric motor (shown in FIGS. 23 to 25). The hydraulic unit may carry out the same tasks as described with respect to the engine-hydraulic unit 15. The upper structure 5 may further comprise at least one battery and at least one electric motor, which may be connected to the at least one battery for operating the multi tool construction machine 1 or at least one component thereof. For example, the chassis 4, the upper structure 5 and/or the articulated boom 2 may be operated by the electric motor. A hydraulic pump for operating hydraulic actuators and a swing drive for rotating the upper structure 5 with respect to the chassis 4 may further be provided. The at least one electric motor may drive the hydraulic pump. The driver 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. a proximal arm of the articulated boom 2, 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.

[0100] The articulated boom 2 may be arranged on the upper structure 5, wherein the articulated boom 2 may be in particular a three-armed boom 2 or optionally 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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 and/or a tool changer on the construction machine 1. The first tool carrier 40 may be arranged at the rear side of the chassis 4 and may be configured to carry or change 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. The first tool carrier 40 and/or the second tool carrier 50 may be powered by the at least one battery and the at least one electric motor.

[0106] 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.

[0107] Alternatively, with respect to the movable attachment of the second tool carrier 50 to the machine frame 6, the second tool carrier 50 may also be attached to the machine frame 6 with at least two links or articulations (not shown). The links may be arranged on the machine frame 6 and/or on the second tool carrier 50, wherein the links may comprise swivel joints or pivot joints for supporting and pivotably moving the second tool carrier 50 from a stowed position, as for example shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6, to at least one pivot position, as for example shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The links may thus interconnect the second tool carrier 50 and the machine frame 6 in a hinge-like manner. The links may further provide a four-bar linkage or a crank rocker for pivoting the second tool carrier 50. The four-bar linkage may comprise four joints, two of those may be arranged on the machine frame 6. The second tool carrier 50 may be pivotably or rigidly attached to at least one of the two further joints of the four-bar linkage, which are not arranged on the machine frame 6 and which are both pivotably movable with respect to the machine frame 6. According to one of these mechanisms, the second tool carrier 50 may be moved on a segment of a circular arc. Such an attachment design of the second tool carrier 50 to the machine frame 6 may be advantageous, as it may provide more flexibility in positioning the second tool carrier 50 for a tool change or a tool carriage.

[0108] Further alternatively, with respect to the movable attachment of the second tool carrier 50 to the machine frame 6, the second tool carrier 50 may also be attached to the machine frame 6 with at least one not pivotable link (not shown), preferably with two not pivotable links. The not pivotable one link may be arranged on the machine frame 6 and/or on the second tool carrier 50, wherein the not pivotable one link may be a slide or runner for carrying and linearly moving the second tool carrier 50 from a stowed position, as for example shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6, to at least one moved out position, as for example shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The not pivotable one link may thus interconnect the second tool carrier 50 and the machine frame 6 in a linearly adjustable manner. Herewith, the second tool carrier 50 may be moved along a linear path of movement. Thus, the at least one link may provide a linear pullout of the second tool carrier 50.

[0109] Different operational modes of the construction machine 1 are subsequently described with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0110] 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. in the first tool carrier 10 or in the second tool carrier 50.

[0111] FIG. 2 shows the construction machine 1 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. In the first changing position of the second tool carrier 50, the excavator bucket 21 may be picked from the tool carrier 50 by the tool mount 3. Thus, said 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. For reaching the first changing position, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from the stowed position by 90, as derivable from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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. In the second changing position of the tool carrier 50, the hammer 31 may picked from the tool carrier 50 by the tool mount 3. Thus, said second changing position is situated in a working space of articulated boom 2. The tool mount 3 may snap into the hammer 31 automatically. For reaching the second changing position, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from the stowed position by an angle less than 90, as derivable from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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 2 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 5 may be rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the chassis 4. Thereafter, the proximal arm 62 may be interlocked with the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0116] The configuration of the second tool carrier 50 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 second tool carrier 50 is illustrated from above and below. The second tool carrier 50 comprises the positioning cylinder 52 and a tool carrier articulation 54, for example a pivot joint.

[0117] 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, i.e. to the first and second changing positions, and when retracting the piston rod 53, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted back inwardly into its stowed position.

[0118] 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 said pivoting movement. As described above, this may also be realized with a four-bar linkage.

[0119] 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. Said frame recess 8 can be seen from above in FIGS. 10 and 12, for example. If the second tool carrier 50 is in said 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 second tool carrier 50 may also be defined as an initial position of a tool exchange process.

[0120] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the second tool carrier 50 in the first changing position, in which the second tool carrier 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 31 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 said hammer mode, the excavator bucket 21 may still be carried on the second tool carrier 50.

[0121] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the second tool carrier 50 in the 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 said excavator mode, the hammer 31 may still be carried on the second tool carrier 50.

[0122] FIGS. 13 to 18 show the second tool carrier 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 carrier 50. In the stowed position of the second tool carrier 50, the excavator bucket 21, i.e. a symmetry plane thereof, may be arranged perpendicular to a working plane of the articulated boom 2, in which the proximal arm 62, the intermediate arm 64 and the distal arm 66 of the articulated boom 2 are moved. The hammer 31 may be arranged obliquely with respect to the excavator bucket 21 in a top view from above. Furthermore, the tools 21, 31 may be arranged on the second tool carrier 50 in such a way that they are aligned, i.e. such that a symmetry plane thereof is parallel, with the working plane of the articulated boom 2 in the first (excavator bucket 21) and second changing positions (hammer 31), respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 10 and 12.

[0123] Alternatively, with respect to the arrangement of the excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 on the second tool carrier 50, the excavator bucket 21 may be arranged next to the hinging portion 156 and the hammer 31 may be arranged next to the positioning cylinder 52 (this arrangement is not shown). The excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be arranged in an interchanged manner as shown and described above. Also in this alternative arrangement, in the stowed position of the second tool carrier 50, the excavator bucket 21, i.e. a symmetry plane thereof, may be arranged perpendicular to the working plane of the articulated boom 2. However, it is also possible that the excavator bucket 21 is arranged obliquely with respect to the working plane of the articulated boom 2 in the stowed position of the second tool carrier 50. The hammer 31 may be arranged obliquely with respect to the excavator bucket 21 in a top view from above. In an embodiment, a symmetry plane of the hammer 31 is arranged obliquely with respect to a symmetry plane of the excavator bucket 21 in said top view. Furthermore, also in this alternative arrangement, the tools 21, 31 may be arranged on the second tool carrier 50 in such a way that they are aligned, i.e. such that a symmetry plane thereof is parallel, with the working plane of the articulated boom 2 in the first (excavator bucket 21) and second changing positions (hammer 31), respectively. In this alternative arrangement, for reaching the first changing position, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from the stowed position by an angle of 90, as described above. However, for reaching the second changing position in this alternative arrangement, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from the stowed position by an angle larger than 90. This alternative arrangement may be advantageous, as the construction machine 1 might be operated more often with the excavator bucket 21 than with the hammer 31, the arrangement of the excavator bucket 21 next to the hinging portion 156 allowing for quick installation. This alternative arrangement of the tools 21, 31 on the second tool carrier 50 may further improve visibility of a driver sitting in the driver cabin 9.

[0124] 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 said 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] For securing the loader bucket 11 to the first tool carrier 40, an interface might be provided on the machine frame 6, which may comprise at least one element for engaging with the loader bucket 11. For example, pins are driven into a wedge for realizing the engagement.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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 actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 73. 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] According to the embodiments of the present invention 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 second tool carrier 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.

[0133] FIG. 23 shows a first electric operation system 200 of the construction machine 1 according to an embodiment. The first electric operation system 200 comprises a battery pack 110 and a plurality of electric motors 122, 124, 126, e.g. three electric motors 122, 124, 126. The battery pack 110 is electrically connected to the electric motors 122, 124, 126 for supplying electric power to the electric motors 122, 124, 126. The battery pack 110 may comprise three batteries 112, 114, 116 that are electrically interconnected in the battery pack 110. Each battery 112, 114, 116 of the battery pack 110 may be configured to power each electric motor 122, 124, 126. The battery pack 110 may be part of the upper structure 5 of the construction machine 1 and may further function as a counterweight of the construction machine 1.

[0134] The first electric operation system 200 of the construction machine 1 comprises a battery pack controller 118 for controlling a charging and/or a discharging of each battery 112, 114, 116 of the battery pack 110 during an operational mode, e.g. during the loader mode and/or during the excavator mode. The electric motors 122, 124, 126 may be controlled by an electric motor controlling system 120. The electric motor controlling system 120 may comprise electric motor controllers 121, 123, 125 for respectively controlling an electric motor 122, 124, 126 of the first electric operation system 200.

[0135] A first electric motor 122 of the plurality of electric motors 122, 124, 126 of the first electric operation system 200 may be controlled by a first electric motor controller 121 for operating a ground drive 13 of the construction machine 1. The ground drive 13 may be a wheel-drive or a chain-drive for moving the construction machine 1 on the ground. The electric motor controller 121, the electric motor 122 and/or the ground drive 13 may be arranged on the chassis 4 of the construction machine 1.

[0136] A second electric motor 124 of the plurality of electric motors 122, 124, 126 of the first electric operation system 200 may be controlled by a second electric motor controller 123 for operating the swing drive 12 of the construction machine 1. The second electric motor controller 123, the second electric motor 124 and/or the swing drive 12 may be arranged on the chassis 4 and/or on the upper structure 5 of the construction machine 1.

[0137] A third electric motor 126 of the plurality of electric motors 122, 124, 126 of the first electric operation system 200 may be controlled by a third electric motor controller 125 for operating the articulated boom 2 of the construction machine 1. The articulated boom 2 may be operated via a hydraulic pump 131 for hydraulically operating the articulated boom 2. The hydraulic pump 131 may be actuated electrically by the third electric motor 126. The articulated boom 2 may thus be electro-hydraulically operated by the third electric motor 126. The third electric motor controller 125, the third electric motor 126 and/or the hydraulic pump 131 may be arranged on the upper structure 5 and/or on the articulated boom 2 of the construction machine 1. The proximal arm 62, the intermediate arm 64 and/or the distal arm 66 may by operated via the hydraulic pump 131 for operating the articulated boom 2 in the loader mode and/or in the excavator mode.

[0138] FIG. 24 shows a second electric operation system 300 of the construction machine 1 according to further embodiment. The second electric operation system 300 shown in FIG. 24 may be combined with at least one component of the first electric operation system 200 shown in FIG. 23 or vice versa.

[0139] The second electric operation system 300 comprises a battery pack 110, which may be the battery pack 110 shown in FIG. 23 and two electric motors 128, 130. The battery pack 110 is electrically connected to the electric motors 128, 130 for supplying electric power to the electric motors 128, 130. Each battery of the battery pack 110 may be configured to power each electric motor 128, 130 of the second electric operation system 200. The electric motors 128, 130 may be controlled by an electric motor controlling system 120. The electric motor controlling system 120 may comprise electric motor controllers 127, 129 for respectively controlling an electric motor 128, 130 of the second electric operation system 300. The electric motor controlling system 120 may be combined with the electric motor controlling system 120 shown in FIG. 23 or vice versa.

[0140] A first electric motor 128 of the plurality of electric motors 128, 130 of the second electric operation system 300 may be controlled by a first electric motor controller 127 for operating the first tool carrier 40 of the construction machine 1. The electric motor controller 127 and/or the electric motor 128 may be arranged on the chassis 4 of the construction machine 1.

[0141] A second electric motor 130 of the plurality of electric motors 128, 130 of the second electric operation system 300 may be controlled by a second electric motor controller 129 for operating the second tool carrier 50 of the construction machine 1. The electric motor controller 129 and/or the electric motor 130 may be arranged on the machine frame 6 of the construction machine 1.

[0142] FIG. 25 shows a third electric operation system 400 of the construction machine 1 according to a further embodiment. The third electric operation system 400 shown in FIG. 25 may be combined with at least one component of the first electric operation system 200 shown in FIG. 23 and/or with at least one component of the second electric operation system 300 shown in FIG. 24 or vice versa. The third electric operation system 400 corresponds to the second electric operation system 300 shown in FIG. 24 except for the differences outlined below.

[0143] In this third electric operation system 400, the first tool carrier 40 may be operated via a hydraulic pump 132 for hydraulically operating the first tool carrier 40. The hydraulic pump 132 may be actuated electrically by the first electric motor 128. The first tool carrier 40 may thus be electrohydraulically operated by the first electric motor 128. The electric motor controller 127, the electric motor 128 and/or the hydraulic pump 132 may be arranged on the chassis 4 of the construction machine 1. The second tool carrier 50 may be operated via a hydraulic pump 134 for hydraulically operating the second tool carrier 50. The hydraulic pump 134 may be actuated electrically by the second electric motor 130. The second tool carrier 50 may thus be electro-hydraulically operated by the electric motor 130. The electric motor controller 129, the electric motor 130 and/or the hydraulic pump 134 may be arranged on the machine frame 6 of the construction machine 1. The hydraulic pumps 132, 134 may be embodied by a single hydraulic pump unit or may be multiple hydraulic pump units.

[0144] Each component of the first tool carrier 40 described may thus also be powered indirectly via a hydraulic pump 132 or by an electric motor 128. Also each component of the second tool carrier 50 described may thus be powered indirectly via a hydraulic pump 134 or by an electric motor 130.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0145] 1 construction machine [0146] 2 articulated boom [0147] 3 tool mount [0148] 4 chassis [0149] 5 upper structure [0150] 6 machine frame [0151] 7 recess [0152] 8 frame recess [0153] 9 cabin [0154] 10 first tool [0155] 11 loader bucket [0156] 12 swing drive [0157] 13 ground drive [0158] 15 engine-hydraulic unit [0159] 16 counterweight [0160] 20 second tool [0161] 21 excavator bucket [0162] 30 third tool [0163] 31 hammer [0164] 40 first tool carrier [0165] 50 second tool carrier [0166] 52 positioning cylinder [0167] 53 piston rod [0168] 54 tool carrier articulation [0169] 55 base plate [0170] 56 seating [0171] 61 first articulation [0172] 62 proximal arm [0173] 63 second articulation [0174] 64 intermediate arm [0175] 65 third articulation [0176] 66 distal arm [0177] 67 fourth articulation [0178] 70 locking device [0179] 72 hook [0180] 73 hydraulic cylinder [0181] 74 arm support [0182] 82 first positioning cylinder [0183] 84 second positioning cylinder [0184] 86 third positioning cylinder [0185] 88 fourth positioning cylinder [0186] 89 pin [0187] 90 piston rod eye [0188] 100 arrangement [0189] 110 battery pack [0190] 112 battery [0191] 114 battery [0192] 116 battery [0193] 118 battery pack controller [0194] 120 electric motor controlling system [0195] 121 electric motor controller [0196] 122 electric motor [0197] 123 electric motor controller [0198] 124 electric motor [0199] 125 electric motor controller [0200] 126 electric motor [0201] 131 hydraulic pump [0202] 132 hydraulic pump [0203] 134 hydraulic pump [0204] 151 hydraulic cylinder [0205] 152 first tool retaining portion [0206] 153 first clamping means [0207] 154 second tool retaining portion [0208] 155 second clamping means [0209] 156 hinging portion [0210] 157 pivot arm [0211] 200 first electric operation system [0212] 300 second electric operation system [0213] 400 third electric operation system