AN IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENT DEVICE

Abstract

An implement attachment device, for selectively attaching an implement to a working machine includes a hydraulic cylinder including a cylinder housing with first and second longitudinal ends, a piston in the cylinder housing, and a piston rod fixed to the piston and protruding through the first end of the cylinder housing, an attachment element being connected to a protruding portion of the piston rod, and adapted to engage with a complementary element of the implement, and a hydraulic conduit and valve arrangement connected to the hydraulic cylinder, wherein the conduit and valve arrangement is arranged to selectively allow a communication between a piston side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and a rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder.

Claims

1. An implement attachment device, for selectively attaching an implement to a working machine, comprising a hydraulic cylinder comprising a cylinder housing with first and second longitudinal ends, a piston in the cylinder housing, and a piston rod fixed to the piston and protruding through the first end of the cylinder housing, an attachment element being connected to a protruding portion of the piston rod, and adapted to engage with a complementary element of the implement, and a hydraulic conduit and valve arrangement, connected to the hydraulic cylinder, wherein the conduit and valve arrangement is arranged to selectively allow a communication between a piston side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and a rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder.

2. An implement attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the conduit and valve arrangement comprises a control valve, a conduit arrangement, arranged to provide a communication between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve, and a locking valve arranged to allow, in a first position, the communication between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve by means of the conduit arrangement, and to allow, in a second position, the communication between the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder by means of the conduit arrangement.

3. An implement attachment device according to claim 2, wherein the conduit arrangement comprises a piston side conduit extending from the control valve to the piston side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, and a rod side conduit extending from the control valve to the rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder.

4. An implement attachment device according to claim 3, wherein the locking valve is arranged to allow, in the first position, the communication between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve through the piston side conduit as well as through the rod side conduit, and to allow, in the second position, the communication between the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber via at least a portion of the piston side conduit and at least a portion of the rod side conduit.

5. An implement attachment device according to claim 3, wherein the locking valve is bypassed by a first of the piston side conduit and the rod side conduit, and arranged to allow, in the first position, a communication through all of a second of the piston side conduit and the rod side conduit, and to allow, in the second position, a communication between the first conduit and a portion of the second conduit, which portion extends between the locking valve and the hydraulic cylinder, while blocking the communication through all of the second conduit.

6. An implement attachment device according to claim 2, wherein the locking valve comprises a piston side chamber port, and a rod side chamber port, connected to the piston side chamber and the rod side chamber, respectively, the locking valve being arranged to short cut the piston side chamber port and the rod side chamber port.

7. An implement attachment device, for selectively attaching an implement to a working machine, comprising a hydraulic cylinder comprising a cylinder housing with first and second longitudinal ends, a piston in the cylinder housing, and a piston rod fixed to the piston and protruding through the first end of the cylinder housing, an attachment element being connected to a protruding portion of the piston rod, and adapted to engage with a complementary element of the implement, a control valve, a piston side conduit extending from the control valve to a piston side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, and a rod side conduit extending from the control valve to a rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, and a locking valve arranged to selectively allow and block a communication through the rod side conduit, the piston side conduit bypassing the locking valve, wherein a bypass conduit connects portions of the rod side conduit on opposite sides of the locking valve while bypassing the locking valve, a one way valve being arranged to block a flow of hydraulic fluid in the bypass conduit in a direction from the control valve towards the rod side chamber, and to allow a flow in the bypass conduit in the opposite direction above a threshold pressure difference across the one way valve.

8. A working machine with an implement attachment device according to claim 1.

9. A method for refreshing fluid in a hydraulic cylinder comprising a cylinder housing with first and second longitudinal ends, a piston in the cylinder housing, and a piston rod fixed to the piston and protruding through the first end of the cylinder housing, a hydraulic conduit and valve arrangement connecting the hydraulic cylinder with a hydraulic pump, the method being characterized by setting the conduit and valve arrangement in a first setting, in which a communication is provided between a piston side chamber and a rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder, and between the piston side chamber and a hydraulic pump, and subsequently setting the conduit and valve arrangement in a second setting, in which a communication is provided between the rod side chamber and the hydraulic pump, and between the piston side chamber and a hydraulic fluid storage container.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the steps of setting the conduit and valve arrangement in a first setting, and setting the conduit and valve arrangement in a second setting, are repeated, one after the other, a plurality of times.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the hydraulic cylinder forms a part of an implement attachment device for selectively attaching an implement to a working machine, comprising a hydraulic cylinder comprising a cylinder housing with first and second longitudinal ends, a piston in the cylinder housing, and a piston rod fixed to the piston and protruding through the first end of the cylinder housing, an attachment element being connected to a protruding portion of the piston rod, and adapted to engage with a complementary element of the implement, and a hydraulic conduit and valve arrangement, connected to the hydraulic cylinder, wherein the conduit and valve arrangement is arranged to selectively allow a communication between a piston side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and a rod side chamber of the hydraulic cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0041] In the drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a side view of a wheel loader.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an implement attachment device for the wheel loader in FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows the implement attachment device in FIG. 2, with a conduit and valve arrangement in a first position.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows the implement attachment device in FIG. 2, with the conduit and valve arrangement in a second position.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting steps in a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an implement attachment device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an implement attachment device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an implement attachment device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an implement attachment device according to an additional embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an implement attachment device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0052] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a working machine 1 in the form of a wheel loader. The wheel loader comprises a body structure 101 with a front unit 102 and a rear unit 103. The front unit 102 comprises a frame 3 described closer below. The front unit 102 and the rear unit 103 are mounted to each other via a pivotable coupling 104. The front unit 102 and the rear unit 103 present two front wheels 106 and two rear wheels 107, respectively. The front wheels 106 define a front wheel axis 108 and the rear wheels 107 define a rear wheel axis 109.

[0053] The pivotable coupling 104 is arranged to allow the front and rear units to pivot in relation to each other around a pivot axis 105, which is substantially vertical when the wheel loader 1 is supported on a horizontal surface. Two steering hydraulic cylinders 110 are arranged on opposite sides of the wheel loader 1, for turning the wheel loader by means of relative movement of the front unit 102 and the rear unit 103. In other words, the wheel loader 1 is articulated and frame steered by means of the steering hydraulic cylinders 110.

[0054] The rear unit 103 of the wheel loader 1 comprises an engine compartment 111 with an internal combustion engine and a radiator system 112. In some embodiments, the wheel loader 1 may have an electric hybrid propulsion system, or a fully electric propulsion system. The rear unit 103 further comprises a driver compartment 113, herein also referred to as a cab. At each wheel 106, 107, a service brake is provided.

[0055] The wheel loader 1 comprises an implement 14. The term implement is intended to comprise any kind of tool suitable for a wheel loader, such as a bucket, a fork, or a gripping tool. The implement 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a bucket. The implement 14 is arranged on an elongated lift arm 6 for lifting and lowering the implement 14, relative to the body structure 101.

[0056] The lift arm 6 is at a first end rotatably or pivotably connected to the frame 3 at a first pivot connection 7. The implement 14 is mounted to the lift arm 6 at a second pivot connection 141, at a second end of the lift arm 6. For this the implement 14 is attached to an attachment bracket 140 as described below. The attachment bracket 140 is in turn pivotally mounted to the lift arm 6 at the second pivot connection 141. The lift arm 6 is arranged to be pivoted around the first pivot connection 7 by means of a main hydraulic cylinder 8 being part of a hydraulic system of the wheel loader. Thereby the lift arm 6 is pivotable between an upper end position and a lower end position.

[0057] The wheel loader also comprises a tilting hydraulic cylinder 9 arranged to actuate a tilting movement of the implement 14 in relation to the lift arm 6. The tilting hydraulic cylinder 9 extends from the lift arm 6 to a linkage mechanism 901, which is adapted to transfer movements from the tilting hydraulic cylinder 9 to the implement 14.

[0058] Thus, the implement 14 is attached to the lift arm 6 via the attachment bracket 140. The attachment bracket 14 comprises upper and lower implement attachment devices 1000, for selectively attaching the implement to the lift arm 6.

[0059] Reference is made also to FIG. 2. Each attachment device 1000 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 1100. The hydraulic cylinder 1100 comprises a cylinder housing 1105 with first and second longitudinal ends 1106, 1107. Two pistons 1110 are provided in the cylinder housing. A respective piston rod 1111 is fixed to each piston. The piston rods 1111 protrude through the first and second ends, respectively, of the cylinder housing.

[0060] Each attachment device 1000 comprises two attachment elements 1115 being connected to a protruding portion of a respective of the piston rods. Each attachment element 1115 is, in this embodiment, provided as a pin, adapted to engage with a complementary element of the implement 14. The complementary element may be provided e.g. in the form of an ear with an opening to be protruded by the attachment element 1115.

[0061] In this embodiment, each attachment element 1115 is integrated with the respective piston rod 1111. In some embodiments, each attachment element 1115 may be of the same diameter as the respective piston rod 1111. However, in some embodiments, each attachment element 1115 may be a separate piece, which is fixed to the respective piston rod 1111 in some suitable way, e.g. by welding.

[0062] Each attachment device 1000 further comprises a hydraulic conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 1100. The valve arrangement 1201-1204 is hydraulically connected to a hydraulic fluid storing and pumping arrangement of the hydraulic system. The hydraulic fluid storing and pumping arrangement comprises a hydraulic pump 1221 and a hydraulic tank 1222, herein also referred to as a hydraulic fluid storage container. The hydraulic fluid storing and pumping arrangement also comprises a filter (not shown) for filtering the hydraulic fluid.

[0063] The conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 comprises a control valve 1203. The conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 further comprises a conduit arrangement 1201, 1202 arranged to provide a communication between the hydraulic cylinder 1100 and the control valve 1203. The conduit arrangement 1201, 1202 comprises a piston side conduit 1202 extending from the control valve 1203 to a piston side chamber 1120 of the hydraulic cylinder 1100, via a locking valve 1204. The conduit arrangement 1201, 1202 further comprises a rod side conduit 1201 extending from the control valve 1203 to two rod side chambers 1121 of the hydraulic cylinder 1100, via the locking valve 1204. The locking valve 1204 is a 4/2-way valve.

[0064] The locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in a first position, the communication between the hydraulic cylinder 1100 and the control valve 1203, through the piston side conduit 1202 as well as through the rod side conduit 1201. Thereby, the locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in the first position, the communication between the hydraulic cylinder 1100 and the control valve 1203. Thereby, the hydraulic cylinder 1100 may be controlled by the control valve 1203, e.g. when changing the implement. The control valve can in this example assume three positions, two of which provide actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in opposite directions, and the third of which closes any communication between the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic fluid storing and pumping arrangement 1221, 1222. More specifically, in this example, the control valve 1203 is a 4/3-way valve. The control valve may be proportionally controlled, so as to allow a gradual transition between said three positions. By means of the control valve 1203, the hydraulic cylinder 1100 can be controlled to retract the attachment elements 1115 to release the implement 14 (FIG. 1) from the attachment bracket 140. Also, by means of the control valve 1203, the hydraulic cylinder can be controlled to deploy the attachment elements 1115, e.g. to engage another implement.

[0065] The locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in a second position, shown in FIG. 2, the communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121, via a portion of the piston side conduit 1202 and a portion of the rod side conduit 1201. Said portions of the piston side conduit 1202 and the rod side conduit 1201 extend from the hydraulic cylinder 1100 to the locking valve 1204. Thereby, the locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in the second position, the communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121 of the hydraulic cylinder 1100.

[0066] Thus, the conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 is arranged to selectively allow, by control of the locking valve 1204, the communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121. This communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121, provides for securing the attachment of the implement 14 (FIG. 1) to the attachment bracket 140.

[0067] More specifically, as explained above, the communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121 will prevent the pistons 1110 from moving.

[0068] In the second position of the locking valve 1204, the pistons will be prevented from moving, even if the pressure in the conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 falls, e.g. due to a conduit rupture, a leakage in the control valve 1203, or even a leakage in the locking valve 1204.

[0069] With reference to FIG. 3-FIG. 5, a method for refreshing the fluid, e.g. hydraulic oil, in a hydraulic cylinder 1100, will be described. This allows fluid in the hydraulic cylinder to be replaced, so that it may be secured that filtered and fresh fluid is present in the hydraulic cylinder. Thus, in addition to securing the attachment of the implement to the attachment bracket, the attachment device allows for the refreshment of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder. The fluid refreshment method is advantageously executed when there is no implement attached to the attachment bracket.

[0070] The method comprises setting S1 the conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 in a first setting in which a communication is provided between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121, and between the piston side chamber 1120 and the hydraulic pump 1221. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first setting, the control valve 1203 is in a position allowing a communication between the pump 1221 and the rod side chamber 1121. Further, in the first setting, the locking valve 1204 is in the second position, in which it allows the communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121. Thereby, the pistons will be urged so as for the hydraulic cylinder to be extended. The pistons will move away from each other. This is due to the unequal exposure of the pistons to the chambers 1120, 1121. During this extension of the hydraulic cylinder, fluid will move from the rod side chambers 1121 towards the piston side chamber 1120. Also, due to the unequal change of volumes of the chambers 1120, 1121, fluid will be moved from the pump 1221 towards the piston side chamber.

[0071] Subsequently, the conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 is moved S2 to a second setting in which a communication is provided between the rod side chamber 1121 and the hydraulic pump 1221, and between the piston side chamber 1120 and a hydraulic tank 1222. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second setting the control valve 1203 remains in the position in which it allows the communication between the pump 1221 and the rod side chamber 1121. However, in the second setting, the locking valve 1204 is in the first position, in which it allows the communication between the hydraulic cylinder 1100 and the control valve 1203 through the piston side conduit 1202 as well as through the rod side conduit 1201. Thereby, the pistons will be urged so as for the hydraulic cylinder to be retracted. The pistons will move towards each other. During this retraction of the hydraulic cylinder, fluid will move from the piston side chamber 1120 towards the hydraulic tank 1222.

[0072] During the hydraulic fluid refreshment method, the steps S1, S2 of setting the conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 in the first setting, and setting the conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 in the second setting, are repeated, one after the other, a plurality of times. During each cycle of the method, some fluid will be transported from the pump 1221 towards the hydraulic cylinder, and from the hydraulic cylinder towards the hydraulic tank. Thereby, the method provides for replacing the fluid in the hydraulic cylinder with filtered fluid.

[0073] Reference is made to FIG. 6. It should be noted that the invention is equally applicable to an implement attachment device with a hydraulic cylinder comprising only one piston, as in the example in FIG. 6.

[0074] Reference is made to FIG. 7, showing an embodiment, which is similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 2, with the following exception: The locking valve 1204 is a 3/2-way valve. The locking valve 1204 is bypassed by the piston side conduit 1202. The locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in the first position, a communication through all of the rod side conduit 1201. The locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in the second position, a communication between the piston side conduit 1202 and a portion of the rod side conduit 1201, which portion extends between the locking valve 1204 and the hydraulic cylinder 1100, while blocking the communication through all of the rod side conduit 1201. Similarly to the embodiment in FIG. 2, thereby, the locking valve 1204 is arranged to allow, in the second position, the communication between the piston side chamber 1120 and the rod side chambers 1121 of the hydraulic cylinder 1100, thereby securing the attachment of the implement 14 (FIG. 1) to the attachment bracket 140.

[0075] Alternatively, the locking valve 1204 may be bypassed by the rod side conduit 1201. Thereby, the locking valve 1204 may be arranged to allow, in the first position, a communication through all of the piston side conduit 1202. The locking valve 1204 may further be arranged to allow, in the second position, a communication between the rod side conduit 1201 and a portion of the piston side conduit 1202, which portion extends between the locking valve 1204 and the hydraulic cylinder 1100, while blocking the communication through all of the piston side conduit 1202.

[0076] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment, which is similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 7, but where the locking valve 1204 is of an alternative type of 3/2-way valve.

[0077] It should be noted that the hydraulic fluid refreshment method described with reference to FIG. 3-FIG. 5, may advantageously be executed on any of the embodiments in FIG. 6-FIG. 8.

[0078] Reference is made to FIG. 9, showing an embodiment, which is similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 2, with the following exception: The locking valve 1204 is a 2/2-way valve. The locking valve 1204 is arranged to selectively allow and block a communication through the rod side conduit 1201. The piston side conduit 1202 bypasses the locking valve 1204. A bypass conduit 1211 connects portions of the rod side conduit 1201 on opposite sides of the locking valve 1204 while bypassing the locking valve 1204. A one way valve 1212 is arranged to block a flow of hydraulic fluid in the bypass conduit 1211, in a direction from the control valve 1203 towards the rod side chambers 1121. The one way valve 1212 is further arranged to allow a flow in the bypass conduit 1211, in the opposite direction above a threshold pressure difference across the one way valve 1212.

[0079] The locking valve prevents, at a pressure loss in the piston side conduit 1202, the pistons from moving towards each other. The reason is that if the pistons would move towards each other, at a pressure loss in the piston side conduit, the pressure on the rod side chambers 1121 would be below atmospheric pressure. The one way valve 1212 being arranged to allow a flow in the bypass conduit 1211 in the direction from the rod side chambers 1121 towards the control valve 1203, above the threshold pressure difference, allows for the attachment device 1000 to become engaged with the implement 14 (FIG. 1), while the locking valve 1204 is set to block the rod side conduit 1201. This reduces the number of operational steps at the implement engagement.

[0080] Reference is made to FIG. 10. showing an implement attachment device, according to a further embodiment of the invention. The implement attachment device comprises a hydraulic cylinder 1100 comprising a cylinder housing with first and second longitudinal ends, a piston 1110 in the cylinder housing, and a piston rod 1111 fixed to the piston and protruding through the first end of the cylinder housing. The implement attachment device further comprises an attachment element 1115 being connected to a protruding portion of the piston rod, and adapted to engage with a complementary element of the implement. The implement attachment device also comprises a hydraulic conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204, connected to the hydraulic cylinder 1100. The conduit and valve arrangement 1201-1204 is arranged to selectively allow a communication between a piston side chamber 1120 of the hydraulic cylinder 1100 and a rod side chamber 1121 of the hydraulic cylinder 1100.

[0081] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.