Device for automatic connection between a tool and a tool holder of a construction or public works machine

Abstract

The automatic connection device includes a fixed connection plate, that is attached to or integrated with the tool holder and stationary relative to same, a movable connection plate, that is mounted movably on the tool so as to be able to both pivot and slide relative to same, and a centering device provided on the tool holder and the tool such that, when said tool is mounted and assembled mechanically on the tool holder, the connection plates are mutually centered and the electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic couplers of same are mutually connected so as to connect at least one of the electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of the tool to that of the tool holder.

Claims

1. An automatic connection device allowing connecting and automatically coupling at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of a tool with at least one of those of a tool holder provided on the free end of the stick of construction or public-works equipment when said tool is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder, this automatic connection device comprising: a first connection plate provided on the tool, comprising at least one electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic coupler accessible from the outside and connected to at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of said tool; a second connection plate provided on the tool holder, comprising at least one electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic coupler accessible from the outside and connected to at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of said tool holder; a centering device provided on the tool holder and/or on the tool such that, when said tool is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder, the first and second connection plates are mutually centered and the couplers thereof are mutually connected, so as to connect at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of the tool to that of the tool holder; wherein: at least one of the connection plates, called a fixed connection plate, is attached or integral to the tool or the tool holder on which said fixed connection plate is provided so as to be immobile relative thereto; and the other connection plate, called a movable connection plate, is mounted mobile on the tool or the tool holder on which said movable connection plate is provided so as to be mobile both in pivoting and sliding relative thereto, and further comprising: two guiding elements provided on either side of the first connection plate and two other guiding elements provided on either side of the second connection plate, the first or second guiding element being a projecting guiding finger, whereas the other guiding element is a receiving housing for said guiding finger, provided for housing the guiding finger, and further wherein each guiding finger has a free end that narrows to a point shape, followed by a straight median portion extending along the longitudinal axis of the guiding finger and ending in a flared base provided for mounting of the guiding finger on or immediately by the connection plate at which it is provided.

2. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein the centering device guides the movement of the movable connection plate relative to the fixed connection plate along a curved trajectory when the tool is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder.

3. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein the centering device comprises at least one first guiding element provided on the tool immediately by or on the first connection plate, and at least one second guiding element provided on the tool holder immediately by or on the second connection plate.

4. The automatic connection device according to claim 3, further comprising two guiding elements provided on either side of the first connection plate and two other guiding elements provided on either side of the second connection plate.

5. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein the tapered free end of each guiding finger comprises an inclined plane directed forward and opposite a straight part extending along the longitudinal axis of the guiding finger.

6. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein each guiding finger is provided on the movable connection plate.

7. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein the first connection plate is mounted mobile on the tool whereas the second connection plate is attached or integral to the tool holder.

8. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein the first connection plate comprises an identification chip, while the second connection plate comprises a chip reader.

9. The automatic connection device according to claim 1, wherein the movable connection plate comprises a base mounted mobile on the tool or the tool holder, where this base comprises cutouts each forming a guiding opening and provided on either side of the movable connection plate, and wherein said tool or tool holder comprises projecting elements, where each of these projecting elements is housed sliding in one of the cutouts.

10. The automatic connection device according to claim 9, wherein each projecting element preferably has the shape of a pair of substantially cylindrical guiding rollers each with a diameter that is substantially equal and slightly less than that of the internal height of the cutouts.

11. The automatic connection device according to claim 9, wherein when the tool is mounted on the tool holder, the cutouts of the base are located in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stick of the construction or public-works equipment.

12. The automatic connection device according to claim 9, wherein each cutout has an end transversely flared relative to the longitudinal axis of the cutout, where this flare extends in the direction opposite the tool holder when the tool is mounted on the tool holder.

13. Construction or public-works equipment comprising a stick equipped with a tool holder carrying a tool, further comprising an automatic connection device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be seen more clearly from the following description, provided with reference to the appended drawings, provided by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stick of construction or public-works equipment equipped with an automatic connection device according to the invention, in which the tool holder is partially assembled with a rock breaker-type tool;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the part of the tool holder comprising a fixed connection plate according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a movable connection plate according to the invention;

(5) FIGS. 4 to 8 are profile views showing the sequences for holding and locking a tool by a tool holder, where these are equipped with an automatic connection device according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 9 is a front view of a tool assembled on a tool holder, where they are equipped with an automatic connection device according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 10 is a profile view of a tool assembled on a tool holder shown in section along the section axis shown in FIG. 9;

(8) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stick of a construction or public-works equipment item equipped with an automatic connection device according to the invention, wherein the fixed connection plate is equipped with a protective element; and

(9) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a construction site tool in the form of a reversible bucket equipped with an automatic connection device according to the invention, wherein the movable connection plate is equipped with a protective element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The structurally and functionally identical elements shown in several different figures are assigned the same numerical or alphanumerical reference.

(11) Front or rear refers to the usual conventions involving vehicles. Thus, the pivoted stick at the end of which a work tool is installed is usually located at the front of construction equipment. In the figures, in profile views, the front is to the right and the rear is to the left.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a pivoted stick (1) of construction or public-works equipment equipped with an automatic connection device (2) according to the invention and a tool holder (3) provided on the free end of the pivoted stick (1) of construction or public-works equipment and partially assembled with a rock breaker-type tool (4).

(13) This figure shows a specific tool holder (3) developed by the Applicant, which comprises a quick and reversible device for attachment of a tool to construction equipment. In this device, the tool holder (3) comprises two pairs of holding axles (5, 6) extending laterally and mobile by moving closer or farther apart by means of a locking cylinder (7), whereas the tool (4) comprises at least two pairs of receiving parts (8, 9) the openings of which are facing and each intended to receive one of the holding axles (5, 6).

(14) The automatic connection device (2) according to the invention is provided to automatically connect and couple at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of a tool (4) with at least one of those of the tool holder (3) when said tool (4) is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder (3).

(15) This automatic connection device (2) comprises a first connection plate (10) provided on the tool (4), a second connection plate (11) provided on the tool holder (3) and a centering device (12) provided on the tool holder (3) and/or on the tool (4).

(16) The first connection plate (10) comprises at least one electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic coupler (13) accessible from the outside and connected to at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of the tool (4).

(17) The second connection plate (11) comprises at least one electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic coupler (14) accessible from the outside and connected to at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of the tool holder (3).

(18) At least one of the connection plates (10 or 11), called “fixed connection plate”, is attached or integral to the tool (4) or the tool holder (3) on which it is provided so as to be immobile relative thereto. Preferably, it involves the second connection plate (11), which is provided on the tool holder (3).

(19) The other connection plate (11 or 10), called “movable connection plate”, is mounted mobile on the tool (4) or the tool holder (3) on which it is provided so as to be mobile both in pivoting and sliding relative thereto. Preferably, it involves the first connection plate (10) provided on the tool (4).

(20) In the remainder of the description, for reasons of clarity, the movable connection plate will have the reference 10, whereas the fixed connection plate will have the reference 11. In fact, the figures show the invention according to a preferred embodiment in which the first connection plate (10) is the movable connection plate, while the second connection plate (11) is the fixed connection plate.

(21) Although this variant is not shown in the figures, it must however be seen clearly by the reader that the invention can also be provided such that the first connection plate (10) is the fixed connection plate while the second connection plate (11) is the movable connection plate.

(22) FIG. 2 shows the front face of a tool holder (3) comprising a fixed connection plate (11) according to the invention. In this example, the plate forms a single part with the part of the body (15) of the tool holder (3) on which it is mounted. The electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic couplers (14) of the fixed connection plate (11) are preferably female couplers, such that no element of the fixed connection plate (11) projects beyond the part of the body (15) of the tool holder (3) on which it is mounted. In this figure given solely as an example, the fixed connection plate (11) comprises five female hydraulic couplers (14a) and one female electric coupler (14b) with eight pins.

(23) FIG. 3 shows a movable connection plate (10) according to the invention. In this example, the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic couplers (13) on the movable connection plate (10) are preferably male couplers. In this figure given solely as an example, the movable connection plate (10) comprises five male hydraulic couplers (13a) and one male electric coupler (13b) with eight pins.

(24) The centering device (12) is provided such that, when said tool (4) is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder (3), the first and second connection plates (10, 11) are mutually centered and the couplers (13, 14) thereof are mutually connected, so as to connect at least one of the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks of the tool (4) to that of the tool holder (3).

(25) The centering device (12) is provided in order to be able to guide the movement of the movable connection plate (10) relative to the fixed connection plate (11) when said tool (4) is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder (3) along a curved trajectory.

(26) According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centering device (12) comprises at least one first guiding element (16) provided on the tool (4) immediately by or on the first connection plate (10), and at least one second guiding element (17) provided on the tool holder (3) immediately by or on the second connection plate (11).

(27) The centering device (12) preferably comprises two guiding elements (16 or 17) provided on either side of the first connection plate (10) and two other guiding elements (17 or 16) provided on either side of the second connection plate (11).

(28) According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first or second guiding element (16 or 17) is a projecting guiding finger (18), whereas the other guiding element (17 or 16) is a receiving housing (19) for said guiding finger (18), provided for housing the guiding finger (18) with a lateral play less than 2 millimeters, preferably less than 1 millimeter and more preferably less than 0.5 millimeter.

(29) Preferably, each guiding element (16) provided on the tool (4) has the shape of a projecting guiding finger (18), while each guiding element (17) provided on the tool holder (3) has the shape of a receiving housing (19). As before, it is possible this way that no elements project beyond the part of the body (15) of the tool holder (3) on which the fixed connection plate (11) is mounted.

(30) In fact, such projecting elements would be likely to be damaged during operation of the pivoted stick (1), whereas the projecting elements present on the back of the tool (4) can advantageously be protected by projecting parts (20) of the tool (4) in which the two pairs of receiving parts (8, 9) are shaped.

(31) This configuration is of course valid for the specific tool holder (3) developed by the Applicant, which comprises a quick and reversible device for attachment of a tool to construction equipment.

(32) When the centering device (12) comprises two guiding fingers (18), each receiving housing (19) can have an open outer lateral surface, such as shown in FIG. 2.

(33) For a different tool holder (3), this configuration can consequently be adjusted without going outside the scope of the present invention.

(34) Each guiding finger (18) preferably has the shape of a plate (15) having a thickness included between 5 and 30 mm, preferably included between 8 and 20 mm and more preferably included between 10 and 15 mm.

(35) It preferably has a free end (21) which narrows to a point shape, followed by a straight median portion (22) continuing along the longitudinal axis of the guiding finger (18) and ending in a flared base (23) provided for mounting of the guiding finger (18) on or immediately by the connection plate on which it is provided (10). The tapered free end (21) of each guiding finger (18) comprises an inclined plane (24) directed forward and opposite a straight part (25) extending along the longitudinal axis of the guiding finger (18).

(36) Each receiving housing (19) preferably comprises a flared entry (26) through which the guiding finger penetrates (18), followed by a straight part (27) extending along the longitudinal axis of the receiving housing (19) in order to receive said guiding finger (18) at least partially.

(37) Each of the guiding fingers (18) and each of the receiving housings (19) is preferably provided in a vertical plane and they are preferably each extended along the longitudinal axis of the stick (1) of the construction or public-works equipment.

(38) According to a preferred embodiment, each guiding finger (18) is provided on the movable connection plate (10) and has a generally straight shape.

(39) According to a variant of the invention, the first connection plate (10) comprises an identification chip (28), preferably an RFID chip, while the second connection plate (11) comprises a chip reader (29).

(40) The identification chip (28) can contain a lot of information, in particular an identification code specific to the tool allowing the tool holder to identify the tool which is connected to it and automatically adjust the equipment in order for the tool to be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

(41) According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable connection plate (10) comprises a base (30) mounted mobile on the tool (4) or the tool holder (3), where this base (30) comprises cutouts (31) each forming a guiding opening (32) and provided on either side of the movable connection plate (10), and said tool (4) or tool holder (3) comprises projecting elements (33) housed sliding in one of the cutouts (31).

(42) Each projecting element (33) preferably has the shape of a pair of substantially cylindrical guiding rollers (34) each with a diameter that is substantially equal and slightly less than that of the internal height of the cutouts (31). The guiding rollers (34) are all provided in a single plane, where this plane is horizontal in the figures.

(43) When the tool (4) is mounted on the tool holder (3), the cutouts (31) of the base (30) are located in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stick (1) of the construction or public-works equipment.

(44) Each cutout (31) preferably has an oblong shape and has a front end transversely flared (35) relative to the longitudinal axis of the cutout (31), where this flare (35) extends in the direction opposite the tool holder (3) when the tool (4) is mounted on the tool holder (3), meaning that in the figures the flare (35) extends downward and is located near the right end of the cutout (31).

(45) Each cutout (31) is closed or plugged at each front and rear longitudinal end thereof in order to limit the range of the guiding rollers (34) therein, such that the movable connection plate (10) is always on the tool (4) in a position where the centering device (12) is provided in order to be able to guide the movement of the movable connection plate (10) relative to the fixed connection plate (11) when said tool (4) is mechanically mounted and assembled on the tool holder (3).

(46) The flare (35) may comprise an open slit (36) provided for avoiding accumulation of dirt or sand in this part.

(47) With reference to FIGS. 4 to 10, and in order to better understand the invention, we are now going to look at the operation of the automatic connection device (2) according to the invention equipped on a specific tool (4) and tool holder (3) developed by the Applicant, which comprises a quick and reversible device for attachment of a tool to construction equipment.

(48) In these figures, the tool (4) is not shown in full, but only the base thereof is shown.

(49) First, the tool (4) is partially engaged with the tool holder (3) and a pair of holding axles (6) of the tool holder (3) is received in a pair of receiving parts (9) of the tool (4).

(50) Next, the other pair of holding axles (5) of the tool holder (3) is brought towards the other pair of receiving parts (8) of the tool (4) by pivoting (see FIG. 4).

(51) The two connection plates (10, 11) are brought mutually closer and the free end (21) of each guiding finger (18) comes into contact with the flared entry (26) of the receiving housing (19) associated therewith.

(52) The movable connection plate (10) is mounted floating on the tool (4), also the position thereof is variable when each guiding finger (18) comes into contact with the receiving housing (19) associated therewith.

(53) The guiding opening (32) of the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided and the guiding rollers (34) of the tool holder (3) are however provided such that in the various possible far positions of the movable connection plate (10) relative to the tool (4), when the other pair of holding axles (5) of the tool holder (3) is brought closer to the other pair of receiving parts (8) of the tool (4) by pivoting, the free end (21) of each guiding finger (18) always comes into contact with the flared entry (26) of the receiving housing (19) associated therewith.

(54) These various possible far positions for the movable connection plate (10) relative to the tool (4) are shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c.

(55) In FIG. 5a, the movable connection plate (10) is in far front position relative to the tool (4), meaning that it is in far position to the right in the figure, where the guiding rollers (34) are stopped against the rear part (37) of the guiding opening (32) of the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided. In this position, when the two connection plates (10, 11) are brought mutually closer, the inclined plane (24) of each guiding finger (18) slides by sliding on the flared entry (26) of the receiving housing (19) associated therewith. This sliding of one ramp against another slides the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided such that each guiding finger (18) is positioned substantially centered relative to the receiving housing (19) associated therewith.

(56) In FIG. 5b, the movable connection plate (10) is in far rear position relative to the tool (4), meaning that it is in far position to the left in the figure, where the guiding rollers (34) are stopped against the front part (38) of the guiding opening (32) of the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided. In this position, when the two connection plates (10, 11) are brought mutually closer, each guiding finger (18) slides by sliding on the flared entry (26) of the receiving housing (19) associated therewith. This sliding slide the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided such that each guiding finger (18) is positioned substantially centered relative to the receiving housing (19) associated therewith.

(57) In FIG. 5c, the movable connection plate (10) is in far pivoted position relative to the tool (4), meaning that a pair of guiding rollers (34) is stopped in the bottom of the flare (35) of each cutout (31) of the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided. In this position, when the two connection plates (10, 11) will be brought mutually closer, each guiding finger (18) slides by sliding on the flared entry (26) of the receiving housing (19) associated therewith. This sliding pivot the base (30) on which the movable connection plate (10) is provided such that each guiding finger (18) is positioned substantially centered relative to the receiving housing (19) associated therewith.

(58) When the two connection plates (10, 11) are brought towards each other, each guiding finger (18), centered relative to the receiving housing (19) associated therewith, slides by sliding in the receiving housing (19) thereof. During this movement, the movable connection plate (10) pivots and slides relative to the tool (4) to follow the movement (see FIG. 6).

(59) The two connection plates (10, 11), perfectly centered because of the centering device (12), come mutually closer by a substantially straight translational movement relative to each other until coming into contact. The electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic couplers (13, 14) of the connection plates (10, 11) then mutually engage in order to connect the respective electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic networks thereof. In this position, one pair of holding axles (6) of the tool holder (3) is received in one pair of receiving parts (9) of the tool (4) whereas the other pair of holding axles (5) of the tool holder (3) is opposite the other pair of receiving parts (8) of the tool (4) (see FIG. 7). All the holding axles (5, 6) of the tool holder (3) are in the same plane as the receiving parts (8, 9) of the tool (4). The rollers are in far position stopped against the front part (38) (to the right in the figure) of each guiding opening (32) of the base (30).

(60) The tool (4) is then locked on the tool holder (3) by the translational displacement of the other pair of holding axles (5) of the tool holder (3) to the bottom of the receiving parts (8) of the tool (4) by means of the locking cylinder (7). The two connection plates (10, 11) remain connected and the movable connection plate (10) slides forward relative to the tool (4) in order to follow the movement (see FIG. 8). The rollers are then found in far position stopped against the rear part (37) (to the left in the figure) of each guiding opening (32) of the base (30), which corresponds to the locked position of the tool (4) on the tool holder (3).

(61) This position is also shown from the front in FIG. 9 and in section in FIG. 10, where it is notably possible to see that the electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic couplers (13, 14) of the connection plates (10, 11) are all mutually connected.

(62) We are reminded that the automatic connection device (2) according to the invention is not provided solely for the specific tool holder (3) developed by the Applicant, which comprises a quick and reversible device for attachment of a tool to construction equipment. Consequently, the operation of the invention described above can be substantially different depending on the configuration of the tool (4) and the tool holder (3).

(63) Similarly, a tool holder (3) equipped with an automatic connection device (2) according to the invention can also be used for assembly with a tool (4) not requiring any connection to any electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic network.

(64) In this case, a first possibility consists in that the second connection plate (11) provided on the tool holder (3) is equipped with a protective device (39), for example in the form of a stiff metal protective cover equipped with a flexible rubber-type plate, which is placed above the electric, pneumatic and/or hybrid couplers (14) of the second connection plate (11). This protective device (39) is placed manually.

(65) A second possibility consists in that the tool (4) is equipped with a protective device (40) coming to bear on the second connection plate (11) provided on the tool holder (3) in order to protect it. This protective device (40) can have the shape of a block of rubber or equivalent, which can have projecting elements provided for engaging with the electric, pneumatic and or hydraulic couplers (14) of the second connection plate (11). This protective device (40) stays on the tool (4).

(66) A tool holder (3) equipped with an automatic connection device (2) according to the invention for which the second connection plate (11) is equipped with a protective device (39) is shown in FIG. 11, while FIG. 12 shows a reversible bucket equipped with the protective device (40).

(67) It will be noted that both protective devices (39, 40) described above are two alternatives aiming to protect the automatic connection device (2) according to the invention for a tool (4) not requiring connection to an electric, pneumatic and/or hydraulic network.

(68) It is obvious that this description is not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also includes other embodiments and/or implementations. Thus, one described technical characteristic can be replaced by an equivalent technical characteristic without going beyond the scope of the invention, and one described functional step of implementation of the method can be replaced by an equivalent step without departing from the scope of the invention.