WORKING MACHINE WITH COUPLING DEVICE FOR FLUID-CONDUCTING LINES

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a working machine, which comprises a first boom part, a second boom part detachably connectable to the first boom part, a first and a second fluid-guiding line and a coupling device for reversibly coupling the first and second lines. The first line is arranged on the first boom part and the second line is arranged on the second boom part. The coupling device comprises a first coupling part connected to the first line in a fluid-conducting manner, a second coupling part connected to the second line in a fluid-conducting manner and connected to the second boom part, and a pivot part connected to the first boom part, which can be pivoted about a pivot axis. By pivoting the pivot part about the pivot axis, the two coupling parts can be coupled in a fluid-conducting manner. According to the disclosure, the working machine comprises a locking mechanism.

Claims

1. Working machine having a first boom part, a second boom part detachably connectable to the first boom part, at least one first fluid-conducting line arranged on the first boom part, at least one second fluid-conducting line arranged on the second boom part and a coupling device for reversibly coupling the first and second lines, wherein the coupling device comprises a first coupling part connected to the at least one first line, a second coupling part connected to the at least one second line and connected to the second boom part, and a pivot part connected to the first boom part and pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the first coupling part can be coupled to the second coupling part in a fluid-conducting manner by pivoting the pivot part, comprising a locking mechanism, by means of which the first coupling part for coupling and disconnecting the coupling parts can be mechanically connected to the pivot part and can be detached from the pivot part in a state coupled with the second coupling part.

2. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling part is permanently connected to the second boom part and/or the pivot part is permanently connected to the first boom part.

3. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the pivot part can be pivoted about the pivot axis by means of an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder.

4. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein after detaching the first coupling part from the pivot part, there is no direct, rigid connection between the first coupling part and the first boom part.

5. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the second boom part can be connected to the first boom part in at least two position and can be moved between a first working position and a second working position, wherein after detaching the first coupling part from the pivot part the first coupling part is connected, firmly connected to the second boom part, and wherein when changing the working position the first coupling part can be moved together with the second boom part relative to the first boom part.

6. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is arranged on the first coupling part.

7. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one actuator, by means of which the first coupling part can be locked in a coupling position of the pivot part with the pivot part and can be unlocked therefrom, wherein the actuator for locking and unlocking the first coupling part can be actuated from a driver's cab and/or via a control device arranged on the working machine or a mobile control device.

8. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling part can be locked to the second coupling part in the coupling position of the pivot part by means of the locking mechanism, wherein the locking of the coupling parts takes place simultaneously with the unlocking of the first coupling part and the pivot part and vice versa, via the same at least one actuator).

9. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least two double-acting hydraulic cylinders, which are connected to or provided with bolts, which can be retracted into bolt receptacles on the second coupling part or on the pivot part by actuating the hydraulic cylinders.

10. Working machine according to claim 9, wherein chamfers are provided on the bolts and/or on the bolt receptacles to facilitate the insertion of the bolts into the bolt receptacles, wherein each hydraulic cylinder is connected to or provided with an outer bolt for insertion into a bolt receptacle on the pivot part and an inner bolt for insertion into a bolt receptacle on the second coupling part, and the inner and outer bolts have differently formed chamfers.

11. Working machine according to claim 7, wherein the coupling device comprise a sensor device having at least one sensor, by means of which the coupling device of the pivot part can be detected, wherein the working machine comprises a control unit for controlling the at least one actuator of the locking mechanism, which is connected to the at least one sensor and is designed to enable actuation of the at least one actuator only when the pivot part is in the coupling position.

12. Working machine according to claim 11, wherein the coupling position of the pivot part is derived directly from its position and is defined by a mechanical stop, which is arranged on the pivot part and cooperates with a counter stop on the second coupling part or on the second boom part, wherein the at least one sensor is designed as an inductive sensor.

13. Working machine according to claim 1, wherein the coupling parts are designed such that they move towards each other on a circular path about the pivot axis by pivoting the pivot part into a coupling position and thereby automatically couple with each other in a fluid-conducting manner, wherein at least one of the coupling parts, the second coupling part, is mounted so as to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot part and movable perpendicularly thereto, via a spring device, wherein the coupling device comprises a linear guide, which is designed to compensate, in cooperation with the movable bearing of the movable coupling part, the relative movement of the two coupling parts along a circular path when pivoting together and to guide the two coupling parts linearly to each other when coupling.

14. Coupling device for a working machine according to claim 1.

15. Method for establishing an operating state of a working machine according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: pivoting the pivot part about the pivot axis into the coupling position, wherein the first coupling part is locked to the pivot part via the locking mechanism, locking the first coupling part to the second coupling part by means of the locking mechanism, and detaching the locking between the first coupling part and the pivot part by means of the locking mechanism such that they are no longer firmly connected to each other.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising pivoting the pivot part back about the pivot axis out of the coupling position such that there is no contact between the pivot part and the first coupling part.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the unlocking takes place simultaneously with the locking of the first and second coupling parts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0046] Further features, details and advantages of the disclosure result from the following exemplary embodiment explained with the help of the figures. In the figures:

[0047] FIGS. 1a-b show a first example of a working machine known from the prior art in a side view, wherein different working positions of the attachment tool are shown;

[0048] FIG. 2: shows a second example of a working machine known from the prior art in a side view;

[0049] FIG. 3: shows a perspective view of the open coupling device of a working machine according to the disclosure according to a preferred exemplary embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 4: shows the open coupling device in another view;

[0051] FIG. 5: shows the coupling device according to FIG. 4 in the coupled state;

[0052] FIG. 6: shows the coupling device according to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein the pivot part disconnected from the first coupling part is pivoted back; and

[0053] FIG. 7: shows a sectional view through the coupled coupling device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an example of a working machine known from the prior art in a side view. This example is a hydraulic excavator that has an undercarriage 3 with a crawler chassis and an upper carriage 4 with a driver's cab mounted on the undercarriage 3 such that it can rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. A first boom part 1 in the form of an articulated piece that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis via one or more hydraulic cylinders is articulated to the upper carriage 4.

[0055] An attachment tool 5 is mounted on the end of the first boom part 1 opposite the upper carriage 4, wherein the attachment tool 5 in the example shown here is backhoe equipment for demolition work. The working machine shown is therefore used as a demolition excavator. The attachment tool 5 comprises a second boom part 2 and a hydraulically movable backhoe or excavator bucket, wherein the second boom part 2 is connected to the free end of the first boom part 1 at its end opposite the backhoe. For this purpose, the ends of the first and second boom parts 1, 2 have corresponding connecting elements, in this case in the form of two bolt connections, which form two locking axes 8, 9 (see FIG. 1b).

[0056] The attachment tool 5 shown here has two discrete working positions, which are shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. For this purpose, a first locking axis 8 is formed by a bolt connection that remains inserted in every working position and is used as a pivot axis for the attachment tool 5. The second locking axis 9, which runs parallel thereto, is repositioned to change the working position, such that the attachment tool 5 and consequently the second boom part 2 is inclined relative to the first boom part 1 about the first locking axis 8. For this purpose, the second boom part 2 (alternatively the first boom part 1) has two bolt receptacles so that one of the two working positions can be reached by inserting the bolts into the corresponding bolt receptacle. Of course, more than two working positions (i.e. more than two bolt receptacles) and/or continuous adjustment of the attachment tool 5 are also possible.

[0057] In order to be able to move the backhoe of the attachment tool 5, its actuator (in this case in the form of one or more hydraulic cylinders) must be connected to the hydraulic system of the base unit 3, 4. For this purpose, the hydraulic cylinders of the attachment tool 5 are connected to flexible hydraulic lines (=second fluid-carrying lines 7), which are attached to the second boom part 2 and the hydraulic connections of which are located in the area of the end of the second boom part 2. The corresponding machine-side hydraulic lines (=first fluid-conducting lines 6) are attached to the first boom part 1 and have corresponding hydraulic connections or connectors. After the first and second boom parts 1, 2 have been mechanically connected to each other (this is done in particular via a mechanical quick coupler of a known type), with such known devices the hydraulic lines 6, 7 are manually connected to each other in order to establish the hydraulic supply to the attachment tool 5.

[0058] For this purpose, the tool-side hydraulic lines 7 are increased in length such that they can bridge the kink or the inclinations resulting from the different working positions of the attachment tool 5 and the hydraulic connections do not disconnect. A hydraulic quick coupling, as known from EP 1 239 087 A1, for example, cannot be used for this purpose, as the alignment of the second boom part 2 relative to the first boom part 1 changes depending on the working position of the attachment tool 5.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a further example of a working machine known from the prior art. This is the hydraulic excavator base unit of FIGS. 1a-b, wherein another attachment tool 5 has been added in the form of demolition equipment. This also has a second boom part 2, but in the example shown here it can only assume a single working position.

[0060] FIGS. 3-7 show different views of the coupling device according to the disclosure for the fully automatic production and disconnection of fluid-conducting lines at a boom disconnection point, for example the hydraulic supply lines for attachment tools. FIGS. 3-6 show the coupling device 10 in different positions in perspective views.

[0061] The coupling device 10 can be used in the working machines shown in FIGS. 1a-b and 2 for connecting the first and second lines 6, 7 (the corresponding features of the working machine according to the disclosure can correspond to those of FIGS. 1a-b and 2, except for the hydraulic connections, and are therefore not repeated again below), but is not limited to these working machines and attachment tools. In principle, the coupling device 10 according to the disclosure can be used for automatic coupling and disconnection of fluid-conducting lines at any disconnection points where different geometric configurations occur at the disconnection point, for example in demolition excavators, earth-moving excavators, pile-driving and drilling excavators, drilling machines, hoisting machines, loaders, bulldozers, cranes and mining excavators, to name but a few examples.

[0062] The coupling device 10 according to the disclosure comprises an energy circuit coupling in the form of a hydraulic quick coupling having two coupling halves or coupling parts 11, 12, which can be brought together and moved apart under actuator control. A first coupling part 11 is connected to the machine-side first lines 6 (not shown in FIGS. 3-7), while a second coupling part 12 is connected to the tool-side second lines 7 (also not shown). By pivoting together and coupling the two coupling parts 11, 12, which have corresponding connectors or hydraulic connections that fit into each other, the first and second lines 6, 7 are connected to each other in a fluid-conducting manner.

[0063] The coupling device 10 further comprises a pivot part 20, which is pivotably connected to the upper side of the first boom part 1 about a pivot axis 24 (aligned horizontally or parallel to the pivot axis of the first boom part 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown). The pivot part can be pivoted between a release position (see FIGS. 3-4) and a coupling position (see FIGS. 5-6) via an actuator 22 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 22. The second coupling part 12 is firmly attached to the upper side of the second boom part 2.

[0064] The pivot part 20 is designed to receive or be releasably connected to the first coupling part 11 via a locking mechanism (explained later). This state is shown in FIGS. 3-4. Here, by pivoting the pivot part 20 about the pivot axis 24 from the release position along a circular path to the second coupling part 12, the two coupling parts 11, 12 can be pivoted together or coupled. In the process, the respective connectors move into each other. The coupling position of the pivot part 20, in which the two coupling parts 11, 12 are pivoted together and connected (but not necessarily locked), is shown in FIG. 5.

[0065] The coupling parts 11, 12 can form a quick coupling according to the teachings of EP 1 239 087 A1 and in particular have a corresponding linear guide. Furthermore, the coupling parts may comprise a centring device according to DE 10 2020 110 523 A1. In particular, the second coupling part 12 is designed as a movable coupling part in the sense of these two lines and is movably (but permanently) mounted on the second boom part 2 via a spring device 13 (see FIG. 7).

[0066] According to the disclosure, in order to make it possible to change the orientation of the second boom part 2 relative to the first boom part 1 after coupling the two coupling parts 11, 12 (for example, to change a working position of an attachment tool 5 comprising the second boom part 2), the first coupling part 11 can be disconnected from the pivot part 20 after the coupling parts 11, 12 have been brought together. For this purpose, the first coupling part comprises a locking mechanism with a plurality of actuators 31, which lock the first coupling part 11 either to the pivot part 20 or to the second coupling part 12.

[0067] A section parallel to the pivot axis 24 through the coupled coupling device 10 along one of the actuators 31 is shown in FIG. 7, wherein the pivot part 20 is in its coupling position. The pivot part 20 comprises two lateral hook-shaped side parts 27, which have downwardly open receptacles in the coupling position. The first coupling part 11 is in the coupling position between the side parts 27 and can be locked with them. For this purpose, the side parts 27 have bolt receptacles 32 (see FIG. 6; in the present exemplary embodiment there are two bolt receptacles 32 per side part 27). The first coupling part 11 comprises actuators 31 in the form of double-acting hydraulic cylinders, piston rods of which are designed as locking bolts 33, 35 on both sides. On the outer sides facing the side parts 27 of the pivot part 20, the outer bolts 33 lie coaxially with the bolt receptacles 32 of the side parts 27 in the coupling position of the pivot part.

[0068] When the outer bolts 33 are extended laterally or outwards and retracted into the bolt receptacles 32 of the side parts 27, the first coupling part 11 is locked to the pivot part 20 and can be pivoted together therewith. In this state, the first coupling part 11 has a direct rigid connection with the first boom part 1.

[0069] To unlock the first coupling part 11 and the pivot part 20, the bolts 33 are retracted inwards or pulled out of the bolt receptacles 32 of the side parts 27. Since the actuators 31 are designed as double-acting hydraulic cylinders, corresponding inner bolt 35, which lie parallel and in particular coaxial to the outer bolt 33 retract inwards. There are corresponding bolt receptacles 34 of the second coupling part 12 (or of a retaining frame rigidly connected to the second boom part 2, in which in the present exemplary embodiment the second coupling part 12 is movably mounted via a plurality of springs 13 of a spring device), into which the inner bolts 35 retract and thereby lock the two coupling parts 11, 12 together. In this state, the first coupling part 11 is no longer connected to the pivot part 20 and therefore no longer has a direct rigid connection to the first boom part 1 (except for the first lines 6, which are flexible and allow the first coupling part 11 to move relative to the first boom part 1).

[0070] Thus, the locking of the two coupling parts 11, 12 takes place synchronously or simultaneously with the unlocking of the first coupling part 11 and the pivot part 20. This means that only half as many actuators 31 need to be used as with separate, sequential locking/unlocking.

[0071] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the outer bolts 33 and the inner bolts 35 each have circumferential chamfers or bevels at their ends, which facilitate insertion into the respective bolt receptacles 32, 34 and also compensate for concentricity errors due to manufacturing tolerances. For this purpose, the bevels on the inner and outer bolts 33, 35 are optionally designed differently. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the outer bolts 33 have flatter chamfers that have a greater reach (i.e. extension or length along the longitudinal axis of the bolt). The inner bolts 35 have steeper bevels with a shorter reach/length. This design makes it possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances without overloading the cylinders 31, the plates, hydraulic connections or bolts 33, 35.

[0072] In the present exemplary embodiment, four actuators 31 are provided, which are arranged coaxially in pairs on the sides of the first coupling part 11 and therefore form two parallel locking axes. Of course, fewer (e.g. only two) or more than four actuators 31 could also be used.

[0073] As a result of the fact that after the connection between the first coupling part 11 and the pivot part 20 has been released, the first coupling part no longer has a direct rigid connection to the first boom part 1, the second boom part 2 can be moved or pivoted together with the coupled coupling parts 11, 12 without the hydraulic connections being impaired or even released. The hydraulic continuity therefore remains. For this purpose, after locking the two coupling parts 11, 12, the pivot part 20 in particular is pivoted back into the release position (see FIG. 6) such that no collisions can occur.

[0074] The movement sequence for establishing this operating state is shown in FIGS. 3-6. In FIG. 3, the first coupling part 11 is locked to the pivot part 20 and the pivot part 20 is in the release position. The lines 6, 7 are not connected or coupled to each other. By pivoting the pivot part 20 about the pivot axis 24 towards the second coupling part 12 into the coupling position (FIG. 5), the coupling parts 11, 12 are coupled to each other and thus fluid-conducting connections of the lines 6, 7 are established. In this case, the first coupling part 11 is still locked to the pivot part 20. Then the first coupling part 11 is simultaneously separated from the pivot part 20 and locked to the second coupling part 12. Afterwards, the now free pivot part 20 can be pivoted back into the release position (see FIG. 5).

[0075] Reaching the coupling position of the pivot part 20 can be detected, for example, by inductive sensors 40, which can be arranged on the second coupling part 12 or on the pivot part 20. The side parts 27 of the pivot part 20 comprise mechanical stops 26, which are formed by the bottoms of the downwardly open recesses. The second coupling part 12 or a retaining frame supporting it and connected to the second boom part 2 comprises two side parts 25, the ends of which facing the pivot part 20 form mechanical counter stops 28 (see FIG. 6), which are contacted by the stops 26 of the side parts 27 in the coupling position (see FIG. 5). The inductive sensors 40 directly detect these stops 26, 28 or the pivot part 20 or the second coupling part 12 (depending on where the sensors 40 are located) and output corresponding signals to a control unit of the working machine. This signals that the pivot part 20 is in the coupling position and therefore the unlocking/locking process can be carried out. Optionally, the operation is only released in the clutch position and is otherwise blocked.

[0076] Thus, the coupling process including locking/unlocking can be carried out automatically or remotely from the driver's cab without having to have visual contact with the coupling device 10 or carry out a manual check. The driver knows when to start unlocking/locking as this is detected and communicated by the sensors 40. In one embodiment, locking/unlocking does not have to be started by a driver, but all movements are fully automatic.

[0077] Alternatively, the pivot part and the coupling parts 11, 12 could also be arranged laterally or on the undersides of the boom parts 1, 2.

[0078] FIGS. 2-7, drawing to scale (although other relative sizing may be used, if desired) show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. Unless otherwise noted, if shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a top of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a bottom of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0079] 1 First boom part [0080] 2 Second boom part [0081] 3 Undercarriage [0082] 4 Upper carriage [0083] 5 Attachment tool [0084] 6 First fluid-conducting lines [0085] 7 Second fluid-conducting lines [0086] 8 First locking axis [0087] 9 Second locking axis [0088] 10 Coupling device [0089] 11 First coupling part [0090] 12 Second coupling part [0091] 13 Spring device [0092] 20 Pivot part [0093] 22 Actuator [0094] 24 Pivot axis [0095] 25 Side part [0096] 26 Stop [0097] 27 Side part [0098] 28 Counter stop [0099] 31 Actuator [0100] 32 Bolt receptacle [0101] 33 Outer bolt [0102] 34 Bolt receptacle [0103] 35 Inner bolt [0104] 40 Sensor