QUICK-CHANGE DEVICE

Abstract

A quick-change device (12) comprising a receiving structure (22, 30) having an abutment (24, 32) having a bearing region (36), which is circular arc-shaped in section, with a housing radius (Ra) about a centre point (Ma) through which the circle centre point axis (A) extends, wherein furthermore the receiving structure (22, 30) comprises a locking bolt (26, 34) which has a planar clamping surface (38), wherein, the locking bolt (26, 34) has a movement direction (VR) which is situated in the orthogonal direction to the circle centre point axis (A), wherein the clamping surface angle (B) with the movement direction (VR), with the result that a cylindrical locking pin (16, 40) can be brought into contact between the clamping surface (38) and the bearing region (36).

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. Quick-change device (12) comprising: a receiving structure (22, 30) having an abutment (24, 32); said abutment (24, 32) having a bearing region (36); said bearing region circular arc-shaped in section, with a housing radius (R.sub.G) about a center point (M.sub.G) through which the circle center point axis (A) extends; said receiving structure (22, 30) comprises a locking bolt (26, 34) which has a planar clamping surface (38); said locking bolt (26, 34) has a movement direction (VR) which is situated in the orthogonal direction to the circle center point axis (A); said planar clamping surface (38) encloses an acute clamping surface angle () with the movement direction (VR) such that a cylindrical locking pin (16, 18, 40) can be brought into contact between said clamping surface (38) and said bearing region (36); said bearing region (36) extends at least over a bearing angle range (B) with respect to the movement direction (VR); said bearing angle () changes in dependence on the position of a locking pin (16, 18, 40) at the clamping surface (38); the distance of an intermediate level (Z) on the clamping surface (38) from the parallel (P.sub.V) of the movement direction (VR) through the circle center point axis (A) of the center point (M.sub.G) is situated in a range (X) between
B.sub.min(R.sub.G)=R.sub.G*(V*cos()((1V)*sin(=45)))|V.sub.min=0.75, and
B.sub.max(R.sub.G)=R.sub.G*(V*cos()((1V)*sin(=45)))|V.sub.max=0.85. wherein the variable V lies between V.sub.min=0.75 for the minimum range level B.sub.min and V.sub.max=0.85 for the maximum range level B.sub.max; said clamping surface (38) has an upper bearing level (O) and a lower bearing level (U) which can be brought into contact with the locking pin (16, 18, 40) in dependence on the movement path; said upper bearing level (O) is situated between the parallel (P.sub.V) of the movement direction (VR) and the intermediate level (Z); said locking bolt (26, 34) is movable in such a way that the intermediate level (Z) can be brought into the region (X) between the tangent (T), which is orthogonal to the movement direction (VR), to a circle about the center point (M.sub.G) with the radius (R.sub.G) and the parallel (P.sub.T) to the tangent (T) through the center point (M.sub.G), with the variable V being obtained from the ratio V=R.sub.A/R.sub.G, where R.sub.A<R.sub.G and thus always V<1.

13. Quick-change device according to claim 12, further comprising: said clamping surface (38) has a clamping surface angle () in the range of between 7 and 13.

14. Quick-change device according to claim 12, further comprising: said clamping surface angle () and said variable (V) are matched to one other in such a way that an upper bearing level is obtained for a bearing angle .sub.O=60 and a lower bearing level is obtained for a bearing angle .sub.U=30.

15. Quick-change device according to claim 12, further comprising: said locking bolt (26, 34) is preloaded in said movement direction (VR).

16. Quick-change device according to claim 12, further comprising: a second receiving structure (22, 30) has a circular arc-shaped area with a housing radius (R.sub.G), with R.sub.G*V.sub.min|V.sub.min=0.75R.sub.G2R.sub.G*V.sub.max|V.sub.max=0.85.

17. Quick-change device according to claim 16, further comprising: said second receiving structure (22, 30) is in the form of a claw, said claw includes a circular arc-shaped area, over at least one third of the circular arc-shaped area, extends with the housing radius (R.sub.G2) (angle ).

18. Quick-change unit (10), comprising: a quick-change device (12) and an adapter (14); said adapter (14) has first and second parallel locking pins (16, 18, 40); said quick-change device (12) has a coupling claw associated with said first locking pin (16, 18, 40) of a radius R.sub.A1 of said adapter (14) and a locking bolt (26, 34) associated with said second locking pin (16, 18, 40) of a radius R.sub.A2 and movably guided along a movement direction (VR); said second locking pin cooperates with an abutment (24, 32) such that said second locking pin (16,18,40) can be form-fittingly introduced between at least said bearing region (36) of said locking bolt (26, 34) and said abutment (24, 32) of said locking pin (16, 18, 40) of said adapter (14), said locking pin (16, 18, 40) and said adapter (14); said locking bolt (26, 34) has a planar clamping surface (38) on which said locking bolt (26, 34) clamps said second locking pin (16, 18, 40) to said abutment (24, 32); and, said clamping surface (38) is inclined at a clamping surface angle () relative to the movement direction (VR).

19. Quick-change unit according to claim 18, further comprising: said abutment (24, 32) of said quick-change device (12) has a concave circular contour of a radius R.sub.G, wherein 1.17*R.sub.A2R.sub.G1.33*R.sub.A2.

20. Quick-change unit according to claim 18, further comprising: said locking bolts (16, 18, 40) of said adapter (14) are identical in diameter (radius R.sub.A1=R.sub.A2).

21. Quick-change unit according to claim 18, further comprising: said clamping surface angle () is in the range of between 7 and 13.

22. Quick-change unit according to claim 18 in combination with a quick-change device (12), said quick change device comprising: a receiving structure (22, 30) having an abutment (24, 32); said abutment (24, 32) having a bearing region (36); said bearing region circular arc-shaped in section, with a housing radius (R.sub.G) about a center point (M.sub.G) through which the circle center point axis (A) extends; said receiving structure (22, 30) comprises a locking bolt (26, 34) which has a planar clamping surface (38); said locking bolt (26, 34) has a movement direction (VR) which is situated in the orthogonal direction to the circle center point axis (A); said planar clamping surface (38) encloses an acute clamping surface angle () with the movement direction (VR) such that a cylindrical locking pin (16, 18, 40) can be brought into contact between said clamping surface (38) and said bearing region (36); said bearing region (36) extends at least over a bearing angle range (B) with respect to the movement direction (VR); said bearing angle () changes in dependence on the position of a locking pin (16, 18, 40) at the clamping surface (38); the distance of an intermediate level (Z) on the clamping surface (38) from the parallel (P.sub.V) of the movement direction (VR) through the circle center point axis (A) of the center point (M.sub.G) is situated in a range (X) between
B.sub.min(R.sub.G)=R.sub.G*(V*cos()((1V)*sin(=45)))|V.sub.min=0.75, and
B.sub.max(R.sub.G)=R.sub.G*(V*cos()((1V)*sin(=45)))|V.sub.max=0.85. wherein the variable V lies between V.sub.min=0.75 for the minimum range level B.sub.min and V.sub.max=0.85 for the maximum range level B.sub.max; said clamping surface (38) has an upper bearing level (O) and a lower bearing level (U) which can be brought into contact with the locking pin (16, 18, 40) in dependence on the movement path; said upper bearing level (O) is situated between the parallel (P.sub.V) of the movement direction (VR) and the intermediate level (Z); said locking bolt (26, 34) is movable in such a way that the intermediate level (Z) can be brought into the region (X) between the tangent (T), which is orthogonal to the movement direction (VR), to a circle about the center point (M.sub.G) with the radius (R.sub.G) and the parallel (P.sub.T) to the tangent (T) through the center point (M.sub.G), with the variable V being obtained from the ratio V=R.sub.A/R.sub.G, where R.sub.A<R.sub.G and thus always V<1.

Description

[0025] Throughout the description, the claims and the drawings, those reference characters are used as are listed in the List of Reference Characters below. In the drawings,

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a quick-change unit;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a receiving structure;

[0028] FIG. 3a is a schematic view of a receiving structure which is not worn out;

[0029] FIG. 3b is a schematic view of a receiving structure which is somewhat worn out;

[0030] FIG. 3c is a schematic view of a receiving structure which is in a borderline worn condition; and

[0031] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the symmetrical quick-change device of FIG. 1 with the adapter inserted therein, in a locked state thereof.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a quick-change unit 10 comprising a quick-change device 12 and an adapter 14, which is regularly fastened to a working tool.

[0033] The adapter 14 has two parallel locking pins 16, 18 around which the quick-change device 12 engages for operation. For this purpose, the quick-change device 12 has at least one receiving structure 20, 22 associated with a locking pin 16, 18 each. In the quick-change device 12 shown in FIG. 1, a first receiving structure 20 is formed as a so-called claw coupling which closely engages around a first locking pin 18. A second receiving structure 22 is adapted to lock a locking pin 16 between an abutment 24 and a movable locking bolt 26. The way the abutment 24 and the locking bolt 26 are matched to one another will be explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures. The diameter of the at least partially cylindrical locking pin 16, and thus the radius R.sub.A1, and the diameter of the at least partially cylindrically locking pin 18, and thus the radius R.sub.A2, are identical.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a receiving structure 30 comprising an abutment 32 and a locking bolt 34 which latter can be moved into the movement direction VR indicated. The abutment 32 has a bearing region 36 which is circular arc-shaped in section with a radius R.sub.Garound the center point M.sub.G, through which a center point axis A of a circle K of a radius R.sub.G and the center point M.sub.G extends. The circular arc-shaped bearing region 36 extends over an angle .sub.B, at least over a sector of between 30 and 60, with respect to the movement direction VR of the locking bolt 34.

[0035] The locking bolt 34 has a planar clamping surface 38 (planar here meaning flat, i.e. not curved), which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the movement direction VR. The clamping surface 38 has an upper bearing level O and a lower bearing level U. Between the upper bearing level O and the lower bearing level U there is an intermediate bearing level Z. The clamping surface 38 is arranged such that it can be brought [in the region] between the tangent T, which is orthogonal to the movement direction VR, on the circle K around the center point M.sub.G having the radius R.sub.G, and the parallel P.sub.T to the tangent T through the center point M.sub.G. The intermediate level Z is in a region X which extends in a first direction which is spaced at a distance B of B.sub.minBB.sub.max from the parallel P.sub.V of the movement direction VR through the center point M.sub.G, i.e. between a parallel P.sub.O of the movement direction VR, which forms the upper distance B.sub.min, and a parallel P.sub.U of the movement direction VR, which forms the lower distance B.sub.max, i.e. between P.sub.V and P.sub.O on the one side and between P.sub.V and P.sub.U on the other.

[0036] For the extent of the region X in the first direction for the potential intermediate level Z between B.sub.min and B.sub.max, the following applies for B.sub.min and B.sub.max:

B.sub.min(R.sub.G)=R.sub.G*(V*cos()((1V)*sin(=45))) with V.sub.min=0.75, and

B.sub.max(R.sub.G)=R.sub.G*(V*cos()((1V)*sin(=45))) with V.sub.max=0.85.

[0037] The variable V is between V.sub.min=0.75 for the minimum range level B.sub.min and V.sub.max=0.85 for the maximum range level B.sub.max. In the present case, the clamping surface angle is 10. In the locked state of a respective locking pin, a contact line results depending on the degree of wear of the abutment or the locking pin in the region .sub.B. The circular arc-shaped bearing region 36 extends at least over this region which in the present case is between 30 and 60 relative to the movement direction VR.

[0038] A second direction, which is orthogonal to the extent of the region X in the first direction, for the possible intermediate level Z is formed by the tangent T, which is orthogonal to the movement direction VR, to a circle around the center point M.sub.G having a radius R.sub.G, on the one side, and by the parallel P.sub.T to the tangent T through the center point M.sub.B, on the other side.

[0039] The region X into which an intermediate level Z can be introduced is indicated by hatching.

[0040] The clamping surface angle and the variable V are matched to one other in such a way that an upper bearing level is obtained for a bearing angle .sub.O=60 and a lower bearing level is obtained for a bearing angle .sub.U=30. This angular range yields a particularly favorable introduction of force which makes it possible to introduce stresses resulting from the digging and lifting forces of the carrier machine into the quick-change device in an optimal manner.

[0041] On the side of the clamping surface 38 which faces away from a drive of the locking bolt 34, the locking bolt 34 has a planar surface 39 which is parallel to the movement direction VR. In this area, a purely form-fitting secondary bearing will thus be provided in which a locking pin can be form-fittingly held when there is a relative force acting between the adapter 14 and the quick-change device 12 which exceeds the intended use and thus causes the locking bolt 34 to be returned.

[0042] The different positions which a locking pin can assume relative to the receiving structure 30 are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 3a to 3c.

[0043] FIG. 3a is a schematic view of a receiving structure 30 which is new and thus not worn out. Held in the receiving structure 30 is a locking pin 40 of a radius R.sub.A. The locking pin 40 rests against the clamping surface 38 at a lower bearing level U. Consequently, a contact line results for the locking pin 40 on the bearing surface 36 at an angle of approx. .sub.U=30.

[0044] FIG. 3b is a schematic view of a receiving structure 30 which is somewhat worn out. The locking pin 40 now rests against the clamping surface 38 of the locking bolt 34 at an intermediate level Z. In this condition, the locking pin 40 rests against the bearing surface 36 on a contact line, thus yielding a bearing angle of approx. .sub.U=45 relative to the parallel P.sub.V.

[0045] FIG. 3c is a schematic view of a receiving structure 30 of a borderline worn-out condition. Here, the locking pin 40 rests against the clamping surface 38 at the upper bearing level O. The resulting bearing angle relative to the contact line is approx. .sub.O=65. It becomes clear from the views of FIGS. 3a to 3c that this makes it possible to lock the locking pin 40 in a force-locking and form-fitting manner without play over a considerable range of wear.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the symmetrical quick-change device 12 of FIG. 1 with the adapter inserted therein, in a locked state thereof, which device comprises an inventive receiving structure 22 similar to the receiving structure 30 of FIG. 2, for detachably fixing a first locking pin 18. Moreover, the quick-change device 12 comprises a second receiving structure 20 which engages around a second locking pin 18 in the manner of a claw. The locking pins 16, 18 have the same radius R.sub.A. The second receiving structure 20 has a circular arc-shaped region over the center point angle whose radius R.sub.G2 is about equal to the radius R.sub.A2 of the locking pin 18.

[0047] The inventive receiving structure 22 has a contour which is circular arc-shaped in section with a radius R.sub.G1. The locking pin 16 is locked using a locking bolt 26 of the aforementioned design, for which purpose a drive 52, in particular a hydraulic rotary drive, is provided which is adapted to move the locking bolt 26 in the movement direction VR. In the present embodiment, the locking bolt 26 is articulated on the drive via a so-called toggle-lever mechanism 54. Moreover, the locking bolt 26 is preloaded in the movement direction VR by a spring 56. This preload amongst others acts to retain the locking pin 16 in a force-locking manner. The locking bolt 26 is form-fittingly supported in a sliding sleeve 58 in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction VR, which allows forces introduced in this direction to be optimally absorbed. In the present case, the line connecting the center points M.sub.G1 and M.sub.G2 encloses an angle of approx. 1 with the parallel P.sub.V to the movement direction VR through the center point M.sub.G2. This allows forces which regularly act in the digging direction to be optimally absorbed. The invention thus provides an ideally adapted receiving means for an adapter, in particular also for a symmetrical adapter.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0048] 10 quick-change unit [0049] 12 quick-change device [0050] 14 adapter [0051] 16 locking pin [0052] 18 locking pin [0053] 20 receiving structure [0054] 22 receiving structure [0055] 24 abutment [0056] 26 locking bolt [0057] 30 receiving structure [0058] 32 abutment [0059] 34 locking bolt [0060] 36 bearing region [0061] 38 clamping surface [0062] 39 planar surface [0063] 40 locking pin [0064] 42 quick-change device [0065] 52 drive [0066] 54 toggle-lever mechanism [0067] 56 spring [0068] 58 sliding sleeve [0069] .sub.B bearing angle range [0070] bearing angle [0071] .sub.O bearing angle of the upper bearing level O [0072] .sub.U bearing angle of the lower bearing level U [0073] .sub.Z bearing angle of the intermediate level Z [0074] clamping surface angle [0075] angle which encloses the line, which interconnects the center points M.sub.G1 and M.sub.G2, with the parallel P.sub.V to the movement direction VR through the center point M.sub.G2 [0076] angle of the circular arc-shaped section of the second receiving structure 20 [0077] A circle center axis through the center point M.sub.G [0078] B distance from P.sub.V [0079] B.sub.min(R.sub.G) distance between the straight lines P.sub.V and P.sub.O [0080] B.sub.max(R.sub.G) distance between the straight lines P.sub.V and P.sub.U [0081] K circle [0082] P.sub.T parallel to the tangent [0083] M.sub.G center point of circle K [0084] O upper bearing level [0085] P.sub.V parallel P.sub.V to the movement direction VR through the center point M.sub.G [0086] R.sub.A radius of the locking pin 40 [0087] R.sub.A1 radius of the adapter locking pin [0088] R.sub.A2 radius of the adapter locking pin [0089] R.sub.G housing radius [0090] T tangent [0091] U lower bearing level [0092] V variable, ratio R.sub.G to R.sub.A [0093] V.sub.min variable [0094] V.sub.max variable [0095] VR movement direction [0096] X region between the straight line P.sub.V and a parallel P.sub.Textent of the region X in a second directionas well as P.sub.V and P.sub.O, or P.sub.U resp.,extent of the region X in a first direction [0097] Z intermediate level