EP2573279B1 - Excavator coupler with hydraulic ram - Google Patents
Excavator coupler with hydraulic ram Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2573279B1 EP2573279B1 EP12185543.1A EP12185543A EP2573279B1 EP 2573279 B1 EP2573279 B1 EP 2573279B1 EP 12185543 A EP12185543 A EP 12185543A EP 2573279 B1 EP2573279 B1 EP 2573279B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cylinder
- coupler
- piston
- attachment
- latching member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 43
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010720 hydraulic oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
- E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
- E02F3/3663—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat hydraulically-operated
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
- E02F9/22—Hydraulic or pneumatic drives
- E02F9/2264—Arrangements or adaptations of elements for hydraulic drives
- E02F9/2271—Actuators and supports therefor and protection therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/26—Indicating devices
- E02F9/264—Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
- F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F15B15/00—Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith
- F15B15/20—Other details, e.g. assembly with regulating devices
- F15B15/28—Means for indicating the position, e.g. end of stroke
- F15B15/2815—Position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT
- F15B15/2838—Position sensing, i.e. means for continuous measurement of position, e.g. LVDT with out using position sensors, e.g. by volume flow measurement or pump speed
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an excavator coupler for coupling an attachment, such as an excavating bucket, to the arm of an excavator.
- an excavator coupler to have at least one hydraulically operated latching hook for engaging with a rear pin of an attachment, e.g. a bucket, to secure the attachment to the arm of an excavator, the latching hook being movable into and out of a latching state under the action of a hydraulic ram.
- a major problem with existing couplers is that operator misuse or incorrect operation of the coupler can cause the attachment to swing or even completely detach from the coupler posing a safety hazard. When an operator uses a coupler to lift an attachment he cannot always determine that the latching hook has engaged with the rear pin of the attachment correctly. This can lead to the attachment swinging on a single pin with danger to personnel and possible damage to plant and equipment.
- the flow of oil through the signal port may be detected by any suitable means, such as a pressure sensor of flow meter.
- the spaced-apart recesses of the coupler may comprise a front recess adapted to receive a front pin of an attachment, and a rear recess, adapted to receive a rear pin of an attachment, said latch member being associated with said rear recess such that the latching member engages the rear pin of the attachment when the latching member is in its latched state and the rear pin is located in the rear recess.
- said front recess comprises an opening facing away from said rear recess such that said front pin is retained within said front recess when the rear pin is engaged within said rear recess.
- said signal port is arranged to be obscured by said piston, preventing communication between said signal port and the first working chamber of the cylinder, when the piston is said partly extended position.
- a check valve may be associated with said signal port preventing the passage of pressurised from said second fluid port to said signal port while permitting fluid to flow from said signal port to said second fluid port.
- This invention relates to an improved hydraulic coupler employing a modified hydraulic ram within the coupler which provides an indication when the piston rod of the ram is fully out-stroked (fully extended). This fully out-stroked condition can only occur when a latching hook of the coupler has missed the rear pin of the attachment so the indication can be used to warn the operator that the rear pin is not engaged. Because of the environment in which the coupler works wires to the coupler and electrical and electronic sensors within the coupler can prove unreliable and troublesome. However hydraulic oil is fed to the hydraulic ram of the coupler via hydraulic hoses. The ram is designed so that it will pass a limited amount of oil continuously at full stroke and this can be detected remotely from the coupler.
- a latching hook 12 is pivotally mounted on the body 2 to be moveable into and out of a latching state, wherein the latching hook 12 engages the rear pin 10 of the attachment to retain the pin 10 in the rear recess 8.
- the latching hook 12 may be linearly slidable or otherwise displaceable into and out of its latching state.
- the latching hook 12 is moveable into and out of its latching state by means of a double acting hydraulic ram 14.
- the ram 14 comprises a cylinder 16 having a closed head end 18 mounted on the body 2 of the coupler.
- a piston 20 is slidably mounted within the cylinder along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 16 between a retracted position, adjacent the head end 18 of the cylinder 16, and an extended position adjacent a distal end 22 of the cylinder, opposite said head end 18.
- the piston 20 divides the cylinder 16 into first and second working chambers 24,26.
- a piston rod 28 extends from the piston 20 through the second working chamber 26 and out of the distal end 22 of the cylinder 16, a distal end of the piston rod 28 being connected to the latching hook 12.
- the hydraulic ram 14 is fed with pressurised hydraulic fluid from either the excavator main hydraulic line or the excavator servo (reduced pressure) hydraulic line.
- pressurised hydraulic fluid from either the excavator main hydraulic line or the excavator servo (reduced pressure) hydraulic line.
- From a valve mounted normally within the engine/hydraulic compartment of the machine two high pressure hydraulic pipes either flexible or a mixture of flexible and rigid run from the engine compartment, up the excavator boom, unsupported across the excavator boom to dipper connection, down the dipper arm, unsupported across the excavator dipper to hitch, and terminate at the hydraulic ram 14 within the coupler body 2.
- the first and second working chambers 24,26 of the ram 14 are selectively fed with pressurised hydraulic fluid to selectively extend and retract the piston rod 28.
- a first fluid line communicates with the first working chamber 24 via a first fluid port A in the side wall of the cylinder adjacent the head end thereof to supply pressurised fluid to the first working chamber 24 to move the piston 20 towards its extended position, extending the piston rod 28 from the cylinder 16 and moving the latching hook 12 towards into its latched state.
- a second fluid line communicates with the second working chamber 26 via a second fluid port B in the wall of the cylinder 16 adjacent the distal end 22 thereof to supply pressurised fluid to the second working chamber 26 to move the piston 20 towards its retracted position, retracting the piston rod 28 into the cylinder 16 and moving the latching hook 12 out of its latched state.
- a signal line communicates with a signal port Bs provided in the wall of the cylinder 16 adjacent the second fluid port B , spaced from the distal end of the cylinder 16.
- the signal line feeds into the second fluid line, thus the signal port Bs is in fluid communication with the second fluid port B.
- the signal port Bs is position in the wall of the cylinder 16 to be uncovered by the piston 20 when the piston 20 is caused to travel past the signal port position to a fully extended or out-stroked position by the application of pressure to the first working chamber 24 via the first fluid port A .
- the uncovering of the signal port Bs will allow fluid from the high pressure side of the piston (i.e. the first working chamber 24) to enter the signal port Bs . This will cause fluid to circulate from the first fluid line to the second fluid line when the piston 20 moves past the signal port Bs as the piston reaches is fully extended position. This circulation of oil can then be detected and used as an indication of excessive piston travel.
- the signal port Bs and/or its associated fluid line has a much smaller diameter than either of the first or second ports A, B and associated first and second fluid lines, limiting the amount of oil that it can pass. Because the amount of oil escaping is small compared to the volume of oil supplied to the cylinder, the escape of oil will have little influence on the overall action of the ram 14.
- the front pin 6 of an attachment is manoeuvred into the front recess 4 of the coupler.
- the coupler is then manipulated to swing the rear pin 10 into the rear recess 8.
- Pressurised fluid is supplied to the first port A of the cylinder 16 and enters the first working chamber 24 of the cylinder 16. This causes the piston 20 to move to the right (as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 ) and the piston rod 28 to be extended from the cylinder 16, moving the latching hook 12 towards its latching state. Fluid from the second working chamber 26 of the cylinder 16 will leave the cylinder via ports Bs and B .
- the piston 20 is arrested in a partly extended position, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 . In such position, the piston 20 obscures the signal port Bs , isolating the signal port Bs from the first working chamber of the cylinder 16.
- FIGs 2 and 5 illustrate the situation should the latching hook 12 failed to correctly engage the rear pin 10 of the attachment.
- the latching hook 12 fails to engage the rear pin 10 and the piston 20 of the ram 14 is able to move to its fully extended position adjacent the distal end 22 of the cylinder 16, fully extending the piston rod 28.
- the piston 20 has moved to the extreme right hand distal end of the cylinder 16, the piston 20 has uncovered signal port Bs such that the signal port Bs communicates with the first working chamber 24 of the cylinder 26. This means fluid entering the first working chamber 24 of the cylinder 16 through port A will also be able to drain through port Bs as indicated by arrow X and into the second fluid line.
- the flow of fluid through the signal port Bs can be detected by suitable means, such as a pressure sensor or flow sensor, to provide an indication to the operator that the attachment is not correctly coupled to the arm.
- the size of the signal port Bs and its associated signal line is substantially smaller than the size of the second port B and the second fluid line.
- Figures 3 and 6 illustrate the situation wherein the coupler is attached to an attachment having a reduced pin spacing.
- the latching hook 12 engages the rear pin 10 of the attachment earlier, such that the extension of the piston rod 28 from the cylinder 16 is less before the latching hook 12, and thus further extension of the ram, is arrested by engagement of the latching hook 12 with the rear pin 10 of the attachment.
- the signal port Bs may be provided with a non return valve, whereby fluid entering the first working chamber 24 of the cylinder 14 through the first port A will still be able to leave the first working chamber 24 of the cylinder 16 through port Bs when the piston 20 is in its fully extended position.
- the non-return valve associated with the signal port Bs prevents oil flowing into the first working chamber 24 of the cylinder 16 through the signal port Bs.
- the non-return valve may be required in instances where there is insufficient flow of oil from the pump to overcome the leakage through Bs and cause the piston 20 to retract.
- This circulation of hydraulic fluid from the first port A of the cylinder through the signal port Bs which occurs at full extension of the piston rod (or any position along the length of the cylinder dependant upon the position of the signal port Bs ) may be used to operate a switch mounted remotely from the coupler (e.g. a flow switch or a pressure switch), to provide a signal indicating that the extension of the cylinder has exceeded the preset value.
- a switch mounted remotely from the coupler e.g. a flow switch or a pressure switch
- This preset value may be slightly greater than the engagement position of the coupler rear hook with the maximum expected pin spread of the range of attachments. This signal can then be used to operate an indicator, which could be visual, audible or both, alerting the operator to incorrect locking of the attachment.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Actuator (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an excavator coupler for coupling an attachment, such as an excavating bucket, to the arm of an excavator.
- It is well known for an excavator coupler to have at least one hydraulically operated latching hook for engaging with a rear pin of an attachment, e.g. a bucket, to secure the attachment to the arm of an excavator, the latching hook being movable into and out of a latching state under the action of a hydraulic ram. A major problem with existing couplers is that operator misuse or incorrect operation of the coupler can cause the attachment to swing or even completely detach from the coupler posing a safety hazard. When an operator uses a coupler to lift an attachment he cannot always determine that the latching hook has engaged with the rear pin of the attachment correctly. This can lead to the attachment swinging on a single pin with danger to personnel and possible damage to plant and equipment.
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US 3705656 andGB 2424637 GB2424637 claim 1. - According to the present invention there is provided a coupler for an excavator as claimed in
claim 1. - The flow of oil through the signal port may be detected by any suitable means, such as a pressure sensor of flow meter.
- The spaced-apart recesses of the coupler may comprise a front recess adapted to receive a front pin of an attachment, and a rear recess, adapted to receive a rear pin of an attachment, said latch member being associated with said rear recess such that the latching member engages the rear pin of the attachment when the latching member is in its latched state and the rear pin is located in the rear recess.
- Preferably said front recess comprises an opening facing away from said rear recess such that said front pin is retained within said front recess when the rear pin is engaged within said rear recess.
- Preferably said signal port is arranged to be obscured by said piston, preventing communication between said signal port and the first working chamber of the cylinder, when the piston is said partly extended position.
- A check valve may be associated with said signal port preventing the passage of pressurised from said second fluid port to said signal port while permitting fluid to flow from said signal port to said second fluid port.
- Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent to a skilled person upon review of the following description of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
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Figure 1 is a side view of a coupler for an excavator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
Figure 2 is a side view of the coupler ofFigure 1 showing the position of the latching hook when it has failed to engage the rear pin of the attachment; -
Figure 3 is a side view of the coupler ofFigure 1 showing the position of the latching hook when engaging a rear pin of an attachment having closely spaced pins; -
Figure 4 is side sectional view of the hydraulic ram of the coupler ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the hydraulic ram of the coupler ofFigure 1 when the coupler is in the configuration shown inFigure 2 ; and -
Figure 6 is a side sectional view of the hydraulic ram of the coupler ofFigure 1 when the coupler is in the configuration shown inFigure 3 . - This invention relates to an improved hydraulic coupler employing a modified hydraulic ram within the coupler which provides an indication when the piston rod of the ram is fully out-stroked (fully extended). This fully out-stroked condition can only occur when a latching hook of the coupler has missed the rear pin of the attachment so the indication can be used to warn the operator that the rear pin is not engaged. Because of the environment in which the coupler works wires to the coupler and electrical and electronic sensors within the coupler can prove unreliable and troublesome. However hydraulic oil is fed to the hydraulic ram of the coupler via hydraulic hoses. The ram is designed so that it will pass a limited amount of oil continuously at full stroke and this can be detected remotely from the coupler.
- As shown in
Figures 1 to 3 , a coupler for attaching an attachment, such as a bucket, to an arm of an excavator comprises abody 2 having afront recess 4 for receiving afront pin 6 of an attachment (not shown) and arear recess 8 for receiving arear pin 10 of the attachment. Alatching hook 12 is pivotally mounted on thebody 2 to be moveable into and out of a latching state, wherein thelatching hook 12 engages therear pin 10 of the attachment to retain thepin 10 in therear recess 8. In an alternative embodiment thelatching hook 12 may be linearly slidable or otherwise displaceable into and out of its latching state. - The
latching hook 12 is moveable into and out of its latching state by means of a double actinghydraulic ram 14. Theram 14 comprises acylinder 16 having a closedhead end 18 mounted on thebody 2 of the coupler. Apiston 20 is slidably mounted within the cylinder along the longitudinal axis of thecylinder 16 between a retracted position, adjacent thehead end 18 of thecylinder 16, and an extended position adjacent adistal end 22 of the cylinder, opposite saidhead end 18. - The
piston 20 divides thecylinder 16 into first andsecond working chambers piston rod 28 extends from thepiston 20 through the second workingchamber 26 and out of thedistal end 22 of thecylinder 16, a distal end of thepiston rod 28 being connected to thelatching hook 12. - As is conventional in the art, the
hydraulic ram 14 is fed with pressurised hydraulic fluid from either the excavator main hydraulic line or the excavator servo (reduced pressure) hydraulic line. From a valve mounted normally within the engine/hydraulic compartment of the machine two high pressure hydraulic pipes either flexible or a mixture of flexible and rigid run from the engine compartment, up the excavator boom, unsupported across the excavator boom to dipper connection, down the dipper arm, unsupported across the excavator dipper to hitch, and terminate at thehydraulic ram 14 within thecoupler body 2. The first andsecond working chambers ram 14 are selectively fed with pressurised hydraulic fluid to selectively extend and retract thepiston rod 28. - A first fluid line communicates with the
first working chamber 24 via a first fluid port A in the side wall of the cylinder adjacent the head end thereof to supply pressurised fluid to thefirst working chamber 24 to move thepiston 20 towards its extended position, extending thepiston rod 28 from thecylinder 16 and moving thelatching hook 12 towards into its latched state. - A second fluid line communicates with the
second working chamber 26 via a second fluid port B in the wall of thecylinder 16 adjacent thedistal end 22 thereof to supply pressurised fluid to thesecond working chamber 26 to move thepiston 20 towards its retracted position, retracting thepiston rod 28 into thecylinder 16 and moving thelatching hook 12 out of its latched state. - A signal line communicates with a signal port Bs provided in the wall of the
cylinder 16 adjacent the second fluid port B, spaced from the distal end of thecylinder 16. The signal line feeds into the second fluid line, thus the signal port Bs is in fluid communication with the second fluid port B. - The signal port Bs is position in the wall of the
cylinder 16 to be uncovered by thepiston 20 when thepiston 20 is caused to travel past the signal port position to a fully extended or out-stroked position by the application of pressure to thefirst working chamber 24 via the first fluid port A. The uncovering of the signal port Bs will allow fluid from the high pressure side of the piston (i.e. the first working chamber 24) to enter the signal port Bs. This will cause fluid to circulate from the first fluid line to the second fluid line when thepiston 20 moves past the signal port Bs as the piston reaches is fully extended position. This circulation of oil can then be detected and used as an indication of excessive piston travel. - The signal port Bs and/or its associated fluid line has a much smaller diameter than either of the first or second ports A, B and associated first and second fluid lines, limiting the amount of oil that it can pass. Because the amount of oil escaping is small compared to the volume of oil supplied to the cylinder, the escape of oil will have little influence on the overall action of the
ram 14. - In use, the
front pin 6 of an attachment is manoeuvred into thefront recess 4 of the coupler. The coupler is then manipulated to swing therear pin 10 into therear recess 8. Pressurised fluid is supplied to the first port A of thecylinder 16 and enters thefirst working chamber 24 of thecylinder 16. This causes thepiston 20 to move to the right (as illustrated inFigures 4 to 6 ) and thepiston rod 28 to be extended from thecylinder 16, moving thelatching hook 12 towards its latching state. Fluid from thesecond working chamber 26 of thecylinder 16 will leave the cylinder via ports Bs and B. - If the
latching hook 12 correctly engages therear pin 10 of the attachment, thepiston 20 is arrested in a partly extended position, as illustrated inFigures 1 and 4 . In such position, thepiston 20 obscures the signal port Bs, isolating the signal port Bs from the first working chamber of thecylinder 16. -
Figures 2 and 5 illustrate the situation should thelatching hook 12 failed to correctly engage therear pin 10 of the attachment. As can be seen fromFigure 2 , if thelatching hook 12 is moved to its latching state when therear pin 10 is not correctly located in therear recess 8, thelatching hook 12 fails to engage therear pin 10 and thepiston 20 of theram 14 is able to move to its fully extended position adjacent thedistal end 22 of thecylinder 16, fully extending thepiston rod 28. Because thepiston 20 has moved to the extreme right hand distal end of thecylinder 16, thepiston 20 has uncovered signal port Bs such that the signal port Bs communicates with thefirst working chamber 24 of thecylinder 26. This means fluid entering thefirst working chamber 24 of thecylinder 16 through port A will also be able to drain through port Bs as indicated by arrow X and into the second fluid line. - The flow of fluid through the signal port Bs can be detected by suitable means, such as a pressure sensor or flow sensor, to provide an indication to the operator that the attachment is not correctly coupled to the arm.
- In the preferred embodiment the size of the signal port Bs and its associated signal line is substantially smaller than the size of the second port B and the second fluid line. This means that, when the supply of oil to the cylinder is reversed (high pressure oil supplied to the second working
chamber 26 of the cylinder 16) with thepiston 20 in its fully extended position, a greater volume of fluid will enter the second workingchamber 26 of thecylinder 16 through the second port B than that entering the first workingchamber 24 through the signal port Bs, causing thepiston 20 to move to the left, closing off communication between the signal port Bs and the first workingchamber 24. -
Figures 3 and 6 illustrate the situation wherein the coupler is attached to an attachment having a reduced pin spacing. In such situation the latchinghook 12 engages therear pin 10 of the attachment earlier, such that the extension of thepiston rod 28 from thecylinder 16 is less before the latchinghook 12, and thus further extension of the ram, is arrested by engagement of the latchinghook 12 with therear pin 10 of the attachment. - In an alternative embodiment, the signal port Bs may be provided with a non return valve, whereby fluid entering the first working
chamber 24 of thecylinder 14 through the first port A will still be able to leave the first workingchamber 24 of thecylinder 16 through port Bs when thepiston 20 is in its fully extended position. However when oil is supplied to the second port B to retract the cylinder, the non-return valve associated with the signal port Bs prevents oil flowing into the first workingchamber 24 of thecylinder 16 through the signal port Bs. The non-return valve may be required in instances where there is insufficient flow of oil from the pump to overcome the leakage through Bs and cause thepiston 20 to retract. - This circulation of hydraulic fluid from the first port A of the cylinder through the signal port Bs which occurs at full extension of the piston rod (or any position along the length of the cylinder dependant upon the position of the signal port Bs) may be used to operate a switch mounted remotely from the coupler (e.g. a flow switch or a pressure switch), to provide a signal indicating that the extension of the cylinder has exceeded the preset value.
- This preset value may be slightly greater than the engagement position of the coupler rear hook with the maximum expected pin spread of the range of attachments. This signal can then be used to operate an indicator, which could be visual, audible or both, alerting the operator to incorrect locking of the attachment.
Claims (5)
- A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising a body (2) having a spaced-apart recesses (4,8) for receiving respective attachment pins (6,10) of an excavator attachment; a latching member (12) being associated with at least one of said recesses (4,8), said latching member (12) being movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining one of said attachment pins (6,10) of said excavator attachment in the respective recess (4,8); a hydraulic ram (14) being provided for moving said latching member (12) into said latching state; said hydraulic ram (14) comprising a cylinder (16) having a head end (18) connected, either directly or indirectly, to one of the body (2) of the coupler and the latching member (12), a piston (20) slidably mounted in the cylinder (16) between a retracted position adjacent the head end (18) of the cylinder (16) and an extended position adjacent a distal end (22) of the cylinder (16), opposite said head end (18), said piston (20) dividing the cylinder (16) into a first working chamber (24) adjacent said head end (18) of the cylinder (16) and a second working chamber (26) adjacent said distal end (22) of the cylinder (16), a piston rod (28) extending from the piston (20) through said second working chamber (26) of the cylinder (16) to extend out of the distal end (22) of the cylinder (16), a distal end of the piston rod (28) being connected, either directly or indirectly, to the other of the body (2) of the coupler and said latching member (12), a first fluid port (A) being provided for supplying pressurised fluid from a first fluid line into said first working chamber (24) to move the piston (20) and piston rod (28) away from said head end (18) of the cylinder (16) towards said extended position adjacent the distal end (22) of the cylinder (16) to move said latching member (12) into its latching state, the length of said ram (14) being selected such that the piston (20) is in a partly extended position, spaced from said distal end (22) of the cylinder (16), when the latching member (12) is in engagement with said attachment pin (10), thereby applying a biasing force against the attachment pin (10) when the latching member (12) is in its latched state, wherein a signal port (Bs) is provided in a side wall of the cylinder (16), said signal port (Bs) being isolated from the first working chamber (24) of the cylinder (16) when the piston (20) is in said partly extended position when said latching member (12) is in engagement with said attachment pin (10), said signal port (Bs) being placed in communication with said first working chamber (24) when the piston (20) moves to its fully extended position, for example if the attachment pin (10) is not positioned in said recess (8) in the coupler when the latching member (12) is moved towards its latching state, thereby providing an indication that the latching member (12) is not in correct engagement with the attachment pin (10), characterised in that the hydraulic ram (14) comprises a double acting ram, a second fluid port (B) being provided for supplying pressurised fluid from a second fluid line into said second working chamber (26) of the cylinder (16) for moving the piston (20) towards its retracted position to move the latching member (12) out of its latching state, wherein said signal port (Bs) is arranged to communicate with a fluid line communicating with said second fluid supply port (B).
- A coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spaced-apart recesses (4,8) of the coupler comprise a front recess (4) adapted to receive a front pin (6) of an attachment, and a rear recess (8), adapted to receive a rear pin (10) of an attachment, said latch member (12) being associated with said rear recess (8) such that the latching member (12) engages the rear pin (10) of the attachment when the latching member (12) is in its latched state and the rear pin (10 is located in the rear recess (8).
- A coupler as claimed in claim 2, wherein said front recess (4) comprises an opening facing away from said rear recess (8) such that said front pin (6) is retained within said front recess (4) when the rear pin (10) is engaged within said rear recess (8).
- A coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said signal port (Bs) is arranged to be obscured by said piston (20), preventing communication between said signal port (Bs) and the first working chamber (24) of the cylinder (16), when the piston (20) is said partly extended position.
- A coupler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a check valve is associated with said signal port (Bs) preventing the passage of pressurised fluid from said second fluid port (B) to said signal port (Bs) while permitting fluid to flow from said signal port (Bs) to said second fluid port (B).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1116345.8A GB201116345D0 (en) | 2011-09-21 | 2011-09-21 | Hydraulic ram for an excavator coupler |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2573279A2 EP2573279A2 (en) | 2013-03-27 |
EP2573279A3 EP2573279A3 (en) | 2016-12-07 |
EP2573279B1 true EP2573279B1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
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ID=44937655
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12185543.1A Active EP2573279B1 (en) | 2011-09-21 | 2012-09-21 | Excavator coupler with hydraulic ram |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2573279B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB201116345D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMI20131315A1 (en) * | 2013-08-02 | 2015-02-03 | Antonio Ferraro | LOCKING DEVICE FOR TOOLS |
DE102018115949A1 (en) | 2018-07-02 | 2020-01-02 | Oilquick Deutschland Gmbh | Quick coupler |
SE2130194A1 (en) * | 2021-07-09 | 2023-01-10 | Smp Parts Ab | Quick coupling device |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3705656A (en) * | 1971-02-18 | 1972-12-12 | Deere & Co | Quick-attach loader bucket |
US4391563A (en) * | 1981-08-31 | 1983-07-05 | J. I. Case Company | Bucket position indicator assembly |
JP4578017B2 (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2010-11-10 | 住友建機株式会社 | Hydraulic cylinder drive |
GB2424637A (en) * | 2005-03-30 | 2006-10-04 | Thomas Francis Sheedy | A quick hitch coupler with safety mechanism |
US8428832B2 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2013-04-23 | Caterpillar Inc. | Method and apparatus for calculating payload weight |
-
2011
- 2011-09-21 GB GBGB1116345.8A patent/GB201116345D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2012
- 2012-09-21 EP EP12185543.1A patent/EP2573279B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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None * |
Also Published As
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---|---|
EP2573279A3 (en) | 2016-12-07 |
EP2573279A2 (en) | 2013-03-27 |
GB201116345D0 (en) | 2011-11-02 |
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