US20200190766A1

US20200190766A1 - Coupler for coupling to an excavation tool

Info

Publication number: US20200190766A1
Application number: US16/684,702
Authority: US
Inventors: François ST-AMANT; Antoine LAMOTHE PHANEUF; Dominic BRISEBOIS
Original assignee: Soudures Richard St Amant Inc
Current assignee: Soudures Richard St Amant Inc
Priority date: 2018-12-18
Filing date: 2019-11-15
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: CA3061934A1

Abstract

There is described a coupler for removably coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets, each bracket having longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein. The coupler generally has a frame extending longitudinally between first and second end portions, the frame having a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions transversally protruding from the first end portion; a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions being movably mounted to the frame and transversally protruding from the second end portion; and an electrical motor being mounted to the frame and being configured for selectively moving the second coupling protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position allowing engagement between the coupler and the excavation tool, and a closed position, in which the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged against respective first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler fixedly coupled to the excavation tool.

Description

FIELD

The improvements generally relate to excavators and more particularly relates to couplers for coupling to excavation tools to such excavators.

BACKGROUND

An excavator is a heavy construction vehicle with a boom, a stick and an excavation tool such as a bucket, a rake, a ripper and the like which are controllable through a hydraulic system. It is generally known to use a coupler to removably couple the excavation tool to the stick. In practice, an excavation tool can be coupled to the stick of the excavator to accomplish a given task, and when that task is completed, the excavation tool can be uncoupled from the stick, allowing a different excavation tool to be coupled to the stick to accomplish another task.
It was known to power the coupler using the hydraulic system of the excavator to which the coupler is installed. Accordingly, some hydraulic fluid had to be redirected from a hydraulic system of the excavator towards a separate hydraulic cylinder which could be configured to move a part of the coupler between an open position and a closed position as desired. Although existing couplers were found to be satisfactory to a certain degree, there remains room for improvement.

SUMMARY

The inventors found that as hydraulic systems differ from one excavator to another, installing the coupler to the hydraulic system of a given excavator could be complex thus costly. For instance, in some cases, installing a coupler to a given excavator could take 1.5 working days. Moreover, in some other cases, some hydraulic functions of the hydraulic system of the excavators had to be sacrificed to allow the powering of the separate hydraulic cylinder of the coupler.
In an aspect, there is described a coupler of the type for coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets extending longitudinally and being transversally spaced-apart from one another. Each bracket having longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein. In this aspect, the coupler has a frame which extends longitudinally between first and second end portions of the frame. The frame has a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions which transversally protrude from the first end portion. A pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions is movably mounted to the frame wherein each second coupling protrusions transversally protrudes from the second end portion in opposite directions from one another. The coupler is provided with an electrical motor which is mounted to the frame and which is configured for selectively moving the second coupling protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position and a closed position. More specifically, in an embodiment, when in the open position, one of the first and second coupling protrusions are engageable in one of the first and second coupling notches, with the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions being out of interference from the other one of the first and second coupling notches. When in the closed position, the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged against the other one of the first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler fixedly coupled to the excavation tool.
While still providing a satisfactory force (e.g., above 2600 lbs in at least some embodiments) to couple the excavation tool to the stick, the inventors found that the coupler described here could be more easily installed to an excavator as electrical connections to the battery of the excavator can be straightforward and more easily standardizable to all excavators, which was not previously the case with burdensome hydraulic connections.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a coupler for removably coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets extending longitudinally and being transversally spaced-apart from one another, each bracket having longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein, the coupler comprising: a frame extending longitudinally between first and second end portions, the frame having a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions transversally protruding from the first end portion; a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions being movably mounted to the frame and transversally protruding from the second end portion; and an electrical motor being mounted to the frame and being configured for selectively moving the second coupling protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position, in which one of the first and second coupling protrusions are engageable in one of the first and second coupling notches, the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions being out of interference from the other one of the first and second coupling notches, and a closed position, in which the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged against the other one of the first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler fixedly coupled to the excavation tool.
Further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the electrical motor can for example have a power supply port being connectable to an excavator electrical power supply.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the coupler can for example have an electric motor assembly comprising a support, the electric motor being mounted to the support, and a power conversion system being mounted to the support.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the electric motor can for example be configured to rotate a shaft, and the power conversion system is configured to convert a rotational movement of the shaft into a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions, for longitudinally moving the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the power conversion system can for example have a longitudinally extending worm being rotatable upon rotation of the shaft by activation of the electric motor, and a worm nut threadingly engaged to the worm and being rotatably fixed relative to the worm, the worm nut being moved longitudinally upon rotation of the worm, the worm nut being mounted relative to the second coupling protrusions for longitudinally moving the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position upon rotation of the worm.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the shaft and the worm can for example be separate parts being rotatably coupled to one another via a gear system.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the gear system can for example have a plurality of gears being rotatably mounted relative to the frame, a first one of the plurality of gears being rotatably coupled to the shaft, at least another one of the plurality of gears being gearingly engaged to the first gear and to the worm.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the support can for example have a first support plate to which is fixedly mounted the electric motor, and a second support plate being fixedly mounted relative to the first support plate and extending perpendicularly to the first support plate, the plurality of gears being rotatably mounted to the second support plate.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the shaft and the worm can for example be longitudinally extending and transversally spaced from one another.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the coupler can for example have a base which is fixedly mounted to the second coupling protrusions, the base being biasingly engaged to the worm nut via at least one biasing member.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the biasing member can for example have at least one conical spring washer around the worm nut, longitudinally between the second coupling protrusions and the base.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the frame can for example have a seat being sized and shaped to snugly receive the electric motor assembly.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second coupling protrusions can for example be opposite ends to a coupling bar extending transversally through the frame.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the frame can for example have two longitudinally extending lateral walls from which the first and second coupling protrusions protrude, the lateral walls having an opening through which the second coupling protrusions protrude and inside which the second coupling protrusions are longitudinally movable.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the opening can for example have two longitudinally, opposite spaced-apart stoppers configured to stop a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the opening can for example have two opposite longitudinally extending guide members configured for snugly guiding a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position.
Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, each bracket can for example have a third coupling notch defined between the first and second notches, the coupler further comprising a pair of opposite, third coupling protrusions transversally protruding from a middle portion of the frame, the third coupling protrusions being engaged to the third coupling notches when the first coupling protrusions are engaged to the first coupling notches and the second coupling protrusions are engaged to the second coupling notches.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a coupler for removably coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets extending longitudinally and being transversally spaced-apart from one another, each bracket having longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein, the coupler comprising a frame extending longitudinally between first and second end portions, the frame having a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions transversally protruding from the first end portion; a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions being movably mounted to the frame and transversally protruding from the second end portion; and an electrical motor being mounted to the frame and being configured for selectively moving the second coupling protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position allowing engagement between the coupler and the excavation tool, and a closed position, in which the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged against respective first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler fixedly coupled to the excavation tool.
Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the figures,

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of an excavation tool, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the excavation tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of an example of a coupler for coupling to the excavation tool of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the coupler of FIG. 1 during a coupling operation with the excavation tool of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3C and 3D are enlarged side views of the coupler of FIG. 1 during a coupling operation with the excavation tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the coupler of FIG. 2, showing a frame and an electric motor assembly;

FIG. 5 is an oblique and partial view of the electric motor assembly of FIG. 4, with a few parts being omitted; and

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the electric motor assembly of FIG. 4, taken along line 5A-5A of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes examples of a coupler for coupling to an excavation tool of the type having brackets on top of it, for attachment to a stick of an excavator. As can be understood, the coupler can be removably or fixedly attached to the stick of the excavator, prior to coupling to the excavator tool. Such attachment between the stick and the coupler will be apparent to the skilled reader.
FIG. 1 shows a side view of an example of such an excavation tool 10. In this example, the excavation tool 10 is a bucket 12. However, in other embodiments, the excavation tool 10 can be a rake, a ripper and any other suitable excavation tool.
As shown in this example, the bucket 12 has a pair of brackets 14 which both extend longitudinally on a top portion 16 of the bucket 12. Each bracket 14 has a first coupling notch 18 a and a second coupling notch 18 b (which may be referred to as “the first and second coupling notches 18 a and 18 b” herein). As depicted, the first and second coupling notches 18 a and 18 b are longitudinally spaced-apart from one another by a longitudinal spacing L in this example. As shown in this specific embodiment, each bracket 14 has a third coupling notch 18 c defined between the first and second notches 18 a and 18 b. As best seen in FIG. 1A, the brackets 14 are transversally spaced-apart from one another, thereby leaving a transversal spacing T.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an example of a coupler 100 for coupling to the bucket 12 described with reference to FIG. 1. As illustrated, the coupler 100 has a frame 102 which extends longitudinally between first and second end portions 104 a and 104 b. The frame 102 has a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions 106 a which both transversally protrude from the first end portion 104 a of the frame 102, but in opposite transversal directions.
As shown, a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions 106 b is also provided. In this example the second coupling protrusions 106 b transversally protrude from the second end portion 104 b of the frame 102. As will be described below, the second coupling protrusions 106 b are movably mounted to the frame 102.
As can be understood, the first coupling protrusions 106 a can alternately protrude from the second end portion 104 b instead of protruding from the first end portion 104 a. Similarly, the second coupling protrusions 106 b can alternately protrude from the first end portion 104 a instead of protruding from the second end portion 104 b. Accordingly, the first and second end portions 104 and 104 b are terms which can be used interchangeably.
A pair of opposite, third coupling protrusions 106 c is also provided in this specific embodiment. As shown, in this example, the third coupling protrusions 106 c are transversally protruding from a middle portion 104 c of the frame 102. As will be understood from the following, the third coupling protrusions 106 c can help in maintaining the coupler 100 satisfactory coupled to the excavation tool 10. However, the third coupling protrusions 106 c are only optional, they can be omitted in alternate embodiments.
In this specific embodiment, the first coupling protrusions 106 a are opposite ends to a first transversal member 108 a which extends transversally through the frame 102. The second coupling protrusions 106 b are opposite ends to a second transversal member 108 b which extends transversally through the frame 102 when movably mounted thereto. Similarly, the third coupling protrusions 106 c are opposite ends to a third transversal member 108 c which transversally extends through the frame 102 as well. As depicted in this example, the first and third transversal members 108 a and 108 c are provided in the form of a pin member 112 fixedly mounted to two opposite lateral walls 110 of the frame 102. However, the second transversal member 108 b is provided in the form of a coupling bar 114 which is movably mounted to the two opposite lateral walls 110 of the frame 102.
The coupler 100 has an electrical motor 116 which is mounted to the frame 102. The electric motor 116 is configured for selectively moving the second coupling protrusions 106 b along a longitudinal orientation 118 between an open position and a closed position in order to allow the coupling of the coupler 100 to the excavation tool 10. An example of the electric motor 116 includes, but is not limited to, a 12 V rotary electric motor (e.g., model D1221GBXXCL, Thompson) and the like. Preferably, the electric motor has a torque of at least 70 lb-in, a speed of rotation of at least 80 RPM, and a reverse parallel tree configuration to provide compactness to the resulting coupler.
As can be understood, the frame 102 can have a transversal dimension Td which is configured to snugly fit in the transversal spacing T of the excavation tool 10. Moreover, the first and second coupling protrusions can be spaced by a longitudinal dimension Ld which is configured to snugly fit in the longitudinal spacing L of the excavation tool 10, when measured with the second coupling protrusions in the closed position. In some embodiments, the traversal dimension Td can range between 6 inches and 15 inches, preferably between 7.81 inches and 10.75 inches whereas the longitudinal dimension Ld can range between 10 inches and 25 inches, preferably between 13.87 inches and 21 inches.
FIGS. 3A through 3D show the coupler 100 in a coupling operation, with FIGS. 3C and 3D being enlarged views of the second end portion 104 b of the coupler 100 during the coupling operation. As will be appreciated by the skilled reader, an uncoupling operation can be performed by performing the following steps but in a reverse order.
As depicted in FIG. 3A, the coupling operation begins in this embodiment with the coupler 100 being already attached to an excavator (not shown). More specifically, an end 20 of the excavator stick 22 is attached to an attachment portion of the first transversal member 108 a of the frame 102 of the coupler 100. An H link 24, which is pivotably mounted to the excavator stick 22 via a side link 26 and a tool cylinder 28, is attached to an attachment portion of the third transversal member 108 c of the frame 102 of the coupler 100.
As shown in this example, the excavator stick 22 is moved so as to engage the first coupling protrusions 106 a of the first end portion 104 a of the coupler 100 to the first coupling notches 18 a of the excavation tool 10. The second end portion 104 b of the frame 102 of the coupler 100 is then pivoted towards the excavation tool 10. With the second coupling protrusions 106 b moved in the open position, the second coupling protrusions 106 b are out of interference from the second coupling notches 18 b of the excavation tool 10, which allow the second coupling protrusions 106 b to move pass the second coupling notches 18 b, and ultimately reach the position shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.
From the position shown in FIG. 3C, the electric motor of the coupler 100 can be activated so as to move the second coupling protrusions 106 b into the closed position, which can bring the second coupling protrusions 106 b into engagement with the second coupling notches 18 b of the excavation tool 10, to reach the position shown in FIG. 3D, in which the second coupling protrusions 106 b are pressingly engaged to the second coupling notches 18 b of the excavation tool 10, thereby maintaining the coupler 100 fixedly coupled to the excavation tool 10.
It will be understood that in alternate embodiments, the second coupling protrusions 106 b can first be engaged with the second coupling notches 18 b. Then, with the second coupling protrusions 106 b being in the open position, the first end portion 104 a of the frame 102 can be pivoted towards the excavation tool 10. In this case, the first coupling protrusions 106 a are out of interference from the first coupling notches 18 a of the excavation tool 10, which allow the first coupling protrusions 106 a to move pass the first coupling notches 18 a, and ultimately reach a suitable position for coupling. In this position, the second coupling protrusions 106 b can be moved from the open position to the closed position, which will bring the excavation tool 10 in coupling with the coupler 100.
In any of the above-described two alternate coupling operations, it is intended that the third coupling protrusions 106 c be engaged to the third coupling notches 18 c when both the first and second coupling protrusions 106 a and 106 b are engaged to respective first and second coupling notches 18 a and 18 b. Although only optional, the engagement between the third coupling notches 18 c and the third coupling protrusions 108 c can conveniently increase the stability of the coupling between the coupler 100 and the excavation tool 10.
As can be understood, the specific shapes of the first, second and third coupling notches 18 a, 18 b and 18 c are not limited to the shapes shown in the illustrated embodiments illustrated herein. Similarly, the specific shapes of the first, second and third coupling protrusions 106 a, 106 b and 106 c are not limited of the shapes described in this disclosure. It is intended that the shapes of the coupling notches 18 a, 18 b and 18 c and of the coupling protrusions 106 a, 106 b and 106 c can differ from one embodiment to another and still achieve their respective functions, e.g., to engage with one another in a satisfactory manner.
For instance, as best seen in FIG. 3D, the second coupling notches 18 b have a convex actuate shape 30 which has a given slope relative to the longitudinal orientation 118. Accordingly, in this example, it was found convenient to provide the second coupling protrusions 106 b with a correspondingly sloped engagement surface 120, which can increase the surface of contact between the second coupling notches 18 b and the second coupling protrusions 106 b when engaged to one another.
Now referring to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the coupler 100 is provided. As depicted, the coupler 100 has an electric motor assembly 132 which includes a support 134, the electric motor 116 discussed above, and a power conversion system 136, with both the electric motor 116 and the power conversion system 136 being mounted to the support 134. An example of the power conversion system 136 is described further below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A.
Still referring to FIG. 4, the electric motor assembly 132 has a first cover 138 a covering the electric motor 116 and being fixedly mounted to the support 134. As shown, the first cover 138 a has an opening 140 through which a power supply port 142 of the electric motor 116 is exposed. In this example, it was found convenient to sealingly connect the first cover 138 a to the support 134 so as to avoid any fluid to reach the electric motor 116. The power supply port 142 can also have a seal 144 preventing fluid entry.
In some embodiments, the power supply port 142 can be connected to a distal power supply, such as a battery or battery pack, of the excavator to which it is attached. In these embodiments, the connection can be embodied by a power supply cable which may run along the excavator stick to ultimately reach an electrical power supply of the excavator. However, in some other embodiments, the power supply port 142 of the electric motor 116 can be connected to a proximal power supply which is also mounted to the frame 102 of the coupler 100.
The electric motor assembly 132 is also provided with a second cover 138 b covering the power conversion system 136 and being fixedly mounted to the support 134. In this example, the second cover 138 b is also sealingly connected to the support 134 to prevent fluid to reach the power conversion system 136.
In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 102 is provided with a seat 146 being sized and shaped to snugly receive the electric motor assembly 132. As can be understood from the exploded view, the electric motor assembly 132 can be received in a cavity 148 defined by the seat 146. The electric motor assembly 132 can be fixedly mounted to the frame 102 using fasteners 150 so that the electric motor 116 remains in a fixed position relative to the frame 102 of the coupler 100, regardless of whether the second coupling protrusions 106 b are in longitudinal movement. In this embodiment, the fasteners 150 are used for safety purposes only, as electric motor 116 can be mounted to the frame 102 via a snug engagement between an interior surface 152 of the seat 146 and the exterior surface of the electric motor assembly 154.
The two longitudinally extending lateral walls 110 of the frame 102 each have a corresponding opening 156 through which the second coupling protrusions 106 b protrudes. As can be understood, the longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions 106 can be defined by one or more inside surfaces of these openings 156.
As such, each opening 156 has two longitudinally, opposite spaced-apart stoppers 158 which are configured to stop a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions 106 b between the open position and the closed position.
Moreover, in this example, each opening 156 has two opposite longitudinally extending guide members 160 configured for snugly guiding a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions 106 b between the open position and the closed position.
Described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the electric motor 116 is configured to rotate a shaft 162, and the power conversion system 136 is configured to convert a rotational movement of the shaft 162 into a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions 106 b. Accordingly, the second coupling protrusions 106 b can be longitudinally moved between the open position and the closed position.
In this embodiment, the power conversion system 136 has two longitudinally extending worms 164 which are rotatable upon rotation of the shaft 162 by activation of the electric motor 116, and two corresponding worm nuts 166 which are threadingly engaged to respective worms 164. Each worm nut 166 is rotatably fixed relative to the corresponding worm 164. Accordingly, when the worms 164 are rotated, the worm nuts 166 do not rotate. Instead, the worm nuts 166 are longitudinally moved via the threading engagement therebetween.
As such, the worm nuts 166 are moved longitudinally upon rotation of the worms 164. More specifically, when the worms 164 are rotated in a first direction of rotation, upon rotation of the shaft 162 in a given direction of rotation, the worm nuts 166 are moved in a first longitudinal direction. However, when the worms 164 are rotated in an opposite, second direction of rotation, upon rotation of the shaft 162 in an opposite direction of rotation as well, the worm nuts 166 are moved in an opposite, second longitudinal direction.
As shown, each worm nut 166 is mounted, directly or indirectly, relative to the second coupling protrusions 106 b in a manner that, upon rotation of the worms 164, and longitudinal movement of the worm nuts 166, the second coupling protrusions 106 b be correspondingly moved along the longitudinal orientation 118, along either one of the longitudinal directions, between the open position and the closed position.
In this example, the power conversion system 136 includes two worms 164 and two corresponding worm nuts 166. However, in other embodiments, the power conversion system 136 can have one or more combinations of worms 164 and worm nuts 166.
Referring specifically to FIG. 5, the shaft 162 and the worms 164 are provided as separate parts which are rotatably coupled to one another via a gear system 168. However, it is noted that the gear system 168 is only optional. In alternate embodiments, the gear system 168 is omitted as a shaft which is threaded, and configured for threadingly receive a worm nut to achieve a similar result. In other words, in these embodiments, the worm and the shaft are made integral to one another, which thereby render the gear system 168 optional.
The gear system 168 is fixedly mounted relative to the frame 102, and incorporates a set of gears 170 which are rotatably mounted relative to the frame 102. For instance, the gears 170 can be rotatably mounted to the support 134. As shown, a first one of the plurality of gears 170 (hereinafter “the first gear 170 a”) is rotatably coupled to the shaft 162. Accordingly, when the shaft 162 rotates, the first gear 170 a rotates as well. One or more of the other gears 170 are gearingly engaged to the first gear 170 a and to the worms 164. Accordingly, a rotational movement imparted by the shaft, upon activation of the electric motor, can cause a corresponding rotational movement of the worms 164, and ultimately a longitudinal movement of the worm nuts 166 and of the second coupling protrusions 106 b.
The illustrated embodiment shows that the first gear 170 a and the shaft 162 are two separate parts which are fixedly mounted to one another. However, in some other embodiments, the first gear 170 a can be made integral to the shaft 162 and still achieve the above-described function.
Referring back to FIG. 4, the support 134 is shown with a first support plate 134 a and a second support plate 134 b perpendicular to the first support plate 134 a. In this example, the electric motor 116 is fixedly mounted to the first support plate 134 a whereas the gear system 168 of the power conversion system 136 is mounted to the second support plate 134 b.
The second support plate 134 b is best seen in FIG. 5. As shown, the second support plate 134 b has a projecting part 172 which is inserted inside an opening of the first support plate (not shown), to project on a same level than the electric motor 116. As shown, a rotational movement occurring on one side of the first support plate 134 a, adjacent the electric motor 116, can be transferred into a rotational movement occurring on the other side of the first support plate 134 a, adjacent the worms 134 a.
It was also found convenient to provide the shaft 162 and the worms 164 parallel to one another, aligned with the longitudinal orientation 118 of the frame 102. However, in some other embodiments, the shaft 162 and the worms 164 may not longitudinally extend alongside each other.
The worm nuts 166 can be directly or indirectly mounted to the second coupling protrusions 106 b. For instance, FIG. 5A shows an embodiment where the second coupling protrusions 106 b are indirectly mounted to the worm nuts 166. More specifically, in this example, the coupling bar 114 which carries the second coupling protrusions are fixedly mounted to a base 174 which is itself biasingly engaged to the worm nuts 166 via one or more biasing members 176. Examples of such biasing members 176 can include, but is not limited to, spring(s), leaf spring(s) and the like. However, in this specific embodiment, it was found convenient to provide the biasing members 176 in the form of one or more conical spring washers 178 (also known as Belleville washers) around each worm nut 166, longitudinally between the coupling bar 114 and the base 174. Accordingly, when the second coupling protrusions 106 b are pressingly engaged to the second coupling notches 18 b, the conical spring washers 178 can absorb forces that may be applied on the excavation tool 10 during use, and still maintain the coupling between the excavation tool 10 and the coupler 100.
The materials of the components of the coupler 100 can differ from one embodiment to another. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame 110 is made of a plurality of parts formed out of a metal sheet, having a thickness of at least 0.2 inches, preferably about 0.3 inches and most preferably 0.5 inches, and welded or otherwise connected to one another in a manner that the resulting frame is sturdy. The coupling bar 114 can have a thickness of at least 0.4 inches, preferably at least 0.5 inches and most preferably at least 0.71 inches. The first and second support plates 134 a and 134 b can have a thickness of at least 0.3 inches, preferably at least 0.4 inches and most preferably 0.55 inches. The first and third transversal member 108 a and 108 c can have a diameter of at least 25 mm, preferably at least 35 mm and most preferably at least 40 mm. The first gear 170 a can have a diameter of at least 0.15 inches, preferably at least 0.2 inches and most preferably at least 0.25 inches. Examples of material includes, but is not limited to, aluminium, brass, copper, steel, tin, nickel, titanium and the like.
As can be understood, the examples described above and illustrated are intended to be exemplary only. For instance, although the illustrated electric motor is a rotary electric motor, the electric motor can be a linear actuator in alternate embodiments. In such embodiments, many of the parts described above may be omitted including the gear system, the worm, for instance. Moreover, the coupler can have more than only one electric motor. For instance, two or more electric motors can be used to move the second coupling protrusions. Moreover, in some alternate embodiments, two or more electric motors can be used to simultaneously or sequentially move both the first and second coupling protrusions in opposite directions from one another, in such a manner so as to grip respective first and second coupling notches. The scope is indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A coupler for removably coupling to an excavation tool having a pair of brackets extending longitudinally and being transversally spaced-apart from one another, each bracket having longitudinally spaced-apart first and second coupling notches defined therein, the coupler comprising:

a frame extending longitudinally between first and second end portions, the frame having a pair of opposite, first coupling protrusions transversally protruding from the first end portion;

a pair of opposite, second coupling protrusions being movably mounted to the frame and transversally protruding from the second end portion; and

an electrical motor being mounted to the frame and being configured for selectively moving the second coupling protrusions along a longitudinal orientation between an open position, in which one of the first and second coupling protrusions are engageable in one of the first and second coupling notches, the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions being out of interference from the other one of the first and second coupling notches, and a closed position, in which the other one of the first and second coupling protrusions are pressingly engaged against the other one of the first and second coupling notches, thereby maintaining the coupler fixedly coupled to the excavation tool.

2. The coupler of claim 1 wherein the electrical motor has a power supply port being connectable to an excavator electrical power supply.

3. The coupler of claim 1 further comprising an electric motor assembly comprising a support, the electric motor being mounted to the support, and a power conversion system being mounted to the support.

4. The coupler of claim 3, wherein the electric motor is configured to rotate a shaft, and the power conversion system is configured to convert a rotational movement of the shaft into a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions, for longitudinally moving the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position.

5. The coupler of claim 4 wherein the power conversion system has a longitudinally extending worm being rotatable upon rotation of the shaft by activation of the electric motor, and a worm nut threadingly engaged to the worm and being rotatably fixed relative to the worm, the worm nut being moved longitudinally upon rotation of the worm, the worm nut being mounted relative to the second coupling protrusions for longitudinally moving the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position upon rotation of the worm.

6. The coupler of claim 5 wherein the shaft and the worm are separate parts being rotatably coupled to one another via a gear system.

7. The coupler of claim 6 wherein the gear system has a plurality of gears being rotatably mounted relative to the frame, a first one of the plurality of gears being rotatably coupled to the shaft, at least another one of the plurality of gears being gearingly engaged to the first gear and to the worm.

8. The coupler of claim 7 wherein the support has a first support plate to which is fixedly mounted the electric motor, and a second support plate being fixedly mounted relative to the first support plate and extending perpendicularly to the first support plate, the plurality of gears being rotatably mounted to the second support plate.

9. The coupler of claim 5 wherein the shaft and the worm are longitudinally extending and transversally spaced from one another.

10. The coupler of claim 5 further comprising a base which is fixedly mounted to the second coupling protrusions, the base being biasingly engaged to the worm nut via at least one biasing member.

11. The coupler of claim 8 wherein the biasing member has at least one conical spring washer around the worm nut, longitudinally between the second coupling protrusions and the base.

12. The coupler of claim 3 wherein the frame has a seat being sized and shaped to snugly receive the electric motor assembly.

13. The coupler of claim 1 wherein the second coupling protrusions are opposite ends to a coupling bar extending transversally through the frame.

14. The coupler of claim 1 wherein the frame has two longitudinally extending lateral walls from which the first and second coupling protrusions protrude, the lateral walls having an opening through which the second coupling protrusions protrude and inside which the second coupling protrusions are longitudinally movable.

15. The coupler of claim 14 wherein the opening has two longitudinally, opposite spaced-apart stoppers configured to stop a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position.

16. The coupler of claim 14 wherein the opening has two opposite longitudinally extending guide members configured for snugly guiding a longitudinal movement of the second coupling protrusions between the open position and the closed position.

17. The coupler of claim 1 wherein each bracket has a third coupling notch defined between the first and second notches, the coupler further comprising a pair of opposite, third coupling protrusions transversally protruding from a middle portion of the frame, the third coupling protrusions being engaged to the third coupling notches when the first coupling protrusions are engaged to the first coupling notches and the second coupling protrusions are engaged to the second coupling notches.