Excavator with Expanded Work Implement Compatibility

Abstract

An excavator has an undercarriage assembly and a turret assembly rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly has an undercarriage implement support that may pivot about a lift axis. An undercarriage coupler is coupled to the undercarriage support and includes an undercarriage coupler interface that is configure to operably engage an undercarriage implement interface provide on an undercarriage implement. The turret assembly also carries a turret implement, and therefore the excavator may simultaneously employ both the undercarriage implement and the turret implement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to machines used in work applications, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for connecting work implements to excavators.

BACKGROUND

Different types of work implements are known for use with machines, such as skid steer loaders and mini excavators. In general, the work implement is particularly suited for use with a given type of machine. For example, a mini excavator implement is configured for attachment to the boom of a mini excavator, while a skid steer loader implement is configured for attachment to a skid steer loader. Historically, the work implements used on skid steer loaders were not capable for use on mini excavators due to different mounting requirements. Consequently, both types of equipment were often transported to a work site where both a mini excavator and skid steer work implement were required. Alternatively, operators were forced to purchase two sets of attachments for a particular task when it would be desirable to transport only the mini excavator.

More recently, an adapter for mounting skid steer loader attachments onto an excavator arm has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,524,158 to Eckstein et al. The adapter of the '158 patent is configured to attach to the stick or arm of the excavator, and therefore would be used in place of a bucket that typically would be attached to the end of the excavator arm. Thus, while the adapter of the '158 patent facilitates the use of work implements having standardized skid steer loader mounting configurations to be used on the arm of a mini excavator, it does so at the expense of normal excavator operation by requiring the bucket to be removed. Additionally, the adapter of the '158 patent only permits the use of one attachment at a time, thereby limiting the functionality of the mini excavator.

Mini excavators typically include a blade mounted to the undercarriage or undercarriage that may be used for backfilling, grading, or other purposes. In some known designs, a lift cylinder may be attached between the undercarriage and a support holding the blade that may be operated to raise or lower the blade. U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,796 to Bowers et al. proposes to provide a carrier attachment configured to mount onto the existing blade structure. Thus, the carrier of the '796 patent must be customized for the particular configuration of the blade provided on the excavator.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an excavator is provided for use with an undercarriage implement having an undercarriage implement interface and a turret implement. The excavator may include an undercarriage assembly having an undercarriage frame, a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, and a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a lift axis. An undercarriage coupler may be operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support and may include an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operably engage the undercarriage implement interface. The excavator may further include a turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, and may include a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame, and a stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configured to operably engage the turret implement.

In another aspect of the disclosure that may be combined with any of these aspects, an excavator is provided for use with a continuously powered undercarriage implement having an undercarriage implement interface and a turret implement. The excavator may include an undercarriage assembly having, an undercarriage frame, a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, and a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a lift axis. An undercarriage coupler may be operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support and may include an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operably engage the undercarriage implement interface, and an undercarriage implement power source may be provided that includes an undercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent the undercarriage coupler. The excavator may further include a turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assembly including a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame, and a stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configured to operably engage the turret implement.

In another aspect of the disclosure that may be combined with any of these aspects, an excavator and implement kit is provided including a plurality of undercarriage implements, each undercarriage implement having a standardized implement interface. An excavator may include an undercarriage assembly having an undercarriage frame, a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a lift axis, and an undercarriage coupler operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support and including an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operably engage the standardized implement interface. The excavator may further include a turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assembly including a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame, a stick pivotably coupled to the boom, and a turret implement operatively coupled to the stick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a mini excavator constructed according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the mini excavator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top perspective view of the excavator of FIG. 1 with a turret assembly removed to better show an undercarriage assembly.

FIG. 4 is an isometric front view of an undercarriage coupler provided on the mini excavator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric rear view of an undercarriage implement having an implement interface.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, in cross-section, of an undercarriage implement attached to the undercarriage coupler of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary machine in the form of an excavator 10 having multiple systems and components that cooperate to accomplish a task. The machine may embody a fixed or mobile machine that performs some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. For example, the machine may be an earth moving machine such as a mini excavator (as shown), a backhoe, a track-type tractor, a loader, a motor grader, or any other earth moving machine. The excavator 10 may include an implement system 12 configured to move one or more implements, a drive system 14 for propelling ground engaging members 16, a power source 18 (FIG. 1) that provides power to implement system 12 and drive system 14, and an operator station 20 for operator control of implement system 12 and drive system 14.

The power source 18 may embody an engine such as, for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. It is contemplated that the power source 18 may alternatively embody a non-combustion source of power such as a fuel cell, a power storage device, or another source known in the art. The power source 18 may produce a mechanical or electrical power output that is provided directly to the implement system 12 and the drive system 14, or the output of the power source 18 may be converted to hydraulic power for moving the implement system 12 and the drive system 14.

An undercarriage assembly 22 may form a lower portion of the excavator 10. As best shown in FIG. 3, the undercarriage assembly 22 may include an undercarriage frame 24 extending between the ground engaging members 16. An undercarriage implement support 26 may be pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the undercarriage frame 24 may include a pair of brackets 27 having axles 30 defining a lift axis 31. The undercarriage implement support 26 may have a pair of legs 28 with first ends 32 pivotably coupled to the axles 30. Second ends 33 of the legs 28 are joined by a transverse support 34. A lift actuator 36 may extend between the undercarriage frame 24 and the transverse support 34 that may be actuated to pivot the undercarriage implement support 26 about the lift axis, thereby raising or lowering the undercarriage implement support 26.

An undercarriage coupler 40 may be operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support 26 to facilitate attachment of work implements to the undercarriage implement support 26. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the undercarriage coupler 40 may include a front plate 42. Associated pairs of outer side walls 44, intermediate side walls 46, and inner side walls 48 extend rearward from the front plate 42. The outer side walls 44 and intermediate side walls 46 may be formed with lower apertures that are aligned to receive a tilt axle 50 which defines a tilt axis 52 about which the undercarriage coupler 40 may pivot. Channels 54 projecting from opposite ends of the transverse support 34 define additional apertures configured to receive the tilt axle 50, thereby to pivotably couple the undercarriage coupler 40 to the undercarriage implement support 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the tilt axle 50 extends transversely across the undercarriage assembly 22, and may be substantially parallel to the lift axis 31. The intermediate side walls 46 and inner side walls 48 may be formed with upper apertures that are aligned. A pair of tilt actuators 56 may be operably coupled between the legs 28 of the undercarriage implement support 26 and upper axles 58 extending through the upper apertures, so that actuation of the tilt actuators 56 pivots the undercarriage coupler 40 relative to the undercarriage implement support 26 about the tilt axis 52, thereby to adjust the angle at which the undercarriage coupler 40 is positioned. The tilt actuators 56 may be operably coupled to the power source 18 for operation.

A turret assembly 60 may form an upper portion of the excavator 10 that is rotatably coupled to the undercarriage assembly 22. For example, the undercarriage frame 24 may include a swivel joint 62 (FIG. 3) on which a turret frame 64 may be supported, so that the turret assembly may rotate relative to the undercarriage assembly 22 about a turret axis 65. The turret axis 65 may be substantially coaxial with a center point 67 of the swivel joint 62 and substantially perpendicular to both the lift axis 31 and the tilt axis 52. A swing motor 63 may be operably coupled to the power source 18 and may be configured to provide a swing force for rotating the turret assembly 60 relative to the undercarriage assembly 22.

The turret frame 64 may support the operator station 20. A boom 66 may be pivotably coupled to the turret frame 64 and actuated by a boom actuator 68, such as a double-acting, hydraulic cylinder, extending between the turret frame 64 and the boom 66. A stick 70 may be pivotably coupled to the boom 66 and actuated by a stick actuator 72, which may also be a double-acting, hydraulic cylinder, operatively connected between the boom 66 and the stick 70. Still further, a turret implement 74, such as a bucket as shown in FIG. 1, may be operably coupled to the stick 70. A turret implement actuator 76 may be operatively connected between the stick 70 and the turret implement 74 to pivot the turret implement 74 relative to the stick 70.

In addition to the turret implement 74 provided on the turret assembly 60, the excavator 10 may further include an undercarriage implement 80 (FIG. 1) provided with the undercarriage assembly 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the undercarriage implement 80 is shown in the form of a trencher, however any known type of implement may be used. The undercarriage implement 80 generally includes a work implement end 82 configured to perform one or more tasks and an undercarriage implement interface 84 configured to engage a component on the excavator 10. The undercarriage implement interface 84 may include a recess 86 having a specific configuration.

The undercarriage implement interface 84 may have a standardized configuration. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the undercarriage implement interface 84 is configured to comply with ISO 24410, which provides a standardized interface for implements used on skid steer loaders. Accordingly, an upper edge 88 of the recess 86 has a dovetail shape, while two pockets 90 are formed in a bottom edge 92 of the recess 86. An engagement surface 87 defines a boundary of the recess 86, and may be substantially planar. The orientation of the upper edge 88 and pockets 90, as well as the overall height and width of the recess 86 and the configuration of the engagement surface 87, may all be selected to meet the ISO 24410 standards, which define maximum dimensions for components used to engage with the undercarriage implement interface 84. While the skid steer loader configuration for the undercarriage implement interface 84 is shown and described, it will be appreciated that other pre-existing, standardized configurations, such as a compact wheel loader implement configuration, may be used. Still further, the undercarriage implement interface 84 may have a custom configuration that does not match any pre-existing configurations but is nevertheless standardized in the sense that it conforms to a newly developed configuration.

The undercarriage coupler 40 may be configured to operatively engage the undercarriage implement interface 84. More specifically, the undercarriage coupler 40 may provide an undercarriage coupler interface 94 configured to securely engage the recess 86 of the undercarriage implement interface 84. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the undercarriage coupler interface 94 may include wedge pieces 96 coupled to the upper edge of the front plate 42. The wedge pieces 96 are oriented relative to a front surface 98 of the front plate 42 to form surfaces that are complementary to portions of the recess upper edge 88 (FIG. 6). The undercarriage coupler interface 94 may further include the front surface 98 of the front plate 42 having a maximum height H and a maximum width W that fit within the height and width of the recess 86. The front surface 98 may also be substantially planar to closely fit with the engagement surface 87 of the undercarriage implement interface 84.

To couple the undercarriage implement 80 to the excavator 10, the undercarriage coupler 40 may be placed in an orientation where the wedge pieces 96 of the undercarriage coupler interface 94 can be inserted into the recess upper edge 88 of the undercarriage implement interface 84. The undercarriage coupler 40 may then be raised, tilted, or otherwise manipulated until the front surface 98 of the front plate 42 engages the engagement surface 87 of the undercarriage implement interface 84 as shown in FIG. 6, thereby coupling the undercarriage coupler 40 to the undercarriage implement 80. As a result, the undercarriage coupler interface 94 permits the undercarriage coupler 40 to quickly and easily engage with and disengage from the undercarriage implement interface 84 of the undercarriage implement 80.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The provision of a standard implement interface, such as a standard interface used for skid steer loader attachments, on a mini excavator at a location where a backfill blade is typically provided, significantly expands the utility and functionality of the mini excavator.

When the undercarriage coupler interface 94 has a configuration that is compatible with a pre-existing, standardized implement interface, the excavator 10 may be used with a variety of existing implements without necessitating a customized adapter. For example, when the undercarriage coupler interface 94 is compatible with a skid steer loader implement interface as defined by ISO 24410, the undercarriage coupler 40 may be attached to any one of several existing skid steer loader implements or attachments. Alternatively, the undercarriage coupler interface 94 may have a configuration that is compatible with implements having a later-developed, standardized implement interface. In either event, because the undercarriage coupler 40 is associated with the undercarriage assembly 22, the excavator 10 may use these standard implements without requiring the bucket or other turret implement to be replaced.

Depending on the work to be completed, the turret assembly 60 may be rotated relative to the undercarriage assembly 22 so that the turret implement 74 is positioned on the same side of the excavator 10 as the undercarriage implement 80, as shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the turret implement 74 is a bucket while the undercarriage implement 80 is a trencher. Alternatively, the turret assembly 60 may be rotated relative to the undercarriage assembly 22 so that the turret implement 74 is positioned on an opposite side of the excavator 10 as the undercarriage implement 80, as shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the turret implement 74 is an auger while the undercarriage implement 80 is a bucket.

The excavator 10 may further be configured to permit the use of continuously powered undercarriage implements. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a line 100 may have an undercarriage implement power interface 102 positioned adjacent the undercarriage coupler 40. The line 100 may be operably coupled to the power source 18. The undercarriage implement may require a continuous power supply to operate a brush, ripper, hammer, or other work implement. Accordingly, the undercarriage implement may include a supply line that may be attached to the undercarriage implement power interface 102 to provide the necessary power to the undercarriage implement. In some embodiments, the continuously powered undercarriage implement comprises a continuous hydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in which case the power source 18 comprises a hydraulic power source.

In addition to the undercarriage implement, the turret implement may also require a continuous power source. Accordingly, power source 18 may be coupled to the turret implement, such as by a turret implement power interface 104 (FIG. 1), to provide the necessary power to operate the turret implement.

Accordingly, various types of known implements may be used as the undercarriage implement and as the turret implement. Compatible implements may include any device used to perform a particular task such as, for example, a drill, a bucket, an auger, a blade, a shovel, a ripper, a broom, a snow blower, a cutting device, a grasping device, or any other task-performing device known in the art.

Furthermore, the ability to use, simultaneously or sequentially, two implements attached to the same excavator 10 enables the use of implement combinations that are cooperatively related. As used herein, the term “cooperatively related” is intended to describe work implements that perform tasks related to one or more steps of a particular process. Accordingly, the undercarriage implement may be a bucket used to carry items and the turret implement may be a grasping device used to grasp and place the items in desired locations. Alternatively, the undercarriage implement may be a bucket for receiving debris and the turret implement may be a rotating brush used to sweep debris into the bucket. Still further, the undercarriage implement may be a concrete saw and the turret implement may be a drill used to break up concrete. In yet another embodiment, the undercarriage implement may be a trencher and the turret implement may be a blade used to backfill the trench. As another example, the undercarriage implement may be a fork configured to carry pallets and the turret implement may be a grasping device used to grasp and place the pallets in desired locations. These and other implement combinations are now capable of being provided on a single excavator, thereby expanding the utility and functionality of the excavator.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. An excavator for use with an undercarriage implement having an undercarriage implement interface and a turret implement, the excavator comprising: an undercarriage assembly having: an undercarriage frame;a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame; an undercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame;a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a lift axis; andan undercarriage coupler operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support and including an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operably engage the undercarriage implement interface;a turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assembly including: a turret frame;a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame; anda stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configured to operably engage the turret implement.

2. The excavator of claim 1, in which the undercarriage implement interface comprises a skid steer loader implement interface.

3. The excavator of claim 1, further comprising a tilt actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage implement support and the undercarriage coupler and configured to pivot the undercarriage coupler about an implement tilt axis extending substantially perpendicular to the turret axis.

4. The excavator of claim 1, in which the undercarriage implement comprises a continuously powered undercarriage implement, and in which the excavator further comprises an undercarriage implement power source including an undercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent the undercarriage coupler.

5. The excavator of claim 4, in which the continuously powered undercarriage implement comprises a continuous hydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in which the undercarriage implement power source comprises a hydraulic power source, and in which the turret implement comprises a continuously powered turret implement operably coupled to a turret implement power source.

6. The excavator of claim 1, in which: the undercarriage implement interface includes a recess including a recess upper edge and an engagement surface defining a portion of the recess; andthe undercarriage coupler interface includes:a front plate defining a front plate surface that is complementary to the engagement surface of the undercarriage implement interface, the front plate surface having a height and width sized for insertion into the recess of the undercarriage implement interface; anda wedge piece coupled to an upper edge of the front plate and oriented to be complementary to the recess upper edge.

7. The excavator of claim 1, in which the turret implement and the undercarriage implement are cooperatively related.

8. An excavator for use with a continuously powered undercarriage implement having an undercarriage implement interface and a turret implement, the excavator comprising: an undercarriage assembly having: an undercarriage frame;a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame;an undercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame;a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a lift axis;an undercarriage coupler operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support and including an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operably engage the undercarriage implement interface; andan undercarriage implement power source including an undercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent the undercarriage coupler; anda turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assembly including: a turret frame;a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame; anda stick pivotably coupled to the boom and configured to operably engage the turret implement.

9. The excavator of claim 8, in which the turret implement comprises a continuously powered turret implement, the excavator further comprising a turret implement power source operably coupled to the continuously powered turret implement.

10. The excavator of claim 8, in which the continuously powered undercarriage implement comprises a continuous hydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in which the undercarriage implement power source comprises a hydraulic power source, and in which the turret implement comprises a continuously powered turret implement operably coupled to a turret implement power source.

11. The excavator of claim 8, in which: the undercarriage implement interface includes a recess including a recess upper edge and an engagement surface defining a portion of the recess; andthe undercarriage coupler interface includes: a front plate defining a front plate surface that is complementary to the engagement surface of the undercarriage implement interface, the front plate surface having a height and width sized for insertion into the recess of the undercarriage implement interface; anda wedge piece coupled to an upper edge of the front plate and oriented to be complementary to the recess upper edge.

12. The excavator of claim 8, in which the undercarriage implement interface comprises the standardized implement interface, and in which undercarriage coupler interface is configured to operably engage the standardized implement interface.

13. The excavator of claim 8, further comprising a tilt actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage implement support and the undercarriage coupler and configured to pivot the undercarriage coupler about an implement tilt axis extending substantially perpendicular to the turret axis.

14. The excavator of claim 8, in which the turret implement and the undercarriage implement are cooperatively related.

15. An excavator and implement kit, comprising: a plurality of undercarriage implements, each undercarriage implement having a standardized implement interface;an excavator including: an undercarriage assembly having an undercarriage frame, a ground-engaging member coupled to the undercarriage frame, an undercarriage implement support pivotably coupled to the undercarriage frame, a lift actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage frame and the undercarriage implement support and configured to pivot the undercarriage implement support about a lift axis, and an undercarriage coupler operably coupled to the undercarriage implement support and including an undercarriage coupler interface configured to operably engage the standardized implement interface; anda turret assembly coupled to the undercarriage assembly and rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly about a turret axis, the turret assembly including a turret frame, a boom pivotably coupled to the turret frame, a stick pivotably coupled to the boom, and a turret implement operatively coupled to the stick.

16. The excavator and implement kit of claim 15, in which the standardized implement interface comprises a skid steer loader implement interface.

17. The excavator and implement kit of claim 15, in which the excavator further comprises a tilt actuator operably coupled between the undercarriage implement support and the undercarriage coupler and configured to pivot the undercarriage coupler about an implement tilt axis extending substantially perpendicular to the turret axis.

18. The excavator and implement kit of claim 15, in which each of the plurality of undercarriage implements comprises a continuously powered undercarriage implement, and in which the excavator further comprises an undercarriage implement power source including an undercarriage implement power interface positioned adjacent the undercarriage coupler.

19. The excavator and implement kit of claim 18, in which each of the continuously powered undercarriage implements comprises a continuous hydraulic flow undercarriage implement, in which the undercarriage implement power source comprises a hydraulic power source, and in which the turret implement comprises a continuously powered turret implement operably coupled to a turret implement power source.

20. The excavator and implement kit of claim 15, in which: the standardized implement interface includes a recess including a recess upper edge and an engagement surface defining a portion of the recess; andthe undercarriage coupler interface includes: a front plate defining a front plate surface that is complementary to the engagement surface of the standardized implement interface, the front plate surface having a height and width sized for insertion into the recess of the standardized implement interface; anda wedge piece coupled to an upper edge of the front plate and oriented to be complementary to the recess upper edge.