This present disclosure is related to hydraulic coupling of an implement with a power machine. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to a system that allows for an automated coupling and uncoupling of an implement with a power machine.
Power machines, for the purposes of this disclosure, include any type of machine that generates power for accomplishing a particular task or a variety of tasks. One type of power machine is a work vehicle. Work vehicles are generally self-propelled vehicles that have a work device, such as a lift arm (although some work vehicles can have other work devices) that can be manipulated to perform a work function. Some examples of work vehicle power machines include loaders, excavators, utility vehicles, tractors, and trenchers, to name a few.
Some power machines can be operably coupled to implements that are capable of cooperating with the power machine to perform various tasks. For example, some loaders have lift arms that can have a wide variety of implements operably coupled to them, ranging from a simple bucket or blade to relatively complex implements such as planers and graders that have work devices capable of performing various tasks. Some of these work devices on implements are controllable by operator input devices on the power machines to which they are operably coupled.
Many power machines of this type can provide power and/or control signals to an operably coupled implement. Thus, when a power machine is operably coupled to an implement, a connection is made between one or more power and/or control signal sources on the power machine and the implement. A common type of power source on such types of power machines is a hydraulic power source. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is selectively provided from the power machine to the implement once the connection is made. To connect and disconnect an implement from a power machine, the hydraulic connections between the machine and implement must be physically made and broken. Another type of power source on such types of power machines is electric power. Electrical signals can be provided from a power machine to an implement to provide power for and/or control of functions on the implement Like hydraulic signals, most electrical signals are provided through connections that are made between the power machine and the implement.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
This Summary and the Abstract are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The summary and the abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
The present disclosure includes power machines and implement coupling systems in which hydraulic coupling between an implement and the power machine is made automatically using an existing actuator, for example a tilt actuator, of the power machine. Thus, additional actuators are not required to achieve hydraulic coupling. In exemplary embodiments, hydraulic coupling is also free from the process of mechanically coupling the implement to the implement carrier. Also, in exemplary embodiments, a machine side coupler assembly moves with the implement after a hydraulic connection is established, despite the implement couplers being removed from the implement carrier. This allows the same implement carrier to be used on all similarly sized machines.
In some exemplary embodiments, a power machine (100, 200, 300, 400, 400-1) is provided, with the power machine configured to accept and removably secure an implement (275, 375) to the power machine. The power machine has a power source (120, 220, 492) configured to selectively provide power to the implement once the implement is secured to the power machine. In exemplary embodiments, the power machine includes a structural member (230, 330, 430) and an implement carrier (272, 372, 472) pivotably mounted about an axis (274, 374, 474) to the structural member and configured to removably mount the implement to the structural member. The power machine also includes a first coupler assembly (285, 385, 485) pivotably coupled to the structural member and configured to pivot about the axis (274, 347, 474) relative to the structural member and relative to the implement carrier. The first coupler assembly is configured to be coupled to the implement to provide power to the implement.
In some exemplary embodiments, the power machine further includes a tilt actuator (280, 380, 480), coupled to the implement carrier and configured to pivot the implement carrier about the axis.
In some exemplary embodiments, the power machine further comprises a biasing mechanism (290, 390) configured to bias the first coupler assembly toward a resting position when the first coupler assembly is not coupled to the implement and allow pivotal movement of the first coupler assembly relative to the structural member when the first coupler assembly is coupled to the implement. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first coupler assembly away from the implement carrier.
In some exemplary embodiments, the power machine further includes a stop (389) mounted on the power machine and so disposed and arranged as to prevent the first coupler assembly from being rotated by the biasing mechanism beyond the resting position.
In some exemplary embodiments, the structural member (230, 330, 430) includes a lift arm assembly of the power machine. The lift arm assembly can include a pair of lift arms, and in some exemplary embodiments the first coupler assembly is positioned outside of one of the pair of lift arms. In other exemplary embodiments, the first coupler is positioned between the pair of lift arms.
In some exemplary embodiments, the structural member comprises a frame (110, 210) of the power machine.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first coupler assembly is pivotally mounted to the structural member and so disposed and arranged such that the implement mounted on the implement carrier is coupled to the first coupler assembly to receive power from the power machine by actuating the tilt actuator and rolling back the implement carrier until the implement engages the first coupler assembly.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first coupler assembly is a hydraulic coupler assembly providing hydraulic fluid under power to the implement. In some exemplary embodiments, the first coupler assembly is an electric coupler assembly providing electric power to the implement. The first coupler assembly is both a hydraulic coupler assembly and an electric coupler assembly in some embodiments.
In some exemplary embodiments, the power machine further includes a first mounting member (387, 487) having the first coupler assembly mounted thereon and being pivotably coupled to the structural member to provide the pivotable coupling of the first coupler assembly to the structural member. A second coupler assembly (377, 577) is coupled to the implement carrier in some embodiments and is configured to mate with the first coupler assembly.
In some exemplary embodiments, the power machine includes a release mechanism (295, 395) configured to cause the first coupler assembly to decouple from the implement. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the power machine includes a release actuator (297, 397) operably coupled to the release mechanism and configured to cause the release mechanism to decouple the first coupler assembly from the implement.
In some exemplary embodiments, a method is provided of coupling a power supply (120, 220, 492) on a power machine (100, 200, 300, 400, 400-1) to an implement (275, 375). The method includes mounting the implement on an implement carrier (272, 372, 472) that is pivotably attached to the power machine. A tilt actuator (280, 380, 480) of the power machine is actuated, in accordance with the method, to rotate the implement carrier and mounted implement about an axis (274, 347, 474) until an implement coupler (377, 577) engages a machine coupler (285, 385, 485), with the machine coupler being pivotally attached to a structure (230, 330, 430) on the power machine and biased to a resting position.
In some exemplary embodiments of the method, mounting the implement on the implement carrier further comprise mounting the implement on the implement carrier that is pivotably attached to the structure on the power machine.
In some exemplary embodiments of the method, the structure on the power machine is a lift arm, and wherein mounting the implement on the implement carrier further comprise mounting the implement on the implement carrier that is pivotably attached to the lift arm of the power machine.
In some exemplary embodiments, the structure on the power machine is a frame of the power machine, and wherein mounting the implement on the implement carrier further comprise mounting the implement on the implement carrier that is pivotably attached to the frame of the power machine.
The concepts disclosed in this discussion are described and illustrated with reference to exemplary embodiments. These concepts, however, are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components in the illustrative embodiments and are capable of being practiced or being carried out in various other ways. The terminology in this document is used for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Words such as “including,” “comprising,” and “having” and variations thereof as used herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, as well as additional items.
The present disclosure includes a system which makes and breaks power connections between an implement and a power machine after the implement is attached to an implement carrier of the power machine. These concepts can be practiced on various power machines, as will be described below. A representative power machine on which the embodiments can be practiced is illustrated in diagram form in
Certain power machines have work elements that are capable of performing a dedicated task. For example, some power machines have a lift arm to which an implement, such as a bucket, is attached such as by a pinning arrangement. The work element, i.e., the lift arm can be manipulated to position the implement for the purpose of performing the task. The implement, in some instances can be positioned relative to the work element, such as by rotating a bucket relative to a lift arm, to further position the implement. Under normal operation of such a power machine, the bucket is intended to be attached and under use. Such power machines may be able to accept other implements by disassembling the implement/work element combination and reassembling another implement in place of the original bucket. Other power machines, however, are intended to be used with a wide variety of implements and have an implement interface such as implement interface 170 shown in
On some power machines, implement interface 170 can include an implement carrier, which is a physical structure movably attached to a work element. The implement carrier has engagement features and locking features to accept and secure any of a number of implements to the work element. One characteristic of such an implement carrier is that once an implement is attached to it, it is fixed to the implement (i.e. not movable with respect to the implement) and when the implement carrier is moved with respect to the work element, the implement moves with the implement carrier. The term implement carrier as used herein is not merely a pivotal connection point, but rather a dedicated device specifically intended to accept and be secured to various different implements. The implement carrier itself is mountable to a structural member, typically a work element 130 such as a lift arm, or to the frame 110. Implement interface 170 can also include one or more power sources for providing power to one or more work elements on an implement. Some power machines can have a plurality of work elements with implement interfaces, each of which may, but need not, have an implement carrier for receiving implements. Some other power machines can have a work element with a plurality of implement interfaces so that a single work element can accept a plurality of implements simultaneously. Each of these implement interfaces can, but need not, have an implement carrier.
Frame 110 includes a physical structure that can support various other components that are attached thereto or positioned thereon. The frame 110 can include any number of individual components. Some power machines have frames that are rigid. That is, no part of the frame is movable with respect to another part of the frame. Other power machines have at least one portion that is capable of moving with respect to another portion of the frame.
Frame 110 supports the power source 120, which is capable of providing power to one or more work elements 130 including the one or more tractive elements 140, as well as, in some instances, providing power for use by an attached implement via implement interface 170. Power from the power source 120 can be provided directly to any of the work elements 130, tractive elements 140, and implement interfaces 170. Alternatively, power from the power source 120 can be provided to a control system 160, which in turn selectively provides power to the elements that capable of using it to perform a work function. Power sources for power machines typically include an engine such as an internal combustion engine and a power conversion system such as a mechanical transmission or a hydraulic system that is capable of converting the output from an engine into a form of power that is usable by a work element. Other types of power sources can be incorporated into power machines, including electrical sources or a combination of power sources, known generally as hybrid power sources.
Power machine 100 includes an operator station 150 that includes an operating position from which an operator can control operation of the power machine. Further, some power machines such as power machine 100 and others may be capable of being operated remotely (i.e. from a remotely located operator station) instead of or in addition to an operator station adjacent or on the power machine. This can include applications where at least some of the operator controlled functions of the power machine can be operated from an operating position associated with an implement that is coupled to the power machine. Alternatively, with some power machines, a remote-control device can be provided (i.e. remote from both of the power machine and any implement to which is it coupled) that is capable of controlling at least some of the operator controlled functions on the power machine.
Referring now to
Power machine 200 includes components and features configured to accept and removably secure implement 275 to the power machine including coupling the implement 275 to the power source 220 such that a power signal can be selectively provided from power source 220 and/or control system 260 to implement 275. As shown in
A biasing mechanism 290 is coupled to first coupler assembly 285 or to supporting structures thereof in order to bias the first or machine side coupler assembly 285 to a resting position where the first coupler assembly is not coupled to implement 275, and allow pivotal movement of the first coupler assembly 285 relative to structural member 230 when the first coupler assembly is coupled to the implement 275 (e.g., shown in
In some embodiments, a first mounting member, such as a shaft, has the first hydraulic coupler assembly 285 mounted thereon and the first mounting member is pivotably coupled to the structural member 230 to provide the pivotable coupling of the first hydraulic coupler assembly to the structural member. In some embodiments, a second coupler assembly (e.g., shown in
In some embodiments, power machine 200 includes a release mechanism 295 configured to cause the first coupler assembly 285 to decouple from the second coupler assembly, for example, by decoupling from a second coupler assembly attached to implement carrier 272. A release actuator 297 operably coupled to the release mechanism 295 can be configured to cause the release mechanism to decouple the first coupler assembly 285 from the implement.
Referring now to
A first, or machine side hydraulic coupler assembly 385, is also pivotably coupled to structural member 330. In the illustrated embodiment, first hydraulic coupler assembly 385 is mounted toward a distal end of a shaft 387 which pivots the first hydraulic coupler assembly 385 about axis 374. While shown pivoting relative to structural member 330 about the same axis 374 as implement carrier 372 pivots, in other embodiments, the implement carrier and first hydraulic coupler assembly 385 can pivot about axes that are offset from one another.
A biasing mechanism 390 is coupled to the first hydraulic coupler assembly 385, for example by coupling to shaft 387, and is configured to bias the first hydraulic coupler assembly 385 to a resting position (shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now
As shown in
Referring now to
A third portion 606 of the block structure 600 is fitted over the couplers 488 and more particularly over a ring 491 that is fitted over each coupler 488 and is moveable with respect to the rest of the coupler. The ring 491, when moved in the direction toward the second portion 604, will cause a connection between the couplers 488 and mating couplers on an implement to break. An actuator 620 is provided between the second portion 604 and the third portion 606 that, when actuated, causes the third portion to move toward the second portion. Actuator 620 is similar to the release actuator 397 discussed above. In some embodiments, the actuator 620 is hydraulically powered, but other types of actuators can be employed. The third portion has a beveled surface 608 that engages the ring 491 on one side and provides alignment assistance for mating couplers on an implement on the other side.
As mentioned above, the second portion 604 is, in some embodiments, movable with respect to the first portion 602. As shown in
As is mentioned above, in some embodiments, the first portion 602 of block structure 600 is movably mounted to the shaft 497. As is shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
To simplify the illustrations of aspects of disclosed embodiments,
When an implement (not shown for illustrative purposes) is attached to the implement carrier 472, the coupling is not accomplished in some embodiments until the tilt cylinder 480 on the machine is rolled back so that the couplers of assemblies 485/577 are positioned adjacent each other and urged into engagement by the movement of the tilt cylinder 480. Once the couplers are engaged, the first or machine side coupler assembly 485 moves with the implement carrier 472 and implement as they are pivoted by movement of the tilt cylinder 480.
In some exemplary embodiments, hydraulic or electric coupling is made automatically, but without any additional actuator since the coupling is accomplished using the tilt actuator. Hydraulic coupling is also free from the process of mechanically coupling the implement to the implement carrier. Also, in exemplary embodiments, the first or machine side coupler assembly moves with the implement after a hydraulic connection is established, despite the implement couplers being removed from the implement carrier. This allows the same implement carrier to be used on all similarly sized machines. Disclosed embodiments include kits including some or all of the above discussed components so that both machines and implements can be updated in the field.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/685,419, which was filed on Jun. 15, 2018.
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