MACHINE HAVING REAR-MOUNTED TOOL COUPLER

Abstract

A machine is disclosed as having a body, and left and right traction devices supporting opposing sides of the body. The machine may also have a power source mounted to the body at a front end relative to a normal travel direction. The power source may be configured to drive the left and right traction devices. The machine may further have left and right lift arms. Each of the left and right lift arms may have a base end pivotally connected at a back end of the body to a location gravitationally above the left and right traction devices, respectively. The machine may additionally have a tool coupler mounted to distal ends of the left and right lift arms.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a machine and, more particularly, to a machine having a rear-mounted tool coupler.

BACKGROUND

A construction machine operating at a typical worksite is often required to perform a variety of different functions, for example, digging, leveling, grading, hauling, lifting, trenching, hammering, compacting, etc. These functions are most efficiently conducted using tools specifically designed for each of the different functions. A tool coupler is a common way to connect the tools to the front of a machine. A tool coupler attaches to existing linkage structure and hydraulics of the machine, and functions as a generic adapter for interchangeable connection with an assortment of different tools.

While a tool coupler mounted to the front of a machine may increase the versatility of the machine, such a configuration also has its limitations. In particular, there may be times when space at the front of the machine is unavailable for use with a tool coupler. For example, the space at the front of the machine could already be taken by another permanent or removable tool. In addition, there may be applications that require interchangeable tools at the rear of the machine, and conventional tool couplers may not be designed for this purpose.

One attempt to address the issues discussed above is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,024,875 (the '875 patent) by WETZEL et al. that issued on Sep. 27, 2011. In particular, the '875 patent discloses a compact excavator having a base frame with an undercarriage, and an upper frame rotatably attached to a top side of the base frame. The undercarriage includes left and right tracks mounted at the sides of the base frame. A first implement assembly is pinned to the upper frame, and a second implement assembly is attached to the base frame between the left and right tracks. The second implement assembly includes lift arms, a pair of hydraulic actuators, and an implement coupler. Different tools can be removably connected to the implement coupler.

Although the excavator of the '875 patent may have two different implement assemblies, including an implement coupler, the excavator may still be less than optimal. For example, the location of the coupler being between the left and right tracks may limit the types and sizes of tools that can be connected to the excavator. In addition, the arrangement of the two implement assemblies of the '875 patent may not provide enough versatility to the excavator or the range of motion required for some applications.

The machine and tool coupler of the present disclosure address one or more of the needs set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to machine. The machine may include a body, and left and right traction devices supporting opposing sides of the body. The machine may also include a power source mounted to the body at a front end relative to a normal travel direction. The power source may be configured to drive the left and right traction devices. The machine may further include left and right lift arms. Each of the left and right lift arms may have a base end pivotally connected at a back end of the body to a location gravitationally above the left and right traction devices, respectively. The machine may additionally include a tool coupler mounted to distal ends of the left and right lift arms.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to another machine. This machine may include a body, an operator cabin supported on the body and having a floor, and left and right traction devices connected to opposing sides of the body. The machine may also include a power source mounted to the body at a front end of the operator cabin relative to a normal travel direction. The power source may be configured to drive the left and right traction devices. The machine may further include left and right lift arms pivotally connected at a back end of the body, and a tool coupler mounted to the left and right lift arms. The left and right lift arms are located completely above the floor of the operator cabin when raised to a highest lift position.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to another machine. This machine may include a body, an operator cabin supported on the body and having a floor, and left and right traction devices connected to opposing sides of the body. The machine may also include a power source mounted to the body at a front end of the operator cabin relative to a normal travel direction. The power source may be configured to drive the left and right traction devices. The machine may further include a tool linkage system removably connected to the front end of the body, and a tool coupler non-removably connected to a rear end of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are side-view illustrations of an exemplary disclosed machine equipped with different removable tool systems;

FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of an exemplary tool coupler non-removably mounted to a rear end of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, without any associated tool system; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of the tool coupler of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 both illustrate an exemplary machine 10 equipped with different front tool systems 12 and different rear tool systems 14. Machine 10 may be a 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. In the disclosed example, machine 10 is a general track-type-tractor capable of accepting any number of different front and rear tool systems 12, 14, thereby becoming an application-specific machine. In the example of FIG. 1, front tool system 12 is a loader system having a loading-type bucket tool 16, while rear tool system 14 is a trenching system having a trencher tool 18. In the example of FIG. 2, front tool system 12 is a dozing system having a blade-type tool 20, while rear tool system 14 is a back-hoe system having a excavating-type bucket tool 22. In general, front tool systems 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be interchangeable with each other (and with other front tool systems that are not shown) and removably connected to machine 10. Likewise, rear tool systems 14 may be interchangeable with each other (and with other rear tool systems that are not shown) and removably connected to machine 10. Front tool systems 12, however, may not be interchangeable with rear tool systems 14. For the purposes of this disclosure, removably connected may be defined as connected without the use of threaded fasteners or welding, and connected in such a manner that tools or cutting, bending, and other destructive processes are not required for removal.

It should be noted that, while machine 10 is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a track-type-tractor, machine 10 could be another type of machine, if desired. For example, machine 10 could be a wheeled machine. It is also contemplated that machine 10 may have a fixed or integrated tool system, in addition to front and/or rear tool systems 12, 14 that are removable. For example, machine 10 could be a haul truck having an integrated bed, in addition to or instead of one or both of front and rear tool systems 12, 14.

Machine 10 includes, among other things, a body (“machine body”) 24, a power source (e.g., an engine) 26 mounted to machine body 24 at a front end thereof (i.e., relative to a normal travel direction), one or more traction devices 28 driven by power source 26, and an operator cabin 30 supported above machine body 24. Operator cabin 30 may house any number and type of input devices 32 for use by the operator in controlling front and rear tool systems 12, 14, power source 26, and/or traction devices 28. Operator cabin 30 may have a floor 33 located at a height gravitationally above traction devices 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, the disclosed traction devices 28 embody parallel tracks 34 located at opposing sides of body 24. Each track 34 may comprise a plurality of crawler shoes pinned end-to-end to form an endless loop. The endless loop of crawler shoes may wrap around a corresponding sprocket 36 and idler wheel 38. Sprocket 36 may engage the pins (or engage bushings that encase the pins) of the crawler shoes and thereby transmit torque from power source 26 to tack 34. Idler wheel 38 (as well as a number of aligned rollers 40) may guide the crawler shoes in a general elliptical trajectory around sprocket 36.

Rear tool system 14 should be connected to the rear end of machine body 24 in such a way as to clear traction devices 28 and still provide a wide range of motion and lift. For this purpose, a tool coupler (“coupler”) 42 may be non-removably connected to machine body 24 by way of a linkage arrangement 44, and rear tool system 14 may be removably connected to machine 10 by way of coupler 42.

As shown in both FIGS. 3 and 4, coupler 42 may take any conventional form known in the art and be used to facilitate a quick connection between rear tool system 14 machine 10. For example, coupler 42 may include a frame 46 that extends widthwise across the back end of machine body 24. Frame 46 may have an upper edge 48 and a lower edge 50. In some embodiments, upper edge 48 may be plate-like. In other embodiments, however, upper edge 48 may be rounded (e.g., fabricated from a tube). In some embodiments, a center portion of frame 46 at upper edge 48 may dip downward to provide a better view of rear tool system 14. An outward face of frame 46 may be generally planar, and any number of vertical webs and/or supports may be located at an inner face of frame 46 to help stiffen frame 46. The different components of frame 46 may be welded and/or bolted to each other. Frame 46 may be connected to linkage arrangement 44 via two upper pins 52 and two lower pins 54; one located on each corner.

Coupler 42 may also include one or more wedges 56 that are disposed to slide vertically within frame 46 at lower edge 50, After hooks or other similar features of rear tool system 14 are placed over upper edge 48 of frame 46, wedges 56 may be pushed downward to extend out of frame 46 and into corresponding pockets 58 (one pocket 58 shown in FIG. 1) of rear tool system 14. Each of wedges 56 may be pushed downward and out of frame 46 manually (e.g., by way of a lever 60), or automatically (e.g., by way of hydraulic cylinders or motors—not shown), as desired. When wedges 56 are located within pockets 58, there may not be enough vertical space between pockets 58 and the hooks of rear tool system 14 to allow upper edge 48 of coupler 42 to be released from the hooks. Only when wedges 56 are pulled back out of pockets 58, can rear tool system 14 be removed from coupler 42. In this manner, rear tool system 14 may be removably connected to machine 10 by way of coupler 42 and linkage arrangement 44.

Linkage arrangement 44 may include left and right lift arms 62 connected between left and right adapters 64 (only left adapter 64 shown in FIGS. 1-3) and corresponding left and right sides of coupler 42. Each lift arm 62 may have a base end pivotally connected to an upper-most pin 66 of the corresponding adapter 64, and a distal end pivotally connected to coupler 42 at pin 54. In some embodiments, lift arms 62 may also be connected to each other at the distal ends by way of a cross-brace 68.

Left and right lift cylinders 70 may connect lower-most pins 72 of adapters 64 to midpoint pins 74 of the corresponding lift arms 62. In this arrangement, coordinated extensions of lift cylinders 70 may function to raise the distal ends of lift arms 62, along with coupler 42 and rear tool system 14 (if attached). In contrast, the coordinated retraction of lift cylinders 70 may function to lower the distal ends of lift arms 62.

Left and right tilt cylinders 76 may extend from pins 78 at the base ends of lift arms 62 to pins 52 at the top corners of coupler 42. In this arrangement, coordinated extensions of tilt cylinders 76 may function to tilt outward the top edge of coupler 42 and thereby rotate rear tool system 14 downward (if attached). In contrast, the coordinated retraction of tilt cylinders 76 may function to tilt inward the top edge of coupler 42 and thereby rotate rear tool system 14 upward.

Adapters 64 may be connected (e.g., welded or bolted) to opposing sides of machine body 24. Each adapter 64 may have a general L-shape, with a horizontal portion and a longer vertical portion (i.e., horizontal and vertical relative to an installed orientation on machine 10). The horizontal and vertical portions may be integral, and fabricated primarily from plate stock. Pin 66 may be located at a distal end of the vertical portion (e.g., at a fore/aft location between idler wheel 38 and drive sprocket 36, and at a vertical location above floor 33 of cabin 30), while pin 72 may be located at a distal end of the horizontal portion (e.g., at a fore/aft location closer to idler wheel 38 than pin 66, and at a vertical location below floor 33). The horizontal portion of adapter 64 may extend along floor 33 of cabin 30 (e.g., at a level gravitationally below floor 33 and above traction devices 28). In some embodiments, lift cylinders 70 may be housed inside the horizontal portions of adapters 64, and thereby at least partially shielded from environmental conditions. The vertical portion of adapter 64 may extend along a door rear frame of cabin 30 (e.g., at a location rearward of an associated doorway).

The shape and location of adapters 64, in combination with the configuration of lift arms 62 and lift cylinders 70, may provide for unique movements of rear tool system 14. For example, because adapters 64 may be elevated above traction devices 28 and pins 66 may be further elevated above floor 33 of cabin 30, when lift cylinders 70 fully extend, lift arms 62 may move to positions completely above floor 33. This may cause coupler 42 to be lifted through an arc above traction devices 28 to a high position, which allows coupler 42 to be used with specific tool systems (e.g., with trencher tool 18 of FIG. 1) that otherwise could not be connected to the back end of a machine. In the disclosed embodiment, coupler 42 may be raised to a height about 1 m off a ground surface, on which traction devices 28 rest. In addition, when lift cylinders 70 are fully extended (i.e., when lift arms 62 are fully raised) and when tilt cylinders 76 are simultaneously fully extended, tilt cylinders and coupler 42 may be generally parallel with floor 33. This may provide a range of tilting motion greater than about 180°, which may be beneficial for some tool systems (e.g., trencher tool 18 of FIG. 1). Further, when coupler 42 is in a lowest position (i.e., when lift arms 62 are fully retracted), the distal ends of lift cylinders 70 may be located above drive sprocket 36 (i.e., at the rear ends of traction devices 28), such that subsequent downward tilting does not cause interference between a connected rear tool system 14 and traction device 28.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The presently disclosed tool coupler and associated linkage system are applicable to any mobile machine to increase the functionality of the machine. For example, a general-use machine may utilize the disclosed tool coupler and linkage system to selectively connect a trencher tool, a back-hoe, or another tool to the back end of the machine, such that the machine can be used for many different purposes. This increase in functionality lowers capital costs for the machine owner, and/or allows for increased business opportunities.

Several advantages are associated with the disclosed tool coupler and linkage system. In particular, the disclosed tool coupler and linkage system may allow for quick and easy attachment of a rear tool system to machine 10. In addition, the disclosed tool coupler and linkage system may provide for the lift, range of motion, and orientation required by a broad range of rear tool systems.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the machine, tool coupler and linkage system of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the machine, tool coupler and linkage system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising: a body;left and right traction devices supporting opposing sides of the body;a power source mounted to the body at a front end relative to a normal travel direction, the power source being configured to drive the left and right traction devices;left and right lift arms, each having a base end pivotally connected at a back end of the body to a location gravitationally above the left and right traction devices, respectively; anda tool coupler mounted to distal ends of the left and right lift arms.

2. The machine of claim 1, further including: a left adapter configured to connect the base end of the left lift arm to a left side of the body; anda right adapter configured to connect the base end of the right lift arm to right side of the body.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein: each of the left and right adapters are generally L-shaped, having a vertical portion configured to extend along a door rear frame of the machine and a horizontal portion configured to extend along a cabin floor of the machine; andthe base end of each of the left and right lift arms is pivotally connected to a distal end of the vertical portion.

4. The machine of claim 2, further including: lift cylinders extending from the left and right adapters to the left and right lift arms, respectively; andtilt cylinders extending from the left and right lift arms to opposing sides of the tool coupler.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein: each of the left and right traction devices includes an idler wheel, a drive sprocket, and a track extending around the idler wheel and the drive sprocket; andeach of the lift cylinders has a stationary end located above the track and between the idler wheel and the drive sprocket, and a movable end that moves through an arc above the track during lifting of the tool coupler.

6. The machine of claim 5, wherein when the tool coupler is in a lowest position, the movable ends of the lift cylinders are located above the drive sprocket.

7. The machine of claim 1, further including an operator cabin supported by the body and having a floor, wherein when the tool coupler is lifted to a highest position, the left and right lift arms are completely above the floor of the operator cabin.

8. The machine of claim 7, wherein when the tool coupler is lifted to the highest position, the left and right lift arms are generally parallel with the floor of the operator cabin.

9. A machine, comprising: a body;an operator cabin supported on the body and having a floor;left and right traction devices connected to opposing sides of the body;a power source mounted to the body at a front end of the operator cabin relative to a normal travel direction, the power source being configured to drive the left and right traction devices;left and right lift arms pivotally connected at a back end of the body; anda tool coupler mounted to the left and right lift arms,wherein the left and right lift arms are located completely above the floor of the operator cabin when raised to a highest lift position.

10. The machine of claim 9, further including: a left adapter configured to connect a base end of the left lift arm to a left side of the body; anda right adapter configured to connect a base end of the right lift arm to right side of the body.

11. The machine of claim 10, wherein: each of the left and right adapters are generally L-shaped, having a vertical portion configured to extend along a door rear frame of the machine and a horizontal portion configured to extend along a cabin floor of the machine; andthe base end of each of the left and right lift arms is pivotally connected to a distal end of the vertical portion.

12. The machine of claim 11, further including: lift cylinders extending from the left and right adapters to the left and right lift arms, respectively; andtilt cylinders extending from the left and right lift arms to opposing sides of the tool coupler.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein: each of the left and right traction devices includes an idler wheel, a drive sprocket, and a track extending around the idler wheel and the drive sprocket; andeach of the lift cylinders has a stationary end located above the track and between the idler wheel and the drive sprocket, and a movable end that moves through an arc above the track during lifting of the tool coupler.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein when the tool coupler is in a lowest position, the movable ends of the lift cylinders are located above the drive sprocket.

15. The machine of claim 9, wherein when the left and right lift arms are raised to the highest lift position, the left and right lift arms are generally parallel with the floor of the operator cabin.

16. A machine, comprising: a body;an operator cabin supported on the body and having a floor;left and right traction devices connected to opposing sides of the body;a power source mounted to the body at a front end of the operator cabin relative to a normal travel direction, the power source being configured to drive the left and right traction devices;a tool linkage system removably connected to the front end of the body; anda tool coupler non-removably connected to a rear end of the body.

17. The machine of claim 16, further including left and right lift arms connecting the tool coupler to the body, each of the left and right lift arms having a base end pivotally connected to the body at a location gravitationally above the left and right traction devices, and a distal end connected to the tool coupler.

18. The machine of claim 17, wherein the left and right lift arms are located completely above the floor of the operator cabin when raised to a highest lift position.

19. The machine of claim 17, further including: a left adapter configured to connect the base end of the left lift arm to a left side of the body; anda right adapter configured to connect the base end of the right lift arm to right side of the body, wherein; each of the left and right adapters are generally L-shaped, having a vertical portion configured to extend along a door rear frame of the operator cabin and a horizontal portion configured to extend along the floor of the operator cabin; andthe base end of each of the left and right lift arms is pivotally connected to a distal end of the vertical portion.

20. The machine of claim 19, further including: lift cylinders extending from the left and right adapters to the left and right lift arms, respectively; andtilt cylinders extending from the left and right lift arms to opposing sides of the tool coupler,wherein: each of the left and right traction devices includes an idler wheel, a drive sprocket, and a track extending around the idler wheel and the drive sprocket; andeach of the lift cylinders has a stationary end located above the track and between the idler wheel and the drive sprocket, and a movable end that moves through an arc above the track during lifting of the tool coupler.