Apparatus and method for coupling work tool to a machine

An apparatus to couple the work tool to the arm assembly is disclosed. The arm assembly may have at least one arm. The work tool may have at least one recess. The apparatus may have at least one pin member adapted to engage with the at least one arm and the at least one recess. The at least one pin member may rotate in the at least one recess between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. The at least one pin member couples the work tool to the arm assembly in the locked orientation, and the work tool is separable from the arm assembly in the unlocked orientation.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application claims benefit of priority of United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 1520728.5, filed Nov. 24, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to engaging work tools to machines, and more particularly it relates to an apparatus and a method for assembling a work tool to an arm assembly of a machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as, hydraulic excavators, hydraulic shovels, backhoe loaders and the like, are often required to perform different kinds of work on a work site. Therefore, different work tools, such as buckets, hammers, rippers, and grapples, may have to be engaged with an arm assembly (including for example, sticks and booms) of the machine. It is known that the process of removing one work tool from the arm assembly and replacing the work tool with a different work tool may be a time consuming and difficult process. Quick couplers have been employed to enable quick engagement of the stick and the work tool and the quick couplers do, to an extent, reduce effort required for removing the work tool and replacing it. However, such quick couplers add weight to the stick end and build up the stick height/length. As a result, the machine's capabilities may be compromised.

For example, a U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,805 B2 ('805 patent) describes an arm assembly for an excavator. The arm assembly of the '805 patent includes a quick coupler integrated into an arm member and an implement link member. The arm member includes a proximal end adapted for connection to an associated boom for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis, a distal end spaced from the proximal end along a first longitudinal axis, and a first recess defined in the distal end. The first recess is defined about a first transverse axis that lies parallel to the transverse pivot axis and includes an open mouth and a closed inner end. The implement link member includes: (i) a first end; and, (ii) a second end spaced from the first end along a second longitudinal axis and defining a second recess about a second transverse axis parallel to the first transverse axis. The second recess has an open mouth and a closed inner end, and the first and second recesses are adapted for respective receipt of first and second associated pins of an associated implement. One or more dude links maintain a fixed spacing between the recesses and capture at least one of the pins of the associated implement in its respective recess at all times. An additional lock member closes the mouth of at least one of the recesses after an associated pin is received therein.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for coupling a work tool to an arm assembly of a machine. The arm assembly includes at least one arm and the work tool includes at least one engagement means. The apparatus includes at least one pin member adapted to engage with the at least one arm and the at least one engagement means. Further, the at least one pin member is adapted to rotate in the at least one engagement means between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. The at least one pin member coupled the work tool to the arm assembly in the locked orientation and the work tool is separable from the arm assembly in the unlocked orientation.

The present disclosure further provides a machine comprising the aforementioned apparatus. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure may further provide an arrangement comprising aforementioned apparatus, arm assembly and work tool.

The present disclosure further provides a method for coupling the work tool with the arm assembly of the machine. The method includes engaging the at least one pin member with the at least one arm of the arm assembly. The method further includes engaging the at least one pin member with the at least one engagement means in the unlocked orientation of the at least one pin member. The method further includes rotating the at least one pin member from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation, where the at least one pin member couples the work tool to the arm assembly in the locked orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.

FIG. 1illustrates a side view of an exemplary machine100equipped with an arm assembly102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The machine100may be an excavator, a material handler, a long reach excavator, a foundation drill, a rock drill, a piling machine, a tunneling machine, or a front shovel. In the illustrated embodiment, the machine100is shown to be an excavator-type earthmoving or logging machine. Further, the arm assembly102includes linkages such as a boom104, at least one arm, such as a first arm106, and a work tool108. The boom104may be pivotally connected to a chassis110of the machine100, the first arm106may be pivotally connected to the boom104, and the work tool108may be pivotally connected to the first arm106.

The machine100may also include a drive unit112, such as tracks for propelling the machine100, a power source114to power the arm assembly102and the drive unit112, and an operator cabin116for hosting user interface devices for controlling the arm assembly102and the drive unit112. The power source114may embody an engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, or any other type of combustion engine known in the art. The power source114may 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 source114may produce a mechanical or electrical power output that may then be converted to hydraulic power for moving the arm assembly102and the work tool108.

Further, an overall movement of the work tool108in a first vertical plane118(shown inFIG. 1) may be achieved in three parts, first by raising and lowering the boom104with respect to the chassis110, second by moving the first arm106toward and outward with respect to the operator cabin116, and third by rotating the work tool108relative to the first arm106. The boom104may be raised and lowered by a pair of first hydraulic actuators120. The first arm106may be moved toward and outward with respect to the operator cabin116by a second hydraulic actuator122. In addition, a third hydraulic actuator124may be used to curl and uncurl the work tool108relative to the first arm106. Furthermore, the chassis110and the arm assembly102may be rotated about a vertical axis V (Shown inFIG. 1) by a fourth hydraulic actuator126, such as a hydraulic motor, with respect to the drive unit112.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the machine100includes a coupling apparatus128(also referred to as “apparatus128”) for coupling the work tool108to the arm assembly102, to aid in the curling and uncurling movements of the work tool108with respect to the first arm106. The various components of the coupling apparatus128are described in details in the following paragraphs.

FIG. 2illustrates the arm assembly102and the coupling apparatus128operably coupled to the arm assembly102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described earlier, the arm assembly102includes the first arm106, which extends longitudinally away from the operator cabin116. In one example and for the purpose of this description, the first arm106is considered to have a rectangular cross-section, and accordingly the first arm106has a first side202and a second side (not shown) opposite to the first side202. Further, the arm assembly102includes a first connecting arm204and a second connecting arm206. The first connecting arm204has a first end208and a second end210. The first end208of the first connecting arm204is adapted to be attached to the first side202of the first arm106and the second end210of the first connecting arm204is disposed distant from the surface of the first arm106. Similarly, the second connecting arm206has a first end212and a second end214. The first end212of the second connecting arm206is adapted to be attached to the second side of the first arm106and the second end214of the second connecting arm206is disposed distant from the surface of the first arm106. In one example, the first connecting arm204and the second connecting arm206may be positioned inclined with a certain angle with respect to the first arm106.

The arm assembly102may further include a second arm216having a first end218and a second end220. The first end218of the second arm216is attached to the second end210of the first connecting arm204and the second end214of the second connecting arm206. Further, the second end220of the second arm216is disposed distant from the first end218, such that the second arm216is inclined to the first connecting arm204and the second connecting arm206. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first arm106may be a stick end of the arm assembly102, and the second arm216may be a push bar.

For the purpose of coupling the coupling apparatus128to the arm assembly102, the arm assembly102comprises at least one mounting means, such as a first mounting means222and a second mounting means224. In said implementation, the first mounting means222is located at an end portion of the first arm106, as shown inFIG. 2, and the second mounting means224is located at the second end220of the second arm216. The first mounting means222and the second mounting means224may be, in an example, provided as hollow cylindrical components with internal passageways.

The coupling apparatus128includes at least one pin member, such as a first pin member228and a second pin member230. In the illustrated embodiment the first and second pin members228,230are located and rotatably mounted in the internal passageways of the hollow cylindrical components forming the first and second mounting means222,224.

The work tool108includes at least one engagement means, such as a first engagement means226and a second engagement means227. The first engagement means226and the second engagement means227are adapted to aid in coupling the work tool108to the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the first engagement means226and the second engagement means227are formed on a first side member232and a second side member234separated by a base member236. Accordingly, the first engagement means226and the second engagement means227may be engaged with the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224, respectively, with the aid of the first pin member228and the second pin member230, respectively.

FIG. 3illustrates the arm assembly102with the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224having the first pin member228and the second pin member230disposed therein respectively. The first pin member228and the second pin member230are adapted to rotate about their respective longitudinal axis. In other words, the first pin member228is rotatably received in the first mounting means222and the second pin member230is rotatably received in the second mounting means224.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pin member228and the second pin member230include a profile at their respective ends. For instance, one end of the first pin member228, as shown inFIG. 3, includes an engagement portion301and profile of the engagement portion301is configured to engage with the first engagement means226and the second engagement means227of the work tool108. In one embodiment, the profile of the engagement portion301may include two parallel edges connected by two rounded edges, where the combination of the parallel edges and the rounded edges form a rounded rectangular shape. AlthoughFIG. 3illustrates the engagement portion301on one end of each of the first pin member228and the second pin member230, it will be understood that the other end of the first pin member228and the second pin member230may also be provided with engagement portions301having identical profile. In addition, the body of the first pin member228and the second pin member230between its respective ends may be cylindrical in structure. However, for the purpose of description, the end of the first and second pin members228,230may be considered to have a flat portion302and an arcuate portion304. Further,FIG. 3illustrates a cut section ‘C’ to show a cylindrical portion306of the second pin member230. Furthermore, although the description herein is with respect to two pin members and two arms, it will appreciated that the coupling apparatus128of the present disclosure can include at least one pin member engaged with the at least one arm.

In one implementation, the coupling apparatus128can further include a frame400, as shown inFIG. 4. The frame400is adapted to be engaged with the first pin member228and the second pin member230. For the purpose, the frame400includes a first plate402, a second plate404, and a support406, which may be in the form of a plate, connected between the first plate402and the second plate404. The first plate402includes a first rounded rectangular aperture408and a first circular aperture410. Similarly, the second plate404of the frame400includes a second rounded rectangular aperture412and a second circular aperture414. Further, the first rounded rectangular aperture408includes a flat portion416and an arcuate portion418. In order to engage the frame400with the first pin member228, the flat portion416and the arcuate portion418of the first rounded rectangular aperture408are provided in a manner to correspond to the flat portion302and the arcuate portion304of the first pin member228. In addition, the first circular aperture410and the second circular aperture414are provided in a manner, such that the circumference of the circular apertures410,414receives the ends of the second pin member230without any interference.

The length of the support406is predetermined based on the length of the first pin member228and the second pin member230. Further, the first plate402and the second plate404may be formed in any suitable shape and design so that to be engaged and coupled with the work tool108and the arm assembly102. For example, the first plate402and the second plate404may be shaped as bars or blocks or a combination thereof. Further, the apertures provided in the first plate402and the second plate404may be separated by a suitable distance, such that the apertures can be engaged with the respective pin members228and230. Accordingly, the frame400may be suitably engaged to the arm assembly102.

AlthoughFIG. 5shows an assembled view of the frame400with the arm assembly102, this paragraph describes the manner in which the frame400is coupled or assembled to the arm assembly102. As described earlier, the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224are embodied as hollow cylindrical portion. As such, the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224include internal passageways therein, respectively. In order to couple or assemble the frame400to the arm assembly102, the frame400is positioned to a first assembling position. The first rounded rectangular aperture408and the second rounded rectangular aperture412are aligned with the internal passageway of the first mounting means222in the first assembling position. In addition, the first circular aperture410and the second circular aperture414are aligned with the internal passageway of the second mounting means224in the first assembling position. Subsequently, the first pin member228is aligned with respect to the internal passageway of the first mounting means222, such that the flat portion302and the arcuate portion304of the first pin member228corresponds to the flat portion416and the arcuate portion418of the rounded rectangular apertures408,412. In the aligned position, the first pin member228is inserted coaxially through the rounded rectangular apertures408,412and the first mounting means222. The first pin member228therefore cannot rotate relative to the frame400. Thereafter, the second pin member230is coaxially inserted through the circular apertures410,414and the second mounting means224. The second pin member230therefore can rotate relative to the frame400. Accordingly, the frame400is coupled to the arm assembly102.

FIG. 6shows a work tool sub assembly including the first side member232and the second side member234attached to the work tool108. The first side member232and the second side member234may be attached to the sides of the base member236. Further, the base member236may be adapted to be attached to the work tool108, as illustrated inFIG. 6. In one example, the base member236may be welded to the work tool108. In another example, the first side member232and the second side member234may be formed as integral parts of the work tool108. Further, the first side member232and the second side member234may be attached to the work tool108in various other ways, as would be known to a person skilled in the art, albeit with few variations to the structure of the first side member232, the second side member234, and the work tool108illustrated inFIG. 6.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first engagement means226includes a first recess500and a second recess502provided on the first side member232and the second side member234, respectively. As such, the first recess500and the second recess502are aligned with respect to a first axis504, as shown inFIG. 6. Similarly, the second engagement means227includes a third recess506and a fourth recess508provided on the first side member232and the second side member234, respectively. The third recess506and the fourth recess508are aligned with respect to a second axis510, as shown in theFIG. 6. As described earlier, the first engagement means226is formed at the predetermined distance from the second engagement means227, such that the work tool108can be coupled with the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224, respectively. Further, each of these recesses includes a neck portion512leading to a receiving portion514. The neck portion512is formed as a narrow portion with respect to the receiving portion514, as show in theFIG. 6. Additionally, the width of the neck portion512is predetermined based on the distance between the flat portions302of the pin members228,230. Further, the receiving portion514includes a semi-circular section, where diameter of the semi-circular section is substantially equal to the diameter of the arcuate portion304of the pin members228,230.

FIG. 7shows a manner in which the engagement means226and227are coupled or assembled to the arm assembly102. In order to couple or assemble the work tool108to the arm assembly102, the work tool108is positioned at a second assembling position. The first recess500and the second recess502are aligned with the internal passageway of the first mounting means222. Here, it should be understood that the work tool108is being assembled to the arm assembly102that may already have the frame400coupled to it, as described earlier in theFIG. 5. As such, it will be appreciated that the distance between the first side member232and the second side member234may be set, such that the frame400can be received therebetween. In other words, distance between the first side member232and the second side member234may be greater than the width of the frame400.

Additionally, while positioning the engagement means226and227in the second assembling position, it may be ensured that the first pin member228is positioned in a certain orientation, with respect to the first recess500and the second recess502, such that the flat portions302of the first pin member228is received in the neck portions512of the first recess500and the second recess502. In such a condition, the end of the work tool108having the first recess500is engaged with the first pin member228, as shown inFIG. 7. Further, the first connecting arm204is moved in a first downward direction700with the aid of the third hydraulic actuator124, to engage the second pin member230with the third recess506and the fourth recess508of the second engagement means227. Since the first pin member228is engaged with the first recess500and the second recess502of the first engagement means226, the frame400pivotally moves in a second downward direction702. Simultaneously, at the other end of the work tool108, the first pin member228rotates to occupy the receiving portion514of the first recess500and the second recess502. Here, it should be noted that the profile of the engagement portions301at the ends of the first pin member228corresponds to the first and second rounded rectangular apertures408,412of the frame400. As such, the first pin member228rotates while the frame400rotates in the second downward direction702. In other words, the rotation of the first pin member228is dependent on the rotation of the frame400. For the purpose of convenience in this description, a condition in which the pin members228,230are received in the respective apertures with the flat portions302of the pin members228,230being parallel to the neck portions512, may be referred to as an unlocked orientation, as shown inFIG. 8. Further, a condition in which the pin members228,230are occupied in the respective receiving portions514may be referred to as a locked orientation, as shown inFIG. 9.

SinceFIG. 8andFIG. 9illustrate the coupling operation with a side view of the components, minimum features of the components, such as the first recess500of the first engagement means226, third recess506of the second engagement means227are shown. As such, it will be understood that both recesses of the engagement means will be considered while reading the following description. In one implementation, the second mounting means224which houses the second pin member230may include a motor to rotate the second pin member230about its longitudinal axis. Since the engagement portions301provided at the ends of the second pin member230engage with the first and second circular apertures410,414, the second pin member230is not restricted to rotate, unlike the first pin member228. When the second pin member230is in the vicinity of the second engagement means227, the second pin member230may be rotated to orient it with respect to the neck portions512of the third recess506and the fourth recess508. Further operation of the third hydraulic actuator124may push the second pin member230into the third recess506and the fourth recess508, as shown inFIG. 8. Subsequently, the motor may be operated to rotate the second pin member230in the third recess506and the fourth recess508, thereby allowing the second pin member230to occupy the receiving portions514of the third recess506and the fourth recess508, as shown inFIG. 9.

Once the first pin member228and the second pin member230are actuated to the locked orientation, the side members232and234of the work tool108are rigidly coupled to the arm assembly102. Further, the work tool108may be disengaged from the arm assembly102by rotating the second pin member230in an opposite direction to bring the second pin member230to the unlocked orientation.

Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure provides the coupling apparatus128for assembling the work tool108with the arm assembly102of the machine100. The present disclosure further provides a method1000for assembling the work tool108with the arm assembly102.FIG. 10shows a flowchart of the method1000, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, the method1000may be implemented in any suitable hardware, such that the hardware employed can perform the steps of the method1000readily and on a real-time basis. For the convenience in description, various steps of the method1000will be described in conjunction with the preceding figures of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 10, at step1002, the method1000includes engaging the at least one pin member228,230with the at least one arm204,206of the arm assembly102. In one example embodiment, the arm assembly102may include the first connecting arm204and the second connecting arm206attached to the sides of the first arm106of the arm assembly102. Further, the coupling apparatus128may include the first pin member228and the second pin member230adapted to engage with the at least one arm204,208. In one example implementation, the arm assembly102may include the first mounting means222and the second mounting means224adapted to receive the first pin member228and the second pin member230therein, respectively.

At step1004, the method1000includes engaging the at least one pin member228,230with the at least one engagement means of the work tool108in the unlocked orientation of the at least one pin member228,230. In one example, the at least one engagement means may include the first engagement means226and the second engagement means227. Each of the first engagement means226and the second engagement means227may include a recess adapted to engage with the at least one pin member228,230. Further, the recess may include the neck portion512leading to the receiving portion514.

Furthermore, at step1006, the method1000includes rotating the at least one pin member228,230from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation. The at least one pin member228,230couples the work tool108to the arm assembly102in the locked orientation. Additionally, the at least one pin member228,230abuts against the neck portion512in the locked orientation, thereby rigidly holding the work tool108with the arm assembly102. In cases where the work tool108needs to be separated or disengaged from the arm assembly102, the at least one pin member228,230may be rotated back to the unlocked orientation, and subsequently, the frame400may be pulled back with the aid of the third hydraulic actuator124to release the work tool108.

Therefore, as it would be understood to the person skilled in the art, the coupling apparatus128of the present disclosure provides an easy and efficient assembling of the work tool108to the arm assembly102. Since the coupling or the assembling of the work tool108and the arm assembly102is assisted by two simple pin members, such as the first pin member228and the second pin member230, the process of coupling can be performed in short duration of time. Further, owing to the presence of such pin members, the coupling apparatus128can be replaced or coupled to the arm assembly102at any instant of time. Furthermore, since the coupling or the assembling of the work tool108and the arm assembly102may be carried out by two simple pin members, such as the first pin member228and the second pin member230provided at the arm assembly102, overall weight and length of the arm assembly102remains substantially same, and therefore capabilities of the machine100remain uncompromised.