System for connecting different auxiliary implements to a work vehicle for hydraulic control and related auxiliary hydraulic manifold

An auxiliary hydraulic manifold for connecting different implements to a work vehicle for hydraulic control may include a housing, a plurality of vehicle-side ports in the housing including a first vehicle-side port, and a plurality of implement-side ports in the housing including a first implement-side port fluidly coupled to the first vehicle-side port and a second implement-side port fluidly coupled to the first vehicle-side port. A number of the plurality of implement-side ports is greater than a number of the plurality of vehicle-side ports. Additionally, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold may include a pilot-operated check valve fluidly coupled between the first vehicle-side port and the first implement-side port.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to work vehicles and, more particularly, to a system for connecting different auxiliary implements to a work vehicle and to a related auxiliary hydraulic manifold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A work vehicle, such as a construction vehicle, an agricultural vehicle, or the like, generally includes a hydraulic system to actuate various components of the vehicle. For example, the hydraulic system may be configured to raise and lower an implement, such as a bucket, at the operator's command. In some instances, in addition to the main implement of the work vehicle, the work vehicle may also be configured to support an auxiliary implement. For instance, the main implement, such as a bucket, may be supported at a front end of the work vehicle while an auxiliary implement, such as a winch or ripper, may be supported at a rear end of the work vehicle. The hydraulic system may therefore also include an auxiliary hydraulic circuit configured to allow control of the auxiliary implement.

However, not all auxiliary implements have the same hydraulic configuration. For instance, some auxiliary implements, such as a ripper, may not have a hydrostatic motor, so check valves are required to keep the implement in the desired vertical position when the work vehicle is turned off. Other auxiliary implements, such as winches, may have hydrostatic motors and thus, do not require check valves, among other things. As such, when an operator wishes to switch between auxiliary implements with different hydraulic configurations, the operator has to reconfigure the auxiliary hydraulic circuit on the work vehicle, which is time consuming.

Accordingly, a system for connecting different auxiliary implements to a work vehicle would be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for connecting different implements to a work vehicle for hydraulic control. The system may include a work vehicle having a plurality of hydraulic auxiliary control lines and an auxiliary hydraulic manifold hydraulically couplable to the work vehicle. The auxiliary hydraulic manifold may have a plurality of vehicle-side ports and a plurality of implement-side ports, where each of the plurality of vehicle-side ports is fluidly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of hydraulic auxiliary control lines, and where each of the plurality of vehicle-side ports is fluidly coupled to at least one respective implement-side port of the plurality of implement-side ports. A first set of the plurality of implement-side ports may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a first work implement, while a second set of the plurality of implement-side ports may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a second work implement, where at least one of the first set of the plurality of implement-side ports is different from the second set of the plurality of implement-side ports.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an auxiliary hydraulic manifold for connecting different implements to a work vehicle for hydraulic control. The auxiliary hydraulic manifold may include a housing, a plurality of vehicle-side ports in the housing, with the plurality of vehicle-side ports including a first vehicle-side port, and a plurality of implement-side ports in the housing, with the plurality of implement-side ports including a first implement-side port fluidly coupled to the first vehicle-side port and a second implement-side port fluidly coupled to the first vehicle-side port. Generally, a number of the plurality of implement-side ports is greater than a number of the plurality of vehicle-side ports. Additionally, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold may include a pilot-operated check valve fluidly coupled between the first vehicle-side port and the first implement-side port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present subject matter is directed to a system for connecting different auxiliary implements to a work vehicle and to a related auxiliary hydraulic manifold. As will be described in greater detail below, the work vehicle includes an auxiliary hydraulic circuit having a plurality of hydraulic auxiliary control lines which may be used to hydraulically control an auxiliary implement coupled to the work vehicle. An auxiliary hydraulic manifold is coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the work vehicle, such that auxiliary implements are couplable to the auxiliary hydraulic manifold, instead of directly to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the work vehicle. More particularly, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold has a plurality of vehicle-side ports, which are fluidly couplable to the hydraulic auxiliary control lines of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the work vehicle, and a plurality of implement-side ports which are fluidly couplable to the auxiliary implements, where each of the plurality of vehicle-side ports is fluidly coupled to at least one respective implement-side port of the plurality of implement-side ports. Particularly, the implement-side ports of the auxiliary hydraulic manifold include a first set of implement-side ports that are configured to couple to auxiliary implements having a first hydraulic configuration and a second set of implement-side ports that are configured to couple to auxiliary implements having a second hydraulic configuration, where at least one of the first set of implement-side ports differs from the second set of implement-side ports. When an operator wishes to switch from an auxiliary implement of the first hydraulic configuration to an auxiliary implement of the second hydraulic configuration, the operator simply disconnects the auxiliary implement having the first type of hydraulic configuration from the first set of implement-side ports and connects the auxiliary implement having the second type of hydraulic configuration to the second set of implement-side ports, without having to change the connection between the auxiliary hydraulic manifold and the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the work vehicle. As such, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to switch between auxiliary implements having different hydraulic configurations.

Referring now to the drawings.FIG.1illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a work vehicle10. As shown, the work vehicle10is configured as a wheel loader. However, in other embodiments, the work vehicle10may be configured as any other suitable work vehicle known in the art, such as any other construction vehicle (e.g., another type of loader, a dozer, a grader, etc.), an agricultural vehicle (e.g., a tractor, a harvester, a sprayer, etc.), or the like.

As shown inFIG.1, the work vehicle10includes a pair of front wheels12, a pair or rear wheels14, and a chassis16coupled to and supported by the wheels12,14. An operator's cab18may be supported by a portion of the chassis16and may house various control or input devices (e.g., levers, pedals, control panels, buttons and/or the like) for permitting an operator to control the operation of the work vehicle10. For instance, as shown inFIG.1, the work vehicle10includes one or more joysticks or control levers20for controlling the operation of one or more components of a lift assembly22of the work vehicle10.

As shown inFIG.1, the lift assembly22is positioned proximate the front of the work vehicle and includes a pair of loader arms24(one of which is shown) extending lengthwise between a first end26and a second end28. In this respect, the first ends26of the loader arms24may be pivotably coupled to the chassis16at pivot joints30. Similarly, the second ends28of the loader arms24may be pivotably coupled to a suitable implement32of the work vehicle10(e.g., a bucket, fork, blade, and/or the like) at pivot joints34. In addition, the lift assembly22also includes a plurality of hydraulic actuators for controlling the movement of the loader arms24and the implement32. For instance, the lift assembly22may include a pair of hydraulic lift cylinders36(one of which is shown) coupled between the chassis16and the loader arms24for raising and lowering the loader arms24relative to the ground. Moreover, the lift assembly22may include a pair of hydraulic tilt cylinders38(one of which is shown) for tilting or pivoting the implement32relative to the loader arms24.

The work vehicle10may be configured as an auxiliary-ready work vehicle which includes an auxiliary hydraulic circuit40that allows the work vehicle10to hydraulically control an auxiliary implement coupled thereto. For instance, as shown inFIGS.2A and2B, auxiliary implements, such as a ripper42A (FIG.2A) and a winch42B (FIG.2B) may be alternately connectable to the work vehicle10and controlled via the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG.1, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40may be positioned at the rear end of the work vehicle10, opposite end from the lift assembly22. However, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40may be positioned at any other suitable location on the work vehicle10.

As will be described in greater detail below, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, an auxiliary hydraulic manifold100may be coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40to allow auxiliary implements having different hydraulic configurations, such as the ripper42A and the winch42B, to be alternately couplable to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40without requiring the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40to be reconfigured.

It should be appreciated that the configuration of the work vehicle10described above and shown inFIG.1is provided only to place the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should be appreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable to any manner of work vehicle configuration. For instance, some configurations may rely on tracks in lieu of the wheels12,14, and/or may use an articulated chassis to steer the work vehicle10.

Referring now toFIGS.3A-4, various views of an auxiliary hydraulic manifold (e.g., the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100) for use with a work vehicle (e.g., the work vehicle10) and different auxiliary implement types (e.g., the ripper42A and the winch42B) are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. More particularly.FIG.3Aillustrates a perspective view of the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100, particularly illustrating an implement-side of the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100. Further,FIG.3Billustrates a rear view of the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100shown inFIG.3A, particularly illustrating a vehicle-side of the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100. Additionally,FIG.4illustrates a schematic view of the hydraulic manifold100shown inFIGS.3A and3B.

As shown inFIGS.3A-3B, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100includes a housing102that defines a vehicle side104and an implement side106. In one embodiment, the vehicle side104and the implement side106are spaced apart. For instance, the vehicle and implement sides104,106are shown as being spaced apart along a width direction W1of the housing102such that the vehicle side104is on an opposite side of the housing102from the implement side106. However, it should be appreciated that the vehicle and implement sides104,106may be spaced apart in any suitable manner. For instance, the vehicle and implement sides104,106may be alternatively or additionally spaced apart in a vertical direction V1and/or in a lateral direction L1, may be oriented at 90 degrees relative to each other, and/or the like.

The auxiliary hydraulic manifold100further includes a plurality of vehicle-side ports on or accessible from the vehicle side104of the housing102and a plurality of implement-side ports on or accessible from the implement side106of the housing102. Particularly, as shown inFIG.3B, the plurality of vehicle-side ports includes a vehicle-side inlet port110A, a vehicle-side outlet port110B, a vehicle-side pilot port110C, and a vehicle-side tank port110D. Similarly, as shown inFIG.3A, the plurality of implement-side ports includes a first implement-side auxiliary port112A, a second implement-side auxiliary port112B, an implement-side pilot port112C, an implement-side tank port112D, a first implement-side check port112E, and a second implement-side check port112F. A number of the plurality of implement-side ports is generally greater than a number of the plurality of vehicle-side ports.

As particularly shown inFIG.4, each of the vehicle-side ports110A,110B,110C,110D is fluidly coupled to at least one respective implement-side port of the implement-side ports112A,112B,112C,112D,112E,112F. For instance, the vehicle-side inlet port110A is fluidly coupled to the first implement-side auxiliary port112A and to the first implement-side check port112E. More particularly, the first implement-side auxiliary port112A and the first implement-side check port112E are coupled in parallel to the vehicle-side inlet port110A, with a first check valve114A being fluidly coupled between the vehicle-side inlet port110A and the first implement-side check port112E. Similarly, the vehicle-side outlet port110B is fluidly coupled to the second implement-side auxiliary port112B and to the second implement-side check port112F. More particularly, the second implement-side auxiliary port112B and the second implement-side check port112F are coupled in parallel to the vehicle-side outlet port110B, with a second check valve114B being fluidly coupled between the vehicle-side outlet port110B and the second implement-side check port112F. Moreover, the vehicle-side pilot port110C is fluidly coupled to the implement-side pilot port112C. Additionally, the vehicle-side tank port110D is fluidly coupled to the implement-side tank port112D. It should be appreciated that the first and second check valves114A,114B may be pilot-operated check valves or may be configured as any other suitable type, or combination of types, of check valves, such as a solenoid-operated check valve and/or the like.

As will be described in greater detail below, the vehicle-side ports110A,110B,110C,110D are configured to be fluidly couplable to hydraulic auxiliary control lines of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40while the implement-side ports112A,112B,112C,112D,112E,112F are configured to be fluidly couplable to auxiliary implements. More particularly, the implement-side ports112A,112B,112C,112D,112E,112F includes a first set of implement-side ports (e.g., the first implement-side check port112E and the second implement-side check port112F) configured to be couplable to an auxiliary implement (e.g., the ripper42A) having a first type of hydraulic configuration and a second set of implement-side ports (e.g., the first implement-side auxiliary port112A, the second implement-side auxiliary port112B, the implement-side pilot port112C, and the implement-side tank port112D) configured to be couplable to an auxiliary implement (e.g., the winch42B) having a second type of hydraulic configuration. For instance, in one embodiment, the first set of the implement-side ports includes only the first implement-side check port112E and the second implement-side check port112F while the second set of the implement-side ports includes only the first implement-side auxiliary port112A, the second implement-side auxiliary port112B, the implement-side pilot port112C, and the implement-side tank port112D. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the first set of implement-side ports may include any other suitable implement-side port(s) and/or the second set of implement-side ports may include any other suitable implement-side port(s). Moreover, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, at least one of the first set of the plurality of implement-side ports is different from the second set of the plurality of implement-side ports. However, in some embodiments, each of the first set of the plurality of implement-side ports is different from the second set of the plurality of implement-side ports.

For instance, referring now toFIGS.5A and5B, differing schematic views of a system having the hydraulic manifold100shown inFIGS.3A-4are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, whereFIG.5Aparticularly illustrates the hydraulic manifold100hydraulically coupled between a work vehicle (e.g., work vehicle10) and an auxiliary implement having a first type of hydraulic configuration andFIG.5Billustrates the hydraulic manifold100hydraulically coupled between a work vehicle (e.g., work vehicle10) and an auxiliary implement having a second type of hydraulic configuration.

As shown inFIGS.5A and5B, the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40of the work vehicle10includes a pump44configured to pump hydraulic fluid from a reservoir or tank46. The auxiliary hydraulic circuit40further includes a plurality of hydraulic auxiliary control lines including an inlet auxiliary control line48A, an outlet auxiliary control line48B, a pilot auxiliary control line48C, and a tank auxiliary control line48D. Each of the auxiliary control lines48A,48B,48C,48D are configured to be hydraulically coupled to a respective one of the vehicle-side ports110A,110B,110C,110D. For instance, the inlet auxiliary control line48A is hydraulically coupled to the vehicle-side inlet port110A, the outlet auxiliary control line48B is hydraulically coupled to the vehicle-side outlet port110B, the pilot auxiliary control line48C is hydraulically coupled to the vehicle-side pilot port110C, and the tank auxiliary control line48D is hydraulically coupled to the vehicle-side tank port110D.

The pilot auxiliary control line48C is hydraulically coupled to the pump44and the tank auxiliary control line48D is hydraulically coupled to the tank46, while the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40additionally includes an auxiliary control valve50for controlling the connection between the inlet and outlet auxiliary control lines48A,48B, the pump44, and the tank46. For instance, in a first position of the auxiliary control valve50, as shown inFIGS.5A and5B, the inlet auxiliary control line48A and the outlet auxiliary control line48B are not connected to the pump44or the tank46. In a second position of the auxiliary control valve50, the inlet auxiliary control line48A is hydraulically coupled to the pump44and the outlet auxiliary control line48B is hydraulically coupled to the tank46. Conversely, in a third position of the auxiliary control valve50, the inlet auxiliary control line48A is hydraulically coupled to the tank46and the outlet auxiliary control line48B is hydraulically coupled to the pump44. The auxiliary control valve50may be configured as a solenoid operated control valve. However, in other embodiments, the auxiliary control valve50may be configured as any other suitable type of valve.

An auxiliary implement, such as the ripper42A, having a first type of hydraulic configuration is shown inFIG.5Aas being coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100. In one embodiment, the auxiliary implement42A has a first actuator auxiliary supply line52A and a second auxiliary actuator supply line52B. The first actuator auxiliary supply line52A is hydraulically coupled to a first side of each of the auxiliary implement actuators54, while the second auxiliary supply line52B is hydraulically coupled to a second, opposite side of each of the auxiliary implement actuators54, where the auxiliary implement actuators54may be configured to raise and lower the ripper42A. The actuator auxiliary supply lines52A,52B are configured to be coupled to the first set of implement-side ports112E,112F. More particularly, the first actuator auxiliary supply line52A is hydraulically coupled to the first implement-side check port112E and the second auxiliary supply line52B is hydraulically coupled to the second implement-side check port112F. As the second set of implement-side ports112A,112B,112C,112D are not in use, the second set of implement-side ports112A,112B,112C,112D are blocked off by plugs55receivable in the ports112A,112B,112C,112D.

With the ripper42A coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100, the control valve50of the vehicle10can control the operation of the auxiliary implement42A. For instance, when the control valve50is in the first position (shown), the auxiliary implement actuators54are held in their current position and the check valves114A.114B prevent leakage of the hydraulic fluid from the implement actuators54. When the control valve50is in the second position, hydraulic fluid is fed from the pump44through the inlet auxiliary control line48A, the vehicle-side inlet port110A, the first check valve114A, the first implement-side check port112E, and the first actuator auxiliary supply line52A to the first side of each of the auxiliary implement actuators54. Due to the pilot pressure from the vehicle-side inlet port110A opening the second check valve114B, hydraulic fluid from the second side of each of the auxiliary implement actuators54is allowed to drain via the second auxiliary actuator supply line52B, the second implement-side check port112F, the second check valve114B, the vehicle-side outlet port110B, and the outlet auxiliary control line48B to the tank46. Conversely, when the control valve is in the third position, hydraulic fluid is fed from the pump44through the outlet auxiliary control line48B, the vehicle-side outlet port IO0B, the second check valve114B, second implement-side check port112F, and the second auxiliary actuator supply line52B to the second side of each of the auxiliary implement actuators54. Due to pilot pressure from the vehicle-side outlet port110B opening the first check valve114A, hydraulic fluid from the first side of each of the auxiliary implement actuators54is allowed to drain via the first auxiliary actuator supply line52A, the first implement-side check port112E, the first check valve114A, the vehicle-side inlet port110A, and the inlet auxiliary control line48A to the tank46. Generally, the ripper42A may be raised when fluid is supplied to the first sides of the auxiliary implement actuators54and the ripper42A may be lowered when fluid is supplied to the second sides of the auxiliary implement actuators54, or vice versa.

It should be appreciated that while the ripper42A is shown as having two auxiliary implement actuators54, the ripper42A may have any other suitable number of auxiliary implement actuators54, such as one, three, or more auxiliary implement actuators54.

An auxiliary implement, such as the winch42B, having a second type of hydraulic configuration is shown inFIG.5Bas being coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100. In one embodiment, the auxiliary implement42B has a first hydrostatic supply line56A configured to be coupled to the first implement-side auxiliary port112A, a second hydrostatic supply line56B configured to be coupled to the second implement-side auxiliary port112B, a pilot supply line56C configured to be coupled to the implement-side pilot port112C, and a tank supply line56D configured to be coupled to the implement-side tank port112D. Supply of hydraulic fluid through the first and second hydrostatic supply lines56A,56B controls a direction of rotation of the hydrostatic motor58, which, in turn, controls rotation of the winch42B. As the first set of implement-side ports112E,112F are not in use, the first set of implement-side ports112E,112F are blocked off by plugs55receivable in the ports112E,112F.

With the winch42B coupled to the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100, the control valve50of the vehicle10can control the operation of the auxiliary implement42B. For instance, when the control valve50is in the first position (shown), the winch42B is kept in its current rotational position. When the control valve50is in the second position, hydraulic fluid is fed from the pump44through the inlet auxiliary control line48A, the vehicle-side inlet port110, the first implement-side auxiliary port112A, and the first hydrostatic supply line56A to the hydrostatic motor58, while fluid in the hydrostatic motor58is returned via the second hydrostatic supply line56B, the second implement-side auxiliary port112B, the vehicle-side outlet port110B, and the outlet auxiliary control line48B to the tank46. Conversely, when the control valve50is in the third position, hydraulic fluid is fed from the pump44through the outlet auxiliary control line48B, the vehicle-side outlet port110B, the second implement-side auxiliary port112B, and the second hydrostatic supply line56B to the hydrostatic motor58, while fluid in the hydrostatic motor58is returned via the first hydrostatic supply line56A, the first implement-side auxiliary port112A, the vehicle-side inlet port110A, and the inlet auxiliary control line48A to the tank46. Generally, the winch42B may be rotated in a first direction when fluid is supplied to the first hydrostatic supply line56A and in a second, opposite direction when fluid is supplied to the second hydrostatic supply line56B.

As such, the second set of the plurality of implement-side ports112A,112B,112C,112D is configured for hydraulic control of a hydrostatic motor (e.g., hydrostatic motor58) while the first set of the plurality of implement-side ports112E,112F is not configured for hydraulic control of a hydrostatic motor. By using the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100disclosed herein, auxiliary implements having hydraulic configurations of a first type, such as hydraulic configurations without hydrostatic motors, and auxiliary implements having hydraulic configurations of a second type, such as hydraulic configurations with hydrostatic motors, may both be couplable to a work vehicle10without making any changes to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit40of the work vehicle10. Thus, the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to switch between auxiliary implements having different types of hydraulic configurations.

It should be appreciated that while the auxiliary implements are only shown as the ripper42A and winch42B, any other suitable auxiliary implements may instead, or additionally, be used with the auxiliary hydraulic manifold100described herein.