Patent Publication Number: US-10767339-B2

Title: Multiple interface tool for a construction machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to PCT/CN2018/089554 filed Jun. 1, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a tool and a tool arrangement for a construction machine and to a method of utilizing a tool on a construction machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Construction machines having a bucket as a working tool that is mounted on an articulated boom are known. Additionally, said construction machines may carry a dozer blade that is mounted on the chassis of the construction machine. Said construction machine may either be operated in an excavator mode using the bucket on the articulated boom or in a dozer mode using the dozer blade. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are aspects, features, elements, implementations, and embodiments of tools and tool arrangements for construction machines. 
     An aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a tool for a construction machine according to the present disclosure. The tool includes a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is located at a first location on the tool. The second interface is located at a second location on the tool, wherein the second location is different from the first location. Each of the first interface and the second interface is individually configured to mount the tool on the construction machine. 
     In some embodiments, the interfaces of the tool may each be means for providing a connection of the tool with the construction machine. Accordingly, the tool includes two separate means for providing such connections. The connections may be mechanical connections. A first mechanical connection may connect the tool with the construction machine via the first interface. A second mechanical connection may connect the tool with the construction machine via the second interface. A mechanical connection may be an articulated connection, in particular an articulated joint. Additionally or alternatively, a mechanical connection may be a rigid connection, in particular a rigid coupling. 
     In some embodiments, the construction machine may provide different operational modes. In a first operational mode of the construction machine, the tool may be mounted on the machine via the first interface. In a second operational mode of the construction machine, the tool may be mounted on the construction machine via the second interface. Additionally or alternatively, one of the interfaces may be configured to mount the tool on the construction machine in two different operational modes of the machine. 
     In some embodiments, the tool may be mounted on a tool mount or a tool carrier of the construction machine via at least one of the interfaces. Mounting the tool on the construction machine is understood as installing or attaching the tool to the construction machine. Accordingly, some kind of interlocking of the tool and the construction machine may be required. The tool may be mounted on the construction machine for being utilized and/or for being stored on the construction machine. 
     In some embodiments, the construction machine may be a loader or an excavator providing at least one additional operational mode, in particular a dozer mode. The construction machine may be a combined excavator-dozer or loader-dozer. The tool may be configured such that it may be utilized as a loader and/or excavator bucket and/or as a dozer tool. The first interface may be configured to mount the tool on the construction machine in an excavator or loader mode, wherein the tool may be mounted on the articulated boom of the construction machine in the mode. The second interface may be configured to mount the tool on the construction machine in a dozer mode, wherein the tool may be mounted on the chassis of the construction machine in the mode. For this purpose, the tool may be mounted on the rear or front of the chassis of the construction machine. 
     According to the present disclosure, in some embodiments, a multi-functional tool for a construction machine is provided. The tool may serve different tool applications, e.g. it may be used as loader or excavator bucket and as a dozer tool. For utilizing the tool for said different applications, it comprises different tool interfaces, each of the interfaces being configured for mounting the tool on the construction machine. For example, if the tool is supposed to be used as a loader/excavator tool, it is mounted on the articulated boom of the construction machine via the first interface, and if the tool is supposed to be used as a dozer tool, it is mounted on the chassis of the construction machine via the second interface. 
     In some embodiments, the interfaces of the tool according to the present disclosure may be configured such that the first interface comprises a first locking means and the second interface comprises a second locking means. Each of the first locking means and the second locking means may be configured to engage with the construction machine. The locking means may be located adjacent or spaced apart from one another on the tool. The first and/or second locking means may comprise a male or female part of a locking mechanism, wherein the respective counterpart may be provided on the construction machine. The locking means may be configured to provide a single engagement configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the first and/or second locking means may provide different engagement configurations, e.g. the tool may be mounted on a tool mount of the construction machine in different orientations, which may be twisted relative to each other. 
     Generally, the locking means may be designed as any outwardly or inwardly protruding locking means that enables an attachment of the tool to the construction machine. The locking means may be designed as a latching means. Particularly, the first interface of the tool according to the present disclosure may comprise at least one handle for grabbing the tool by a tool mount of the construction machine. The tool mount may be provided at an articulated boom of the construction machine. Additionally, or alternatively, the second interface of the tool may comprise such a handle. For grabbing the handle, the tool mount may comprise a pliers-like device. The handle may be a pin. Two handles may be provided for a double grabbing of the tool. 
     In some embodiments, the second interface of the tool according to the present disclosure may comprise at least one bracket for attaching the tool to a tool carrier of the construction machine. Additionally, or alternatively, also the first interface of the tool may comprise such a bracket. The bracket may comprise at least one plate, wedge, or lip forming the bracket. For attaching the bracket to the construction machine, a plate-like device may be provided on the construction machine on which the bracket may be slid on. The plate-like device may be part of a tool carrier of the construction machine. Alternatively, or additionally, the first interface of the tool may be configured to engage with a tool carrier and/or the second interface of the tool may be configured to engage with a tool mount of the construction machine. 
     In some embodiments, the second interface of the tool according to the present disclosure may comprise two brackets which are spaced apart from each other. The two brackets may provide a double engagement by a tool carrier. This ensures a stiff and rigid connection between the tool and the tool carrier. The same may apply to the first interface regarding a respective double grabbing of the tool by the tool mount. Accordingly, with this embodiment, the tool is not bent or damaged when asymmetrical forces or moments are acting thereon during material handling, for example. 
     In some embodiments, the first interface and/or the second interface of the tool according to the present disclosure may comprise a detent for locking an engagement of the construction machine with the tool. The detent may be provided for preventing the tool from losing contact to the tool mount or tool carrier of the construction machine. Particularly, a pivoting of the tool when being grabbed by the tool mount or when being attached to the tool carrier may be blocked by engaging the detent. The tool mount or the tool carrier may comprise a latch or a bolt, which may snap in the detent. In other words, the latch or bolt may be slid or retained in the detent. Additionally, or alternatively, in a reverse arrangement, the tool may comprise a latch or bolt to be engaged with a detent, which is arranged on the tool mount or tool carrier of the construction machine. 
     In some embodiments, the tool according to the present disclosure may be designed such that the first interface is located on a first face of the tool and the second interface is located on a second face of the tool, the second face being different from the first face. The provision of the interfaces at different faces allows for a mounting of the tool with different configurations and/or orientations. The tool according to the present disclosure may further be designed such that the first face of the tool is angled with respect to the second face of the tool, in particular angled at an obtuse angle. The obtuse angle may be an angle between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Alternatively, the angle between the first and second faces may be an acute angle. 
     In some embodiments, the present disclosure further concerns a tool arrangement for a construction machine. The tool arrangement comprises a tool according to any of the above described embodiments and a tool carrier that is configured to be attached to a chassis of the construction machine, wherein the tool is detachably mountable on the tool carrier via the first interface and/or the second interface. The tool may be any tool, in particular a bucket. By mounting the bucket on the tool carrier, it may be utilized as dozer tool. The bucket may be a loader bucket or an excavator bucket, which may be mounted via one of the interfaces on an articulated boom of the construction machine. The tool carrier of the tool arrangement according to the present disclosure may be an arm that is attachable to the chassis of the construction machine. The chassis may be a wheel-driven chassis or a chain-driven chassis. 
     In some embodiments, the tool arrangement according to the present disclosure may further comprise a hydraulic and/or electric adjustment mechanism, in particular a hydraulic positioning cylinder, for providing a height adjustability of the tool arrangement with respect to the chassis of the construction machine. Alternatively, or additionally, an electric actuator may be provided for adjusting the height of the tool arrangement with respect to the chassis of the construction machine. Changing the height of the tool may provide a tool storage position and a tool usage position, wherein the tool usage position may be a dozing position of the tool. 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure further concern a construction machine comprising a tool or a tool arrangement according to any of the above described embodiments. 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure further concern a method of utilizing a tool on a construction machine having an articulated boom. The construction machine may be the construction machine according to the above described embodiment. The method comprises the step of depositing or picking, by the articulated boom, the tool according to any of the above described embodiments on or from the tool carrier of the construction machine. Depositing and/or picking of the tool may be carried out by the tool mount or the tool carrier. 
     In some embodiments, a tool comprises an interface that is located on the tool. The interface is configured to mount the tool on a construction machine. In some embodiments, a tool arrangement comprises a tool that is mounted on a tool carrier of the construction machine. The tool carrier is attached to a chassis of the construction machine. In some embodiments, a construction machine, according to the principles of the present disclosure, includes such a tool arrangement. In some embodiments, the construction machine comprises an articulated boom. 
     Variations in these and other aspects, features, elements, implementations, and embodiments of the methods, apparatus, procedures, and algorithms disclosed herein are described in further detail hereafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. 
         FIG. 1  generally illustrates a side view of a tool according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  generally illustrates a back view of the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  generally illustrates a top view of the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  generally illustrates a side view of a tool arrangement according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  generally illustrates a side view of a tool carrier of the tool arrangement of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  generally illustrates a side view of a construction machine according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  generally illustrates a side view of the construction machine of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are subsequently described with reference to the attached  FIGS. 1 to 7 . 
       FIGS. 1 to 3  show an embodiment of a tool  10  according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the tool  10  is designed as a loader bucket  11 . The loader bucket  11  is configured for being mounted on a tool carrier  40  and on an articulated boom  2  of a construction machine  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 to 7 . 
     The loader bucket  11  may have five faces, a first face  12  as a top face, a second face  13  as a rear face, a third face  14  as a bottom face and two side faces  17 . Said five faces  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  17  may form a bucket as a partly closed container being open at a front  18 . Thus, the faces  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  17  define the volume of the loader bucket  11 . The angle between the first face  12  and the second face  13  may be approximately 135 degrees in the present embodiment. 
     The loader bucket  11  comprises a first interface  110  at a first location  111  and a second interface  120  at second locations  121 . The first interface  110  is configured to mount the loader bucket  11  on an articulated boom  2 , and the second interface  120  is configured to mount the loader bucket  11  on a tool carrier  40 . The first interface  110  may be arranged on the first face  12  of the loader bucket  11  and the second interface  120  may be arranged on the second face  13  of the loader bucket  11 . The first interface  110  may be located at a centered location  111  on the first face  12 . The second interface  120  may be provided at two locations  121  on the second face  13 , said two locations  121  being situated apart from one another. The two locations  121  may be arranged symmetrically to the centered location  111  on the loader bucket  11 . 
     The first interface  110  may comprise a first locking means  112 . The first locking means  112  may comprise two handles  130 . Both handles  130  may be arranged parallel to the first face  12 , wherein both handles  130  may be arranged above the first face  12 . Both handles  130  may be grabbed by a tool mount  3  of the articulated boom  2 . 
     The second interface  120  may comprise a second locking means  122 . The second locking means  122  may comprise two brackets  140 . Both brackets  140  may be spaced apart from each other and may be arranged substantially parallel to the second face  13 . Both brackets  140  may include a base plate  141  and a protrusion  142  attached to the base plate  141  at an upper portion thereof, wherein the base plate  141  and the protrusion  142  may be angled with respect to each other with an acute angle forming a mounting support. A detent  150  may be provided in the base plate  141  as an opening. Both brackets  140  may be mounted on the tool carrier  40 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show an embodiment of a tool arrangement  200  according to the present disclosure. The tool arrangement  200  comprises a tool carrier  40 , which is shown in combination with a tool  10  mounted thereon in  FIG. 4  and alone in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the tool  10  is the loader bucket  11  as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3  above. 
     The tool carrier  40  comprises a holding arm  41  with a pivot joint  42  at one end and a holder  43  at the other end thereof. The holding arm  41  may be pivotably attached to a chassis  4  of a construction machine  1  via the pivot joint  42 . For actuating a pivoting movement of the holding arm  41 , an adjustment mechanism  210  is provided. This adjustment mechanism  210  comprises a hydraulic positioning cylinder  212  interconnecting the holding arm  41  with the chassis  4  of the construction machine  1 . By actuating the hydraulic positioning cylinder  212 , the holding arm  41  with the holder  43  attached thereto is pivoted around the pivoting joint  42 . Alternatively or additionally, an electric actuator (not shown) may be provided for pivoting the holding arm  41  around the pivoting joint  42 . For this purpose, at least one battery (not shown) and an electric motor (not shown) may be arranged on the construction machine  1  for operating and powering the electric actuator. 
     The holder  43  of the tool arrangement  200  comprises two end plates  44  with a seating  45  at the top of each end plate  44  (only one end plate  44  is shown). The brackets  140  of the loader bucket  11  may be engaged with the end plates  44 , wherein the protrusions  142  of the brackets  140  may rest on the seatings  45  of the end plates  44 . 
     The holder  43  may further comprise a lock  46  arranged at least on one of the end plates  44 . The lock  46  may engage with the detent  150  of the base plate  141  when the bracket  140  rests on the end plate  44 , so as to realize a safety engagement. The lock  46  may be actuated manually, electrically and/or hydraulically by a manual, electric and/or hydraulic actuating mechanism (not shown). 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show an embodiment of a construction machine  1  according to the present disclosure. The construction machine  1  of this embodiment is a chain-driven loader-excavator, which may additionally be operated in a dozer mode. The tool arrangement  200  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is arranged on a chassis  4  of the construction machine  1 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , the tool  10  is mounted on the tool carrier  40  via the brackets  140 . The construction machine  1  is operated in a dozer mode, in which the tool carrier  40  is pivoted downwards to place the bottom face  14  of the loader bucket  11  on the ground. In this operational mode, the articulated boom  2  is not in use and the loader bucket  11  is utilized as a dozer blade. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the tool  10  is mounted on a tool mount  3  of the articulated boom  2  of the construction machine  1  via the handles  130  to operate the construction machine in a loader mode. The construction machine  1  can be transferred from the dozer mode illustrated in  FIG. 6  to the loader mode illustrated in  FIG. 7  by picking up the tool  10 , which is attached on the tool carrier  40  via the brackets  140 , with the tool mount  3  of the articulated boom  2 . Specifically, the tool mount  3  snaps into the first interface  110 , i.e. the handles  130 , of the loader bucket  11 . After picking up the loader bucket  11  with the tool mount  3 , the upper structure may be rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the chassis. 
     Furthermore, in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an additional tool carrier  150  is shown, which may be provided on the construction machine  1  for storing and changing additional tools. Said tool carrier  50  may carry an additional excavator bucket  21 , which may be mounted on the tool mount  3  of the articulated boom  2 . 
     In the above described embodiments, a multi-functional tool  10  in combination with a construction machine  1  is described. Said tool  10  is configured to be used for different operational modes of the construction machine by comprising different interfaces  110 ,  120 , each being designed for a specific one of said operational modes. 
     As used herein, the terminology “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to indicate any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Further, for simplicity of explanation, although the figures and descriptions herein may include sequences or series of steps or stages, elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur in various orders or concurrently. Additionally, elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur with other elements not explicitly presented and described herein. Furthermore, not all elements of the methods described herein may be required to implement a method in accordance with this disclosure. Although aspects, features, and elements are described herein in particular combinations, each aspect, feature, or element may be used independently or in various combinations with or without other aspects, features, and elements. 
     While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.