Abstract:
A device for fixing a hydraulic pipe of a boom swing type excavator includes a swing support, which is connected to the front end of an upper swing body so as to swing, a working device, which is rotatably fixed to the swing support, a first hydraulic pipe supporting hole formed in a top plate of the upper swing member so that a hydraulic pipe passes therethrough from the control valve in the upper swing member, and a second hydraulic pipe supporting hole formed in a top plate of the swing support at a position corresponding to the first hydraulic pipe supporting hole, limiting the shaking of the hydraulic pipe in the right and left directions when the working device swings, and guiding displacement in the vertical direction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator on which a work apparatus is mounted so as to be swiveled horizontally with respect to an upper swing structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator that includes a swing support swingably connected to a front end portion of an upper swing structure, a work apparatus (including a boom, a boom cylinder and the like) rotatably fixed on the swing support, and a hydraulic pipe supplying a hydraulic fluid to the work apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a boom swing type excavator includes a swing support  4  swingably connected to a front end portion of an upper swing structure  1  by means of fixing pins  2  and  3 , a swing cylinder (not shown) configured to horizontally swing the swing support  4  relative to the upper swing structure  1 , a boom  54  fixed to an upper end of the swing support  4  so as to be pivotally rotated in a forward and backward direction, a boom cylinder  6  fixed to a front end of the swing support  4  and driven in response to the supply of a hydraulic fluid thereto through a hydraulic pipe  7 . By virtue of the above configuration of the excavator, the work apparatus including the boom  5  can be pivotally rotated relative to the upper swing structure  1  depending on the work conditions to perform various operations. 
         [0003]    In the hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator according to the prior art as shown in  FIG. 1  the hydraulic pipe  7  supplying a hydraulic fluid to the boom cylinder  5  is disposed so as to sequentially pass through a control valve (e.g., MCV not shown) mounted inside the upper swing structure  1 , an internal space of the swing support  4 , and a clamp  9  fixed to an outer surface of the swing support  4  in this order. In this case, the hydraulic pipe  7  which has passed through the clamp  9  is connected to the hydraulic cylinder  6  in a state of being curved or inflected so as to be displaceable according to the movement of the boom cylinder  6   
         [0004]    Meantime, the hydraulic pipe  8  is composed of a plurality of unit pipes to supply the hydraulic fluid to an arm cylinder and a bucket cylinder (not shown). The hydraulic pipe  8  is disposed so as to sequentially pass through a control valve (e.g., MCV not shown) mounted inside the upper swing structure  1 , an internal space of the swing support  4 , a though-hole (not shown) formed on the swing support  4 , and a space defined between the swing support  4  and a fixing pin  10  for the boom in this order. In this case, the hydraulic pipe  8  which has passed through the space defined between the swing support  4  and the fixing pin  10  for the boom is connected to a quick coupler (not shown) fixed to the upper surface of the boom  5  in a state of being curved or inflected so as to be displaceable according to the pivotal rotation of the boom  5 . 
         [0005]    In this case, the length and a degree of flection of the above-mentioned hydraulic pipes  7  and  8  are determined in consideration of the case where the boom  5  is pivotally rotated in a forward and backward direction or in a left and right direction (i.e., a horizontal direction). 
         [0006]    As such, the length and a degree of flection of the hydraulic pipes  7  and  8  are determined in consideration of a radius of swing of the work apparatus, and then are disposed, so that the hydraulic pipes  7  and  8  are unnecessarily extended. 
         [0007]    In addition, the hydraulic pipes  7  and  8  extending from the control valve mounted inside the upper swing structure  1  to the upper surface of the boom cylinder  6  or the boom  5  are exposed to the outside in a state of being protruded outwardly from the outer surface of the boom cylinder  6  or the swing support  4 . Thus, the conventional hydraulic pipe fixing device entails a problem in that when the work apparatus is pivotally rotated relative to the upper swing structure, the hydraulic pipes  7  and  8  are abraded due to an interference with other parts positioned at a connection portion of the upper swing structure  1  and the swing support  4 , and a connection portion of the swing support  4  and the boom  5 , thereby shortening the lifespan of the hydraulic pipes. 
         [0008]    Therefore is a need for a separate cover for solving the above-mentioned abrasion-related problem and protecting the hydraulic pipes  7  and  8  from being exposed to the outside 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problems 
       [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problem occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator, in which when the work apparatus is pivotally rotated or shaken (or jerked) relative to the upper swing structure, the displacement and movement of the hydraulic pipe is minimized, thereby preventing abrasion of the hydraulic pipe due to an interference with other parts. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in which the hydraulic pipe is not protruded outwardly from an outer surface of the boom cylinder or the swing support, thereby eliminating a necessity for a separate cover for protecting the hydraulic pipe. 
       Technical Solution 
       [0011]    To accomplish the above object, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator, which includes a swing support swingably connected to a front end portion of an upper swing structure, and a work apparatus rotatably fixed on the swing support, the hydraulic pipe fixing device including:
       a first hydraulic pipe support hole formed on an upper plate of the upper swing structure and configured to allow a hydraulic pipe  13  to pass therethrough from a control valve inside the upper swing structure, and   a second hydraulic pipe support hole formed on an upper plate of the swing support at a position corresponding to the first hydraulic pipe support hole and configured to limit a horizontal movement of the hydraulic pipe and guide a vertical displacement of the hydraulic pipe when the work apparatus is pivotally rotated in a horizontal direction or shaken (or jerked) in a vertical direction relative to the upper swing structure.       
 
         [0014]    In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator, which includes a swing support swingably connected to a front end portion of an upper swing structure, and a work apparatus rotatably fixed on the swing support, the hydraulic pipe fixing device comprising:
       a first hydraulic pipe support hole formed on an upper plate of the swing support;   a hydraulic pipe coupler fixedly mounted inside the first hydraulic pipe support hole;   a second hydraulic pipe support hole formed on an upper plate of the upper swing structure at a position corresponding to the first hydraulic pipe support hole;   a first hydraulic pipe having one end connected to the hydraulic pipe coupler and the other end connected to the work apparatus, the first hydraulic pipe being configured to be vertically moved according to a shaking or jerking movement of the work apparatus relative to the upper swing structure; and   a second hydraulic pipe having one end connected to the hydraulic pipe coupler and the other end connected to a control valve mounted inside the upper swing structure, the second hydraulic pipe being configured to be horizontally moved according to a pivotal rotation of the work apparatus relative to the upper swing structure.       
 
       Advantageous Effect 
       [0020]    The hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator according to the embodiments of the present invention as constructed above has the following advantages. 
         [0021]    The length of the hydraulic pipe extending from the control value (called “MCV”) inside the upper swing structure to the work apparatus (including a boom cylinder or the like) is minimized, when the work apparatus including the boom and the like is pivotally rotated in a horizontal direction or shaken (or jerked) in a vertical direction relative to the upper swing structure, the displacement and movement of the hydraulic pipe is minimized, thereby preventing abrasion of the hydraulic pipe due to an interference with other parts, and thus prolonging the lifespan of the hydraulic pipe. 
         [0022]    In addition, the hydraulic pipe is not protruded outwardly from an outer surface of the boom cylinder or the swing support, thereby eliminating a necessity for a separate cover for protecting the hydraulic pipe, and thus reducing the manufacturing cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0023]    The above objects, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view showing a main part of a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with the prior art; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view showing a main part of a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view showing a main part of a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   * Explanation on reference numerals 
                 
                 
                   of main elements in the drawings * 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   12, 16: upper plate 
                   13: hydraulic pipe 
                 
                 
                   14: first hydraulic pipe 
                   15: swing support 
                 
                 
                   support hole 
                 
                 
                   17: work apparatus 
                   18: second hydraulic pipe support hole 
                 
                 
                   19: boom 
                   20: boom cylinder 
                 
                 
                   21: hydraulic pipe coupler 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as the detailed construction and elements, are nothing but specific details provided to assist those of ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensive understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the excavator includes a swing support swingably connected to a front end portion of an upper swing structure, and a work apparatus rotatably fixed on the swing support. 
         [0030]    The hydraulic pipe fixing device includes:
       a first hydraulic pipe support hole  14  that is formed in the shape of an elongated slot on an upper plate  12  of the upper swing structure  11  so as to allow a hydraulic pipe (meaning a hydraulic pipe supplying a hydraulic fluid to a boom cylinder, an arm cylinder, or the like from the MCV)  13  to pass therethrough from a control valve (meaning MCV not shown) inside the upper swing structure  11 , and   a second hydraulic pipe support hole  18  that is formed in the shape of an elongated slot on an upper plate  16  of the swing support  15  at a position corresponding to the first hydraulic pipe support hole  14  so as to limit a horizontal movement of the hydraulic pipe  13  and guide a vertical displacement of the hydraulic pipe  13  when the work apparatus  17  (including a boom, a boom cylinder, and the like) is pivotally rotated in a horizontal direction or shaken (or jerked) in a vertical direction relative to the upper swing structure  11 .       
 
         [0033]    Hereinafter, a use example of the hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the companying drawings. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hydraulic pipe  13  connected to the control valve (meaning MCV not shown) mounted inside the above-mentioned upper swing structure  11  sequentially passes through the first hydraulic pipe support hole  14  formed on the upper plate  12  of the upper swing structure  11  and the second hydraulic pipe support hole  18  formed on an upper plate  16  of the swing support  15  so as to be arranged coaxially relative to the first hydraulic pipe support hole  14 . Thereafter, the hydraulic pipe  13  is fixed to an upper surface of a boom  19  (meaning an outer surface confronting a cab cap). In this case, the hydraulic pipe  13  is connected to a relay hydraulic hose connected to the boom cylinder or the arm cylinder through a quick coupler. 
         [0035]    As a result, when the work apparatus  17  including the boom  19  is pivotally rotated relative to the upper swing structure  11  by the driving of a swing cylinder, the hydraulic pipe  13  can be arranged neatly by virtue of the second hydraulic pipe support hole  18 , and a horizontal movement of the hydraulic pipe  13  can be limited and a vertical displacement of the hydraulic pipe  13  can be guided. 
         [0036]    Thus, when the boom  19  is pivotally rotated relative to the upper swing structure  11 , the vertical displacement or shaking of the hydraulic pipe  13  can be minimized, thereby preventing abrasion of the hydraulic pipe  13  due to an interference with other parts. In addition, the hydraulic pipe  13  is not protruded outwardly from an outer surface of the boom cylinder  20  or the swing support  15 , thereby eliminating a necessity for a separate cover for protecting the hydraulic pipe  13 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , in a hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the excavator includes a swing support swingably connected to a front end portion of an upper swing structure, and a work apparatus rotatably fixed on the swing support. 
         [0038]    The hydraulic pipe fixing device includes:
       a first hydraulic pipe support hole  18  formed on an upper plate  16  of the swing support  15 ;   a hydraulic pipe coupler  21  fixedly mounted inside the first hydraulic pipe support hole  18 ;   a second hydraulic pipe support hole  14  formed on an upper plate  12  of the upper swing structure  11  at a position corresponding to the first hydraulic pipe support hole  18 ;   a first hydraulic pipe  13   a  connected at one end thereof to the hydraulic pipe coupler  21  and connected at the other end thereof to the work apparatus  17 , and the first hydraulic pipe being configured to be vertically moved according to a shaking or jerking movement of the work apparatus  17  relative to the upper swing structure  11 ; and   a second hydraulic pipe  13   b  connected at one end thereof to the hydraulic pipe coupler  21  and connected at the other end thereof to a control valve (meaning MCV not shown) mounted inside the upper swing structure  11 , the second hydraulic pipe being configured to be horizontally moved according to a pivotal rotation of the work apparatus  17  relative to the upper swing structure  11 .       
 
         [0044]    Hereinafter, a use example of the hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the companying drawings. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the other end of the second hydraulic pipe  13   b  connected at one end thereof to the control valve mounted inside the upper swing structure  11  is connected to the hydraulic pipe coupler  21 , the other end of the first hydraulic pipe  13   a  connected at one end thereof to the boom cylinder  20  including the work apparatus is connected to the hydraulic pipe coupler  21 . In this case, the first hydraulic pipe  13   a  is connected to a relay hydraulic hose connected to the boom cylinder or the arm cylinder through a quick coupler. 
         [0046]    As a result, when the work apparatus  17  including the boom  19  is shaken or jerked vertically relative to the upper swing structure  11  by the driving of the boom cylinder, the first hydraulic pipe  13   a  positioned between the hydraulic pipe coupler  21  and the work apparatus  17  is moved vertically according to the vertical shaking or jerking movement of the work apparatus  17 . In this case, the amount of flection (deformation) of the first hydraulic pipe  13   a  can be minimized by minimizing the length of the hydraulic pipe from the hydraulic pipe coupler  21  to the work apparatus  17 . 
         [0047]    In the meantime, when the work apparatus  17  including the boom  19  is pivotally rotated horizontally relative to the upper swing structure  11  by the driving of the boom cylinder, the first hydraulic pipe  13   b  positioned between the control valve mounted inside the upper swing structure  11  and the hydraulic pipe coupler  21  is moved horizontally according to the horizontal pivotal rotation movement of the work apparatus  17 . 
         [0048]    That is, when the boom  19  is swiveled, the first hydraulic pipe  13   a  is positioned on a center line of the boom  19  or is moved together with the swing support  15 . As a result, the vertical displacement or shaking of the hydraulic pipe  13   b  can be minimized, thereby preventing abrasion of the hydraulic pipe  13   b  due to an interference with other parts. In addition, the hydraulic pipe  13   b  is not protruded outwardly from an outer surface of the swing support  15 , thereby eliminating a necessity for a separate cover for protecting the hydraulic pipe  13   b.    
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0049]    According to the hydraulic pipe fixing device of a boom swing type excavator in accordance with the present invention, the length of the hydraulic pipe from the control valve (MCV) mounted inside the upper swing structure to the work apparatus (meaning the boom cylinder or the like) is optimized, so that when the work apparatus including the boom and the like is pivotally rotated in a horizontal direction or shaken (or jerked) in a vertical direction relative to the upper swing structure, the displacement and movement of the hydraulic pipe is minimized, thereby preventing abrasion of the hydraulic pipe due to an interference with other parts. Further, the hydraulic pipe is not protruded outwardly from an outer surface of the boom cylinder or the swing support, thereby eliminating a necessity for a separate cover for protecting the hydraulic pipe.