Excavating – Combined or convertible – Having quick-connect coupling
Patent
1994-09-28
1996-05-14
Melius, Terry Lee
Excavating
Combined or convertible
Having quick-connect coupling
37379, 37443, 414723, E02F 376
Patent
active
055156266
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a coupling device for connection between the operating arm of an excavator and an implement, comprising an upper support part pivotably journalled on a shaft of the operating arm to enable controlled turning of the implement and coupling device about said shaft, a lower support part rigidly connected to the implement, a tilting device comprising hinge means located at opposite portions of the upper and lower support parts and forming a tilt central axis which is substantially perpendicular to said shaft, and a transmission means arranged at the upper and lower support parts for controlled tilting of the implement and the lower support part about said tilt central axis, said transmission gear means comprises a reversible hydraulic motor, a first gear element rigidly connected to the one support part and having its centre coinciding with said tilt central axis, and a second gear element connected to the other support part.
A coupling device present on the market has a tilting device which comprises one or two hydraulic cylinders arranged on one or both sides of the coupling device and extending obliquely upwards a considerably distance, as well as past the attachment point between coupling device and stick. The use of hydraulic cylinders connected to the excavator's hydraulic system, and their relatively sturdy attachment lugs and attachment arms greatly increases the weight of the coupling device. The location and size of the hydraulic cylinders also impede the vision of the machine operator. The hydraulic cylinders and their attachment parts also undesirably increase the width of the coupling device. Since the bucket or other implement must often work in relatively narrow areas, it is advantageous for the width of the coupling device to be as little as possible. The location of the hydraulic cylinders also entails considerable risk of their being damaged when coming into contact with objects in the vicinity during manipulation of the bucket. Neither do the hydraulic cylinders permit smooth movement of the bucket during tilting, and the bucket movement will be jerky when they are engaged. The hydraulic cylinders increase the height of the coupling device, thereby requiring more storage and transport space. The tilting is limited by the stroke length of the hydraulic cylinders and a compromise must therefore be made, for instance, between construction height and stroke length. Arranging the supply hoses for the hydraulic cylinders is relatively complicated due to the location and extension of the hydraulic cylinders and there is also risk of the hoses being damaged by objects in the vicinity with which the coupling device comes into contact during manipulation of the bucket or other implement.
A coupling device of the type defined in the introduction is known through U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,693. The transmission gear means shown therein is enclosed by a housing and has both a worm gear and a gear wheel in order to transmit the forces from a hydraulic cylinder. Such a built-in transmission gear means is difficult to maintain and consists of many cooperating parts resulting in increased manufacturing costs and unstable construction. The function becomes worse owing to, inter alia, the fact there are three separate points for the power transmission.
The object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device with an improved tilt device; that results in a coupling device having desired low weight; that lacks hydraulic cylinders to impede the vision; that runs more smoothly than tilt devices in the form of hydraulic cylinders; that can be tilted within a desired great angle area; that has a desired low construction height; that has a simple and reliable hose arrangement; that consists of few parts so that a compact and stable construction is formed; that is easy to maintain; and that has only one point within the gear means for the power transmission.
The coupling device according to the invention is characterized substantially in that said first and second gear elements toge
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Beach Thomas A.
Melius Terry Lee
SMP Parts AB
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