Rotators for tools

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a rotator (100) for a tool (200). The rotator (100) includes a stator (102); a rotor (104) rotatably arranged within the stator (102). The rotor (104) includes a radial bearing (122), the radial bearing (122) having a first axial extension distance (a1) within the rotator (100). The rotator (100) includes an independent bearing (112) radially arranged outside the rotor (104), and the independent bearing (112) is configured to carry an external load of the rotator (100); the rotator also includes an electric rotary joint (108) and / or an inclinometer (116) inside the rotor (102), and the electric rotary joint (108) and / or the inclinometer (116) extend axially at least partially within the first axial extension distance (a1) in the rotator (100). A compact rotator design is thereby provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotator for a tool, such as a cantilevered tool. Background Art

[0002] A rotator may be arranged between the boom tip and the boom-borne implement, allowing the implement to rotate relative to the boom tip. An example of an implement may be a grapple, while another non-limiting example of a boom-borne implement is a harvester for felling trees. Crane systems typically include two or three boom sections connected to each other via a boom joint.

[0003] There are several different types of rotators, the most common being electric and hydraulic rotators. The first type is electrically powered, while the latter is driven by hydraulic fluid. Besides the forestry industry, rotators are used around the world for general cargo handling and material handling, such as at ports and scrap yards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technical solution that alleviates or solves the shortcomings and problems of traditional technical solutions.

[0005] Another object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a rotator which has a compact design in its axial direction.

[0006] The above and further objects are solved according to the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are achieved by a rotator for a tool, the rotator comprising:

[0008] stator;

[0009] a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator, the rotor including a radial bearing having a first axial extension within the rotor;

[0010] an independent bearing disposed radially outside the rotor, the independent bearing being configured to carry an external load of the rotor; and

[0011] An electric rotary joint and / or an inclinometer is arranged inside the rotor, wherein the electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer extends axially at least partially within a first axial extension in the rotator.

[0012] Thus, the rotator may comprise an electric swivel, a goniometer, or both.

[0013] The electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer extending axially at least partially in the first axial extension distance can be understood as having at least one part / segment extending within the first axial extension distance, but may have another part / segment that does not extend to or does not extend within the first axial extension distance.

[0014] The tool may be a cantilevered tool.

[0015] In an embodiment, the rotator is a hydraulic rotator.

[0016] The rotator has an extension in its axial direction and an extension in its radial direction. Its axial direction may be parallel to or identical to the rotation axis of the rotor.

[0017] An independent bearing may be a bearing that is separate from the rotor's bearings. The independent bearing is configured to carry loads external to the rotor, i.e., the independent bearing may carry loads generated by the tool and the object held by the tool, and dynamic forces generated by the movement of the tool and the object held by the tool, such as dynamic forces generated by the movement of a crane connected to the rotator.

[0018] The advantage of the rotator according to the first aspect is that it can be designed to be compact in its axial extension. Consequently, the rotator has a lower construction height. This means that tools and any objects they may be carrying can be lifted higher than with a rotator having a higher construction height.

[0019] Furthermore, the independent bearings mean that the rotator can carry very heavy external loads, compared to a rotator where the rotor carries the external load.

[0020] Furthermore, since the electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer are arranged inside the rotator, the electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer can be better protected from, for example, mechanical shocks.

[0021] In an embodiment, at least one of the electric rotary joint and the goniometer extends completely within the first axial extension, ie at least one of the electric rotary joint and the goniometer comprises no axially extending portion outside the first axial extension.

[0022] In an implementation of the rotator according to the first aspect, the independent bearing extends axially at least partially within the first axial extension distance in the rotator.

[0023] This embodiment has the advantage that the rotator can be made more compact in its axial extension.

[0024] In one embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the rotator comprises:

[0025] one or more hydraulic chambers disposed between the rotor and the stator, each hydraulic chamber having a second axial extension within the rotator, wherein the second axial extension is shorter than the first axial extension; and wherein

[0026] The electric rotary joint and / or the goniometer extends axially at least partially within the second axial extension of the rotator.

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the second axial extension is within the first axial extension in the rotator.

[0028] The one or more hydraulic chambers may be part of a hydraulic motor configured to rotate a rotor in a stator. Examples of hydraulic motors are hydraulic vane motors and hydraulic piston motors.

[0029] This embodiment has the advantage that the rotator can be made more compact in its axial extension.

[0030] In an implementation of the rotator according to the first aspect, the independent bearing extends axially at least partially within the second axial extension of the rotator.

[0031] This embodiment has the advantage that the rotator can be made more compact in its axial extension.

[0032] In one embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the rotator comprises:

[0033] A hydraulic rotary joint is provided inside the rotor; and wherein

[0034] The hydraulic swivel extends axially at least partially within a first axially extending distance in the rotator.

[0035] An advantage of this embodiment is that a hydraulic swivel is provided which can be configured to supply a tool connected to the rotator. Furthermore, the rotator comprising the hydraulic swivel can be made compact in its axial extension direction.

[0036] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the hydraulic swivel extends axially at least partially within the second axial extension of the rotator.

[0037] This embodiment has the advantage that the rotator can be made more compact in its axial extension.

[0038] In one embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the rotator comprises an electric rotary joint and a goniometer; and wherein

[0039] The inclinometer is arranged axially above the electronic rotary joint in the rotor.

[0040] It should be noted that in such an embodiment, one or more electrical cables and / or one or more electrical signal cables may be arranged through the inclinometer to the electrical rotary joint.

[0041] An advantage of this embodiment is that, since the electric rotary joint is arranged further away from the tool than the inclinometer, it is easier to power the tool.

[0042] In an embodiment of the rotor according to the first aspect, the electric rotary joint and the goniometer are axially aligned with each other within the rotor along the rotation axis of the rotator.

[0043] The advantage of this embodiment is that the rotator can be made smaller in the radial direction, since the rotation axes of the electric rotary joint and the inclinometer are identical.

[0044] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the electric rotary joint and the inclinometer are arranged in a common housing inside the rotor.

[0045] The advantage of this embodiment is that the electric rotary joint and the inclinometer are easier to install in the rotor. This also means that the electric rotary joint and the inclinometer are easier to remove, for example, for service or repair. Furthermore, due to the more comprehensive protection design of the common housing, the electric rotary joint and the inclinometer are better protected from the effects of the hydraulic fluid. The common housing also provides a cost-effective solution.

[0046] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the hydraulic rotary joint is arranged above the electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer inside the rotor in the axial direction.

[0047] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the hydraulic swivel and the electric swivel and / or the goniometer are axially aligned with each other along the rotation axis of the rotator inside the rotor.

[0048] An advantage of this embodiment is that since the hydraulic rotary joint has the same axis of rotation as the electric rotary joint and the inclinometer, the rotator can be made smaller in the radial extension direction.

[0049] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the rotator comprises:

[0050] A hydraulic conduit extends inside the rotor from the hydraulic rotary joint to a hydraulic coupling arranged below the rotator.

[0051] The hydraulic conduit may extend radially to the outside of the electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer within the rotor.

[0052] An advantage of this embodiment is that the electric rotary joint and / or the inclinometer can be arranged in the center of the rotor and the rotator still has a low building height.

[0053] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the rotator comprises:

[0054] A torque transmitting device is radially arranged around a portion of the rotor that extends axially outside the stator.

[0055] An advantage of this embodiment is that the torque transmitting device transfers the load, thereby relieving the load at the bearings between the stator and the rotor.

[0056] In an embodiment of the rotator according to the first aspect, the portion of the rotor extends axially to the outside of the stator at a lower portion of the rotator.

[0057] Other aspects of the invention relate to an arrangement comprising a rotator according to an embodiment of the invention and a cantilevered tool.

[0058] Further applications and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate and explain different embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0060] Figure 1 shows a first cross-sectional view BB of a rotator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A second sectional view CC of the rotator perpendicular to the first sectional view;

[0062] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the spinner in the first cross-sectional view;

[0063] Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the spinner in a second cross-sectional view;

[0064] Figure 5 shows a first external view of the rotator corresponding to the first sectional view BB;

[0065] Figure 6 shows a second external view of the rotator corresponding to the second sectional view CC;

[0066] Figure 7 A first perspective view of the rotator is shown;

[0067] Figure 8 shows a second perspective view of the rotator; and

[0068] Figure 9 The arrangement of the boom, rotator and boom-borne tool is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] Figure 9 An example of a boom 300 and a rotator 100 attached to the boom 300, for example, via a universal joint / coupling, also known as a cardan joint / coupling, is shown. A harvester for felling trees is attached to the rotator 100 as a boom-mounted tool 200. A grapple is another non-limiting example of a boom-mounted tool. Other types of tools may also be used.

[0070] The tool and the object that may be held by the tool constitute the external load carried by the rotator. Non-limiting examples are a harvester carrying logs, and a grapple and scrap metal.

[0071] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , disclosed herein is a rotator 100 for a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 1 shows a first cross-sectional view of the rotator 100 taken along a first line BB, Figure 2 A second cross-sectional view of the rotator 100 taken along the second line CC is shown. The axial extension direction and the radial extension direction of the rotator 100 are as follows: Figure 1 shown.

[0072] The rotator 100 includes a stator 102 and a rotor 104 rotatably disposed inside the stator 102. Figure 1 As shown, the rotor 104 includes a radial bearing 122 having a first axial extension a1 within the rotator 100. The rotator 100 also includes an independent bearing 112 radially arranged outside the rotor 104 and configured to carry external loads of the rotator 100.

[0073] The rotator 100 further comprises an electric rotary joint 108 and / or an inclinometer 116 arranged inside the rotor 104. The electric rotary joint 108 and / or the inclinometer 116 extend axially at least partially within a first axial extension a1 in the rotator 100. This provides a compact rotator having a low building height, i.e., a low axial extension.

[0074] In this document, the electric rotary joint 108 may be understood as a device or arrangement that provides power at and through a rotating interface (e.g., between the stator 102 and the rotor 104). Also disclosed are an upper cable 132 and a lower cable 134 connected to the electric rotary joint 108. Even though only one is shown in the figure, the rotator may include one or more upper cables 132 and one or more lower cables 134. The cables may be used for power transmission or communication.

[0075] Thus, the upper cable 132 can be connected to a power source (not shown) that delivers power or to a first communication device (not shown). The lower cable 134 can be connected to one or more applications (not shown) in the tool 200 that consume power or are configured to communicate electrically (e.g., via a CAN bus) with one or more first communication devices in the form of one or more second communication devices (not shown). Non-limiting examples of such applications include processors, sensors, cameras, etc.

[0076] In this document, the inclinometer 116 can be understood as a device or arrangement for indicating or indicating the (relative) rotation between the rotor 104 and the stator 102. As the name of the device indicates, the rotation can be expressed in angles. The expression of rotation or angle can be used in many different applications. For example, the rotation or angle can be used to control the rotator 100 itself. Another exemplary application is for controlling the tool 200. Another application is for controlling the boom 300. Another application is for controlling a machine or vehicle to which the boom is attached. Therefore, the inclinometer 116 can be communicatively coupled with a control device (not shown). The communication between the inclinometer 116 and the control device can be performed using wireless and / or wired communication according to known communication protocols. For example, a conventional communication bus, such as a CAN bus, can be used. In addition, the electric rotary joint 108 can supply power to the inclinometer 116 via a cable. In addition, the electric rotary joint 108 can provide one or more signal cables to the inclinometer 116 for wired communication.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the stator 102 may include an upper stator portion 102a, a lower stator portion 102c, and a stator ring 102b disposed between the upper stator portion 102a and the lower stator portion 102c. The stator ring 102b may include a cam curve of a hydraulic motor, such as a vane motor or a piston motor. The cam curve may define one or more hydraulic chambers of the hydraulic motor.

[0078] Furthermore, radial bearings 122 of the rotor 104 are provided because the rotor 104 must remain in position relative to the rotation axis A and the stator 102. As shown in the figure, the radial bearings 122 of the rotor may include an upper radial bearing 124 radially abutting the upper stator portion 102a and a lower radial bearing 126 radially abutting the lower stator portion 102c.

[0079] The independent bearing 112 can have an outer ring 142 attached to a lower connector 150, which is configured to be attached to the tool 200. The independent bearing 112 has an inner ring 144 attached to the upper stator portion 102a. A ball bearing 146 is disposed between the outer ring 142 and the inner ring 144. The independent bearing 112 can thus be a turntable bearing.

[0080] In an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the independent bearing 112 is axially disposed between an upper radial bearing 124 and a lower radial bearing 126 of the rotor 104 .

[0081] In the embodiment of the present invention, the independent bearing 112 at least partially extends axially within the first axial extension distance a1 in the rotator 100 , so that the rotator 100 is more compact in its axial direction.

[0082] In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotator 100 includes one or more hydraulic chambers 106 a , 106 b , . . . , 106 n arranged between the rotor 102 and the stator 102 . Figure 1 Two hydraulic chambers 106a and 106b are shown. Each hydraulic chamber 106n has a second axial extension a2 within the rotator 100 that is different from the first axial extension a1 and is smaller than, i.e., shorter than, the first axial extension a1. In this embodiment, the electric rotary joint 108 and / or the inclinometer 116 extend axially at least partially within the second axial extension a2 within the rotator 100. This provides a more compact rotator design.

[0083] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the independent bearing 112 also extends axially at least partially within the second axial extension distance a2 in the rotator 100. Figure 1 As shown, the independent bearing 112 may be arranged radially outside one or more hydraulic chambers 106a, 106b, ..., 106n. By arranging the independent bearing 112 radially outside the hydraulic chambers 106a, 106b, ..., 106n, a compact design may be provided.

[0084] The rotator 100 also includes an attachment device for attaching the rotator 100 to a crane arm. Many different known attachment devices can be used, but in the figures, the attachment device used is a connecting ear 152 that includes a through hole 154 for a connecting pin (not shown) to be inserted. The rotator 100 can also be attached to the crane arm via one or more connectors, such as a brake connector, a universal joint / coupling, etc.

[0085] Additionally, the rotator 100 includes a swivel passage 128 for providing hydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic applications of the tool 200 and a seal / gasket 136 for sealing to prevent leakage of the hydraulic fluid.

[0086] Figure 3 and Figure 4Enlarged views of a first cross-sectional view (BB) and a second cross-sectional view (CC) of the rotator 100 are shown, respectively.

[0087] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotator 100 further includes a hydraulic rotary joint 114 disposed within the rotor 104. The hydraulic rotary joint 114 also extends axially at least partially within a first axial extension distance a1 in the rotator 100. For a more compact design in an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic rotary joint 114 extends axially at least partially within a second axial extension distance a2 in the rotator 100, because the second axial extension distance a2 is smaller than the first axial extension distance a1.

[0088] In this context, the hydraulic swivel 114 may be understood as a device or arrangement that is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic applications in the tool 200 at or through a rotary interface. Thus, the hydraulic swivel 114 may have an upper hydraulic conduit (not shown) connected to a hydraulic source supplying hydraulic fluid and a lower hydraulic conduit (see FIG. 1 ) connected to one or more hydraulic applications in the tool 200. Figure 1 and Figure 4 ). Typically, the rotator 100 further includes a hydraulic return pipe not shown in the figure.

[0089] It should also be noted that the rotator 100 may include both the electric rotary joint 108 and the inclinometer 116 in the same application, i.e., in the same rotator 100. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the figure, the inclinometer 116 may be arranged above the electric rotary joint 108 in the rotor 104 in the axial direction.

[0090] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the electric rotary joint 108 and the inclinometer 116 may be axially aligned with each other within the rotor 104 along the rotation axis A of the rotator 100. The rotation axis A may be considered the central axis about which the rotor 104 rotates within the stator 102. Rotation may be in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0091] As from Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is further noted that the electric rotary joint 108 and the inclinometer 116 can be disposed within a common housing 130 within the rotor 104. The common housing 130 can be made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The electric rotary joint 108 and the inclinometer 116 can also be axially aligned with each other within the common housing 130. The inclinometer 116 can be completely enclosed within the common housing 130, while the electric rotary joint 108 can be partially disposed within the common housing 130.

[0092] In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the rotator 100 may include an opening on the underside of the rotor 104. This opening may be connected to a hollow structure within the rotor, and this hollow structure may be configured to accommodate a common housing 130 containing the electric rotary joint 108 and the inclinometer 116 in operation. Therefore, to maintain and / or repair the electric rotary joint 108 and the inclinometer 116, the common housing 130 may be removed from the rotor 104 through the opening and then replaced. This design facilitates servicing and / or repair.

[0093] As shown, if the rotator 100 includes a hydraulic swivel 114, the hydraulic swivel 114 can be axially arranged above the electric swivel 108 and / or goniometer 116 within the rotor 104. Thus, the hydraulic swivel 114 can also be axially aligned with the electric swivel 108 and / or goniometer 116 within the rotor 104 along the rotation axis A of the rotator 100.

[0094] In addition, reference Figure 4 The rotator 100 may include a hydraulic conduit 118 extending from the hydraulic swivel 114 within the rotor 104 to a hydraulic coupling 120 disposed on the underside of the rotator 100 proximate the tool 200. The hydraulic coupling 120 may be arranged to couple with the hydraulic conduit 118 via one or more hydraulic hoses (not shown) that provide a supply to one or more hydraulic applications in the tool 200.

[0095] See also Figure 3 The rotator 100 may further include a torque transmission device 110 radially arranged around a portion of the rotor 104 that extends axially to the outside of the stator 102. The torque transmission device 110 transmits load so that the load on the bearing between the stator 102 and the rotor 104 is reduced. This portion of the rotor 104 extends axially to the outside of the stator 102 at the lower portion of the rotator 100.

[0096] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A first external view of the rotator 100 corresponding to the first cross-sectional view (BB) and a second external view of the rotator 100 corresponding to the second cross-sectional view (CC) are respectively shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The attachment means 152 , 154 are clearly shown.

[0097] Figure 7 and Figure 8The first and second perspective views of the rotator 100 are shown, respectively. The rotator 100 includes an attachment device for attaching the tool 200 to the rotator 100. The attachment device may be, but is not limited to, the aforementioned lower connector 150. The lower connector 150 may include a receiving device for receiving a bolt and thereby attaching the tool 200 to the rotator 100.

[0098] Figure 7 Also shown is the arrangement of a hydraulic coupling 160 for feeding the hydraulic motor and / or the hydraulic rotary joint 114 .

[0099] Finally, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but relates to and encompasses all embodiments coming within the scope of the appended independent claims.

Claims

1. A rotator (100) for a tool (200), comprising: stator (102); a rotor (104) rotatably arranged inside the stator (102), the rotor (104) comprising a radial bearing (122), the radial bearing (122) having a first axial extension distance (a1) within the rotator (100); an independent bearing (112), the independent bearing (112) being arranged radially outside the rotor (104), and the independent bearing (112) being configured to bear an external load of the rotator (100); one or more hydraulic chambers (106a, 106b, ... 106n) arranged between the rotor (104) and the stator (102), each hydraulic chamber (106n) having a second axial extension (a2) within the rotator (100), wherein the second axial extension (a2) is shorter than the first axial extension (a1); Its characteristics are: The invention comprises a hydraulic rotary joint (114) and an electric rotary joint (108) and / or an inclinometer (116), wherein the electric rotary joint (108) and / or the inclinometer (116) are arranged inside the rotor (104), and the hydraulic rotary joint (114) and the electric rotary joint (108) and / or the inclinometer (116) extend axially at least partially within the second axial extension distance (a2) in the rotator (100); and wherein the hydraulic rotary joint (114) is axially aligned with the electric rotary joint (108) and / or the inclinometer (116) in the rotor (104) along the rotation axis (A) of the rotator (100).

2. The rotator (100) according to claim 1, wherein The independent bearing (112) extends axially at least partially within the first axial extension distance (a1) in the rotator (100).

3. The rotator (100) according to claim 1, wherein The independent bearing (112) extends axially at least partially within the second axial extension distance (a2) in the rotator (100).

4. The rotator (100) according to claim 3, further comprising: The independent bearing (112) is arranged radially outside the one or more hydraulic chambers (106a, 106b, ... 106n).

5. The rotator (100) according to claim 1, comprising the electric rotary joint (108) and the inclinometer (116); and wherein The inclinometer (116) is axially arranged above the electric rotary joint (108) in the rotor (104).

6. The rotator (100) of claim 5, wherein the electric rotary joint (108) and the goniometer (116) are axially aligned with each other within the rotor (104) along the axis of rotation (A) of the rotator (100).

7. The rotator (100) of claim 5, wherein the electric rotary joint (108) and the inclinometer (116) are arranged in a common housing (130) inside the rotor (104).

8. The rotator (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein The hydraulic rotary joint (114) is arranged axially above the electric rotary joint (108) and / or the inclinometer (116) within the rotor (104).

9. The rotator (100) according to claim 8, further comprising a hydraulic conduit (118) extending from the hydraulic rotary joint (114) inside the rotor (104) to a hydraulic coupling (120) arranged below the rotator (100).

10. The rotator (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: A torque transmission device (110) is radially arranged around a portion of the rotor (104) that extends axially outside the stator (102).

11. The rotator (100) of claim 10, wherein the portion of the rotor (104) extends axially outside the stator (102) at a lower portion of the rotator (100).

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