rotating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a swivel device for the swivel positioning of a work implement (16) at a boom (12) of a work machine (10), in particular of an excavator, with an attachment part (26) connected to the boom (12), a flange part (28) configured for the mounting of the work implement (16) which is preferably supported in a non-restricted swivel movement at the attachment part (26), and a swivel drive (32) for the swivel movement of the flange part (28). In order to prevent unintentional loosening of the flange part (28), a safety protection mechanism (18) is proposed which has at least one restraint element (48) which engages with a part of the flange part (28) or the swivel drive (32) when a clearance for the swivel movement is undershot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotating device for rotating and positioning a work implement at the boom of a work machine, particularly an excavator, the rotating device comprising: an attachment member connected to the boom; a flange member preferably rotatably supported at the attachment member and configured for mounting the work implement; and a rotating drive for rotating the flange member. Background Technology

[0002] Such a rotating device is known from WO2011 / 128427A2. There, a rotating guide section is described for guiding a pressure medium via at least one medium channel. The rotating device can operate using an internal torque transmission mechanism that enables continuous rotation of the assembled attachment.

[0003] Overload (whether it occurs once or gradually develops from more frequent lower loads) can cause bearing failure in the rotating parts of a machine. Besides significant material damage, the consequences of such failure can include uncontrolled loss of attachments, which in the worst case can be associated with significant personal injury. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this premise, the present invention aims to further improve known devices in the prior art and reliably reduce or prevent damage caused by overload using simple means without negatively impacting normal operation.

[0005] To address this task, the combination of features given in claim 1 of the patent is proposed. Advantageous designs and improvements of the invention are derived from the dependent claims.

[0006] This invention is based on the concept of providing additional safety protection (Sicherung, sometimes called stopping) to an appliance through redundant mechanical components. Accordingly, the invention proposes a safety protection mechanism to prevent unintentional loosening of flange components, having at least one restraining element that automatically engages mechanically with the flange component or a portion of the rotary actuator when the clearance is below the clearance required for rotational movement. In this way, starting from an assembly fixed to the machine, the force flow can be diverted in the event of failure. Conversely, under normal conditions, normal rotational movement is not hindered when the clearance for rotational movement is maintained relative to the at least one restraining element. Here, certain, point-like overloads outside of rotational movement can also be achieved or permitted without incurring additional risk. Furthermore, the safety protection mechanism can also be used to prevent damage to, for example, transmission mechanisms in the form of broken teeth.

[0007] Advantageously, the restraining element has a base fixed to the attachment part, thereby providing a base fixed to the machine for absorbing forces under safe conditions.

[0008] Another advantageous design configuration involves the constraint element conformally engaging with the contour of the flange component or a member fixedly connected to said flange component. The latter can also be suitably implemented, for example, as part of a rotary actuator in the form of a worm gear.

[0009] In order to reliably absorb high forces, it is advantageous for the restraining element to have a hook that surrounds the flange component at the outer contour.

[0010] Another improvement involves arranging multiple constraint elements at angular intervals around the rotation axis of the flange component. Alternatively, a single, circumferential constraint element can be used.

[0011] Automatic triggering without additional control can be provided by the at least one constraint element moving from a release position to a frictional position that brakes the rotational motion when it is below the rotational clearance.

[0012] In this regard, it is also suitable that the at least one restraining element has a separately applied brake pad. Such a brake pad can also play a cleaning role in the area of ​​the mating surface.

[0013] To achieve progressive safety protection in relation to the load, it is advantageous that the flange component is axially held at the rotary drive by the connecting device, and that the at least one restraining element gradually engages as the load on the connecting device increases.

[0014] Another particularly preferred design configuration arranges the constraint elements in a way that allows for adjustment of rotational clearance via threaded connections. This allows for proper coordination without significant overhead.

[0015] Advantageously, the rotary drive is arranged externally on the inner bearing ring, so that vibrations are better damped and better dynamic characteristics are achieved.

[0016] Another advantage in this regard is that the rotary drive is constructed as a worm gear transmission mechanism.

[0017] Another preferred embodiment is configured such that the constraint element includes a shaped part that can engage with the worm gear.

[0018] For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous that the worm gear has a concave peripheral profile and the constraint element has a convex curved engagement portion.

[0019] In order to ensure that, in the worst-case scenario, the replaceable molded parts are damaged but the worm gear is not, it is advantageous to form the restraint element by means of a plastic block or, if possible, by means of a soft aluminum alloy.

[0020] For advantageous positioning in multiple aspects, the constraint element is preferably integrated into the transmission housing of the rotary drive on the side opposite to the working machine.

[0021] To establish a reliable connection, it is advantageous to support the restraining element at the attachment point using threaded fasteners.

[0022] In order to absorb high loads even in the event of damage, it is advantageous that, with the restraint element engaged, the force flow between the attachment and the flange components is radially outward about the axis of rotation.

[0023] Advantageously, when the safety protection mechanism engages, a signal is sent to notify the machine operator. This allows the machine operator to accordingly restrict their operating commands. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of embodiments schematically shown in the drawings.

[0025] in:

[0026] Figure 1 The excavator is shown in a side view, with a working device at the excavator boom and a rotating device for the working device;

[0027] Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 An enlarged sectional view of the area where the working tools are equipped with rotating devices that have mechanical safety protection mechanisms;

[0028] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Another embodiment of the rotating device with a safety protection mechanism is shown in perspective view and axial view;

[0029] Figure 5 The worm gear of the rotating device is shown; and

[0030] Figure 6 The safety protection components that can engage with the worm gear are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1An example of an excavator 10 as a working machine is shown, the excavator having: a double boom or cantilever 12; a rotating device 14 at the free end of the cantilever 12 for rotating and positioning the excavator bucket 16, which is a working tool, relative to the cantilever 12; and a safety protection mechanism 18 to prevent the excavator bucket from being accidentally released in the area of ​​the rotating device 14.

[0032] The hydraulic oscillating motion mechanism 20 at the cantilever 12 allows the excavator bucket 16 to oscillate in a restricted manner around a horizontal axis passing through the bearing eye 22, while the rotating device 14 allows the excavator bucket 16 to rotate unrestricted around the rotation axis 24.

[0033] For this purpose, such as from Figure 2 As can be seen, the rotating device 14 includes an attachment plate 26 connected to the cantilever 12 via a swing motion mechanism 20, a flange ring 28 rotatably supported on the attachment plate 26 for mounting the excavator bucket 16 via a quick-change device 30, and a rotation driver 32 for rotating the flange ring 28 about the rotation axis 24.

[0034] The mounting plate 26 is rigidly connected to the coupling unit 34 of the swing motion mechanism 20 on one side and carries the inner bearing ring 36 on the other side. The inner bearing ring is held in a rotationally resistant manner by annularly distributed threaded fasteners 38, which have a radial spacing R1 relative to the axis of rotation 24.

[0035] The quick-change device 30 is welded to the flange ring 28 on the end side and can be connected to the excavator bucket 16 or other working tools with minimal operating effort via bolts 40.

[0036] The rotary actuator 32 is configured as a worm gear drive mechanism and includes an externally toothed worm wheel 42 and a helical worm 44 that can be rotated by a motor, the worm engaging in the backlash of the worm wheel 42. The worm wheel 42 is radially externally supported on an inner bearing ring 36 and axially connected to a flange ring 28 via annularly distributed threaded connectors 46.

[0037] The safety protection mechanism 18 includes multiple, for example three, mechanically acting restraint elements 48 distributed around the rotation axis 24. Figure 2In the diagram, the constraint element shown on the right is offset into the cutting plane for clarity only. The constraint element 48 can also be constructed in different ways. In any case, the constraint element 48 has a base 52 secured to the attachment plate 26 or the portion connected thereto by threaded fasteners 50, and a hook 54 surrounding the flange member 28 at a suitably stepped outer contour. During normal operation, the axial clearance between the flange member 28 and the hook 54 allows for undisturbed rotational movement. For safety protection, when the axial clearance is below a certain level (e.g., within 1 mm), the hook 54 engages with the flange member 28 at the stepped surface of the flange member, achieving frictional braking of the rotational movement. This is supported by the hook 54 having a separately applied braking pad (not shown).

[0038] The transition of the restraining element 48 from its normal release position to its braking position can be achieved, in particular, by ensuring that the threaded fastener 38 and the additional threaded connection 46 remain within their elastic range under greater loads, thereby making continuous rotation proportional to the overload difficult and eventually prevented. In the event of failure, when the threaded fastener 38 breaks, the flange component 28 engages with the hook 54, reliably preventing the work implement 16 from falling and all associated hazards. In this case, information about the hazardous situation can also be communicated to the machine operator via a signal transmitter (not shown).

[0039] The desired axial clearance for the safety protection engagement can be adjusted via a threaded fastener 50 at the base 52 of the restraint element 48. In the normal position, axial force flows from the attachment plate 26 via the rotating device 32, through the threaded fastener 38, and the threaded connector 46. In contrast, in the safety protection configuration, the force flow is diverted to the external restraint element 48, which is located at a significantly larger radius than the threaded fastener 38 and thus can absorb higher load torques.

[0040] Figures 3 to 6 Another embodiment of the rotating device 14 with a safety protection mechanism 18 is shown, wherein the same or similar components are provided with the same reference numerals as explained above.

[0041] The safety protection mechanism 18 includes a restraint element 48 integrated into the transmission housing 56, which is therefore less susceptible to contamination. Here, the arrangement on the side opposite to the excavator 10 is preferred because this area is less visible or controllable to the excavator operator, and its placement relative to the ground in the field of vision also allows for the additional positioning of the more prone-to-dirty grappling hook (not shown), as described above.

[0042] If possible Figure 4As is most clearly seen, the constraint element 48 has a shaped component 58 that can engage with the worm gear 42. This shaped component can be formed from a plastic block, such as... Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the plastic block has a convex, curved engagement portion 60 and a plurality of holes 62 for inserting a retaining threaded fastener 64 supported at the attachment plate 26.

[0043] Figure 5 A perspective view shows a worm gear with teeth on its peripheral side. It can be seen that the worm gear 42 has a concave peripheral profile 66, and the convex, curved engagement portion 60 of the constraint element can have a gap ( Figure 4 In the case of free space 68), it is joined to the perimeter profile.

[0044] During normal operation, the worm gear 42 has sufficient clearance for free rotation. This clearance can be adjusted externally using an additional adjusting screw.

[0045] As the entire structure undergoes elastic deformation under load, the worm gear 42 gradually moves downward. Here, the forming component 58 first prevents the possibility of rotation, and then, under safe protection, securely holds the worm gear 42 and the flange component 28 connected to it in the housing 56 and at the mounting plate 26.

Claims

1. A rotating device for rotating and positioning a work implement (16) at a cantilever (12) of a work machine (10), the rotating device comprising: an attachment (26) connected to the cantilever (12); a flange member (28) rotatably supported at the attachment member (26) and configured for mounting the work implement (16); and a rotation drive (32) for rotational movement of the flange member (28), characterized in that... A safety protection mechanism (18) for preventing the unintentional loosening of the flange component (28) and the falling of the working tool (16) has at least one restraining element (48) that engages with the flange component (28) at a clearance below the clearance for the rotational movement and has a hook (54) that surrounds the flange component (28) at its outer contour.

2. The rotating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) has a base (52) fixed to the attachment part (26).

3. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) is shaped to fit into a component that is fixedly connected to or constructed at the flange component (28).

4. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Multiple constraint elements (48) are arranged to be distributed around the rotation axis (24) of the flange component (28) at angular intervals relative to each other.

5. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) moves from the release position to the friction position that brakes the rotational motion.

6. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) has a separately applied brake pad.

7. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flange component (28) is axially held at the rotary drive (32) by a connecting device (46), and the at least one constraint element (48) gradually engages as the load on the connecting device (46) increases.

8. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) is arranged to be adjustable in order to adjust the gap.

9. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rotary drive (32) is externally arranged on the inner bearing ring (36).

10. The rotating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the engaged state of the at least one constraint element (48), the force flow between the attachment part (26) and the flange part (28) is radially outward about the rotation axis (24).

11. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rotary drive (32) is configured as a worm gear transmission mechanism, wherein the worm gear transmission mechanism includes an externally toothed worm wheel (42).

12. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) is integrated into the transmission mechanism housing of the rotary drive (32).

13. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) is supported at the attachment part (26) by threaded fasteners.

14. The rotating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When at least one constraint element (48) of the safety protection mechanism (18) engages, a signal is emitted to notify the machine operator.

15. The rotating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The machine (10) is an excavator.

16. The rotating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flange component is configured to be rotatably supported at the attachment component (26).

17. The rotating device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) is arranged to be adjustable via a threaded connector (50) to adjust the gap.

18. The rotating device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The constraint element (48) is integrated into the transmission housing of the rotary drive (32) on the side opposite to the working machine (10).

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