Quick coupling and quick coupling system with such a quick coupling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quick-connector (1) for replacing attachments on construction machinery, comprising a bracket (7), a first receiving portion (8) arranged on one side of the bracket for a first connecting element (5), a second receiving portion (9) arranged on the other side of the bracket for a second connecting element (6), a locking device (11) associated with the first receiving portion (8), and a latching device (16) arranged on the bracket, the locking device being movable between a released position and a locked position, the latching device having at least one hook (11) pivotally arranged on the bracket for latching the attachment, a control element (21) arranged on the hook for pivoting the hook (16) independently of the locking device (11) between a downward flipped replacement and latching position and an upward flipped safety position. According to the invention, the hook (17) is pushed into its downward flipped replacement and latching position by spring assemblies (23, 24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a quick connector according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a quick connector system comprising such a quick connector and an associated adapter.

[0002] These quick-connect couplings are used to easily and conveniently change different attachments on construction machinery. Using such quick-connect couplings, attachments such as swing buckets, grapples, shears, compactors, magnets, hydraulic hammers, or other attachments can be attached to or detached from, for example, an excavator boom within seconds and with a high safety standard from the operator's cab. Background Technology

[0003] A general quick-connector is known from DE 10 2018 128 479 A1. This connector includes a bracket attachable to the boom of an excavator. The bracket has a first receiving portion on one side with a locking device movable between a released position and a locked position for retaining a first connecting element disposed on an attachment. The bracket has a second receiving portion on the other side for retaining a second connecting element spaced apart from the first connecting element. To prevent the attachment from falling and potentially endangering personnel safety if the locking device is accidentally moved to the released position, a latching device with two spaced-apart hooks is provided on the bracket. The hooks, completely independent of the locking device, can securely latch the attachment and prevent it from falling even in the event of any malfunction of the locking device. These hooks can pivot between a downward-tilted replacement and latching position and an upward-tilted safe position via a control element on one of the two connecting elements. Thus, movement of the hooks caused by the attachment can occur via the control element. No separate actuator is required. In known quick-connectors, the movement of the hooks to the downward-tilted replacement and latching position is achieved solely by gravity due to their own weight. However, in certain locations of the quick coupler, this can cause problems during the replacement process in some cases. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of this invention is to provide a compact quick coupler of the above type and a quick coupling system having such a quick coupler, which enables a safe replacement process with high precision and improved operability regardless of the position of the quick coupler.

[0005] This task is accomplished by a quick connector having the features of claim 1 and a quick connection system having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and further advantageous solutions of the invention are pointed out in the dependent claims.

[0006] In the quick coupler according to the invention, the latching device has at least one hook pivotally arranged on a bracket, on which a control element is arranged for pivoting the hook independently of the locking device between a downward-tilted replacement and latching position and an upward-tilted safe position. The hook is pushed into its downward-tilted replacement and latching position by a reset device arranged on the bracket. This ensures that the hook is reliably in its downward-tilted replacement and latching position regardless of the position of the quick coupler when the attachment is not yet connected. In the downward-tilted replacement and latching position of the hook, the attachment can be replaced by being properly placed on the ground, and if necessary, the connecting element can be held on the quick coupler by engaging it with the hook and latching it in the latching position, while in the upward-tilted safe position, the hook surrounds the receiving portion for the connecting element. The tilting of the hook allows for a particularly compact design, which greatly reduces the risk of potential collision with the attachment. The pivoting movement of the hook is controlled independently of the actuation of the locking device by the connecting element to be connected to the quick coupler. No additional control or actuation device is required. Damaged clips due to improper use can be easily replaced without replacing the entire bracket. No disassembly or replacement of the entire bracket is required.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the reset device is designed as a spring assembly. It may include a bolt-shaped pressure element associated with a latch and preloaded by a pressure spring. The bolt-shaped pressure element may be arranged in a hole in a bracket and presses against the lower side of a control element on the latch via its upper end.

[0008] The control element for moving the hook between a downward flipped replacement and snap-fit ​​position and an upward flipped safety position can be advantageously designed as a nose-shaped actuator protruding from the hook and arranged in the area of ​​the second receiving portion.

[0009] The locking device may include one or more hooks that are separate from or connected to each other. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking device may have two hooks arranged on the support at a distance from each other. The hooks are preferably arranged on a second receiving portion of the support. The hooks may be actuated together or independently of each other.

[0010] In a stable design, the hooks can be arranged in the central slots of two connecting rods extending rearward from the bracket, allowing them to pivot about a transverse axis.

[0011] A particularly secure hold can be achieved by using a hook that surrounds the connecting element in a semi-circular manner. The hook may have an abutment surface on its underside for contacting the front contact surface of the bracket.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a quick-connect device, which includes the aforementioned quick-connector and an adapter that can be connected to the quick-connector. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment based on the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of a quick-connect system with quick connectors and adapters;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a quick connector;

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the quick coupler, wherein the snap-fit ​​device is in the open replacement position; and

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the quick connector, wherein the snap-fit ​​device is in the closed snap-fit ​​position. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a quick-connect system is shown, which is used for easy and convenient replacement of various attachments on construction machinery, particularly excavators. The quick-connect system consists of a quick-connector 1 and an associated adapter 2. For example, this quick-connect system can be used to easily and conveniently connect or disconnect swing buckets, grapples, shears, magnets, compactors, hydraulic hammers, or other mechanical or hydraulic attachments to or from the boom or other mounted components of excavators or other construction vehicles, away from the operator's cab.

[0019] The adapter 2, which can be attached to the accessory, includes a base plate 3 and two parallel side plates 4. A bolt-shaped first connecting element 5 and a bolt-shaped second connecting element 6, spaced apart by a predetermined distance, are arranged between the two side plates 4 for detachable connection to the quick connector 1. These two bolt-shaped connecting elements can be inserted into corresponding holes in the side plates 4 and secured therein.

[0020] Also there Figure 2 The quick connector 1 shown in the perspective diagram includes a bracket 7 designed as a welded structure or casting. The bracket 7 has a first receiving portion 8 with a downward opening on one side and a second receiving portion 9 with a forward opening on the other side. The first receiving portion 8 is used to receive and retain a bolt-shaped first connecting element 5, and the second receiving portion 9 is used to receive and retain a bolt-shaped second connecting element 6.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the quick connector 1 includes two spaced-apart receiving portions 8 on one side of the bracket 7 for a first connecting element 5 and two receiving portions 9 on the other side for a second connecting element 6. The downward-opening first receiving portion 8 has a curved lower contact surface 10 for contacting the bolt-shaped first connecting element 5. The forward-opening second receiving portions 9 are claw-shaped or fork-shaped.

[0022] It is possible Figure 1 The locking device 11 seen in the diagram is disposed on two first receiving portions 8 for lockably retaining the first connecting element 5 on the bracket 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device 11, movable between a released position and a locked position, includes two bolt-shaped locking elements 12, which are displaceably guided within the bracket 7 and can be engaged by a cylinder 13. Figure 1 The extended locking position shown is the same as Figure 3 The device moves between the retracted release positions shown to release or engage the adapter 2 or accessory. In the extended locking position, the downward-opening first receiving portion 8 is closed at the bottom by the locking element 12, which is displaceably arranged in a guide hole in the bracket 7 such that the bolt-shaped first connecting element 5 engages with the bolt-shaped locking element 12 from below.

[0023] The bracket 7 includes two parallel sides 14 on its upper side, with continuous openings 15 in the sides 14 for fastening bolts (not shown) for fastening the quick coupler 1 to the boom of an excavator or other construction vehicle.

[0024] To connect the attachment using the quick coupler 1, the quick coupler 1, which is normally arranged on the excavator arm, is first moved in such a way that the second connecting element 6, which is arranged on the adapter 2 or directly on the attachment, is retracted into the claw-shaped or fork-shaped receiving portion 9 located on one side of the quick coupler 1. Then, with the locking element 12 still retracted, the quick coupler 1 is pivoted about the bolt-shaped second connecting element 6 in such a way that the first connecting element 5 on the adapter or attachment comes into contact with the contact surface 10 of the downwardly opening receiving portion 8 located on the other side of the quick coupler 1. Subsequently, the locking element 12, which is displaceably arranged in the guide hole in the bracket 7 of the quick coupler 1, extends hydraulically, such that the bolt-shaped first connecting element 5 is clamped below by the two bolt-shaped locking elements 12 on the quick coupler 1, and the attachment is thus held on the quick coupler 1.

[0025] To prevent the accessory connected to the quick coupler 1 from detaching from the quick coupler 1 and potentially falling out of the quick coupler 1 in the raised position due to unintentional disengagement of the locking element caused by incorrect operation or malfunction, an additional locking device 16 is provided on the bracket 7. The locking device 16 is designed to clamp the second connecting element 6 arranged on the adapter 2 or accessory and engage with the second receiving portion 9. The locking device 16 is designed such that, in the event of unintentional release from the connected position, the accessory is locked in the locked position by engaging the second connecting element 6 with the locking device 16, thereby remaining on the quick coupler.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device 16 includes two separate hooks 17 that are not rigidly arranged on the bracket 2 of the quick coupler 1, but are hinged to the bracket 1 via a hinge to pivot about a transverse axis 18. The two hooks 17 are arranged on two receiving portions 9 and are designed to hold the second connecting element 6 on the adapter 2 or accessory, and to lock the accessory in a locked position in the event that the locking element 12 is unintentionally moved to the release position, through engagement of the second connecting element 6 with the hooks 16. The pivoting arrangement allows the hooks 17 to be used in a manner that allows for replacement operations. Figure 3 The downward-flipping replacement and snap-fit ​​position shown corresponds to the closed second receiving part 9. Figure 4 Move between the indicated upward-flipping safety positions. Figure 4 In the raised safety position shown, the two second receiving parts 9 are completely closed by the hooks 17.

[0027] Especially from Figure 2 As can be seen, the bracket 7 includes two connecting rods 19 that extend rearward and are spaced apart from each other. Two hooks 17 are hinged to the connecting rods 19 so that they can pivot about the transverse axis 18 under any circumstances. Each of the connecting rods 19, which is arranged on the bracket 7, below the second receiving portion 9, and extends rearward, includes a central groove 20 in which the hooks 17 are pivotally arranged under any circumstances.

[0028] exist Figure 3 and 4 As can be clearly seen, a control element 21 designed for actuation by the second connecting element 6 is also provided on the hook 17. The control element 21, designed as a nose-shaped actuator, is configured such that, in the downward flipped position of the hook 17, it protrudes inward relative to the inner contour of the second receiving portion 9, while in the upward flipped safe position of the hook 16, it engages in the groove-shaped recess 22 on the second receiving portion 9, where its inner contour terminates, as shown in the image. Figure 2 As shown. When the second connecting element 6 engages with the second receiving part 9, the control element 21 allows the hook 17 to pass through the second connecting element 6 from... Figure 3The downward-flipping replacement and latch position are moved to... Figure 4 The safety position is shown as flipped upwards. When the second connecting element 6 is correctly positioned in the latch 17, the control element 21 also ensures that the latch 17 can only move to the replacement and latching position where a replacement operation can be performed. Both latches 17 are also pushed to the replacement and latching position by a reset device.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the reset device is designed as a spring assembly. It has a bolt-shaped pressure element 24 associated with each hook 17 and pre-tensioned by a pressure spring 23, which pushes the hook 17 into its downward-flipped replacement and snap-fit ​​position. The bolt-shaped pressure element 24 is arranged in a corresponding inclined hole 25 in the bracket 7 and abuts against the lower side of the nose-shaped control element 21 by its upper end. However, the reset device can also be designed differently.

[0030] The hooks 17 are designed such that they surround the second connecting element 6 in a semi-circular manner of approximately 180°. This allows for particularly secure retention of the quick coupler 1 in any position. In the upward-flipped safe position of the hooks 17, the receiving portion 9 is completely surrounded from behind by the hooks 17. In this upward-flipped safe position, the hooks 17 do not extend excessively from the bracket 7, resulting in a compact design and significantly reducing the risk of potential collision with accessories. Even if the connecting element 6 disengages from the receiving portion 9 and is engaged by the hooks 17, the shape of the hooks 17 ensures secure retention.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the latch 17 has an abutment surface 26 on its lower side surface, which contacts the front contact surface 27 below the receiving portion 9 of the bracket 7. In its downwardly pivoted open position, the latch 17 rests with its abutment surface 26 against the contact surface 27 of the bracket 7, thus holding the latch 17 in this lower replacement and locking position. In its upwardly raised secure position, the upper contact surface 28 of the latch 17 rests against the corresponding opposing surface 29 of the bracket 7.

[0032] The aforementioned latching device 16 represents an additional safety device that allows the accessory to be securely latched and held even if the locking device is unintentionally released. The latching device 16 is independent of and not connected to the locking device 11.

[0033] List of reference numerals

[0034] 1 Quick Connector

[0035] 2 adapters

[0036] 3 substrate

[0037] 4 side panels

[0038] 5 First connecting element

[0039] 6 Second connecting element

[0040] 7 supports

[0041] 8 First Reception Department

[0042] 9 Second Reception Department

[0043] 10 Contact Surface

[0044] 11 Locking device

[0045] 12 Locking elements

[0046] 13 cylinders

[0047] 14 Side

[0048] 15 Openings

[0049] 16. Clip-on device

[0050] 17 Hooks

[0051] 18 Horizontal axis

[0052] 19 Connecting rod

[0053] 20 slots

[0054] 21 Control Components

[0055] 22 recess

[0056] 23. Compression Spring

[0057] 24 Pressure Components

[0058] 25 holes

[0059] 26 contact surface

[0060] 27 Contact Surface

[0061] 28 Upper contact surface

[0062] 29 Relative surfaces

Claims

1. A quick-connector (1) for replacing attachments on construction machinery, the quick-connector (1) comprising a bracket (7), a first receiving portion (8) disposed on one side of the bracket (7) for a first connecting element (5), a second receiving portion (9) disposed on the other side of the bracket (7) for a second connecting element (6), a locking device (11) associated with the first receiving portion (8) and movable between a release position and a locking position, and a latching device (16) disposed on the bracket (7), the latching device (16) having at least one hook (17) pivotally disposed on the bracket (7) for latching the attachment, wherein, A control element (21) is arranged on the hook (17) for pivoting the hook (17) independently of the locking device (11) between a downward flipped replacement and snap position and an upward flipped safety position. The hook (17) is characterized by being pushed into its downward flipped replacement and snap position by a reset device (23, 24), the reset device (23, 24) comprising a bolt-shaped pressure element (24) associated with the hook (17) and biased by a pressure spring (23), the bolt-shaped pressure element (24) being arranged in a hole (25) of the bracket (7) and pressing against the lower side of the control element (21) on the hook (17) by its upper end.

2. The quick connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reset devices (23, 24) are designed as spring assemblies.

3. The quick connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control element (21) is designed as a nose-shaped actuator that protrudes from the hook (17) and is arranged in the area of ​​the second receiving part (9).

4. The quick connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The latching device (16) has two hooks (17) arranged on the bracket (7) at a certain distance from each other.

5. The quick connector (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hook (17) is arranged on the second receiving part (9) of the bracket (7).

6. The quick connector (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The hook (17) is pivotally arranged about a transverse axis (18) in the central groove (20) of two connecting rods (19) extending rearward from the bracket (7).

7. The quick connector (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, A groove-shaped recess (22) is provided on the second receiving part (9), which is used to receive the control element (21) in the upward flipped safe position of the hook (17).

8. The quick connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The hook (17) is designed to surround the second connecting element (6) in a semi-circular manner.

9. The quick connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The hook (17) has an abutment surface (26) on its lower side for contacting the contact surface (27) of the bracket (7).

10. A quick-connect device comprising a quick-connector (1) and an adapter (2) capable of being connected to said quick-connector (1), characterized in that, The quick connector is the quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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