Quick change system for changing an attachment on a working machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a quick-change system for replacing an attachment on a working machine, which quick-change system comprises a carrier part (1), a quick-change coupler (3) rotatable relative to the carrier part (1) about an axis of rotation (2), a hydraulic swivel joint (12, 13) arranged in the carrier part (1) for conveying a working fluid to the quick-change coupler (3). According to the invention, the quick-change system comprises an electric swivel joint (29) having a stator (30) fixedly arranged relative to the quick-change coupler (3) and a connection device (31, 32) rotatable relative to the stator (30), which connection device has a plug-in mechanism (35, 36, 39, 40) for mechanical and electrical connection with the quick-change coupler (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick replacement system for replacing additional equipment on engineering machinery, as described in the preamble of claim 1. Background Technology

[0002] This type of quick-change system for the simple and convenient replacement of different auxiliary equipment on engineering machinery is known from DE 10 2020 118 938. The quick-change system includes: a carrier component; a quick-change unit rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the carrier component; and a hydraulic rotary joint arranged in the carrier component for supplying working fluid to the quick-change unit rotatable relative to the carrier component. Through this hydraulic rotary joint, working fluid can be supplied to the drive elements in the quick-change unit and to the auxiliary equipment connected to the quick-change unit for operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide a quick-change system of the type described at the beginning, which also enables an easily assembled and easily maintained electrical connection between a carrier component and a quick-change device rotatable relative to the carrier component for the transmission of electrical energy, signals, or data.

[0004] This objective is achieved by a quick-change system having the features described in claim 1. Suitable designs and advantageous improvements of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0005] In addition to the hydraulic rotary joint configured to deliver working fluid to the quick-change unit, the quick-change system according to the invention also includes an electrical rotary joint for transmitting electrical energy, electrical control signals, or data between a carrier component and a quick-change unit rotatable relative to the carrier component. This electrical rotary joint has a stator fixed relative to the quick-change unit and a connecting device rotatable relative to the stator, the connecting device having a plug-in mechanism for mechanical and electrical connection with the quick-change unit. Unlike conventional electro-rotary transmitters or slip rings (in which the rotor of the electro-rotary transmitter or slip ring is connected to the rotating component via fixed wiring) typically used for transmitting electrical power or signals between a stationary component and a rotating component, in the quick-change system according to the invention, the upper portion of the electrical rotary joint can be simply fitted for installation without complex wiring work via the plug-in mechanism, and can be quickly and easily removed when needed for maintenance purposes. This is a significant advantage for quick-change systems where the required wiring for transmitting electrical power or signals is typically difficult to access.

[0006] In a particularly suitable embodiment, the connecting device rotatable relative to the stator of the electric rotary joint can consist of a first connecting member rotatably supported in the stator and a second connecting member connected to the first connecting member via a plug-in mechanism. However, the connecting device can also consist of only one component, which can be arranged in the stator via a plug-in mechanism.

[0007] A simple and suitable insertion mechanism can consist of an inner receiving portion with internal contacts in a first connector and a connecting pin on a second connector that mates with the receiving portion, the second connector having an outer conductive ring for abutting against the internal contacts of the first connector. Alternatively, the insertion mechanism can also consist of an inner receiving portion with internal contacts in the second connector and a connecting pin on the first connector that mates with the receiving portion, the first connector having an outer contact ring for abutting against the internal contacts of the second connector.

[0008] The second connector may include a tubular base having a connecting pin with an outer conductive ring at its first end and a flattened portion at its second end for securing the connector to the quick-change device in a non-rotatable manner. A wire connected to the conductive ring and guided to the second end of the base may be arranged within the tubular base of the second connector.

[0009] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the rotatable second connector of the electric rotary joint can be arranged in the central through-hole of the rotating internal part of the hydraulic rotary joint.

[0010] Preferably, the rotatable second connector of the electric rotary joint is arranged between the control block located on the upper side of the carrier and the connecting block in the quick changer. Suitably, the stator with the first connector rotatable relative to the stator can be mounted on the base plate of the control block, which is arranged on the upper side of the carrier component.

[0011] Suitablely, the stator of the electric rotary joint may have a plug portion for a multi-pole connection plug.

[0012] According to another advantageous design, the carrier housing of the carrier component can be provided with journals facing each other along its diameter for supporting the carrier housing in a swingable manner on the excavator-side connector. Thus, in addition to the rotation axis, the quick changer can also swing about a swing axis orthogonal to the rotation axis, and the auxiliary equipment connected to the quick changer can not only rotate about the rotation axis but also additionally swing relative to the connector about a swing axis orthogonal to the rotation axis. This expands the range of motion and application. However, the carrier component can also be fixedly arranged on the excavator-side connector without additional swing freedom, so that the quick changer can only rotate relative to the connector about the rotation axis. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0014] Figure 1 A perspective view shows a quick-change system with a carrier component, a quick-change unit, and a control block.

[0015] Figure 2 Shown in cross-section Figure 1 A quick system replacement;

[0016] Figure 3 A portion of an electric rotary joint is shown in a front view. The electric rotary joint has a stator and a first connecting member that can rotate relative to the stator.

[0017] Figure 4 Show along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of line FF;

[0018] Figure 5 The second connector of the electric rotary joint is shown in perspective.

[0019] Figure 6 A first embodiment of the rotor is shown in perspective, having a first connecting member rotatable relative to the rotor;

[0020] Figure 7 Shown in front view Figure 6 First embodiment;

[0021] Figure 8 A second embodiment of the rotor is shown in perspective, having a first connecting member rotatable relative to the rotor; and

[0022] Figure 9 Shown in front view Figure 8 The second embodiment.

[0023] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0024] 1. Carrier component

[0025] 2. Rotation axis

[0026] 3 Quick Change

[0027] 4. Carrier shell

[0028] 5 Control Block

[0029] 6. Quick-change housing

[0030] 7 Support ring

[0031] 8 bearings

[0032] 9 Gear Ring

[0033] 10. Drive worm gear

[0034] 11 Drive Motor

[0035] 12. Stationary part of the hydraulic rotary joint

[0036] 13 Rotatable parts of a hydraulic rotary joint

[0037] 14. Center through hole

[0038] 15 Matrix

[0039] 16. Maintain flange

[0040] 17 Through Hole

[0041] 18 Lower end face

[0042] 19 journals

[0043] 20 stents

[0044] 21. Swing axis

[0045] 22 First Reception Department

[0046] 23 Second Reception Department

[0047] 24 Locking elements

[0048] 25 Control elements

[0049] 26 Anti-fall hooks

[0050] 27 substrate

[0051] 28 Control valve

[0052] 29 Electric rotary joint

[0053] 30 Stator of the electric rotary joint

[0054] 31 First Connector

[0055] 32 Second connector

[0056] 33 Connecting Block

[0057] 34 Matrix

[0058] 35 Connecting pin

[0059] 36 Conductive rings

[0060] 37 Flattened part

[0061] 38 wires

[0062] 39 Reception Department

[0063] 40 contacts

[0064] 41 Connecting flange

[0065] 42 connecting pins

[0066] 43 Connector Detailed Implementation

[0067] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of a quick-change system is shown, the quick-change system having a carrier component 1 and a quick-change device 3 rotatable relative to the carrier component 1 about a rotation axis 2 for automatically connecting additional equipment. The carrier component 1 has a carrier housing 4 and a control block 5 arranged on the carrier housing 4.

[0068] For example from Figure 2 As shown in the cross-sectional view, the quick changer 3 includes a quick changer housing 6, which has an upper support ring 7. The quick changer 3 is rotatably supported by the upper support ring via a bearing 8 within the downwardly open carrier housing 4 of the carrier component 1. The quick changer 3 can be rotated 360° relative to the carrier housing 4 about a vertical axis of rotation 2 by means of a gear ring 9 arranged on the support ring 7 and fixedly connected to the quick changer housing 6, and an electrically rotatable drive worm gear 10 arranged in the carrier housing 4. Figure 1 The drive motor 11, shown here as a hydraulic motor, rotates. A rotary drive device for rotating the quick changer 3 relative to the carrier component 1 is constituted by the gear ring 9, the drive worm 10, and the drive motor 11. A hydraulic rotary joint for conveying working fluid to the quick changer 3 is also arranged in the carrier housing 4 of the carrier component 1. This hydraulic rotary joint has a stationary portion 12, here designed as an outer component, and a rotatable portion 13, here designed as an inner component. Corresponding channels for conveying working fluid are constructed in a known manner on the inner side of the annular stationary portion 12 of the hydraulic rotary joint and on the outer side of the rotatable portion 13, which is guided within the stationary portion. A central through-hole 14 is also provided in the rotatable inner component 13 of the hydraulic rotary joint.

[0069] exist Figure 2As can be seen, the stationary portion 12 of the hydraulic rotary joint includes a hollow cylindrical base 15 and an annular upper retaining flange 16, which secures the stationary portion 12 to the carrier housing 4 in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical base 15 is adapted to the inner diameter of the through hole 17 in the carrier housing 4, thereby providing radial support to the stationary portion 12 relative to the carrier housing 4. This radial support to the stationary portion 12 relative to the carrier housing 4 is achieved not only in the upper region of the base 15 but also below the lower end face 18 of the gear ring 9, thus providing radial support to the stationary portion 12 of the hydraulic rotary joint relative to the carrier housing 4 over most of its length.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, two diameter-opposite journals 19 are fastened to the carrier housing 4. Furthermore, two diameter-opposite fork-shaped supports 20 for adjusting cylinders (not shown) are provided on the carrier housing 4. The carrier housing 4 is supported by the journals 19 in corresponding bearing shells of a connector that can be mounted on the excavator arm, and can be oscillated by adjusting cylinders fastened in the supports 20. With this type of quick-change system—also known as a tilting rotator—the additional equipment attached to the quick-change unit 3 can not only rotate about the rotation axis 2, but also additionally oscillate about the oscillation axis 21 orthogonal to the rotation axis 2, thereby expanding the range of motion and thus the range of applications. However, the carrier housing 4 can also be arranged on the excavator arm without additional oscillation freedom, so that the quick-change unit 3 can only rotate about the rotation axis 2 relative to the carrier component 1.

[0071] exist Figure 2 In the quick-change device 3 shown in the cross-sectional view, the quick-change device housing 6, which is designed as a welded structure or a casting, has a first receiving portion 22 that opens to one side on one side and a second receiving portion 23 that opens downward to the other side on the other side. The first receiving portion is used to receive and fix the first bolt-shaped connecting element, and the second receiving portion is used to receive and fix the second bolt-shaped connecting element.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the quick-change device 3 has two spaced-apart receiving portions 22 for front connecting elements on one side of the quick-change device housing 6, and two receiving portions 23 for rear connecting elements on the other side. The first receiving portion 22, which opens to one side, is designed in a claw or fork shape. The second receiving portion 23, which opens downwards to the other side, has a curved lower abutment surface for abutting against the bolt-shaped connecting element. A locking device is provided on the second receiving portion 23, which has two bolt-shaped locking elements 24 that are movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0073] Both of the bolt-shaped locking elements 24 are movably guided in corresponding guide holes within the quick-change housing 6, and can be accessed via... Figure 2 The hydraulically movable actuating element 25, visible in the image and referred to as an H-cylinder, is located in... Figure 2 The device moves between an unlocked position (used to disconnect or connect the adapter or attachment) and a locked position. In the locked position, the downward-opening second receiving portion 23 is closed on its underside by a locking element 24 movably arranged in the quick-change housing 6, thereby gripping the connecting element from below by the bolt-shaped locking element 24. A reversible fall arrestor hook 26 is arranged on the forward-opening first receiving portion 22 as a fall protection safety device to prevent the attachment from falling. Figure 2 It can also be seen that the control block 5 arranged on the carrier housing 4 of the carrier component 1 includes a base plate 27, which has a plurality of control valves 28 and other control elements arranged thereon.

[0074] To connect the auxiliary device using the quick-change unit 3, the quick-change unit 3 is first moved such that the front bolt-shaped connecting element, disposed on the adapter or directly on the auxiliary device, moves into the claw-shaped or fork-shaped receiving portion 22 located on the front side of the quick-change unit 3. Then, the quick-change unit 3, with the locking element 24 still in the retracted state, is swung around the front bolt-shaped connecting element such that the rear connecting element on the adapter or auxiliary device abuts against the abutting surface of the downwardly open receiving portion 23 located on the other side of the quick-change unit 3. Subsequently, for example, the locking element 24, movably disposed in the guide hole in the quick-change unit housing 6 of the quick-change unit 3, can be hydraulically disengaged, so that the rear bolt-shaped connecting element is gripped from below by the two locking elements 24 on the quick-change unit 3, thus holding the auxiliary device on the quick-change unit 3.

[0075] In addition to the hydraulic rotary joint (which has a stationary portion 12 and a rotatable portion 13) used to deliver working fluid to the quick changer 3, the quick change system described above also has an electric rotary joint 29, which is described in more detail below, for transmitting electrical energy, electrical control signals or data between the carrier component 1 and the quick changer 3, which is rotatable relative to the carrier component 1.

[0076] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4The separately shown electrical rotary joint 29 includes: a stator 30 fixedly disposed relative to the quick-change unit 3; a first connector 31 rotatable relative to the stator 30; and a second connector 32 non-rotatably electrically connected to the first connector 31 via a plug-in mechanism. Through the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 detachably connected to the first connector via the plug-in mechanism, an electrical connection can be easily established and easily disengaged between the carrier component 1 and the quick-change unit 3 rotatable relative to the carrier component 1. Therefore, the stator 30 with the first connector 31 supported therein can be simply placed onto the second connector 32 for installation and can be easily removed when needed for maintenance or replacement. The stator 30 with the first connector 31 rotatably disposed therein is arranged in the base plate 27 of the upper control block 5. Figure 2 The second connector 32 extends through the central through-hole 14 of the rotatable portion 13 of the hydraulic rotary joint to the lower connector block 33 arranged in the quick changer housing 6.

[0077] As from Figure 5 As shown in the document, the second connector 32, shown separately here, includes a tubular base 34. At one end of the tubular base is a connecting pin 35 with a plurality of outer conductive rings 36, and at the other end, on the outer side, is a flattened portion 37 for securing the second connector 32 to a connecting block 33 of the quick-change device 3 in a manner that prevents relative rotation. A wire 38 connected to the outer conductive rings 36 is disposed within the tubular base 34.

[0078] exist Figure 4 As can be seen in the cross-sectional view, the first connector 31 is designed as a sleeve and includes an inner receiving portion 39 with internal electrical contacts 40. The receiving portion 39 is designed to allow the connecting pin 35 of the second connector 32 to be inserted, and with the connecting pin 35 inserted, the outer conductive ring 36 contacts the internal electrical contacts 40 of the first connector 31. The connecting pin 35 with the outer conductive ring 36 and the inner receiving portion 39 with the internal electrical contacts 40 constitute a plug-in mechanism for electrical and mechanical connection between the two connectors 31 and 32.

[0079] For example from Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is understood that the stator 30 of the electric rotary joint has a connecting flange 41 and a plug portion 43 equipped with a connecting pin 42. The stator 30, with a first connecting member 31 rotatably arranged in the stator, is fastened to the base plate 27 of the upper control block 5 via the connecting flange 41. A fixed brush is provided inside the stator 30 in a manner known per se, the fixed brush being used to contact a corresponding conductive ring on the first connecting member 31 to establish an electrical connection between the connecting pin 42 and the internal contact 40 of the first connecting member 31.

[0080] exist Figure 8 and Figure 9 Another embodiment for a stator 30 with a rotatable connector 31 is shown. The main difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in the figure is that the insertion portion 43 is not arranged in a straight line, but rather at an angle. Apart from this, the structure of this embodiment is the same, and corresponding components are also provided with the same reference numerals.

Claims

1. A quick-change system for replacing auxiliary equipment on construction machinery, the quick-change system comprising: Carrier component (1); quick changer (3) rotatable about rotation axis (2) relative to carrier component (1); hydraulic rotary joint (12, 13) arranged in carrier component (1) for conveying working fluid to quick changer (3). Its features are, The quick-change system includes an electric rotary joint (29) having a stator (30) fixed relative to the quick-change device (3) and a connecting device (31, 32) rotatable relative to the stator (30), the connecting device having a plug-in mechanism (35, 36, 39, 40) for mechanical and electrical connection with the quick-change device (3).

2. The quick-change system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting device (31, 32) that can rotate relative to the stator (30) of the electric rotary joint (29) consists of a first connecting member (31) that is rotatably supported in the stator (30) and a second connecting member (32) that is connected to the first connecting member through a plug-in mechanism (35, 36, 39, 40).

3. The quick-change system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insertion mechanism (35, 36, 39, 40) consists of an inner receiving portion (39) with an internal contact (40) in the first connector (31) and a connecting pin (35) on the second connector (32) that engages with the receiving portion (39). The second connector has an outer conductive ring (36) for abutting against the internal contact (40) of the first connector (31).

4. The quick-change system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insertion mechanism (35, 36, 39, 40) consists of an inner receiving portion with internal contacts on the second connector (32) and a connecting pin on the first connector (31) that engages with the receiving portion. The first connector has an outer contact ring for abutting against the internal contacts of the second connector (32).

5. The quick-change system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The second connector (32) includes a tubular base (34) with a connecting pin (35) having an outer conductive ring (36) at its first end and a flattened portion (37) at its second end for securing the second connector (32) to the quick changer (3) in a manner that prevents relative rotation.

6. The quick-change system according to claim 5, characterized in that, A wire (38) connected to the conductive ring (36) and guided to the second end of the base (34) is arranged in the tubular base (34) of the second connector (32).

7. The quick-change system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The second connector (32) is arranged in the central through hole (14) of the rotatable internal part (13) of the hydraulic rotary joint (13, 14).

8. The quick-change system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The second connector (32) is arranged between the control block (5) located on the upper side of the carrier (1) and the connecting block (33) in the quick changer (3).

9. The quick-change system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, A stator (30) with a first connector (31) that can rotate relative to the stator is mounted on a base plate (27) of a control block (5), which is arranged on the upper side of the carrier component (1).

10. The quick-change system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The stator (30) of the electric rotary joint (29) includes a plug-in portion (43).

11. The quick-change system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, On the carrier housing (4) of the carrier component (1), there are journals (19) arranged along the diameter opposite each other, for supporting the carrier housing (4) on the connecting member on the excavator side in a swingable manner.

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