Swivel, rotation or tilt-rotator device for connection to a carrier device

Abstract

The invention relates to a swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device for connection to a carrier device and an attachment, wherein the carrier device has at least one, in particular at least two hydraulic circuits for connection to the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device, and the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device preferably has a coupling device for the attachment, and wherein the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device has at least two swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions, wherein a control device for the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions is provided, and wherein the control device has at least two mutually independent control variants. The invention further comprises a carrier device with at least two hydraulic circuits for connection to a swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pivoting, rotating, or tiltrotator device for connection to a carrier device and an attachment according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a carrier device with such a pivoting, rotating, or tiltrotator device. The pivoting, rotating, or tiltrotator device can, in particular, be a tiltrotator.

[0002] Tiltrotators, or tiltrotators, are commonly used to connect to carrier equipment such as excavators, via which excavator attachments are then connected to an excavator arm. Tiltrotators enable an attachment to both pivot around a pivot axis and rotate around a rotation axis.

[0003] For example, from US 2011 / 0264336 A1, a tiltrotator is known, wherein a hydraulic cylinder is provided for movement around a pivot axis, which is arranged in the outer area of ​​the tiltrotator.

[0004] From DE 20 2011 100 482 U1, another rotary swivel drive for excavator attachments is known, wherein a swivel drive means for swiveling about a swivel axis has a swivel drive shaft and a longitudinally displaceable piston and a rotary drive means with a worm shaft is provided for rotating about a rotation axis.

[0005] In addition, a coupling device for an excavator attachment for coupling the excavator attachment to an excavator arm is previously known from EP 2 787 125 B1.

[0006] From DE 10 2022 117 908 A1 an add-on compressor is known to which a carrier device can be coupled, comprising a housing, an unbalance generator and an attachment tool, wherein the attachment tool can be releasably fixed to the housing, wherein a device for controlling the compressor functions is provided, which device can be controlled both hydraulically and electrically.

[0007] It is known that tiltrotators are equipped and available with various tiltrotator functions.

[0008] The object of the invention is to make the control of the various swivel, rotation or tilt rotator device functions more convenient.

[0009] The object of the invention is now achieved by a pivoting, rotating, or tilt-rotator device having the features of claim 1 and a carrier device having the features of claim 8. Advantageous further developments are set forth in the subclaims.

[0010] Swivel, rotary, or tilt-rotator devices according to the invention can be designed, in particular, as tiltrotators, but also as swivel or rotary units. The swivel, rotary, or tilt-rotator device can be detachably coupled to the attachment or be permanently attached to it. "Permanent" means that separation and, for example, replacement of the attachment and the swivel, rotary, or tilt-rotator device is not provided for as standard during operation. Such devices are referred to, for example, as permanently attached tiltrotators if they provide both a swivel and a rotary function.

[0011] Swivel, rotary or tilt rotator devices can be designed with simple equipment so that the operation of the coupling device on the swivel, rotary or tilt rotator device for an excavator attachment is carried out mechanically, whereby the coupling device for the attachment has no hydraulic function.

[0012] According to an alternative design, in addition to the “swivel” and “rotate” functions also provided in the simple equipment, the function of operating the coupling device for the attachment can also be provided hydraulically.

[0013] A further alternative embodiment provides that the control of the swivel, rotation or tilt rotator device functions “swivel” and “rotate” of the swivel, rotation or tilt rotator device as well as the opening and closing of the coupling device for the attachment and finally also the functions of the hydraulic attachment can be controlled.

[0014] Such control is achieved by activating the hydraulic valve that operates the functions, preferably by the driver or operator of the carrier device using an electronic control variant. However, it is also generally conceivable for the control to be performed not by a driver of a carrier device, but by another, even external, operator.

[0015] The problem is that a typical carrier device only has two hydraulic circuits available, but these must operate more than two functions of the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotation device if a variant beyond the simple variant is to be implemented.

[0016] It is known to provide a control system via solenoid valves, which allows switching of the hydraulic circuits to the various tilt, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions via a hydraulic valve installed on the tilt, rotation, or tilt-rotator device. For example, the rotation function can be mapped and supplied via the "Grapple / Rotation" hydraulic circuit of the carrier device, and the "Hammer / Shears" hydraulic circuit can supply both the "tilt" function and the "opening and closing of the coupling device," as well as the function of the attachment, if applicable.

[0017] The swivel, rotation or swivel rotator device of the invention comprises, in addition to a coupling device for connecting to a carrier device according to one embodiment, also a coupling device for an attachment, wherein the carrier device to be connected to the swivel, rotation or swivel rotator device has in particular at least two hydraulic circuits.

[0018] Alternatively, a detachable connection of the swivel, rotation or tilt rotator device to the attachment is also possible, which is not made via a coupling device that can be released during operation, but is provided as a fixed connection.

[0019] The swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device therefore has at least one, preferably at least two hydraulic inputs that can be connected to the hydraulic circuits of the carrier device. If more or fewer hydraulic circuits are provided on the carrier device, it may be preferable for the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device to also have more or fewer hydraulic inputs. Preferably, the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device has the same number of hydraulic inputs as the carrier device has hydraulic outputs or hydraulic circuits.

[0020] A control device is provided on the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device for the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions, with the hydraulic valve of the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device being switched between the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions via a solenoid valve. The swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions are preferably: "rotation," "swivel," "clutch opening / closing," and / or "hydraulic attachment functions."

[0021] According to the invention, at least two different and independent control variants are provided on the control device. Three or more independent control variants are also conceivable. Control variants can include electrical switching, electro-hydraulic or hydraulic switching, or combinations thereof.

[0022] The control device comprises a hydraulic valve, wherein a hydraulic valve is also to be understood as a functional combination of several hydraulic valves, which can be operated via at least one electromagnetic valve and via at least one mechanical device, wherein the electromagnetic valve represents the first control variant and the mechanical device represents the second control variant.

[0023] The provision of two independent control variants, namely via at least one solenoid valve and via at least one mechanical device, offers the particular advantage that emergency control is possible even in the event of a failure, should one of the solenoid valves or one of the other components fail.

[0024] This also allows use with carrier devices that are not equipped for electronic control via the solenoid valves.

[0025] In particular, emergency control can be implemented particularly reliably with a second or additional control variant designed as a mechanical control. In this case, it is possible to switch to a manual control variant.

[0026] Alternatively, at least two independent electronic, hydraulic and / or electro-hydraulic control variants are also conceivable.

[0027] The provision of two independent control variants increases operational reliability. This prevents the machine from failing, allowing continued work, or even allowing work to be carried out with carrier devices that do not support electronic control. Downtime during construction or during machine use can be minimized, and flexibility is increased.

[0028] The hydraulic valve is designed to include a multi-way ball valve and / or be connected to it, particularly via supply lines. Such a multi-way ball valve offers a particularly simple switching option. This allows switching between the individual functions, for example, switching the tiltrotator function "rotate" from the "grab / rotate" hydraulic circuit to the "hammer / shears" hydraulic circuit.

[0029] The multi-way ball valve can be used as a mechanical control option. Plug-in couplings, where hydraulic hoses are reconnected, and / or ball-point valves are also conceivable.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the hydraulic valve can be a black-and-white valve or proportional valve.

[0031] A proportional valve is a type of hydraulic valve technology in which the flow rate is distributed among various functions, usually via a supply circuit, i.e., a hydraulic circuit. With such a hydraulic valve, the various control options, including emergency operation, can also be combined via two independent control variants, one of which is preferably mechanical, using a mechanical device, for example, in the form of the multi-port ball valve mentioned above.

[0032] The mechanical control variant is particularly suitable if the carrier device is not equipped with a corresponding electrical / electronic control option.

[0033] In addition to the described swivel, rotation or swivel rotator device, a carrier device connected to such a device is also the subject of the invention.

[0034] In addition to the two hydraulic circuits of the carrier device specifically mentioned, there are also carrier devices that are part of the invention, in which the invention can be implemented, that are equipped with rail technology, wherein preferably a total of at least three hydraulic circuits are provided, which can be tapped off from the carrier device and connected to, in particular, three hydraulic connections of the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device. Such carrier devices can also be operated or equipped with the above-mentioned design for controlling the swivel, rotation, or tilt-rotator device functions via at least two different, independent control variants.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0036] The single figure shows a tilting, rotating, or tilt-rotating device, here a tiltrotator, which is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10. The tiltrotator has hydraulic connections (not shown) that can be connected to the hydraulic circuits of a carrier device (not shown).

[0037] The tiltrotator 10 has a coupling device (not shown) on its top, which is preferably designed as a quick-change coupling, via which the hydraulic inputs of the tiltrotator 10 are connected to the hydraulic circuits of the carrier device. Alternatively, permanently mounted tiltrotators are also possible.

[0038] Furthermore, the hydraulic connections can be coupled to an attachment. The hydraulics can be used to drive the rotation of the tiltrotator 10, as well as the pivoting movement of the tiltrotator and to open a coupling device 12 for an attachment.

[0039] A hydraulic valve 16 is provided on the top side 14 of the tiltrotator 10 in the operating position. The hydraulic valve 16 enables switching of the hydraulic flows in such a way that the various tiltrotator functions of the tiltrotator 10 can be controlled. However, a different arrangement of the hydraulic valve is also conceivable, i.e., a position different from the top side in the operating position. The hydraulic valve 16 can preferably be arranged in the area of ​​the tiltrotator 10, which faces the carrier device. In this case, spatial proximity to the hydraulic connections of the carrier device is advantageous.

[0040] The hydraulic valve 16 is controlled via at least two different independent control variants, namely, on the one hand, via electromagnetic control means, in particular electromagnetic valves, which are preferably connected to a corresponding control device in a cabin of the carrier device and thereby enable switching of the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device functions from the cabin of the carrier device.

[0041] A multi-way ball valve is also provided. This is designed as a mechanical control variant. In addition to the control variant from a cab of the carrier device, this also allows for mechanical switching. For this purpose, a switching lever is provided, which is not shown here.

[0042] As explained above, it is possible for the solenoid valve to be integrated into the multi-way ball valve or to be connected to it as a separate component, with the mechanical control variant also being provided. In this way, at least two independent control variants can be implemented.

[0043] The provision of a mechanical control variant offers the advantage that, on the one hand, such a tiltrotator 10 with function switching can also be used with carrier devices that do not support control from the carrier device's cab. On the other hand, emergency control can also be implemented in the event of a failure of corresponding systems, or in particular the electromagnets. Downtimes and construction interruptions can thus be largely avoided.

[0044] It is possible for the multi-way ball valve to be integrated into the hydraulic valve 16. Alternatively, it is also possible for the multi-way ball valve to be located externally or separately from the hydraulic valve 16 and connected to the hydraulic valve 16 via supply hoses.

[0045] The problem described above can be solved in the manner described above.

Claims

[1] A swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device for connection to a carrier device and an attachment, wherein the carrier device has at least one hydraulic circuit, in particular at least two hydraulic circuits, for connection to the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device (10), and the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device (10) preferably has a coupling device (12) for the attachment, and wherein the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device (10) has at least two swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device functions, wherein a control device for the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device functions is provided, and wherein the control device has at least two mutually independent control variants, characterized bythat the control device comprises a hydraulic valve (16) and the hydraulic valve (16) can be controlled via at least one electromagnetic valve as a first control variant and via at least one mechanical device as a second control variant, wherein the hydraulic valve (16) comprises and / or is coupled to a multi-way ball valve which is designed as a mechanical control variant. [2] Swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device according to claim 1, characterized by that the hydraulic valve (16) is a proportional valve or a black-and-white valve. [3] Swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first control variant is prioritized over the second control variant. [4] Swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the mechanical device is designed as an emergency control. [5] Swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a coupling device for the carrier device is provided on an upper side (14) in the position of use or on a side of the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotator device (10) pointing in the direction of a carrier device, wherein this is in particular a quick coupling, and wherein a coupling device (12) for the attachment device is preferably provided on an underside of the swivel, rotation or swivel-rotation device in the position of use. [6] Swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the swivel, rotation or swivel rotator device (10) has at least two hydraulic inputs which can be connected to the hydraulic circuits of the carrier device. [7] Swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device according to claim 6, characterized by that the control device includes the hydraulic inputs or is fluidly connected to them. [8] Carrier device with at least two hydraulic circuits for connection to a swivel, rotary or swivel rotator device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Carrier device according to claim 8, characterized by that the carrier device has a rail device for the hydraulic connections of the hydraulic circuits.

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