Quick-change system and adapters for such a quick-change system

Abstract

Quick-change system for changing attachments on a construction machine, comprising a quick coupler (1) and an adapter (2) that can be coupled to the quick coupler (1), wherein the adapter (2) includes coupling elements (5, 6) arranged at a predetermined distance from each other between two side plates (4), and the quick coupler (1) includes a carrier (10), first receptacles (14) arranged on one side of the carrier (10) for receiving the first coupling element (5), second receptacles (15) arranged on the other side of the carrier (10) for receiving the second coupling element (6), and a locking device (16) with at least one locking element (17) movable by means of a drive (18, 21) between a release position and a locking position for locking the second bolt-shaped coupling element (6) on the second receptacles (15).characterized by a mechanical locking device (9) cooperating with the locking device (16) of the quick coupler (1), which includes at least one locking element (25) movable into a locking position for blocking the at least one locking element (17) in the locking position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a quick-change system according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an adapter for such a quick-change system.

[0002] Quick-change systems of this type are used for the easy and convenient exchange of different attachments on construction machinery. This allows, for example, tilting buckets, grapples, shears, compactors, magnets, hydraulic hammers, or other attachments to be coupled or uncoupled from the operator's cab, for example, on the boom of an excavator, in just a few seconds and with a high level of safety. They typically include an adapter on the attachment side and a quick coupler mounted on the construction machine. This quick coupler has, for example, claw-shaped receptacles on one side for holding a first coupling element on the adapter, and on the other side, second receptacles with at least one locking element that can be moved between a release position and a locking position for the releasable attachment of a second coupling element on the adapter.

[0003] A quick-change system of this type is known from DE 10 2018 128 479 A1. This system comprises a quick-changer which has claw-shaped first receptacles for a first coupling element on one side of a carrier and second receptacles on the other side of the carrier, each with at least one locking element movable between a release position and a locking position for the releasable retention of a second coupling element. An adapter belonging to the quick-changer has two bolt-shaped coupling elements arranged between parallel side carriages at a predetermined distance from each other for connecting the adapter to the quick-changer.

[0004] With such quick-change systems, the requirement is to prevent, as far as possible, the unintentional detachment of the adapter from the quick coupler due to operator error or a technical defect, in order to avoid the attachments falling and the resulting potential danger to people.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to create a quick-change system and an adapter for such a quick-change system, in which unintentional detachment of the adapter from a quick-changer can be avoided and safety can thereby be increased.

[0006] This problem is solved by a quick-change system with the features of claim 1 and by an adapter with the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] The quick-change system according to the invention for changing attachments on a construction machine comprises a quick coupler and an adapter that can be coupled to the quick coupler, wherein the adapter includes coupling elements arranged between two side walls at a predetermined distance from each other, and the quick coupler includes a carrier, first receptacles arranged on one side of the carrier for receiving the first coupling element, second receptacles arranged on the other side of the carrier for receiving the second coupling element, and a locking device with at least one locking element movable by means of a drive between a release position and a locking position for locking the second bolt-shaped coupling element on the second receptacles.The quick-change system is characterized by a mechanical locking device that interacts with the locking device of the quick-changer and includes at least one locking element that can be moved into a locking position to block the at least one locking element in the locking position.

[0008] The additional locking mechanism allows the locking device to be blocked in the locked position, reliably preventing unintentional movement of the locking device due to incorrect operation or a malfunction. This provides mechanical locking of the locking device in the locked position, independent of separate drives. In this way, it is prevented that an attachment correctly connected to the quick coupler via the adapter will detach unintentionally. This prevents the risk of injury to persons or damage to property and significantly improves workplace safety.

[0009] In a suitable embodiment, the at least one locking element can have a U-shaped cross-section for engaging a piston rod of the locking device's drive, which is preferably designed as a piston-cylinder drive. This allows the locking element to engage a piston rod and be pushed between the carrier and a housing to prevent the locking elements from moving into a release position and the quick coupler from opening.

[0010] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the mechanical locking device can include two interconnected locking elements that are movable between the locking position for blocking two bolt-shaped locking elements in an extended locking position and a release position that allows the two bolt-shaped locking elements to be moved between the extended locking position and a retracted release position.

[0011] For the joint operation of the two locking elements, they can conveniently be connected to each other by a connecting rod.

[0012] The mechanical locking mechanism is preferably integrated into the adapter. However, it could also be located in the quick-change adapter or designed as a separate unit that can be used as needed.

[0013] The invention also relates to an adapter for a quick-change system for changing attachments on a construction machine, which includes coupling elements arranged between two side walls at a predetermined distance from each other for coupling to a quick coupler provided with a locking device and a mechanical locking device, which has at least one locking element movable on the inside of a side wall between a lowered release position and a raised locking position for blocking at least one locking element of the locking device.

[0014] In a particularly stable and secure design, the mechanical locking mechanism comprises two locking elements, preferably with a U-shaped cross-section, arranged on the inside of the two side walls and connected to each other, which can be moved manually between the lowered release position and the raised locking position.

[0015] The two locking elements are advantageously arranged on actuating elements that protrude through slot-shaped openings in the side walls and project outwards from the side walls. This allows the locking elements to be moved manually from the release to the locked position even if the adapter is not accessible from below due to a base plate or an attachment on the adapter. Furthermore, the position of the locking elements is readily visible from the outside via the actuating elements projecting outwards from the side walls.

[0016] At least one side panel may also be equipped with a locking device to secure the two locking elements in both the lowered release position and the raised locking position. The locking device may include a locking bolt that can be inserted through through-holes in at least one retaining lug on the side panel and a through-hole in the actuating element. The locking bolt may be secured by a locking pin.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a quick-change system with a quick coupler and an adapter in an unlocked position; Fig. 2 a cross-section of the quick-change system in the unlocked position of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a quick-change system with a quick coupler and an adapter in a secured position; Fig. 4 a cross-section of the quick-change system in the secured position of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 an adapter with a fuse in a lowered release position; Fig. 6 a detailed view A of the adapter from Fig. 5; Fig. 7 an adapter with a safety device in a raised safety position and Fig. 8 a detailed view B of the adapter from Fig. 7.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a quick-change system with a quick coupler 1 and an adapter 2 that can be coupled to the quick coupler 1 for easily changing attachments on vehicles, especially construction machinery, in a coupled position. With such a quick-change system, for example, tilting buckets, grapples, shears, magnets, compactors, hydraulic hammers, or other attachments can be easily and conveniently attached to or detached from a driver's cab on a boom or other attachment of a construction vehicle.

[0019] The adapter 2, which can be attached to or integrated into an attachment, comprises a support body consisting of a base plate 3 and two side plates 4, with two spaced-apart coupling elements 5 and 6. The coupling elements 5 and 6, which serve to connect to the quick coupler 1, are arranged between the two side plates 4, which are parallel to each other, perpendicular to the base plate 3, and spaced apart from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, a bolt-shaped first coupling element 5 and a bolt-shaped second coupling element 6, arranged at a predetermined distance from it, are provided between the two cheek-shaped side plates 4 of the support body for detachable connection to the quick coupler 1. The two bolt-shaped coupling elements 5 and 6 are inserted with their respective ends into corresponding bores 7 and 8 in the two side plates 4 of the adapter 2 and fixed there.The adapter 2 also features a mechanical safety device 9, which will be explained in more detail below, to prevent the quick coupler 1 from being opened unintentionally.

[0020] The quick coupler 1, which can be mounted on the boom of an excavator, for example, contains a carrier 10 with two parallel side parts 11, in which continuous receiving openings 12 for fastening bolts 13 are provided for fastening the quick coupler 1 to a boom of an excavator or a connecting part of another construction vehicle.

[0021] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the quick coupler 1 has, on one side of the carrier 10, claw- or fork-shaped first receptacles 14 open towards the front for receiving and holding the first bolt-shaped coupling element 5, and on the other side, second receptacles 15 open towards the rear and downwards for receiving the second bolt-shaped coupling element 6. The quick coupler 1 also includes a locking device 16 with two locking elements 17, which can be moved between a release position and a locking position by means of a drive mechanism, for locking and holding the second bolt-shaped coupling element 6.

[0022] In the embodiment shown, the locking elements 17 consist of two parallel locking bolts which are slidably guided in guide bores within the carrier 10 and are moved between a retracted release position and a retracted position by means of a drive mechanism. Fig. The two shown extended locking positions are movable. In the Fig. In the extended locking position shown in Figure 2, the downward-facing open second receptacles 15 are closed by the bolt-shaped locking elements 16 on the underside, so that the second bolt-shaped coupling element 6 is engaged by the bolt-shaped locking elements 16 and the adapter 2 can be held on the quick coupler 1. Instead of two bolt-shaped locking elements 17, only one locking element could also be provided.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, the drive, designated as the H-cylinder, for displacing the locking element 17 of the locking device is designed as a hydraulic cylinder-piston drive with two hydraulic pistons arranged within an H-shaped housing 18. The H-shaped housing 18 contains two parallel outer parts 20 connected to each other via a central part 19, in which pressure chambers for receiving two parallel hydraulic pistons with outwardly projecting piston rods 21 are arranged. Fig. Figure 2 shows one of the piston rods 21 of the hydraulic pistons arranged in the two outer parts 20 of the housing 10. On the side opposite the two piston rods 21, a bolt-shaped locking element 17 is arranged on each of the two parallel outer parts 20 of the H-shaped housing 18 for locking the second coupling element 6. The piston rods 21 are fixed to the support 10 at their free outer ends, so that the H-shaped housing 18 with the bolt-shaped locking elements 16 arranged thereon can be locked by applying appropriate pressure to the pressure chambers arranged within the two outer parts 20 of the housing 18 between the Fig. The locking position shown in point 2 and the retracted release or changeover position are movable. In the locking position of Fig. 2 the bolt-shaped locking elements 16 are extended and engage under the second bolt-shaped coupling element 6 to the locked holder of the adapter 2.

[0024] To couple the adapter 2 to the quick coupler 1, the quick coupler 1, which is usually mounted on the boom of an excavator, is first moved so that the first bolt-shaped coupling element 5 on the adapter 2 is inserted into the claw-shaped first receptacles 14 on one side of the quick coupler 1. Then, with the locking elements 16 still retracted, the quick coupler 1 is pivoted around the first bolt-shaped coupling element 5 so that the second bolt-shaped coupling element 6 on the adapter 2 comes to rest against the contact surfaces of the downward-facing receptacles 15 on the other side of the quick coupler 1.Subsequently, the locking elements 16, which are slidably arranged in the carrier 10 of the quick coupler 1, can be extended by the actuator 17, so that the second bolt-shaped coupling element 6 on the adapter 2 is engaged by the two bolt-shaped locking elements 16 on the quick coupler 1 and the adapter 2 is thus held on the quick coupler 1.

[0025] To prevent an attachment connected to the quick coupler 1 via the adapter 2 from detaching from the quick coupler 1 due to an unintentional release movement of the locking elements 16 caused by incorrect operation or malfunction of the actuator 17, and then potentially falling off in a raised position of the quick coupler 1, a mechanical fall arrestor is provided on the adapter 2. The fall arrestor is designed to grip the coupling element 5 located on the adapter 2 or attachment, which engages with the first receptacles 14.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the fall arrestor comprises two separate catch hooks 22, which are not rigidly attached to the carrier 10 of the quick coupler 1, but are pivotally connected to the carrier 10 about a transverse axis 23 via a type of hinge. The two catch hooks 22 are arranged on the two receptacles 14 and are designed such that they engage a coupling element 5 on the adapter 2 or an attachment and can catch the attachment in a catch position by the coupling element 5 engaging the catch hooks 22 if the locking elements 16 are unintentionally moved into a release position. Due to the pivotable arrangement, the catch hooks 22 can move between a Fig. 2 shown, which completely encloses the recording 14, in the folded-up safety position and in the folded-down changing and trapping position which enables the changing process.

[0027] A nose-shaped control element 24, which interacts with the coupling element 5 on the adapter 2, is arranged on the catch hook 22 for pivoting the catch hook 22 independently of the locking device between the folded-down quick-change and locking position and the folded-up safety position. A return mechanism arranged on the carrier presses the catch hook 22 into its folded-down quick-change and locking position. This ensures that the catch hook 22 is securely in its folded-down quick-change and locking position when no attachment is yet coupled, regardless of the position of the quick coupler 1.In the folded-down change and catch position of the catch hooks 22, an attachment can be changed by placing it on the ground accordingly and, if necessary, caught in a catch position by engaging the coupling element 5 on the catch hooks 22 and thus held on the quick coupler 1, while in the folded-up safety position the catch hooks 22 completely enclose the receptacles 14 for the coupling element 5.

[0028] In the Fig. Figures 5 to 8 show the adapter 2 with the mechanical lock 9 in a lowered release position and a raised locking position. The mechanical lock 9 comprises two parallel, clamp-shaped locking elements 25, which are located on the inner sides of the two side plates 4 between a [position] in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown lowered release position and one in the Fig. 7 and Fig. The two locking elements 25, which are U-shaped in cross-section, are designed such that in the raised locking position they engage over the two piston rods 21 and can be slid between the support 10 and the housing 18 of the drive. This prevents the housing 18 with the bolt-shaped locking elements 17 attached to it from being moved into a retracted release or changeover position. In the raised locking position, the two locking elements 25 thus block the housing 18 with the locking elements 17 attached to it in the locked position. This prevents the quick coupler 1 from opening unintentionally and ensures that a properly coupled adapter 2 is securely held on the quick coupler 1.

[0029] As especially from the Fig. 7 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 8, the two clamp-shaped locking elements 25 are arranged on angled actuating elements 27 that project through slot-shaped openings 26 in the side walls 4 of the adapter 2 and project outwards relative to the side walls 4. The two actuating elements 27 have angled outer parts 28 that project outwards relative to the side walls 4 and are connected to each other by a connecting rod 29. The locking elements 25 can be manually removed from the side walls 4 via the angled outer parts 28 of the actuating elements 27. Fig. 8 shown raised locking position against the force of a spring arrangement 30 in the Fig. The lowered release position shown in section 6 must be pressed.

[0030] In order to secure the locking elements 25 in both the raised locking position and the lowered release position, a [missing information] is provided on the angled outer parts 28 of the actuating elements 27 that project from the side walls 4. Fig.A visible through-hole 31 is provided for inserting a locking bolt 32. To the right and left of the outer part 28, outwardly projecting retaining lugs 33 and 34 with upper and lower through-holes 35 and 36 for inserting the locking bolt 32 are arranged on the outside of the two side plates 4. The locking bolt 32 and the retaining lugs 33 and 34 form a locking device for securing the two locking elements 25 in both the lowered release position and the raised locked position. The locking bolt 32 can be secured by a locking pin 37 designed as a spring pin. The locking bolt 32 and the locking pin 37 can be secured against loss to the adapter 2 by a wire rope. Reference symbol list 1 quick coupler 2 adapters 3 Base plate 4 side panel 5 First coupling element 6 Second coupling element 7 bore 8 bore 9 fuse 10 carriers 11 Side panel 12 Intake opening 13 fastening bolts 14 First recording 15 Second recording 16 Locking element 17 Actuator 18 cases 19 Middle section 20 Outdoor part 21 Piston rod 22 hooks 23 Transverse axis 24 Control element 25 Locking element 26 Opening 27 Actuating element 28 Outdoor part 29 Connecting rod 30 Spring arrangement 31 Through hole 32 locking pin 33 landing stage 34 landing stage 35 Upper through-hole 36 Lower through hole 37 Safety pin QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 128 479 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] A quick-change system for changing attachments on a construction machine, comprising a quick-change system (1) and an adapter (2) which can be coupled to the quick-change system (1), the adapter (2) comprising coupling elements (5, 6) arranged between two side walls (4) at a predetermined distance from one another, and the quick-change system (1) comprising a carrier (10), first receptacles (14) arranged on one side of the carrier (10) for receiving the first coupling element (5), second receptacles (15) arranged on the other side of the carrier (10) for receiving the second coupling element (6), and a locking device (16) having at least one locking element (17) which can be moved by means of a drive (18, 21) between a release position and a locking position for lockingly holding the second bolt-shaped coupling element (6) on the second receptacles (15), characterized bya mechanical safety device (9) which interacts with the locking device (16) of the quick changer (1) and which contains at least one locking element (25) which can be moved into a locking position for blocking the at least one locking element (17) in the locking position. [2] Quick-change system according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one locking element (25) has a U-shaped cross-section for engaging over a piston rod (21) of the drive (18, 21) of the locking device. [3] Quick-change system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the mechanical safety device (9) contains two interconnected locking elements (25) which are movable between the locking position for blocking two bolt-shaped locking elements (16) in an extended locking position and a release position enabling the displacement of the two bolt-shaped locking elements (16) between the extended locking position and a retracted release position. [4] Quick-change system according to claim 3, characterized by that the two locking elements (25) are connected to each other by a connecting rod (29). [5] Quick-change system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the mechanical safety device (9) is integrated in the adapter (2). [6] Adapter (2) for a quick-change system for changing attachments on a construction machine, which contains coupling elements (5, 6) arranged between two side walls (4) at a predetermined distance from one another for coupling to a quick-change device (1) provided with a locking device (16), characterized by a mechanical safety device (9) which contains at least one locking element (25) which is movable on the inside of a side cheek (4) between a lowered release position and a raised locking position for blocking at least one locking element (17) of the locking device (16). [7] Adapter (2) according to claim 6, characterized by that the locking element (25) has a U-shaped cross-section. [8] Adapter (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized bythat the mechanical safety device (9) contains two locking elements (25) arranged on the inner sides of the two side cheeks (4) and connected to one another, which can be moved between the lowered release position and the raised locking position. [9] Adapter (2) according to claim 8, characterized by that the two locking elements (25) are arranged on actuating elements (27) which project through slot-shaped openings (26) in the side cheeks (4) and project outwards relative to the side cheeks (4). [10] Adapter (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that a locking device (32, 33, 34) for securing the two locking elements (25) is arranged on at least one side cheek (4) both in the lowered release position and in the raised locking position. [11] Adapter (2) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the locking device (32, 33, 34) contains a locking bolt (32) which can be inserted through through holes (35, 36) in at least one holding web (33, 34) on the side cheek (4) and a through hole (28) in the actuating element (27). [12] Adapter (2) according to claim 11, characterized by that the locking bolt (32) is secured by a locking pin (37).

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