Working machine and assembly comprising such a machine

Abstract

The invention concerns a working machine (1) comprising a mobile chassis (2) that can move on a surface of the ground, a lifting arm (3) mounted on the chassis (2) to pivot about a horizontal axis (4) for a raising and lowering movement of the arm (3), and an accessory coupler (5) that can be secured to the free end of the arm (3) by a pivot link (6) with axis parallel to the axis (4) for pivoting the arm (3) with respect to the chassis (2). The coupler (5) comprises a plate (7) having a rear face (8) facing the arm (3) equipped with said pivot link (6) of the coupler (5) to the arm (3) and an opposite front face (9). The plate (7) is provided with a through-opening (10) and at least one part (61) of the pivot link (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3) is arranged facing said opening (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a work machine, as well as an assembly comprising such a work machine and an accessory that can be coupled to the coupler of said machine.

[0002] It relates in particular to a work machine comprising a rolling or tracked chassis movable on the ground surface, a lifting arm mounted on the chassis pivoting around a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the arm, and an accessory coupler that can be attached to the free end of the arm by a pivot joint with an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the arm relative to the chassis.

[0003] The use of a coupler, which forms an interface between an attachment such as a bucket, tip, blade, broom, or other tool, and the arm of a work machine for attaching the attachment to the arm, is common practice. It is frequently necessary to add an adapter to the coupler to allow the use of certain attachments. Therefore, we are looking for a solution that eliminates the need for an adapter without compromising the coupler's versatility.

[0004] Document EP-2.558.651 describes a quick connection between a tool and a lifting arm of a work machine, this connection requiring the presence of an intermediate piece between the arm and the coupler, this intermediate piece being pivotally coupled to the arm.

[0005] One aim of the invention is to provide a work machine whose design allows for great versatility of the coupler without compromising its simplicity.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a work machine comprising a mobile chassis movable on the ground surface, a lifting arm mounted on the chassis pivoting around a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the arm, and an accessory coupler that can be attached to the free end of the arm by a pivot joint with an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the arm relative to the chassis, characterized in that said coupler comprises a plate having a rear face facing the arm, equipped with at least a part of said pivot joint of the coupler to the arm and an opposite front face, in that the plate is provided with a through opening and in that the part of said pivot joint of the coupler to the arm equipping the rear face of the plate is arranged opposite said opening.The presence of a through-hole allows an accessory, at least partially supported on the front face of the turntable, to protrude through this opening towards the tonearm. This through-hole thus helps manage the potential bulk of the accessory. Furthermore, this design allows for a lightweight coupler and minimal accessory offset.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the through-opening, delimited by edges, is an opening that is said to be open upwards when the plate is in its upright position, one of the edges delimiting the opening, forming the upper edge of the opening when the plate is in its upright position, being an open edge. Again, this arrangement allows for significant clearance at the through-opening.

[0008] According to the invention, the plate in its upright state has a general U-shaped form, the space left free between the arms of the U forming said through opening. The through opening can thus occupy a central position.

[0009] According to the invention, the coupler is equipped with a reinforcing element extending along the rear face of the plate. This reinforcing element prevents deformation of the plate without impairing the coupling capabilities of the accessory to the coupler.

[0010] According to the invention, the reinforcing element, which includes a tubular element, connects the arms of the U together at the free end of the arms of the U. Thus, a risk of separation or deformation of the arms of the U is prevented.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tubular element of the reinforcement element has a circular cross-section. Preferably, the tubular element of the reinforcement element is formed by a profile attached and welded to said plate via two end flanges connecting the profile to the back or rear face of the plate. Each end flange, bearing on its edge against the rear face of the plate, is interposed between two gussets arranged on either side of the flange and coupling the flange to the rear face of the platform.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plate is provided, on its rear face, with two aligned profiles, said profiles extending parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot joint of the coupler to the arm, on either side of said through opening of the coupler. These two profiles allow for interlocking with complementary recessed parts of the accessory.

[0013] Preferably, each profile is an L-shaped angle bracket applied to the back face of the plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupler comprises, for coupling an accessory to the coupler, on the rear face of the mounting plate, two locking axes, preferably parallel, extending transversely and preferably orthogonally to the axis of the pivot joint of the coupler to the arm. Each of these locking axes is equipped with a drive handle for translational movement of the locking axis between an unlocked and a locked position, and with a return spring for the locking axis in the locked position. The locking axes thus allow the connection between the coupler and the accessory to be locked by interlocking.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupler plate is delimited by edges, and the coupler's through-hole is an opening extending centrally between two opposite edges of said plate. In other words, the plate and the through-hole are each delimited by edges, with two opposite edges of the opening extending equidistant from two opposite edges of the plate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the portion of the pivot joint of the coupler to the tonearm located on the rear face of the turntable and positioned opposite the opening forms a single unit with the turntable. Thus, the portion of the pivot joint of the coupler to the tonearm located on the rear face of the turntable forms a non-removable unit with the turntable.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the part of said pivot link of the coupler to the arm equipping the rear face of the plate and arranged opposite said opening has the shape of a sheath delimiting a through passage.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the arm is equipped with a cylinder that can be coupled to the coupler, on the rear face of the coupler plate, by means of a pivot joint with an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot joint of the arm to the coupler. This joint drives the plate in rotation around the pivot axis of the pivot joint of the coupler to the arm when the cylinder is actuated. The plate is therefore a swiveling plate, adjustable by means of the cylinder.

[0019] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a work machine and an accessory characterized in that the work machine conforms to that described above. Brève description des dessins

[0020] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a perspective view of a work machine according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] represents a view of a work machine arm being coupled to a coupler, [ Fig. 3 ] represents a view of the arm of the figure 2 in the coupled state to the coupler according to a first orientation of the plate, [ Fig. 4 ] represents a view of the arm of the figure 2 in the coupled state to the coupler according to a second orientation of the plate, [ Fig. 5 ] represents a partial perspective view of a coupler, [ Fig. 6 ] represents a partial perspective view of a coupler taken from another angle, [ Fig. 7 ] represents a perspective view of a coupler during its coupling to an accessory, [ Fig. 8 ] represents a perspective view of the coupler of the figure 7 in its coupled state with an accessory,

[0021] As mentioned above, the work machine 1, the object of the invention, comprises a mobile chassis 2 that can be moved on the ground surface by means of wheels as in the example shown or by means of tracks.

[0022] This chassis 2 is surmounted by a lifting arm 3 coupled to the chassis 2 by pivoting. This lifting arm 3 is mounted on the chassis 2 by pivoting around a horizontal axis 4 for raising and lowering the arm 3.

[0023] The working machine 1 also includes an accessory coupler 5 which can be attached to the free end of the arm 3 by a pivot link 6 with an axis parallel to the pivot axis 4 of the arm 3 relative to the chassis 2.

[0024] The accessory 30 with which the coupler 5 can be coupled can take on a large number of forms depending on the work to be carried out by the machine 1. Thus, this accessory 30 can be, for example, a bucket in the case of a load handling machine, a blade in the case of a snowplow type machine, a clamp, a broom or other without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0025] This coupler 5 comprises a plate 7 having a rear face 8 facing the tonearm 3, equipped with a portion 61 of the pivot joint 6 connecting the coupler 5 to the tonearm 3, and an opposite front face 9. Another portion of the pivot joint 6 connecting the coupler 5 to the tonearm 3 is supported by the tonearm 3, and a pivot pin maintains the coupled position of these portions of the pivot joint 6. The pivot joint 6 thus comprises a portion 61 supported by the plate 7 and a portion supported by the tonearm 3.

[0026] Accessory 30 is designed to bear at least partially on the front face 9 of the plate 7 when coupled to said plate 7. To allow orientation of the plate 7 of the coupler 5 when the coupler 5 is attached to the arm 3 by the pivot joint 6, the arm 3 is equipped with a cylinder 22 that can be coupled to the coupler 5 on the rear face 8 side of the plate 7 of the coupler 5 by a pivot joint 23 with an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot joint 6 of the arm to the coupler 5. This cylinder 22 allows the plate 7 to be driven in rotation around the axis of the pivot joint 6 of the coupler 5 to the arm 3 when the cylinder 22 is actuated.

[0027] This cylinder 22 is positioned on the underside of the arm 3. Thus, extending the cylinder 22 by extending its rod causes the plate 7 to pivot upwards, while retracting the cylinder 22 by retracting its rod causes the plate 7 to pivot downwards, as illustrated in the figure. figure 4 . Plate 7 is thus able to occupy an upright position in which it extends in a vertical plane.

[0028] This plate 7, which is delimited by edges 71, can be provided, along one or two of its so-called horizontal edges which extend parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot link 6 of the coupler 5 to the arm 3, with reinforcement wings of said plate 7.

[0029] The plate 7 is provided with a through-hole 10, and the part 61 of the pivot joint 6, located on the rear face of the plate 7 and which connects the coupler 5 to the arm 3, is positioned opposite said opening 10. In the example shown, the plate 7, in its upright position, has a general U-shape. The space between the arms 15 of the U forms said through-hole 10. This through-hole 10, delimited by edges shown as 11, 12, and 13 in the figures, is an opening that is said to be open upwards in the upright position of the plate 7.

[0030] One of the delimiting edges of said opening 10, forming the upper edge 11 of said opening in the upright state of the plate 7, is therefore an open edge. The lower edge 12 of the opening 10 is formed by a portion of the web 16 of the U. Thus, the through opening 10 of the coupler 5 is an opening extending centrally between two opposite edges 71 of said plate 7, these opposite edges 71 of said plate 7 forming the vertical edges of said plate in the upright state of said plate. Part 61 of said link 6 pivot of the coupler 5 to the arm 3 equipping the rear face 8 of the plate 7 and arranged opposite said opening 10 forms a single unit with said plate 7. This part 61 of said link 6 pivot of the coupler 5 to the arm 3 equipping the rear face 8 of the plate 7 and arranged opposite said opening 10 has the form of a sleeve delimiting a through passage.

[0031] The part of the pivot link 6 carried by the arm 3 is formed by two through passages, each positionable at one end of the sleeve before insertion of an axle into the assembly thus formed.

[0032] In the examples shown, the part 61 of the pivot joint 6 of the coupler 5 to the arm 3, which is shaped like a sleeve, is held fixed to the plate 7 by two parallel flanges through which said sleeve passes. These two flanges are attached to the lower edge 12 of the through opening 10 of the plate 7 and to a reinforcing element 14 which will be described below.

[0033] This arrangement results in a reduced footprint of the opening 10 and of the pivot 6 link of the coupler 5 to the arm 3 without affecting the possibility for the accessory 30 to partially protrude through said opening 10 when the footprint of the accessory 30 makes such an assembly necessary.

[0034] To prevent any deformation of the plate 7 under the weight of the accessory 30 and possibly a load, the coupler 5 is equipped with a reinforcing element 14 extending along the rear face 8 of the plate 7. This reinforcing element 14, which comprises a tubular element with a circular cross-section, connects the arms of the U to each other at the free end of the U arms. This reinforcing element 14 thus forms a bridge connecting the arms of the U to each other at the free end of the U arms. The tubular element of this reinforcing element 14 is formed by a profile attached and welded to the plate via two end flanges connecting the profile to the back or rear face of the plate 7. Each end flange 24, bearing on its edge against the rear face of the plate 7, is interposed between two gussets 25 arranged on either side of the flange and coupling the flange to the rear face of the plate 7. turntable 7.The tubular element of the reinforcement element 14 therefore extends to the spacing of the plate 7 in the state fixed to said plate 7 in order to maintain the through opening 10 of the plate 7 as free as possible.

[0035] To allow a connection between the coupler 5 and an accessory 30, the plate 7 is provided, on its rear face, with two aligned profiles 17. These profiles 17 extend parallel to the pivot axis of the connection 6 from the coupler 5 to the arm 3 on either side of the through opening 10 of the coupler 5. Each of these profiles 17 can be formed by an L-shaped angle bracket applied to the rear face of the plate. The rear face of the plate closes the L of each of the profiles 17. The two profiles 17 are positioned at the free ends of the arms 15 of the U-shaped section of the plate 7.

[0036] The accessory 30 may include recessed portions that fit over these profiles 17. This results in a snap-fit ​​connection between the coupler and the accessory. To lock this snap-fit ​​connection, the coupler 5 includes, on the rear face 8 side of the plate 7, two locking pins 18, preferably parallel in this case. These locking pins 18 extend transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the axis of the pivot connection 6 of the coupler 5 to the arm 3. Each of these locking pins 18 is equipped with a drive handle 19 for translating the locking pin 18 between an unlocked and a locked position, and a spring 20 for returning the locking pin 18 to at least the locked position.

[0037] Thus, in practice, the coupler 5 and an accessory 30 are mounted at the end of the arm 3 as follows: the coupler 5 is placed on the ground with the front face 9 of the plate 7 against the ground. The arm 3 is brought close to the rear face 8 of the plate 7 to allow, using added shaft ends, the pivoting coupling of the cylinder 22 and the arm 3 to the plate 7. Bushings or circlips can be used to hold one shaft end in aligned recesses of the arm and the coupler, and a second shaft end in aligned recesses of the cylinder and the coupler. These aligned recesses define a shaft passage in a manner known in itself for creating a pivot joint. The pivot joint 6 between the arm and the coupler has already been described in detail above.

[0038] Once the coupler 5 is fixed to the arm 3 and the cylinder 22 of the machine 1, the accessory 30 is coupled to the coupler 5. Before coupling, the accessory rests on the ground and the handles 19 for actuating the locking axes 18 of the coupler 5 are in the unlocked position of the locking axes 18.

[0039] The arm and the coupler are driven into movement until a position in which the coupler, by the front face 9 of its plate 7, rests on a bearing surface of the accessory 30, and the profiles 17 of the coupler are inserted from below into the hollow parts of the accessory 30, the opening of these hollow parts being turned towards the ground.

[0040] Once the assembly is complete, the position is locked by actuating the handles 19 that operate the locking pins 18, the free ends of which can be inserted into slots in the accessory. Once this assembly is complete, the accessory 30 can protrude more or less through the opening 10 in the plate 7 towards the arm 3.

[0041] Machine 1 is ready to work. The coupler and accessory are disassembled in reverse order, with the accessory being disassembled first from the coupler and then, secondly, from the arm coupler.

Claims

1. A working machine (1) comprising a movable frame (2) which can be displaced on the ground surface, a lifting arm (3) mounted on the frame (2) so as to be able to pivot about an axis (4), referred to as horizontal axis, for an Cupward and downward displacement of the arm (3), and an accessory coupler (5) which can be secured to the free end of the arm (3) by way of a pivot connection (6) having an axis parallel to the pivoting axis (4) of the arm (3) relative to the frame (2), said coupler (5) comprising a plate (7) provided with a through-opening (10), characterized in that the plate (7) has a face (8), referred to as rear face, that faces the arm (3) and is equipped with at least a part (61) of said pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3) and an opposite face (9), referred to as front face, in that the plate (7) in the upright state has the overall shape of a U, the space left free between the branches (15) of the U forming said through-opening (10), in that that part (61) of said pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3) with which the rear face (8) of the plate (7) is equipped is arranged facing said opening (10), in that the coupler (5) is provided with a reinforcing element (14) extending from the rear face side (8) of the plate (7), in that the reinforcing element (14), which comprises a tubular element, connects the branches (15) of the U to one another, at the free end of the branches (15) of the U.

2. The working machine (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said through-opening (10), delimited by edges (11, 12, 13), is an opening referred to as being upwardly open in the upright state of the plate (7), one (11) of the delimiting edges (11, 12, 13) of said opening (10) forming the upper edge (11) of said opening (10) in the upright state of the plate (7) being an open edge.

3. The working machine (1) as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the tubular element of the reinforcing element (14) has a circular section.

4. The working machine (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate (7) is provided, on the rear face side (8), with two aligned profiles (17), said profiles (17) extending parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3), on either side of said through-opening (10) in the coupler (5).

5. The working machine (1) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that each profile (17) is an L-shaped bracket applied to the rear face (8) of the plate (7).

6. The working machine (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the coupler (5) comprises, for the purpose of coupling an accessory (30) to the coupler (5), on the rear face side (8) of the plate (7), two locking pins (18), preferably parallel, extending transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the axis of the pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3), each of said locking pins (18) being equipped with a handle (19) for driving said locking pin (18) in translation so as to displace said locking pin (18) between an unlocked position and a locked position and with a spring (20) for returning said locking pin (18) to the locked position.

7. The working machine (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate (7) of the coupler (5) is delimited by edges (71) and in that the through-opening (10) in the coupler (5) is an opening extending centrally between two opposite edges (71) of said plate (7).

8. The working machine (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that part (61) of said pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3) with which the rear face (8) of the plate (7) is equipped and which is arranged facing said opening (10) forms a one-piece assembly with said plate (7).

9. The working machine (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that that part (61) of said pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm (3) with which the rear face (8) of the plate (7) is equipped and which is arranged facing said opening (10) is in the form of a sleeve delimiting a through-passage.

10. The working machine (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the arm (3) is provided with a ram (22) which can be coupled to the coupler (5), on the rear face side (8) of the plate (7) of the coupler (5), by way of a pivoting connection (23) having an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot connection (6) connecting the arm (3) to the coupler (5) for the purpose of driving the plate (7) in rotation about the pivot axis of the pivot connection (6) connecting the coupler (5) to the arm in the actuated state of said ram (22).

11. An assembly comprising a working machine (1) and an accessory (30), characterized in that the working machine (1) is in accordance with one of claims 1 to 10.

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