Quick change device comprising a housing with a securing device

Abstract

Quick-change device (1) comprising a housing (7) with a locking device (2), comprising: - an axle (3) with a first end element (5) for driving a gear (6) arranged on the axle (3) to engage a rack (8) arranged in the housing (7), which can be brought into contact by means of a first spring element (14) with a bridge (16) movably mounted in the housing (7) along a first direction between an unlocking position and a locking position, - a stop element (4) arranged on the axle (3) for engaging a stop plate (9) arranged in the housing (7), - a pawl (10a) which can be brought into engagement by means of a second spring element (15) in at least a first recess (12) of a ratchet wheel (10b) arranged on the axle (3) and / or in a second recess (13) arranged in a contact element (11) arranged in the housing (7),- wherein the contact element (11) engages with the second spring element (15) by means of the locking pawl (10a) in such a way that the contact element (11) can be moved out of the housing (7) by means of the second spring element (15) as soon as the bridge (16) is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position in which the rack (8) rests against the bridge (16) and thereby compresses at least one third spring element (17) arranged in the housing (7).

Description

[0001] Quick-change attachment systems on construction machinery allow for the rapid exchange of different types of attachments. Construction machinery includes, for example, excavators, wheel loaders, and machines used in the construction and agricultural sectors. Attachments include, for example, buckets, hammers, milling machines, grapples, shovels, and the like. Technical field of the invention

[0002] The invention relates to a quick-change device comprising a housing with a locking device.

[0003] The invention lies in the technical field of quick-coupling devices or quick-change systems, which enable a machine operator to quickly attach different tools or attachments to the machine and then work with them. Quick-change systems can be mechanical, semi-automatic, semi-hydraulic, or hydraulic. In particular, hydraulically operated quick-change systems allow attachments to be coupled and uncoupled from the machine without the need for direct action by the machine operator or other persons. State of the art

[0004] From EP 3409840 B1 a coupling device for a quick coupling, which is intended for coupling to an adapter element of a tool for a mechanical arm, is known.The quick-release coupling has a movable element that is movable in one direction and is provided with at least one elongated element that is movable by a retracted movement against the pressure of a spring between a retracted position and a forward position for engagement with the adapter element; an actuating arrangement that is provided for switching each elongated element between the retracted position and the forward position; wherein the actuating arrangement comprises an annular cam that is supported by the frame and is rotatable about an axis transverse to the first plate; the actuating assembly comprises a cam plunger transverse to the first plate that is supported by the movable element within the cam; wherein a toothed locking assembly is provided to lock each elongated element longitudinally and the cam at an angle with respect to the frame.

[0005] A disadvantage of the aforementioned securing systems is that the attachment can unintentionally detach and fall off. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve these securing systems so that the risk of the attachment falling off unintentionally can be minimized. Description of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a quick-change device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and ensures mechanical safety against the attachment falling out.

[0007] The problem is solved by a quick-change device comprising a housing with a locking device having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention comprises a quick-change device comprising a housing with a locking device, comprising an axle with a first end element for driving a gear arranged on the axle to engage a rack arranged in the housing, which can be brought into engagement by means of a first spring element with a bridge movably mounted in the housing along a first direction between an unlocking position and a locking position, a stop element arranged on the axle for engaging a stop plate arranged in the housing, a pawl which can be brought into engagement by means of a second spring element in at least a first recess of a ratchet wheel arranged on the axle and / or in a second recess arranged in a contact element arranged in the housing, wherein the contact element engages with the second spring element by means of the pawl in such a way thatthat the contact element can be moved out of the housing by means of the second spring element as soon as the bridge is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position, in which the rack rests against the bridge and thereby compresses at least one third spring element arranged in the housing. This ensures that the attachment can only be detached when the quick-change device is unlocked from the outside using a suitable tool.

[0009] One advantageous aspect is that the stop plate, together with the bridge, the adjacent third spring element, and two parallel locking bolts protruding from the housing, engages in the locked position in such a way as to prevent unlocking by pressing in the locking bolts. This provides double protection against unintentional unlocking.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the stop plate includes a receiving section into which the stop element can be received, and if the stop plate engages with the bridge in such a way as to limit the insertion of the locking bolts into the housing. The two independently functioning locking systems ensure that the attachment never detaches unintentionally, even in the event of a failure, for example, due to a breakage of the compression springs.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the locking pawl at a first end section includes a first projection having a radius at least in some areas, in order to be inserted into the second recess having a rectangular opening cross-section at least in some areas when in the locking position. This causes the quick-change device to lock automatically when inserted into a mounting frame of an attachment.

[0012] Advantageously, the locking pawl comprises, on a second end section opposite the first end section, a second projection with a radius at least in some areas for applying tension to the second spring element in the locked position, and a third projection with an angle in some areas, which can be received into the first recess in the unlocked position. This enables the quick-change device to be safely unlocked by means of the locking device.

[0013] It has proven advantageous if the first spring element engages with the rack in such a way that the gear drives the stop element into the receiving section of the stop plate and holds it in this position. This prevents the locking bolts from being unintentionally driven into the housing.

[0014] An advantageous aspect is that the quick-change device further comprises a claw element that engages with the locking bolts and / or the bridge and / or the stop plate. In this way, the locking device can be combined with an additional claw lock.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the first end element is rotatable in a first direction within a range of 75° to 130°, preferably within a range of 80° to 100°, and most preferably within a range of 85° to 95°, in order to press the bridge into the unlocking position by means of the rack. This ensures that the manual mechanical unlocking of the quick-change device is carried out by a lever, i.e., a tool connected to the end element.

[0016] According to a preferred design, the first end element is rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first by means of the rack indirectly activated by the contact element when the quick-change device is inserted into the mounting frame of an attachment, in order to press the locking bolts into the locking position by means of the bridge. This allows the quick-change device to be locked automatically without manual intervention from the outside.

[0017] Advantageously, the attachment is a soil cultivation implement, such as a bucket, hammer, milling machine, grapple, or shovel. This allows for quick and safe attachment and detachment of the implements to the machine without requiring immediate action from the operator or other personnel.

[0018] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations given, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, which also disclose essential features of the invention. These exemplary embodiments serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted as limiting. For example, a description of an exemplary embodiment with a plurality of elements or components is not to be interpreted as meaning that all of these elements or components are necessary for implementation. Rather, other exemplary embodiments may also contain alternative elements and components, fewer elements or components, or additional elements or components. Elements or components from different exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another unless otherwise specified. Modifications and variations described for one of the exemplary embodiments may also be applicable to other exemplary embodiments.To avoid repetition, identical or corresponding elements in different figures are designated with the same reference symbols and are not explained multiple times. They show: . Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a quick-change device according to the invention in a locking position of a safety device; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a quick-change device according to the invention in a locking position with locking bolts protruding from the housing; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a quick-change device according to the invention in an unlocked position in which the locking bolts are located in the housing and the contact element protrudes at least partially from the housing; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a quick-change device according to the invention in an unlocking position; Fig. 5aa safety device of a quick-change device according to the invention from a first perspective; Fig. 5b a safety device of a quick-change device according to the invention from a second perspective; Fig. 5c a safety device of a quick-change device according to the invention from a third perspective; and Fig. 5d A safety device of a quick-change device according to the invention from a fourth perspective. Detailed description of the drawings

[0020] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a quick-change device 1 according to the invention, comprising a housing 7 with a locking device 2, comprising an axle 3 with a first end element 5 for driving a gear 6 arranged on the axle 3 to engage a rack 8 arranged in the housing 7, which can be brought into engagement by means of a first spring element 14 with a bridge 16 movably mounted in the housing 7 along a first direction between an unlocking position and a locking position, a stop element 4 arranged on the axle 3 for engaging a stop plate 9 arranged in the housing 7, and a pawl 10a, which can be brought into engagement by means of a second spring element 15 in at least a first recess 12 of a ratchet wheel 10b arranged on the axle 3 and / or in a second recess 13 arranged in a contact element 11 arranged in the housing 7.wherein the contact element 11 engages with the second spring element 15 by means of the pawl 10a in such a way that the contact element 11 can be moved out of the housing 7 by means of the second spring element 15 as soon as the bridge 16 is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position in which the rack 8 rests against the bridge 16, and thereby at least one third spring element 17 arranged in the housing 7 is compressed.

[0021] The first spring element 14 is, for example, arranged inside the rack 8.

[0022] The contact element 11 is, for example, a contact pin, but a version using a sensor is also conceivable.

[0023] The first end element 5 of the axis 3, for example, is designed as a hexagon and can be turned using a hexagon key, so that the axis 3 and thus the gear 6 rotate, whereby the rack 8 pushes the bridge 16 in the housing 7 towards the unlocking position.

[0024] The first end element 5 is rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first by means of the rack 8, which is indirectly activated by the contact element 11, in order to press the locking bolts 18 into the locking position by means of the bridge 16, by means of the quick-change device 1 into the mounting frame of an attachment. The indirect activation of the rack 8 is effected via the axis 3, by which the gear 6 mounted on it is rotated.

[0025] The stop plate 9 engages with the bridge 16, the third spring element 17 adjacent to it and two locking bolts 18 arranged parallel to each other and protruding from the housing 7 in the locking position to lock the quick-change device 1 in such a way as to prevent unlocking by pressing in the locking bolts 18.

[0026] The stop plate 9 comprises a receiving section 19 into which the stop element 4 can be received, the stop plate 9 engaging with the bridge 16 in such a way as to limit the insertion of the locking bolts 18 into the housing 7. The receiving section 19 is, for example, U- or V-shaped. The stop plate 9 has a correspondingly complementary U- or V-shaped section. Due to the chamfered side surfaces of the U- or V-shape, the stop plate 9 cannot be pushed upwards. Thus, the stop plate 9 ensures a minimum locking force.

[0027] The locking bolts 18 are, for example, screwed or pinned to the bridge 16. In the locked position, the locking bolts 18 protrude from the housing 7 by between 7 and 30 mm, preferably between 8 and 17 mm, and most preferably between 9 and 15 mm.

[0028] The first spring element 14 engages with the rack 8 in such a way that the gear 6 moves the stop element 4 into the receiving section 19 of the stop plate 9 and holds it in this position. If the locking bolts 18 are pressed from the outside inwards into the housing 7 and the spring force is insufficient, the stop plate 9, which engages with the bridge 16 and / or the locking bolts 18, will prevent unlocking.

[0029] The quick-change device 1 further comprises a claw element 20 which engages with the locking bolts 18 and / or the bridge 16 and / or the stop plate 9.

[0030] It is conceivable that the stop plate 9 is screwed or pinned to the bridge 16. However, a one-piece cast and / or welded embodiment is also conceivable.

[0031] In Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a quick-change device 1 according to the invention in a locking position with locking bolts 18 protruding from the housing 7. The locking pawl 10a comprises a first projection at a first end section, which has a radius at least in some areas, in order to be inserted into the second recess 13, which has a rectangular opening cross-section at least in some areas, in the locking position.

[0032] For example, the second recess 13 can also have radii in certain areas.

[0033] It is also conceivable that the locking pawl 10a comprises a first projection at a first end section which has at least a rectangular cross-section in order to be inserted into the second recess 13 which has a rectangular opening cross-section in the locking position.

[0034] Locking is achieved by inserting the quick-change device 1 into the mounting frame of an attachment. This presses the contact element 11 inwards into the housing 7 and disengages the pawl 10a from the ratchet wheel 10b. Subsequently, the third spring element 17, which is designed, for example, as two compression springs, presses the bridge 16, and thus the locking bolts 18 engaged with the bridge 16, into the corresponding openings in the mounting frame of the attachment. By pushing back the rack 8, the axis 3 rotates the gear 6 counterclockwise.

[0035] Because the rack 8 is not connected to the bridge 16, the first spring element 14 pushes the rack 8 up to the housing 7 (to the stop) and thus always rotates the gear 6 and the associated axle 3 with the stop element 4 into the stop position.

[0036] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a quick-change device 1 according to the invention in an unlocked position in which the locking bolts 18 are located in the housing 7 and the contact element 11 protrudes at least partially from the housing 7. The locking pawl 10a comprises, on a second end section opposite the first end section, a second projection having a radius at least in some areas for applying tension to the second spring element 15 in the locked position, and a third projection having an angle in some areas, which can be received into the first recess 12 in the unlocked position.

[0037] In Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a quick-change device 1 according to the invention in an unlocked position. The quick-change device 1 can only be unlocked from the outside by a 90° rotation using a tool suitable for the end element 5, for example, a hex key or similar. The rotation of the axis 3 presses the rack 8 against the bridge 16 by rotating the gear 6 and compresses the third spring element 17 until the attachment swings freely and the contact element 11 is pushed out of the housing 7 by means of the second spring element 15, for example, a pin spring and pawl 10a, and the pawl 10a engages in the ratchet wheel 10b. The attachment can then be removed or changed.By rotating the axis 3 by, for example, 90° in the direction of unlocking using the end element 5, the contact element 11 springs out by spring force of the second spring element 15, presses the pawl 10a into the ratchet wheel 10b and blocks the axis 3 for a reverse rotation; the quick-change device 1 remains in the unlocked state.

[0038] The end element 5 is rotatable in a first direction in a range of 75° to 130°, preferably in a range of 80° to 100°, particularly preferably in a range of 85° to 95°, in order to push the bridge 16 into the unlocking position by means of the rack 8.

[0039] The attachment is a soil cultivation implement, or a spoon, or a hammer, or a milling machine, or a grabber, or a shovel.

[0040] The Figs. 5a to 5d Each figure shows a locking device 2 of a quick-change device 1 according to the invention from different perspectives.

[0041] The locking device 2 comprises the stop element 4, the gear 6, the ratchet wheel 10b and the end element 5, all of which are arranged on the common axis 3. Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 Quick-change device 2 Safety device 3 Axle 4 Stop element 5 First end element 6 Gear 7 Housing 8 Rack 9 Stop plate 10a Locking pawl 10b Locking wheel 11 Contact element 12 First recess 13 Second recess 14 First spring element 15 Second spring element 16 Bridge 17 Third spring element 18 Locking bolt 19 Mounting section 20 Claw element

Claims

1. Quick-change device (1) comprising a housing (7) with a locking device (2), comprising: - an axle (3) with a first end element (5) for driving a gear (6) arranged on the axle (3) to engage a rack (8) arranged in the housing (7), which can be brought into contact by means of a first spring element (14) with a bridge (16) movably mounted in the housing (7) along a first direction between an unlocking position and a locking position, - a stop element (4) arranged on the axle (3) for engaging a stop plate (9) arranged in the housing (7), - a pawl (10a) which can be brought into engagement by means of a second spring element (15) in at least a first recess (12) of a ratchet wheel (10b) arranged on the axle (3) and / or in a second recess (13) arranged in a contact element (11) arranged in the housing (7),- wherein the contact element (11) engages with the second spring element (15) by means of the pawl (10a) in such a way that the contact element (11) can be moved out of the housing (7) by means of the second spring element (15) as soon as the bridge (16) is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position in which the rack (8) rests against the bridge (16), and thereby compresses at least one third spring element (17) arranged in the housing (7).

2. Quick-change device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stop plate (9) engages with the bridge (16), the third spring element (17) adjoining it and two locking bolts (18) arranged parallel to each other and projecting from the housing (7) in the locking position to lock the quick-change device (1) in such a way as to prevent unlocking by pressing in the locking bolts (18).

3. Quick-change device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the stop plate (9) comprises a receiving section (19) into which the stop element (4) can be received, and the stop plate (9) engages with the bridge (16) in such a way as to limit the insertion of the locking bolts (18) into the housing (7).

4. Quick-change device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking pawl (10a) comprises a first projection having a radius at least in a first end section in order to be inserted into the second recess (13) having a rectangular opening cross-section at least in a certain area in the locking position.

5. Quick-change device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the locking pawl (10a) comprises a second projection having a radius at least in part on a second end section opposite the first end section, for applying tension to the second spring element (15) in the locking position and a third projection having an angle in part, which can be received into the first recess (12) in the unlocking position.

6. Quick-change device (1) according to claim 3 and one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the first spring element (14) engages with the rack (8) such that the gear (6) moves the stop element (4) into the receiving section (19) of the stop plate (9) and holds it in this position.

7. Quick-change device (1) according to claim 2 and one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a claw element (20) engaging with the locking bolts (18) and / or the bridge (16) and / or the stop plate (9).

8. Quick-change device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end element (5) is rotatable in a first direction in a range of 75° to 130°, preferably in a range of 80° to 100°, particularly preferably in a range of 85° to 95°, in order to press the bridge (16) into the unlocking position by means of the rack (8).

9. Quick-change device (1) according to claim 8 and one of claims 2, 3 or 7, wherein the axis (3) is rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction by means of the rack (8) indirectly activated by the contact element (11) when the quick-change device (1) is inserted into the mounting frame of an attachment, in order to press the locking bolts (18) into the locking position by means of the bridge (16).

10. Quick-change device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment is a soil cultivation implement or a bucket or a hammer or a milling machine or a grab or a shovel.

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