Coupler for connecting a tool to the arm of a construction machine

Abstract

Coupler for connecting a tool to an arm of a construction machine. The coupler (5) has a body (20) having a median plane and comprising two hooks (35) defining a first housing (21) for receiving a first coupling member fixed between two plates of a tool. The outer face (36) of each hook, adjacent to one of the tool plates, comprises: - a first zone (41) extending from the edge (40) along the first housing, radially in the direction away from the axis (A21) of the first housing, to a first line (51). The first zone is flat, parallel to the median plane, and forms a portion of a ring around the housing; - a second zone (42) extending from the first line (51) to a second line (52), forming a portion of a cone centered on the axis of the first housing and converging towards the tool plate. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Coupler for connecting a tool to an arm of a construction machine

[0001] The invention relates to a coupler for connecting a tool to an arm of a construction machine, as well as a construction machine comprising such a coupler.

[0002] The coupler according to the invention is intended for a quick-attachment assembly for a tool on the end of an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The general principle of a quick-attachment assembly is to equip the tool with a connecting device which generally has male connecting means such as trunnions, and to equip the end of the arm with a coupler which has female connecting means such as hooks into which the male connecting means engage.

[0003] A quick-coupler assembly allows a tool to be connected to and disconnected from a machine arm, in some cases without manual intervention by the machine operator, offering significant advantages in terms of simplicity and speed of tool change. The coupler must also ensure that the tool remains securely attached during operation, for the safety of personnel and property.

[0004] In a known embodiment, a tool comprises a first coupling member, such as a trunnion, and a plate fixed to each end of the first coupling member, orthogonally to said first coupling member. Furthermore, the coupler comprises a body having a median plane and having two hooks arranged on either side of said median plane and defining a housing configured to receive the first coupling member of the tool.

[0005] According to a first design, in the operating position, the hooks are located between the tool plates. In this case, in the operating position, the distance between the inner faces of the tool plates is slightly greater than the distance between the outer faces of the hooks, that is, the faces that are each adjacent to a tool plate. According to a second design, in the operating position, the hooks are located on either side of the tool plates, on their outer side. In this case, in the operating position, the distance between the outer faces of the tool plates is slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of the hooks, that is, the faces that are each adjacent to a tool plate. In other words, there is a transverse clearance between the hooks and the tool plates.

[0006] Such clearance is intended to allow the first coupling member of the tool to be inserted into the coupler's hooks during the tool connection phase. However, this clearance must necessarily be relatively small to limit the lateral movement of the tool relative to the coupler during the working phases.

[0007] However, it sometimes happens that the tool to be connected is angularly offset from its ideal position relative to the coupler, an ideal position in which the axis of the first coupling element is exactly parallel to the axis of the hooks. This angular offset can exist in different planes. It can result from a misalignment between the tool and the machine's coupler and / or from the fact that the tool is not resting on a horizontal surface.

[0008] When the geometric conditions of docking are thus degraded or unfavorable, mechanical blockages can occur between the tool and the coupler which are a source of loss of time but also of damage to the contact surfaces on the tool and on the coupler, despite the presence of the play.

[0009] The present invention aims to remedy this problem.

[0010] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a coupler intended to be mounted at the end of an arm of a construction machine and designed to connect to a tool, the tool comprising at least a first coupling member, such as a trunnion, and a plate fixed to each extreme part of the first coupling member, orthogonally to said first coupling member.

[0011] The coupler comprises a body having a median plane and two hooks arranged on either side of said median plane, said hooks defining a first housing configured to receive the first coupling member of the tool. Each hook has an opening for the passage of the first coupling member, a lower arm, an upper arm, and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and has an inner face facing the first housing, an inner face facing the median plane, and an outer face opposite the inner face. In the operating position, the first coupling member is located in an operational zone of the first housing, said operational zone having an axis orthogonal to the median plane, called the axis of the first housing, the tool plates being parallel to the median plane of the body.Furthermore, each hook includes a functional face which, between the inner and outer faces, is the one intended to be positioned adjacent to one of the tool plates, the functional face having a mean plane parallel to the median plane and having an edge which runs along the first housing.

[0012] According to a general definition of the invention, said functional face comprises: - a first zone extending from the edge of the functional face, radially in the direction away from the axis of the first housing, to a first line, said first zone being substantially flat and parallel to the median plane and forming a portion of a ring around the operational zone, - a second zone extending from the first line to a second line, radially in the direction of the distance from the axis of the first housing and towards the average plane of the functional face, forming a portion of a cone or dome centered on the axis of the first housing.

[0013] The first and second zones thus form a portion of the functional face that is projecting, in particular projecting with respect to the mean plane of the functional face, and this in the direction of the tool plate intended to be positioned adjacent to said functional face. The cone or dome, part of which forms the second zone, converges in the direction from the mean plane of the functional face to the plane in which the first zone extends.

[0014] Thus, during the tool connection phase, if the tool is not in its ideal position relative to the coupler but is angularly offset from this ideal position, the tool plates come into contact with the second zone of the functional face which, due to its shape and direction of convergence, tends to displace said plates, bringing the tool back towards its ideal position. The second zone therefore forms a positioning zone when the first tool coupling element is inserted into the first housing of the coupler.

[0015] Next, once the tool is in the working position, the first areas of the functional face are in contact—with a slight transverse clearance, for example, on the order of 1 to a few mm—with the tool plates. Since these first areas are flat, there is thus a planar contact between the functional face and each tool plate, which ensures lateral retention by preventing or considerably limiting wear and tear on these parts during operation. The first area therefore forms a zone of cooperation with the tool in the working position.

[0016] By "cone" is meant a surface defined by a straight line passing through a fixed point located on the axis of the first housing and a variable point describing a curve, which may be a circle. By "dome" is meant a curved surface, such as, for example, a spherical cap or a shape obtained by rotating a parabola around its axis of symmetry.

[0017] The invention thus makes it easier to correctly position the first tool coupling means in the first housing of the coupler, preventing jamming, even if the tool has an angular offset from its ideal docking position. Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary for the tool to be initially positioned with extreme precision relative to the coupler.

[0018] The coupler body may have two sides arranged parallel and on either side of the median plane of the body.

[0019] In one embodiment, it could be envisaged that, in the operating position, the sides of the coupler and the tool plates are partially adjacent in pairs. The tool plates and the coupler sides are generally flat and large surfaces, which without the invention would require very precise positioning of the tool relative to the coupler to avoid any jamming during the tool connection phase.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the functional face is the external face of the hook. The coupler hooks are then engaged between the tool plates, these plates preferably being fixed to the ends of the first coupling member. In this case, the second zone extends from the first line to a second line, radially away from the axis of the first housing and towards the median plane of the coupler. In other words, the second zone forms a portion of a cone or dome that converges away from the median plane of the body, that is, outwards, towards a point located on the axis of the first housing.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the functional face is the inner face of the hook. The coupler hooks are then positioned on either side of the tool plates, on their outer side. For example, the first coupling element extends laterally beyond the plates to engage in the first recess defined by the hooks. In this case, the direction of convergence of the second zone is reversed compared to the embodiment where the functional face is the outer face of the hook. Specifically, the second zone extends from the first line to a second line, radially away from the axis of the first recess and away from the median plane of the body. In other words, the second zone forms a portion of a cone or dome that converges toward the median plane of the body, that is, inwardly, toward a point located on the axis of the first recess.

[0022] Preferably, the first zone is continuous, that is to say, it is not formed of portions separated from one another. Alternatively or additionally, the second zone is preferably continuous.

[0023] According to one possible embodiment, the first zone extends around the operational zone over at least a part of each of the lower branch, the upper branch and the bottom wall.

[0024] The first zone can extend around the operational zone at an angle between 160° and 200°. This angle is for example on the order of 180°; in this case, the first zone extends over substantially the entire perimeter of the operational zone which is located on the hook.

[0025] The edge of the functional face may include a portion of a circle centered on the axis of the first housing.

[0026] The first line may include a first part extending over the lower arm and the bottom wall of the hook. This first part may be a portion of a circle centered on the axis of the first housing, the diameter of which is between 1.2 and 1.6 times the diameter of the portion of a circle forming at least part of the edge of the functional face.

[0027] According to one possible embodiment, the second zone extends around the operational zone over at least a portion of each of the lower arm and the bottom wall. It is conceivable that the second zone does not extend over the upper arm of the hook.

[0028] The second line may include a portion extending over the lower arm and the bottom wall of the hook. This portion may include a portion of a circle centered on the axis of the first housing, the diameter of which is between 2 and 4 times the diameter of the portion of a circle forming at least part of the edge of the functional face.

[0029] For example, the second zone is a portion of a cone whose half-angle at the apex is between 80 and 85°.

[0030] The outermost part of the upper and / or lower arm of each hook may be provided for, on the side of the functional face, to include a sector that is recessed, in the direction of the mid-plane, relative to the part of the functional face adjacent to said sector. This sector has a bottom face that is preferably inclined in the direction of the mid-plane, in the direction of and to the end of the arm concerned. In particular, the inclination of the bottom face of this sector may be greater than the inclination of the cone or dome portion of the functional face. Such a sector may form a ramp or chamfer facilitating the insertion of the first coupling member, even when it is presented obliquely at the opening of the hooks.

[0031] Preferably, the body comprises additional connecting means, arranged on either side of the body's median plane and distinct from the hooks, which are configured to cooperate with a second coupling member provided on the tool and distinct from the first coupling member. With such a configuration, the body may be provided with a peripheral zone bordering each of said additional connecting means, each peripheral zone being substantially flat and located in the same plane as the first zone of the functional face of the corresponding hook, which is located on the same side of the median plane.

[0032] The fact that said peripheral area is flat does not impair a connection free from jamming problems. Indeed, once the first coupling member is mounted in the first housing of the coupler, any initial angular misalignment between the tool and the body has been corrected, and there can no longer be any jamming during this subsequent step. Flatness also ensures lateral support of the tool relative to the coupler without matting or wear of the opposite faces during the working phases.

[0033] The second coupling member may consist of a trunnion, but not necessarily. According to one embodiment, the first and second coupling members may be parallel cylindrical bars of the same diameter, thus allowing the tool to be connected to the coupler in two opposite directions.

[0034] The peripheral zone and the functional face of the corresponding hook form, for example, a single continuous flat surface. In other words, with this embodiment, there is no interruption between said peripheral zone and the functional face, which are connected by a flat junction zone.

[0035] The coupler may comprise two flanks arranged parallel and on either side of the median plane of the body. According to one possible embodiment, each of the additional connecting means comprises a notch formed in one of the flanks, the notches forming a second housing, distinct from the first housing, configured to receive the second coupling element, such as a trunnion.

[0036] The functional face could then be one of the faces of a flank of the coupler.

[0037] The invention also relates to a piece of construction equipment, in particular a piece of public works equipment, such as a hydraulic excavator. The equipment comprises an arm and a coupler as previously described, said coupler being mounted at the end of the arm.

[0038] The invention also relates to a quick-release attachment assembly for a tool on the end of an arm of a construction machine. The quick-release assembly comprises a coupler as previously described and a tool which includes at least one first coupling member adapted to be received in the first housing of the coupler and a plate fixed to each end part of the first coupling member, orthogonally to said first coupling member, each of said plates being intended to be positioned adjacent to one of the functional faces of the hook.

[0039] The functional face is for example the external face of the hook, the hooks of the coupler being engaged between the plates of the tool.

[0040] A possible embodiment of the invention is now described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures:

[0041] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of part of the arm of a work machine equipped with a quick coupler assembly comprising a coupler according to an embodiment of the invention and a tool connected to the coupler;

[0042] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the coupler and the tool, not connected to each other;

[0043] [Fig.3] is a side view of the coupler body;

[0044] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the coupler body, along line AA of [Fig.3];

[0045] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view of the coupler body, along line BB of [Fig.3];

[0046] [Fig.6] is a detailed view of the coupler body, according to arrow F of [Fig.3];

[0047] [Fig.7] illustrates a tool being connected to the coupler, the tool having a first angular offset relative to its ideal position with respect to the coupler;

[0048] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view along line CC of [Fig.7];

[0049] [Fig.9] and [Fig. 10] are perspective detail views of a quick coupler assembly, along two different sides, where the first coupling member of the tool is arranged obliquely in the first housing of the coupler;

[0050] [Fig. 11] is a detail view of [Fig.8];

[0051] [Fig. 12] and [Fig. 13] show the cooperation of the functional face of each coupler hook with the tool being connected, the tool having said first angular offset;

[0052] [Fig. 14] is a view similar to [Fig. 11] once the tool is in the mounted position in the first housing of the coupler;

[0053] [Fig. 15] illustrates a tool being connected to the coupler, the tool having a second angular offset from its ideal position with respect to the coupler;

[0054] [Fig. 16] is a cross-sectional view along line DD of [Fig. 15].

[0055] Fig. 1 represents a tool 1 - here a bucket - connected to an arm 2 of a construction machine (not shown) by means of a quick coupler assembly 3. This quick coupler assembly 3 includes a connecting device 4 fixed on the tool 1 and a coupler 5 which is mounted on the end of the arm 2 and which is designed to connect to the tool 1, more specifically to the connecting device 4 fixed on the tool 1.

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the tool 1 comprises a first coupling member 11 and preferably a second coupling member 12. The coupling members 11 and 12 are male members, here cylindrical bars having an axis A11 and A12, respectively. The axes A11 and A12 are preferably parallel to each other. The coupling members 11 and 12 are mounted between two plates 13 of the tool 1, the plates being parallel to each other and orthogonal to the axes A11 and A12. In one embodiment, the coupling members 11 and 12 are parallel cylindrical bars of the same diameter, which has the advantage of allowing the tool 1 to be connected to the coupler in both directions, i.e., in the case of a bucket, with the bucket open towards the machine or away from the machine.

[0057] Other embodiments of the second coupling element may be envisaged.

[0058] Tool 1 presents a median plane PI which is orthogonal to the axes Ail, A12 and which can be a plane of symmetry (see [Fig.l]).

[0059] Each of the plates 13 comprises an inner face 14, turned towards the plane PI, and an outer face 16 opposite the inner face 14.

[0060] The coupler 5 includes a body 20 having a median plane P20 (see [Fig.2]) which can be a plane of symmetry.

[0061] According to one possible embodiment, the body 20 comprises two flanges 30 which are preferably parallel to each other and to the median plane P20. As can be seen in [Fig.5], each flange 30 can have two substantially flat faces parallel to the median plane P20.

[0062] In the upper part of the coupler 5, two shafts 31 are oriented orthogonally to the flanges 30 and arranged between the flanges 30, for connection to a coupler 5 orientation system provided on the arm 2 of the machine. Each flange 30 has a receiving element 32 for each of the shafts 31, such as a sleeve or an orifice.

[0063] The body 20 comprises two hooks 35 arranged on either side of the median plane P20. The hooks 35 are preferably identical and spaced apart in a direction orthogonal to the median plane P20. The hooks 35 define a first housing 21 configured to receive the first coupling member 11 of the tool 1. The first housing 21 is preferably located in the lower part of the coupler 5.

[0064] According to one possible embodiment, the body 20 comprises two sides 50 which are preferably parallel to each other and to the median plane P20, each side 50 extending parallel to one of the flanges 30 and in line with it, downwards. Each hook 35 can be provided in one of the sides 50.

[0065] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 3], each hook 35 has an opening 24 for the passage of the first coupling member 11 into the housing 21 during a tool 1 connection phase, and out of the housing 21 during a tool 1 disconnection phase. Each hook 35 also has a lower arm 25, an upper arm 26, and a bottom wall 27 opposite the opening 24. The hook 35 can thus have the overall shape of a U. In addition, each hook 35 has an inner face 28 facing the first housing 21, an inner face 34 facing the median plane P20, and an outer face 36 opposite the inner face 34. An inner edge, respectively an outer edge, is defined between the inner face 28 and the inner face 34, respectively the outer face 36, of the hook 35.

[0066] The first housing 21 has an operating zone 23 which is the zone where the first coupling member 11 is located in the mounted position of the tool 1 on the arm 2, i.e. in the operating position, the tool 1 being ready for the working phase. The tool 1 is then in the normal, correct position, i.e. without angular offset relative to the coupler 5, the plates 13 of the tool 1 being parallel to the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5.

[0067] The operational zone 23 has an axis orthogonal to the median plane P20, which is referred to as axis A21 of the first housing 21 for the sake of simplicity. The operational zone 23 is, for example, adjacent to the back wall 27.

[0068] Preferably, the body 20 includes additional connecting means which are arranged on either side of the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5. These additional connecting means are distinct from the hooks 35 and are configured to cooperate with the second coupling member 12 provided on the tool 1, for example a trunnion.

[0069] According to one embodiment, each of the additional connecting means having a notch formed in one of the sides 50, the notches forming a second housing 22 distinct from the first housing 21. The second housing 22 has an axis A22 which is substantially parallel to the axis A21 of the first housing 21.

[0070] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the following directions are defined relative to the coupler 5: - the transverse direction Y is the direction of axis A21 and axis A22 (when the body 20 includes a second housing 22); - the longitudinal direction X is the direction orthogonal to the axes A21 and A22; it can correspond substantially to the direction of movement of the first coupling element 11 between the opening 24 and the operational zone 23 of the first housing 21; - the Z direction is the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

[0071] When the machine rests on a substantially flat and horizontal ground, with a tool 1 mounted on the arm 2 and in a neutral position, as illustrated in [Fig.1]: the longitudinal direction X is substantially horizontal and corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the machine; the transverse direction Y is substantially horizontal and corresponds to the transverse direction of the machine; the direction Z is vertical.

[0072] The description is made with reference to this spatial configuration, it being specified that an operator can orient the tool 1 differently relative to the arm 2 by acting on the orientation system 6 of the tool 1.

[0073] With this spatial configuration, the terms "front" and "rear" are used with reference to the X direction and to forward movement of the vehicle. The term "lateral" is used with reference to the Y direction, as are the terms "internal" and "external," the term "internal" designating a component closer to the median axis P20 of the body 20 than a component designated as "external." The terms "upper," "lower," "top," and similar are used with reference to the Z direction.

[0074] The device has a median plane P parallel to a plane (X,Z). The opening 24 of the first housing 21 is located, for example, towards the device, that is to say towards the rear, while the second housing 22 can be in the form of two notches each made in the lower and front part of the sides 50. Each notch can have a top face 37 globally parallel to a plane (X,Y) and a bottom face 38 globally parallel to a plane (Y,Z), connected by a fillet 39.

[0075] We denote P' the plane orthogonal to the median plane P20 and passing through the axes A21 and A22 of the first and second dwellings 21, 22.

[0076] The mounted position of the first member 11 in the first housing 21 is defined as the configuration where the first coupling member 11 is located in the operating area 23, without angular offset between the median planes PI of the tool 1 and P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5. In this position, the axes Al 1 of the first coupling member 11 and A21 of the first housing 21 are substantially coincident.

[0077] The mounted position of the first component 11 in the first housing 21 can correspond to the position reached after a first step of the tool 1 connection phase, even if other steps are required later to finalize the connection of the tool 1. Thus, in said mounted position of the first component 11 in the first housing 21, the first component 11 can occupy the same position as that which it occupies in the operating position, once the connection of the tool 1 is finalized.

[0078] In particular, the tool connection phase 1 may include a second step of putting the second coupling member 12 into the second housing 22, so that the axes A12 of the second coupling member 12 and A22 of the second housing 22 are substantially coincident, and then a third step of locking the second coupling member 12 into the second housing 22, by means of a locking system (not shown) mounted on the body 20 of the coupler 5.

[0079] In the operating position, each of the tool plates 13 is positioned adjacent to one of the hooks 35, with a slight clearance. The hooks 35 ensure centering of the tool 1 in the coupler 5, along the transverse direction Y. Preferably, the outer face 36 of each hook 35 is located either substantially in the same plane (X,Z) as the outer face of the corresponding flank 50, or offset along the transverse direction Y, so that it is the face of the coupler 5 that comes into contact with the tool plate 13.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, the hooks 35 of the coupler 5 are positioned between the plates 13 of the tool 1. In this case, in the operating position, each of the internal faces 14 of the plates 13 is adjacent to the external face 36 of the corresponding hook 35.

[0081] The following description will be made in connection with this embodiment, it being specified that the inverted embodiment - where the hooks 35 of the coupler 5 are positioned on both sides and on the external side of the plates 13 of tool 1 - is also conceivable.

[0082] Each hook 35 includes a functional face intended to be positioned adjacent to one of the plates 13 of the tool 1, and which is therefore the external face 36 of the hook 35. In the following description, the term "functional face" is not used; it is replaced by the term "external face." In the aforementioned inverse embodiment, the functional face is the internal face 34 of the hook 35.

[0083] The outer face 36 has a mean plane P36 parallel to the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5. The outer face 36 has an edge 40 which runs along the first housing 21 and which corresponds to the outer edge defined between the inner face 28 and the outer face 36 of the hook 35. The edge 40 of the outer face 36 may include a portion of a circle which is centered on the axis A21 of the first housing 21 and which has a diameter D40.

[0084] The outer face 36 includes a first zone 41 which extends from the edge 40 of the outer face 36, radially in the direction away from the axis A21 of the first housing 21, to a first line 51. The first zone 41 is substantially planar and extends in a plane P41 which is parallel to the median plane P20 of the body of the coupler 5.

[0085] The first zone 41 forms a portion of a ring around the operational zone 23. For example, the first zone 41 extends around the operational zone 23 over at least a part of each of the lower branch 25, the upper branch 26, and the bottom wall 27. The first zone 41 can extend around the operational zone 23 at an angle between 160° and 200°, for example, on the order of 180°, as seen in [Fig. 3]. For example, the two ends 53 of the ring formed by the first zone 41 extend substantially in the same plane (Y,Z).

[0086] The first line 51 may include a first part 51a which extends over the lower arm 25 and over the bottom wall 27 of the hook 35, said first part 51a being a portion of a circle which is centered on the axis A21 of the first housing 21 and which has a diameter D51 between 1.2 and 1.6 times the diameter D40. For example, D51 may be close to 1.4 x D40.

[0087] The first part 5la of the first line 51 therefore forms a first curvature. For example, the first line 51 also includes a second part 51b located in the extension of the first part 51a, presenting a second curvature, arranged in the opposite direction to the first curvature, and extending opposite the first housing 21, the first line 51 thus presenting an S shape.

[0088] The outer face 36 also includes a second zone 42 extending from the first line 51 to a second line 52, radially in the direction away from the axis A21 of the first housing 21 and towards the mid-plane P36 of the outer face 36, i.e., towards the mid-plane P20 of the coupler body 5, i.e., towards the inner side. Furthermore, the second zone 42 forms a portion of a cone centered on the axis A21 of the first housing 21. In other words, the cone, a portion of which forms the second zone 42, converges towards a point on the axis A21 of the first housing 21, located on the outer side of the coupler 5.

[0089] For example, the second zone 42 extends around the operational zone 23 over at least part of each of the lower branch 25 and the bottom wall 27. The second zone 42 can extend from the lower branch 25 over about half of the bottom wall 27, up to a line 54 which extends for example substantially in a plane (X,Y) containing the axis A21 of the first housing 21.

[0090] As can be seen in figures 4 and 6, the second zone 42 can be a portion of a cone whose half-angle at the apex a is between 80 and 85°.

[0091] The second line 52 may include a portion extending over the lower arm 25 and over the bottom wall 27 of the hook 35, said portion comprising a portion of a circle centered on the axis A21 of the first housing 21 and having a diameter D52 between 2 and 4 times the diameter D40. For example, D52 may be close to 3 x D40.

[0092] Between the first and second lines 51, 52, and beyond line 54, the second zone 42 can be extended by a third zone 43. Just like the second zone 42, the third zone 43 is located on the internal side with respect to the first zone 4L. The third zone 43 may have a concave shape.

[0093] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the extreme part of the upper arm 26 (i.e. opposite the bottom wall 27) of each hook 35 comprises, on the side of the external face 36, a sector 46 which is recessed, in the direction of the mean plane P36 of the external face 36, relative to the part of the external face 36 which is adjacent to said sector 46. Alternatively or in addition, similarly, the extreme part of the lower arm 25 of each hook 35 comprises, on the side of the external face 36, a sector 45 which is recessed.

[0094] Each sector 45, 46 has a bottom face which is preferably inclined towards the mean plane P36 of the external face 36, i.e. towards the mean plane P20 of the body of the coupler 5, i.e. the internal side, up to the end of the branch concerned 25, 26. The inclination of the bottom face of each sector 45, 46 is preferably greater than the inclination of the portion of cone or dome of the external face 36, so as to facilitate the beginning of the introduction of the first coupling member 11 into the first housing 21.

[0095] Furthermore, each of the notches forming the second housing 22 is bordered by a peripheral zone 44 which is substantially flat and located in the same plane P41 as the first zone 41 of the outer face 36 of the corresponding hook 35, as seen in [Fig. 4]. Preferably, a junction zone 47 can be provided between the first zone 41 and the peripheral zone 44, these zones 47, 41, 44 forming a single continuous flat surface. The junction zone 47 can be located above a zone of the corresponding flank 50 which forms a recess.

[0096] In an ideal situation, when connecting the tool 1 to the arm 2 of the machine, the coupler 5 is brought close to the tool 1, which is placed on a flat, horizontal surface, with the plane PI of the tool 1 and the plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5 coinciding. The hooks 35 are then engaged around the first coupling member 11, between the plates 13, the axis A21 of the first housing 21 defined by the hooks 35 and the axis Al1 of the first coupling member 11 being parallel and oriented along the transverse direction Y defined with respect to the coupler 5. In this case, the connection of the tool 1 to the coupler 5 is made without risk of jamming.

[0097] We now refer to figures 7 to 14 which illustrate the tool 1 and the coupler 5 during a connection phase, when the tool 1 is angularly offset from its ideal docking position vis-à-vis the coupler 5, according to a first type of angular offset.

[0098] As can be seen in figures 7 and 8, at the beginning of the connection phase, the axis Ail is indeed located in a horizontal plane (X,Y), but on the other hand it is angularly offset by an angle [3 with respect to the transverse direction Y defined with respect to the coupler 5. In other words, the median plane PI of the tool 1 is offset with respect to the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5, angularly around the vertical direction Z, by an angle [3.

[0099] When the first coupling member 11 engages in the first housing 21, it positions itself obliquely, as seen in figures 8 to 11.

[0100] As illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the permissible angular limit of the tool 1's contact in the hooks 35 of the coupler 5 is defined by the collaboration between: - on the one hand the point 100 defined by the intersection between the plane P' and the edge 40 of the external face 36 of a hook 35, and the internal face 14 of the corresponding plate 13, on the first side of the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5 ([Fig.9]); - and on the other hand the point 200 defined by the intersection between the inner face 28 of the hook 35, at the level of the lower arm 25, and the edge 40 of the outer face 36 of a hook 35, and the inner face 14 of the corresponding plate 13, on a second side of the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5 ([Fig. 10]).

[0101] It is possible for the first organ 11 to occupy an oblique position because: - on the first side of the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5 ([Fig. 13]), a part of the plate 13 of the tool 1 located towards the opening 24 of the first housing 21 comes to rest in the sector 46 provided in recess on the external face 36 of the hook 35, at the level of the upper branch 26; - and, on the second side of the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5 ([Fig. 12]), a part of the plate 13 of the tool 1 located towards the bottom wall of the first housing 21 27, that is opposite the opening 24, comes to be housed in the hollow space created by the second zone 42, which is set back from the first zone 41 of the external face 36 of the hook 35.

[0102] Around the operating zone 23 into which the first coupling member 11 is partially inserted obliquely, the conical shape centered on axis A21 of the first housing 21 and converging towards the adjacent plate 13 of the tool 1 guides the first coupling member 11 from its angularly offset position ([Fig. 11]) to the correct mounting position ([Fig. 14]). This results in a natural alignment of the axes A1 and A21, without blocking or jamming, and without damage to the surfaces that cooperate during this connection phase. Indeed, when the arm 2 of the machine lifts the tool 1 from the ground, the first coupling member 11 of the tool 1 falls by gravity to the bottom of the hooks 35, in the operating zone 23 of the first housing 21, without risk of oblique jamming, on the diagonal defined by points 100, 200.

[0103] Furthermore, in the correctly mounted position of the first coupling member 11, for each hook 25, the first flat area 41 of the external face 36 cooperates with the internal face 14 of the corresponding plate 13 of the tool 1. The flat contact between these surfaces makes it possible to guarantee lateral support of the tool 1 relative to the coupler 5 without matting or wear of the surfaces which cooperate during the working phases.

[0104] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to mount the tool 1 correctly in the first housing 21 from a degraded position where the angle [3 is between approximately -5° and +5°, without any jamming occurring.

[0105] We now refer to figures 15 and 16 which illustrate the tool 1 and the coupler 5 during a connection phase, when the tool 1 is angularly offset from its ideal docking position vis-à-vis the coupler 5, according to a second type of angular offset.

[0106] At the beginning of the connection phase, the median plane PI of the tool 1 is offset relative to the median plane P20 of the body 20 of the coupler 5, angularly around the longitudinal direction X, by an angle y. This positioning error can typically occur when the tool 1 is placed on a non-horizontal ground.

[0107] In a manner similar to what has just been described, thanks to the second zone 42 provided on the external face 36 of each hook 35 and which cooperates with the internal face 14 of the corresponding plate 13 of the tool 1, a natural alignment of the axis Al 1 of the first coupling member 11, initially positioned obliquely, and of the axis A21 of the first housing 21 occurs when the tool 1 is lifted. This is obtained without jamming.

[0108] Then, during the working phase, it is the first zone 41 formed on the external face 36 of each hook 35 which is adjacent to the internal face 14 of the corresponding plate 13 of the tool 1. The flatness of the first zone 41 guarantees the quality of the contact, without matting or wear, during the working phases.

[0109] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to mount the tool 1 correctly in the first housing 21 from a degraded position where the angle y is between -5° and +5° approximately, and this without any jamming occurring.

[0110] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

1. Demands Coupler (5) intended to be mounted at the end of an arm (2) of a construction machine and designed to connect to a tool (1), the tool (1) comprising at least one first coupling member (11), such as a trunnion, and a plate (13) fixed to each end part of the first coupling member (11), orthogonally to said first coupling member (11), the coupler (5) comprising a body (20) having a median plane (P20) and having two hooks (35) arranged on either side of said median plane (P20), said hooks (35) defining a first housing (21) configured to receive the first coupling member (11) of the tool (1), each hook (35) having an opening (24) for the passage of the first coupling member (11), a lower arm (25), an upper arm (26) and a bottom wall (27) opposite the opening (24), and having an inner face (28) facing towards the first housing (21),an inner face (34) facing the median plane (P20) and an outer face (36) opposite the inner face (34), where, in the operating position, the first coupling member (11) is located in an operational zone (23) of the first housing (21), said operational zone (23) having an axis orthogonal to the median plane (P20), called the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), the plates (13) of the tool (1) being parallel to the median plane (P20) of the body (20), each hook (35) comprising a functional face which is, among the inner face (34) and the outer face (36), the one intended to be positioned adjacent to one of the plates (13) of the tool (1), the functional face having a median plane (P36) parallel to the median plane (P20) and having an edge (40) which runs along the first housing (21), characterized in that said functional face comprises: - a first zone (41) which extends from the edge (40) of the functional face,radially in the direction of the distance from the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), up to a first line (51), said first zone (41) being substantially flat and parallel to the median plane (P20) and forming a portion of a ring around the operational zone (23), - a second zone (42) which extends from the first line (51) to a second line (52), radially in the direction of the away from the axis (A21) of the first housing (21) and in the direction of the mean plane (P36) of the functional face, forming a portion of a cone or dome centered on the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), in that the edge (40) of the functional face comprises a portion of a circle centered on the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), and has a diameter D40, and in that the first line (51) comprises a first part (51a) which extends over the lower branch (25) and over the bottom wall (27) of the hook (35), said first part (51a) being a portion of a circle centered on the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), and having a diameter D51 between 1.2 and 1.6 times D40.

2. Coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that the first zone (41) extends around the operational zone (23) over at least a part of each of the lower branch (25), the upper branch (26) and the bottom wall (27).

3. Coupler according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first zone (41) extends around the operational zone (23) over an angle between 160° and 200°, for example of the order of 180°.

4. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second zone (42) extends around the operational zone (23) over at least a part of each of the lower branch (25) and the bottom wall (27).

5. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the edge (40) of the functional face comprises a portion of a circle centered on the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), and has a diameter D40, and in that the second line (52) comprises a part which extends over the lower arm (25) and over the bottom wall (27) of the hook (35), said part being a portion of a circle centered on the axis (A21) of the first housing (21), and having a diameter D52 between 2 and 4 times D40.

6. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second zone (42) is a portion of a cone whose half-angle at the apex (a) is between 80 and 85°.

7. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the extreme part of the upper (26) and / or lower (25) arm of each hook (35) includes, on the side of the functional face, a sector (45, 46) which is recessed, in the direction of the mean plane (P36), relative to the part of the functional face which is adjacent to said sector (45, 46), said sector (45, 46) having a bottom face which is preferably inclined in the direction of the mean plane (P36), in the direction of and to the end of the branch (25, 26) concerned.

8. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the functional face is the external face (36) of the hook (35), the second zone (42) forming a portion of a cone or dome which converges in the direction of the away from the median plane (P20) of the body (20).

9. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the functional face is the inner face (34) of the hook (35), the second zone (42) forming a portion of a cone or dome which converges in the direction of the median plane (P20) of the body (20).

10. Coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the body (20) comprises additional connecting means, arranged on either side of the median plane (P20) of the body (20) and distinct from the hooks (35), which are configured to cooperate with a second coupling member (12) provided on the tool (1) and distinct from the first coupling member (11), and in that the body (20) has a peripheral zone (44) bordering each of said additional connecting means, each peripheral zone (44) being substantially flat and located in the same plane (P41) as the first zone (41) of the functional face of the corresponding hook (35), which is located on the same side of the median plane (P20).

11. Coupler according to claim 10, characterized in that the peripheral zone (44) and the first zone (41) of the functional face of the corresponding hook (35) form a single continuous flat surface.

12. Coupler according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it comprises two flanks (50) arranged parallel and on either side of the median plane (P20) of the body (20), each of the additional connecting means comprising a notch formed in one of the flanks (50), the notches forming a second housing (22), distinct from the first housing (21), configured to receive the second coupling member (12), such as a trunnion.

13. Construction equipment, such as a hydraulic excavator, comprising an arm (2), characterized in that it comprises a coupler (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, said coupler (5) being mounted at the end of the arm (2).

14. Quick-attachment assembly (3) of a tool (1) on the end of an arm (2) of a construction machine, said quick-attachment assembly (3) comprising a coupler (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a tool (1) which includes at least a first coupling member (11) suitable for being received in the first housing (21) of the coupler (5) and a plate (13) fixed to each end part of the first coupling member (11), orthogonally to said first coupling member (11), each of said plates (13) being intended to be positioned adjacent to one of the functional faces of the hook (35).

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