Quick-change system for changing attachments on construction machines

Abstract

To provide a quick change system which enables simple and stable coupling of a rotary joint.SOLUTION: A quick change system for replacing an attachment of a construction machine has: a quick changer which is mounted so as to be rotated in a driving housing of a rotation device, and is rotatable to the driving housing by a rotation drive part; and a rotary joint which has a fixing part and a rotor rotatable in the fixing part so as to supply a working fluid to the quick changer, and is arranged in the driving housing. The fixing part of the rotary joint arranged in a through opening of the driving housing is supported in a radial direction to the driving housing in an upper part and a lower part of an upper end face of a driving wheel of the rotation drive part arranged in the driving housing, so as to enable simple and stable coupling of the rotary joint.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a quick-change system for exchanging attachments on a construction machine according to the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] A quick-change system of this type is known from DE 10 200 43 33 A1 for the easy and convenient exchange of various attachments on construction machines. It comprises a quick-changer mounted for rotation in a drive housing and rotatable by a rotary drive relative to the drive housing, and a rotary joint arranged in the drive housing having a fixed part and a rotor rotatable in the fixed part for supplying the quick-changer with working fluid. Attachments connected to the quick-changer, such as return buckets, double scoop buckets, shears, compactors, magnets, hydraulic hammers, etc., can be connected by the rotary drive not only around pivot axes arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the excavator arm, but also around rotation axes perpendicular to said pivot axes. A fluid connection between the drive housing and the rotatable quick-changer is made possible via a rotary joint for supplying the quick-changer with working fluid.

[0003] The rotary joint in such a quick-change system usually has a fixed part designed as a fixed outer cylinder and a rotor mounted to rotate within the fixed part. The fixed part is generally fastened to the cover plate of the drive housing via a flange or another suitable mounting and several screws and protrudes relatively far downwards without radial support. Vibrations can occur due to shocks or shock loads during use of the quick-change system, thereby damaging the rotary joint and the connecting parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application No. 102013206574 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to devise a quick-change system of the above-mentioned type which allows a simple and reliable fastening of the rotary joint. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by a quick-change system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and advantageous refinements of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0007] The fixed part (stator) of the rotary joint arranged in the through opening of the drive housing of the quick-change system according to the invention is supported radially relative to the drive housing above and below the upper end surface of the drive wheel of the rotary drive arranged in the drive housing. The fixed part is thus guided over a relatively long length in the radial direction relative to the drive housing of the rotary joint, which results in a particularly stable arrangement of the rotary joint in the drive housing protected against tilting movements or vibrations. The configuration and arrangement of the rotary joint also allows optimal utilization of the design space available in the drive housing, which results in more supply channels with a larger flow rate. It is thus also possible to ensure the supply of several loads, even if in some cases the demands on the hydraulic fluid are high. This allows a larger volumetric flow rate of the hydraulic fluid to also be transferred through the rotary joint at a lower back pressure. Due to the good radial support of the rotary joint in the housing, the fastening of the rotary joint is also simplified and the assembly is easier.

[0008] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fixed part of the rotary joint is radially supported by a bearing ring of the drive housing, which bounds the through opening. The bearing ring of the drive housing serves not only for the rotatable support of the drive wheel, but also for the radial support of the rotary joint, and provides a large support surface for the radial support of the fixed part. The drive wheel for rotating the quick-changer is expediently mounted to rotate outside the bearing ring, which also supports the fixed part.

[0009] A particularly good radial support of the fixed part of the rotary joint can be achieved by the largest possible surface on the inside of the bearing ring, the lower end of which can be conveniently arranged in the area below the drive wheel.

[0010] In a further advantageous manner, the fixed part of the rotary joint is arranged radially sealed in the through opening of the drive housing via at least one sealing element. This makes it possible to prevent oil or dirt from getting between the drive housing and the fixed part. Thus, the ingress of oil or dirt from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top of the drive housing can be avoided. This also makes it possible to facilitate troubleshooting during service due to the clear separation. Damping induction and fixation of the rotary joint in the drive housing can also be achieved.

[0011] Due to its arrangement and design integrated into the drive housing, the rotary joint can preferably have more than seven supply channels for supplying the working fluid to the quick changer. Thus, attachments with several connections can also be provided. By connecting or merging several supply channels, even a large volume of supply lines can be created to achieve a larger flow rate at low back pressure.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment, the drive housing of the rotary joint can be arranged on the connection part so that it can be swiveled about a pivot axis perpendicular to the rotation axis. The attachment connected to the quick changer can not only be rotated about the rotation axis, but also tilted relative to the connection part about a pivot axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, thereby expanding the movement capacity and the application area. However, the drive housing can also be arranged fixedly on the connection part without additional swiveling capacity, so that the quick changer can be rotated relative to the connection part only about the rotation axis.

[0013] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of examples of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a quick change system including a quick changer, a coupling, and a rotating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the quick change system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 and 2 show an example of an embodiment of a quick-change system with a quick-changer 1 for automatic coupling of an attachment, a coupling part 2 for mounting the quick-changer 1 on an excavator arm or another attachment of a construction machine, and a rotating device 3 arranged between the quick-changer 1 and the coupling part 2 for rotating the quick-changer 1 relative to the coupling part 2. The rotating device 3 includes a drive housing 4, on which the quick-changer 1 is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis 5 shown in FIG. 2 (here vertically aligned). A rotary joint 6 is also arranged in the drive housing 4 of the rotating device 3, which includes a fixed part 7 arranged in the drive housing 4, non-rotating with respect to the drive housing, and a rotor 8 rotatable in the fixed part to supply the quick-changer 1 with a working fluid. Through such a rotary drive with a drive motor 9 shown in FIG. 1 and a drive wheel 10 seen in FIG. 2, here designed as a worm gear, the quick-changer 2 (sic, 1) can be rotated 360° about the rotation axis 5 by a motor via a worm drive (not shown) relative to the drive housing 1 (sic, 4).

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive housing 4 of the rotation device 3 is arranged on the connection part 2 in such a way that it is rotatable about a pivot axis 11 perpendicular to the rotation axis 5, here formed by two actuating cylinders 12, relative to the connection part 2 about the pivot axis 11 via a pivot drive. However, the pivot drive for tilting the drive housing 4 relative to the connection part 2 can also be designed as a swivel motor or the like. With such a quick-change system (also called a tilt rotator), the attachment connected to the quick-changer 1 can not only be rotated about the rotation axis 5, but also tilted about a pivot axis perpendicular to the rotation axis 5 relative to the connection part 2, resulting in an expanded mobility and thus an expanded range of applications. However, the drive housing 4 can be arranged fixedly on the connection part 2 without additional pivoting capabilities, such that the quick-changer 1 can only be rotated about the rotation axis 5 relative to the connection part 2.

[0017] The link 2 in the illustrated embodiment example has two parallel side walls 13 and front and rear cross members 14. The drive housing 4 is mounted to pivot about the pivot axis 11 via a bearing pin 15, visible in FIG. 1, in corresponding bearing holes 16 in the front and rear cross members 14. The link 2 is attached to the arm via holes 17 in the two side walls 13, to which the excavator can be coupled. The two working cylinders 12 comprise cylinder housings 18 fastened to the corresponding side walls 13 of the link 2 and piston rods 19 arranged hydraulically movable and displaceable in the cylinder housings 18, the free ends of the piston rods being connected to the drive housing 4 via articulated rod ends 20 and corresponding mountings 21. By corresponding retraction and extension of the two piston rods 19, the drive housing 14 (sic, 4) can be tilted relative to the link 2.

[0018] The quick changer 1 shown in cross section in FIG. 2 comprises a support 22 designed as a welded structure or cast part, which has a first receptacle (accommodating portion) 23 open on one side for receiving and fixing a first pin-like connecting element on one side, and a second receptacle (accommodating portion) 24 open downwards on the other side for receiving and fixing a second pin-like connecting element on the other side.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment example, the quick changer 1 has two receptacles 23 for front coupling elements spaced apart from each other on one side of the support 22 and two receptacles 24 for rear coupling elements on the other side. The first receptacle 23 opening on one side is claw-shaped or fork-shaped. The second receptacle 24 opening downwards on the other side has a curved lower support surface 25 for supporting a pin-shaped coupling element. A locking device is provided on the second receptacle 24 with two pin-shaped locking elements 26 movable between an extended lock position and a retracted unlocked position. The two pin-shaped locking elements 26 are movable within the support 22 and can be moved by a cylinder 27, seen in FIG. 2, between a retracted unlocked position for releasing or coupling an adapter or attachment and an extended lock position shown in FIG. 1. In the extended locking position, the downwardly opening second receptacle 24 is closed by a locking element 26 movably arranged in a guide hole in the bottom support 22, so that the coupling element is engaged from below by the pin-like locking element 26.

[0020] To couple an attachment by means of the quick changer 1, the quick changer 1, which is generally arranged on the excavator arm and on the excavator coupling via the coupling 2, is first moved so that the front pin-like coupling element arranged on the adapter or directly on the attachment is stored in a claw- or fork-like receptacle 23 on one side of the quick changer 1. The quick changer 1, with the locking element 26 still retracted, is then pivoted about the front pin-like coupling element so that the rear coupling element on the adapter or on the attachment comes into contact with the support surface 25 of the downwardly open receptacle 24 on the other side of the quick changer 1. The locking element 26, which is movably arranged in the guide hole of the support 22 of the quick changer 1, can then be hydraulically extended so that the rear pin-like coupling element is engaged by the two locking elements 26 of the quick changer 1 and thus the attachment is held on the quick changer 1.

[0021] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the one-part drive housing 4 has an upper annular cover surface 28, a central through opening 30 bounded by an inner bearing ring 29 of the drive housing 4, and a lower open annular space 31 arranged around the bearing ring 29 for accommodating the drive wheel 10. The annular space 31 is bounded between the outside of the inner bearing ring 29 and the inside of the outer peripheral wall 32 of the drive housing 4. The drive wheel 10 is fixedly mounted for axial rotation on the outside of the inner bearing ring 29 of the drive housing 4, which extends over almost the entire height of the drive wheel 10, and serves not only for driving but also for rotatably supporting the quick changer 1 in the drive housing 4. For this purpose, the support 22 of the quick changer 1 is firmly connected via an intermediate ring 33 to the axially fixed drive wheel 10, which is mounted for rotation on the bearing ring 29 of the drive housing 4. The intermediate ring 33 can be fixed to the support 22 by welding and firmly joined to the drive wheel 10 via screws.

[0022] The fixing part 7 has a hollow cylindrical base element 34 and an annular upper mounting flange 35 with an outer shoulder 36, shown in FIG. 1, for positive locking engagement in a corresponding recess 37 in the upper cover surface 28 of the drive housing 4. The fixing part 7 is held in the drive housing 4 restrained against rotation via the shoulder 36 on the mounting flange 35 and the corresponding recess 37 on the upper cover surface 28 of the drive housing 4. The outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical base element 34 is adapted to the inner diameter of the through opening 28 of the drive housing 4, so that the fixing part 7 is radially supported relative to the drive housing 4. The radial support of the fixing part 7 relative to the drive housing 4 occurs not only in the upper region of the base element 34, but also under the upper end surface 38 of the drive wheel, so that the fixing part 7 is radially supported relative to the drive housing 4 over the majority of its length.

[0023] As is clear from FIG. 2, the bearing ring 29 extends relatively downwards in the drive housing 4. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower end 39 of the bearing ring 29 is arranged in the region of the lower side 40 of the drive wheel 10. The fixed part 7 of the rotary joint 6 completely fills the through opening 30 of the bearing ring 29, resulting in a closed design. A sealing element 41, designed here as an annular seal with an O-shaped or rectangular cross section, is arranged between the hollow cylindrical base element 34 of the fixed part 7 and the drive housing 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed part 7 of the rotary joint 6 is arranged radially sealed in the through opening 30 of the drive housing 4 via three sealing elements 41 axially spaced apart from one another. The rotary joint 6 has several supply channels (supply tubes) in a known manner, a first channel section (tube) 42 being arranged in the fixed part 7 and a second channel section (tube) 43 being connected to the rotor 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 1 Quick Changer 2 Connecting part 3 Rotating device 4 Drive housing 5 Rotation Axis 6 Rotational joints 7 Fixed part 8 Rotor 9 Drive motor 10 Drive wheels 11 Pivot Axis 12 Working cylinder 13 Side wall 14 Crosspiece 15 Bearing pin 16 Bearing hole 17 holes 18 Cylinder housing 19 Piston rod 20 Joint Rod End 21 Mounting stand 22 Support 23 First Receptacle 24 Second Receptacle 25 Support surface 26 Rock Elements 27 Cylinder 28 Cover surface 29 Bearing ring 30 Through hole 31 Annular Space 32 Peripheral wall 33 Intermediate Ring 34 Base Elements 35 Mounting flange 36 Shoulder 37 Recess 38 Upper end surface 39 Lower end of bearing ring 40 Bottom side 41 Sealing elements 42 First Channel Section 43 Second Channel Section

Claims

1. 1. A quick-change system for exchanging attachments on a construction machine, comprising: a quick-changer (1) mounted for rotation within a drive housing (4) of a rotating device (3) and rotatable relative to the drive housing (4) by a rotary drive (9, 10); and a rotary joint (6) arranged within the drive housing (4) having a fixed part (7) and a rotor (8) rotatable within the fixed part (7) for supplying a working fluid to the quick-changer (1), The quick changer (1) comprises a support (22) having a first receptacle (23) for receiving a first coupling element, a second receptacle (24) for receiving a second coupling element, and a locking device assigned to the second receptacle (24) including at least one locking element (26) movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein the fixed part (7) of the rotary joint (6), arranged in a through opening (30) of the drive housing (4), is supported radially relative to the drive housing (4) above and below an upper end surface (38) of a drive wheel (10) of the rotary drive part (9, 10) arranged in the drive housing (4), the drive housing (4) includes a downwardly opening annular space (31) arranged around the inner bearing ring (29) for accommodating the drive wheel (10); the drive wheel (10) is mounted for fixed axial rotation outside the inner bearing ring (29) of the drive housing (4); the fixed part (7) of the rotary joint (6) comprising a hollow cylindrical base element (34) and an annular upper mounting flange (35) having an outer shoulder (36) for positive locking engagement with a corresponding recess (37) in the upper cover surface (28) of the drive housing (4), A quick change system.

2. 2. A quick-change system according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed part (7) of the rotary joint (6) is radially supported by an inner bearing ring (29) of the drive housing (4) which bounds the through opening (30).

3. A quick change system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower end (39) of the inner bearing ring (29) is arranged in the area of ​​the underside (40) of the drive wheel (10).

4. 4. The quick-change system according to claim 1, wherein the fixed part (7) of the rotary joint (6) is arranged radially sealed in the through opening (30) of the drive housing (4) via at least one sealing element (41).

5. 5. The quick-change system according to claim 1, wherein the rotary joint (6) comprises at least seven supply channels having first channel sections (42) arranged in the fixed part (7) and second channel sections (43) of the rotor (8) connected thereto.

6. 2. The quick change system according to claim 1, wherein the annular space (31) is bounded between an outside of the inner bearing ring (29) and an inside of an outer peripheral wall (32) of the drive housing (10).

7. 7. The quick-change system according to claim 1, wherein the drive housing (4) of the rotation device (3) is arranged rotatably on the connection part (2) about a pivot axis (11) perpendicular to the rotation axis (5).

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