Swing loader

Abstract

The invention relates to a swing loader having a vehicle chassis and a loading arm, which is mounted on the vehicle chassis by means of a swivel joint so as to be swivellable about a vertical axis and which has a lifting boom mounted swivellably, by means of a horizontal swivel joint, on a bogie of the swivel joint, an adjusting boom mounted swivellably on the lifting boom by means of an adjusting boom joint, and a shovel arm boom mounted swivellably on the adjusting boom, wherein the adjusting boom and the shovel arm boom are lockable relative to one another in a longitudinal position so as to form a lifting arm for wheel loader-type operation.

Description

[0001] Swing loader

[0002] The present invention relates to a swivel loader with a vehicle frame and a loading arm which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle frame about a vertical axis or vertical pivot axis by means of a pivot joint and which has a lifting boom pivotally mounted on a bogie of the pivot joint via a horizontal pivot joint, an adjustable boom pivotally mounted on the latter by means of an adjustable boom joint and a dipper arm pivotally mounted on the adjustable boom.

[0003] Such swivel loaders, with excavator-like loading arms, are used particularly in tight spaces. The tools mounted at the end of the dipper arm, for example, using a quick coupler, can be designed in different ways. A disadvantage is that swivel loaders with excavator-like loading arms are designed for a scraping, excavating motion from the tool to the vehicle frame. Therefore, the loading arm can only perform a limited number of typical tasks of a wheel loader equipped with a lifting arm, such as pushing or transporting small masses.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to improve the application range of a generic swing loader according to the above-mentioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by an object according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] According to the invention, the adjustable boom and the dipper arm can be locked against each other in a longitudinal position to form a lifting arm for wheel loader operation. This converts the swivel loader into a swivel wheel loader or allows switching between excavator-like swivel loader operation and wheel loader operation. By locking the adjustable boom and the dipper arm, the wheel loader's lifting arm is formed, allowing the use of tools typically used on a wheel loader, such as volume buckets or tines, which can be used to push or transport large masses.

[0006] According to the invention, the adjustable boom and the dipper arm are moved into a longitudinally extended position relative to one another, in which the length of the lifting arm is essentially the sum of the lengths of the adjustable boom and the dipper arm. The adjustable boom and the dipper arm can also run at an angle to one another, but in the locked position they form an angle of at least 135°, in particular between 135° and 180°. Both the length and the angle are determined from a lateral view of the adjustable boom and the dipper arm, transverse to the vehicle's longitudinal axis or direction of travel, with the respective longitudinal extent being defined by straight lines between the respective pivot axes.Here, the pivot axes of the lifting boom / adjustable boom on the one hand and the lifting boom / dipper boom on the other hand are used for the longitudinal extension of the adjustable boom, and the pivot axes of the adjustable boom / dipper boom and dipper boom / tool ​​or quick coupler are used for the longitudinal extension of the dipper boom.

[0007] Horizontal swivel joints are joints with a swivel axis that is essentially horizontal and thus parallel to a horizontally running surface.

[0008] Preferably, the driver's cab or cockpit can be arranged laterally, i.e., transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction, on the vehicle frame for wheel loader operation and improved visibility past the loading arm. The pivot joint for the boom arm, comprising the lifting boom, the adjustable boom, and the dipper arm, is also directly mounted on the frame. For this purpose, the cockpit is arranged with a sliding frame, which represents a transversely movable part of the vehicle frame.

[0009] According to an advantageous development of the invention, in addition to the swivel joint for wheel loader operation, the lifting boom can be mechanically coupled to the vehicle frame in a coupling position of the lifting boom. In wheel loader operation, the lifting boom is thus coupled to the vehicle frame on the one hand via the swivel joint having a vertical swivel axis and on the other hand additionally mechanically connected to the vehicle frame, so that the lifting arm becomes part of the vehicle frame from a kinematic perspective for wheel loader operation via the adjustable boom joint and the additional mechanical coupling. Accordingly, the additional mechanical coupling is preferably spaced from the horizontal swivel joint at the other end of the lifting boom or in particular at least 30 cm, preferably at least 50 cm away from it in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. For excavator operation, the coupling is released again automatically or manually.

[0010] The adjustable boom and dipper arm are locked against each other when they are designed to be immobile relative to each other during wheel loader operation, ie, in particular from a kinematic perspective, they form a single boom; for example, by blocking a cylinder intended for the relative actuation of the adjustable boom and dipper arm in a retracted, preferably fully retracted, position.

[0011] In particular, in the coupled position, pivoting of the lift arm by means of the pivot joint, i.e. pivoting about a vertical pivot axis, is blocked, so that the pivot axes between the lifting boom and adjustable boom, as well as between the adjustable boom and dipper arm, run transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis and thus to the main direction of travel. Pivoting a tool located at the end of the lift arm about a vertical axis during wheel loader operation is therefore only achieved by the vehicle's steering. This can be implemented, in particular, by an articulated joint that connects a front and rear section of the vehicle frame. Alternatively or additionally, the swivel loader designed as a swivel wheel bearing can be equipped with an axle pivot steering system, in particular designed as an all-wheel pivot steering system.

[0012] In particular, in wheel loader operation, both the lifting boom is blocked against pivoting about the horizontal pivot joint and the lifting boom and, by means of the lifting boom, the bogie are blocked against pivoting about the vertical pivot axis of the pivot joint, so that a particularly stable design is available for wheel bearing operation.

[0013] Advantageously, pivoting of the lifting arm is blocked in the coupled position, in particular, the lifting boom, which is moved into the coupled position by a rearward pivoting movement, rests against a side stop of the vehicle frame, for example, formed by a bearing block, to support typical wheel loader operation of the front lifting arm. The lifting arm thus rests securely against the vehicle frame, which is also formed by the lifting boom during wheel loader operation.

[0014] Preferably, the lifting boom is secured in the coupled position to one or the above-described bearing block of the vehicle frame by a locking device, in particular running transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, the bearing block in particular forming the above-described lateral stop. As a result, the frontal forces generated during wheel loader operation are effectively transmitted to the vehicle frame. The bearing block can be sufficiently dimensioned to ensure that the lifting boom can be attached or received and locked. It extends upwards, in particular, from the further part of the vehicle frame, so that the lifting boom, starting from the pivot joint, is secured rearwardly and pointing diagonally upwards during wheel loader operation. Thus, the bearing block is in particular designed as a bearing block fixed to the chassis or as a bearing block fixed to the vehicle frame. It is preferably arranged in front of a driver's cab and / or a cockpit of the vehicle frame.

[0015] By attaching the adjustable boom to the dipper arm, as well as by attaching the lifting boom and integrating it into the vehicle frame, the frontal thrust forces generated during typical wheel loader operation are effectively absorbed and counteracted. It goes without saying that the dimensions of the dipper arm, adjustable boom, and lifting boom are sufficient for the resulting forces. The same applies to any actuators used to operate the respective booms. In particular, the lifting boom, adjustable boom, and dipper arm fold in a Z-shape and possibly into each other rather than side by side. This is detrimental to force transmission.

[0016] Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises at least one bolt with a bolt axis that runs at least partially transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This can be one or two bolts that can be moved transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

[0017] In particular, the locking action, for example, the actuation of the bolt from an open to a closed position to secure the lifting boom to the bearing block, is carried out by an associated actuator, which, for example, moves the bolt to the closed position, in which the adjustable boom is securely mounted on the bearing block. For example, the bolt(s) can be retracted and extended with a hydraulic cylinder or can be implemented simply and space-savingly using one or more piston rods of the hydraulic cylinder(s).

[0018] In particular, the actuator designed to operate the lifting boom is mounted at its vehicle-frame-side end in front of the pivot axis of the horizontal pivot joint, both to allow for rearward pivoting into the coupling position on the bearing block and to allow sufficient space for the bearing block itself. In particular, the actuator is mounted on the bogie of the pivot joint. Instead of a single actuator, several actuators can be provided to operate the lifting boom. This position is also advantageous for excavator operation of the lifting boom, when a hydraulic cylinder can be actuated across the entire surface of the cylinder head. This also applies to lifting large masses in wheel loader operation.

[0019] The operation of the lifting boom is further improved if the protruding actuator designed to actuate the lifting boom is mounted on the end of a coupling rod mounted on the bogie of the swivel joint, the other end of which is attached to the lifting boom. The bearing point for the bogie is located between the bearing point for the lifting arm and the bearing point for the actuator, the latter preferably in the form of a cylinder. Such a rocker-like coupling can delay pivoting into a dead center and / or prevent impacts on other components, and the overall pivot angle of the lifting boom is increased. This is particularly advantageous for transferring the lifting boom to the coupled position and for the pivoting movement of the adjustable boom during pivot loader operation. It goes without saying that the coupling rod is pivotably mounted on the lifting boom.During a transfer from the coupling position to a position for swing loader operation, the swivel axis at the vehicle frame-side end of the associated lifting cylinder of the lifting boom moves along a circular path.

[0020] Swing loader operation refers to the operation of the loading arm in excavator mode. In wheel loader mode, only the lifting arm, i.e., only part of the loading arm, is used.

[0021] Preferably, the adjustable boom and dipper arm can be locked against each other by means of at least one seat valve, thus using a structurally simple locking mechanism that forms a secure lock in the hydraulic circuit for controlling the actuators of the adjustable boom and dipper arm, typically formed by hydraulic cylinders, which withstands the forces occurring during wheel loader operation. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustable boom and dipper arm can also be mechanically locked against each other, for example by using a bolt that locks the two parts of the lifting arm against each other in the operating position for wheel loader operation. Furthermore, a tilting mechanism decoupled from the vehicle frame is advantageously provided for actuating a tool to be arranged at the end of the dipper arm, which considerably simplifies the design for swing loader operation.This can, in particular, be a linkage structure controlled by at least one hydraulic cylinder for tilting the tool or an associated quick coupler. In particular, this hydraulic cylinder can be actuated via a vehicle control system designed to hold the tool in a suitable position at the end of the dipper arm and, for example, automatically adjust the alignment during the lifting of the lift arm or the adjustable boom.

[0022] To increase stability, a rear pendulum axle of the swing loader is designed to be lockable.

[0023] According to a further development of the invention, a front stop, particularly for the dipper arm boom, is provided for use in swing loader operation. This stop is formed by the swivel joint, in particular by a bogie of the same. In a rest position, the lift arm can then transfer part of the forces directly into the vehicle frame via the swivel joint, which reduces the load on the lift arm.

[0024] According to a further development of the invention, the swivel loader is characterized in that the swivel joint, the bogie, and / or the vertical axis or vertical swivel axis are arranged at the front end of the swivel loader and / or vehicle frame, particularly in front of a rotation axis of the front wheels of the swivel loader in the direction of travel. This enables particularly good mobility of the loading arm during excavation operation.

[0025] In particular, the vehicle frame can have a front and a rear carriage that are connected by an articulated joint, so that the swivel loader can imitate a classic wheel loader.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the swivel loader can be equipped with an axle steering system, particularly designed as an all-wheel steering system, so that, for example, crab steering is possible in swivel loader operation.

[0027] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the swing loader has a vehicle control system configured to vary the function of a joystick and / or at least one foot pedal depending on the wheel loader operation and / or the coupling position. For example, to switch to the swing loader mode or operation, the accelerator pedal can become the drive pedal, and the joystick can be assigned from excavator mode to wheel loader operation.

[0028] Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Schematically shown: Fig. 1 shows a side view of an object according to the invention in a first operating position,

[0029] Fig. 2 shows the object according to Fig. 1 in a further operating position,

[0030] Fig. 3 the object according to Fig. 1 with another tool and in a further operating position,

[0031] Fig. 4 shows the object according to Fig. 3 with several superimposed operating positions,

[0032] Fig. 5 shows a part of the article according to Fig. 1,

[0033] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of part of the article according to Fig. 5,

[0034] Fig. 7 shows the object according to Fig. 1 in a further operating position,

[0035] Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the article according to Fig. 1.

[0036] Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described exemplary embodiments as well as the features of the independent claim and any further claims to form subject matter according to the invention. Where appropriate, elements that are at least partially functionally equivalent are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0037] A swing loader 2 according to the invention has a loading arm 3 and a vehicle frame 4 (Figs. 1 and 4). In swing loader operation, the loading arm 3 is rotatable about a vertical axis or vertical pivot axis 6 by means of a pivot joint 5 (cf. Figs. 4 and 5). The pivot joint comprises a bogie 8, which forms the base of a horizontal pivot joint 10. A lifting boom 12 is mounted on the bogie 8 of the pivot joint 5 via the horizontal pivot joint 10, so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis. Furthermore, an adjustable boom 16 is mounted on the lifting boom 12 by means of an adjustable boom joint 14. A dipper boom 18 is also arranged on the dipper boom by means of a dipper boom joint 17, likewise pivotable about a horizontal axis. The further end of the dipper arm boom leads to a tool 20. This is arranged on the dipper arm boom 18 via a quick coupler 22.

[0038] To actuate the tool 20 or the quick coupler 22, a tilting mechanism comprising a tilting link 24 and a tilting cylinder 26 is provided, which are arranged only on the dipper arm 18 or the quick coupler 22. The tilting mechanism is thus decoupled from the vehicle frame and can be actuated independently of the adjustment or height guidance of the loading arm 3 (see Fig. 1, 2, 5, 6). The adjustable boom 16 and the dipper arm 18 can be actuated via hydraulic cylinders during excavation operation of the swing loader (Fig. 3 and 4). To form a lifting arm 34 for wheel loader operation, the adjustable boom 16 and the dipper arm 18 can be locked against one another in the longitudinal position shown in Fig. 1. This is done by blocking the stick cylinder 32, whose hydraulic circuit is blocked by a seat valve 33, which is only shown in dashed lines.To actuate the lifting arm 34, which is essentially formed by the adjustable boom 16 and the dipper arm 18, two lifting cylinders 36 are provided, arranged to the left and right of the adjustable boom 16.

[0039] In addition to the relative fixation of the dipper arm 18 and adjustable boom 16, the lifting boom 12 is also fixed to the vehicle frame via the horizontal pivot joint 10, the pivot joint 5, and an additional locking mechanism 38, thereby becoming part of the vehicle frame as viewed from the lift arm during wheel loader operation. For this purpose, a bearing block 40 is provided, which, as part of the vehicle frame 4, is generally arranged in front of a cockpit 42. This bearing block 40, which is fixed to the frame or vehicle frame, is also fixedly connected to at least one latch 44, which has a latch axis extending transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, which runs in the direction of travel F. The latch 44 can be moved, for example, by means of a lifting cylinder or manually, into the locking position, in which it is fixedly located on the bearing block and in a corresponding recess 46 in the lifting boom (see Figs. 4 and 5).In this coupling position, in which the swivel loader 2 is in a wheel loader operating position, pivoting of the lifting boom 12 about both a horizontal and a vertical axis is blocked. For this purpose, the lifting arm is moved backward from the position shown in Fig. 4 (excavator operation) into the coupling position. In this position, the lifting boom rests against a lateral stop 65 of the vehicle frame 4, which is formed by the bearing block 40, and is held by the latch 44.

[0040] Instead of directly engaging the side stop 65, the lifting boom can generally, in the various embodiments of the invention, engage the side stop 65 formed by the upper end of the bearing block 40 with play and thus at a small distance, whereby pivoting of the lifting arm via the pivot joint is already blocked by the lock. In this case, engagement also includes an arrangement close to the side stop 65. The pivot joint 5 generally allows pivoting only about the vertical axis 6.

[0041] In the operating position as a pure swing loader, the loading arm 3 is designed as an excavator arm and can assume the positions schematically shown in Figure 4 during normal excavator operation. In this case, the locking mechanism between the lifting boom 12 and the bearing block 40 is released. The loading arm 3 can pivot forward from the position shown in Figure 3 without the latch 44. The boom cylinder 48 used to actuate the lifting boom 12 is mounted at its vehicle frame or bogie-side end 50 in front of the pivot axis of the horizontal pivot joint 10 with respect to the direction of travel F. In particular, the boom cylinder 48 designed to actuate the lifting boom is mounted at the end of a coupling rod 52 mounted on the bogie 8 of the pivot joint 5. The coupling rod 52 is arranged at the other end of the lifting boom 12, so that a coupling rod pivot axis 54 moves on a curved or circular path (in a side view).6 and 7, this enables improved pivoting and force application to the lifting arm starting from the bogie 8. The boom cylinder 48 shown extended in Fig. 6 or its piston rod 56 does not pivot through the pivot axis of the horizontal pivot joint 10. In the retracted position of the boom cylinder 48 shown in Fig. 7, the right end of the coupling rod 52, which is pivoted downwards relative to Fig. 6, enables increased pivoting of the lifting boom 12. In the excavator operating position according to Fig. 7, the loading arm 3 can therefore reach deeper.

[0042] For an improved design of a lifting arm 34 and its function, the bogie 8 is provided with a stop 58, which can additionally transmit any forces acting on the dipper arm 18 during wheel loader operation into the vehicle frame 4 (Fig. 8). The stop is designed as a front stop in the direction of travel at the front end of the bogie 8 and / or on the bogie 8, pointing forward in the direction of the loading arm 3 and / or dipper arm 18. Instead of a design with a front and a rear carriage, which can be connected by an articulated joint located between the wheels 63 (e.g. Fig. 2), the swivel loader 2 designed as a swivel wheel loader is designed with an all-wheel axle steering system, according to which the wheels 63 can be transferred into a crab position and positioned in the same direction relative to the vertical axis 6.The vertical pivot axis 6 is located at the front end of the vehicle frame in the direction of travel F in front of a pivot axis 67 of the front wheels 63. This allows for particularly good mobility of the loading arm 3 during excavation operation.

[0043] The swivel loader 2 according to the invention further comprises a vehicle control system implemented in a computer unit 61 (shown only in dashed lines). This control system includes, for example, a CAN bus, through which both a joystick 62 and a foot pedal 64 can be assigned different functions depending on whether the wheel loader is operating as a wheel loader or purely as a swivel loader. It is understood that the vehicle control system has and can implement corresponding commands for this purpose.

[0044] To increase stability, a rear pendulum axle 66 of the swivel loader 2 is designed to be lockable.

Claims

Claims 1. A swivel loader with a vehicle frame (4) and a loading arm (3) which is pivotably mounted on the vehicle frame (4) about a vertical pivot axis (6) by means of a pivot joint (5) and which has a lifting boom (12) pivotably mounted on a bogie (8) of the pivot joint (5) via a horizontal pivot joint (10), an adjustable boom (16) pivotably mounted on the latter by means of an adjustable boom joint (14), and a dipper arm boom (18) pivotably mounted on the adjustable boom (16), characterized in that the adjustable boom (16) and the dipper arm boom (18) can be locked against one another in a longitudinal position to form a lifting arm (34) for wheel loader operation.

2. Swing loader according to claim 1, characterized in that in wheel loader operation, to form the lifting arm (34), the adjustable boom (16) and the dipper arm boom (18) are locked and / or lockable in a longitudinal position between 135° and 180° relative to one another.

3. Swivel loader according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting boom (12) can be mechanically coupled to the vehicle frame (4) in addition to the swivel joint (5) in a coupling position for wheel loader operation.

4. Swing loader according to claim 3, characterized in that the lifting boom (12) in wheel loader operation on the one hand via the one in particular vertical A pivot joint (5) having a pivot axis (6) is coupled to the vehicle frame (4) and, on the other hand, is additionally mechanically fastened to the vehicle frame (4) in the coupling position.

5. Swivel loader according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that in the wheel loader operation both the lifting boom (12) is blocked against pivoting about the horizontal pivot joint (10) and the lifting boom (12) and by means of the lifting boom (12) the bogie (8) is blocked against pivoting about the vertical pivot axis (6) of the pivot joint (5).

6. Swivel loader according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that in the coupling position, pivoting of the lifting arm (34) and / or loading arm (3) by means of the pivot joint (5) about the vertical axis (6) is blocked, in particular wherein the lifting boom (12) transferred into the coupling position by a rearward pivoting rests against a side stop of the vehicle frame (4).

7. Swing loader according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the lifting boom (12) is fixed in the coupling position to a bearing block (40) of the vehicle frame by a locking device running in particular transversely to the vehicle longitudinal axis.

8. Swing loader according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking device has at least one bolt (44) with a bolt axis running at least partially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

9. Swing loader according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the bearing block (40) is a bearing block (40) fixed to the chassis and / or vehicle frame.

10. Swing loader according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the bearing block (40) is arranged as part of the vehicle frame (4) in front of a driver's cab and / or a cockpit (42) of the vehicle frame (4). 11 . Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuator designed to actuate the lifting boom (12) is mounted at its vehicle frame-side end (50) in front of the pivot axis of the horizontal pivot joint (10).

12. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuator designed to actuate the lifting boom (12) is mounted at the end of a coupling rod (52) mounted on a bogie of the swivel joint (5), which is fastened at the other end to the lifting boom (12).

13. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustable and dipper arm (16, 18) can be locked against each other by means of at least one seat valve (33).

14. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustable and dipper arm (16, 18) can be mechanically locked to one another.

15. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a tilting mechanism decoupled from the vehicle frame for actuating a tool (20) to be arranged at the end of the dipper arm boom (18), in particular by means of a quick changer (22).

16. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a particularly rear pendulum axle (66) is designed to be lockable.

17. Swivel loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swivel joint (5), the bogie (8) and / or the vertical swivel axis (6) at the front end of the swivel loader (2) and / or vehicle frame (4), in particular in the direction of travel (F) in front of a rotation axis (67) of front wheels (63) of the swivel loader (2).

18. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle frame (4) comprises a driver's cab and / or a cockpit (42).

19. Swivel loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swivel joint (10), in particular its bogie (8), forms a stop (58) for the dipper arm (18).

20. Swivel loader according to claim 19, characterized in that the stop (58) of the swivel joint (10), in particular of the bogie (8) is designed as a front stop in the direction of travel at the front end of the bogie (8) and / or on the bogie (8) pointing forward in the direction of the loading arm (3) and / or dipper arm (18). 21 . Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle frame (4) has a front and a rear carriage which are connected by an articulated joint.

22. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swing loader (2) is provided with a steering knuckle, in particular designed as an all-wheel steering knuckle.

23. Swing loader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a vehicle control which is designed to perform the function of a joystick (62) and / or at least one foot pedal (64) depending on the wheel loader operation and / or depending on the coupling position.

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