A coupling device

Abstract

A coupling device A coupling device (10) for attaching and detaching an implement (11) to a working vehicle and connecting a power supply to the implement (11), has a male power coupler (16) mounted on the implement (11) and a female power coupler (17) mounted on the headstock (14) of the vehicle, which male (16) and female (17) couplers are brought together, in use, to couple the power supply of the vehicle to the implement (11). A pair of guide rails (19, 20) is mounted on each side of the implement (11) and complementary pins (23, 24) are mounted on the headstock (14), such that, in use, the guide rails (19, 20) and pins (23, 24) guide the implement (11) as it is swung towards the headstock.

Description

[0001] A coupling device

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a coupling device and, in particular, to a coupling device for attaching an implement to a vehicle from the cab of the vehicle.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] Coupling devices for attaching an implement to a vehicle from the cab of a vehicle are known for many years. Thus, US Patent No. 4,630,878 in the name of O&K Orenstein & Koppel Aktiengesellschaft describes a method and apparatus for the remote-controlled connecting or separating of two coupling parts each of which is provided with mechanical form-lock elements and with control-line connectors, one of which parts is provided on the working tool and the other on the dipper stick or the like of a hydraulic excavator. These parts can be connected in a force-locked manner by a hydraulic-mechanical locking device, each connecting or separating process comprising two successive individual processes.

[0006] European Patent No. EP 0 602 165 Bl describes a device for quick connection of hydraulic tubings. An implement is connected to a vehicle with the implement being attached at one end to the vehicle arm, the implement and arm being swung together with the other end of the implement being locked to the vehicle arm by movement of a locking part by a piston in the direction from the first end to the other end of the implement. As the piston moves to the locking position male and female hydraulic couplers slide together to connect the hydraulic line of the vehicle to that of the implement. This sliding connection and disconnection can result in some loss of hydraulic fluid.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the coupling devices hereinbefore described.

[0008] Disclosure of Invention

[0009] Thus, the invention provides a coupling device for attaching and detaching an implement to a working vehicle and connecting a power supply to the implement, following partial attachment of the implement, at a pair of attachment points thereon, to a headstock mounted on the front arm of the working vehicle, then swinging the implement, from the pair of attachment points, towards the headstock and locking the implement to the headstock, which attachment is carried out from the vehicle cab, with the implement being detached in the reverse manner, the coupling device comprising a male power coupler mounted on the implement and a female power coupler mounted on the headstock, which male and female couplers are brought together, in use, to couple the power supply of the vehicle to the implement, which male and female couplers are mounted in-line along the longitudinal axis of the front arm of the work vehicle, a pair of guide rails mounted on each side of the implement below the pair of attachment points and complementary pins mounted on the headstock, such that, in use, the guide rails and pins guide the implement as it is swung towards the headstock, and a safety switch mounted on the headstock, which safety switch activates the connecting of the power supply to the implement, once the implement is correctly attached to the headstock.

[0010] By the phrase “power supply” in this context means hydraulic, electric and / or pneumatic supply.

[0011] Examples of implements which may be coupled include high tip buckets, shear grabs and road sweepers or implements which require the use of hydraulic / electric and or pneumatic power to function.

[0012] An advantage of the coupling device in accordance with the invention is that it will only allow connection of the power supply to the implement once the implement has been correctly attached to the headstock, under the guidance of the guide rails and pins.

[0013] A further advantage of the coupling device is that connection of the male and female couplers will only be initiated, by operation of the safety switch, when the couplers have been properly aligned.

[0014] Preferably, the and each guiderail is a crescent-shaped lug curved towards the attachment points and of sufficient length such that the pins engage with the lugs as the implement is swung towards headstock for attachment thereto, and the pins only disengage from the lugs when the implement has fully swung away from the headstock.

[0015] An advantage of the positioning, shape and length of the crescentshaped lugs is that the implement is guided towards the vehicle, as the implement is lifted and swung towards the headstock. The guidance by the crescent-shaped lugs protects the implement from damage as the implement and headstock are brought together.

[0016] A further advantage of the crescent-shaped lugs is that the implement can only be detached from the headstock when the lugs have been cleared.

[0017] A further advantage of the crescent-shaped lugs is that, they act as a guard stopping the headstock from damaging the implement part of the coupling device by accidentally picking up the implement in a crooked orientation or the vehicle being driven into the implement carelessly with possible damage being caused to the implement.

[0018] Further preferably, the power supply to be connected to the implement is a hydraulic supply.

[0019] An advantage of coupling a hydraulic supply from the vehicle to an implement, without having to leave the cab, is that the user can avoid having to manually couple the hydraulics in the space between the vehicle and implement, thus avoiding a time consuming and hazardous task.

[0020] Suitably, the female coupler is mounted on a centring base unit, which centring base unit is movable laterally on the headstock to compensate for any mis-alignment of the male coupler with the female coupler, while they are being brought together.

[0021] An advantage of the centring base unit is that it allows both left and right misalignment corrections to be made such that the coupling device is not put under undue stress when being connected or disconnected.

[0022] A further advantage of the centring base unit is that it will absorb any forces caused by lateral movement of the implement relative to the vehicle arm, in use.

[0023] Preferably, the female coupler has a housing with one or more female hydraulic connectors located within the housing, with each female hydraulic connector being mounted in the base of a concave cup, with the and each female hydraulic connector being driven forward so as to extend out of the housing to connect with a corresponding male hydraulic connector mounted on the implement.

[0024] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the female hydraulic connectors are protected within the housing when not in use.

[0025] Further, preferably, each male hydraulic connector is mounted on and extends from the top a resilient domed mounting on the implement, with the domed mounting being dimensioned to fit within the concave cup of the female hydraulic coupler, such that the female connector is guided towards the male connector as they are being coupled together.

[0026] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the complementary shapes of the concave cup and the domed mounting ensure that the hydraulic connectors are brought together in the correct orientation, thus reducing the possibility of accidental damage. Suitably, a dust cover is pivotally mounted on the housing, which dust cover is movable between a closed state, in which the female connectors are protected within the housing, and an open state, when the female hydraulic connectors are driven forward out of the housing by a hydraulic piston to connect with the corresponding male hydraulic connectors, under pressure.

[0027] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the dust cover protects the female hydraulic connectors, while not in use, and pivots out of the way, as the male and female couplers are brought together. As the coupling device is disconnected the dust cover will drop back into the closed state.

[0028] Preferably, as the female coupler is pressed onto the male coupler a small amount of hydraulic oil is allowed to escape to allow the couplers to connect under residual pressure, and once connected the couplers will remain connected and in a relaxed state, without any further pressure from the hydraulic piston being required.

[0029] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that as the female coupler is pressed onto the male hydraulic coupler by the piston, the release of a small amount of hydraulic oil allows the connection to be made under residual pressure. When the connection is made, hydraulic oil can flow between both hydraulic couplers and continuous pressure from the hydraulic piston is not required to keep the male and female couplers together and the connectors will remain connected in a relaxed state. Further, preferably, an oil drain tank is located beneath the male and female hydraulic couplers, which oil tank is connected to the housing to recover any hydraulic oil which leaks from the coupling device during connection or disconnection thereof.

[0030] An advantage of the oil drain tank is that is prevents hydraulic oil from being spilt onto the ground.

[0031] A further advantage of the oil drain tank is that any oil collected therein can be returned to the system through the housing.

[0032] Suitably, the dust cover is held in the closed state by magnetic catches, and when the dust cover is in the open state the magnetic catches make an electric connection between the working vehicle and the implement, if required.

[0033] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the magnetic catches have a secondary function, in that they can be used to connect an electric power supply to the implement.

[0034] Preferably, an air purge system is connected to the female hydraulic coupler, which system is activated to clean any loose material from the male and female couplers prior to connecting the male and female hydraulic connectors together and as they are disconnected.

[0035] An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the air purge system cleans away any loose material or contaminants from the male and female couplers. Brief Description of Drawings

[0036] The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a view from above and to one side of a coupling device in accordance with the invention with the headstock disengaged from the implement;

[0037] Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the coupling device of Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 3 is a section on line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

[0039] Fig. 5 is a view from above and to one side of the coupling device of Fig. 1 with the headstock engaged with the implement;

[0040] Fig. 6 is a plan view from above of the coupling device of Fig. 5;

[0041] Fig.7 is a section on line VII- VII of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section on line VIII- VIII of Fig. 6;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a plan view from above of the female coupler, shifted left, of the coupling device of Fig. 1;

[0043] Fig. 10 is a front view of the female coupler of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a plan view from above of the female coupler, centred, of the coupling device of Fig.1;

[0044] Fig. 12 is a section on line XII-XII of Fig. 11;

[0045] Fig. 13 is a plan view from above of the female coupler, shifted right, of the coupling device of Fig. 1;

[0046] Fig. 14 is a front view of the female coupler of Fig. 13;

[0047] Fig. 15 is a plan view of the male and female couplers in a disengaged state of the coupling device of Fig.1;

[0048] Fig. 16 is a section on line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a section on line XVII-XVII of Fig. 15;

[0049] Fig. 18 is a plan view from above of the male and female couplers in an engaging state of the coupling device of Fig.1;

[0050] Fig. 19 is a section on line XIX-XIX of Fig. 18;

[0051] Fig. 20 is a section on line XX-XX of Fig. 18; Fig. 21 is a plan view from above of the male and female couplers in an engaged state of the coupling device of Fig.1;

[0052] Fig. 22 is a section on line XXII-XXII of Fig. 21; and

[0053] Fig. 23 is a section on line XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 22. Description of Embodiment

[0054] Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a coupling device in accordance with the invention, for attaching and detaching an implement 11 to a working vehicle (not shown) and connecting a power supply to the implement 11 , following partial attachment of the implement 11, at a pair of attachment points 12, 13 thereon, to a headstock 14 mounted on the front arms 15 of the working vehicle. In this embodiment of the invention the power supply that is connected is a hydraulic supply. The implement 11 is then swung towards the headstock 14 of the working vehicle and is locked thereto. The attachment of the implement 11 to the headstock 14 of the working vehicle is carried out from the vehicle cab, with the implement 11 being detached in a reverse manner. The coupling device 10 comprises a male power coupler 16 mounted on the implement 11 and a female power coupler 17 mounted on the headstock 14 at position 18. The male coupler 16 and the female coupler 17 are brought together, in use, to couple the power supply of the vehicle to the implement 11 , which male 16 and female 17 couplers are mounted in-line along the longitudinal axis of the front arms 15 of the working vehicle. The female coupler 17 is a Faster (Faster is a trade mark of Faster Sri, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 7, 26027 Rivolta d’Adda (CR), Italy) push / pull hydraulic coupler.

[0055] A pair of guide rails in the form of crescent-shaped lugs 19, 20 is mounted on each side 21, 22, respectively, of the implement 11 below the pair of attachment points 12, 13 and complementary pins 23, 24 are mounted on the headstock 14, which crescent-shaped lugs 19, 20 are curved towards the attachment points 12, 13 and are of sufficient length such that the pins 23, 24 engage with the lugs 19, 20 as the implement 11 is swung towards headstock 14 for attachment thereto, and the pins 23, 24 only disengage from the lugs 19, 20 when the implement 11 has fully swung away from the headstock 14. A safety switch (not shown) mounted on the headstock 14 activates the connecting of the hydraulic supply to the implement 11 , once the implement 11 is correctly attached to the working vehicle.

[0056] Referring to Fig. 2, the pair of attachment points 12, 13 are shown hooked onto a bar 25, which forms part of the headstock 14.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 3, which is a section on line III-III of Fig. 1, the male coupler 16 and the female coupler 17 are disengaged. The female coupler 17 is mounted on a centring base unit 26, which centring base unit 25 is movable laterally on the front arms 15 to compensate for any mis-alignment of the male coupler 16 with the female coupler 17, while they are being brought together.

[0058] Referring to Fig. 4, which is a section on line IV-IV of Fig. 1, the pin 24 is clear of the lug 19 and the headstock 14 is positioned at an angle of 40° to the perpendicular. This is the angle at which the headstock 14 must be held when engaging with or disengaging from the implement 11.

[0059] Referring to Fig. 5 the headstock 14 is shown fully engaged with the implement 11. The female coupler 17 has two female hydraulic connectors 27 mounted in a housing 28, which female hydraulic connectors 27 are driven forward so as to extend out of the housing 28 to connect with corresponding male hydraulic connectors 29 (see Fig. 6). A dust cover 30 is pivotally mounted on the housing 28 and moves between a closed state, in which the female hydraulic connectors 27 are protected within the housing 28, and an open state, when the female connectors are driven forward out of the housing by a hydraulic piston 31 to connect with the corresponding male hydraulic connectors 29, under pressure.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 6 the coupling device 10 in the fully engaged state is illustrated from above, with the female hydraulic connectors 17 and male hydraulic connectors 29 being coupled together.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 7, which is a section on line VII- VII of Fig. 6, the hydraulic piston 31 is mounted on the upper surface 35 of centring base unit 26.

[0062] Referring to Fig. 8, which is a section on line VIII- VIII of Fig. 6, the pin 24 has travelled along the lug 19 and has guided the headstock 14 and implement together.

[0063] Figs. 9 to 14 illustrate the operation of the centring base unit 26. The centring base unit 26 is fixed to the headstock 14 and the housing 28 is mounted on a carriage assembly 36, which is free to move to each side of the centreline 37. Figs. 9 and 10 show the housing 28 shifted to the left of the centreline 37 and Figs. 13 and 14 show the housing 28 shifted to the right of the centreline 37. Fig. 11 shows the housing centred 28 on the centreline and Fig. 12 is a section on line XII-XII of Fig. 11. Referring to Fig. 12, a side shift shaft 38 is mounted within the centring base unit 26 between opposing sides 39, 40, and a second shaft 38 (not shown) is mounted behind the first one and operates in the same way. The carriage assembly 36 is connected to the side shift shaft 38 by a pair of collars 41, 42 which can move along the side shift shaft 38 in response to misalignment forces acting on the male 16 and female 17 couplers, which are being connected together. A left-side shift spring 43 is mounted on the side shift shaft 38, between side wall 39 and collar 4 land dampens down any movement of the carriage assembly 36 to the left. Similarly, a right-side shift spring 44 is mounted on the side shift shaft 38, between side wall 40 and collar 44 and dampens down any movement of the carriage assembly 36 to the right.

[0064] Figs. 15 to 17 illustrate the relative positions of the male 16 and female 17 couplers when in a disengaged state.

[0065] Referring to Fig. 15, the pair of male hydraulic couplers 16 is shown aligned with the female hydraulic couplers (not shown) within the housing 28. Each male hydraulic coupler 16 has a male hydraulic connector 45 which is mounted on and extends from the top 46 of a resilient domed mounting 47 on the implement 11.

[0066] Referring to Fig. 16, which is a section on line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15, the female coupler 17 is located within the housing 28, and the dust cover 30 is in the closed state. A female hydraulic connector 48 is mounted in the base 49 of a concave cup 50. The female hydraulic connector 48 and concave cup 50 are driven out of the housing 28 to connect with the corresponding male hydraulic connector 45. The positioning of the pair of side shift shafts 38 in the centring base unit 26 is indicated.

[0067] Referring to Fig. 17, which is a section on line XVI 1 -XVI 1 of Fig. 15, the hydraulic piston 31 is a two-way piston, which drives the female hydraulic connector 48 (see Fig. 16) out of the housing 28 and pulls it in the opposite direction when disengaging the male hydraulic 45 and female hydraulic 48 connectors (see Fig. 16). The piston 31 pushes against an ejector plate 52 causing a coil spring 51 to contract when connecting, which coil spring 51 acts to separate the couplers when they are being disengaged.

[0068] Figs. 18 to 20 illustrate the relative positions of the male 45 and female 48 connectors as they engage under pressure from the hydraulic piston 31.

[0069] Fig. 18 is a plan view from above of the female connectors (not shown) within the housing 28, engaged with the male hydraulic couplers 16.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 19, the female hydraulic connector 48 and concave cup 50 have been driven out of the housing 28 to connect with the corresponding male hydraulic connector 45, and the resilient domed mounting 47 is a snug fit in the concave cup 50. Referring to Fig. 20, which is a section on line XX-XX of Fig. 18, the coil spring 51 has contracted from the action of the hydraulic piston 31 applying a force to the ejector plate 52, which is in a fully forward position. As the female connector 48 is pressed onto the male connector 45 (see Fig. 19), in use, a small amount of hydraulic oil is allowed to escape to allow the couplers to connect under residual pressure, and once connected the couplers will remain connected and in a relaxed state, without any further pressure from the hydraulic piston being required.

[0071] Figs. 21 to 23 illustrate the relative positions of the male 45 and female 48 connectors when engaged together, in use.

[0072] Fig. 21 is a plan view from above of the female connectors (not shown) within the housing 28, engaged with the male hydraulic connectors 45.

[0073] Fig. 22 is a section on line XXII-XXII of Fig. 21. Following the initial engagement, as the female connector 48 is pressed onto the male connector 45 a small amount of hydraulic oil is allowed to escape to allow the couplers to connect under residual pressure, and once connected the couplers will remain connected and in a relaxed state, without any further pressure from the hydraulic piston 31 being required.

[0074] Referring to Fig. 23, the ejector plate 52 has moved back and the coil spring 51 has expanded. Referring to Figs 1 to 23, in order to disengage the male coupler 16 on the implement 11 from the female coupler 17 on the headstock 14 the hydraulic piston is activated to press the female coupler 17 towards the male coupler to unlock them. Then the female coupler 17 is pulled back into the housing 28 and the implement can be disengaged from the headstock 14.

Claims

Claims1. A coupling device for attaching and detaching an implement to a working vehicle and connecting a power supply to the implement, following partial attachment of the implement, at a pair of attachment points thereon, to a headstock mounted on the front arm of the working vehicle, then swinging the implement, from the pair of attachment points, towards the headstock and locking the implement to the headstock, which attachment is carried out from the vehicle cab, with the implement being detached in the reverse manner, the coupling device comprising a male power coupler mounted on the implement and a female power coupler mounted on the headstock, which male and female couplers are brought together, in use, to couple the power supply of the vehicle to the implement, which male and female couplers are mounted in-line along the longitudinal axis of the front arm of the work vehicle, a pair of guide rails mounted on each side of the implement below the pair of attachment points and complementary pins mounted on the headstock, such that, in use, the guide rails and pins guide the implement as it is swung towards the headstock, and a safety switch mounted on the headstock, which safety switch activates the connecting of the power supply to the implement, once the implement is correctly attached to the headstock.

2. A coupling device according to Claim 1, wherein the and each guiderail is a crescent-shaped lug curved towards the attachment points and of sufficient length such that the pins engage with the lugs asthe implement is swung towards headstock for attachment thereto, and the pins only disengage from the lugs when the implement has fully swung away from the headstock.

3. A coupling device according to Claim lor 2, wherein the power supply to be connected to the implement is a hydraulic supply.

4. A coupling device according to anyone of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the female coupler is mounted on a centring base unit, which centring base unit is movable laterally on the headstock to compensate for any mis-alignment of the male coupler with the female coupler, while they are being brought together.

5. A coupling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the female coupler has a housing with one or more female hydraulic connectors located within the housing, with each female hydraulic connector being mounted in the base of a concave cup, with the and each female hydraulic connector being driven forward so as to extend out of the housing to connect with a corresponding male hydraulic connector mounted on the implement.

6. A coupling device according to Claim 5, wherein each male hydraulic connector is mounted on and extends from the top a resilient domed mounting on the implement, with the domed mounting being dimensioned to fit within the concave cup of the female hydraulic coupler, such that the female connector is guided towards the male connector as they are being coupled together.

197. A coupling device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein a dust cover is pivotally mounted on the housing, which dust cover is movable between a closed state, in which the female connectors are protected within the housing, and an open state, when the female hydraulic connectors are driven forward out of the housing by a hydraulic piston to connect with the corresponding male hydraulic connectors, under pressure.

8. A coupling device according to Claim 7, wherein, as the female coupler is pressed onto the male coupler a small amount of hydraulic oil is allowed to escape to allow the couplers to connect under residual pressure, and once connected the couplers will remain connected and in a relaxed state, without any further pressure from the hydraulic piston being required.

9. A coupling device according to any of Claims 3 to 8, wherein an oil drain tank is located beneath the male and female hydraulic couplers, which oil tank is connected to the housing to recover any hydraulic oil which leaks from the coupling device during connection or disconnection thereof.

10. A coupling device according to Claim 7 to 9, wherein the dust cover is held in the closed state by magnetic catches, and when the dust cover is in the open state the magnetic catches make an electric connection between the working vehicle and the implement, if required.

11. A coupling device according to any of Claims 3 to 10, wherein an air purge system is connected to the female hydraulic20 coupler, which system is activated to clean any loose material from the male and female couplers prior to connecting the male and female hydraulic connectors together.

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