U.S. patent application number 13/855002 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for locking system for quick coupler.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is CATERPILLAR INC.. Invention is credited to Troy C. Robl, Trent R. Stefek.
Application Number | 20140294497 13/855002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50588919 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140294497 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robl; Troy C. ; et
al. |
October 2, 2014 |
LOCKING SYSTEM FOR QUICK COUPLER
Abstract
A quick coupler for holding an implement is disclosed. The quick
coupler includes a frame having a first plate and a second plate.
The quick coupler includes a locking system adapted to lock the
implement in the first plate and the second plate. The locking
system includes a securing latch member and a hydraulic actuator is
operatively connected to the securing latch member. The securing
latch member is configured to move along a guide provided in each
of the first plate and the second plate. The locking system further
includes a set of grooves provided on at least one of the securing
latch member and the guide. The set of grooves are adapted to lock
the securing latch member in a latched position.
Inventors: |
Robl; Troy C.; (St. George,
KS) ; Stefek; Trent R.; (Wamego, KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CATERPILLAR INC. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
50588919 |
Appl. No.: |
13/855002 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/376 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/3622 20130101;
E02F 3/3627 20130101; Y10T 403/7075 20150115; E02F 3/365 20130101;
E02F 3/364 20130101; E02F 3/3663 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/376 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/36 20060101
E02F003/36 |
Claims
1. A quick coupler for holding an implement, the quick coupler
comprising: a frame having a first plate and a second plate; a
guide provided on each of the first plate and the second plate; and
a locking system adapted to lock the implement in the first plate
and the second plate, the locking system comprising: a securing
latch member configured to move along the guide; a hydraulic
actuator operatively connected to the securing latch member; and a
set of grooves provided on at least one of the securing latch
member and the guide, the set of grooves are adapted to lock the
securing latch member in a latched position.
2. The quick coupler of claim 1, wherein the securing latch member
is configured to hold coupling pins of the implement received in a
notch and a recess provided in each of the first plate and the
second plate.
3. The quick coupler of claim 2, wherein the securing latch member
includes a top surface configured to hold the coupling pin of the
implement.
4. The quick coupler of claim 1, wherein the securing latch member
includes a bottom surface, the set of grooves are provided on the
bottom surface of the securing latch member.
5. The quick coupler of claim 4, wherein the set of grooves
provided on the bottom surface of the securing latch member are
elliptical grooves.
6. The quick coupler of claim 4, wherein the set of grooves
provided on the bottom surface of the securing latch member are
serrated or curvilinear grooves.
7. The quick coupler of claim 1, wherein the securing latch member
and the hydraulic actuator are pivotally interconnected by a
pin.
8. A locking system for a quick coupler, the quick coupler
including a frame having a first plate and a second plate and a
guide provided on each of the first plate and the second plate, the
locking system comprising: a securing latch member configured to
move along the guide; a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to
the securing latch member; and a set of grooves provided on at
least one of the securing latch member and the guide, the set of
grooves are adapted to lock the securing latch member in a latched
position.
9. The locking system of claim 8, wherein the securing latch member
are configured to hold coupling pins of the implement received in a
notch and a recess provided in each of the first plate and the
second plate of the quick coupler.
10. The locking system of claim 9, wherein the securing latch
member includes a top surface configured to hold the coupling pin
of the implement.
11. The locking system of claim 8, wherein the securing latch
member includes a bottom surface, the set of grooves are provided
on the bottom surface of the securing latch member.
12. The locking system of claim 11, wherein the set of grooves
provided on the bottom surface of the securing latch member are
elliptical grooves.
13. The locking system of claim 11, wherein the set of grooves
provided on the bottom surface of the securing latch member are
serrated or curvilinear grooves.
14. The locking system of claim 8, wherein the securing latch
member and the hydraulic actuator are pivotally interconnected by a
pin.
15. An implement system of a machine comprising: an implement; a
quick coupler detachably connected with the implement, the quick
coupler comprising: a frame having a first plate and a second
plate; a guide provided on each of the first plate and the second
plate; and a locking system adapted to lock the implement in the
first plate and the second plate, the locking system comprising: a
securing latch member configured to move along the guide; a
hydraulic actuator operatively connected to the securing latch
member; and a set of grooves provided on at least one of the
securing latch member and the guide, the set of grooves are adapted
to lock the securing latch member in a latched position.
16. The implement system of claim 15, wherein the securing latch
member hold coupling pins of the implement received in a notch and
a recess provided in each of the first plate and the second
plate.
17. The implement system of claim 16, wherein the securing latch
member includes a top surface to hold the coupling pin of the
implement.
18. The implement system of claim 15, wherein the securing latch
member includes a bottom surface, the set of grooves are provided
on the bottom surface of the securing latch member.
19. The implement system of claim 18, wherein the set of grooves
provided on the bottom surface of the securing latch member are
elliptical grooves.
20. The implement system of claim 18, wherein the set of grooves
provided on the bottom surface of the securing latch member are
serrated or curvilinear grooves.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a quick coupler
and, more particularly to a locking system for the quick
coupler.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Quick couplers are generally well known and can be found in
many systems and devices. Typically, a quick coupler is detachably
connected to an arm of a machine for connecting and disconnecting
the arm to and from implements. For example, a quick coupler can be
attached to the arm of an excavator for connecting and
disconnecting implements such as buckets, hammers, rippers, and
grapples. Such quick couplers are advantageous because they allow a
machine operator to change quickly from one implement to another.
Thus, the use of a quick coupler makes the machine more efficient
and versatile. The quick couplers may need to secure the implement
tightly to the arm of the excavator so that undesirable release or
loose movement of the implement with respect to the excavator arm
is prevented, ensuring a safe operation.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,019 discloses a quick coupling apparatus
for coupling a tool to an arm of the machine. The quick coupling
apparatus comprises a coupler member attached to the arm, and
configured to engage a mounting bracket extending out from the
tool. A wedge is mounted on the coupler member and is movable, when
the coupler member and mounting bracket are engaged, from a closed
position engaged in a groove on the mounting bracket to an open
position where the wedge is removed from the groove. A wedge
positioning mechanism selectively moves the wedge to the closed
position and the open position. When the wedge moves into the
groove and into the closed position, a remotely operated latch
control moves a safety latch from an unlatched position to a
latched position to prevent the wedge from moving toward the open
position. However, there is still room for improvement in the
art.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a quick coupler for holding an implement is
disclosed. The quick coupler includes a frame having a first plate
and a second plate. The quick coupler includes a locking system
adapted to lock the implement in the first plate and the second
plate. The locking system includes a securing latch member and a
hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the securing latch
member. The securing latch member moves along a guide provided in
each of the first plate and the second plate. A set of grooves are
provided on at least one of the securing latch member and the
guide. Further, the set of grooves are adapted to lock the securing
latch member in a latched position.
[0005] In another aspect, an implement system of a machine is
disclosed. The implement system includes an implement and a quick
coupler is detachably connected with the implement. The quick
coupler includes a frame having a first plate and a second plate.
The quick coupler includes a locking system adapted to lock the
implement in the first plate and the second plate. The locking
system includes a securing latch member and a hydraulic actuator is
operatively connected to the securing latch member. The securing
latch member moves along a guide provided in each of the first
plate and the second plate. A set of grooves are provided on at
least one of the securing latch member and the guide. Further, the
set of grooves are adapted to lock the securing latch member in a
latched position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a machine with an
implement and a quick coupler;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the
implement and the quick coupler of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the quick coupler
in an unlatched position;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the quick coupler
in a latched position; and
[0010] FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate a perspective view of the quick
coupler in the latched position, in an event of a hydraulic
failure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present disclosure relates to a quick coupler having a
locking system which is configure to secure the implement if the
locking system fails. References will now be made in detail to
specific embodiments or features of the present disclosure,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Generally, corresponding reference numbers will be used throughout
the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a machine 100, such as a
hydraulic excavator. The machine 100 includes an implement system
102 configured to move an implement 104, a drive system 106 for
propelling the machine 100, a power source 108 that provides power
to the implement system 102 and the drive system 106, and an
operator station 110 to control the movement of the implement 104
and the machine 100. The implement system 102 includes a boom
member 112 pivotally connected to a frame 114 of the machine 100
and configured to pivot in a vertical plane about a first
horizontal axis (not shown) relative to a ground 116 by a pair of
first hydraulic actuators 118 (only one side shown in FIG. 1). The
implement system 102 further includes a stick member 120 pivotally
connected to the boom member 112 and configured to pivot in the
vertical plane about a second horizontal axis 122 by a second
hydraulic actuator 124. Further, the implement 104, such as a
bucket, is detachably coupled to a distal end of the stick member
120 via a quick coupler 126 and configured to pivot in the vertical
plane about a third horizontal axis 128 by a third hydraulic
actuator 130. Although the implement 104 is illustrated as the
bucket in the present disclosure, in various embodiments, the
implement 104 may be such as, but not limited to, a grapple, a
hammer, a multi-processor, a rake, a ripper, a saw, a dozer blade,
a pallet fork, a barrel handler, a tire manipulator, a jib boom, a
pipe fork, or any other types of work tool attachments.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the
implement 104 and the quick coupler 126 of FIG. 1. The implement
104 is provided with a pair of upstanding brackets 132. The
brackets 132 are spaced apart by a pre-determined distance, and a
pair of coupling pins 134, 136 extends between the brackets 132.
The quick coupler 126 includes a frame 138 having a pair of spaced
apart side plates, a first plate 140 and a second plate 142. The
first plate 140 and the second plate 142 may be interconnected by a
cross plate 144. A top portion of the quick coupler 126 is
configured to be pivotally connected to the distal end of the stick
member 120 by a first pin 146 which is slidably received within a
first pair of aligned openings 148 provided on the first and the
second plates 140, 142. Likewise, the quick coupler 126 is
configured to be pivotally connected to a power link 150 (as shown
in FIG. 1) by a second pin 152 which is slidably received within a
second pair of aligned openings 154. The power link 150 may be
operatively connected to the distal end of the stick member 120 and
the third hydraulic actuator 130 for pivoting the quick coupler 126
about the first pin 146. A bottom portion of the quick coupler 126
is configured to be detachably connected to the implement 104. In
the exemplary embodiment, each of the first and the second plates
140, 142 may include a notch 156, and a recess 158 shown in the
form of an open jaw. The notches 156 and the recesses 158 are
configured to receive the coupling pins 134, 136 of the implement
104, respectively.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
quick coupler 126 includes a locking system 160. The locking system
160 may include one or more securing latch members such as a first
securing latch member 162 and a second securing latch member 164
which are configured to secure the coupling pins 134, 136 of the
implement 104 in the notches 156 and the recesses 158,
respectively. The locking system 160 may further include a number
of interconnected components for moving the first and the second
securing latch members 162, 164 between an unlatched position and a
latched position. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking system
160 may be a hydraulic locking system configured to move and retain
the first and second securing latch members 162, 164 at the latched
position under a hydraulic pressure. According to an aspect of the
present disclosure, the first and second securing latch members
162, 164 are adapted to be maintained in a latched position to
secure the coupling pins 134, 136 in the notches 156 and the
recesses 158, in an event of a hydraulic failure in the locking
system 160. The locking system 160, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, is explained in conjunction
with FIGS. 3-5.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the quick coupler
126 with the second plate 142 of the quick coupler 126 is removed
to illustrate the locking system 160. As illustrated, the first and
second securing latch members 162, 164 are in the unlatched
position. In an embodiment, the locking system 160 may include a
hydraulic actuator, such as a double-acting hydraulic actuator 166,
operatively connected to the first and second securing latch
members 162, 164. The double-acting hydraulic actuator 166 may
include a cylinder 168 and a piston rod 170 configured to be
slidably received in the cylinder 168. Further, the double-acting
hydraulic actuator 166 may be connected to a plurality of hydraulic
lines 172 with a pressure switch 174 to control a movement of the
double-acting hydraulic actuator 166. It will be apparent to a
person having ordinary skill in the art that the hydraulic actuator
may be any type of linear actuator, such as, a pneumatically or a
motor-driven actuator.
[0016] Moreover, the quick coupler 126 may include one or more
lubrication lines 176 associated with various components, such as,
but not limited to, the first and the second securing latch members
162, 164. The lubrication lines 176 may further include fittings
178, such as, but not limited to, a grease fitting, or a grease
nipple, attached to the lubrication lines 176. The fittings 178
allows a lubricant, usually grease, to feed under a pressure, into
the various components associated within the quick coupler 126. The
fittings 178 may include a threaded connection to couple with the
internal lubrication lines 176. It may be apparent to a person
having ordinary skill in the art that, the fittings 178 may further
include a valve that opens under pressure to allow lubricant to
pass through the fittings to the various components within the
quick coupler 126.
[0017] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, interconnections and mechanical relationships among the
various components of the exemplary locking system 160 will now be
described in detail. The first securing latch member 162 may be
operatively connected to the cylinder 168 via a rocker assembly
180. The cylinder 168 is pivotally connected to the rocker assembly
180 to move the first securing latch member 162 between the latched
position and the unlatched position Moreover, a biasing element 181
is provided and configured to constantly apply a bias force on the
first securing latch member 162 to keep the first securing latch
member 162 in the latched position. The biasing element 181 may be
a spring-plunger assembly with a positive stop against the frame
138 and configured to resist opening of the first securing latch
member 162 in the event of the hydraulic failure in the locking
system 160.
[0018] Further, the second securing latch member 164 and the piston
rod 170 of the hydraulic actuator 166 are pivotally interconnected
by a pin 182. More particularly, the pin 182 passes through
corresponding bores provided on the second securing latch member
164 and the piston rod 170. In the unlatched position of the quick
coupler 126, pressurized fluid in the hydraulic actuator 166
retracts the piston rod 170 into the cylinder 168. The refraction
of piston rod 170 allows the second securing latch member 164 into
the unlatched position as shown in FIG. 3, and may release the
coupling pin 136 of the implement 104 from the recess 158. Further,
the cylinder 168 moves the first securing latch member 162 via the
rocker assembly 180 into the unlatched position, and may release
the coupling pin 134 of the implement 104 from the notch 156.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first plate 140 and the second
plate 142 may include guides 184 and the second securing latch
member 164 is configured to move along the guides 184. Further, a
bottom surface 186 of the second securing latch member 164 abuts
with the guides 184 during a linear movement of the second securing
latch member 164. Further, a top surface 185 of the second securing
latch member 164 is configured to hold the coupling pin 136 of the
implement 104 in the recess 158. Each of the guides 184 may include
a shoulder portion 188. Further, the bottom surface 186 of the
second securing latch member 164 may include a set of grooves 190
provided at a pre-determined distance from its distal end 192.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
grooves 190 are adapted to lock with the shoulder portions 188 of
the guides 184 for locking the implement 104 in an event of the
hydraulic failure in the quick coupler 126. In the event of the
hydraulic failure, there may be a pressure drop in the pressurized
fluid in the hydraulic actuator 166, which may allow the second
securing latch member 164 to move into the unlatched position and
may release the coupling pin 136 of the implement 104 from the
recess 158. Further, the pre-determined distance for the grooves
190 may be selected in such a way so that the second securing latch
member 164 may not pivot completely to a position releasing the
coupling pin 136. The grooves 190 are provided at the
pre-determined distance so that grooves 190 are locked into the
shoulder portion 188 in the event of the hydraulic failure, without
releasing the coupling pin 136 from the recess 158, which is
further explained in FIGS. 4 and 5.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0021] The industrial applicability of the locking system 160 for
the quick coupler 126, described herein will be readily appreciated
from the foregoing discussion. The quick coupler 126 of the present
disclosure may be widely used on industrial, earthmoving, mining,
construction, farming, transportation and material handling
machines and vehicles, or the like. It may be contemplated that the
quick coupler 126 may be used to detachably or interchangeably
connect the implement 104 to the stick member 120 of the machine
100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the implement 104 is secured by
receiving the coupling pins 134, 136 in the notches 156 and the
recesses 158, respectively of the quick coupler 126.
[0022] In the event of the hydraulic failure in the quick coupler
126, the first securing latch member 162 retains the coupling pin
134 into the notch 156 of the quick coupler 126 as the first
securing latch member 162 is spring biased into the latched
position by the biasing element 181 and may not open without a
hydraulic force from the hydraulic actuator 166. Further, the
second securing latch member 164 is coupled to the hydraulic
actuator 166 may come to an open position, releasing the coupling
pin 136 of the implement 104 from the recesses 158 of the quick
coupler 126. This may lead to accidental release of the implement
104 from the second securing latch member 164 and may not be a safe
method of operating the quick coupler 126. Therefore, there rises a
need of securement of coupling pin 136 in the second securing latch
member 164, ensuring a safe operation of the quick coupler 126 in
the event of the hydraulic failure. A person ordinarily skilled in
the art may understand that, hydraulic failures may be at least one
of a failure in the hydraulic supply lines or hoses, hydraulic
pumps, hydraulic actuators, and one or more valves.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the quick coupler
126 in the latched position, with plurality of hydraulic lines 172
and lubrication lines 176 removed for simplicity. In the latched
position, the coupling pins 134, 136 of the implement 104 are
secured between the first securing latch member 162 and the second
securing latch member 164 in the notches 156, 158, respectively,
Further, the pressurized fluid in the hydraulic actuator 166 allows
the second securing latch member 164 to securely hold the coupling
pin 136 of the implement 104 in the recess 158. Further, a reaction
force from the coupling pin 136 acts on the second securing latch
member 164 is neutralized by the pressurized fluid in the hydraulic
actuator 166. Thus, the coupling pin 136 of the implement 104 is
tightly withheld in the recess 158 by the second securing latch
member 164.
[0024] Further, in the event of the hydraulic failure in the quick
coupler 126, there may be a drop in the pressurized fluid in the
hydraulic actuator 166. Further, the reaction forces acting on the
second securing latch member 164 by the coupling pin 136 of the
implement 104 and gravity may pivot the second securing latch
member 164 about the pin 182. Further, the pivotal movement of the
second securing latch member 164 may allow the grooves 190 provided
on the bottom surface 186 of the second securing latch member 164
to lock with the shoulder portions 188 of the guides 184, as shown
in FIG. 5. The locking of grooves 190 on the shoulder portions 188
of the guides 184 may hold the coupling pin 136 in the recess 158
of the quick coupler 126, avoiding accidental release of the
implement 104 from the second securing latch member 164. The
holding of the coupling pin 136 in the recess 158 in the secured
manner, in the event of the hydraulic failure, aids in safe
operation of the quick coupler 126. Further, as explained above,
the coupling pin 134 is secured with the first securing latch
member 162 by the biasing element 181, in the event of the
hydraulic failure.
[0025] Further, after the hydraulic failure is rectified, the
coupling pin 136 of the implement 104 secured in the second
securing latch member 164 may need to be unlocked from the quick
coupler 126. While unlocking, the hydraulic actuator 166 may push
the second securing latch member 164 in a forward direction
releasing the locking of grooves 190 with the shoulder portions 188
of the guides 184. Further, the hydraulic actuator 166 may push the
second securing latch member 164 in the backward direction in the
linear movement so that the grooves 190 may not lock with the
shoulder portions 188 of the guides 184. The second securing latch
member 164 may return back to the unlatched position, as shown in
FIG. 3, releasing the coupling pin 136 of the implement 104 from
the second securing latch member 164.
[0026] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the set of grooves
190 provided on the bottom surface 186 of the second securing latch
member 164 may be elliptical grooves. The elliptical grooves 190
are adapted to engage with multiple pin center to center dimensions
of the implement 104, as shown in FIG. 6. In an alternative
embodiment, the set of grooves 190 provided on the bottom surface
186 of the second securing latch member 164 may be serrated or
curvilinear grooves, as shown in FIG. 7. In an another alternative
embodiment, distal end of the guides 184 may include a set of
grooves 187, such as, but not limited to, curvilinear grooves, so
that rear edge of the second securing latch member 164 is
configured to lock with the set of grooves 187 provided in the
guides 184, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the quick coupler
126 may include both the grooves 190 on the second securing latch
member 164 and the set of grooves 187 on the distal end of the
guides 184.
[0027] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed quick
coupler without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other
embodiments of the quick coupler will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of
the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification
and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of
the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their
equivalents.
[0028] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of
illustration, various modifications or variations may be made
without deviating from the spirit or scope of inventive features
claimed herein. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from consideration of the specification and figures and
practice of the arrangements disclosed herein. It is intended that
the specification and disclosed examples be considered as exemplary
only, with a true inventive scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *