U.S. patent application number 15/032886 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for safety lock device for quick coupler.
The applicant listed for this patent is KANGTO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ilseon AHN, Jinhwan PARK.
Application Number | 20160281319 15/032886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53004443 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160281319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Jinhwan ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
SAFETY LOCK DEVICE FOR QUICK COUPLER
Abstract
The present invention relates to a safety lock device for a
quick coupler which prevents the coupled state of a work tool
installed on a quick coupler at the front of an excavator from
becoming arbitrarily released. A safety lock device for a quick
coupler according to the present invention is a quick coupler
having: a body; a fixed hook formed on one side of the body and
having a coupling pin of a work tool inserted therein; and a
movable hook provided on a side facing the fixed hook and pivoting
according to the actuation of a cylinder to lock another coupling
pin of the work tool. Safety locking means are provided on the
inside of the body so that the movable hook and the coupling pin of
the work tool located within the movable hook are not arbitrarily
separated due to the pivoting of the movable hook, firmly maintain
a locked state even when a cylinder is damaged during work or
transit while the work tool is coupled to the quick coupler, and
prevent the work tool from becoming separated or falling from the
quick coupler. Thus, accidents causing human casualties and damage
to machinery can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.
Inventors: |
PARK; Jinhwan; (Siheung,
KR) ; AHN; Ilseon; (Siheung, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KANGTO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. |
Ansan-si Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53004443 |
Appl. No.: |
15/032886 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 22, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2014/004590 |
371 Date: |
April 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/3663 20130101;
E02F 3/3618 20130101; E02F 3/3622 20130101; E02F 3/365
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/36 20060101
E02F003/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0129935 |
Claims
1. A safety lock device for a quick coupler, comprising: a quick
coupler which comprises: a body; a fixed hook which is provided at
a portion of the body, wherein an coupling pin of a work tool is
inserted into the fixed hook; and a movable hook which is provided
at the opposite of the fixed hook and is configured to rotate by
the actuation of a cylinder and lock another coupling pin of the
work tool, wherein the quick coupler further comprises: a safety
locking means which is provided at an inside of the body and is
configured to carry out a locking operation in order for the
coupling pin of the work tool, which is located within the movable
hook and the fixed hook, not to arbitrarily separate as the movable
hook rotates.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety lock means comprises:
a moving-side hitch which is coupled rotatable at an upper portion
of the movable hook and is configured to receive an elastic force
from a spring; a fixing-side hitch which is coupled rotatable at an
upper portion of the fixed hook; an operation bar which is coupled
to a front end of the fixing-side hitch and is transferred by the
rotation of the movable hook; and an operation link which is
coupled to the moving-side hitch and the fixing-side hitch.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the operation bar is configured
to be transferred within a guide block fixed at the body since a
contact part of the movable hook, which rotates by the operation of
the cylinder, pushes a front end thereof, whereby the fixing-side
hitch can rotate.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein an operation roller, which
contacts with the contact part of the movable hook, is provided at
a front end of the operation bar.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the operation link comprises: a
first link and a second link, an end of each of which is connected
to the moving-side hitch and the fixing-side hitch, respectively;
and a both-side threaded nut which is engaged to a front end of
each of the first and second links.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a safety lock device for a
quick coupler, and in particular to a safety lock device for a
quick coupler, which is able to provide a safety which can be much
more improved in such a way to prevent the coupled state of a work
tool from being arbitrarily uncoupled even when a cylinder is
damaged, while an excavator is operating with a work tool coupled,
for example, a bucket, a breaker, etc., which in general can be
equipped with the aid of a quick coupler.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The excavator in general is configured to easily and quickly
couple or decouple a work tool, for example, a bucket, tongs, a
breaker, etc. with the aid of a quick coupler. This work tool can
be coupled or uncoupled with the aid of a hydraulic pressure as a
driver controls such a coupling or uncoupling work at a driver's
chamber. The aforementioned quick coupler is equipped with various
devices to prevent a coupled work tool from being arbitrarily
uncoupled due to any damage to a cylinder or a malfunction after
the work tool, for example, a bucket, has been coupled.
[0003] The Korean patent laid-open number 10-2009-0048151 describes
a work tool coupling apparatus equipped with a lock device which
was invented and filed by the same applicant as the present
application, wherein a movable hook 13 which can rotate by the
operation of a cylinder 11 and is coupled to an coupling pin 12a
disposed at a portion of a work tool is provided at a lower portion
of a body 10, and a fixed hook 14 coupled to another coupling pin
12b is provided at the opposite portion thereof. A hitch 15 locked
by a fixing pin 16 is provided at an outside of the fixed hook 14
so as to prevent any arbitrary unlocking, and a locking pin 17 is
inserted in the movable hook 13.
[0004] The coupling procedure of the work tool can be completed in
such a way that the movable hook 13 is coupled to the coupling pin
12a by operating the cylinder 11 in a state where the coupling pin
12b is coupled to the fixed hook 14 at a lower portion of the body
10. The coupling and uncoupling of the work tool can be completed
in such a way that the hitch 15 is positioned at an upper portion
of the coupling pin 12b and is fixed with the fixing pin 16, and
the locking pin 17 is fixed at the movable hook 13.
[0005] According to the aforementioned conventional technology, the
coupled state of the work tool is intended to be maintained by
coupling the locking pin to the movable hook or the hitch in a
state where the quick coupler is coupled to the work tool. In this
case, the driver should do such a work after getting out of the
excavator or otherwise another worker should couple the coupling
pin, which inevitably entails complicated work and long work time.
Moreover, if a problem, for example, a cylinder rod is broken
during work, occurs, in case where the locking pin is not employed,
the hydraulic pressure, which is being applied to the movable hook,
may be removed, and for this reason, the movable hook may separate
out of the coupling pin, thus unlocking the locked state, whereupon
the work tool which is coupled to the quick coupler, may be
separated, thus causing any damage to workers or causing a
predetermined impact to the excavator or other facilities, which
may result in dangerous accidents.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is made in an effort to
resolve the aforementioned problems. It is an object of the present
invention to provide a safety lock device for a quick coupler which
is able to provide a safety in such a way to prevent a work tool
from falling, which might occur since it is separated or uncoupled
from a movable hook or a fixed hook in a state where the work tool
is coupled to a quick coupler, even when a cylinder is broken.
[0007] To achieve the above object, there is provided a safety lock
device for a quick coupler, which may include, but is not limited
to, a quick coupler which may include a body; a fixed hook which is
provided at a portion of the body, wherein an coupling pin of a
work tool is inserted into the fixed hook; and a movable hook which
is provided at the opposite of the fixed hook and is configured to
rotate by the operation of a cylinder and lock another coupling pin
of the work tool, wherein the quick coupler further includes a
safety locking means which is provided at an inner portion of the
body and is configured to carry out a locking operation in order
for the coupling pin of the work tool, which positions within the
movable hook and the fixed hook, not to arbitrarily separate as the
movable hook rotates.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0008] The present invention is able to provide a safety wherein
any accident to workers or any damage to machine or facilities can
be prevented, thus securing a safety, since it is possible to
prevent a work tool from falling, which might occur since the work
tool is separated from a movable hook or a fixed hook or a locked
state is unlocked, in such a way that the locked state can be
surely maintained even when a cylinder, etc. is broken during a
work or a transfer in a state where the work tool is coupled to a
quick coupler.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating an coupled
state of a conventional safety lock device for a quick coupler.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the whole
configuration of a safety lock device for a quick coupler according
to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
front body plate of a safety lock device for a quick coupler
according to the present invention has been removed.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
backside body plate of a safety lock device for a quick coupler
according to the present invention has been removed.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a safety locking
unit of a safety lock device for a quick coupler according to the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating an
coupled state when viewing from a front side of the device so as to
describe an operation state of a safety lock device for a quick
coupler according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating an
coupled state when viewing from a backside of the device so as to
describe an operation state of a safety lock device for a quick
coupler according to the present invention.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] The quick coupler in general is used to carry out a
predetermined work, for example, a land excavation, the transfers
of timbers, other materials, etc., a land digging, etc. in a state
where an upper part of the quick coupler is coupled to a boom, and
a lower part thereof is coupled to a work tool, for example, a
bucket, tongs, a breaker, etc. A fixed hook which is coupled
inserted in an coupling pin of the work tool, is provided at a
portion of the quick coupler, and a movable hook which is
configured to rotate by the operation of the cylinder so as to
carry out a locking or unlocking operation with respect to the
coupling pin is provided at the other portion of the quick coupler.
The type where the operation direction of the movable hook is
pushed, more specifically, it is pushed outward by the cylinder, is
called a push type, and on the contrary, the type where the movable
hook is pulled by the cylinder, is called a pull type. In the
present invention, the push type will be illustrated and described,
and the illustration and description on the pull type will be
omitted for the sake of simplification.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the whole
configuration of a safety lock device for a quick coupler according
to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating
a state where a front body plate of a safety lock device for a
quick coupler according to the present invention has been removed.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a backside
body plate of a safety lock device for a quick coupler according to
the present invention has been removed.
[0019] In the drawings, the body 20 is connected, via horizontal
reinforcing members 23 and 24, to both ends of each of the front
body plate 21 and the backside body plate 22, which are disposed
opposite each other, and is fixed by a welding method, etc. A
movement hook 25 is fixed at the horizontal reinforcing member 23
between the horizontal reinforcing members 23 and 24 so as to allow
an easier movement during the transfer thereof.
[0020] Moreover, coupling holes 21a and 22a fixed at the boom of
the excavator are formed at the front body plate 21 and the
backside body plate 22, and a cylinder 26 and a rod 26a configured
to operate by hydraulic pressure are provided at the inner portions
thereof. A front end of the rod 26a is engaged to a pair of the
movable hooks 27, so the rod 26a can move forward or backward by
the operation of the cylinder 26, thus moving the movable hooks 27
forward or backward, by means of which the coupling pin of the work
tool is locked or unlocked.
[0021] The movable hooks 27 are coupled rotatable about the fixing
pin 28 which is disposed traversing the front body plate 21 and the
backside body plate 22.
[0022] A pair of the fixed hooks 29 configured to maintain a locked
state by inserting the other coupling pin of the work tool are
coupled to the opposites of the movable hooks 27.
[0023] An end of each of the fixed hook 29 is coupled to fixing
pins 29a and 29b, respectively, which are coupled traversing the
front body plate 21 and the backside body plate 22, and an end of
the cylinder 26 is hinged to the fixing pin 29a.
[0024] A safety locking unit 40 is provided at an inner portion of
the body 20 so as to prevent the locked state from being unlocked
due to an externally applied load or a damage to the cylinder, etc.
in a state where the coupling pins (a) and (b) of the work tool
remain locked.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the safety locking unit 40 may
include a moving-side hitch 41 which is engaged to the fixing pin
28 and is rotatable at the opposites of the movable hooks 27, and a
fixing-side hitch 42 which is coupled to the fixing pin 29b and is
rotatable at the upper portions of the fixed hooks 29.
[0026] The fixing-side hitch 42 is configured to rotate downward
with the aid of the elastic force of a spring 43 which is coupled
to the fixing pin 29b, and an end of the spring 43 is supported by
an upper portion of the fixing-side hitch 42, and the other end
thereof is supported by the body 2.
[0027] An operation bar 44 is coupled to a portion of the
fixing-side hitch 42, and the operation bar 44 is configured to
move rectilinearly within a guide block 45 fixed at an inner
portion of the front body plate 21, and an operation roller 46 is
coupled to a front end of the operation bar 44, thus moving a
contact part 27a formed at the outsides of the movable hooks 27 in
a state where the contact part 27a is contacting with the operation
roller 46.
[0028] Moreover, an operation link 50 which can operate in a
response to the movement of the operation bar 44 is engaged to the
other surface of the fixing-side hitch 42 and to a front end of the
moving-side hitch 41.
[0029] The operation link 50 may include a first link 51 a front
end of which is coupled to a front end of the moving-side hitch 41,
a second link 52 a front end of which is hinged to a portion of the
fixing-side hitch 42, and a both side-threaded nut 53 which is
thread-engaged with the opposite front ends of the first link 51
and the second link 52.
[0030] A right hand thread is formed at an inner portion of the
both side-threaded nut 53, and a left hand thread is formed at the
opposite portion thereof. The right hand thread and the left hand
thread are formed at the first link 51 and the second link 52 and
are coupled with each other. The whole length of the operation link
50 can be adjusted based on the couplements of the threads.
[0031] The aforementioned safety lock device for a quick coupler
according to the present invention can carry out a predetermined
work after a driver has coupled a work tool, for example, a bucket,
a breaker, tongs, etc. based on the kinds of the work in a state
where the coupling pin provided at a front end of the boom of an
excavator is coupled to the coupling holes 21a and 22a formed at
the body 20.
[0032] When the movable hooks 27 rotate in the counterclockwise
direction as in FIG. 6 in a state where the rod 26a have moved
backward, the contact part 27a will push the front end of the
operation bar 44, namely, the operation roller 46, whereby the
fixing-side hitch 42 can be opened as indicated by an alternate
long and short dash line, and since the fixing-side hitch 42 is
opened, the operation link 50 connected thereto can operate, thus
opening the moving-side hitch 41.
[0033] In the aforementioned state, the fixing-side hitch 42 will
be opened upward, and the movable hooks 27 and the moving-side
hitch 41 at the opposite thereof will be opened.
[0034] The coupling pin (b) is inserted into the fixed hook 29 at a
portion of the quick coupler by descending the boom of the
excavator, and the coupling pin (a) at the opposite thereof is
positioned at a lower portion of the body 20, and the cylinder 26
is moved forward, so the rod 26a can move forward, and the movable
hooks 27 will rotate in the clockwise direction, by means of which
the locking can be finished.
[0035] When the movable hooks 27 move forward, the contact part 27a
will separate from the operation roller 46, and then the operation
bar 44 will become free, whereby the fixing-side hitch 42 will
descend in the clockwise direction as in FIG. 6 by the elastic
force of the spring 43 and will cover the upper portion of the
coupling pin (b), thus obtaining a locked state, and at the same
time, the operation link 50 coupled to the fixing-side hitch 42
will move rightward as in FIG. 7, and then the moving-side hitch 41
will rotate in the clockwise direction about the fixing pin 28 and
will cover the coupling pin (a), thus obtaining the locked
state.
[0036] The coupling pin (a) of the work tool will carry out a
locking procedure in a posture where it is covered from both sides
by the movable hooks 27 and the moving-side hitch 41, and the
coupling pin (b) at the opposite thereof will carry out the locking
procedure in a posture where it is covered from both sides by the
fixed hook 29 and the fixing-side hitch 42, by means of which the
locked state won't be arbitrarily unlocked by an externally applied
impact or a damage to the cylinder, thus enhancing a lock
safety.
[0037] Moreover, when it needs to unlock the locked state, the rod
26a will move backward by the operation of the cylinder 26, and the
movable hooks 27 will rotate in the counterclockwise directions,
and the contact part 27a will come into contact with the operation
roller 46, thus pushing the operation bar 44, whereupon the
fixing-side hitch 42 will rotate upward, and the locked state of
the coupling pin (b) will be unlocked. At the same time, the
fixing-side hitch 42 will ascend, and the operation link 50 linked
thereto will be pulled, so the moving-side hitch 41 at the opposite
thereof can rotate and open, whereby the locked state of the
coupling pin (a) can be unlocked.
[0038] While the present embodiment has been described with the
push type quick coupler, it is not limited thereto. It is obvious
that the present invention can be adapted to the pull type quick
coupler.
* * * * *