Arrangement and Method for Confirming Tool Alignment

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent disclosure relates generally to the coupling of work implements to machines, and, more particularly to an arrangement for confirming the proper positioning of the relative coupling arrangements of the machine and the work implement.

BACKGROUND

Mining and construction machinery includes machines such as wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders, track loaders, and backhoe loaders and the like. Typically, work implements such as a bucket, pallet fork or logging fork may be mounted to these machines to perform work. For example, a bucket could be mounted to one of these machines for performing work like digging a trench in the ground, digging material from a pile, or dozing. A pallet fork could be mounted for permitting the machine to pick up and carry palletized materials around a building site or at a factory. Logging forks are specially adapted for picking up and carrying logs. Other non-limiting examples of implements include hammers, blades, brooms, and snowplows.

When a particular implement is attached to the machine, it enables the machine to perform a variety of tasks. In order to perform a task that the implement does not enable the machine to do, a different implement can be attached. The ability to attach multiple implements to a machine so it can perform a variety of tasks—multitasking—increases the utility and value of the machine for the owner.

The attaching and detaching of implements to a machine can be cumbersome and time consuming, however. As a result, the time spent switching implements instead of working reduces the utility of the machine.

Some implements may be mounted to a machine with a simple pin-style joint, which does not facilitate the switching of implements. With this mounting system, a pin is manually inserted into complementary bores in the machine and implement to create a pin joint. Switching implements with this system requires an operator or technician, or multiple technicians, to manually remove the pins that hold the first implement to the machine, remove the first implement, position a second implement on the machine, and manually reinsert the pins. Besides being time consuming, this switching operation can require considerable skill on the part of the operator and technicians.

So-called “quick couplers” solve many of the problems that pin-style joints present for switching implements. Quick couplers provide an alternative way to mount implements to mining and construction machinery. The quick coupler is interposed at the junction between machine and implement, generally including a structure attached to the implement, and a structure attached to the machine. The two structures may be engaged to couple the implement to the machine, or disengaged to release the implement from the machine. The engagement and disengagement may be controlled remotely by the operator of the machine either inside the cab or at a remote location in the case of an autonomously operated machine. With a quick coupler, changing from one implement to another implement can be done quickly, and typically only requires the involvement of the machine's operator.

Many types and styles of quick couplers for mining and construction machinery have been used and proposed. One example is the coupler disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,882,898, which is assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure. The '898 patent discloses a quick-coupling arrangement that includes an upper coupling that provides an initial placement and coupling between the implement and the machine, along with a lower movable coupling that provides a second secure coupling between the instrument and the machine following accurate engagement of the upper coupling.

In coupling the machine with the instrument, however, accuracy of placement of the coupler-engaging features on the worktool relative to the engaged features on the quick coupler is essential to the subsequent engagement of the locking features of the quick coupler system. Without confirmation of the accurate engagement of the coupling features, an operator command to engage the locking features of the coupler system may not successfully lock the worktool to the quick coupler.

Various arrangements have been proposed to facilitate operator navigation for proper position of a machine and implement for engagement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 11,634,891 to Sud, et al., discloses a plurality of sensor modules including a plurality of first sensing elements mounted with respect to a coupler that is movable in association with the machine, and a plurality of second sensing elements arranged with respect to the implement. The user interface includes a display that is in communication with at least a portion of the first sensing elements to provide guidance to the operator as the respective locations of the first and second sensing elements. Such arrangements, however, are complex structures, and are subject to the limitations of the sensing elements and the user interface.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes in one aspect a system for indicating to an operator of a work machine when there exists a desired angular alignment between a tool coupling element associated with a tool and a machine coupling element associated with the work machine. The system includes a mechanically actuable flag indicator and an actuating structure. The mechanically actuable flag indicator is associated with the tool coupling element, while the actuating structure is associated with the machine coupling element. The flag indicator includes a pivotably mounted flag, and an actuable element including a tab. The tab is pivotably coupled with the tool coupling element. The pivotably mounted flag is mechanically coupled with the tab. The actuating structure associated with the machine coupling element includes an actuating surface. Pivoting movement of the machine coupling element relative to the tool coupling element pivotably moves the actuating surface, which is disposed to contact the tab of the actuable element. The pivoting movement of the actuating surface results in corresponding pivoting movement of the tab of the actuable element. Pivoting movement of the tab correspondingly pivots the pivotably mounted flag. The flag pivots to a position visible to the operator of the machine when the machine coupling element and the tool coupling element are disposed in the desired angular alignment.

This disclosure describes in another aspect a system for coupling a tool with a work machine wherein the system includes a tool coupling element associated with the tool and a machine coupling element associated with the work machine. The tool coupling element includes a first tool coupling structure and a secondary tool engagement structure. The machine coupling element includes a first machine coupling structure and a secondary machine engagement structure. The first tool coupling structure and the first machine coupling structure are adapted to pivotably couple the tool coupling element and the machine coupling element, while the secondary tool engagement structure and the secondary machine engagement structure are adapted to secure together the tool coupling element and the machine coupling element. A mechanically actuable flag indicator is associated with the tool coupling element. An actuating structure is associated with the machine coupling element. The actuating structure includes an actuating surface. Pivoting movement of the actuating surface results in corresponding movement of the flag indicator to a position visible to the operator of the machine when the machine coupling element and the tool coupling element are disposed in the desired angular alignment for engagement of the secondary tool engagement structure and the secondary machine engagement structure.

This disclosure describes in yet another aspect a method for mechanically detecting a correct angular alignment between a machine coupling element associated with a work machine and a tool coupling element associated with a tool. The tool coupling element includes a first tool coupling structure and a secondary tool engagement structure. The machine coupling element includes a first machine coupling structure and a secondary machine engagement structure. The first tool coupling structure and the first machine coupling structure are adapted to pivotably couple the tool coupling element and the machine coupling element, while the secondary tool engagement structure and the secondary machine engagement structure are adapted to secure together the tool coupling element and the machine coupling element. The method includes engaging the first machine coupling element with the first tool coupling element; pivoting the machine coupling element and tool coupling element relatively; engaging an actuating surface of an actuable structure associated with the first machine coupling element with a tab of an actuable element pivotably coupled to the first tool coupling element and mechanically coupled with a pivotably mounted flag that is pivotably mounted to the first tool coupling element; whereby continued pivoting of the machine coupling element and the tool coupling element relatively pivots the actuable element and mechanically coupled pivotably mounted flag such that the pivotably mounted flag is pivoted to a position visible to an operator of the machine when the machine coupling element and the tool coupling element are disposed in the desired angular alignment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a fragmentary portion of a machine and an implement including an arrangement for confirming tool alignment of a quick coupler prior to initial engagement of the quick coupler.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the fragmentary portion of the machine and implement of FIG. 1 wherein the quick coupler is moving to initial engagement of the upper coupling of the quick coupler, the machine being illustrated partially broken away in order to show the quick coupler.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the view of the initial engagement of the upper coupling of the quick coupler of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the view of the quick coupler in position for further engagement of the upper coupling of the quick coupler of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of the upper coupling of the quick coupler and the arrangement for confirming tool alignment of FIGS. 1-4 wherein the arrangement for confirming tool alignment is partially actuated.

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the upper coupling of the quick coupler and the arrangement for confirming tool alignment of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of an opposite side of the fragmentary isometric views of FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the arrangement for confirming tool alignment is in an unactuated position and in an actuated position, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates to an arrangement for visually confirming the proper alignment of a quick coupler 20 between a machine 10 and a tool 12. FIGS. 1-7 illustrate exemplary fragmentary views of a machine 10 and tool 12 including a quick coupler 20 and an arrangement for confirming tool alignment 40 during coupling of the tool with the machine 10. While the tool 12 is illustrated as a bucket, those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternative tools may utilized. For example, a pallet fork, logging fork, hammer, blade, broom, or snowplow may be provided with a quick coupler 20 or the arrangement for confirming tool alignment, such as is illustrated and discussed in this disclosure. Inasmuch as the arrangement for confirming tool alignment 40 may be applied to other quick couplers adapted to couple other tools and machines, the figures and descriptions should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention to the embodiment shown herein. Other embodiments of quick couplers and tools may be created which follow the principles of the invention as taught herein, and these other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of patent protection.

With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an exemplary fragmentary portion of a machine 10, here a lift arm 11, along with a tool 12, here, a bucket. A machine and tool such as the illustrated assembly is illustrated and discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,882,898, which is incorporated herein by reference for all disclosed in that patent. An exemplary quick coupler 20 includes a complementary tool coupling element 22 and machine coupling element 30 coupled with the tool 12 and machine 10, respectively. Each of the tool and machine coupling elements 22, 30 includes and first and second coupling structures. The first coupling structures provide an initial engagement and orientation mechanism to align the tool and machine coupling elements 22, 30 for engagement of the secondary coupling structures as a locking mechanism between the tool 12 and machine 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tool coupling element 22 includes at least one hook 24 as a first coupling structure, and at least one secondary engagement structure 26 as a secondary coupling structure. Likewise, the machine coupling element 30 includes a rod or tube 32 as a first coupling structure, and at least one secondary engagement structure 34 as a secondary coupling structure. For the purposes of this disclosure, the at least one rod or tube 32 shall be referred to as a tube 32, the term encompassing both a solid or hallow structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one hook 24 includes a pair of hooks 24 that are adapted to engagingly receive the tube 32. FIG. 1 illustrates the first coupling structures of the at least one hook 24 and tube 32 just prior to engagement.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the engagement of the tube 32 with the pair of hooks 24 as the first coupling structures allows the pivotable relative movement between the tool coupling element 22 and the machine coupling element 30 in order to position the secondary engagement structures 26, 34, for further engagement. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the tool coupling element 22 pivots about the axis 33 of the tube 32 to move the secondary engagement structure 34 of the machine coupling element 30 into position proximal to secondary engagement structure 26 of the tool coupling element 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary engagement structure 34 of the machine coupling element 30 and the secondary engagement structure 26 of the tool coupling element 22 are wedges 35 and wedge pockets 27, respectively. Once in position with the machine coupling element 30 substantially adjacent the tool coupling element 22, the wedges 35 may be advanced into the wedge pockets 27 by any appropriate mechanism, such as hydraulic cylinders or the like, to secure the machine 10 with the tool 12. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, however, that the structures could be reversed. That is, the secondary engagement structure 34 of the machine coupling element 30 could include the wedge pockets and the secondary engagement structure 26 of the tool coupling element 22 could include the wedges.

In accordance with this disclosure, an arrangement for visually confirming tool alignment 40 is provided. That is, an arrangement is provided by which a correct angular alignment between the machine coupling element 30 and the tool coupling element 22 is provided.

The arrangement for visually confirming tool alignment 40 includes an actuating structure 42 associated with the tube 32 or first coupling structure of the machine coupling element 30. The actuating structure 42 includes a plate 43 or the like extending generally radially from the tube 32 to presents a generally radially extending actuating surface 44. The plate 43 is disposed to confront and mechanically actuate a mechanically actuable flag indicator 46 as the tube 32 of the machine coupling element 30 rotates as the machine coupling element 30 pivots from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

The mechanically actuable flag indicator 46 is associated with the at least one hook 24 or first coupling structure of the tool coupling element 22. As may be best seen in FIGS. 5-7, the flag indicator 46 includes a pivotably mounted flag 48 that mechanically adapted for movement to a more elevated position by physical contact of the actuating surface 44 of the actuating structure 42 with the actuable flag indicator 46. When moved to the raised position illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8, the flag 48 would be visible to an operator controlling the machine 10 either from a cab (not illustrated) of the machine 10 or an operator located remotely by way of a front-facing camera (not illustrated) of the machine 10.

The flag indicator 46 is mounted to the hook 24 by a mounting bracket 50 by any appropriate arrangement, such as, for example, one or more bolts 51. The flag indicator 46 further includes an actuable element 52 pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket 50. The actuable element 52 includes a tab 54 pivotably mounted by way of a rod 56 extending through a tube 58 secured with the mounting bracket 50. During rotation of the tube 32 relative to the hook 24, the pivoting of the actuating surface 44 of the plate 43 into contact with the tab 54 of the actuable element 52 to rotate the rod 56 about its axis. While the tab 54 in the illustrated embodiment has an arcuate or hook-like structure, it will be appreciated that tab 54 may be of an alternative structure so long as it is pivotably mounted and disposed for engagement by the actuating surface 44.

The flag 48 of the flag indicator 46 is similarly mounted for rotation on the mounting bracket 50. The flag 48 extends radially relative to rod 60, which is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket 50 extending through tube 62, which is likewise secured with the mounting bracket 50. As the flag 48 rotates with rod 60 about the axis of rod 60, the flag 48 may be rotated to a more upright position where it can be viewed by the operator.

The rotation of the actuable element 52 may be transmitted to the flag 48 by any appropriate mechanical arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, a gear train 64 is provided. That is, a drive gear 66 is mounted with the rod 56 of the actuable element 52 for rotation about the axis of rod 56, and an engaged driven gear 68 is mounted with rod 60 of the flag 48 for rotation about the axis of rod 60. In his way, rotation of the actuable element 52 as a result of engagement by the actuating surface 44 of the actuating structure 42 is transmitted to the drive gear 66. The drive gear 66 drives the driven gear 68 to rotate the flag 48 to a more upright position visible to the operator, either directly or by way of a camera.

While the rotation of the actuable element is illustrated by way of a gearing arrangement, those of skill in the art will appreciate that an alternative coupling arrangement between the actuable element 52 and the flag 48 may be provided. For example, a four bar linkage may be provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

When coupling a machine coupling element 30 of a machine 10 to a tool coupling element 22 of a tool 12, the first coupling structure or tube 32 of the machine coupling element 30 is engaged with the at least one hook or first coupling structure 24 of the tool coupling element 22. As the machine coupling element 30 is rotated about the axis of the tube 32 to position the secondary engagement structures 34 of the machine coupling element 30 in position for engagement of the secondary engagement structures 26 of the tool coupling element 22, the actuating surface 44 of the actuating structure 42 extending radially from the tube 32 confronts the tab 54 of the actuable element 52 of the flag indicator 46. Rotation of the actuable element 52 about the axis of the rod 56 results in concurrent rotation of the flag 48 about the axis of rod 60. When the secondary engagement structures 34 of the machine coupling element 30 in position for engagement of the secondary engagement structures 26 of the tool coupling element 22, the flag 48 is positioned in a position that is visible to the operator, either directly or by way of a camera. This position is generally more upright such that it is visible to the operator. The operator may then provide a command to engage the secondary engagement structures 34 of the machine coupling element 30 and the secondary engagement structures 26 of the tool coupling element 22 to secure together the tool coupling element 22 and the machine coupling element 30.

As a result of this arrangement and method for visually confirming tool alignment, some embodiments of the disclosure may facilitate the reliable and firm coupling of a machine 10 with a tool 12. Further, such an arrangement and method may facilitate the changing of tools. In some embodiments, the arrangement and method may reduce or minimize the cost of attachment and changing of tools, and may enhance the reliability of such attachment.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.