Quick coupler assembly

• US 7,984,575 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2007
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Robl, Troy Curtis, Stefek, Trent Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach; Thomas A
• Application Number:
  US11/773,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20090007465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 374/68, 374/03, 172/272, 172/274, 172/275, 403/321, 403/322.1, 403/324, 403/315, 403/316, 414/723
• US Class Current: 37/468
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3622 with a hook and a locking element acting on a pin
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/365 with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/3663 hydraulically-operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/591 having operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20238 Interlocked

Abstract

A quick coupler for connecting and disconnecting an implement such as a bucket to and from a machine such as an excavator. In an example, the quick coupler includes a frame having recesses configured to receive pins located on the implement. The quick coupler includes first and second securing latches that are movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the pins of the implement in the recesses. A rocker assembly and a connector link are provided for moving the second latch between latched and unlatched positions.

Claims

1. A quick coupler assembly for connecting an implement having a pin to an arm of a machine, the quick coupler assembly including a frame that has a recess configured to receive the pin of the implement, the quick coupler comprising:

a securing latch pivotally connected to the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the pin in the recess;

a rocker assembly pivotally connected to the frame by a rocker pivot pin; and

a connector link pivotally connected to the securing latch by a first pivot point and pivotally connected to the rocker assembly by a second pivot point,

wherein the securing latch, the rocker assembly, and the connector link are movable to a position where the rocker assembly contacts the securing latch for securing the securing latch in the latched position, and wherein, in the latched position, the second pivot point is located below a centerline defined by a plane extending between the first pivot pin and the rocker pivot pin.

2. A locking system for use in a quick coupler assembly for connecting an implement having a pin to an arm of a machine, the quick coupler assembly including a frame that has a recess configured to receive the pin of the implement, the locking system comprising:

a securing latch movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the pin in the recess;

a rocker assembly;

a connector link pivotally interconnecting the rocker assembly and the securing latch; and

a stop,

the connector link configured to transform an opening force acting on the securing latch into a biasing force for biasing the rocker assembly against the stop.

3. The locking system of claim 2, further comprising:

a securing latch pivot pin for pivotally connecting the securing latch to the frame.

4. The locking system of claim 3, wherein the opening force acting on the securing latch creates a moment about the securing latch pivot pin, the moment creates the biasing force in the connector link, the biasing force biases the rocker assembly against the stop and prevents the opening force from moving the securing latch from the latched position to the unlatched position.

5. A method of connecting a quick coupler assembly to an implement having first and second pins, the quick coupler assembly having a frame with front and rear portions and first and second recesses, the first recess located proximate to the front portion and the second recess located proximate to the rear portion thereof, the first recess configured to receive the first pin of the implement and the second recess configured to receive the second pin of the implement, the method comprising:

actuating a hydraulic or electric actuator;

moving, in response to the actuation of the actuator, a first securing latch located proximate to the front portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the first pin in the first recess until the first securing latch reaches its latched position; and

moving, in response to the actuation of the actuator, a second securing latch located proximate to the rear portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the second pin in the second recess, the second securing latch moving in a first direction in response to the actuation of the actuator, and then as the actuator continues to actuate and in response thereto moving the second securing latch briefly in a second direction opposite the first direction until the second securing latch reaches its latched position.

6. A method of connecting a quick coupler assembly to an implement according to claim 5, wherein the actuation of the actuator moving a first securing latch further comprises applying a force from the actuator to the first securing latch via a pivot pin, the first securing latch being pivotally connected to the actuator via the pivot pin.

7. A method of connecting a quick coupler assembly to an implement according to claim 5, wherein moving the second securing latch briefly in a second direction opposite the first direction until the second securing latch reaches its latched position further comprises contacting a stop surface with the second securing latch when the second securing latch reaches its latched position.

8. A method of connection a quick coupler assembly to an implement according to claim 5 wherein the actuation of the actuator moving a second securing latch further comprises rotating a rocker assembly in response to the actuation of the actuator, and contacting a stop surface with the rocker assembly when the second securing latch reaches its latched position.

9. A quick coupler assembly for connecting an implement having first and second pins to an arm of a machine, the quick coupler assembly comprising:

a frame having front and rear portions and first and second recesses, the first recess located proximate to the front portion and the second recess located proximate to the rear portion thereof, the first recess configured to receive the first pin of the implement and the second recess configured to receive the second pin of the implement;

a first securing latch located proximate to the front portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the first pin in the first recess;

a second securing latch located proximate to the rear portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the second pin in the second recess;

a rocker assembly pivotally connected to the frame;

a hydraulic or electric actuator pivotally connected to the first securing latch, the actuator also pivotally connected to the rocker assembly; and

a connector link pivotally connected to the rocker assembly, the connector link also pivotally connected to the second securing latch.

10. The quick coupler assembly of claim 9 wherein when the actuator extends it applies a force to both the first securing latch to move the first securing latch to its latched position and to the second securing latch to move the second securing latch to its latched position.

11. The quick coupler assembly of claim 10 wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator including a piston and a cylinder, the piston being pivotally connected to the first securing latch, and the cylinder being pivotally connected to the rocker assembly.

12. The quick coupler assembly of claim 9 the first securing latch is pivotally connected to the frame and the second securing latch is pivotally connected to the frame.

13. The quick coupler assembly of claim 9 wherein when the second securing latch is in its latched position the rocker assembly makes contact with second securing latch.

14. The quick coupler assembly of claim 9 wherein when the second securing latch is in its latched position the rocker assembly makes contact with a stop formed on the frame.

15. The quick coupler of claim 9 wherein:

the rocker assembly is pivotally connected to the frame via a rocker pin;

the connector link is pivotally connected to the rocker assembly via a first pivot pin, the connector link is also pivotally connected to the second securing latch via a second pivot pin; and

when the second securing latch is in its unlatched position the first pivot pin is on one side of a line connecting the second pivot pin and the rocker pin, and when the second securing latch is in its latched position the first pivot pin is on the opposite side of the line.

16. A quick coupler assembly for connecting an implement having first and second pins to an arm of a machine, the quick coupler assembly comprising:

a frame having front and rear portions and first and second recesses, the first recess located proximate to the front portion and the second recess located proximate to the rear portion thereof, the first recess configured to receive the first pin of the implement and the second recess configured to receive the second pin of the implement;

a first securing latch pivotally connected by a first latch pivot pin located proximate to the front portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the first pin in the first recess;

a second securing latch pivotally connected by a second latch pivot pin located proximate to the rear portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the second pin in the second recess;

a rocker assembly pivotally connected to the frame by a rocker pivot pin; and

a hydraulic or electric actuator which extends and contracts, the actuator pivotally connected to the first securing latch, and the actuator also pivotally connected to the rocker assembly.

17. A quick coupler assembly according to claim 16 wherein the actuator is not itself directly connected to the frame.

18. A quick coupler assembly according to claim 17 wherein:

the actuator is a hydraulic actuator comprising a piston and a cylinder, the cylinder includes pivots which extend away from the cylinders on opposite sides thereof; and

the actuator is pivotally connected to the rocker assembly via the pivots extending into bores formed on the rocker assembly.

19. A quick coupler assembly for connecting an implement having first and second pins to an arm of a machine, the quick coupler assembly comprising:

a frame having front and rear portions and first and second recesses, the first recess located proximate to the front portion and the second recess located proximate to the rear portion thereof, the first recess configured to receive the first pin of the implement and the second recess configured to receive the second pin of the implement;

a first securing latch located proximate to the front portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the first pin in the first recess;

a second securing latch located proximate to the rear portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the second pin in the second recess;

a hydraulic or electric actuator which extends and contracts and is connected to the first securing latch to move the first securing latch between its latched and unlatched positions; and

an over-center mechanism connecting the actuator to the second securing latch to move the second securing latch between its latched and unlatched positions;

wherein when the second securing latch is in its latched position, an opening force from the second pin acting on the second securing latch to urge it to its unlatched position is counteracted by a resultant force created in the over-center mechanism to urge the second securing latch to its latched position.

20. A quick coupler assembly according to claim 19 wherein the over-center mechanism includes a rocker assembly and when the second securing latch is moving from its unlatched position to its latched position the rocker assembly pivots in a first direction and continues pivoting in its first direction until the rocker assembly contacts a stop to prevent further pivoting of the rocker assembly and define the latched position of the second securing latch.

21. A quick coupler assembly for connecting an implement having first and second pins to an arm of a machine, the quick coupler assembly comprising:

a frame having front and rear portions and first and second recesses, the first recess located proximate to the front portion and the second recess located proximate to the rear portion thereof, the first recess configured to receive the first pin of the implement and the second recess configured to receive the second pin of the implement;

a first securing latch located proximate to the rear portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the second pin in the second recess;

a hydraulic or electric actuator which extends and contracts; and

an over-center mechanism connecting the actuator to the first securing latch to move the first securing latch between its latched and unlatched positions, the over-center mechanism comprising a rocker assembly and a connecting link, the rocker assembly is pivotally connected to the actuator, the rocker assembly is pivotally connected to the frame via a rocker pin, the connector link is pivotally connected to the rocker assembly via a first pivot pin, the connector link is also pivotally connected to the first securing latch via a second pivot pin; and

when the first securing latch is in its unlatched position the first pivot pin is on one side of a line connecting the second pivot pin and the rocker pin, and when the first securing latch is in its latched position the first pivot pin is on the opposite side of the line.

22. A quick coupler assembly according to claim 21 further comprising:

a second securing latch located proximate to the front portion of the frame and movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the first pin in the first recess, the second securing latch being connected to the actuator to move the second securing latch between its latched and unlatched positions.

23. A quick coupler assembly according to claim 21 wherein when the first securing latch is in its latched position the rocker assembly makes contact with first securing latch.

24. The quick coupler assembly of claim 21 wherein when the first securing latch is in its latched position the rocker assembly makes contact with a stop formed on the frame.