Accessory attachment system for machine

• US 9,551,366 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Timothy M., Riggert, Charles R., Reetz, Wesley C., Hoyt, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US14/302,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20150360626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2025/065 the transmission being fluidic, e.g. hydraulic
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/06 from the transmission power take-off transmissions having power-take-off B60K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/411 Bulldozers, Graders
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/961 with several digging elements or tools mounted on one machine for backhoes E02F3/964 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/0858 Arrangement of component parts installed on superstructures not otherwise provided for, e.g. electric components, fenders, air-conditioning units E02F9/16, E02F9/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2275 Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/00 Common features of fluid actuator systems; Fluid-pressure actuator systems or details thereof, not covered by any other group of this subclass

Abstract

An accessory attachment system for a machine is disclosed. The accessory attachment system includes a housing configured to be detachably coupled with the machine. A plurality of electric connectors is disposed in the housing. The plurality of electric connectors is communicably coupled with an electrical system of the machine. The plurality of electric connectors is configured to selectively provide an electric power to one or more detachable external devices. A fluid connector is disposed in the housing. The fluid connector is in fluid communication with a hydraulic system of the machine. The accessory attachment system further includes a hydraulic device detachably coupled with the housing. The hydraulic device includes a device fluid connector configured to be fluidly coupled with the fluid connector of the housing. The hydraulic device is selectively powered by the hydraulic system of the machine.

Claims

1. An accessory attachment system for a machine, the accessory attachment system comprising:

a housing configured to be detachably coupled with the machine;

a plurality of electric connectors disposed in the housing, the plurality of electric connectors being communicably coupled with an electrical system of the machine, wherein the plurality of electric connectors is configured to selectively provide electric power to one or more detachable external devices;

a fluid connector disposed in the housing, the fluid connector being in fluid communication with a hydraulic system of the machine; and

a hydraulic device detachably coupled with the housing, the hydraulic device comprising a device fluid connector configured to be fluidly coupled with the fluid connector of the housing, wherein the hydraulic device is selectively powered by the hydraulic system of the machine.

2. The accessory attachment system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises one or more doors to selectively enclose at least some of the plurality of electric connectors.

3. The accessory attachment system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electric connectors comprises a first set of electric connectors configured to provide multiphase electric power, and a second set of electric connectors configured to provide single-phase electric power.

4. The accessory attachment system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a pin extending from a lateral side thereof, the pin being detachably coupled with a frame of the machine.

5. The accessory attachment system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first side facing the machine and a second side opposite to the first side facing the hydraulic device, wherein a plurality of bolts are disposed on the second side to detachably couple the hydraulic device to the second side of the of the housing.

6. The accessory attachment system of claim 5, wherein housing further comprises a drawbar assembly detachably mounted on the second side of the housing.

7. The accessory attachment system of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic device is a hydraulic winch.

8. A machine comprising:

a frame;

a power source disposed within the frame;

an electrical system powered by the power source;

a hydraulic system powered by the power source; and

an accessory attachment system detachably coupled with the frame of the machine, the accessory attachment system comprising;

a housing configured to be detachably coupled with the machine;

a plurality of electric connectors disposed in the housing, the plurality of electric connectors being communicably coupled with the electrical system of the machine, wherein the plurality of electric connectors is configured to selectively provide electric power to one or more detachable external devices;

a fluid connector disposed in the housing, the fluid connector being in fluid communication with the hydraulic system of the machine; and

a hydraulic device detachably coupled with the housing, the hydraulic device comprising a device fluid connector configured to be fluidly coupled with the fluid connector of the housing, wherein the hydraulic device is selectively powered by the hydraulic system of the machine.

9. The machine of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises one or more doors to selectively enclose at least some of the plurality of electric connectors.

10. The machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of electric connectors comprises a first set of electric connectors configured to provide multiphase electric power, and a second set of electric connectors configured to provide single-phase electric power.

11. The machine of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a pin extending from a lateral side thereof, the pin being detachably coupled with the frame of the machine.

12. The machine of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a first side facing the machine and a second side opposite to the first side facing the hydraulic device, wherein a plurality of bolts are disposed on the second side to detachably couple the hydraulic device to the second side of the of the housing.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein housing further comprises a drawbar assembly detachably mounted on the second side of the housing.

14. The machine of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic device is a hydraulic winch.

15. The machine of claim 8, wherein the machine is a track type tractor.

16. An accessory attachment module for a machine comprising:

a housing configured to be detachably coupled to a frame of the machine, the housing including one or more junctions for cooperation with one or more machine systems; and

one or more connectors disposed in the housing, the connectors configured for connection of one or more external devices, wherein the one or more connectors provide communication between the one or more machine systems and the one or more external devices,

wherein the one or more junctions cooperate with an electrical system of the machine, and

wherein the one or more connectors includes a first set of electric connectors configured to provide multiphase electric power, and a second set of electric connectors configured to provide single phase power.

17. The accessory attachment module of claim 16, wherein the one or more junctions cooperate with a hydraulic system of the machine.