Coupler with contactless attachment engagement detection
AssigneeHiltec Designs Ltd.
InventorIan Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator. The coupler has first and second spaced-apart coupling formations for coupling with respective corresponding coupling formation of the attachment. The coupler also has a power actuated locking member for retaining the respective attachment coupling formation in engagement with the first coupling formation. A detection system is capable of detecting if the respective attachment coupling formation is in a desired position with respect to the first coupling formation, wherein the detecting means comprises at least one non-contact sensor, preferably an ultrasonic sensor.
Claims12
A coupler for coupling an attachment to an apparatus, the coupler comprising:
- a body having a first and second spaced-apart coupling formations for coupling with a respective corresponding coupling formation of the attachment;
- a locking member movable into and out of a locking state to retain the respective attachment coupling formation in engagement with the first coupling formation when in the locking state;
- actuating means for actuating the locking member into and out of the locking state;
- and
- a detection system configured to detect if the respective attachment coupling formation is in a desired position with respect to the first coupling formation, the detection system comprising at least one directional ultrasonic sensor configured to generate an elongate beam shaped ultrasonic detection zone,
- wherein said at least one ultrasonic sensor is configured so that said elongate beam shaped ultrasonic detection zone extends across a surface of the first coupling formation that engages in use with the respective attachment formation when the respective formations are correctly engaged in use so that, when there is correct engagement, the attachment coupling formation is detected in the detection zone, and
- wherein said detection system is configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of whether the respective attachment coupling formation is detected in the detection zone.
A coupler for coupling an attachment to an apparatus, the coupler comprising:
- a body having a first and second spaced-apart coupling formations for coupling with a respective corresponding coupling formation of the attachment;
- a locking member movable into and out of a locking state to retain the respective attachment coupling formation in engagement with the first coupling formation when in the locking state;
- actuating means for actuating the locking member into and out of the locking state;
- and
- a detection system configured to detect if the respective attachment coupling formation is in a desired position with respect to the first coupling formation, the detection system comprising at least one directional ultrasonic sensor configured to generate an elongate beam shaped ultrasonic detection zone, said at least one ultrasonic sensor is configurable to adjust a length of said beam shaped detection zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.