Quick Tool Coupler System
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsSteven F. Rodgers, Brian C. Howson, Joseph Cai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick tool coupler system includes a tool coupler associated with a work machine and a coupler interface associated with a work tool. The coupler interface includes first and second coupler hooks to hook to a frame beam of the tool coupler and first and second wedge pockets that can receive hydraulically actuated movable wedges on the tool coupler. To determine if the work tool is attached correctly to the tool coupler, first and second pressure data sets are obtained from the first and second hydraulic actuators respectively and compared to a control model data set.
Claims20
A tool coupler system for a work machine comprising:
- a work tool including a coupler interface having a first coupler hook and second coupler hook and having a first wedge pocket and a second wedge pocket located below the first coupler hook and the second coupler hook;
- a tool coupler including a coupler frame having frame beam and a base assembly located below the frame beam, the tool coupler further including a first wedge mechanism having a first movable wedge and operatively associated with a first hydraulic actuator;
- and
- a coupling monitoring system including an electronic controller, a fluid pressure sensor associated with the first hydraulic actuator, the electronic controller configured to receive a pressure data set from the fluid pressure sensor and to compare the pressure data set with a control model data set to determine if the work tool is attached to the tool coupler.
A method of attaching a work tool having coupler interface to tool coupler on a work machine comprising:
- receiving a pressure data set from a hydraulic actuator displacing a moveable wedge on the tool coupler to engage a wedge pocket on the coupler interface;
- comparing the first pressure data set and the second pressure data set with a control model data set;
- and
- determining if the work tool is attached to the work machine based on the step of comparing the pressure data set with the control model data set.
A coupling monitoring system configured as a computer readable program to be executed by an electronic controller associated with a work machine, the coupling monitoring system comprising:
- a data gathering operation receiving:
- a first pressure data set about a first hydraulic actuator displacing a first movable wedge with respect to a first wedge pocket on a work tool;
- a second pressure data set about a second hydraulic actuator displacing a second movable wedge with respect to a second wedge pocket on the work tool;
- a comparison operation configured to compare the first pressure data set and the second pressure data set with a control model data set to determine if the first and second movable wedges are received correctly in the first and second wedge pockets respectively;
- wherein the first pressure data set, the second pressure data set, and the control model data set include a plurality of pressure datum with respect to time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.