Holding means for a hydraulic coupling

#The present invention relates to a holding means for holding and protecting a movable connector part of a hydraulic system.

#Hydraulic systems are used in a wide variety of applications. One application relates to work vehicles, such as wheel loaders or tractors, to which a work equipment, such as front loader, a plough, a bucket or similar, my be connected. A part from being mechanically connected to the work vehicle, the work equipment also needs to be hydraulically connected. The work equipment includes a hydraulic system for controlling its functions. This hydraulic system is connected to and driven by the hydraulic system of the work vehicle.

#The two hydraulic systems are interconnected by means of connector parts. The connectors are preferably of a multi coupling type, in which a plurality of hydraulic connections may be connected in one single operation. A multi coupling comprises a fixed part on the vehicle and a movable part on the work equipment. It is however still common to connect each and every hydraulic connection individually, usually by means of so called quick couplings, one for every connection. In this application a “fixed connector part” denotes the connector on the work vehicle regardless of if it is of a multi coupling type or of comprises a plurality of individual couplings. Accordingly, application a “movable connector part” denotes the connector on the work equipment regardless of if it is of a multi coupling type or if it comprises a plurality of individual couplings.

#In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, of which:

#FIG. 1 shows a work vehicle provided with a fixed connector part, wherein a work equipment with a movable multi coupling part is arranged on the work vehicle;

#FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the fixed connector part of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a work vehicle 1, i.e. a tractor, provided with a conventional hydraulic system comprising a hydraulic pump, a tank with hydraulic fluid and a number of conduits, connections and valves. The hydraulic system comprises a fixed connector part 10, which is adapted to be connected to a movable connector part of a hydraulic system of a work equipment 2 to be used on the work vehicle 1. In FIGS. 1-5 the movable connector part is represented by a movable multi coupling part 20.

#Often, a work vehicle 1 is used for a number of different work tasks involving different work equipments 2. In the figures, the work equipment 2 is exemplified by a front loader unit, which is releasably attached to the work vehicle 1. In addition to the movable connector part 20, the front loader is provided with a movable hydraulic system comprising connections, conduits and pistons for lifting the loader and tilting the bucket. Generally, different types of equipments are adapted to be releasably attached to the work vehicle 1. Hence, the hydraulic connection unit of the work equipments 2, i.e. the movable connector part, must be adapted to be connected to/disconnected from the fixed connector part 10 of the hydraulic system on the work vehicle 1. Additionally, different tools may be connected to the work equipment 2. The tools generally also include hydraulic systems, which systems need to be connected to the hydraulic system of the work vehicle, via the hydraulic system of the work equipment 2. These connections might or might not be of the same type as the connections between the work equipment 2 and the work vehicle 1. For the sake of simplicity, only the connection between the work equipment 2 and the work vehicle 1 is described in this application. The invention may however also be used at the connection between the work equipment 2 and the tool.

#FIGS. 1-2 show the work vehicle 1 when the work equipment 2 is arranged on it. In this state, the movable multi coupling part 20 is connected to the fixed connector part 10, and a cover 40 is arranged to protect a holding means 30, which is arranged on the work equipment 2.