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JP-7856383-B2 - Automated work tool pressure reduction circuit and method

JP7856383B2JP 7856383 B2JP7856383 B2JP 7856383B2JP-7856383-B2

Inventors

  • トンプソン、マーク ダブリュー．
  • ステフェック、トレント アール．

Assignees

  • キャタピラー インコーポレイテッド

Dates

Publication Date
20260511
Application Date
20230801
Priority Date
20220804

Claims (10)

  1. A control system (101) for reducing the pressure of a work tool auxiliary circuit (400) that is in fluid communication with a work tool (116) connected to a work machine (100) by a quick coupler (114), wherein the work tool (116) is equipped with a work tool valve block (302), and the quick coupler (114) is equipped with a quick coupler valve block (300) and a locking member (306) that is movable between a locked position (310) and an unlocked position (308), and when in the locked position (310), the work tool valve block (302) and the quick coupler valve block (300) are fitted together, When fluid is in communication with the work tool valve block (302) and the quick coupler valve block (300) are removable when in the unlocked position (308), the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) includes a pressure source (402) for supplying hydraulic fluid to the work machine (100), the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) includes a machine-side circuit (412) located on the work machine (100), a storage unit (404) provided in the machine-side circuit (412) , and a relief valve (408) that fluid is in communication with the quick coupler valve block (300) and the storage unit (404), and the system is A controller (120), Receiving the unlock signal for the work tool (116), Receiving tool data associated with the work tool (116), wherein the tool data includes the target pressure of the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the opening time of the relief valve (408). A control system (101) comprising a controller (120) configured to automatically activate the opening of the relief valve in response to the unlock signal and the tool data, for the duration of the release time, or (b) until the target pressure is reached in the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412), or (c) once the target pressure is reached and maintained in the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412).
  2. The control system (101) according to claim 1, wherein the relief valve (408) is a solenoid pressure release valve.
  3. The controller (120) is further configured to activate the movement of the locking member (306) to the unlocked position (308), and the control system (101) is further configured The control system (101) according to claim 1, comprising an operator interface (122) that communicates with the controller (120), wherein the operator interface (122) is configured to receive user input, the unlock signal is received by the controller (120) from the operator interface (122), and the operator interface (122) is configured to receive user input.
  4. The controller (120) further, Receiving the lock signal of the work tool (116), Receiving the tool data associated with the work tool (116), (a) during the opening time, or (b) until the target pressure is reached in the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412), or (c) to reach and maintain the target pressure in the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412), the controller (120) automatically opens the relief valve. The control system (101) according to claim 1, configured to activate the movement of the locking member (306) from the unlocked position (308) to the locked position (310), thereby locking the work tool valve block (302) to the quick coupler valve block (300).
  5. The control system (101) according to claim 1, wherein the tool data is received by the controller (120) from the operator interface (122), and the pressure of the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412) is received from the pressure sensor (426) upstream of the relief valve (408).
  6. The control system (101) according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter (124) that communicates with the controller (120), wherein the tool data is received by the controller (120) from the transmitter (124) mounted on the work tool (116).
  7. The control system (101) according to claim 4, wherein the opening of the relief valve (408) discharges hydraulic fluid from the work tool (116) to the storage unit (404).
  8. A method for reducing the pressure of a work tool auxiliary circuit (400) that is in fluid communication with a work tool (116) connected to a work machine (100) by a quick coupler (114), wherein the work tool (116) comprises a work tool valve block (302), the quick coupler (114) comprises a quick coupler valve block (300) and a locking member (306) movable between a locked position (310) and an unlocked position (308), the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) comprises a pressure source (402) for supplying hydraulic fluid to the work machine (100), the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) comprises a machine-side circuit (412) arranged on the work machine (100), a storage unit (404) provided in the machine-side circuit ( 412), and a first relief valve (408) that is in fluid communication with the quick coupler valve block (300) and the storage unit (404), and the method is as follows: Receiving the unlock signal for the work tool (116), Receiving tool data associated with the work tool (116), wherein the tool data includes the target pressure of the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the opening time of the first relief valve (408). In response to the unlock signal and the tool data, the controller (120) automatically activates to open the first relief valve (408) for (a) the duration of the opening time, or (b) until the target pressure is reached in the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412), or (c) to reach and maintain the target pressure in the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) or the machine-side circuit (412). A method comprising moving the locking member (306) to the unlocked position (308).
  9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first relief valve (408) is a solenoid pressure release valve.
  10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the automatic activation of the opening of the first relief valve (408) is performed within the work tool auxiliary circuit (400) until the target pressure is reached.

Description

This disclosure relates, in general terms, to hydraulic systems for work machines, and more specifically, to pressure reduction in hydraulic work tool auxiliary circuits. Work machines, such as excavators, backhoes, skid steers, wheel loaders, and tractors, are further equipped with quick couplers, which are used to attach and detach various work tool attachments, commonly called tools, to the work machine. More specifically, some tools are connected at the ends of the work assemblies, commonly called the boom and arm of the work machine. Generally, quick couplers are industrial components for heavy machinery that allow for the rapid and efficient replacement of buckets, hammers, grapples, compactors, rakes, and other tools to the arms of the work machine. Without quick couplers, workers would typically need to manually drive in pins, usually using a hammer. Hydraulic quick couplers are an improvement over standard quick couplers. Standard quick couplers only physically connect the workpiece to the machine, still requiring manual connection of the hydraulic lines. Hydraulic quick couplers, if equipped, physically connect both the workpiece and the hydraulic lines to the machine. Hydraulic quick couplers allow for rapid switching between different hydraulic or hydraulic workpieces by utilizing the workpiece's hydraulic system, and can be operated by a control unit from the workpiece's cab. The workpiece's hydraulic system is typically connected to the quick coupler via the hydraulic lines of the hydraulic system. Hydraulic lines are generally provided throughout the workpiece. Hydraulic lines typically maintain the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the circuit using hydraulic couplings that form a fluid-sealing seal. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020/0217040, published on July 9, 2020, discloses a coupler for connecting an attachment to an excavator or other machine, comprising: an electric actuator for locking and unlocking a locking member; a first power coupling unit; and a second actuator for moving the power coupling unit to and from an engagement position where it can engage with a corresponding second power coupling unit on an attachment. The coupler is configured such that, after the latching member has entered the locked position, the first power coupling unit is moved to the engagement position, and when the attachment is removed from the coupler, the latching member remains locked until the first power coupling unit disengages from the engagement position. While beneficial, an improved hydraulic system is needed to facilitate attaching and detaching work tools from the quick coupler. According to one aspect of this disclosure, a control system is disclosed for reducing the pressure of a work tool auxiliary circuit that has fluid communication with a work tool connected to a work machine by a quick coupler. The work tool may include a work tool valve block. The quick coupler may include a quick coupler valve block and a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the work tool valve block and the quick coupler valve block can be fitted together and have fluid communication. When in the unlocked position, the work tool valve block and the quick coupler valve block may be detachable. The work tool auxiliary hydraulic circuit may include a reservoir and a relief valve that has fluid communication with the quick coupler valve block and the fluid reservoir. The system may include a controller configured to receive a work tool unlock signal and tool data associated with the work tool, the tool data including a target pressure in the work tool auxiliary circuit or the opening time of a relief valve, and to automatically activate the opening of a relief valve in response to the unlock signal and tool data, for (a) the duration of the opening time, or (b) until the target pressure is reached in the work tool auxiliary circuit or machine-side circuit, or (c) to reach and maintain the target pressure in the work tool auxiliary circuit or machine-side circuit. Another aspect of this disclosure discloses a method for reducing the pressure of a work tool auxiliary circuit that has fluid communication with a work tool connected to a work machine by a quick coupler. The work tool may include a work tool valve block. The quick coupler may include a quick coupler valve block and a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The work tool auxiliary hydraulic circuit may include a reservoir and a first relief valve that has fluid communication with the quick coupler valve block and the fluid reservoir. The method may include receiving a work tool unlock signal and receiving tool data associated with the work tool, the tool data including a target pressure in the work tool auxiliary circuit or an opening period for the first relief valve, and in response to the unlock signal and tool data, automatically activating the controller