EP1799919B1

EP1799919B1 - Loader comprising arm sections that have a space that runs along the arm in which tubes or cables are arranged

Info

Publication number: EP1799919B1
Application number: EP05784904A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tommy Nilsson
Original assignee: Alo AB
Current assignee: Alo AB
Priority date: 2004-09-29
Filing date: 2005-09-20
Publication date: 2010-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-20
Also published as: WO2006036104A1; US20080063502A1; CA2581972C; AU2005287952B2; SE0402365L; SE0402365D0; AU2005287952A1; EP1799919A1; SE531215C2; DE602005022898D1; ATE477377T1; CA2581972A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a loader comprising two extended arms arranged parallel to each other, one end of which can be connected to a vehicle and the other end of which can be connected to a tool. At least one arm comprises a space that runs along the arm in which tubes or cables are arranged that make it possible to transport at least one of electricity, hydraulic agent and pneumatic agent, from the vehicle to the various parts of the loader or the tool and from the various parts of the loader or the tool to the vehicle.

Description

The present invention concerns a loader according to the introduction to claim 1.
Vehicles, usually tractors used for various types of work, for example lifting work, are previously known. The vehicles are normally provided with a construction, for example, a base, fastening irons, brackets, or similar, on which an arm construction, usually known as a "loader" is mounted.
The loader is an extended construction, an arm construction, that connects a vehicle with a tool, and that makes possible movement of the tool relative to the vehicle. The loader comprises two arms arranged parallel to each other, which in turn comprise extended arm sections, parallel struts, linkage systems and joints. The loader has at one of its ends, the end that is facing towards the vehicle, two parts, arranged parallel to each other and terminating the arms, to which cylinders and other arm parts are attached. These are known as "bearing boxes". Each bearing box is mounted onto, connects with, the vehicle.
The loader has at its second end, the foremost end, the end that faces away from the vehicle, towards the working area, an attachment arrangement that makes it possible to attach equipment at the outermost end of the loader. A short distance up on or into the loader, above the tool, there is a transverse constructional part, a transverse strut or a transverse tube, arranged between the two arms of the loader. The transverse strut provides stability for the arm construction and it also offers an attachment region for a valve housing that makes it possible to connect control and regulatory units for the operation of the equipment.
Tubes and cables that attach to equipment, a tool, that is arranged at the attachment arrangement at the outer end of the loader, for control and regulatory units on the tractor lie on the outer surface of the arms of the loader and follow these surfaces. Also connections between valve housings and tubes or cables are located outside of the loader, in the working region of the loader. The tubes, cables and connections risk becoming trapped within parts of the loader and the vehicle, and becoming trapped in objects within the working space of the loader. The tubes, cables and connections tend to become covered with snow and dirt, which creates unsatisfactory hygienic conditions, increases wear and places limitations on the movements of the loader. The tubes, cables and connections also obstruct the view of the driver.
There is known a loader from the US patent 5 232 330 having the tubes and cables placed inside the usual arm. This is taking the tubes and cables away from the driver's field of vision but is not giving a full protection for the tubes or cables regarding snow and dirt.
The document JP 11 247 216 is showing an excavator. Cables running along the excavator arm are placed in a space surrounded by covering parts and the arm. Covering parts, being C- or U-formed, are used only on the side walls of the arm and this construction makes the arm broader which will disturb the field of vision for the driver.
One aim of the present invention is to offer a loader with a design that is such that the problems described above are solved. Tubes and cables running along the arm of the loader are to be placed fully protected and in a place where they do not interrupt the field of vision.
This aim is achieved with a loader comprising the technical properties that are specified in the characterising part of claim 1.
The invention will be described in more detail below, with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a loader according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a first arm section and, partially, a second arm section on a loader according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a second arm section and a transversely placed constructional part on a loader according to the invention.
Figure 4 shows a transversely placed constructional part on a loader according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a loader 1 according to the present invention. The loader 1 is constituted by an extended construction, an arm construction, comprising two arms 2a and 2b arranged parallel to each other. Each arm 2a and 2b comprises an extended arm section 3. The extended arm section 3 comprises a first and a second extended arm section 3.1 and 3.2, which are connected to each other or that constitute one single unit. The first arm section 3.1 is directed towards or is turned towards a vehicle, not shown in the drawing, and the second arm section 3.2 is directed towards the free end of the loader. The two arm sections 3.1 and 3.2, their longitudinal axes L1 and L2, are placed at an angle α, which is less than 180°, relative to each other, the angle being measured in a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction of the loader.
The loader 1, the arms 2a and 2b, comprise control and regulatory units 4, for example cylinder arrangements, and connectors, for example joints. The parts that are present at several locations of the loader, on both arms, and that have the same design have been given the same reference numerals.
The loader has on one of its sides A, the rear end that faces the vehicle, two parallel parts 6, arranged parallel and next to each other and terminating the relevant arm 2a and 2b, to which the control units 4 and the first arm section 3.1 are attached. These parts 6 are known as "bearing boxes". Each bearing box 6 is mounted on, connects with, the vehicle.
Each first arm section 3.1 extends essentially between the bearing box 6 and a connector 5 at each arm 2a and 2b.
Each second arm section 3.2 extends between the connector 5 and a second end B, the free end, the forwards end, of the loader that faces away from the loader with equipment or a tool 7 attached to the loader 1. An attachment arrangement 8 that makes it possible to attach the equipment 7 to the loader 1 is arranged at the forwards end B of the loader 1.
The loader 1 comprises also tubes and cables 9 that make possible the transport of at least one of electricity, hydraulic driving agent, pneumatic driving agent and other control and driving agents from and to the vehicle 1 to and from the various parts of the loaders and the arms and to and from the equipment at the outer end B of the loader. The tubes 9 are arranged within a space X along one or both of the two arms 2a and 2b.
The tubes 9 are located within one of the arm sections 3, inside both the first arm section 3.1 and the second arm section 3.2, as shown in Figure 2. The tubes 9 in this way lie completely protected and there is no risk that they become trapped in any type of object that is in the vicinity of the loader 1 during its work. Furthermore, there is now no longer space, or any surfaces, on which dirt or snow can become attached, nor can it fall between the tubes 9 and the arms 2a and 2b, the arm section 3.
The tubes 9 are arranged within the arm section 3 that, for an observer standing at the tool 7 and facing the loader 1 or the vehicle, is located on the left. The tubes 9 can, as an alternative, be located in the arm section on the right, or in both arm sections. The tubes are present solely in the left arm section 3 for remainder of this description.
The first arm section 3.1 is so constructed that it offers a space X1 that constitutes a first part of the complete space, inside the arm section, in which the tubes 9 are located and where they are completely protected. The space X1 is created in that a beam element 3.1a, appropriately a "U" beam in order not to provide the loader 1 with unnecessary weight, is welded attached to the normal arm section 3.1, at its lower side 3.1 b. An opening C is located at the end A of the arm section that faces the vehicle, through which tubes 9 enter the space X1, when seen in the direction facing out from the vehicle. The opening C in the arm section is provided with a lining 3.1c of a material that is softer than the material of the arm section in order to protect the tubes 9 when making contact with the edge of the opening. See Figure 2.
The second arm section 3.2 is also designed such that it offers an open space X2, a second part of the total space, within it, in which the tubes 9 are arranged such that they are located fully protected within the arm construction also at the second arm section 3.2, inside the space X2 that is surrounded by and protected by the outer parts of the arm construction. It is appropriate that the second arm section 3.2 is constituted by a beam element with a closed cross-section. See Figure 2.
Above the tool attachment 8 there is located an extended constructional part 10, which is located transverse relative to the longitudinal axes L2 of the second arm sections, a cross-strut or a cross-tube, arranged principally between the two arms 2a and 2b of the loader 1, as shown in Figure 1. The constructional part 10 connects the two arms 2a and 2b with each other and provides stability to the loader 1. The constructional part 10 is attached at its ends 10a and 10b to the relevant arm 2a and 2b, between the second arm parts 3.2, through welding or through another suitable attachment method.
The constructional part 10 offers an attachment region for a valve housing 11 to which the tubes 9 are connected. The valve housing 11 makes it possible to connect control and regulator units 4, for the operation of the tool 7 attached to the tool attachment 8 or other parts of the loader 1.
The tubes 9 pass through the inner spaces X1 and X2 of the arm section and out from the arm section 3, the second arm section 3.2, through an opening D in the inner wall 3a of the arm section, see Fig. 3. The opening D in the arm is arranged above the constructional part 10 in a direction towards the vehicle, towards the end A of the loader, while being located at a limited distance from the constructional part 10. The opening D in the arm is directed towards the space behind the constructional part 10. The tubes 9 follow subsequently the rear side 10B of the constructional part, that side of the constructional part 10 that faces the vehicle, up to the valve housing 11. The opening D in the arm is provided with a lining 12, suitably of a material that is softer that the material of the arm, that covers the hard edges of the hole such that the tubes 9 are not worn when lying in contact with the edges of the opening D in the arm.
The arm section 3 is normally manufactured from a metal material, a steel material, and it is appropriate that the linings 3.1c and 12 are manufactured from, for example, a plastic material.
The tubes 9 are bent with a large radius of curvature and gently follow the constructional part 10 up to the valve housing 11. The number of free break-points on the tubes 9 is reduced to a minimum, and also wear of the tubes 9 is reduced.
Figures 3 and 4 show the region around the constructional part 10. The constructional part 10 is bent to form a "C" or a "U" along the direction of its longitudinal extent, and it has two ends 10a and 10b and a central part 10c.The constructional part 10 is mounted such that the two ends 10a and 10b are connected each to an arm 2a and 2b. The central part 10c of the constructional part, the front of the constructional part, the convexly bent side or surface 10A, is directed towards the tool attachment 8. The constructional part 10 is a beam element with a closed cross-section, with open ends and with an open inner space X3, see Figure 4.
The valve housing 11 is principally placed behind the constructional part 10, behind the central part 10c of the constructional part, in the direction towards the vehicle, at the rear side of the constructional part, the concave side 10B. This location is safer, less exposed. Contacts 12 are arranged at the valve housing 11 and they make it possible to connect the tubes 9 to the valve housing 11. These contacts 12 make possible also the connection of tubes 13 that pass between the valve housing 11 and the tool 7, control and regulatory units 4, and one or several accumulators located within the inner space X3 of the constructional part. (The accumulators are not shown in the drawings since these are not a part of the invention.) The contacts 12 are principally arranged on the upper surface 10C of the constructional part such that it is easy to gain access to them when making connections, such that they in this way facilitate simple, easy and rapid connection of, mainly, the tool 7 to the loader 1.
The valve housing 11, with its spread design and construction, is principally located in line with the arms 2a and 2b and behind the constructional part 10.
The tubes 9, which come from the vehicle, are drawn and are led through at least one of the arms 2a and 2b to the valve housing 11. The tubes 9 are drawn and are led in through the opening C in the first arm section 3.1, through the space X1 in one of, or in both of, the arm sections or sections 3.1, onwards through the space X2 in the second arm section 3.2 and finally out of the arm 2a, or the arms 2a and 2b, through the opening D in the arm in one of the arm sections 3, or in both of the arm sections 3, in the inner wall 3a of the arm section. The opening D in the arm is arranged in the direction towards the rear side 10B of the constructional part, above the constructional part 10 in the direction towards the vehicle, at the end A of the loader.
The tubes 9 follow subsequently the concave side 10B of the constructional part, the side that faces towards the vehicle, to the valve housing 11. The tubes 9 are bent with a large radius of curvature and follow gently the bent shape of the constructional part to the valve housing 11. The number of free break-points on the tubes 9 will in this way be reduced and also wear of the tubes will be reduced. Also the tubes 13 that lead onwards away from or towards the valve housing 11 either to or from the tool 7, or to or from the control and regulatory units 4, follow the concave rear surface 10B of the constructional part as much as is possible.
Coverings 14a-14c are arranged over the tubes 9 and the valve housing 11 and they cover these and parts of the constructional part 10, such that they are protected and are not freely accessible for the elements, see Figure 4. The covering that is shown is divided into several parts, where each part covers a particular region. Two coverings 14a and 14b are arranged at each end 10a and 10b of the constructional part, over the region at which the tubes 9 come out from and go into the arm sections 3. A third covering 14c covers the valve housing 11 and the cables 9 and 13 that pass to and from the valve housing 11. The coverings 14a-14c also hold the cables 9 and 13 in place such that they do not enter the field of view of the driver or obstruct the view.
The coverings 14a-14c protect the cables 9 and 13 and they determine their positions. It is appropriate that the coverings 14a-14c have a principally plane shape and are of a plastic material or a sheet metal material that at least can withstand the load placed on it by a person who stands on the constructional part 10, together with one or more of the coverings. The coverings or any one covering may also form a single cover through several coverings being connected to each other in a suitable manner. The covering may also be designed as a single piece or it may comprise further parts, further coverings.
This description is not to be seen as a limitation of the invention. It is to be seen as a guide to full understanding of the invention in all of its parts. It should be realised that other designs are also possible than those that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and parts are possible within the framework of the innovative concept specified in the attached claims.

Claims

A loader (1) comprising two extended arms (2a, 2b) arranged parallel to each other, one end (A) of which can be connected to a vehicle and the other end (B) of which can be connected to a tool (7), where at least one arm (2a) comprises a space (X1, X2) that runs along the arm in which tubes or cables (9) are arranged that make it possible to transport at least one of electricity, hydraulic agent and pneumatic agent, from the vehicle to the various parts (4, 11) of the loader or the tool (7) and from the various parts (4, 11) of the loader or the tool (7) to the vehicle and where the arm (2a) comprises a first arm section (3.1) offering a first part (X1) of the space in which the tubes or cables (9) are arranged and that the first space part (X1) is formed by the first arm section (3.1) and a beam element (3.1 a) attached to each other, characterised in that the beam element (3.1a) is in contact with the lower surface (3. 1 b) of the first arm section (3.1) and that the beam element (3.1 a) has an open cross-section, essentially the shape of a "C" or a "U", such that the space (X1) is surrounded by, and is limited by, the beam element (3.1 a) and the first arm section (3.1).
The loader according to claim 1 in which the space (X1, X2) is arranged inside of the arm (2a, 2b).
The loader according to claim 1 or 2 in which a second arm section (3.2) offers a second part (X2) of the space in which the tubes (9) are arranged.
The loader according to claim 3 in which the second arm section (3.2) comprises a beam element that forms the second part (X2) of the space.
The loader according to claim 4 in which the second arm section (3.2) comprises a beam element with a closed cross-section.
The loader according to any one of claims 1-5 in which an extended constructional part (10) is arranged between the two arms (2a, 2b) and connects the two arms (2a, 2b) to each other and provides stability to the loader (1) and where a valve housing (11) is arranged at the constructional part (10) to which the tubes (9), after coming out from the arm (2a, 2b), are connected.
The loader according to claim 6 in which the tubes (9) pass out from the arms (2a, 2b) through an opening (D) directed towards the space (10B) behind the constructional part.
The loader according to claim 7 in which the tubes (9) follow the rear surface (10B) of the constructional part to the valve housing (11).
The loader according to any one of claims 6-8 in which at least one covering (14a-14c) is arranged over the tubes (9), parts of the constructional part (10) and the valve housing (11).