Coupler with coupling status sensors

Abstract

A coupler ( 24 ) for coupling an accessory ( 28 ) to an excavator arm ( 12 ) of an excavator ( 10 ), the coupler comprising a first jaw ( 30 ) that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler ( 24 ), the jaw ( 30 ) being for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory ( 28 ) and having a first sensor ( 40 ) for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein, the coupler ( 24 ) further having a second jaw ( 32 ), or a latch ( 34 ), longitudinally spaced from the first jaw ( 30 ), and being for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory ( 28 ), and having a second sensor ( 42 ) for detecting the presence of an attachment pin therein. The sensors ( 40, 42 ) transmit or send signals to a receiver ( 46, 48 ) for notifying the driver of the coupling status of the coupler ( 24 ) with respect to the accessory ( 28 ).

1 . A coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator, the coupler comprising a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the first jaw being configured for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory and a second jaw longitudinally spaced from the first jaw with respect to the frame of the coupler, the second jaw being configured for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, the second jaw including a latch for locking the second attachment pin into the second jaw of the coupler, wherein a sensor is provided for one of the first and second jaws for detecting the presence or the absence of an attachment pin in the said first or second jaw and outputting a signal to signify said detected presence or absence. 
     
     
         2 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The coupler of  claim 1 , in combination with a receiving unit or a transmitter, wherein signals from the sensor are transmitted or sent along a wire to the receiving unit, or to the transmitter, for allowing an indication of the sensed information to be passed to a user. 
     
     
         43 . The coupler of  claim 1 , in combination with a receiving unit or a transmitter, wherein signals from the sensor are transmitted or sent wirelessly to the receiving unit, or to the transmitter, for allowing an indication of the sensed information to be passed to a user. 
     
     
         44 . The coupler of  claim 1 , in combination with a display, the display, in use, being located within a cab of the excavator to whose arm the coupler is attached, wherein the sensed information from the sensor is displayed on the display 
     
     
         45 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is one of, or a combination of one or more of, a strain sensor, a PTM (push-to-make) switch, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor and a capacitance sensor. 
     
     
         46 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein a second sensor is provided for detecting one of the presence of an attachment pin in the second jaw, and the presence of an attachment pin in or against the latch. 
     
     
         47 . The coupler of  claim 46 , wherein the second sensor is mounted directly onto or into a pivoting or sliding latch. 
     
     
         48 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein signals from the or each sensor are transmittable to a receiving unit with a coding, whereby the source or sources of the transmitted signals, with respect to which sensor they came from, is discernable by the receiving unit. 
     
     
         49 . The coupler of  claim 1 , provided in combination with an indicator unit for indicating sensed information to the user from the coupler, the indicator unit having a visual indicator for illustrating sensed information, wherein the indicator unit has a light for the first jaw, the light illuminating when an attachment pin is sensed within the first jaw and wherein the indicator unit has a light for the second jaw or the latch, the light illuminating when an attachment pin is sensed within the said second jaw or latch. 
     
     
         50 . The coupler of  claim 49 , wherein the indicator also has a light for illuminating when an attachment pin is not sensed. 
     
     
         51 . The coupler of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for operating the coupler's latching mechanism, wherein a third sensor is incorporated into or onto the actuator for sensing one of the extension state of the actuator, and, when the actuator is a hydraulic ram that is mounted within the frame of the coupler, the hydraulic pressure within the ram. 
     
     
         52 . The coupler of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor of a work-tool recognition system for identifying information regarding an attached accessory. 
     
     
         53 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein a sensor is provided on the coupler for detecting, in use, a loading applied to a lifting eye of the coupler. 
     
     
         54 . A coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator arm of an excavator, the coupler comprising:
 a first jaw that points in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the coupler, the first jaw being for receiving a first attachment pin of an accessory;   a second jaw longitudinally spaced from the first jaw with respect to the frame of the coupler, for receiving a second attachment pin of the accessory, the second jaw including a latch for locking the second attachment pin into the second jaw of the coupler; and   an actuator for operating the coupler's latching mechanism; and   a sensor provided on the coupler, the sensor being incorporated either into or onto the actuator for detecting status information of the actuator, or into or onto a lifting eye of the coupler for detecting loading applied to a lifting eye of the coupler.   
     
     
         55 . A method of notifying to a driver of an excavator the accessory engagement status of a coupler attached to an end of the excavator's arm, wherein the coupler is in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising sensing an accessory engagement status of the coupler using the or each sensor and transmitting or sending that sensed information to a notification unit near the driver. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein one of the sensor system and the notification system is linked to the hydraulic control system of the excavator, whereby if an unsafe accessory engagement status is sensed, the hydraulic system's output is restricted. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein one of the sensor system and the notification system is linked to the engine management system of the excavator, whereby if an unsafe accessory engagement status is sensed, the engine's power is restricted. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the coupler transmits information regarding the accessories and/or excavators to which it is, and/or has been, attached, for receipt by a receiver in or on an excavator. 
     
     
         59 . A method of notifying to a driver of an excavator the accessory status of a coupler attached to an end of the excavator's arm, wherein the coupler is in accordance with  claim 54 , comprising sensing an accessory status of the coupler using the sensor and transmitting or sending that sensed information to a notification unit near the driver. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein one of the sensor system and the notification system is linked to the hydraulic control system of the excavator, whereby if an unsafe accessory status is sensed, the hydraulic system's output is restricted.