Device and method for coupling an attachment to a vehicle

Abstract

A device for coupling an attachment ( 2 ), which in embodiments may take the form of a dozer blade, a mine roller or a mine plough, to a vehicle ( 3 ), may include a pin ( 6 ), a pin receptacle ( 4 ) which receives the pin, and an explosive device ( 5 ) for emergency decoupling. In order to guarantee durable and reliable emergency decoupling of an attachment from a vehicle, the pin for releasing the coupling can be pushed out of the pin receptacle by means of the explosive device.

1 . A device for coupling an attachment ( 2 ) to a vehicle ( 3 ), the device comprising: a bolt ( 6 ), a bolt receptacle ( 4 ) receiving the bolt ( 6 ), and an explosive device ( 5 ) for emergency decoupling, wherein the bolt ( 6 ) is pushable out of the bolt receptacle ( 4 ) via the explosive device ( 5 ) in order to release the coupling. 
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) is pushable out of the bolt receptacle ( 4 ) by a pressure surge via the explosive device ( 5 ). 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) is pushable as a whole out of the bolt receptacle ( 4 ) via the explosive device ( 5 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) has a stop ( 21 ) for positioning the bolt ( 6 ) in the bolt receptacle ( 4 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) engages in a holding eye ( 7 ) in order to couple vehicle ( 3 ) and attachment ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) is pushable out of the bolt receptacle ( 4 ) in the plug-in direction of the bolt ( 6 ) via the explosive device ( 5 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolt receptacle ( 4 ) has two spaced-apart cheeks ( 8 ,  9 ). 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable collecting container ( 20 ) for collecting the bolt ( 6 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive device ( 5 ) includes an explosive ( 13 ) and a detonator ( 12 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the detonator is an exploding-bridgewire (EBW) detonator. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein one or both of the explosive device ( 5 ) and the detonator ( 12 ) is removable from the device and/or is storable with the coupling being maintained. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive device ( 5 ) is ignitable remotely in particular from the vehicle ( 3 ). 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive device ( 5 ) includes a releasable cover ( 11 ) for protecting the explosive ( 13 ). 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the cover ( 11 ) and the bolt receptacle ( 4 ) form an explosion space ( 15 ) in which the explosive ( 13 ) is arranged. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a thrust piece ( 17 ) and/or a reducing piece ( 18 ) arranged in the explosion space ( 15 ). 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) is held in position via the explosive device ( 5 ). 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the explosive device ( 5 ) is arranged spaced apart from the bolt ( 6 ). 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the explosive device ( 5 ) is arranged on an outer side of one of the two spaced-part cheeks, and further comprising a collecting container ( 20 ) for collecting the bolt ( 6 ), and wherein the collecting container ( 20 ) is arranged on an outer side of the other of the two spaced-apart cheeks ( 8 ,  9 ). 
     
     
         19 . An attachment for coupling to a vehicle ( 3 ) or vehicle for coupling to an attachment ( 2 ), comprising a device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The attachment or vehicle as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the bolt ( 6 ) of the device ( 1 ) engages in holding eyes ( 7 ) of the vehicle ( 3 ) or of the attachment ( 2 ). 
     
     
         21 . The attachment or vehicle as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the device ( 1 ) forms an articulated coupling of vehicle ( 3 ) and attachment ( 2 ). 
     
     
         22 . A method for the coupling and emergency decoupling of an attachment ( 2 ), the method comprising: pushing a bolt ( 6 ) out of a bolt receptacle ( 4 ) via an explosive device ( 5 ) in order to release the coupling. 
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising: initially plugging the bolt ( 6 ) into the bolt receptacle ( 4 ), through a holding eye ( 7 ), and a cover ( 11 ), and/or a collecting container ( 20 ) fastened to the device ( 1 ). 
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the explosive device ( 5 ) is fitted after the coupling. 
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , further comprising connecting a remote ignition trigger to the explosive device ( 5 ) after the explosive device ( 5 ) is installed.