SE546540C2 - Quick coupling device comprising position sensors and a control unit arranged to control locking and maintenance of the device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for quick coupling of an implement to an operating arm of a working machine. A first and second locking pins are arranged to be engage with a pair of front coupler hooks of the implement for mechanically locking of a longitudinal position thereof during engagement. A first and a second electric position sensor are disposed within a hydraulic cylinder housing and configured to generate position signals indicative of the position of a first and second hydraulic locking piston relative to the hydraulic cylinder housing. Based on the received position signals, a control unit is configured to generate signals indicative of the quick coupling device being in an unlocked mode, a locked mode or a maintenance mode relative to an engageable implement.

Description

FiELD GF Ti-tiš tNVENTiÛN iilitititi The present invention reiates to the tieid ot quick coupiing ct an intoteinent, eg. a pocket and other »vari-ring toots, to an operating arrn ot a »working rnachine such as an excavator operating ann and excavator. in particutar, the invention reta*tes to a quick coupiing arrangernent and rnethod iravirtg a sensor systern tor ertsuririg a correct and safe coupiirig.

BACKGROLJNÜ ittüüâi With the deveioprnertt ot quick--couptirtg arrangernertt and ntethods to ensure correct coupiirtg o*t *the irnpiernent to *the excavator operating arin, etectronic and sensor soiutions have become rnore attractive to monitor and ensure *that the irnpiernent has heen correctiy attached *to the exoavator* Operating arrn. For exarnpie, eteotronio and sensor soiutions are riow being used to ensure correct icckirtg position oi the buckei retative to the excavator operating arrn or to the quick coupiing arrangeinent. in case the quick couptiitg arrangernent is prctfided with iccking ptstons, i.e. hydrauiicatiy rnovahte cyiinders tor iocking the intpienteitt to the quick counting arrangernent, the tookirig position ot the iockirig piston is oontroiied hy eiectrortics and sensors. itttttïiiii Ctne exarnpie oi a sensor sotution is disctosed in US ätit ist 71 576 At . A quick coupier with ttivo cytirrriers extendirig transverseiy and that are provided tivith induotive sensors piaced on the iocking cytinders. iütitifli in DE 2G2t559i1i Ut a quick coupier itavirtg one iockirtg oyiirtder is provided with a proxirttiiy sensor that can he used to indtcate correct toctdng. iOGGSi Yet artother exarnpie oi a quick coupiing arrangernerit is disotosed in US EGGGt 96339 At thai uses an inductitfe sensor piaced outside the tocking cytinder. ittttttßi Another exarnpie ot a sensor soiution is disctosed in LES ätit t fit (åttio At _ A quick coupier with a sensor oiaoed iivithin or upon the ttydrauiio rain, witerein the sensor deteots tiydrautic pressure and/or hydrauiic rarn extension status. iuotfii 'there are aiso sensor sotutions that are used to deteot wear in connection with the quick counting process. in US 2Gi 6237656 At an aiternative quick counting arrangernent is disctosed retaied to a iaw type couoier wherein sensors are used to deiect wear ot a tixed attachment pins. in addition, in ttS ätit åtšfifia-t 8 At a vtsuat indicator ts used to visuaiiy indicate that a »wedge and/or rear pin is worn and in need ot repair/repiacetnertt. itttiüßi t-towever, there are prooterns reiated to the prior art ntentioned above. The arranderrtents and rnethods disciosed do not provide a controited and robust quick coupiing arranqernertt and rnethod to ensure a safe and correct coiipiirig in a reiiaoie and dynamic stay.

Siin/iiviAFiY OF THE ENVENTEON iiiiidiäi ii is an oioieci oi ine preseni inveniion io niiiigaie ine anove pronierns and io provide a oirick coirpiing device and working rnaciiine cornprisirig a quick coiipiing device iiaving a rnore reiiaoie and dynamic vvay ic ensure a saie and correci coupiing. iiidf iii Tnis and oiner onjecis are acnieved ny providing a driick coirpiing device and working rnacnine navinq ine ieaiures defined in ine independeni ciairns. Preierred eninodinienis are deiirieii in iiie dependeni ciairns. ioiii ii According io a iirsi aspeci oi ine preseni inveniiori, inere is provided a quick coupiing device ior quick coupiing oi an irnpierrierii io an operaiing ann oi a working rnacnirie, vvnerein ine device ocrnprises a irarne iiavirig a iirsi snaii and a second snaii, and vvnereiri eacn snaii is anie io ne connecied io ine operaiing arm. Eacn oi ine iirsi and second snaiis exiends aiong a iransverse siiaii axis inai are paraiiei. ii is undersiood iiiai ine diiick corrpiing device rnay ioe operaiionaiiy connecied io various iypes oi virorking niacniries vviin various iypes oi operaiirig arnis. "ine quick coupiing device ioriner cornprises a iirsi iockinq pin and a second iockirig pin exiending ouiwards ironi ine irarne aiong a common iransverse axis, i.e. ine iirsi iockirig pin and ine second iockirig pin exiend in ooposiie direciions and oiriivards ironi ine iranie in a iransverse direction aiong a conirnori iirsi iransverse axis. Tne iirsi iransverse axis is paraiiei io inai of ine iirsi and second snaii axis. Tne iirsi and second iockirig pins are arranged io oe engaged iviin a pair ci ironi coupier nooks oi ine irripierrierii ior rnecnanicaiiy iookirig of a iongiiudirrai position inereoi during engagernerii, i.e. ine iirsi and second iockirig pins are arranged io engage wiin ine irnpierneni for pariiai rneciianicai iocking oi ine irnpierneni io ine quick coopiirig device and inirs ine operaiirig arni oi ine working rnacnine. ii is undersiood inai ine quick coupiirig device rnay ice connecied fo various iypes of irnpienienis. iiidi Ei ine quick coupiing device according io ine iirsi aspeci oi ine preseni inveniion is inriner provided vviin a firsi iiydraoiic iocking cision and a second iivdrairiic iockinq cision cuiwardiy rnovaoie in oppcsiie direciions ironi a cyiiriiier nousing aiong an axis paraiiei iviiri said iransverse axis, i.e. ine iirsi irydrauiic icckirig pision and ine second nvdrairiic iocking pisiori are arranged io ne rnovanie aiong a cornrnon second iransverse axis ifviiicii is paraiiei io inai oi ine iirsi iransverse axis. Tne iirsi and second iocking pisions are arranged io iransiaiioriaiiy rnove, i.e. arranged icr fransiaiioriai rrrovernenf, aionq ine second iransverse axis coiiriear iviiii inai oi ine nydrauiic cyiirider noosinq. in oiner words, ine firsi and second iockinq cision are exiendanie irorn ine cviinder iicirsirig in opposiie direciions aiong ine second iransverse axis, ivnereirr ine iirsi and second iockirig pision are niovaoie neivveeri a reiracied position and an exierided posiiion. Eacn oi ine iirsi and second iockirig pisions is provided vviiii a iockirig end, i.e. an exiending end oi eacn oi ine iocking pisions, wnerein ine iocking end is provided wiin a iocking wedge sirriace coniigured io engage vviin a ccrresporiding vrfedge siiriace oi a pair oi rear iocking iorackeis oi ine irnpierneni in order io nieciiariicaiiy iock ine irnpierrrerri ic ine quick coupiing device. ii is tinderstood that the iociting pistons inay be iocked to various types ot intpieinents having various types ot iooking brackets tvith correspondirtg vvedge sortaces. ititit Si The quick cotiptirtg device according to the tirst aspect ttirtiter contprises a pair ot etectric position sensors, i.e, a iirst position sensor and a second position sensor, vifhicit are disposed within the hydrauiic oyiinder itotrsing. Thos, the pair ot eieotric position sensors are ot the eiectric type. "the tirst position sensor is contigured to generate a tirst position signai indicating the position ot the tirst hydrauiic iockiitg piston reiatitfe to the hydratiiic cyiinder housing. fitnaiogousiy, the second position sensor is contigtired to generate a second position signai indicating the position oi the second hydrautic iopiriitg piston reiative to the itydrauiic pyiinder housing. in other words, the tirst position sensor is oontigured to generate the iirst position signai corresportding to the transverse position or extended position oi the tirst hydrauiic tocidrtg piston reiativfe to the itydrauiie cyiinder housing. Anaiogotrstyf, the second position sensor is contigured to generate the second position signai correspoitding to the transverse position or extended position ot the second hydrauiip iocking piston reiative to the hydraiiiic ctftirtdei' housing. Each ot the position sensors ot the pair ot position sensors is thus contigtrred to geherate a position sighai indicative ot an extension ot the tociring piston, i.e. indicative ot a tockirtg piston position, reiative to the itydrautie cyiinder ttoosirtg. in other vvords, the tirst position sensor is ctorttigured to gerterate a iirst position signat vaitie indioatitfe ot the position oi the tirst iooidrtg piston retative to the hydratiiic oyiinder housing, i.e. the iirst position sighai vaiue indioates the position ot the iirst iocitirtg piston reiative to the ttydrauiic cytinder itousirtgt åirniiariy, the second position sensor is contigiireti to generate a second position signat vatue indicative ot the position oi the second iocitiitg piston reiative to the hydrauiic cyftinder housing, i.e. the second position signat vatue indioates the position ot the second iocking piston reiative to the hydratiiic cyiinder housing. itlitit ei "the quick coupting device according to the tirst aspect tdrther cornprises a controi unit being coniigdred to receive the tirst position signai and the second position signai. The controi unit is turther contigtired to generate at ieast one tintocired rhode signat, at ieast one iocking rnode signat, and at teast one rrtairttenanoe rnode signai based on the iirst position signai and second position signai. 'i'hus, the eontroi iinit is contigured to receive the tirst position signa! and the second position signai and, based on tirst and second position signais, the controt unit is turtiter contigtrred to generate at ieast one untocked mode signai, at teast one tockiitg rnode signai, and at ieast one ntaiittenance mode signat The at ieast one nniocked rnode signai is indioative ot the quick cotipiing device being in an uniooked rnode reiatitfe to the engageahte irnpternertt, i.e. the onicit conptirtg device is in an untocked rnode when the tiuiek coupiirtg device is not iocited to the irnpiernent. in other words, the untocked rnode corresportds to vvhen the iocitiitg piston is in an dniocited position reiative to iocking bracket ot the irnpiernent, in short, when irnpientertt is not iocked to the ouiok ooupiing device Sirniiariy, the at teast one iopired rnode signat is indicative oi the ouictr coupiirtg device heirtg in a iocked rnode reiative to an ertgageahie iittpiernent, i.e. the otricit coupiing device is in a iocited rnode vvhen the ouiok coupiirtg device is iocited to the irnpiernent. in other vvords, the tocked rnode corresponds to when the iockiitg piston is in a iocked position reiative to iocking bracket ot the irnpternent, in short, tvhen irnpiement is toctted to the quick coupiirtg device. Aiso, the at ieast one maintenance mode signai is indicative ot the ouick coupiing device being in a rnaintenance rnode reiative to an ehgageabie irnpiernent, i.e. the maintenance mode corresportds to vvhen the iockirrg piston is in a maintenance position reiative to iocking bracket ot the irnpiernent, in short, when there is a need ot maintenance ot the tocking bracket and/or iocking piston oi tne quick coupiing device. iGOt bi 'there is an insight thai by arranging a pair ot position sensors 'vvithin the hydrauiic cvtinder iiousirig and operationaiiy connecting thern to the movement ot the respective iockirig piston an improved duick coupiing derfice and arrangernent is achieved. Sirrprisirtgiy, tiy arranging the iirst and second etectric position sensor tvithirt, ie. inside, the hydrauiic cyiinder itotisirtg and operationaiiy conneoting them to the iockirtg pistons, three ditierent iocking piston rnodes can be nteasured and deierntined by rneans oi one singte position sensor device, therebv aohieving both an improved sensor tunotionaiity in generai and a more accurate position sensor signai, and titerehv' aohieving a sater and more reiiahte otiick coupiing device. Another advantage is that since the sensors are positioned inside the ttydrauiic cyiinder housing, and thus inside the duick coupiing device, the sensors are protected irorn vvear, dirt and other pararneters vvhich not oniy may damage the sensor but atso irrtiuerice the aocuraov ot the sensor signais. itittt oi Gonsedtrerttiy, trom a sustainabiiity perspective, a more durahie sensor tunotion is achieved tvith a ionger iitecycie, and xrvitioit is subject to iess rttairtterrarice. Aiso, trom a vvorkirtg rnaohine user perspective, a rnore reiiabte and accurate sensor tunotion is achieved, which in turn, provides a sater and more reiiabie otrick coupiing process and thus a sater and rnore reiiabie operation ot the vvorkirtg machine in generai. iiidt iii in an ertrbodirnent, the iirst and second position sensors are centratiy arranged within the itydratriic cyiinder nousirtg. Firstiy, hy arrangirtg the sensors centraiiy vvititin the iocking pistons, a more accurate rneasurement ot the position ot the iockirrg piston reiative to the hydrauiic cviirtder housing, and thus the trarne, is achieved. Secondiy and in cornhiriatiorr, a rnore accurate position oi the iocking piston retative to the corresponding iocking bracket, vvhen oeirtg engaged thereto, is aiso achieved. iiZiOt Si in an einpodinfrent, the oontroi unit is iurtner oontigured to generate at ieast: a iirst trniocked rrtode signai based on the tirst position signai, a iirst iocked mode signat based on the iirst position signai, a tirst maintenance mode signai based on the tirst position signai, a second uniocked mode signai based on the second position sighai, a second iocked mode signai hased on the second position signai, and a second rnaintenarice rnode signai based on the second position signai. thus, based on the tirst position signai, a iirst uniocked rnode signai is generated tfviten the iirst iookiiig piston is in an uniocked position reiative to the iinpiernent. in addition, based on the tirst position signai, a iirst iocked mode signai is generated vvhen the iirst iocking piston is in a iocked position reiative to the intpiemertt. Based on the tirst position signai, a iirst maintenance mode signai is generated vvhert the iirst iockirtg piston is in a rnaintertartce position reiative to the irnpterrierit. Ariatogousiy, based on the second position signai, a second uniocked mode signai is generated when the second iocking piston is in an tiniocked position reiative to theinipienierii. in addiiion, ioased on ine second posiiion signai, a second iocked niode signa! is gerieraied vvnen ine second iocking pision is in a iocned posiiion reiaiive io ine iinpierrrerii. And iinaiiy, based on ine second posiiion signai, a second rnainienance mode signai is generaied vvnen ine second ioci-:irig pisiori is in a rriairrieriarice posiiiori reiaiive io ine irripierneriii 100191 in an eniioodirnerii, ine iirsi nydraoiic iocning pision is provided vviin en axiaiiy eiongaied iirsi sensor caviiy ior iransiaiionai rrioverrierri oi ai ieasi a pari oi ine iirsi posiiion sensor; and ine second nydrairiic iocking pision is provided vviin an axiaiiy eiorioaied second sensor eaviiy ier iransiaiiorisi rnoverneni oi ai ieasi s, pari oi ine second posiiion sensor. Tiiirs, escn oi ine iirsi and second nydrairiic iocking pisions are provided vviin a cenirsiiy eiongaied noie, eg. a bore, naving an opening iacirig ine inside oi ine nydrauiic cyiirider' nousing, iiiereby iiiiidiy conneoiirig ine respeciive eiongaieri sensor caviiy vviirr iis respective rrydrarriic cnarriber space oi ine nydrauiic cyiiiider nousing. ioüêifiii in an errrbodirrierri, ine iirsi posiiiori sensor and ine second posiiiorr sensor (72) are oi an induciive iyoe. iiiiiëii in en enibodirneni, ine iirsi posiiion sensor oornprises a iirsi eiongaied sensor eierneni and a iirsi iioiiovv sensor eiernerii, vvnerein ine iirsi eiorigaied sensor eierrierii is aiiacned io ine nyciraiiiic cifiirider' housing, and is arrangeci io iransiaiionaiiy rriove, i.e. arranged ior iransiaiioriai rnoverneni, inside ine iirsi iioiiovv sensor eiernerii vvnicii is aiiacned io an inner suriace oi ine iirsi sensor oaviiy, inerebv nieasirririg ine posiiion oi ine iirsi iooiring cision reiaiive io ine nydrairiic cyiinder iioiising. Furinerrnore, ine second posiiion sensor cornprises a second eiorrgaieri sensor eierneni and a second noiiovv sensor eiernerii, vvnerein ine second eiorigaied sensor eierneni is aiiacned io ine nydrairiic cyiinder iioirsirig, and is arranged io iransiaiionaiiv rnove inside ine second noiiovv sensor eierneni ivnicii is aiiacned io an inner surface oi ine second sensor caviiif, inereby rrreasirrirrg ine posiiion oi ine second iooirino pision reiaiivfe io ine iivdrairiic oyiinder rrousirig. 'i'iir.rs, eacn oi ine iirsi arid second pair oi eiongaied sensor eiernenis and noiiow sensor eiernenis are arranged ie rnriiuaiiy iiansiaie reiaiive io eecn oiner io provide a iransiaiionai signai indieaiive oi ine reiaiive rnovemeiii beivveen ine iocking pision and ine iiydrauiie cyiirider nousing. išacn oi ine iirsi and second noiiovv sensor eiernenis is coaxiaiiy aiiaoned io ine respeciive inner suriace oi ine sensor caviiies. iiidâåi in an enrioodiriieni, ine coniroi irnii is coniigiired io coniinuousiy receive ine posiiiori sionais. Tnos, ine ooniroi onii is coniigrired io coniiriiioirsiy generaie ai ieasi one uniocired rnode signai, ai ieasi one iocidrig mode signai, and ai ieasi one rnainienarice mode signai based on ine iirsi posiiiori signai and second posiiiori signai. in an errinodirnerii, ine coniroi unii is coniigured io coniinuousiy' generaie: ine iirsi irniccked rnode signai based on ine iirsi posiiion signai, ine iirsi iocked mode signai nased on ine iirsi posiiion signai, ine iirsi niainieriance mode signai based on ine iirsi posiiion signai, ine second oniocked rnode signai based on ine second posiiion signai, ine second iocned rnode signai based on ine second posiiion signai, and ine second rrrainienance rnode signai based on ine second posiiion signai, iüüâíši in an ernbodinteitt, the iirst tixed iockiitg pin is attached to the iirst shatt, and tvherein the second iixed iocitirrg pin is attached to the second shatt. in an entbodirnertt, the tirst and second iockirrg pin are tixediy attached to the stiatt. ittitëf-tt in an einbodirnent, the iirst tocking piston and second iocitirtg piston are independentiy rnovabie reiative to each other. ittdåiši in an ernbodirnent, a hydraoiic oii is srippiied to a respective hydrauiic charnber ot each iociring piston via a rtoncerttraiized oii channei. thus, hydrauiic oii is strppiied to the respective itydrauiic charnbers via openihgs positioned radiaiiy outside the respective position sensors. 1002651 in an entbodirnertt, the controi unit is turther contigtrred to receive at ieast one caiibration signa! irorn a caiibration device which is operatiohaiiy connected thereto, and based on the at ieast one catibratiori signai the controi unit is corrtigtired to: detine a tirst range ot iociting vaiues indieative et the iirst ioci-ring piston being in a correct iocking position vvhen being engaged vvith a pair ot rear iooiriitg braokets ot the intpiernent, and detine a second range ot iocidng vairres indicaiive ot the second tocking piston being in a correct iocking position when being ertgaged trrith a pair ot rear iocitirrg bracitets ot the irnpiernent. Thus, in response to at teast one caiibration signai, the controi unit is oontigured to deterrnirte a correct ioci-:irtg position vaiue ot the tirst and second iocking piston reiative to the rear iooirirtg braokets ot the intpiernent when being in engagenterit rwrith the rear iocking brackets ot the irnpiernent. Based on the correct iocitirig position vaiue, the controi unit is iurther contigtrred to deterrnirte a range ot correct iockirtg vaiues corresportdirtg to vvhert the respective iooking piston is in the correct iociairtg position vvitir the rear iocitiitg brackets when the iocking piston is in engagerneitt thereto. iOGEYt in an entbodirrtertt and based on the range ot correct iockirig vaities, the controi irnit is contigirred to deiine: a tirst range ot irniocked position vatnes indicative ot the iirst iockirtg piston being in an oniocked position when being engaged vvith a pair oi rear iookiitg brackets oi the irnpiernent, and a tirst range ot rnaintenance position vaities indicative ot the iirst iookiitg piston being in a ntainteriance position vvhen being engaged vriih a pair ot rear iocking brackets ot the irnpiernertt. Based on the range ot correct iockirig vaines, the controi unit is contigured to detine: a second range ot uniocked position vaiues indieative ot the second iockiitg piston being in an uniocked position when being engaged with a pair ot rear ieeking brackets ot the irnpiernent, artd a second range oi rnaintenanoe position vaities indicative ot the second iookiitg piston being in a rnairitertance position vvhen being engaged with a pair ot rear iocking brackets ot the iinptenterit. it is irnderstood that the at ieast one caiibration sighai cornprises signais trorn both the tirst and second ieeking piston. ittitâtši in an ernbodirnent, the controi unit is turiher coniigured to periornt a iirst comparison oi the tirst position signai and the iirst range ot iociairtg vaiues witen being engaged vvith a pair ot rear ioeking braekets ot the irnpiernent, and based on the iirst contparisoit, the oentroi unit is contigured to generate: a iirst uniocked ntode signai indicative ot a iirst position vaioe ot the iirst position signai is beioiv the tirst range oi vaities, a iirst iocked mode signa! indioative ot a iirstposition vatue oi the tirst position signat within the tirst range ot vaiues, a iirst rnaintenance rnode signai indicative oi a tirst position vaiue oi the iirst position signai is above the iirst range oi vaiues.

Thus, vvhen the guicit coupiing device is about to be engaged or is in engagentent with the pair oi rear iocitittg bracitets oi the irnpiernent, the cotttrot unit is coniigored to periorrtt a iirst cornpartson oi a vaitie oi the iirst position signai tiritit the iirst range oi iocking tfaitres, and based on the itrst comparison, the controi unit is iurther coniigtrred to generate one oi a iirst uniocited rnode signat iridicative oi a tirst position vatue ot the iirst position stgnai ts betovtf the iirst range ot vatues, a iirst tocked rnode signai indicative oi a iirst position vaiue oi the tirst position signat within the tirst range oi vaiues, or a iirst ntaintenaitce rnode signat indioative ot a iirst position vatoe oi the tirst position signai is above the iirst range ot vaiues.

Furthermore, the controi unit is iorther coniigtired to periorrn a second contparison oi the second position stgnai and the second range oi iocking vaitres 'vvheri being ertgaged with a pair oi rear iockirig brackets ot the irnpierttent, and based on the second cornparisort, the controi unit is coniigured to generate: a second uniocked rnode signai indicative oi a second position vatire oi the second position signai is beiow the second range oi vaiues, a second tocked rnode signai indioative oi a second position vatue ot the second position signai within the second range ot vatues, a second rnaintenartoe rnode stgnat indicative oi a second position vaiue ot the second position signai is above the second range oi vaiues. 'ihus, when the guick coupting device is about to he engaged or is in engagernerit with the pair ot rear iociting orackets ot the irnpiernent, the controi unit is iurther coniigitred to pertorrn a second comparison oi a vaiue oi the second position signat with the second range oi tockirtg vatues, and hased on the second comparison, the controi unit is further contigured to generate one ot a second trniocited ntode signat indicative ot a second position vatue oi the second position signai is toeiow the second range oi vaiues, a second iociaed rnode signat indicative oi a second position vatue oi the second position signai tfvithirt the second range ot vatues, or a second maintenance rnode signat indicative oi a second position vaiue ot the second position signai is above the second range oi vaitres. ititiâät According to a second aspect ot the present invention, a vvoriting machine conftprises a quick coupiing device according to present invention, an irnpiernent and operating arnt itiOBOt in an einhodiment oi the invention ot the second aspect, the working machine iurther cornprtses a pair ot support heeis, wherein an tittper' suriace oi the support heet is coniigured to abtit a tower stiriace ot the guick coupiing device.

BFiiEF DEÉSCFiiPTiON OF DRÅMVENGS 100311 These and eiher aspects et the present inventien vviii ncw pe described in mere detaii, vviih reterence ic the appended drawirigs shewing a cirrrerttiy preierred erhhedirrierii ei ine inventien, witereirt; Fig. 1A iiiusiratee a perspective vievr ci the quick ceupiing device according te the inventicn, 'vvnereiri the ieciring pisten is in an uniccked rrrcde.

Pig. tB iiicetraies a perspective view et the quick ccupiing device according ie the inventieit, wiiereirt the icckirrg pisten is in a iecked rttede.

Fig. tC iiinstrates a perspective view' ei ine quick ceupiing device accerding tc the inveniiert, 'vvnereiri the ieciring pisten is in rnairttertarice trrcde.

Pig. ti) iiiustratee a perspective view ct the quick cccpiiitg device according te the inventicn, witereirt the icckirrg pisten is in rttaintenartce rnede.

Fig. tE iiiusiratee a perspective vievr ci the driich ceupiing device accerdirtg te the inventicn. Fig. 2A iiiusirates a deiaiied vievv ei Pig. 1A.

Fig. Ziïš iiiirsirates a detaiied view ei Fig. t B.

Pig. 2G and Pig. 2qi c iiiustrate detaiied vieivs ct Pig. tC.

Fig. 2D iiiustrates a detaiieti vievv ei Fig. t D.

Pig. 3 iiiusiratee a perspective view ct an intpierriehi.

Fig. 4 iiiiretrates a detaiied view ei a heei with sitints.

Fig. 5 iiitrstrates a cresesecticnai view et the iteei tfvitn shirns as shevvit in Pig.Fig. 6 iiiustrates a perspective vievv ei a nydrauiic cyiinder ircusirrg tvith icckirrg pistcns according te prior art.

Fig. ? iiiustrates a cress-secticnai vievv et a nydrauiic cyiinder treusirtg with ieckirrg pistens according to prior art.

Fig. Sa and ßie iiiirstrate crcss-sectieriai views ct a centrai connection perticrr et a ttydrauiic cyiinder housing according te prior art.

Fig. 9 iiiustrates a perspective view ei a centrai connection perticn ct a hvdrairiic cviirider tieirsirtg according to prior art.

Fig. 10 iiiustrates a perspective view of a itydrairiic cytinder housing with tooitirtg pistons according to an entoodirnent oi the present invention.

Fig. t ta iiiustrates a cross--sectionai view of a hydrairtic cyiinder ttorisirtg with tockirtg pistons according to the present invention.

Fig. tio iiiristrates a perspective view of a hydrairtic cytirtder noirsiitg vvith iocking pistons according to the present inventiort.

Fig. t2 iiiustrates a perspective view oi a centrai connection portion ot a nydrauiic cyiinder housing according to an ernpodirnent ot the present inventioit.

Fig. 13 iiiustrates a view oi a centrai connection portion ot a hydrauiic cyiinder itousing according to an enthodinteitt oi the present invention.

Fig. 14 iiiustrates a cross-sectionai view ot a centrai connection portion ot a hydrauiic cyiirtder housing according to an ernpodirnent ot the present inventioit.

Fig. 15 iiiustrates a crosssectionai view oi a centrai connection portion ot a hydrariiic cyiinder housing according to an errthodirrtertt ot the present invention.

Fig. toa, tfih, tfic, tfid iiiustrate views ot a cyiinder housing according to an ernpodirnent ot the present invention.

Fig. 17-19 iiiustrate perspective views oi a cytirtder housing according to an ernpodinteitt oi the present inxfeniion showing different extensions ot the iocking piston.

Fig. 20 iiiustrates a perspective view oi a quick couoiing device according to an ernhodirnent ot the present inventiort, and an operating arrn connected tnereto.

Fig. 21A and Fig. 2t B iitirstrate vietvs ot the sensor arrangernertt according to an ernhodiment ot the present invention.

Fig. 22A and Fig. 228 iitustrates views ot the sensor arrangernent according to an entpodirneitt oi the present invention.

Fig. 23 shovvs a schernaticai overview ot the eiectricat connection ot the quick ooupiirtg device.

DETAELEÛ DESCFtiP-FEÜN ÖF EßJtEšÛDiMENTS OF THE tNVENTtÜN iiIiO32} in the toiiowing description, the present invention vviii now he desoriped in rnore detaii, tvith reierence to the attpertded drawings. iüüíšíii in Fig. ia and Fig. 2a a nydrauiic quick coupiing device i according io an ernicodirneni is snown, vvnereiri a iirsi ieckirig pision fia is in an uniocked rnode. Tne quick ceupiing device i is rnoving inio an engagerneni posiiioii vifiin ine irnpierneni, i.e. tne iecking pision Era is aioout te engage vviiii one iockirig bracket nook oi ine pair oi rear iockirtg nrackets en. 'ine iocking pision Sa is in iis reiracied position or reiracied siate, and vviii rernain in iis retracied position uniii ine ouick coupiing device nas ioeen moved into iis iocking position witn an irnpienieni 3 or rfvorkirig ioei, vfnicn in tnis case is a nuckei. iiiiißlii in Fig. 'ia--i e ine quick coupiing device i is provided vvitn a irarne 4G naving a iirsi snaii 'i5a and a secend snati tån, wnerein eacn snaii is connecied io an operating ann 2. it is undersiood inai ine quick coupiing device can ne connected io diiiereni operaiirig arrns oi diiiererii vvorkirig rriaciiiries. Censequeniiy, ine qirick coupiirig device i is cennectanie io difference types oi operaiing arrn. Furinerrnore, ine quick coupiing device i is provided iviiii a iirsi iocking pin tea and a second iocking pin iÅib. Tne iirsi and second iocking pins are iixed reiaiive ic ine irarne 40 ei ine quick ccupiing device. "ine iirst and second iocking pins turinerrncre exierid outwardiy ironi ine irarne in opposite directions reiaiive ie eacn einer and aiong a corninon iransverse axis, i.e. transverseiy proirudirig in opposiie direciions. 'iiie pair oi iecking pins are coniigured ie engage vviin a pair oi ironi ceuoier noeks 4a oi ine irnpierrierii 3 tor rneciianicaiiy iocking oi a iongiiiidinai position inereoi during engagerneni. in a quick coupiing rneiiiod oi counting ine euick ceueiing device i io ine irneiernerii 3, an operater oi ine working rnacnine, an excavaier operator, iirsi centrets and rnoves ine oeeraiing arrn 2 vviiii iis inerete connected quick ceupiirig device i sucn inat tne pair oi iocking pins ertgage viriiii ine pair oi ironi coupier nooks fia oi tne irnpieinent 3 in order to iirsi rnecnanicaiiy iook ine inovernerii oi ine irnpienieni in its iongiiudiiiai direction. iiliiißiši Secondiy, tne operaior continues to coniroi and move ine oeeraiing arrn 2 sucn iiiai ine pair oi iooking cisions Sa and Eric, i.e. ine iocking ends oi ine iocking pisicns, iace ine ccrresponding iocking bracket nooks ot tne pair oi rear iockirig nrackeis 4n. Tnereaiter ine iocking pisiorts are coniigtired io rnove ouivvards in tne transverse direction in order io rneciiaiiicaiiy iock ine irnpierrierii io ine quick coupiirig device i. ieiiíšiši it is undersiood inat tne iirsi iocking oins iii-a and ine second iecking pins iii-n rnay nave diiiererit snapes and iengiiis depending on ine iype oi irnpienterti inai ine quick coupiirig device i is coniigirreri io connect iifiiit. ii is aiso iirriiier undersiood tnai ine iirsi and second iockirig pistons niay nave diiiererii snapes depending on ine irneiemeni tne quick counting device is ceniigured te ne connected vviin, i.e. tne snape ei ine iocking pisions are adapted to ne engageanie vviin ine iocking nraokei nocks inai niay varv depending on ine iype oi irnpienieni. iiiiißífi Fig. 'in sncvvs ine quick counting device according io ine present inveniicn, vvnerein oi ine iirsi iocking pisioris fia is in a iocking position, i.e. ine quick coupiirig device is in a iecked rnode. Tne iocking pision fia nas ntoved irorn its exiracied cosiiien, ouiwardiy irorn tne iivdrauiic cyiinder neusing 8, uniii ii nas nteciiariicaiiy iecked vviiii one iockirig bracket nook oi ine oi pair rear iocking nrackeis fin. Tne iooking pision is provided wiin a iocking end ei ine iocking pisien, ie. ine end that rnoves oritwardiy in the transverse direction ironi the cyiinder housing 8, and tnus ironi tne duick coupiing device, tovvards the iocking hrecket ot tne irnpiernent 3. The iockirig end, i.e. tne exteridirig end, oi the iirst iocking piston he is provided vvitn a tvedge shaped end portion, i.e. e iirst wedge iocking surteoe 9 virnicit is ooniigured to engege vvitn e corresportriirtg iockirig surtece oi the inipierneni io he connected. in Fig. än, the iirst iocking piston 5e extends trorn the iiydreiiiio cyiinder housing 8 and nes inoved oritwardiy in e transverse direction oi tne quick coupiiiig device iintii tiie iirst wedge iocking suriace 9 nas niecnaniceiiy iocked with a ccnespondirig iocking surtace, i.e. bracket iocking suriace oi tne irnpierneiit. ihüíšëii Aithough noi shown, hut on the other side ot the ouick coupiiiig device, a second iooidiig piston åh has eiso extended ironi the iiydrauiic cyiiiider housing 8 end has moved outvrardiy in a transverse direction ot the guick coupiing device untit a second wedge Booking suriece hes rnechanicaiiy iocked witn e second correspondiiig iocking suriece, i.e. e second hrecket iocking surtece 7, ot the irnpienieni. The second iocking piston 5h is thus in its iocking position. Coriseoiieritiif, tne iirst iookiiig piston ša and second iooking piston Sh are coniigured to transversety rnove out irorn tne duick coupiirig device in opposite directions eiong a cornnioii transverse direction. A iirst iooking end oi the iirst iocking pistori 5e and e second iocking end oi ine second iocking piston Bh are irius coritigured io outvvardiy extend in opposite direction such tnat the respective vvedge iocking surface 9 engage with corresponding nracket iocking suriaces oi the irnpierneiit 3 in order to rnecnanicaiiy iock the irnpiernent 3 to tne quick coupiing device and inus io interconnect the irripienterit 3 with the coeretirig errn. iíitiíšäi it is understood thet the iirst iocking piston end second icckirig piston are eecn niovahie hack and iorth aiong one transverse exis that is ccrnrnoii to tnern hoth, i.e. that the iirst end second iockirig pistcns are contigured to he rriovahie heivveeri e retrected position end en extended position in order io took end rrniock the irnpienierii. iiiOfiOi Fig. tC- end ti), end Pig. 2G, 2.16 and 2D shows e quick ccupiirig device according to tne present inveniion, vvhereiii the iirst iocking pistons 5e nes moved beyond the iocked rnode and into e nieinteiieiice rnode which sheii eiert the opereior inet rnainteiierice or service is rieeded. The iirst iocking pistons he, has thus extended heyond the position ivhere ii is regarded es ioeing correctiy iocked. Tiiat is an indication that tor exarnpie tne iocking bracket surtece, and tiius the iocking hrecket riooks, rriey neve heen worn end inat tney need to he reptace *with e peir oi new rear iocking hrackets. Aiterrietiveiv, it rney aiso he en indiceticn that a sitirris piete tt or thai a shirns t2a erid i åh in tne stack oi shirns needs to he repiaced or cnenged. iiiOfiii in Fig. i E e ouiok ooupiing rievice i according to the present inventiort is shown vvithout erigageehie opereting arrn or irnpiernent. iíiíifiåi Pig. 3 is a perspective view oi tne intpierrierit showing tne pair ct trorit coupier hccks rie and the ot pair reer iocking nrackets rih, inciuding the pair oi iockiiig hrecket hooks. Furthermore, a peir ot support heeis tO are shown naving e stack oi shirns t2a and t2h and a shirns piate tt on top ot a iieei hese td, see eiso Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 siiovving detaiied views ot the support heeisto, wherein the shints ptate and stack oi shints t2a and tâb are tixed to a heei hase vvith a pair ot screws t3. When rnaintenartce is needed, the screw-s are trntightened such that the shiihs ptate t t can he repiaced or such that rnore shirns rnay he added to increase the hight oi the shirns ptate ti, i.e. to raise the upper suriace ot the shirns ptate t t , which then aitects the position oi the quick coupting device. When the quick couptirtg device 'i is connected to the irnpiement 3, the upper surtace oi the strpport heei ahtrts a, tower surtace 39 oi the irarne 4G ot the ot the otrick coupiirtg device t _ Cortseouerttty, ah increase ot the height ot the support heet inoreases trarne ot the quick coupting device t retative to the irnpieihent 3, vvhich then, in tiirn, iowers the pair ot rear iockirtg prackets en strch that the iockirtg ends ot the respective iookirig piston rriay ertgage correctiy with the tockirtg cracket surtaces ct the rear iocking bracket, and thus achieve a tocking inode. tt is understood that the operator may need to adjust the stack ot shirns in order to achieve the vvanted tockirtg rnode, ie. that the operator rnay need to repeat the steps ot adding shirns täta/t íêfh untii a correct iockirtg rnode has ioeen achieved. tüiwíšt Fig. tå and 7, Fig tia, ååh and tfig. Et show a hydrauiic cyiinder housing vvith iockirtg pistons titta and Qöh according to prior art. The hydrautic cyiinder housing is provided vifitit support hrackets tti and is provided vvith a tiydrauiic oii input connection tät and åt to suppiy the ttydrauiio charnhers, via a certtrattyf positioned oii iocking ohannei 22, with hyrtrautic oii to increase a hvdrauiic pressure and thus to create iorce against the iockirto pistons Sšfša and tišh in order to cause the piston to move outwards towards an engageihent vvittt a pair ot rear tockirtg iorackets. in addition, the hvdrauiic cytirtder ttotrsirtg is turther provided with a ttydrauiic oit output connection i? and 20 to discharge and retease oii trorn the charnhers via a rtort~ceritrat oii discharge citannei 23, and thus reduce the hydrautic pressure and thus to cause the pistons to rnove invvards towards a retracted state in order to achieve a uniocked ntode oi the ouick coupting device. The prior art cyiirtder housing is iurtherntore provided vvith a ptugged oii channet 19 and a check vaive ttiortftt th Fio. to to t? a hvdrautic cviinder housing 8 trvith tockirtg pistons ša och åh according to an ernhodirnent ot the present invention is shown. On the upper surface oi a centrai connection portion ot the trydratriic cviirtder housing 8, a rnourttirig channet 46 extends radiaity tovvards the centre oi the hydrauiic cytinder housing 8. The rnounting channet hoie 46 is used during the inounting oi eiectric sensors 7t and 72 and their sensor cahies 73, see Fig. t t o. Atter the rnounting the rnounting channet hote 46 is then ctosed with a screw. ttltttfttšt Furthermore, a itydrauiic oit input connection 52 to suppty the hydrauiic charnhers, via a non-- centrai oii iocking channet 47, vvith itydrauiic oii to increase a hydrautic pressure and thus to create torce against the iocking pistons Sa and tio in order to cause the piston to rnove otrtvvards tovrards an engagerrtent vvith a pair ot rear tockirto bracket. in addition, the itydrautic cyiinder ttotrsirtg is turther provided with a iiydrauiic oit output connection Ert to discharge and retease oii to reduce the itydrauiic pressure and thus to cause the pistons to rnove invvards tovvards a retracted state in order to achieve an untocked ntode ot the quick couptirtg device. A check vatve 48 is turther arranged in a iottfer' part ot the centrat connection portion. The etectric sensors 7tand 72 are induotive type sensors and are eiectricaity oonneotaioie via serisor connections 53 and 54. tive cviindricai sensor pase spaces 5"? extends centraity vvithin the tiydratiitc cytinder itotising 8 aiong a centrai axis titereot. The sensor hase spaces are coniigured to receive and noid a sensor head eiernertt 6G ot each sensor 7t and ?2 retative to the cyiirider ttotrsirtg 8. On the rear side ot the cyiinder housing 8, a pair ot sensor tasteners 55 and 56 are arranged which tix the sensor heads di) to the sensor hase spaoes and thus iixing the sensor head eiernents and the eiorigated sensor eiernents 59, as stiotvri in Fig. 2i A and 218, to the itydrauiic cyiinder housing tiidrißt in Fig. tt, the tirst hydrauiio iootdrtg piston 5a and the second ttydrauiio iocking piston 5h are shown and are heing otittvardiy rnovahie ironi two opposite ends oi a cyiinder housing S in opposite directions aiong a cornnton axis coincidtng vtrith that oi the itydrauiic cytinder housing 8. Each iockirtg piston is provided vvith a centraity disposed space, i.e. a sensor chanhei, contigtired to aiiovv a rnovernent an eiongated sensor eternent 59, as shown in Fig. 21A and 2t B, tixed to the cyiinder horrsing 8. That is, during a reoiprocai rnovernent ot the iocking piston, the eiongated sensor eiernent St? moves hack and iorth into the sensor channei. in addition, each sensor 7t and 72 are provided with a tiotiowf sensor eiernertt 'fö that is iixed to a respective tocitirtg piston. The rroitow sensor eiernent 76 is arranged to receive the eiongated sensor eternent 59 tor rneasuring the position ot eiongated sensor eiernertt 59 reiative to ttoiiovv sensor eternent 76 in order to rneastrre the position oi iooitirig piston reiative to the ttydrauiio cytinder housing (ti). As a resuit, the centraiiy positioned sensor wfithin the iocttirig piston enaoies an accurate and continuous rnonitorirtg and rneastirerrtertt ot the rnovernent or dispiacernent oi the iocitirtg piston reiative to the ouick coupting device in order to determine it the iocking piston is in an iiniocked rnode, iocked niode or in a maintenance rnode when the iookirig piston has move too tar. i0G47t Each tookirig piston is provided vvittt one inductive position sensor. it is tinderstood that the toctdng pistons rnay rnove iridepeitderttiy ot each other, and that each sensor is ooniigured to rneasure the position oi the respective tooidrig piston individuaiiy. ttithtåt tn Fig. 't 7 to Fig. t9 the hydrauiic cyiinder housing 8 is presented with three diiterent extensions oi the iocking ertd, i.e. three ditterertt positions oi the iocking piston Eb is shown. That is, the iocking piston has nioved otrtwards three ditierertt iengths out trorn the cyiirider housing 8. in Fig. t? the ioctririg end St and the iockirtg piston :Sh is in a retracted position or iocked state, i.e. that the quick coupiirtg device is in an uniocked rnode. in Fig. 18 the iociairtg end 82 and the iociairtg piston 82 is in a ioct-:ed position or iocked state, i.e. that the rtuick coupiirrg device is in iocked mode. Aititoirgh not shown, it is understood that the ioctdrig wedge surtaoe 9 is rnechanicaiiy iocked to the corresponding iociting bracket suriace. in Fig. itä the iocking end S3 and Booking piston are in a rnaintenance position or ntaintertartce state, i.e. the duicit counting device is in a rnairrtertartce rnode. ittttatâi Pig. att iitustrate a perspective view' oi a duick coupiing device connected to the operating arrn 2, showing an etectric sensor connection at and a hvdrautic connection 42 to the hvdrautic cyiinder ttoiisirtg S.iGGSOi in Fig. 21A, Fig. 25, Fig. 22A and Fig. 225 a sensor arrangenierit oi ine oreseni invention is snown. ine iiydraoiic iooking oision is provided vviin an axiaiiy eiorigaied sensor oaviiy ior iransiaiionai riioverneni oi an eiongaied sensor eierneni 59. "ine oosiiiori sensor cornorises en eiongaied sensor eierneni 5% and a iirsi iroiiow sensor eierneni ?'6. 'ine eiorigaied sensor eieriieni 59 is aiiacned to ine nydrariiic cyiinder nousirig 8 ai an inner opening iaoirig a nydraoiic onarnner (noi snown). Tne eiongaied sensor eierneni 59 is erranged ior iransiaiionai nioverneni, i.e. io irensietiionaiiy rnove, inside ine iirst noiiow sensor eierneni 76 and ine eiongaied sensor oaviiy vviiniri ine iooking oision. Wnen ine eiongaied sensor eierneni 59 rnoves reiaiixfe io ine iioiiow sensor eierrierii 76, a position signai is generaied. 'ine eiongaied sensor eierneni 5% is aitacned to ine nydrariiic cyiinder nousirig (S), and is arranged ior iransiaiioriai rnovemeni, i.e. io iransiaiionaiiy", rnove inside ine second noiiovv sensor eierneni (76) and ine sensor cavity wiinin ine iooking cision. Tne noiiovv sensor eierneni 76 is eiiaoned io an inner surface oi ine second sensor caviiy. Tnereny, a rnoverneni oi ine iociririg oision oauses a disoiacernerii oi ine iioiiovrf sensor eierrieni reiaiive io ine iixed eiorrgaied sensor eierneni vvnioii, in iurn, irrdiroes a oosiiiori signai oi ine iooking oiston. iiioöii Fig. 23 snows a scnernaiioai overvievv oi ine eieoirioai connection oi ine rroiok oorioiirrg device. A visuai dispiay inn is provided wiin six syrnnois Ai io A3 and Bi io BS, inree syriinois ior eaon sei oi inree sensor signais. Ai syrnnoi 101 indioaies inat a iirst sensor is in an uniooked rnode, and inus inai ine iirsi iooking oision is in an irriiociied siaie. Bi svriinoi iiiiš indioaies inai a second sensors is in en uriiooked rnode, and iiios inai ine second iockirig oision is in an uniocired siaie. A2 svrnooi i02 indicaies inai a iirsi sensors is in a iociaed rnode, and inus inai ine iirsi iockirig oision is in a iooked siaie. BE syrnnoi 105 indioaies iiiat a second sensor is in a iocked rnode, and inus inai ine second iooking oiston is in a iocned staie. A3 syrnnoi 103 iridicates inai a iirsi sensor is in a maintenance mode, and inirs inai ine iirsi iocking oision is in a rnairiienance siaie. E33 syrniooi 194 indioaies inai a second sensor is in a niainieriarioe rnode, and inus iiiai ine second iookirig oision is in a rnairiienarrce siaie. "ine disoiay iGG is eiecirioaiiy connecied io a ooniroi unii 1G? via eiecirioai wiring 110. "ine nydraiiiic cyiinder noirsing 8 is connected io ine ooniroi unii vie eieoirioai ivirings iiiâši, at ieast one vviririg ior eaon sensor. ine coniroi rrnii is aiso oonneoied io oaiinraiioii device 112 naving a nuiton io ne ousned according io oredeierrniiied oaiinraiion process. 4. "ine coniroi unii is coniigored io ooniinooosiy receive ine oosiiiori signais irorn ine sensors Yi and 72, iiiiišiêëi Before ine iirsi iirne oi irsirig a new doiok ooooiirig device or vviiii a new irnoierneni, ine vvorkirig rnaoiiirie ooeraior needs io oerionn a caiiioraiiori oi ine quick coirpiirig device. 'ine ooeraior inen needs io iocia ine iirsi iookirig cision 5:a arid second iockirig oisions En vviin oair oi rear iocking nrackeis, and io visuaiiy identiiy and deierrnine wneri ine iirsi and second iooking oisions are in a caiinraiiori oosiiion, i.e. a inresnoid oosiiion irorn vvneri ine iocking oision is regaroied as being in a correci oosiiiori. Tne coniroi unii is inen anie io oaiooiaie a range or iniervai dirririg vrfnion ine iirsi and second iocking oisions are considered as being correoiiy iooked iviin ine oair oi rear iookirig nraokeis oi ine irnpierneni. Aiier ine ooeraior nas deiined ine oaiinraiiori position, ine operaior inen pusnes ine nuiiori oi ine caiinraiion device i i2 inacccrdance witn a predeterinirted caiibraiion process At ieasi ene catibraiion eignai ie then received by tne controt unit ttiï, and based on the at teast one caiibraticn eignai, tne controi unit 10"? then deterrnines and detines a iirst range oi iirst iocking trainee indicative ot the iirst iccitirtg bistcn being in a correct ioctring position mitten being engaged with a pair oi rear' tcciring brackets -ftb ot the irnpientertt 3. "the ccntrot unit aise cieiines a second range oi second iccking vaiites indicative oi ine second iccking piston being in a correct iccidng positieit when being engaged with a, pair et rear tccking hreckets rtb ei ine iittptemeni 3. Titus, the centret unit to? caicuiates tne tirst and second range oi icciiirtg vaiues based en the vaiues ct the at teaet one caiibratiort signai. 100531 Preierabiy, the caiibration position is set to 2/3 oi the ibickness ot the rear iociiirtg bracket, i.e. nfhen eaoh ot the tirst and second tockirig pistons have perietrated 2/3 ot the body thicirness ei the rear icctiing bracket.

Claims (15)

1. Claims A griick coupiing device (i) ior quick coiipiing oi an irnpiernent (S) to an operating arrn (2) oi a »irorking rnacnine, said device cornprising: a trarne (40) naving a iirsi shaii (i Sa) and a second snaii (i So), each snaii being conneciabie io tne operating arrn (2); a iirst iocking pin (i4a) arici a second iocking pin (trip) extending outwards ironi the irarne aiong a conirnon iransverse axis, each iocking pin neing engageanie witn a pair oi ironi coupier nooits (4a) oi ine irnpieriierii (3) ior riteohanioaiiy iocking oi a iongiiudiriai position ihereoi during errgagernent; a iirst nydrauiic iocking piston (fàa) and a second hydrauiio iocitirig pision (Ein) outnfardiy niovaoie in opposite directions irorn a oyiirtder' housing (ti) aiong an axis paraiiei wiih said transverse axis, nfhereirr each iocking pisiorr (Sa, Bh) is provided 'vviiii a iociring erid (St, 82, 83) iiavirig a iocking ivedge suriace (9) vvnicii is coniigured io engage and rneciiariicaiiy iock wiin a iocidrtg nraoitei suriaoe (f) being a oorresporiding iooitirig suriace oi a pair oi rear iooking nraoiteis (li-n) oi ine iinpierneni (3) ior niechanicaiiy iooking ine iongitudinai position inereoi during errgagerrierii. Citaracierizert in thai ine device iuriher cornprises a tower sirriace (39) oi the trarne (4G) oi ine quick coupting device (i) where-in iii/nen the duick coupiing device (i) is connected io ine irnpienierii (3), an upper suriaoe oi a support iieei oi ine irripierrierii (3) anirts ine iovifer surtace (39) oi tne irarne (eo) oi tne oi ine quick coupiing device (i), ine support neei having a stack oi snirns (i Ea, iêh) and a snirns piate (i 'i ); a iirst eiectric position serisor (ïi) being disposed iviiniri the rrydrauiic cytirider' iiousing (8), and being ooniigureo to generate a iirst position signai irrdicaiive oi ine position oi tne iirsi nydrauiic iockirig piston (ša) reiaiive io ine iiydrautic cyftinder housing (8); a second eieoiric posiiiorr sensor (72) being disposed within ine hyrtrauiio cyiinder iiousing (S), and being coniigured io generate a second position signai indicative oi the position oi ine second iiydrauiic iocking piston (Sn) reiaiive to the hydrauiic cyiirider housing (tš); and a controi unii being coniigured io receive the iirst position signai and ine second position signai, and based on ine iirsi position signai and second position signat the controi unii is coniigured io gerierate: at ieast one uniockeci niode signai wnen ine iocking pision (Sa, Sh) is in a reiracied position and irriiii the quick coupiing device nas been rnoved inio a toctdrig position wiin the impietneht S, indicative et the quick couptirtg derfice being in an itniocked ntede reiative to an engageahie impientertt, at ieast ene iocked ntede sighai when the iockiitg pistcn (ba, Sh) has moved trem its extracted position, otitvtfardiy ironi the hydrautio oyiinder ttotisirtg (8), untii the tirst vvedge iocking stirtace (9) has ineohanioaiiy iootted vvith the bracket iooking surtace (7) ot the intpientettt, iridioatiye et the diiick coiipiirig device being in a iecked mode reiative te an eitgageabie irnpieinent, and at teast one ntaintenartoe mode signai iridicative et the quick ceupiirig device being in a maintenance inode reiative te an eitgageabte inteieinent, vvherein the tocking eiston (Sa, åh) has rnoved beyond the iocked ntede and inte the maintenance rnode which sitaii aiert an eperator that ntaintertartce or service is rteeded which is an indication that the ieckihg bracket soriaoe (7) inay have been worn, or aiterrtativeiy that the shirns piate (t t) or that the stiints (t Ra, tån) in the stack ot shirns needs to be repiaced or chartgett.

2. The device according to oiairn t , vvhereirt the controt unit is ttirther coniigured to generate at ieast: a tirst tinidci-tett mode signai based on the tirst position signat, a tirst iocited mode signai based on the tirst position signat, a tirst maintenance mode signat based en the tirst position signai, a secend tiniecited mode signai based on the second position signai, a second iooked mode signai based on the seodrtd pcsitiert signai, and a second ntairttenaitce inode signai based on the second position signai.

3. The device according to any ene ot the precedihg ciairns, yvhereirt the tirst artd second position sensors are certtraiiy arranged within the hydrauiic cyiirtder housing (8).

4. The device according te any ene ot the preceding etairns, wherein the tirst hydratiiio iocitirtg piston (fia) is provided vvith an axiaiiy eiongated tirst sensor cavity tor tiansiatioriai ntovetnent dt at ieast a part ot the tirst position sensor (ït ); and the second hydrauiic ioottirtg oiston (äte) is provided vvith an axiaiiy eiortgated second sensor cavity tor transiationai movement et at ieast a part dt the second position sensor (72).

5. The device according to any one ot the preceding ciairns, wherein the tirst position sensor (Tt) and the secentt position sensor (72) are ot an iriductive type. o. Tne device according io any one oi ine oreoedirig ciainis, vrnereiri ine iirsi oosiiion serisor coniprises a iirsi eiongaied sensor eienieni (59) and a iirsi noiiovv sensor eierneni (fo), vvnereiri ine iirsi eiongaied sensor eierneni (59) is aiiacned io ine iiydraoiie oyiirider nousing (S), and is arranged io iransiaiionaiiy rnove inside ine iirsi noiiovv sensor eierneni (Tfn) virnicii is aiiaciied io en inner suriace oi ine iirsi sensor caviiy, inereioy rneasuring ine oosiiioii oi iiie iirsi iockiiig pisiori reiaiive io ine nydrauiic cyiinder nousšng (8); and ine second oosiiiori sensor oorriorises a second eiorigaied sensor eieriierii (59) and a second noiiovv sensor eierneni (To), ivnerein ine second eiongaied sensor eieineni (59) is aiiacned io ine nydraiiiic cyiiiider nousing (8), and is arranged io iransiaiionaiiy rnove inside ine second noiiovv sensor eienieni (fo) vvnicn is aiiacned io an inner surface oi ine second sensor oaviiy, iiiereny rneasuring ine posiiion oi ine second iooiiirig pision reiaiive io ine iiydraoiie cyiiriiier' nousing (8). 7. Tne device according io any one oi ine oreoedirig ciainis, vrnereiri ine ooniroi oriii is coniigured io coniinuousiy receive ine oosiiion signais. S. Tne device according io any one oi ine oreceding ciainis, vvnereiri ine iirsi iocidng pin (i fia) is aiiacned io ine iirsi snaii (i fia), and vvnerein ine second iooking pin (ifi-n) rs aiiacned io ine iirsi snaii (i ša). 9. "ine device according io ariy oi ine preceding ciainis, vvnerein ine iirsi iocking cision (Sa) and second iocking oision (fin) are indeoenderiiiif rnovanie reiaiive io eacn oiner. ii). "ine device according io ariy one oi ine orecedirig ciairns, wnerein a nydrauiic oii is suooiied io a resoeciiife iiydrauiic cnaniner oi eacn iocking cision via a ncn-ceniraiized oii cnariiiei. ii. Tne device according io ariy one oi ine orecedirig ciairns, vvnerein ine coniroi irnii is iuriner coniigured io receive ai ieasi one caiinraiioii signai ircrn a caiinraiioii device (i i2) wnicn is ooeraiionaiiy connecied inereio, and based on ine ai ieasi one caiinraiion sšgnai ine coniroi iinii is ooniigured io: deiine a. iirsi range oi iocking ifaiires inciicaiive oi ine iirsi iocidrig cision being in a correci iocking oosiiion ivnen neing engaged vviin a oair oi rear iooiiirig nrackeis (fin) oi ine inioiernerii (3), and deiine a, second range oi iocisirig vaiiies indicaiive oi ine second iocking oision neing in a oorreoi iooking oosiiiori vvnen ioeing engaged vviin a oair oi rear iociiing nraokeis (433) oi ine iriioiernerii (3). 12. The device according to ciaim i i , the controi unit is iurther coniigtired to determine a range oi correct iocking vaiires correspondirtg to when the respective iocking piston is in the correct iocking position vvith the rear iocitirtg brackets when the iocking piston is in engagernerit titereto, and based on the rartge oi correct tooi-:irtg vaiues, the controi unit is coniigored to deiine: a tirst range oi untocked position vaities indioative oi the tirst iocking piston being in an tiniocired position when being engaged with a pair ot rear iooking brackets ot the irnpternent, and a tirsi range ot rnairttertance position vaiues indioaiive oi the tirst iockirrg pision being in a maintenance position vvhen being engaged tvith a pair ot rear iockiitg orackets oi the irnpientertt; a second rarige oi uniocired position vaiues iridicative oi the second iocking piston being in an tiniocited position when being engaged vvith a pair oi rear iocking brackets oi the irnpientertt, artd a second range oi rnaintenartoe position vaiues indicative ot the second iookirtg piston being in a maintenance position when being engaged tfvith a pair ot rear ioeking brackets oi the irnpierrient. 13. 'the device according to oiairrt i i , whereirr the controt irnit is further ooniigured to pertorrn a tirst comparison oi the tirst position signai and the tirst range ot tociting vaiues when being engaged with a pair oi rear iocitirig brackets (lip) oi the irnpientent (3), and based on the iirst comparison, the controi unit is coniigored to generate: a tirst nniocked rnode signai iridicative oi a tirst position vaiue oi the iirst position signai is beiow the iirst range oi vaiues, a tirst iocked mode signat indicative oi a iirst position vaiue ot the iirst position signai within the iirst range oi vaiues, a tirst maintenance inode signai indicative oi a iirst position vaiue ot the iirst position signai is above the tirst range oi vaiues; and vvhereirt the controi unit is turther contigured to perionn a second comparison oi the second position signai and the second range ot tocking vaities vtfhen being erigaged with a pair oi rear iocking brackets (ribt oi the intpiernent (iii, and icased on the second cornparison, the controi unit is coniigured to generate: a second uniocked rnode signai indicatitfe oi a second position vaiue oi the second position signat is heiow the second range oi vaioes, a second iooked mode signai indicatitfe oi a second position vaine oi the second position signai »tfithin the second range oi vatties, a, second maintenance niccie signa! indšcaiive of a seccnci position vaiue of ine second posiiion signaâ is above ine second range oi vaiues. 14. A ifvcrkiiig machine corncrisiiig a quick ccuciing :device acccrciing io any cne oi ine iareceding ciašins; an iinpieinenï (3) and cperaiiiig ann (2). 15. The »working inacnirie according to ciairn 14, vvherein *ine friaciiirie iuriiiei' ccinprises a pair suppcn heeis (10), wnerešn an upper suriace of the support neei is coniigurecni io abui a icwea' surface of ine quick ccupiing dexfšce,