Work vehicle multi-coupler with breakaway feature

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9968021-B2
Application number	US-201615000599-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 19, 2016
Priority date	Jan 19, 2016
Publication date	May 15, 2018
Grant date	May 15, 2018

Abstract

A multi-coupler assembly for a work vehicle includes a first bank of fluid connectors, a second bank of fluid connectors configured to matingly engage the first bank of fluid connectors along a coupling axis, and a coupler mechanism coupled to the first bank of fluid connectors. The coupler mechanism is controllable to bring the second fluid connector bank into mating engagement with the first fluid connector bank. A breakaway feature is integrated into the coupler mechanism. The breakaway feature facilitates controlled disengagement of the first fluid connector bank from the second fluid connector bank along the coupling axis during a breakaway event, such as when an implement inadvertently detaches from the work vehicle. The breakaway feature may permit controlled disengagement of the first and second fluid connector banks without requiring movement of the coupler mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A work vehicle multi-coupler assembly, comprising:
a first bank of fluid connectors;
a second bank of fluid connectors configured to matingly engage the first bank of fluid connectors along a coupling axis;
a coupler mechanism coupled to the first bank of fluid connectors and controllable to bring the second bank of fluid connectors into mating engagement with the first bank of fluid connectors;
a breakaway feature integrated into the coupler mechanism and facilitating disengagement of the first bank of fluid connectors from the second bank of fluid connectors along the coupling axis during a breakaway event;
a first connector block into which the first bank of fluid connectors is inserted;
a second connector block into which the second bank of fluid connectors is inserted; and
a tether attached to the second connector block and configured to exert a pull force during a breakaway event to urge disengagement of the second bank of fluid connectors from the first bank of fluid connectors.

2. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupler mechanism brings the first and second banks of fluid connectors into mating engagement when moved from a receiving position toward a coupling position; and
wherein the breakaway feature facilitates disengagement of the first and second banks of fluid connectors when the coupler mechanism is in the coupling position.

3. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the breakaway feature is an exit slot formed in the coupler mechanism and configured to permit a guide associated with the second bank of connectors to pass through the exit slot during the breakaway event.

4. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fluid connectors in the first bank of fluid connectors are each configured to latch to a mating fluid connector in the second bank of fluid connectors when the coupler mechanism is utilized to bring the first and second banks of fluid connectors into mating engagement.

5. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 4 , wherein the coupler mechanism is movable between first and second rotational positions; and
wherein the coupler mechanism exerts a convergent coupling force across the first and second banks of fluid connectors when moved from the first rotational position toward the second rotational position so as to bring the first and second banks of fluid connectors into mating engagement.

6. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 5 , wherein the coupler mechanism is configured to remove the convergent coupling force applied across the first and second banks of fluid connectors when moved into the second rotational position.

7. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first connector block into which the first bank of fluid connectors is inserted and to which the coupler mechanism is rotatably mounted.

8. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tether is attached to a work vehicle implement at an end opposite the second connector block.

9. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pull force is exerted on the second connector block through the tether during the breakaway event.

10. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupler mechanism draws the second connector block into a neighboring position adjacent the first connector block to bring the first and second banks of fluid connectors into mating engagement.

11. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second connector block comprises at least one opening into which individual fluid connectors are matingly insertable when second connector block is in the neighboring position.

12. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 10 , wherein the coupler mechanism comprises a rotatable member rotatably mounted to the first connector block and cooperating with the second connector block to form an engagement interface comprising:
a guideway; and
a guide traveling along the guideway as the rotatable member is rotated from the receiving position toward the coupling position to bring the first and second banks of fluid connectors into mating engagement.

13. The work vehicle multi-coupler attachment of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle-side and implement-side fluid connector banks matingly engage along a coupling axis; and
wherein the breakaway feature substantially confines the implement-side connector block to movement along the coupling axis during controlled breakaway of the implement-side connector block from the vehicle-side connector block.

14. A work vehicle multi-coupler assembly utilized in conjunction with a work implement including an implement-side fluid connector bank retained in an implement-side connector block, the work vehicle multi-coupler assembly:
a vehicle-side fluid connector bank;
a vehicle-side connector block into which the vehicle-side fluid connector bank is inserted; and
a coupler mechanism movably coupled to the vehicle-side connector block and configured to latch to the implement-side connector block, the coupler mechanism bringing the implement-side fluid connector bank into mating engagement with the vehicle-side fluid connector bank when latched to the implement-side connector block and moved from a receiving position toward a coupling position; and
a tether attached to the implement-side connector block;
wherein the coupler mechanism comprises a breakaway feature permitting controlled breakaway of the vehicle-side fluid connector bank and the implement-side fluid connector bank while the coupler mechanism remains substantially in the coupling position; and
wherein the tether is configured to exert a pull force on the implement-side connector block during breakaway of the vehicle-side fluid connector bank from the implement-side connector bank.

15. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 14 , wherein a guide member extends from the implement-side connector block, and wherein the coupler mechanism comprises:
a rotatable member rotatably mounted to the vehicle-side connector block; and
a guideway formed in the rotatable member and configured to receive the guide member therein, the guide traveling along the guideway as the rotatable member is rotated from the receiving position toward the coupling position to bring the vehicle-side and implement-side fluid connector banks into mating engagement.

16. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 15 , wherein the breakaway feature comprises an exit slot formed in the rotatable member and intersecting the guideway.

17. The work vehicle multi-coupler assembly of claim 16 , wherein the vehicle-side and implement-side fluid connector banks are brought into mating engagement along a coupling axis; and
wherein the exit slot extends substantially parallel to the coupling axis when the rotatable member is in the coupling position.

18. A work vehicle for removable connection with an implement including an implement-side fluid connector bank retained in an implement-side connector block having a guide, the work vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a multi-coupler assembly attached to the vehicle body, the multi-coupler assembly comprising:
a vehicle-side fluid connector bank retained in a vehicle-side connector block and configured to matingly engage the implement-side fluid connector bank;
a coupler mechanism rotatably coupled to the vehicle-side connector block and movable between a receiving position and a coupling position, the couple

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Emmert Robert C
• Holland Michael A
• Sandoval Fernando
• Rehn Nathanael

Classifications

• A01B59/042 Primary

  having pulling means arranged on the rear part of the tractor · CPC title

• F16L37/56

  for double-walled or multi-channel pipes {or pipe assemblies} · CPC title

• F16L35/00

  Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices · CPC title

• B60D1/64

  Couplings or joints therefor · CPC title

• B60D1/243

  for protection in case of crash, collision, impact or the like · CPC title