Implement attachment having a hydraulically controlled locking function

Abstract

An implement attachment for a working machine. The implement attachment comprises lock plungers having a hydraulic actuator. The lock plungers are arranged for locking co-operation with an implement. Hydraulic medium supply means is arranged for supply of hydraulic medium to the actuator. The hydraulic supply means is provided with a measuring device arranged to measure the volume of hydraulic medium that is supplied to the actuator. A working machine provided with the implement attachment and use of the implement attachment are included.

1 . An implement attachment for a working machine, the implement attachment comprising:
 lock plunger means provided with a hydraulic actuator, said lock plunger means comprising at least one lock plunger, said lock plunger means being arranged for locking co-operation with an implement; and   hydraulic medium supply means for the supply of hydraulic medium to said hydraulic actuator, said hydraulic medium supply means being provided with a measuring device arranged to measure the volume of hydraulic medium that is supplied to said actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein said hydraulic medium supply means comprises a supply line, and said measuring device is arranged to measure the flow through the supply line. 
     
     
         3 . The implement attachment according to  claim 2 , wherein said measuring device comprises a restriction in said supply line and a pressure sensor on each side of said restriction. 
     
     
         4 . The implement attachment according to  claim 3 , wherein said measuring device comprises a calculation unit arranged to receive signals from each said pressure sensor, said measuring device being provided with a calculation program comprising an algorithm defining the flow velocity through said supply line versus pressure levels detected by the pressure sensors and further comprising an integration algorithm integrating the flow velocity for the calculation of the supplied quantity of hydraulic medium. 
     
     
         5 . The implement attachment according to  claim 4 , wherein said measuring device is signally connected with an indicator. 
     
     
         6 . The implement attachment according to  claim 5 , wherein said indicator is arranged to trigger a warning signal when exceeding a predetermined measured volume. 
     
     
         7 . The implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lock plunger is provided with an abutment surface arranged for abutment against a body of the implement when the implement is clamped to the implement attachment. 
     
     
         8 . The implement attachment according to  claim 2 , wherein the implement attachment comprises hydraulic coupling means for connection to the implement and valve means for selective connection of said supply line to either said actuator of said lock plunger means or to said hydraulic coupling means. 
     
     
         9 . The implement attachment according to  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 a first part arranged for permanent mounting to the working machine;   a second part arranged for detachable connection to said first part;   said first part comprising a first said lock plunger means provided with a first said hydraulic actuator and arranged for locking co-operation with said second part;   said second part comprising a second said lock plunger means provided with a second said hydraulic actuator and arranged for locking co-operation with the implement;   said hydraulic medium supply means being arranged for supply of hydraulic medium to said first and said second hydraulic actuator; and   said measuring device being arranged to measure the supplied volume of hydraulic medium for each one of said first and second hydraulic actuators.   
     
     
         10 . The implement attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein said lock plunger means comprises at least two parallel lock plungers displaceable in unison in the same direction, each said hydraulic actuator is arranged to displace a hydraulic coupling means parallel to and in the same direction as said lock plungers. 
     
     
         11 . The implement attachment according to  claim 8 , wherein said lock plunger means comprises at least two parallel lock plungers displaceable in unison in the same direction, each said hydraulic actuator is arranged to displace said hydraulic coupling means parallel to and in the same direction as said lock plungers. 
     
     
         12 . A working machine comprising an implement attachment according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The use of an implement attachment according to  claim 1  in order to attach an implement to the implement attachment.