FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in respect of mobile station for assembly of hydraulic lines, and in particular a mobile workstation for clean hydraulic hose assembly in a forestry, civil contracting or mining environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydraulic lines are flexible lines for transporting fluids at industrial, hydraulic pressure and are commonly subject to failure. Repairing a hydraulic line typically involves selecting a hose with a suitable hose diameter and hydraulic pressure rating, cutting the line to a suitable length and then crimping fittings to the ends of the hose.

Hydraulic lines are essential components of various equipment. Hydraulic systems rely on pumps and pistons to generate pressure and transfer fluid along lines. It is important for reliable working of hydraulic systems that hydraulic lines and other parts of the hydraulic systems are free of dust or other contaminants which might cause wear and failure of pumps and pistons.

For that reason, hydraulic lines are conventionally assembled in clean workshops.

A clean workshop is typically remote from sites where some equipment is used, such as forestry environments which are often sites with significant dirt, dust and other contamination and which are difficult to access. A problem with assembly of hydraulic lines remotely is the time in affecting a repair of the equipment with typically high capital value. A problem with assembly of hydraulic lines remotely is the time in affecting a repair of the equipment with typically high capital value.

It would be of advantage to have a station for the assembly of hydraulic lines which could address any or all of the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the invention broadly consists in a workstation for hydraulic line assembly comprising:

a set of spools of hydraulic hose, the set of spools configured to dispense a selection of hose of different hose diameters;

the set of spools comprising a hose guide adapted to control dispensing of hose from the spools;

hose cutting saw is located proximate the plurality of spools;

a hose support platform extending laterally from the hose cutting device; and

wherein the workstation further comprises a mobile platform adapted to support at least the set of spools and the hose cutting device.

In some embodiments, the hose support platform is configured to be assembled and disassembled; and when in the assembled position is arranged to extend from the platform along an axis defined by a cutting plane of the hose device.

In some embodiments, the hose cutting device is mounted to a tray adapted and be displaced between and extended position and a retracted position, and when in the retracted position is arranged for protection by the cover.

In some embodiments, the workstation further comprises a cover adapted to protect the platform from contaminants of hydraulic systems from the environment.

In some embodiments, the cover is arranged to shield the trailer also to protect the trailer chassis from collecting deposits of environmental contamination.

In some embodiments, the cover comprises one or more doors which are configured to form an enclosure about the platform when in a closed configuration and expose at least part of the platform when in an open configuration. In some embodiments, the cover comprises a shape adapted for washing to remove the build up of environmental contamination deposited thereon.

In some embodiments, the cover comprises one or more seals for each of the one or more doors.

In some embodiments, the cover comprises a metal frame and a skin adapted for support by the metal frame.

In some embodiments, the trailer further comprises at least one motor configured to rotate at least one spool, the motor operationally connected to a remote energisation activation system.

In some embodiments, each spool is rotationally supported and comprises a drive gear adapted for rotation by the motor.

In some embodiments, the workstation further comprises a crimping device able to crimp fittings for the hydraulic hose.

In some embodiments, the workstation is mounted to a trailer configured for towing by a vehicle.

In some embodiments, the trailer comprises a rear end which rakes upwards and away from an underside plane of the trailer.

In some embodiments, the trailer has a rear overhang behind the wheels which is less than a diameter of the wheels.

In some embodiments, the workstation comprises one or more closable storage regions for a selection of fittings for hydraulic hoses.

In some embodiments, the workstation is operable to hold the spools of the set with a central axis of the spool parallel with an axis of the trailer from a rear of the trailer to the front of the trailer. In another broad aspect, the invention consists in a method of loading hydraulic hose onto the workstation of any earlier embodiment or aspect, comprising the steps of:

arranging a reel of hydraulic hose proximate the workstation;

attaching a hose end of the reel to a spool from of the set of spools;

rotating the spool such that the hose is unravelled from the reel, and wound onto the spool.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises energising a motor to control rotation of the spool.

In another broad aspect, the invention consists in a method of assembling a hydraulic hose comprising:

providing the workstation of any earlier embodiment or aspect,

removing a hose end from at least one spool of the set of spools;

directing the hose end through the hose cutting device and along the hose support; cutting the hose with the hose cutting device such that the cut end is captured by the hose support; and

attaching a hydraulic fitting to the cut end of the hose.

As used herein the term‘trailer’ refers broadly to a vehicle adapted to be towed by another vehicle.

The following embodiments may relate to any of the above aspects. Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term“and/or” means“and” or“or”, or both.

As used herein“(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term“comprising” as used in this specification means“consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement or claim, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as“comprise” and“comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 gives a side view of a workstation according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 gives a gives a side view of the workstation of the embodiment of Figure 1 from an opposite side to that shown by Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the workstation with a support;

Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the workstation and support of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a hose on the workstation on support;

Figure 6 shows an unloaded spool and motor drive unit;

Figure 7 shows a loaded spool and motor drive unit;

Figure 8 shows a loaded spool and motor drive unit in the process of loading or unloading the spool; and

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the workstation structure.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a forestry environment, there is machinery operating to felling trees and processing those felled trees. A substantial portion of such machinery is operated using hydraulic systems which have one or more hydraulic pumps which send pressurised hydraulic fluid through fluid conduits to hydraulic actuators. The hydraulic actuators are responsible to articulation of machinery used for the tree felling and processing tasks.

Because forestry, civil contracting or mining machinery has articulated mechanical mechanisms facilitated by moving joints, flexible hydraulic hoses are frequently used to supply pressurised fluid over the path of a moving joint. However, due to the chaotic nature of felling trees in a forestry environment, hydraulic hoses are prone to failure by being struck by falling branches, or simply due to wear during the normal course of operation.

When a hydraulic hose fails, the hydraulic machinery must be shut down, the damaged hose removed from the machine and replaced. In some circumstances, to replace a broken or damaged hydraulic line requires a specialist hydraulic hose assembly operator to commute to the worksite, assess the damaged hose and build a replacement for installation. This circumstance has the obvious downside of requiring significant time to get the machinery running again and the associated lost revenue caused by delaying operation. Due to the variety of different hose lengths and types of fittings in use at any given worksite, storing prebuilt hoses is not an option due to the considerable space require to store such a range, the investment required to assemble such a range of hoses, and the administrative overhead of keeping track of such a vast inventory. The alternative solution is therefore to store the hydraulic hose and hose fitting parts at or near the worksite. However, this alternative solution means hydraulic hoses need to be constructed on the worksite and this introduces an issue which is the cleanliness of the new hose assembly area.

In an environment where forestry, civil contracting or mining machinery is operating, replacement hose is kept in a reel and that reel typically stored in a vehicle with other items. To prepare a replacement hydraulic hose, the reel of hose must be removed from the vehicle, unravelled from the reel and cut to length. As there are no readily available clean workspaces set aside at any typical worksite, the hose is typically laid on the ground, measured then cut to length using hand tools. This is a first occasion where contaminants are introduced into the hose which could then work their way into the hydraulic system once installed. The next step is for fittings to be attached to either end of the cut hose. Fittings are typically tough to install and require to be held stable while spanners are used to screw the fittings together at a hose end. While this process takes place, the free end of the hose will often again contact the ground. This is a second occasion where contaminants are introduced into the hose which may then work their way into the hydraulic system once installed. Ultimately, contaminants introduced into a hydraulic system lead to costly and complex failures of that system and failures of this kind are commonplace in the forestry, civil contracting or mining machinery industries.

Embodiments of the invention address at least a long felt want by the forestry, civil contracting or mining machinery industries for a workstation where hydraulic hoses are able to be assembled with ease and without fear of introducing contaminants into hydraulic lines during hose assembly. A long felt need for easy access to hydraulic hose assembly and repair parts is also addressed.

One facility offered by some embodiments is an area of workspace which extends from the location of the hose to be cut, to a hose cutting device, and a cut hose support device. The workspace is clean or easily cleaned, supports the hose away from the ground at all times during a measurement and cutting process, and is able to be easily covered or sealed from the environment when not in use to help maintain the cleanliness of the workspace.

Figures 1 to 5 show an exemplary embodiment of a workstation which address those long felt wants. Firstly, the workstation is a mobile workstation and in preferred embodiments the workstation is assembled on, or integral with a trailer which is able to be towed by a vehicle. An advantage of the invention is therefore realised whereby the mobile workstation avoiding the need for a dedicated vehicle to implement.

Exemplary embodiments of the workstation also have a short and/or contoured overhang located at least at the rearmost region. The overhang provides to strong ground clearance which supports off-road use as is typical in a forestry, civil contracting or mining environment. In this way, the workstation may be towed by a vehicle off-road and as close as possible to a forestry, civil contracting or mining worksite where disabled machinery are operating. The two vehicle may be a tracked vehicle or is preferably at least a four-wheel drive vehicle such that traction across hilly and unstable terrain is possible.

The mobile workstation is therefore differentiated from commercial hydraulic hose repair companies which may have dedicated vehicles with built in workstations for hose repair work. Such vehicles are generally unsuitable for travelling deep into a, for example, forest or mine to where machinery is operating.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention have a hose saw mounted to sliding platform proximate hose spools. In use, a hose is unravelled from a spool and cut by the hose saw without coming into contact with the ground. The sliding platform may be displaced from the workstation, or it may be displaced toward the location of the spools, or a combination thereof. Storage including pull-out drawers and cupboards is provided to support hose assembly and may be used, for example, for the storage for tools, parts, administration tasks and disposal of waste and used components.

Figure 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile workstation 1 for assembly of hydraulic lines. The station is typically used to assemble hydraulic lines from hydraulic hose of a selected hose diameter and/or pressure rating, cut to a selected length and provided with metal fittings that are crimped to the hydraulic hose. The mobile station 1 has a set of spools 3a to 3f holding a selection of hydraulic hose (not shown). The spools 3 are aligned with central axes parallel to an axis of the trailer from rear to front so that rotation of the spools 3 allows hose to be dispensed approximately from the side of the station 1 . Each spool has a central drum 4 arranged between a pair of discs 5 and may be referred to in the art as a cotton reel. Figure 1 shows the discs 5 of the spools 3 supported by rollers. However, in other embodiments, the spools are supported to rotate about an axle or pivot located at their centre.

In preferred embodiments, individual rotation of the spools 3 is motor driven and remotely operated.

The mobile workstation 1 has a hydraulic hose cutting saw 7 mounted on a platform. In this embodiment the cutting device is mounted on a table 8 that slides out from a platform of the workstation 1 from a retracted position to the deployed position. When in the retracted position, the hose saw 7 is housed within the interior of the workstation and safe for transportation. When in the deployed position, the hose saw 7 is positioned to accept hose would from the adjacent spools.

The workstation 1 has a cover 9 with an upper cover 10 which provides protection from the environment for the spools 3 of hydraulic hose, cutting saw 7, crimping device 21 and various tools and working surfaces. For example, the hydraulic line assembly workstation of the embodiment may be used on-site with equipment requiring hydraulic lines to be replaced. These environments may have dust or other environmental contaminants that would contaminate hydraulic lines. If a station was left without the cover 9 in this type of environment dusts and other contaminants may deposit on the station. Contaminants would similarly deposit on the station during transportation. Deposited contaminants may come loose and contaminate hydraulic lines assembled at the station. The covers are therefore significant for maintaining a clean hose assembly area.

The cover has a lower trailer cover 1 1 to protect the trailer, and a trailer chassis (not shown) from deposition of contaminants from the site where hydraulic repairs are required or from a road or trail while the station is transported. The cover 10 has a set of doors 12 which close the cover over spools 3, cutting device 7, crimp device (not shown) and various tools and working surfaces. In this embodiment the cover door 12a closes with a dust-proof seal to the rest of the cover 10. In this embodiment the doors 12 are of a gull-wing type which provide weather protection for the spools, cutting device, crimping device, and various tools and working surfaces when the doors are open.

Figure 1 also shows rear admiration storage compartment 13 protected by rear door 14 which seals against dust and other contaminants. Figure 1 also shows front storage 15 with a front cover 16.

As illustrated in Figure 1 the station has a trailer 17 to mount the rest of the station and for the station to be towed behind a vehicle. In this example the trailer is a tandem trailer with front wheels 19 and rear wheels 18. In this embodiment, the trailer 17 has a minimal rear overhang 20. In this example the rear overhang is less that the diameter of the wheels. The rear overhang of the trailer rakes upwards away from the wheels 18. Both the minimal rear overhang and the raked overhang 20 allow the trailer to be towed in off road conditions. This ability is further assisted by the trailer having two sets of wheels 18 and 19.

Figure 2 shows the opposite side of the station 1 . Shown in Figure 2 is the crimping device 21 and side storage shelves 22 for use with hydraulic fittings. The door 12b closes over the crimping device 21 and side storage shelves 22 to protect them from contaminants from the environment of the station 1 .

Each of the crimping device 21 and the cutting device 7 are mounted to sliding platforms which are in turn supported by the chassis. Each of these platforms is arranged to move from inside to at least partially outside the confines of the cover. In exemplary embodiments, the platforms are sliding platforms. In this way, each of these machines is readily accessed by users and readily stowed behind the covers for transportation or environmental protection. To support movable operation, each platform may be mounted to one or more member able to slide under guidance from another member. For example, each platform may be supported by telescopic members, such as a linear guide, operable to extend and collapse in length.

In preferred embodiments, the crimping device 21 and the cutting device 7 are mounted to opposing sides of the workstation to thereby create‘clean’ and‘dirty’ sides. In this way, the cutting device is used on one side of the workstation where contaminants from the cutting process may be present, then taken to the opposing side of the workstation where the hose can be cleaned and assembled without contaminants being present around the assembly area. In other embodiments, the crimping device 21 and the cutting device 7 are at least separated by a contaminant barrier.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, there is a further exemplary embodiment shown which includes an extendable hose support rail feature. In the depicted embodiment, the hose rail support is shown as inner member 31 and outer member 32. The inner and outer members may be joined together by a fastener, or may be telescopically arranged or otherwise extendible so as to accommodate any practical hose length. Further, the members may instead be a singular member. The hose support is arranged to extend from the hose cutter 7 such that a

substantially continuous plane extends from the location of the spools 3, to the hose cutter, and along toward the outer end 36 of the hose support. In preferred embodiments, the hose support forms a channel or guide along which a hose can extend without falling from the edge of the support. For example, the hose support may be constructed from an extrusion having a V- shaped channel such that a hose will reside at the bottom of the V-shape.

In exemplary embodiments, the outward end of the hose support member is upheld by a stake 33. The stake 33 has an upper end adapted to engage and support cantilever forces of the outward end of hose support member, and a lower end adapted for coupling to the ground. The lower end may include a spigot for penetrating the ground surface and stabilising the hose support, or a base designed to stabilise the stake 33. In the embodiment depicted, the stake 33 has a splayed base 34 for stabilising the stake, and a telescopic section 35 which is adapted to vary the height of the stake. Uneven ground contours which are often present in a forestry environment and the outward end 36 of the hose support is able to be maintained substantially level by providing the stake 33 with a variable height.

Each of the hose support and stake components are configured for easy assembly and disassembly. When disassembled, the workstation is adapted to store these components.

Figures 6 to 8 show detailed views of a spool 3 according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, Figure 6 shows an unloaded spool, Figure 7 shows a spool loaded with hydraulic hose, and Figure 8 shows a loaded spool and motor drive unit in the process of loading or unloading a hydraulic hose.

In exemplary embodiments, the spool is wound by way of a drive system. The drive system includes a motor 40 and a gear or belt drive 41 which is adapted to rotate the spool 3 which is adapted with a complementary drive gear 42. The ratio of drive gears on the motor and spool are chosen according to the desired rotational speed of the spool, the available voltage, the operational speed of the motor and similar factors. In some embodiments, the motor speed is variable by way of a motor control system which may include a variable duty cycle or other current limiting control over the motor speed.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the spool is supported by a framework 43. To guide the hose onto and from the spool, a hose guide 50 is provided. The hose guide 50 includes several guiding surfaces which act to substantially avoid snagging the hose as it travels through the guide. To this end, the hose guide 50 includes vertical guides 52, and horizontal guides 51 .

Each of the guides has a rounded surface facing at least area of the hose guide where the hose passes through.

The spool 3 is rotated by motor so that hose can be easily loaded onto the spool directly from the packaging. The inventors have determined that other methods of loading a hose reel onto the spool may, in some circumstances, be prone to being contaminated during the loading process. A reel of hose may weigh up to 80 kg, therefore handling of the reel is difficult, especially if the reel of hose is to be transferred from packaging to a spool. Using the motorised spool according to the exemplary embodiments, these handling difficulties are substantially avoided, and the hose is provided the best chance of remaining free of contaminants.

In use, a free end of the hose is removed from packaging and attached to an unloaded spool. The motor may then be energised so as to cause the hose to uptake from the packaging and be wound onto the spool. Due to the smooth rotation speed a motorised spool offers, the hose can be easily guided as it is transferred from the packaging. To further assist with control over winding the hydraulic hose onto the spool, the motor may be controlled by a hand held control device with electronics operable to select motor operation control characteristics such as speed and direction.

Figure 9 gives an exploded view of the chassis of the station 1 underneath the cover 9. As shown in Figure 6 the station 1 has a trailer, or lower, chassis 60. A platform or mid chassis 61 mounts on the lower chassis 60 to provide a working platform for mounting spools 3, cutting device 7, crimping device 21 and various other parts and working surfaces. Also shown in Figure 6, is a frame 62 providing a housing structure for the upper chassis of the cover 9.

The cover shown in Figures 1 to 5 has a skin which is mounted to the lower chassis 60, 61 and 62. The cover skin is formed as a smooth shape with only large radiuses, of the order of centimetres, to mitigate the build-up of deposited contamination and to facilitate washing off dust or other contaminants which may have become deposited on the cover. These

contaminants may otherwise become dislodged during assembly of a hydraulic line at the station and contaminate the hydraulic line being assembled. In some embodiments the workstation is constructed on the platform 61 before attachment to the lower chassis 60 and the housing structure 32. For example, the components of the workstation, including one or more rollers 6a, 6f may be fastened to the platform, together with other components which may include the cutting device 7 and respective sliding platform and the cutting device with respective sliding table 8. The housing structure 62 may then be positioned over the components and the cover attached.

In some embodiments, the construction method includes the steps of construction of a support chassis; assembly of a hose reel support assembly upon the support chassis; construction of a cover and/or cover support structure; attaching the cover and/or cover support structure to the support chassis; and securing the support chassis to a mobile platform.

The exemplary embodiments that have been discussed herein include features which form a harmony during a hydraulic hose assembly process. That harmony between features and operation of those features leads to a hydraulic hose assembly which is able to maintain a substantially lower risk of infiltration by contaminants in a forestry, civil contracting or mining environment. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth. Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.