AU2021229150A1

AU2021229150A1 - A freight vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2021229150A1
Application number: AU2021229150A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Greg Gay; Daniel David Mcnaulty
Original assignee: Transtech Research Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Transtech Research Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-02
Filing date: 2021-09-07
Publication date: 2022-04-21

Abstract

A vehicle including a chassis and a load carrying container supported thereon; the load carrying container including: a floor structure and, extending upwardly 5 relative to the floor structure, a pair of side walls, a front-end wall and a rear-end wall that generally define an interior space above the floor structure; a load discharge system for discharging load from a rear end of the floor structure; a chute for receiving load discharged from the rear end of the floor structure, and directing the discharged load through an opening provided in the rear-end wall; wherein the chute has an 10 upstream end proximate the rear end of the floor structure, and a downstream end proximate the opening, with the upstream end of the chute having a width at least approximate that of the width of the rear end of the floor structure; the chute configured to receive load from the rear end of the floor structure through a gap between the rear end of the floor structure and the rear-end wall. 15

Description

A FREIGHT VEHICLE

Technical Field The present invention relates to a freight vehicle, such as a truck or trailer. The invention is concerned with trucks or trailers that include a container defined by side and end walls, otherwise known as a "freight tub". The invention is particularly concerned with freight tubs which can be emptied by a moving belt ("live floor"), a "walking floor", a front wall moveable rearwardly moveable within the load carrying container ("moving wall"), and slat conveyor or other conveyor types; all of which having a wall door that can be opened, so that load contained within the freight tub can be discharged through the wall door opening.

The terms "live floor" and "moving wall" are considered generally known and understood in the transport industry.

The invention particularly relates to a vehicle that can be utilised in place of a conventional tipper truck or trailer, so and will hereinafter be generally described in this context. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be used or adapted for use in a range of potential applications.

Background of Invention A reference herein to matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that the matter was known or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims contained in this specification.

Freight tubs of the above described kind can be used for transporting loose or flowable materials, such as grain (for example, wheat and canola) and other agricultural products, as well as sand, earth and gravel. Freight tubs are usually top loaded with the flowable material to be transported. Freight tubs can be formed as a trailer to be towed behind a prime mover, or they can be supported on the chassis of a truck. The freight tub will generally define a rectangular interior with the rear end wall (or a door within the rear wall) of the tub being one that can be opened and closed. The rear end wall is often referred to as a "tailgate". Freight tubs of this kind can also include a cover to overlie the interior of the tub to prevent the flowable material from egressing from the tub during transport. The cover will be removable or retractable for top loading of the tub.

Vehicles of the type referred to as live floor vehicles (or conveyor floor vehicles) are generally known in the transport industry. They can provide a safe alternative to tipper trailers and are generally less likely of a tip-over.

Live floor vehicles are also considered to be versatile, in so far as they can be utilised to haul a wide variety of freight, enabling unloading on uneven ground, capable of being unloaded indoors, and provide the ability to work under low structures and overhead power lines, which can be difficult or dangerous to do with a tipper trailer. Thus, live floor vehicles are generally considered a safer alternative to tipper trailers.

However, the applicant considers that existing live floor vehicles are not without their shortcomings. One issue with existing live floor vehicles is that it generally isn't possible to completely discharge all the load from within the tub, since a portion of the load is trapped on either side of the discharge opening. This, in turn, creates potential operator safety issues, as the operator may be required to enter the trailer to manually remove the remaining load, thereby being exposed to potential safety hazards, including falling from a height, and slipping from a ladder.

Operator intervention to remove the remaining load also exposes the load (and the operator) to potential contamination issues.

Existing live floor vehicles often also require an operator to open the tailgate to empty the remaining product that traditionally gets caught in the blind corners, which can be time consuming when tight turn around times are involved, and also potentially dangerous in windy conditions or when the vehicle is parked on a sloping ground surface.

It would therefore be desirable to at least partially address one or more of the above referred limitations inherent in existing live floor arrangements.

Summary of Invention According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle including a chassis and a load carrying container supported thereon. The load carrying container includes a floor structure and, extending upwardly relative to the floor structure, a pair of side walls, a front-end wall and a rear-end wall that generally define an interior space above the floor structure. The vehicle also includes a load discharge system for discharging load from a rear end of the floor structure; and a chute for receiving load discharged from the rear end of the floor structure. The chute is provided for discharging the load through an opening provided in the rear-end wall. The chute has an upstream end proximate the rear end of the floor structure, and a downstream end proximate the opening, with the upstream end of the chute having a width at least approximate that of the width of the rear end of the floor structure. The chute is configured to receive load from the rear end of the floor structure through a gap between the rear end of the floor structure and the rear-end wall.

It is to be appreciated that the vehicle may be used to transport a wide variety of loads. However, the invention provides specific benefits in the context of transporting loose or flowable materials, such as agricultural products including (but not limited to) wheat and canola, as well as sand, earth and gravel. Use in transporting other loose, granular and particulate loads is also contemplated.

Embodiments of the invention may be provided, wherein the load discharge system includes one of a belt for supporting a load thereon; a walking floor for supporting a load thereon; a front wall rearwardly moveable within the load carrying container to discharge the load; and a slat conveyor or other suitable conveyor type for supporting a load thereon.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the load discharge system includes a belt for supporting a load thereon. In such an embodiment, the belt forms part of the floor structure and extends from at least proximate the front-end wall to at least proximate the rear end wall; with a belt drive assembly operable in a discharge mode for moving the belt, and any load supported on a load supporting surface of the belt, in a rearward direction within the load carrying container for discharge of the load from a rear end of the load supporting surface. The chute is provided for receiving load discharged from the rear end of the belt, and then directing the discharged load through an opening provided in the rear-end wall. The chute has an upstream end proximate the rear end of the belt, and a downstream end proximate the opening, with the upstream end of the chute having a width at least approximate that of the belt width.

In such an embodiment, the belt width preferably extends in a transverse direction at least approximately between an inner surface of each respective side wall. That said, the belt width may be narrower than the width of the interior space, if required.

The applicant has developed their invention to address the specific prior art issue of existing arrangements not being capable of completely discharging a load through the opening in the rear-end wall. These openings are typically substantially narrower than the vehicle width. Consequently, a portion of the load is trapped on either side of the opening - as shown in the prior art arrangement in Figures 1 and 2. This means that an operator usually must manually remove the remaining load, which may undesirably involve entering the load space of the vehicle. The applicant's invention addresses this prior art shortcoming with the above referred embodiment by providing a chute having an upstream end that is (in practical terms) as wide as the belt. All the load on the belt simply falls (by gravity) from the rear end of the belt onto the chute and then slides downwardly along the chute until it exits the opening in the rear-end wall.

In one possible form of the of the above referred embodiment, the belt extends at least partially about a front-end roller and a rear-end roller, with the front-end roller rotatably mounted at least proximate the front-end wall; and the rear-end roller rotatably mounted at least proximate the rear end wall. In such an arrangement, each of the front-end roller and rear-end roller has an axis of rotation extending in an at least generally transverse orientation relative to the orientation of the side walls.

In a preferred form, the downstream end of the chute is narrower than the upstream end of the chute. In other words, the chute tapers from a wider upstream end to a narrower downstream end. It is envisaged that the downstream end of the chute has a width at least approximate the width of the opening in the rear-end wall. More particularly, it is preferred that the downstream end of the chute is practically the same width as, and feeds load directly through, the opening. That said, the downstream end of the chute may be wider or narrower than the rear-end wall opening, if required.

In a preferred form, the chute has a pair of opposing sidewalls for channeling load along the chute from the upstream end of the chute to the downstream end of the chute.

The applicant considers the placement of their chute relative to the belt and opening in the rear door to be unique. In this regard, the chute preferably extends rearwardly of the belt from a position approximately below the rear-end roller. In embodiments utilizing a moving floor or moving wall, the applicant considers the placement of their chute relative to the moving floor/floor and opening in the rear door to be unique.

In the preferred form utilizing a belt referred to above, the belt drive assembly is operable in a return mode for moving the load supporting surface of the belt in a forward direction within the load carry container. This allows the belt to move from its rearward position that may be reached when fully discharging a load provided on the load supporting surface, so that the vehicle can receive another load. It is to be appreciated that the belt drive assembly may require a return mode if the belt is in the form of a shuttle (or scroll) belt. However, a return mode may not be necessary if the belt is in the form of a continuous belt (although a return or reverse mode may be still provided, if desired and/or required).

As stated in the preceding paragraph, the belt may be in the form of a shuttle belt or a continuous belt. If the belt is a shuttle belt, then the belt preferably includes a leading end mounted to a front-end drive roller of the belt drive assembly for moving the load supporting surface of the belt in the forward direction within the load carrying container. The shuttle belt also preferably includes a trailing end mounted to a rear end drive roller of the belt drive assembly for moving the load supporting surface of the belt in the rear-wards direction, when in the discharge mode.

In one preferred form, a belt scraper is provided to remove any load remaining on or stuck to the load supporting surface during discharge of the load. In one preferred form, the belt scraper extends transversely across, and is in contact with, the belt in a position downstream of the rear end of the load supporting surface, and above the upstream end of the discharge chute.

Preferably, the rear-end wall includes a cover or door movable between a closed position covering the opening in the rear-end wall, and an open position, thereby preventing inadvertent discharge of the load through the opening. The cover or door may be slidably mounted to the rear-end wall or may be pivotably mounted to the rear-end wall.

It is to be appreciated that the rear-end wall of the vehicle may be in the form of a gate (i.e., tailgate) or pair of gates. The gate(s) may be pivotably mounted in position and pivotable about a substantially horizontal and/or vertical pivot axis.

In a preferred form, the chute is configured to receive load from the rear end of the load supporting surface of the belt (or floor or moving floor) through a gap provided between the belt (or floor or moving floor) and the rear-end wall. The width of the gap may be selected as desired.

A pressure switch may be provided within the container proximate the opening. The pressure switch may automatically activate the belt drive assembly to move the load supported on the belt towards the rear-end wall during the discharge/unloading process. The pressure switch ensures that the load is fed at an at least reasonably constant rate onto the chute, so as minimize the time required to empty the trailer of its load.

Brief Description of the Drawings It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the rear end portion of a prior art freight vehicle in the form of a trailer.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the prior art trailer shown in Figure 1, but with the near side wall not shown.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a freight vehicle in the form of a trailer according to one embodiment of the present invention. The rear-end wall and near sidewall of the trailer are not shown to better illustrate features of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Disadvantages inherent in prior art live floor vehicles can be appreciated on review of Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 and 2 show a conventional live floor trailer C10.

The trailer C10 is capable of transporting loose or flowable materials, and is illustrated in the context of a granular load L.

The trailer has a load-supporting belt C24, which transversely extends across the width W of the trailer C10.

When it is desired to empty the trailer C10, a rear door (not shown) is opened, enabling the load L to be discharged through the opening C46. Discharge of the load L is assisted by an operator activating a belt drive mechanism (not shown) to move the belt C24 and associated load L in a rearward direction R within and relative to the trailer C10.

Figures 1 and 2 are illustrative of the trailer C10, once the maximum possible amount of the granular load L is discharged through rear opening C46 (solely via the rearward movement of the belt C24). It can be seen that a portion of granular load L undesirably remains in the trailer C10 in the far rear corner C1 of the trailer C10 to the side of the opening C46. A portion of the load L also remains in the near side corner C2 of the trailer C10, as shown in Figure 1, although it has been omitted from Figure 2 for the purpose of improved clarity.

Thus, it is to be appreciated that it isn't possible to completely discharge all the load L from the conventional trailer C10, since a portion of the load L is trapped on either side of the opening C46. This, in turn, creates potential safety issues for the operator, since the operator may be required to enter the trailer C10 to discharge the remaining load L, thereby being exposed to potential safety hazards, including falling from a height, and slipping from a ladder. Operator intervention to remove the remaining load L also exposes the load L (and the operator) to potential contamination issues.

The tailgate of the trailer C10 may also undesirably require opening to empty the remaining load L caught in the blind corners C1, C2, which further slows the unloading process.

Referring to the applicant's invention shown in Figure 3, there is illustrated a freight vehicle in the form of a truck trailer 10. The trailer 10 has been specifically, but not exclusively, designed for transporting loose or flowable materials, such as agricultural products including (but not limited to) wheat and canola, as well as sand, earth and gravel. Use in transporting other loose, granular and particulate loads is also contemplated.

The trailer 10 includes a chassis (not shown) and a load carrying container 12 supported thereon. The load carrying container 12 includes a floor structure 14 and, extending upwardly relative to the floor structure 14, a pair of side walls 16, 18, a front-end wall (not visible) and a rear-end wall 20. The floor structure 14, side walls 16,18, front-end wall and rear-end wall 20 define an interior space 22 above the floor structure 14.

Although not shown in Figure 3, the rear-end wall 20 may be in the form of a gate (i.e., tailgate) or pair of gates. Additional gates may also be provided in one or both sidewalls 16, 18 and front wall, if desired.

The floor structure of the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3 includes a shuttle belt 24 for supporting a load thereon. It is to be appreciated that the belt 24 extends at least substantially the full width W of the interior space 22. That is, the belt 24 has a width W extending in the transverse direction at least substantially between an inner surface of each respective side wall 16,18 (or corner shedders - not shown).

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the applicant's invention illustrated in Figure 3 incorporates a belt 24. However, the applicant also envisages other embodiments of their invention incorporating a moving floor or moving wall in place of the belt.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3, the exterior width of the trailer is approximately 2500 mm, and the interior width W of the trailer 10 (and belt width) is approximately 2100 mm.

The belt 24 also extends lengthwise within the trailer from at least proximate the front end wall to at least proximate the rear end wall 20. However, it is to be appreciated that a gap 26 is provided between the rear-most portion of the belt 24 and the rear end wall 20. In the illustrated embodiment, a gap 26 of approximately 110 mm is provided.

The belt 24 extends partially about a transversely extending front-end roller (not shown) and a transversely extending rear-end roller 28. The front-end roller is rotatably mounted to the trailer chassis at least proximate the front-end wall. The rear end roller 28 is rotatably mounted to the trailer chassis proximate the rear end wall 20 (factoring in the gap 26 referred to above).

The trailer 10 includes a belt drive assembly 30. The belt drive assembly 30 is operable in a discharge mode for moving the belt 24, and any load supported on a load supporting surface 32 of the belt 24, in a rearward direction 34 within the load carrying container 12 for discharge of the load from a rear end 35 of the load supporting surface 32.

The belt drive assembly 30 is also operable in a return mode for moving the load supporting surface 32 of the belt 24 in a forward direction 36 within the container 12. This enables the belt 24 to move from its most rearward position reached when having fully discharged a load from the load supporting surface 32, to its return position to ready the trailer 10 to then receive another load.

The belt drive assembly 30 includes a rear-end drive roller 38 for moving the load supporting surface 32 of the belt in the rearward direction 34. The rear end drive roller 38 is rotatably mounted to the trailer chassis in the transverse orientation shown. The trailing end 42 of the belt 24 is mounted to the rear-end drive roller 38. The rear end drive roller 38 is driven by a suitably configured hydraulic drive (or other suitable arrangement). A controller (not shown) is provided for an operator to actuate the rear-end drive roller 38 when discharge of the load is required.

Although not shown, the shuttle belt 24 also includes a leading end mounted to a front-end drive roller of the belt drive assembly for moving the load supporting surface 32 of the shuttle belt 24 in the forward direction 36 within the container 12. This enables the shuttle belt 24 to be returned from its most rearward position reached when fully discharging a load, so that the trailer 10 is then readied to receive another load. The controller is used to actuate the front-end drive roller, as required.

The front-end drive roller is rotatably mounted to the trailer chassis in a transverse orientation; and is driven by a suitably configured hydraulic drive (or other suitable arrangement).

A unique aspect of the present invention is the configuration and location of the chute 44. The chute 44 receives, via gravity, load discharged from the rear end 35 of the belt 24. The chute 44 directs the discharged load through the opening 46 provided in the rear-end wall 20. The opening 46 of the illustrated embodiment is approximately 700 mm wide.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3, the chute 44 is mounted in position to the trailer chassis, although it may be mounted to any other suitable structure of the trailer 10.

It can be seen that the chute 44 has an upstream end 47 located immediately below the rear-end roller 28, and a downstream end 48 configured to feed any discharging load directly through the opening 46. Unlike conventional arrangements, the upstream end 47 of the chute 44 has a width W substantially the same as the belt width. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the upstream end 47 of the chute 44 has a width of approximately 2100 mm. The chute 44 is configured to receive load from the rear end of the belt 24 through the gap 26 between the belt 24 and the rear-end wall 20.

The applicant's trailer 10 addresses prior art shortcomings by having the upstream end 47 of the chute 44 that is (in practical terms) as wide as the belt 24. Accordingly, any load leaving (via gravity) the rear end of the belt 24 during the unloading/discharging process simply falls (by gravity) from the belt 24 onto the chute 44. The load then slides down the chute 44 until it exits the opening 46 in the rear-end wall 20.

It can readily be seen in Figure 3 that the downstream end 48 of the chute 44 is narrower than the upstream end 47. In other words, the chute 44 tapers from a wider upstream end 47 to a narrower downstream end 48. The downstream end 48 of the chute 44 has a width 52 of approximately 700 mm, which is substantially the same as the width of the opening 46. However, the downstream end 48 of the chute 44 may be wider or narrower than the opening 46, if required.

The chute 44 has a pair of opposing sidewalls 54, 56 for channeling load along the chute 44 towards and through the opening 46.

A belt scraper 58 is mounted in position to the trailer chassis. The belt scraper 58 is provided to remove any load remaining on or stuck to the belt 24 during discharge of the load. The belt scraper 58 extends transversely across, and is in contact with, substantially the full width of the belt 24. The belt scraper 58 is located downstream of the rear end of the load supporting surface 32, and above the upstream end 47 of the chute 44.

The rear-end wall 20 includes a door 60. The door 60 is movable between a closed position covering the opening 46 in the rear-end wall 20 and an open position (as illustrated in Figure 3). When in the closed position, the door 60 prevents inadvertent discharge of the load through the opening 46. The door 60 is manually vertically slidable within a frame 62 mounted in the rear-end wall 20 by way of a handle 64.

A pressure switch 66 is mounted in the position shown, within the interior space 22 and proximate the opening 46. The pressure switch 66 is capable of automatically activating the belt drive assembly 30, when required during the unloading process, to move the load supported on the belt 24 towards the rear-end wall 20 during the unloading process. The pressure switch 66 ensures that the load is fed at an at least reasonably constant rate onto the chute 44, so as to minimize the time required to empty the trailer of its load.

Advantageously, the unique design of the applicant's trailer 10 allows virtually 100% of the trailer's load to be discharged through the opening 46 when it is desired to unload the vehicle.

The applicant's design is simply designed, yet highly effective. In this regard the tapered chute 44 gravitationally receives the load from the belt 24 (or moving floor, or floor in the case of a moving wall arrangement) and then funnels the load (via gravity) through the opening 46 to (as stated above) enable a virtual 100% emptying of the trailer 10.

The uniquely designed and positioned chute 44 eliminates the need for ingress into the trailer, hence it eliminates potential safety issues for the operator. The provision and placement of the chute 44 also eliminates the need to open the tailgate to empty the remaining load that traditionally gets caught in the blind corners of conventional live floor trailer designs.

Contamination concerns are also minimized when using the trailer 10, with virtually 100% of the product being discharged, and with no operator intervention required.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas based on or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following claims are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A vehicle including a chassis and a load carrying container supported thereon; the load carrying container including: a floor structure and, extending upwardly relative to the floor structure, a pair of side walls, a front-end wall and a rear end wall that generally define an interior space above the floor structure; a load discharge system for discharging load from a rear end of the floor structure; a chute for receiving load discharged from the rear end of the floor structure, and directing the discharged load through an opening provided in the rear-end wall; wherein the chute has an upstream end proximate the rear end of the floor structure, and a downstream end proximate the opening, with the upstream end of the chute having a width at least approximate that of the width of the rear end of the floor structure; the chute configured to receive load from the rear end of the floor structure through a gap between the rear end of the floor structure and the rear-end wall.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the load discharge system includes one of: -a belt for supporting a load thereon; -a walking floor for supporting a load thereon; -a slat conveyor or other conveyor type for supporting a load thereon; and -a front wall rearwardly moveable within the load carrying container.

3. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the load discharge system includes a belt for supporting a load thereon.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, the belt forming part of the floor structure and extending from at least proximate the front-end wall to at least proximate the rear end wall; a belt drive assembly operable in a discharge mode for moving the belt, and any load supported on a load supporting surface of the belt, in a rearward direction within the load carrying container for discharge of the load from a rear end of the load supporting surface; a chute for receiving load discharged from the rear end of the belt, and directing the discharged load through an opening provided in the rear-end wall; wherein the chute has an upstream end proximate the rear end of the belt, and a downstream end proximate the opening, with the upstream end of the chute having a width at least approximate that of the belt width.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4, the belt having a width extending in a transverse direction at least approximately between an inner surface of each respective side wall.

6. A vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the belt extending at least partially about a front-end roller and a rear-end roller; the front-end roller rotatably mounted at least proximate the front-end wall; the rear-end roller rotatably mounted at least proximate the rear end wall; each of the front-end roller and rear-end roller having an axis of rotation extending in an at least generally transverse orientation relative to the orientation of the side walls.

7. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the downstream end of the chute is narrower than the upstream end of the chute.

8. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the downstream end of the chute has a width at least approximate or narrower than the width of the opening in the rear-end wall.

9. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chute has a pair of opposing sidewalls for channeling load along the chute from the upstream end of the chute to the downstream end of the chute.

10. A vehicle according to claim 6, or any one of claims 7 to 9 when directly or indirectly dependent from claim 6, wherein the chute extends rearwardly of the belt from a position approximately below the rear-end roller.

11. A vehicle according to claim 4, or any one of claims 5 to 10 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, the belt drive assembly operable in a return mode for moving the load supporting surface of the belt in a forward direction within the load carry container.

12. A vehicle according to claim 4, or any one of the claims 5 to 11 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, wherein the belt is one of a shuttle belt and a continuous belt.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the belt is a shuttle belt, the shuttle belt including: a leading end mounted to a front-end drive roller of the belt drive assembly for moving the load supporting surface of the belt in the forward direction within the load carrying container, and a trailing end of the belt mounted to a rear-end drive roller of the belt drive assembly for moving the load supporting surface of the belt in the rearward direction within the load carrying container.

14. A vehicle according to claim 4, or any one of claims 5 to 13 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 4, including a belt scraper, the belt scraper extending transversely across, and in contact with, the belt in a position downstream of the rear end of the load supporting surface, and above the upstream end of the discharge chute.

15. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear-end wall includes a cover or door movable between a closed position covering the opening in the rear-end wall, and an open position.

16. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, including a load pressure switch, optical sensor, relief valve, mechanical switch or other suitable control mounted proximate the container opening.

17. A vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the load pressure switch, optical sensor, relief valve, mechanical switch or other suitable control is configured to automatically activate the belt drive assembly to move the load supported on the belt towards the rear-end wall during discharge of the load.