CA2287612A1 - Loading plank operating system with lifting actuator - Google Patents
Loading plank operating system with lifting actuator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2287612A1 CA2287612A1 CA002287612A CA2287612A CA2287612A1 CA 2287612 A1 CA2287612 A1 CA 2287612A1 CA 002287612 A CA002287612 A CA 002287612A CA 2287612 A CA2287612 A CA 2287612A CA 2287612 A1 CA2287612 A1 CA 2287612A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- loading
- plank
- lift
- tilt
- loading plank
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
- B60P1/44—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element
- B60P1/4471—General means for controlling movements of the loading platform, e.g. hydraulic systems
- B60P1/4478—Safety stops, switches
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
- Auxiliary Methods And Devices For Loading And Unloading (AREA)
- Fluid-Pressure Circuits (AREA)
Abstract
In a loading plank operating system which includes two essentially parallelogram-like lift and tilt actuating mechanisms arranged in spaced relationship and supporting a platform-like loading plank whereby the loading plank can be tilted and raised and lowered, each of the lift and tilt actuating mechanisms includes its own electric drive motor for operating the respective actuating mechanism.
Description
' CA 02287612 1999-10-26 LOADING PLANK OPERATING SYSTEM WITH LIFTING ACTUATOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a loading plank operating system including a lifting actuator particularly for trucks including a lifting mechanism with parallel spaced lifting arms support-ing an essentially plate-like plank for carrying a load to be s raised or lowered and for closing a storage space of a vehicle.
The operating system further includes a lifting actuator for raising and lowering the loading plank and a pivot actuating mechanism for pivoting the loading plank between a horizontal and a vertical position.
l0 Such a loading plank operating system is known from EP-A 0 808 747. Such systems are used especially in connection with trucks in order to facilitate the unloading of loads trans-ported by the trucks by lowering the loads on the loading planks onto the surface on which the truck is disposed. Then 15 the load can be further transported to its destination. The same is true for the loading procedure of a truck. In this case, the load is placed onto the loading plank, which has been lowered onto the ground or pavement on which the truck is dis-posed. The loading plank is then raised to the truck loading 2o bed platform level and is then moved onto the loading bed.
When the unloading or loading procedure is completed, the load-ing plank is tilted in some systems from the horizontal posi-ticn in which it is maintained during the loading or unloading procedure to a vertical position to close the rear end of the 25 loading bed or the loading compartment. In other loading plank operating systems, the loading plank is folded and moved or pivoted below the loading bed of the truck.
For the raising and lowering of the loading plank in an essentially horizontal position during the loading and unload-ing procedure from the level of the loading bed, a so-called lift actuating mechanism is utilized which is operated hydrau-lically, pneumatically or electrically or by a combination of these mechanisms. For the tilting of the loading plank from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa in order to open or close the loading space, a tilting actuator device is used which is also operated in the manner described earlier.
1(> Load plank and wall systems of this type may therefore include at least one actuator, which cooperates with at least a support structure of a parallelogram-like lift or tilt structure. If at least one lifting actuator mechanism and at least one tilt-ing actuator mechanism are present, the lifting actuator mecha-nism cooperates with the one operating mechanism for the paral-lelogram-like lifting and tilting mechanism whereas the tilting mechanism cooperates with the other operating mechanism.
If a tilting actuating mechanism is present the lifting actuator mechanism and the tilting actuator mechanism are con trolled by a control structure arranged at a suitable location on the truck. In this way, lifting and lowering movements of the loading plank and also tilting movements thereof between its horizontal and vertical positions can be performed. The respective operating control signals are given by an operator by means of suitable operating elements provided on the control structure. Generally, a hydraulic operating system is provided for the operation of the lift actuator or actuators and, if present, the tilt actuator or actuators. Hydraulic pressure is provided by a central hydraulic system including one or several electric motor driven pumps. By suitable valve means arranged between the pumps and the lift and, if applicable, the tilt ac-tuator, the respective actuator can be operated. If a loading plank wall system includes for example a multitude of actuators - what is usually the case - for example, one or two lifting actuators and, if present, one or two tilt actuators, all these actuators are in communication with a valve or, respectively, a valve block by way of hydraulic control lines. The hydraulic valve control arrangement is in communication, by way of the valve or valve block, with the cylinder piston structures of the lift and pivot actuators. In addition, the hydraulic sys-tem includes a tank, one or several of the pumps mentioned be-fore, one or several electric motors, relay controls etc., and a central control unit by which the loading plank wall system is controlled. Consequently, after the loading plank arrange-ment is installed in a vehicle, there are still many electrical and hydraulic line connections to be established to make the whole system operative. Gbviously, this involves a substantial amount of manual labor concerning the installation and mounting whereby the whole system becomes basically very expensive.
Furthermore, there are storage costs for storing the various parts and there are costs for the administration of the parts and equipment storage.
Another serious problem involving the present loading plank systems resides in the fact that the space required for the multitude of electrical and hydraulic control lines and all the other 'control devices is not available in small vehicles.
Consequently, such loading plank systems cannot be utilized in connection with small vehicles although there would be a need for smaller vehicles with loading systems. Another problem with present plank loading systems resides in the fact that the whole plank loading system becomes unusable when for example~a hydraulic actuator fails, for example, by a defect in a hydrau-lic line. The plank loading system loses even minimum func-tionality so that a vehicle including such a loading system must be repaired wherever the loading system malfunctioned and cannot be driven to a repair shop since the loading plank can-not be lifted off the ground nor can it be tilted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a loading plank operating system including a lifting actuator particularly for trucks including a lifting mechanism with parallel spaced lifting arms support-ing an essentially plate-like plank for carrying a load to be s raised or lowered and for closing a storage space of a vehicle.
The operating system further includes a lifting actuator for raising and lowering the loading plank and a pivot actuating mechanism for pivoting the loading plank between a horizontal and a vertical position.
l0 Such a loading plank operating system is known from EP-A 0 808 747. Such systems are used especially in connection with trucks in order to facilitate the unloading of loads trans-ported by the trucks by lowering the loads on the loading planks onto the surface on which the truck is disposed. Then 15 the load can be further transported to its destination. The same is true for the loading procedure of a truck. In this case, the load is placed onto the loading plank, which has been lowered onto the ground or pavement on which the truck is dis-posed. The loading plank is then raised to the truck loading 2o bed platform level and is then moved onto the loading bed.
When the unloading or loading procedure is completed, the load-ing plank is tilted in some systems from the horizontal posi-ticn in which it is maintained during the loading or unloading procedure to a vertical position to close the rear end of the 25 loading bed or the loading compartment. In other loading plank operating systems, the loading plank is folded and moved or pivoted below the loading bed of the truck.
For the raising and lowering of the loading plank in an essentially horizontal position during the loading and unload-ing procedure from the level of the loading bed, a so-called lift actuating mechanism is utilized which is operated hydrau-lically, pneumatically or electrically or by a combination of these mechanisms. For the tilting of the loading plank from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa in order to open or close the loading space, a tilting actuator device is used which is also operated in the manner described earlier.
1(> Load plank and wall systems of this type may therefore include at least one actuator, which cooperates with at least a support structure of a parallelogram-like lift or tilt structure. If at least one lifting actuator mechanism and at least one tilt-ing actuator mechanism are present, the lifting actuator mecha-nism cooperates with the one operating mechanism for the paral-lelogram-like lifting and tilting mechanism whereas the tilting mechanism cooperates with the other operating mechanism.
If a tilting actuating mechanism is present the lifting actuator mechanism and the tilting actuator mechanism are con trolled by a control structure arranged at a suitable location on the truck. In this way, lifting and lowering movements of the loading plank and also tilting movements thereof between its horizontal and vertical positions can be performed. The respective operating control signals are given by an operator by means of suitable operating elements provided on the control structure. Generally, a hydraulic operating system is provided for the operation of the lift actuator or actuators and, if present, the tilt actuator or actuators. Hydraulic pressure is provided by a central hydraulic system including one or several electric motor driven pumps. By suitable valve means arranged between the pumps and the lift and, if applicable, the tilt ac-tuator, the respective actuator can be operated. If a loading plank wall system includes for example a multitude of actuators - what is usually the case - for example, one or two lifting actuators and, if present, one or two tilt actuators, all these actuators are in communication with a valve or, respectively, a valve block by way of hydraulic control lines. The hydraulic valve control arrangement is in communication, by way of the valve or valve block, with the cylinder piston structures of the lift and pivot actuators. In addition, the hydraulic sys-tem includes a tank, one or several of the pumps mentioned be-fore, one or several electric motors, relay controls etc., and a central control unit by which the loading plank wall system is controlled. Consequently, after the loading plank arrange-ment is installed in a vehicle, there are still many electrical and hydraulic line connections to be established to make the whole system operative. Gbviously, this involves a substantial amount of manual labor concerning the installation and mounting whereby the whole system becomes basically very expensive.
Furthermore, there are storage costs for storing the various parts and there are costs for the administration of the parts and equipment storage.
Another serious problem involving the present loading plank systems resides in the fact that the space required for the multitude of electrical and hydraulic control lines and all the other 'control devices is not available in small vehicles.
Consequently, such loading plank systems cannot be utilized in connection with small vehicles although there would be a need for smaller vehicles with loading systems. Another problem with present plank loading systems resides in the fact that the whole plank loading system becomes unusable when for example~a hydraulic actuator fails, for example, by a defect in a hydrau-lic line. The plank loading system loses even minimum func-tionality so that a vehicle including such a loading system must be repaired wherever the loading system malfunctioned and cannot be driven to a repair shop since the loading plank can-not be lifted off the ground nor can it be tilted.
It is therefore the object of the present invention. to provide a loading plank system which uses only a relatively small amount of parts and components without limiting the func-tionality of the system, which is safer in operation than any of the loading system presently available and which can be eas-ily and inexpensively installed in a vehicle with which it is to be used. The system should also be adequate for use with relatively small vehicles, which, so far, could not be equipped with loading systems, it should be simple in its design and it l0 should be relatively inexpensive. It also should be easy to manufacture and install. Furthermore, storage costs for its parts should be low.
SLJI~~ARY OF THE INVENTION
In a loading plank operating system which includes two es sentially parallelogram-like lift and tilt actuating mechanisms arranged in spaced relationship and supporting a platform-like loading plank whereby the loading plank can be tilted and raised and lowered, each of the lift and tilt actuating mecha nisms includes its own electric drive motor for operating the 2o respective actuating mechanisms.
The loading plank operating system according to the inven-tion provides for a decentralization of the drive for the lift-ing mechanism, that is, each lifting actuator includes its in-dividual electric drive motor. As a result only an electrical cable needs to extend to the control structure mounted on the vehicle. The electrical cables are pre-assembled and have electrical connectors by which they can be easily connected to the central control unit whereby the unit becomes instantly fully operational. The installation of all the components re-3o quired for the operation of the loading plank operating system can therefore be completed during the manufacture of the load-ing plank control system so that it need only be attached to a vehicle. Another important advantage of the loading plank op-erating system according to the invention resides in the fact -t that, with each of the lifting actuating mechanisms having its own electric drive motor, emergency operation can be maintained if, for example, one of two loading plank operating mechanisms or the electric drive motor thereof fails. It is quite appar-ent that the costs of storing the necessary replacement parts are reduced for such a simplified system. Consequently, also the requirements for the administration of the parts storage is reduced if no complicated hydraulic systems are employed.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention also the to load plank tilting mechanism is operated by electric motors.
This arrangement has the same advantages as already pointed out with respect to the loading plank lift system. This is also true for the loading plank tilting systems, which employ two or more tilting actuating devices.
An electric motor associated with a lift actuating mecha-nism and, if applicable, with a tilt mechanism may be disposed at any suitable location in the vicinity of the lift and/or tilt mechanism. It has been found to be advantageous if the electric motor is disposed directly at the lift and/or tilt mechanism so that the force transmission path from the electric motor, that is, the motor shaft to the lift or tilt mechanism is short. In this way, the need for force transmission ele-ments and hydraulic elements for the operation of the lift and/or tilt mechanism is at a minimum. Furthermore, the mount-ing of the electric motor directly on the lift actuator or the tilt actuator mechanism facilitates the servicing of the motor and the exchange of the motor if it should fail. It also fa cilitates the exchange of the whole lift or tilt operating mechanism together with the motor by a replacement of the whole module .
Advantageously, the loading plank operating system in-cludes the electric motor as an integral part of the lift or the tilt actuating mechanism. In this case, the electric motor operates the lift of tilt mechanism directly by way of a me-chanical device such as a threaded spindle or similar device.
No hydraulic operating mechanism is used in this case. If ap propriately designed such a mechanism is well suited for load ing plank operating systems for relatively small vehicles and relatively small loads.
It is also advantageous if the lift and/or tilt operating mechanism is a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder ar-rangement wherein the electric motor is utilized only to drive a pump to provide fluid under pressure specifically for a par-l0 ocular operating mechanism for lifting and lowering and tilt-ing the loading plank. In this case, the loading plank design is practically the same as that of conventional loading plank mechanisms with the exception that each operating mechanism has its independent pressurized hydraulic fluid supply. A small li hydraulic fluid reserve, which is normally contained in tanks, may be provided individually for each operating mechanism in so-called pads. The pads are carried along so that they are available when there is a need for hydraulic fluid. Such a conventional operating mechanism still has the advantages as 20 pointed and above as the individual operating systems are inde-pendent of each other and can be replaced individually.
In finally another advantageous embodiment of the loading plank operating system according to the invention, the electric motor for operating the lift and/ or tilt operating mechanism 25 is centrally controllable. Such a central control is achieved for example by means of an operating control board structure, which is manufactured to include all the connections to the various electric motors, switches, operating buttons and any additional electric equipment. A control board so equipped 30 only needs to be mounted on the vehicle and a suitable electri-cal cable connection to the vehicle electric system needs to be established. Once this is done, the loading plank and its op-erating system are ready for use.
An embodiment of the invention will be described below in greater detail on the basis of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a conventional loading plank with an operat ing system wherein all the electrical and hydraulic lines ex tending to a control board need to be installed individually, the hydraulic lines however not being shown in the figure, and Fig. 2 shows a loading plank with operating mechanism ac cording to the invention, wherein an electric motor is mounted directly to a plank tilting mechanism and another electric mo tor is directly connected to a loading plank lifting mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
First, reference is made to Fig. l, which shows a conven tional loading plank operating system. Conventional loading plank systems 10 are well known so that their operation and de sign are explained only shortly. A typical loading plank sys-tem 10 is disclosed for example in EP-A-0 808 747 to which ref-erence is made therefore. In the loading plank system dis-closed therein only a single lift actuating mechanism 16 is 2o provided by which the loading plank 15 can be raised and low-ered vertically. The loading plank may carry a load, which is not shown which load is to be raised for example from a pave-ment to a height corresponding to the load bed of a vehicle 11.
This facilitates movement of the load onto the vehicle load bed. The vehicle 11 is represented only by the frame members of the vehicle, which is sufficient for an understanding of the loading plank system 10. The tilting actuating mechanism 17 permits tilting of the loading plank 15 from a horizontal posi-tion as shown in Fig. 1 to a vertical position. In the verti-3o cal position, the loading plank 15 may, for example, close the load bed of the vehicle 11. The loading plank can be tilted back to a horizontal position for opening the load bed to per-mit unloading of a load.
It is pointed out that so-called folding loading planks which can be stored in a suitable place between the loading bed and the frame of a vehicle 11 do not require a tilt mechanism 17 since the folding feature is not necessary of the loading plank-wall system 10.
In the loading plank-wall system 10 as shown in Fig. 1, the lift actuating mechanism 16 and the tilt actuation mecha-nism 17 are shown symbolically. In Fig, l, only one hydraulic line is symbolically shown connected to a valve block and in-to eluding a hydraulic fluid tank. The hydraulic system includes one or several pumps which may be operated by one electric mo-tor or several electric motors which are also not shown but which generate the required hydraulic fluid pressure. The con-trol mechanism 18 mounted on the vehicle is connected in a well-known manner by electric control cables with the hydraulic circuit including control elements such as relay switches and sinister elements in a well known manner. In this way, the standard movements of the loading plank such as vertically raising and lowering and tilting from a vertical position to a 2o horizontal position and vice versa can be achieved by hydrauli-cally operated lifting actuators or, respectively, tilting ac-tuators.
The loading plank operating system 10 according to the in vention as shown in Fig. 2 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 essentially by the fact that each lifting mechanism 16 and the tilt mechanism 17 includes an electric motor 160, 170. The electric motors 160, 170 are arranged in the loading plank op-erating system as shown in Fig. 2 at the side of the lift actu-ating mechanism 16 or the tilt actuating mechanism 17. This 3o arrangement is only exemplary. It is included to indicate the association of the electric motors 160, 170 with the respective lift or tilt actuation mechanism.
The electric motors 160, 170 may also be part of the lift and/or tilt actuation mechanism 16, 17, that is, they may be disposed in the respective actuation mechanisms. On the other hand, the lift and/or tilt mechanism may be conventional using hydraulically operating piston-cylinder arrangements. Then, the electric motors are connected to pumps providing pressur-ized hydraulic fluid for operating the piston cylinder arrange-ments to effect actuating movement of the actuating mechanisms 16, 17 hydraulically in the conventional manner. The electric motor 160 is then connected to a pump supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the lift actuating mechanism 16 and the elec-to tric motor 170 is connected to a pump supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the tilt actuating mechanism 17 for moving the loading plank for example from a vertical to a horizontal position.
The loading plant.: operating system 10 according to the in vention can be mounted to a vehicle 11 in the way shown for ex ample in EP A 0 808 747. Like the conventional operating sys tems, it includes an essentially parallelogram-like lift and/or tilt mechanism 12 including two spaced, parallel support struc tures 13, 14 supporting the plate-like loading plank 15 in a 2o conventional manner. In the drawings, the plank 15 is shown as a single board, but it may be a foldable board that is a fold-able loading plank as mentioned earlier.
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SLJI~~ARY OF THE INVENTION
In a loading plank operating system which includes two es sentially parallelogram-like lift and tilt actuating mechanisms arranged in spaced relationship and supporting a platform-like loading plank whereby the loading plank can be tilted and raised and lowered, each of the lift and tilt actuating mecha nisms includes its own electric drive motor for operating the 2o respective actuating mechanisms.
The loading plank operating system according to the inven-tion provides for a decentralization of the drive for the lift-ing mechanism, that is, each lifting actuator includes its in-dividual electric drive motor. As a result only an electrical cable needs to extend to the control structure mounted on the vehicle. The electrical cables are pre-assembled and have electrical connectors by which they can be easily connected to the central control unit whereby the unit becomes instantly fully operational. The installation of all the components re-3o quired for the operation of the loading plank operating system can therefore be completed during the manufacture of the load-ing plank control system so that it need only be attached to a vehicle. Another important advantage of the loading plank op-erating system according to the invention resides in the fact -t that, with each of the lifting actuating mechanisms having its own electric drive motor, emergency operation can be maintained if, for example, one of two loading plank operating mechanisms or the electric drive motor thereof fails. It is quite appar-ent that the costs of storing the necessary replacement parts are reduced for such a simplified system. Consequently, also the requirements for the administration of the parts storage is reduced if no complicated hydraulic systems are employed.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention also the to load plank tilting mechanism is operated by electric motors.
This arrangement has the same advantages as already pointed out with respect to the loading plank lift system. This is also true for the loading plank tilting systems, which employ two or more tilting actuating devices.
An electric motor associated with a lift actuating mecha-nism and, if applicable, with a tilt mechanism may be disposed at any suitable location in the vicinity of the lift and/or tilt mechanism. It has been found to be advantageous if the electric motor is disposed directly at the lift and/or tilt mechanism so that the force transmission path from the electric motor, that is, the motor shaft to the lift or tilt mechanism is short. In this way, the need for force transmission ele-ments and hydraulic elements for the operation of the lift and/or tilt mechanism is at a minimum. Furthermore, the mount-ing of the electric motor directly on the lift actuator or the tilt actuator mechanism facilitates the servicing of the motor and the exchange of the motor if it should fail. It also fa cilitates the exchange of the whole lift or tilt operating mechanism together with the motor by a replacement of the whole module .
Advantageously, the loading plank operating system in-cludes the electric motor as an integral part of the lift or the tilt actuating mechanism. In this case, the electric motor operates the lift of tilt mechanism directly by way of a me-chanical device such as a threaded spindle or similar device.
No hydraulic operating mechanism is used in this case. If ap propriately designed such a mechanism is well suited for load ing plank operating systems for relatively small vehicles and relatively small loads.
It is also advantageous if the lift and/or tilt operating mechanism is a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder ar-rangement wherein the electric motor is utilized only to drive a pump to provide fluid under pressure specifically for a par-l0 ocular operating mechanism for lifting and lowering and tilt-ing the loading plank. In this case, the loading plank design is practically the same as that of conventional loading plank mechanisms with the exception that each operating mechanism has its independent pressurized hydraulic fluid supply. A small li hydraulic fluid reserve, which is normally contained in tanks, may be provided individually for each operating mechanism in so-called pads. The pads are carried along so that they are available when there is a need for hydraulic fluid. Such a conventional operating mechanism still has the advantages as 20 pointed and above as the individual operating systems are inde-pendent of each other and can be replaced individually.
In finally another advantageous embodiment of the loading plank operating system according to the invention, the electric motor for operating the lift and/ or tilt operating mechanism 25 is centrally controllable. Such a central control is achieved for example by means of an operating control board structure, which is manufactured to include all the connections to the various electric motors, switches, operating buttons and any additional electric equipment. A control board so equipped 30 only needs to be mounted on the vehicle and a suitable electri-cal cable connection to the vehicle electric system needs to be established. Once this is done, the loading plank and its op-erating system are ready for use.
An embodiment of the invention will be described below in greater detail on the basis of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 shows a conventional loading plank with an operat ing system wherein all the electrical and hydraulic lines ex tending to a control board need to be installed individually, the hydraulic lines however not being shown in the figure, and Fig. 2 shows a loading plank with operating mechanism ac cording to the invention, wherein an electric motor is mounted directly to a plank tilting mechanism and another electric mo tor is directly connected to a loading plank lifting mechanism.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
First, reference is made to Fig. l, which shows a conven tional loading plank operating system. Conventional loading plank systems 10 are well known so that their operation and de sign are explained only shortly. A typical loading plank sys-tem 10 is disclosed for example in EP-A-0 808 747 to which ref-erence is made therefore. In the loading plank system dis-closed therein only a single lift actuating mechanism 16 is 2o provided by which the loading plank 15 can be raised and low-ered vertically. The loading plank may carry a load, which is not shown which load is to be raised for example from a pave-ment to a height corresponding to the load bed of a vehicle 11.
This facilitates movement of the load onto the vehicle load bed. The vehicle 11 is represented only by the frame members of the vehicle, which is sufficient for an understanding of the loading plank system 10. The tilting actuating mechanism 17 permits tilting of the loading plank 15 from a horizontal posi-tion as shown in Fig. 1 to a vertical position. In the verti-3o cal position, the loading plank 15 may, for example, close the load bed of the vehicle 11. The loading plank can be tilted back to a horizontal position for opening the load bed to per-mit unloading of a load.
It is pointed out that so-called folding loading planks which can be stored in a suitable place between the loading bed and the frame of a vehicle 11 do not require a tilt mechanism 17 since the folding feature is not necessary of the loading plank-wall system 10.
In the loading plank-wall system 10 as shown in Fig. 1, the lift actuating mechanism 16 and the tilt actuation mecha-nism 17 are shown symbolically. In Fig, l, only one hydraulic line is symbolically shown connected to a valve block and in-to eluding a hydraulic fluid tank. The hydraulic system includes one or several pumps which may be operated by one electric mo-tor or several electric motors which are also not shown but which generate the required hydraulic fluid pressure. The con-trol mechanism 18 mounted on the vehicle is connected in a well-known manner by electric control cables with the hydraulic circuit including control elements such as relay switches and sinister elements in a well known manner. In this way, the standard movements of the loading plank such as vertically raising and lowering and tilting from a vertical position to a 2o horizontal position and vice versa can be achieved by hydrauli-cally operated lifting actuators or, respectively, tilting ac-tuators.
The loading plank operating system 10 according to the in vention as shown in Fig. 2 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 essentially by the fact that each lifting mechanism 16 and the tilt mechanism 17 includes an electric motor 160, 170. The electric motors 160, 170 are arranged in the loading plank op-erating system as shown in Fig. 2 at the side of the lift actu-ating mechanism 16 or the tilt actuating mechanism 17. This 3o arrangement is only exemplary. It is included to indicate the association of the electric motors 160, 170 with the respective lift or tilt actuation mechanism.
The electric motors 160, 170 may also be part of the lift and/or tilt actuation mechanism 16, 17, that is, they may be disposed in the respective actuation mechanisms. On the other hand, the lift and/or tilt mechanism may be conventional using hydraulically operating piston-cylinder arrangements. Then, the electric motors are connected to pumps providing pressur-ized hydraulic fluid for operating the piston cylinder arrange-ments to effect actuating movement of the actuating mechanisms 16, 17 hydraulically in the conventional manner. The electric motor 160 is then connected to a pump supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the lift actuating mechanism 16 and the elec-to tric motor 170 is connected to a pump supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the tilt actuating mechanism 17 for moving the loading plank for example from a vertical to a horizontal position.
The loading plant.: operating system 10 according to the in vention can be mounted to a vehicle 11 in the way shown for ex ample in EP A 0 808 747. Like the conventional operating sys tems, it includes an essentially parallelogram-like lift and/or tilt mechanism 12 including two spaced, parallel support struc tures 13, 14 supporting the plate-like loading plank 15 in a 2o conventional manner. In the drawings, the plank 15 is shown as a single board, but it may be a foldable board that is a fold-able loading plank as mentioned earlier.
y
Claims (8)
1. A loading plank operating system for mounting to vehicles, particularly to trucks, comprising two essentially parallelogram-like lift and tilt actuating mechanism disposed in spaced relationship, a platform-like loading plank mounted on said lift and tilt operating mechanism for raising and lowering a load disposed on said loading plank and for closing a loading bed of the vehicle, and, if provided, a tilt actuating mechanism for tilting said loading between horizontal and vertical positions, each of said lift actuating mechanisms having a first electric motor associated therewith for operating the respective actuating mechanism at least for raising said loading plank.
2. A loading plank operating system according to claim 1, wherein said tilt operating mechanism has a second electric motor associated therewith for effecting tilting of said loading plank.
3. A loading plank operating system according to claim 1, wherein said first electric motors are arranged directly at said lift actuating mechanism.
4. A loading plank operating system according to claim 1, wherein said second electric motor is arranged directly at said tilt actuating mechanism.
5. A loading plank operating system according to claim 1, wherein said first electric motor is an integral part of said lift operating mechanism.
6. A loading plank operating system according to claim 2, wherein said second electric motor is an integral part of said tilt actuating mechanism.
7. A loading plank operating system according to claim l, wherein said lift and tilt actuating mechanisms include hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder arrangements.
8. A loading plank operating system according to claim 1, wherein said electric motors for generating said lift and said tilt movement of said loading plank are controllable by a central control arrangement.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP98123980A EP1010575B1 (en) | 1998-12-17 | 1998-12-17 | Loading tailgate system with at least one lifting actuator |
| EP98123980.9 | 1998-12-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2287612A1 true CA2287612A1 (en) | 2000-06-17 |
Family
ID=8233158
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002287612A Abandoned CA2287612A1 (en) | 1998-12-17 | 1999-10-26 | Loading plank operating system with lifting actuator |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1010575B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE255510T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6531399A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2287612A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE59810358D1 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ500575A (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE50304648D1 (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2006-09-28 | Soerensen Hydraulik Ulfborg | Tail lift system with at least one folding actuator and a Hubaktuator |
| ITRM20030187A1 (en) * | 2003-04-24 | 2004-10-25 | Paolo Castorino | ANTI-ACCIDENT PROTECTION DEVICE, FOR |
| WO2018023950A1 (en) * | 2016-08-02 | 2018-02-08 | 刘宏伟 | Caution device for raising/lowering liftgate |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE6809482U (en) * | 1968-12-02 | 1970-11-12 | Karl Dipl Ing Schmitt | ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE ATTACHED TO TRUCKS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING. |
| NL7116269A (en) * | 1971-04-22 | 1972-10-24 | ||
| JPS6033686B2 (en) * | 1979-10-08 | 1985-08-05 | 極東開発工業株式会社 | Cargo handling equipment for freight vehicles |
| AT392446B (en) * | 1986-06-13 | 1991-03-25 | Marte Fahrzeugbau Ges M B H & | LOADING LIFT FOR A TRAIN OR TRAILER VEHICLE |
| EP0808747B1 (en) | 1996-05-21 | 2001-01-10 | Sörensen Hydraulik, Zweigniederlassung, Ulfborg, Filial af Sörensen Hydraulik GmbH, Tyskland | Loading tailgate system |
-
1998
- 1998-12-17 EP EP98123980A patent/EP1010575B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-17 AT AT98123980T patent/ATE255510T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-17 DE DE59810358T patent/DE59810358D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-10-22 NZ NZ500575A patent/NZ500575A/en unknown
- 1999-10-26 CA CA002287612A patent/CA2287612A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-12-16 AU AU65313/99A patent/AU6531399A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1010575A1 (en) | 2000-06-21 |
| AU6531399A (en) | 2000-06-22 |
| DE59810358D1 (en) | 2004-01-15 |
| NZ500575A (en) | 2001-09-28 |
| ATE255510T1 (en) | 2003-12-15 |
| EP1010575B1 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |