DE102007009611A1 - Liftgate for use in vehicle, has proximity sensor arranged on or below surface, where sensor stands in effective connection with signal generator in contactless manner, and signal generator arranged on surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The liftgate has a proximity sensor (6.1, 6.2) arranged on or below a surface, where the sensor stands in effective connection with a signal generator (7.1, 7.2) in a contactless manner. The signal generator is arranged on the surface, and maintains a distance (a), which is changeable, from the surface in sub-regions. The surface is a part of an extruded aluminum profile (1-3) and the sensor sits in a profile chamber (4). An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a liftgate.

Description

The The invention relates to a liftgate, in particular for arranging on a vehicle, with a surface, for example is intended to take over cargoes.

State of the art

Tailgates are known in a variety of forms and designs and in the market. They are applied to buildings or building components, but above all attached to vehicles and are usually used for lifting and lowering loads. For example, in trucks or Ships are also used to close cargo hatches.

In the past, such tail lifts were usually operated hydraulically. In the future, this will also be done by electricity, such as in the DE 10 2006 000 994 A1 described. Regardless of whether hydraulically, electrically or otherwise operated, for the activity of the tail lift in any case a control is necessary, which is to be served usually by an employee. In a truck, for example, are appropriate hand switch side of the body. In many tail lifts and step switches are embedded in the surface. Above all, these switches are exposed to weather and considerable wear. Furthermore, corresponding recesses must be formed in the surface of the tail lift. For this purpose, an additional operation is necessary, which complicates the production of the liftgate and more expensive.

task

task The present invention is the control of tail lifts to improve and design insensitive. At the same time the production of tail lifts and their handling be uncomplicated and easy.

Solution of the task

to Solution of the task leads in or under the Surface at least one sensor is arranged with the a signal generator is in operative connection.

there it does not have to be the surface of the tail lift itself act, the appropriate switching device could also for example, in the loading bed of the vehicle itself or even be provided a vehicle wall. Under surface is to understand that between sensor and signal generator a separation is provided, protected by the particular sensor becomes. The switching process is thus contactless. Of the Sensor can be housed so that it has little weather and only a little wear and tear. The sensor could also sit in the surface and only by a small Be covered layer of the surface. A deteriorated Embodiment of the invention also relates to the arrangement of the sensor in the surface, for example, a Face of the sensor directly in the plane of the surface sets. By the way, the sensor is largely, but not completely protected.

Prefers the signal generator is arranged on the surface itself is. But this does not have to be, a signal generator is also conceivable, which is carried by the employee. It is even conceivable that integrated the signal generator, for example, in the employee's shoe is.

Important is that the sensor on the signaler contactless responding. For example, this may be based on inductive, magnetic, capacitive, optoelectronic and ultrasonic based principles. In the prior art are contactless working sensors known, for example, proximity switches, Hall sensors or the like ..

at However, it is preferred in the present invention that the signal generator at least in some areas a distance from the surface complies with and thus the surface firmly assigned is. This ensures that the signal transmitter always available to the employee, if necessary stands.

Furthermore, preference is given to a signal generator or sensor operating on a mechanical basis. In the most suitable case, it is sufficient if the distance between the signal generator and sensor mechanically changed and thus the switching process is triggered. This means that the signal generator is most easily fixed on the surface near the sensor and has a flexible element whose distance relative to the sensor can be changed. Of course, this distance should be restored even after completion of the switching process, which is why a corresponding resetting material is used for the signal generator.

The Today's tail lifts are preferably made of profiled Metal, in particular of extruded aluminum profiles. These form channels, channels or even hollow chambers, in which The sensor can be used so that he prefers all sides is protected.

The The present invention also includes a method for operating a Tail lift, in particular for placement on a vehicle, wherein Movements of the tail lift controlled by switching operations be at least partially contactless.

In A preferred embodiment is intended for triggering a switching operation, a distance between a signal generator and a sensor to be changed. This causes a change an electric or magnetic field through a side wall surface through which a corresponding contactless working Sensor is addressed.

figure description

Further Advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawing; this shows in

1 a plan view of a portion of a tail lift according to the invention;

2 a cross section through the part of the tailgate according to 1 along line II-II.

In 1 is shown by an inventive liftgate only a section. Visible is a connection profile 1 and two adjacent side wall profiles 2 and 3 , which are interconnected by nut / feather-like interventions. The profiles 1 . 2 and 3 consist essentially of extruded aluminum and have hollow chambers 4 on. Together they form a surface 5 on which, for example, any cargoes can be parked.

In two of the shown cavities 4 there are sensors 6.1 and 6.2 , being in the chambers 4 protected and from the surface 5 are covered.

On the surface 3 sit two signalers 7.1 and 7.2 on, which are formed cranked. They lie with a connection strip 8th directly on the surface 3 on and are with the surface 3 about rivets 9 connected. After a bend 10 overlaps a footboard 11 the surface 3 and holds a distance a from this.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:
For loading or unloading a load not shown in detail, the tailboard P is in the in 2 shown horizontal position of use pivoted. Now the load is, for example, in a loader wagon on the surface 3 the tail lift P ascended. Now a control of the tail lift P is to be given a signal to raise or lower. For this purpose, a corresponding employee steps on the footboard 11 of the signaler 7.1 or 7.2 , whereby the distance a between the tread plate 11 and the surface 3 is changed. At the same time, of course, a distance between the footboard 11 and the sensor 6.1 or 6.2 changed. Because this sensor 6.1 or 6.2 operates without contact, ie, for example, to a change of an electric or magnetic field between the tread plate 11 and the sensor 6.1 or 6.2 reacts, a switching process is triggered. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 connection profile 2 Board profile 3 Board profile 4 hollow 5 surface 6 sensor 7 signaler 8th connecting strips 9 rivet 10 bend 11 footboard a distance P Liftgate

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006000994 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Tail lift, in particular for placing on a vehicle, wherein a surface ( 5 ) is provided, for example, to take over cargoes, characterized in that in or below the surface ( 5 ) at least one sensor ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) arranged with a signal transmitter ( 7.1 . 7.2 ) is non-contact in operative connection. Tail lift according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal transmitter ( 7.1 . 7.2 ) on the surface ( 5 ) is arranged. Tail lift according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the signal transmitter ( 7.1 . 7.2 ) at least in some areas a distance (a) from the surface ( 5 ). Tail lift according to claim 3, characterized in that that the distance (a) is changeable. Tail lift according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the signal transmitter ( 7.1 . 7.2 ) on the surface ( 5 ) is riveted. Tail lift according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the surface ( 5 ) Part of a profile ( 1 . 2 . 3 ), the sensor ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) in a profile chamber ( 4 ) sits. Tail lift according to claim 6, characterized in that the profile ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) is an extruded aluminum profile. Tail lift according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sensor ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) is a proximity sensor. Method for operating a tail lift, in particular for placing on a vehicle, with movements of the tail lift (P) are controlled by switching operations, characterized that at least a part of the switching operations without contact he follows. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that for triggering a switching operation, a distance (a) between a signal generator ( 7.1 . 7.2 ) and a sensor ( 6.1 . 6.2 ) is changed. A method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a switching operation by changing an electric or magnetic field by a side wall surface ( 5 ) through.