DE8201107U1 - ACTUATING DEVICE FOR A SEMI-TRAILER SUPPORT DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

* III * I, ^ia «

'· · · ■' ί ί ' HOEGER ₁ ' STELLR "ECHT & PARTNER

PATENTANWÄLTE UHLANDSTRASSE McD 70OO STUTTGART 1

A 44 820 b Applicant: Atwood Vacuum Machine Company k - 176 1400 Eddy Avenue

January 14, 1981 Rockford, Illinois 61101

United States

Actuating device for a semitrailer support device

s The invention relates to an actuating device for

I a semi-trailer support device with two side

\ borrowed, spaced apart, extendable

ί and retractable legs and with a cross shaft,

ί which runs transversely between the legs and

\, protruding laterally on the outside of one of the legs

I and by their rotation depending on de "-: Rotary

I direction the legs are extendable and retractable.

I usually have semi-trailers at their front

• two ends of which are at a distance from one another at the sides

i arranged supports or legs that serve to support the

i supporting wider end of the trailer when this from

· ■ the towing vehicle or semi-trailer is detached. if

I the trailer is connected to the articulated lorry,

; j these supports are retracted upwards in order to

I prevent them from coming into contact with while driving

j; get off the road.

I The support feet are on most of the semi-trailers

I connected laterally by a transverse shaft, through whose

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Rotation in one direction the supports are extended, while they are extended in the rotation of the cross shaft be withdrawn in the opposite direction. This cross shaft is usually one on two Speed adjustable transmission gear connected, which & uf the outside of one of the supports is arranged, ώο that the cross shaft with a larger or a smaller gear ratio can be turned by means of a hand-operated crank, which is connected to an input-side shaft of the transmission.

It has been shown that raising and lowering the trailer with the aid of the hand crank is time-consuming and laborious is. For this reason, motor-driven actuators were developed to drive the cross shaft to drive with one or the other direction of rotation and thus extend or retract the supports. Such a motorized actuating device is described in US Pat. No. 4,116,315 and works with it an actuator assembly pneumatically drivable to a reciprocating motion, which consists of the same Compressed air source is fed, which is also used for actuation is used to brake the articulated truck. Furthermore, a pneumatic actuator for the Northwest Manufacturing Corporation of Camanche, Iowa, semi-trailer support device USA, marketed under the name GEAR MATE. This actuator is a two-stage Gearbox provided, which allows the cross shaft either at high or low speed to drive.

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Proceeding from this prior art, the invention is based on the object / an improved actuating device for a semitrailer support device to be specified / which can be attached to the trailer quickly and easily can be mounted so that it is particularly suitable for retrofitting the trailer, and which is also light and economical and works reliably.

This object is achieved in an actuating device of the type described in the opening paragraph according to the invention solved / that the actuating device has a housing, which fastening devices are assigned with the help of which it can be mounted adjacent to the leg with the protruding end of the cross shaft, that in the housing a rotatable element is arranged that connecting devices are provided with the aid of which a drive connection between the rotatable element on one side of said leg and the transverse shaft can be produced, and that motor drive devices are provided which are attached to the housing are mounted and with the help of which the rotatable element either clockwise or counterclockwise can be driven.

A particular advantage of the actuating device according to the invention consists in the fact that it can be easily mounted on the trailer without it It would first be necessary to dismantle one of the supports and then replace it in order to gain access to the Ouerwelle to obtain.

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Another advantage of the invention is that the cross shaft is at high or low speed can be driven without the need for the actuator itself for two different Interpret speeds.

Another advantage of the actuating device according to the invention is that it connects directly to the semi-trailer's crankshaft connection can be connected, so that the already existing two-stage gear to drive the cross shaft can remain on the trailer.

According to the invention, it has proven to be particularly advantageous proven when for automatic and cyclical reversal of a pneumatic, a back and forth movement executing actuator provided a very reliable and effective cycle valve and if, in addition, a reliable, manually operable control valve is provided to the actuating device on and off, this control valve is preferably designed so that it the actuator switches off automatically when the supports reach their upper end positions.

In an embodiment of the invention, it has been found to be advantageous to move a pneumatic to and fro Actuating device with the help of a compact and simple construction of specially designed Ratchet wheels, claws and gears to convert into a rotary motion, which turns out to be special has proven advantageous if the claws can be selectively activated and deactivated to one or the other To be able to freely choose the direction of rotation of the cross shaft.

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Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings and / or are the subject of subclaims. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective partial representation of a typical trailer, which is with a preferred Embodiment of an actuator is equipped according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-section taken substantially along line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 in

Fig. 2, for an operating state of the actuating device in which the supports of the semi-trailer are withdrawn;

4 shows a partial view of the elements according to FIG. 3, but for a different operating phase;

FIG. 5 shows a representation similar to FIG. 3, but for the operating state of the actuating device, which is necessary for extending the supports;

6 shows a partial view of the elements according to FIG. 5, but for a different operating phase;

7 enlarged partial cross-sections along the lines ο 7-7 or 8-8 in Fig. 5 and

9 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration

the cycle valve, the control valve and a pneumatic actuator

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an actuating device according to the invention including the connecting lines .

In detail, an actuating device 10 according to the invention for extension and retraction is shown in the drawings the supports of the trailer 11 of a tractor-trailer shown. The support structure is part of the trailer and has two sides in the condition of each other arranged supports or Feet 12 on. The latter can be pivoted on the lower Ends of vertical legs 14 attached, which in turn Slidably received by vertical guide sleeves 15, which with the help of mounting plates 16 mounted on the front end of the trailer 11 are. The feet 12 and legs 14 go up withdrawn when the trailer is coupled to the tractor so that they do not come into contact with the ground while driving. If the trailer is from If the tractor is to be uncoupled, the legs are extended with the feet 12 down to the trailer to be lifted upwards from the coupling devices of the tractor so that the trailer can be lifted without the The tractor or the towing vehicle can be parked.

A rotatable element in the form of a transverse shaft 17 extends adjacent the upper end of the legs 14 between the guide sleeves 15 and serves to extend the legs 14 in one direction of rotation and these retract in the other direction of rotation. the

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Cross shaft 17 can interact with different types of actuators that are used in their Rotation bring about an extension or a retraction of the legs 14. In the embodiment according to FIG a nut 18 is rigidly connected to the upper end of each leg 14. Ir. the nut 18 runs a lead screw 19, which is rotatably mounted in the socket 1 L>. Furthermore are attached to the transverse shaft 17 and at the upper end of the spindle 19 meshing bevel gears 20 so that "the spindle 19 depending on the direction of rotation of the transverse shaft 17 to a rotation in one or the other other direction can be driven. When the spindles 19 rotate, the nuts 18 are used consequently an upward or downward movement of the legs 14 is brought about.

Normally, the cross shaft 15 forms the outgoing shaft of a gear 21, which is on the outside one of the guide sleeves 15 is attached. The incoming shaft of the transmission 21 is thereby through a after Outwardly protruding gear shaft 22 is formed, the inner end of which in the exemplary embodiment is formed by a bush 23 is formed. On this socket 23 sit a large gear 24 and a small gear 25, and the socket 23 is slidable inside the gearbox 21 arranged on the axis 26. When the shaft 22 is pulled outwards, the large gear 24 meshes with it a small gear wheel 27 on the transverse shaft 17 (Fig. 2), see a hand crank attached to the outside of the gear shaft, so that when rotating at a predetermined speed, the transverse shaft 17 at a higher speed, however with a relatively low

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Input torque is driven. This high translation of the gearbox 21 is normally used, to quickly retract the legs 14 when the trailer 11 is lowered and little force is required is. Conversely, when legs 14 are extended to raise the trailer, shaft 22 becomes pushed inwards to move the bushing 23 inwards on the axis and around the small gear to bring on the sleeve 23 in engagement with the large gear on the transverse shaft 17. At this low one Translation of the transmission, the transverse shaft 17 rotates when the crank] rotates at a comparatively lower level Speed, but with a relatively high input torque, so that the required power is available stands to extend the legs 14 and thereby the trailer 11 to lift.

With many trailers 11 one is therefore by hand operable crank is provided by means of which the rotation of the transverse shaft 17 is effected in order to extend the legs 14 or to move in. To avoid the effort and time required, there are some trailers but provided with motorized actuators that serve to the cross shaft 17 in the one or to drive another direction of rotation and thus automatically extend or retract the legs.

The actuating device 10 according to the invention is preferably directly on the transmission shaft 22 attached and has a housing 30, which

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is preferably arranged on the outside of the gear 21, and which with the help of a mounting bracket 31 (Fig. 1) can be rigidly attached to the adjacent guide sleeve.

The outer end of the gear shaft 22 engages laterally through the side walls of the housing 30 and

p ends on the outside of the outer side wall. As

, Fig. 2 shows, is over the outer end of the shaft 22

* ■ a socket 32 plugged in with the shaft with the help

a continuous pin 33 is rigidly connected. A socket 34 is tightly inserted into socket 32 and rotatable together with this. The socket 34 is used the inclusion of a coupling device 34a with a radial play. The coupling device 34a is partially surrounded by a flexible protective cover 35. With the help of a pin 36 or the like is with the outer end of the coupling device 34a is connected to an adjusting lever which is slidable and pivotable in turn in its central part on the outside of the housing with the aid of a pin 38 or the like is hinged. When the adjusting lever 37, starting from its position shown in FIG. 2 in the counterclockwise direction is pivoted, then it causes via the coupling device 34a, the socket 34, the Bushing 32 and the pin 33 a displacement of the shaft 22 inward and thus a changeover of the transmission 21 to a low gear ratio. In the position of the adjusting lever shown in FIG 37, on the other hand, results in a high gear ratio

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of the gearbox 21. Due to the presence of the bushing 34, the rotation of the shaft 22 is not transmitted to the coupling device 34 a and the actuating lever 37 .

A motor-driven element 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) drives the shaft 22 via the pin 33 with one or the other direction of rotation, so that the legs via the gear 21 and the transverse shaft 17 can be extended and withdrawn. In the exemplary embodiment the driven member is a hollow hub 40 disposed inside the housing 30 is and which is rotatably mounted with the help of bearing bushes 41, which in the side walls of the housing 30 are used. The hub 40 is telescoped over the shaft 22 and the bushing 32 and with two diametrically opposed slots or keyways 42, which the protruding Receiving ends of the pin 33 slidably. Rotation of the hub 40 is thus via the keyways 42 and the pin 33 are transferred to the shaft 22, which are nevertheless in the axial direction with respect to the hub 40 Is slidable, so that by actuating the adjusting lever 37, a high or low translation of the transmission 21 can be adjusted.

According to the invention, the Nabj 40 (Figs. 2 and 3) a gear 44 connected - preferably formed in one piece. It is also concentric with the gear a ratchet wheel 45 (Fig. 3) is provided, which is preferably also integral with the gear 44 and

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the hub 40 is formed. In the housing 30, a second gear 46 is also arranged, which with the Gear 44 meshes. Another ratchet wheel 47 is integrally formed on one side of the gear wheel 46, and the two wheels 46 and 47 are integrally formed with a hub 48 which is rotatable in bearing bushes 49 is mounted (FIG. 1), which are provided in the side walls of the housing 30. The ratchet wheels 4 5 and 47 lie in a common plane and their teeth point in the same direction.

Tooth elements in the form of two claws 50 and 51 cooperate with the ratchet wheels 45 and 47; of which each having a section with multiple teeth. Each of the claws 50, 51 is movable to and fro on one Drive element 52 mounted so that they are substantially tangential with respect to their associated Ratchet wheel 45 or 47 moves. In addition, each of the claws 50, 51 is on the drive element 52 hinged by means of a pivot pin 53, so that they are 45 and 47 upward with respect to their ratchet wheel and is pivotable downward between a working position and a rest position. When a claw is 50 or 51 pivoted upwards into their working position its teeth mesh with the teeth of the associated ratchet wheel (see for example the claw 51 in Fig. 4). When a claw is swung down from its working position into its rest position, as shown, for example, for pawl 50 in FIG. 4, then its teeth become disengaged with the teeth of the assigned ratchet wheel.

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Below each of the claws 50, 51 is one in the form of a support arm mounted leaf spring 54, the free end of which is attached to the underside of the associated claw in the area the free end of the same rests and pushes it up into its working position. The other end of the springs 54 is attached to the top of the bottom of the drive element 52. This is at Embodiment made of a U-shaped, upwardly open profile, the bottom of which is supported by rollers 55 which are arranged between the side walls of the housing 30. The claws 50, 51 are between the side walls of the U-profile of the drive element 52.

Furthermore, actuating devices are provided with the aid of which each of the claws 50 and 51 selectively in its rest position and its working position is movable such that the movement of a claw in its working position occurs when the other claw is moved to its rest position. The controls comprise according to the invention a lever 60 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which is attached to a horizontal pin 61 (FIGS. 3 and 7) which in turn is rotatably supported by the outer side wall of the housing 30. That outer end of the pin 61 protrudes outwardly through the outer side wall through this and is rigidly connected to an elongated handle 62 which forms part of the lever. As Fig. 3 shows, Lever-60 also has two in "opposite directions Directional arms 63 and 64 overlying rollers 65 and 66 which are attached to jaws 50 and 51, respectively and stick out from them. If the

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Handle 62 based on that shown in FIG Position, is pivoted counterclockwise, his arm 6 3 grasps the roller 65 of the claw 50, so that this claw pressed down into its rest position

α , the roller 65 being supported by a recess 67 in

the outside of the drive element 52 is received. At the same time, the arm 64 pivots upward from the roller 66 connected to the claw 51 away, so that this claw by the leaf spring located below 54 is raised into its working position. A pivoting of the handle 62 clockwise in the Position shown in Fig. 5 leads to the fact that the arm

64 presses the claw 51 down into its rest position,

while the arm 6 3 releases the claw 50 so that it is in its working position by its z-arranged leaf spring can be pushed up. When the handle 62 is in its between the positions shown in FIG and 5 is brought to the center position, then arms 63 and 64 hold both claws 50 and 51 in

a neutral position in which none of the claws with their associated ratchet wheel 45 or 47 in engagement stands. The handle can be releasably set in any of its positions by a lock that is formed in the embodiment by two leaf springs 70 (Fig. 8). The springs 7ü are by means of Rivets 71 or the like attached to the outer side wall of the housing 30, with their laterally spaced mutually arranged end regions grip around the arm. The frictional contact between the springs 70 and the arm 63 leads z: u a braking force through which the

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Handle 62 is held in the position in which it was pivoted.

For moving the drive element 52 to and fro, one end of the same has a pneumatic actuating device 73 connected. In the exemplary embodiment, the pneumatic actuating device has a cylinder 74 (Fig. 1, 3 and 9) arranged outside the housing 30 and with the front end of the same connected is. A piston rod 75 is slidably received by the cylinder 74, one of which The rear end protrudes over the cylinder and is connected to the front end of the drive element. The other end of the piston rod is connected to a piston 76 which is arranged in the cylinder 74 and on a flexible membrane 77 is applied, which divides the cylinder into a front and a rear chamber. When compressed air is supplied to the front chamber, the piston 76, piston rod 75 and the drive element 52 is moved backwards, i.e. to the left in Fig. 9. When the compressed air from the front Chamber is drained, a coil spring 78 returns the piston to its original position, whereby the piston rod and the drive element 52 forwards - to the right in FIG. 9 - move.

When the legs 14 are to be withdrawn, the adjusting lever 37 is normally turned counterclockwise pivoted into the position shown in Fig. 2 to the gear 21 the high translation for a large Set the lowering speed. In addition, the

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Handle 62 pivoted counterclockwise into its position shown in Fig. To the claw 51 in their Working position and to move the claw 50 in their rest position. Then the compressed air alternately .η the front chamber of the cylinder 74 let in and let out from this to the drive element 52 first to move backwards and then to let it return to the front again. If that Drive element 52 is pushed backwards, grip successive teeth of the claw 51 some successive ones Teeth of the ratchet wheel 47, so that a rotation of the ratchet wheel 47 and the associated Gear 46 clockwise - in Fig. 4 is effected. The gear 46 rotates the gear 44 and the shaft 22 counterclockwise, causing the legs 14 to be retracted or retracted relatively quickly will. When the drive member 52 is driven rearward, the inactive pawl moves 50 simply ineffective past the ratchet wheel 45, so that the gear wheel 44 is freely driven by the gear wheel 46 can be. When the drive member is returned forward by the spring 78, then moved the claw 51 out of the drive connection with the ratchet wheel 47, so that both ratchet wheels for a short time stay until the drive element 52 moves backwards again and the ratchet 47 with the Gear 46 is driven by the pawl 51.

To extend the legs 14, the handle 62 is clockwise into its position shown in FIG. 5

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pivoted to bring the claw 51 in its rest position and around the claw 50 in its working position bring to. In most cases, the adjusting lever 37 remains in the position for the high gear ratio so that the legs 14 initially at high speed can be extended.

If now compressed air is supplied to the cylinder 74, to drive the drive member 52, the pawl 50 engages the ratchet 45, causing the gear 44 in Fig. 6 - is driven clockwise.

The shaft 22 is thus driven clockwise to extend the legs 14. The inactive The claw 51 moves ineffectively on the ratchet wheel 47 during the working stroke of the drive element 52 over ^ and the gear 46 rotates with no load. When the drive member 52 is returned, it slides the pawl 50 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 45, so that both ratchet wheels until the next working stroke stop.

When the feet 12 touch the ground, the adjusting lever 37 can be pivoted counterclockwise in order to set the low gear ratio on the gearbox 21 to adjust. With continued actuation of the drive element 52, the high torque is then used, which is required to raise the trailer 11 by rotating the cross shaft 17.

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When no compressed air is available. To the cylinder 74 to act on, the actuating device 10 can be operated by hand. This is done by you first bring the handle 62 in the desired position and by using a crank with a suitable adapter (not shown) in the .iabe 48 and then turn the crank in the correct direction by hand.

From the above description it is clear that according to the invention an actuating device for the supports of a semitrailer is created, in which the reciprocating movement of the drive element 52 is converted into a rotary movement for rotating the transverse shaft 17, with the aid of the gears 44 and 46, with the aid of the ratchet wheels 45 and 47 and with the aid of 3 claws 50 and 51, these components being relatively simple components and being combined in the housing 30 to form a compact actuating device. By simply pivoting the lever 60, one of the claws can be activated while the other is brought into a rest position so that the direction of rotation of the transverse shaft 17 can be reversed.

The usual two-stage gear is used in an advantageous manner, on the one hand, and the assembly of the actuating device can be done without dismantling one of the supports 14-15.

The actuating device 10 according to the invention is with equipped with a reliable and effective cycle valve 80 (Fig.- 9), with the help of which automatically an alternating supply and discharge to and from the cylinder 74 is made possible. The cycle valve is controlled by a reliable on / off valve 81

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controlled / which automatically locks the actuator 10 when the legs 14 are fully in their inner end position are withdrawn.

As shown in Fig. 9, the cycle valve 80 has a housing 82 which is in the housing 30 and at the bottom thereof is mounted. Ir> a bore 83 of the housing 82 a spindle 85 is arranged, which is sealed against the bore 83 by an O-ring 84 and one after front - in Fig. 9 to the right - has protruding shaft 86 of reduced diameter, the radial Play lies in a channel 87, which is a continuation of the bore 83. An inlet duct 88 for compressed air, for example with a pressure of about 7 bar, is provided in the valve housing 82 and leads to the Channel 87, while an outlet channel 90 leads out of the valve housing 82 and with the front chamber of the Cylinder 74 via a line 91 is in communication. A drain passage 92 is also at one end of the valve housing 82 and opens into the environment. Channels 87, 90 and 92 can all work with a Communicate chamber 93, which is provided adjacent the front end of the valve housing. In the chamber 9 3 is a valve element 94 made of elastomeric material provided, which has a back 95 and a front 96, the diameter of which is greater than that Diameter of the adjacent channels 87 and 92 siud. When the valve element 94 is shifted to the right (in Fig. 9) its front side 96 closes the drain channel 92, while its rear side 95 opens the channel 87 and via chamber 93, channel 90 and conduit

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establishes a connection between the compressed air connection 88 and the cylinder 74. A displacement of the valve element 94 to the left leads to the fact that the rear side 95 closes the channel 87 and the compressed air flow to the Cylinder 74 interrupts, while at the same time the front side 96 opens the exhaust passage 92, so that the air escape from cylinder 74 via line 91, passage 90, chamber 93 and passage 92 to atmosphere can.

A rod 98 protruding to the rear is connected to the spindle 85 (FIGS. 3 and 9), the rear end of which is slidable is received by an eye 99 which is bent up from the bottom of the housing 30. A L-shaped element or a bracket 100 (Fig. 7 and 9) with a downwardly open U-profile is rigid on the Fixed underside of the drive element 52, the lower end of the bracket in FIG. 100 is forked and engages around the piston rod 98. The lower end of the bracket 100 is between two washers 101 and 102 (FIG. 9) set, which sit on the piston rod 98 so as to be slidable. A first coil spring 103 surrounds the piston rod 98 between the washer 102 and another washer 104, which is slidably seated on the piston rod 98 and is supported on the rear end of the spindle 85. Another helical spring 105 surrounds the piston rod 98, adjacent to the washer 101, and can with their other end dip into a recess 106 of a block 107, which is rigidly at the rear, left in FIG End of the piston rod 98 is attached.

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It should now be assumed that the piston 7 6 of the actuator 73 is fully withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 9, and that furthermore the compressed air to the Cycle valve 80 is supplied via channel 88. When the piston 76 is fully withdrawn, then it is located the drive element 52 is also in its retracted position and causes the bracket 100 to over the washer 102, the coil spring 103 and the washer 104 the spindle 85 in an open position shown in FIG. With this | In the position of the spindle 85, the valve surface 96 closes the | Drain channel 92, while the valve surface 95 releases the channel. Consequently, the Drucklutt over the channels 88 and 87, the chamber 93, the channel 90 and the line | 91 is fed to the front chamber of the cylinder 74. The piston 76 is consequently displaced backwards, i.e. to the left, and drives the drive element 52.

When the drive element 52 advances, the bracket slide 100 and the washer 101 along the piston rod 98 to the rear and move away from the coil spring 103, so that the spring force, by which the spindle 85 was held in the open position until then, ends. The spindle 85 remains in this open position, however, since the compressed air in the chamber 93 acts on the valve surface 95 acts and consequently exerts a force directed to the front or to the right on the spindle 85. The piston 76 and that Drive element 52 therefore move further to the left or to the rear.

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When the drive element 52 approaches the end of its working stroke / enters the coil spring 105 into the Recess 106 of block 107 and rests against the bottom of this recess, before the washer 101 detects block 107. With further advancement of the drive element 52, the spring 105 is now between of the washer 101 and the bottom of the recess 106 are pressed together. Finally it lays down the washer 101 to the block 107 so that it is pressed to the left and over the piston rod 98 the spindle 85 against the pressure force acting on the valve surface 95 due to the pressure moved to the left in chamber 93. The valve area

95 thus moves against the channel 87 to interrupt the supply of compressed air to the cylinder 74 while at the same time the valve surface 96 moves away from the drain passage 92 and opens it. The compressed air can now escape from the cylinder 74 via the line 91, the channel 90, the chamber 93 and the channel 92, whereby further backward movement of the drive element 52 is interrupted. When the valve area

96 begins to open the drain channel 92, then moves the tensioned coil spring 105, which is between the washer 101 and the block 107 is located, the spindle 85 very quickly with its full stroke to the left, whereby a full opening of the discharge channel 92 and a complete closing of the inlet channel 87 is guaranteed will. The spring 78 thus begins the piston

76 and thus also the drive element 52 to be returned to the right.

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At the beginning of the return of the drive element 52, the bracket 100 begins on the piston rod 98 to the right to slide along. The washer 101 and the spring 105 follow the bracket 100 as the housing 30 and the cycle valve 80 disposed therein are inclined obliquely downward and forward so that the washer 101 and the spring 105 under the action of gravity along the piston rod 98 after front br.w. move right. When the bracket 100 moves away from the block 107, the force by which the Spindle 35 was held in its closed position via the piston rod 98. The spindle 85 is now however, held in its closed position by the air pressure in channel 87. That pressure is on one Shoulder 108 effective, which is provided at the transition from the spindle 85 to the shaft 86. The area of the Shoulder 108 is larger than the effective area of the valve surface 95 when this is sealing against the channel 87 is present. The force acting to the left, generated by the pressure on the shoulder 108, is therefore greater than the oppositely directed force generated by the compressed air on the valve surface 95, so that the spindle 85 remains in its closed position while the drive element 52 is returned.

As the drive member 52 approaches the end of its return stroke, the bracket 100 pushes the washer 102 against the helical spring 103, which is now compressed between the washers 103 and 104 to avoid shock loading. When the coil spring 103 is then fully compressed

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is, it acts as a rigid connecting element / so that the mechanical force, which is now over the spring at the spindle 85 takes effect, the compressive force on the shoulder 108 overcomes, so that the spindle 85 quickly is moved to the right into its open position (Fig. 9), to open channel 87 and close channel 32, thereby initiating the next cycle. If the Channel 87 is open, then the effective area of the valve area 95 is greater than the area of the shoulder 108, so that the pressure in the chamber 93 now has the tendency to move the spindle 85 to the right into its open position to press.

Due to the described mode of operation, the cycle valve automatically supplies compressed air the cylinder 74 and the discharge of the compressed air from this cylinder, in coincidence in time with the movement of the drive element 52, which is achieved in that the valve through the drive element is operated when the latter approaches the end of a working stroke or a return stroke. The stroke of the drive element 52 is significantly longer than the stroke of the valve spindle 85; those on the surfaces 95 and 108 effective compressed air is used to dei during the middle part of the strokes. Drive element to hold the cycle valve 80 in either the open position or the closed position. Because of the The use of the helical springs 103 and 105 ensures that the valve is switched over without having to operate the valve 80 or on the housing 30 shock loads would occur if the drive element 52 when reaching the

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End points of its strokes is stopped for a short time. The cycle valve 80 thus operates reliably and error-free and is intended for a long, trouble-free service life.

As stated above, the on / off valve 81 controls the supply of compressed air to the cycle valve 80 and blocks it Actuator 73 automatically as soon as legs 14 are fully retracted. As Fig. 9 shows, has the valve 81 a housing 110, which under the bottom of the housing 30 is mounted at right angles to the housing 82 of the valve 80. An exhaust port 111 in the housing 110 is connected to the inlet port 88 of the cycle valve 80 in connection to supply this compressed air. The channel 111 also stands with a Chamber 112 in the housing 110 in communication. In this Housing 110 is also provided with a feed channel 113, which is in communication with the chamber 112 via an axial channel 114 in the housing 110. The feed channel 113 is connected to a line 115 which is in turn connected to a compressed air source t, for example, to the same compressed air source that serves to supply the trailer's braking system).

A spindle 6 (Fig. 9) is slidable in one Bore 117 of the housing 110 arranged and means an O-ring 118 sealed. At one end of the spindle 116 is a shaft 119 of reduced diameter integrally formed, which protrudes into the channel 114 with radial play. The stem 119 carries a valve element 120 with two valve surfaces 121 and 122, of which the

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a valve surface 121 can close the channel 114, around this channel opposite the chamber 112 and the channel 111 to seal. The valve surface 122 can lie against the end of a housing 123 and channels 124 there which are in communication with a chamber 125, which via an outlet channel 126 with the atmosphere communicates. The housing 123 is attached to the inner end of the valve housing 110. At the outer - in FIG. 9 right - end of the spindle 116 a button 130 is attached, which can be pushed inward to open the valve 81, and the after can be pulled outside to close this valve. Between the. Housing 110 and the outer end of the A flexible sleeve 131 is arranged on the spindle 116, which prevents dirt from entering the bore 117 can penetrate.

When the button 130 is pushed inward by hand, the valve element 120 is shifted to the left in FIG. 9, so that the valve surface 121 releases the channel 114, while the valve surface 122 closes the channel 124. The compressed air from the line 115 thus flows via the channels 113 and 114, the chamber 112 and the channel 111 to the cycle valve 80 so that the actuator 73 is switched on. Since the channels 124 are closed by the valve surface 122, this is ... prevents the compressed air supplied from escaping via the outlet duct 126.

When the actuator 73 is to be turned off, the button 130 is turned out, i.e. in FIG

-34-

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pulled to the right, whereby the valve element 120 is displaced in such a way that the valve surface 122 releases the channels 124, while the valve surface 121 closes the channel 114 at the same time. By closing the channel 114, the compressed air ^{supply to the 7 TT} circuit valve 80 is interrupted. Although the pressure of the compressed air in the channel 114 acts against the valve surface 121 and thus has the tendency to shift the valve element 120 to the left, no such shift takes place, since the air pressure is simultaneously effective on a shoulder 135, which is located at the junction between the spindle 116 and the shaft 119 is located. The effective area of the shoulder 135 is greater than the effective area of the valve surface 121 when it closes the channel 114, so that the valve 81 remains closed. The chamber 112 is vented via the now open channels 124 via the outlet channel 126, so that no pressure can arise there which has the tendency to open the valve.

To automatically close the valve 81 upon full retraction of the legs 14 is in the chamber 125 a tappet 136 is arranged, the outer or right end of which act briefly on the valve surface "122" and the valve element 120 can move outward or rightward to close the valve 180. At the inner or left end of the plunger 136 is a head

137, which is usually at the end of a canal

138 rests against the inner end of the housing 123 and closes it. The area of the head 137 is included

• It * · * MM ·

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considerably larger than the area of the channel 138. A helical spring 139 surrounds the plunger 136 and is between the housing 123 and the head 137 compressed to the latter with respect to the channel 138 in its To hold closed position. The channel 138 is with the front or right chamber of the cylinder 74 via a Line 140 between the housing 123 and the cylinder 74 in connection.

When the legs 14 are to be retracted, the operator only has to push the button 130 inward Press to move the valve element 120 so that the valve surface 121 opens the channel 114 and that the valve surface 121 rests against the end of the housing 123 (Fig. 9). When compressed air to the cylinder 74 flows to retract legs 14, then pressure in channel 114 holds valve element 120 in place the position shown in Fig. 9, since this pressure on the relatively large area of the in the open position Valve surface 121 acts. The button 130 therefore does not have to be pressed continuously to open the valve 81 hold in the open position.

If then the legs 14 are fully withdrawn, then the pressure in the cylinder 74 increases to a value, for example to 2.5 bar, which the required Pressure (e.g. 1.4 bar) to drive the drive element 52 when the legs are withdrawn 14 exceeds. This increase in pressure in cylinder 74 is transmitted via line 140 to channel 138 and acts on the head 137 so that the plunger 136

I j

ι · it

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is moved outwards or to the right. As soon as the |.

Head 137 opens channel 138, the increased pressure effective on the entire surface of the head 137, so that the plunger 136 is suddenly moved to the right. The right end of the plunger 136 strikes the valve surface 122 and presses the valve element 120 further right into the closed position, whereby the compressed air supply for the cylinder 74 is interrupted and the actuating device 73 is switched off automatically. Then when a pressure relief in cylinder 74 and in the Line 140 takes place, the spring 139 pushes the plunger 136 back into the position shown in Fig. 9, so that the channel 140 is closed again. It should be noted that between the head 137 and the chamber 125 there is no seal, so air from this chamber through the vent channel 126 to the atmosphere can escape when the spring 139 returns the plunger 136. So there is no danger that air is trapped between the head 137 and the inner or left end of the housing 123, resulting in a irregular actuation of the plunger 136 could result.

When the legs 14 are withdrawn, the air pressure in the cylinder 74 is insufficient to support the force of the spring 139 to be overcome so that the plunger 136 in its in 9 remains until the legs 14 are fully withdrawn and there is increased pressure in the cylinder 74 arises. If the legs 14 are extended, then A corresponding pressure builds up in the cylinder 74 as soon as the feet 12 touch the ground and begin the Raise trailer 11. The operator or driver

ί -37-

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must keep pressing button 130 to prevent that the plunger 136 closes the valve 81 until the trailer is raised to the desired height. On the other hand, when the legs 14 are withdrawn, once initiated, there is no need to press button 130 continuously.

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summary

Actuating device for a semitrailer support device

The invention relates to an actuating device

^f for a semi-trailer attachment device. Here you can

The legs of the support device are automatically extended with the aid of a pneumatic actuator and withdrawn while the actuator is with the shaft of the support device can be connected, on which a hand crank is normally attached, to the cross shaft of the support device to rotate selectively in one direction or the other, at high or low speed. The shaft for attaching the crank is over by the actuating device according to the invention Gear wheels and ratchet wheels are driven, which are operated by claws, which are operated by a compressed air cylinder can be driven to a reciprocating motion, and optionally in a working position and can be brought into a rest position. It is advantageous that the pressure medium pressure to the compressed air cylinder controlled by a cycle valve and an on / off control valve which is suitable for the actuator turn off automatically when the legs reach their fully retracted position.

Claims (1)

HOEGER, ^:> sfEL'LRECHT- ^: & PARTNER PATENTANWÄLTE UHLANDSTRASSE 14 c D 7000 STUTTGART 1 j A 44 820 b Applicant: January 14, 1982 Atwood Vacuum Machine Company k ~ 176 1400 Eddy Avenue Rockford, Illinois 61101 United States Protection claims 1. Actuating device for a semitrailer support device with two laterally spaced apart, extendable and retractable. Legs and with a transverse wave that runs transversely between the legs and to the side protruding on the outside of one of the legs and by their rotation depending on the Direction of rotation the legs are extendable and retractable, characterized in that that the actuator has a housing (30) which fasteners (31) are assigned, with the help of which it is adjacent to the leg (14) with the protruding end of the transverse shaft can be mounted that a rotatable element (4o) is arranged in the housing that connecting devices (33, 42, .21) are provided with their Help on one side of said leg (14) a drive connection between the rotatable Element (4o) and the transverse shaft (17) can be produced, and that motor drive devices (73) are provided are mounted on the housing (3o) and with the help of which the rotatable element (4o) A 44 82o b k - 176 - 2 - January 14, 1982 can be driven either clockwise or counterclockwise. 2. Actuator according to claim 1, d? marked with, that the connecting devices comprise a gear (21) which has a gear shaft (22) which is connected to the rotatable element (4o) and which has an outgoing shaft, which has a gear connection with the gear shaft (22) and connected to the transverse shaft (17) is. indicates that the rotatable element (4o) is hub-shaped and on one end of the gear shaft (22) can be pushed, and that with the help of the connecting devices a non-rotatable, one Axial relative movement permitting connection between an end region of the gear shaft (22) and the rotatable element (4o) can be produced. 4. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that two rotatable, intermeshing gears (44, 46) are provided, one of which (44) can be connected to the rotatable element (4o) for driving the same, that two ratchet wheels (45 , 47) are provided whose teeth are oriented in the same direction that two claws (5o, 51) are provided, which are assigned to the first and the second ratchet wheel (45 and 47), A 44 82o b k - 176 - 3 - January 14, 1981 that the drive devices (73) comprise a drive element (52) and devices (74 to 78), with the help of which the drive element (5 2) can be driven to a back and forth movement that the claws (5o, 51) mounted on the drive element (52) and together with this to a reciprocating movement are drivable and also with respect to their associated ratchet wheels (45, 47) in a working position and are movable into a rest position, such that the ratchet wheel (45, 47) in question through its associated claw (5o, 51) can only be driven when vfsnn Iststsrs is in its working position and the drive element (52) performs a working stroke, and that selectively actuatable control means (6o) are provided, which can be brought into a first position in which the first claw (5o) can be brought into its working position and the second claw (51) into its rest position, and into a second Position in which the first claw (5o) in its rest position and the second claw (51) in its working position can be brought. Actuating device according to claim 4, characterized in that that the claws (5o, 51) on the drive element (52) between their working position and their rest position are pivotable, and that spring means (54) are provided, which on the one hand on the drive element (52) and with their help on the other hand, the respectively assigned Claw (5o, 51) can be preloaded into its working position -4- • · III A 44 82o b k - 176 - 4 - January 14, 1982 is that the control devices have a lever (6o) between a first and a second position is pivotable and arms (63, 64), with the help of which one of the claws (5o, 51) can be released for pivoting into its working position, while at the same time the other Claw can be fixed in its rest position. 6. Actuating device according to claim 5, characterized in that that security devices (7o) are provided with the help of which the control lever (6o) ίη -; _. 3. ~~ _ "J" «_ ΠΙ, .ΊΙ ...... .C-JLi 1 - i _J- All JdJLCX OXSJUIiCX IJ LC JLJL UIlVJCXl XC O U JLCIjUCXJ. XOU. 7. Actuating device according to claim 6, characterized in that that the safety devices comprise a pair of leaf springs (7o), which one of the arms (63) grips around and secures this frictionally. 8. Drive device according to claim 4 , characterized in that the two gears (44, 46) are formed in one piece with their respective associated ratchet wheel (45) and (47). 9i actuator according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the motor drive device (73) has a cylinder (74) that in the Cylinder (74) a piston rod (75) is slidably mounted and when a pressure medium is supplied can be extended to one end of the cylinder (74) in a first direction so that the return inlet λ 44 82o b k - 176 - 5 - January 14, 1982 directions (78) are provided, with the help of which the piston rod (75) in the opposite direction : is retractable when the pressure medium pressure is reduced at one end of the cylinder (74) that Connecting means are provided through which the piston rod (75) and the rotatable element (4o) are selectively connected in such a way that the rotatable element (4o) upon displacement of the piston rod (75) selectively clockwise or counterclockwise in at least one of the named directions is rotatable that a cycle valve (8o) is provided to which the pressure medium can be selectively fed is and which has a valve spindle (85) with a predetermined stroke between a first Position in which the pressure medium can be fed to one end of the cylinder (74), and a second position in which the pressure medium can be diverted from the cylinder (7 i) , is movable so that an element (loo) is connected to the piston rod is, which is movable together with the piston rod (75) with a stroke that is greater than the stroke of the valve spindle (85), and that with the help of this element (loo), which is connected to the valve spindle (85) via a type of towing connection is, the position of the valve spindle (85) can be changed each time it approaches its end positions, and that devices (95, Io8) are provided on the valve spindle (85) which respond to the pressure of the pressure medium in such a way that they open the valve spindle (85 ) hold in their one position, A 44 82ο b k - 176 - 6 - January 14, 1982 as long as the said element (loo) moves between its end positions and the valve spindle Hold (85) in its second position as long as said element (loo) is between its end positions moved in the opposite direction. Io. Actuating device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the devices responding to the pressure medium pressure have surfaces (95, Io8) pointing in opposite directions, one of which has an area exposed to the pressure which is larger than the area exposed to the pressure of the other area when the valve stem (85) is in its one position and also one dsm pressurized area is less than the pressurized area of the second surface (95) when the valve stem (85) is in its other position. 11. Actuating device according to claim 9, characterized in that that a manually operated control unit. valve (81) is provided, which in an open Position can be brought in which the pressure medium to the Cycle valve (8o) can be fed and in a closed position, in which it interrupts the pressure medium supply su the cycle valve (8o), and that on the Devices (136) responding to pressure medium pressure are provided at one end of the cylinder (74), with the help of which the control valve (81) can be automatically controlled into its closed position when the * f 1 ■ · t · · s A 44 82o b k - 176 - 7 - January 14, 1982 Pressure medium pressure at this end of the cylinder has reached a predetermined limit. 12. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor drive device a cylinder (74) with a piston rod (75) slidably mounted therein, which can be driven in a first direction when pressure medium is supplied to one end of the cylinder (74) that return devices (78) are provided, with the help of which the piston rod (75) is retractable in the opposite direction when the pressure at that one end of the cylinder (74) that is removed between the piston rod (75) and the rotatable element (4o) connecting devices are provided, with the help of which the Element (4o) selectively clockwise when the piston rod (75) is displaced in at least one direction or is rotatable in the counterclockwise direction, that a cycle valve (8o) is provided to which the pressure medium can be selectively supplied, and which can be brought into a first operating state in which it is the connects one end of the cylinder to the pressure medium supply and in a second operating state, in which allows the pressure medium pressure to be released at this one end of the cylinder (74), that with the piston rod (75) devices (loo to Io7) are connected, with the help of which the cycle valve (8o) can be moved into its two operating positions when the piston rod (75) reciprocates A 44 82o b k - 176 - 8 - January 14, 1982 is moved that a manually operable control valve (81) is provided, which selectively in a Open position can be brought, in which it connects the Zyk ~ 'asventil (8o) with a compressed air source and in a closed position in which it interrupts the supply of pressure medium to the cycle valve (8o), and that pressure sensitive devices are provided with their help, depending on the pressure medium pressure at one end of the cylinder (74), the control valve (81) can be automatically brought into its closed position - after it has previously been manually into its open position was brought - as soon as the pressure medium pressure at this one end of the cylinder (74) a predetermined Limit reached.