EP0523434B1 - Positioning actuator operated by pressure-means, in particular for a lifting, hauling and pushing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A positioning actuator operated by pressure means, in particular for a lifting, hauling or pushing device, is formed with at least one internal expansion body (7; 7.1; 7.2), which can be acted upon by a fluid with varying internal pressure, and at least one movable inner pressure body (6; 6.1) so that, with a change in volume of the expansion body (7; 7.1; 7.2), the pressure body (6; 6.1) experiences a change in position at least in certain areas, and at the same time the pressure body (6; 6.1) moved by the expansion body (7; 7.1; 7.2) is provided as the drive element of a transmission. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a pressure medium-operated actuator, in particular for a lifting, moving or pushing device in an embodiment according to the preamble of claim 1.

In a device of the type mentioned above, known from EP 0 278 580, at least two base segments designed as hollow bodies are connected to one another as pressure beams via a plate-shaped tilting element rotatably articulated on hinge bolts in such a way that with at least one inner hose or hose segment as an expansion body which can be subjected to changing fluid pressure a pivoting movement around the hinge pin can be initiated on the inner tilting element and the base segments assume different angular positions with respect to a pressure-dependent change in position of the tilting plate. The actuating forces that can be achieved with this deflection are limited by the restricted actuating paths in the individual base segment and the tubular expansion body is exposed to increased buckling loads in the area of the hinge bolts at the edge area of the tilting elements, which adversely affect the service life of the hoses.

In a drive assembly according to GB-A-2 047 344, two expansion bodies, which can be acted upon alternately by internal pressure, are provided for driving a rotary slide valve, the pressure bodies of which act on a centrally arranged actuator via a common connecting member such that a drive shaft can be rotated in two directions of movement. This drive assembly is extremely manoeuvrable and is largely limited to driving a turntable.

The invention has for its object to provide a pressure medium operated actuator, in particular for a lifting, moving and pushing device, with which the deflection of larger actuating forces can be achieved with a high degree of security even with a reduced size and thus a more universal usability is possible with little construction.

The invention solves this problem by means of a pressure medium-operated actuator with the features of claim 1. With regard to essential further design features, reference is made to claims 2 to 21.

The invention provides a pressure medium-operated actuator, in particular for a lifting, moving or pushing device, whose expansion body, which can be acted upon with liquid or gaseous fluid at different pressures, is combined in the base segment with the drive element of the transmission that absorbs the change in position that is combined with different transmission types and transmission ratios a deflection of the change in position of the pressure body into almost any actuating forces and / or output torques of the transmission can be achieved. The usability of such an actuator is improved in that large actuating forces can also be generated over concatenated base segments with a small space requirement and little construction effort. A preferred kink-free parallel guidance of the expansion body in the base segment with each change in actuating force-producing volume changes avoids regionally overloading which adversely affects the service life, so that the safety and reliability of such an actuator is increased overall.

An advantageous embodiment of the pressure medium-operated actuator for a lifting device is specified in claim 8, in particular with the two basic segments penetrating Scissor pin a lifting table is formed, which releases a drive torque via the deflection of the change in position of the respective pressure element in the base segment, with which actuating forces of almost any size can be realized on the lifting table. The field of application of such a lifting table is improved in that large actuating forces can be generated with it, with a small construction requirement and with little construction effort.

In an exemplary application of the actuating member in a lifting device according to claim 19, an advantageously continuously adjustable lifting table is formed with the internal pressure bodies via a scissor-type frame. The pressure filled with a liquid can be appropriately combined with an external compressed air system via an upstream hydropneumatic pressure converter in such a way that the lifting device combines the advantages of an indirect compressed air drive at any location and a direct liquid drive on the continuously adjustable lifting table. The liquid supply and liquid discharge can be regulated with little effort via a check valve integrated in the feed line, so that reliable support is ensured in the respective lifting position of the lifting table.

With the use of water as a pressure medium in the area of the pressure elements, a particularly cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution can be achieved, with adequate corrosion protection being possible by using rustproof connecting means or plastic parts in the area of the lines and the pressure elements.

Fig. 1

eine teilweise geschnittene Prinzipdarstellung eines druckmittelbetriebenen aus einem Basissegment gebildeten Stellorgans,

Fig. 2

eine geschnittene Darstellung des Basisseaments gemäß der Linie II-II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine geschnittene Darstellung eines ein seitlich verlängertes Stellglied aufweisenden Basissegments ähnlich Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine Prinzipdarstellung des Stellorgans mit zwei im Bereich eines Stellgliedes verbundenen Basissegmenten,

Fig. 5

eine Prinzipdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 4, mit jeweils zwei im Basissegment angeordneten Druckkörpern,

Fig. 6

eine Prinzipdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 1,mit zwei hebelförmigen Verbindungsgliedern,

Fig. 7

eine teilweise geschnittene Prinzipdarstellung eines druckmittelbetriebenen, ein Basissegment mit zwei innenliegenden Expansionskörpern bildenden Stellorgans für einen Hubtisch,

Fig. 8

eine teilweise geschnittene Prinzipdarstellung des Stellorgans mit druckmittelbeaufschlagten Expansionskörpern ähnlich Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine Vorderansicht auf eine prinzipielle Ausführungsform des Hubtisches mit zwei scherenartig bewegbaren Basissegmenten gemäß Fig. 7,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht des Hubtisches gemäß Fig. 9 und

Fig. 11

eine Prinzipdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Hubtisches mit einem vorgeschalteten hydropneumatischen Druckwandler.

With regard to further advantages and details, reference is made to the following description and the drawing, in which an exemplary embodiment of the object of the invention is schematically illustrated in more detail. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a partially sectioned schematic diagram a pressure medium operated actuator formed from a base segment,

Fig. 2

2 shows a sectional illustration of the base segment along the line II-II in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a sectional illustration of a base segment having a laterally elongated actuator, similar to FIG. 2,

Fig. 4

2 shows a basic illustration of the actuator with two base segments connected in the area of an actuator,

Fig. 5

4 shows a basic illustration similar to FIG. 4, each with two pressure elements arranged in the base segment,

Fig. 6

2 shows a basic illustration similar to FIG. 1, with two lever-shaped connecting members,

Fig. 7

1 shows a partially sectioned schematic representation of an actuating element operated by a pressure medium and forming a base segment with two internal expansion bodies for a lifting table,

Fig. 8

7 shows a partially sectioned basic illustration of the actuator with expansion bodies acted upon by pressure medium, similar to FIG. 7,

Fig. 9

a front view of a basic embodiment of the lifting table with two scissor-like movable base segments 7,

Fig. 10

a side view of the lifting table according to FIG. 9 and

Fig. 11

a schematic diagram of a lifting table according to the invention with an upstream hydropneumatic pressure converter.

In all of the figures, the same reference numerals have largely been used for the same or equivalent components, without describing them again in detail.

In Fig. 1, an overall designated 1 actuator is shown in a schematic diagram, a sectional view being used at least partially to clarify the components located within a base segment 2. In the base segment 2 designed as a hollow body, an expansion body 7 designed as a hose segment is arranged between a wall surface 4 delimiting an interior space 3 and a pressure introduction surface 5 of a pressure body 6. The suitably made of rubber-elastic material hose 7 is provided with known fluid connections 8, via which a fluid can build up a variable internal pressure in the expansion body 7 with a pressure generator, not shown, so that hose wall areas 9, 10 (Fig. 2) spaced apart on the one hand rest on the wall surface 4 of the base segment 2 and on the other hand on the pressure introduction surface 5 of the pressure body 6.

In the embodiment of the actuator 1 according to FIG. 1, connecting members 11, 12 are respectively arranged on the end of the pressure body 6, which in the form of toothed rack members with corresponding actuators 13, 14 designed as pinions form a rack and pinion gear in a preferred embodiment. The actuators 13, 14 are at least in some areas form-fitting engagement areas to these transfer element 15 arranged in operative connection such that a torque in the actuators 13, 14 is generated via a particularly parallel change in distance of the pressure body 6 from the wall surface 4 and is deflected in a direction of movement 16 onto the transmission element 15 designed as a toothed rack. With such a combination of a tubular expansion body 7 with the actuators 13, 14 of a transmission, corresponding working pressures can be converted into drive torques or thrust forces that can be transmitted via the actuating member 1 with appropriate transmission ratios via pneumatic or hydraulic pressure introduction.

The actuation movement can be tapped at the actuator 1 in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 both as a drive torque on the actuator 14 and as a thrust on the transmission element 15, since these components enable a coupling in the longitudinal direction of the actuator 1 in an end region 17 projecting beyond the base segment 2. In Fig. 3 shows an expanded sectional view of the actuator 1, an embodiment in which the actuator 14 is formed with an axial extension 18, which has a lateral output coupling for tapping the drive torque.

The actuator 1 shown in FIG. 4 is formed by two base segments 2, 2.1 connected in the area of the common actuator 14.1. These symmetrically formed base segments 2, 2.1 each have the tubular expansion body 7 in the interior 3, so that with the mutually coordinated change in the internal pressure therein, the change in the distance between the pressure bodies 6 of the respective inner wall surface 4 is either a pivoting movement when the other is defined the base segments 2, 2.1, or both simultaneously about a common axis 19 of the actuator 14.1. For this purpose, one of the base segments 2, 2.1 can optionally be supported in a stable position and the respective free segment can execute the pivoting movement about the axis 19 which is proportional to the change in distance.

In one embodiment of the actuator 1 according to FIG. 5, a possibility is shown, by superimposing at least two or more tubular expansion bodies 7, 7.1 designed with the same or different filling volume, with little effort, the extent of the possible change in distance in the interior 3 of the base segment 2 between the inner wall surface 4 and pressure body 6 to enlarge, so that a constant drive torque can be generated over a large angle of rotation on the actuators 13, 13.1, 14.1.

The base segment 2 in the embodiment according to FIG. 6 has on its pressure body 6 connecting members 11, 12 which, in a modified embodiment, are designed as pressure rods 20, 21 which are supported on actuators 13, 14 provided with swivel levers 22, 23 and deflect the displacement of the pressure body 6. The rod-shaped transmission element 15 is also connected to the actuators 13, 14 via lever-shaped members 24, 25, so that a corresponding drive coupling is possible in the end region 17 (similar to FIG. 2).

In a further embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a basic segment, generally designated 101, as a pressure medium-operated actuating element for a lifting table 102 (FIGS. 9, 10), a sectional illustration being used, at least partially, to illustrate the components located within the base segment 101 is. In the base segment 101, which is designed as a hollow body closed on all sides, two expansion bodies 103, 103 '(in the embodiment shown without pressure) are arranged between a respective wall area 104, 104' of the base segment 101 and a pressure body in the form of a plate body 105, 105 'in such a way that it expediently functions as a hose segment made of rubber-elastic Material formed expansion body 103,103 'the plate body 105,105' when pressure is applied to the expansion body (Fig. 8) transfers an associated volume change via a pressure introduction surface 106,106 'to the plate body 105,105' with simultaneous support on the respective wall area 104,104 'and mediates a pressure-dependent movement.

The movement of the plate body 105, 105 'can be transmitted at one end directly via a lever-shaped plate extension 107, 107' and at the other end indirectly via an angled deflecting lever 108, 108 'to a scissor pin, generally designated 109. In the area of the scissor pin 109 (FIG. 10) forming a connecting shaft 110, both the plate extension 107, 107 'and the deflecting lever 108, 108' are each fixed via a support member 111, 112, 111 ', 112' offset by 90 ° in such a way that the movement of the plate body 105, 105 'is prevented Effect of the internal pressure in the expansion body 103, 103 'in the scissor pin 109 is initiated as a rotary movement generating a drive torque.

In an expedient embodiment, deflection members 115, 116, 115 ', 116' are provided on the deflection lever 108, 108 'on an end angle arm 113, 113' opposite the scissor pin 109, both on the pressure element 105, 105 'and on a wall region 114, 114' of the base segment 101, which both move the deflection lever 108, 108 ' in the area of an underside 117, 117 'of the plate body 105, 105' and on an inner surface 118, 118 'of the wall area 114, 114' by means of a rolling element 119, 120, 119 ', 120'.

In an advantageous embodiment, the wall region 114, 114 'of the base segment 101 is in each case formed by a stable head plate which has an inclination which is adapted to the direction of movement 121, 121' of the plate body 105, 105 ', so that the rolling element 120, 120' can be moved with the least frictional resistance.

In an expedient embodiment, the respective plate bodies 105, 105 'are provided with a side plate 122, 122' arranged perpendicularly to the pressure introduction surface 106, 106 ', which enables safe lateral guidance when the plate body 105, 105' moves. The side plate 122, 122 'is additionally provided with an elongated hole 123, 123', which receives a bolt 124, 124 'which limits the lifting movement of the plate body 105, 105', the elongated hole 123, 123 'being preferably provided in the front area of the side plate 122, 122' facing the scissor bolt 109.

When the base segment 101 is arranged in the lifting table 102 (FIG. 9, FIG. 10), the respective lifting position is determined by the rolling path covered by the rolling element 120, 120 ′ on the inner surface 118, 118 ′ of the head plate, with a stop plate 114.1, 114.1 ′ being provided as a stroke limitation can be, which, together with the pin 124, 124 'guided in the elongated hole 123, 123', enables a preselectable end position. With this stroke limitation, the lifting table 102 can be positioned in a position that largely relieves the construction, particularly in the unloaded state.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the respective expansion body 103, 103 'is provided with a fluid connection 125, 125', via which a fluid is introduced into the expansion body 103, 103 'using a pressure generator (not illustrated in any more detail), a corresponding supply line 126, 126 being used, for example, when using compressed air 'can be brought up to the base segment 101 with little effort.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate in principle the lifting table, designated overall by 102, with two base segments 101, 101 ′ being connected to the internal structure described above via the connecting shaft 110 forming a shear axis 127.

From an overall space-saving folding position (dashed line representation A in FIG. 9), in which the lifting table 102 has a height 128 that is essentially determined by the component height of the base segments 101, 101 ′, an upper plate 129 can be moved to the end of stroke position determined by a lifting height 130 by the scissors movement of the two base segments 101, 101 ′ . Via the pressure in the expansion bodies 3, the lifting table can also assume continuously adjustable scissor positions, which form a lower lifting height 130, so that the lifting table 102 opens up a universal range of uses overall, since a weight F that can be moved continuously over the entire lifting height 130 is variable within wide limits , which can be determined via appropriately dimensioned base segments 101, 101 '.

In a preferred embodiment, the base segments 101, 101 'are supported in the region of a subframe 131, one end region of the base segment 101, 101' being fixed in the manner of a fixed bearing 132, 133 on the subframe 131 or on the top plate 129, and the respective other end regions of the base segment 101, 101 'being movable on rollers Lower frame 131 or on the top plate 129 are guided via associated roller bearings 134, 135.

On the outside of at least one of the base segments 101, a support strut 136 is provided to support the upper plate 129 extended into a predetermined lifting position, for example during maintenance work, and can be connected as a securing element to the upper plate 129 accordingly.

To avoid contamination of the functional parts of the base segments 101, 101 ', a cover plate 137 is provided in the area of the connecting shaft 101 and a circumferential dirt bar 138 is attached to the underside of the top plate 129, so that such a lifting table 102 can also be used reliably under rough operating conditions.

With the illustrated basic design of the lifting table 102, it can meet a wide variety of requirements Upper plates 129 are used, which have a length 139 and a width 140, which are essentially determined by the dimensioning of the respective base segments 101, 101 'and can thus be adapted to different requirements with little effort.

FIG. 11 shows a lifting device designed as a lifting table 201 in a further embodiment, an upper plate 202 being supported in the end of stroke position shown via two base segments 204, 205 forming a scissor-type frame 203. By means of a corresponding scissor movement of the two base segments 204, 205, the top plate 202 can be adjusted steplessly in the region of a lifting height H by applying a torque to a connecting shaft 207 via a pressure medium-operated actuator 206, with which the base segments 204, 205 supported in the area of a respective fixed bearing 208, 209 in Area of their respective roller bearings 210, 211 are shifted accordingly, so that the top plate 201 is at a corresponding distance from a lower frame 212.

The respective actuator 206 is connected to a hydropneumatic pressure converter 214 via a feed line 213. In the feed line 213, a check valve 215 regulating the liquid supply and liquid discharge is provided, which enables any release or interruption of the liquid flow with little effort.

In an advantageous embodiment, the pressure transducer 214 is provided as a pressure vessel 220 which is circular in cross-section and separates a compressed air space 218 which is pressurized with compressed air via an external supply line 217 and an internal membrane 216 from a liquid space 219 connected to the liquid supply line 213.

The basic function of the lifting table according to the invention is also ensured if the compressed air introduced into the pressure container 220 and the liquid contained therein meet directly (not shown).

In an expedient embodiment, water can be provided in particular as a liquid, with an adequately safe long-term exposure being possible by forming the supply line 213, the locking valve 215 and the pressure vessel 220 from corrosion-resistant material.

With the lifting device described above, in particular flat lifting tables 201 (for example with a construction height <0.25 x lifting height H) can also be used in a lower lifting range, which is formed by scissor positions of the base segments 204, 205 in an angular range from 0 ° to 15 ° (not shown), be moved with high accuracy and supported safely.

The object of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above. Rather, other configurations are also conceivable within the scope of the claims. For example, the actuator 1 shown in cross section in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 with the approximately rectangular interior 3 in the illustrated base segments 7; 101 '(FIG. 7); 204, 205 (FIG. 11) may also be designed with a different hollow profile shape and the application of the actuator 1 according to the invention is not limited to the specific application devices shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, but can be modified to any desired modifications of lifting and moving - Or thrust devices can be expanded with the actuator 1 as a drive element, so that the combination according to the invention of a tubular expansion body with a transmission is included.

Claims (21)

1. A regulating unit operated by a pressurised medium, in particular for a hoisting, warping or pushing apparatus, with at least one internal expansion member (7) which is subject to a fluid with a varying internal pressure and which is disposed between an interior wall surface (4) and a pressure inducing surface (5) of at least one movable internal pressure member (6), whereby, with a variation in volume of the expansion member, the pressure member has at least areas which undergo a positional change and which is provided as the driving element of a gear transmission, this latter being provided with at least one connecting member (11, 12) fixed on the pressure member and, operatively connected to this latter, a positioning member (13, 14) which is rotatable about an axis, characterised in that on the pressure member (6; 61; 105; 105') there are two or a plurality of connecting members (11, 12; 11.1, 12.1; 107, 108; 107', 108') disposed at a distance from each other in a line at right-angles to the direction (19) of the axis of rotation and which allow a parallel variation in the distance between the wall surface (4; 104; 104') and the pressure inducing surface (5; 106; 106').
2. A regulating unit operated by a pressurised medium, according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the positioning members (14; 14.1) of the respective gear mechanism has at least portions which project beyond an end portion (17) of the base segment (2; 2.1).
3. A regulating unit operated by a pressured medium, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the gear mechanisms are coupled to each other via a longitudinally displaceable transmission element (15) parallel with the longitudinal central plane (30) of the base segment (2, 2.1).
4. A regulating unit operated by a pressurised medium, according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the gear mechanism is in each case constructed as a rack-and-pinion gear.
5. A regulating unit operated by a pressured medium, according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a plurality of expansion members (7; 7.1) are associated with the pressure member (6; 105, 105') and are disposed above one another between the inner wall surface (4; 104, 104') and the pressure inducing surface (5; 106, 106').
6. An elevating platform with a regulating unit operated by a pressured medium, according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least two pressure members (105, 105') disposed in a base segment (101, 101'; 204, 205) with an equi-directional movement are supported at one end on a movable stud (109) which constitutes the positioning member of the elevating platform (102; 201) in such a way that with at least two base segments (101, 101') which arc coaxially offset and are supported rotatably on the movable studs (109, 109') which form a connecting shaft (110), the elevating platform (110) can be brought into hoisting positions which are infinitely adjustable by the pressure in the expansion members (103, 103') and which are formed by respective scissor positions of the base segments (101, 101'; 204, 205).
7. An elevating platform according to claim 6, characterised in that the respective base segment (101, 101') is constructed as a universally enclosed hollow body in which the respectively two pressure members disposed in the area of movement of the expansion member (103, 103') which is supported on the base segment (101, 101') are constructed as plate members (105, 105') which provide a pressure inducing surface (106, 106') which is at one end connected directly via a lever-like plate extension (107, 107') and at the other indirectly via an angled-over deflecting lever (108, 108') to the movable stud (109, 109').
8. An elevating platform according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the plate extension (107, 107) and the deflecting lever (108, 108') are connected to the connecting shaft (110) respectively via bracing members (111, 112; 111', 112') which are offset by 90°^.
9. An elevating platform according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the respective deflecting lever (108, 108') is constructed on a terminal angled arm (113, 113') opposite the movable stud (109, 109') with in each case deflecting members (115, 116; 115', 116') which permit a displacement both on the plate member (105, 105') and also on a wall area (114, 114') of the respective base segment (101, 101').
10. An elevating platform according to claim 9, characterised in that there are on the angled arm (108, 108') and serving as deflecting members (115, 116 115', 116') two roller elements (119, 120; 119', 120') which form a roller deflecting arrangement.
11. An elevating platform according to claim 9, characterised in that the roller element (120, 120') supported on the base segment (101, 101') is supported on a head plate which forms an end member of the base segment (101, 101').
12. An elevating platform according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the head plate is constructed with an angle of inclination suited to the directions of movement (121) of the plate member (105, 105').
13. An elevating platform according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterised in that the respective plate member (105, 105') comprises as a lateral guide at least one side plate (122) disposed at right-angles to the pressure inducing surface.
14. An elevating platform according to claim 13, characterised in that the side plate (122) is provided with an elongated hole (123) which accommodates a pin member (124) which determines the elevating movement of the plate member (105, 105').
15. An elevating platform according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the elongated hole (123) is preferably provided in the front part of the side plate (122) which is towards the movable stud (109, 109').
16. An elevating platform according to one of claims 6 to 15, characterised in that the elevating platform (2) comprises a hoisting stop means constituted by an abutment plate (114.1, 114.1') disposed in the region of the head plate and/or the stud (124) which passes through the elongated hole (123).
17. An elevating apparatus with a positioning member (6, 6') operated by a pressurised medium and in accordance with one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the expansion member (7, 7.1; 103, 103') connected to the pressure member (6; 105, 105') is constructed as a hose adapted to be filled with a liquid and in the supply line (8; 213) of which there is, for regulating the supply and discharge of liquid, a check valve (215) upstream of which there is a hydropneumatic transducer (214).
18. An elevating apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that, as a component of an infinitely adjustable elevating platform (201), it is provided with a scissors-type frame (203).
19. An elevating apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the transducer (214) is constructed as a pressure vessel (220) having an internal diaphragm (216) for separating a compressed air space (218) from a liquid space (219) which is connected to the pressure supply line (213).
20. An elevating apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that in the pressure vessel (220) constituting the transducer (214) the introduced compressed air and the liquid encounter each other directly.
21. An elevating apparatus according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterised in that it is in particular water which is provided as the liquid.

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