EP2006242B1 - Pneumatic platform, in particular for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for lifting objects and in particular vehicles. The following invention will be described with reference to a car lift, but it will be understood that the present device is suitable for lifting other objects.

Such lifts are known from the prior art for a long time. Both so-called underfloor lifting platforms and so-called overhead lifts are known from the prior art. Underfloor lifts usually have a piston arrangement with a first cylindrical piston, which is movable relative to a second cylindrical piston and is actuated by a hydraulic drive. As a hydraulic agent is usually used in the art, oil.

Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to supply air to one of the pistons, for example the stationary piston, and in this way to cause the hydraulic fluid to be forced from one region of the piston assembly into another region of the piston assembly and in this way a movement of the lifting platform is reached. In order to provide the hydraulic fluid from one region of the piston assembly to another region, usually valves and line connections are attached to an outer wall of the piston assembly, which effect this transport. However, these line connections are sometimes prone to interference and, on the other hand, may also hinder mechanics at work.

The publication US Pat. No. 1,975,551 describes a lifting platform for vehicles with a first cylinder part and a second cylinder part arranged movably with respect to this. Via a gas line, compressed air can be introduced into the interior of the first cylinder part, whereby the liquid also contained in this is conveyed via a pipe into the interior of the second cylinder part. The liquid causes in the second cylinder part an increase in volume, ie an extension movement of the second cylinder part.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device for lifting objects, which allows a higher reliability and a higher user-friendliness. This is inventively achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

An apparatus for lifting objects, and in particular vehicles, according to the invention comprises a first tubular body and a second tubular body, the second tubular body being movable relative to the first tubular body in a longitudinal direction of the first tubular body. Furthermore, a first receiving space for a liquid medium is provided in the interior of the first tubular body, and furthermore a second receiving space is provided and a line connection for transporting the liquid medium from the first receiving space into the second receiving space.

According to the invention, the device has a supply line in order to supply the first receiving space another medium different from the first medium and the said line connection runs completely within the first receiving space or the second receiving space.

By tubular bodies are meant in particular but not exclusively pistons that can be extended against each other like a telescope. In the first receiving space, the liquid hydraulic medium is provided, which can be urged upon exposure to the gaseous medium in the second receiving space. By this process, the second receiving space is increased and thus raised the second tubular body. By guiding the line connection within the first receiving space is achieved that this line connection in the interior of the first tubular body is guided and thus less susceptible to interference. Also, this line does not hamper the work of maintenance personnel.

Preferably, the other medium other than the first medium is a gaseous medium and in particular air. However, it would also be possible to choose as a further medium a medium that does not mix with the first medium. For example, water could be provided as the first medium and oil as the second medium.

Preferably, the conduit connection extends substantially completely within the first or second receiving space, and preferably within the first receiving space. However, it would also be possible for example in a retracted state of the lift, the second receiving space surrounding the first receiving space and the line connection is provided in the space between the outer wall of the first receiving space and an inner wall of the second receiving space and thus in the second receiving space. In general, according to the invention, the line connection is arranged within that tubular body which has the larger cross-section, and preferably within that tubular body which has the smaller cross-section. It should be noted that the exact configuration also depends on which of the two tubular body is designed to be stationary and which as movable.

Preferably, the supply line extends at least partially within the first receiving space. However, it would also be possible for the supply line to run, for example, outside the first tubular body, but within the second tubular body, and only open in one end section into a first receiving space, which is arranged, for example, in the first tubular body. Preferably, the supply line extends from an inlet, such as a valve, substantially entirely within the first receiving space or within the first tubular body. The line connection runs completely within the first receiving space. However, the mouth region of this line connection, which projects into the second receiving space, is disregarded.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the line connection is designed as a rigid tube. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the receiving space does not change in terms of its receiving volume and thus the line connection can be performed as a rigid tube. This embodiment brings a lower susceptibility to wear with it. In a further advantageous embodiment, the line connection runs within the liquid medium. This means that the receiving space is filled with the liquid medium and in turn runs the line connection within this liquid medium.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the supply line extends within the liquid medium. Advantageously, the line connection and the supply line parallel to each other within the liquid medium. The supply line is preferably designed as a rigid tube.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first tubular body is arranged stationary. This means that the first tubular body or the first piston, for example, is embedded in the ground and the second tubular body moves relative to the first tubular body. It should be noted that tubular bodies are also understood as meaning bodies which are closed at their ends. In the context of this description, tubular bodies are generally those bodies which have a cavity in their interior.

Conversely, it would also be possible to arrange the supply line and the line connection within the moving tubular body.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a valve is arranged at an end portion of the line connection and this valve projects into the first tubular body. This valve thus serves to control the liquid medium with which the first tubular body or hydraulic cylinder is supplied. Preferably, this valve is arranged at a lower end or at a bottom plate of the tubular body. Preferably, a second valve is arranged on the supply line.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the supply line communicates with a reservoir for the gaseous medium. Preferably, this is a compressor or the like, which conveys the gaseous medium into the first supply line at a predetermined pressure.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the liquid medium contains water. In contrast to conventional lifting platforms, which usually use oil as the hydraulic medium, in the present case water is possibly used as hydraulic medium with additives which prevent rust formation. The use of water is advantageous over the use of oil, since water is disposed of as hydraulic fluid much less complicated can be regarded as environmentally friendlier. In a further advantageous embodiment, the gaseous medium is air.

The present invention is further directed to a lift with at least one device of the type described above. Advantageously, a lift on at least two devices of the type described above, which are particularly preferably synchronously controlled.

Advantageously, a corresponding lifting platform also has a control valve which controls the supply of the gaseous medium into the supply line. This control valve is preferably arranged separately with respect to the tubular body. The control valve allows on the one hand a supply of the gaseous medium, on the other hand, however, can also be controlled via a control line arranged on the supply line control valve.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung bei geschlossenem Ventil;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung bei geöffnetem Ventil.

Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic plan view of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a side view of the device with the valve closed;

Fig. 3

a side view of the device with the valve open.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an inventive device 1 for lifting objects. This device has a first tubular body 2 and a second tubular body 4. Here are in the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment, both tubular body 2, 4 formed as tubes with a cylindrical cross-section. Furthermore, the two tubes 2, 4 are arranged concentrically to one another here.

At least the second tubular body 4, but preferably also the first tubular body 2 are made of aluminum, wherein both tubes are preferably extruded parts. The second tubular body 4 has an outer tube 24 and a Inner tube 25 on. Between this outer tube 24 and the inner tube 25 struts (not shown) are arranged and in turn these threads in order thread to attach support elements on the second tubular body 4 can.

At the in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the second tubular body 4 moves and the first tubular body 2 is stationary or anchored in the ground. Within the first tubular body 2, a first receiving space 6 for a liquid medium is formed. In this liquid medium is particularly preferably water, which is possibly enriched with additives to protect seals and valve body within the device 1.

Between the first tubular body 2 and the second tubular body 4, a second receiving space 8 for the liquid medium is formed. The first receiving space and the second receiving space 8 are separated from each other and are preferably only in fluid communication with one another via a line connection 10.

The two tubular bodies 2 and 4 extend into Fig. 1 perpendicular to the plane of the figure upwards. Likewise, the line connection 10, which is disposed within the first tubular body 2, extends perpendicular to the plane of the figure upwards. Via this line connection 10, the liquid medium can be transported from the first receiving space into the second receiving space (lifting operation) or from the second receiving space into the first receiving space (lowering operation).

The reference numeral 12 refers to a supply line to the device from the outside via a supply line 23, a gaseous medium, and in particular air supply. This supply line 12 extends in Fig. 1 perpendicular to the plane of the figure upwards. By means of this supply line 12, the gaseous medium can be supplied to the first receiving space 6, and in this way the second tubular body 4 can be raised relative to the first tubular body 2.

Via an opening 22 in the bottom of the device 1, the liquid medium can reach the line connection 10 via a valve 26 during the lifting process. More specifically, this is in the first receiving space 6 by supplying the gaseous medium under Pressed medium pressed through this opening 22 in the line connection 10 and thus ultimately transported into the second receiving space 8.

The valve 26 is a valve which is normally closed and thus prevents flow into and out of the conduit connection 10. Via a control line 28, which in turn is connected to a control valve (not shown), the valve 26 can be actuated.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the device 1 with the valve closed. It can be seen that here the line connection 10 and the supply line 12 are arranged side by side. The respective lower portions of the pipe joint 10 and the supply pipe 12 are fixedly arranged in a bottom plate 32. It can be seen that the supply line 12 projects substantially upwards along the complete receiving space 6 in order to guide air into this area for the purpose of lifting. Of importance here is that the upper end of the supply line is always located above the level of the liquid medium or water 7 within the first receiving space 6. At the upper end of the supply line 12, a cap 18 is housed in a lid 17. The air flowing through the feed line 12 passes into this end cap 18 and from this in turn into the receiving space 6. Thus, this end cap 18 ensures that the air is introduced in any case above the level of the liquid 7 in the first receiving space 6.

If now air 9 is supplied via the supply line 12, this air 7 passes into the first receiving space 6, more precisely into the upper portion 6a of this first receiving space. As a result, a pressure on the liquid contained in the first receiving space 6 7 is effected and this in turn occurs down and over the line connection 10 ultimately upwards. This line connection 10, which extends according to the invention in the interior of the first receiving space 6, causes the liquid medium 9 can be transported into the second receiving space 8. Thus, the amount of liquid in the second receiving space 8 is increased and in this way causes the second tubular body 4 to be moved upward as a result of the resulting pressure.

For this purpose, the second receiving space 8, apart from the line connection 10, substantially completely closed. The second receiving space 8 is within of the second tubular body 4 but formed outside the first tubular body 2.

Alternatively, it would also be possible that the line connection 10 is not as in Fig. 2 shown exiting upward from the first tubular body 2, but through a side wall 2a of the tubular body. However, the height of such a passage opening in the first tubular body 2 would also simultaneously determine the maximum extension height of the second tubular body 4.

Fig. 3 shows a device 1 with open valve 26. It can be seen that in a bottom 32 of the device and the valve 26 is arranged. About the (in Fig. 1 shown) opening 22 which in Fig. 3 is not shown, the hydraulic fluid 7 (water), enters the interior of the valve 26 and from there during the lifting operation in the line connection 10. For this purpose, the valve 26 has a valve chamber 36 through which the liquid medium can flow. Furthermore, a valve body 34 is provided which can be moved between an open position and a closed position. The reference numeral 27 refers to a spring which causes a closed position of the valve. A control piston 31, when exposed to air, may cause the valve body 34 to transition to the open position.

The reference numeral 16 refers to a closure body, which is arranged floating on the liquid 7 within the first receiving space 6. This is particularly preferably a sphere. As the level of liquid 7 falls below a certain level, the floating closure body closes the opening 22 and can thus cause the device to stop and, if necessary, issue an alarm to the user.

Starting from the opening 22, the hydraulic fluid passes, as mentioned above, into the valve space 36 and from there ultimately into the conduit connection 10. The upper end of the conduit connection 10 passes through the lid 17, which is arranged on the first tubular body 2. By this cover 17 and the two receiving spaces 6 and 8 are separated from each other at the same time. It can be seen that a recess 17a is provided within the lid 17 and the upper end of the line connection 10 protrudes slightly from the bottom of this recess. In this case, it is achieved that the recess 17a is not covered in any position of the second tubular body 4 and thus always accessible for operation.

Through the recess 17, in which the hydraulic fluid can collect, it is further prevented that air enters the line connection 10. Thus, more precisely above the first receiving space in the form of the recess 17a, a reservoir for the water is present, which causes the end of the line connection always, that is, regardless of the position of the second tubular body, below the water level. It should be noted that the embodiment is advantageous and may be omitted in the prior art, since there the line connection can also open into a lower region of the second receiving space from the outside.

In the embodiment according to the invention shown in the figures, however, the hydraulic medium or the water is introduced at a relatively high altitude level in the second receiving space through the line connection 10, so that advantageously means are provided which prevent the gaseous medium in the line connection 10th can penetrate. In the shown Figures 2 - 3 is indicated in each case by a void, that both the first tubular body 2 and the second tubular body 4 may have a substantially greater extent in the longitudinal direction L.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

first tubular body

2a

Side wall

4

second tubular body

6

first recording room

6a

upper portion of the first receiving space 6

7

liquid medium

8th

second recording room

9

gaseous medium, air

10

line connection

12

feed

15

Wall of the line connection

16

closure body

17

cover

17a

recess

18

end cap

22

opening

23

supply

24

outer tube

25

inner tube

26

Valve

27

feather

28

control line

31

spool

32

ground

34

valve body

36

valve chamber

L

longitudinal direction

Claims (12)

1. Device (1) for lifting objects and in particular vehicles, with a first tubular body (2) and a second tubular body (4), the second tubular body (4) being movable in relation to the first tubular body (2) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the first tubular body, wherein in the interior of the first tubular body (2) is provided a first receiving chamber (6) for a first liquid medium (7) and wherein a second receiving chamber (8) is provided as well as a line connection (10) to transport the first liquid medium (7) from the first receiving chamber (6) to the second receiving chamber (8), the device (1) has a supply line (12) to supply to the first receiving chamber (6) a further medium (9) different from the first medium and to put under pressure the first medium (7), characterized in that the line connection (10) runs entirely inside the first receiving chamber (6).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the supply line (12) runs at least in sections within the first receiving chamber (6).
3. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the line connection (10) is formed as a rigid tube.
4. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the line connection (10) runs inside the liquid medium (7).
5. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supply line (12) runs inside the liquid medium 7.
6. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first tubular body (2) is arranged stationary.
7. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at an end section of the line connection (10) a valve is arranged (26) and this valve (26) protrudes into the first tubular body (2).
8. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a second valve is provided on the supply line (12).
9. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the supply line (12) is connected with a reservoir for the gaseous medium (9).
10. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the liquid medium (7) contains water.
11. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gaseous medium (9) is air (9).
12. Lifting platform with at least one device (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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