EP2065334B1 - Tipping mechanism for a lifting frame of an industrial truck and transport method of an industrial truck - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tilting mechanism for a mast of a truck, wherein the mast is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation between an at least approximately vertical operating position and an inclined relative to the vertical stop position on the frame of the truck, wherein the tilting mechanism is hinged to the mast and the frame of the truck and is designed such that the mast can be fixed in any pivoting positions between the operating position and the stop position.

The state of the art, for example, on the DE 43 05 639 C2 and the GB 1 470 499 A directed. GB 846 649 A describes a tilting mechanism according to the preamble of claim 1.

Masts of industrial trucks, in particular order pickers, have a lowered height of more than 2 m up to 6 m when the driver's cab or load-carrying fork is lowered, depending on what maximum height the cabin or the load-carrying fork can be raised.

So that trucks with masts, which in the lowered state of the load part have a height greater than about 2.9 m, can be transported as cargo, the mast after assembly of the truck to the mounted on the frame of the truck axis of rotation of the approximately vertical operating position pivoted into the stop position, for which purpose, due to the high weight of the mast, two cranes are used, to each of which an upper and a lower end of the mast are attached. This pivoting process is very time consuming and therefore costly. Furthermore, the lifting frame in stop position parts for transport safety on the frame of the truck are required, where the mast in stop position is to be fastened to prevent rocking of the mast in stop position during transport. The pivoting from the operating position in the stop position is usually at the production site of the truck, where appropriate crane facilities belong to Werksaustattung. However, the mast pivoted into the stop position after delivery of the truck at a customer must be placed back in the operating position, the customer on site often no cranes are available, resulting in an increase in commissioning costs for the customer, as a rule in addition Forklift of the production company for erecting the mast has to be ordered or rented.

Alternatively, a complete disassembly of the mast, including the driver's cab and load-carrying fork and their separate transport done. However, this is expensive because in addition the electrical and hydraulic connection lines must be disconnected.

The object of the invention is to simplify the pivoting of the mast of an industrial truck, so that time and costs can be saved when preparing the transport of the truck and at its commissioning.

To solve this problem, it is proposed that the tilting mechanism comprises a threaded rod extending between the two linkages and that it is removable when the mast is in the operating position and is not required for the operation of the industrial truck.

Such a tilting mechanism, which is attached directly to the truck or mounted, allows the pivoting of the mast without the use of means of transport, such as cranes or additional forklift trucks are used. Furthermore, the tilting mechanism applied to the truck and to the mast makes it possible to maintain any pivoting position between the operating position and the stop position, since the mast can be fixed in any desired pivoting position.

The articulation of the tilting mechanism on the mast in the operating position is preferably arranged above the axis of rotation of the mast and the articulation of the tilting mechanism is preferably provided at an upper portion of the frame of the truck. Of course, it is also conceivable to steer the tilting mechanism below the axis of rotation on the mast and to support it on the frame side at another suitable point in an articulated manner. Particularly advantageous is the arrangement of the tilting mechanism, when the mast in operating position, the distance between the axis of rotation and the linkage on the mast substantially corresponds to the distance between the axis of rotation and the linkage on the frame. In particular, the frame-side linkage should be arranged as far away from the axis of rotation. Such an arrangement of the tilting mechanism allows optimum power transmission from the pivoting mechanism to the mast, both during pivoting from the vertical operating position to the almost horizontal stop position and from the stop position or any pivotal position back into the operating position. In principle, however, these distances can be chosen arbitrarily or vary depending on the selected articulation point on the lifting device or frame.

Since the pivoting of the mast usually has to be carried out very rarely and does not belong to the daily operation of a picker, it is proposed that the tilting mechanism can be removed when mast is in the operating position. Thus, there are no components not required for operation on the mast and on the truck. As a result, the risk of damage to these components can be excluded. Furthermore, a removable tilting mechanism also allows the attachment of the same on any industrial trucks, if in these the mast for maintenance purposes from the operating position to be pivoted. If necessary, it is also conceivable that such a tilting mechanism is offered as a kit module in order to be able to be used in older, appropriately retrofitted order pickers.

In order to enable the pivoting movement of the mast about the axis of rotation and to achieve the desired fixation in any pivot position, it is proposed that the linkage on the mast comprises a rotatable relative to the mast about an axis orthogonal to the threaded rod nut, with the threaded rod in threaded engagement stands. The nut can be rotatably mounted by means of a bolt on the mast about this axis. The rotatably mounted on the mast nut is due to a rotation of the threaded rod along this displaced, so that the mast from the operating position to the stop position or vice versa is pivoted.

In order to drive the threaded rods, it is proposed that it is freely rotatably mounted on the frame of the truck about its longitudinal axis and relatively pivotable to the frame, wherein it has at its frame-side end in particular a screw head on which a tool is attached to the threaded rod in rotation about its longitudinal axis. As a screw head, for example, a four- or hexagonal screw head comes into consideration, which can be operated by a corresponding tool, such as wrench, pneumatic screwdriver and the like. Such tools are usually available both at the production site of the truck and the customer, so that can be dispensed with cranes or additional forklift when pivoting the mast.

When preparing the transport of a truck, the electrical and hydraulic supply of the truck are usually switched off. The attached to the mast load part, in particular the driver's cab and the load receiving fork, remain in the operating position of the mast due to gravity in an operational readiness position at their respective lower stop. From this position, the load part due to the force of gravity is usually not displaced upwards. However, if the mast is pivoted and especially in his Stop position, which may be almost horizontal, is stored, the load part can be moved along the mast, in particular due to its inertia, when the truck is on an accelerating or decelerating transport vehicle. To counteract such unwanted movement of the load part relative to the mast during transport, it is proposed that in the region of the articulation of the tilting mechanism on the mast locking means are provided, by means of which a along the mast displaceable load part secured in a pivoted from the operating state position of the mast against displacement is. Preferably, the articulation of the mother on the mast and the locking means are connected to each other such that they are fastened together on the mast. This has the advantage that when attaching the tilting mechanism for the purpose of pivoting the mast, so to speak automatically required for pivoting locking the load part is made possible.

The invention further relates to an industrial truck, in particular a commissurer, which comprises a tilting mechanism according to the invention.

In masts of the known type, which are pivoted by means of cranes or forklifts between operating position and stop position, it has also been shown that the mast mounted in standby position load part, in particular the load-carrying fork in the stop position of the mast projecting from this upwards, so that it Transporting the truck is usually required to remove the fork from its operational readiness position on the mast and transported separately to the truck. Of course, this removal of the load-picking fork during transport preparation also implies the re-attachment of the load-receiving fork during the commissioning of the truck after its delivery, which is both time-consuming and thus leads to increased costs.

Accordingly, according to another aspect of the present invention proposed a method for transporting an industrial truck, wherein the mast of the truck to be transported pivoted in a transport position inclined relative to the operating position and is fixed in this transport position, wherein when transporting load-carrying means, in particular a load-receiving fork, remain mounted in an operational readiness position on the mast. In this method, the tilting mechanism according to the invention is used, which makes it possible to fix the mast in any pivot position between the operating position and the stop position.

Preferably, in the proposed method, the transport position, which corresponds to any pivot position of the mast, selected such that both the pivoted mast and the pivoted load-receiving means are arranged below a certain transport height relative to the ground. In this case, the transport height depends on how much space in the vertical direction in a transport vehicle or on a transport vehicle to be mounted container (container) is present.

Preferably, a highest point of the pivoted mast in the transport position is higher than a highest point of the pivoted load-receiving means. Such a transport position allows, for example, that several prepared for transport trucks with pivoted masts and it arranged in operating position lifting devices can be positioned one behind the other on a transport vehicle, the load-carrying means of a rear truck under the pivoted backwards, upper portion of a mast of a front truck movable is, so that two trucks can be stored one behind the other to save space.

A minimum possible transport height can be achieved if, in the transport position, a highest point of the pivoted mast and a highest point of the pivoted lifting device to substantially the same transport height. This state is achieved in exactly one pivotal position, in which an imaginary line between the highest point of the pivoted mast and the highest point of the swiveled lifting device runs substantially parallel to the ground.

Fig. 1

ist eine seitliche Aufrissdarstellung eines Kommissionierers mit einem Hubgerüst in Betriebsstellung.

Fig. 2

ist eine seitliche Aufrissdarstellung eines Kommissionierers mit verschwenktem Hubgerüst.

Fig. 3

ist eine vergrößerte perspektivische Detailansicht von schräg oben auf das Hubgerüst und den Kippmechanismus.

Fig. 4

ist eine vergrößerte perspektivische Detaildarstellung der Anlenkung des Kippmechanismus am Rahmen des Kommissionierers.

Fig. 5

ist eine vergrößerte perspektivische Detailansicht der Anlenkung des Kippmechanismus am Hubgerüst.

Fig. 6

zeigt beispielhaft die Anordnung von zwei Kommissionierern mit in Transportstellung verschwenkten Hubgerüsten und mit Lastaufnahmemitteln in Betriebsbereitschaftsstellung.

Fig. 7

zeigt das Hubgerüst in einer nahezu horizontalen Anschlagstellung.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Fig. 1

is a side elevation view of a picker with a mast in operating position.

Fig. 2

is a side elevational view of a picker with pivoted mast.

Fig. 3

is an enlarged perspective detail view obliquely from above on the mast and the tilting mechanism.

Fig. 4

is an enlarged perspective detail of the articulation of the tilting mechanism on the frame of the order picker.

Fig. 5

is an enlarged perspective detail view of the articulation of the tilting mechanism on the mast.

Fig. 6

shows an example of the arrangement of two order pickers with pivoted in transport position masts and with lifting devices in operational readiness position.

Fig. 7

shows the mast in a nearly horizontal stop position.

Fig. 1 shows a truck in the form of a picker 10 in a schematic side elevation view. The commissioner 10 comprises a vehicle frame 12, on which a mast 14 is mounted pivotably about a rotation axis D. On the mast 14, a driver's cab 16 is mounted, which is displaceable along the telescopic mast 14 in the vertical direction V. On the driver's cab 16, a load-receiving fork 18 is mounted, on the pallets and the like. Can be added.

The order picker 10 is in the FIG. 1 shown in its operating position in which the mast 14 extends substantially vertically relative to the substrate 20 upwards. The load-receiving fork 18 is arranged in an operational readiness position on the driver's cab 16 or on the mast 14, ie a position in which it is mounted and operative in normal operation of the order-picker 10.

The order picker 10 has on one side a tilting mechanism 22 for the mast 14. This tilting mechanism 22 comprises a threaded rod 24, which is fastened in an upper region 26 of the vehicle frame 12 or a lining 28. In this case, the threaded rod 24 on the one hand about a pivot axis S relative to the vehicle frame 12 pivotally mounted and on the other hand rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis L. The hub side end 30 of the threaded rod 24 is passed through a nut 32 which is rotatable relative to the mast 14 about a nut rotation axis MD.

When the threaded rod 24 is rotated about its longitudinal axis L, carried by the threaded engagement between the threaded rod 24 and the mast mounted on the mast 32, an implementation of the threaded rod rotational movement in a linear movement of the nut 32 along the threaded rod 24, so that the mast 14 about the axis of rotation D is pivoted, as in Fig. 2 is shown. In order to enable the threaded rod in rotation, it has at its frame-side end a hexagonal screw head 34 on which a suitable tool, for example Wrench, pneumatic screwdriver or the like., Can be engaged.

Like from the Fig. 2 can be seen, the mast 14 by the storage in the region of the rotation axis D and the articulation points 36, 38 on the frame 12 and the mast 14 of the tilting mechanism 22 securely in the illustrated any pivot position, which may also be a transport position held. Due to the threaded engagement between nut 32 and threaded rod 24 prevents the mast 14 performs any rocking movements in the pivot positions. In the Fig. 2 shown pivot position corresponds to a position at which mounted on the mast 14 in the operating position load receiving fork 18, a minimum transport height TH is achieved because a highest point 40 of the mast 14 and a highest point 42 of the pivoted load-receiving fork 18 at substantially the same heights HG or HL are above the ground 20. In such a transport position, the heights TH, HG and HL are thus substantially the same and the order-picker 10 can also be accommodated with the load-receiving fork 18 attached thereto in a transport container or on a transport vehicle.

Fig. 3 shows in a perspective view obliquely from above the tilting mechanism 22 in the pivoted position of the mast 14. From this view it can be seen that the nut 32 by means of a pivot bearing 44 which is arranged on a plate 46, is supported on the mast 14. The plate 46 is bolted to the mast 14 by screws 48 and has a protruding tab 50 which extends laterally of the cab 16. This tab 50 is used to be able to lock a movement of the driver's cab 16 in the pivoted state of the mast 14 by, for example, corresponding bores being provided in the frame of the driver's cab 16, which are aligned with the two bores 52 of the tab 50, and by means of a screwdriver. Nut connection a locking or securing the cab 16 relative to the mast 14 can be done. Of course, such a transport lock or lock be designed differently for the driver's cab 16 or be provided at another point of the mast. Essential in the present embodiment is that the articulation of the tilting mechanism 22 and the lock for the driver's cab 16 is achieved by means of the same plate 46, so that when attaching the tilting mechanism 22 on the order picker 10 for pivoting the mast 14 meaningful locking the cab with the same is prepared or can be carried out.

Fig. 4 shows in perspective schematic detail view of the linkage 36 of the tilting mechanism 22 on the frame of the order picker 10. The frame 12 is for the articulation of the tilting mechanism before a flange 54 upwards, through which a screw bolt 56 is guided, which is in threaded engagement with a threaded rod receiving block 58. The threaded rod receiving block 58 is pivotable relative to the flange 54 about the pivot axis S. The longitudinal axis L of the threaded rod 24 extends orthogonally to this pivot axis S. The threaded rod 24 is passed through the threaded rod receiving block 58 and has at the lower end the screw head 34, which is rotatable relative to the threaded rod receiving block 58 about the longitudinal axis L. The screw head 34 and the threaded rod 24 are in rotational engagement with each other, so that upon rotation of the screw head 34, the threaded rod 24 is rotated about its longitudinal axis L. Above the screw head is followed by an (optional) thrust bearing 35 to reduce the drive torque and a spherical washer 37 with a correspondingly designed conical socket in the threaded rod receiving block 58 to compensate for any misalignment or manufacturing tolerances.

Above the threaded receiving block 58 close to the threaded rod 24 one to two nuts 59 at. These have the function to lock the threaded rod 24 such that a rotation about the rotation axis L is prevented. Further, with these nuts 59 prevents the mast 14 at the center of gravity displacement during the tipping process suddenly turns. During the tilting process, depending on the height and weight of the mast or cab, there is a point where the tensile force in the lead screw becomes zero or negative, which, without nuts 59, would cause the mast 14 to brake unrestrained would turn around the axis of rotation D.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective detail view of the linkage 38 of the tilting mechanism 22 on the mast 14. As already with reference to Fig. 3 described, the threaded rod 24 extends through the relative to the mast 14 rotatably mounted nut 32. This is secured by means of a plate 46 on the mast 14. As already stated, the plate 46 has an S-shaped tab 50, which serves to lock the driver's cab 16.

Fig. 6 In such a pivoting of the mast 14 with load picker 18 remaining on the order picker 10 in operational readiness position, it is possible that two or more order pickers 10 can be arranged one behind the other in a space-saving manner, the transport height TH required for this purpose is directed to the highest point 40 of the pivoted mast 14. Compared with the transport position according to Fig. 2 is the highest point 40 of the mast 14 slightly higher than the highest point 42 of the pivoted load-receiving fork 18 (HG> HL), so that a rear order picker 10 'with its load-receiving fork 18' below a rear portion of the pivoted mast 14 of a front order picker 10th can be placed. Of course, the load-receiving fork 18 can be removed for transport from the mast 14 and the driver's cab 16, so that an even more compact arrangement of several order pickers in a row with pivoted masts 14 is possible at the expense of the appropriate time.

The presented tilting mechanism thus provides an optimal basis for optimal transport situations optimum pivoting positions of the mast 14 so that the space required for the (or) to be transported (s) truck (s) can be minimized. Such a minimization of the space requirement can be achieved in an advantageous manner by the proposed tilting mechanism, which allows any pivoting or transport positions of the mast. Furthermore, the time required for the preparation of the transport and the subsequent commissioning of the truck is significantly reduced by the proposed tilting mechanism, resulting in a cost savings.

Fig. 7 shows the order picker 10 with the mast 14 in stop position, in which the nut 32 is located at the frame-side end of the threaded rod 24. In this stop position, the height HL of the highest point 42 of the load receiving fork 18 is greater than the height HG of the highest point 40 of the mast 14 and thus determines the transport height TH fixed. If the load-receiving fork 18 is not mounted on the mast 14 in such a transport position, the required transport height depends on the highest point 60 of the driver's cab 16.

Claims (14)

1. Tipping mechanism for a lifting structure (14) of a forklift truck (10), the lifting structure (14) being mounted on the frame (12) of the forklift truck (10) so as to be able to pivot about a pivot axis (D) between an at least approximately vertical operating position and a virtually horizontal stop position, inclined with respect to the vertical, the tipping mechanism (22) being mountable in an articulated manner (36, 38) on the lifting structure (14) and on the frame (12, 54) of the forklift truck (10) and being constructed in such a way that the lifting structure (14) can be fixed in any desired pivot position between the operating position and the stop position, characterised in that the tipping mechanism comprises a threaded rod (24) extending between the two linkages (36, 38) and in that, when the lifting structure (14) is in the operating position, said tipping mechanism can be removed and is not required for operation of the forklift truck.
2. Tipping mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the linkage (38) of the tipping mechanism (22) to the lifting structure (14) can be arranged above the pivot axis (D) of the lifting structure (14) in the operating position.
3. Tipping mechanism according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the linkage (36) of the tipping mechanism (22) is provided on an upper portion (54) of the frame (12) of the forklift truck (10).
4. Tipping mechanism according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that, when the lifting structure (14) is in the operating position, the distance between the pivot axis (D) and the linkage (38) to the lifting structure (14) corresponds substantially to the distance between the pivot axis (D) and the linkage (36) to the frame (12).
5. Tipping mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the linkage (38) to the lifting structure (14) comprises a nut (32) which can rotate relative to the lifting structure (14) about an axis (MD) orthogonal to the threaded rod (24) and with which the threaded rod (24) is in threaded engagement.
6. Tipping mechanism according to claim 5, characterised in that the nut (32) can be fastened to the lifting structure (14) by means of a screw bolt so as to be able to rotate about the axis (MD).
7. Tipping mechanism according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that the nut (32) is displaceable along the threaded rod, owing to the rotation of said threaded rod (24), such that the lifting structure (14) can be pivoted out of the operating position towards the stop position or vice versa.
8. Tipping mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the threaded rod (24) is mountable on the frame (12) of the forklift truck (10) so as to be able to rotate freely about its longitudinal axis (L) and to be able to pivot relative to the frame (12).
9. Tipping mechanism according to claim 8, characterised in that the threaded rod (24) has, at the frame-side end, a screw head (34) to which a tool can be attached in order to cause the threaded rod (24) to rotate about its longitudinal axis (L).
10. Tipping mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that arresting means (50, 52) can be arranged in the region of the linkage (38) to the lifting structure (14) and used to secure against displacement a load part (16, 18), which is displaceable along the lifting structure (14), in a position of the lifting structure (14) that is pivoted out of the operating state.
11. Tipping mechanism according to claim 10, characterised in that the linkage (44) of the nut (32) and the arresting means (50) are joined together (46) in such a way that they can be jointly fastened to the lifting structure (14).
12. Forklift truck, in particular an order picker (10), comprising a tipping mechanism (22) according to any of the preceding claims.
13. Method for transporting a forklift truck according to claim 12, wherein the lifting structure (14) of the forklift truck (10) to be transported is pivoted into a transportation position, which is inclined relative to the operating position, and fixed in this transportation position, wherein load receiving means (16, 18), in particular a load receiving fork (18), remain attached to the lifting structure (14) in a ready-to-operate position during transportation.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the transportation position is selected in such a way that both the pivoted lifting structure (14) and the pivoted load receiving means (16, 18) are arranged below a specific transportation height (TH) with respect to the ground (20), a highest point (40) of the pivoted lifting structure (14) preferably being higher in the transportation position than a highest point (42) of the pivoted load receiving means (18), or a highest point (40) of the pivoted lifting structure (14) and a highest point (42) of the pivoted load receiving means (18) preferably being at substantially the same transportation height (TH, HG, HL) in the transportation position.

Images