Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
  • B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
  • B60P1/44—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element
  • B60P1/4414—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element and keeping the loading platform parallel to the ground when raising the load
  • B60P1/4421—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element and keeping the loading platform parallel to the ground when raising the load the loading platform being carried in at least one vertical guide
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
  • B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
  • B60P1/44—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading having a loading platform thereon raising the load to the level of the load-transporting element
  • B60P1/4457—Means for immobilising the load or preventing it from rolling off during lifting; Man-rails

Definitions

• the present invention is in the field of the handling of containers of removable products for their loading and lateral unloading in and out of a transport vehicle. It relates more particularly to an autonomous vehicle equipped with a mechanized system for handling said containers.
• the preferred field of application of the invention is that of the collection of solid waste in bulk, and more particularly, but not exclusively, waste of the type of used tires or so-called D3E waste, for Electrical, Home Appliances and Electronics.
• the invention also applies to the handling of all types of containers of defined volume, for their loading in a transport vehicle and their unloading, for example the handling of containers of goods to be delivered in stores from regional bases.
• the invention applies to all removable containers of defined volume, in particular smaller containers or crates, whether they are wire mesh, sheet metal, plastic or other, and to all types of transport vehicles, more particularly large size, such as flat bed, trailer or semi-trailer.
• the present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of existing systems for handling containers for their loading in transport vehicles, and unloading them out of these vehicles, including those presented above, by proposing an autonomous vehicle equipped with a system handling of removable containers that is easy to implement, without requiring laborious maneuvers for operators and without generating fatigue for them.
• This container receiving tray determines a plane substantially parallel to the ground surface on which the vehicle rests, that is to say substantially horizontal in operation, the inclination of the ground on which the vehicle rests relative to the horizontal close. It comprises, in a conventional manner, a rear end, an opposite front end, and two side edges between the rear end and the front end. It also has a lower face facing the ground.
• the container receiving tray of the vehicle is defined relative to the normal position of use of the latter, resting on the ground by wheels arranged under its lower face, and with respect to its normal direction of movement. , from the back to the front.
• the handling system integrated into the vehicle comprises at least one translating support of small thickness, which is movable in translation along at least one lateral edge of the plate, between the rear and front ends thereof, preferably substantially on any the length of the tray. In the normal position of use of the vehicle, this translation takes place along an axis substantially parallel to the surface of the ground on which the vehicle is resting.
• the system further comprises an elevator module which is movable between a transport position, in which it is integral with the receiving tray, at one end thereof, preferably the rear end, and an operative position in which it is integral with the translating support in its translational movements along the lateral edge of the plate.
• an elevator module which is movable between a transport position, in which it is integral with the receiving tray, at one end thereof, preferably the rear end, and an operative position in which it is integral with the translating support in its translational movements along the lateral edge of the plate.
• the system according to the invention also comprises an integral handling platform of the elevator module, which is movable in translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the receiving plate, that is to say substantially vertical, the inclination of the ground on which the vehicle rests relative to the horizontal, between a position at the height of the plate and a specific position determined.
• the handling platform is movable up and down and up and down on the elevator module, which is also integral in the translation movements along the side edge of the tray.
• the elevator module is itself preferably fixed in this substantially vertical direction.
• the determined distinct position of the handling platform may be a lower position than the plateau.
• the platform is mounted on the vehicle, depending on the height of the receiving plate with respect to the ground surface, so as to be able to come substantially to the level of the ground itself.
• an elevation movement will be used to define its translation movement from top to bottom and from bottom to top, as opposed to its translational movement which takes place along the lateral edge of the plate, at the same time as the elevator module, substantially parallel to the ground surface.
• the handling platform is further movable in rotation between a folded position, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, and at least one unfolded position in which it extends away from this plate.
• the inclination of the platform relative to the vehicle deck is adjustable.
• the unfolded position in order to avoid the untimely sliding of the containers out of the platform, in the unfolded position the latter is brought in a plane substantially parallel to that of the ground surface.
• the system is configured such that when the handling platform is unfolded, and is at the proper height for the transfer of containers between it and the receiving tray, containers, that is to say substantially at the height of the plate, it is applied by a rear end substantially against the latter, with no or almost surface interruption between the two. The transfer of containers is therefore facilitated.
• the system according to the invention integrated on the vehicle makes it possible to load on the tray, or to discharge, completely autonomously, full or empty containers, and this in all places, especially on the premises waste collection. These handling operations do not require any additional external device or device.
• the vehicle thus advantageously operates completely independently for the transport and handling of containers.
• the loading / unloading is carried out laterally, that is to say by a lateral edge of the tray, so that it is easy to access a plurality of containers aligned with each other over the entire length the receiving tray from outside the vehicle.
• the elevator module is advantageously stored, during transport, at the rear of the tray, which it does not exceed in addition laterally. It does not increase the lateral dimensions of the vehicle.
• the translator support and the elevator module are permanently attached to one another, ie they form a single non-separable unit both in the transport position at the rear of the plate only in the operative position in translation along a lateral edge of the plate, or during the transfers between these different positions.
• the translator support and the elevator module form a single piece. This piece is stored at a rear end or front of the tray in the transport position, and it is adapted to be transferred as needed along a side edge of the tray, so as to be able to move in translation along this edge in the operative position. It is able to print the desired lifting movement to the handling platform.
• the translator support and the elevator module form distinct elements, the elevator module being movable between the transport position, in which it is arranged at a rear end or front of the tray, detached from the translator support, and the operating position in which it was transferred to the translator support, on the side of the tray, this only during handling operations, while the vehicle is stopped.
• the translating support remains always positioned along the lateral edge of the vehicle. It is advantageously no inconvenience during transport due to its small thickness.
• the system advantageously allows the lateral loading / unloading of the containers by each of the lateral edges of the tray.
• it preferably comprises, according to the embodiment among those described above, or a single translator support, always attached to the elevator module and able to be transferred to one or other of the side edges of the tray on request, two separate translator supports of the elevator module and each permanently disposed on one of the side edges of the tray.
• the elevator module is adapted to be fixed on each of these supports from its transport position at one end, preferably the rear end, of the tray.
• the system according to the invention thus works advantageously in a similar way on each of the lateral edges of the plate. It is thus advantageous to load or unload containers by each side of the vehicle. This is particularly advantageous in the case where two longitudinal rows of containers are arranged in the vehicle, or for example when, depending on the configuration of the place of handling, it is possible to easily approach the vehicle from the storage location containers only at one of its side edges, thus avoiding uncomfortable maneuvers.
• the handling system comprises at the rear end of the tray receiving two panels each articulated pivotally around an axis perpendicular to the receiving plate, between a transport position in which these panels are aligned side by side along the receiving plate, perpendicular to the latter, and an operative position in which the panel is in the extension of an edge lateral side of the plateau.
• These panels include the form of rear door leaves of the vehicle, articulated in a conventional manner pivoting about axes disposed at each rear corner of the plate.
• the translating support is movable in translation, in a direction in the plane of the plate, on the one hand in their transport position along these panels and from one panel to another, and secondly in their operative position between each of the panels and the respective lateral edge associated.
• the panels are preferably provided with sliding guide rails of the translating support. In the transport position, these rails are substantially perpendicular to the lateral edges of the plate, and they extend one another substantially without continuity break. In the operative position, they are on the contrary substantially parallel to the lateral edges of the plate, so as to allow the sliding transfer of the translating support of a panel to the associated side edge.
• the handling system preferably comprises means for locking the translating support in a position in which it straddles the two panels in the transport position, and means for locking the support. translator in positions in which it is located respectively on only one of the panels.
• the translator support, and consequently the elevator module which is fixed to it is locked in a position in which it is partly mounted on one of the panels, and partly on the 'other.
• it is desired to transfer the translating support to one of the lateral edges of the plate it is moved on the panel associated with this lateral edge, and locked in this position.
• Such a characteristic increases, in particular, the degree of safety of operation during the pivoting of the panel in order to bring it into the extension of the lateral edge of the plate, eliminating any risk of falling of the translating support and the elevator module which is secured thereto. .
• the plateau of receiving containers has predetermined locations for receiving the containers.
• the system comprises reversible automatic locking means, in particular by an elastic latching effect, of the translation movement of the translator support along the lateral edge of the plate, in each of the positions in which, in the operating position of the elevator module, the handling platform is disposed respectively facing each of these predetermined locations.
• the correct positioning of the platform opposite each location of a container is therefore advantageously facilitated.
• the translator support is easily unlocked to move the platform from one location to another location, or to return it to a position for the transfer of the elevator module to its transport position at the rear of the tray.
• the handling system comprises a gripping base fixed under each of the containers. It can thus be adapted to all the usual containers available on the market. These containers are simply modified by fixing under their underside of a gripping base, which is preferably provided with gripping means, preferably traction, to easily move the containers.
• the containers thus adapted for use in the context of the implementation of the system according to the invention, remain permanently secured to this base, even when they are on the collection site, for their subsequent loading on the transport vehicle.
• each of the containers is equipped with displacement members at a lower face.
• These members are preferably carried by the gripping base associated with the container, at a lower face of this base opposite to an upper face receiving the container.
• the receiving tray and the handling platform are each equipped with at least one cooperating guide guide containers in a lateral direction relative to the tray. This lateral direction is defined in relation to the longitudinal direction of vehicle advancement.
• the guideways are thus positioned on axes joining the two lateral edges of the plate to one another, preferably substantially perpendicular to these edges.
• the displacement members are in particular casters, preferably adjustable and equipped with brakes, which also allow easy movement of the containers on the ground, after unloading or before loading.
• raceways are formed on the one hand on the receiving plate in the vehicle and on the other hand on the platform.
• the platform is arranged so that these respective races are substantially in the extension of one another.
• the correct positioning is advantageously provided by the automatic locking means of the translational movement of the translator support whose elevator module is secured.
• each container is provided, preferably under its associated gripping base, two rows of displacement members arranged spaced apart from each other, so as to ensure the stability of the containers during their movements.
• the receiving plate and the handling platform are each equipped with two guide tracks, with the same spacing as these two sets of members. These guideways are also preferably variable spacing, so that they can adapt to containers and pedestals of different sizes and configurations.
• a further object of the invention is to ensure the safety of the operator (s) and containers during handling and transport.
• the receiving plate is equipped with means for locking the containers in a determined position suitable for their transport, which can be actuated by an operator, manually or more advantageously in a motorized manner.
• These means cooperate with complementary carried by each of the containers, preferably by their gripping base. They are in particular in the form of fingers or rotary locking hooks reversibly engaging in cooperating notches in the containers, or preferably the bases, for example on the underside of the latter.
• These locking means are also preferably associated with a lock control indicator, in particular a visual indicator, which is preferably designed so as to light up as long as the containers are not locked on the plate, and to extinguish a once the lock is done.
• the handling system preferably further comprises a reversible automatic locking device containers in a predetermined position on the receiving tray, including the type snap elastic a hook disposed on the receiving tray in a notch provided for this purpose on the underside of the container.
• the handling system comprises a motorized device for gripping and moving containers between the receiving plate and the handling platform. This device is preferably operated by hydraulic means.
• this device for gripping and moving containers preferably comprises unlocking means capable of interacting with the reversible automatic locking device of the containers on the receiving platform, to automatically realize the release of a container simultaneously with its grip.
• the system handling also comprises a reversible automatic locking device containers on the handling platform, in particular by resilient latching stops disposed on the platform in cooperating notches in each of the containers, preferably in each of the associated bases.
• these means are configured so that unlocking occurs spontaneously, under the effect of a tensile force greater than the normal force required for their displacement.
• the unlocking by releasing the stops out of the notches, can be performed only after a voluntary operation, for example by means actuated by a hydraulic device.
• the reversible automatic locking means containers on the handling platform are integrated in the container gripping and displacement device described above.
• the handling platform is preferably attached to the elevator module via a carrier beam substantially parallel to the side edge of the tray in the operative position, that is, that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the containers between the receiving tray and the platform.
• This beam is advantageously articulated in rotation about its axis, so as to achieve the rotational movement of the platform between the folded position and the unfolded position.
• the platform is able to pivot around the beam, which makes it possible, when the beam is placed on the ground, to deport the platform also on the ground and to easily transfer the container of the platform to the beam. ground or vice versa.
• the capacity of rotation of itself of the carrying beam allows in addition, in a high position of the beam relative to the ground, to incline the platform to the ground by a front end opposite the plate.
• this movement causes its emptying by a side opening it has for this purpose.
• the products inside the container then fall spontaneously under the effect of their weight.
• the container is advantageously maintained on the platform by a locking device that the system according to the invention preferably comprises for this purpose.
• the platform is not attached to the elevator module by a load beam but simply by two axes articulated in pivoting on themselves, which are respectively fixed on each of the opposite lateral edges of the platform.
• the rotational movements of the platform are then preferably printed by conventional hydraulic means in themselves, fixed for this purpose on the elevator module.
• the translator support is able to move on two longitudinal guide rails substantially parallel to the lateral edge of the plate, which are arranged respectively vertically above the plate and on the lateral edge of the latter.
• These two rails are preferably supported at a chassis of the vehicle.
• the low rail advantageously supports the load resting on the platform, while the high rail offsets the forces exerted on the latter laterally to the vehicle.
• a remote-axis hinge device assembled at one end, preferably at the rear end, of the tray, and on which the elevator module is fixed in a removable manner, ensures the transfer of this module between the transport position at the rear of the tray and the operating position of attachment to the translator support, and by a rotational movement of the latter 270 degrees about an axis disposed at the angle between the side edge and the rear end of the plate.
• the handling system then comprises two offset-axis hinge devices, respectively for each of the lateral edges of the tray. .
• the elevator module In the transport position, the elevator module is then fixed to each of these devices, respectively by two opposite longitudinal edges. This is enough to keep it stuck against the rear end of the tray. When stopped, to bring it into an operative position, it is released from a first of these devices, then it can be transferred by the second device to the corresponding translating support, which has been previously positioned near the rear end of the tray. The elevator module is then detached from the second hinge device, to be rendered integral in translation with the translator support.
• the attachment of the elevator module to the translator support is performed by self-locking reversible locking means.
• the movements of the handling platform are preferably motorized, both for its elevation substantially perpendicular to the ground surface as for its unfolding and folding.
• the invention further advantageously provides that the vehicle may comprise two container receiving trays one above the other, for the reception of a large number of containers, for example of smaller size, accessible by a same handling system.
• the elevator module is advantageously configured so as to allow the platform to be positioned vertically at the level respectively of each of these trays.
• the system preferably further comprises a chair which is secured to the platform in its movements, and which is adapted to fold with it against the rear end of the tray in the transport position. This chair advantageously allows an operator to easily access, at the same time as the handling platform, at the upper plate, in order to access the containers that are placed therein and move them from the tray to the platform, Or vice versa.
• the vehicle further comprises a safety device prohibiting the operation of the system if the inclination of the vehicle longitudinally or transversely to the horizontal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, which could danger to the operator or lead to the risk of damage to the containers and their contents.
• the handling system further comprises means for automatically controlling the inclination of the handling platform relative to the horizontal.
• a method of handling containers using the vehicle equipped with a handling system according to the invention mainly comprises the following steps.
• the lift module is held at the end, preferably the rear end, of the vehicle's receiving plate, so as not to protrude laterally.
• the handling platform is in the folded position, substantially perpendicular to the ground surface on which the vehicle is based.
• the elevator module When the vehicle is stopped at the place of handling, the elevator module is transferred from this transport position to the operative position in which it is secured to the translating support in its movements along a lateral edge of the tray.
• the handling platform is unfolded in a position substantially parallel to the ground surface, that is to say the plane of the receiving plate. In cases where the soil surface is very inclined relative to the horizontal, the invention advantageously provides that the platform can be unfolded substantially horizontally.
• the unfolded platform is actuated in elevation, so as to bring it substantially to the height of the receiving tray for unloading containers placed therein, or substantially at ground level for loading a container from the ground into the vehicle .
• the container is brought to the platform, then the latter is again actuated in elevation so as to bring it, as the case may be, either at ground level or at the level of the receiving tray. In this new position, the container is moved again, so as to bring it on the ground or on the plateau. All movements of movement of the container on the platform and on the plate are guided by the guideways carried for this purpose by the platform and the plate.
• the platform is returned to a suitable height, folded, and the elevator module is transferred to its transport position.
• the vehicle can move again.
• the platform For the emptying of the containers directly from the platform, it is placed in height above the receptacle for receiving the products contained in the container, and then inclined by a front end towards this receptacle, so as to cause the fall of the products, by a gravity effect, out of the open container, to the receptacle.
• FIG. 1 shows, in side view, a container equipped with a base of a handling system according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows, in front view, a translator support of a handling system according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3a illustrates, in front view, an elevator module of a handling system according to a first embodiment of the invention
• Figure 3b shows the elevator module of Figure 3a in side view
• - Figure 4 shows schematically, in side view, a portion of a vehicle equipped with a handling system according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the elevator module is in the transport position
• FIG. 1 shows, in side view, a container equipped with a base of a handling system according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows, in front view, a translator support of a handling system according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3a illustrates, in front view, an elevator module of a handling system according to a first embodiment of the invention
• Figure 3b shows the elevator module of Figure 3a in side view
• FIG. 5 illustrates reversible automatic locking means for a container of a handling system according to the invention
• Figure 6 shows, in rear view, the part of the vehicle of Figure 4
• Figure 7a shows, in partial top view, the part of the vehicle of Figure 4 in which the elevator module is being transferred between the transport position and the operative position
• Figure 7b shows, in partial top view, the part of the vehicle of Figure 4 in which the elevator module is in the operative position
• Figure 8 illustrates, in partial side view, the portion of the vehicle of Figure 4 wherein the translator support is positioned opposite a specific location of a container
• Figure 9a shows, in rear view, the part of the vehicle of Figure 4 in which the handling platform is unfolded
• Figure 9b shows, in rear view, the part of the vehicle of Figure 4 in which the handling platform is unfolded and positioned at the receiving tray containers
• Figure 10 shows, in partial top view, a portion of a vehicle according to the invention in the configuration of Figure 9b
• Figure 11 shows, in rear view, a portion
• FIG. 12a illustrates, in rear view, a part of a vehicle according to the invention, in a configuration in which the platform carrying a container is brought to the ground;
• Figure 12b illustrates, in rear view, a portion of a vehicle according to the invention, in a configuration in which the platform carrying a container is placed on the ground;
• Figure 12c illustrates, in rear view, the emptying of a container positioned on the platform;
• FIG. 13 illustrates a translator support and an elevator module of a handling system according to a second embodiment of the invention
• Figure 14 shows, in rear view, a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention
• Figure 15a shows, in rear view, a portion of the vehicle of Figure 14 in the transport position
• - Figure 15b shows, in rear view, a portion of the vehicle of Figure 14 in pre-transfer position of the translator support to an operative position
• 15c shows, in rear view, a portion of the vehicle of Figure 14 in the transfer position of the translator support to the operative position
• Figure 16 shows in plan view a portion of the receiving tray of a vehicle according to a different embodiment of the invention
• Figure 17 illustrates, in side view, an element of a device for gripping and moving containers between the receiving tray and the platform
• Figure 18 shows a top view of a handling platform of a system according to a different embodiment of the invention, associated with a device for gripping and moving containers between the receiving plate and the platform.
• the invention relates to
• a container 1 is shown in Figure 1.
• This container is conventional in itself. It can have any shape and any size, and be made of any material.
• a container for the collection of used tires may conventionally have a height of 2.50 m, for a length of 2.50 m and a width of 80 cm.
• the container 1 is fixed by a lower face 2 on a gripping base 3.
• This base has a shape substantially similar to that of the container, preferably substantially rectangular. It may have the same cross-sectional area, or a smaller area. It is preferably positioned centered under the container.
• the base 3 Under a lower face 4 opposite to an upper face receiving the container 1, the base 3 is provided with displacement members, for example rollers 5, for moving the container in the direction indicated by the reference numeral 9 in the figure (or in the reverse direction). These wheels can be present in any number. However, it is preferred, in order to ensure the ground stability of the assembly, that the rollers 5 are four in number, distributed in four opposite corners of the base 3.
• the rollers 5 are preferably adjustable and equipped with brakes.
• the base 3 is equipped with at least one gripping tube, which is not shown in the figures, and which facilitates its handling for its movement on the surface on which it rests by its wheels.
• the base 3 is further pierced with notches for locking in the vehicle.
• these notches are formed in the direction 9 of displacement of the base, in two beams 6 transverse to this direction, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the figure.
• an electronic contact 7 belonging to a device for controlling the locking of the containers in the vehicle, which will be described in more detail below.
• the base On its edges parallel to the direction of movement 9, above the level of the rollers 5, the base comprises in in addition to sleepers 8 which protrude laterally with respect to the container 1. These sleepers allow the guiding of the base during the handling operations, as will be explained below.
• the container 1 remains equipped with the base 3 during its entire life. It is left in this configuration on the place of collection, for its filling by the solid waste collected. With the wheels 5, it can be easily moved and immobilized anywhere. When it is full, it is loaded laterally into a transport vehicle according to the invention, to be transported to a waste treatment site where it must be emptied. An empty container brought by the same vehicle is unloaded and left in its place, for the continuation of the collection.
• the handling system comprises a translator support 10, represented in FIG. 2.
• This support is for example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, formed of an elongated metal open frame, of height approximately equal to the height of the loading volume of the vehicle, and of width greater than the width of a container 1.
• the width of the container is here defined as its dimension along an axis perpendicular to its direction of travel 9 for its transfer between the vehicle and the ground.
• the support 10 also has a thin thickness. On its uprights 11, the support 10 is provided with locking notches 12 arranged at regular intervals over its entire height.
• an upper cross member 13 At an upper cross member 13, at the opposite ends thereof, it comprises means for displacement, rolling, sliding or otherwise, along rails carried by the vehicle. These displacement means are in particular slides, preferably transverse groove wheels 14 for framing the rail. These wheels are preferably four in number.
• a lower cross member 15 also at the two opposite ends thereof, it also comprises means for moving, rolling, sliding or otherwise, along rails carried by the vehicle, preferably similar to the previous.
• These means are, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, longitudinal groove wheels 16, preferably four in number. The set of these grooved wheels 14, 16 allows the translational movement of the translator support on the vehicle.
• the support 10 is pierced by two locking notches 17.
• the system according to the invention also comprises an elevator module 20, shown in Figures 3a in front view and 3b in side view.
• This module comprises an elongate metal open frame 18 of shape and dimensions substantially equivalent to those of the frame forming the translating support 10.
• the frame 18 is equipped with locking fingers 21, which each cooperate with a notch 12 of the translator support, in which it is able to engage and lock automatically.
• the frame has two locking fingers 23 which cooperate with the notches 17 of the translator support.
• the uprights 19 also form longitudinal rails, said vertical, in which are slidable longitudinal slides 24, between the lower cross member 22 and an opposite upper cross member 25 of the frame.
• it has been shown by transparency through the slides 24 the locking fingers 21, which it actually conceals. These slides have a height less than the height of the uprights 19.
• a transverse support beam 26 is integral with the slides 24. This beam is articulated in rotation about its axis 27. It has for example a square sectional shape. On the beam 26 is fixed a handling platform. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, this platform is in the form of two parallel longitudinal arms 28, which are fixed on the beam 26 by a rear portion, substantially perpendicular to the latter, and such that they exceed slightly by their rear end 29. The arms 28 are integral with the beam 26 in rotation. When a rotation movement around its axis
• the rotational movement of the beam 26 is preferably printed by a rotary jack, for example hydraulically controlled.
• the frame 18 is advantageously dimensioned so that the arms 28, in the folded position in which they are substantially in the plane of the frame 18, are inscribed inside this frame.
• the pivoting movement of the arms 28 with respect to the axis 27, to bring them into an unfolded position, can be stopped at any moment, so that it is possible to give the arms the desired inclination with respect to the frame 18
• the arms 28 also carry an electronic level 32, which measures their inclination with respect to the horizontal and which is connected to a system for controlling the rotational movement of the beam 26.
• each of the arms 28 is equipped with a raceway cooperating with the wheels 5 of the pedestals 3.
• the elevator module 20 is designed such that the spacing between the arms 28 is adjustable, so as to be able to adapt to containers 1 and pedestals 3 of different shape and / or size.
• the arms 28 are further mounted so as to be free in pivoting around the beam 26.
• FIG. 4 schematically shows a portion of a vehicle according to the invention, including the container receiving volume.
• a receiving plate 33 of the vehicle For example, there are shown on the plate six containers arranged next to each other, ready to be discharged laterally of the plate, in the direction of movement 9, perpendicular to the plane of this figure.
• the tray conventionally comprises a lower face 34, which is disposed in the normal position of use of the vehicle, vis-à-vis the ground, and an opposite upper face 35, here formed by a roof of the vehicle.
• the invention also applies to vehicles in which the container receiving tray is not overhung by any roof.
• the plate also has a rear end 36, opposite to a front end, and side edges 37, 37 'between the rear end 36 and the front end. According to the invention, the containers are loaded and discharged laterally by at least one lateral edge 37 of the plate 33.
• the receiving plate 33 is equipped with rolling paths cooperating with the rollers 5 of the bases 3, and with the same spacing as the latter in the direction 38 perpendicular to the direction of movement of the containers. 1 for loading / unloading on / off the board.
• the spacing between the races corresponding to the same container is advantageously adjustable between several positions, so that the plate 33 can adapt to different shapes and / or sizes of containers and pedestals.
• locking fingers 39 In the thickness of the plate 33 are housed locking fingers 39, which can be seen in Figure 9a, and which are adapted to pivotally engage in the notches formed by the beams 6 on the underside of the bases 3.
• the movement of the locking fingers 39 is preferably motorized by hydraulic control. In the locking position, the fingers 39 come to bear against the contact 7 housed in the notches, which allows to perform a lock control.
• the system according to the invention comprises for this purpose a device for controlling the locking of the containers 1 in the vehicle, which is configured such that when the locking fingers 39 do not touch the contacts 7, a witness, particularly light, perceptible by an operator, lights up. When the containers are properly locked on the tray, i.e.
• the plate 33 is also equipped with a reversible automatic locking device containers in a specific position, especially in their transport position on the tray. This device preferably operates by snap elastic. An example of a preferred embodiment of such a device is shown in FIG. 5.
• a reversible automatic locking device containers in a specific position, especially in their transport position on the tray. This device preferably operates by snap elastic.
• An example of a preferred embodiment of such a device is shown in FIG. 5.
• In the plate 33 is pierced at least one, preferably two, cavities 40, spaced from each other in the direction transverse to the direction of movement of the containers. Each cavity receives springs 41 which tend to push a protruding abutment 42 out of the cavity.
• the abutment has upper lenght faces, in particular a substantially triangular shape.
• each base 3 is pierced with notches 43 of shape substantially complementary to that of the stops 42.
• the system according to the invention is configured such that when the container is in said determined position on the plate 33 , the notches 43 and the stops 42 cooperating are vis-à-vis respectively of each other, and the stops are engaged in the notches, under the effect of the pressure of the springs 41.
• the base 3 and the container 1 that it supports are thus immobilized on the plateau.
• a similar locking device is advantageously provided on the handling arms 28, so as to secure the container handling operations on these arms 28.
• the translator support 10 in the mounting position on the vehicle.
• This support 10 is fixed at the side edge 37 of the vehicle. It is slidably mounted along running rails substantially along the entire length of the lateral edge 37 of the container receiving tray 33, in a sliding direction 38 substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the containers 1 to and from the tray.
• the support slides, for example, in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, along an upper rail 44, positioned on the upper face 35 of the vehicle, by its upper groove wheels 14, and along a rail 45, positioned against the side face 37 of the vehicle, by its lower groove wheels 16.
• the sliding of the support 10 along the rails 44 and 45 can be carried out manually as well as motorized.
• the upper rail 44 is held above the receiving plate by any conventional suspension system itself, for example by a stem extending from the tray.
• the system according to the invention comprises reversible automatic locking means of the displacement of the support 10 along the rails, in positions in which the frame 18 forming the support 10 is in front of each of the locations of the containers 1 on the plate 33, way to frame the container.
• These locking means are for example, but not limited to, constituted in the same manner as the locking device shown in Figure 5 and which has been described above. They allow an operator to easily position the lift support at the appropriate location for the transfer of each container on and off the tray.
• the elevator module 20 is shown mounted at the rear end 36 of the vehicle, in the so-called transport. The arms 28 are folded against the module. The vehicle can travel safely.
• the vehicle comprises two translating supports 10, 10 'similar, each placed at an opposite lateral edge 37, 37' of the plate.
• the rear end 36 is shown in the plane of this figure.
• These two supports 10, 10 ' make it possible to transfer the containers, at the choice of the operator, by each of the lateral edges 37, 37' of the plate. Because of their thin thickness and their position very close to the corresponding lateral edge, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the translating supports 10, 10 'produce only a small increase in the width of the vehicle, which is not penalizing. for driving and for sideways congestion on the road.
• the guide rails 44, 44 'and 45, 45' respectively associated with each of the translating supports 10, 10 ' are also thin. They are fixed to a conventional chassis 46 of the vehicle by supporting the wheels (which are not shown in the figures), directly for the lower rails 45, 45 'and through front and rear gantries 47 for the upper rails 44 , 44 '.
• the elevator module 20 is fixed, in a removable manner, by any means conventional in itself, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, to a transfer device between a transport position, in which it is maintained at this rear end 36, and an operative position, in which it is applied against one of the translating supports while being integral in translation.
• this transfer device consists of a hinge with offset axis, with double articulation, 48.
• three similar hinges are arranged. some above the others, distributed over the entire height of the elevator module 20. These hinges are interconnected by plates 49 so as to ensure the strength of the assembly.
• two similar transfer devices are fixed at the rear end 36 of the tray, each near a side edge of the tray.
• the elevator module 20 is fixed in a detachable manner, by each of its opposite longitudinal edges, respectively to each of these transfer devices, which makes it possible to hold it stably fixed to the rear of the plate during the entire transport phase, and as long as it is not to be used for container handling.
• the system may comprise a safety device which measures, by means of electronic levels positioned at appropriate places on the vehicle, which are not shown in the figures, the lateral and longitudinal inclination of the plate with respect to the horizontal. If this inclination exceeds a certain threshold value, which would create a risk for the handling operator or the containers, which would then be likely to fall from the vehicle, a control signal is issued. This signal can alert the operator and / or automatically block the controls for the motorized movements of the system elements, in particular the unlocking of the containers on the receiving plate 33.
• the elevator module 20 In order to be able to unload a container 1 from the platform 33 of the vehicle, the elevator module 20 must be brought from the transport position to the rear end of the plate, to the operating position on one of the translating supports 10, 10 ', depending on the configuration of the place of handling.
• the steps of this transfer are illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b, seen from above.
• the elevator module 20 is disengaged, manually or automatically, from one of the transfer devices.
• a movement of 180 degrees rotation, in the direction indicated by the reference 51 in Figure 7a, is then printed, by rotation about a first hinge axis 50 of the hinge.
• the hinge axis 50 is held fixed to the rear end 36 of the plate, while a second hinge axis 52 of the hinge, against which the module 20 is fixed, moves freely. relative to this rear end 36.
• the elevator module 20 is then entirely offset laterally with respect to the rear end 36 of the plate, while remaining substantially in the same plane.
• a 90-degree rotational movement about the second hinge axis 52 of the hinge is printed on the module 20 in the direction indicated by the reference 53 in FIG. 7b.
• This movement has the effect of pressing the elevator module 20 against the translator support 10 positioned towards the rear of the vehicle, in a position in which the locking fingers 21, 23 of the module 20 come into contact with the cooperating notches 12 , 17 arranged on the uprights 11 of the support 10.
• a slight pressure makes it possible to automatically lock the elevator module 20 against the translator support 10. It is then sufficient to disconnect, in a conventional manner, the module 20 from the hinges 48, to reach the operative position of the elevator module, illustrated in Figure 7b.
• the translator support 10 is displaced in translation along the lateral edge 37 of the tray, to bring it facing the container 1 to be unloaded, as shown in FIG. 8.
• This operation can be performed before or after the unfolding of the handling arms 28.
• This unfolding is performed by rotating the beam about its axis, so as to bring the ends free front 30 of the arms opposite the plateau.
• This rotational movement is preferably performed by a rotary jack, for example hydraulically controlled.
• the inclination of the arms 28 is generally chosen so that the arms are in the same plane as the plate 33. However, depending on the slope of the ground on which the vehicle rests, this inclination can be adjusted so that different, to ensure that the arms are deployed in a substantially horizontal plane, in order to prevent any fall of the containers. Control of the inclination of the arms is achieved by means of the electronic level associated with them.
• the elevator module 20 is actuated so as to move the arms from top to bottom or from bottom to top, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate 33, to position the arms substantially in the same plane as the latter, as shown in Figure 9b.
• the slides 24 are printed with a movement movement substantially perpendicular to the ground surface, in the grooved wheels carried by the uprights 19 of the elevator module. This operation is preferably performed by a motorization system.
• the rear ends 29 of the arms 28 are positioned substantially against the plate 33, so as to extend the latter substantially without surface interruption.
• Figures 9a and 9b there is shown through the rear end
• the automatic locking device disposed on the arms 28 engages spontaneously, and the base 3 is immobilized.
• the container 1 and the base 3 may overflow, on one or more edges, outside the arms 28, without risk of falling of the container.
• the container can then be freely moved around the site, including the collection site, to be emptied or filled.
• a new container 1, full or empty, can be loaded into the vehicle by operating the reverse maneuvers, still as easily for a single operator and without the need for the intervention of external handling devices.
• the system is brought back, by maneuvers opposite to those described above, in the initial position, suitable for transport, and in which the arms 28 are folded, brought back to at least height of the plate 33 of the vehicle, and the elevator module 20 is in its transport position at the rear end 36 of the plate.
• the system according to the invention also advantageously makes it possible to directly empty the containers 1, from the handling arms 28 placed in height, in a suitable receptacle placed below the arms 28, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12c.
• the container is equipped with a door 56 articulated on its upper edge 57.
• the container is disposed on the plate so that the door is on the side of the side discharge edge 37.
• the invention provides that the arms 28 are equipped with means for locking the base 3, which are not shown in the figures and which may in particular be in the form of the locking fingers such as those carried by the plate 33. locking means allow, if necessary, to secure the base 3 firmly on the arms 28.
• the beam 26 is rotated about its axis, so as to incline the arms 28 towards the ground, and to the receptacle of the products contained in the container 1, by their front end 30.
• the unlocked door 56 opens spontaneously under the effect of the pressure exerted on it by the products driven by their weight. These products fall out of the container 1, in the receptacle provided for this purpose.
• the arms can be returned to their initial tilt position, the locked container door and the container returned to the receiving tray to be delivered empty to a collection location.
• the system according to the invention can thus be implemented easily by a single operator, even when the containers are heavy and / or large. It allows, independently, to load and unload containers laterally, and empty them directly from the handling arms.
• translator-elevator 100, shown in Figure 13, designated throughout the rest of this description by the term translator-elevator.
• the elevator translator 100 comprises a main frame 101, similar in shape to the frame 11 of the translator support 10 described above.
• this frame 101 has all as previously described means of movement along rails carried by the vehicle, including slides, and preferably transverse groove wheels 114 intended to frame the rails. It is the same at a lower cross 115 of the frame 101, on which are assembled for example longitudinal grooved wheels 116, for the translational movement of the translator-elevator 100 along the rails carried by the vehicle.
• the amounts of the frame 101 also form longitudinal rails, said vertical, in which are slidable longitudinal slides 124, between the lower cross 115 and the opposite upper rail 113.
• a handling platform formed here of a substantially flat base 129 between two handling arms 128 similar to the arms 28 described above, is assembled on the longitudinal slides 124 so as to be secured in the lifting movements.
• the platform is also assembled at each of these scenes
• a vehicle according to the invention is shown in a rear view in Figure 14. At the rear end of the receiving tray, it is provided with panels 160, 160 'arranged side by side and each occupying substantially half from the rear surface of the vehicle. These panels are hingedly pivoted about axes 161, 161 ', so that they can be opened in the manner of door leaves and can be placed in alignment with an associated lateral edge 37, 37' of the plate reception.
• Each of the panels 160, 160 ' is equipped on an upper face of an upper rail 144, 144' and on a longitudinal face said rear, that is to say opposite to the receiving plate, a lower rail 145, 145 '.
• These rails are arranged to come each, when the panels 160, 160 'are open, that is to say in their so-called operative position, in the extension of the respective rails 44, 44', and 45, 45 'carried by the vehicle for translational movement of the elevator translator 100 along the longitudinal edges of the receiving tray.
• the elevator translator 100 is stored in the transport position at the rear of the vehicle, straddling the two panels 160, 160 ', which are in their closed position, as shown in FIG. Figure 15a.
• the elevator translator 100 which is shown in this figure schematically, is slidably mounted therein along the upper rails 144, 144 'and lower 145, 145', which are located in the respective extension of each other.
• the system according to the invention further comprises locking means of the elevator translator 100 in specific positions on the panels 160, 160 '.
• These means consist in part of members placed on the frame 101 of the translator-elevator, and partly of organs arranged on the panels 160, 160 '.
• the frame 101 is provided with locking members, in the form of pads 162 movable in rotation and in translation with respect to a axis 163 fixed to the frame 101. More specifically, the axis 163 is inserted into a longitudinal slot 164 pierced through the pad 162, so that the latter is rotatable about the axis 163, but also in translation along the axis of light 164.
• the pads 162 each further have a pan 165 angled towards the upper end of the frame, at an inner lower edge, that is to say an edge in the direction of the opposite stud.
• the panels 160, 160 ' comprise cooperating members for locking, for example in the form of abutments 166 arranged in a lower part of the panels, and visible in FIG. 14. Six abutments are thus aligned with each other, three of which between them on the first panel 160 and three of them on the second panel 160 '.
• the stops 166 each have a substantially triangular shape, with a sloping pan 167 directed downwards.
• the stops 166 cooperate two by two to lock the frame 101 in specific positions on the panels
• the stops of the same operating pair are spaced from each other by a distance equivalent to the distance separating the outer edges of the locking studs 162 of the frame.
• the frame 101 shown schematically in the figures, is arranged in the transport position straddling the two panels 160,
• the frame 101 automatically locks in this position, by blocking the pads 162 between the locking abutments 166 of the panel 160 cooperating for this purpose, as shown in Figure 15b. Unlocking is performed in the same manner as described above.
• the same operation can be performed for the translation of the frame 101 on the second panel 160 '.
• the frame 101 When it is desired to bring the elevator translator 100 to a side edge 37 of the receiving tray, for the purpose of loading or unloading containers, the frame 101 is first placed on the corresponding back panel 160, and locked in this position for security reasons.
• the panel 160 is then opened, by pivoting about the axes 161, in the direction 169, until arriving at an operative position, called open, in which it is in the extension of the lateral edge 37 of the plate, as indicated on the Figure 15c.
• the respective rails of the panel 160 and the vehicle, upper rails 44 and 144 and lower rails 45 and 145 are in the extension each other, substantially without continuity between them.
• the elevator translator 100 after having been unlocked from the panel 160, can then be slid along the rails to the side edge 37, at a location facing a container. Once the loading / unloading operations carried out, especially in the manner described above, the reverse maneuver is performed to bring the translator-elevator 100 in the transport position at the rear of the vehicle, straddling the two panels 160 , 160 '.
• FIG. 16 An alternative embodiment of a reversible automatic locking device containers on the receiving plate 33 of the vehicle is illustrated in Figure 16.
• the receiving plate 33 comprises, between two adjacent raceways 54 for guiding a container , two rails 171 substantially parallel to the guideways 54 and extending over the entire width of the plate.
• Organ 172 spontaneous blocking containers are arranged on the receiving tray.
• These members are, in preferred embodiments of the invention, in the form of hooks 173 formed at the end of a rod 174 fixed to the plate 33 by an opposite end.
• a spring 175 disposed at this opposite end acts in traction on the rod in the direction of an elevation of the hook 173 opposite the plate, towards the container disposed on the latter.
• the system according to the invention comprises two similar hooks arranged facing each other in the vicinity of each of the lateral edges of the plate, for each location of the container on the plate 33.
• the system according to the invention preferably further comprises means for gripping and moving the containers between the receiving plate and the handling platform.
• the handling platform is provided, on its base 129, between the arms 128, rails 176 respectively extending respectively one of the rails 171 of the tray in the unfolded position of the platform, as shown in Figure 18.
• the raceways on the arms 128 have not been shown for reasons of clarity.
• a gripping device 180 which is shown in greater detail in Figure 17, has on the underside of the shoes 181 for sliding along the rails 171 of the plate and rails 176 of the platform. This device is configured so that when it moves along these rails, it is located below the container 1 placed on the tray or platform.
• the movements of the gripping device 180 along the rails are printed by motorized means, in particular by means of a hydraulic cylinder 177 placed on the platform, whose rod 178 is fixed by fixing means 183 to the device 180.
• This gripping and unlocking device 180 has on the upper face hooks 182 which are adapted to fit into notches provided for this purpose under the container.
• the device further comprises means, preferably with automatic control, for controlling the raising and lowering of the hooks 182 so as to bring them in the cooperating position with the notches.
• These means are for example of the hydraulic type.
• the device comprises a hydraulic cylinder 183 actuating via a rod 184 the movement movements of the hooks 182 substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the slide rails 171 and / or 176.
• a spring 179 inserted in the rod 184, exerts on the hooks 182 a force tending to push them towards the container 1, so as to bring them into engagement with cooperating notches provided for this purpose on the underside of the containers.
• the handling platform When a container 1 disposed on the receiving plate 33 of the vehicle must be unloaded, the handling platform is first brought into its operative position for this purpose, as described above.
• the hydraulic cylinder 177 is actuated, so as to bring the gripping device 180 under the container, so that the fangs
• the assembly is configured such that in this position the rod 178 of the cylinder is at the end of stroke.
• the cylinder 183 is actuated, which has the effect of bringing the hooks 182 of the container and insert them into the cooperating notches. It is then sufficient to actuate the cylinder 177 in the opposite direction to pull back the container to the handling platform.
• the container is held blocked by the hooks 182, by the action of the spring 179, until the hooks 182 are brought down by action, in the opposite direction, of the cylinder 183.
• the gripping device 180 further comprises, at the end of a rod 185 extending from a front face towards the receiving plate 33, a stud 186 protruding from the rails 176 in the direction perpendicular to these.
• This pad 186 is configured such that when the gripping device 180 is brought on the receiving plate 33, under the container, the pad 186 slides under the rod 174 belonging to the automatic blocking means 172 of the container located at the opposite edge of the handling platform.
• the stud 186 exerts on the rod 174 a force against that exerted on it by the spring 175, which causes the lowering of the hook 173, and the release of the container. The latter can then be towed to the platform.
• the hook 173 resets spontaneously as soon as the gripping device 180 has been removed, thus ensuring automatic locking of the container. on the receiving tray 33.
• a reversible automatic locking device containers on the handling platform is advantageously constituted by the hooks 182 and the spring 179 described above. Unblocking is performed, as for the receiving plate, via the cylinder 184, so as to release the fangs 182 cooperating notches under the container, and thus release them.
• the gripping and displacement device thus advantageously also provides a locking of the container, on the receiving tray, in its movements between this plate and the platform, and on the platform, depending on the location where it is located. The blocking is realized spontaneously, by the action of the spring
• the invention can also be adapted for handling smaller containers.
• the vehicle is equipped with two similar receiving trays, arranged one above the other.
• the system is then configured so that the handling arms 28 can be brought to the choice at each of the two trays.
• This configuration is particularly suitable for the collection of so-called D3E waste, which is carried out in a conventional manner in small-sized containers, for example cubic containers with a capacity of 1 m 3 , which can be loaded in large numbers in a container.
• transport vehicle for example in two rows on two floors. In this case, the containers are transferred laterally by the two lateral edges of each of the trays.
• the present invention achieves the objectives it has set for itself.
• it proposes a vehicle equipped with a system for handling removable containers, allowing the loading and unloading of said containers autonomously, which is easy and painless to use, by a single operator, which is resistant to weight containers and has a high degree of safety for both the operator and the containers themselves.
• the vehicle equipped with the handling system according to the invention proves particularly particularly advantageous for the handling and transport of waste collection containers, in particular but not limited to tires and D3E type.

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• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)

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• 2009
  • 2009-01-16 FR FR0900188A patent/FR2941219B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2009-11-05 FR FR0957843A patent/FR2941185B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2010
  • 2010-01-14 EP EP10701218A patent/EP2387513A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-01-14 WO PCT/EP2010/050399 patent/WO2010081850A1/fr active Application Filing

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