EP2794460B1 - Boom lift provided with a control console - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a lifting platform comprising, inter alia, a platform and a control console, from this platform, means for moving the nacelle to the ground and / or lifting means of the platform relative to to a chassis of the nacelle.

In known pods, a control panel is generally constituted by a parallelepiped casing which carries, on its upper face, buttons and / or control levers intended to be actuated by an operator. This housing is, most often, fixed in the upper part of a guardrail of the platform, on one side thereof facing forwards in a direction of main displacement of the nacelle.

With this type of equipment, there is a risk that, when the platform moves in reverse, the operator who is facing the control desk does not see an obstacle to which he turns his back. We are then in the configuration of the figure 1 where the obstacle, in this case a beam P, pushes and compresses the operator O against the control panel 8, with a high risk of injury. It even happens that, in this case, the pressure of the body of the operator on the control console exerts on one of the levers 821 or buttons of this desk a force which tends to maintain the displacement of the platform in reverse, thus increasing the crash of the operator.

In this respect, when it is controlling the platform by means of the control panel, the operator O is at a short distance from this desk so that, if it is struck by a beam P during a moving movement rear, it usually does not have time to stop the displacement of the platform before being firmly pressed against this desk.

To overcome this problem, it is known to WO-2009/037429 or EP-A-2,327,656 to provide a control panel crush sensors that react to the pressure of the body of an operator pushed against the desk by an obstacle. These devices can not prevent the operator from being injured because they react only after the impact of the operator's body against the control panel.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a new aerial platform that improves the safety of an operator.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a lifting platform comprising a chassis equipped with means for moving on the surface of the ground, a platform, means for raising the platform relative to the chassis and a control console, from this platform, means of displacement and / or elevation means. According to the invention, the control console comprises two half-panels each equipped with at least one lever or manual control button of the nacelle and arranged on either side of an operator present on the platform in a position of use of these levers or button with both hands, while the volume disposed in front of the operator in this position is devoid of lever and control button.

Thanks to the invention, the central volume arranged in front of the operator when he uses the control console can be clear of any obstacle likely to injure him, in particular levers or buttons protruding from the surface of the operator. a box of the control console. The position of the half-panels, on both sides of the operator is ergonomic insofar as these half-panels are approximately aligned with the forearms of the operator. Thus, in case of shock with an obstacle occurring from the rear of the operator, it is pushed back to the central volume which is less likely to hurt than the desks of the state of the art.

• Les demi-pupitres sont montés sur la nacelle indépendamment l'un de l'autre.
• Au moins un demi-pupitre, de préférence les deux demi-pupitres, est ou sont monté(s) pivotant(s) par rapport à la plateforme.
• Le ou les demi-pupitre(s) est ou sont pivotant(s), chacun autour d'un axe vertical, par rapport à la plateforme.
• La nacelle est équipée d'au moins un détecteur qui, lorsque le demi-pupitre parvient en butée lors d'un pivotement, émet un signal d'activation de moyens d'arrêt d'urgence de la nacelle.
• En variante, les deux demi-pupitres sont reliés entre eux par une console centrale dont la largeur, mesurée selon une direction horizontale perpendiculaire à une droite reliant les deux demi-pupitres, est inférieure à la dimension de ces demi-pupitres selon cette direction. Cette console fait avantageusement face à l'opérateur présent sur la plateforme dans la position d'utilisation des leviers ou boutons des demi-pupitres avec ses deux mains et elle est équipée de dispositifs d'information dépourvus de partie saillante.
• Les demi-pupitres sont montés sur un garde-corps de la plateforme.
• Lorsque les demi-pupitres sont montés indépendamment, chaque demi-pupitre peut être monté et articulé sur un montant vertical du garde-corps
• L'un au moins des demi-pupitres est ajustable en hauteur par rapport à la plateforme.

According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a nacelle may include one or more of the following features taken in any technically permissible combination:

• The half-desks are mounted on the nacelle independently of one another.
• At least one half-panel, preferably the two half-panels, is or are mounted (s) pivoting (s) relative to the platform.
• The half-panel (s) is or are pivotable (s), each around a vertical axis, relative to the platform.
• The nacelle is equipped with at least one detector which, when the half-console reaches a stop during a pivoting, emits an activation signal of emergency stop means of the nacelle.
• Alternatively, the two half-panels are interconnected by a central console whose width, measured in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting the two half-panels, is smaller than the size of these half-panels in this direction. This console advantageously faces the operator present on the platform in the position of use of the levers or buttons of the half-panels with both hands and it is equipped with information devices without projecting part.
• The half-desks are mounted on a railing of the platform.
• When the half-panels are mounted independently, each half-panel can be mounted and hinged on a vertical upright of the railing
• At least one of the half-desks is adjustable in height relative to the platform.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'une configuration de choc avec une nacelle de l'art antérieur,
• la figure 2 est une vue de principe en élévation d'une nacelle conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, mais à plus petite échelle, dans le cadre de l'utilisation de la nacelle de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du pupitre de la nacelle des figures 2 et 3 dans le sens de la flèche IV à la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 pour une nacelle conforme à un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention et
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 4, dans le sens de la flèche VI à la figure 5, pour la nacelle de la figure 5.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of two embodiments of a nacelle according to its principle, given only as an example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a shock configuration with a nacelle of the prior art,
• the figure 2 is a principle view in elevation of a nacelle according to the invention,
• the figure 3 is a view similar to the figure 1 , but on a smaller scale, as part of the use of the nacelle of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of the console of the nacelle figures 2 and 3 in the direction of arrow IV to the figure 3 ,
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 3 for a nacelle according to a second embodiment of the invention and
• the figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 4 , in the direction of arrow VI to figure 5 , for the nacelle of the figure 5 .

The nacelle 1 shown in figure 2 is equipped with a chassis 2 resting on the surface of the ground S by means of four wheels, two of which are visible in this figure with the references 3A and 3B. The frame 2 carries a set of motorization 4 which is associated with a mast 6 comprising a shaft 61, and two parts 62A and 62B telescopic relative to each other and relative to the shaft 61. The possibility of vertical extension of mat 6 is represented by the double arrows F6. The mat could have more than two parts 62A and 62B or, on the contrary, only one such part.

In the upper part 6A of the mat 6 is provided a stirrup 63 on which is articulated a parallelogram structure 64 supporting a platform 7 on which can be held one or more operators O.

The platform 7 comprises a floor 71 and a railing 72 which define a volume in which an operator O can be held. The platform 71 is also equipped with a console 8 for controlling the movements of the pod 1 on the ground surface. S thanks to the motor assembly 4, the deployment of the mat 6 and the pivoting of the parallelogram structure 64, this by means of actuators not shown such as electric or hydraulic cylinders. The desk 8 is sometimes called a control module.

An electronic control unit 9 is integrated into the motor assembly 4 and connected to the desk 8 by a not shown wire connection which makes it possible to route the control commands from the desk 8 to the unit 9.

As is apparent from Figures 3 and 4 the console 8 comprises a first module 81 called "left half-panel" and a second module 82 called "right half-panel" which are each hinged to an amount 721, respectively 722, of the railing 72 about an axis vertical Z81, respectively Z82. Thus, each half-desk can pivot about its axis of articulation Z81 respectively Z82, as represented by the arrows F81 and F82 at the figure 4 .

V8 is the volume defined between the half-panels 81 and 82 along the railing 72. The upper tube 723 of the railing 72 is coated with a sleeve 83 of flexible material, for example elastomer.

The left half-panel 81 is equipped with a joystick-type lever 811, an emergency stop button 812 and several switches 813 by which the operator can transmit control commands to the unit. 9. In the same way, the half-console 82 is equipped with a lever or "joystick" 821, an emergency stop button 822 and several switches 823.

Indicator lights 814 and 824 are respectively provided on the half-panels 81 and 82. They allow the operator to obtain feedback on the commands he sends or on the activation of certain functions by the switches. 813 and 823.

The half-panels 81 and 82 are mounted on the guard rail 72 near its upper tube 723, with a distance d8, measured between the axes Z81 and Z82 along this tube, such as an operator wishing to use the desk 8 may have his left hand surrounding the lever 811 and his right hand surrounding the lever 812 in a comfortable position, with the parallel forearms. In this position, the median axis Z0 of the body of the operator is disposed in a median plane P8 with respect to the axes Z81 and Z82 and perpendicular to the guard rail 72, in its zone between these axes.

Thus, in the normal configuration of use, the median axis Z0 of the body of the operator O is located opposite the volume V8 in which the levers and buttons of the two half-panels 81 and 82 are not located.

Under these conditions, when the nacelle 1 moves in the direction of the arrow F1 to the figure 2 and when the operator O is struck by the rear by a beam P, as shown in FIG. figure 3 , the body of the operator is pushed back towards the volume V8, until possibly come into contact with the sleeve 83, without risk of injury with the levers and buttons 811, 812, 813 and equivalent.

The half-panels 81 and 82 are articulated independently of each other on the uprights 721 and 722. This facilitates the configuration of the workstation according to the tastes and morphology of the operator O. This allows the half-desks to orient themselves independently of each other when they are struck by the body or the legs of the operator, in a variable direction which depends on the direction of movement of the platform 7 with respect to the beam P and / or movements of the operator.

In addition, since the half-panels 81 and 82 are respectively articulated around the axes Z81 and Z82, the fact that the operator is pushed towards the volume V8 tends to move these modules away from each other by rotating the half -pupitre 81 to the left at the figure 4 and the half-panel 82 to the right in this figure.

Advantageously, an automatic emergency stop system may be provided in the form of a detector of the angular position of one or the other or both half-panels 81 and 82 around their axes Z81 and Z82. Such a detector is visible at the figure 4 for the half-panel 81 only, with the reference 85. When one of these half-panels is completely folded outwards, that is to say opposite the other half-desk, it can be expected that this corresponds to a potentially dangerous situation where the operator O has been pushed back to the volume V8, as shown in FIG. figure 3 in which case a stopping of the nacelle 1 is programmed under the action of the detectors 85 and the like.

The invention is represented in the case where the two half-panels 81 and 82 are articulated each around a vertical axis. Alternatively, only one of these desks can be pivoted in this way, or none of them.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same references. In what follows, only what distinguishes this embodiment from the previous one is described.

In this embodiment, the console 8 comprises, in addition to the left half-panel 81 and the right half-panel 82, a central console 84 which carries lights 844, while levers or "joysticks" 811 and 821 and switches 813 and 823 are respectively provided on the half-panels 81 and 82. An emergency stop button 822 is provided on the right half-panel 82.

As in the first embodiment, a volume V8 is defined located along the upper tube 723 of the railing 72, between the half-panels 81 and 82. The console 84 is disposed in this volume V8.

Δ8 is a line parallel to the railing 72 and connecting the desks 81 and 82. D8 is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the right Δ8. This direction D8 is parallel to the plane P8 defined as in the first embodiment.

L81 and L82 denote the lengths of the half-panels 81 and 82 measured parallel to the direction D8. Note ℓ84 the width of the console 84 measured parallel to this direction. The width ℓ84 is smaller than the lengths L81 and L82. In other words, the volume V8 is partly cleared in front of the operator O when it is in front of the desk 8 in a position of use of the levers or buttons 811, 821, 822, 813 and 823.

Advantageously, the indicators 844 are integrated in the upper face of the console 84, so that they do not protrude above this surface.

Thus, in the event of an incident represented at figure 5 where the operator O is pushed towards the volume V8, the operator O can come to bear against the console 84 without risking injury by this fact alone.

The console can be made of a flexible synthetic material or coated with such a material.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention which is applicable to all the embodiments, the console 8 can be adjustable in height with respect to the floor 71 of the platform 7. In the first embodiment, the hinged mounting means of the half 81 and 82 on the uprights 721 and 722 of the railing 72 can be adjustable in height. In the second embodiment, it is the whole of the desk 8 which can be adjusted in height with respect to the floor 71.

Regardless of the embodiment, the volume V8 in front of which the operator O stands when he uses the levers and buttons of the half-panels 81 and 82 is devoid of lever or knob projecting. Thus, the risk of injury to the operator O, when pushed towards this volume by the beam P to figures 3 and 5 , are decreased in relation to the configuration of the figure 1 .

The invention is shown in the figures in the case where the nacelle is vertical telescopic mast type. It is also applicable to any other aerial work platform, in particular of the "scissors" type or the articulated mat type.

The technical characteristics of the embodiments and variants envisaged above can be combined with each other.

Claims (10)

1. A boom lift comprising a frame (2) equipped with means (3A, 3B, 4) for moving on the surface of the ground, a platform (7), means (63, 64) for elevating the platform relative to the frame and a console (8) for controlling the movement means and/or elevation means from that platform, characterized in that the control console (8) comprises two half-consoles (81, 82) each equipped with at least one control lever (811, 821) or button (812, 822, 813, 823) for controlling the lift manually and positioned on either side of an operator (O) present on the platform (7) in a position for using those levers or buttons with both of his hands, while the space (V8) positioned across from the operator in that position has no lever and control button.
2. The lift according to claim 1, characterized in that the half-consoles (81, 82) are mounted on the lift independently of one another.
3. The lift according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one half-console (81, 82), preferably both half-consoles, is or are mounted pivotably (Z81, Z82) relative to the platform (7).
4. The lift according to claim 3, characterized in that the half-console (81, 82) is pivoting around a vertical axis (Z81, Z82) relative to the platform.
5. The lift according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with at least one detector (85) which, when the half-console (81, 82) abuts during pivoting, emits a signal to activate emergency stop means of the lift (1).
6. The lift according to claim 1, characterized in that the two half-consoles (81, 82) are connected to each other by a central bracket (84) whereof the width (ℓ84), measured in a horizontal direction (D8) perpendicular to a straight line (Δ8) connecting the two half-consoles, is smaller than the size (L81, L82) of those half-consoles in that direction.
7. The lift according to claim 6, characterized in that the central bracket (84) faces the operator present on the platform in the position for using the levers (811, 821) or buttons (812, 822, 813, 823) of the half-consoles (81, 82) with both of his hands, and it is equipped with information devices (844) with no protruding parts.
8. The lift according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the half-consoles (81, 82) are mounted on a railing (72) of the platform (7).
9. The lift according to claims 4 and 8, characterized in that each half-console is mounted and articulated on a vertical upright (722) of the railing (72).
10. The lift according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of at least one of the half-consoles (81, 82) can be adjusted relative to the platform (7).

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