EP3386901A1

EP3386901A1 - Control station for work platform of an aerial lift

Info

Publication number: EP3386901A1
Application number: EP16819975.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sébastien PAROT; Philippe Luminet; Nicolas Bonnefoy
Original assignee: Haulotte Group SA
Current assignee: Haulotte Group SA
Priority date: 2015-12-08
Filing date: 2016-12-03
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-03
Also published as: CN108367902A; US20200198951A1; CN108367902B; FR3044652B1; WO2017098120A1; FR3044652A1; US10926986B2; EP3386901B1; AU2016365783B2; CA3007572A1; AU2016365783A1

Abstract

The control station (20) of the work platform (10) of an aerial lift, comprises: - a control console; - a cover (40) protecting the console that can be moved between a closed position and an open position; - a longitudinal element - such as a bar (42) - linked to the cover so as to move together between the open and closed positions, the longitudinal element, when the cover is open, projecting relative to the front side of the console; and - means for detecting an external force pushing the longitudinal element towards the console when the cover is open. This helps protect the operator from being crushed against the console when the platform moves. Moreover, the longitudinal element does not hinder the opening or closing of the cover and is moved out of the way when the cover is closed, which prevents it from being exposed to impacts.

Description

CONTROL STATION FOR WORKING PLATFORM

CHERRY PICKER

The present invention relates to the field of mobile elevating work platforms (also referred to as PEMP) still commonly referred to as aerial work platforms. It relates more particularly to the control station arranged on the working platform of aerial work platforms.

Aerial work platforms are machines designed to allow one or more people to work at height. For this, they include a work platform designed to receive people. The work platform is supported by a lifting mechanism that raises it from a lowered position on the chassis of the aerial platform to the desired working position in height. In particular, the lifting mechanism may comprise an articulated and / or telescopic mast at the end of which is mounted the platform and hydraulic cylinders to deploy it relative to the chassis.

The lifting mechanism is often arranged on a turret which is pivotally mounted on the frame, which allows to change the orientation of the lifting mechanism - and therefore the platform - relative to the chassis. Finally, the chassis is usually equipped with wheels or tracks to move the aerial platform to the ground. It is most often motorized to allow autonomous ground movement of the aerial work platform.

The platform is equipped with a control station allowing an operator on board the platform to cause the displacement of the platform to reach the desired working position. It comprises for this purpose a console equipped with control members allowing the operator to operate the lifting mechanism, or even the pivoting of the turret and possibly also the displacement of the nacelle on the ground.

When moving the platform caused by an operator to the console of the platform, there is the risk that the operator is crushed against the control panel by an external obstacle - for example a part of a building, a work of art or a tree branch - hitting it from behind.

To protect the operator against this risk, WO 2011/015815 A1 teaches mounting the control panel to the railing with a possibility of pivoting against return springs. Crushing the operator against the desk causes it to pivot against the return springs and a proximity sensor detects pivoting to stop the platform from moving. A disadvantage of this solution is related to the fact that the operator can exert in normal times significant forces on the desk for example by holding the control members for avoid being unbalanced by the movements of the platform. To avoid inadvertent triggering of the crush detection system, the return springs must have a significant stiffness. Therefore, the crushing is detected only if the crushing effort of the operator against the desk is very important which is likely to be injured.

It is also known to have at the control console a safety bar so as to be interposed between the operator standing in front of the control panel and the latter. In the event that an external obstacle hits it from behind when moving the platform, the operator, pushed by the obstacle to the control console, presses against the safety bar which then stops the movement. of the platform. An example of such a safety bar is disclosed by FR 3,007,401 A1 where the bar is mounted tilting on both sides of the control panel.

In addition, the control station generally comprises a folding protective cover on the control panel. When open, it allows the operator to access the controls of the control desk. When it is closed, it covers the control panel to protect the controls and any signaling devices and the instructions on the console against dirt and shocks during work performed by persons on board. platform.

Such control stations equipped with a safety bar and a folding protective cover, however, have a number of disadvantages.

Thus, when the hood is closed, it usually does not cover the safety bar which extends above the protective cover and remains exposed to shocks during work aboard the platform.

In addition, the fact that both the safety bar and the hood are movable relative to the console complexifie the design of the control station, given that each has its own mounting means that should be housed in a small space on or around the control panel.

Furthermore, the presence of the safety bar above the protective cover generally hinders the manipulation of the protective cover to move it between the open and closed position.

The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to one aspect, the invention is more particularly intended to ensure that the safety bar, or other element fulfilling the same function, hinders less the handling of the protective cover of the control console when it is opened or closed and less exposed to shocks during work performed by persons on board the work platform.

To this end, the present invention provides a control station for a work platform of aerial work platform, comprising:

- a control panel on which are arranged control members; a protective cover of the control panel movably mounted between:

a first position in which the cover is closed to cover the control panel, and

o a second position in which the cover is open to allow the manipulation of the control members from the front side of the desk;

a longitudinal member connected to the cover for moving jointly between the first position and the second position, wherein the longitudinal member, when the cover is in the second position, extends at a distance along the front side of the desk projecting from the side front of the desk; and

means for detecting an external biasing force of the longitudinal element towards the desk when the cover is in the second position. When installed on the working platform of a platform, the control station is provided to order the displacement of the work platform. Specifically, when the hood is in the open position, it allows an operator standing in front of the control panel - that is to say in front of the front of it - to manipulate the control members to move the plate working form. The longitudinal element is then positioned between it and the control panel without preventing the manipulation and vision of the control members by the operator. In this way, if the operator is struck by the rear by an obstacle to which he did not pay attention when moving the work platform, he will be pushed towards the desk and thus come to press the longitudinal element that it then urges in thrust towards the desk. The thrust exerted by the operator on the longitudinal element is detected by the detection means. In cooperation with the control circuit of the various means of displacement of the platform, they can then cause for example the stop of the current displacement of the platform to avoid crushing the operator against the desk control and possibly engage a light alarm signal and / or sound. The person skilled in the art chooses the detection threshold appropriately to protect the operator against crushing. It is preferable that the control station is designed so that the external pushing pressure of the longitudinal element towards the desk - which is detected by the means of detection to protect the operator against the risk of crushing - does not cause the hood to close. All that is required is for the hood to be closed by external stressing in a different direction.

On the contrary, when the cover is in the closed position, it protects the control console against dirt and shocks. Since it moves together with the protective cover between the first and second positions, the longitudinal member is no longer in the protruding position with respect to the front side of the control panel when the cover is closed, but in a position away. This is acceptable because it is not necessary that the safety against operator crash against the desk is active in this case. Indeed, when the hood is closed, the operator does not generally have access to the controls of the desk. This situation does not correspond to a maneuvering phase of the platform by an operator aboard it. On the other hand, this situation can correspond to a phase of works carried out by the persons on board the platform which is stopped. Because of its position away, the longitudinal element is less exposed to shocks during work carried out by people on board the platform. Furthermore, the manipulation of the cover to move it from the open position to the closed position and vice versa is no longer hampered or less because of their joint movement.

The longitudinal element can be rigid. In this case, it can advantageously serve as a means for gripping the cover to move it between the open and closed positions. It is preferably straight, but it may have a different shape, for example arched. The longitudinal element may also be flexible, for example in the form of a cord stretched between two lateral bars fixedly arranged on the protective cover, the detection means operating with respect to the tension applied on the cord similar to the disclosed technology in EP 2 096 078 Al.

The control station is preferably designed and designed to be installed aboard the working platform of a lifting platform so that an operator can manipulate and see the controls of the control console when it is Stands upright in front of the control panel and the protective cover is open. It will also be understood that the control station is preferably designed so that in the aforementioned position of the hood and the operator in front of the desk, it is with the bust or the size that the operator pushes on the longitudinal element when he is pushed towards the desk by an obstacle hitting him from behind. The operator is understood to be a normally proportioned reference person with a height of 1.70 m to 1.90 m.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the hood is in the second position, the longitudinal element is arranged to move towards the rear side of the when it is subjected to an external pushing pressure towards the desk, the detection means operating by detecting the displacement of the longitudinal element towards the rear side of the desk. This displacement of the longitudinal element makes it possible to limit or eliminate the crushing force applied to the operator when he is struck behind by an obstacle during the displacement of the platform. In addition, the detection of the displacement of the longitudinal element is simple to implement for example using a position sensor of any suitable technology: roller contactor, inductive sensor, optical sensor, etc.

In this embodiment, it can advantageously be provided that the detection means operate by detecting the displacement of the longitudinal element beyond a predetermined position towards the rear side of the desk, the longitudinal element being able to move towards the rear side of the desk beyond this predetermined position. Indeed, the over-displacement of the longitudinal element beyond this predetermined position limits the effort applied to the operator in the case where despite the stop command caused by the detection means, the platform continues to move by inertia effect.

According to another preferred embodiment which can be implemented independently or in combination with the previous one, the detection means operate by detection of exceeding the threshold of the external thrust biasing force of the longitudinal element towards the desk. The person skilled in the art chooses the detection threshold appropriately to protect the operator against crushing. It is preferably set at a value less than or equal to 40 daN and even more preferably less than or equal to 20 daN. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the detection threshold be high enough to avoid inadvertent triggering of the detection means in the event of involuntary action by the operator on the longitudinal element in the absence of risk of crushing. It is chosen in particular in view of the fact that the detection means operate with respect to a displacement of the longitudinal element or not, as well as the importance and the modalities of its displacement if necessary. If they do not operate with respect to a displacement of the longitudinal element, the detection threshold is preferably set at least 10 daN.

Whatever the embodiment mentioned above, it can advantageously be provided that, when the hood is in the second position, the longitudinal element is held in position relative to an external thrust load of the latter towards the desk to a given thrust force level beyond which the longitudinal element moves towards the rear side of the desk. This displacement of the longitudinal element makes it possible to limit or eliminate the crushing force applied to the operator when he is struck behind by an obstacle during the displacement of the platform. This maintenance position prevents inadvertent triggering of the detection means in case of involuntary action of the operator on the longitudinal element in the absence of risk of crushing. The skilled person selects this appropriately given level of thrust force to usefully protect the operator against crushing. It is preferably set at a value less than or equal to 40 daN, more preferably less than or equal to 20 daN, or even more preferably still less than or equal to 10 daN. In the case where the detection means operate by detection of exceeding the threshold of the external pushing force pushing the longitudinal member to the desk regardless of the displacement of the longitudinal member towards the back of the desk, it is preferable to coordinate the detection threshold and the given thrust force level so as to effectively fulfill the role of securing the operator. For this, the detection threshold is chosen lower than the given thrust force level so that the detection means trigger and cause stopping the displacement of the platform before the displacement of the longitudinal member. Consequently, if the platform continues to move by inertia effect, the longitudinal element will move towards the rear side of the console as soon as the given thrust force level is exceeded in turn, which will advantageously relieve the 'operator. This case may correspond to a longitudinal element made in the form of a rigid bar sensitive to the force as disclosed in GB 2 481 709 A which can be arranged for example fixedly on the protective cover, the latter being mounted movable towards the rear side of the desk to provide the ability to move the bar in that direction.

It is advantageous that the longitudinal member is thus held in position by biasing means developing a biasing force, preferably elastic, of the longitudinal member throughout its movement towards the rear side of the desk. As a result, when the external thrust biasing of the longitudinal element ceases, it is returned to its rest position.

In this case, it is still advantageous that the detection means operate by detecting the displacement of the longitudinal element beyond a predetermined position towards the rear side of the console and that, on the one hand, the distance measured in line right between the predetermined position of detecting the displacement of the longitudinal member and the position of the longitudinal member in the absence of external pushing pressure towards the desk on the latter - that is to say, its rest position when the hood is in the second position, greater than or equal to 2 cm, and, secondly, that the thrust force required to move the longitudinal element to its predetermined detection position is less than or equal to 10 cm. daN. Indeed, these measures provide a very effective protection of the operator against crushing in because of the low actuation force required while avoiding inadvertent triggering of the detection means due to the required movement distance from the longitudinal element in the case where the operator involuntarily presses on it outside the a situation of risk of crushing. However, it is preferable that the thrust force required to move the longitudinal element to its predetermined detection position is chosen to be greater than or equal to 2 daN in order to avoid excessive triggering sensitivity, particularly with respect to the accelerations of rotation. the platform. On the other hand, if the aforementioned distance between the predetermined position of detecting the displacement of the longitudinal element and its rest position when the hood is open is less than 2 cm, then the thrust force required to displace the longitudinal element until at its predetermined detection position is preferably chosen at least 10 daN.

According to one embodiment, the movement of the cover between the first position and the second position is by tilting or even more precisely by pivoting. This allows a separation of the longitudinal element particularly adapted to protect it from shocks and dirt when the hood is in the closed position. In addition, the pivoting assembly is particularly reliable and simple to implement.

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal element is fixedly arranged to the hood. This embodiment is particularly advantageous regardless of the advantage of the spacing of the longitudinal member to protect it from shocks and dirt when the hood is closed. Indeed, it simplifies the mounting of the cover and the longitudinal element on the control panel or around it since it makes it possible to dispense with mounting elements specific to the longitudinal member for this purpose and its fixed arrangement at hood is simple to implement. In addition, in the case where the longitudinal member is movable towards the rear side of the desk, it avoids the risk of interference between the longitudinal element or elements supporting it - and the fingers of the operator if he holds these - with the hood since they are moving together. Moreover, if the detection means operate by detecting the displacement of the longitudinal element towards the rear side of the console, it will be understood that this detection can be implemented with any suitable sensor cooperating with the cover to detect the displacement. of the latter since the two are moving together, which is advantageously simple to implement.

In this embodiment, it is advantageous for the longitudinal element to be the front edge of the hood, ie a bar arranged on the hood at a distance from the front edge of the hood to define at least one free space between the bar and the front edge of the hood. hood, it being specified that the front edge of the hood is the edge of the hood located towards the front side of the console when the hood is in the second position. In this case, the hood may have a zone adjacent to the front edge which is made of transparent or translucent material through which the console control members are visible when the hood is in the second position. It can also be expected that the console control members are visible through the at least one free space between the bar and the front edge of the hood when the hood is in the second position.

Furthermore, it may be provided that the cover is mounted relative to the desk by a pivoting and sliding connection to move the cover, on the one hand, by pure pivoting between the first position and the second position, and on the other hand slidingly to the rear side of the console from the second position of the hood when the longitudinal element is subjected to external pushing pressure towards the desk. The fact of using different links for the opening and the detection of crushing makes it possible to develop these two functions separately to optimize their operation.

The invention also relates to an aerial lift, comprising:

- a work platform;

a lifting mechanism of the work platform; and

a control station according to the invention as previously described which is arranged on the work platform;

in which :

- The control station allows an operator to cause the displacement of the work platform; and

the detection means of the control station cause the stop of the current displacement of the work platform in the event of detection of an external pushing pressure of the longitudinal element in the direction of the control console when the cover is in the second position.

Other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawing.

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of an aerial platform whose work platform is equipped with a control station according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figures 2 and 4 each show a perspective view of the working platform of the aerial platform of Figure 1, the protective cover of the control station being respectively in the closed position and in the open position.

Figures 3 and 5 show a local enlargement of Figure 2, respectively of Figure 4, at the control station. Figures 6 and 7 respectively show a front view and a side view of the work platform of Figure 1 with an operator standing in front of the control station.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the work platform of Figure 1 with the operator standing in front of the control station and pushed against it by an external obstacle.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show in each case a side view of the control station of Figure 1 showing how to mount the protective cover to mounting brackets, the protective cover being respectively in the closed position, in position open at rest and in the open position, pushed back by the operator towards the rear side of the control panel.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the control station of Figure 1 observed from the rear thereof, the protective cover being in the open position at rest.

Fig. 13 is a local enlargement of Fig. 12 at the lateral side of the control station.

14 shows a perspective view of a control station according to a variant to that of Figures 1 to 13, the protective cover being in the open position at rest.

FIGS. 15 and 17 each represent a perspective view of a working platform similar to that of FIG. 1, but equipped with a control station according to another embodiment, its protective cover being respectively in position closed and in the open position.

Figures 16 and 18 each show a side view of the control station of Figures 15 and 17, the protective cap being respectively in the closed position and in the open position at rest.

A first embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. 1 illustrates a lifting platform whose work platform 10 is equipped with a control station 20 according to the invention.

The aerial platform comprises a chassis 2 equipped with wheels 6 to move it to the ground. Alternatively or in combination, the chassis 2 is equipped with tracks for the same purposes. The chassis 2 is preferably motorized to ensure the autonomous movement of the aerial platform to the ground.

The platform 10 is designed to accommodate one or more people on board, as well as the tools and materials useful for the work to be done at height. It is supported by a lifting mechanism 8 to raise it from a lowered position on the chassis 2 of the aerial platform to the desired working position in height. In this case, it comprises an articulated and telescopic mast at the end of which is mounted the platform 10 and hydraulic cylinders to deploy it with respect to the chassis 2. The lifting mechanism 8 is arranged on a motorized turret 4 allowing the rotate around a vertical axis relative to the frame 2. The turret 4 thus changes the orientation of the lifting mechanism 8 - and therefore of the platform 10 - relative to the frame 2.

The control station 20 allows an operator O on board the platform 10 to cause the displacement of the platform 10 to reach the desired working position. It can thus actuate the lifting mechanism 8 and the pivoting of the turret 4. It can be expected that it can also cause the displacement of the aerial platform on the ground.

It will be understood that a control station according to the invention can be mounted on the working platform of aerial platforms having a different constitution, for example which have another type of lifting mechanism 8 or which are devoid of turret 4 in which case the lifting mechanism is mounted directly on the frame.

Figure 2 shows the working platform 10. It comprises a floor 12 surrounded by a railing 14. An opening 17 between two posts 17a, 17b of the railing 14 allows people to access the platform. form 10.

The control station 20 comprises a protective cover 40. The cover 40 is represented in the closed position while it is shown in the open position in FIG. 4.

The control station 20 comprises a control panel 22 visible in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is equipped with control members 24 intended to be manipulated by the operator O to enable him to move the platform 10 to the desired position of working at height. The control panel 22 is preferably mounted fixedly relative to the railing 14. In this case, it is mounted on support plates 74 welded to a bar 70 which is fixed to two vertical uprights 18a, 18b of the guardrail 14 via a respective intermediate piece 70a, 70b.

As will be seen in more detail below, the passage between the open and closed positions of the cover 40 is made by pivoting about a fictitious axis parallel to the front edge of the control panel 22. The front edge of the panel 22, as well as its front side, are conventionally defined as those corresponding to the side of the desk in front of which stands the operator O on board of the platform 10 to manipulate the control members 24. On the contrary, the rear side of the panel 22 is the opposite side and which is generally towards the outside of the platform 10. When the cover 40 is closed, it covers the control panel 22 and protects it against dirt and shocks during work carried out by the persons aboard the platform 10. In this position, the control members 24 are not not accessible to the operator O. Consequently, it is not possible to move the platform 10.

A bar 42 is fixedly arranged on the cover 40. It can for example be made in one piece with the cover 42 by molding plastic or composite material or be attached to the cover 40 by any appropriate means such as screwing or welding according to the material of the hood 40. The bar 42 is in this case straight and extends horizontally and away from the front edge of the cover 40 while being parallel thereto. The bar 42 continues at its ends by two uprights conferring a U-shaped assembly and serving to arrange the bar 42 to the cover 40. But different variants are possible. For example, an amount can be arranged centrally at the bar 42 to provide an overall shape T, the bar 42 being arranged on the cover 40 through this amount. According to another variant, the bar 42 may have a generally arcuate shape and be arranged directly on the cover 40 by its two opposite ends.

When the hood 40 is open, the bar 42 acts as a safety bar against the crushing of the operator on the desk 22. It is then parallel to the front edge of the desk 22 and extends all along the front edge of the desk 22 away from it. It protrudes from the front side of the desk 22 in this case above the desk 22. It is thus positioned between the bust of the operator O and the desk 22 as can be seen in Figure 7. The space between the front edge of the cover 40 and the bar 42 is free of material, which allows the operator O to see the control members 24 when the cover 40 is open. The operator O accesses the control members 24 by passing the hands below the bar 42.

FIG. 8 illustrates the actuation of the bar 42 by the bust of the operator O which is pushed - cf. arrow F ₂ - to the desk 22 by an obstacle C the percussion from the rear during the displacement of the platform 10 according to the arrow Fi. The force exerted on the bar 42, if it exceeds a given level, has the effect of moving the cover 40 to the rear side of the desk 22 and this movement is detected to automatically stop the current movement of the platform 10 to protect the operator O from crushing against the desk 22.

FIGS. 9 to 13 illustrate the mounting of the cover 40 with respect to the guardrail 14. More particularly, the cover 40 is mounted by each lateral side to a vertical support 30 arranged fixed with respect to the guardrail 14. FIGS. 13 show its mounting for a lateral side, being specified that it is identical for the other lateral side of the cover 40. A cover 38 covering the support 30 has been omitted in these figures to show the detail of the assembly. This cover is preferably screwed onto the support 30, for example at the points 36 and at the stud 32 visible in FIG. 13.

The lateral support 30 is in this case welded to the bar 70. The lateral supports 30 are arranged perpendicularly to the front edge of the desk 22 and are parallel to each other. The cover 40 has on each lateral side a pin 44. The two pins 44 are coaxial about a fictitious axis which is parallel to the bar 42. Each pin 44 is inserted into a slot 34 formed in the corresponding vertical support 30. The two slots 34 are parallel to each other and extend towards the rear side of the panel 22. Their dimensioning is appropriate to allow both the pivoting and the sliding of the pins 44 in the slots 34. The pins 44 are biased elastically towards the end. front end of the slots 34. In this case, the elastic biasing is performed by means of a respective tension spring 60, one end of which is connected to the pin 44 and the other is fixed on the stud 32 of the support 30.

In the closed position which is illustrated in FIG. 9, the cover 40 rests by gravity abutting on a horizontal bar 16 of the railing 14, in this case by grooves 46 formed in the lateral parts of the cover 40. The grooves 46 in cooperation with the bar 16 also exclude that the cover 40 can be accidentally pushed back to the rear side of the desk 22. In addition, the bar 42 is positioned downward, at a level below the desk 22 and back by relative to the front edge of the hood 40. The bar 42 is thus protected against dirt and shocks during work performed by the persons aboard the platform 10.

To pass the cover 40 from the closed position of FIG. 9 to the open position of FIG. 10, the operator O rotates it in the direction indicated by the arrow F3, that is by tilting the cover 40 above the desk 20 in the front to the back direction. He can perform this operation using the bar 42 as a gripping means. The passage from the closed position to the open position is by pure pivoting because the springs 60 hold the pins against the front end of the slots 34. The springs 60 do not oppose the pivoting, since they solicit the pieces 44 only in sliding. Arrived in the open position, the pivoting of the cover 40 is stopped by its rear edge 48 which abuts against the bar 70. In addition, two elastic blades 72 fixedly arranged on the bar 70 cooperate with the rear edge 48 of the cover 4 to avoid it can not accidentally rotate to the closed position. Alternatively, these elastic blades 72 are omitted and the cover 40 is held in the open position under the effect of its weight.

The passage of the cover 40 from the open position to the closed position is similarly by pure pivoting in the opposite direction after having overcome the effort of retaining elastic blades 72. Again, the bar 42 can be used as a gripping means to close the hood.

Figures 4, 5 and 10 show the cover 40 in the open position at rest, that is to say in the absence of external thrust force on the bar 42 to the desk 22. On the contrary, in the case where the operator O is standing in front of the control panel 22 as illustrated in FIG. 7 and that an obstacle C hitting it from behind as illustrated in FIG. 8, will be pushed towards the desk 22 - cf. arrow F ₂ - and will press in this case with his bust against the bar 42. This effort tends to rotate the cover 40 around the pins 44 in the direction of the arrow F ₃ shown in Figure 9, but this pivoting is stopped by the rear edge 48 of the cover 40 which abuts against the vertical wall of the bar 70. Therefore, since the force exerted on the bar 42 - illustrated by the arrow F ₄ in Figure 11 - overcomes the the elastic return force developed by the springs 60, the pins 44 slide in the slots 34 - cf. arrow F ₅ - and thus the hood 40 and the bar 42 move towards the rear side of the desk 22.

A sensor detects the movement of the cover 40 - and therefore of the bar 42 - towards the rear side of the panel 22. In this case, it is an inductive sensor 35 mounted fixed on the support 30 which cooperates with a disk 45, when the pin 44 is at the front end of the slot 34, the sensor 35 faces the disk 45. This is therefore the case in the closed position of the cap 40 illustrated in FIG. in its open position illustrated in Figure 10 and in any intermediate pivoting position between these two positions when opening or closing the cover 40. In contrast, when the pin 44 slides in the slot 34 rearwardly at beyond a given position, the sensor 35 no longer faces the disk 45 as can be seen in FIG. 11.

The sensor 35 is connected to the electronic circuit of the control station 20 which stops the current displacement of the platform 10 when the exceeding of this position is detected by the sensor 35. By stopping the current displacement of the platform 10 it is necessary to understand the stopping of any current movement ordered by the operator O from the console 22 of the lifting mechanism 8 and the turret 4, as well as, if necessary, the displacement of the aerial platform on the ground. The detection of the exceeding of this position is in fact to detect that the crushing force applied to the bar 42 to the desk 22 has exceeded a given threshold which corresponds to the return force developed by the springs 60 to this position of the pawns 44.

It will be understood that other sensors may be used in place of inductive sensors such as roller sensors or optical sensors. This detection system of the displacement of the cover 40 can be implemented only for one of the two pawns 44, but it is best to do both for reasons of reliability and redundancy of security.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, the pin 44 has the possibility of sliding in the slot 34 towards the rear side of the panel 22 beyond this given position of detection of the displacement of the pin 44. This makes it possible to continue to limit the the crushing force experienced by the operator O if the platform 10 continues to move by inertia effect.

When the action on the bar 42 stops, the return springs 60 pull the pins 44 to the front end of the slots 34 and thus bring the cover 40 - and the bar 42 - to the rest position in the open position of Figure 10.

The springs 60 are chosen to develop an adequate return force to both effectively protect the operator O and avoid inadvertent tripping of the overfeed detection system. Preferably, they are chosen so that the external thrust force of the bar 42 required to move the bar 42 to the position of detection of displacement by the sensor or sensors 35 is less than or equal to 10 daN and greater than or equal to at 2 daN, while the detection of the displacement of the bar 42 by the sensor or sensors 35 is preferably used for a movement thereof of at least 2 cm measured in a straight line from its rest position when the hood is open.

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a control station 120 according to a variant of the control station 20 of Figures 1 to 13, the protective cover 140 being shown in the open position at rest. Identical elements bear the same reference numbers. The bar 142 corresponds to the bar 42 of the control station 20. The only difference with the control station 20 lies in the fact that the window which was defined between the bar 42 and the front edge of the cover 40 is no longer free of material, but provided with a transparent or translucent screen 141. The screen 141 allows the operator to see through the control members 24 when the cover 140 is open while they remain accessible to manipulation by passing the hands under the bar 142 as in the case of the control station 20 In this embodiment, the bar 142 then defines the front edge of the hood 140.

Figures 15 to 18 schematically illustrate an embodiment of the control station 220 which is a variant of the control station 20 of Figures 1 to 13. The identical elements bear the same references while the modified elements have the same numbers increased by 200 The difference with respect to the control station 20 lies in the fact that the passage between the open and closed positions of the cover 240 is made in the opposite direction relative to the cover 40 of the control station 20. In other words, the passage of the position closed - shown in Figures 15 and 16 - at open position - shown in Figures 17 and 18 - is by pivoting in the direction shown by the arrow F ₆ , that is to say by tilting under the desk 22 from the front of the console towards the rear of the desk. Therefore, when the cover 240 is closed, the security bar 242, which is fixedly attached to the cover 240, is positioned on the rear side of the panel 22 and facing downwards thereof. The safety bar is then protected against dirt and shocks during work performed by people on board the platform. To facilitate its opening, the cover 240 may have a relief or opening forming a handle in a zone of the cover which is located towards the front side of the console 22 when in the closed position. In this case, the cover 240 has a longitudinal rib 280 for this purpose.

When the cover 240 is open, the bar 242 protrudes from the front side of the desk 22. It is then interposed between the desk 22 and the operator who stands in front of the desk 22. The bar 242 then plays the role of safety bar against the crushing of the operator on the desk 22 similarly to the case of the bar 42 of the control station 20. In this case, the operator - having a stature as already mentioned - comes into contact with the bar 42 rather with the size than the bust because the bar 242 is at a lower level than the bar 42 of the control station 20. If it presses hard enough on the bar 242 - cf. arrow F ₇ -, it will cause the sliding of the cover 240 towards the rear side of the desk 22: cf. arrow Fs.

The mounting of the cover 240 to the railing can be carried out similarly to the case of the cover 40, that is to say by pins cooperating with slots formed in vertical supports attached to the railing - similar to the supports 30 , but not visible in this case because covered by covers 238 - and biased by return springs to provide the possibilities of pivoting and sliding hood 240. Therefore, the assembly is not detailed again. The detection of the sliding of the pins can be carried out in the same way. Adaptations are made to allow the tilting of the cover 240 under the desk 22. In particular, the bars 16 and 70 are removed and the supports of the console 22 - not visible - are adapted and attached laterally to the uprights 18a, 18b. The stop function of the cover 240 in the closed position of the bar 16 can be exerted by a stop fixed on the supports of the console 22 or on the aforementioned vertical supports. Similarly, the stop function stopping the pivoting of the cover 240 in the open position and stopping its pivoting in case of pushing on the bar 242 to the desk 22 in accordance with the arrow F ₇ is adapted and can be carried out in cooperation with the lateral sides 240. The resilient blades 72 can be removed or replaced by elastic blades arranged on the aforementioned vertical supports connected to the railing and cooperating with the lateral sides of the cover 240. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described and shown, but it is capable of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art. Thus, the bar 42 may not be fixedly arranged to the cover 40, but nevertheless be linked to the cover so as to move jointly between the open and closed positions of the cover. For example, the cover and the bar can be mounted by each lateral side in pure pivoting about the same imaginary axis with respect to the guardrail of the platform and be linked together at the level of the pivotal connections by springs of torsion. More specifically, one end of the torsion spring is supported on a first stop formed on the lateral side of the hood while the other end of the spring is supported on the lateral upright of the U-shaped bar so as to elastically solicit this amount against another stop formed on the lateral side of the cover and which is offset angularly with respect to the first stop. In this way, the cover and the bar pivot together during the passage between the open and closed position. The stiffness of the spring is chosen sufficient to avoid or limit the pivoting of the bar relative to the hood during the opening operation of the hood. In the open position, the hood is in abutment against a fixed stop linked to the railing of the platform preventing it from pivoting beyond this position. However, the bar can continue to rotate in the same direction - that is to say the direction towards the opening of the cover - by overcoming the elastic force of the torsion spring. This additional pivoting of the bar after the hood is stopped in the open position can be detected by a suitable sensor to determine a situation of crushing the operator against the bar.

Claims

A control station (20; 120; 220) for a work platform (10) of an aerial work platform, comprising:

- a control panel (22) on which are arranged control members (24);

a protective cover (40; 140; 240) of the control panel movably mounted between:

a first position in which the cover is closed to cover the control panel, and

a longitudinal element (42; 142; 242) connected to the hood for moving jointly between the first position and the second position, which longitudinal element, when the hood is in the second position, extends at a distance along the front side of the desk protruding from the front side of the desk; and

means (35, 45) for detecting an external thrust load (F ₄ ) of the longitudinal element towards the desk when the hood is in the second position.

A control station according to claim 1, wherein, when the hood is in the second position, the longitudinal member (42; 142; 242) is arranged to move towards the rear side of the desk when subjected to a solicitation external pushing to the console, the detection means operating by detecting the movement of the longitudinal member towards the rear side of the desk.

Control station according to claim 2, wherein the detection means operate by detecting the displacement of the longitudinal element beyond a predetermined position towards the rear side of the console, the longitudinal element being able to move towards the rear side of the desk beyond this predetermined position.

Control station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection means operate by detection of exceeding the threshold of the force external biasing force (F ₄ ) of the longitudinal member towards the desk.

Control station according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which, when the hood is in the second position, the longitudinal element is held in position relative to an external thrust load (F ₄ ) in the direction of the desk to a given thrust force level beyond which the longitudinal element moves towards the rear side of the desk.

Control station according to claim 5, wherein the longitudinal member is thus held in position by biasing means developing a biasing force, preferably resilient, of the longitudinal member throughout the movement of the longitudinal member to the back side of the desk.

Control station according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movement of the cover between the first position and the second position is by tilting or pivoting (44).

A control station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the longitudinal member (42; 142; 242) is fixedly attached to the hood.

Control station according to claim 8, in which the longitudinal element is: either the front edge (142) of the hood,

either a bar (42; 242) arranged on the hood remote from the front edge of the hood to define at least one free space between the bar and the front edge of the hood, the front edge of the hood being the edge of the hood towards the side front of the console when the hood is in the second position.

10. Control station according to claim 9, wherein the cover (140) has an area adjacent to the front edge which is made of transparent or translucent material (141) through which the control members (24) of the console (22). ) are visible when the hood is in the second position.

11. Control station according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control members (24) of the console (22) are visible through the at least one free space between the bar (42; 242) and the front edge. the hood (40; 240) when the hood is in the second position. Control station according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cover (40) is mounted relative to the desk by a pivoting connection (44) and sliding (34) to move the cover:

by pure pivoting between the first position and the second position; and sliding towards the rear side of the desk (22) from the second position of the hood when the longitudinal element is subjected to external pushing pressure (F4) towards the desk.

Aerial platform, comprising:

a work platform (10);

a lifting mechanism (8) of the work platform; and

- A control station (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 which is arranged on the work platform;

in which :

the control station allows an operator to cause the displacement of the work platform; and

the detection means (35, 45) of the control station cause the stop of the current displacement of the working platform (10) in the event of detection of an external thrust load (F4) of the longitudinal element (42; 142; 242) to the control panel (22) when the cover (40; 140; 240) is in the second position.