EP3645446B1 - Lift truck comprising a loading stop - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fork lift truck comprising a loading stop.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Load sensing systems on a forklift are known and used in various fields. In the fields of industry and handling, forklifts are essential because they allow the operators to move loads effortlessly. Forklifts are used, for example, to load, move and position a pallet in height.

Some forklifts are fitted with load sensing means to ensure safe operation. Most lift trucks equipped with a detection system are equipped with a weight sensor. Using a reference weight, the detector can determine whether the fork is loaded or not. Other examples of solutions are presented below.

The document WO2006008586 describes a fork lift truck comprising a weight and height sensor. The weight sensor is used to measure a value of the weight of the lifted load. It is attached to a piston of the lifting device.

The document WO2004103882 describes a forklift truck provided with a movable load sensor for identifying and monitoring a load on the truck.

These systems with weight sensors are unreliable and do not allow all aspects of the safety of use to be managed because no data relating to the correct positioning of the loads is provided.

The document WO2008057504 describes a fork lift truck comprising a load dimension sensor, implemented for example by cameras. This system is relatively expensive to implement and subject to the vagaries of dust and other contaminants, frequent in warehouses and loading halls.

The document EP3000771 describes a fork-lift truck fitted with an optical detector at the load carrier level which can be moved at the same time as the load and an analysis unit which makes it possible to determine the position of the load in three dimensions.

The document EP3000772 discloses a forklift truck provided with an optical detector having a first field of view and a second optical detector movable together with the load carrier having a second field of view. The first optical detector makes it possible to determine, by means of an optical analysis unit, whether the charge is present or not. The second optical detector makes it possible to determine whether the load is correctly positioned relative to a reference position. This system, with optical modules and a logic system, is relatively complex.

Optical sensors are used in these two documents. These sensors are fragile and have only a limited field of view. They are not suitable for multiple tasks and severe usage constraints.

The document DE4234375 describes a fork lift truck mounted on wheels comprising a motor and lifting means, a fork arranged to lift loads using two substantially parallel arms 2 carried by substantially vertical or oblique uprights depending on the working position, said fork comprising a loading stop arranged on each of the uprights of the fork, each stop comprising a bearing face for loads with a straight profile. This system only has a stop with a flat, straight profile.

Moreover, in the field of logistics, it is common to encounter situations in which pallets and other specialized loads such as, for example, coils must be handled. Such coils are found in the cable industry and in the tire industry. In such a case, logistics sites must be equipped with several types of trolleys suitable for handling all these types of load in complete safety.

To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various technical means.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

First of all, a first objective of the invention consists in providing a forklift truck allowing the transport of loads of very different shapes and profiles, such as for example pallets and / or reels of cables or of various bands.

Another objective of the invention consists in providing a fork lift truck with a load detector, the implementation of which is simple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forklift truck of inexpensive construction.

Another objective of the invention consists in providing a detection device which can be used for a forklift truck with or without a driver.

To do this, the invention provides a forklift mounted on wheels comprising a motor and lifting means, a fork arranged to lift loads using two substantially parallel arms carried by substantially vertical or oblique uprights according to the working position, said fork comprising a loading stop arranged on each of the uprights of the fork, each stop comprising a bearing face for loads with a straight profile and an angulated docking face for loads with an arched profile circle.

The double profile of the bearing faces makes it possible to position loads with a rectilinear profile such as pallets and loads with an arcuate profile such as, for example, reels of cables or various bands. Thus, this architecture makes it possible to transport both coils and pallets with the same machine. The lifting means are advantageously tiltable.

Advantageously, the fork is pivoting. Thanks to this characteristic, the double profile of the bearing and docking faces is completed by the possible tilting of the lifting mast backwards, which allows the transport of pallets and coils in complete safety, including on a autonomous forklift where no one is present to monitor the good stability of the load transported.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the bearing faces are substantially perpendicular to the arms of the fork and the docking faces are arranged on the inner edges of the uprights, adjacent to the bearing faces.

Advantageously, the mating faces are inclined inwardly and form an angle α with respect to the support faces, said angle α being between 15 ° and 75 °, more preferably between 30 ° and 60 °.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the forklift truck also comprises a load detection module "resting against the stop or not" arranged on each of the loading stops and configured to generate a loading conformity signal when the two modules are. operated.

According to such an architecture, the fact of having two stops makes it possible to detect the correct positioning of a load opposite each of the two arms. Thus, in the event of a load incorrectly positioned opposite one of the arms, an indication of non-conformity of loading is provided. Such an indication makes it possible, for example, to inhibit the load lifting or carriage movement function.

Advantageously, each stop comprises a lever mounted to pivot between a deployed position corresponding to an absent load and a retracted position corresponding to a load present and suitably positioned. This simple and inexpensive arrangement is particularly suited to severe usage constraints.

According to an advantageous variant, the angulated docking face extends longitudinally over at least a portion of each of the pivoting levers.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a stopper is constituted by a longitudinal body adapted for positioning along the lifting axis AL of the fork, the pivoting lever comprising a pivoting axis arranged substantially at mid-height of the longitudinal body of the fork. stop. This system is robust and easy to install on existing machines. Equipping this system is therefore inexpensive.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the position “ load absent or not resting against the stop ” of the pivoting lever corresponds to a position in which the free end of this lever is at a distance from the base of the longitudinal body.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the position “ load present and resting against the stop ” of the pivoting lever corresponds to a position in which the free end of this lever is substantially contiguous to the base of the longitudinal body.

This configuration makes it easy to detect the presence of a load and its correct positioning. For example, the load comes to rest against the stop when it is loaded and properly positioned. As a result, the free end of the pivoting lever is positioned against the base of the longitudinal body.

Advantageously, the detection module comprises a position detector adapted to detect the retracted position of the pivoting lever.

The position detector is used to validate and / or confirm that the load is present and well positioned.

Also advantageously, the position detector is of the inductive type. This detector is inexpensive, reliable and easy to install.

Also advantageously, the lift truck is an autonomous truck. This type of truck is more and more common in the world of logistics and it is very useful that it can perform autonomously not only the movement functions, but also those relating to safety, more particularly in relation to the quality of the loading of the transported loads.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the load detection module comprises a positioning anomaly detection sub-module capable of generating an anomaly signal when only one of the two actuatable stops is activated.

This device makes it possible, in the event of an anomaly, to stop lifting and / or moving operations for safety reasons.

Advantageously, the free end of the pivoting lever comprises a longitudinal finger allowing the lever to extend on the outer side of the arm adjacent independently of the angular position of the lever.

This device makes it possible to avoid the absence of detection in the event of a load with a tapered profile shape, likely to pass under the pivoting lever. The load nevertheless presses on the lever via the finger located on the side allowing to validate the presence of a load on the fork.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un exemple schématique de chariot élévateur à fourche avec un système de détection selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2A illustre le chariot de la figure 1, vu en élévation avec le levier pivotant dans la position déployée;
• la figure 2B illustre le chariot de la figure 1, vu en élévation avec le levier pivotant dans la position escamotée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective du chariot de la figure 1 portant une bobine ou un empilement de bobines à transporter;
• la figure 4 est une vue agrandie de profil du chariot de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du chariot de la figure 1 avec une variante de charge.

All the implementation details are given in the following description, completed by the figures 1 to 5 , presented solely for the purposes of non-limiting examples, and in which:

• the figure 1 is a top view of a schematic example of a trolley fork lift with a detection system according to the invention;
• the figure 2A illustrates the carriage of the figure 1 , seen in elevation with the pivoting lever in the deployed position;
• the figure 2B illustrates the carriage of the figure 1 , seen in elevation with the pivoting lever in the retracted position;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of the carriage of the figure 1 carrying a coil or a stack of coils to be transported;
• the figure 4 is an enlarged profile view of the carriage of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the carriage of the figure 1 with a load variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figure 1 and the figures 2A and 2B illustrate an embodiment of a forklift 1. Conventionally, a carriage comprises two uprights 3 usually substantially vertical or oblique depending on the working position. The uprights 3 carry arms 2 extending towards the front of the carriage. These arms are substantially parallel and are generally used to fit into insertion tunnels of different types provided in transport pallets. The uprights 3 allow the arms 2 to be lifted to lift a pallet to be transported and to allow a pallet to be placed or grabbed at height.

The fork has two loading stops 10, ie one stop for each of the uprights 3 of the fork. As shown to figures 2A and 2B , each stop 10 is constituted by a longitudinal body 16 adapted for positioning along the lifting axis AL of the upright of the fork 1. As illustrated on figure 1 and more particularly in the enlarged area of the figure 1 , each stop 10 comprises a bearing face 11 of pallets for the loads having a rectilinear profile such as for example a pallet, and a docking face 12 adapted for the loads having an arcuate profile such as for example the coils of cables or various bands. The bearing face 11 is substantially perpendicular to the arm 2 of the fork 1 which extends in front of it. It occupies at least 50% of the width of the loading stop 10 on which it is placed. This arrangement allows a load having a rectilinear approach face, such as for example a pallet, to press across the entire width of the support face. The docking faces 12 are arranged on the inner edges of the loading stops 10, adjacent to the bearing faces 11. With respect to the bearing faces, the docking faces are inclined inwardly. As shown in the enlarged portion of the figure 1 , the angle α formed between the two faces is advantageously between 15 ° and 75 °, and more preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. The width of the docking face 12 is preferably less than 50% of the width of the bearing face 11.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the docking face 12 is extended on the pivoting lever 13 pivoting so as to adapt to the profile of the load in support. This embodiment allows the docking face to remain available for guiding the load, from the deployed position of the pivoting lever 13 (see figure 2A ) to its retracted position (see figure 2B ).

The stops ensure correct positioning of the load. The bi-profile stopper is particularly effective in facilitating the positioning of loads whose contour is rounded or circular, such as, for example, reels of cables or of various bands.

In the example of figure 1 , a coil or a stack of coils 20 is loaded onto the arms 2 and comes to rest on the docking faces 12 of the stops 10. The arms 2 are spaced apart by a distance E which is substantially slightly greater than that of the diameter. D of the coil core.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lift truck also provides a load detection module resting against the stop 10, arranged at each of the loading stops 10. The figures 2A and 2B illustrate the elements of these modules, as well as the mode of operation.

The figure 2A is a schematic illustration in profile of the carriage of the figure 1 . The illustrated loading stop 10 is positioned against a post 3 of the fork 1 along the lifting axis AL. A pivoting lever 13 is fixed on the stopper 10, in this example at mid-height of the stopper, by a pivot pin 14. This arrangement allows the lever 13 to pivot between a deployed position, shown in FIG. figure 2A , corresponding to an absent load and a retracted position, shown in figure 2B , corresponding to a load present and suitably positioned. The support faces 11 and docking 12 previously described are advantageously arranged both at the level of the pivoting levers 13 and of the upper portions of the stops so as to extend over the entire available height, thus making it possible to facilitate the support of any load, whatever its height.

The free end of the pivoting lever 13 is extended by a longitudinal finger 19 which is located on the outer side of the neighboring arm 2. This finger is long enough to extend under the arm regardless of the angular position of the pivoting lever 13. It makes it possible to detect a possible thin load which could not be detected by one or the other of the faces 11 or 12.

The load detection module is configured to generate a load compliance signal when the two pivoting levers 13 are in the retracted position. To detect this position, the stops 10 are advantageously provided with position detectors 15 (see figure 2A ) adapted to detect the retracted position of each of the pivoting levers 13. For example, use is made of inductive, magnetic type detectors, vision cells, beams such as lasers, or the like.

In order to alert the operators of an abnormal or risky situation, the load detection module preferably comprises a positioning anomaly detection sub-module capable of generating an anomaly signal when only one of the two actuatable stops is activated.

The figures 3 to 5 illustrate examples of configuration of a carriage according to the invention. To the figure 3 , a spool or a stack of spools of industrial cable is placed on the arms. Note the retracted position of the levers and the correct alignment of the coil using the docking faces 12. The figure 4 is an enlarged view of the figure 3 in which we note the position of the lever 13 resting against the longitudinal body 16, indicating an adequate positioning. The figure 5 illustrates another example of use of the cart with a handling pallet 30, well illustrating the multi-purpose characteristics of the cart.

Reference numbers used in figures

• 1. Fork
• 2. Fork arm
• 3. Fork upright
• 10. Loading stop
• 11. Pallet bearing face
• 12. Docking face
• 13. Swivel lever
• 14. Pivot axis
• 15. Position detector
• 16. Longitudinal body
• 17. Free end of the swivel lever
• 18. Base of longitudinal body
• 19. Longitudinal finger
• 20. Reel of cable or wire
• 30. Handling pallet
• AL Lifting axis

Claims (14)

1. Forklift truck mounted on wheels comprising a drive system and lifting means, a fork (1) adapted to lift loads with the aid of two substantially parallel arms (2) carried by uprights (3) which are substantially vertical or oblique depending on the working position, said fork (1) comprising a loading stop (10) disposed on each of the uprights (3) of the fork, each stop (10) comprising a bearing face (11) for loads having a straight profile, characterised in that each stop (10) comprises an angled docking face (12) for loads having a circular arc profile.
2. Forklift truck according to Claim 1, in which the bearing faces (11) are substantially perpendicular to the arms (2) of the fork (1) and the docking faces (12) are on the inside edges of the uprights (3), adjacent to the bearing faces (11).
3. Forklift truck according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, in which the docking faces (12) are inclined inwards at an angle α to the bearing faces (11), said angle α being between 15° and 75°, and more preferably between 30° and 60°.
4. Forklift truck according to any one of Claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the fork pivots.
5. Forklift truck according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, further comprising a load sensing module bearing against the stop on each of the loading stops (10) and configured to generate a loading conformance signal when both modules are actuated.
6. Lift truck according to Claim 5, in which each stop (10) comprises a lever (13) mounted to pivot between a deployed position corresponding to a load absent or not bearing against the stop (10) and a retracted position corresponding to a load bearing against the stop (10).
7. Lift truck according to Claim 6, in which the angled docking face (12) extends longitudinally over at least a portion of each of the pivoting levers (13).
8. Lift truck according to either one of Claims 6 and 7, in which the stop (10) consists of a longitudinal body (16) adapted to be positioned along the lifting axis (AL) of the fork (1), the pivoting lever (13) including a pivot pin (14) substantially at the mid-height of the longitudinal body (16) of the stop (10).
9. Lift truck according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, in which the "load not bearing or absent" position of the pivoting lever (13) corresponds to a position in which the free end (17) of that lever is at a distance from the base (18) of the longitudinal body (16).
10. Lift truck according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, in which the "load present and bearing against the stop (10)" position of the pivoting lever (13) corresponds to a position in which the free end (17) of that lever is substantially docked with the base (18) of the longitudinal body (16).
11. Lift truck according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, in which the detection module includes a position sensor (15) adapted to detect the retracted position of the pivoting lever (13).
12. Lift truck according to Claim 11, in which the position sensor (15) is of inductive type.
13. Lift truck according to any one of Claims 5 to 12, in which the load sensing module comprises a positioning anomaly detection sub-module adapted to generate an anomaly signal when only one of the two actuatable stops (10) is activated.
14. Lift truck according to any one of Claims 6 to 12, in which the free end (17) of the pivoting lever (13) comprises a longitudinal finger (19) enabling the lever to be extended on the outside of the adjoining arm (2) independently of the angular position of the lever.

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