EP3703976A1 - Transport vehicle with improved handling system - Google Patents

Transport vehicle with improved handling system

Info

Publication number
EP3703976A1
EP3703976A1 EP18811371.6A EP18811371A EP3703976A1 EP 3703976 A1 EP3703976 A1 EP 3703976A1 EP 18811371 A EP18811371 A EP 18811371A EP 3703976 A1 EP3703976 A1 EP 3703976A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transport vehicle
external
external body
flatbed
internal body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP18811371.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Giorgio Rolfo
Elio Arnulfo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rolfo SpA
Original Assignee
Rolfo SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rolfo SpA filed Critical Rolfo SpA
Publication of EP3703976A1 publication Critical patent/EP3703976A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/06—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles
    • B60P3/08—Multilevel-deck construction carrying vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a transport vehicle equipped with an improved handling system for lifting and lowering loads, in particular aimed to lift and lower an upper loading flatbed of road vehicles .
  • transport vehicles such as for example car transporters, equipped with various loading flatbeds, among which a lower loading flatbed, typically fixed, and at least one upper loading flatbed, moving to be lifted and lowered by a suitable handling system.
  • object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems, by providing a transport vehicle equipped with an improved handling system aimed to lift and lower loads, such as an upper loading flatbed for road vehicles, comprising at least one lifting mechanism equipped with a more compact structure, whose overall sizes are lower than what is proposed by the prior art .
  • Figure 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the present invention with an upper loading flatbed in a completely lowered position;
  • Figure 2 shows a side view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with the upper loading flatbed in a completely lifted position
  • Figures 3 and 4 show front top views of a preferred embodiment of part of the transport vehicle according to the present invention with the upper loading flatbed in a completely lowered position and in a completely lifted position;
  • Figures 5 and 6 show enlarged side views of a preferred embodiment of a lifting mechanism of the handling system of the transport vehicle according to the present invention respectively in a completely lowered position and in a completely lifted position;
  • Figures 7 and 8 show rear top perspective views of the lifting mechanism of the handling system of the transport vehicle according to the present invention respectively in a completely lowered position and in a completely lifted position.
  • the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention of the type in particular aimed to transport other vehicles, such as for example car transporters, comprises at least two loading flatbeds 3a, 3b, of which at least the upper loading flatbed 3b must be able to be moved in height in order to allow a variety of configurations, and therefore of load: the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention then further comprises a handling system of the upper loading flatbed 3b with respect to the lower loading flatbed 3a comprising at least one front lifting and lowering system 4 of such upper loading flatbed 3b and one or more lifting mechanisms 5 interposed between such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b cooperating with such front lifting and lowering system 4.
  • a handling system of the upper loading flatbed 3b with respect to the lower loading flatbed 3a comprising at least one front lifting and lowering system 4 of such upper loading flatbed 3b and one or more lifting mechanisms 5 interposed between such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b cooperating with such front lifting and lowering system 4.
  • such front lifting and lowering system 4 comprises at least one pair of vertical movement actuators arranged on the front of such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b, each one of such actuators being arranged along a respective vertical riser 6 and these one or more lifting mechanisms 5 being arranged on the rear to such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b, the terms "front” and “rear” being referred to the travelling direction of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention.
  • such vertical movement actuator is composed of an actuating mechanism of the type with guide with worm screw, of a substantially known type in the art .
  • such lifting mechanism 5 of the transport vehicle 1 comprises at least one internal body 7 having a first end 7a thereof connected in an articulated and rotating way to at least one external structure 9 integral with the vehicle 1 itself, and at least one external body 11 having a first end 11a thereof connected, preferably in an articulated way, to the upper loading flatbed 3b, such external body 11 being constrained to the internal body 7 through a coupling of a sliding type, which allows the external body 11 to perform only translation movements with respect to the internal body 7 along a relative sliding direction designated in Figures 5 and 6 by axis X-X (therefore, along a Cartesian reference plane XY integral with the internal body 7 and oriented as shown in Figures 5 and 6) , at least one movement actuator (not shown) operatively cooperating with the external body 11 and the internal body 7 to perform such translation movements along the relative sliding direction X-X of such external body 11 with respect to such internal body 7, and at least one connecting rod-type kinematism 13 having a first end
  • the external structure 9 is therefore preferably arranged substantially at the height of the lower loading flatbed 3a and the first end 11a of the external body 11 is connected in an articulated way to the upper loading flatbed 3b.
  • the use of one or more suitably arranged lifting mechanisms 5 and their actuation in cooperation with the front lifting and lowering system 4 allows a lowering and a lifting of the upper loading flatbed 3b with respect to the lower loading flatbed 3a, allowing not only to lift and lower such upper loading flatbed 3b always parallel thereto, but also to incline it.
  • the lifting mechanisms 5 according to the present invention are arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention, in order to avoid lifting and lowering misalignments of the upper loading flatbed 3b, it is possible to provide that, as it is possible to note in particular in Figures 7 and 8, the corresponding mechanisms 5 on two different sides are mutually connected by at least one connecting structure 15 such as, for example, at least one torsion bar, to make their movement synchronous .
  • the sliding surfaces of these two parts can be equipped with suitable means (not shown in the Figures) to reduce the friction resistances.
  • articulated connections where provided, between the various component parts of the lifting mechanism 5 of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention, can be made by interposing any mechanism or kinematism, such as for example a hinge, suitable for such purpose.
  • the movement actuator though it can be preferably composed of a hydraulic cylinder, can be any other mechanism or kinematism capable of providing a linear movement, such as, for example, at least one pneumatic cylinder, screw/nut systems actuated by hydraulic, electric, pneumatic motor, etc .
  • the movement actuator has a first end thereof connected in an articulated way to the lower part of the internal body 7 and a second end connected in an articulated way, for example through a hinge, directly to the external body 11.
  • the external body 11 is further equipped with at least one connection point of the first end 13a of the connecting rod-type kinematism 13.
  • the movement actuator is contained in at least one hollow space (not shown) obtained between the internal body 7 and the external body 11, and the relative sliding direction X-X coincides with and/or is parallel to the linear movement axis of the actuator itself.
  • the elongation of the movement actuator takes the lifting mechanism 5 progressively from the position in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7 to the position in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, simultaneously generating the elongation of the lifting mechanism 5 for the coherent sliding of the external body 11 along the internal body 7 (along the direction pointed out by arrow A in Figure 5) and the rotation of the lifting mechanism 5 (along the direction pointed out by arrow R in Figure 5) , around the first end 7a connected in an articulated way to the external structure 9, taking the first end 11a of the external body 11 to be elevated and, consequently, to lift the loading flatbed 3b connected thereto.
  • the transport vehicle according to the present invention has been shown as an example as a truck, but it is wholly evident that it can be configured in any other structure, such as, for example a trailer or semi-trailer for road transport, or a wagon for the railway transport, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as claimed in the attached claims.
  • the transport vehicle according to the present invention allows reaching the stated objects.
  • its own handling system allows, through the cooperation between the vertical movement actuators and the type of lifting mechanism being used, providing several advantages with respect to prior art vehicles, among which: by blocking the movement actuator, the handling system, and in particular the lifting mechanism, is in a stable position;
  • the effort exerted by the movement actuator is more constantly distributed along the stroke ;
  • the lifting mechanism in its lowered position is more compact with respect to the prior art mechanisms, decreasing the rear projection from the lower loading flatbed.

Abstract

A transport vehicle (1) is described, comprising at least two loading flatbeds (3a, 3b) and a handling system of the upper loading flatbed (3b) with respect to the lower loading flatbed (3a), such handling system comprising at least one front lifting and lowering system (4) of such upper loading flatbed (3b) and one or more lifting mechanisms (5) interposed between such loading flatbeds (3a, 3b) cooperating with such front lifting and lowering system (4).

Description

TRANSPORT VEHICLE WITH IMPROVED HANDLING SYSTEM
The present invention refers to a transport vehicle equipped with an improved handling system for lifting and lowering loads, in particular aimed to lift and lower an upper loading flatbed of road vehicles .
Several types of transport vehicles are known in the art, such as for example car transporters, equipped with various loading flatbeds, among which a lower loading flatbed, typically fixed, and at least one upper loading flatbed, moving to be lifted and lowered by a suitable handling system.
Currently, known handling systems typically comprise scissors-type lifting mechanisms, which still have some problems, both regarding their operating efficiency, and depending on delivery of efforts and overall sizes.
Therefore, object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems, by providing a transport vehicle equipped with an improved handling system aimed to lift and lower loads, such as an upper loading flatbed for road vehicles, comprising at least one lifting mechanism equipped with a more compact structure, whose overall sizes are lower than what is proposed by the prior art .
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will result from the following description, are obtained with a transport vehicle as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
It is intended that all enclosed claims are an integral part of the present description.
It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described, without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the enclosed claims.
The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the present invention with an upper loading flatbed in a completely lowered position;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with the upper loading flatbed in a completely lifted position;
Figures 3 and 4 show front top views of a preferred embodiment of part of the transport vehicle according to the present invention with the upper loading flatbed in a completely lowered position and in a completely lifted position;
Figures 5 and 6 show enlarged side views of a preferred embodiment of a lifting mechanism of the handling system of the transport vehicle according to the present invention respectively in a completely lowered position and in a completely lifted position; and
Figures 7 and 8 show rear top perspective views of the lifting mechanism of the handling system of the transport vehicle according to the present invention respectively in a completely lowered position and in a completely lifted position.
With reference thereby to the Figures, it is possible to note that the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention, of the type in particular aimed to transport other vehicles, such as for example car transporters, comprises at least two loading flatbeds 3a, 3b, of which at least the upper loading flatbed 3b must be able to be moved in height in order to allow a variety of configurations, and therefore of load: the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention then further comprises a handling system of the upper loading flatbed 3b with respect to the lower loading flatbed 3a comprising at least one front lifting and lowering system 4 of such upper loading flatbed 3b and one or more lifting mechanisms 5 interposed between such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b cooperating with such front lifting and lowering system 4.
For example, such front lifting and lowering system 4 comprises at least one pair of vertical movement actuators arranged on the front of such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b, each one of such actuators being arranged along a respective vertical riser 6 and these one or more lifting mechanisms 5 being arranged on the rear to such loading flatbeds 3a, 3b, the terms "front" and "rear" being referred to the travelling direction of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention. Preferably, such vertical movement actuator is composed of an actuating mechanism of the type with guide with worm screw, of a substantially known type in the art .
Advantageously, such lifting mechanism 5 of the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention comprises at least one internal body 7 having a first end 7a thereof connected in an articulated and rotating way to at least one external structure 9 integral with the vehicle 1 itself, and at least one external body 11 having a first end 11a thereof connected, preferably in an articulated way, to the upper loading flatbed 3b, such external body 11 being constrained to the internal body 7 through a coupling of a sliding type, which allows the external body 11 to perform only translation movements with respect to the internal body 7 along a relative sliding direction designated in Figures 5 and 6 by axis X-X (therefore, along a Cartesian reference plane XY integral with the internal body 7 and oriented as shown in Figures 5 and 6) , at least one movement actuator (not shown) operatively cooperating with the external body 11 and the internal body 7 to perform such translation movements along the relative sliding direction X-X of such external body 11 with respect to such internal body 7, and at least one connecting rod-type kinematism 13 having a first end 13a thereof connected in an articulated way to the external body 11 and a second end 13b connected in an articulated way to the external structure 9.
The external structure 9 is therefore preferably arranged substantially at the height of the lower loading flatbed 3a and the first end 11a of the external body 11 is connected in an articulated way to the upper loading flatbed 3b. Obviously, the use of one or more suitably arranged lifting mechanisms 5 and their actuation in cooperation with the front lifting and lowering system 4 allows a lowering and a lifting of the upper loading flatbed 3b with respect to the lower loading flatbed 3a, allowing not only to lift and lower such upper loading flatbed 3b always parallel thereto, but also to incline it. In a preferred embodiment of the transport vehicle 1 according to the present invention, when the lifting mechanisms 5 according to the present invention are arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention, in order to avoid lifting and lowering misalignments of the upper loading flatbed 3b, it is possible to provide that, as it is possible to note in particular in Figures 7 and 8, the corresponding mechanisms 5 on two different sides are mutually connected by at least one connecting structure 15 such as, for example, at least one torsion bar, to make their movement synchronous .
In order to enable a more efficient sliding of the external body 11 along the internal body 7, the sliding surfaces of these two parts can be equipped with suitable means (not shown in the Figures) to reduce the friction resistances.
Obviously, the articulated connections, where provided, between the various component parts of the lifting mechanism 5 of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention, can be made by interposing any mechanism or kinematism, such as for example a hinge, suitable for such purpose.
Similarly, the movement actuator, though it can be preferably composed of a hydraulic cylinder, can be any other mechanism or kinematism capable of providing a linear movement, such as, for example, at least one pneumatic cylinder, screw/nut systems actuated by hydraulic, electric, pneumatic motor, etc .
In a preferred embodiment of the lifting mechanism 5 of the vehicle 1 according to the present invention, the movement actuator has a first end thereof connected in an articulated way to the lower part of the internal body 7 and a second end connected in an articulated way, for example through a hinge, directly to the external body 11. Obviously, the external body 11 is further equipped with at least one connection point of the first end 13a of the connecting rod-type kinematism 13. In such embodiment, the movement actuator is contained in at least one hollow space (not shown) obtained between the internal body 7 and the external body 11, and the relative sliding direction X-X coincides with and/or is parallel to the linear movement axis of the actuator itself. With particular reference to the Figures, it is possible to note that the elongation of the movement actuator takes the lifting mechanism 5 progressively from the position in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7 to the position in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, simultaneously generating the elongation of the lifting mechanism 5 for the coherent sliding of the external body 11 along the internal body 7 (along the direction pointed out by arrow A in Figure 5) and the rotation of the lifting mechanism 5 (along the direction pointed out by arrow R in Figure 5) , around the first end 7a connected in an articulated way to the external structure 9, taking the first end 11a of the external body 11 to be elevated and, consequently, to lift the loading flatbed 3b connected thereto. Obviously, the shortening of the movement actuator brings about movements which are symmetrically contrary to the previously described ones, namely the sliding of the external body 11 along the internal body 7 along the direction pointed out by arrow A' of Figure 6, and the rotation of the lifting mechanism 5 along the direction pointed out by arrow R' of Figure 6, taking the lifting mechanism 5 progressively from the position in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8 to the position in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7.
In the Figures, the transport vehicle according to the present invention has been shown as an example as a truck, but it is wholly evident that it can be configured in any other structure, such as, for example a trailer or semi-trailer for road transport, or a wagon for the railway transport, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as claimed in the attached claims.
As described, the transport vehicle according to the present invention allows reaching the stated objects. In particular, its own handling system allows, through the cooperation between the vertical movement actuators and the type of lifting mechanism being used, providing several advantages with respect to prior art vehicles, among which: by blocking the movement actuator, the handling system, and in particular the lifting mechanism, is in a stable position;
due to the arrangement of the lifting mechanism, the effort exerted by the movement actuator is more constantly distributed along the stroke ;
the lifting mechanism in its lowered position is more compact with respect to the prior art mechanisms, decreasing the rear projection from the lower loading flatbed.

Claims

1. Transport vehicle (1) comprising at least two loading flatbeds (3a, 3b) and a handling system of said upper loading flatbed (3b) with respect to said lower loading flatbed (3a) , said handling system comprising at least one front lifting and lowering system (4) of said upper loading flatbed (3b) and one or more lifting mechanisms (5) interposed between said loading flatbeds (3a, 3b) cooperating with said front lifting and lowering system (4) , said lifting mechanism (5) comprising at least one internal body (7) having a first end (7a) thereof connected in an articulated and rotating way to at least one external structure (9) integral with said vehicle (1) , and at least one external body (11) having a first end (11a) thereof connected to said upper loading flatbed (3b) , said external body (11) being constrained to said internal body (7) through a coupling of a sliding type, at least one movement actuator operatively cooperating with said external body (11) and said internal body (7) , and at least one connecting rod- type kinematism (13) having a first end (13a) thereof connected in an articulated way to said external body (11) and a second end (13b) connected in an articulated way to said external structure (9) , characterized in that two of said mechanisms (5) , corresponding on two different sides of said vehicle (1) , are mutually connected by at least one connecting structure (15) to make their movement synchronous .
2. Transport vehicle (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that said coupling of a sliding type allows said external body (11) to perform only translation movements with respect to said internal body (7) along a relative sliding direction (X-X) , said movement actuator operatively cooperating with said external body (11) and said internal body (7) to perform said translation movements along said relative sliding direction (X- X) of said external body (11) with respect to said internal body (7) .
3. Transport vehicle (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that said movement actuator ha a first end thereof connected in an articulated way to a lower part of said internal body (7) and a second end connected in an articulated way directly to said external body (11) .
EP18811371.6A 2017-10-31 2018-10-09 Transport vehicle with improved handling system Pending EP3703976A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102017000123068A IT201700123068A1 (en) 2017-10-31 2017-10-31 TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A REFINED HANDLING SYSTEM.
PCT/IT2018/000125 WO2019087220A1 (en) 2017-10-31 2018-10-09 Transport vehicle with improved handling system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3703976A1 true EP3703976A1 (en) 2020-09-09

Family

ID=61526985

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18811371.6A Pending EP3703976A1 (en) 2017-10-31 2018-10-09 Transport vehicle with improved handling system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3703976A1 (en)
IT (1) IT201700123068A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019087220A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT8253902V0 (en) * 1982-11-08 1982-11-08 Rolfo Spa ROAD VEHICLE WITH REMOVABLE LOAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE PARTICULARLY VEHICLE SUPPORT
FR2677342A1 (en) * 1991-06-07 1992-12-11 Lohr Ind LARGE TRAVEL LIFT ASSEMBLY FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF A LOAD-CARRYING PLANE.
EP2229336B1 (en) * 2008-01-03 2012-05-16 ROLFO S.p.A. Lifting mechanism and transport vehicle equipped with such mechanism

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019087220A1 (en) 2019-05-09
IT201700123068A1 (en) 2018-01-31

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