EP4225610A1 - Semitrailer for the transport of bulk material - Google Patents
Semitrailer for the transport of bulk materialInfo
- Publication number
- EP4225610A1 EP4225610A1 EP21798136.4A EP21798136A EP4225610A1 EP 4225610 A1 EP4225610 A1 EP 4225610A1 EP 21798136 A EP21798136 A EP 21798136A EP 4225610 A1 EP4225610 A1 EP 4225610A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- front wall
- semi
- trailer
- bottom plate
- belt
- 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
Links
- 239000013590 bulk material Substances 0.000 title description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000003779 heat-resistant material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010426 asphalt Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010871 livestock manure Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
- B60P1/36—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
- B60P1/365—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon the chains or belts being fixed to a rigid pusher plate
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)
- Surface Treatment Of Glass Fibres Or Filaments (AREA)
- Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
- Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of vehicles and means of transport for inert materials and in particular concerns a semi-trailer (1) for transporting loose materials having an axis with longitudinal extension (x), comprising: - a chassis (2) provided with wheels (3); - a bottom plate (4); - a first (5) and a second (6) side wall parallel to said longitudinally extending axis (x); - a moving front wall (7) and an opening rear wall (8); - movement means of said front wall (7) adapted to allow it to move longitudinally with respect to said bottom plate (4); - a belt (9) comprising a first (9') and a second (9") end, where said first end (9') is directly associated with said moving front wall (7) and said second end (9") is at least indirectly associated with said moving front wall (7), so as to form a closed loop around said bottom plate (4) between guide rollers and/or pulleys. Said belt (9), drawn by said moving front wall (7), moves with respect to said bottom plate (4) along said longitudinally extending axis (x) of said semi-trailer (1).
Description
SEMITRAILER FOR THE TRANSPORT OF BULK MATERIAL
Technical field
The present invention relates to the field of vehicles and means of transport for inert materials and in particular concerns a semi-trailer for transporting loose materials.
Background art
Conventional semi-trailers generally comprise a chassis provided with wheels and a longitudinally extending loading body comprising a bottom plate, two lateral walls, a front wall and a rear wall.
The whole loading body can tilt with respect to the chassis to facilitate sliding of the material transported toward said rear wall; furthermore, the rear wall can generally be opened by swinging to allow the material to be unloaded onto the ground.
As tilting and tipping of the loading body with respect to the chassis requires large spaces for manoeuvring and above all great possibility of vertical movement, the most modern loading bodies comprise thrust means for said front wall, so that it can move along the bottom plate of the loading body and is able to push the material transported toward the outside.
These semi-trailers with moving front wall are used mainly in the agricultural sector where the material transported, usually feedstuff, cereals, harvest or manure, is light and not compacted, and hence easy to move under the thrust imparted by the moving front wall.
Unfortunately, this solution cannot be used successfully in all
sectors, and above all does not work with heavier materials, such as inert materials and asphalt, which tend to become compacted and adhere to the bottom plate, generating a friction force that the thrust of the moving front wall cannot easily overcome.
When the compact material adheres to the bottom plate and is also compressed by the thrust of the front wall, instead of being unloaded from the loading body, the constrained material tends to deform the lateral walls of said loading body.
Presentation of the invention
The main object of the invention is therefore to produce a semitrailer for transporting loose materials that facilitates rapid and easy unloading of the materials upon reaching their destination, does not increase its overall dimensions during the unloading step, does not make the means of transport unstable during said unloading step and is strong and solid, as well as simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
The objects are achieved with a semi-trailer for transporting loose materials having a longitudinally extending axis, comprising:
- a chassis provided with wheels;
- a bottom plate;
- a first and a second side wall parallel to said longitudinally extending axis;
- a moving front wall and an opening rear wall;
- movement means of said front wall adapted to allow it to move longitudinally with respect to said bottom plate, characterized in that it comprises a belt comprising a first and a
second end, where said first end is directly associated with said moving front wall and said second end is at least indirectly associated with said moving front wall, so as to form a closed loop around said bottom plate between guide rollers and/or pulleys, so that said belt, drawn by said moving front wall, moves with respect to said bottom plate along said longitudinally extending axis of said semi-trailer.
According to a first aspect of the invention, said movement means comprise a single acting hydraulic piston adapted to act between said chassis and said front wall so as to cause the advance along said longitudinally extending axis of said moving front wall and unloading of said loose materials from said semi-trailer in association with the movement of said belt.
Moreover, said movement means comprise a winch, stably associated with said chassis, and a steel cable, connected between said winch and said front wall and adapted to be wound around said winch so as to cause said moving front wall to withdraw.
Advantageously, said belt comprises a lower face, which in use is facing said bottom plate, coated in Teflon.
Moreover, said belt comprises a heat-resistant material.
In a preferred variant of embodiment, said belt comprises a plurality of inextensible filiform elements for connection between said second end of said belt and said moving front wall.
According to further aspects of the invention, said semi-trailer comprises:
- a guide roller, associated with said chassis, provided behind and
under said bottom plate and at least partially projecting therefrom along said longitudinally extending axis, around which said belt moves;
- a diverter roller, associated with said chassis and provided under said bottom plate, adapted to move said belt toward the lower face of said bottom plate;
- guide pulleys, associated with said chassis, provided in front of said bottom plate, around which said inextensible filiform elements move.
In a possible embodiment of the invention, said moving front wall comprises a tilted thrust plane forming an obtuse angle with said belt.
Advantageously, said moving front wall comprises Teflon guide blocks to facilitate its movement on said bottom plate.
In a preferred variant of the invention, said first and second side wall comprise at least one tilted portion, adapted to join with said bottom plate in proximity of the longitudinal edges of said belt.
The main advantage of said semi-trailer for transporting loose materials according to the invention is its efficiency during unloading of the material.
The simultaneous operation of the moving belt and of the moving front wall facilitates unloading of the material, even heavy, outside the semi-trailer.
The belt is flexible, associated with said front wall and moves together with it due to its loop shape and to the movement of the wall controlled by the hydraulic piston; in the same way, when all the
material has been unloaded, the winch and the steel cable that return the front wall to the initial position also reposition the belt along the bottom plate.
The material with which the belt is manufactured is resistant to high temperatures, so that the semi-trailer can be used in all sectors, including for example the road sector and hence for transporting bituminous conglomerate, asphalt and bitumen. The Teflon coating below facilitates the movement of the belt on the bottom plate without friction or constraints.
The belt is closed in a loop but, to lessen the weight of the semitrailer and to limit costs, the belt has a length slightly longer than the length of the bottom plate of the semi-trailer, while the remaining length to close the belt in a loop under said plate, having only a connecting function, is made with inextensible filiform elements, such as cables or chains.
In fact, the belt could require frequent replacements due to wear caused by the material transported (hot, sharp, abrasive, etc.) and therefore it is advantageous to reduce its dimensions as much as possible in order to decrease maintenance costs of the semi-trailer.
The guide roller projecting from the bottom plate offers a curvature to the belt such as to accompany the loose material toward the unloading surface; the diverter roller instead moves the belt toward the bottom plate to reduce the overall dimensions under the semitrailer.
The moving front wall comprises a tilted thrust plane, just as the
lateral walls of the semi-trailer comprise at least one tilted portion: these configurations reduce adhesion of the material transported facilitating its movement at all times.
The Teflon guide blocks under the moving front wall facilitate its movement on the bottom plate and act as coupling elements for the end of the belt or for the inextensible filiform elements.
Brief description of the drawings
The advantages of the invention will be more apparent below, from the description of a preferred embodiment, by way of non-limiting example and with the aid of the figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates, in a partial axonometric view, a semi-trailer for transporting loose materials according to the invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates, in a longitudinal section along a vertical plane, part of the semi-trailer of Fig. 1 ;
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate, respectively in a partial longitudinal section and in an axonometric view, part of the semi-trailer of Fig. 1 during transport of loose material;
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate, respectively in a partial longitudinal section and in an axonometric view, part of the semi-trailer of Fig. 1 during unloading of loose material;
Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate, respectively in an axonometric view and in a longitudinal section, a component of the semi-trailer of Fig. 1 .
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
With reference to the figures, there is illustrated a semi-trailer 1 for transporting loose material having a longitudinally extending axis x,
comprising a chassis 2 provided with wheels 3 and a loading body 20 for the containment of said material.
Said loading body 20 comprises a bottom plate 4, a first 5 and a second 6 side wall parallel to the longitudinally extending axis x of the semi-trailer 1 , a front wall 7 and a rear wall 8.
Said rear wall 8 can be of pendulum type, and can lift at least partially to open said loading body 20 and allow unloading of the material onto the ground.
Said front wall 7 moves through a movement means that allows its longitudinal translation along said bottom plate 4 in both directions, i.e., toward or away from said rear wall 8.
Said movement means comprise a single acting hydraulic piston 10, connected to a pressurized oil circuit, adapted to act between said chassis 2 and said front wall 7 so as to cause it to advance along said longitudinally extending axis x of said semi-trailer 1 .
Said front wall 7 advances from a position A, in which it is opposite said rear wall 8, for closing the semi-trailer 1 and transporting the material (Fig. 3) to a position B, in which it is close to said rear wall 8 (this latter partly lifted) for unloading said material (Fig. 5).
Said movement means comprise a winch 11 , stably associated with said chassis 2, and a steel cable 12, connected between said winch 11 and said front wall 7 and adapted to wind around said winch 11 during withdrawal of said moving front wall 7.
Said front wall 7 withdraws from the position B to the position A after all the material has been unloaded and the semi-trailer 1 is ready for a new load.
Said semi-trailer 1 comprises a flexible moving belt 9.
Said belt 9 comprises a first end 9’ directly associated with said moving front wall 7 through reversible fixing means, such as bolts.
Said belt 9 further comprises a second end 9”, also associated with said moving front wall 7 but advantageously indirectly, with interposition of inextensible filiform elements 19. In the variant illustrated, said inextensible filiform elements 19 are steel ropes, but they could be cables or chains. Alternatively, said second end 9” of said belt 9 could also be directly associated with said moving front wall 7 again through bolts.
Said belt 9, with said inextensible filiform elements 19, forms a closed loop and winds longitudinally around said bottom plate 4 and moves with respect thereto along said longitudinally extending axis x of said semi-trailer 1 .
Said belt 9, associated with said front wall 7, moves with it through guide rollers and/or pulleys.
In detail, as is evident from the sections of Figs. 3 and 5, said semitrailer 1 comprises a guide roller 13, associated with said chassis 2, provided under said bottom plate 4, around which said belt 9 moves. Said guide roller 13 is at least partially projecting from said bottom plate 4 along said longitudinally extending axis x.
Said semi-trailer 1 further comprises a diverter roller 14, associated with said chassis 2 and provided under said bottom plate 4 in proximity of said guide roller 13. Said diverter roller 14 is adapted to move said belt 9 toward the lower face of said bottom plate 4.
Said semi-trailer 1 further comprises idle pulleys 22, associated with said chassis 2 and provided under said bottom plate 4 in a position opposite said guide roller 13, around which said inextensible filiform elements 19 wind for connection between the second end 9” of the belt 9 and the moving front wall 7.
Said belt 9 comprises a lower face, which in use is facing said bottom plate 4, coated in Teflon, a self-lubricating material that facilitates its movement on the bottom plate 4.
However, said belt 9 also comprises a heat-resistant material, capable of withstanding the high temperatures, for example, of bitumen.
With particular reference to the details of Figs. 7 and 8, said moving front wall 7 comprises a frame-like structure 23 and is provided with a tilted thrust plane 17 forming an obtuse angle oc with said belt 9 (visible in Fig. 2). Said hydraulic piston 10 acts directly on said tilted thrust plane 17.
Said frame-like structure 23 further comprises tubular elements 24 arranged crossed over, for vertical closure, and horizontal Teflon guide blocks 18 to facilitate its movement on said bottom plate 4.
Said frame-like structure 23 further comprises tensioning means 25 for said inextensible filiform elements 19 for connection with said belt 9
The shape of the loading body 20 of the semi-trailer 1 is important to minimize adhesion of the loose material transported and thus facilitate unloading. For this purpose, said first 5 and second 6 side wall comprise at least one tilted longitudinal portion 15, 16, adapted to join with said bottom plate 4 in proximity of the longitudinal edges of said belt 9.
The operation of the semi-trailer 1 according to the invention is illustrated below with particular reference to the sections of Figs. 3 and 5 relating to the two end working positions A, B.
During transport of loose material, the loading body 20 is in containment configuration with the rear wall 8 closed and the front wall 7 stationary in position A opposite said rear wall 8; the hydraulic piston 10 is closed; the steel cable 12 is wound completely on the winch 11 ; the belt 9 is completely inside the loading body 20, laid flat on the bottom plate 4 to cover the whole of its length.
Upon arrival at the destination, unloading of the material can start after opening the loading body 20 with lifting or rotation of the rear wall 8. The hydraulic piston 10 starts to extend, exerting a thrust force on said front wall 7, thus causing it to move along the longitudinally extending axis x of the semi-trailer 1. Said front wall 7, with its movement, draws with it said belt 9 which, moving on the bottom plate 4, accompanies the loose material thereon out of the loading body 20.
The front wall 7 continues to advance until reaching the end edge of the bottom plate 4 (position B), once all the loose material has been unloaded from the loading body 20. During unwinding, as the belt 9 is closed in a loop and connected with both ends 9’, 9” to the front wall 7, it is diverted and unwound under the bottom plate 4 of the semitrailer 1 , maintained tensioned by the diverter roller 13 and by the pulleys 22.
To return the front wall 7 to its initial position and make the loading body 20 once again for the next load, a winch 11 is activated to rewind the steel cable 12 connected to the front wall 7 around itself. As a consequence, the hydraulic piston 10 closes.
Claims
1) A semi-trailer (1 ) for transporting loose materials having a longitudinally extending axis (x), comprising:
- a chassis (2) provided with wheels (3);
- a bottom plate (4);
- a first (5) and a second (6) side wall parallel to said longitudinally extending axis (x);
- a moving front wall (7) and an opening rear wall (8);
- movement means of said front wall (7) adapted to allow it to move longitudinally with respect to said bottom plate (4), characterized in that it comprises a belt (9) comprising a first (9’) and a second (9”) end, where said first end (9’) is directly associated with said moving front wall (7) and said second end (9”) is at least indirectly associated with said moving front wall (7), so as to form a closed loop around said bottom plate (4) between guide rollers and/or pulleys, so that said belt (9), drawn by said moving front wall (7), can move with respect to said bottom plate (4) along said longitudinally extending axis (x) of said semi-trailer (1 ).
2) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said movement means comprise a single acting hydraulic piston (10) adapted to act between said chassis (2) and said front wall (7) so as to cause the advance along said longitudinally extending axis (x) of said moving front wall (7) and unloading of said loose materials from said semi-trailer (1 ) in association with the movement of said belt (9).
) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said movement means comprise a winch (11 ), stably associated with said chassis (2), and a steel cable (12), connected between said winch (11 ) and said front wall (7) and adapted to wind around said winch (11 ) so as to cause said moving front wall (7) to withdraw.) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said belt (9) comprises a lower face, which in use is facing said bottom plate (4), coated in Teflon. ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said belt (9) comprises a heat-resistant material. ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said belt (9) comprises a plurality of inextensible filiform elements (19) for connection between said second end (9”) of said belt (9) and said moving front wall (7). ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a guide roller (13), associated with said chassis (2), provided behind and under said bottom plate (4) and at least partially projecting therefrom along said longitudinally extending axis (x), around which said belt (9) moves. ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a diverter roller (14), associated with said chassis (2) and provided under said bottom plate (4), adapted to move said belt (9) toward the lower face of said bottom plate (4). ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises guide pulleys (22), associated with said chassis (2),
provided in front of said bottom plate (4), around which said inextensible filiform elements (19) move. ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said moving front wall (7) comprises a tilted thrust plane (17) forming an obtuse angle (a) with said belt (9). ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said moving front wall (7) comprises Teflon guide blocks (18) for facilitating its movement on said bottom plate (4). ) The semi-trailer (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first (5) and second (6) side wall comprise at least one tilted portion (15, 16), adapted to join with said bottom plate (4) in proximity of the longitudinal edges of said belt (9).
14
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT102020000023485A IT202000023485A1 (en) | 2020-10-06 | 2020-10-06 | SEMI-TRAILER FOR THE TRANSPORT OF BULK MATERIALS |
| PCT/IT2021/050305 WO2022074695A1 (en) | 2020-10-06 | 2021-10-04 | Semitrailer for the transport of bulk material |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4225610A1 true EP4225610A1 (en) | 2023-08-16 |
Family
ID=73793733
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP21798136.4A Pending EP4225610A1 (en) | 2020-10-06 | 2021-10-04 | Semitrailer for the transport of bulk material |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4225610A1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT202000023485A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2022074695A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2341825B (en) * | 1998-09-25 | 2002-03-06 | Caterpillar Inc | Increased stability work machine having a load carrying receptacle |
| NL1024356C2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2005-03-31 | Ruflo B V | Transport vehicle with a movable loading floor, such a loading floor and slats for such a loading floor. |
| US8197175B2 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2012-06-12 | Harvey Stewart | Light-weight live-floor module for trailers |
| DE102017115419A1 (en) * | 2017-07-10 | 2019-01-10 | Langendorf Gmbh | Vehicle body with sliding belt unit |
-
2020
- 2020-10-06 IT IT102020000023485A patent/IT202000023485A1/en unknown
-
2021
- 2021-10-04 EP EP21798136.4A patent/EP4225610A1/en active Pending
- 2021-10-04 WO PCT/IT2021/050305 patent/WO2022074695A1/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT202000023485A1 (en) | 2022-04-06 |
| WO2022074695A1 (en) | 2022-04-14 |
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