EP4361083A1

EP4361083A1 - Air bellow device for a vehicles lifting frame and vehcle lifting frame comprising an air bellow device

Info

Publication number: EP4361083A1
Application number: EP22203305.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander Stolzenbach; Thomas Keller; Jan Smolarkiewicz; Vitalij Stel
Original assignee: Herkules Hebetechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Herkules Hebetechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2022-10-24
Filing date: 2022-10-24
Publication date: 2024-05-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air bellow device 1 for a vehicle lifting frame 2, which air bellow device 1 comprises a first connecting plate 3, a second connecting plate 4, a first air bellow 5, and an air intake 18. The first air bellow 5 is arranged between the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4, which first connecting plate 3 comprises a first plate zone 16 which is arranged with a first upper connecting surface 7, which first upper connecting surface 7 is arranged around a top aperture 22 arranged in the first plate zone 16. The second connecting plate 4 comprises a second lower connecting surface 8. The first upper connecting surface 7 and the second lower connecting surface 8 are arranged towards each other. The first air bellow 5 comprises a first lower opening 11 with a first lower flange 12, which first lower flange 12 is connected to the first upper connecting surface 8. The first connecting plate 3 comprises a second plate zone 17, which second plate zone 17 comprises a first upper free surface 42 which is arranged to face in a same direction as the first upper connecting surface 7, and, which first upper free surface 42 comprises the air intake 18.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an air bellow device for a vehicle lifting frame and a vehicle lifting frame comprising an air bellow device. Particularly, the present invention relates to an air bellow device which is pneumatically operated.

Background of the invention

Vehicle lifting frames are commonly present in car shops or other work shops where cars need to be lifted for performing maintenance and service of the cars, especially to the undercarriage of the cars. A vehicle lifting frame which has raised a car makes it possible for a person, for example a mechanic, to perform necessary operations towards the undercarriage of the car and the person can maintain a comfortable working position while working on the car. During lifting of a car with a vehicle lifting frame, the vehicle lifting frame is exposed to heavy loads which can affect how fast a car can be lifted to a desired height by the vehicle lifting frame. Air bellow technique has proven to be a good and reliable technique to use with vehicle lifting frames. During lifting operation, air bellows are inflated with air whereby they within a short time period are being expanded and affecting the vehicle lifting frame to lift the car to the desired height. Frequent use over time will expose the vehicle lifting frame to wear as a result from the lifting and lowering of cars. The wear results in that the air bellow device must be replaced by a new air bellow device. Replacement of an air bellow device is normally time consuming and affect the work flow in the car shop. A problem with present technology relating to air bellow devices and vehicle lifting frames is that air bellows often are secured and connected to the vehicle lifting frame with glue in combination with screws. When glue is not part of the fixation method, it is common that air bellows are arranged and secured in the vehicle lifting frame by use of complex and multiple fixation elements. A problem with the above fixation technologies and methods to connect the air bellow device to the vehicle lifting frame is that they are both time consuming and expensive when it comes to replace the air bellow device. Another problem which may emerge during the replacement process is that other business operations within an organisation or company which relies on the operation and functionality of the vehicle lifting frame may not be able to operate as planned.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an air bellow device for a vehicle lifting frame and a vehicle lifting frame comprising an air bellow device which aims are to overcome the above mentioned problems.
In relation to mentioned object, a further object of the invention is to provide an air bellow device for a vehicle lifting frame which will facilitate assembly and maintenance compared to those of the prior art.
The objects are achieved with an air bellow device according to claim 1.
The present invention is described as an air bellow device for a vehicle lifting frame, which air bellow device comprises a first connecting plate, a second connecting plate, a first air bellow, and an air intake. The air bellow is arranged between the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate, which first connecting plate comprises a first plate zone which is arranged with a first upper connecting surface, which first upper connecting surface is arranged around a top aperture arranged in the first plate zone. The second connecting plate comprises a second lower connecting surface. The first upper connecting surface and the second lower connecting surface are substantially arranged towards the air bellow arranged between the upper connecting surface and the second lower connecting surface. The first air bellow comprises a first lower opening with a first lower flange, which first lower flange is connected to the first upper connecting surface. The first connecting plate comprises a second plate zone, which second plate zone comprises a first upper free surface which is arranged to face in a same direction as the first upper connecting surface and which first upper free surface comprises the air intake. The position of the air intake has the effect that the vehicle lifting frame can obtain a low height when the air bellow device is deflated. The low height of the vehicle lifting frame has the effect that cars with low ground clearance, for example sport cars, easily can position them over the vehicle lifting frame to then be lifted by the vehicle lifting frame for maintenance or service.
According to one embodiment, the second plate zone comprises a duct which is arranged to communicate with the air intake and the top aperture. An effect of this is that air can be transported between the second plate zone and the first plate zone to guide an air flow to either enter or leave the air bellows.
According to one embodiment, the first connecting plate is a sandwich construction and comprises a top plate, a middle plate, and a bottom plate. The three plates are placed on top of each other forming the sandwich construction. The sandwich construction has the effect that strength and rigidity of the first connecting plate is increased compared to if the first connecting plate would have been made of one solid piece of material. A further effect is that the sandwich construction facilitates manufacture compared to if the first connecting plate would have been manufactured from one piece of material.
According to one embodiment, the top aperture is arranged in the top plate and is arranged to communicate with the first lower opening. The first lower opening is arranged in the air bellow and is connected with the top plate. An effect of the top aperture is to cooperate with the first lower opening and with a middle aperture which is arranged in the middle plate.
According to one embodiment, the middle plate comprises a slot which is arranged in the middle plate in the second plate zone and extends from the middle aperture. An effect of this is that the slot which is arranged in the middle plate and arranged between the top plate and the bottom plate forms a space therebetween in the second plate zone of the first connecting plate and which space becomes the duct.
According to one embodiment, a second air bellow is arranged between the first air bellow and the second connecting plate. Further, the second air bellow comprises a second lower flange which is arranged to connect with a first upper flange which is arranged on the first air bellow. In a further embodiment, a third air bellow is arranged between the second air bellow and the second connecting plate. To this, the third air bellow comprises a third lower flange which is arranged to connect with a second upper flange which is arranged on the second air bellow. An effect of that two adjacent air bellows are arranged to connect with each other via their respective adjacent flanges is that it enables and facilitates the possibility to replace one air bellow if one air bellow is damaged or worn out instead of replacing all adjacent air bellows.
According to one embodiment, the air bellow device comprises a stabilising arm, which stabilising arm comprises a first end and a second end, which first end comprises a holding element which is arranged to connect with an element which is arranged between two adjacent air bellows, and which second end is adopted to releasably connect to a platform of the vehicle lifting frame. Further, the holding element is arranged to connect around a circumference where two adjacent air bellows are connected to each other. An effect with the stabilising arm is that it is arranged to stabilise the air bellows when the air bellows inflates and are expands which will affect the vehicle lifting frame to be raised in vertical direction.
According to one embodiment, the second end is T-shaped and adopted to be releasably connected to two connecting joints which are arranged on the platform. An effect that the second end is T-shaped is that stability and rigidity of the stabilising arm is increased. Because the stabilising arm is connected to the two connecting joints, the stabilising arm can only pivotably move around the connecting joints in either upgoing or downgoing movements.
According to one embodiment, the first connecting plate comprises a first lower surface which is arranged with first connecting elements adopted to connect to a support arrangement of the vehicle lifting frame with form fitting. The form fitting connection between the first connecting plate and the support arrangement in the vehicle lifting frame results in that time needed for replacing the air bellow device during service and maintenance can be reduced.
According to one embodiment, the second connecting plate comprises a second upper surface which is arranged with a second connecting element adopted to connect the upper surface to an underside of a platform of the vehicle lifting frame. An effect of the second connecting element is that it attaches and secures the air bellow to the vehicle lifting device whereby the air bellow device is secured in its position during raising and lowering of the platform.
The above mention objects are further achieved with a vehicle lifting frame according claim 16 comprising an air bellow device and which air bellow device has been described above.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig 1 is a view of a vehicle lifting frame comprising an air bellow device.
Fig 2 is a cross section view of the air bellow device comprising air bellows, a stabilising arm, a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate.
Fig 3 is a view from underneath of the vehicle lifting frame showing how a stabilising arm is arranged with the vehicle lifting frame.
Fig 4 is a view from underneath the air bellow device.
Fig 5 is a cross section view of the first connecting plate.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

Fig 1 illustrates a view of a vehicle lifting frame 2 comprising an air bellow device 1. The vehicle lifting frame 2 comprises a platform 34, a first scissor linkage 43, a second scissor linkage 44, and a base 45. The platform 34 comprises an underside 41. The first and the second scissor linkage 43, 44 are connected to the underside 41. Each scissor linkage 43, 44 includes two bars which on a position half the distance between their respective ends are pivotably connected to each other. The first and the second scissor linkage 43, 44 are arranged with the base 45, which base 45 is arranged opposite the platform 34. The platform 34 and the base 45, with respect to each other, have substantially similar length and width. Between the first and the second scissor linkage 43, 44 a support arrangement 38 is located. The air bellow device 1 is arranged between the support arrangement 38 and the underside 41 of the platform 34. The platform 34, with respect to the base 45, is arranged to move in a vertical direction when the air bellows 5, 6 are inflated or deflated with air.
Fig 2 illustrates a cross view of the air bellow device 1. The air bellow device 1 comprises a first, second and third air bellow 5, 6, 25. Further, the air bellow device 1 comprises a first connecting plate 3, a second connecting plate 4, and a stabilising arm 30. The air bellows 5, 6, 25 are arranged between the first connecting plates 3 and the second connecting plate 4. The stabilising arm 30 comprises a first end 31 and second end 32. The first end 31 is arranged with a holding element 33 which is arranged to connect to an area with the air bellow device 1 where two adjacent air bellows 5, 6 are connected to each other. The second end 32 of the stabilising arm 30 is T-shaped (Fig 2 is a cross view whereby only half the stabilising arm is visualised in the figure). The T-shaped second end 32 is connected to two connecting joints 35a, 35b which are arranged on the underside 41 of the platform 34 (See Fig 3). Because the stabilising arm 30 is connected to the two connecting joints 35a, 35b, the stabilising arm 30 is limited to pivot around the two connecting joints 35a, 35b in either an upgoing or downgoing direction. Any other movements, for example sideways, are thus prevented. The upgoing and downgoing pivoting movements of the stabilising arm 30 follows the platform 34 vertical elevation.
The first air bellow 5 comprises a first upper opening 9 and a first lower opening 11. Around the first upper opening 9 is a first upper flange 10 arranged. Around the first lower opening 11 is a first lower flange 12 arranged. Connection means 15 are arranged to connect the first lower flange 12 with a first connecting surface 7 which is arranged on the first connecting plate 3.
The second air bellow 6 comprises a second upper opening 29 and a second lower opening 13. Around the second upper opening 29 is a second upper flange 28 arranged. Around the second lower opening 13 is a second lower flange 14 arranged. Connection means 15 are arranged to connect the second lower flange 14 with the first upper flange 10. The upper flange 10 is arranged around the first upper opening 9 of the first air bellow 5.
The third air bellow 25 comprises a third lower opening 26. Around the third lower opening 26 is a third lower flange 27 arranged. Connection means 15 are arranged to connect the third lower flange 27 with a second upper flange 28. The second upper flange 28 is arranged around the second upper opening 29 of the second air bellow 6. The second connecting plate 4 is arranged on an upper part of the third air bellow 25. The upper part is arranged opposite the third lower opening 26. The second connecting plate 4 comprises a second lower surface 8 which is arranged to be connected to the upper part of the third air bellow 25. On the second connecting plate 4, opposite the lower surface 8, an upper surface 39 is arranged. On the upper surface 39, a second connecting element 40 is arranged. The second connecting element 40 may be a threaded element, for example a screw, which may be arranged to cooperate with a nut or other fixation element. The second connecting element 40 is arranged to be connected to the underside 41 of the platform 34 (not shown in figure).
During operation, via the first lower opening 11 which is in communication with the first connecting plate 3 air enters into the air bellows 5, 6, 25. The air in the air bellows 5, 6, 25 may via the openings 9, 13, 26, 29 circulate between the air bellows 5, 6, 25.
Fig 3 illustrates part of vehicle lifting frame 2 where part of the platform 34 in a view from underneath is illustrated. Particularly, Fig 3 illustrates the second end 32 of the stabilising arm 30, which second end 32 is connected with a first connecting joint 35a and a second connecting joint 35b via a respective pin element. The pin element may for be a bult and screw. The first and second connecting joints 35a, 35b are fixed arranged to the underside 41 for example by welding. The stabilising arm 30 is arranged to pivotably move around the pin elements which are arranged with the connecting joints 35a, 35b. The pivotably movement can be either an upgoing movement or a downgoing movement. The stabilising arm 30, via the pin elements, is releasably connected to the connecting joints 35a, 35b whereby during maintenance, service or replacement, the stabilising arm 30 can be removed from the platform 34.
Fig 4 illustrates the air bellow device 1 in a view from underneath. The stabilising arm 30 is connected with its first end 31 (see Fig 2) to an area where two adjacent air bellows 5, 6, 25 are connected to each other. The first connecting plate 3 is on one side arranged with a first upper connecting surface 7 (see Fig 5), and on an opposite other side a first lower surface 36 is arranged. Against the first upper connecting surface 7 the first air bellow 5 is arranged. The first connecting plate 3 comprises several first connecting elements 37 which connecting elements 37 are arranged on the periphery around the connecting plate 3. The connecting plate 3 is a sandwich construction which comprising a top plate 19, a middle plate 20, and a bottom plate 21 (see Fig 5). The three plates 19, 20, 21 are placed on top of each other and via the first connecting elements 37 connected to each other.
Fig 5 illustrates a cross view of the first connecting plate 3. The first connecting plate 3 comprises mentioned top plate 19, middle plate 20, and bottom plate 21. The first connecting plate 3 comprises two plate zones, a first plate zone 16 and a second plate zone 17. The first plate zone 16 has a shape which is substantially circular. The second plate zone 17 has a tongue shape, or oblong shape, which is connected with the first plate zone 16 and extends from the first plate zone 16. The first connecting plate 3 with the first lower surface 36 is arranged to be form fitted in a recess which is arranged in the support arrangement 38 (see Fig 1). The recess and the first connecting plate 3 have a similar and corresponding shape whereby the first connecting plate 3 is arranged to be form fitted into the recess. The first connecting plate 3 comprises an outer periphery which is slightly smaller than the inner periphery of the recess to be able for the first connecting plate 3 and the recess to fit into each other. The middle plate 20 is arranged against the bottom plate 21. The top plate 19 is arranged against the middle plate 20. The plates 19, 20, 21 which are arranged on top of each other, together form a sandwich construction, all having a similar outer periphery. The middle plate 20 is arranged with a middle aperture 23 which is arranged in the first plate zone 16. Further, the middle plate 20 is arranged with a slot 24 which slot 24 is arranged in the second plate zone 17. The middle aperture 23 and the slot 24 are arranged to communicate with each other. The inner edge of the middle aperture 23 and the inner edge of the slot 24 are arranged to form one common inner periphery. A top aperture 22 is arranged in the top plate 19 in the first plate zone 16. Between the top plate 19 and the bottom plate 21 in the second plate zone 17 is a duct 46 arranged. The duct 46 is arranged to communicate with the middle aperture 23 and the top aperture 22. On the first connecting plate, in the second plate zone 17, a first upper free surface 42 is arranged. The first upper free surface 42 is arranged with an air intake 18 which is arranged to communicate with the duct 46. The air intake 18 may be a valve which is arranged to be regulated or adjusted to either let air enter into the duct 46 or let air flow out from the duct 46.
To inflate the air bellows 5, 6, 25 during operation of the vehicle lifting frame 2 and the air bellow device 1, air is introduced into the duct 46 via the air intake 18. The air in the duct 46 is led to the middle and top aperture 23, 22 and from there into the air bellows 5, 6, 25. This has the effect that the air bellows 5, 6, 25 are being inflated. Consequently, when the air bellows 5, 6, 25 are being inflated, the vehicle lifting frame 2 affects the platform 34 to raise into vertical direction. For lowering the platform 34, the air bellows 5, 6, 25 are deflated by letting the air exit from the air intake 18.
Hereinbefore it has been described that the air bellow device may be related to primarily a vehicle lifting frame. It will be appreciated that the principles described above with an air bellow device may be applied to other types lifting frames.

Reference signs:

1: air bellow device
2: vehicle lifting frame
3: first connecting plate
4: second connecting plate
5: first air bellow
6: second air bellow
7: first upper connecting surface
8: second lower connecting surface
9: first upper opening
10: first upper flange
11: first lower opening
12: first lower flange
13: second lower opening
14: second lower flange
15: connecting means
16: first plate zone
17: second plate zone
18: air intake
19: top plate
20: middle plate
21: bottom plate
22: top aperture
23: middle aperture
24: slot
25: third air bellow
26: third lower opening
27: third lower flange
28: second upper flange
29: second upper opening
30: stabilising arm
31: first end
32: second end
33: holding element
34: platform
35a, b: connecting joints
36: first lower surface
37: first connecting element
38: support arrangement
39: upper surface
40: second connecting element
41: underside
42: first upper free surface
43: first scissor linkage
44: second scissor linkage
45: base
46: duct

Claims

An air bellow device (1) for a vehicle lifting frame (2), the air bellow device (1) comprises a first connecting plate (3), a second connecting plate (4), a first air bellow (5), and an air intake (18) wherein,
the first air bellow (5) is arranged between the first connecting plate (3) and the second connecting plate (4),

the first connecting plate (3) comprises a first plate zone (16) which is arranged with a first upper connecting surface (7),

the first upper connecting surface (7) is arranged around a top aperture (22) arranged in the first plate zone (16),

the second connecting plate (4) comprises a second lower connecting surface (8), the first upper connecting surface (7) and second lower connecting surface (8) are arranged towards the air bellow (5, 6, 25) arranged between the upper connecting surface (7) and the second lower connecting surface (8),

the first air bellow (5) comprises a first lower opening (11) with a first lower flange (12),

the first lower flange (12) is connected to the first upper connecting surface (7),

characterised in that,

the first connecting plate (3) comprises a second plate zone (17), which second plate zone (17) comprises a first upper free surface (42) which is arranged to face in a same direction as the first upper connecting surface (7), and, which first upper free surface (42) comprises the air intake (18).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second plate zone (17) comprises a duct (46) which is arranged to communicate with the air intake (18) and the top aperture (22).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting plate (3) is a sandwich construction and comprises a top plate (19), a middle plate (20) and a bottom plate (21).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the top aperture (22) is arranged in the top plate (19) and is arranged to communicate with the first lower opening (11).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the middle plate (20) comprises a middle aperture (23) which substantially corresponds to the shape to the top aperture (22).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 5, wherein a slot (24) is arranged in the middle plate (20) in the second plate zone (17) and extends from the middle aperture (23).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a second air bellow (6) is arranged between the first air bellow (5) and the second connecting plate (4).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the second air bellow (6) comprises a second lower flange (12) which is arranged to connect with a first upper flange (10) which is arranged on the first air bellow (6).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 1 or 8, wherein a third air bellow (25) is arranged between the second air bellow (6) and the second connecting plate (4).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the third air bellow (25) comprises a third lower flange (27) which is arranged to connect with a second upper flange (28) which is arranged on the second air bellow (6).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 7 or 9, wherein the air bellow device (1) comprises a stabilising arm (30), which stabilising arm (30) comprises a first end (31) and a second end (32), which first end (31) comprises a holding element (33) which is arranged to connect with an element which is arranged between two adjacent air bellows (5, 6, 25), and which second end (32) is adopted to releasably connect to a platform (34) of the vehicle lifting frame (2).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the holding element (33) is arranged to connect around a circumference where two adjacent air bellows (5, 6, 25) are connected to each other.
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the second end (32) is T-shaped and adopted to releasably connect to two connecting joints (35a, 35b) which are arranged on the platform (34).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting plate (3) comprises a first lower surface (36) which is arranged with first connecting elements (37) adopted to have a form fit connecting to a support arrangement (38) of the vehicle lifting frame (2).
An air bellow device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting plate (4) comprises a second upper surface (39) which is arranged with a second connecting element (40) adopted to connect the upper surface (39) to an underside (41) of a platform (34) of the vehicle lifting frame (2).
A vehicle lifting frame (2) comprising an air bellow device (1) according to any of claims 1-15.