FR2804388A1 - Vehicle automatic loading and unloading system uses mobile containers raised and lowered by arms and levers in parallelogram arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The loading/unloading system, designed to be fitted preferably along both sides of a transport vehicle, consists of automatically opening side panels (2) and mobile containers (9) for the transported articles. The containers are loaded and unloaded by upper arms (7) and lower levers (11) in a parallelogram arrangement, controlled by power cylinders (17) which keep the containers vertical inside the vehicle and slightly inclined when lowered outside it.

Description

Device for loading and unloading of equipment and vehicle thus equipped.

The present invention relates to the technical field of load lifting devices which can be installed on vehicles, for example trucks.

Until now, for the unloading of heavy and fragile loads, such as for example, insulating glass poles, the operator was obliged to climb on a gangway to access the storage compartment and fetch the material in height in the vehicle to lower it at each use, this by making many round trips during his working time.

In the case of insulating glass poles for example, this storage mode has both disadvantages for the operator and disadvantages for this material which is heavy, bulky, very fragile and expensive.

On the one hand, the new safety standards for working conditions require operators to keep a position on the ground in order to reduce the risk of accident in order to reduce the risk of falling.

On the other hand, the multiplication of manipulations in the storage mode of the prior art appreciably increases the risks of breakage of the material, this is particularly true for the insulating glass poles which are used for work on the power lines. Indeed, these are handled many times during working time, due to the extent of the working area which requires storing, transporting and taking them out again this repeatedly.

In addition, the device is designed to provide maximum security for the user.

The automatic loading and unloading device according to the present invention overcomes these drawbacks of the prior art. The invention and its operation will appear more clearly in the light of the detailed description and the drawings which follow.

The lifting device according to the invention allows easy loading and unloading of material stored in a rack (9). The locker at rest is stored in a compartment (10). This locker (9) is held in its support by links (7) and lower arms (11) allowing the locker to be held and spontaneously lowered from its stored position to its position of use outside the compartment. The lower arm (11) is connected to a means preferably of the hydraulic cylinder type (17) which makes it possible to lower the rack in a controlled manner and to raise it back to its initial position.

This device which finds for example its use in combination with a transport vehicle is particularly suitable for the frequent loading and unloading of heavy, fragile and expensive material, this is the case for example for glass poles which are used for work on high voltage lines. A vehicle (1) is equipped with an automatic device according to the invention which comprises at least one compartment (10) delimited by a bodywork and which can be closed by a mobile automatic awning (2) and which houses at least one mobile locker ( 9) material storage. The mobile locker (9) is held laterally by at least 2 lower arms (11) and preferably by at least one upper link (7) to allow spontaneous descent and keeping the mobile storage locker outside the compartment, this in a position substantially identical to its vertical storage position but preferably in a slightly inclined position towards the compartment so that during the unloading cycle, the material remains pressed against the back wall of the rack and cannot fall.

The device according to the invention is further provided with means (17) for the controlled descent and the ascent of the rack to its initial position inside the compartment (10).

The lower arms (11) are joined together by means of a rigid bar (13) which connects them. In the deployed position, the lower arms and the upper links define substantially a parallelogram between them.

The rigid bar is of a shape and dimension adapted to cooperate by interlocking at its ends (14) with bearings (15) on which the rigid bar and lower arm assembly rest and so as to be able to rotate freely in rotation around the axis (19). The bearings are fixed on bearing supports (18) so that the rack does not rest on the floor or apron (20) which supports the device. To obtain an inclination of the rack when it is deployed outside, the links (7) have a length slightly less than the length of the lower arms (11). The rods and the lower arms are fixed freely at their ends in rotation at the side walls of the rack on the one hand, by known universal articulation means for example ball joints (12, 12a) and on the other hand freely rotation at their other end at the level of a wall of the compartment as regards the rods and fixedly on the rigid bar (13) for the lower arms at a level such on the rack that when it is out, it is located at an adequate height so that an operator can pick up the material stored there.

In addition the lower arms (11) have a bent profile which allows both to lower the rack to a lower height compared to a straight arm of the same length while keeping the rack as close to the support, which reduces the risk of imbalance when the device which is mounted on a vehicle is heavily loaded. In addition, the lower arms have a lateral reinforcement (11a) which gives them greater lateral rigidity.

The rack preferably has a substantially parallelepiped shape with a substantially rectangular lateral profile which has a recess R, which makes it possible to prevent the rack from striking the support floor (20) when it comes out and not touching the rigid bar ( 13) in storage position.

The means (17) for raising the locker and its controlled descent as well as for opening and closing the awning (5) are preferably hydraulic jacks provided with at least one valve of the piloted type and which are by example activated by at least one electromagnet or the like. These valves make it possible to block the jacks in a given position and to vary the speed of movement of the awning and the locker.

These means of the hydraulic cylinder type are preferably connected to the lower arms (11). The device is also equipped with a sensor (3) for detecting the complete opening of the awning which, when actuated, activates a command present on a control console for the output of the locker. When the awning is fully open and only in this case, the operator can trigger the exit from the locker. The operator for safety reasons is obliged to maintain simultaneously with his two hands the control for lowering the locker and a second command and likewise for raising the locker.

The device is also equipped with a sensor (16) for detecting the presence of the locker in the compartment this when the locker is fully retracted. When this sensor is activated then, the awning descent control present on the control console is active and the operator can trigger the awning descent and its closing.

The loading / unloading device according to the invention can be actuated by means of the electric motor type or the like coupled to at least one pump for the operation of the jacks, in the case of jacks when the awning is opened and the return of the rack to its initial position. The engine can be powered by a suitable power battery independent or not of the vehicle battery or by a similar energy source.

We understand better with regard to the combination of essential technical means which form the invention, the operation of the device. When an operator wishes to take hold of a material, he causes the awning to be opened by the controls located on the control console using simultaneously with his two hands. The awning opens gradually and its full opening is sensed by the opening sensor (3) which has the effect of activating the control button for the exit of the locker. The operator can then bring the latter down. When the locker comes out, the sensor (16) which senses the presence of the locker inside the compartment is no longer constrained, which deactivates the command to lower the awning. When the locker returns to its initial position, the sensor is again constrained, which reactivates the awning lowering command. The operator can again lower the awning.

The control panel is designed in such a way that an operator, for controlling an operation, always has both hands applied simultaneously to the control panel.

The invention also relates to a transport vehicle equipped with at least one device according to the invention. The transport vehicle will preferably be equipped with 2 devices according to the invention and which are preferably arranged laterally on each side of the longitudinal plane of the vehicle so as to balance the latter.

In the event of an engine failure or a power supply break in the device, the pump used to supply the hydraulic cylinders can be operated by a manual emergency system, which means that equipment can always be loaded and unloaded easily of the vehicle even in the event of a breakdown. The device according to the invention will be made of any suitable material which meets the requirements for use.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a truck trailer equipped with 2 loading / unloading devices according to the invention.

In part A of the figure, the device is shown in the folded position during transport or rest. In part B, the device is shown in the deployed position during use.

FIG. 2 represents a top view of the loading and unloading device according to the invention, this in the deployed position.

Figure 3A is an enlarged top view of a lower arm. Figure 3B is a side view of a lower arm.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a support bearing for the rigid bar.

Figure 4B is a side view of the rigid bar in cooperation with the bearing element.

Figure 4C is a top view and by transparency of the rigid bar which cooperates with the bearing element.

It is thus better understood with regard to the description and the figures which are annexed that the device according to the invention fulfills the objectives expected of it, load and unload materials and present them at a height suitable for an operator can grasp it without difficulty.

Claims (1)

<U> CLAIMS </U> 1.-Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading characterized in that it comprises a compartment (10) delimited by a bodywork, a mobile automatic awning (2) for closing the compartment, a mobile locker (9) for storing the material; at least 2 lower arms (11) and preferably at least one upper link (7) to allow spontaneous descent and maintenance of the mobile storage locker outside the compartment, this in a position substantially identical to its vertical storage position but preferably in a slightly inclined position towards the compartment, means (17) for the controlled descent and the ascent of the rack to its initial position inside the compartment (10). 2. Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that in the deployed position, the lower arms and the upper links define between them substantially a parallelogram. 3. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower arms (11) are secured to each other by means of a rigid bar (13). 4. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 3, characterized in that the rigid bar is of a shape and dimension adapted to cooperate by interlocking at its ends (14) with bearings (15) on which the rigid bar and lower arms assembly. 5. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 4, characterized in that the rigid bar turns freely around its axis (19). 6. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 4, characterized in that the bearings are fixed on bearing supports (18) themselves fixed on a support floor (20) so that the locker does not rest on the floor that supports the device. 7. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the rods (7) is of length slightly less than the length of the lower arms (11). 8. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the links and the lower arms are fixed freely at one of their ends in rotation at the side walls of the rack by means of the type ball joint (12, 12a) and are fixed on the other hand freely in rotation at their other end at a wall of the envelope of the compartment as regards the rods and fixedly on the rigid bar (13) as regards concerns the lower arms. 9. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 8, characterized in that the links and the arms are fixed at a level such as on the rack, that the latter is in an ergonomic position for an operator. when deployed. 10. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower arms (11) have a bent profile. 11. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower arms have a lateral reinforcement (11a) to impart rigidity to the arm (11). 12. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the rack preferably has a substantially parallelepiped shape with a substantially rectangular lateral profile and has a recess R to allow the rack to exit without collision with the support floor (20). 13. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (17) for raising the rack and its controlled descent as well as for opening and closing the awning ( 5) are preferably hydraulic cylinders provided with at least one pilot-type valve which is activated by at least preferably an electromagnet. 14. An automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (17) of the hydraulic cylinder type are connected to the lower arms (11) at one of their ends and to the body of the compartment. at their other end. 15. Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is further equipped with a sensor (3) for detecting the complete opening of the awning (2) and d 'A sensor (16) for detecting the rest position of the rack in the compartment. 16. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 13, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinders (5, 17) are actuated by motor type means preferably an electric motor coupled to at least one pump. 17. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 16, characterized in that the engine can be powered by a suitable power battery which is independent or not from the vehicle battery or by a power source equivalent. 18. - Automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 13, characterized in that the pump can be started manually in the event of an engine failure or a break in the energy source. 19. - A method of loading and unloading of material using the device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the steps - of opening the awning (2) by action on a command to open the awning present on a control console and simultaneously the action on a command to activate the opening command; - total opening of the awning (2) and its action on an opening sensor (3) with activation of the locker output control; - action on the locker output control and simultaneously on a control for activating the locker output control, both present on a control console; - The exit of the locker out of the compartment and at the same time which causes the inactivation of the command to close the awning; - Triggering the re-entry of the locker by simultaneous action of the operator on the re-entry control of the locker and on the button for activating the control, both present on a control console; - The return of the locker to the compartment in its initial position and the action on a sensor (16) with activation of the awning lowering command; - Triggering of the awning descent by operator action on the descent control and simultaneously on an unlocking button of the control both present on the control desk and closing of the awning; 20 - Transport vehicle equipped with the automatic lifting device for loading and unloading according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one, preferably several devices which are preferably arranged laterally on either side of the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle.