FR3056279A1 - DEVICE FOR AIDING THE HANDLING OF A FLUID - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for assisting the handling of a hose for conveying a fluid, the device (1) comprising at least one articulated longitudinal arm (4) extending substantially horizontally. The articulated arm (4) is composed or consists of several rigid longitudinal portions (10) interconnected by pivot links (12). The device (1) for handling assistance also comprises at least one means (16) for fixing the fluid-carrying hose, said fixing means (16) being mounted on one of the pivot links (12) connecting two adjacent portions (10) of the articulated arm (4).

Description

Holder (s): PACQUET POTTING SOLUTIONS Limited liability company.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): CABINET BEAU DE LOMENIE Civil society.

FR 3 056 279 - A1

104 / DEVICE FOR AID IN THE HANDLING OF THE ROUTING OF A FLUID.

(57) The present invention relates to a device (1) for assisting in the manipulation of a hose for conveying a fluid, the device (1) comprising at least one longitudinal articulated arm (4) extending substantially horizontally. The articulated arm (4) is composed of, or even consists of, several rigid longitudinal portions (10) connected to each other by pivot connections (12). The handling aid device (1) also comprises at least one fixing means (16) for the fluid delivery hose, said fixing means (16) being mounted on one of the pivot connections (12) connecting two adjacent portions (10) of the articulated arm (4).

Invention background

The present invention relates to devices for moving means for conveying a fluid. In particular, the present invention relates to devices for assisting in the handling of a hose conveying a fluid, in particular during loading / unloading operations.

There are currently devices for handling a means of conveying a fluid. Such devices are in particular provided on a site or on a vehicle and make it possible to deploy the means of conveying the fluid from the means of storage of the site or of the vehicle, up to the point of supply or supply. Such devices, for example described in document WO2015 / 155090, include in particular an articulated arm on which is fixed the means for conveying the fluid. The means of conveying the fluid comprises in particular several rigid tubes connected together by rotary couplings. The purpose of such devices is to allow the articulated arm and the means of conveying the fluid to have numerous degrees of freedom, in order to be able to reach the desired supply or supply point, whatever its accessibility conditions.

However, such handling devices are often expensive, in particular because of the robotic actuation means which are used to move the articulated arm. In addition, there may remain, after use, in the medium for conveying the fluid, stagnation zones favorable to the proliferation of bacteria, which requires regular cleaning or the impossibility of using the handling device to convey food products.

There are also means for conveying a fluid formed by one or more hoses. Such hoses, because of their flexibility and ease of use, are generally directly handled by operators. However, their use can prove more tiring for operators than that of the handling devices described above, even when the conditions of access to the supply or supply point are easier.

Subject and summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to propose a device making it possible to facilitate the handling of a means of conveying a fluid, in particular by limiting the risks of musculoskeletal disorders for the operator handling said means of conveying a fluid.

Thus, in one aspect, there is provided a device for assisting in the manipulation of a fluid delivery hose, the device comprising at least one articulated longitudinal arm extending substantially horizontally. The articulated arm is made up, even made up, of several rigid longitudinal portions connected to each other by pivot links. The handling aid device also comprises at least one means for fixing the flexible hose for conveying a fluid, said fixing means being mounted on one of the pivot links connecting two adjacent portions of the articulated arm.

Thus, the invention proposes an aid device making it possible to facilitate the handling of a hose for conveying a fluid, under standard accessibility conditions. Indeed, even if a flexible hose can be manipulated by one or more operators, and is generally used under standard accessibility conditions, it is nevertheless placed directly on the ground, and obliges the operator (s) to wear it to move it, causing including the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, contact of the hose with the ground can also lead to its premature wear by friction, in particular in the event of handling on uneven ground, for example a ground covered with gravel or pebbles. Likewise, contact of the free end of the hose with the ground can also lead to a risk of pollution of the hose connection means, and therefore a risk of contamination of the fluid conveyed by said hose. The aid device according to the present invention is therefore not intended to allow the hose to reach places which are more difficult to access, but on the contrary to facilitate its handling, or even require only one operator for its handling. , in standard loading or unloading areas. The aid device according to the present invention provides in particular an articulated arm enabling the hose to be carried and having sufficient freedom of movement to reach the desired supply or supply point. In particular, the aid device according to the invention extending mainly horizontally, the operator no longer has to raise or lower the hose to position it correctly. This limits the physical effort provided by the operator, and in particular the risks of developing muscular disorders.

Furthermore, in the aid device according to the present invention, the hose fixing means is mounted at the level of a pivot link connecting two adjacent portions of the articulated arm. Such a configuration allows the hose to be easily oriented according to the orientation of the articulated arm, while limiting the stresses exerted on the hose during its deformation. In addition, the construction and manufacture of the articulated arm is also simplified, by regrouping at one point, the pivot connection, on the one hand the connection between two adjacent portions of the arm and on the other hand the connection between the fixing means and one of the adjacent portions: the device then becomes less expensive to manufacture while being more reliable.

Preferably, the pivot links are oriented vertically. A vertical orientation of the pivot connections implies that the longitudinal portions are only capable of moving in a plane parallel to the ground. The reduced number of degrees of freedom reduces the efforts provided by the operator who only has to move the hose parallel to the ground.

Preferably, said flexible attachment means is pivotally mounted with respect to at least one, for example both, of the adjacent portions connected by the pivot link on which said flexible attachment means is mounted. The hose fixing means is pivotally mounted with respect to at least one of the adjacent portions connected by said pivot link, in particular so as to allow the hose to deform with more freedom.

Preferably, two adjacent portions of the articulated arm are superimposed on each other at the level of the pivot link, and are assembled together by an axis forming the axis of the pivot link. Such a structure is simpler to design and offers a greater amplitude of rotation of the different portions between them.

Preferably, said flexible fixing means is mounted on the axis of the pivot link. In this case, the device comprises only a single pivot connecting axis at the junction between two adjacent portions, said axis making it possible both to connect said two adjacent portions to each other and on the other hand to connect the means of attachment to adjacent portions.

Preferably, said flexible attachment means is secured to the axis of the pivot link, or else is pivotally mounted relative to the axis of the pivot link. The orientation of the fixing means can thus be coupled with the direction of one of the adjacent portions connected by said axis of the pivot link, or on the contrary can be independent of the direction of the adjacent portions.

Preferably, the hose fixing means is a hose clamp which surrounds, possibly in engagement, the fluid delivery hose. Such a fixing means ensures good hold of the hose, even in the event of stresses during the routing of the fluid. Furthermore, the clamp does not limit the deformation of the hose too much, and always allows it to be easily deformed. Finally, a clamp prevents the formation of a retention zone at the level of the hose, which could promote the development of bacteria.

Preferably, the articulated arm has between 2 and 10 portions, preferably between 3 and 8 portions. The number of portions determines the length and maneuverability of the aid device, as well as the width of the area in which the hose can be handled.

Preferably, a portion of the articulated arm is superimposed above or below an adjacent portion, so that the articulated arm remains at a height of between 0.30m and 2m from the ground, preferably between 0.7m and 1 , 5m from the ground. The arrangement of the various portions is provided so that the articulated arm always remains at a substantially equal height, easy to handle for an operator, that is to say at a height lying substantially between the pelvis and the shoulders of the operator.

Preferably, the device also comprises a support base on the ground, the articulated arm being fixed, by a proximal end to the base, and the base optionally comprising a counterweight. The base makes it possible to fix one of the ends of the articulated arm, that opposite to the free end. Furthermore, the base is designed so as to withstand the stresses exerted on the articulated arm in order to keep the hose raised over the length of the articulated arm.

Preferably, the device also comprises a flexible fluid delivery hose mounted in at least the fixing means.

Preferably, the hose has no swivel connections over the entire length of the part of the hose extending above the articulated arm, preferably over the entire length of the hose. The use of a hose avoids the presence of swivel couplings which constitute retention zones in which bacteria can proliferate. The risks of proliferation are therefore avoided, and health risks are avoided, in particular when the fluid conveyed by the hose is a food fluid.

Preferably, the hose extends beyond the articulated arm and the distance between the distal end of the hose and the distal end of the articulated arm is between 0.5m and 2m. The presence of a portion of flexible extending freely beyond the articulated arm allows the operator to have a certain freedom of positioning of the free end of the flexible, when the point of supply or supply is located not at the same height as that of the articulated arm for example. In this case, only the free portion of the hose is partially carried by the operator, which remains limited compared to hoses devoid of handling aid device.

Preferably, the fixing means comprise a spacer element configured to modify the distance separating the hose mounted in the fixing means, and the articulated arm. Such spacers can in particular be used and adjusted so as to obtain a flexible sloping along the articulated arm, in order to facilitate the routing of a fluid, or else in order to avoid areas of stagnation in the flexible .

Brief description of the drawings

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a particular embodiment, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the single appended figure in which a device is shown schematically. assistance in handling a hose according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, an example of a device 1 for handling a hose, according to the invention.

The device 1 comprises in particular a base 2 intended to keep the device 1 stable during its use, as well as at least one articulated arm 4, in this case two.

The articulated arms 4 extend substantially horizontally, between a proximal end 6 fixed on the base 2, and a distal end 8 free to move parallel to the ground as will be described below.

The articulated arms 4 each comprise several rigid portions which are also longitudinal, and which are connected to each other by pivot connections 12. For example, each articulated arm 4 can comprise five rigid portions 10. The aid device 1 having the objective of free the operator from the weight constraints of the hose, the pivot links 12 are provided to allow movement of the articulated arm 4 in a plane parallel to the ground, that is to say a rotation of the rigid portions 10 parallel to the ground: pivot links 12 are thus oriented vertically.

In the embodiment illustrated in the single figure, the adjacent rigid portions 10 of the articulated arm 4 are superimposed between themselves at the pivot connection 12. In particular, the pivot connection 12 is formed by an axis 14 disposed vertically and passing through the two rigid portions 10 adjacent to be connected. The axis 14 can be pivotally mounted in the two adjacent rigid portions 10 that it connects, or alternatively be rotatably connected with a rigid portion 10 and rotatably mounted with the other rigid portion 10. A means of sliding in rotation can in particular be provided between the upper surface of the rigid portion 10 located below the pivot link 12, and the lower surface of the rigid portion 10 located above the pivot link 12, in order to limit the friction between the two surfaces during of the rotation of the rigid portions 10 between them around the pivot link 12 connecting them.

The aid device 1 also comprises means for fixing the hose 16 to the articulated arm 4. More specifically, the fixing means 16 can be clamps, making it possible to hold the hose on the articulated arm 4 without limiting the properties hose deformation. In addition, the hose clamps also make it possible to guarantee the good maintenance of the hose, even in the event of stresses during the routing of a fluid in the hose.

In the embodiment described, the fixing means 16 are mounted at the pivot connections 12, and more precisely directly on the axis 14 of the pivot connections 12. The fixing means 16 can for example be mounted integral with the axes 14 , or else be mounted in rotation on the axes 14. Such a construction makes it possible to bring together at one point, the pivot link 12, the different elements to be assembled: the manufacture of the articulated arms 4 therefore becomes simpler and more robust. Furthermore, the fastening means 16 are found on the one hand mounted in rotation relative to at least one rigid portion 10, and on the other hand spaced at least a distance substantially equal to the length of a rigid portion 10 This facilitates the deformation of the hose by distributing the deformation curvature over a longer length of the hose, which results in less physical effort for the operator.

Alternatively, certain pivot links 12 can be devoid of fixing means 16, so that the distance separating two successive fixing means 16 is greater.

Likewise, the aid device 1 may also include fixing means 16 arranged on a rigid portion 10, other than at the level of a pivot connection 12. This is the case, for example, for the last rigid portion which may include , on or near its distal end also constituting the distal end 8 of the articulated arm 4, a fixing means 16 of the flexible. As for the other fixing means, such a fixing means 16 mounted on the last rigid portion 10 of the arm 4, can be integral or pivotally mounted on said rigid portion 10.

The fastening means 16 can be mounted so as to obtain a flexible having a slope, for example constant, all along the articulated arm 4. The fastening means 16 can thus include a spacer 17 making it possible to choose the distance separating the hose fixed in the fixing means 16 and the articulated arm 4. Even if the articulated arm 4 always extends substantially at the same height in order to facilitate handling by the operator, the flexible can then be placed higher, or lower, in order to impose a slope, or on the contrary a constant height, facilitating the routing of the fluid in the flexible.

Finally, the hose can extend beyond the articulated arm 4, and in particular beyond the last fixing means 16. Thus, the distance separating the distal end of the flexible and the distal end 8 of the articulated arm 4 can be between 0.5 meter and 2 meters. Such a portion of hose is free and can be handled according to the conditions of access to the supply or supply point, without the need to carry and move a longer portion of hose. It therefore retains flexibility of use and adaptability of the assistance device 1, while limiting the efforts produced by the operator.

The base 2 makes it possible to withstand the stresses exerted by the articulated arm or arms 4, in particular under the effect of gravity. The base 2 can be fixed to the ground, or can include feet so that it can be moved. In the latter case, the base 2 may include counterweights 18 arranged opposite the articulated arm or arms 4, so as not to tip over on the ground.

Thus, thanks to the device according to the invention, it becomes possible to facilitate the work of operators handling one or more hoses, by making it possible to maintain said one or more hoses by means of an articulated arm. The operator only has to orient the articulated arm to position the flexible as desired, which reduces the physical efforts provided, and therefore the risks of musculoskeletal disorders.

Claims (12)

1. Device (1) for assisting in the manipulation of a hose for conveying a fluid, the device (1) comprising at least one arm (4) 5 articulated longitudinal extending substantially horizontally, the articulated arm (4) being composed of several rigid longitudinal portions (10) connected together by pivot connections (12), characterized in that the device (1) for assisting in the handling also comprises at least one means (16) for fixing the hose 10 for conveying a fluid, for example a clamp, said fixing means (16) being mounted on one of the pivot connections (12) connecting two adjacent portions (10) of the articulated arm (4). 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which the pivot connections 15 (12) are oriented vertically. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said fixing means (16) of the hose is pivotally mounted relative to at least one, for example both, of the adjacent portions (10) connected by 20 the pivot link (12) on which is mounted said flexible pipe fixing means (16). 4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which two adjacent portions (10) of the articulated arm (4) are 25 are superimposed on each other at the pivot link (12), and are assembled together by an axis (14) forming the axis of the pivot link (12). 5. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said fixing means (16) of the hose is mounted on the axis (14) of the pivot connection (12). 5 6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said fixing means (16) of the hose is integral with the axis (14) of the pivot connection (12), or is pivotally mounted relative to the 'axis (14) of the pivot link (12). 10 7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the articulated arm (4) comprises between two and ten portions (10), preferably between three and eight portions (10). 8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, 15 in which a portion (10) of the articulated arm (4) is superimposed above or below an adjacent portion (10), so that the articulated arm remains at a height of between 0.30m and 2m from the ground, preferably between 0.7m and 1.5m from the ground. 20 9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a base (2) for holding on the ground, the articulated arm (4) being fixed, by a proximal end (6) to the base (6 ), and the base (6) possibly including a counterweight. 10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a fluid delivery hose mounted in at least the fixing means (16). 11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the hose is devoid of swivel connections over the entire length of the part of the hose extending above the articulated arm (4), preferably over the entire length of the hose. . 12. Device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, in which the flexible extends beyond the articulated arm (4) and in which the distance between the distal end of the flexible and the distal end (8) of the articulated arm (4) is between 0.5m and 2m. 1/1 Φ Ζ3 Ο e ο -S · U.