JP2023102098A - Vehicle lifting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lifting device exhibiting high stability with a simple configuration and improved in safety.SOLUTION: The vehicle lifting device comprises: a ramp 2 on which a vehicle is mounted; a base 4 installed on a floor surface 3; a plurality of pneumatic springs 5a-5d provided in the base 4 to raise/lower the ramp 2; an air pressure source 6 that supplies compressed air to the pneumatic springs 5a-5d; a connection pipe that connects the air pressure source 6 to the pneumatic springs 5a-5d; and a switching unit 8 that is provided in the connection pipe and that supplies or cuts off the compressed air of the air pressure source 6, and discharges the air returning from the pneumatic springs 5a-5d. The switching unit 8 includes an operation valve Vm that can discharge the compressed air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle lifting device that lifts a vehicle such as a light vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle to a work position higher than the floor surface for tire replacement, inspection, repair, or the like, and lowers the vehicle from the elevated position.

A typical prior art is described in Patent Document 1, for example. In this prior art, in a lift that raises and lowers a plurality of loading platforms on which a vehicle is mounted in synchronism by driving means provided for each loading platform, a descending stop mechanism provided for each loading platform prevents the loading platform from descending, a rack in which each of the lowering stop mechanisms is movably provided integrally with the loading platform in order to prevent uneven descent of each loading platform, a locking claw that engages with the rack, and a spring that biases the locking claw toward the rack side. , a safety device comprising a common actuator for disengaging the locking pawl from the rack via each cable, and a common switching member for engaging the actuator and switching each driving means to the lowering side.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-76300

In the conventional technology described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since one vehicle is individually supported by a plurality of loading platforms, each loading platform is provided with a lowering stop mechanism for preventing uneven descent of each loading platform. Therefore, the drive means of the loading platform must be individually adjusted to reduce the deviation of the load from the vehicle, resulting in a large number of parts, a complicated configuration, and low stability against the deviation of the load. In addition, when each loading platform is lowered, a space is created between the loading platform and the floor surface, so if a worker or the like enters the space from the outside, the foot may be caught between the lowering loading platform and the floor surface, and an improvement in safety is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle lifting device having a simple structure, high stability, and improved safety.

The present invention provides a platform on which a vehicle is mounted,
a base installed on the floor;
a plurality of pneumatic actuators provided on the base for lifting and lowering the lift;
a pneumatic source that supplies compressed air to the plurality of pneumatic actuators;
a connecting tube that connects the pneumatic source and the plurality of pneumatic actuators;
a switching unit interposed in the connecting pipe for supplying or blocking compressed air from the air pressure source and exhausting return air from the plurality of pneumatic actuators;
The lifting device for a vehicle, wherein the switching unit includes an emergency exhaust valve capable of discharging compressed air by opening the inside of the connecting pipe.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising upper limit position regulating means positioned between the lift table and the base and defining an upper limit position of the lift table with respect to the base.

Also, the present invention is characterized by further including a spirit level provided on the platform.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further including an intrusion restraining member that protrudes outward from a side portion of the base, extends over substantially the entire length of the side portion, and restrains feet from entering from the outside.

Further, according to the present invention, each of the plurality of pneumatic actuators is an air spring.

According to the present invention, one elevator is driven up and down by a plurality of pneumatic actuators, so the number of parts can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, and high stability can be achieved even if the load from the vehicle mounted on the elevator is biased. In addition, since the switching part includes an emergency exhaust valve, the compressed air can be exhausted by the emergency exhaust valve in an emergency, thereby quickly lowering the platform in the raised position and lowering the vehicle to the lower limit position to ensure safety.

Further, according to the present invention, since the upper limit position regulating means is provided between the platform and the base, the upper limit position of the platform is specified and tilting of the platform at the upper limit position is suppressed.

Further, according to the present invention, since the level is provided on the platform, the operator can easily recognize whether or not the platform is inclined or the degree of inclination by looking at the level.

In addition, according to the present invention, the side portion of the base is provided with an intrusion suppressing member that protrudes outward from the side portion over substantially the entire length of the side portion.

Further, according to the present invention, since the plurality of pneumatic actuators are air springs, they are lighter than pneumatic cylinders, for example, and are easy to assemble. Therefore, the vehicle lifting device can be easily installed in gas stations, automobile maintenance shops, etc., and a highly versatile vehicle lifting device can be provided.

1 is a front view of a vehicle lifting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle lifting device 1. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle lifting device 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a switching unit 8; FIG. Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of the spirit level 13 and its vicinity; 2 is a pneumatic circuit diagram of the vehicle lifting device 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which operated the operation pedal 21 to a raise position. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an operating pedal 21 is in a neutral position; It is a figure which shows the state which operated the operation pedal to the downward position. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a switching portion 8 and its vicinity; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a lift table 2 and an upper limit position defining means 40; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a base 4 and air springs 5a to 5d; FIG.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle lifting device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle lifting device 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vehicle lifting device 1. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the jack arms 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d are extended, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the jack arms 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d are contracted. A lifting device 1 for a vehicle according to the present embodiment includes a lifting table 2 on which a vehicle is mounted, a base 4 installed on a substantially horizontal floor surface 3, air springs 5a to 5d provided on the base 4 and serving as a plurality of pneumatic actuators for raising and lowering the lifting table 2, an air pressure source 6 supplying compressed air to the plurality of air springs 5a to 5d, a connecting pipe 7 connecting the air pressure source 6 and the plurality of air springs 5a to 5d, and a connecting pipe 7 interposed to supply the compressed air of the air pressure source 6. , or a switching portion 8 for blocking and exhausting the return air from the plurality of air springs 5a to 5d. The switching unit 8 includes an operation valve Vm as an emergency exhaust valve capable of releasing the compressed air by opening the connecting pipe 7 as will be described later. The base 4 may be smaller than the lift 4 in plan view. The vehicle lifting device 1 may further include an intrusion suppression member 10 that protrudes outward from the side portion 9 of the base 4 and extends over substantially the entire length of the side portion 9 to suppress, for example, the intrusion of the operator's feet from the outside.

In this embodiment, the vehicle is assumed to be a light car, a standard passenger car, a minivan, an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle), an RV (Recreational Vehicle), or the like. The vehicle lifting device 1 of the present embodiment can be suitably used for tire replacement, repair, inspection, and the like of such vehicles.

The vehicle lifting device 1 includes four guide panels 11a to 11d, also called shooters, fixed to the floor surface 3, and an upper limit position defining means 12 positioned between the lifting table 2 and the base 4 to define the upper limit position of the lifting table 2 with respect to the base 4. The switching unit 8 includes an operation valve Vm capable of releasing the compressed air in the connecting pipe 7 to the atmosphere and discharging the compressed air. A level 13 is provided on the side of the platform 2 .

The platform 2 may consist of a quadrilateral steel panel in plan view. The quadrilateral may be a rectangle elongated in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction A to the vehicle lifting device 1 . A pair of jack arms 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface of the lift table 2 so as to be angularly displaceable by pins 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d. Each pin 15a, 15b; 15c, 15d is fixed to the lifting platform 2 by inserting one longitudinal end of each jack arm 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d. Each jack arm 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d includes first arm members 14a1, 14b1; 14c1, 14d1 and second arm members 14a2, 14b2; 2, 14d2.

These first arm members 14a1, 14b1; 14c1, 14d1 and the second arm members 14a2, 14b2; 14c2, 14d2 are steel cylinders having square cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first arm members 14a1, 14b1; 14c1, 14d1. Supports 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d are detachably attached to the other ends of the second arm members 14a2, 14b2; 14c2, 14d2 in the longitudinal direction. The supports 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d have pad portions made of an elastic material such as hard rubber, and metal fitting portions that fit into fitting recesses provided at the other longitudinal ends of the second arm members 14a2, 14b2; 14c2, 14d2. With such supports 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, various vehicles carried onto the platform 2 can be stably supported at a plurality of points (4 in the present embodiment) without damaging the vehicle body by pressing the respective pads against the jack-up portions at different positions according to the vehicle type.

The guide panels 11a to 11d are connected to the downstream side of the base 4 in the traveling direction A and the upstream side of the traveling direction A at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction A so as to be angularly displaceable about an axis perpendicular to the traveling direction A (that is, an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of each side). Such guide panels 11a to 11d gently incline from one side adjacent to the base 4 toward the downstream side in the traveling direction A and the other side furthest upstream in the traveling direction A from the base 4 in a direction in which the thickness decreases. As a result, the guide panels 11b and 11d arranged in the traveling direction A enter the elevator table 2, and after work, can be smoothly moved from the elevator table 2 to the downstream side in the traveling direction A without steps.

For each of the air springs 5a to 5d, for example, an air spring having an effective diameter of 260 mm and a maximum stroke center height of 220 mm can be used. Such air springs 5a-5d are commercially available, for example, from Bridgestone, as air springs for industrial machinery, part number AS22402. In this case, the maximum stroke is ±100 mm with respect to the stroke center height of the air springs 5a to 5d.

4 is an enlarged plan view of the switching unit 8. FIG. The vehicle lifting device 1 of this embodiment includes a switching unit 8 for safely lowering the lifting platform 2 when the air springs 5a to 5d are broken or broken due to deterioration over time. The switching unit 8 includes a substrate 20, a first on-off valve Va, a second on-off valve Vb, a third on-off valve Vc, a fourth on-off valve Vd, a first general on-off valve Vab, a second general on-off valve Vcd, a general on-off valve V0, an operation valve Vm, an operation pedal 21, a connecting pipe 22, a pressure gauge 23, a connector 22a, a connecting pipe 24, a connecting pipe 25, a connecting pipe 26, a manifold 27, a manifold 28, a connecting pipe 29, and connections. A pipe 30 , a connecting pipe 31 and a connecting pipe 32 are provided.

The connector 22a is connected to a connection pipe 7 for supplying compressed air from an air pressure source 6, and compressed air having a set pressure of 0.5 MPa to 0.6 MPa is supplied. A connection pipe 22 is connected to the supply hole of the operation valve Vm, and a connection pipe 24 is connected to the discharge hole of the operation valve Vm. A connection pipe 25 is connected to the connector 22a, and the connection pipe 25 is connected to a supply hole of the first general on-off valve Vab. The first general opening/closing valve Vab is connected to the supply hole of the manifold 28, the first opening/closing valve Va is connected to one discharge hole of the manifold 28, and the second opening/closing valve Vb is connected to the other discharge hole of the manifold 28. A connection pipe 29 is connected to the discharge hole of the first on-off valve Va, and a connection pipe 30 is connected to the discharge hole of the second on-off valve Vb. The connecting tube 29 is connected to the air spring 5a, and the connecting tube 30 is connected to the air spring 5b. A general on-off valve V0 is interposed in the connection pipe 25, and a second general on-off valve Vcd is connected between the general on-off valve V0 of the connection pipe 25 and the first general on-off valve Vab. The second general on-off valve vcd is connected to the supply hole of the manifold 27. The third on-off valve Vc is connected to one discharge hole of the manifold 27, and the fourth on-off valve Vd is connected to the other discharge hole of the manifold 27. The discharge hole of the third on-off valve Vc is connected to the connection pipe 31, and the discharge hole of the fourth on-off valve Vd is connected to the connection pipe 32. The connection pipe 31 is connected to the air spring 5c, and the connection pipe 32 is connected to air. It is connected to spring 5d.

As an example, when the air spring 5a ruptures due to deterioration over time or the like, the first open/close valve Va connected to the air spring 5a is closed, and the operation pedal 21 is operated to the ascending side. Further, by closing all of the first opening/closing valve Va to the fourth opening/closing valve Vd, the descent of the platform 2 can be stopped and maintained at a constant height position. Even if one of the other air springs 5b to 5d bursts, any one of the second to fourth on-off valves Vb to Vd connected to any of the bursted air springs 5b to 5d is closed, and any of the remaining air springs 5a and 5b to 5d that have not burst supports the platform 2 at a constant height, thereby preventing the vehicle on the platform 2 from descending rapidly.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the spirit level 13 and its vicinity. A level 13 is provided on one side of the platform 2 parallel to the traveling direction A. As shown in FIG. The level 13 has water sealed in a transparent tubular body whose both ends are sealed, and the operator can visually confirm whether or not there is an inclination depending on the position of the bubble. With such a level 13, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the platform 2, and thus the vehicle on the platform 2, is horizontal, thereby ensuring safety.

FIG. 6 is a pneumatic circuit diagram of the vehicle lifting device 1. As shown in FIG. The vehicle lifting device 1 further includes the aforementioned switching unit 8, a pressure reducing valve Vr, an upper limit position defining means 40 positioned between the lifting table 2 and the base 4 to define the upper limit position of the lifting table 2 with respect to the base 4, and a pair of unlocking pneumatic cylinders Cy1 and Cy2 for releasing the locked state of the upper limit position defining means 40.

7A is a diagram showing a state in which the operating pedal 21 is operated to the raised position, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the operating pedal 21 is at the neutral position. FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a state in which the operating pedal is operated to the lowered position. When lifting the platform 2, the operator steps on the operation pedal 21 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 7B to angularly displace the operation pedal 21 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 7B to the raised position shown in FIG. Via connection pipes 25, 26, 29, and 31, the air is supplied to each air spring 5a-5d, and the lifting platform 2 can be lifted.

When the operator angularly displaces the operation pedal 21 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 7B to the lowered position shown in FIG. 7C, the compressed air in each of the air springs 5a to 5d passes through the connection pipes 25, 26, 29, and 31 and the first to fourth opening/closing valves Va, Vb, Vc, and Vd, and is discharged from the exhaust port of the operation valve Vm, thereby lowering the platform 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the switching portion 8. As shown in FIG. The switching unit 8 includes the substrate 20 described above, the first on-off valve Va, the second on-off valve Vb, the third on-off valve Vc, the fourth on-off valve Vd, the first general on-off valve Vab, the second general on-off valve Vcd, the general on-off valve V0, the operating valve Vm, the operating pedal 21, the connecting pipe 22, the pressure gauge 23, the connector 22a, the connecting pipe 24, the connecting pipe 25, the connecting pipe 26, the manifold 27, the manifold 28, and the connecting pipe 29. , connecting pipe 30 , connecting pipe 31 and connecting pipe 32 . The housing 41 protects the above-described members located inside from contact and abutment of the base material from the outside, thereby preventing damage. Such a switching section is arranged close to one side of the base 4 .

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the platform 2 and the upper limit position regulating means 40. As shown in FIG. The lift table 2 has a pair of panels 42a, 42b and a pair of connecting members 43a, 43b connecting the panels 42a, 42b. Between each of the pair of panels 42a and 42b and the base 4, an upper limit position defining means 40 is provided. Since the pair of upper limit position regulating means 40 have the same configuration, the configuration of one upper limit position regulating means 40 will be described to avoid duplication. The upper limit position regulating means 40 includes a pair of link bodies 44a and 44b constituting a pantograph link mechanism, a central shaft member 45 connecting the link bodies 44a and 44b, a plurality of connecting members 46 connecting the respective ends of the link bodies 44a and 44b, a locking frame 47 rotatably connected to the central shaft member 45, a tension spring 48 biasing the locking frame 47 in one direction, and the unlocking pneumatic cylinder. Cy1 and Cy2. In FIG. 9, only a portion of the connecting member 46 is shown for ease of illustration.

Each of the pair of link members 44a and 44b has a first link member 48a, a second link member 48b, a third link member 48c, a fourth link member 48d, and the aforementioned central shaft member 45 that connects the first link member 48a and the second link member 48b in an X shape and connects the third link member 48c and the fourth link member 48d in an X shape. The locking frame 47 is positioned between the set of the first link member 48a and the second link member 48b of the central shaft member 45 and the set of the third link member 48c and the fourth link member 48d, and is rotatably connected around the axis of the central shaft member 45. The lock frame 47 has a pair of frame members 49a and 49b, a frame member 49c connecting one ends of the frame members 49a and 49b, and a frame member 49d connecting the other ends of the frame members 49a and 49b. One end of the tension spring 48 is hooked to one frame member 49c connecting one end of each of the frame members 49a and 49b, and the other end of the tension spring 48 is hooked to a predetermined portion of the base 4. As shown in FIG. The spring force of the tension spring 48 urges the lock frame 47 in a direction in which the other frame member 49d approaches the unlocking pneumatic cylinders Cy1 and Cy2.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the base 4 and the air springs 5a-5d. In the figure, the air springs 5c and 5d are omitted for ease of illustration. The base 4 has a pair of base plates 50a, 50b and a pair of connecting members 50c, 50d connecting the base plates 50a, 50b. Air springs 5a and 5b are mounted on one base plate 50a, and air springs 5c and 5d are mounted on the other base plate 50b. Further, the above-described intrusion suppressing member 10 is provided on each of the lateral side portions of the base plates 50a and 50b. The intrusion suppressing member 10 is composed of three rectangular parallelepiped frame members 10a, 10b, and 10c. These frame-shaped bodies 10a, 10b, and 10c may be configured by cutting structural steel materials into predetermined lengths, welding them into a frame shape, and connecting them, for example. Each frame-shaped body 10a, 10b, 10c is fixed to the side portion arranged on the outer side of each base plate 50a, 50b by bolts over substantially the entire length of the side portion. Such an intrusion suppressing member 10 suppresses a worker's leg from entering between the lifting table 2 and the base 4 from the outside and being caught between the lowering lifting table 2 and the base 4, thereby improving safety.

One end of each pair of chains 51a, 51b; 51c, 51d is fixed to a portion near one end in the longitudinal direction of each base plate 50a, 50b. The other end of each pair of chains 51a, 51b; These chains 51a, 51b; 51c, 51d define the upper limit position of the lifting platform 2 and allow it to be positioned substantially horizontally when raised. Such chains 51a, 51b; 51c, 51d may form part of the upper limit position regulating means 40 described above.

According to this embodiment, one elevator platform 2 is driven up and down by a plurality of air springs 5a to 5d, so the number of parts can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, and high stability can be achieved even if the load from the vehicle mounted on the elevator platform 2 is biased. In addition, since the intrusion suppressing member 10 projecting outward from the side portion is provided on the side portion of the base 4 over substantially the entire length of the side portion, it is possible to suppress the insertion of the operator's foot from the outside into the space between the lifting table 2 and the floor surface 3, thereby improving safety.

Further, since the upper limit position regulating means 40 is provided between the platform 2 and the base 4, the upper limit position of the platform 2 is specified, and tilting of the platform 2 at the upper limit position is suppressed.

Further, since the switching part 8 includes the operation valve Vm, which is an emergency exhaust valve, the compressed air can be discharged by the operation valve Vm in an emergency, thereby quickly lowering the platform 2 in the raised position and lowering the vehicle to the lower limit position to ensure safety.

Further, since the level 13 is provided on the platform 2, the operator can easily recognize whether or not the platform 2 is inclined or the degree of inclination by looking at the level 13. As shown in FIG.

In addition, since the air springs 5a to 5d are used as the plurality of air pneumatic actuators, they are lighter than pneumatic cylinders, for example, and are easy to assemble. Therefore, the vehicle lifting device 1 can be easily installed in a gas station, an automobile maintenance shop, etc., maintenance is also easy, and a highly versatile vehicle lifting device 1 can be provided.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that all or part of each of the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined within a non-contradictory range.

1 Lifting device for vehicle 2 Lifting table 3 Floor surface 4 Base 5a to 5d Air spring 6 Air pressure source 7, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Connecting pipe 8 Switching part 9 Side part 10 Intrusion suppressing member 14a, 14b; 14c, 14d Jack arm 14a1, 14b1; 1 arm member 14a2, 14b2; 14c2, 14d2 2nd arm member 15a, 15b; Panels 43a, 43b Connecting members 44a, 44b Link member 46 Connecting member 47 Locking frame 48a First link member 48b Second link member 48c Third link member 48d Fourth link member 45 Central shaft member 49a, 49b Frame member 50a, 50b Base plate 51a, 51b; 51c, 51d Chain Cy1, Cy2 Unlocking pneumatic cylinder Va 1st on-off valve Vb 2nd on-off valve Vc 3rd on-off valve Vd 4th on-off valve Vab 1st general on-off valve Vcd 2nd general on-off valve V0 General on-off valve Vm Operation valve

Claims (5)

a lift on which the vehicle is mounted;
a base installed on the floor;
a plurality of pneumatic actuators provided on the base for lifting and lowering the lift;
a pneumatic source that supplies compressed air to the plurality of pneumatic actuators;
a connecting tube that connects the pneumatic source and the plurality of pneumatic actuators;
a switching unit interposed in the connecting pipe for supplying or blocking compressed air from the air pressure source and exhausting return air from the plurality of pneumatic actuators;
The lifting device for a vehicle, wherein the switching unit includes an emergency exhaust valve capable of discharging compressed air by opening the inside of the connecting pipe. 2. The vehicular lifting device according to claim 1, further comprising upper limit position regulating means positioned between said hoist and said base and regulating an upper limit position of said hoist with respect to said base. 3. The lifting device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a level provided on said lifting platform. The lifting device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an intrusion suppression member that protrudes outward from a side portion of the base, extends over substantially the entire length of the side portion, and suppresses entry of a foot from the outside. The vehicle lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of pneumatic actuators is an air spring.