WO2007019970A2

WO2007019970A2 - Transport trolley

Info

Publication number: WO2007019970A2
Application number: PCT/EP2006/007723
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf Wanzl
Original assignee: Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-08-12
Filing date: 2006-08-04
Publication date: 2007-02-22
Also published as: DE202005012867U1; WO2007019970A3; EP1915284A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport trolley (1), in particular, a shopping trolley, comprising a chassis (5), several running wheels (8, 9) and a safety device (2), which has an operating brake device (3) with a moving brake element (11) which may be brought into engagement with the ground (4). The brake device (3) has an engagement device (10) with a motor drive (16) for engaging and releasing the brake element (11). The engagement device (10) has a controller (30) with a signal receiver (31) and can communicate wirelessly with at least one external signal transmitter (32, 33) operating and releasing the brake device (3).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Dolly

The invention relates to a trolley, in particular a shopping trolley, with the features in the preamble of the main claim.

Such a trolley is known from EP 1 101 685 Al. It consists of a rack with a cart or the like and with several swivel casters and a security device to protect against theft and unauthorized use of the trolley. The safety device has a braking device which is actuated by magnets in the ground. The braking device has a braking element in the form of a pivotable brake shoe, which is brought into contact with the ground when the brake is released and is intended to lift the roller from the ground. The trolley is then supported on the swung-out brake shoe, which develops a braking force and frictional force counteracting the driving movement. The delivery of the braking element takes place under gravity, possibly a jogging supported supportive. The shaking motion is triggered by thresholds in the ground near the magnetic barrier. The previously known braking device can be problematic in terms of operational and functional safety, because it can lead to false triggering of other magnetic parts. In addition, the inertia actuated braking element is sensitive to environmental influences, such as weather, temperature or the like. And can easily get stuck. Also, the release of the brake element and the braking device is associated with considerable effort. EP 0 975 505 B1 shows another

Securing device for shopping carts. The brake element is a curved brake mantle, which is rotatably mounted concentrically to the roller axis and pushes in fulfillment of its braking function with a pivoting movement under the roller and this lifts off the ground. Further, an external signal transmitter in the form of a perimeter antenna is present, which communicates wirelessly with a signal receiver or so-called. Resonator, with which the braking device can be activated or deactivated. An electromagnetic or motor drive acts on a mechanical pawl or cam lock, which holds and locks the bent brake mantle in the rest position and in the extended operating position. However, the mantle movements are caused by a prestressed spring. To release the brake device, the bent brake mantle must be swiveled back by an operator by hand and against the spring force back into the starting position. In this case, at most, be solved and opened by a movable transmitter of the electromagnetic or motor drive to release the pawl or cam lock to allow such a manual swinging back of the shell.

Known from EP 0 800 692 B1

Anti-theft device is the braking device housed inside an impeller and acts on the role of movement from the inside.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved securing and braking device and a transport vehicle equipped therewith.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the main claim. The driven feed device for the brake element has the advantage of high operational and functional safety. It develops sufficiently large feed forces to bring the brake element into safe contact with the ground and also the required ones

To generate support and braking forces. In the known inertia-actuated brake device, this is not guaranteed with sufficient safety. Here there is the danger that the brake element grinds without generating a significant braking effect on the ground and does not lift the impeller from the ground. With the claimed delivery device this danger is banned.

The braking device can be wirelessly operated and also released again by means of a control of the delivery device and a signal receiver in any suitable manner. This is possible in particular by radio signal, which offers greater reliability than the previously known magnetic switch. Via the signal receiver and one or more external signal transmitters, bidirectional communication with feedback messages, status indications, etc. can also be established. The advancing device actively moves the brake element into the working and engagement position and, when releasing it, also remotely retrieves it with an active movement into the rest position. A manual grip is required neither when pressing, nor when releasing the braking device.

The training of the brake element as free after two

Direction rotatable Exenterrolle has the advantage that the braking function is independent of the direction of travel of the trolley and can not be circumvented. It is immaterial for the braking function, whether the trolley is pushed forward or pulled backwards and which pivot position occupies the possibly pivotally mounted roller. This improves - A -

significantly the availability and reliability of the anti-theft device. In particular, it is ensured that a brake function occurs immediately on the brake actuation signal and that the transport carriage can not be pushed, as in the prior art, until a greater distance outside the secured area. The eccentric roller ensures by its off-center storage for the desired lifting of one or more rollers of the trolley. The trolley can then no longer move reasonably through the braking resistor. In particular, a loaded shopping cart can not be maneuvered and then pushed outside the secure business area.

The braking device can optionally on the frame of the

Transport cart be attached as a separate device. It can also be assigned directly to a roller and attached adjacent thereto. In this case, several rollers can be equipped with a braking device. The safety and braking device can be inexpensively retrofitted to existing trolley. It can also be installed in the original equipment at a suitable location.

in the subclaims further advantageous embodiments of the invention are given.

The invention is illustrated by way of example and schematically in the drawings. In detail show:

1 shows a schematic plan view of a business area, in particular a supermarket, with a trolley and a security device against theft etc,

FIG. 2-4: a side view of a transport vehicle with a safety and braking device in various operating positions;

Figure 5-7: enlarged views of the braking device in the various operating divisions,

Figure 8 and 9: a variant of the braking device in a perspective view and side view and

Figures 10 and 11: a further variant of the braking device in side view and folded end view.

Figure 1 shows in a schematic plan view a business area (39) in which e.g. around a supermarket or other retail store with one or more commercial buildings and a surrounding

Outdoor area (40), in particular a parking lot, acts. The parking lot can also be integrated into the building. Alternatively, the business area (39) may be designed differently and be, for example, an airport, a train station or the like. In the business area (39) a plurality of trolleys (1) are present, which are housed in the area or parking lot (40) or in the building in one or more peripheral storage areas (42). The trolley (1) can be designed in any suitable manner. Preferably, these are shopping carts. Such a shopping cart is shown schematically in the below-described Figure 2.

The terrain (40) has one or more entrances or

Access roads (41) through which customers can access the site (40) on foot or by vehicle. In order to prevent unwanted entrainment of trolley (1), a security device (2), in particular an anti-theft device, be present, which at least one signal generator (32) in the surveillance area, eg at the entrances (41 ^' ) and possibly at the outer borders of the terrain (40). For example, the signal transmitter (32) can be designed as a circulating and sunk in the bottom (4) mounted antenna cable. When driving over the signal transmitter (32) with the trolley (1) a control signal is issued to a subsequently explained braking device (3) of the trolley (1), which actuates the braking device (3) and the further travel movement of the trolley (1) by a rubbing Braking force difficult or prevented. As an alternative to ground antennas, any other types and arrangements of signalers (32) are possible.

Figure 2 shows schematically the structure of a shopping cart (1) in side view. It consists of a frame (5) with several, e.g. four, rollers (8, 9) and a goods receptacle (6), e.g. a shopping cart. The shopping cart (1) may further include a shifter (38), e.g. one

Handle have. The shopping cart (1) may further with a deposit lock (not shown) or the like. be equipped.

The evenly distributed rollers (8,9) are connected to the frame (5) by a pivot bearing (36) with a vertical or upright pivot axis (37). The rollers (8, 9) are each freely rotatably supported in a roller holder (34), e.g. has a forked shape and carries a transverse roller axis (35). Preferably, the roller axle (35) is rigidly secured to the roller holder (34), wherein the roller (8,9) with a suitable pivot bearing on the transverse or horizontal roller shaft (35) is freely rotatably mounted.

The trolley (1) may alternatively have a different design and e.g. be designed as a platform car, luggage carts for luggage or the like. It can also have a different number of rollers, e.g. three rollers (8,9), exhibit. The braking device (3) described in detail below can be arranged several times on the transport carriage (1).

In the embodiments of Figures 2 to 9, the braking device (3) on the frame (5) of the trolley (1) is arranged. It can e.g. be attached to a front cross member (7) with its housing (14). It is in this variant, e.g. centered between the left and right front castors (8). In the variant of Figures 10 and 11, the braking device (3) is assigned directly to one of the roller (8) and stored in the vicinity thereof.

The braking device (3) has in each case a feed device (10) with a controllable drive (16) for the brake element (11), which can be moved back and forth between, for example, a raised non-operating rest position and a lowered working position in which it is in contact with the ground or floor (4) in Touch contact and can be brought into frictional and braking engagement. In this case, at least one impeller (8,9) is lifted from the substrate (4) in the manner shown in Figure 2 to 4, so that the weight of the optionally loaded trolley (1) is at least partially supported on the brake element (11).

The delivery device (10) has a controller (30) with a signal receiver (31), the wireless with at least one external signal generator (32,33) for

Actuation and release of the braking device (3) communicates. The communication can take place in only one direction as pure reception or bidirectional with reception and transmission of signals. The signal receiver (31) can be a combined transmitter / receiver. The controller (30) and the signal receiver (31) are shown for the sake of clarity only in Figures 2 and 5 schematically. The signal receiver (31) is preferably a transponder, which can be designed as a passive or active component.

The signal receiver (31), upon receipt of a control signal from one of the external signal transmitters (32, 33), issues a triggering signal to the controller (30) for actuating the braking device (3). By another signal, which is given for example by an external signal generator (33) in the form of the hand-held transmitter shown in Figure 2, the braking device (3) can be released again and the normal function of the trolley (1) can be produced. The braking device (3) or the feed device (10) also have a suitable power supply (not shown) for the drive (16) and possibly the signal receiver (31). The power supply can be configured in any suitable manner, eg as a replaceable battery or as a rechargeable battery. The brake element (11) is formed in the various embodiments each as a freely rotatable eccentric roller (21) which can be rotated in two directions and which is provided with a Drehbegrenzer (23). The eccentric roller (21) is mounted on its eccentric roller bearing (22) on a pivot arm (12) of the feed device (10). The axis of rotation of the roller bearing (22) is laterally spaced from the roller axis (35). The pivot arm (12) is in turn arranged pivotably about a relative to the trolley (1) relatively fixed pivot axis (15) or a pivot bearing. The pivoting movement can be limited by means of a stop (13), which is indicated schematically, for example, in FIG. The housing-fixed stop (13) may be present several times and also limit the pivoting movement in the opposite direction. Such stops (13) can be used to relieve the drive (16).

The drive (16) can be designed in any suitable manner. He has a motor (17) and possibly a transmission (18). The drive (16) actuates the pivot arm (12) and is relatively stationary relative to the trolley (1), for example in a housing (14), supported. The motor (17) is preferably an electric motor, in particular a low-voltage operated DC motor. It can have a primary gear for reducing the engine speed. Depending on the drive kinematics, the transmission (18) can also provide power transmission between the motor (17) and the swivel arm (12). It can be designed for this purpose a self-locking gear, in particular as a worm gear. As shown in FIGS. 5-9, the motor (17) is connected to a worm shaft (19), possibly with the interposition of a reduction gear, which in turn is connected to a worm wheel (20) arranged concentrically to the pivot axis (15) on the pivot arm (12). combs. By the Drive movement of the pivot arm (12) is rotated in the manner shown in Figure 5 to 7 between its rest position shown in Figure 5 and its working position shown in Figure 6 and 7 back and forth.

In the lowered working position of the pivot arm (12) provided with a peripheral friction lining eccentric roller (21) or friction roller with the substrate (4) in frictional contact and is in a movement of the trolley (1) in the direction of travel (27) in a corresponding direction of rotation ( 28) is rotated about the roller bearing (22). The self-locking drive (16) prevents this moving backward and avoid the swing arm (12). Due to the eccentricity of the friction roller (21), which can rotate about one of the Drehbegrenzer (23) limited angle of slightly less than 180 ° to both directions of rotation, the roller bearing (22) relative to the substrate (4) is raised, wherein at least one of associated casters (8) also raised and is brought out of contact with the ground (4) to form a clearance (29). The friction roller (21) blocked at the end of their permissible angle of rotation and develops a driving movement (27) counteracting frictional and braking force.

The rotation limiter (23) has e.g. a concentric to

Axis of the roller bearing (22) extending guide, the e.g. is formed as a recessed guide groove on the body of the friction roller (21). The guide (24) cooperates with a stop (25), e.g. a housing-fixed pin immersed in the guide groove. At the end of

Rotary motion strikes the pin at the end of the groove. The stop (25) is preferably arranged on the housing (14) or on the swivel arm (12) such that it is arranged substantially vertically above the axis of the roller bearing (22) in the pivoted-down operating position of the swivel arm (12). The Drehbegrenzer (23) further has an output divider (26) for the eccentric roller (21), which brings them in the unloaded state in a defined output rotational position. This is, for example, the center position shown in the drawings, in which the stop (25) is located in the middle of the guide groove (24). In this initial position, the eccentric roller (21) also assumes such a rotational position that, with its roller bearing (22), it has the next adjacent peripheral region in working position of the swivel arm (12) to the substrate (4). From this position, in each case the maximum eccentric stroke for lifting the roller (8) can be utilized in a roller rotation in both directions of rotation (28).

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a complete braking device (3) with a housing (14) surrounding the infeed device (10) and the brake element (11) on one or more sides. In the e.g. U-shaped housing (14) are the motor (17) with its gear part and the pivot bearing

(15) supported. The housing (14) can be firmly connected in the aforementioned manner with the transverse strut (7) or another part of the frame (5).

Figures 8 and 9 also show a particularly space-saving design variant of the feed device (10). The drive (16) with its gear (18) is inclined inclined downwards and extends substantially along and close to the connecting line between the pivot axis (15) and the axis of the roller bearing (22). The drive (16) is housed protected inside the housing. Figures 2 to 7 show another construction variant with a above the pivot bearing (15) horizontally arranged drive (16).

In the third construction variant of FIGS. 10 and 11, the braking device (3) is directly associated with a roller (8), the roller holder (34) correspondingly laterally issued or angled and creates the space for the roll-close arrangement of the delivery device (10). As FIG. 10 illustrates, the horizontal roller axle (35) is offset laterally relative to the vertical pivot axle (37), so that when the transport cart (1) is pushed in the direction of travel (27), they automatically move the rollers (8) to the caster position shown. In this case, the swivel arm (12) is aligned obliquely in the direction of travel (27) in the rest and working position, so that in the braking position the eccentric roller (21) is located in the direction of travel (27) in front of the roller axis (35). Such an orientation of the pivot arm (12) in the direction of travel (27) is also given in the other embodiments.

The pivot arm (12) is provided in the manner described above with the eccentric roller (21) and the roller bearing (22) and the rotation limiter (23). In the variant of Figures 10 and 11, the pivoting arm (12) is arranged laterally next to the impeller (8) and with its pivot bearing (15) e.g. coaxially or alternatively offset from the roller axis (35). The pivot bearing (15) is supported on the preferably frame-fixed roller axle (35) or elsewhere of the roller holder (34). The eccentric roller (21) is arranged with its axis of rotation (22) by the pivot arm (12) with distance and functionally independent of the roller axis (35).

The drive (16) is in this case as also on the roller axle (35) mounted motor with possibly one

Formed gear, wherein the driven gear of the transmission with the pivot arm (12) is connected and this directly rotates and thereby raises and lowers the both sides rotatable eccentric roller (21) in the manner described above. Also in this embodiment, stops (not shown) for limiting and supporting the Schwenkarmbewegungen be present in the end positions. In the various embodiments, the drive (16) is relieved in the end positions by the stops (13). The stops (13) can also be used for the end stop of the motor (17). You can have the function of limit switches for this purpose. Alternatively, it is possible to realize an engine shutdown via the rising in stop position motor current or in any other way. Due to the self-locking gear training engine (17) is also relieved of the forces acting during braking forces.

If a release signal is transmitted via the hand-held transmitter (33) or another external signal generator, the motor (17) rotates in the opposite direction and lifts the swivel arm (12) with the brake element (11) back from the ground (4) until the other end position the Armschwenkbewegung is reached.

Modifications of the embodiments shown are possible in various ways. On the one hand, this relates to the structural design of the feed device (10), the rotation limiter (23), the drive (16) and the brake element (11). The basic design of the trolley (1) and its rollers (8,9) together with their storage can be varied as desired.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 trolley, shopping cart

2 safety device, anti-theft device 3 brake device

4 ground, underground

5 frame

6 Goods pickup, shopping cart

7 Cross strut 8 Castor, castor

9 roller, castor

10 delivery device

11 brake element

12 swivel arm 13 stop for swivel arm

14 housing

15 pivot bearings

16 drive

17 engine 18 transmission

19 worm shaft

20 worm wheel

21 friction roller, eccentric roller

22 Roller bearings 23 Turn Limiter

24 guide, guide groove

25 stop for eccentric roller

26 output dividers, center divider

27 Direction of travel 28 Direction of rotation

29 free space

30 control

31 signal receivers, transponders

32 signal transmitter, antenna 33 Signal transmitter, hand transmitter

34 roll holder

35 roller axle Swing bearing swivel axis sliding device, handle business area, supermarket, airport terrain, parking access, access parking area

Claims

1) Transport trolley with a frame (5) and a plurality of rollers (8,9) and a securing device (2), wherein the securing device (2) at least one actuatable braking device (3) with at least one movable and with the substrate (4) in Has engageable brake element (11), characterized in that the braking device (3) has a feed device (10) with a motor drive (16) for advancing and releasing the brake element (11), wherein the feed device (10) has a controller (30 ) having a signal receiver (31) which communicates wirelessly with at least one external signal generator (32, 33) for actuating and releasing the brake device (3).

2.) Transport trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that the brake element (11) is designed as a rotatable eccentric roller (21) which raises at least one roller (8,9) from the substrate (4) in the engaged position.

3.) A trolley according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that e e c e c e n e that the eccentric roller (21) freely rotatably mounted in two directions and with a rotation limiter (23) is provided.

4.) A trolley according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the Drehbegrenzer (23) concentric with the roller bearing (22) arranged guide (24) and a stop (25) which is movable relative to each other on the eccentric roller (21 ) and the delivery device (10) are arranged.

5.) Dolly according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the rotation limiter (23) has an output divider (26) which brings the eccentric roller (21) in unloading in an initial position.

6.) Dolly according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the feed device (10) has a pivot arm (12) which carries the eccentric roller (21) at the end.

7.) Dolly after one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the pivot arm (12) with at least one relatively stationary stop (13) for limiting the

Pivoting movement and for supporting the braking forces cooperates.

8.) Transport trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that e e e c e s e s that the drive (16) comprises a motor (17), preferably an electric motor with a gear (18).

9.) Transport trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that e e n e c e s e s that the transmission (18) is self-locking and preferably designed as a worm gear.

10.) Transport trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that e e n e c e s e s that the signal receiver (31) is designed as a transponder.

11.) A trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal transmitter (32,33) as in the underground (4) laid antenna and is designed as a hand-held transmitter.

12.) Dolly after one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the signal transmission takes place by radio.

13.) Dolly according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the braking device (3) on the frame (5) and / or on at least one roller (8,9) is arranged.

14.) Dolly according to one of the preceding

Claims, characterized in that the braking device (3) next to the roller (8,9) in a common roller holder (34) is arranged.