WO2015063222A1

WO2015063222A1 - Industrial truck, in particular a forklift with an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: WO2015063222A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/073357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Orth; Rico Tempel; Johannes Dechantsreiter
Original assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2013-10-31
Filing date: 2014-10-30
Publication date: 2015-05-07
Also published as: DE102013222183A1

Abstract

An industrial truck comprising a forward front axle arrangement (8, 8a), a stern-side counterweight device (10, 10a), a connection frame (6, 6a) between the front axle arrangement (8, 8a) and the counterweight device (10, 10a), and a tank arrangement comprising at least one tank (20) for operating fluid, wherein the connection frame (6, 6a) comprises two box profiles (2, 4; 2a, 4a) running in the longitudinal direction of the industrial truck at a lateral distance to each other between the front axle arrangement (8, 8a) and the counterweight device (10, 10a) as supporting frame parts, and wherein a tank (20) of the tank arrangement is accommodated in a chamber (16, 18; 16a, 18a) delimited by the box profile side of at least one of the box profiles (2, 4; 2a, 4a), wherein the tank is preferably a plastic tank, wherein each box profile (2, 4; 2a, 4a) containing a tank (20) is open on one of the sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the industrial truck at least so far that the affected tank (20) can be removed as needed from the chamber (16, 18; 16a, 18a) at the open side.

Description

Industrial truck, especially forklift with one

internal combustion engine

description

The present invention relates to an industrial truck having a front axle assembly, a rear counterweight device, a connecting frame between the front axle assembly and the counterweight device, and a tank assembly having at least one operating fluid tank, the connecting frame being two laterally spaced apart between the front axle assembly and the counterweight device in the longitudinal direction of the truck Contains box sections as load-bearing frame parts and wherein in a bounded by the box profile sides of at least one of the box sections chamber a tank of the tank assembly is housed.

The invention is primarily aimed at an embodiment of the frame of the truck and the housing of at least one tank for operating fluid. Operating fluids may, for. B. hydraulic fluid for a hydraulic system of the truck or possibly be fuel for any combustion engine of the truck.

In the prior art inventory, there are numerous examples of frame structures with storage options for fuel tanks and hydraulic oil tanks. Many of these known frame structures have as a connecting frame between a Vorderachshaltestruktur or Vorderachsaufnahme and a rear-side counterweight device rolled Stahltprofilräger, z. B. double T-beam with it welded sheet metal structures, these sheet metal structures may have at least partially supporting frame functions. It is also known to integrate in such sheet metal structures tanks for fuel or hydraulic oil. Other known frame structures have as load-bearing Verbindungsrah- men between the Vorderachsaufnahme and the rear-side counterweight device no rolled steel profile support, but a load-bearing frame construction of welded together, some massive sheets on.

Such known frame structures for industrial trucks can often only be produced with a great deal of material and labor and, moreover, have comparatively large and specific space requirements, so that the accommodation of operating components such as tanks, batteries, control units, etc. is made more difficult.

There are already known industrial trucks in which tanks for operating fluids made of plastics or resin materials are formed.

Plastic tanks are easier and cheaper to produce than welded metal tanks and have other advantages, such as low weight and high reliability, as far as the tightness. Furthermore, in the production process of plastic tanks, especially in injection-molded plastic tanks, no impurities accumulate in the interior, which would require a complex cleaning process, as is the case for example with welded steel tanks. However, since plastic tanks have a comparatively low material stability, they are hardly suitable as load-bearing frame elements, but require the most sheltered possible accommodation. However, the sheltered storage of tanks was previously a problem for the designers because the space requirements and the shape of the frame and chassis of the known trucks left this little freedom of design.

Forklifts are known from the prior art, which deal with the placement of a tank in the frame. The following documents may be mentioned: DE 27 16 223 A1; DE 30 47 595 A1; DE 41 09 899 A1; DE 89 04 166 U1; DE 692 12 653 T2; EP 0 187 01 1 A1. The present invention has for its object to provide an industrial truck, especially forklift, with a Vorderachsanordnung, a rear-side counterweight device, a connecting frame between the Vorderachsanordnung and the counterweight device and a tank assembly with at least one tank for operating fluid and the frame construction with simple means and comparatively low production costs to improve so that the tank space-saving and protected and can be removed removably as needed and thus no particularly high strength requirements are to be placed on the tank body.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes that each box profile containing a tank at one of the extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck sides is at least so far open that the tank in question on the open side of the chamber can be removed if necessary.

Box profile in this application means an elongated member which defines a chamber area for receiving a tank with preferably three longitudinal sides. Preferably, the box profile has a U-section.

When the box sections are expediently sheet metal parts in the form of at least twice, preferably at right angles while retaining the Biegerichtungssinns bent sheets that form an elongated box structure with an open at least on one side, protective receiving space for the tank in question. Such box profiles can be produced with low production costs and have excellent mechanical properties. Preferably, the sheet metal parts are bent so that the bending edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck are at least approximately parallel to one another. The box profiles can be dimensioned so that on the one hand a sufficiently large Receiving can provide for the tank or possibly for multiple tanks, on the other hand, but also have a relatively small footprint in the overall frame construction. The box sections may be connected to the front axle structure and the rear counterweight device in a variety of ways, e.g. B. by welds and / or screw.

The space between the box sections can be free of other supporting frame parts and used to accommodate components and units of the truck, such as for housing the internal combustion engine in the case of a truck with internal combustion engine drive.

According to a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one tank of the tank assembly is made of a plastic which is not attacked by the fluid to be stored therein. It comes z. B. various polyamides or possibly also polypropylene as materials in question. Synthetic resins are also suitable for tank production.

The tank can be made entirely of plastic material with all components directly associated with it. However, it should not be ruled out that subcomponents, such as connection means, support elements or the like. Made of metal.

The box profiles provide areas and stable areas for the arrangement of fasteners for various components. Such fasteners are preferably welded to the box sections. Such a fastening part could, for. B. be a support bracket for an engine or a gearbox of the truck. Another fastener could z. B. be a receptacle for the articulated fixing a tilting cylinder for a parallel to the truck front tilting mast. According to one embodiment of the invention, a driver's seat assembly or a driver's cab is supported and fixed on the connecting frame of box profiles. Before that is the lifting device of the truck with a likewise supported on the connecting frame and possibly the Vorderachsanordnung mast.

The truck is preferably a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, wherein the tank accommodated in one of the box sections is a fuel tank for the internal combustion engine. This can be z. As a diesel tank, a liquefied gas tank or a gas tank. As already mentioned, in the case of such an internal combustion engine driven truck according to the invention can be arranged on the box sections fastening devices for fixing the drive motor, preferably welded. The drive motor with transmission components may extend down into a free space between the box sections. The fuel tank is protected in such a configuration according to the invention and housed at a short distance from the engine, so that no excessively long fuel lines are required.

Preferably, each box profile has at least one chamber delimited by its box profile sides, in which a tank of the tank arrangement is accommodated. Thus, a fuel tank can be accommodated in one chamber and a hydraulic tank in the other chamber. In this regard, all variations of the placement of different tanks in the box section chambers are conceivable.

According to the invention, each box profile containing a tank is at least so far open on one of the sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck that the relevant tank can be removed from the chamber on the open side if required. Accordingly, the insertion of the tank when assembling the truck or in the case of an exchange is very easy. Preferably, each box profile containing a tank is open to the outside on the connection frame. This allows easy access to the tank housing chamber from the relevant side of the truck and also facilitates maintenance and inspection of the tank. In alternative embodiments, at least one of the box profiles can be closed laterally on the outside and z. B. be open at the top of the connection frame. The insertion and removal of the tank then takes place from above.

To cover the respective open side of the respective box profile to the outside expediently removably attached to the truck lid part is present. This cover part is preferably made of metal, so as to ensure a stable protection of the tank on the open side of the box section. Alternatively, however, the lid part could be made of a sufficiently stable plastic, which would bring weight advantages.

Preferably, the box sections are formed symmetrically relative to each other with respect to a vertical plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck. This allows a correspondingly symmetrical frame stability distribution and is also advantageous from the design point of view as well as with a view to simplified production.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows in a partial explosion representation of frame components

Vorderachshaltestruktur and counterweight device and a tank with frame cover part of a first embodiment of an internal combustion engine driven truck according to the invention in a perspective view. Fig. 2 shows in a part exploded view of frame components with Vorderachshaltestruktur and counterweight device of a second embodiment of the invention in a perspective view.

In Fig. 1, a connecting frame 6 formed of two elongate box sections 2, 4 is shown between a front axle holding structure 8 and a counterweight device 10. The essentially mirror-symmetrical box sections 2, 4 are bent sheet metal parts with a double right-angled fold to a respective common side, so that they have at least approximately a U-profile in cross-section, wherein the bending edges 12, 14 in the arrangement shown in the longitudinal direction of the shown components having industrial truck run. The elongated box sections in this direction limit with their box profile - pages 3, 5, 7; 9, 1 1, 13 each open on one side chambers 16, 18 for receiving a plastic tank 20. The chambers 16, 18 are open sideways outwardly on the connection frame 6, so that they are easily accessible for the introduction and deployment of a tank 20. In Fig. 1, the tank 20 is designed for installation in the chamber 16 and shaped so that it can fill the chamber 16 substantially completely. After installation of the plastic tank 20, the chamber 16 is then closed by a lateral cover part 22 at its open side. The cover part 22 is screwed to the intermediate frame 6 and can be easily disassembled when needed in order to gain access to the plastic tank 20 in the box profile chamber 16.

The Vorderachshaltestruktur 8 is part of a Vorderachsanordnung and serves to receive and support a drive axle with front wheels, which are covered by the recognizable in Fig. 1 wheel arches 24, 26 upwards and backwards. The recognizable in the example Vorderachshaltestruktur 8 can, for. B. be a steel casting, which is preferably welded to the connecting frame 6.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, for example, as a supporting Component formed front axle to be directly connected to the connection frame.

With the counterbalance device 10, the connecting frame 6 is preferably connected by screw fasteners (not shown). In the embodiment of Fig. 1 is a frame structure or chassis structure for a combustion engine driven forklift. The internal combustion engine with transmission components etc. is u. a. supported on support brackets 28 which are welded to the two opposite sides of the box sections 2, 4. As further functional components there Befestigungselemte 30, 32 for the articulated storage of hydraulic tilt cylinders of a mast of the forklift (not shown) welded.

In Fig. 1, the gap 34 between the box sections 2, 4 downwards free. This gap 34 serves as installation space for a part of the internal combustion engine and associated components.

On the connecting frame 6, a driver's seat module is attached in the finished assembled state of the truck, which is surrounded by a car.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 only by the shape of the two box sections 2, 4, so that for the sake of understanding of the second embodiment can be largely referenced to the explanations to the first embodiment. Elements in FIG. 2 that correspond structurally or functionally to elements in FIG. 1 are labeled with corresponding reference numerals and a suffixed a.

In the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the box profiles 2 a, 4 a are likewise mainly sheet metal parts which are bent at substantially the right angle twice and which are provided in the longitudinal direction of the industrial truck. However, the thus formed chambers 16a, 18a outside the connection frame 6a closed on the outside, but are open towards the top, so that the use of a tank would be made in the relevant chamber 16a and 18a from above , In both exemplary embodiments, the box sections 2, 4 or 2a, 4a form essential supporting frame parts which can be manufactured and mounted in such a way that only a few and short weld seams have to be drawn compared to conventional industrial trucks. In each of the chambers 16, 18 and 16a, 18a, a tank, in particular lightweight plastic tank protected to be included. Other sensitive and thus protected components, such as batteries, fluid lines, electrical lines, etc., could be placed or misplaced in the respective chambers.

Claims

claims

1 . Truck with a front Vorderachsanordnung (8, 8a), a rear-side counterweight device (10, 10a), a connecting frame (6, 6a) between the Vorderachsanordnung (8, 8a) and the counterweight device (10, 10a) and a tank assembly with at least one tank (20) for operating fluid, wherein the connecting frame (6, 6a) has two box sections (2, 4; 2a, 4a) running laterally between the front axle arrangement (8, 8a) and the counterweight device (10, 10a) in the longitudinal direction of the truck comprises a tank (20) of the tank arrangement, in which a chamber (16, 18, 16a, 18a) which is delimited by the box profile sides of at least one of the box profiles (2, 4;

characterized in that each box section (2, 4; 2a, 4a) containing a tank (20) is at least as wide open on one of the sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the industrial truck that the tank (20) in question, if required, on the open side from the chamber (16, 18, 16a, 18a) can be removed.

2. Truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one tank (20) of the tank assembly is made of plastic.

3. Truck according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an internal combustion engine as a drive motor and that in one of the box sections (2, 4, 2a, 4a) recorded tank (20) is a fuel tank for the internal combustion engine.

4. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arranged on the box sections (2, 4; 2a, 4a) fastening devices for fastening the drive motor, are preferably welded and that the drive motor attached thereto in a free space (34, 34a) between the box profiles (2, 4, 2a, 4a) extends.

5. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one of the box sections (2, 4, 2a, 4a) recorded tank is a hydraulic fluid tank for a hydraulic lifting device of the truck.

6. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one of the box profile sides of the other box section (2, 4; 2a, 4a) limited chamber (16, 18, 16a, 18a) a tank of the tank assembly is housed.

A truck according to claim 6, characterized in that the tanks accommodated in the chambers (16, 18; 16a, 18a) comprise a fuel tank and a hydraulic fluid tank.

8. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the box sections (2, 4, 2a, 4a) is an at least two folded sheet steel.

9. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each box (20) containing a box profile (2, 4) sideways on the connecting frame (6) is open.

10. Truck according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that each box-containing box profile is open at the top of the connecting frame.

1 1. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a lid attached to the truck detachable (22) for covering the open side of the respective box profile (2, 4) to the outside.

12. Truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box sections (2, 4; 2a, 4a) are formed symmetrically to each other with respect to a vertical plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck.

13. Industrial truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box sections (2, 4, 2a, 4a) and the counterweight device (10, 10a) are fastened to each other by screw connections.