WO2022013074A1

WO2022013074A1 - Loading bridge arrangement, loading bridge controller and method for operating a loading bridge

Info

Publication number: WO2022013074A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/069073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Sanke
Original assignee: Hörmann KG Antriebstechnik
Priority date: 2020-07-17
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2022-01-20
Also published as: DE102020122464A1

Abstract

A loading bridge controller (16.1, 16.2) is designed in such a way that a command for starting at least one predetermined movement of the loading bridge (12.1, 12.2) is output only upon actuation of an actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) for a predetermined minimum actuation period.

Description

Dock leveler arrangement, dock leveler control and method for

Operating a loading bridge

The invention relates to a dock leveler control, a dock leveler arrangement and a method for operating such.

For the technological background, reference is made to the following references:

[1] "Instructions for installation, operation and maintenance HLS2 / HTL2", company publication of Hörmann KG Vertriebsgesellschaft with the print note 11058527 / 09.2017 from September 2017, downloaded from the Internet on 07/16/2020

[2] "Instructions for assembly, operation and maintenance - control for dock levellers - 460 S - 460 T" company publication of Hörmann KG Vertriebsgesellschaft with the print note TR25E652-A, downloaded from the Internet on July 16, 2020

[3] "Loading technology", company brochure from Hörmann KG Vertriebsgesellschaft with the printer's note as of 05.2019 / print 05.2019 / HF 86278 DE / PDF, downloaded from the Internet on 16.07.2020

[1] shows different dock levellers with dock leveler drives. [2] shows dock leveler controls for such dock levellers. [3] shows dock leveler arrangements that have at least one or more combinations of such a dock leveler and an associated dock leveler control. In some of the loading bridge arrangements, several such loading bridges with loading bridge controls are structurally arranged next to one another.

The invention has set itself the task of dock leveler arrangements from [1],

[2] and [3] known art, which form part of the present disclosure, such to improve that accident risks are reduced despite simple construction and uncomplicated operation.

This object is achieved by a dock leveler control, a dock leveler arrangement and an operating method according to the independent claims.

Advantageous configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a dock leveler control for controlling a dock leveler, the dock leveler control being designed such that a command to start at least one predetermined movement of the dock leveler is only issued when an actuating element is actuated for a predetermined minimum actuation time.

According to a further aspect thereof, the invention provides a dock leveler arrangement comprising a dock leveler with a dock leveler drive for driving a movement of the dock leveler and a dock leveler controller for controlling the movement of the dock leveler, the dock leveler controller having a user interface with an actuating element for issuing a control command, on which the Movement of the dock leveler is started, the dock leveler controller being designed such that at least one predetermined movement of the dock leveler is initiated only when the actuating element is actuated for a predetermined minimum actuation time.

It is preferred that the minimum actuation time is 2 s to 10 s, preferably 2.5 s to 4.5 s and particularly preferably 3 s.

It is preferred that the actuator is an autoreturn actuator for initiating an autoreturn movement of the dock leveler, a lift actuator for raising the dock leveler, or a lip actuator for actuating a lip of the dock leveler. It is preferred that the dock leveler control has a number of different adjustable function modes, with one or more function modes in which at least one predetermined movement of the dock leveler is only initiated when the actuating element is actuated for the predetermined minimum actuation time, can be selected by pre-programming or setting, or can be set manually or automatically is.

It is preferred that a warning signal output device is provided for outputting an acoustic and/or visual warning signal, the dock leveler control being set up to actuate the warning signal output device to output a visual or acoustic warning signal during or during the actuation of the actuating element. It is preferred that the warning signal output device is designed to output a visual warning signal to a person located in a loading space of a vehicle docked on the loading bridge. In particular, an optical warning signal output device is arranged in an interior space of a loading point, e.g. in a dock leveler lock. In one embodiment, it is provided that a charging light is designed to illuminate the area of the charging point to emit a visual warning signal, e.g. by flashing and/or by changing color or the like, or is equipped with an additional warning signal lamp such as a flashing light.

It is preferred that a plurality of dock levellers are provided, each with actuating elements assigned to the dock leveller, the warning signal output device being designed to output warning signals assigned to the individual dock levellers when the assigned actuating element is actuated.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method for operating a dock leveler arrangement which has at least one dock leveler with dock leveler drive that can be controlled by a dock leveler controller, comprising actuating an actuating element for a predetermined minimum actuation period in order to start movement of the dock leveler. The method preferably includes automatic delivery of a pre-warning signal to a person located in the area of a vehicle standing on the dock leveler when or during the actuation of the actuation element for the minimum actuation time.

The method is preferably designed to operate a dock leveler control that has at least a first and a second dock leveler and a first actuating element for starting a movement of the first dock leveler and a second actuating element for starting a movement of the second dock leveler, with the actuating element for starting the movement must be actuated at least for the minimum actuation time and wherein a first pre-warning signal is emitted when the first actuating element is actuated and a second pre-warning signal is emitted when the second actuating element is actuated.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a computer program product comprising machine-readable control instructions which, when loaded into the dock leveler controller of the dock leveler arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, cause the dock leveler arrangement to carry out the method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

Examples of the dock leveler control, the dock leveler drives and the dock leveler controls are shown in references [1], [2] and [3]. Embodiments of the invention differ in particular by an additional function or device of the dock leveler control such that potentially dangerous movements of the dock leveler for personnel on or in the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded can only be started by a long operation of the corresponding actuating element. Optionally, a pre-warning signal can be given.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a long button press on dock levellers. In particular, embodiments of the invention include a Setup or a step of a long press with pre-warning to command execution in a dock leveler controller.

In loading technology, serious accidents can occur if the dock leveler is accidentally actuated and raised by a third party, e.g. when loading personnel drive out of the trailer. For example, it is conceivable that a loading worker who has carried out the loading, standing on a lift truck, drives backwards into a raised edge of the dock leveler and, in the worst case, smashes both ankles. This can e.g. This can happen, for example, if a third party accidentally presses a button on the dock leveler control for a short time. A solution for such cases could be that e.g. g. via a key switch, locks a user interface, e.g. the lid keyboard of the dock leveler control, during the loading process. However, this solution would have the disadvantages that the key switch means additional expenditure on equipment and institutions and, on the other hand, the key should always be available when it is needed. Also, locking the keyboard can easily be forgotten by the loading worker.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, in order to prevent accidental incorrect operation, a long button press (preferably 3 seconds) can be programmed on the controller. In this case, the button must be pressed for 3 seconds before the move command is executed. Optionally, a warning signal can be output during the actuation period, e.g. during the 3 seconds.

You don't need a key switch or similar, as it is a purely software-based solution.

Accidental operating errors are prevented, since a long button press is not an accident.

The embodiments of the present invention can be preferably accomplished by changing the hardware or software of those shown in references [1], [2] to [3]. Loading bridges, loading bridge controls and loading bridge arrangement are obtained.

For the time of the long button press, e.g. more than 3 seconds, i.e. before the dock leveler starts moving, you can also send out a yellow warning signal for the loading employee, e.g. via a connected signal light, especially traffic light, more especially LED traffic light in the loading area. This signals to him that the dock leveler is about to start moving. This would also ensure that the operator does not accidentally operate the control of the wrong dock leveler, since the controls and dock levellers are often lined up on site, so it is not always easy to see at first glance whether the control is on the left or the right Loading bridge operated. This has also resulted in serious accidents in the past. This can be combined by issuing the clear warning signal assigned to the respective loading bridge. In addition, a yellow LED warning light in the lid keyboard could also be used to signal to the operator on the controller that a movement or command execution is due in a short time. Acoustic warning signals parallel to the flashing frequency of the warning light are also conceivable, as are exclusively acoustic signals.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It shows:

1 shows a perspective view of a dock leveler arrangement with a first and a second dock leveler from the outside, the first dock leveler being controllable by a first dock leveler control and the second dock leveler being controllable by a second dock leveler control;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of

Loading bridge control for controlling the respective loading bridges from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows schematic representations of three steps for placing the first or second loading bridge of the loading bridge arrangement from FIG. 1 onto a vehicle to be loaded or unloaded; FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of five steps for returning the respective dock leveler of the dock leveler arrangement of FIG. 1;

5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a dock leveler arrangement with a first dock leveler and a second dock leveler and associated dock leveler controls in each case;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the dock leveler controls of Fig.

5;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of different steps for placing one of the loading bridges of the loading bridge arrangement from FIG. 5 onto a vehicle to be loaded or unloaded;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of five steps for returning the dock leveler of Fig. 7 to its rest position.

1 shows a schematic representation of a dock leveler arrangement 10 . The dock leveler assembly 10 has a first dock leveler 12.1 at a first loading point 14.1 of a building and a second dock leveler 12.2. at a second loading point 14.2 of the building. Furthermore, the dock leveler arrangement 10 has a first dock leveler controller 16.1 for controlling the first dock leveler 12.1 and a second dock leveler controller 16.2 for controlling the second dock leveler 12.2. The dock leveler controls 16.1.

16.2 are shown only schematically by dashed rectangles in FIG. 1, which shows an outside view of the building, since the dock leveler controls 16.1, 16.2 are located inside the building. The dock leveler controls 16.1, 16.2 are designed as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the dock leveler arrangement 10 has a first warning signal output device 18.1 assigned to the first dock leveler 12.1 and controlled by the first dock leveler control 16.1 and a second warning signal output device 18.2 assigned to the second dock leveler 12.2 and controlled by the second dock leveler control 16.2. The warning signal output devices 18.1, 18.2 each have an acoustic signal transmitter 46 (not shown in detail in FIG. 1) and a traffic light system in the form of a traffic light 20.1, 20.2, each of the traffic lights 20.1, 20.2 having a red light R, a yellow light Y and a green light G. The traffic light 20.1, 20.2 is arranged in such a way that it can also be seen from the inside of a vehicle docked at the loading point Vehicle 40 can be seen. Alternatively or additionally, the warning signal output device 18.1, 18.2 can contain a flashing light or charging light (not shown - for more details see [3]) visible through the loading opening of the loading point. The charging light can be used to illuminate the charging point and the interior of the vehicle 40 during the charging process and can also have an optical warning function, such as a flashing function, in order to emit the warning signal. The warning signal output device 18.1, 18.2 can also have a signal lamp arranged, for example, inside a loading house (not shown, see [3] for more details).

The dock levellers 12.1, 12.2 of the first embodiment of the dock leveler arrangement 10 shown in FIG. The platform 24 can be raised by means of a hydraulic drive having a pump motor and lowered by actuating solenoid valves. The folding lip 26 is hinged to the front edge of the platform 24 so that it can be folded and can also be raised via the hydraulic drive and lowered via solenoid valves. The dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2 is set up to control the hydraulic drive and the solenoid valves according to stored sequence programs.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first embodiment of the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2 has a first and second actuating element 28.1, 28.2 for actuating the dock leveler. The first actuator 28.1 is a bridge run button 30 and the second actuator 28.2 is an auto-return button 32. Next, the dock leveler controller 16.1, 16.2 has a user information device 34 for outputting information to the user 42, herez. B. in the form of a two-digit seven-segment display 36 on. The embodiment of the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2 shown in FIG. 2 also has an optional third actuating element in the form of a dock shelter button 38 for actuating a dock shelter that is not shown in detail here. As Fig. 3 shows, the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2 is set up by appropriate programming using a computer program product, which is loaded into a microprocessor, not shown, of the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2, the associated dock leveler 12.1, 12.2 on a vehicle 40, such as in particular trucks, which go to the appropriate loading point

14.1, 14.2 has approached to take off. Next is the dock leveler control

16.1, 16.2 are designed to move the associated dock leveler 12.1, 12.2 from the position resting on the vehicle into the rest position according to pre-programmed sequence programs, with the individual steps being shown in FIG.

Fig. 3 shows the individual steps in the "Place loading bridge" process. To place the platform 24 on the bed of the vehicle 40, an operator 42 presses and holds the bridge run button 30 as shown in step 1 of FIG. The platform 24 moves up to the highest position. A pressure switch responds there. The folding lip 26 is then extended, as shown in step 2 of FIG. Then the bridge run button 30 is released. The dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2 switches off the hydraulic pump and controls a solenoid valve for lowering. The platform 24 lowers onto the bed 44 of the vehicle 40 as shown in step 3 of FIG. In this final position shown in FIG. 3 , the platform lowering solenoid valve 24 remains open, allowing the platform 24 to move with the vehicle 40 . In this position, the vehicle 40 is unloaded or loaded by the operator 42. This drives z. B. with an industrial truck on the vehicle 40 and then moves out again over the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2 from the vehicle 40. If the operator 42 is now in the vehicle 40 with the industrial truck and the platform 24 is raised without the operator 42 noticing, this can lead to accidents. Such a situation could e.g. B. by accidental actuation of one of the actuators 28.1, 28.2 by another person who may want to operate the other dock leveler 12.2 at the other loading point 14.1, 14.2 and thus accidentally actuates the actuator 28.1, 28.2. For this reason, the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2 contains a program that can be selected and activated. If the function is provided, the program can be automatically activated by the placement process shown in FIG. With this safety program, a movement of the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2 is only started when the actuating element 28.1, 28.2 is continuously actuated for a predetermined actuating period. For example, the actuating element 28.1, 28.2 must be kept pressed for at least 2.5 s, preferably 3 s, before the movement of the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2 to be actuated by the actuating element 28.1, 28.2 begins.

This is explained below with reference to the illustration in FIG. 4 . If an operator 42 wants to move the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2 from the support position shown in step 3 of Fig. 3, which is marked with 1 in Fig. 4, back to its rest position, he must press the autoreturn button 32 according to Fig. 4, step 2 keep it pressed for a longer period of time, here more than 3 s. The length of the longer period of actuation is set in such a way that the corresponding function is not initiated by accidental actuation, but that it is clear that the actuation is intentional. As indicated in step 3 of FIG. 4, the yellow light Y of the assigned traffic light 20.1, 20.2 is actuated to flash. In addition, an acoustic signal 48 is emitted by the associated warning signal output device 18.1, 18.2 by means of the acoustic signal transmitter 46. The acoustic signals 48 of the different warning signal output devices 18.1, 18.2 preferably differ. As can be seen from Fig.

1, the traffic light 20.1, 20.2 can also be seen from inside the vehicle 40, so that an operator 42 located on the loading area 44 is warned of an incipient movement of the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2.

By pressing the autoreturn button 32 for 3 seconds, a return program is started in the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2. The loading bridge control 16.1, 16.2 controls the assigned loading bridges 12.1, 12.2 in such a way that the platform 24 moves upwards and at the same time the folding lip 26 is folded in. When the folding lip 26 is fully folded in, the platform 24 lowers to the rest position. 5-8 show a second embodiment of a loading bridge arrangement 10 with corresponding loading bridges 12.1, 12.2, loading bridge control 16.1, 16.2 and warning signal output device 18.1, 18.2. The main difference here is that the dock levellers 12.1, 12.2 are not designed as hinged lip dock levellers, but as telescopic dock levellers 50 with the platform 24 and a telescopic lip 52. The assigned dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2, which is shown in FIG. 6, has four actuating elements 28.1-28.4 for controlling the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2, with the first and second actuating element 28.1, in addition to the bridge run button 30 and the autoreturn button 32, being 28.2 a lip-forward button 54 and a lip-back button 56 third actuating element 28.3, as a fourth actuating element 28.4 are present.

According to FIG. 7, the loading bridge 12.1, 12.2 is placed. onto the loading area 44 of the vehicle 40 by continuously pressing the bridge run button 30 (step 1) to raise, simultaneously pressing the lip advance button 54 to advance the feed lip 52 (step 2) and releasing the buttons 54, 30 ( Step 3) to lower. This process in turn activates the security program, after which a subsequent movement of the dock leveler 12.1, 12.2, in particular a raising of the platform 24, only begins after a long press of the button. In the example of FIG. 8 , the operator 52 must again - step 2 - hold down the autoreturn button 323 s before the platform 40 rises from the support position shown as step 1 . During this time before the lifting, the warning signal output device 18.1, 18.2--step 3--in turn outputs the optical warning signal--yellow light flashing of the traffic light 20.1, 20.2--and/or the acoustic warning signal 48. Then, as indicated in step 4 of FIG. 8, the platform 24 is raised and the feed lip 52 is automatically retracted, then, when the feed lip is fully retracted, the loading bridge 12.1, 12.2 is lowered to the rest position - step 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the actuating elements 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4 can also be provided on a movable operating unit 58 of the dock leveler control 16.1, 16.2. Reference list:

10 dock leveler arrangement

12.1 first loading bridge

12.2 second loading bridge

14.1 First loading point

14.2 second loading point

16.1 first dock leveler control

16.2 second dock leveler control

18.1 first warning signal output device

18.2 second warning signal output device

20.1 first traffic light

20.2 second traffic light

22 Hinged lip loading bridge 24 Platform 26 Hinged lip

28.1 first actuating element

28.2 second actuating element

28.3 third actuating element

28.4 fourth actuator 30 bridge run button

32 auto-return button 34 user information device 36 seven-segment display 38 dock shelter button 40 vehicle 42 operator 44 loading surface 46 acoustic signal transmitter 48 acoustic signal 50 telescopic lip bridges 52 telescopic lip 54 lip advance button 56 lip reverse button 58 control unit R red light

Y yellow light

G green light

Claims

Expectations:

1. Dock leveler controller (16.1, 16.2) for controlling a dock leveler (12.1, 12.2), the dock leveler controller (16.1, 16.2) being designed in such a way that a command to start at least one predetermined movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) is only given when a Actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) is released over a predetermined minimum actuation period.

2. Dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum actuation time is 2 s to 10 s, preferably 2.5 s to 4.5 s and particularly preferably 3 s.

3. Dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) has an auto-return actuating element (32) for initiating an auto-return movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2), a lifting actuator (30) for raising the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) or a lip actuator (54, 56) for actuating a lip of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2).

4. Dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2) has a plurality of adjustable different functional modes, one functional mode or a plurality of functional modes in which at least one predetermined movement of the dock leveler (12.1; 12.2 ) is only initiated when the actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) is actuated for the predetermined minimum actuating time, can be selected by pre-programming or setting, or can be set manually or automatically.

5. Dock leveler arrangement (10) comprising a dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) with a dock leveler drive for driving a movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) and a dock leveler controller (16.1, 16.2) for controlling the movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2), wherein the Dock leveler controller (16.1, 16.2) has a user interface with an actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) for issuing a control command, upon which the movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) is started, the dock leveler controller (16.1, 16.2) being such is designed such that at least one predetermined movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) is only initiated when the actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) is actuated over a predetermined minimum actuating period.

6. Dock leveler arrangement (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 4.

7. Dock leveler control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a warning signal output device (18.1, 18.2) is provided for outputting an acoustic and/or visual warning signal, the dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2) being set up for this purpose during or in the course of actuation of the actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) to control the warning signal output device (18.1, 18.2) to emit an optical or acoustic warning signal.

8. Dock leveler arrangement (10) according to Claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of dock levellers (12.1, 12.2) are provided, each with actuating elements (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) assigned to the dock levellers (12.1, 12.2), the warning signal output device (18.1, 18.2) is designed to emit warning signals assigned to the individual dock levellers (12.1, 12.2) when the assigned actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) is actuated.

9. Method for operating a dock leveler arrangement (10), which has at least one dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) with a dock leveler drive, which can be controlled by means of a dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2), comprising actuating an actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) for a predetermined minimum actuating period to start a movement of the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized by automatic emission of a pre-warning signal to a person located in the area of a vehicle (40) standing on the dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) when or during the actuation of the actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) over the minimum duration of operation.

11. The method according to claim 10 for operating a dock leveler control (16.1, 16.2), which has at least a first and a second dock leveler (12.1, 12.2) and a first actuating element (28.1) for starting a movement of the first dock leveler (12.1) and a second actuating element (28.2) for starting a movement of the second dock leveler (12.2), wherein to start the movement the actuating element (28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4) must be actuated for at least the minimum actuating time and wherein when the first actuating element (28.1) is actuated, a first pre-warning signal and when the second actuating element (28.2) is actuated, a second pre-warning signal is emitted.

12. Computer program product, comprising machine-readable control instructions which, when loaded into the dock leveler controller (16.1, 16.2) of the dock leveler arrangement (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, cause the dock leveler arrangement (10) to carry out the method according to one of claims 8 to 11 to perform.