DE20009127U1 - Movable platform for carrying loads and vehicle body with such a platform - Google Patents

Description

Lawyers
Ulrich H. Sander
Sabine Richter

Martinistrasse 24
D-28195 Bremen
Tel.+49-10)421-36 35 0

•&lgr;&lgr;&lgr; Fax+49-(0)421-337 8788 (G3)

Bremen, May 23, 2000 Fax+49(0)421-328 8631 (G4)

mail@eisenfuhr.com

Our sign: W 2050 MAN/cmU

Applicant/Owner: WIFATEC FAHRZEUG-SYSTEM. Reference number: New registration

Patent Attorneys European Patent Attorneys Dipl.-Ing. Henning Christiansen Dipl.-Ing. Joachim von Oppen Dipl.-Ing. Jutta Kaden

Alicante

European Trademark Attorney Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Klinghardt

wifatec vehicle system technology GmbH, Auf der Tappenau 15, 32469 Petershagen

Movable platform for carrying loads and vehicle body with such a platform

The present invention relates to a movable platform for carrying loads, in particular for vehicles, trailers or swap bodies, comprising: a loading area for receiving loads and a substructure under the loading area, which has receptacles in which a drive unit and transmission means for transmitting a movement of the drive unit into the travel movement of the platform are accommodated. Such a movable platform for carrying loads is known and is commercially available, for example, from the utility model holder.

Platforms of this type are often used as intermediate floors in swap bodies for truck attachments. Swap bodies are characterized by the fact that they can be placed as a unit on the loading area of a truck. In order to enable a quick change of the load on a truck, these swap bodies are often removed as a unit and parked freely, i.e. without an associated vehicle, in parking lots or the like.

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In order to make the best possible use of the loading space provided by such swap bodies, an intermediate floor or several intermediate floors are often provided in the loading space of the swap body. Such intermediate floors can be used to divide the loading space vertically, so that, for example, even when the swap body is fully loaded, objects can be removed from the middle area of the swap body without the load above having to be stacked.

In the current state of the art, the drive unit is powered by energy from the vehicle, for example the vehicle’s electric battery.

Taking into account the aforementioned prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a movable platform for carrying loads and a vehicle body with such a platform, which is fully functional on its own.

This object is achieved by a movable platform with the features of claim 1 or by a vehicle body with such a platform according to claim 8. Advantageous further developments of the present invention are specified in the subclaims.

Particularly in the area of application of swap bodies, the invention offers the advantage that the intermediate floor or floors can be moved to handle loads even without an associated vehicle. In this way, a parked swap body can be loaded or unloaded independently of a vehicle with optimal use of the loading space.

The platform for carrying loads according to the invention is particularly suitable for mobile use in vehicles, trailers or swap bodies and has a loading area on which loads can be accommodated. Furthermore, a substructure with supports is provided under the loading area. In this way, the

Loading and unloading of potentially bulky objects, mechanically loaded loading area, components that are housed in the substructure. The loading area can be flat, stepped or otherwise designed according to the goods to be loaded. The holders can also be open at the sides and/or bottom, as long as they offer a fastening option for the necessary components.

According to the invention, a drive unit is accommodated in the receptacles, with which a movement for moving the platform can be generated, so that the position of the platform can be adapted to the shape and size of the loads to be carried without manual effort. Furthermore, according to the invention, transmission means for transmitting the movement of the drive unit to the movement of the platform are accommodated in the receptacles, which increases the degree of freedom when arranging the drive unit and thus enables a more effective force-displacement ratio. Furthermore, a power source is accommodated in the substructure, which supplies the drive unit with power. By integrating a power source into the platform, the platform is independent of an external power supply. It can be used without additional infrastructure having to be provided in the surrounding area.

The drive unit preferably comprises an electric motor and the power source is at least one high-performance battery, which is preferably designed as a rechargeable secondary battery. The use of a high-performance battery currently represents the best compromise between low space requirements and weight on the one hand and high power output on the other. The use of a secondary battery makes it possible to supply power to the battery from the outside for charging and avoids a complete replacement of the batteries. The preferred electric motor allows the ratio between power output and energy requirements or space requirements in the feature combination to be further

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improve because, for example, a high-speed electric motor with low starting torque can be used to operate the batteries with a lower capacity.

In order to meet the mobile application requirements, to avoid possible damage to the loads to be carried and to provide greater safety during operation, at least one high-performance battery is made up of at least one sealed cell with bound electrolyte. This prevents acid from leaking and the battery is mechanically protected.

An absorbent fleece is preferably used as a binding agent, which allows the charging gases generated to be recombinated within the cell. There is no need to refill the batteries with distilled water or another conventional liquid suitable for servicing batteries. Furthermore, the batteries do not emit gases, which further increases the safety of operation.

In order to further improve the ratio between energy requirement and power development when driving the movable platform, the drive means according to a preferred embodiment further comprise a hydraulic fluid pump and a hydraulic cylinder.

Although it is possible to fix the platform in a desired position via the drive means, in order to relieve the load on the drive means it is preferable to further provide locking means for fixing the platform in a desired position. These locking means may be driven so that they can be operated externally.

According to the preferred field of application of the invention, the movable platform is provided in a vehicle body according to the combination of features described above. This vehicle body can be a body of a tractor, a body of a trailer or - according to a particularly preferred embodiment - a swap body for trucks.

In this application, it is preferable to provide columns to guide the movement of the platform, thus preventing tilting or other possible malfunctions of the platform.

According to a preferred embodiment, a particularly space-saving and effective transmission is provided by transmission means in the form of cables that are guided in the columns. Due to the guidance, there are no moving parts in the loading area, with the exception of the movable platform, that could damage the load or endanger operating personnel.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the movable platform according to the invention,

designed as an intermediate floor in a swap body for a truck, and the swap body in side view showing the longitudinal extension;

Figure 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the transverse extension of the

intermediate floor shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a front support column of the swap body according to Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a corresponding plan view of a rear support column;

Figure 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the movable platform;

Figure 6 shows schematically in cross section and in plan view the inventive

movable platform; and

Figure 7 is a broken plan view of the movable

Platform from which the arrangement of the individual components can be seen particularly well.

First, with reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a movable platform is shown, which - as is currently preferred - is designed as

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Intermediate floor in a swap body for a truck. A load 12 is symbolically shown on the movable platform 10, which can be accommodated in the intermediate bridge on the movable platform 10 and also (not shown) under the movable platform on a corresponding load-bearing surface 13. The movable platform 10 is guided and held on the left and right of Figure 1 by support columns 18, as will be described in detail later.

In the upper area, the swap body is closed by a roof structure 26, which gives the swap body additional stability.

The swap body is also provided with folding supports 22 so that it can be parked without an associated truck. When the swap body is attached to the associated receiving area of the truck, the folding supports 22 can be folded into associated receiving spaces 24 and locked there using suitable locking devices - for example latch elements 25. When locked, the folding supports 22 are aligned with the underside of the intermediate bridge so that they do not represent an obstruction.

Furthermore, in Figure 1, a central stanchion is shown at 20, which represents a division, guide and holder for insert slats. These insert slats form reinforcements for tarpaulins or the like in an essentially known manner.

Figure 2 shows how the support columns 18 for the intermediate floor 10 are connected via suitably designed connecting elements at the upper end to the roof structure 26 and at the lower end to the floor construction, thus giving stability to the swap body.

Cable pulleys 28 roll off the support columns 18, which on the one hand guide the movement of the intermediate floor 10, and on the other hand provide a deflection for a wire rope mechanism which serves as a traction element to lift the intermediate floor 10.

• ··* > ···

schenboden 10. By selecting a suitable size of the cable pulley 28 and possibly other (not shown) rollers of the transmission mechanism, the cable transmission mechanism can also be given a suitable reduction or transmission ratio, in the sense of a cable transmission, in order to influence the movement and force ratios as desired. The other cable pulleys can be suitably accommodated in other receiving rollers 50 of the substructure 16.

Figures 3 and 4 show top views of the support columns 18 for the intermediate floor. The arrow F indicates the usual direction of travel of the swap body. The support columns have cable holders 34, which in the embodiment shown are provided with two cable thimbles. It is preferable to design the cable holders in a half-trapezoid shape (as shown in Figures 3 and 4), so that guide surfaces 36 and 38 are formed on the trapezoid sides, which can continue downwards and then form guide surfaces for the cable pulleys 28.

The sectional view of Figure 5 shows in particular how the substructure 16 under the loading area 14 of the intermediate floor forms receiving spaces 39, 50. The receiving space 39 is intended for a high-performance battery, which typically consists of several cells. Since the individual cells have to be electrically connected to one another, a cable guide 48 is also provided in the substructure 16 of the intermediate floor 10, in which these connections can be safely guided. The receiving space 39 for the high-performance secondary battery is provided with a cover 42, which is attached to the intermediate floor via suitable fastening elements - in the embodiment shown via screw connections 44 - in such a way that its upper side is flush with the rest of the loading area 14.

Figure 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the intermediate floor 10 in the upper part and shows in particular bars 38 which can be moved outwards, typically displaced or pivoted, via rods (not shown) in Figure 6. By moving the bars 38 outwards, they engage in

P · * t

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a locking grid on the support columns, which has proven to be preferred in steps of approximately 100 mm. Connections 52 for supply lines are provided on the side of the intermediate floor, as shown in Figure 6.

These connection options are also shown in Figure 7. The cutaway top view of Figure 7 shows that the connection options for supply lines are arranged in a position at the edge of the intermediate floor that represents the shortest possible connection route to the components to be supplied.

A component to be supplied is shown in Figure 7 as an electric motor 60. The electric motor 60 is coupled to a hydraulic fluid pump 62, so that a rotation of the electric motor 60 actuates the hydraulic fluid pump 62. This hydraulic fluid pump 62 conveys hydraulic fluid held in a hydraulic fluid reservoir 64 to a hydraulic cylinder 66. The hydraulic cylinder 66 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension of the intermediate floor in order to enable the greatest possible travel path of the intermediate floor. In order to enable the most uniform possible introduction of force with respect to the planar extension of the intermediate floor 10, the hydraulic cylinder 66 is also arranged along the symmetry axis of the intermediate floor. In a known manner, the hydraulic cylinder 66 has a piston rod 68, which in the exemplary embodiment ends in a cable thimble 70. The hydraulic cylinder 66, piston rod 68 and cable thimble 70 are accommodated in a corresponding receiving space 50 of the intermediate floor.

Figure 7 also shows four cells 40, which together form the power source for the electric motor 60. They are accommodated in receiving spaces in the intermediate floor, which are separated from one another by partition walls 46. The partition walls 46 allow the individual cells 40 to be held securely and thus protect them from mechanical damage. Figure 7 also shows schematically how the individual cells 40 are connected to one another via connections 48 in order to form the power source together.

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According to the preferred embodiment, the batteries are maintenance-free high-performance batteries with sealed cells in which the electrolyte is fleece-bound. This means that refilling with distilled water and the required acid measurements are not necessary. Furthermore, the batteries do not emit gases, as the charging gases that arise are recombined within the cells. They are therefore particularly well suited for the present application and are commercially available, for example, under the trade name Champion-IBV high-performance battery from Industrie-Batterie-Vertriebs-GmbH, Hamburg.

With a no lower dead weight of the intermediate floor and a payload on the intermediate floor, a battery power and capacity of up to 1600 Ah at a nominal voltage of 24 volts has proven to be suitable.

The intermediate floor according to the preferred embodiment is operated as follows:

If the intermediate floor is parked in a parking lot or the like, for example, without an associated truck and, as shown in Figure 1, it can be loaded and unloaded while maintaining its full functionality by sending a signal to the electric motor 60 via the connection 52 for a control line via a suitable control panel. The signal causes the electric motor 60 to rotate. The electric motor 60 draws its power from the battery cells 40. The rotation of the electric motor 60 actuates the hydraulic fluid pump 62, which actuates the hydraulic cylinder 66 via the hydraulic fluid present in the reservoir 64. The hydraulic cylinder is preferably a pulling cylinder. At the end of the hydraulic cylinder, two cables are usually articulated in the cable thimble 70, which lift the intermediate floor 10 via deflections and the cable pulley 28 when the piston rod 68 moves into the hydraulic cylinder 66. At the desired position, the intermediate floor can be locked using the latches 38, preferably automatically driven and

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Can be operated externally from a control unit via the control line, so that the intermediate floor cannot "jump" upwards even when driving unevenly over uneven ground. The intermediate floor can be lowered using the weight of the intermediate floor 10 and, if applicable, the load 12 to be loaded.

Should the capacity of the batteries 40 be exhausted, they can be recharged in the installed state via the connection 52 for a 24-volt line and a suitable charging circuit 72 without requiring replacement.

Claims (11)

1. Movable platform ( 10 ) for carrying loads ( 12 ), in particular for vehicles, trailers or swap bodies, comprising: a loading area ( 14 ) for receiving loads and a substructure ( 16 ) under the loading area ( 14 ) which has receptacles ( 39 , 50 ) in which a drive unit ( 60 , 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 ) and transmission means ( 40 ) for transmitting a movement of the drive unit ( 60 , 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 ) into the travel movement of the platform ( 10 ) are accommodated, characterized in that a power source ( 40 ) which supplies the drive unit ( 60 ) with power is also arranged on the substructure ( 16 ). 2. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit has an electric motor ( 60 ) and the power source is at least one high-performance battery ( 40 ), which is preferably designed as a rechargeable secondary battery. 3. Platform according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one high-performance battery is constructed from at least one sealed cell ( 40 ) with bound electrolyte. 4. Platform according to claim 3, characterized in that an absorbent fleece is provided as a binding agent, through which the resulting charging gases can be recombined within the cell. 5. Platform according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit further comprises a hydraulic fluid pump ( 62 ) and a hydraulic cylinder ( 66 ). 6. Platform according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform ( 10 ) further comprises locking means ( 38 ) for fixing the platform in a desired position. 7. Platform according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means ( 38 ) are driven. 8. Vehicle body with a movable platform according to at least one of the preceding claims. 9. Vehicle structure according to claim 8, characterized in that columns ( 18 ) are provided for guiding the travel movement of the platform. 10. Vehicle structure according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmission means comprise cables which are guided in the pillars ( 18 ). 11. Vehicle body according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the vehicle body is a swap body.