ES1282310U - DEVICE FOR COLLECTING PALES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Pallet lifting device comprising a mobile lifting element for pallets, said lifting element comprising at least one hooking system for pallets, and at least one guide that allows the vertical movement of the mobile element, characterized in that the device It comprises a pallet support base, the pallet support base and the mobile lifting element having relative movement to each other, in such a way that they present a first position in which the base is vertically under the mobile element, and a second position in which the pallet support base is outside the vertical of the mobile element, the lifting element comprising at least two hooking systems and at least two vertical guides, said at least two hooking systems being located opposite each other, the device comprising a casing, the lifting element being located inside said casing, the pallet support base being located below said casing, said casing having a generally rectangular shape, the casing comprising at least one central portion and two lateral portions, the distance between both lateral portions being greater than the width of a pallet, the at least two hooking systems being located on said lateral portions opposite each other. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device for collecting pallets

Usually to pick up pallets a mechanical bull or forklift truck is used, which is a device that comprises a lifting element with two elongated projecting claws that protrude in the horizontal direction and are movable in the vertical direction. The bull is positioned close to the pallet, places the claws towards their lower position until they are at the level of the bottom of the pallet and advances so that the claws are located below the pallet. Then, the nails are raised, raising the pallet and allowing its subsequent transport through the plant to a storage point. The discharge operation requires a reverse operation to that of the load. A problem associated with this type of device is that the protrusions of the truck protrude remarkably, and that entails a risk of accidents in the plant when the bull or truck moves through it. Furthermore, the bull can only lift a single pallet, or a set of previously stacked and secured pallets.

Many times, the use of a bull in a plant implies delimiting a circuit in the plant itself for the bulls, as well as delimiting areas in the plant for the passage of people between the lines of said circuit, limiting the options for the distribution of elements by plant.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pallet lifting device that does not have the above-mentioned defects.

More particularly, the present invention discloses a pallet lifting device comprising a mobile lifting element for pallets, said lifting element comprising at least one hooking system for an external element, preferably for a pallet, and at least a guide that allows the vertical movement of the mobile element, with the particularity that the device comprises a pallet support base, the pallet support base and the mobile lifting element having relative movement with each other, in such a way that they present a first position in which the base is vertically under the mobile element, and a second position in which the pallet support base is outside the vertical of the mobile element.

By not comprising remarkably protruding projections, the device disclosed in the present invention has the advantage that it allows to work safely, notably reducing the possibility of accidents in the factory. Another advantage of the present invention is that the device allows pallets to be picked up anywhere on the work floor, without the need to pre-stack the pallets before picking them up, which in turn implies greater flexibility in the distribution of elements in the plant of work.

It is another advantage of the present invention that it does not have the need to anchor objects or lifting means to the ground, improving flexibility in the distribution of the plant, more specifically a device for collecting pallets at ground level, as well as being a Object of the invention to provide a device that allows to improve safety in said plant.

Preferably, the lifting element comprises at least two hooking systems and at least two vertical guides, said at least two hooking systems being located opposite each other. More preferably, said at least two vertical guides are located in such a way that they allow the vertical movement of each of the at least two hooking systems.

Preferably, the lifting element comprises at least four hooking systems, located in two pairs of hooking systems, each pair of hooking systems being located opposite each other. More preferably, each of the at least two vertical guides is positioned so as to allow vertical movement of each of the at least two pairs of latch systems.

Preferably, the mobile lifting element for pallets comprises a horizontally located connecting guide, said guide mechanically joining the opposing hooking systems to each other, so that the opposing hooking systems can move closer and / or move away from each other, allowing hooking a pallet located between said systems or pairs of systems on opposite sides of the pallet. More preferably, said guide comprises a piston.

Preferably, the hooking systems are attached to the connecting guide by at least one transmission element. More preferably, the transmission element is formed by a generally triangular shaped element and a generally rectangular shaped element or stop. More preferably, the mobile lifting element for pallets comprises at least one stop. Even more preferably, said stop is the transmission element.

Preferably, the hooking system are nails adapted for fixing pallets. These claws allow it to be properly attached to a pallet. Alternatively, the latch system comprises other types of latch of known type, such as magnets.

Preferably, the base is movable in a direction perpendicular to that of movement of the movable element. More preferably, the base is movable in a direction perpendicular to that of movement of the movable element and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the hooking systems.

Preferably, the device comprises a device stabilization element, said stabilization element being a retractable element. More preferably, the stabilizing element of the device are retractable wheels. Even more preferably, the wheels comprise a guide, preferably a vertical guide. This stabilization element extends or retracts to facilitate the stabilization of the device when the pallet support base and the mobile pallet lifting element are arranged in the second relative position described above, in which the pallet support base remains outside the vertical of the movable element.

Preferably the device is a mobile device. More preferably, the device is a mobile autonomous robot (AMR), said device comprising an autonomous navigation system. Preferably, the autonomous navigation system is a control software controlled system, such that it allows the device to move along a predetermined path or remotely controlled by an operator. An advantage of this navigation system is that it allows the device to move autonomously without the need for an operator to be driving the device directly. Alternatively, the navigation system may be a sensor base navigation system or of any other known type.

Preferably, the device comprises a casing, the lifting element being located inside said casing, and the pallet support base being located below said casing. More preferably, the housing is generally rectangular in shape. Even more preferably, the housing comprises at least one central portion and two side portions. Preferably, the distance between both side portions is greater than the width of a pallet, the at least two hooking systems being located on said side portions opposite each other. Preferably, the second position Relative between the base and the mobile lifting element is a position in which the base is located opposite the central portion of the casing in which the pallet is intended to be placed.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention can follow the following procedure to pick up pallets:

a) Position the pallet lifting device close to a pallet.

c) Move the pallet support base of the device out of the vertical of the mobile lifting element of the device.

d) Lower the pallet hooking system of the mobile lifting element until it is located at a lower height than the pallet to be picked up.

e) Horizontally displace the at least one hooking system until it is located below the upper part of the pallet to be picked up.

f) Raise the pallet hooking system vertically until the pallet is raised above the height of the base.

g) Move the device's pallet support base to the first position in which the base is vertically under the mobile element.

h) Horizontally displace the at least one hooking system up to the opposite direction to the pallet, placing the pallet on the base.

More preferably, the following procedure for picking up pallets comprises the additional steps of:

b) Extend the stabilization system until said stabilization system is in contact with the ground, before moving the pallet support base of the device out of the vertical of the mobile lifting element of the device,

i) Retract the stabilization system after placing the pallet on the base.

For better understanding, attached, by way of explanatory, but not limiting example, drawings of an embodiment of the device for collecting pallets object of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pallet pick-up device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device with the stabilization element of the device extended.

Figure 3 shows a first perspective view of the device with the stabilization element of the device extended, the base and the lifting element located in the second position relative to each other.

Figure 4 shows a second perspective view of the device of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a top view of the device of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 shows an elevation view of the device before picking up a pallet, with the hooking systems in the upper position.

Figure 7 shows an elevation view of the device before picking up a pallet, the hooking systems in the lower position.

Figure 8 shows an elevation view of the device after picking up a pallet, with the hooking systems in the lower position.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the device after picking up a pallet, with the stabilization element of the device extended.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the device after picking up a pallet, with the stabilization element of the device retracted.

Figures 1 to 10 show an exemplary embodiment of a pallet lifting device 10. The device 10 comprises a mobile lifting element 4 for pallets and a pallet support base 2. The device also comprises a casing 1. The lifting element is located inside said casing 1. The base 2 is located below said casing 1. Figure 1 shows a casing of generally rectangular shape, adapted for the collection of rectangular pallets. The casing 1 comprises a central portion and two lateral portions, with measures such as to allow a pallet to be accommodated in between both lateral portions.

The lifting element 4 of the exemplary embodiment comprises at least one hooking system 41 for pallets, and a guide 44 that allows the vertical movement of the mobile element. More specifically, in the example, the lifting element 4 comprises four hooking systems 41. Said four latch systems 41 are located in two pairs of latch systems 41. Each pair is located opposite the other pair, so that as the pairs of systems approach, the lifting element 4 makes it possible to hook on both sides of a pallet. The two latch systems 41 are shown on respective opposite side portions of the housing 1. This latch system is shown as nails although other types of latch system are also possible. Alternatively, the hitching system can be a hitching system adapted to another type of external element other than a pallet.

Both pairs of hooking systems 41 are linked together by a guide 45 located horizontally, allowing both hooking systems 41 to move away from and / or approach each other. The guide 45 shown in figure 2 comprises a piston, although any horizontal guide of known type can be used. Furthermore, the mobile lifting element 4 for pallets additionally comprises transmission elements or handles that make it possible to transmit the movement of the guides 44 and 45 to the hooking system 41. In the embodiment described, the lifting element 4 comprises two transmission elements, one for each hooking system 41. This transmission element is shown to be formed, in this example, by an element 42 of a general triangular shape and an element or stop 43 of a generally rectangular shape. The triangular shape of the element 42 is intended to improve the tensile strength and rigidity of the pallet lifting element 41, although other shapes are also possible. The transmission elements 42, 43 also delimit the position of a pallet on the base 2 after its collection and facilitate its placement on said base 2.

The mobile lifting element 4 for pallets is arranged on the inside of the central and lateral portions of the carcass. The pairs of hooking systems 41 and the transmission element 42 are located on the inside of the side portions of the casing, both pairs of systems being opposed to each other. The stop 43 is located on the inside of the central portion (the concept of inside being defined as the area on the outside of the casing closest to the pallet collection area, delimited by the lateral and central portions of the casing) .

The pallet support base 2 and the mobile lifting element have relative movement to each other, in such a way that they present a first position in which the base 2 is vertically under the mobile element (shown in, for example, figure 2) , and a second position in which the pallet support base 2 is outside the vertical of the movable element (shown in, for example, figure 3). In the example shown, the base 2 for pallets comprises a guide 21 that facilitates its horizontal movement in the two positions described above, the second position being a position in which the base 2 is located on the opposite side of the central portion of the casing. 1 on which the pallet is intended to be placed.

Device 1 also comprises a stabilization support. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 to 10, this support are stabilization wheels 3. These wheels 3 facilitate the balancing of the device 1 when the base 2 and the mobile element present the second position in which the pallet support base 2 is outside the vertical of the mobile element. In the example, the stabilization wheels 3 are retractable. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device has two wheels 3 each located on respective guides 31 to allow contact of the wheels 3 with the ground. Other systems for extending and retracting the wheels of known type are also possible. Guides 31 are shown located on the side portions of the housing.

In the representation of figure 1, the wheels are shown retracted, arranged in a raised position with respect to the ground, and located on the outside of the lateral portions of the casing 1, that is, at the opposite end of the central portion Of the device. Other configurations and positions of the wheels on the device are also possible.

In Figure 2, the wheels 3 are shown extended as the guides 31 move, so that the wheels 3 are in contact with the ground. This gives the device 1 more stability when the pallet support base 2 is moved to its second position.

Figures 3, 4, and 5 show the base 2 in the second position, from different points of view. As can be seen, in this second position, the mobile lifting element has freedom of movement so that the pallet hooking systems 41 located on both sides of the lateral portions of the carcass can move vertically at ground level to engage a pallet 9 located between both side portions of the casing.

The hooking system can also lift several pallets 9 previously placed one on top of the other.

Alternatively, the pallet may not be located on the ground but on top of a platform, another pallet or any external element. In this case, the pallet lifting element will move vertically until the hooking system is located below the pallet to be picked up, without touching the ground.

Figures 6 to 10 show the pallet pick-up operation of the example device. Once the wheels 3 have been extended and the base 2 has been moved so that it is outside the vertical movement of the pallet lifting element (figure 6), the pallet hooking system 41 lowers until it is located at a suitable height to collect the pallet. Subsequently, the hooking systems 41 move towards the pallet so that it is located below the upper part of the pallet, as shown in figure 7 (that is, by having two pairs of hooking systems, both pairs approach, closing). The stops 43 of the lifting element facilitate the positioning of the pallet 9 and prevent the pallet from falling during its lifting. Then, with the hitch system closed, the lifting element rises vertically so that the pallet is raised with respect to the ground, as seen in figure 8. More specifically, the lifting element raises the pallet above the height of the base located on the opposite side of the central portion of the housing.

With the pallet 9 raised above the height of the base 2, the base 2 moves horizontally to its first position, in which it lies vertically under the mobile lifting element. Next, the pairs of hooking systems 41 of the lifting element are separated, that is, the pairs of hooking systems 41 move towards the respective side portions of the casing, dropping the pallet on top of the support base 2, As shown in figure 9. The pallet is also held laterally by the transmission elements 42, 43 that act as stops and below by the guides 21 of the base 2 of the device 1.

Finally, and with the pallet 9 already placed on the base 2, the stabilization wheels 3 are retracted. In this way, the device 10 can move around the plant to pick up a new pallet.

In case of wanting to pick up a pallet when the device already has a pallet located above the base 2, the picking process would be similar to that described, the first pallet being moved together with the base 2 towards the second position of the base, the second pallet being raised in the manner already described, to later return the base 2 to its initial position and dropping the second pallet already raised on top of the first pallet.

In addition, the device can comprise of an autonomous navigation system to move around the factory or plant.

The device 10 shown in the figures is also represented with a sign 12 that allows easy identification by workers of the device as it moves through the plant. This signal, which can be a light signal of the LED type or similar, as well as any type of signal, is shown in the figures located on a projection of the device positioned so that the signal is located above the body 1 of the device. This signal 12 thus makes it possible to avoid incidents and accidents in the factory due to a possible collision of an operator or another device with the device 10.

Although the invention has been presented and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this is not limiting of the invention, so multiple construction details or other details could be variable that may become apparent to the technicians of the sector afterwards. to interpret the subject matter disclosed in the present description, claims and drawings. Thus, all variants and equivalents will be included within the scope of the present invention if they can be considered to be within the broader scope of the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Pallet lifting device comprising a mobile lifting element for pallets, said lifting element comprising at least one hooking system for pallets, and at least one guide that allows the vertical movement of the mobile element, characterized in that the device It comprises a pallet support base, the pallet support base and the mobile lifting element having relative movement to each other, in such a way that they present a first position in which the base is vertically under the mobile element, and a second position in which the pallet support base is outside the vertical of the mobile element, the lifting element comprising at least two hooking systems and at least two vertical guides, said at least two hooking systems being located opposite each other, the device comprising a casing, the lifting element being located inside said casing, the pallet support base being located below said casing, said casing having a generally rectangular shape, the casing comprising at least one central portion and two lateral portions, the distance between both lateral portions being greater than the width of a pallet, the at least two hooking systems being located in said lateral portions opposite each other. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting element comprises at least four hooking systems, located in two pairs of hooking systems, each pair of hooking systems being located opposite each other. 3. Device according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the mobile lifting element for pallets comprises a connecting guide located horizontally, said guide mechanically joining the hooking systems opposed to each other, so that the systems of Hooks opposed to each other can approach and / or move away from each other, allowing a pallet located between said systems or pairs of systems to be hooked on opposite sides of the pallet. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the hooking systems are attached to the connecting guide by at least one transmission element. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one hooking system is a claw adapted for fixing pallets. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base is mobile in a direction perpendicular to that of the movement of the mobile element. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the base is mobile in a direction perpendicular to that of the movement of the mobile element and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the hooking systems. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device stabilization element, said stabilization element being a retractable element. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the stabilizing element of the device are retractable wheels. 10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is a mobile autonomous robot, said device comprising an autonomous navigation system.