WO2012066156A1 - Device for loading and unloading vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for loading and unloading vehicles, which allows automatically transferring loading "pallets" from a dock to inside a loading platform of a vehicle and vice versa. This device includes a horizontal extensible structure (1) capable of introducing inside the vehicle the load located between the device and the vehicle platform. It also has means for changing the orientation in order to allow a proper introduction of the load according to the orientation of the vehicle platform; said means are associated with a laser sensor (9) that transmits the captured information to a control unit, allowing the correct positioning of the loading structure (10).

Description

 DEVICE FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING VEHICLES

 DESCRIPTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a vehicle loading and unloading device that allows, for example, a loading dock, to automatically transfer loading "pallets" from the dock to the interior of the loading platform of the vehicle.

It characterizes in this device an extendable horizontal structure capable of introducing the load located between the device and the vehicle platform inside the vehicle. As the load is allowed, the unloading of the vehicle is also allowed, that is, it is a device that can be deployed and picked up telescopically.

It also has means for modifying the orientation to allow an adequate introduction of the load according to the orientation of the vehicle platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The loading and unloading of vehicles with loading platform is usually carried out with forklifts in which the flexibility of movement over a surface such as an industrial warehouse predominates.

When the loads are important, the trucks capable of handling those loads are also very heavy because otherwise they would not offer sufficient stability.

This high weight prevents the truck from entering the interior of the vehicle and requires that the load must be entered manually, for example with a manually operated drive pallet. The manipulation of a pallet when the load is high and there is some inclined plane, no matter how small the inclination, makes manual maneuvering more difficult to the detriment of the effectiveness since the loading time is significantly increased.

This increase in loading time is not the only drawback but the lower reliability due to the lack of stability increases the probability of accidents or overturning of the load in maneuvering operations.

 Also, devices that perform the loading and unloading of trucks by means of telescopic devices that have retractable and extensible arms are known in the market.

However, although these systems manage to load and unload in an automated way, they have aspects that are susceptible to improvement and that, due to the lack of precision in handling, are a source of problems.

In general, in the known systems of loading and unloading by means of an extendable telescopic arm, there is a lack of precision in the positioning and approximation of the end of the loading and unloading arm, with the consequent danger in the handling of the pallets, in addition to a lack of use. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to improve the safety and the use of the interior space of the trucks, overcoming the inconveniences with which the systems known up to now have.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention consists of a device for loading and unloading vehicles that overcomes the drawbacks cited in the background.

The device essentially comprises: • a horizontally extensible structure in which fixed components and mobile components are distinguished that give rise to the extension,

• support points located in the fixed section of the extendable structure,

• At least one point of support on the deployable sections of the mobile structure.

 • a load-bearing structure located integral with the mobile components of the extensible structure, where the extensible structure allows the load-bearing structure to be located between a point of the vehicle's loading platform or inside the vehicle itself.

Between this device and the vehicle there is a space that can be occupied by a load. This load can be left by a conventional forklift. The device of the invention, with its essentially horizontal displacement, is capable of picking up the load and introducing it into the loading platform of the vehicle simply by carrying out the extension of its extensible structure. On the essential components of the device it is possible to consider ways of executing the drive means to achieve the extension of the extensible structure.

The extensible structure besides allowing to place the supporting structure at the point where it is desired, has the possibility of tilting slightly with respect to a horizontal axis, overcoming the load in height. Then by means of the supporting structure the load can be moved vertically and laterally, this last movement by means of a fork side displacer.

These possibilities of movement, make the load can be placed anywhere in space, with maximum precision.

Throughout the memory, when it is said horizontally or essentially horizontal it is understood that there may be small degrees of inclination due for example to the lifting of the load.

Typically, the fixed components of the extensible structure are at one end and the moving components at the other end; notwithstanding that the extension is carried through several intermediate sections.

Each of these degrees of freedom will be assisted by means of hydraulic eg driving. Other constructive details of the invention are described in the later section of the detailed description of the invention.

Additionally and in order to achieve an improvement in safety, a better approximation of the means of displacement of the load and its subsequent positioning, the system has at least one laser sensor of high precision.

The at least high precision laser sensor is used in combination with a control unit to which it reports, and that depending on the reading of the laser sensor a perfect positioning of the extendable arm or loading device is achieved.

The control unit according to the received data acts on hydraulic, pneumatic or similar actuators in order to achieve the perfect positioning of the loading device. Said positioning takes place by means such as those described that allow positioning the device in height, also in relation to a horizontal plane, it is also possible a slight pitch of the assembly in case of any inclination, in addition to regulating the opening of the forks. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present specification is complemented with a set of drawings, illustrative of a preferred and never limiting embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows a side view of the loading and unloading device for vehicles object of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the loading and unloading device, where the front view is considered that resulting from observing the loading device from the supporting structure.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the loading device, that is, from the opposite side where the load carrying structure is located.

DETAILED EXHIBITION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, a preferred embodiment is shown

Figure 1 shows an example of embodiment of the device of the invention in which it can be seen how the loading and unloading device comprises an extensible structure (1), which has a fixed section (2) and at least one deployable section (3) ), where the fixed section (2) is fixed to the ground or has support points (4) and (5), while on the final end of the at least unfolding section, or in case there are several stretches on the last stretch, there is a point of support formed by wheels (7) that allow the advance of said end.

On the final end of the last deployable section there is a supporting structure (10) that has a series of forks (8), which can be raised and lowered, and regulate the horizontal separation between the forks (8). The fixed section (2) of the extensible structure (1) is fixed to the ground by a first support point (4), and by a second support point (5), which has regulation means (6) of the pitch or tilting of the extensible structure, that is to say, they allow the extensible structure a turn with respect to a horizontal axis, by raising and lowering the second support point (5), thanks to the adjustment means (6) incorporated in said second of support (5).

In this figure 1 it is worth mentioning the presence of a laser sensor (9), of high precision with a high scan angle both horizontally and vertically, which is arranged in the lower part of the end of the extensible structure and between the wheels.

This sensor (9) will provide all the vision in the scan angle that counts with a control unit, which thanks to the information received and the fact of having memory, allows the stacking of pallets in several levels, the arrangement of the pallets with one orientation or another, that is to say with their greater frontal or transversal dimension. The laser sensor is in connection with a control unit which in turn commands and controls the positioning means of the extendable structure (1), both in its rotation with respect to a vertical axis and in its capacity of raising and lowering in its end, also said control unit controls the load bearing structure (10), in its movements and the means of positioning the horizontal separation of the forks (8).

Thanks to the presence of this laser sensor, it is possible to:

 a) Carry out the loading and unloading processes with increased security

 b) Carry out the loading and unloading processes with greater precision.

c) As a result of the greater precision it is possible to carry out the load with a greater use of the interior space. d) In consequence of the greater precision, the damages, blows and similar that can receive the loads practically disappear. e) Thanks to the accuracy of the transmitted information and the wide field of view of the laser sensor, it is possible to carry out the stacking of several levels of pallets. In figures 2 and 3, you can see the forks (8) in position unfolded The separation between the forks (8) is adjustable, which makes it possible to use them with different orientations of the pallets. The regulation of the separation of the forks is carried out by the control unit from the information transmitted by the laser sensor (9) of high precision.

Therefore, thanks to the movements of the extendable structure, it becomes possible to load and unload more accurately, with a better use, faster, and with fewer blows, greater safety and fewer incidents.

Claims

1 ^a .- Device for loading and unloading vehicles that includes:  • an extensible structure (1) horizontally in which a fixed section (2) and at least one extended section (3) are distinguished gives rise to the extension, • support points (4) and (5) located in the fixed section (2) of the extensible (1),  • At least one point of support on the end of the at least unfolding section (3) of the mobile structure.  · A supporting structure (10) of the load located integral with the mobile components of the extensible structure, characterized because: the extensible structure (1), also has a high precision laser sensor (9), and a control unit that acts on the means for regulating the movements of the extensible structure, depending on the data sent by the laser sensor, the position of the forks (8). 2 .- Device for loading and unloading vehicles, according to the first claim characterized because on the last stretch of at least dropdown section (3), there is a fulcrum formed by wheels (7) allowing advancement of said end, and of all the stretches (3). 3 .- Device for loading and unloading vehicles, according to the first claim characterized in that the fixed section (2) of the extendable structure (1) is fixed to ground by a first bearing (4), and a second point of support (5), which has adjustment means (6) pitch or tilting of the extensible structure that allow the extensible structure a turn about a horizontal axis, by raising and lowering the second support point ( 5) with respect to the first one, thanks to the means of regulation (6) incorporated in said second support (5). 4 .- Device for loading and unloading vehicles, according to the first claim characterized in that the supporting structure (10) has a number of forks (8) which can be raised and lowered, and regulate the horizontal separation between the forks ( 8). 5 .- Device for loading and unloading vehicles, according to the first claim characterized in that the laser sensor (9) with high precision and high scan angle both horizontally and vertically is disposed at the lower end of the Extendable structure and between the wheels. 6 .- Device for loading and unloading vehicle according to claim 5 wherein the laser sensor is in connection with a control unit which in turn controls and commands the positioning means of the structure (1) extensible, in its lifting and lowering capacity at its end, that is tilting with respect to a horizontal axis, also said control unit controls the load bearing structure (10), in its movements and the means of positioning the horizontal separation of the forks (8)