Subframes for commercial vehicle equipment

Abstract

Title: Sub-frame for utility vehicle equipment The invention relates to a system for mounting equipment (12), for example a lifting crane, on a utility vehicle (11), comprising a sub-frame (2) intended to be coupled to two side members (111) of a utility vehicle chassis (11), the two side members (111) extending in a front / rear direction of the chassis, the sub-frame (2) comprising a fixing plate (21) having a plurality of fixing holes (3), the equipment (12) being intended to be fixed on an upper face (211) of the fixing plate (21). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Subframe for utility vehicle equipment Technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of industrial bodywork.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to the design and manufacture of a system for mounting equipment on a utility vehicle. State of the art

[0003] In the field of the invention, mounting systems are known for equipping a utility vehicle, for example, with a lifting crane.

[0004] By utility vehicle is meant a motorized vehicle of the heavy goods vehicle, tractor or carrier type, or even a forestry machine, or even a handling machine.

[0005] Conventionally, a truck, of the tractor-trailer type, comprises a chassis extending longitudinally in a front / rear direction. This chassis has two main side members extending along the front / rear direction. On the chassis are coupled for example the cabin, but also the engine, the gearbox and the transmission.

[0006] In the case where the utility vehicle is a tractor truck, the chassis has a fifth wheel. In the case where the utility vehicle is a carrier truck, the chassis can also carry equipment such as a dump truck.

[0007] These utility vehicles can also carry other types of equipment such as, for example, a lifting crane or a winch. For such types of equipment, specific mounting systems have been designed.

[0008] Such a mounting system comprises a sub-frame, formed by a mechanically welded assembly, intended to be coupled to the two side members of the utility vehicle chassis.

[0009] The subframe comprises a fixing plate on which the equipment is intended to be fixed. For this purpose, the fixing plate has fixing holes for bolting the equipment to the subframe. Each fixing hole opens under the fixing plate into at least one volume, called the under-plate housing volume. These under-plate housing volumes allow the positioning of a nut intended to be screwed onto a threaded rod.

[0010] Some of the under-plate housing volumes are easily accessible, in particular those located under external lateral holes located under peripheral portions sides of the fixing plate, in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the fixing plate.

[0011] However, the fixing of heavy equipment on a subframe requires other anchoring points, and involves the presence of so-called "intermediate" holes, located closer to a median sagittal plane of the subframe than the external lateral holes.

[0012] These intermediate holes, due to their position, have the disadvantage of generally requiring two people to carry out the bolting, one of whom must pass under the chassis of the utility vehicle, between the two side members and through any components of the utility vehicle located in this area, i.e. the transmission for example.

[0013] Such a subframe also comprises mechanically welded side fixing cheeks intended to be coupled to the external faces of the side members, by bolting.

[0014] Such a design may also involve the intervention of two people for bolting, with poor accessibility for the person having to intervene between the two side members. Technical problem

[0015] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a mounting system comparable to that previously described, which is easier to implement.

[0017] The invention also aims to provide such a mounting system which does not necessarily require the intervention of a second person to carry out bolting. Summary of the invention

[0018] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a system for mounting equipment, for example a lifting crane, on a utility vehicle, comprising: - a subframe intended to be coupled to two side members of a utility vehicle chassis, the two side members extending in a front / rear direction of the chassis, the subframe comprising a fixing plate having a plurality of fixing holes, the equipment being intended to be fixed on an upper face of the fixing plate; - bolts for fixing the equipment to the subframe intended to be inserted through the fixing holes; in which each of the fixing holes opens under the fixing plate into at least one volume, called the housing volume under the plate, and in which the fixing holes comprise: - external lateral holes located under lateral peripheral portions of the fixing plate and whose under-plate housing volumes are accessible through passages located under an external peripheral edge of the fixing plate directly opposite the lateral peripheral portions; - intermediate holes closer to a median sagittal plane of the subframe than the external lateral holes; characterized in that at least part of the intermediate holes are located under front or rear peripheral portions of the fixing plate, and the housing volumes under the plate are accessible through passages located under an external peripheral edge of the fixing plate directly opposite the front or rear peripheral portions.

[0019] Thanks to the mounting system according to the invention, the installation of equipment is easier than what is permitted by the prior art.

[0020] Indeed, the part of the intermediate holes, or the set of intermediate holes, which are located under peripheral portions allow bolting to be carried out without the need for a second person. The passages allow a single person to access the housing volume to place and hold a nut on a threaded rod, and to finalize the bolting on the other part of the threaded rod at the same time.

[0021] The assembly of equipment is then also faster and more economical in terms of labor.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the subframe comprises a frame carrying the fixing plate, the fixing plate being spaced from the frame using spacers of a height at least equal to the height of the housing volumes under the plate.

[0023] This design allows for passages at the spacers.

[0024] Preferably, each housing volume under the plate is delimited laterally by two of the spacers.

[0025] The spacers thus positioned allow the forces exerted on the fixing plate around the fixing hole to be absorbed. The spacers also help to delimit the passage for accessing the housing volume.

[0026] According to an advantageous design, the frame forms a base intended to rest on the side members of the utility vehicle chassis.

[0027] Advantageously, the sub-frame comprises two cheeks for attachment to the side members of the utility vehicle chassis, the two cheeks extending parallel to each other, over a length at least equal to the length of the attachment plate along the front / rear direction of the chassis.

[0028] Thanks to its fixing cheeks, the forces resulting from the presence of the sub-frame and equipment on the chassis are taken up over a sufficiently long length by the side members.

[0029] According to one embodiment envisaged, the fixing cheeks are assembled by permanent connection to a main subassembly of the subframe.

[0030] When installing the subframe, the latter is first positioned on the side members, by inserting the side members between the fixing cheeks.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment, each fixing cheek is presented by a fixing profile having a support panel extending transversely to the fixing cheek, the subframe comprising a main subassembly integrating the fixing plate, the main subassembly being assembled on the support panels.

[0032] The fixing profiles must then be fixed beforehand on the side members, then the main sub-assembly is fixed on the fixing profiles.

[0033] This firstly facilitates the installation of the fixing profiles, which in the absence of the presence of the main sub-assembly, are easy to position and display by a single person. This also facilitates the installation of the main sub-assembly on the fixing profiles because the bolting can be carried out from a space peripheral to the sub-frame, by a single person. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of different preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: • [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a utility vehicle on which equipment is mounted using a mounting system according to the invention; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation in front perspective of a subframe according to the invention; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic front perspective representation of the subframe of [Fig.2], with fixing profiles spaced from a main part of the subframe; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation in rear perspective of another embodiment of the subframe. Detailed description

[0035] Referring to [Fig.l], a utility vehicle 11 is shown, which is more specifically a truck.

[0036] By utility vehicle is meant a motorized vehicle which may be a heavy goods vehicle as illustrated, but it may also correspond, in a non-limiting manner, to a forestry machine, or even to a handling machine.

[0037] This utility vehicle 11 has equipment 12 which is in this case a lifting crane. Other equipment is conceivable such as, for example, a winch.

[0038] The equipment 12 is mounted on the utility vehicle 11 using a mounting system according to the invention.

[0039] This utility vehicle 11 comprises a chassis having two side members 111. These two side members 111 extend in a front / rear direction of the chassis (which also corresponds to a front / rear direction of the utility vehicle 11). These two side members 111 generally, and overall, have a planar symmetry with respect to each other. For information purposes, the side members 111 may extend parallel to each other.

[0040] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the mounting system comprises a subframe 2.

[0041] This subframe 2 is intended to be coupled to the two side members 111.

[0042] This subframe 2 has a front / rear direction 200, with a front direction A and a rear direction R symbolized by arrows in [Fig.4]. The front / rear direction 200 of the subframe 2 is intended to be identical to that of the chassis of the utility vehicle 11 once the subframe is mounted on the chassis of the utility vehicle 11.

[0043] The subframe 2 is notably designed to rest on the two side members 111.

[0044] The subframe 2 comprises a fixing plate 21 on which the equipment 12 is intended to be mounted.

[0045] The fixing plate 21 has in particular an upper face 211 on which the equipment 12 rests.

[0046] This fixing plate 21 has: - a central portion, - two lateral peripheral portions 212 laterally framing the central portion; - a peripheral portion before 213; - a rear peripheral portion 214, the front and rear peripheral portions 214 framing the central portion along the front / rear direction of the subframe 2.

[0047] The peripheral portions 212, 213, 214 extend in particular between the central portion and an external peripheral rim 210 of the fixing plate 210.

[0048] According to the embodiments of figures 2 to 4, the central portion of the fixing plate 21 has a recess allowing, for example, the passage of cables or pipes of the equipment 12.

[0049] The subframe 2 also comprises a frame 22, and spacers 23.

[0050] The frame 22 forms a base intended to rest on the side members 111 of the utility vehicle chassis 11.

[0051] More specifically, the frame 22 comprises side members 221 and cross members 222 extending between the side members 221. The side members 221 are welded to the cross members 222.

[0052] The spacers 23 are formed by metal plates cut and assembled by welding on the other elements of the sub-frame 2.

[0053] At least a portion of the spacers 23 are in particular fixed to the frame 22.

[0054] These spacers 23 extend perpendicularly to a plane for laying the frame 22 on the side members 111, defined by the lower faces of the elements of the frame 22.

[0055] The fixing plate 21 is fixed to the spacers 23. Thus, the frame 22 carries the fixing plate 21. In other words, the frame indirectly carries the fixing plate 21 via the spacers 23.

[0056] As will appear below, the spacers 23 make it possible to space the fixing plate 21 from the frame 22.

[0057] With reference to figures 2 and 3, the subframe 2 comprises two cheeks 24 for fixing to the side members 111 of the utility vehicle chassis 11.

[0058] These fixing cheeks 24 take the form of longitudinal flat elements provided with a plurality of perforations regularly spaced from each other along the fixing cheeks. These fixing cheeks 24 are designed to be coupled to the external lateral faces of the side members 111, in particular by bolting.

[0059] On the fully assembled subframe 2, the two fixing cheeks 24 extend parallel to each other, over a length at least equal to the length of the fixing plate 21 along a front / rear direction of the subframe 2.

[0060] According to one possible embodiment, the fixing cheeks 24 are secured directly to the subframe, by means of an assembly by permanent connection, typically by welding.

[0061] According to the present embodiment, the false chassis 2 comprises two fixing profiles 4 which each have one of the fixing cheeks 24.

[0062] Each fixing profile 4 also comprises a support panel 4L

[0063] The support panel 41 extends transversely to the fixing cheek 24.

[0064] More precisely, the support panel 41 extends perpendicularly to the fixing cheek 24, in particular from an upper longitudinal edge of the fixing cheek 24. The support panel 41 also has along its length a plurality of perforations spaced apart from each other. These perforations are intended to allow the assembly of a main subassembly of the subframe 2 on the support panels 41 of the fixing profiles 4 previously assembled on the side members 111.

[0065] Each fixing profile 4 further comprises stiffening brackets 42 coupled to the fixing cheek 24 and to the support panel 4L.

[0066] In the embodiment of figures 2 to 4, the subframe 2 thus comprises a main subassembly formed at least by the fixing plate 21, the frame 22, the spacers 23, as well as two fixing rails 25.

[0067] The fixing rails 25 are located on either side of the frame 22, and extend longitudinally along the side members 221.

[0068] The fixing rails 25 are assembled by permanent connection, in particular by welding, to the frame 22 and to the spacers 23 bearing on these fixing rails 25.

[0069] These fixing rails 25 are designed to come into plane contact with the support panels 4L. Each fixing rail 25 also has along its length a plurality of perforations spaced apart from each other. These perforations allow the fixing rails 25, and thus the main subassembly, to be bolted onto the support panels 4L.

[0070] In order to allow the equipment to be fixed to the sub-frame 2, the fixing plate 21 has a plurality of fixing holes 3, and the mounting system comprises bolts for fixing the equipment 12 to the sub-frame 2, intended to be inserted through the fixing holes 3.

[0071] As seen in Figures 2 and 3, threaded rods 5 of the fixing bolts are shown.

[0072] To allow the insertion of washers and the fixing of nuts on the threaded rods 5, each of the fixing holes 3 opens under the fixing plate 21 into at least one volume, called the housing volume 30 under the plate.

[0073] The fixing plate 21 is spaced from the frame 22 using the spacers 23 by a height at least equal to the height of the housing volumes 30 under the plate.

[0074] Each fixing hole 3 can open into a housing volume 30 independent of the other housing volumes 30 of the other fixing holes 3.

[0075] A housing volume 30 may however also extend so as to be located under a plurality of fixing holes 3, as described below.

[0076] According to the present embodiments, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, each housing volume 30 under the plate is delimited laterally by two of the spacers 23.

[0077] With reference to figures 2 to 4, the fixing holes 3 comprise: - external lateral holes 31 located under the lateral peripheral portions 212 of the fixing plate 21; - intermediate holes 32 closer to a median sagittal plane of the subframe 2 than the external lateral holes 31.

[0078] For the external lateral holes 31, the housing volumes 30 under the plate of these fixing holes 3 are accessible through passages located under the external peripheral rim 210 of the fixing plate 21 directly opposite the parts of the lateral peripheral portions 212 where the fixing holes 3 are located.

[0079] For the intermediate holes 32 located towards the front A of the sub-frame 2, the housing volumes 30 under the plate of these fixing holes 3 are accessible through passages located under the external peripheral edge 210 of the fixing plate 21 directly opposite the parts of the front peripheral portion 213 where the fixing holes 3 are located.

[0080] For the intermediate holes 32 located towards the rear R of the subframe 2, the housing volumes 30 under the plate of these fixing holes 3 are accessible through passages located under the external peripheral edge 210 of the fixing plate 21 directly opposite the parts of the rear peripheral portion 214 where the fixing holes 3 are located. The accessibility of the housing volumes 30 located at the rear R of the subframe 2 is illustrated by the arrows P in [Fig.4]. As can be seen, the passages allowing access to the housing volumes 30 under the plate are located on either side of an inclined section presented by the subframe 2.

[0081] In other words, these housing volumes 30 are directly accessible from the sides or the front or the rear of the subframe 2 by a person carrying out assembly of equipment, who can, from the space surrounding the subframe 2 (and not a space located above or below), insert his hand, a nut and / or a wrench into the passages while he manipulates with his other hand another wrench to tighten a nut on the other end of the threaded rod 5.

[0082] With reference to [Fig. 4], intermediate holes 32 are located along the front / rear direction 200, between intermediate holes 32 bordering the front edge and the rear edge of the fixing plate 31. These fixing holes 3, hereinafter called setback holes 33, also have a housing volume 30 under the plate which, in this case, is shared with another fixing hole 3 located in the direction of the peripheral edge. A person wishing to access the space located under a setback hole must insert a tool or his arm through the passage located under the peripheral edge, and into the housing volume 30, up to the ad hoc depth.

[0083] The mounting system described above makes it easier to mount equipment on a utility vehicle chassis. As a result, the installation of equipment 12 is faster and less expensive to carry out than with a mounting system according to the prior art.

Claims

Claims

1. System for mounting equipment (12), for example a lifting crane, on a utility vehicle (11), comprising: - a subframe (2) intended to be coupled to two side members (111) of a utility vehicle chassis (11), the two side members (111) extending in a front / rear direction of the chassis, the subframe (2) comprising a fixing plate (21) having a plurality of fixing holes (3), the equipment (12) being intended to be fixed on an upper face (211) of the fixing plate (21); - bolts for fixing the equipment (12) to the subframe (2) intended to be inserted through the fixing holes (3);in which each of the fixing holes (3) opens under the fixing plate into at least one volume, called the housing volume (30) under the plate, and in which the fixing holes (3) comprise: - external lateral holes (31) located under lateral peripheral portions (212) of the fixing plate (21) and the housing volumes (30) under the plate of which are accessible through passages located under an external peripheral edge (210) of the fixing plate (21) directly opposite the lateral peripheral portions (212); - intermediate holes (32) closer to a median sagittal plane of the subframe (2) than the external lateral holes (31);characterized in that at least a portion of the intermediate holes (32) are located under front or rear peripheral portions (213, 214) of the fixing plate (21), and the housing volumes (30) under the plate are accessible through passages located under the external peripheral rim (210) of the fixing plate (21) directly opposite the front or rear peripheral portions (213, 214).;

2. Mounting system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the subframe (2) comprises a frame (22) carrying the fixing plate (21), the fixing plate (21) being spaced from the frame (22) using spacers (23) of a height at least equal to the height of the housing volumes (30) under the plate.

3. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each housing volume (30) under the plate is delimited laterally by two of the spacers (23).

4. Mounting system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the frame (22) forms a base intended to rest on the side members (111) of the utility vehicle chassis (11).

5. Mounting system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subframe (2) comprises two fixing cheeks (24) to the side members (111) of the utility vehicle chassis (11), the two fixing cheeks (24) extending parallel to each other, over a length at least equal to the length of the fixing plate (21) along a front / rear direction of the subframe (2).

6. Mounting system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing cheeks (24) are assembled by permanent connection to a main sub-assembly of the sub-frame (2).

7. Mounting system according to claim 5, characterized in that each fixing cheek (24) is presented by a fixing profile (4) having a support panel (41) extending transversely to the fixing cheek (24), the subframe (2) comprising a main subassembly integrating the fixing plate, the main subassembly being assembled on the support panels (41).

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