Improved arm with two or more hooks

Abstract

An arm (1) with two or more hooks, comprising a support beam (10) designed to be connected to a telescopic arm fork lift (2) or to an operating arm (20) of another self-propelled operating machine, and a plurality of hooks (11, 12, 13) distributed along the beam (10), each designed to support a respective load. One or more hooks (11, 12, 13) are connected to a load sensor (31, 32, 33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved boom having two or more hooks, which is designed for use as equipment on telescopic forklifts or other self-propelled operating machines. Background Technology

[0002] There are prior art arms with two or more hooks, which have multiple hooks distributed along a corresponding support beam designed to be mounted on a cantilever at the distal end of the telescopic boom of a telescopic forklift.

[0003] Each hook is designed to support a load with a weight different from the loads supported by other hooks, such as 25 tons, 13 tons, or 18 tons.

[0004] While existing booms with two or more hooks are very useful equipment for certain applications, they are not without limitations.

[0005] For example, it is possible that the operator misjudges the weight of the load to be lifted or confuses which hook is the correct one for a certain weight, resulting in the load being attached to a hook that is set to carry a lower weight; in these cases, there is a risk that the load will separate from the boom or damage the boom during lifting.

[0006] Furthermore, it often happens that a very large load is attached to the boom by attaching (e.g., via chains) to two hooks. In fact, if the load weighs 18 tons and is, for example, very long (such as a concrete pipe), it can be suspended simultaneously on a 25-ton hook and a 13-ton hook.

[0007] However, because it is not easy for operators to estimate where the center of gravity of the load is in some situations, it may happen that more weight is carried on a hook that is set to support a smaller weight, which may lead to the same consequences as the incorrect estimation of the load and misuse of the hooks mentioned above. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the technical objective that forms the basis of this invention is to provide an arm having two or more hooks and a method for using an arm having two or more hooks, which overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

[0009] This objective is achieved by using an arm manufactured as described below and by an actuation method as described below.

[0010] An arm having two or more hooks includes a support beam designed to connect to the arm of a telescopic forklift or another self-propelled manipulator, and the arm further includes a plurality of hooks distributed along the support beam, each hook designed to support a corresponding load, wherein one or more of the hooks are connected to a load sensor.

[0011] A method for using an arm having a plurality of hooks, the arm being mounted or to be mounted on the operating arm of a telescopic forklift, the method comprising the steps of: suspending one or more loads from one or more hooks of the arm; and detecting the weight of the suspended one or more loads. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Referring to the preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the boom with two or more hooks according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description, in which the drawings are shown:

[0013] - Figure 1 This is a side view of the arm according to the present invention;

[0014] - Figure 2 This is a side view of a telescopic forklift with the boom installed.

[0015] - Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the electronic processing unit according to the present invention;

[0016] - Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a processing unit according to a specific implementation. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the number 1 indicates an arm with two or more hooks manufactured according to the present invention.

[0018] The proposed arm 1 includes a support beam 10 designed to be connected to a coupling device 21, the coupling device being provided at the distal end of the operating arm 20 of the telescopic forklift 2.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, beam 10 is distributed along its length and is equipped with several hooks 11, 12, 13 on its underside, each hook being configured to support a corresponding load, i.e., the corresponding maximum weight value of the load.

[0020] More specifically, the maximum weight that can be supported by one of the hooks 11, 12, and 13 is different from the maximum weight of the other two hooks, and the maximum weight generally decreases as the hook moves further away from the end; for example, in the case of arm 1 with three hooks, as shown in the figure, the innermost hook can support 25 tons, the middle hook supports 18 tons and the outermost hook supports 13 tons (this is obviously an example value).

[0021] According to the present invention Figure 2 An important aspect illustrated schematically is that the relative load sensor is connected to at least one of hooks 11, 12, and 13, but preferably to all hooks 11, 12, and 13.

[0022] More in detail, such as Figure 1 As schematically shown, each hook 11, 12, 13 can be connected to a corresponding load sensor 31, 32, 33, which measures the weight of the load supported by the hook 11, 12, 13 and thereby generates a load signal representing the measurement being performed.

[0023] Preferably, sensors 31, 32, and 33 are included in or positioned between beam 10 and hooks 11, 12, and 13.

[0024] In fact, the arm 1 with two or more hooks according to the invention is able to measure the actual weight carried on each hook 11, 12, 13, and this allows it to overcome all the limitations of the prior art, as will be clearly explained in the description of the operation of the invention.

[0025] The invention is also configured as a fastening system for telescopic forklifts or other self-propelled operating machines, the fastening system including, in addition to the proposed arm 1 having two or more hooks, an electronic processing unit 4 connected to a load sensor and designed to receive and process the load signal.

[0026] In this specification, the electronic processing unit 4 will be presented as being subdivided into individual functional modules, solely for the purpose of clearly and completely describing each function.

[0027] In practice, the processing unit 4 may be composed of a single electronic device, which, if necessary, is also a common type of processing unit in this type of machine, and is appropriately programmed to perform the described functions; each module may correspond to a hardware unit and / or software routine that forms part of the programming device.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, each function can be performed by multiple electronic devices on which the aforementioned functional modules can be distributed.

[0029] Typically, the processing unit 4 may have one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers for executing instructions contained in the memory modules, and the aforementioned functional modules may also be distributed across multiple local or remote calculators based on the architecture of the network in which they reside.

[0030] Thanks to the use of sensors 31, 32, 33 and processing unit 4, the present invention enables manual or automatic intervention to avoid the risks shown in the discussion of the prior art.

[0031] The following text will first describe the manual intervention model, and then the automated method. Note that the use of the two methods and therefore the corresponding technical details are not mutually exclusive.

[0032] First, it should be noted that the telescopic forklift 2 intended for use in this invention includes a frame or chassis 22 supported by drive wheels 23, on which the cab 24 is directly mounted or on a tower or rotating frame where the cab is mounted.

[0033] The telescopic forklift 2 includes an electro-hydraulic distributor 25 (see also) that controls the various hydraulic actuators 26, 27 of the present invention. Figure 3 (Schematic diagram).

[0034] The aforementioned operating arm 20 is telescopic and hinged to the frame 22 or tower at its proximal end, while at its distal end it is equipped with the aforementioned coupling device 21, which allows for removable coupling of the equipment (including the arm 1 according to the invention).

[0035] For the purpose of the movable arm 20, there exists Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows several hydraulic actuators 26, 27 connected to the distributor 25, particularly for raising the boom, extending and shortening the boom, and, if necessary, for the function of the device.

[0036] Specifically, there is a first actuator 26, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, for the arm 20 to swing about the hinge (i.e., for lifting).

[0037] Furthermore, within the slidably insertable sections of the telescopic arms 20, there is at least a second extension / retraction actuator 27 connected to the sections, which is preferably composed of a hydraulic cylinder.

[0038] Inside the cab 24, there are commands of a known type that the operator can use to control the translation of the vehicle 2 and the movement of the control arm 20. These commands act on the hydraulic distributor 25, which receives electrical control signals from the commands.

[0039] The present invention may include a communication device 5, which is connected to the processing unit 4 and is designed to provide the operator with information related to the load supported by the arm 1.

[0040] In practice, an interface or other device designed to transmit information may be present in the cab 24 of the telescopic boom forklift 2 or on a mobile device (such as a remote controller) available to the operator, allowing the operator to know the actual weight carried on the specific hook of the boom 1.

[0041] For example, consider display unit 5, where digital or graphical indexes allow the operator to understand which hooks 11, 12, and 13 are engaged and the weight of the engaged hooks, as well as other information such as the maximum load each hook can support or other information. Furthermore, it is also possible that the communication device 5 can generate other visual or audio signals to inform the operator of the operating conditions of arm 1.

[0042] The processing unit 4 includes an information module 41 configured to generate information signals based on measurements from the sensors 31, 32, and 33.

[0043] These signals are designed to control communication devices 5, such as the aforementioned display, so that they show the operator load data measured using sensors 31, 32, and 33.

[0044] The first type of operation of the system according to the invention allows the operator to immediately know whether there was an error in estimating the load that must be attached to a certain hook 11, 12, 13, or whether the hook for a certain weight of load was incorrectly identified, or whether the load is suspended on two different hooks and the weaker hook is carrying more weight.

[0045] However, advantageously, the present invention provides other measures for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of an arm 1 having two or more hooks.

[0046] In fact, the processing unit 4 may include a threshold module 42, which is configured to check whether the load carried by one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 exceeds the corresponding risk threshold based on the maximum weight value that the hook is designed to support.

[0047] For example, the threshold may be equal to the maximum weight that can be supported minus the deviation, which may be fixed or variable for all hooks 11, 12, 13, such as a percentage of the maximum weight or other relationship; there may also be a threshold equal to the maximum weight or upper limit.

[0048] Other methods may exist for fixing, calculating, or parameterizing deviations.

[0049] Thresholds and any deviations can be recorded in the memory module 43 of the processing unit 4, which may also include other data, parameters and information used by the modules of the processing unit 4.

[0050] In any case, the aforementioned information module 41 may be connected to the threshold module 42 and is thus configured to generate an information signal designed to cause the display 5 (or other information device) to generate an alarm message for the operator if the weight carried by one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 reaches or exceeds the corresponding risk threshold.

[0051] In practice, the operator of the telescopic forklift 2 in the cab 24 is informed of the fact that there is an excessive load relative to the loads connected to the hooks 11, 12, 13, and therefore, the movement of the hooks may be dangerous.

[0052] As already mentioned, the telescopic forklift 2 is equipped with a device for controlling the boom 20, which includes hydraulic actuators 26 and 27 mounted on the boom and the aforementioned distributor 25; the present invention uses these components to automatically control dangerous conditions related to the loads of the hooks 11, 12, and 13 suspended from the boom 1.

[0053] In fact, in this embodiment, the processing unit 4 includes a control module 44 which is connected to the threshold module 42 and configured to generate control signals designed to regulate the operation of the distributor 25 based on checks performed by the threshold module 42.

[0054] Specifically, if the load associated with one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 reaches or exceeds a relative threshold, the processing unit 4 may transmit a signal to the distributor 25 that causes the arm 20 to move and lock, or the processing unit may also generate a control signal designed to cause the arm 20 to perform only retraction and / or descent movements.

[0055] The operation of this invention is briefly explained below.

[0056] After the operator connects one or more loads to the hooks 11, 12, 13 of the boom 1, the operator climbs into the cab 24 to operate the lifting boom 20 on which the boom 1 of the present invention is mounted using appropriate commands.

[0057] If the load has been connected to hooks 11, 12, 13 with excessive weight, or if the load has been incorrectly estimated, or if incorrect hooks 11, 12, 13 have been used, the system according to the invention, for example, through display unit 5 and / or speaker, signals a potential danger of lifting the load and carrying it to the destination.

[0058] This also applies to situations where the center of gravity of a significant load attached to two or more hooks 11, 12, 13 is more or less borne by the hook with the lower maximum weight limit.

[0059] Alternatively, in the aforementioned dangerous situation, the system prevents the operator from moving the boom 20 by means of commands in the cab 24.

[0060] The invention is also configured for a method of safe use of an arm having two or more hooks, the arm being mounted or to be mounted on the operating arm 20 of a telescopic forklift 2; in detail, the method can be actuated by means of the aforementioned arm 1 having two or more hooks.

[0061] In general, the method includes the following steps: suspending one or more loads from one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 of the arm 1; and measuring the weight of one or more suspended loads.

[0062] Furthermore, the method includes steps corresponding to all or some of the functions provided by the arm 1 and system according to the invention as described above.

[0063] More specifically, the proposed method can provide the operator with information representing the weight of the load.

[0064] In addition, there may be a step whereby, for one or more hooks 11, 12, 13, the weight of the load carried by the hook is checked to see if it exceeds the corresponding risk threshold, based on the maximum weight that the hook is designed to support.

[0065] In this case, advantageously, the following steps may be taken: after verifying that the weight carried by one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 is equal to or greater than the corresponding risk thresholds mentioned above, an alarm is generated for the operator.

[0066] Furthermore, the operation of the device defined above for controlling the boom can be adjusted based on the fact that the load carried by one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 reaches or exceeds the corresponding risk threshold. This device generally includes a boom distributor and hydraulic cylinders.

[0067] More specifically, it can be determined that when the load carried by one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 reaches or exceeds the corresponding risk threshold, the movement of the boom 20 is prevented.

[0068] Alternatively, when the load carried by one or more hooks 11, 12, 13 reaches or exceeds the corresponding risk threshold, the boom 20 may be made to retract and / or lower.

[0069] The invention also includes another embodiment that allows for additional advantages.

[0070] In detail, this implementation enables the automatic change of the load map of the movement applied to the manipulator by the processing unit according to various operating conditions of the arm.

[0071] To be precise, processing unit 4 first includes multiple load graphs recorded in the memory module.

[0072] In this case, the control module is configured to limit the operational possibilities of the control devices 25, 26, and 27 based on the load diagram, and the processing unit 4 also includes a selection module 45 configured to automatically select a load diagram from the memory module 43 based on signals acquired by appropriate sensors.

[0073] It will be understood that, in order to maximize the safety and operational effectiveness of arm 1, processing unit 4 may consider one or more of the following parameters relative to specific operating conditions: the weight measured by the load sensor, which hook(s) the load is suspended on, the position of the arm, whether the arm is a variable configuration type, and where the center of gravity of the suspended load is located.

[0074] More specifically, the processing unit 4 includes an identification module 46 configured to determine which hooks(s) are subjected to pressure by the corresponding load based on signals generated by the corresponding load sensors 31, 32, 33; in this case, the selection module 45 is designed to select a relative load map from the memory module 43 based on which hooks(s) ...

[0075] In addition, the processing unit 4 may include a weight module 47 configured to calculate the weight value supported by the hook based on signals obtained from load sensors 31, 32, 33; in this case, the selection module 45 is designed to select a load map from the memory module 43 based on the measured weight value.

[0076] Furthermore, the processing unit may include a center of gravity module 48, which is configured to calculate the position of the center of gravity of the load suspended on the hooks based on which hooks or hooks are subjected to pressure by the corresponding load and the weight value supported by the hooks; in this case, the selection module 45 is designed to select a load map from the memory module 43 based on the position of the center of gravity.

[0077] The position of the center of gravity can be calculated based on any reference object, preferably a reference object that is integral with the machine.

[0078] If arm 1 is movable between multiple configurations, for example, it is extendable and / or rotatable, then the system according to the invention includes at least one position sensor (not shown) designed to detect the current configuration of arm 1 and transmit a position signal to processing unit 4.

[0079] In this case, the processing unit 4 includes a position module 49, which is designed to detect the configuration of arm 1 according to the position signal, and a selection module 45 is designed to select a load map from the memory module 43 based on the detected configuration of arm 1.

[0080] In practice, the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art, wherein the choice of a suitable drawing remains with the operator, depending on the hook the operator wants to load or the configuration the operator wants to use in Annex 1.

[0081] In detail, the present invention not only avoids the risk of making mistakes when selecting the load chart to be applied, but also prevents the operator from using a chart that is too permissive relative to the specific operating conditions of the arm.

[0082] For example, when a large load is simultaneously suspended on more than one hook 11, 12, 13, the present invention prevents the operator from being forced to choose a safe or unsafe configuration, thereby preventing performance loss in arm extension and manipulation due to overload or excessive conservatism.

[0083] In fact, the processing unit 4 according to the invention enables immediate understanding of the weight and relative position of the load on each hook 11, 12, 13, and thus enables the calculation of the total load value and the actual position of its center of gravity, resulting in the automatic selection of the load diagram most suitable for maximizing safety and performance.

Claims

1. An arm (1) with two or more hooks, comprising a support beam (10) designed to be connected to a coupling device (21) with which a telescopic handler (2) or an operating arm (20) of another self-propelled operating machine comprising a telescopic handler is equipped at the distal end, and comprising a plurality of hooks (11, 12, 13) distributed along the length of the support beam (10), each designed for supporting a respective load, characterized in that, One or more of said hooks (11, 12, 13) is connected to a load sensor (31, 32, 33), said coupling device (21) allows said arm (1) to be removably coupled, the maximum weight supported by one of said plurality of hooks (11, 12, 13) being different from the maximum weight of the other hooks, and the maximum weight decreasing as said hooks move distally, each of said hooks (11, 12, 13) being connected to a threshold module (42) configured to check, for said plurality of hooks, whether the load carried by said plurality of hooks exceeds a respective risk threshold as a function of the maximum weight values for which said plurality of hooks is designed to support.

2. The arm (1) according to claim 1, wherein Each hook (11, 12, 13) is connected to a respective load sensor (31, 32, 33).

3. A coupling system for a self-propelled operating machine, comprising an arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and an electronic processing unit (4) connected to said load sensors (31, 32, 33), said load sensors being each designed to generate a load signal as a function of the weight of the load supported by the respective hook (11, 12, 13).

4. The system according to claim 3, comprising a communication device (5) connected to the electronic processing unit (4) and designed to provide an operator of the reach forklift truck (2) with information about the load or loads supported by the arm (1), wherein, Said electronic processing unit (4) comprises an information module (41) configured to generate an information signal designed to control said communication device so that it displays load information to the operator as a function of the measurements made by said load sensors (31, 32, 33).

5. The system of claim 4, wherein, Said information module (41) is subject to said threshold module (42) and is configured for generating an information signal designed to generate an alarm to the operator to said communication device (5) after verifying that the weight carried by one or more hooks (11, 12, 13) has reached or exceeded the relative risk threshold.

6. The system according to claim 5, comprising control means (25, 26, 27) for controlling said operating arm (20), wherein said electronic processing unit (4) comprises a control module (44) configured for generating a control signal designed to adjust the operation of said control means (25, 26, 27) as a function of the check performed by said threshold module (42).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, Said control module (44) is configured for generating a control signal designed to block the movement of said operating arm (20) by said control means (25, 26, 27).

8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein, Said control module (44) is configured for generating a control signal designed to make said operating arm (20) perform a retraction and / or lowering movement by said control means (25, 26, 27).

9. The system of claim 6, wherein, Said control means comprise an electro-hydraulic distributor (25) designed to control hydraulic cylinders (26, 27) for moving said operating arm as a function of the control signal received.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein, The electronic processing unit (4) comprises at least one memory module (43) in which a plurality of load maps are recorded, and a selection module (45) configured to select a load map from the memory module (43) on the basis of the signals acquired from the load sensors (31, 32, 33); the control module (44) is configured to limit the operating possibilities of the control devices (25, 26, 27) on the basis of the selected load map.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein, The electronic processing unit (4) comprises an identification module (46) configured to determine, from the signals generated by the respective load sensors (31, 32, 33), which hook or hooks are subjected to pressure by the respective load, the selection module being designed to select a relative load map from the memory module (43) on the basis of which hook or hooks (11, 12, 13) are subjected to pressure.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein, The electronic processing unit (4) comprises a weight module (47) configured to calculate, from the signals acquired from the load sensors (31, 32, 33), the weight value supported by the hooks, the selection module (45) being designed to select a load map from the memory module (43) on the basis of the measured weight value.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein, The electronic processing unit (4) comprises a barycenter module (48) configured to calculate, from which hook or hooks are subjected to pressure by the respective load and from the weight value supported by the hooks, the position of the barycenter of the load suspended on the hooks, the selection module (45) being designed to select a load map from the memory module (43) on the basis of the position of the barycenter.

14. The system of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The arm (1) is movable between a plurality of configurations, the arm being extendable or rotatable, and the system comprises at least one position sensor designed to detect the current configuration of the arm (1) and to transmit a position signal to the electronic processing unit (4), wherein the electronic processing unit (4) comprises a position module (49) designed to detect the configuration of the arm (1) from the position signal, the selection module (45) being designed to select a load map from the memory module (43) on the basis of the detected configuration of the arm (1).

15. A telescopic arm forklift (2) equipped with a system according to any one of claims 3 to 14.

16. A method for using an arm (1) according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of; suspending one or more loads from one or more hooks (11, 12, 13) of the arm (1); and detecting the weight of the suspended one or more loads.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, providing information to the operator indicative of the weight of the one or more loads.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, comprising the step of: checking, for the one or more hooks (11, 12, 13), whether the load carried by the one or more hooks exceeds a respective risk threshold, as a function of the maximum weight value that the one or more hooks are designed to support.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising the step of: An alarm for the operator is generated after verifying that the weight carried by said one or more hooks (11, 12, 13) is equal to or greater than the respective risk threshold.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein, A control device is provided for controlling said operating arm (20), said method comprising the step of adjusting the operation of the control device (25, 26, 27) of said operating arm (20) as a function of whether the load carried by said one or more hooks (11, 12, 13) reaches or exceeds the respective risk threshold.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The movement of said operating arm (20) is blocked by said control device (25, 26, 27) when the load carried by said one or more hooks (11, 12, 13) has reached or exceeded the respective risk threshold.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein, Said operating arm (20) is caused to perform a retraction and / or lowering movement when the load carried by said one or more hooks (11, 12, 13) has reached or exceeded the respective risk threshold.

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