A vehicle lifting platform for ships with adaptive wing plates

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels for ships, comprising: a platform body, used for carrying vehicles or cargo, and carrying vehicles or cargo to be lifted vertically between upper and lower loading compartments; a wing panel, connected to the platform body, and capable of rotating within a certain angle range; a transmission device, connected to the platform body, and realizing lifting or lowering of the platform body; a guide device, used for guiding the platform body during the lifting and lowering process, and for limiting the platform body laterally and longitudinally to adapt to the swaying and tilting of the ship; a locking and fastening device, used for locking the platform body and the hull structure when the platform body is docked on the upper loading compartment deck for storage; a limiting device, used for limiting the platform body laterally and longitudinally when the platform body is resting on the lower loading compartment deck; and a sealing device, used for achieving sealing between the platform body and the surrounding hull structure when the platform body is docked on the upper loading compartment deck for storage, thereby ensuring the tightness and integrity of the upper loading compartment deck.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship roll-on / roll-off passage device, in particular to a ship vehicle lifting platform. Background Art

[0002] Roll-on / roll-off vessels carrying vehicles with multiple loading bays require vertical transfer equipment to facilitate the vertical transfer of vehicles between adjacent loading bays. This equipment generally comes in two types: vehicle lifts and ramps. Compared to ramps, vehicle lifts occupy less space in the loading bay and can facilitate the vertical transfer of vehicles and other roll-on / roll-off equipment and materials. They can also facilitate the vertical transfer of non-mobile cargo, such as containers, with the assistance of lifting equipment such as forklifts. Therefore, they are widely used in roll-on / roll-off vessels. A vehicle lift generally consists of a platform, transmission, guide, locking and fastening devices, support, power system, and control system. During lifting, the platform first docks on the lower loading bay deck. Vehicles roll onto the platform, while cargo is moved onto the platform by forklifts. The transmission then lifts the platform from the lower loading bay deck to the upper loading bay deck. Vehicles roll off the platform, and cargo is removed by forklifts. The reverse process occurs during lowering.

[0003] Since the platform body has a certain thickness, when the platform body is docked on the upper loading deck, the upper surface is generally flush with the deck, which is convenient for vehicles to enter and exit. When the platform body is docked on the lower loading deck, in order to allow vehicles to enter and exit the platform body without obstacles, there are generally two types of vehicle lifting platforms:

[0004] (1) Deck pit type

[0005] A platform pit is set up on the lower loading deck, and the entire thickness of the platform can be embedded in the pit, with the upper surface flush with the deck, such as the patent publication number (CN112357815A) "A marine platform body". This type of elevator has some disadvantages:

[0006] a) The pit reduces the height of the compartments below the lower loading hold deck;

[0007] b) When the platform body is not in use, if it is stored on the upper deck, the pit on the lower deck will occupy the space of the lower loading compartment, reducing the loading capacity and lowering the loading and unloading efficiency;

[0008] c) When the platform body is not in use, if it is stored on the lower deck, the large opening on the upper deck needs to be closed with a large hatch cover to ensure deck integrity. This system is complex and increases the overall burden on the ship. For example, the solution provided by patent publication number (CN110329950B) "Large Ship Elevator Structure";

[0009] d) For the floodable loading hold of a docked ship, setting a bottom pit on the deck of the loading hold will cause a large amount of water to accumulate, and drainage facilities need to be installed, which has poor applicability.

[0010] (2) Deck with transition plate

[0011] A fixed or removable transition plate is installed on the lower loading deck, and the lower surface of the platform body is directly placed on the deck. The transition plate is close to the edge of the platform body, forming a transition slope from the upper surface of the platform body to the deck. The disadvantages of this type of elevator are:

[0012] a) If a fixed transition plate is installed, it will occupy the space of the lower loading compartment, reduce the loading capacity, and reduce the loading and unloading efficiency;

[0013] b) If a detachable transition plate is provided, the crew needs to carry the transition plate to the platform body and align it before each operation, which increases the workload of the crew and reduces the efficiency of the platform body. Summary of the Invention

[0014] In view of the respective shortcomings of the two types of commonly used vehicle lifting platforms, in order to eliminate the need to set a bottom pit on the lower loading compartment deck and the need to set a fixed or detachable transition plate on the lower loading compartment deck, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a marine vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a marine vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels, comprising:

[0016] The platform body is used to carry vehicles or cargo, and to carry vehicles or cargo vertically between the upper and lower loading bays. Its lower surface is flat and can be placed directly on the lower loading bay deck. Its upper surface matches the linear shape of the upper loading bay deck and is flush with the upper loading bay deck when raised to the upper loading bay deck.

[0017] The wing is connected to the platform body and can rotate within a certain angle range. When the platform body rests on the lower loading deck, the wing automatically flattens so that the upper surface of the wing becomes a transition slope from the upper surface of the platform body to the deck; when the platform body docks on the upper loading deck, the wing folds downward to a limited extent to adapt to the reinforcement structure around the large opening of the deck;

[0018] The transmission device is connected to the platform body, bears the weight of the platform body and the vehicle or cargo, and realizes the lifting or lowering of the platform body;

[0019] The guide device is used to guide the platform during the lifting and lowering process, and to limit the platform body horizontally and vertically to adapt to the sway and tilt of the ship;

[0020] Locking and fastening device, used to lock the platform body to the hull structure when the platform body is docked on the upper loading deck for storage;

[0021] The limiting device is used to limit the platform body in the horizontal and vertical directions when the platform body is resting on the lower loading deck, so as to withstand the horizontal thrust generated when vehicles go up and down the platform body and adapt to the sway and tilt of the ship;

[0022] The sealing device is used to achieve sealing between the platform body and the surrounding hull structure when the platform body is docked on the upper loading deck for storage, thereby ensuring the tightness and integrity of the upper loading deck.

[0023] Furthermore, the wing panel is composed of a wing panel structure body, a hinge and a pull rod. The hinge is fixedly installed inside the platform body structure. The wing panel structure body is connected to the platform body through the hinge and can rotate around the hinge. A pull rod is also connected between the wing panel structure body and the platform body.

[0024] Furthermore, when the platform body rises from the lower loading compartment deck, the wing plate structure body rotates and folds downward around the hinge under the action of its own weight until the pull rod is straightened to reach a balanced state. In this state, the platform body rises to the upper loading compartment deck; when the platform body descends until the outer end of the wing plate structure body contacts the lower loading compartment deck, the wing plate structure body is gradually unfolded by the support force of the deck, and the pull rod is contracted or folded until the platform body is placed on the lower loading compartment deck, and the wing plate structure body is flattened.

[0025] Furthermore, the transmission device adopts any one of the following types: hydraulic cylinder winch + steel cable + pulley, hydraulic motor + steel cable + pulley, electric motor + steel cable + pulley, electric motor + steel cable, hydraulic cylinder direct transmission mechanism, and electric push rod direct transmission mechanism.

[0026] Furthermore, the transmission device adopts a hydraulic cylinder winch + steel cable + pulley type, which is composed of a hydraulic cylinder device, a movable pulley group, a steel cable fixing point, a fixed pulley group, a steel cable and a steel cable lifting point. A movable pulley group is installed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device, and the steel cable passes through several movable pulley groups and several fixed pulley groups from the steel cable fixing point and is connected to the steel cable lifting point on the platform body.

[0027] Furthermore, when the platform body descends under the action of its own weight, the steel cable drives the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device to slowly extend, and the hydraulic power controls the movement and speed of the platform body's descent; when the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device retracts under the action of pressurized oil, the steel cable drives the platform body to rise.

[0028] Furthermore, the guide device consists of a vertical guide rail installed on the hull bulkhead, a guide arm connected to the platform body, and a guide roller. The guide roller rolls up and down along the vertical guide rail, and the vertical guide rail limits the platform body by restricting the lateral and longitudinal movement of the guide roller.

[0029] Furthermore, the vertical guide rails are of a single-side double-rail type, or a two-side four-rail type.

[0030] Furthermore, the limiting device consists of a limiting structure and a limiting pit. The limiting structure is installed at the bottom of the platform body, and the limiting pit is embedded in the lower loading compartment deck.

[0031] Furthermore, the sealing device consists of a sealing rubber installed under the upper loading compartment deck, a rubber groove, and a pressure plate installed on the platform body. When the platform body is docked on the upper loading compartment deck for storage, the locking and fastening device is locked, providing an upward force on the platform body, so that the pressure plate presses the sealing rubber to achieve sealing.

[0032] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0033] The present invention provides wing panels on the platform body so that when the platform body is placed on the lower loading deck, the wing panels automatically unfold to form a transition slope from the platform body to the deck, making it convenient for vehicles or cargo to get on and off the platform body; when the platform body is lifted to the upper loading deck, the wing panels can adapt to the reinforcement structure around the opening of the upper loading deck and fold downward, without hindering the platform body from maintaining a level surface with the upper loading deck.

[0034] Compared with the existing deck-mounted pit platform body, the present invention does not require a large pit on the lower loading deck, nor does it require a large hatch cover on the upper loading deck. It has a flexible layout and can be applied to various loading compartments, including floodable loading compartments of docked ships. It has little impact on the hull structure and overall layout, and has a small demand on overall resources.

[0035] Compared with the existing deck-mounted transition plate platform body, the present invention does not require a fixed or detachable transition plate on the lower loading deck, does not occupy the space of the lower loading compartment, and does not require crew members to carry and install the transition plate, thereby improving the utilization rate of the loading space and the operating efficiency of the platform body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 This is a top view of the vehicle lifting platform;

[0037] Figure 2 A top view of the vehicle lifting platform viewed from the upper loading bay;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lifting platform;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a side view of the vehicle lifting platform;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of the middle wing panel position;

[0041] Figure 6 A top view of the vehicle lifting platform viewed from the upper loading bay;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lifting platform;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a side view of the vehicle lifting platform;

[0044] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of the middle wing panel position;

[0045] in, Figures 2 to 5 Reflects the situation where the vehicle lifting platform is resting on the lower loading deck;

[0046] Figures 6 to 9 Reflects the situation where the vehicle lifting platform is docked on the upper loading bay deck. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which only illustrate one embodiment.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, a vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels for ships of the present invention includes: a platform body 200, a wing panel 300, a transmission device 400, a guide device 500, a locking and fastening device 600, a limiting device 700, and a sealing device 800.

[0049] The platform body 200 is used to carry vehicles or cargo, and to carry vehicles or cargo to be lifted vertically between the upper and lower loading compartments; its lower surface is flat and can be placed directly on the lower loading compartment deck 101; its upper surface matches the line of the upper loading compartment deck 102, and when it is raised to the upper loading compartment deck 102, it is flush with the upper loading compartment deck 102.

[0050] The wing panel 300 is connected to the platform body 200 and can rotate within a certain angle range. When the platform body 200 is placed on the lower loading hold deck 101, the wing panel 300 automatically flattens so that the upper surface of the wing panel becomes a transition slope from the upper surface of the platform body 200 to the deck 101; when the platform body 200 is docked at the upper loading hold deck 102, the wing panel folds downward to a limited extent to adapt to the reinforcement structure 103 around the large opening of the deck and minimize the space height occupancy.

[0051] The wing plate 300 is composed of a wing plate structure body 301, a hinge 302 and a pull rod 303. Its working principle is as follows: the hinge 302 is fixedly installed inside the platform body 200 structure, and the wing plate structure body 301 can rotate around the hinge 302; when the platform body 200 rises from the lower loading compartment deck 101, the wing plate structure body 301 rotates and folds downward around the hinge 302 under the action of its own weight until the pull rod 303 is straightened to reach a balanced state. In this state, the platform body 200 can be raised to the upper loading compartment deck 101. On the cargo hold deck 102, the wing panel structure 301 does not affect the platform body 200's compression seal 801, nor does it interfere with the reinforcement structure 103 surrounding the large deck opening. When the platform body 200 descends until the outer end of the wing panel structure 301 contacts the lower cargo hold deck 101, the wing panel structure 301 gradually unfolds due to the deck's support force, while the tie rods 303 contract or fold until the platform body 200 rests on the lower cargo hold deck 101, and the wing panel structure 301 flattens. It should be noted that the wing panel 300 shown in the accompanying drawings is only one embodiment; other multi-link mechanisms or limit hinges can also be used to achieve adaptive flattening and folding of the wing panel.

[0052] The transmission device 400 is connected to the platform body 200, bears the weight of the platform body 200 and the vehicle or cargo, and realizes the lifting or lowering of the platform body 200. The types include hydraulic cylinder winch + steel cable + pulley, hydraulic motor + steel cable + pulley, electric motor + steel cable + pulley, electric motor + steel cable, hydraulic cylinder direct drive, electric push rod direct drive, etc.

[0053] The transmission device 400 adopts a hydraulic cylinder winch + steel cable + pulley type, and consists of a hydraulic cylinder device 401, a movable pulley group 402, a steel cable fixing point 403, a fixed pulley group 404, a steel cable 405 and a steel cable hanging point 406. Its working principle is as follows: a movable pulley group 402 is installed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device 401, and the steel cable 405 passes through several movable pulley groups 402 and several fixed pulley groups 404 from the steel cable fixing point 403 and is connected to the steel cable hanging point 406 on the platform body 200; when the platform body 200 descends under the action of its own weight, the steel cable 405 drives the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device 401 to slowly extend, and the hydraulic power controls the movement and speed of the descent of the platform body 200; when the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device 401 retracts under the action of pressurized oil, the steel cable 405 drives the platform body 200 to rise.

[0054] The guide device 500 is used to limit the platform body 200's lateral and longitudinal position during the platform body 200's lifting and lowering process to accommodate the ship's sway and pitch. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the guide device 500 consists of a vertical guide rail 501 mounted on the hull bulkhead 103, a guide arm 502 connected to the platform body, and guide rollers 503. Its operating principle is as follows: the guide rollers 503 roll up and down along the vertical guide rails 501, limiting the lateral and longitudinal movement of the guide rollers 503 to limit the platform body 200's position. The vertical guide rails 501 can be a single-side dual-rail configuration, as shown in the accompanying drawings, or a dual-rail configuration with four rails on both sides.

[0055] The locking and fastening device 600 is used to lock the platform body 200 with the hull structure when the platform body 200 is docked on the upper loading deck 102 for storage, and generally adopts a dispersed arrangement of hydraulic latches.

[0056] The limiting device 700 is used to limit the platform body 200 laterally and longitudinally when the platform body 200 is placed on the lower loading deck 101, so as to withstand the horizontal thrust generated when vehicles go up and down the platform body 200 and adapt to the swaying and tilting of the ship.

[0057] The limiting device 700 consists of a limiting structure 701 and a limiting pit 702 . The limiting structure 701 is installed at the bottom of the platform body 200 , and the limiting pit 702 is embedded in the lower loading compartment deck 101 .

[0058] The sealing device 800 is used to seal the platform body 200 from the surrounding hull structure when the platform body 200 is docked on the upper loading deck 102 for storage, ensuring the tightness and integrity of the upper loading deck. The sealing device 800 generally consists of a sealing rubber installed below the upper loading deck 102, a rubber groove, and a pressure plate installed on the platform body 200. Its operating principle is as follows: when the platform body 200 is docked on the upper loading deck 102 for storage, the locking and fastening device 600 is locked, applying an upward force to the platform body 200, causing the pressure plate to press against the sealing rubber, achieving a seal.

[0059] The complete working principle of the marine vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels of the present invention is as follows:

[0060] a The vehicle lifting platform is lowered from the upper loading deck to the lower loading deck

[0061] Step 1: unlocking the locking and fastening device 600;

[0062] Step 2: The platform body 200 descends under its own weight. The guide device 500 limits the longitudinal and lateral movement of the platform body 200. The transmission device 400 provides an upward pulling force for the platform body 200 to control the descending speed of the platform body 200. Braking and other actions are performed as needed.

[0063] Step 3: When the platform body 200 descends until the outer ends of the wing panels 300 contact the lower loading deck 101, the wing panels 300 are gradually unfolded by the support force of the deck until the platform body 200 rests on the lower loading deck 101. At the same time, the wing panels 300 are flattened, and the upper surfaces of the wing panels 300 form a smooth transition slope from the upper surface of the platform body 200 to the lower loading deck 101, allowing vehicles or cargo to get on and off. The longitudinal and lateral movement of the platform body 200 when resting on the deck is limited by the limit device 700.

[0064] b. The vehicle lifting platform rises from the lower loading deck to the upper loading deck

[0065] Step 1: Apply an upward pulling force to the platform body 200 through the transmission device 400 to lift the platform body 200, control the rising speed of the platform body 200, and perform braking and other actions as needed;

[0066] Step 2: When the platform body 200 leaves the lower loading deck 101 and slowly rises, the wing panels 300 gradually fold to a set angle position;

[0067] Step 3: When the platform body 200 rises to the point where its upper surface is basically flush with the upper loading compartment deck 102 or generally slightly exceeds the position, the transmission device 400 stops lifting, the locking and fastening device 600 is locked, and the platform body 200 rests on the locking and fastening device 600. At this time, the upper surface is flush with the upper loading compartment deck 102, allowing vehicles or cargo to go up and down; at the same time, the sealing device 800 achieves sealing under the upward force provided by the locking and fastening device 600.

[0068] The key technical aspect of this invention is the overall design of a vehicle lift platform with adaptive fenders. This avoids the complexities of conventional vehicle lift platforms, such as the need for a pit and fixed or removable transition plates. This allows for flexible layout, high efficiency, and practicality, a key feature requiring protection. While there are various types of fender mechanisms, this invention illustrates one type in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Even if other fender types are used, the overall vehicle lift platform design remains within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A marine vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels, characterized in that: include: The platform body is used to carry vehicles or cargo, and to carry vehicles or cargo vertically between the upper and lower loading bays; Its lower surface is flat and can be placed directly on the lower loading deck; its upper surface matches the line of the upper loading deck and is flush with the upper loading deck when raised to the upper loading deck; The wing is connected to the platform body and can rotate within a certain angle range. When the platform body rests on the lower loading deck, the wing automatically flattens so that the upper surface of the wing becomes a transition slope from the upper surface of the platform body to the deck. When the platform body docks on the upper loading deck, the wing folds downward to a limited extent to adapt to the reinforcement structure around the large opening of the deck. The wing consists of a wing structure body, a hinge, and a tie rod. The hinge is fixedly installed inside the platform body structure. The wing structure body is connected to the platform body via the hinge and can rotate around the hinge. A tie rod is also connected between the wing structure body and the platform body. The transmission device is connected to the platform body, bears the weight of the platform body and the vehicle or cargo, and realizes the lifting or lowering of the platform body; the transmission device adopts any one of the types of hydraulic cylinder winch + steel cable + pulley, hydraulic motor + steel cable + pulley, electric motor + steel cable + pulley, electric motor + steel cable, hydraulic cylinder direct transmission mechanism, and electric push rod direct transmission mechanism; The guide device is used to guide the platform during the lifting and lowering process, and to limit the platform body horizontally and vertically to adapt to the sway and tilt of the ship; Locking and fastening device, used to lock the platform body to the hull structure when the platform body is docked on the upper loading deck for storage; The limiting device is used to limit the platform body laterally and longitudinally when the platform body is resting on the lower loading deck, so as to withstand the horizontal thrust generated when vehicles go up and down the platform body and adapt to the sway and tilt of the ship. The limiting device consists of a limiting structure and a limiting pit. The limiting structure is installed at the bottom of the platform body, and the limiting pit is embedded in the lower loading deck. The sealing device is used to achieve sealing between the platform body and the surrounding hull structure when the platform body is docked on the upper loading compartment deck for storage, thereby ensuring the tightness integrity of the upper loading compartment deck; the sealing device consists of a sealing rubber installed below the upper loading compartment deck, a rubber groove, and a compression plate installed on the platform body. When the platform body is docked on the upper loading compartment deck for storage, the locking and fastening device is locked, providing an upward force on the platform body, so that the compression plate presses the sealing rubber to achieve sealing.

2. The marine vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the platform body rises from the lower loading compartment deck, the wing plate structure body rotates and folds downward around the hinge under the action of its own weight until the pull rod is straightened to reach a balanced state. In this state, the platform body rises to the upper loading compartment deck; when the platform body descends until the outer end of the wing plate structure body contacts the lower loading compartment deck, the wing plate structure body is gradually unfolded by the support force of the deck, and the pull rod is contracted or folded until the platform body is placed on the lower loading compartment deck, and the wing plate structure body is flattened.

3. The vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels for marine use according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission device adopts a hydraulic cylinder winch + steel cable + pulley type, which consists of a hydraulic cylinder device, a movable pulley group, a steel cable fixing point, a fixed pulley group, a steel cable and a steel cable lifting point. A movable pulley group is installed on the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device, and the steel cable passes through several movable pulley groups and several fixed pulley groups from the steel cable fixing point and is connected to the steel cable lifting point on the platform body.

4. The vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels for marine use according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the platform body descends under the action of its own weight, the steel cable drives the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device to slowly extend, and the hydraulic power controls the movement and speed of the platform body's descent; when the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder device retracts under the action of pressure oil, the steel cable drives the platform body to rise.

5. The vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels for marine use according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide device consists of a vertical guide rail installed on the hull bulkhead, a guide arm connected to the platform body, and a guide roller. The guide roller rolls up and down along the vertical guide rail. The vertical guide rail limits the platform body by restricting the lateral and longitudinal movement of the guide roller.

6. The marine vehicle lifting platform with adaptive wing panels according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vertical guide rails are of a single-side double-rail type, or a two-side four-rail type.

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