Multifunctional road vehicle comprising quick tool changing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a municipal vehicle consisting of a chassis (1) which can accommodate a cab (2) and road treatment tools (3) and is equipped with means for loading and unloading the tools. The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising centering and guiding means (24, 28) and locking and unlocking means (11, 11 ', 13, 22) on the chassis (1), centering and guiding means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3), these means being intended to cooperate with means for loading and unloading said tool, said loading and unloading means being independent of the vehicle. The device of the loading and unloading tool comprises a carriage (4) consisting of a base (7) accommodating a loading / unloading carrier (5), said carriage (4) comprising, on the one hand, centring and guiding means (17, 27) designed for corresponding centring and guiding means (24, 28) of the chassis (1), and, on the other hand, locking and unlocking means (20, 23) designed for locking and unlocking the chassis (1) with respect to the corresponding centring and guiding means (24, 28) of the chassis (1). The locking and unlocking devices (10, 10 ', 19, 21, 29, 30) are arranged on the tool, and the locking and unlocking devices (11, 11', 13, 22) are arranged on the base plate in a matched mode and used for cooperating with the corresponding locking and unlocking devices (10, 10 ', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool and the corresponding locking and unlocking devices (11, 11', 13, 22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a road vehicle designed to perform various road treatment functions, including mechanical means to quickly assemble and disassemble the tools required to perform the various tasks. For example, the vehicle can be a city sweeper or a dust, snow or water removal vehicle.

[0002] This type of vehicle consists essentially of an articulated or non-articulated frame with at least two axles, on which are mounted cleaning devices such as brushes, blades, suction devices, containers for receiving the suctioned residues, optionally a sufficient water reservoir and a control station.

[0003] In order to avoid the huge costs of acquiring and maintaining vehicles with a single function (i.e. each vehicle can only perform one task), or to avoid the costs and time associated with fixing a vehicle and intervening every time a specific task needs to be performed, it is desirable, where appropriate, to have simple mechanical devices that allow only one operator, the driver of the vehicle, to ensure the removal and loading of the tool, respectively, so that the vehicle can perform the assigned task.

[0004] Various models are known in the prior art which allow a single vehicle to be maintained to perform a variety of tasks by using tool interchange devices.

[0005] Thus, document FR2641743 describes a vehicle equipped with interchangeable tools, comprising a conventional fixed chassis on which is mounted a chassis that can be tilted around a pivot at the rear of a fixed frame, so that the loading and unloading of the tools can be carried out by towing after the frame is tilted or by gradual release respectively by towing means, the tools being designed to rest on the ground in a tilted position before loading and after unloading,

[0006] Although this approach achieves the intended purpose, it is still very complicated because it requires the use of a double chassis permanently mounted on the vehicle, more specifically, a tilting chassis hinged to the rear of the fixed chassis so that the tool can be loaded or unloaded by sliding, and retractable legs that can be deployed from the mobile chassis to ensure the stability of the assembly during use.

[0007] This system is very complex and adds weight to the vehicle due to the permanent presence on the chassis of elements for unloading and loading the tools separately, thus significantly changing the design and structure of the vehicle.

[0008] Finally, providing switching capabilities would complicate and slow down operations, especially requiring greater useful shop floor capacity.

[0009] However, for obvious reasons of economy and efficiency, the tool change operation must be able to be completed in the shortest possible time, using a minimum of equipment and manpower, and above all to prevent the vehicle from being immobilized for long periods of time.

[0010] A variant is also described in US Pat. No. 5,554,2815, which suffers from the same drawbacks, even though the tilting control and stabilization is not by means of retractable legs but by means of a jack deployed from a fixed chassis.

[0011] The closest prior art known to the applicant is Document No. CH707468, which describes a road vehicle consisting of a chassis and a cockpit, with a tool for handling roads on the chassis and a device for loading and unloading the tool on the tool. The vehicle includes a centering and guiding device and a locking and unlocking device on the chassis, and a centering and guiding device and a locking and unlocking device on the tool, which are intended to be used in conjunction with a tool loading and unloading device independent of the vehicle.

[0012] The present invention plans to overcome these drawbacks and to create a road vehicle in which the vehicle itself is independent of the device for placing and loading the tools, so that the tool change operation can be carried out in a limited space without the need to make substantial modifications to the vehicle chassis and also avoid having to switch devices in order to continue loading or unloading tools, or to use additional devices to move the tools in order to store them after depositing them or to collect them in a stock before laying them.

[0013] More specifically, the vehicle includes centering and guiding devices mounted on the chassis and the tool for locking and unlocking, respectively, which are designed to be used in conjunction with a tool handling device independent of the vehicle.

[0014] The invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example a tool, in this case a box, whose means for loading and unloading the tool consist of a movable carriage.

[0015] It should be noted that if the placement phase of the tool is described in detail, the same operation is also applicable in the opposite direction to achieve the coupling of the tool.

[0016] Figure 1 is a partial side view of a road vehicle including various components and a quick-change carriage.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a three-quarter rear view from above, showing the approach phase of the carriage.

[0018] Figure 3 is a rear view showing the carriage centering stage.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a cutaway three-quarter view showing the centering device of the carriage.

[0020] Figure 5is a detail showing the device used to lock and guide the slide during tool change.

[0021] Figure 6 Shows the tool before unloading onto the carriage.

[0022] Figure 7 Shows the stages of removing the carriage using the tool.

[0023] Figure 8 Shows the tool after it has been unloaded onto the carriage.

[0024] [ Fig. 9 ] shows the carriage in a rest position, with the tool ready to be picked up.

[0025] Fig.10 is a partial side elevation view of a vehicle with an alternative embodiment of a manually tiltable tool.

[0026] [ Fig.11 ] Fig.10 Two detailed views of the variants shown. Fig.10 Two detail views of the variants shown.

[0027] Fig.12 is a partial side view of the vehicle. Fig.10 Manual tilt mechanism for the variant shown.

[0028] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 Detailed view of the tilting device shown.

[0029] With reference to the accompanying drawings, [ Figure 1 ] refers to a road vehicle with a tool mounted on it, in this case a box that collects waste or dust from the ground by suction.

[0030] It should be noted that other types of tools may be used or depicted to accomplish other tasks, and this depiction is only one of the possible uses that can be achieved through the present invention.

[0031] Each tool includes an autonomous hydraulic supply, so there is no hydraulic connection between the tool and the vehicle, which simplifies laying and placing operations and increases the reliability of the system. Only electrical connections are provided.

[0032] In the following description of an implementation example, it will be considered that the term tool, when used, designates a box.

[0033] In a known manner, the vehicle consists of a chassis (1), which can be articulated or non-articulated, on which there is a cab (2), from which the operator can control and maneuver the vehicle and control the different tools to perform the latter's functions and to treat a determined area.

[0034] The front and rear of the chassis refer to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling in normal operating mode, so the front of the chassis is the part that receives the vehicle cab and the rear is the part that receives the tools.

[0035] In front of the cab (2) at the lower part of the chassis (1), close to the ground, there are some cleaning devices, which are neither described nor shown in detail as they do not form part of the present invention, and which are mounted on a movable structure. For example, it can be a rotating brush.

[0036] A box (3) and a suction device for collecting garbage or dust from the ground are installed at the rear of the chassis, and the suction device cooperates with the box (3) through a suction pipe (not shown).

[0037] According to the invention, the vehicle comprises on the chassis (1) centering and guiding means (24, 28) and locking and unlocking means (11, 11', 13, 22), and on the tool (3) centering and guiding means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30), which are intended to be used in conjunction with a loading and unloading device of the tool independent of the vehicle.

[0038] In the example of embodiment described here and depicted in the figures, the device for loading and unloading tools comprises a carriage (4).

[0039] An essential feature of the carriage (4) is that it can be moved and adjusted in a vertical plane between two end positions between the ground and the horizontal plane of the chassis (1) in order to receive the tool (3), so that it can be used independently of the vehicle in order to move the tool (3) after or before loading the tool (3) in order to perform transport or storage tasks of the tool.

[0040] Translation means for moving the tool (3) between the chassis (1) and the carriage (4) may be associated with said carriage (4).

[0041] like Figure 2 The carriage (4) consists of a base (7) mounted on wheels (8) on which is mounted a loading / unloading support (5) which can be mechanically lowered or mounted between a working position and a rest position by means of an articulated spider (9) of known type.

[0042] The term "working position" is understood to mean the position in which the support (5) of the carriage (4) is unfolded, the height of which can be adjusted according to the height of the chassis with which it is matched. The term "resting position" is the position in which the support (5) of the carriage (4) is folded on the base (7).

[0043] A handle (6) is located at the end opposite to the vehicle to facilitate movement of the carriage (4) on the wheels (8).

[0044] More particularly, when the tool (3) is locked in a rest position on the carriage (4), it can be handled without additional packaging, can be transported on a cart, or can be stored on a pallet rack, the carriage (4) acting as a pallet.

[0045] exist Figure 2 As can be seen in the drawing, a carriage (4) is arranged at the rear of the vehicle chassis (1) in order to accommodate a box (3) mounted on said chassis for collecting waste.

[0046] The dimensions of the carriage (4) are determined in such a way that a base (7) with wheels can slide under the vehicle chassis (1), and a bracket (5) is arranged at the rear of the carriage and its length is less than that of the base in order to place the carriage on the chassis.

[0047] The support (5) is actually composed of two parallel guide rails (17). According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the guide rails (17) surround the worm (12), and its function will be described in detail later.

[0048] According to a simplified variant embodiment, the support (5) can consist of only two parallel rails (17) for handling small or light tools.

[0049] Figures 2 to 4 The alignment and centering phase of the carriage (4) relative to the vehicle chassis (1) is shown.

[0050] The carriage (4), the tool (3) and the chassis (1) each comprise centering and guiding means intended to cooperate with one another and to ensure optimal alignment of the carriage relative to the chassis before starting to place or lay the tool.

[0051] The carriage (4) also comprises locking and unlocking devices which can be used in conjunction with corresponding locking and unlocking devices on the tool (3) and the frame (1).

[0052] The free ends of the parallel guide rails (17) each include a fixed attachment (27), which constitutes a centering and guiding device on the slide (4). The free end refers to the end located opposite the handle (6).

[0053] The centering and guiding device on the chassis (1) corresponding to the centering and guiding device of the slide (4) comprises two parallel guide rails (28) and two conical centering holes (24).

[0054] The centering and guiding device on the tool (3) includes at least one pair of lifting wheels (14) and two centering ears (18), whose functions will be described later.

[0055] To ensure that the carriage (4) is aligned with the center of the vehicle chassis (1) after alignment ([ Figure 3 ]), the guide (17) of the carriage (4) slides to the same height as the guide rail (28) of the chassis (1), until the carriages abut against each other ( Figure 4 A), the centering is performed by the fixing hook (27) of the carriage (4), such as Figure 4 C, engages with the centering hole (24) of the chassis (1), such as Figure 4 B, and processed in the communication.

[0056] The conical shape of the centering hole (24) prevents the hook (27) from accidentally disengaging after engagement, thereby ensuring that the centering remains in the proper position.

[0057] Furthermore, the carriage (4), chassis (1) and tool (3) each include locking and unlocking devices for engaging and securing them before placing or positioning the tool.

[0058] The locking and unlocking device on the carriage (4) comprises two end-of-travel locking hooks (23) at the rear.

[0059] The term "free end" refers to the end connected to the chassis.

[0060] According to a possible embodiment, the locking and unlocking device on the carriage (4) further comprises two forks, called "front" forks (20), mounted at the free ends of the two guide rails (17), such as Figure 5 .

[0061] The locking / unlocking device on the chassis comprises a blocking block (11), preferably vertical, arranged at the front end of the chassis receiving area, facing the cab (2) to limit the displacement to the top of the tool (3), the block comprising two holes (11') for receiving the centering ears (18) of the tool, and two housings (13) which act as shock absorbers after the centering ears (18) of the tool are engaged in the holes (11').

[0062] According to a possible embodiment, the locking and unlocking device on the tool (3) comprises: at the front, two locking pins (19) arranged in horizontal planes for engaging with the front fork (20) when it is aligned and centered; at the rear, a locking hook (21).

[0063] The tool also comprises two lifting wheels (14), in particular to ensure that the tool can be lifted after unlocking in order to transfer it to the carriage (4).

[0064] According to a first alternative embodiment, the tilting of the tool (3) is performed remotely by the lifting cylinder (10), for example by electrical control.

[0065] According to a second simplified implementation variant, the tilting of the tool (3) is carried out manually by means of two eccentrics (10') mounted on both sides of the tool, around wheels (14) and driven by levers (30), which are then connected to compression springs (29).

[0066] Once the tool is transferred to the carriage, the end-of-stroke locking hook stop (23) stops, thereby securing the tool from being lifted any further upwards. The rear hook (23) can also be tilted or not.

[0067] The tool (3) is locked on the slide (4) by the engagement of the front fork (20) of the slide (4) and the rear locking shaft (19) of the tool.

[0068] According to a variant embodiment particularly suitable for handling heavy or large tools, a mechanical translation device can also be provided to facilitate the sliding of the tool on the chassis on the carriage.

[0069] According to this variant shown in the figures, the translation means on the carriage (4) comprise a worm screw (12), it being noted that, according to a simplified variant for carrying light tools, the movement can be accomplished entirely manually by arm strength, without the need to provide a mechanical translation means.

[0070] When the tool is tilted, as is the case with the scrap box here, tension is placed on the front of the tool.

[0071] In order to prevent the tool from moving unnecessarily in this case, two centering ears (18) arranged on the upper part of the locking block (11) will block and push the lifting wheel (14) when the lifting wheel (14) moves upward if the lifting wheel (14) is hit by an impact that cannot be absorbed.

[0072] In a simplified variant allowing manual tilting of the tool (3), the lifting wheels (14) are equipped with compression springs (29) to hold them in position and allow them to dampen and absorb pressure after the tool is inserted, the tool being fixed to the chassis by a block (11) with a hole (11') in which the lug (18) is mounted.

[0073] The process of placing the box (3) from the road vehicle chassis (1) will now be described step by step.

[0074] A control handle (6) allows the carriage (4) to be manually moved closer to the vehicle so as to be aligned and centered with the chassis (1).

[0075] As shown in the figure, the loading / unloading bracket (5) of the carriage (4) has previously been adjusted to the correct height so as to be in the same plane as the vehicle chassis (1) and aligned relative to the chassis (1), such as Figure 2 and 3 .

[0076] As shown in the figure, the base (7) of the carriage (4) can slide freely under the vehicle chassis (1) through the lower wheel (8) and the handle (6) until the front end of its bracket (5) is connected to the rear end of the chassis (1). Figures 3 to 5 .

[0077] At this stage, the lifting wheels (14) and the lifting cylinders (10) or eccentrics (30) of the tool (according to the variant under consideration) are inactive, the said wheels being locked in the housings (13) corresponding to each lateral end of the base of the locking block (11), as Figure 6 .

[0078] As mentioned above, the centering of the carriage (4) is achieved by the engagement of the fixed centering hook (27) of the carriage guide (17) with the centering hole (24) of the frame (1).

[0079] Then, the tool is unlocked by controlling a sensor (not shown) or a switch (not shown) mounted on the chassis (1), thereby raising the front part of the tool.

[0080] According to the variant considered, the unlocking is done by a lifting cylinder (10) which lifts the front end of the tool by means of a lifting wheel (14), or manually by means of a lever (30) of an eccentric wheel (10') around a castor (14).

[0081] According to a first variant, the lifting wheels (14) are pushed backwards out of their respective housings (13) in the locking stops (11) and then unlock the rear part of the tool by means of the rear hook (21).

[0082] According to a second variant, the fixed centering lug (18) of the tool (3) is raised by rotating it about the lifting wheel (14), and the hook (21) is stuck by the lever (30).

[0083] The electrical connections are then removed, of a known type and therefore not shown, and the carriage (4) is then raised so that it is aligned with the chassis (1).

[0084] By unfolding the cross member (9), the carriage (4) rises and the support (5) is centered on the locking axis (19) of the tool and lifts the tool (3) via the front fork (20).

[0085] Then, the endless screw (12) slides on the guide rail (17) of the slide (4) through the lifting wheel (14) to pull the container onto the bracket (5) of the slide (4), as shown in FIG. Figure 7 .

[0086] When the container (3) has been fully pulled onto the carriage (4), the latter is released from the chassis (1) and used in the same manner as a pallet tractor to transport the box (3) to a selected storage or maintenance location ([ Figure 8]).

[0087] The spider (9) is then lowered to fold the support (5) and place it in a static position until the feet (16) are in contact with the ground ([ Fig. 9 ]).

[0088] Number prompt list

[0089] 1. Framework

[0090] 2. Cab

[0091] 3. Box

[0092] 4. Sliding table

[0093] 5. Loading / unloading rack

[0094] 6. Control handle

[0095] 7. Cart base

[0096] 8. Trolley wheels

[0097] 9. Articulated Spider

[0098] 10. Lifting cylinder

[0099] 10'.Eccentric wheel

[0100] 11. Chassis blocking block

[0101] 11'. Slender hole on the base

[0102] 12. Worm

[0103] 13. Housing in chassis support

[0104] 14. Lifting wheel

[0105] 15. Stop sales promotion

[0106] 16. Legs

[0107] 17. Slide rail

[0108] 18. Tool fixing center stop

[0109] 19. Tool lock pin

[0110] 20. Front fork of cart

[0111] 21. Rear locking hook of the tool

[0112] 22. Chassis rear lock shaft

[0113] 23. Lock hook stopper at the end of the carriage travel

[0114] 24. Frame centering hole

[0115] 27. Fixed rail for centering trolley rails

[0116] 28. Base rail

[0117] 29.Compression spring

[0118] 30. Leverage

Claims

1. A road vehicle, comprising a chassis (1), a driver's cabin (2) and a road handling tool (3), and equipped with a device for loading and unloading the tool, the vehicle comprising on the chassis (1) centering and guiding means (24, 28) and locking and unlocking means (11, 11', 13, 22), on the tool (3) centering and guiding means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30), centering and guiding means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30), designed to cooperate with a loading and unloading device for said tool independent of the vehicle, characterized in that The centering and guiding device on the tool (3) comprises at least one pair of rollers (14) and two fixed centering ears (18).

2. A road vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that The locking and unlocking device (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3) comprises two eccentric wheels (10') arranged on both sides of the tool and driven by a lever (30).

3. A road vehicle according to claim 2, characterised in that The castor (14) is associated with a compression spring (29).

4. A road vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that The locking and unlocking device (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3) comprises a lifting cylinder (10).

5. Road vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device for loading and unloading tools comprises a carriage (4) consisting of a base (7) for receiving a loading / unloading bracket (5), the carriage (4) comprising: on one side a centering and guiding device (17, 27) for cooperating with corresponding centering and guiding devices (24, 28) on the chassis (1); and on the other side a locking and unlocking device (20, 23) for cooperating with corresponding locking and unlocking devices (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) respectively with corresponding locking and unlocking devices (11, 11', 13, 22) on the frame, each tool (3) mounted on the chassis (1) comprising an independent hydraulic power unit, so that there is no hydraulic connection between the tool and the vehicle.

6. A road vehicle according to claim 5, characterised in that The carriage (4) is movable and adjustable in a vertical plane between two end positions between the ground and the horizontal plane of the chassis (1) in order to receive the tool (3) and thus be used independently of the vehicle to perform transport or storage tasks of said tool.

7. A road vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that The centering and guiding device (17, 27) of the carriage (4) consists of two parallel guide rails (17), each of which includes a fixing attachment (27) at its free end.

8. Road vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that The centering and guiding device (24, 28) arranged on the frame (1) corresponds to the centering device (17, 27) of the slide (4), and is composed of two parallel guide rails (28) and two conical centering holes (24).

9. A road vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that The locking and unlocking device (20, 23) on the slide (4) comprises two front forks (20) respectively mounted on the free ends of the two guide rails (17) and two end-of-travel locking hooks (23).

10. A road vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that The locking and unlocking device (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3) comprises, at the front, two locking pins (19) arranged in a horizontal plane, which will engage with the front fork (20) of the carriage (4) when the carriage (4) is aligned and centered; and at the rear, a locking hook (21).

11. A road vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that The carriage (4) comprises translation means for moving the tool (3) on said carriage (4).

12. A road vehicle according to claim 11, characterised in that The translation device consists of a worm (12).

13. A road vehicle according to claim 12, characterised in that The worm (12) is arranged between two guide rails (17) of the loading / unloading bracket (5) of the carriage (4).

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