Forward forklift

Abstract

The invention relates to a reach truck having a vehicle frame (2) and a traction battery (12), the vehicle frame (2) having two wheel arms (2a, 2b) arranged at a distance from each other in the vehicle transverse direction (Q). The vehicle frame (2) is provided with an additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) on which the traction battery (12) stands.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a reach truck having a vehicle frame and a traction battery, wherein the vehicle frame has two wheel arms arranged at a distance from each other in the vehicle transverse direction. Background Art

[0002] A reach truck generally has a vehicle frame that is U-shaped in a top view, the vehicle frame having wheel arms arranged at a distance from each other in the vehicle transverse direction. Drive wheels are arranged on the vehicle frame, and a load wheel is arranged at each end of the two wheel arms of the vehicle frame. The vehicle frame is also provided with an electric travel drive, an electric steering drive, a hydraulic device, and a braking device. A mobile-lift rod is movably arranged on the vehicle frame in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the two wheel arms. In addition, a traction battery is arranged on the vehicle frame. The traction battery supplies electrical energy to the travel drive, the steering drive, and the hydraulic device. In a known reach truck, the traction battery is arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the drive section, in which the travel drive, the steering drive, and the hydraulic device are arranged, and the mobile-lift rod. Here, it is known that the traction battery is arranged on a battery carrier constructed as a plate member, and the battery carrier can be adjusted in the vehicle longitudinal direction by means of the mobile-lift rod's moving drive for battery replacement.

[0003] The load capacity of a reach truck is determined by the vehicle weight of the reach truck and the size and thus weight of the traction battery used. There is a target conflict regarding the size of the traction battery, because a wide and heavy traction battery can increase the load capacity of the reach truck, but a wide and heavy traction battery will cause an increase in the total length of the reach truck. As a result, the reach truck requires a larger working aisle width between two rows of shelves in a shelf system. However, in order to be able to implement a shelf system with a high storage density, it is desired by the customer side that the reach truck requires as small a working aisle width as possible.

[0004] In reach trucks, high-performance energy storage devices are increasingly used as traction batteries instead of lead-acid batteries, and their energy density is higher than that of lead-acid batteries. For example, batteries with lithium-based battery technology such as lithium-ion batteries or lithium iron phosphate batteries are used as traction batteries. However, such high-performance energy storage devices as traction batteries can be constructed significantly lighter and narrower than lead-acid batteries as traction batteries when they have the same energy content. Therefore, when using such high-performance energy storage devices as traction batteries, there is a need to equip the reach truck with additional weights in order to achieve a high load capacity of the reach truck. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object underlying the invention is to provide a reach truck of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can achieve a high load capacity in a simple manner when using a high-performance energy storage device.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is solved by the vehicle frame being provided with an additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier, on which the traction battery stands.

[0007] The invention starts from the recognition that high-performance energy storage devices, as traction batteries, can be constructed significantly lighter and more compact, such that an additional weight must be placed in the reach truck, which compensates for the lighter weight of the high-performance energy storage device in order to achieve the high load capacity of the reach truck. From a mechanical perspective and for the center of gravity position of the reach truck, it is advantageous to position the additional weight as low as possible in the reach truck. By means of the functional integration and construction of the additional weight as a traction battery carrier (on which the traction battery stands), on the one hand, the lighter weight of the high-performance energy storage device can be compensated and the required additional weight in the reach truck can be provided for the high load capacity, and on the other hand, the additional weight is arranged at a low position of the reach truck for the advantageous center of gravity position of the reach truck. Therefore, the use of the additional weight and the functional integration of the additional weight as a traction battery carrier can simply achieve an increase in the total weight of the reach truck and thus an improvement in the tipping stability of the reach truck and an increase in the load capacity of the reach truck when using a high-performance energy storage device as a traction battery in the reach truck.

[0008] By using a high-performance energy storage device as a traction battery and placing an additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier, the relevant characteristics of the reach truck, namely the load capacity and the aisle width, can also be configured and defined independently of each other.

[0009] Configuring the additional weight as a traction battery carrier (preferably with a traction battery configured as a high-performance energy storage device standing on it) also enables the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier of the high-performance energy storage device and the high-performance energy storage device, such as a lead-acid traction battery, to be placed in the same structural space, such that it is possible to simply equip the reach truck on the manufacturer's side either with a lead-acid traction battery or with a high-performance energy storage device in the case of using an additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier.

[0010] According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier is arranged in the vehicle transverse direction and is detachably fixed, in particular by means of a threaded connection, to the wheel arm. The detachable fixing can simply and inexpensively achieve fixing the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier to the wheel arm if necessary. If the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier is fixed to the wheel arm by means of a threaded connection, the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier can thereby also simply achieve strengthening the vehicle frame.

[0011] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, a counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is placed on the upper side of the wheel arm. In this way, it can be simply achieved that the moving slider guided on the wheel arm of the moving-lifting rod can move below the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier.

[0012] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with a lateral horizontal flange plate forming a fixed interface, by means of which the traction battery carrier can be detachably fixed to the wheel arm. With such a flange plate, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier can be detachably fixed to the two wheel arms in a simple manner.

[0013] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is configured as a casting. The casting is preferably made of cast iron or cast steel. Implementing the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier as a casting can simply provide a high weight of the counterweight with a high degree of configurability and simple adaptability of the geometry and shape of the counterweight. In addition, with the counterweight configured as a casting, the lighter weight of the high-performance energy storage relative to the lead-acid traction battery can be simply compensated. Preferably, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier has a mass in the range between 400 kg and 500 kg.

[0014] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier forms a support surface on the upper side, on which the traction battery stands. In this way, the traction battery fixedly installed in the reach truck can be simply arranged on the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier.

[0015] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with a roller track including at least one roller on the upper side. If the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with a roller track including at least one roller on the upper side, a variant of the counterweight can be simply provided, which enables the movement of the traction battery on the roller track and thus the replacement of the traction battery, for example, the lateral replacement of the traction battery in the vehicle transverse direction.

[0016] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with at least one roller groove on the upper side, in which the roller of the roller track can be rotatably supported. In such a roller groove, the corresponding roller of the roller track can be rotatably supported as necessary in a simple manner to form a roller track for replacing the traction battery.

[0017] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the roller groove is provided with a drainage part. With such a drainage part, it can be simply achieved to drain water from the roller groove.

[0018] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with a fixed flange, and the battery locking device can be detachably fixed to the fixed flange, in particular by means of a threaded connection. The battery locking device can thus be fixed to the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier in a simple manner, and the traction battery arranged on the additional weight is safeguarded against slipping, in particular against slipping in the transverse direction of the vehicle, during the operation of the reach truck.

[0019] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with at least one guiding portion configured to guide the traction battery on the additional weight. By means of the correspondingly configured guiding portion, the traction battery movable on the roller track can be guided on the additional weight in a simple manner, or the traction battery fixedly arranged on the additional weight and the traction battery movable on the roller track are safeguarded against slipping, in particular against slipping in the transverse direction of the vehicle, during the operation of the reach truck.

[0020] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier is provided with at least one fixed flange on which an additional weight module can be fixed to the additional weight. Thus, one or more additional weight modules can be fixed to the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier in a simple manner if necessary, as long as this is required for the higher tilting stability and / or high load capacity of the reach truck.

[0021] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the vehicle frame is provided with a drive wheel receiving portion for the drive wheels, and the wheel arms are respectively provided with a load wheel receiving portion for the load wheels, wherein the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier is arranged between the drive wheel receiving portion and the load wheel receiving portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Thus, an advantageous arrangement and position of the additional weight and the traction battery located on the additional weight between the drive wheel receiving portion and the load wheel receiving portion in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be achieved in a simple manner.

[0022] According to a preferred configuration of the present invention, the traction battery is configured as a high-performance energy storage device, in particular a high-performance battery or a fuel cell system. By means of the additional weight configured as a traction battery carrier, the lighter weight of the traction battery configured as a high-performance energy storage device can be compensated in a simple manner and the high load capacity and tilting stability of the reach truck can be achieved. According to the present invention, the high-performance energy storage device is in particular an energy storage device with an energy density higher than that of a traditional lead-acid battery and within the range of 37 to 43 Wh / kg. According to the present invention, the high-performance energy storage device can be a high-performance battery, such as a battery with lithium-based battery technology, in particular a lithium-ion battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a fuel cell system.

[0023] The term traction battery should not be understood restrictively, but can also extend to energy storage systems generally suitable for providing electrical energy from chemical energy. This should be understood not only as traditional batteries or accumulators but also as fuel cell systems.

[0024] The present invention has a series of advantages.

[0025] A counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier can simply improve the tilting stability of a reach truck and increase its load capacity.

[0026] Implementing the counterweight as a casting enables a high degree of configurability and adaptability of the geometry of the counterweight.

[0027] Favorable functional integration is achieved by means of a counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier.

[0028] If the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier is fixed to two wheel arms by means of a threaded connection, the vehicle frame can also be reinforced using the counterweight. Description of the Drawings

[0029] The further advantages and details of the present invention are explained in detail on the basis of the embodiment shown in the schematic drawings. Shown here are:

[0030] Figure 1 : Perspective view of the vehicle frame of a reach truck according to the invention,

[0031] Figure 2 : Figure 1 Enlarged view of the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier of

[0032] Figure 3 : With a traction battery arranged on the counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier of Figure 1 Part of

[0033] Figure 4 : With a counterweight module of Figures 1 to 3 The counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier of

[0034] Figure 5 : With another counterweight module of Figure 4 The counterweight configured as a traction battery carrier of

[0035] Figure 6 : The counterweight of Figure 5 in the installed state of the reach truck. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0036] Shown in Figure 1 is the vehicle frame 1 of a reach truck according to the invention.

[0037] The vehicle frame 1 has a U-shaped cross-section in a top view, which has two wheel arms 2a, 2b arranged at intervals in the vehicle transverse direction Q and a cross beam 3 connecting the two wheel arms 2a, 2b, and the cross beam includes a bottom plate 4.

[0038] On the inner sides of the two wheel arms 2a, 2b facing each other, guide rails 5a, 5b are respectively provided, and a moving-lifting rod (not shown in detail) is arranged movably in the guide rails in the vehicle longitudinal direction L.

[0039] On the front end regions of the wheel arms 2a, 2b, load wheel receiving portions 6a, 6b are respectively arranged, and load wheels (not shown in detail) can be rotatably arranged on the load wheel receiving portions.

[0040] On the cross beam 3, a drive wheel receiving portion 7 is formed in the middle in the vehicle transverse direction Q, and a drive wheel that can be steered about a vertical steering axis can be arranged on the drive wheel receiving portion.

[0041] The vehicle frame 1 is provided with an additional weight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10. The additional weight 11 has an upper side OS vertically located above, as shown in Figure 3 The traction battery 12 of the reach truck stands on this upper side.

[0042] The traction battery 12 is preferably configured as a high-performance energy storage device. The high-performance energy storage device especially has a higher energy density than the energy density of a traditional lead-acid battery in the range of 37 to 43 Wh / kg. The high-performance energy storage device is preferably configured as a high-performance battery, such as a battery with lithium-based battery technology, especially a lithium-ion battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery, or is configured as a fuel cell system.

[0043] The traction battery carrier 10 configured as the additional weight 11 is arranged in the vehicle transverse direction Q with its longitudinal extension and is respectively detachably fixed to the wheel arms 2a, 2b.

[0044] The additional weight 11 configured as the traction battery carrier 10 is arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction L between the drive wheel receiving portion 7 and the two load wheel receiving portions 6a, 6b.

[0045] As can be seen more clearly in combination with Figure 2 and Figure 3 The additional weight 11 configured as the traction battery carrier 10 is respectively provided with horizontal flange plates 15a, 15b forming fixed interfaces in the right end region and the left end region for detachably fixing to the two wheel arms 2a, 2b, and the traction battery carrier 10 is detachably fixed to the two wheel arms 2a, 2b by means of the flange plates.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the flange plates 15a, 15b are each provided with at least one through-hole 16a, 16b, which form screwing points for a threaded connection 17 by means of which a counterweight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 is fixed to the respective wheel arms 2a, 2b.

[0047] The counterweight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 is preferably configured as a casting, for example made of cast iron or cast steel.

[0048] The upper side OS of the counterweight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 forms a support surface 20 on which a traction battery 12 fixedly, i.e., non-replaceably, installed in a reach truck stands. In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface 20 is formed by a plurality of plate-shaped elevations 20a, 20b, 20c on the upper side OS of the counterweight 11.

[0049] On the upper side OS, the counterweight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 can be provided with at least one roller track 25 including rollers.

[0050] For this purpose, the counterweight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 is provided on the upper side OS with a plurality of roller grooves 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d in which the respective rollers 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d of the roller track 25 can be rotatably supported. The roller grooves 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d extend in their longitudinal extension in the vehicle longitudinal direction L.

[0051] Figure 2 The counterweight 11 is shown with rollers 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d arranged in the roller grooves 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d without a roller track 25.

[0052] In Figure 1 the counterweight 11 is shown with rollers 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d arranged in the roller grooves 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d with a roller track 25.

[0053] By means of the roller track 25, a lateral battery replacement of the traction battery 12 in the horizontal vehicle transverse direction Q can be achieved, during which the traction battery 12 can be moved downwards or upwards in the horizontal direction of the counterweight 11 on the rollers 27a - 27d of the roller track 25 for a lateral battery replacement.

[0054] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3As can be seen in detail, each roller groove 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d is provided with a drainage portion 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. In the illustrated embodiment, the drainage portions 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are respectively formed by corresponding channel-shaped grooves in the upper side OS of the additional weight 11.

[0055] The additional weight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 is provided with a fixing flange 35, and a battery locking device (not shown in detail) can be detachably fixed to this fixing flange. By means of this battery locking device, the traction battery 12 arranged on the additional weight 11 can be secured against movement in the vehicle transverse direction Q. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing flange 35 consists of at least one receiving hole 36, which forms a screwing point for a threaded connection, by means of which the battery locking device can be screwed onto the additional weight 11.

[0056] The additional weight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 is provided with at least one guiding portion 40a, 40b, which is configured to guide the traction battery 12 on the additional weight 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the guiding portions 40a, 40b are respectively configured as guiding devices on the additional weight 11, which cooperate with the guiding devices 41a, 41b on the traction battery 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the guiding portion 40a consists of a channel-shaped retracted portion in the upper front corner region between the upper side OS and the front side of the additional weight 11, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the additional weight 11 and thus in the vehicle transverse direction Q of the reach truck. In the illustrated embodiment, the guiding portion 40b consists of a channel-shaped retracted portion in the upper front corner region between the upper side OS and the rear side of the additional weight 11, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the additional weight 11 and thus in the vehicle transverse direction Q of the reach truck. The traction battery 12 is respectively provided with skid-shaped (kufenartig) guiding devices 41a, 41b in four lower corner regions, wherein two guiding devices 41a cooperate with the guiding portion 40a configured as a guiding device, and two guiding devices 41b cooperate with the guiding portion 40b configured as a guiding device. In the installed state, in Figure 3 the guiding devices 41a, 41b of the traction battery 12 shown on the right side in cooperate respectively with the corresponding end walls 42a, 42b of the guiding grooves 40a, 40b.

[0057] By means of the guiding devices 41a, 41b that cooperate with the guiding portions 40a, 40b configured as guiding devices, the traction battery 12 can be guided when moving along the additional weight 11 during battery replacement.

[0058] It is readily understandable that the guide parts 40a, 40b are not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Instead, the guide part 40a or 40b can alternatively be formed by a guide rail or a guide edge arranged or shaped on the additional weight 11, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the additional weight 11 and thus along the vehicle transverse direction Q of the reach truck and interacts with the guide devices 41a or 41b arranged on the traction battery 12.

[0059] In combination with the battery locking device arranged on the fixed flange 35, the guide devices 41a, 41b interacting with the guide grooves 40a, 40b can also secure the traction battery 12 arranged on the additional weight 11 against accidental movements in the vehicle transverse direction Q and in the vehicle longitudinal direction L during the operation of the reach truck.

[0060] The additional weight 11 configured as a traction battery carrier 10 is provided with at least one fixed flange 50, 55, on which, as shown in detail in Figures 4 to 6 the additional weight modules 51, 52 can be fixed to the additional weight 11.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed flange 50 is arranged on the upper side OS of the additional weight 11 on the right side in Figures 1 to 6 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed flange 50 consists of at least one receiving hole 52, which forms a screwing point for the threaded connection 53, by means of which the additional weight module 51 can be screwed onto the additional weight 11.

[0062] In Figure 4 an additional weight 11 with an additional weight module 51 screwed onto the fixed interface 50 is shown.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed flange 55 is arranged on the front side of the additional weight 11. In the said embodiment, the fixed flange 55 consists of at least one receiving hole 56, which forms a screwing point for the threaded connection 57, by means of which the additional weight module 52 can be screwed onto the additional weight 11.

[0064] In Figure 5 an additional weight 11 with an additional weight module 51 screwed onto the fixed interface 50 and an additional weight module 52 screwed onto the fixed interface 55 is shown.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the additional weight module 51 has a tower-like shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the additional weight module 52 has a plate-like shape and forms a vertical end wall or protective wall in front of the traction battery 12 in the state of being screwed onto the fixed interface 55, which extends along the vehicle transverse direction Q.

[0066] The additional weight module 51 and / or the additional weight module 52 are preferably each constructed as a casting. The additional weight module 51 and / or the additional weight module 52 are preferably made of cast iron or cast steel.

[0067] In Figure 6 is shown a vehicle frame 2 having an additional weight 11 fixed to two wheel arms 2a, 2b according to Figure 5 ​

Claims

1. A reach truck having a vehicle frame (2) and a traction battery (12), wherein: The vehicle frame (2) has two wheel arms (2a, 2b) arranged at a distance from one another in a vehicle transverse direction (Q), characterized in that the vehicle frame (2) is provided with an additional weight (11) configured as a traction battery carrier (10), on which the traction battery (12) stands.

2. The reach truck according to claim 1, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is arranged in the vehicle transverse direction (Q) and is detachably fastened to the wheel arms (2a, 2b), in particular by means of a screw connection (17).

3. The reach truck according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is placed on the upper side of the wheel arms (2a, 2b).

4. The reach truck according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) configured as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with lateral horizontal flange plates (15a, 15b) which form a fixing interface by means of which the additional weight (11) can be detachably fixed to the wheel arms (2a, 2b).

5. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is designed as a cast part.

6. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) forms a support surface (20) on the upper side (OS) on which the traction battery (12) stands.

7. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided on an upper side (OS) with a roller track (25) comprising at least one roller (27a; 27b; 27c; 27d).

8. The reach truck according to claim 7, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) configured as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided on an upper side (OS) with at least one roller recess (26a; 26b; 26c; 26d), in which a roller (27a; 27b; 27c; 27d) of the roller track (25) can be rotatably supported.

9. The reach truck according to claim 8, characterized in that: The roller groove (26a; 26b; 26c; 26d) is provided with a drainage portion (30a; 30b; 30c; 30d).

10. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with a fastening flange (35) to which a battery locking device can be detachably fastened, in particular by means of a screw connection.

11. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with at least one guide (40a; 40b) which is designed for guiding the traction battery (12) on the additional weight (11).

12. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: An additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with at least one fastening flange (50; 55), on which an additional weight module (51; 52) can be fastened to the additional weight (11).

13. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The vehicle frame (2) is provided with a drive wheel receiving portion (7) for a drive wheel, and the wheel arms (2a; 2b) are respectively provided with a load wheel receiving portion (6a; 6b) for a load wheel, wherein an additional weight (11) configured as a traction battery carrier (10) is arranged between the drive wheel receiving portion (7) and the load wheel receiving portion (6a; 6b) along the longitudinal direction (L) of the vehicle.

14. The reach truck according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The traction battery is designed as a high-performance energy store, in particular a high-performance battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery, or as a fuel cell system.

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