Pallet trucks, especially low-lift pallet trucks

Abstract

Pallet truck (1), in particular low-lift pallet truck, with a drive unit (2) and a load unit (3) that is vertically movable relative to the drive unit (2) and a battery-electric drive system, wherein the battery-electric drive system comprises a battery (11) and at least one further component (12; 13; 14), wherein the battery (11) and at least one further component (12; 13; 14) of the battery-electric drive system are arranged in a housing (10) that is attached to the load unit (3), characterized in that a vertical housing receptacle (9) is arranged on the load unit (3) in the area of ​​the load unit (3) facing the drive unit (2), to which the housing (10) is attached, wherein the housing receptacle (9) is formed by hollow profiles designed as tubular profiles and has lateral, vertically arranged supports (9a; 9b) as well as cross members (9c; 9d), wherein the housing (10) is at least partially within the lateral supports (9a; 9b) and the crossbeam (9c;9d) is arranged.;

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting truck, in particular a low-lift truck, having a drive part and a load part that is vertically movable relative to the drive part and a battery-electric drive system, wherein the battery-electric drive system comprises a battery and at least one further component, wherein the battery and at least one further component of the battery-electric drive system are arranged in a housing that is fastened to the load part.

[0002] A pallet truck designed as a low-lift truck is known from DE 10 2004 057 780 A1. In this pallet truck, the battery of the battery-electric drive system is arranged on a load frame of the load section in the longitudinal direction of the pallet truck between the drive section and the load arms of the load section. The other components of the electric drive system are arranged on a drive frame of the drive section of the pallet truck. By arranging the battery between the drive section and the load arms, the battery creates additional installation space in the longitudinal direction of the pallet truck. In addition, the arrangement of the other components of the battery-electric drive system results in high assembly and thus construction costs, since the components are mounted one after the other on the drive frame of the drive section.

[0003] DE 31 01 557 C2 discloses a lifting truck with a drive part and a load part that is vertically movable relative to the drive part, and a battery-electric drive system. The battery-electric drive system comprises a battery and at least one further component designed as a wiring harness. The battery is arranged laterally on the drive part and, for this purpose, is housed in a housing formed by a battery carrier and a plate-like, door-like wall part that is hinged to the drive part so that it can be folded in and out. When retracted or folded, the plate-like, door-like wall part simultaneously forms an outer side wall of the drive part.

[0004] JP 3 690 736 B2 discloses a generic pallet truck designed as a low-lift truck with a drive part and a load part that is vertically movable relative to the drive part and a battery-electric drive system, wherein the battery-electric drive system comprises a battery and at least one further component formed by a charging unit, wherein the battery and the charging unit are arranged in a housing designed as a battery housing that is open at the top and is fastened to the load part.

[0005] JP 2003-226 143 A discloses a generic pallet truck designed as a low-lift truck with a drive part and a load part that is vertically movable relative to the drive part and a battery-electric drive system, wherein the battery-electric drive system comprises a battery and at least one further component formed by a battery plug, wherein the battery and the battery plug are arranged in an upwardly open housing designed as a battery housing, which is fastened to the load part.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of providing a lifting truck of the type mentioned above which has a lower assembly and construction effort.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention in that a vertical housing receptacle is arranged on the load part in the area of ​​the load part facing the drive part, to which the housing is fastened, wherein the housing receptacle is formed by hollow profiles designed as tubular profiles and has lateral, vertically arranged supports and cross supports, wherein the housing is arranged at least partially within the lateral supports and the cross supports. According to the invention, the battery and further components of the battery-electric drive system are thus arranged in a separate housing which is fastened to the load part. As a result, the housing with the components of the battery-electric drive system can be mounted independently of the drive part and the load part, whereby low assembly effort and thus low construction effort can be achieved.

[0008] In the invention, a vertical housing receptacle is provided between the drive part and the load part, with the housing being attached to the housing receptacle. The housing comprising the battery and other components of the battery-electric drive system can be easily arranged on a vertical housing receptacle formed on the load part or the drive part.

[0009] A small installation space requirement in the longitudinal direction of the lifting truck can be achieved if, according to the invention, the housing receptacle is formed from hollow profiles and has lateral, vertically arranged supports and cross members, with the housing being arranged at least partially within the lateral supports and the cross members. The space of the housing receptacle encompassed by the lateral supports and the cross members is thus utilized by the housing.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is elastically attached to the load part, in particular by means of rubber elements. This provides a simple arrangement of the housing, and thus the battery and the components of the battery-electric drive system, on the pallet truck that dampens vibrations and shocks. This offers advantages, especially when operating the pallet truck on roads with uneven road surfaces, for example, on streets and squares outside enclosed halls, since the housing containing the battery and the components of the drive system is attached to the pallet truck in a dampened manner.

[0011] Particular advantages arise if the housing has a battery compartment, in particular a drawer-shaped battery compartment, for accommodating the battery of the battery-electric drive system, and a housing space, in particular a hood-shaped housing space, for accommodating at least one further electrical component of the battery-electric drive system. In such a housing, formed from a drawer-shaped battery compartment and a hood-shaped housing space, the battery and further components can be accommodated in the housing with minimal installation space requirements.

[0012] In order to minimize the space required in the longitudinal direction of the lift truck, it is advantageous if the battery compartment of the housing faces the load part and the housing space of the housing faces the drive part.

[0013] Particular advantages arise when the battery compartment of the housing is positioned within the side supports and the cross supports of the housing mount. The battery compartment with the battery is thus arranged vertically and located within the contours of the housing mount. This arrangement of the battery compartment means that the battery does not require any additional space in the longitudinal direction of the pallet truck. Furthermore, the battery is protected from damage within the housing mount, which also forms a protective bracket for the battery.

[0014] If, according to an advantageous development of the invention, a contact device, in particular a coupling, of a coupling-plug device for electrical connection to the battery arranged in the battery compartment is integrated into the battery compartment, wherein the contact device can be automatically connected to a contact device of the coupling-plug device, in particular a plug, arranged on the battery when the battery is inserted into the battery compartment, this results in automatic contacting of the coupling-plug device when the battery is changed. This enables a simple battery change without requiring the operator to operate an additional battery connector.

[0015] Advantageously, the battery compartment is provided with a guide and / or locking device for the battery. This, in conjunction with the automatic battery contact, allows for easy, secure guidance and locking of the battery in the compartment during battery replacement.

[0016] According to an expedient embodiment of the invention, the guide and / or locking device formed on the battery compartment can be formed by at least one guide rail that can be brought into operative connection with a slot-shaped locking device of the battery. With such a guide and / or locking device formed by guide rails and slot-shaped locking devices, the battery can be guided with little effort during battery replacement and, after contacting, can be securely held in the battery compartment.

[0017] The further component of the drive system arranged in the housing particularly advantageously comprises one or more of the following components: • A lifting drive for lifting the load part relative to the drive part, • a display and / or operating device, • a key switch, • a plug connection for electrical connection to a drive motor arranged on the drive part, • at least one electronic control device, • at least one power electronics, • an alarm device, • an electrical wiring and / or wiring harness, • a charger, • at least one sensor device, in particular a temperature sensor.

[0018] As a result, the battery and all electrical components of the drive system are arranged in the housing and thus integrated into the housing, whereby only a plug connection to the drive motor of the lift truck arranged on the drive part is required.

[0019] The invention further relates to a battery for use in a lifting truck according to the invention, wherein the battery is provided with a reinforced surface on the upper side and / or is provided with at least one slot-shaped locking device on the underside and / or is provided with a contact device, in particular a plug, a coupling-plug device, on one end face and / or is provided with a handle on the upper side. By arranging the battery in the battery compartment arranged within the housing receptacle and thus in the area facing the load part, the battery and its upper side form the partition wall to the load carried on the load part. The reinforced surface effectively prevents damage to the battery in the event of direct contact with the load.The locking mechanism located on the underside of the battery allows the battery to be easily guided into the battery compartment during battery replacement. The contact mechanism located on the front of the battery automatically establishes contact with the contact mechanism of the coupling-plug device located on the battery compartment. The handle located on the top of the battery allows for easy handling of the battery by an operator and enables battery replacement in an ergonomically favorable manner.

[0020] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. Fig. 1 a lifting truck according to the invention in a perspective view with dismantled housing, Fig. 2 the pallet truck according to Fig. 1 in a further perspective view with the housing mounted, Fig. 3 the housing in a front view, Fig. 4 the housing in a view from the rear, Fig. 5 the housing with the battery removed and Fig. 6 the battery in an enlarged view.

[0021] In the Fig. 1 shows a pallet truck 1 according to the invention, designed as a low-lift truck, with a drive part 2 and a load part 3 that is vertically movable relative to the drive part 2 in a manner not shown. The drive part 2 comprises a bow-shaped frame section 4, on which a drive unit having a drive wheel 5 is steerably arranged. The drive unit comprises an electric drive motor (not shown) for driving the drive wheel 5. The pallet truck 1 is steered by means of a drawbar 6 connected to the drive wheel 5. The drive wheel 5 is designed as a pneumatic-tyred drive wheel.

[0022] The load section 3 includes two load arms 7a, 7b, which are supported on a track by means of vertically raisable and lowerable load rollers 8a, 8b. Loads such as pallets, wire mesh boxes, or small parts containers can be picked up, lifted, and transported with the load arms 7a, 7b. In the area of ​​the load section 3 facing the drive section 2, a vertical housing receptacle 9 is arranged on the load section 3. This housing receptacle is formed by vertically arranged lateral brackets 9a, 9b, a lower cross bar 9c, and an upper cross bar 9d.

[0023] The bow-shaped frame section 4 of the drive part 2 and the load part 3 formed by the load arms 7a, 7b and the housing receptacle 9 are formed by one-piece hollow profiles, for example tubular profiles, with a closed cross-section.

[0024] According to the invention, a housing 10 is provided in which a battery 11 and further components of a battery-electric drive system of the lifting truck 1 are arranged.

[0025] The housing 10 is designed as a stand-alone assembly and can be elastically attached to the load part 3 by means of rubber elements (not shown). The housing 10 can be - as can be seen from the Fig. 2 - are fastened to the vertical housing receptacle 9 in such a way that the housing 10 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lifting truck 1 at least partially within the lateral supports 9a, 9b and the cross supports 9c, 9d of the housing receptacle 9.

[0026] The housing 10 has - as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 - a vertically arranged, drawer-shaped battery compartment 10a for receiving the battery 11 and a hood-shaped housing space 10b in which further components of the battery-electric drive system of the lifting truck 1 can be arranged.

[0027] The housing space 10b is - like the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 - faces the drive part 2 and, in the mounted position, is arranged above the travel drive unit formed by the drive wheel 5. The battery compartment 10a faces the load part 3 and, in the mounted position of the housing 10, is located within the space spanned by the lateral supports 9a, 9b and the cross supports 9c, 9d of the housing receptacle 9, whereby the battery 11 - viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lifting truck 1 - is arranged within the housing receptacle 9 and is thus protected by the housing receptacle 9, which forms a protective bracket for the battery 11 arranged in the battery compartment 10b, on the lifting truck 1.

[0028] In the housing space 10b of the housing 10, a display and operating device 12, a key switch 13 and a plug connection 14 are arranged, by means of which an electrical connection to the drive unit and thus to the drive motor driving the drive wheel 5 can be established.

[0029] Furthermore, further components of the battery-electric drive system (not shown) can be arranged in the housing space 10b, for example, a lifting drive and / or an electronic control device and / or power electronics and / or a charger and / or a sensor device and / or an alarm device, for example a horn, as well as the electrical wiring with a cable harness. This allows a protected and functionally reliable arrangement of the components, in particular the wiring and connection technology. The housing 10 also forms a charging cradle for charging the battery 11 arranged in the battery compartment 10a using the charger. Thus, in addition to the battery 11, all other components of the battery-electric drive system are arranged in the housing 10, whereby the housing 10 only needs to be connected to the drive motor driving the drive wheel 5 via the plug connection 14.

[0030] The battery compartment 10a of the housing 10 is further provided in the lower front area with a contact device 15 of a coupling-plug device 16, which can be brought into operative connection with a contact device 17 of the coupling-plug device 16, which is arranged on the battery 11 and is designed as a plug. The contact device 17 is - as can be seen from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 - is arranged on the end face 11c of the battery 11. When the battery 11 is inserted into the battery compartment 10a of the housing 10, the coupling-plug device 16 formed by the contact devices 15, 17 is thus automatically contacted.

[0031] Furthermore, a guide and / or locking device 18 for the battery 11 is provided on the battery compartment 10a of the housing 10. This guide and / or locking device 18 comprises guide rails 19a, 19b arranged on the battery compartment 10a, which are formed by slot-shaped recesses spaced laterally in the transverse direction of the lifting truck 1 and arranged in the vertical wall of the battery compartment 10a.

[0032] On the underside 11a of the battery 11, slot-shaped locking devices 20a, 20b are arranged, which can be brought into operative connection with the guide rails 19a, 19b of the battery compartment 10a formed by the slot-shaped recesses when the battery 11 is inserted into the battery compartment 10a, whereby the battery can be safely guided for automatic contacting of the coupling-plug device 16 during battery replacement and can be safely held in the battery compartment 10a after contacting.

[0033] For easy handling of the battery 11 and an ergonomically favorable battery change, the battery 11 is provided with a handle 21, which is formed, for example, by a recess arranged on the upper side 11b of the battery 11.

[0034] In order to avoid damage to the battery 11 by the load carried on the load arms 7a, 7b, the upper side 11b of the battery 11 facing the load part 3 is also provided with a reinforced surface.

Claims

[1] Lifting truck (1), in particular a low-lift truck, with a drive part (2) and a load part (3) which is vertically movable relative to the drive part (2) and a battery-electric drive system, wherein the battery-electric drive system comprises a battery (11) and at least one further component (12; 13; 14), wherein the battery (11) and at least one further component (12; 13; 14) of the battery-electric drive system are arranged in a housing (10) which is fastened to the load part (3), characterized byin that a vertical housing receptacle (9) is arranged on the load part (3) in the area of ​​the load part (3) facing the drive part (2), to which the housing (10) is fastened, the housing receptacle (9) being formed by hollow profiles designed as tubular profiles and having lateral, vertically arranged supports (9a; 9b) and cross supports (9c; 9d), the housing (10) being arranged at least partially within the lateral supports (9a; 9b) and the cross supports (9c; 9d). [2] Lifting truck according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing (10) is elastically fastened to the load part (3), in particular by means of rubber elements. [3] Lifting truck according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the housing (10) has a battery compartment (10a), in particular a drawer-shaped battery compartment, for receiving the battery (11) of the battery-electric drive system and a housing space (10b), in particular a hood-shaped housing space, for receiving at least one further electrical component (12; 13; 14) of the battery-electric drive system. [4] Lift truck according to claim 3, characterized by that the battery compartment (10a) of the housing (10) faces the load part (3) and the housing space (10b) of the housing (10) faces the drive part (2). [5] Lifting truck according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the battery compartment (10a) of the housing (10) is arranged within the lateral supports (9a; 9b) and the cross supports (9c; 9d) of the housing receptacle (9). [6] Lifting truck according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat a contact device (15), in particular a coupling, of a coupling-plug device (16) for electrical connection to the battery (11) arranged in the battery compartment (10a) is integrated into the battery compartment (10a). [7] Lift truck according to claim 6, characterized by that the contact device (15) can be automatically connected to a contact device (17) arranged on the battery (11), in particular a plug, of the coupling-plug device (16) when the battery (11) is inserted into the battery compartment (10a). [8] Lifting truck according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by that the battery compartment (10a) is provided with a guiding and / or locking device (18) for the battery (11). [9] Lifting truck according to claim 8, characterized bythat the guide and / or locking device (18) is formed by at least one guide rail (19a; 19b) arranged on the battery compartment (10a), which can be brought into operative connection with a slot-shaped locking device (20a; 20b) of the battery (11). [10] Lifting truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the further component of the drive system comprises one or more of the following components: • A lifting drive to lift the load part relative to the drive part, • a display and / or operating device (12), • a key switch (13), • a plug connection (14) for electrical connection to a drive motor arranged on the drive part, • at least one electronic control device, • at least one power electronics, • an alarm device, • an electrical wiring and / or wiring harness, • a charger, • at least one sensor device, in particular a temperature sensor. [11] Battery (11) for use in a lifting truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the battery (11) is provided with a reinforced surface on the upper side (11b) and / or is provided with at least one slot-shaped locking device (20a; 20b) on the underside (11a) and / or is provided with a contact device (17), in particular a plug, on an end face (11c) and / or is provided with a handle (21) on the upper side (11b).

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