Trailers for compressible goods

Abstract

Trailer for compressible transport goods comprising a loading space bounded by at least two side walls, a rear wall and a loading floor with an upwardly formed loading opening, wherein the size of the upwardly formed loading opening is variably adjustable, wherein the side walls are tiltable from a first position to a second position in which the angles between the loading floor and the side walls are greater than in the first position, wherein the rear wall is tiltable from a first position to a second position in which the angle between the loading floor and the rear wall is smaller than in the first position, wherein the first position of the rear wall is the position that the rear wall assumes in the first position of the side walls and wherein the second position of the rear wall is the position that the rear wall assumes in the second position of the side walls.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a trailer for compressible transport goods, in particular for grass, corn, silage or other plants or plant parts, especially in chopped form.

[0002] Trailers for transporting compressible goods are known, featuring a cargo space with rigid side walls, a rigid front wall, and a rigid, hinged rear wall. The cargo floor may include conveyor belts to facilitate unloading. These known trailers are designed to be towed by a tractor unit, with loading typically carried out by another vehicle. This second vehicle drives in front of or alongside the tractor unit or the trailer and blows or throws the cargo, such as shredded plant material, into the cargo space from above.

[0003] DE1087012A discloses a truck for carrying loosely loaded, compactable goods, wherein two opposing walls are designed to be foldable and retractable by means of a traction element.

[0004] DE1759295U discloses a loading gate for agricultural bridge and ladder wagons, wherein the loading gates are provided at the lower end with an extension piece which is articulated to the stanchion by means of a plug bolt acting as a pivot axle and can be rigidly connected to the stanchion at an angle of 90° by means of a further plug bolt designed as a rotary latch.

[0005] DE20201638U1 discloses a transfer wagon for granular harvested crops with a loading container on the loading floor of which a transverse conveying device extending transversely to the direction of travel is arranged.

[0006] A disadvantage of known trailers is that, due to the low density of the cargo, only a small mass can be loaded before the trailer's maximum loading volume is reached. Another disadvantage is that the loading device of the vehicle loading the trailer must be precisely aligned to accurately blow or throw the cargo into the loading area from above, especially when the loading vehicle is traveling in front of the towing vehicle pulling the trailer.

[0007] The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art. One object of the invention can therefore be considered to be providing a trailer capable of transporting a large mass of cargo with an initially low density. Another object of the invention can be considered to be providing a trailer that allows for easy loading by a loading vehicle.

[0008] To solve the problem, a trailer for compressible transport goods is provided, comprising a loading space bounded by at least two side walls, a rear wall and a loading floor with an upwardly formed loading opening, wherein the size of the upwardly formed loading opening is variably adjustable, wherein the side walls can be tilted from a first position to a second position in which the angles between the loading floor and the side walls are larger than in the first position, wherein the rear wall can be tilted from a first position to a second position in which the angle between the loading floor and the rear wall is smaller than in the first position, wherein the first position of the rear wall is the position that the rear wall assumes in the first position of the side walls and wherein the second position of the rear wall is the position that the rear wall assumes in the second position of the side walls.

[0009] Additionally, the upward-facing loading opening can be adjusted variably by sliding the side walls.

[0010] The trailer thus includes a loading area that can be filled from the top. The top loading opening can be enlarged by tilting or angling the side walls outwards (second position). In addition to tilting, the loading opening can be enlarged by sliding the side walls outwards (second position). After loading, the side walls can be tilted or returned to their original position, i.e., to a substantially vertical orientation, thereby compressing the transported goods (first position). This allows the trailer's external dimensions, particularly its width, to be increased beyond the maximum permissible width for road transport, for example, when loading in a field.After loading, the trailer's width for road transport can be reduced by raising the side walls to an upright position and / or by retracting them to a road-legal dimension. Tilting the side walls outwards also facilitates easier unloading compared to vertically oriented side walls, for example, using conveyor belts in the cargo area floor. This is particularly true because the cargo is compressed by raising the side walls after loading and usually remains compressed even after the side walls are tilted outwards for unloading, resulting in minimal friction between the side walls and the cargo during unloading through the tailgate. The same applies to designs where the loading opening can be enlarged by extending the side walls.Here too, unloading can be simplified by sliding the side walls outwards.

[0011] The side walls are thus tiltable from a first position to a second position, with the angles between the cargo floor and the side walls being greater in the second position than in the first. Preferably, the angles between the cargo floor and each side wall are 80° to 100° in the first position. Preferably, the angles between the cargo floor and each side wall are 100° to 150° in the second position. Preferably, the side walls can be adjusted variably so that they can assume any angle between the first and second positions relative to the cargo floor.

[0012] In one embodiment, only the upper part of each side wall is designed to be tiltable. In this case, the angle between the cargo floor and a side wall is only relevant to the tiltable part of that side wall.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side walls of the trailer are each rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis. The side walls are rotatably mounted in such a way that they can be tilted between the first and second positions. For this purpose, the side walls can be connected to an axis corresponding to the axis of rotation, preferably in the form of a rod or a tube. By rotating the axis, the side walls can thus be tilted. Further rotation beyond the second position is generally not necessary. The side walls can extend further downwards beyond their axis of rotation or terminate at it. According to the invention, it is also provided that the side walls are connected to the cargo floor by hinges, instead of or in addition to being connected to an axis.Even in such an embodiment, it is advantageous for the side walls to extend further downwards in order to exert a force to tilt the side walls onto the area below the cargo floor.

[0014] Preferably, the axis of rotation is arranged in the lower region of the side walls. In an advantageous embodiment, the horizontal axis of rotation of each side wall is arranged at the level of the cargo floor.

[0015] The tilting of the side walls can be achieved by actively rotating the axes along the horizontal axis of rotation to which the side walls are connected, or by exerting a force on the side walls so that they rotate the axis along the horizontal axis of rotation. Preferably, the force for rotating or tilting the side walls is exerted on the side walls by means of one or more working cylinders per side wall. The working cylinders can be arranged below the cargo floor.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the cargo space is also bounded by an end wall. Preferably, tilting and / or sliding the side walls causes the end wall to tilt. For this purpose, the end wall can be mechanically coupled to the side walls. The end wall can thus be tilted from a first position to a second position, the first position being the position the end wall assumes when the side walls are in the first position, and the second position being the position the end wall assumes when the side walls are in the second position.

[0017] Preferably, the angle between the cargo floor and the front wall is greater in the first position than in the second position. Thus, the front wall is preferably raised by tilting the side walls outwards and / or by sliding the side walls outwards.

[0018] The cargo space is also bounded by a rear wall. Preferably, tilting and / or sliding the side walls causes the rear wall to tilt. For this purpose, the rear wall can be mechanically coupled to the side walls. The rear wall can thus be tilted from a first position to a second position, the first position being the position the rear wall assumes when the side walls are in the first position, and the second position being the position the rear wall assumes when the side walls are in the second position.

[0019] The angle between the cargo floor and the rear wall is greater in the first position than in the second position. Therefore, the rear wall is preferably tilted inwards, towards the front wall, by tilting the side walls outwards and / or by sliding the side walls outwards, thus bringing the rear wall into a more upright position, preferably a vertical position. Preferably, in the first position of the side walls, the rear wall does not extend higher than the side walls. Preferably, the upper end of the rear wall is at the same height as the upper ends of the side walls in the first position. In an advantageous embodiment, in the second position of the side walls, the rear wall extends higher than the side walls.

[0020] It is also intended that only one of the front and rear walls is designed to be tiltable. The rear wall and the front wall can be the same or different.

[0021] The rear wall and / or the front wall can include a frame. The frame can comprise an upper and / or a lower frame element. The frame elements preferably extend between the side walls or connect the side walls to one another. The upper frame element is preferably multi-part, particularly preferably two-part. The upper frame element preferably includes at least one hinge that connects two parts of the upper frame element to one another in such a way that the angle between the two parts connected via the hinge can change, for example, by tilting the side walls. Hinges are preferably used as the hinge for connecting parts of the upper frame element to one another.

[0022] The upper frame element is preferably connected to the side walls via a hinge to allow the side walls to tilt. Preferably, the side walls are connected to an element of the upper frame element in such a way that tilting the side walls outwards (from the first position to the second position) decreases the angles between the side walls and the respective upper frame element, and tilting the side walls inwards (from the second position to the first position) increases the angles between the side walls and the respective upper frame element. The hinges connecting the upper frame element to the side walls are preferably located in the upper half of the side walls, and particularly preferably at the upper end of the side walls.

[0023] The frame of the front and / or rear wall can include one or more connecting elements that link the upper and lower frame elements. These connecting elements can be connected to the lower and / or upper frame elements via joints, preferably in the form of hinges. This ensures that the connecting element can be righted by tilting the side walls.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rear wall is designed to be hinged. Ball joints can be used to connect the side walls to the upper frame element of the rear wall.

[0025] Rods or tubes can be used as frame elements and / or connecting elements.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the trailer includes one or more metering rollers to assist in unloading the transported goods. The metering roller can be positioned vertically. Preferably, the metering roller is rotatably mounted at the top and bottom. The metering roller can be designed such that it tilts depending on the tilting or displacement of the side walls. In the first position of the side walls, the metering roller can be arranged at an angle, preferably tilted towards the rear wall, so that it forms an angle with the loading area floor of less than 90°, preferably 50° to 80°. In the second position of the side walls, the metering roller is preferably arranged vertically.

[0027] Preferably, the metering roller is connected to a side wall by means of a linkage. Preferably, the metering roller is connected to each side wall by a linkage. The links preferably extend from the side walls to the upper end of the metering roller and allow the metering roller to rotate.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the side walls are connected to the front wall and / or the rear wall by means of a fabric or tarpaulin such that the side walls are tiltable and optionally slidable. For this purpose, the fabric or tarpaulin can close the openings of the frame of the front and / or rear wall and / or the openings between the side walls and the frame. The fabric or tarpaulin can be designed to be stretchable. Alternatively or additionally, the fabric or tarpaulin can be large enough to allow the side walls to be tilted and optionally slid from the first to the second position. In the first position of the side walls, the fabric or tarpaulin is curved inwards or outwards or has at least partial folds. The fabric or tarpaulin can be made in one piece or in multiple pieces.

[0029] In one embodiment, instead of a front and / or rear wall with a frame, only such a fabric or tarpaulin can be used, which allows the side walls to be tilted and optionally moved.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the side walls, preferably all walls bounding the cargo space, can comprise a frame whose openings are closed by means of a fabric or a tarpaulin.

[0031] Preferably, the trailer has a self-supporting frame. The self-supporting frame can include the side walls, which are preferably designed as a frame structure, and the cargo floor. The trailer can include a chassis that is connected to the self-supporting frame, preferably at four points. In this way, the longitudinal beams that are usually present are replaced by the tiltable and optionally sliding side walls, which enables an extremely lightweight construction.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the trailer includes a cover for the upward-facing loading opening. The cover is preferably designed to close or open the upward-facing loading opening depending on the tilting of the side walls. Likewise, the cover can be designed to close or open the upward-facing loading opening depending on the displacement of the side walls. Preferably, the upward-facing loading opening is closed by the cover in the first position of the side walls and opens it in the second position of the side walls.

[0033] The cover can be made of one or more parts. In one embodiment, the cover is made of two parts, with one half extending from one side wall to the center of the loading opening and the other half extending from the other side wall to the center of the loading opening, so that together both halves can close the entire loading opening.

[0034] Preferably, the cover is mechanically coupled to the side walls, so that tilting and / or sliding the side walls from the first to the second position causes the cover to pivot open and expose the loading opening. Particularly in a multi-part embodiment, the parts of the cover, in the second position of the side walls, can form an extension of the side walls, thus creating an angle of 180° to 225° to the inside of the respective side wall, forming a kind of funnel, or they can rest against the outside of the respective side wall. When the side walls are tilted and / or moved from the second to the first position, the cover, or, in a multi-part embodiment, the parts of the cover, can pivot back into place and close the upward-facing loading opening. Thus, the cover can retain the transported goods in the cargo space during transport.Furthermore, the cover is designed to compress the transported goods downwards when closed. Thus, compression of the transported goods can occur not only through the side walls but also through the cover.

[0035] Preferably, the cover is mechanically coupled to the side walls by means of one or more gears and one or more toothed belts or chains. Preferably, one or more gears are arranged on the axis of rotation of the cover, i.e., preferably at the upper end of the side wall(s) in the case of a two-part cover, each gear being coupled to a chain or toothed belt. One end of each chain or toothed belt can be connected to an element that remains stationary when the side walls are tilted or moved, preferably the frame, and most preferably the cargo floor. Each chain or toothed belt can be guided to the gear arranged on the cover via one or more gears or pulleys. The cover can thus be driven or pivoted by a chain or toothed belt.Preferably, the drive includes a spring which is tensioned in the position in which the cover closes the loading opening, and in this way facilitates the pivoting of the cover outwards when the side walls are tilted or moved outwards, or ensures that even with a slight tilting or moving of the side walls outwards, the entire upwardly formed loading opening is released.

[0036] The cargo floor preferably includes a conveyor system, in particular in the form of one or more conveyor belts. In particular, the cargo floor includes two conveyor belts driven by a central drive located between or below the conveyor belts.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the trailer includes a weighing device. The weighing device enables monitoring of the weight of the loaded cargo. The weighing device is preferably designed to adjust the tilting and / or displacement of the side walls depending on the measured weight. In one embodiment, after a trial measurement, the side walls can be tilted and / or displaced outwards only to the extent necessary to prevent overloading, depending on the density of the cargo.

[0038] With cargo that is difficult to compress, it can happen, especially with heavy loads, that the cargo cannot be compressed sufficiently to move the side walls from the second to the first position. In such a case, a test load using the weighing device can determine how much cargo can be loaded while still allowing the side walls to be moved from the second to the first position. During subsequent use of the trailer, the weighing device can then monitor that only the amount of cargo that can still be compressed is loaded. In an advantageous embodiment, the weighing device is designed to tilt and / or shift the side walls depending on the load level of the cargo space. In this way, for example with difficult-to-compress cargo, the side walls can be partially tilted outwards when the load level is low.The side walls can be shifted or tilted / shifted completely outwards, i.e., arranged in the second position. As the load increases, the side walls can be gradually tilted / shifted into the first position, preferably so that the side walls are in the first position at maximum load, or can be tilted / shifted into the first position.

[0039] The invention will be explained again below using the figures as an example. Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a trailer in perspective view (A) and in top view (B). Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a trailer in perspective view (A) and in top view (B). Fig. Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a trailer with a cover in different states (AD)

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows a trailer in perspective view (A) and in plan view (B). The trailer 1 comprises two side walls 2, 3, a front wall 4, and a rear wall 5. The walls form an upward-facing loading opening through which goods can be loaded into the cargo space. The cargo space is bounded at the bottom by the cargo floor 6. The rear wall 5 is designed as a frame and includes an upper frame element with a hinge 9 that connects the two parts of the upper frame element 7, 8. The connecting element 10, which links the upper frame element to the lower frame element, is also connected to the hinge 9. The trailer also includes a metering roller 11 that extends diagonally upwards from the cargo floor 6 towards the rear wall 5. The metering roller 11 can be driven by a drive located below the cargo floor 6.The upper end of the metering roller 11 is rotatably connected to the guides 12, 13. The side walls 2, 3 are arranged vertically and are in their first position. From this first position, the side walls 2, 3 can be tilted outwards (see figure). Fig. 2)

[0041] Fig. 2 shows trailer 1 from Fig. 1 in the perspective view (A) and in the top view (B), where the side walls 2, 3 are tilted outwards in the second position. By tilting the side walls from the first to the second position, the rear wall 5 is erected so that its upper end, here the upper frame element, is positioned higher than the upper ends of the side walls 2, 3. Likewise, by tilting the side walls 2, 3, the metering roller 11 is erected vertically.

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 shows a trailer with a cover 14 from the rear view. The cover 14 is designed in two parts (only one part is shown), with each part of the cover 14 extending from a side wall to the cargo opening, so that in the closed position (Figure A) the cover 14 completely covers the cargo opening. Each part of the cover 14 is connected to a gear 17 attached to the upper end of the side wall. A chain 15 connects to a spring 18 and runs from the spring 18, over the gear 17 and the gear 16, to the frame to which it is attached. By tilting the side walls outwards, the cover 14 pivots open ( Fig. 3B, C) until the cover halves rest against the outer sides of the side walls 2, 3 ( Fig. D) Each side wall 2, 3 is connected to a working cylinder 15, 16, which can exert a force on the area of ​​the side walls 2, 3 that is located below the cargo floor, i.e. below the axis of rotation of the side walls 2, 3, and can thereby tilt the side walls 2, 3 such that they are between the first (Fig. A) and the second position ( Fig. D) can switch. Reference symbol list 1 trailer 2 side wall 3 side wall 4 Front wall 5 Back panel 6. Cargo area floor 7 Part of the upper frame element 8 Part of the upper frame element 9 joint 10 connecting element 11 Metering roller 12 handlebars 13 handlebars 14 Cover 15 chain 16 gear 17 gear 18 springs 19 working cylinders

Claims

[1] Trailer for compressible transport goods comprising a loading space delimited by at least two side walls, a rear wall and a loading space floor with an upwardly formed loading opening, wherein the size of the upwardly formed loading opening is variably adjustable, wherein the side walls are tiltable from a first position into a second position in which the angles between the loading space floor and the side walls are greater than in the first position, wherein the rear wall is tiltable from a first position into a second position in which the angle between the loading space floor and the rear wall is smaller than in the first position, wherein the first position of the rear wall is the position which the rear wall assumes in the first position of the side walls and wherein the second position of the rear wall is the position which the rear wall assumes in the second position of the side walls. [2] Trailer according to claim 1, wherein the side walls are each mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. [3] Trailer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a horizontal axis of rotation of each side wall is arranged at the level of the loading space floor. [4] Trailer according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the loading space is further delimited by an end wall, wherein tilting of the side walls causes tilting of the end wall and / or the rear wall. [5] Trailer according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rear wall, in the second position of the side walls, projects beyond the side walls in height and / or wherein the rear wall, in the first position of the side walls, does not project beyond the side walls in height. [6] Trailer according to one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a dosing roller which is preferably arranged vertically, which is particularly preferably rotatably mounted at the top and bottom, and which is very particularly preferably tilted depending on the tilting of the side walls. [7] Trailer according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the side walls are connected to the front wall and / or to the rear wall by means of a fabric or a tarpaulin in such a way that the side walls are tiltable. [8] Trailer according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the walls defining the loading space comprise a frame, the frame openings of which are closed by means of a fabric or a tarpaulin. [9] Trailer according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a cover of the upwardly formed loading opening, wherein the cover is designed to close or open the loading opening depending on the tilting of the side walls.

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