Hospital transport vehicles and hospital logistics systems

Abstract

Hospital transport vehicle (2) with swivel casters (3) arranged towards the front of the vehicle and with fixed casters (4) arranged towards the rear of the vehicle, characterized in that a coupling arrangement having two connecting arms (5) is provided for integrating the hospital transport vehicle (2) into a tugger train, wherein two connection points (6b, 6a) for the connecting arms (5) are provided at the front and rear of the vehicle, and wherein the connection points (6a) at the rear of the vehicle are further apart than the connection points (6b) at the front of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hospital transport trolley with swivel casters arranged towards the front of the trolley and fixed casters arranged towards the rear of the trolley. The invention further relates to a hospital logistics system comprising at least one first and one second hospital transport trolley.

[0002] Hospital transport trolleys are known in various designs from practical experience, reflecting the diverse transport logistics processes found in hospitals, clinics, and similar facilities. To meet the typical requirements of hospitals, clinics, and similar institutions, hospital transport trolleys must be as robust, low-maintenance, easy to clean, and simple to handle as possible. Hospital transport trolleys can be designed, for example, for transporting sterile goods, supplies, pharmacy items, laundry, waste, food, dishes, or similar items. Furthermore, hospital transport trolleys are available with various accessories and components that can be adapted to different applications and requirements.Furthermore, hospital transport trolleys are known which are designed from the outset for specific applications, whereby both variants can be provided without restriction within the scope of the invention.

[0003] Various hospital transport trolleys of this type are known from the company publications Hupfer “Allzwecktransportwagen ATW” from 2013 (https: / / www.hupfer.com / media / pdf / 20 / 39 / 69 / allzwecktransportwagen-atwhupfer-prospekt 30-3-deu.pdf), “Case Cards STWS” from 2016 (https: / / www.hupfer.com / media / pdf / e2 / fc / 1 f / case-carts-transportwagen-stwshupfer-prospekt 30-3-deu.pdf) and “Container- und Sterilguttransportwagen” from 2014 (https: / / www.hupfer.com / media / pdf / 43 / 37 / 51 / containertransportwagensterilquttransportwagen-ctws-stws-hupfer-prospekt 30-3-deu.pdf).

[0004] As can be seen from the known descriptions, hospital transport trolleys often have a base with swivel and fixed casters underneath, and a housing above the base with doors on one long side. Alternatively, however, the hospital transport trolley may also have shelves, wire baskets, or similar components without a separate housing.

[0005] The present invention relates specifically to a configuration with typically two swivel casters arranged towards the front of the trolley and typically two fixed casters arranged towards the rear. When the hospital transport trolley is manually guided, it can easily be pulled or pushed forward from either the front or the rear, resulting in different maneuverability and driving characteristics due to the known arrangement of the swivel and fixed casters.

[0006] In a generally known train operation in combination with a towing vehicle (see, for example, the company publication Hupfer “Allzwecktransportwagen ATW”, page 9), the steering wheels are arranged at the front in the direction of travel, so that this side is referred to as the front of the wagon within the scope of the invention.

[0007] Furthermore, hospital transport trolleys can also be transported using a robotic transport system (AGV), whereby a robotic transport vehicle (AGV) drives under the hospital transport trolley and, if necessary, lifts it.

[0008] Outside the technical field of hospital logistics, a tugger train is known from DE 10 2011 106 842 A1 and EP 3 695 991 A1, and an articulated vehicle from EP 1 342 594 A2, in each case where trailers or vehicle sections are connected to each other by a coupling arrangement having two connecting arms. In plan view, the connecting arms form a crossed pair of links and allow for angling between the trailers or vehicle sections. A symmetrical arrangement is provided, so that the direction of travel can be easily reversed.

[0009] JP 2016 - 113 041 A1 discloses a tractor unit with a coupling arrangement at the rear featuring connecting arms. The connecting arms are adjustable to allow the attachment of transport wagons of different widths.

[0010] German patent DE 10 2014 004 681 A1 discloses a tugger train with several coupled conveyor units, each with only one roller axle. This results in a simplified design, whereby the conveyor units, each with only one roller axle, can only be handled together as a cohesive train and are not stable on their own. Furthermore, this results in specific driving dynamics, whereby the design of a coupling arrangement with connecting arms is intended to reduce swaying.

[0011] DE 20 2014 101 510 U1 discloses a trailer with a support frame for receiving a trolley with swivel and / or fixed casters carried in a trailer train, wherein the support frame has a centrally arranged chassis with one axle and two wheels mounted laterally on this axle. Means for receiving the trolley are provided in front of and behind the chassis in the direction of travel, the means consisting of segmented arched ramps for supporting the swivel and / or fixed casters.

[0012] The present invention aims to further develop a generic hospital transport trolley in such a way that it can be used more flexibly, reliably, and user-friendly within a hospital logistics system. Furthermore, a corresponding hospital logistics system is to be specified.

[0013] The subject matter of the invention and the solution to the problem are a hospital transport vehicle according to claim 1 and a hospital logistics system according to claim 10.

[0014] According to the invention, starting from a generic hospital transport vehicle, a coupling arrangement having two separate connecting arms is provided for integrating the hospital transport vehicle into a tugger train, wherein two connection points for the connecting arms are provided on the front and rear of the vehicle, and wherein the connection points on the rear of the vehicle have a greater distance to each other than the connection points on the front of the vehicle.

[0015] If at least two such hospital transport trolleys are connected to each other using the coupling arrangement, the connecting arms are arranged in a known manner when viewed from above. Since the connection points at the rear of the front hospital transport trolley are then further apart than the connection points at the front of the rear hospital transport trolley, the intersection point of the two connecting arms is shifted towards the rear hospital transport trolley and can, for example, be located in the area of ​​the front of or just in front of the front of the rear hospital transport trolley.

[0016] The intersection point, set back towards the rear of the hospital transport vehicle, essentially determines the turning behavior when cornering, in conjunction with the fixed casters at the rear of the rear hospital transport vehicle. This design, particularly with regard to the specific configuration of the hospital transport vehicle—with swivel casters at the front and fixed casters at the rear—ensures stable and, above all, directional stability. For example, in a tugger train with a towing vehicle and at least two hospital transport vehicles, the transport vehicles can be expected to follow the path, i.e., the curve or radius, of the towing vehicle when cornering. The risk of collisions is thus minimized.

[0017] With a more forward-positioned effective pivot point and without additional guidance, the following hospital transport vehicle would turn earlier when cornering, thus cutting the corner towards the inside. This would then create a risk of collision when maneuvering around corners, obstacles, or the like.

[0018] Corresponding risks must of course also be taken into account if following hospital transport vehicles in a tugger train veer too far to the outside of the curve.

[0019] The use of two connecting arms, designed for a cross-connection, results in significantly greater driving stability and, in particular, a lower tendency to sway compared to coupling at only one point, since opposing forces are always exerted on the connecting arms when the vehicle is angled.

[0020] As explained below, the hospital transport trolley according to the invention is preferably designed for very flexible use. The hospital transport trolley can be integrated into a tugger train as described and can also be operated manually as usual. Finally, it is particularly preferred that the hospital transport trolley be used with an automated guided vehicle (AGV), in which case an AGV drives under the hospital transport trolley and tows it, or preferably drives under it, lifts it, and carries it.

[0021] When handling individual hospital transport trolleys manually or with a driverless transport vehicle, the coupling arrangement with the two connecting arms is not used and can then, for example, be in a standby position.

[0022] However, in order to prevent the coupling arrangement from being lost and to ensure that a hospital transport vehicle can be integrated into a tugger train at any time, the connecting arms are arranged in a captive manner according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0023] This means that the connecting arms cannot be easily removed from the hospital transport trolley and are at least adequately protected against accidental removal and separation. For example, the connecting arms are not simply inserted at the connection points with eyelets or pins, but are also secured to a certain extent.

[0024] The connecting arms can, for example, each be screwed to the connection point at one of their ends. Preferably, the connecting arms are captive and pivotably attached to the connection points on the rear of the vehicle around a vertical axis. Since the connection points are further apart there, more space is available to fold the connecting arms, for example, by pivoting them around the vertical axis.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the connection points on the rear of the trolley is between 60% and 95%, in particular between 70% and 90%, and / or the distance between the connection points on the front of the trolley is between 6% and 30%, in particular between 9% and 15% of the total width of the hospital transport trolley, wherein the total width is determined perpendicular to the direction of travel of the hospital transport trolley and thus parallel to the axis of rotation of the swivel casters.

[0026] This means that the connection points at the rear of the vehicle are offset towards the longitudinal edges of the hospital transport vehicle, while the connection points at the front are located in a central area. Typically, the connection points are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hospital transport vehicle running along the direction of travel.

[0027] The varying distances also determine how far the effective pivot point is shifted towards the rear hospital transport vehicle when a tugger train is cornering. The distance between the connection points at the front of the vehicle is particularly relevant with regard to driving stability and preventing swaying.

[0028] The connecting arms are pivotally mounted at the connection points. For example, pins may be provided at the connection points that engage in eyelets on the connecting arms. Conversely, pins on the connecting arms may also engage in connection points in the form of eyelets or openings. With regard to such a pivotable mounting, the previously described distance between the connection points on the front and rear of the vehicle is expediently determined in relation to the distance between the respective pivot axes.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the swivel casters and the fixed casters are arranged on the underside of a cart floor, with the connecting arms being arranged on the upper side of the cart floor and not extending downwards from the cart floor. Other components, such as connecting screws or the like of the coupling assembly, also preferably do not protrude downwards from the cart floor, so that the clearance on the underside of the cart floor is in no way reduced or otherwise impaired by the entire coupling assembly.

[0030] It can be provided that a cuboid-shaped clearance is formed on the underside of the trolley between the fixed and swivel casters, extending along one longitudinal direction from the rear to the front of the trolley, preferably bounded at the top by the underside of the trolley floor. Such a cuboid or substantially cuboid clearance can be effectively used to allow the hospital transport trolley to be easily driven underneath and transported by an automated guided vehicle (AGV). Depending on the system used, deviations from a strictly cuboid shape of the clearance may also include individual protrusions or contours, which, for example, are intended for a secure connection with the AGV.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hospital transport trolley has a rear wall extending along a height and a first horizontal direction. This rear wall is preferably closed, but can also be designed, for example, as a type of grid structure for a shelf or the like. It is advantageously provided that the connecting arms are aligned essentially along the first horizontal direction, i.e., the transverse direction, in a ready position.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the hospital transport trolley is provided with a door on one longitudinal side that can be swung open towards the rear wall to a maximum opening position, with the connecting arms in the ready position between the door and the rear wall in the maximum opening position. The door can typically be swung by at least 260° and preferably by 270°. The axis of rotation of the door is then arranged such that at least a narrow gap remains between the door and the rear wall, sufficient for the arrangement of the connecting arms.

[0033] In this context, the connecting arms can also be particularly narrow, essentially consisting of straight rods. For example, the connecting arms can be designed as rods with end loops, where the loops can be formed either in the rod material itself or by end plates.

[0034] Preferably, the connecting arms are also arranged in the ready position such that the door can be fixed to the car floor in the maximum open position in a manner known per se. For example, the door can engage with a releasable locking element in a corresponding recess or opening on the upper side of the car floor.

[0035] The invention also relates to a hospital logistics system with at least one first and one second hospital transport trolley, which are designed as described above. These hospital transport trolleys can then be handled in different ways. In addition to individual handling manually by a user or automatically by a driverless transport vehicle, the at least two hospital transport trolleys can also be combined to form a tugger train. Preferably, a tugger train can consist of 2 to 10, and more preferably 3 to 5, hospital transport trolleys. When determining the maximum length of a tugger train, maneuverability, tractive effort, any gradients, and available space must be taken into account. Since the hospital transport trolleys combined to form a tugger train exhibit good tracking stability, safe cornering is possible even with a comparatively long tugger train.

[0036] As previously described, in the tugger train configuration, the rear of the first hospital transport car is connected to the front of the second hospital transport car via the coupling arrangement such that the connecting arms of the coupling arrangement cross each other in the top view.

[0037] According to a training course, the hospital logistics system comprises a towing vehicle to which the first hospital transport vehicle can be coupled, followed by the second hospital transport vehicle in a tugger train configuration. Naturally, as described, further hospital transport vehicles can be connected in the same way.

[0038] The towing vehicle can be self-propelled and / or manually operated. The towing vehicle preferably also has, at its rear, the coupling arrangement with two connecting arms described in connection with the hospital transport vehicle, whereby the configuration and geometry between the towing vehicle and the subsequent first hospital transport vehicle should expediently be the same as between the first hospital transport vehicle and the subsequent second hospital transport vehicle. Accordingly, the towing vehicle preferably has two connection points for the connecting arms, which are spaced apart at the rear of the hospital transport vehicles.

[0039] According to further training, the hospital logistics system includes at least one automated guided vehicle (AGV) designed to drive under and transport hospital transport trolleys. Preferably, a single hospital transport trolley is mounted on the AGV, allowing it to be transported independently to its destination. However, depending on the specific configuration, it is also possible that a second hospital transport trolley could be coupled together, even if the first trolley is driven under and supported by an AGV.

[0040] The hospital transport trolleys according to the invention are advantageously universally applicable and are characterized by good performance characteristics in various usage situations. The hospital transport trolley can be moved forwards and backwards manually, as usual, with no differences or disadvantages compared to prior art designs. The coupling arrangement with two connecting arms allows a tugger train to be formed from a large number of hospital transport trolleys, which is characterized by good and reliable handling.

[0041] Finally, hospital transport vehicles can also be driven under and transported by a driverless transport vehicle.

[0042] The hospital logistics system is therefore extremely versatile. A large number of hospital transport trolleys can be efficiently transported as a tugger train, even over long distances, for example between building complexes. After the hospital transport trolleys are uncoupled from the tugger train, they can then be individually transported to their respective destinations, either by an automated guided vehicle or manually.

[0043] Even if a hospital logistics system primarily or exclusively relies on automated movement of hospital transport vehicles (AGVs) during normal operation, tugger trains can be formed in the event of a disruption. This exceptional flexibility also allows for the handling of peak loads, for example, when there are not enough AGVs available to meet high transport demand, in which case tugger trains can be assembled for specific routes.

[0044] The invention is explained below using only exemplary figures. These show: Fig. 1 a tugger train with a tractor unit, a first hospital transport vehicle and a second hospital transport vehicle, Fig. 2. A detailed view of the rear of a vehicle in a configuration according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a route train with a tractor unit and, as an example, four hospital transport vehicles during a curve maneuver, Fig. 4 a single hospital transport vehicle with one open door, Fig. 5 a single hospital transport trolley on a driverless transport vehicle.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a tugger train with a tractor unit 1 and two attached hospital transport trolleys 2. Each hospital transport trolley 2 has swivel casters 3 arranged towards the front of the trolley and fixed casters 4 arranged towards the rear. While the swivel casters 3 are freely rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, the fixed casters 4 are fixed along a longitudinal direction L corresponding to the direction of travel F (when traveling straight ahead). The axis of rotation of the fixed casters 4 therefore extends perpendicular to this longitudinal direction Q.

[0046] The two hospital transport trolleys 2 shown are connected by a coupling arrangement with two separate connecting arms 5. For this purpose, two connection points 6a, 6b for the connecting arms 5 are provided on the front and rear of the trolleys, with the connection points 6a on the rear of the trolleys being further apart than the connection points 6b on the front of the trolleys.

[0047] In order to allow the hospital transport trolleys 2 to be combined and coupled as desired, their front and rear sides are usually designed identically, so that the connection shown via coupling arrangement is exemplary for other corresponding connections.

[0048] The connecting arms 5 intersect in a top view. Due to the different spacing of the connection points 6a at the rear of the vehicle compared to the connection points 6b at the front, an intersection point 7 is offset towards the rear second hospital transport vehicle 2. With a suitable arrangement of the connecting arms 5, the intersection point 7 can be located in the area of ​​the front of the rear hospital transport vehicle 2 or shortly before it.

[0049] In combination with the freely rotating swivel casters 3 and the fixed swivel casters 4, the arrangement of the intersection point 7, which is set back towards the rear hospital transport vehicle 2, ensures that the tugger train has good tracking stability when cornering.

[0050] This means that when driving around a curve, the rear hospital transport vehicle 2 follows the path of the front hospital transport vehicle 2 without shortening the curve towards the inside or veering too far outwards towards the outside of the curve.

[0051] The one in Fig. 1 The coupling arrangement with two connecting arms 5 provided between the first hospital transport vehicle 2 and the second hospital transport vehicle 2 is provided in the same function and arrangement between the towing vehicle 1 and the first hospital transport vehicle 2, so that the desired track accuracy is achieved for the entire tugger train.

[0052] The first hospital transport vehicle 2 and the second hospital transport vehicle 2 can be configured identically. However, for the sake of clarity, the superstructure extending from a vehicle floor 8 is not shown for the second hospital transport vehicle 2, in order to simplify the illustration of the Fig. 1. to be able to see the connecting arms 5 better overall.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the rear of the first hospital transport vehicle 2 according to the Fig. 1. It can be seen that the connecting arms 5 each have a simple design, wherein the connecting arms 5 each consist of a rod 9 and end eyelet sections 10.

[0054] The connecting arms 5 are captive and pivotably attached to the connection points 6a on the rear of the carriage around a vertical axis. The corresponding eyelet sections 10 can be secured, for example, by a bolt, screw, or similar device. In contrast, the connecting arms 5 can be easily detached at the opposite end, and the eyelet sections 10 there can, for example, simply be attached to free bolts.

[0055] From the Fig. 2 shows that the entire coupling arrangement is located above the carriage floor 8, so that the free space below the carriage floor 8 is not reduced or affected by the coupling arrangement.

[0056] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a tugger train with a tractor unit 1 and, by way of example, four hospital transport vehicles 2, whereby the tugger train can easily have fewer or more hospital transport vehicles 2.

[0057] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows a curve movement of the route train, whereby the route is also predetermined for the following hospital transport vehicles 2 by the towing vehicle 1 and the described connection of the adjoining hospital transport vehicles 2 via the coupling arrangement with the connecting arms 5.

[0058] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a specific design of the hospital transport vehicle 2 with two doors 11 on one long side. Already from the Fig. 2 In this context, it is evident that the two connecting arms 5 extend from the point in Fig. The tugger train configuration shown in Figure 2 can be moved into a standby position in a decoupled state, for which purpose the two connecting arms 5 can then be folded up to a rear wall 12 at the back of the carriage. The two connecting arms 5 then run approximately parallel to the rear wall 12 along the transverse direction Q.

[0059] According to the Fig. 4 The two connecting arms are then arranged in the ready position between the door 11 and the rear wall 12 when the door 11 is swung open by 270° to a maximum opening position.

[0060] The function of the hospital transport trolley 2 is therefore in no way impaired by the permanent placement of the connecting arms 5 on the rear of the trolley. The captive design of the connecting arms 5 also prevents them from being accidentally lost. Thus, a user always has the option of coupling several hospital transport trolleys 2 together to form a tugger train.

[0061] Also because the entire coupling arrangement with the connecting arms 5 is arranged above the wagon floor 8, a cuboid-shaped free space can be formed on the underside of the wagon between the fixed casters 4 and the swivel casters 3, running along the longitudinal direction L from the rear of the wagon to the front of the wagon, which is then bounded at the top by the wagon floor 8.

[0062] The hospital transport vehicle can then easily be driven under and transported by an automated guided vehicle (AGV) 13. In particular, the AGV 13 can first drive under the hospital transport vehicle 2 and then lift it to a certain extent.

[0063] Overall, a very flexible hospital logistics system can be provided with a large number of hospital transport trolleys 2, which can be connected to form a tugger train with a towing vehicle 1, individually with a driverless transport vehicle 13 or also manually.

[0064] When a tugger train is formed, the crossing of the connecting arms 5 with the recessed crossing point 7 results in good tracking, good driving stability, and, in particular, a low tendency to sway. The underside of the hospital transport vehicle 2 can easily be kept clear to allow passage underneath with a driverless transport vehicle 13.

[0065] Despite the provision of a constantly available coupling arrangement, the other handling by a user, for example when pushing or pulling by hand as well as loading and unloading, is in no way affected.

Claims

[1] Hospital transport trolley (2) with swivel casters (3) arranged towards the front of the trolley and with fixed casters (4) arranged towards the rear of the trolley characterized by , that a coupling arrangement having two connecting arms (5) is provided for integrating the ambulance (2) into a tugger train, wherein two connection points (6b, 6a) for the connecting arms (5) are provided at the front and rear of the vehicle, and wherein the connection points (6a) at the rear of the vehicle are spaced further apart than the connection points (6b) at the front of the vehicle. [2] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting arms (5) are captive and pivotably attached to the connection points (6a) on the rear of the vehicle. [3] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the swivel casters (3) and the fixed casters (4) are arranged on an underside of a trolley floor (8), with both connecting arms (5) being arranged on an upper side of the trolley floor (8). [4] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a rear wall (12) extending along a height and a first horizontal direction is provided at the rear of the carriage, wherein the connecting arms (5) are aligned in a ready position along the first horizontal direction. [5] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that a door (11) is provided on one longitudinal side which can be swung open towards the rear wall (12) to a maximum opening position, wherein in the maximum opening position the connecting arms (5) are arranged in the ready position between the door (11) and the rear wall (12). [6] Hospital transport trolley (2) according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that the door (11) can be fixed to the trolley floor (8) in the maximum opening position. [7] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that a cuboid-shaped free space is formed on the underside of the carriage between the fixed casters (4) and the swivel casters (3) along a longitudinal direction (L) from the rear of the carriage to the front of the carriage. [8] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the distance between the connection points (6a) at the rear of the vehicle is between 60% and 95% and / or the distance between the connection points (6b) at the front of the vehicle is between 6% and 30% of the total width of the hospital transport vehicle (2). [9] Hospital transport vehicle (2) according to claim 8, characterized by, that the connecting arms (5) each have a total length which is between 70% and 95% of the total width of the hospital transport trolley (2). [10] Hospital logistics system comprising at least one first and one second hospital transport vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Hospital logistics system according to claim 10, wherein in a tugger train configuration the rear of the first hospital transport vehicle (2) is connected to the front of the second hospital transport vehicle (2) in such a way that the connecting arms (5) of the coupling arrangement cross each other. [12] Hospital logistics system according to claim 11 comprising a towing vehicle (1) to which the first hospital transport vehicle (2) is coupled with the second hospital transport vehicle (2) connected to it in the tugger train configuration. [13] Hospital logistics system according to one of claims 10 to 12 comprising at least one driverless transport vehicle (13) which is equipped to drive under and transport the hospital transport vehicles (2).

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