Heavy-duty stacking column for holding heavy goods

Abstract

Heavy-duty stacking column for receiving heavy loads, comprising a double torsion spring (13) consisting of two winding bodies (14, 15), wherein the two winding bodies (14, 15) form a connecting web extending towards each other and each form a leg (16, 17) projecting away from each other, wherein the two winding bodies (14, 15) are arranged flanking the axle bolt (6) around the stacking latch (2, 2.1) between the stacking latch (2, 2.1) and the side walls (3, 4) in an installed state, and the legs (16, 17) are arranged towards the rear wall (5), wherein the connecting web consists of two lateral strands (18, 19), two bends (20, 21) extending away from the winding bodies (14, 15), and a The lower latch strand (22) consists of the side strands (18, 19) overlapping the working position support (10) in the working position of the stacking latch (2, 2.1), the bends (20, 21) to the support side (12) of the stacking latch (2, 2.1) and the lower latch strand (22) runs adjacent to the support side (12) of the stacking latch (2, 2.1) and connects the two bends (20, 21) together.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a heavy-duty stacking column for receiving heavy loads according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Heavy-duty stacking columns of this type are already known and commonly used in a variety of forms and designs.

[0003] These heavy-duty stacking columns are used particularly in the automotive industry to temporarily store sheet metal parts that come from a molding plant and need to be transported for further processing.

[0004] In this context, reference is made to DE 93 18 410 U1. This patent discloses a stacking column in which the latch levers are equipped with springs that move them from their support position to their catch position or to their rest position when unloaded. In the locking position, transverse stop pins are provided in the tower body to act as rotation stops for the retaining arms of the latch levers. The latch levers are identical, and the support arm and the retaining arm are of the same width and aligned with each other. However, a disadvantage of the stop pins is that, in practice, the circular profile of these stop pins repeatedly causes them to break, bend, or cause the latch levers to bend under heavy loads and the acceleration forces that occur during transport.

[0005] A similar design is also shown in DE 29 30 053 A1. There, circular bearing bolts are also used, which are only inserted into corresponding side walls as needed to provide support, and again only in the rear area of ​​the latch. Here, too, high weights lead to the disadvantages described above.

[0006] Reference is further made to DE 298 08 971 U1, which provides for a shock-absorbing and elastic material made of plastic or rubber on the latch levers themselves in order to absorb the resulting forces. This is not feasible for heavy loads weighing several hundred kilograms up to several tons, as the amount of shock-absorbing material made of plastic or rubber would be far too large to actually secure such a heavy load, for example, during transport.

[0007] There are vertical stacking columns, but also horizontal or inclined ones, which are likewise subject to the present invention.

[0008] For loading such stacking columns, latches have proven very practical. These latches are connected in such a way that they move from a rest position to a working position when the stacking column or rack is filled with these stacking columns. This process usually begins by placing a workpiece on the bottom latch, which rotates the bottom latch into the working position. This rotation causes the bottom latch to move the next latch into a ready position, where it can receive the next item. Upon receiving the next item, the following latch is again rotated into the ready position. Outside of the ready and working positions, the latches are in a rest position, for example, between two side plates of the stacking column.

[0009] Such a stacking column is described, for example, in DE 20 2020 104 669 U1.

[0010] Reference is also made to EP 1 505 010 A1. This patent discloses an automated structure for storing and handling products, consisting of a multitude of interconnected rack sections arranged in a column and designed to accommodate products stored on them. Mechanical connecting elements are provided that enable the rack sections to move sequentially, one after the other. This movement includes a horizontal position in which the product is stored on the rack section, an intermediate position for picking up the product, and a near-vertical resting position.

[0011] Reference is further made to US 2019 / 0077602A1, which describes a stacking column for stacking and transporting vertically separated, stacked items. It comprises a plurality of pivoting brackets arranged one above the other, designed to support the items and connected to corresponding counterweights. The central section of each bracket has a pair of lugs for a pivot and a pair of stop fins that fit into corresponding grooves provided on the column body. The rear section of each bracket has at least one lateral projection coupled to two counterweights. One counterweight is connected to the lateral projection of the bracket below, and the other to the lateral projection of the bracket above.

[0012] Finally, reference is also made to DE 10 2024 104 302 A1. This patent describes a stacking column for storing motor vehicle electric batteries one above the other or side by side on or against latches, wherein the latches are housed in a U-shaped body, and the U-shaped body has two side walls, a back wall, and an opening edge. The latches rotate about axes from a rest position to a working position between the two side walls and have a support element on one side of the axis and a back element on the other. In the working position, the latch is supported with its back element against a polygonal bolt stop, the polygonal bolt stop being arranged between the two side walls on the back wall. The support element rests on a polygonal bolt bearing, the polygonal bolt bearing being arranged between the two side walls at the opening edge.It is suitable to support the carrying part of the latches in working position in a lower area by means of the polygonal bolt support, while at the same time the polygonal bolt stop rests in a supporting position in an upper area of ​​the back part of the latches.

[0013] In this context, reference is made to DE 692 18 605 T2, which discloses a stacking column for plate-shaped parts with several parallel support rails. These create evenly distributed suspension positions for pivotable load-bearing arms. The arms can be pivoted against a restoring force from a rest position, via a common ready position, into a defined load-bearing position. Adjacent load-bearing arms are connected to each other via tension elements arranged in front of the pivot axes, causing the arms to move sequentially from the rest position to the ready position. The tension elements are designed as sheet metal strips whose ends run in slot-shaped guides of the associated load-bearing arms, creating a sliding dead-end connection whose effect depends on the effective tension length between the arms.

[0014] For the sake of completeness, reference is also made to DE 10 2005 025 813 A1. This patent describes a stacking column for stacking and transporting parts such as body panels, equipped with pivotally arranged latch levers, each having control arms and support arms. The latch levers are coupled in such a way that when one latch lever is pivoted into a working position, the next latch lever is moved from a rest position to a ready position. To improve space utilization during stacking, both immediately after manufacturing and after further processing, a switching device is provided. This device allows the control of the latch levers to be switched so that when one latch lever moves into the working position, at least one other latch lever, in addition to the immediately following one, moves from the rest position to the ready position. Object of the invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a heavy-duty stacking column that ensures long-term and trouble-free use and offers a solution to the space problems that arise in this type, whereby the space problems in the area of ​​heavy-duty stacking columns arise from the fact that the components of the heavy-duty stacking column, such as side walls, inserted connecting screws and also stacking latches, must be made considerably more massive, whereby the external dimensions of the heavy-duty stacking column differ only insignificantly from the stacking columns for normal weight components in order to meet the space requirements existing in the operating facilities.In this context, it has proven particularly problematic to provide a stacking latch spring that is able to take into account the confined space conditions and the greater force ratios required by the more massive design of the stacking latches. Solution to the task

[0016] The features according to claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0018] The present invention relates to a heavy-duty stacking column for holding heavy loads, which ensures long-term and trouble-free operation while requiring minimal space. Suitable heavy loads include batteries from electric vehicles or trucks, or even panoramic sunroofs. These items often weigh more than 250 kg.

[0019] This solves the problem that the components of such a heavy-duty stacking column, such as side walls, connecting screws, and especially stacking latches, must be significantly more robust due to the higher load, without the overall external dimensions of the construction deviating substantially from those of conventional stacking columns. This requirement is necessary to comply with existing space constraints in operational facilities.

[0020] A key element of the invention is the double torsion spring arranged in a U-shaped receiving channel. This spring consists of two winding bodies connected by a connecting web. Due to its special geometry, this double torsion spring forms an extremely compact and effective assembly. The winding bodies are arranged flanking an axle bolt, which is mounted in the side walls of the receiving channel. The axle bolts, in turn, ensure the pivotability of the stacking latches from the rest position to the ready position and from the ready position to the working position and back.

[0021] Each leg of the double torsion spring extends towards the rear wall of the receiving channel, thereby achieving a defined preload during the ready and working positions.

[0022] The connecting link consists of two lateral guide strands, two flanges, and a lower pawl strand. In the working position, the lateral guide strands overlap the working position support of the receiving trough, which reduces wear on the double torsion spring and optimizes the use of available installation space. The flanges extend towards the support side of the respective stacking pawl and, in combination with the lower pawl strand, ensure secure support and force transmission.

[0023] Two stacking latches are arranged within the receiving trough, with the first latch acting as the starter latch. When unloaded, it is already in the ready position, from which it is pushed into the working position by the weight of a stored item. In this position, it rests on a designated working position support located at an opening edge of the side walls. This design ensures dimensionally stable and load-bearing storage. The second stacking latch is operatively connected to the first by a linkage consisting of a linkage plate and adjusting rods. As soon as the first stacking latch reaches the working position, the second stacking latch is moved into the ready position to receive another stored item. The connection is made via linkage bolts.

[0024] In addition to the components already described above, the linkage includes a linkage plate that is screwed laterally to each stacking latch. The linkage plate extends beyond both the goods-receiving side and the bearing side of each stacking latch and features a linkage bolt, each of which is connected to an adjusting rod. In the case of the second stacking latch, one adjusting rod extends to the first stacking latch, and another adjusting rod extends from the second stacking latch to the third stacking latch. In this way, the linkage establishes a functional connection between the stacking latches.

[0025] The double torsion spring, by virtue of its arrangement around the axle bolt and the precise positioning of its legs, enables controlled movement of the stacking pawls between rest, ready, and working positions. Furthermore, it ensures the automatic return of released stacking pawls. This feature is particularly advantageous during the return process when unloading the stacking column, as it guarantees reliable, low-maintenance operation and prevents stacking pawls from unnecessarily obstructing the unloading process.

[0026] The geometric design of the double torsion spring is optimized such that the winding bodies have a winding height of 11 mm to 17 mm, preferably 13 to 15 mm ± 0.05 mm. Winding height is defined here as the distance from the lower edge to the upper edge of the winding body in the axial direction, i.e., along the winding axis.

[0027] Furthermore, the winding body has an outer diameter of 18 mm to 22 mm, preferably 20 to 21 mm ± 0.05 mm. The outer diameter is defined as the maximum diameter of the winding, measured from wire outer edge to wire outer edge.

[0028] In addition, it has proven particularly advantageous to provide the double torsion spring from a stranded wire with a wire diameter of 2.5 mm to 4 mm, preferably 3 mm ± 0.05 mm, as this material thickness allows for high force transmission while maintaining a compact design. This takes into account both the increased forces resulting from the robust design of the stacking latches and the limited space available.

[0029] The base plate at the bottom of the receiving trough and a cover plate at the top ensure a stable enclosure for the entire assembly. The stop located on the rear wall between the side walls further supports the stacking latches in their working position and contributes to the overall stability of the construction.

[0030] In summary, the heavy-duty stacking column with the described double torsion spring and the coordinated interaction of the mechanical components offers a space-saving, robust and low-maintenance solution for the safe storage of heavy goods in vertical staggered arrangements. Character description

[0031] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in: Fig. 1 a section of a stacking column according to the invention; Fig. 2 a part of the Fig. 1. From a different perspective; Fig. 3 another part of the Fig. 1. From a different perspective; Fig. 4 a top view of a double torsion spring 13. Example of implementation

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a partial view of a heavy-duty stacking column according to the invention for holding heavy loads. This heavy-duty stacking column primarily consists of a receiving trough 1. The receiving trough 1 is U-shaped.

[0033] Within the receiving channel 1, two stacking latches 2, 2.1 are shown. The first stacking latch 2 is the starter latch. This means that in its starting position it is not in the rest position, like the other stacking latches when unloaded, but is already in the ready position.

[0034] Each of the stacking latches 2, 2.1 has a goods-receiving side 11 and a support side 12. The goods-receiving side 11 serves as the contact point for the stored goods. The support side 12 describes the side of the stacking latch 2, 2.1 that, in the working position, comes into contact with a working position support 10.

[0035] The starter latch, i.e., the first stacking latch 2, is already in the ready position when unloaded, as mentioned above. This means that it partially protrudes from the receiving trough 1, and when the stored item, in this case the heavy load, comes into contact with the starter latch, i.e., the first stacking latch 2, the first stacking latch 2 is pushed from the ready position into the working position and assumes a position parallel to a base plate 23. In the embodiment shown here, the first stacking latch 2 is already in the working position without any stored item resting on it. This serves to better illustrate the components arranged in the receiving trough 1. In the working position, the first stacking latch 1 rests on the working position support 10 for additional stabilization.

[0036] The receiving channel 1 consists of two side walls 3, 4 and a rear wall 5 and has on one side the base plate 23 and on the other side a cover plate not shown.

[0037] Furthermore, a second stacking latch 2.1 is shown. This second stacking latch 2.1 is in the ready position. This results from the fact that a linkage 7 connects the first stacking latch 2 and the second stacking latch 2.1. This, in turn, means that when the first stacking latch 2 reaches its working position, the second stacking latch 2.1 pivots from its rest position (not shown) to the ready position (shown) in order to receive a second stored item. Specifically, the stacking latches 2 and 2.1 are reversibly connected to each other by means of the linkage 7 in the manner described above.

[0038] The linkage 7 is adjustably connected to the respective stacking latch 2, 2.1 by means of two linkage bolts 8 (see Fig. 3) The linkage 7 consists of a linkage plate 24, which is screwed laterally to the respective stacking latch 2, 2.1, wherein the linkage plate 24 projects on one side beyond the goods receiving side 11 and on the other side beyond the support side 12 and has one of the linkage bolts 8 at each end, which are each connected to an adjusting rod 25, 26.

[0039] As soon as the second stored item comes into contact with the second stacking latch 2.1 and the second stacking latch 2.1 is thereby pressed into the working position, the functionally adjacent further stacking latch (not shown here) then slides from the rest position into the ready position. In doing so, the second stacking latch 2.1, with its support side 12, comes into contact with its associated working position support 10.

[0040] The working position supports 10, each assigned to the stacking latches 2, 2.1, are located at an opening edge of the side walls 3, 4. The opening edge is defined as the area that represents the end of the extension of the side walls 3, 4 pointing away from the rear wall 5. This is a transverse beam that extends from one side wall 3 to the other side wall 4 and serves as an endpoint to limit the pivoting movement of the respective stacking latch 2, 2.1.

[0041] When unloading the stacking column, this process runs in reverse until the first stacking latch 2 slides back into its starting position, i.e., its ready position.

[0042] Each stacking latch 2, 2.1 is pivotally mounted in the side walls 3, 4 via an axle pin 6. The respective axle pin 6 serves as an attachment point for a double torsion spring 13. This spring facilitates the controlled transition of the stacking latches 2, 2.1 from the rest position to the ready position and from the ready position to the working position, and back again during unloading. Consequently, it ensures the return of the released stacking latches 2, 2.1 from the ready position to the rest position or from the working position to the ready position.

[0043] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 In addition, a provision stop 28 projects from the side wall 4 into the receiving channel 1, thus ensuring that the first stacking latch 2 remains in the ready position as the starter latch and is not pulled into a rest position by the torsion spring 13.

[0044] Furthermore, a stop is provided on the rear wall 5 or on the two side walls 3, 4. The stop can be designed either as part of the rear wall 5 or as part of the side walls 3, 4. In the preferred embodiment, this can be a preload screw 27, as described in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown. The visible preload screw 27 is located in Fig. 1 on the side wall 3 and in the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the view shown, it is located on the side wall 4. Another possible design for a stop is a receptacle 9, which can be arranged on the rear wall 5 between the two side walls 3, 4. Both examples are shown in the figures, with the preferred embodiment being the preload screw 27, which projects from one or both side walls 3, 4 into the inner area of ​​the receiving groove 1 and serves as a stop for each leg 17 of the double torsion spring 13. The fact that the legs 16, 17 do not rest against the preload screw 27 in the figures is for illustrative purposes and does not correspond to the actual design.

[0045] The double torsion spring 13 is shown in the various figures from different perspectives. In detail, the Fig. 4 A top view of an uninstalled double torsion spring 13. In the Fig. Figure 4 shows that the double torsion spring 13 consists of two winding bodies 14, 15, which are connected to each other via a connecting web. Projecting away from the connecting web, the winding bodies 14, 15 each form one leg 16, 17, and in an installed state, the two winding bodies 14, 15 are arranged flanking the axle bolt 6 on the stacking latch 2, 2.1.

[0046] The connecting web consists primarily of two side strands 18, 19 and a lower ratchet strand 22, wherein the side strands 18, 19 have two bends 20, 21 arranged away from the winding bodies 14, 15 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) which establish the connection to the lower pawl strand 22. The lateral strands 18, 19 overlap in the working position of the stacking pawl 2, 2.1 (see Fig. 2 for the first stacking latch 2) the working position support 10. The term "overlapping" here describes the length of the side guide strands 18, 19 such that they extend over the working position support 10 in the working position. In this way, unnecessary wear of the double torsion spring 13 is avoided and the limited space is used optimally.

[0047] The bends 20, 21 then extend to the support side 12 of the stacking latch 2, 2.1 and the lower latch strand 22 rests against the support side 12 of the respective stacking latch 2, 2.1 and runs from one bend 20 to the other bend 21 and connects these two bends 20, 21 together.

[0048] In the Fig. In figures 1 to 3, some components are shown transparently to make the components arranged in the receiving channel 1 more visible. This applies in particular to the side walls 3 and 4. Reference symbol list 1 intake trough 2 stacking latches 3 side wall 4 side wall 5 Back panel 6 axle bolts 7 rods 8 linkage bolts 9th entry 10 work position set 11 Goods receiving side 12th edition page 13 Double torsion spring 14 winding bodies 15 winding bodies 16 thighs 17 thighs 18 Side path strand 19 Side path strand 20 bends 21 bend 22 Lower latch strand 23 Base plate 24 rod plate 25 Adjustment rod 26 Adjustment rod 27 Preload screw 28 Deployment stop

Claims

[1] Heavy-duty stacking column for receiving heavy loads with stacking latches (2, 2.1) arranged in a receiving trough (1), wherein the receiving trough (1) consists of two side walls (3, 4) and a rear wall (5), wherein each stacking latch (2, 2.1) is pivotably mounted in the side walls (3, 4) via an axle bolt (6), wherein the stacking latches (2, 2.1) are operatively connected to each other by means of a linkage (7), wherein the linkage (7) is adjustably connected to each stacking latch (2, 2.1) by means of a linkage bolt (8), wherein a stop is provided on the rear wall (5) or on at least one of the two side walls (3, 4), wherein at the other end of the rear wall (5) the receiving trough (1) has a working position support for each stacking latch (2, 2.1). (10) having the stacking latches (2, 2.1) having a goods receiving side (11) and a support side (12), characterized by, that a double torsion spring (13) is present, which consists of two winding bodies (14, 15), wherein the two winding bodies (14, 15) form a connecting web extending towards each other and each form a leg (16, 17) projecting away from each other, wherein the two winding bodies (14, 15) are arranged flanking the axle bolt (6) between the stacking pawl (2, 2.1) and the side walls (3, 4) in an installed state on the stacking pawl (2, 2.1) and the side walls (3, 4), and the legs (16, 17) are arranged towards the rear wall (5), wherein the connecting web consists of two lateral strands (18, 19), two bends (20, 21) extending away from the winding bodies (14, 15), and a lower pawl strand (22), wherein the Lateral guide strands (18, 19) in working position of the stacking latch (2, 2.1) overlap the working position support (10), the bends (20, 21) to the support side (12) of the stacking latch (2, 2.1) and the lower latch strand (22) runs adjacent to the support side (12) of the stacking latch (2, 2.1) and connects the two bends (20, 21) together. [2] Heavy-duty stacking column according to claim 1, characterized by , that the double torsion spring (13) consists of a stranded wire with a diameter of 2.5mm to 4mm, preferably 3mm + / - 0.05mm. [3] Heavy-duty stacking column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the winding bodies (14, 15) have an axial winding height of 11 mm to 17 mm + / - 0.05 mm. [4] Heavy-duty stacking column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the winding bodies (14, 15) have an outer diameter of 18 mm to 22 mm + / - 0.05 mm. [5] Heavy-duty stacking column according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the stop is arranged as a receptacle (9) on the rear wall (5) or as a preload screw (27) on one or both side walls (3, 4). [6] Heavy-duty stacking column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the receiving trough (1) has a base plate (23) at one end. [7] Heavy-duty stacking column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the receiving channel (1) has a cover plate at the other end. [8] Heavy-duty stacking column according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the linkage (7) consists of a linkage plate (24) which is screwed laterally to the stacking latch (2, 2.1), wherein the linkage plate (24) extends on one side beyond the goods receiving side (11) and on the other side beyond the support side (12) and has one of the linkage bolts (8) at each end, each of which is connected to an adjusting rod (25, 26).

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