Footplate with compressed air cleaning

Abstract

Step device (1) intended to form a step device (20) for a commercial vehicle and comprising a step body (3) which forms a step surface (2) at least partially located in a step plane (AE), extending longitudinally in a step longitudinal direction (TLR) and perpendicular to it in a step width direction (TBR), for placing shoes on, and which has at least one, in particular several, drain recess (7) extending in a drain direction (AR) away from the step surface (2), characterized by a compressed air cleaning device (30) for cleaning the shoes, comprising a compressed air inlet element for receiving compressed air and at least one compressed air cleaning element (31, 35) which has nozzle openings (32) for generating a compressed air flow through the step surface (2) in the opposite direction to the drain direction (AR).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a step device designed to serve as a step for a commercial vehicle. The step device comprises a step body that forms, at least partially, a tread surface for placing shoes, the tread surface lying at least partially within a step plane. The tread surface extends longitudinally in a step-long direction and perpendicular to it in a step-width direction. The step body has at least one drainage recess that extends continuously in a drainage direction oriented away from the tread surface.

[0002] Such a step device is known from the prior art. It is, for example, formed by a platform, with several platforms arranged one above the other forming the access device of a tractor. The step device enables a user to access the cab of the tractor, in particular to overcome a height difference between the surface on which the tractor stands and the floor of the cab.

[0003] Agricultural vehicles such as tractors are primarily used on arable land. Depending on the weather, a considerable layer of soil adheres to the operator's shoes when they enter the field, for example, to adjust a piece of machinery. This soiled layer leads to significant soiling of the cab when the operator subsequently enters it. This not only reduces the operator's comfort but also poses a long-term safety risk, as it makes operating the tractor more difficult and increases wear and tear on its internal components.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a step device for commercial vehicle access, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages, as well as an access device with the step device and a commercial vehicle with the access device.

[0005] According to the invention, the footplate includes a compressed air cleaning device for cleaning the shoes. The compressed air cleaning device comprises a compressed air inlet element for receiving compressed air and at least one compressed air cleaning element. The at least one compressed air cleaning element has nozzle openings for generating a compressed air flow through the tread surface that is directed at least partially in the opposite direction to the discharge direction.

[0006] The step element is, in particular, a rigid, i.e., immobile, element suitable for bearing the weight of a person. The step element is preferably designed as a substantially flat element. Particularly preferably, its extent in the longitudinal direction of the step and / or in the width of the step is a multiple of its extent in the direction of the tread. The step element forms at least part, and in particular completely, the tread surface; in an advantageous embodiment, the step element does not intersect the tread surface and / or the tread plane.

[0007] The step element is preferably designed in one or more parts. Particularly preferably, the step element comprises a tread and / or a mounting plate, which is to be attached to the tread. The mounting plate preferably has at least one, and in particular at least one on each side, mounting recess, which particularly preferably extends continuously in the direction of drainage and is suitable for attaching the mounting plate to the tread, in particular by means of at least one screw extending in the direction of drainage. The mounting recess preferably extends longitudinally in the direction of the tread width.

[0008] The extension of the tread surface in the longitudinal direction of the step corresponds at least substantially to an extension of the step body or at least one of its aforementioned components in the longitudinal direction of the step. The extension of the tread surface in the tread width direction preferably corresponds at least substantially to an extension of the step body or at least one of its aforementioned components in the tread width direction.

[0009] The longitudinal direction of the tread is to be understood in particular as the main direction of extension of the tread surface. The longitudinal direction of the tread is, in particular, the direction in which the width of the climbing device is to be measured. The tread width direction is, consequently, in particular the direction in which the depth of the climbing device is to be measured.

[0010] The tread surface is preferably formed by the upper surface of the step body. The tread surface is the area with which a shoe sole comes into contact during the intended use of the step device. Due to the drainage recess, the tread surface is not a continuous and closed actual surface, but rather a covering surface. This covering surface bridges the at least one drainage recess, particularly as the sole of a standing shoe does, and can, for example, be formed solely by the step grate. The covering surface is the area against which the shoe soles abut, and which, due to their usual stiffness, do not enter or pass through the drainage recess when placed on the tread surface. The tread surface is preferably flat.

[0011] The step device has at least one drainage recess. Preferably, the step device has three, at least six, or at least eleven drainage recesses. At least one of the drainage recesses is offset from a second drainage recess both in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction of the step. Particularly preferably, the drainage recesses are arranged in a checkerboard pattern in a top view of the step device.

[0012] The compressed air cleaning device is used for the external cleaning of shoe soles placed on the platform. The compressed air stream emanating from the nozzle openings must strike the soles from below, particularly to loosen the layer of dirt. The compressed air stream passes through the platform and / or tread plane, exerting its effect at a distance from the nozzle opening, which is preferably positioned offset from the platform in the direction of airflow. Due to gravity, the dirt loosened from the sole passes through the discharge opening.

[0013] The compressed air inlet element serves to receive the compressed air from which the compressed air flow is generated. The compressed air inlet element is preferably arranged directly on the footplate or at a distance from it. The nozzle openings are, in particular, bores within the at least one compressed air cleaning element, without the bore necessarily having to exhibit a cross-sectional constriction in the physical sense of the term "nozzle." In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the nozzle openings is designed as an elongated hole, which extends, in particular, longitudinally in a compressed air longitudinal direction as described below.The nozzle openings, or at least the nozzle openings of a first group of the total nozzle openings, are spaced apart from each other at least partially, in particular exclusively, in the longitudinal direction of the tread and / or in the width direction of the tread, and preferably equally spaced from the tread plane or the tread surface.

[0014] The aforementioned compressed air cleaning device allows for comprehensive cleaning of the user's shoes in the area (sole) where soil typically adheres. The compressed air cleaning unit is permanently mounted on the tread, enabling the user to achieve complete cleaning of their soles with a slight movement of their shoes on or above the tread surface. This keeps adhering soil outside the vehicle's cab and avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of prior art.

[0015] Preferably, at least one first compressed air cleaning element extends at least partially, and in particular completely, longitudinally in a first longitudinal direction of the compressed air flow. The first compressed air cleaning element is particularly preferably a pipe or a hose. The nozzle openings are particularly preferably positioned between a central longitudinal axis of the first compressed air cleaning element and the tread surface, particularly adjacent to the tread plane. The nozzle openings are preferably aligned in the same direction. Preferably, at least two, and in particular five, nozzle openings are arranged in the first compressed air cleaning element, offset from one another in the first longitudinal direction of the compressed air flow. Due to the design of the tread device described above, the compressed air cleaning device can be practically integrated into the tread body, and the shoes can be cleaned particularly reliably.

[0016] The first compressed air cleaning element is preferably arranged such that the first longitudinal direction of the compressed air flow is angled at less than 90°, and in particular less than 45°, to the direction of the tread width. In particular, the longitudinal direction of the compressed air flow extends parallel to the direction of the tread width. This means, in particular, that the nozzle openings in the use of the cleaning device are distributed along the length of the shoe sole, so that even a relatively small relative movement of the shoe relative to the first compressed air cleaning element is sufficient to clean the entire shoe sole.

[0017] The compressed air cleaning device preferably has at least one nozzle opening above the tread surface and / or plane. A compressed air stream is preferably generated through this nozzle opening, directed towards the tread surface or parallel to it. Particularly preferred are two compressed air streams directed towards each other from two opposite sides of the cleaning device to clean sides of the shoe above the tread surface. Alternatively or additionally, a compressed air stream is generated, particularly centrally above the tread surface, directed at least partially or substantially in or against the direction of the tread width to clean the front or back of the shoe. Alternatively or additionally, a compressed air stream is generated above the tread surface, directed, in particular, vertically towards the tread surface to clean the top of the shoe.The nozzle opening that forms this compressed air flow is specifically designed by an additional compressed air cleaning element of a further, superior, stepping device. The compressed air cleaning element, or the additional compressed air cleaning element, has nozzle openings for generating differently oriented, particularly opposing, compressed air flows.

[0018] Preferably, the first compressed air cleaning element is designed such that a cross-sectional area of ​​the compressed air cleaning element remains constant, at least in sections, along the first longitudinal direction of the compressed air flow. This can be achieved, for example, with a conventional pipe without any tapering, added ribs, or the like. The constant cross-sectional area allows for optimal use of the available installation space on the step body. The cross-sectional area is, in particular, a cross-sectional surface in a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and the step plane. The cross-sectional area preferably has a round or polygonal, particularly rectangular, outer contour. Thus, it is preferably a round pipe, especially one that is axially symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis, or a square pipe.This ensures both good compressed air conductivity and suitability of the compressed air cleaning element for stabilizing the footplate, thus giving the compressed air cleaning element a preferred dual function.

[0019] The compressed air cleaning device comprises at least two compressed air cleaning elements, which extend longitudinally, particularly parallel to each other. The two compressed air cleaning elements are preferably identical. The two compressed air cleaning elements are preferably assigned to different halves of the insole, the halves being separated from each other, particularly preferably, by a dividing plane extending in the direction of the insole width and oriented perpendicular to the tread plane. This ensures that each of the user's shoes can be cleaned, particularly simultaneously, by at least one compressed air cleaning element assigned solely to that shoe.

[0020] The compressed air cleaning device preferably comprises a second compressed air cleaning element. The second compressed air cleaning element extends at least partially, and in particular completely, longitudinally in a further compressed air longitudinal direction, which preferably deviates from the first compressed air longitudinal direction. The further compressed air longitudinal direction is preferably angled at less than 45° to the longitudinal direction of the tread or arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tread. Preferably, the first compressed air cleaning element and the second compressed air cleaning element are arranged intersecting each other. Particularly preferably, the compressed air cleaning device comprises at least two second compressed air cleaning elements. This ensures, in particular, that the shoe sole can be cleaned across its entire width by a relative movement of the shoe relative to the tread in the direction of the tread width.

[0021] The compressed air cleaning device preferably has at least one compressed air branch element between the compressed air inlet element and the at least two compressed air cleaning elements for distributing the incoming compressed air to the cleaning elements. The preposition "between" in this context refers to the flow path of the compressed air within the compressed air cleaning device. The compressed air branch element is particularly preferably a T-piece. This design combines improved cleaning performance with a simple construction, as only one compressed air inlet element is required.

[0022] Preferably, the compressed air cleaning element is configured such that the compressed air flow generated by it is angled at less than 90°, and in particular at least substantially 45°, to the tread surface and / or the tread plane. The air thus flows not vertically, but obliquely. This allows the sole to be reliably cleaned even if it has a deep profile. Preferably, the aforementioned nozzle opening is the last nozzle opening of the compressed air cleaning element located in or against the direction of the tread width. Particularly preferably, several nozzle openings are configured such that their compressed air flows out in a direction angled at less than 90° to the tread surface and / or the tread plane. In particular, the air flows are inclined towards each other.At least one of the nozzle openings is preferably designed such that the airflow is directed, at least partially, towards an adjacent nozzle opening and / or a central area of ​​the shoe body. This oblique airflow, particularly from the outer nozzle openings, facilitates the cleaning of a side surface of the shoe.

[0023] Preferably, the step device has bristle elements. In particular, the bristle elements are bristles, preferably made of plastic. The bristles are preferably elastic and extend at least partially or exclusively longitudinally from the step body in the opposite direction of travel. The bristle elements particularly preferably extend through the tread surface and / or tread plane. This means that the bristle elements come into contact with the sole of the shoe before the shoe rests on the tread surface. Due to their flexibility, the bristle elements do not necessarily have their own load-bearing capacity. Preferably, they have sufficient stiffness and thus load-bearing capacity to absorb at least part of the user's weight during use and, for example, transfer it to the step body.The bristle elements particularly favorably define at least part of the contact surface, which, especially in this case, can be spaced away from the tread body in the opposite direction to the direction of airflow. Through their mechanical contact with the shoe sole, the bristle elements significantly improve the cleaning performance of the compressed air cleaning device.

[0024] The drainage recess, or at least one of the drainage recesses, and in particular all drainage recesses, are arranged in a top view between two of the bristle elements. This arrangement of the drainage recess(es) is particularly advantageous because the soil, mechanically separated from the shoe sole, can leave the tread device from different directions via a particularly short path due to gravity.

[0025] An end of the first bristle element projecting in the opposite direction of dirt flow is preferably positioned further from the tread surface and / or the tread plane than an end of a second bristle element projecting in the opposite direction. In particular, the bristle elements are of different lengths. Preferably, bristle elements along an edge of the tread are shorter than those arranged centrally on the tread. The different bristle elements allow for the optimal removal of various types of soiling from shoes. A particular advantage of shorter bristle elements along the edge is that it prevents these bristle elements from bending, which would significantly impair their function, without compromising the cleaning performance of the other bristle elements.

[0026] The at least one compressed air cleaning element preferably has at least one arc-shaped section. This arc-shaped section connects, in particular, two straight sections of the compressed air cleaning element. The arc-shaped section is preferably designed to deflect the compressed air by 90° or 180°. Most preferably, the compressed air element has a plurality of arc-shaped sections, each connecting two straight sections, so that the single compressed air cleaning element can have nozzle openings distributed over its entire surface.

[0027] The tread surface is preferably formed, at least partially, by the at least one compressed air cleaning element. This means that a surface of the compressed air cleaning element forms part of the tread surface or at least borders it. In this way, the compressed air cleaning device increases the stability of the step. Preferably, the step body is formed, at least partially, and in particular completely, by the at least one compressed air cleaning element or the aforementioned compressed air cleaning elements. In this case, a separate step body does not necessarily exist alongside the compressed air cleaning device, but is formed integrally. The compressed air cleaning elements forming the step body are particularly preferably arranged in an intersecting pattern.

[0028] The at least one compressed air cleaning element preferably incorporates anti-slip elements. These anti-slip elements preferably project in the opposite direction of airflow and form part of the contact surface. The anti-slip elements are particularly pointed. They serve to improve the user's footing, which may be reduced depending on the strength of the compressed air flow.

[0029] The step device preferably has a leading edge element extending elongated in the longitudinal direction of the step. The leading edge element projects from the step body, particularly in the opposite direction to the direction of drainage, and preferably abuts a plane extending in both the longitudinal and width directions of the step, to which at least one compressed air cleaning element arranged on the step body also abuts. Preferably, the leading edge element forms an edge section of the tread surface such that the edge section is offset from a central section of the tread surface in the opposite direction to the direction of drainage, the central section being formed in particular by the step body. Both the edge section and the central section extend at least at an angle to the direction of drainage. The leading edge element can also be formed integrally with the step body.The front edge element preferably forms at least one of the compressed air cleaning elements and has nozzle openings for generating a compressed air flow through the tread surface that opposes the direction of discharge. The front edge element, in turn, increases slip resistance and generates the airflow in such a way that it takes effect even when the shoe is only slightly positioned on the tread surface.

[0030] Preferably, the compressed air cleaning device has at least one closure device between the compressed air inlet element and the compressed air cleaning element. This closure device can be moved from an open position, in which the compressed air inlet element and the compressed air cleaning element are in fluid communication, to a closed position, in which the closure device blocks fluid communication between the compressed air inlet element and the compressed air cleaning element. The closure device is particularly designed to be continuously adjustable from the closed position to the open position to accommodate compressed air flows of varying strengths. The closure device preferably includes a ball valve. This allows the foot pedal to be used as needed and prevents energy waste.

[0031] The compressed air cleaning device preferably includes a presence sensor for detecting the presence of a person or user. Furthermore, the compressed air cleaning device preferably includes a control unit for controlling the closing mechanism based on an output signal from the presence sensor. The presence sensor is, in particular, a motion detector, a distance sensor, a load cell, or a door sensor for detecting whether a door to the cabin is open, which must be triggered by a person. This advantageous design eliminates the need for manual operation of the closing element.

[0032] The problem is further solved by a climbing device with at least one, preferably two, and in particular at least three, treads, each forming at least a partial walking surface, which are arranged offset from one another at least in the direction of travel. The climbing device further comprises a climbing frame having at least two lateral frame elements extending in the direction of travel. The treads are arranged at least partially between the treads. The climbing device is characterized by a tread device as described above. The tread device is particularly characterized by the lowest of the aforementioned treads.

[0033] Furthermore, the problem is solved by an agricultural vehicle. This vehicle is, in particular, a tractor. The vehicle has at least one driver's cab. The vehicle is characterized by the aforementioned access device, which is specifically designed to facilitate access to the driver's cab for a user. The locking device is particularly preferably positioned on a fender of a rear wheel of the vehicle.

[0034] The commercial vehicle preferably has a compressed air brake system. The compressed air inlet element of the compressed air cleaning device for the foot pedal is specifically connected to the compressed air brake system. "Compressed air brake" refers to a braking system operating with compressed air, which, due to the design described above, is in fluid communication with the compressed air cleaning device.

[0035] Further details and advantages can be found in the schematically illustrated exemplary embodiments described below; they show: Fig. 1 a first stepping device according to the invention in a top view, Fig. 2 a second step device according to the invention in the assembled state in a perspective view, Fig. 3 a first ascent device according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 4 a second ascent device according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0036] The features described below can also lead to further developments of the invention in combinations other than those shown. Identical or similarly acting components of the invention are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0037] The figures show a variety of different embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows different step devices according to the invention. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows different ascent devices 20 according to the invention, each illustrating two purely exemplary ( Fig. 4) or three ( Fig. 3) different step devices 1 according to the invention. For the sake of clarity, not all figures are provided with all reference numerals that need to be drawn.

[0038] The step devices 1 each have a step body 3. The step body 3 extends longitudinally in a step longitudinal direction TLR and perpendicular to it in a step width direction TBR (see Fig. 2) The stepping body 3 forms according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a part of a performance area 2 which is partially arranged in a performance level AE (see. Fig. 2) In the case of the upper two footholds 1 of the climbing device 20 according to Fig. The tread elements 3 alone form the tread surface 2, which is arranged entirely within the tread plane AE. The tread surface 2 serves, in any case, for placing shoes on the tread device 1.

[0039] The depicted step bodies 3 each have a plurality, specifically either six or eleven, of drainage recesses 7, which for the sake of clarity are only partially labelled. These extend in a drainage direction AR angled at 90° to the tread plane AE (see Fig. 2), downwards, continuously through the footplate 3.

[0040] The illustrated step devices 1 are characterized by a compressed air cleaning device 30 for cleaning shoes (not shown). The compressed air cleaning device 30 has a compressed air inlet element (not shown) for receiving compressed air and at least one compressed air cleaning element 31 or a plurality of compressed air cleaning elements 31, 35. Each compressed air cleaning element 31, 35 has a plurality of nozzle openings 32, which are only partially labeled for clarity.

[0041] The exemplary implementations according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and the lower step device 1 of the climbing device 20 according to Fig. 3 each have two first compressed air cleaning elements 31 designed as tubes, which extend longitudinally in a first compressed air longitudinal direction DLR1 (see. Fig. 1), which corresponds to the tread width direction TBR. The upper two tread devices 1 of the ascent device 20 according to Fig. 4 each additionally have three second compressed air cleaning elements 35, which extend elongately in a further compressed air longitudinal direction DLR2 (see. Fig. 4), which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the tread (TLR). Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 illustrates, by way of example, a compressed air branch element 33 of the compressed air cleaning device 30 for dividing the received compressed air to at least two of the compressed air cleaning elements 31, 35. The embodiments according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 feature a multitude of bristle elements 6, which are labelled only by way of example for the sake of clarity. The bristle elements 6 extend from the tread body 3 through the tread surface 2. The discharge recesses 7 are arranged such that they are each positioned between at least two bristle elements 6.

[0042] The middle step device 1 of the climbing device 20 according to Fig. 3 has exactly one compressed air cleaning element 31, which is composed of three (for clarity only partially labeled) arc-shaped sections 31.1 and four straight sections 31.2. The lower step 1 of the access device 20 according to Fig. Figure 4 also features a compressed air cleaning element 31 composed of arcuate sections 31.1 and straight sections 31.2, which, however, extends differently in detail than the previously described composite compressed air element 31. In contrast to the compressed air cleaning element 31 of the central step device 1 of the access device 20 according to Figure 4, the compressed air cleaning element 31 of the central step device 1 of the access device 20 is composed of arcuate sections 31.1 and 31.2. Fig. 3 the compressed air cleaning element 31 of the lower step device 1 of the climbing device 20 extends according to Fig.4 above a top surface of the step body 3 and thus forms the step surface 2 which in this case is not flat. Reference symbol list 1 Footrest 2 performance areas 2.1 Marginal section 2.2 Middle section 3 step bodies 6 bristle elements 7. Laxative exit 28 Front edge element 30 Compressed air cleaning equipment 31 First compressed air cleaning element 31.1 Arc-shaped section 31.2 even section 32 Nozzle opening 33 Compressed air branch element 34 anti-slip element 35 Second compressed air cleaning element 40 ascent frames 41 Frame element AE Performance Level AR Discharge direction DLR1 First compressed air longitudinal direction DLR2 Second compressed air longitudinal direction TLR longitudinal direction TBR tread width direction

Images