Load carrier transport system for motor vehicles

Abstract

Load carrier transport system for motor vehicles, in particular for a motor vehicle (11) with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 t, comprising a load carrier receptacle (1) which has a plurality, preferably four, locking devices (3) connected to a vehicle body, and at least one exchangeable load carrier (5) corresponding to the load carrier receptacle (1) and having a load carrier frame (6) with counter-openings (6.1) formed on the base, wherein the locking devices (3) are formed from an aluminum alloy and each have a rotatable bolt (3.1) with an angled head part (3.2), wherein the angled head parts (3.2) can each be inserted into a corresponding counter-opening (6.1) and fix the at least one load carrier (5) to the load carrier receptacle (1) in a force-fitting manner by rotating the rotatable bolts (3.1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a load carrier transport system for motor vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 t.

[0002] The use of interchangeable bodies as load carriers in commercial vehicles offers numerous advantages for modern freight transport. Vehicle fleets can be used more efficiently thanks to flexible adaptation to different transport requirements, thus reducing downtime. Interchangeable bodies enable fast loading and unloading as well as rapid exchange between different modes of transport, which can optimize logistics processes. Furthermore, their modularity contributes to reducing operating costs and facilitates the sustainable use of resources, as existing vehicles can be used more versatilely as the basis for several different bodies or load carriers. Compared to vehicle fleets with fixed bodies, interchangeable bodies therefore require fewer vehicles.In many industries, particularly the freight forwarding and construction sectors, but also for the police, fire, and rescue services, interchangeable bodies or interchangeable load carriers are therefore an indispensable solution for economical and flexible freight transport. For transporting light loads, smaller vans offer a more economical and practical alternative to large trucks.

[0003] The assembly of superstructures in the form of load carriers is carried out by placing them on a flatbed or loading area of ​​a transport vehicle and then securing them in place. Typically, fastening and securing them to the transport vehicle is done by screwing, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, screwing requires the handling of numerous individual parts and the use of separate tools. Another disadvantage is that special regulations apply to the use of different load carriers on a transport vehicle. In order to obtain an operating license in Germany, every load carrier that cannot be removed from the transport vehicle without handling multi-part fastening mechanisms, such as screw-and-nut connections, must be inspected by a testing center together with the transport vehicle and entered in the vehicle registration document. This is associated with considerable time and expense.An exception to these regulations only applies to devices that enable the assembly or disassembly of a load carrier without multi-part tools.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a load carrier transport system with interchangeable load carriers for motor vehicles, which enables tool-free replacement of a load carrier. The load carrier transport system should be particularly suitable for motor vehicles with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 t.

[0005] The problem is solved by an object having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments or further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] A load carrier transport system for motor vehicles is proposed, in particular for motor vehicles with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 t. According to the invention, the system comprises two essential components: a load carrier receptacle and at least one load carrier corresponding to the load carrier receptacle. The load carrier receptacle has several, preferably four, locking devices connected to a vehicle body, which are made of an aluminum alloy to save weight. The load carrier receptacle preferably has a rectangular shape, with the locking devices arranged in the corners of the rectangular shape. Each of the locking devices has a housing part with a rotatable bolt which is angled at a head part. According to one embodiment, the angled head part of the rotatable bolt can also be designed as a mushroom head flattened on two sides.

[0007] The at least one interchangeable load carrier has a load carrier frame with counter-openings formed on the base, which are arranged opposite the head parts of the rotatable bolts of the locking devices when the landing carrier is positioned on the load carrier receptacle. This positioning allows the angled head parts of the rotatable bolts to be inserted into a corresponding counter-opening of the load carrier frame. The head parts are designed such that they non-positively fix the at least one load carrier to the load carrier receptacle by turning the rotatable bolts. The locking devices are designed such that just a quarter turn of the rotatable bolts is sufficient to securely fasten the load carrier to the load carrier receptacle for transport.This quick connection requires no additional separate tools, as the rotating bolts of the locking devices can be easily moved manually using a lever on the bolt. This allows different load carrier types to be combined with a vehicle without requiring separate approval and registration in a vehicle registration document for each combination. Tool-free assembly of the load carrier reduces setup time, thus saving costs.

[0008] The load carrier frame serves as a base for coupling to the load carrier holder on the transport vehicle. Differently dimensioned superstructures for different applications can be mounted on the load carrier frame. For example, the load carrier can have a container for transporting liquids. Special superstructures for the transport and operation of technical equipment are also conceivable.

[0009] Furthermore, electrical contact elements can be provided on the load carrier receptacle and on the load carrier frame for establishing electrical contact between the transport vehicle and the load carrier. The electrical contact can be used for signal transmission or for transmitting electrical energy in order to supply electrical consumers on the load carrier with electrical energy. The electrical contact elements are preferably arranged on opposite contact surfaces of the load carrier receptacle and the load carrier frame in such a way that contact is only possible when the load carrier is correspondingly positioned on the load carrier receptacle. Advantageously, the electrical contact thus does not require a separate plug connection.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the locking devices, the rotatable bolts can be designed to be axially displaceable, so that the rotatable bolts can also perform the function of a sliding bolt. With a corresponding stop set of the lever formed on the rotatable bolt, a sliding-rotating locking mechanism can thus be realized, which does not require a separate securing element to secure the position of the rotatable bolt. Alternatively, each locking device can have a releasable securing element that blocks movement of the rotatable bolt. In the simplest case, the releasable securing element is a securing bolt, the arrangement of which blocks rotational movement or retraction of the rotatable bolt.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the rotatable bolts can each be coupled to a spring, which is tensioned by rotating the rotatable bolts into a locking position, so that releasing the rotatable bolts causes them to automatically return to their original position. The spring return of the rotatable bolts simplifies the disassembly of the load carriers.

[0012] For positioning the at least one load carrier, the load carrier holder may have centering stops. Such centering stops may be arranged as retractable plate elements at one end of the load carrier holder.

[0013] The load carrier holder can be designed to accommodate more than one load carrier, whereby the load carriers can be arranged side by side or one behind the other. In this case, the number of locking devices of the load carrier holder increases with the number of load carriers that can be accommodated.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred development of the load carrier, at least four keyhole openings for receiving at least four crank supports can be formed on an outer circumference on opposite sides of the load carrier frame. The crank supports can advantageously have a movable bracing so that the support of the load carrier can be adapted to different requirements. By attaching crank supports to the load carrier frame, the load carrier can be moved and held at a desired distance from the ground, which simplifies assembly and disassembly on the transport vehicle. In this case, advantageously, no additional lifting devices are required. For assembly, the transport vehicle is moved under the load carrier frame.The load carrier is then lowered onto the load carrier support of the transport vehicle by operating the crank supports and locked using the locking devices. Disassembly is carried out in the reverse order.

[0015] It can be provided that the angled head parts of the rotatable bolts can be retracted into the load carrier holder in order to provide a flat transport surface.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the load carrier frame and the locking devices can be made of an aluminum alloy. By using lightweight materials, such as aluminum or aluminum alloys, the load carrier transport system is lightweight, allowing for a higher freight transport capacity with respect to the permissible total weight of a transport vehicle.

[0017] The stability of the load carrier frame is ensured by the use of hollow profiles. Furthermore, the load carrier frame can have at least two, preferably four, intersecting cross members. The load carrier frame can also have integrated forklift attachments to enable transport by forklift.

[0018] To further reduce weight, the locking devices can be integrated into an aluminum cross member of the vehicle body. This means that a cross member accommodating the locking devices is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and this cross member is integrated into the vehicle body.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the rotatable bolts of the locking devices can be actuated electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. For this purpose, the locking devices can have appropriately designed actuators. This enables simultaneous locking, i.e., a simultaneous quarter turn of all rotatable bolts, thereby reducing the time required to secure the load carrier to the load carrier holder.

[0020] The proposed load carrier transport system is designed for vehicles with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 tons. Accordingly, the load carrier transport system is designed to keep its dead weight as low as possible. This is achieved through the use of a lightweight construction made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Only those areas that are subject to increased friction due to the force-locking fixation by the head parts of the rotating bolts in the load carrier frame can be reinforced with inserts in the form of steel plates. Such steel plates can be integrated, for example, in the engagement area of ​​the counter-openings in the load carrier frame.

[0021] Further details, features, and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of an embodiment of a charge carrier holder of the charge carrier transport system, Fig. 2: an enlarged view of a Fig. 1 shown locking device, Fig. 3: a schematic representation of an embodiment of an exchangeable charge carrier of the charge carrier transport system, Fig. 4: a schematic representation of the load carrier transport system on a vehicle and Fig. 5: a schematic representation of an embodiment of a crank support of the load carrier transport system.

[0022] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a load carrier receptacle 1 of the load carrier transport system on a loading platform of a vehicle body part 2. The load carrier receptacle 1 has four locking devices 3, two of which are integrated in each aluminum cross member 4 of the vehicle body part 2 such that a rectangular arrangement of the locking devices 3 is formed. Each of the locking devices 3 has a rotatable bolt 3.1, which is rotatably mounted in a passage of an aluminum cross member 4. The rotatable bolts 3.1 each have an angled head part 3.2 in the shape of a mushroom head with a rectangular base area. In the example shown, the angled head parts 3.2 of the rotatable bolts 3.1 protrude from an upper side of the cross members 4. The example shows the rotatable bolts 3.1 in an initial position.

[0023] A base portion of the rotatable bolts 3.1 protrudes from the underside of the aluminum cross members 4. In this protruding section, each rotatable bolt 3.1 in the example shown has four levers 3.3, which are provided for manual rotational adjustment. The components of the locking device 3 are shown in Fig. 2 shown enlarged.

[0024] The Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a Fig. 1. The locking device 3 comprises the rotatable bolt 3.1 mounted in the passage of the aluminum cross member 4, the angled head part 3.2 of which is designed in the shape of a mushroom head with a rectangular base. The opening of the passage formed in the aluminum cross member 4 also has a rectangular cross-section, so that the mushroom head can be lowered completely into the aluminum cross member 4. The aluminum cross member 4 forms a housing part that accommodates the rotatable bolt 3.1. The rotatable bolt 3.1 protrudes from an underside of the aluminum cross member 4. In this protruding portion, the rotatable bolt 3.1 has four levers 3.3 arranged in a star shape. The levers 3.3 are arranged in a protected niche in the vehicle body part 2. At the same time, this arrangement offers barrier-free accessibility for manual operation.

[0025] All components of the locking device 3 are made of an aluminum alloy.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an exchangeable load carrier 5 of the load carrier transport system. The load carrier 5 has a load carrier frame 6, which, in terms of its dimensions, corresponds to the Fig. 1. The load carrier frame 6 is formed with rectangular hollow profiles 7.1. The hollow profiles 7.1 are open at their opposite ends. These openings 6.2 serve as integrated receptacles for forks, so that the load carrier 5 can be transported with a forklift. Furthermore, on the outer circumference of the load carrier frame 6, there are four keyhole openings 6.3, each for receiving a crank support 10 (see Fig. 5). The frame structure of the load carrier frame 6 is reinforced by cross members 7.2. At the corners of the load carrier frame 6 are four posts 8 of equal length, which are enclosed by a closed ceiling element 9, so that the load carrier 5 forms a cuboid shape with open side walls.

[0027] On a bottom side of the load carrier frame 6, a total of four counter-openings 6.1 are formed, which correspond in terms of their arrangement and cross-sectional shape to the angled head parts 3.2 of the rotatable bolts 3.1 of the locking devices 3 when the load carrier 5 is positioned on the load carrier holder 1 (see in the example Fig. 4). The opening cross-sections of the counter-openings 6.1 thus correspond to the shape of the angled head parts 3.2 in the starting position. In the example shown, the opening cross-sections of the counter-openings 6.1 have a rectangular shape. By placing the load carrier 5 on the load carrier holder 1 (see example Fig. 4), the angled head sections 3.2 can each be inserted into a corresponding counter-opening 6.1. If the rotatable bolts 3.1 are rotated by 90° each, the load carrier 5 is fixed to the load carrier holder 1 at four locking points.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the load carrier transport system on a vehicle 11, which in the example shown is a pickup truck with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 t. The load carrier transport system comprises a load carrier receptacle 1, which is formed on a loading area of ​​the vehicle body part 2. The load carrier receptacle 1 comprises four locking devices 3 integrated into the vehicle body. The example shown of the load carrier receptacle 1 with the locking devices 3 corresponds to the Fig. 1. A design of the load carrier 5 with closed side walls is attached to the load carrier holder 1. The load carrier frame 6 corresponds to the design of the load carrier frame 6 of the Fig. 3. In order to ensure interchangeability at the load carrier receptacle 1 of the vehicle 11, the load carrier frames 6 of different load carriers 5 are each designed identically.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a crank support 10 of the load carrier transport system. A keyhole opening 6.3 (see Fig. 3) accommodates a crank support 10 on the load carrier frame 6 to support the load carrier 5 at a predetermined distance from the ground. Due to the support provided by the crank supports 10, the load carrier 5 is height-adjustable and accessible, allowing it to be placed on a transporter without additional lifting devices. List of reference symbols 1 load carrier holder 2 vehicle body part 3 Locking device 3.1 rotating bolt 3.2 angled headboard 3.3 Lever 4 aluminum cross members 5 load carriers 6 load carrier frames 6.1 Counter openings 6.2 Opening for fork tines 6.3 Keyhole opening 7.1 rectangular hollow profile 7.2 Cross member 8 posts 9 Ceiling element 10 crank support 11 vehicles

Claims

[1] Load carrier transport system for motor vehicles, in particular for a motor vehicle (11) with a permissible total weight of up to 7.5 t, comprising a load carrier receptacle (1) which has a plurality, preferably four, locking devices (3) connected to a vehicle body, and at least one exchangeable load carrier (5) corresponding to the load carrier receptacle (1) and having a load carrier frame (6) with counter-openings (6.1) formed on the bottom, wherein the locking devices (3) are formed from an aluminum alloy and each have a rotatable bolt (3.1) with an angled head part (3.2), wherein the angled head parts (3.2) can each be inserted into a corresponding counter-opening (6.1) and fix the at least one load carrier (5) to the load carrier receptacle (1) in a force-fitting manner by rotating the rotatable bolts (3.1). [2] Load carrier transport system according to claim 1,characterized by that the rotatable bolts (3.1) are each coupled to a spring which is tensioned into a locking position by rotating the rotatable bolts (3.1), so that releasing the rotatable bolts (3.1) causes an automatic return to an initial position. [3] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the locking devices (3) have a releasable securing element which blocks movement of the rotatable bolt (3.1). [4] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that electrical contact elements for electrical contact between the motor vehicle (11) and the load carrier (5) are formed on the load carrier holder (1) and on the load carrier frame (6). [5] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat at least four keyhole openings (6.3) for receiving crank supports (10) are formed on an outer circumference on opposite sides of the load carrier frame (6). [6] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the angled head parts (3.2) of the rotatable bolts (3.1) can be sunk into the load carrier holder (1) in order to form a flat transport surface. [7] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the load carrier frame (6) is made of an aluminum alloy. [8] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the load carrier frame (6) has at least two, preferably four crossing cross members (7.2). [9] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the load carrier frame (6) has integrated openings (6.2) as receptacles for forks. [10] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the locking devices (3) are integrated into an aluminum cross member (4) of the vehicle body. [11] Load carrier transport system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the locking devices (3) can be actuated manually or electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically by means of a lever (3.3).

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