Lifting device for foundations

Abstract

Lifting device (1) for transporting a heat pump outer casing foundation (2), the lifting device (1) comprising at least three interconnected lifting devices (3) adjustable in their vertical length, characterized in that the lifting devices (3) are attached at different points on the foundation (2) for said mutual connection, so that the foundation (2) can be lifted by a transport vehicle and placed on a surface.

Description

Introduction

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting device for foundations. In particular, the invention relates to a lifting device for transporting and placing foundations for heat pump outdoor housings. State of the art and disadvantages

[0002] Heating heat pumps typically consist of an outdoor unit containing a fan, which is connected to other components that are usually installed inside a building. A crucial requirement for the safe operation of the heat pump's outdoor unit is its stability. Due to its considerable weight, which can be 100 kg or more, manufacturers require a foundation to be provided on which the unit can be securely anchored.

[0003] Such a foundation is typically made of concrete and weighs several hundred kilograms. It can be poured on-site using appropriate formwork made of liquid concrete. However, constructing such formwork is quite complex and requires specialized personnel, who are increasingly difficult to find. Furthermore, on-site production is relatively time-consuming, as in addition to assembling and disassembling the formwork, a considerable amount of time must be allowed for the concrete to cure sufficiently.

[0004] A more economical approach involves the serial prefabrication of the foundation in a specialized factory, followed by the on-site assembly of the finished foundation. Assembly requires little prior knowledge, and the time from delivery to operational readiness is significantly reduced.

[0005] However, a problem with this approach is the transport of the foundation, which is quite heavy, from the delivery vehicle to the installation site, as well as its precise positioning on a prepared gravel bed. As a rule, at least two workers are needed to manually lift the foundation from the delivery vehicle, transport it to the installation site, and set it down. This increases the installation costs accordingly.

[0006] To simplify transport, pallet trucks are known from the prior art, as described, for example, in German patent applications DE 20 2013 105 333 U1 or DE 20 2020 100 278 U1. These pallet trucks are specifically designed for transporting pallets. Pallets have at least two parallel, spaced-apart recesses on their underside, into which the pallet truck's frame ("forks") can be inserted, and then the pallet can be lifted by raising the frame. Besides the often unsuitable surface on a construction site for such pallet trucks, a foundation would also need to have corresponding recesses to be transportable with a pallet truck of the described type. However, the reduction in thickness due to the recesses decreases the strength, which can only be compensated for by an even more robust construction, thus incurring corresponding costs. Problem of the invention and solution

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] According to the invention, it is intended to reduce the effort required to transport and erect a foundation for a heat pump outdoor casing, without increasing the time required or the costs.

[0009] The problem is solved by a lifting device according to claim 1 and a set according to dependent claim 8. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the respective dependent claims, the following description, and the figures. Description

[0010] First, the lifting device according to the invention is described. This is followed by a description of its use. Furthermore, a set for transporting a heat pump outer casing foundation, as well as its use, are presented.

[0011] The lifting device is used to transport a heat pump's outdoor casing foundation and to precisely position it on a gravel bed or at a comparable installation site. The lifting device comprises at least three interconnected lifting elements, adjustable in their vertical length. This means that a single lifting element can be used to raise or lower an object attached to or placed on it. It is understood that the lifting elements must be capable of supporting at least the weight of the foundation divided by the number of lifting elements, plus a safety factor of, for example, 1.5 or 2.0.

[0012] The invention is characterized in that the lifting devices are attached to different points on the foundation for the purpose of the aforementioned mutual connection. Thus, the foundation can be lifted by a transport vehicle using the lifting devices and placed on a surface. Accordingly, the lifting device does not include a frame known from the prior art (so) on which the foundation would have to be placed. Instead, the frame is provided by the foundation itself, which, due to its high stability, is very well suited to ensuring the mechanical cohesion (the connection) between the individual lifting devices. The height of the foundation can be easily changed by selectively lengthening or shortening the lifting devices, a point which will be discussed in more detail below.In particular, only a single worker is actually required to use the lifting device according to the invention.

[0013] The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0014] The invention reduces the effort required to transport and install a foundation for a heat pump outdoor unit, as it can be operated by a single person. The foundation does not require any recesses that would compromise its stability. Since the foundation can be transported to the installation site as a whole, the time lost due to on-site fabrication, as described above, is eliminated. Furthermore, because it can be operated by a single person, the costs are no higher than with conventional installation methods.

[0015] Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lifting devices are manually operated by means of a crank drive. Such devices are well known in the art and are used, for example, to lift a caravan or motorhome when the ground is sloped. Additionally, the lifting device can include a quick-release clamping mechanism from which the drive housing, together with the support leg, can be quickly detached and reattached after vertical repositioning, thus avoiding the need to achieve the entire vertical length change solely by cranking. In this case, the clamping mechanism must be attached to the foundation; otherwise, the drive housing can be attached directly to the foundation.

[0017] "Fastening" or "connecting" in this context means that suitable mechanical components, such as (concrete) screws, clamps, vacuum lifters, or rods that can be inserted laterally into the foundation, ensure that the lifting device can transfer its lifting force to the foundation. Any such holes that may need to be provided—if correctly positioned—do not impair the stability of the foundation and can be either pre-drilled at the factory or added subsequently.

[0018] In another embodiment, the lifting devices can be operated automatically by means of an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic drive. The advantages of such an embodiment are obvious; however, these are offset by the disadvantage of the need for a power supply, which is not always easy to provide.

[0019] In another embodiment, the lifting devices have rollers at their distal ends. This allows the lifting device to be moved independently in a horizontal direction on a suitable surface after being lifted from the transport vehicle, for example, to make minor fine adjustments at the storage location.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the lifting device comprises at least one roller track on which the raised foundation can be placed and on which it can be moved horizontally. By definition, tracks on which the foundation can slide are also included. As described below, the roller track serves to move the foundation laterally away from a transport vehicle towards its final storage location. This means that the transport vehicle does not need to be positioned above the storage location, which is particularly advantageous given the often unsuitable or even impassable ground conditions for the foundation.

[0021] Preferably, the device comprises two roller tracks which can then be pushed between the foundation and the transport surface of the transport vehicle on opposite sides.

[0022] Additionally, the lifting device includes a height compensation mechanism to support the distal end of the roller conveyor and ensure its horizontal alignment. If the roller conveyor were inclined upwards or – as would be the standard case – downwards (from the elevated transport surface down to the ground), moving the heavy foundation safely would be nearly impossible. The height compensation mechanism ensures the roller conveyor(s) remain approximately horizontal, allowing even a single person to safely move the foundation laterally. The height compensation mechanism can be provided by additional, possibly adjustable, lifting devices attached to the distal ends of the roller conveyors. However, a simple beam with a rectangular cross-section, sufficiently thick and stable to safely absorb the forces acting upon it, is also adequate. For example, the beam could have a cross-section of 10...They should have 30 cm in both directions and a length of, for example, between 0.5 and 1.5 m. Materials such as wood or plastic can be used.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the lifting devices are screwed to the foundation via holes in the foundation, which are positioned so that a heat pump's outdoor casing can also be screwed to these same holes. In other words, holes that are already present in the foundation are used to attach the individual lifting devices, ensuring that the heat pump's outdoor casing can be securely fastened to it after installation. These holes can be pre-drilled or created on-site. This avoids redundant work and does not compromise the foundation's stability, as it must accommodate these holes anyway.

[0024] The following describes the use of the described device for unloading and placing a concrete heat pump outdoor casing foundation from a transport vehicle. This includes the following steps: First, at least three vertically acting lifting devices are attached to different points on the foundation, so that they are interconnected via the foundation. This creates a lifting system encompassing the foundation and the lifting devices connected to it. The foundation serves as the means of connection; a separate frame is not required. The foundation can still be placed on the transport platform of a vehicle. The lifting devices are typically mounted laterally to the side of the foundation, extending beyond the transport platform, so that they can be extended unhindered towards the ground.

[0025] The foundation is then lifted from the transport vehicle by extending the vertical length of the lifting devices. This creates a gap between the underside of the foundation and the transport surface. The lifting devices do not necessarily have to be operated simultaneously; it is generally harmless if, for example, the lifting devices at one end of the foundation are operated first, and then those at the opposite end. To avoid excessive tilting, the lifting devices can preferably be extended a little at a time, one after the other, until the desired height is reached.

[0026] The transport vehicle can now be removed (driven away), as the foundation rests securely on the lifting devices as if on "legs".

[0027] Finally, the foundation is lowered by reducing the vertical length of the lifting equipment until it rests on the ground. This lowering process can also be carried out in rotation, so that a single person is sufficient. It is clear that the lowering should only begin once the foundation is actually in place at its installation location.

[0028] Finally, the lifting devices are removed from the foundation as they are no longer needed. Since the foundation serves as a "frame" and remains at the installation site, the remaining lifting devices require very little space, which is advantageous for the return transport of these components of the lifting device according to the invention. In fact, they could be shipped as a package, which (unlike a conventional frame) is cost-effective and requires very little time.

[0029] The procedure described above requires that the transport vehicle can drive directly onto the installation site, as the foundation can be placed at precisely that location after the described steps have been carried out. However, this is not always possible.

[0030] Therefore, after the initial lifting, at least one roller track can be placed between the transport vehicle and the foundation; for the definition of the roller track, please refer to the explanations above. The distal end of the roller track is then raised to the level of the transport vehicle using a height adjustment device to allow for safe lateral movement of the foundation. It is clear that the roller track must be designed to facilitate this, meaning that the distal ends and the height adjustment device must be positioned beyond the installation site from the perspective of the transport vehicle, while the transport vehicle itself is located on this side of the installation site, either longitudinally or transversely. Accordingly, the foundation is lowered onto the approximately horizontal roller track and moved horizontally away from the transport vehicle until it is positioned directly above the installation site.The foundation is then raised again so that the roller conveyor can be removed once more, before the foundation is finally lowered into place at the installation site. The advantage of this procedure is that the transport vehicle does not need to drive onto the installation site, which is often not possible or at least not desirable.

[0031] The invention also relates to a set for transporting a heat pump outdoor casing foundation. In addition to the lifting device described above, this set includes a pallet containing material suitable for creating a foundation base, such as a permeable bed, for example, granules, gravel, or sand. The composition and quantity of this material are tailored to the specific application, ensuring that a worker on site finds precisely the right material in the correct quantity, thus saving time and helping to avoid errors.

[0032] Preferably, the pallet also includes walls and a cover, so that its contents are protected from the elements and unauthorized access. In other words, the set is designed as a "box," which is preferably lockable. This allows the set to be transported by freight carrier from the foundation's manufacturing site to the installation site, ensuring that the person constructing the foundation finds all the necessary components complete and undamaged.

[0033] The set can optionally include the transport vehicle described above, as well as other components required on site. These components may include, for example, accessories for connecting a heat pump (e.g., condensate pipe, district heating pipe, annular seals, screw set); they may also include tools for completing the foundation, such as a core drill, a pipe tester, a wall thickness gauge, a drill, a cordless screwdriver, a spade, and / or a demolition hammer. This further improves time savings and reduces the likelihood of errors.

[0034] The use of the described set for mounting a foundation for a heat pump outdoor casing at an installation site is, for example, as follows: First, the pallet is assembled with the components described above, in particular with the lifting device (foundation and Lifting equipment) and material for preparing the foundation base were filled and transported to the installation site.

[0035] There, the foundation for the heat pump's outdoor casing is assembled, including the preparation of the foundation base, using any supplied aids and / or tools as described above.

[0036] Particular preference is given to returning the components no longer needed after the foundation has been erected – especially the lifting equipment and the transport vehicle, but also any excavated material – in said box to the site where the foundation was built, where the box can be refilled for further use; in this way a “circular economy” is provided which improves the environmental footprint of the production and assembly of a foundation for a heat pump outdoor unit at an installation site, reduces costs and ensures a high quality of work. Character description

[0037] The invention is explained below using figures as examples. Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of the lifting device; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the lifting device on the forks of a transport vehicle; Fig. 3 this lifting device when it is lifted off the forks; Fig. 4 this lifting device when it is placed on a roller conveyor; Fig. 5 this lifting device when it has been moved laterally to the installation site on a roller track; Fig. 6 this lifting device, after it has been placed at the installation site.

[0038] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the lifting device 1. This device comprises four lifting units 3, which are arranged at different locations on the foundation 2. All lifting units 3 are connected to the foundation 2, and thus also to each other, by means of crossbeams 4, which in turn are bolted to the foundation 2 via suitable connecting elements (not shown).

[0039] The lifting devices 3 are adjustable in length in the vertical direction. This allows the entire assembly, comprising the foundation 2 and the lifting devices 3, to be raised or lowered vertically. Hand cranks or motors used to achieve this length adjustment are not shown. Since the crossbeams 4 are attached to the top of the foundation 2, the foundation 2 can be placed on a surface (not shown) without hindering the subsequent disassembly of the lifting devices 3.

[0040] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the lifting device 1 on the forks 5 of a transport vehicle (not shown elsewhere). The lifting devices 3 are retracted so that the transport vehicle can move the foundation 2.

[0041] In Fig. 3. The lifting devices 3 are extended to such an extent that the lifting device 1 is lifted off the forks 5. This creates a gap between the underside of the foundation 2 and the top of the forks 5, which provide the transport surface.

[0042] According to Fig. In Figure 4, the lifting device 1 is placed on a roller track 6, which was inserted into the gap before the foundation 2 was lowered. At the distal end of the roller track 6 (left in the image), a height-adjustment device 7 in the form of a beam of suitable height is placed underneath. The foundation 2 can now be moved in the direction of the arrow, in this case, towards its short side (left in the image). However, it is also possible to move the foundation 2 towards its longer side by positioning the roller track 6 on the longer side (in front of or behind the image plane).

[0043] Fig. Figure 5 shows the situation after the lifting device 1 has been moved laterally on the roller conveyor 6 towards the installation location (left in the image). The lifting devices 3 are extended far enough that the foundation 2 is lifted off the roller conveyor 6. The roller conveyor 6 can then be removed and the transport vehicle moved away.

[0044] In Fig. 6. The foundation 2 is finally placed at the installation site; the lifting devices 3 are retracted accordingly. These can then be dismantled, and the transport is complete. Reference symbol list 1 lifting device 2 Foundation 3 Lifting device 4 trusses 5 Forks 6 roller conveyor 7 Height compensation device QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2013 105 333 U1

[0006] DE 20 2020 100 278 U1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Lifting device (1) for transporting a heat pump outer casing foundation (2), the lifting device (1) comprising at least three interconnected lifting devices (3) adjustable in their vertical length, characterized by , that the lifting devices (3) are attached at different points on the foundation (2) for the purpose of said mutual connection, so that the foundation (2) can be lifted by a transport vehicle and placed on a surface. [2] Lifting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting devices (3) can be operated manually by means of a crank drive. [3] Lifting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lifting devices (3) can be operated automatically by means of an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive. [4] Lifting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lifting devices (3) have rollers at their distal ends. [5] Lifting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one roller track (6) on which the raised foundation (2) can be placed and on which it can be moved in a horizontal direction. [6] Lifting device (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a height compensation device (7) for receiving the distal end of the roller conveyor (6) to ensure its horizontal alignment. [7] Lifting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting devices (3) are screwed to the foundation (2) via holes in the foundation, which are positioned in such a way that a heat pump outer casing can also be screwed to these holes. [8] Set for transporting a heat pump outer casing foundation (2) with a lifting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the set further comprising a pallet on which said lifting device (1) is placed and material usable for producing a foundation base. [9] Set according to claim 8, wherein the pallet comprises walls and a cover, so that its contents can be protected from weathering and unauthorized access. [10] Set according to one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising a transport vehicle that can be placed on the pallet, and / or aids for connecting a heat pump, and / or tools for completing the foundation.

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