Container exchange device and a container or load carrier intended for this purpose

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container changing device, also referred to as a roll-off transport device, for loading and unloading a container with a base surface that has a base support with a standing surface, for a self-propelled or towed transport vehicle, in particular for a swap body vehicle, wherein the container changing device has at least one roller that supports the container or load carrier at least temporarily during loading and unloading, and a support frame for the container or load carrier that can be pivoted about a pivot axis, in particular a horizontal pivot axis, on which a carriage with a movable gripper arm that is pivotally mounted about a gripper arm pivot axis is arranged in a translationally movable manner, which is connected to a coupling means for temporarily fixing the gripper arm to a holding means of the container or load carrier, according to the preamble of claim 1.Furthermore, the invention relates to a container or load carrier intended for such a roll-off transport device according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] Container transfer devices of this type are widely used as hook-and-loop transport devices and are therefore already considered state-of-the-art due to obvious prior use. These are generally transport devices that allow containers or load carriers to be placed on the ground by a corresponding swap-body vehicle using a rolling motion, or loaded from the ground onto the transport vehicle. The container transfer device allows the container to be loaded and unloaded from the transport vehicle, emptied by tipping, and secured to the vehicle. Roll-off containers for such devices are also described, for example, in DIN 30 722.

[0003] For loading and unloading, the support frame is raised by a vehicle drive system around a pivot axis located at the rear end of the vehicle frame from a horizontal container transport position resting on the vehicle frame to an approximately vertical loading position. The carriage is moved telescopically in the longitudinal direction of the support frame by means of a carriage drive. In another variant, the swivel arm can be swiveled back and forth via the pivot point.

[0004] As soon as the carriage has been retracted telescopically and has reached the rear end or the rear area, the gripper arm hinged at the lower end is pivoted downwards in a circular arc for loading and unloading the container so that its free end or the hook-shaped coupling means arranged on it can fix the container to its bow-shaped holding means.

[0005] When loading the container, the gripper arm on the telescopic carriage is first pivoted, and the carriage is moved up and back along the support frame. The carriage, together with the support frame, is pivoted back into a horizontal position on the vehicle frame so that the bottom of the coupled container rests completely on the frame. Finally, the carriage, in a horizontal position with the container coupled to the gripper arm, is moved forward until the container reaches a front stop in the container transport position and is locked to the transport vehicle.

[0006] According to the invention, the term container is to be understood as meaning not only open, closed or lockable containers for the storage and transport of goods, for example freight containers, but also containers with fixed equipment, in particular aggregates, as well as containers in general, for example residential containers, insofar as these are suitable and intended to be transported with corresponding swap body vehicles due to their size, including those containers which are designed as load carriers in the form of a roll-off frame for the assembly of containers, for example sea containers or holding devices for goods.

[0007] Common container shapes include, for example, standard roll-off containers, roll-off containers with a roll-off tarpaulin, central roller, flap, sliding lid or rotating lid, foldable or removable side wall, as well as fire service and armed forces containers.

[0008] In DE 26 17 638 A1, a slide is provided which is guided by the tilting frame, whereby the swivel drive consists of a piston-cylinder unit.

[0009] DE 38 09 871 A1 relates to a swap-loading device with two detachably connected support sections, each holding a container. The containers are first lowered from the vehicle together with the swap-loading device and then separated as needed.

[0010] In a container vehicle for transporting containers with a container changing device according to EP 1 364 829 A2, the coupling means has a receiving claw mounted on a gripping arm with two spaced-apart hooks for receiving a chain block.

[0011] EP 0 564 403 A1 relates to a device for loading and unloading a load carrier on a vehicle, comprising a tilting frame hinged to a loading bridge, in the plane of which an endless traction chain is stretched for loading and unloading the load carrier. A carriage is movably mounted on the tilting frame, which can be driven in both directions via the traction chain, and to which a pivoting gripper arm is hinged, whereby a load carrier is connected optionally with a hook or a claw.

[0012] DE 10 2015 016 679 A1 relates to a roll-off transport device for improving maneuverability, in which a swivel joint is provided instead of the holding bracket, so that the gripper arm connection can be rotated about a rotation axis relative to the connecting structure and thus relative to the floor structure.

[0013] In general, with all container swapping systems, a steep tilt angle of the container causes the load to slide backward, and bulky goods in particular can fall over the rear container wall. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the container changes during loading and unloading, which can reduce the stability of the swap body vehicle in road traffic.

[0014] To counteract this problem, DE 34 07 568 A1 proposes a container with a support structure extending below the base surface, whereby the floor rollers arranged in the rear end area are positioned at a corresponding distance from the base surface of the container. This results in a greater distance between the base surface and the standing surface. Since the support structures overlap the vehicle tires at the sides, the container base surface only needs to be raised slightly during the loading process, namely only by the correspondingly reduced distance between the base surface and the rear end of the overrun frame. This measure significantly reduces the angle of inclination when loading the container, thus also enabling better utilization of the container volume when loading with bulk and bulky goods.

[0015] Furthermore, from JP 2005 - 138 741 A a container changing device for loading and unloading a container having a base surface with a base support is known, in which an additional support surface for the load can be placed on the base together with a rear wall surface and erected into a vertical position in order to improve accessibility.

[0016] Furthermore, US 2002 / 0 146 310 A1 describes a dump truck with four folding feet, which are arranged at the front left and right and at the rear left and right, each of the feet being movable about a transverse pivot axis which can move it from the folded position, in which it lies completely against one of the side surfaces of the dump truck, into the unfolded position, the floor of the dump truck being at a relatively great height above the ground, in this case approximately twice the height of the floor of the dump truck in the transport position.

[0017] GB 1 303 585 A describes a so-called swap body, i.e., a swap body with fold-out support legs that can be driven under by the carrier vehicle. Hook-shaped retaining elements are provided directly behind the driver's cab and on the frame to secure the container to the vehicle.

[0018] JP 2011 - 230 371 A relates to a loading platform, for example for a transport vehicle equipped with a hook that can be engaged with the loading platform.

[0019] The invention is based on the object of creating a roll-on conveyor system that allows for trouble-free handling and, at the same time, has a significantly reduced maximum angle of inclination when loading and unloading the container or load carrier compared to previously used roll-on conveyor systems. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of creating a container or load carrier equipped with such a roll-on conveyor system, particularly for new applications.

[0020] The first-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention with a roll-off conveyor device according to the features of claim 1. The further embodiment of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0021] According to the invention, the at least one rear support foot is arranged at a horizontal distance relative to the vertical plane of the container rear wall and can be fixed in different vertical positions.

[0022] The invention is based on the finding that loading and unloading of the container or load carrier can be achieved with a significantly reduced maximum angle of inclination compared to previously used roll-on conveyor systems if front and rear feet are provided on which the container or load carrier rests in the use position and whose height is dimensioned such that the floor surface has a significant distance from the ground or standing surface, in practice at least 100 cm. Contrary to the prevailing prejudice in the expert world, the invention not only allows a small loading angle to be achieved, but the forces acting on the container are far lower due to the load point being shifted significantly rearward, corresponding to the instantaneous contact area between the roller and the container or load carrier in the position in which it is lifting off the ground.This allows the container or load carrier to have a lower inherent rigidity and also allows for a very stable and flat design, which is particularly useful for load carriers.

[0023] The distance between the container's base and the standing surface also enables the use of maneuvering aids that drive under the container's base or grip a respective support leg, and can also be self-propelled, for example, as an autonomously driving vehicle. It has been shown that the front support leg or a pair of front support legs can easily overcome the wheels of the transport vehicle, which, in the longitudinal transport position of the transport vehicle, are located between the levels of the front and rear areas of the container or load carrier, during the loading or unloading process without any risk of collision, even when the desired, significantly reduced loading angle of the support frame is observed.

[0024] Furthermore, the reduced loading angle also has a beneficial effect on non-loose goods, as it reduces the load on both the container and the load. This allows the container to be manufactured with a lower dead weight, thus increasing the loading capacity of the transport vehicle.

[0025] It is advantageous if the respective base, with its footprint in the transport position, extends from the base of the container or load carrier to below a level determined by the tire height from the tire contact area to the opposite circumferential surface of the vehicle tire, in particular from the base surface to a wheel axle of the vehicle tire. This achieves a loading height that is both comfortable and practical. From this loading height, for example, loose, flowing, or pourable goods can be fed from the container or load carrier under the influence of gravity for use in a level below, as needed and in an adjustable quantity, due to the higher level of the base surface, without the entire contents of the container having to be tipped out. In particular, the laborious removal of such goods from the container can therefore be avoided in many cases.For example, the container can be positioned over an opening or recess, such as a pit, using its feet, allowing the cargo to be drained or discharged through an opening in the container's floor. For other uses, the tailgate should be designed so that it can be easily and immediately removed with a forklift, providing access to the cargo space for general cargo. Another design option would be to use a different device instead of the tailgate to more effectively transport other cargo.

[0026] The front and rear feet or the feet on the left and right sides of the container can also be adjustable and fixed at different vertical levels so that loose or flowing goods can collect in the lower area, which has already proven advantageous for many applications.

[0027] Another particularly promising embodiment of the invention is also achieved when the front feet on the one hand and the rear feet on the other hand are dimensioned such that the base surface of the container or the load carrier in the transport position on the one hand and the use position on the other hand lie at least approximately in the same horizontal plane. This significantly facilitates the use of the container in the use position because the container can be used variably and can be maneuvered or transported using different vehicles. For example, the container according to the invention can thus also be transported using simple platform trucks that do not have a gripping arm device designed for this purpose. Furthermore, the container can be positioned with its base surface in a horizontal plane even if the ground is uneven or even steeply inclined.

[0028] A particularly advantageous development of the invention is one in which two front feet assigned to the front area are arranged laterally on different sides of the support frame in the transport position. Since the support frame is laterally enclosed by the feet in the transport position, this not only results in a highly resilient structural implementation of the invention, but also in a compact installation space for the front feet, which are thus optimally protected from damage due to external forces.

[0029] The feet can be fixed to the container in use, so that no additional operation or adjustment of the respective feet is required during loading and unloading. A particularly practical modification of the invention, however, is also achieved by the fact that at least one foot assigned to the front area and / or the rear area can be fixed in the use position and in a different transport position, thus further reducing the space required in the transport position of the container.

[0030] For this purpose, the support base can be removable and can be fixed in various positions. However, it is particularly practical if the front support bases can pivot, particularly jointly, about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the container or load carrier and / or about a horizontal axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the container or load carrier, so that the support bases can be moved into the required use or transport position with little effort, particularly without the need for tools. When the containers are placed down, the support bases can also protrude beyond the side contours of the container on both sides.

[0031] According to a further advantageous variant, the joint can be designed as a multi-joint in order to achieve a high stability of the base while at the same time requiring little storage space.

[0032] Preferably, at least one base is designed to be adjustable in length, in particular telescopic, in order to enable, for example, adaptation to different local conditions or the setting of a desired inclination of the base surface of the container or the load carrier.

[0033] A particularly practical embodiment of the invention is also achieved by equipping at least one support leg, in particular at least one pair of supports, with at least one, in particular steerable, floor roller, a roller, or a wheel, in order to simplify maneuvering the container or load carrier into the use position. These rollers or wheels can also be designed to be drivable, for example, whereby an integrated drive system equipped with its own power supply enables quick and easy positioning even without additional auxiliary vehicles.

[0034] By arranging the roller below the level of the floor surface, the required angle of inclination of the floor surface during loading and unloading can be further reduced, whereby, for example, several rollers can be used for different support points of the floor surface and / or a height adjustment of at least one roller can be used in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0035] The further object is achieved with a container or load carrier intended for a roll-off transport device, in which at least one rear support foot is displaced rearward with respect to the vertical plane of the container rear wall at a horizontal distance and can be fixed in different vertical positions. As a result, the angle of inclination when rolling up and down the container is changed, in particular reduced, whereby at the same time the bending load of the container on the roller is also reduced.

[0036] The invention allows for various embodiments. To further clarify its basic principle, one of them is shown in the drawing and is described below. This shows a schematic representation in Fig. 1 a side view of a transport vehicle equipped with a container changing device according to the invention in a transport position; Fig. 2a - 2c in Figure 1 shown transport vehicle unloading a container; Fig. 3den in Figure 2 shown container placed on the ground in a use position; Fig. 4 a variant of the container with a foldable front stand; Fig. 5 the container shown in Figure 3 shown container from the front; Fig. 6the in Figure 3 shown container from behind; Fig. 7the in Figure 3 shown container in a side view being maneuvered using a forklift.

[0037] A container changing device 1 according to the invention is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7 explained in more detail. The container changing device 1 is arranged on a transport vehicle 2, also referred to as a swap body vehicle, and serves for loading and unloading a container 3, which, in deviation from the design shown, can also be designed as a load carrier with a container arranged thereon, in particular in a detachable manner.

[0038] For loading and unloading the container 3, the container changing device 1 has a support frame 5 pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 4 in the direction of the arrow, on which a carriage 6 is translationally movable in the direction of the arrow 7. The carriage 6 has a gripper arm 8, which in turn, in the variant shown, is pivotally mounted about an optional horizontal gripper arm pivot axis 9 in the direction of the arrow 10 and which is connected to a hook-shaped coupling means 11 for temporarily fixing the gripper arm 8 to a bow-shaped holding means 12 of the container 3.

[0039] In the Figure 1 In the transport position shown and during an initial phase (not shown) during unloading of the container 3 or in a final phase during loading of the container 3, the container 3 lies on paired crossbeams 28 of the container 3. The crossbeams 28 remain on rollers 14 at the rear during transport.

[0040] When the container 3 is in the transport position, the container 3 is locked to the support frame 5 and the pivot point during tipping corresponds to the roller 14, while when the container 3 rolls, the pivot point of the pivot axis 4 is effective, which is achieved by a two-part design of the support frame 5, 5a.

[0041] The container 3 is equipped in a front area 15 with two front feet 16 forming a pair of feet and in a rear area 17 with two rear feet 18 forming a pair of feet, wherein each foot 16, 18 is equipped with a base support 27 projecting downwards at a corresponding distance A from the base surface 13 of the container 3 in the use position resting on the base 19.

[0042] In the transport position of the container 3 resting on the support frame 5, the front feet 16 enclose the support frame 5 laterally on both sides in such a way that the feet 16 do not protrude from the side contour of the transport vehicle 2. The feet 16, 18 enable the loading and unloading of the container 3 with a maximum angle of inclination α that is significantly reduced compared to the roll-off conveyors used previously, which angle depends on the distance A of the rear feet 18 from the floor surface 13.

[0043] For this purpose, at least the rear feet 18 extend in the transport position from the floor surface 13 of the container 3 to below a level 20 determined by the tire height of the rear vehicle tires, in particular from the floor surface 13 to the area between the level 20 and a wheel axle of the transport vehicle 2. The distance C is variable depending on the equipment and use of the container 3, with the distance B between the floor support 27 and the floor 19 determining the angle of inclination α during loading. The distance B corresponds to the height to which the container 3 actually needs to be raised or lowered.

[0044] A crossbeam 28 running in the longitudinal direction of the container 3 always rests on the rollers 14 during transport. When tipping bulk material, the pivot point of the support frame 5, 5a corresponds to the rollers 14. For the support frame 5, the pivot point when tipping bulk material is in the roller 14.

[0045] At the Figure 4In the variant shown, the front feet 21 can be pivoted between the use position and the transport position about a horizontal axis transverse to a central longitudinal axis of the container and are therefore optimally protected against possible damage during transport.

[0046] In Figure 3 the position of the rear feet 18 on the container 3 is shown, which are not spaced forward in the direction of the front area 15 relative to a vertical plane E of a container rear wall 29 of the container 3 facing away from a front area 15.

[0047] As in Figure 4 As can be seen, the rear feet 18 and, if applicable, the front feet 21 are each equipped with a wheel 22 so that the container 3 can be moved as shown in Figure 7 shown, can be maneuvered by means of a forklift truck 23, which for this purpose engages in a receptacle 24 in the front area 15 of the container 3.

[0048] For easier handling, the container 3 is additionally equipped with a shelf 25 for a tarpaulin and with a footrest 26. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 Container changing device 16 Stand 2 Transport vehicle 17 Rear area 3 container 18 Stand 4 Swivel axis 19 Floor 5, 5a Supporting frame 20 level 6 Sleds 21 Stand 7 Arrow direction 22 wheel 8 gripper arm 23 Forklift 9 Gripper arm swivel axis 24 Recording 10 Arrow direction 25 filing 11 coupling agent 26 kick 12 Holding devices 27 Floor support 13 Floor area 28 traverse 14 role 29 Container rear wall 15 Front area A, B, C Distance α Angle of inclination E level

Claims

1. Container changing device (1) for loading and unloading a container (3) having a bottom surface (13) with a ground contact means (27), wherein the container changing device (1) has at least one roller (14), which at least temporarily supports the container (3) or cargo carrier in the event of loading and unloading, and a carrying frame (5) for the container (3) or the cargo carrier, which carrying frame can be pivoted about a pivot axis (4) and on which a telescopic carriage (6) and / or a movable gripping arm (8) is translationally movable, the carrying frame being connected to a coupling means (11) for temporarily fixing the gripping arm (8) to a retaining means (12) of the container (3) or the cargo carrier, wherein the container (3) or the cargo carrier is equipped in its front region (15), which is in the vicinity of the retaining means (12), with at least one front standing foot (16, 21) and at its rear end region (17), which is remote from the retaining means (12), with at least one rear standing foot (18), and wherein each standing foot (16, 18, 21) in the use position resting on the ground (19) is equipped with a respective ground contact means (27), which projects at a spacing (A) from the bottom surface (13) of the container (3) or the cargo carrier, and wherein, in a transport position of the container (3) or the cargo carrier resting on the transport vehicle (2), the at least one front standing foot (16, 21) is arranged at the side of the carrying frame (5) and does not protrude beyond the side contour of the transport vehicle (2), characterized in that the at least one rear standing foot (18) is rearwardly offset, with a horizontal spacing, from the vertical plane (E) of the container rear wall (29) and can be secured in different vertical positions.

2. Container changing device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ground contact portion (27) of the respective standing foot (16, 18, 21) in the transport position extends from the bottom surface (13) of the container (3) or the cargo carrier to below a plane determined by the tyre height of a vehicle tyre of the transport vehicle (2), in particular variably depending on the use and fixtures of the container (3) from the bottom surface (13) of the container (3) or the cargo carrier to a wheel axis or below a wheel axis of the vehicle tyre.

3. Container changing device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both the front standing feet (16, 21) and the rear standing feet (18) are dimensioned such that the bottom surface (13) of the container (3) or the cargo carrier lies at least approximately in the same horizontal plane both in the transport position and in the use position.

4. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two front standing feet (16) assigned to the front region (15) are arranged on different sides of the carrying frame (5) in the transport position.

5. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one standing foot (16, 21) assigned to the front region (15) and / or the at least one standing foot (18) assigned to the rear region (17) can be secured in a first position in the use position and in a second position, different from the first, in the transport position.

6. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front standing feet (16, 21) and / or the at least one standing foot (18) assigned to the rear region (17) can be pivoted about a horizontal axis transversely to a centre longitudinal axis of the container (3) or the cargo carrier and / or about a horizontal axis parallel to the centre longitudinal axis of the container (3) or the cargo carrier.

7. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one standing foot (16, 18, 21) is longitudinally adjustable, in particular telescopic.

8. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one standing foot (16, 18, 21) is equipped with at least one bottom roller, caster and / or wheel (22).

9. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the point of rotation is lowered when the carrying frame (5) is being tilted in the direction towards the wheel centre point of the transport vehicle (2).

10. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tailgate can be upwardly released or removed by the container (3) without tools.

11. Container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one rear standing foot (18) is arranged in a position on the container (3) which is not at a spacing, or is only at an insignificant spacing, forwards in the direction of the front region (15) from a vertical plane (E) of a container rear wall (29) of the container (3) that is remote from the front region (15).

12. Container (3) or cargo carrier of a container changing device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (3) or the cargo carrier is equipped in its front region (15), which is in the vicinity of the retaining means (12), with at least one front standing foot (16, 21) and at its rear end region (17), which is remote from the retaining means (12), with at least one rear standing foot (18), and wherein each standing foot (16, 18, 21) in the use position resting on the ground (19) is equipped with a respective ground contact means (27), which projects at a spacing (A) from the bottom surface (13) of the container (3) or the cargo carrier, and wherein, in a transport position of the container (3) or the cargo carrier resting on the transport vehicle (2), at least one front standing foot (16, 21) is to the side of the carrying frame (5) and does not protrude beyond the side contour of the transport vehicle (2), characterized in that the at least one rear standing foot (18) is rearwardly offset, with a horizontal spacing, from the vertical plane (E) of the container rear wall (29) and can be secured in different vertical positions.