Lifting device and method for forming a lifting assembly of individual lifting devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the wireless coupling of at least two lifting devices (1) for forming a lifting assembly comprising the at least two lifting devices (1).

Description

[0001] Lifting device and method for forming a lifting network from individual lifting devices

[0002] The present patent application relates to a lifting device, which can preferably be a lifting column and particularly preferably a mobile lifting column, wherein a plurality of lifting devices can be coupled or connected to form a lifting system or a lifting system with two or more lifting devices. Furthermore, the present patent application also relates to a method for forming a lifting system, which, among other things, offers increased safety and user-friendliness when coupling multiple lifting devices. The lifting devices are preferably self-powered, e.g., by means of a battery, and the individual lifting devices within the lifting system are also preferably connected to one another via a wireless communication link or a radio network for data exchange or communication.

[0003] The composition of a lifting system is very flexible, and differently configured lifting systems with a variety of lifting devices can be put together. The total number of lifting devices used to compose a lifting system can vary greatly between i = 2 ... N. In one example of many for the flexible composition of a lifting system, a total of twelve lifting devices can be assumed (any other number is possible), which can then be coupled in this example to form two different lifting systems with six lifting devices each, to form a single lifting system with all 12 lifting devices (or fewer), or to form three different lifting systems with four lifting devices. Many other configurations are conceivable, which are essentially limited by the number of available lifting devices and can each be tailored to the lifting task.Since the lifting devices can be primarily intended for lifting vehicles, a lifting system can be configured, for example, depending on the number of axles or wheels of the vehicle to be lifted. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that a single lifting device can, of course, also be used (alone). If lifting devices are not needed for a specific task, they remain unused and are not included in the lifting system.

[0004] The mechanical design of lifting devices is well known and can take various forms and configurations. Ideally, they are designed so that a vehicle can be picked up and lifted by its wheels using a fork. However, there are also systems where the support elements engage the frame, for example, in rail vehicles.

[0005] A lifting device typically comprises a chassis, a lifting frame, and a lifting carriage. The lifting carriage can be driven by an electric motor. This is usually done hydraulically; alternatively, threaded spindles or ball screws are also known.

[0006] In addition, the known lifting devices can have control elements or a control device arranged on the lifting frame, via which a control is enabled, such as travel commands, including raising and lowering, and via which pairing / coupling processes can also be controlled.

[0007] In addition to self-powered lifting devices, there are also mains-powered lifting systems that are connected to each other and to the power grid via a cable harness. The assembly (connection, coupling, or pairing) of a lifting system comprising a large number of lifting devices is determined by the cabling. The advantage of a mobile (i.e., particularly one with self-powered energy supply) lifting device is somewhat limited by the necessary cabling. Operation without an adequate mains connection is not possible at all.

[0008] This disadvantage is avoided by self-powered, preferably battery-powered, lifting columns. A battery-powered system can operate without a power connection and can be charged from time to time using a standard outlet. For systems without a battery, the high power demand during the lifting process must be met from the mains.

[0009] Furthermore, hub networks can also be formed using a data cable connection, and this is already known. However, here too, the full flexibility of mobile hubs is limited by pairing via data cable, or the full flexibility cannot be utilized, as the data cable imposes certain restrictions, such as physical limitations regarding the cable length or the installation route.

[0010] The present patent application therefore relates in particular to lifting devices and lifting systems whose individual lifting devices communicate with each other wirelessly, e.g., via a radio network provided at the installation site, i.e., exchange data. For example, a travel command is entered using a remote control or on a lifting column, and all lifting devices in the lifting system then exchange suitable data with each other in order to execute the travel command synchronously on all lifting devices. In the lifting system, i.e., when coupled or connected via radio, the individual lifting devices behave together like a mechanically coupled lifting system; e.g., by executing an upward or downward movement simultaneously and identically with regard to the travel distance and direction.This synchronized network behavior is very important in terms of safety and therefore both the radio communication and the formation of a hub network must meet high safety requirements.

[0011] Regarding radio communication, it is already known, among other things, that radio communication within a network takes place using a time slot method, in which each hub device in the hub network is assigned a time / number in a sequence, determined during connection / coupling, at which it can transmit data. Data is transmitted cyclically according to the specified sequence. Each hub device typically transmits according to a predefined protocol.

[0012] For example, the data set sent cyclically by each lifting device can contain 8 bytes (or more or less), which in turn can be divided, for example, as follows:

[0013] 1) Number of the data record

[0014] 2) Identification Low Byte

[0015] 3) Identification High Byte

[0016] 4) Column number or columns in the network

[0017] 5) Status Byte

[0018] 6) Status Byte

[0019] 7) Altitude information low byte

[0020] 8) Height information high byte

[0021] The identification or identification code (bytes 2 and 3 above) can, for example, be a 16-bit value that is uniquely assigned to each control unit at the factory. This means that an identification code only occurs once for all lifting devices. Code lengths other than 16 bits are also possible, of course.

[0022] Regarding the coupling of individual lifting devices to form a lifting system, previously known solutions also exist. For example, it is possible for an operator to operate buttons on each lifting column to select a radio channel. The operator must ensure that each lifting column that is to become part of an individual lifting system is assigned the same radio channel in order to assemble the lifting system as planned with the designated lifting columns. The disadvantage is that the assignment of individual lifting columns is done manually, which is time-consuming. It is desirable to further prevent incorrect combinations of a lifting system. DE 112015001915 also discloses a column lifting system in which the lifting system is managed from a central control unit.It would be desirable to dispense with an additional central control unit / device in order to reduce the flexibility and complexity of the system. Furthermore, EP3057903 discloses a method for radio communication in which a suitable free radio channel is first selected automatically. The column network is established by an operator assigning a unique key or code to each of the selected columns. The latter is complex, and the operator's key entry process could also be improved in terms of security. If the key is assigned from a data carrier, each key requires its own data carrier with the corresponding coding.

[0023] From the above, it can be deduced that it would be desirable to provide a control device for a lifting device and a lifting device that enables the formation of a lifting assembly with less effort and even greater safety, and also to provide a method that is suitable for producing a lifting assembly comprising a plurality of lifting devices / lifting columns with less effort and even greater safety. This object is achieved by the appended patent claims.

[0024] According to a first aspect, a control device of a lifting device is described. The control device can be an integral component of an existing control system or control module of the lifting device, for example, by retrofitting the technical features described here via hardware and / or software, or the control device described here can be a separate device (comprising hardware and / or software). The lifting device can also be referred to as a lifting column, and its mechanical equipment is preferably identical or similar to that of a known mobile lifting column. Particularly preferably, the lifting device is powered by its own power unit with electrical current.The control device is particularly intended for setting up a lifting network comprising a plurality of lifting devices that are connected to one another in the lifting network, preferably by means of a radio communication link for wireless / cableless data transmission. The radio communication link can alternatively be referred to as a radio link, wireless communication link, or the like. The connection can be established in a radio network present at the installation location of the lifting devices. The radio network can have multiple frequency bands (radio channels) via which a radio communication link can be established.

[0025] The control device can have a first storage device which is designed to store (electronic) data, wherein the data comprise at least one (unique) identification code for identifying the lifting device. The unique identification code is preferably set at the factory and is preferably unchangeable. Furthermore, a second storage device can be provided which is designed to store (electronic) data, wherein the data comprise at least one or more identification codes of one or more other lifting devices. The data, including identification codes, which are or can be stored in the second storage device are data received during operation and can be changed or deleted. This data in the second storage device can, for example, be deleted after the lifting device has been dissolved or deleted.Uncoupling of a hub network can be deleted so that when the coupling process is repeated the second storage device is again ready to carry out or participate in the procedure described below.

[0026] It should be noted that the storage devices can comprise any known type of data storage and can be part of the control device or connected to it. The division into a first and second storage device preferably serves to (linguistically) differentiate the data stored thereon, and they can also be part of a single storage device. It is only important that the identification code of the individual lifting device is stored in advance and in an unchangeable manner, while other data, including identification codes of other lifting devices, are stored in a changeable and also erasable manner. The required memory management and / or the hardware configuration of one or more memories is known in advance.

[0027] Furthermore, the control device can have a transmitter / receiver device, wherein two separate devices can also be used for transmitting and receiving data. The transmitter / receiver device is configured to send the identification code stored in the first storage device to an (external) mobile storage unit. This can be done via a wireless radio connection, preferably a short-range radio connection technology such as Bluetooth®, NFC® or the like, or via a physical connection, e.g. by plugging the mobile storage unit into a corresponding port, e.g. USB, or via a temporarily established cable connection. Furthermore, if present on the mobile storage unit, one or more, and preferably all, identification codes stored on the mobile storage unit can be received.The received data can then be stored by the control device or a subunit in the second storage device. The transmitter / receiver device can furthermore and preferably also be configured to receive and send incoming and outgoing radio communications with other lifting devices via radio channels. For this purpose, the transmitter / receiver device can either have a dedicated unit or be configured as a whole in such a way that both the connection to the mobile storage unit and the radio communications with other lifting devices can be established.

[0028] Furthermore, the control device can have a control unit which is designed to trigger a transmission of identification codes between the mobile storage unit and the transmitter / receiver device of the control device in the event of a predetermined event, i.e. in an automated manner. This control unit can also have the configuration that the identification codes stored in the first and second storage device can be sent via the (externally provided) radio network or a radio communication connection to the other lifting devices and / or to the radio network, the identification codes of which are stored in the second storage device. The claim describes that the control unit is configured to transmit this data. This is preferably to be understood in such a way that the control unit triggers or instructs the data transmission, while the transmission itself then, for example,can be carried out by the transmitter / receiver device. The identification codes can be transmitted from the two storage devices in order to form a lifting network from the associated lifting devices and to complete the coupling, i.e. to close the network with regard to the further inclusion of lifting devices. This can thus preferably be carried out by the control device of the last lifting device to be included in the lifting network. Alternatively or additionally, the identification codes stored in the first and second storage devices can also be sent to the radio network or a controller of the external radio network, so that the lifting devices combined in the lifting network are stored there and known.The latter is particularly possible in the time slot method, since here each lifting device of an identification code, which is stored in a memory device in the last selected lifting device, is assigned a time slot for communication with the other lifting network lifting devices and the lifting network can thus be defined.

[0029] The configuration of the control device as outlined above allows the aforementioned technical problem to be solved, in particular by having each lifting device to be integrated into a network store its predefined identification code on an external storage medium when a user, for example, holds it close to a selected lifting device or physically connects it to the lifting device for data transfer. The identification code is unique and thus unambiguously determines which lifting device is to be integrated. Furthermore, the operator can simply approach each lifting device to be integrated and have the identification code read onto the mobile storage device, whereby all identification codes are permanently collected on the mobile storage unit in order to assemble the lifting network with precisely these lifting devices at the end of the coupling process.This also eliminates the possibility of an operator making an incorrect input when selecting the lifting devices to be coupled, as the operator no longer has to enter any input regarding the lifting device(s) to be selected. And, as will be described in a preferred modification below, the operator also does not have to select or enter a radio channel for the lifting network. Such a control device, as presented here, thus allows the effort required to set up a network to be reduced, among other things, and operational reliability to be further increased.

[0030] It is also possible for a single mobile storage unit to be used for many different pairing processes, since its memory can be erased after a pairing process has been completed or this can also be done automatically.

[0031] In a preferred modification, the transmitter / receiver device can further be configured to scan the frequency bands of a radio communication network and automatically select a radio frequency band or a radio channel based on predefined parameters / criteria in order to be able to wirelessly exchange data with one or more transmitter / receiver devices of other hub devices via the selected radio frequency band. The radio network can be any network provided for mobile / wireless communication (data exchange), which can have multiple frequency bands or frequencies or frequency bands for setting up different radio channels. The selection of a radio channel by a hub device or its control device orTheir transmitter / receiver device can, for example, be based on the minimum noise level of available radio channels, and the control devices of each lifting device can preferably be configured to scan available radio channels continuously or in pulses. The predefined parameter / criteria for automatic selection can, for example, be the noise level. Several parameters can also be linked, for example, the noise level and information about which radio channels are still free.

[0032] Furthermore, the transmitter / receiver device can be configured to transmit the selected radio frequency band or frequency (radio channel), ie preferably an identifier such as a predefined radio channel number, to the mobile storage unit.

[0033] As already explained above, the effort and security are further reduced or increased by the automatic selection of a radio channel, since an operator does not have to make any inputs in this regard. Preferably, a first lifting device of several lifting devices to be selected for the network can automatically specify / select the radio channel and thereby define it for communication within the lifting network to be formed. Preferably, this information regarding the radio channel is also transmitted to the mobile storage device with the identification code, so that it can be transmitted to all other lifting devices via data transmission from the mobile storage unit in a secure and unmistakable manner.

[0034] A further preferred modification of the control device can comprise the predetermined event for transmitting the identification code being the prior activation of a coupling mode of the control device and / or the wireless, wired, or physical connection of the mobile storage unit to the control device. The "and" combination is particularly preferred here, so that the coupling, i.e., the formation of a hub network, is initially prepared by a command that can be entered, for example, at a first hub device provided for the hub network; in particular, by keystroke, screen input, remote control input, or the like. This first selected hub device can then automatically select a radio channel to be used for the entire hub network.

[0035] Connecting to the mobile storage unit is, for example, an event that occurs when the mobile storage unit approaches the transmitter / receiver device or another unit specifically provided for this data connection. Preferably, the mobile storage unit is a transponder, a chip card, a tag, a mobile phone, or another mobile device that is suitable for establishing a data communication connection with the control device of the lifting device and has a data memory. The data connection (communication connection) can be established as described above, and in the case of a short-field radio communication protocol, the approach (within a preferably preset distance and depending on the technology used, NFC, RFID, or similar) can already be defined as an event for transmitting the identification codes. Other possibilities include physical connection, e.g.a USB stick as a mobile storage unit, or the additional pressing of a button or similar on the control device and / or the mobile storage unit.

[0036] The control device can thus be operated in a highly automated manner, and only the start and / or end of a link assembly process can be specified as a manual safety function by operator input. However, these can also be automated, for example, by automatically interpreting the approach or connection of a mobile storage unit to a lifting device / control device that is not yet part of a lifting network or whose second storage device does not contain identification codes as the start of the linking process.

[0037] According to a further modification, the control device is configured to exchange data with other lifting devices (or their control devices) via a selected radio channel using a time slot method. Time slot communication allows for highly secure data transmission between the individual lifting devices in a lifting network.

[0038] According to a further modification, the control device can have an input device at which a user of the lifting device can enter control commands and the control commands entered at the input device are transmitted via the selected radio channel to all other control devices that are integrated into the lifting network.

[0039] The input device can be designed in a variety of ways and can include combinations of, for example, buttons, switches, interactive screen user interfaces, remote controls, mobile communication units, e.g., smartphones, or similar devices. Operation can thus be designed to be flexible and as simple as possible. The input device can also be suitable for displaying or outputting data or information to the operator.

[0040] According to a further aspect, a lifting device with at least one control device according to at least one of the above aspects or modifications is described, and according to a further aspect, a system with at least two lifting devices described above and at least one mobile storage unit is described. The advantages and modifications described above also relate to these aspects.

[0041] A further modification relates to a system, preferably as mentioned above, wherein an operator can integrate / couple / connect the at least two lifting devices into a lifting network with a radio connection between the lifting devices.

[0042] The operator can preferably activate a coupling mode on a first of the at least two lifting devices and connect the mobile storage unit to the first lifting device for communication. Activation of the coupling mode can also occur simply by connecting the mobile storage unit to the lifting device or its control device.A control device of the first lifting device is further configured to transmit the identification code from the first storage device to the mobile storage unit, to select a radio channel and to transmit this to the mobile storage unit, wherein the operator then disconnects the data connection of the mobile storage unit to the first lifting device and establishes a new data connection between the mobile storage unit and a further one of the at least two lifting devices, wherein the control device of the further / second lifting device is configured to transmit the identification code from the first storage device to the mobile storage unit and to receive the identification code of the first lifting device and the radio channel from the mobile storage unit and to store them in the second storage device.The data connection to the further lifting device is then disconnected by the operator and the coupling mode is preferably deactivated; for example, by a corresponding input from the operator on the further / last lifting device. The identification codes stored in the first and second memory device are then preferably transmitted by the control device of the further / last lifting device via the selected radio channel (here, as explained above, transmitted should preferably be understood to mean that the transmission is started or triggered by the control device, while the transmission itself can preferably also be carried out by the transmitter / receiver device or other units), so that all lifting devices connected in the network know the identification codes of the lifting devices arranged in the lifting network. Alternatively or additionally, the last lifting device orwhose control device also transfers the collected identification codes of the hub devices to be connected to the radio network, where each hub device of the assembled network is assigned a number in the order of cyclic data transmission using a time slot method, so that only hub devices whose identification codes have been transferred to the radio network can participate in the network communication, and these can only send data at the assigned cyclically recurring times. According to a further aspect, a method for wirelessly coupling at least two hub devices to form a hub network comprising the at least two (and up to N, where N is an integer) hub devices is described. The hub devices are particularly preferably those as set out above in the previously described aspects and modifications.

[0043] The method may comprise the following steps and preferably in the following order:

[0044] Optional: activating a coupling mode on at least one of the plurality of lifting devices; establishing a communication connection between a first lifting device and a mobile storage unit, either wirelessly or via a cable or line; transmitting the identification code stored in the first memory device of the first lifting device to the mobile storage unit; disconnecting the communication connection between the first lifting device and the mobile storage unit; wirelessly or via a cable or line.Establishing a wired communication connection between an (N)th lifting device and the mobile storage unit; transmitting the identification code stored in the first storage device of the Nth lifting device to the mobile storage unit; receiving the identification codes stored on the mobile storage unit and storing the received identification codes in the second storage device of the (N)th lifting device; disconnecting the communication connection between the (N)th lifting device and the mobile storage unit; ending the pairing mode (if present) and transmitting the identification codes stored in the first and second storage devices of the Nth lifting device. The transmission can be made to each lifting device whose identification codes are stored in the first or second storage device of the Nth lifting device and / or the transmission can be made to the radio network.For example, the latter option can be used in conjunction with time slot communication to allow a radio network controller to assign a communication slot to each hub device whose identification code has been transmitted to it, in which only this one assigned hub device can insert data into the hub network communication of the selected radio channel.

[0045] If N is greater than 2, further coupling steps between an Nlth, N-2th, etc. lifting device and the mobile storage unit would be required, as well as corresponding transmission steps.

[0046] Furthermore, a preferred modification comprises that the respective starting of the transmission of identification codes or memories takes place when a predetermined event occurs and this can be, for example, the establishment of a communication connection between the respective lifting device and the mobile storage unit, particularly preferably in the case of near-field communication means, for example by the approach of an operator who carries the mobile storage unit with him for the purpose of forming a lifting network, to the control device of the respective lifting device to be selected.

[0047] Furthermore, a preferred modification, if not already present, comprises the provision of a radio communication network with at least one radio channel, which is preferably automatically selected in one step by the first lifting device, and the identifier or number of the selected radio channel is transmitted from the first lifting device to the mobile storage unit and stored there while they are connected to one another. In this case, in the further steps, in addition to the identification codes, the channel identifier is also transmitted from the mobile storage unit to each subsequently selected lifting device in order to also store it in the second storage device. It should be mentioned here that the selection of the lifting device is preferably carried out by an operator with the mobile storage unit successively approaching each lifting device with the mobile storage unit that is to be integrated into the lifting network.The first lifting device approached by the operator should also preferably be the aforementioned first lifting device. Alternatively or additionally, the first lifting device can also be the one on which the operator additionally activates a coupling mode. The Nth lifting device is particularly preferably identified as the last one selected for the lifting network by the operator entering a command to end the coupling mode in a further step, e.g., by pressing a button on this lifting device.

[0048] After ending the coupling mode, it may also be preferable for the data on the mobile storage unit that was used to create the newly created hub network to be deleted. This allows one mobile storage unit to be used for all hub networks, thus enabling a great deal of flexibility. Deleting the memory of the mobile storage unit can also be accomplished by the last (Nth) lifting device transmitting a corresponding command to the mobile storage device after the completion of the hub network, thus making the mobile storage unit immediately available for universal use for other hub network configurations. In the simplest case, deletion can also be performed manually by the operator.

[0049] As already explained above, the present disclosure can overcome the disadvantages of the previously known methods and devices and enable a particularly safe and inexpensive coupling of lifting devices into a lifting system.

[0050] Character description Short description

[0051] Fig. 1a shows the perspective of a lifting device according to the present disclosure. Fig. 1b shows a top view of a lifting device according to the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig. 2 shows schematically a lifting system comprising several lifting devices.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of time slots for a time slot communication method. Fig. 4 shows a preferred control device according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0054] Figure 1a shows a perspective view of a single lifting device 1, which in this example can also be referred to as a mobile lifting column or "lifting column" for short. The lifting device 1 can be part of a lifting system (also called a lifting system) composed of several of the lifting devices 1 shown. The lifting devices 1 of a lifting system communicate with each other via a radio network provided at the installation site of the lifting system. Furthermore, Figure 1b shows the same lifting device from a bird's eye view.

[0055] The lifting device 1 is mounted on a movable base 2. A vertically movable lifting carriage 3 is mounted on the lifting device 1, and load-handling devices (forks) 9 are arranged on the lifting carriage 3.

[0056] Figure 1b shows a load-handling device 9 for supporting vehicle wheels. However, other load-handling devices are also available (not shown), e.g., for supporting vehicles directly on the vehicle frame. The lifting device 1 shown in Figure 1b uses a single fork 9, which has a limit switch (not shown) at the front end. This switch signals the control system of the lifting device 1 that the fork is positioned at the load point (not shown).

[0057] The lifting device 1 houses the lifting spindle (not visible), which is driven by the electric motor 5 and the gear 4. The electrical energy for operating the lifting device 1 is supplied by a mobile power supply unit 7, such as a battery or a fuel cell or the like.

[0058] A control module 8 is also arranged on the lifting device 1, which can preferably also incorporate a control device 10 according to the present disclosure. Operating elements 6, such as keys, buttons, and screen(s), can be arranged on the front of the control module 8.

[0059] Figure 2 shows a lifting network with, for example, three lifting devices 1 (more or fewer lifting devices 1 can also form a lifting network according to the present disclosure), which are coupled to one another and which can communicate with one another via a radio network (not explicitly shown) and a radio channel 30 of the radio network, which is schematically symbolized as double arrows between the lifting devices 1, i.e., exchange data or control commands. In such a lifting network, an operator can enter control commands on a lifting device 1, e.g., for lifting the fork 9, and these are forwarded via the radio channel 30 to all other lifting devices 1, so that all individual lifting devices 1 in the lifting network implement the command in a synchronized manner.

[0060] Furthermore, Figure 2 schematically shows the control device 10 described here for each lifting device 1, which is configured, among other things, to carry out a coupling process in order to be able to form a lifting network from individual lifting devices 1. For this purpose, according to the present disclosure, a mobile storage unit 100 is also preferably used, which is also shown schematically in Figure 2, wherein the control device 10 and the mobile storage unit 100 each have a unit or device that can establish a communication connection 20 between the control device 10 and the mobile storage unit 100. In Figure 2, this communication connection 20 is schematically shown by means of a short-range radio communication connection, for which NFC®, Bluetooth® or the like are suitable examples.Additionally or instead, the mobile storage unit 100 can also be physically coupled temporarily to the control device 10, for example via a cable connection or by plugging it into a USB port or similar means. The establishment of the communication connection 20 between the mobile storage unit 100 and a control device 10 can thus be set up very flexibly. Once the coupling of several lifting devices 1 to form a lifting network is completed, communication between the lifting devices 1 preferably takes place via the selected radio channel 30 in a time slot method. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 3, which shows an arbitrarily selected number of time slots 31-1, 31-8 in which (i.e., during this time window) the lifting device 1 reserved for the respective time slot can send data.The sequence is repeated cyclically so that each hub device 1 can send data periodically at a fixed time. If there are fewer hub devices 1 than time slots 31-1, 31-8, individual time slots 31-1, 31-8 can also remain free. As is known, the allocation of time slots 31-1, 31-8 can be determined, for example, via a radio network controller or by the sequence in which hub devices 1 are coupled, or similar.

[0061] Furthermore, each lifting device 1 preferably transmits data according to a predefined protocol. An example of this was already presented above in the introduction, which can preferably also be used for the present subject matter. Accordingly, each lifting device 1 transmits eight bytes of data, particularly preferably twice to increase data security. The transmission order, or when a lifting device is permitted to transmit, is stored in the fourth byte according to the protocol explained above as an example.

[0062] Figure 4 further shows a schematic structure of a preferably configured control device 10 according to the present disclosure. Thus, the control device 10 preferably comprises a transmitter / receiver device 12, which can exchange data with other lifting devices 1 or their control devices 10 via the radio network and radio channels 30. Furthermore, this transmitter / receiver device 12 can also have a subunit or the like for establishing the data connection 20 with the mobile storage unit 100, which is schematically illustrated here by means of the three curved lines via a short-range radio connection. Furthermore, the control device 10 comprises a storage device, which can comprise a first and a second storage device 13, 14. The first storage device 13 stores at least one identification code, which is assigned in an unchangeable manner for a single lifting device 1 during delivery, manufacture, or the like.The second storage device 14 can store other data, in particular data received from other lifting devices 1 via the transmitter / receiver device 12. A control device 11 or a control unit of the control device 10 executes control logic or programs that can be stored in the storage device. This provides a configuration whose technical advantages will become even clearer in the following explanations.

[0063] Furthermore, the control device 10 can also have an input device 15 or be connected to such an input device 15. Preferably, the operating elements 6 and the input device 15 can also be uniform or connected to one another.

[0064] The subunits / devices of the control device 10 are suitably connected internally so that data can be exchanged between them. This can be implemented in a known manner, e.g., by a common arrangement on a circuit board or the like.

[0065] Preferably, the control device 10 with the above-mentioned subunits / devices is configured such that an operator can couple at least two lifting devices 1 in a lifting network using a radio connection / radio channel 30 between the lifting devices 1. To carry out the coupling, the operator can, in a preferred method, bring the mobile storage unit 100 close to or within radio range of the short-range radio reception of the connection 20 of a lifting device 1 that is to be integrated as the first lifting device 1 into a lifting network to be created. Alternatively, the operator can also establish a physical data connection 20 between the first lifting device 1 and the mobile storage unit 100. This process then preferably activates a coupling mode (alternatively, this can also be started by an additional operator input), which causes the first lifting device 1 to select a free radio channel 30 of the external radio network.

[0066] It should be noted that the lifting devices 1, when supplied with electrical voltage, can either continuously scan radio channels 30 or this can only occur when the pairing mode is activated.

[0067] The selection of the radio channel 30 for the lifting network to be formed is preferably carried out automatically by the first lifting device 1 and can be carried out according to predefined criteria. One possible criterion can be, for example, that the radio channel 30 with the lowest interference level is selected. After the selection of the radio channel 30 has been made, its number or identifier is transmitted from the first lifting device 1 to the mobile storage unit 100. The first lifting device 1 also transmits the identification code stored in the first storage device 13 to the mobile storage unit 100. This takes place so quickly that the operator does not have to be informed about the completion of the transmission. Alternatively or additionally, the completion of the transmission of the above-mentioned data to the mobile storage unit 100 can also be indicated by a signal, e.g. optical or acoustic, by means of e.g.the operating elements 6 or the input device 15, so that the operator knows the exact point in time at which the connection 20 with the first lifting device 1 can be separated again.

[0068] It should also be mentioned here that the activation of a new coupling process can also result in the control device 11 issuing a delete command for old, preferably all old, data in the second storage device 14 and the mobile storage unit 100 before a command to transfer the data as explained above is given. Alternatively, the resetting of the data in the second storage device 14 and / or the mobile storage unit 100 can also be implemented in other ways, up to and including manual deletion. After disconnecting the data connection 20 between the mobile storage unit 100 and the first lifting device 1, the operator will approach each further lifting device 1 to be selected, i.e. a second, third, fourth, fifth lifting device, etc., with the mobile storage unit 100 in order to also establish a data connection 20 between the mobile storage unit 100 and the respective further lifting device 1.

[0069] After the first lifting device 1 has already determined the radio channel 30, the corresponding identifier stored on the mobile storage unit 100 is transmitted for information to the other lifting devices 1 and stored together with the identification codes already stored on the mobile storage unit 100 in the respective second storage device 14 of the respective lifting device 1 / control device 10.

[0070] In other words, each control device 10 of every second, third, etc. lifting device 1 selected by the operator for the lifting network transmits its identification code to the mobile storage unit 100 and receives the data already stored there, i.e. the identifier of the radio channel 30 selected by the first lifting device 1 and the identification codes of the previously selected lifting devices 1 already stored on the mobile storage unit 100. On the last lifting device 1 to be integrated into the lifting network, the radio channel identifier and also all identification codes of all previously selected lifting devices 1 are thus stored in the second storage device 14 after they have been transmitted from the mobile storage unit 100. The operator can thenEnd pairing mode by means of a correspondingly predetermined operator input, or it ends automatically after a predefined period of time and / or after a predetermined number of lifting devices 1 are to be inserted into the lifting network. The last selected lifting device 1 (also referred to as the Nth lifting device 1) then transfers / transmits all identification codes from the first storage device 13 (i.e., its own) and from the second storage device 14 (i.e., those of the previously selected lifting devices 1) to the radio network, where each lifting device 1 is assigned a time slot 31-1-31-8. The lifting network is thus closed and ready for operation.Alternatively or additionally, the last lifting device 1 can also transmit all identification codes via the selected radio channel 30 to all lifting devices 1 whose identification codes are stored in their second storage device 14, so that they are informed about the lifting network participants.

[0071] As already explained, the lifting devices 1 that are interconnected / coupled / paired / connected in the lifting network exchange their information / data using the time slot method in a known manner. The method described above ensures that the identification numbers of all lifting devices 1 working in the network are known to each other. All commands such as "lifting" or "lowering" the load are only executed by the columns with a known identification code. Furthermore, in order to further increase the security of the data transmission, it is preferably possible for data packets / data to be Hamming-coded and decoded by the receiving lifting devices 1, and for the validity of the data set to be checked there, e.g. by the control device 11. Incorrect data can then result in the movement of all lifting devices 1 in the network being stopped.

[0072] The method described above, in which identification codes of lifting devices selected for forming a lifting network are collected using a mobile storage unit (e.g., an RFID transponder, NFC chip / card, etc.) and (then) transferred or transmitted to the radio network and / or all lifting devices 1 of the lifting network, can eliminate manual input errors or similar by an operator, further increasing the security of the network formation. At the same time, the method also requires the least possible effort from the operator assembling the lifting network, since the mobile storage unit 100 essentially only needs to be carried once to the lifting devices to be selected.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Control device (10) of a lifting device (1) for setting up a lifting assembly comprising a plurality of lifting devices (1) which are connected to each other in the lifting assembly at least by means of a radio communication link for wireless data transmission, with at least - a first storage device (13) configured to store data, the data comprising at least an identification code for identifying the lifting device (1), - a second storage device (14) configured to store data, the data comprising at least one or more identification codes from one or more other lifting devices (1), - a transmitter / receiver device (12) configured to transmit the identification code stored in the first storage device (13) to a mobile storage unit (100) and to receive one or more identification codes stored on the mobile storage unit (100), - a control device (11) configured to trigger a transmission of identification codes between the mobile storage unit (100) and the transmitter / receiver unit (12) of the control device (10) upon a predetermined event, and further configured to transmit identification codes stored in the first and second storage units.

2. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter / receiver device (12) is further configured to scan the frequency bands of a radio communication network and to select a radio channel (30) based on predefined criteria in order to wirelessly exchange data with one or more transmitter / receiver devices (12) of other lifting devices (1) via the selected radio channel (30), and to transmit an identifier of the selected radio channel (30) to the mobile storage unit (100).

3. Control device according to claim 2, wherein the predefined criteria include the interference level of the radio frequency bands and the transmitter / receiver device (12) is configured to select the radio frequency band with the lowest interference level as the radio channel (30).

4. Control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined event for transmitting the identification code is the prior activation of a coupling mode of the control device and / or the wireless or wired connection of the mobile storage unit (100) to the control device (10).

5. Control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (11) is configured to send the identification codes from the first and second storage device when a coupling mode has been deactivated.

6. Control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) is configured to exchange data with other lifting devices (1) via a selected radio channel (30) using a time-slot method.

7. Control device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) has an input device (15) at which a user of the lifting device (1) can enter control commands and the control commands entered at the input device (15) are transmitted via the selected radio channel (30) to all other control devices (10) that are integrated into the lifting system.

8. Lifting device (1) with at least one control device (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

9. System comprising at least two lifting devices (1) according to claim 8 and at least one mobile storage unit (100).

10. System according to claim 9, wherein an operator can couple the at least two lifting devices (1) in a lifting assembly by means of a radio connection between the lifting devices (1), wherein the operator connects the mobile storage unit (100) for communication with the first lifting device (1), the control unit (11) of the first lifting device (1) is configured to then transmit the identification code from the first storage unit (13) to the mobile storage unit (100), to select a radio channel (30) and to transmit an identifier thereof to the mobile storage unit (100), the operator can then disconnect the data connection (20) of the mobile storage unit (100) with the first lifting device (1) and establish a data connection (20) between the mobile storage unit (100) and a further of the at least two lifting devices (1), wherein the control unit (11) of the further lifting device (1) is configured toto transfer the identification code from the first storage device (13) to the mobile storage unit (100) and to receive the identification code of the first lifting device (1) and the radio channel identifier (30) from the mobile storage unit (100) and store them in the second storage device (14), and after receiving, the operator can disconnect the data connection (20) to the second lifting device (1), whereupon the control unit (11) of the second lifting device (1) transmits the identification codes stored in the first and second storage devices via the selected radio channel (30).

11. Method for wirelessly coupling at least two lifting devices (1) to form a lifting unit comprising the at least two lifting devices (1), comprising the steps: - Establishing a communication link (20) between a first lifting device (1) and a mobile storage unit (100), - Transferring the identification code stored in the first storage device (13) of the lifting device (1) to the mobile storage unit (100), - Disconnecting the communication link (20) between the first lifting device (1) and the mobile storage unit (100), - Establishing a communication link (20) between an (N)th lifting device (1) and the mobile storage unit (100), - Transmitting the identification code stored in the first storage device (13) of the Nth lifting device (1) to the mobile storage unit (100), - Receiving the identification codes stored on the mobile storage unit (100) and storing the received identification codes in the second storage device (14) of the (N)th lifting device (1), - Disconnecting the communication link (20) between the (N)th Lifting device (1) and mobile storage unit (100), - Exiting the coupling mode and transferring the identification codes stored in the first and second memory devices of the Nth lifting device (1).

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