Multifunctional municipal vehicle comprising means for rapid tool changing

Abstract

The invention relates to a municipal vehicle of the type composed of a chassis (1) that accommodates a driver's cabin (2) and a tool (3) for treating the road, associated with means for loading and unloading tools. Said vehicle comprises, on the chassis (1), centring and guide means (24, 28) and locking and unlocking means (11, 11', 13, 22) and, on the tool (3), centring and guide means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30), which are designed to cooperate with means for loading and unloading said tool, said loading and unloading means being independent of the vehicle. The means for loading and unloading tools comprise a carriage (4) consisting of a base (7) that accommodates a loading / unloading support (5), said carriage (4) comprising, on the one hand, centring and guide means (17, 27) which are designed to cooperate with the corresponding centring and guide means (24, 28) of the chassis (1) and, on the other hand, locking and unlocking means (20, 23) which are designed to cooperate with the corresponding locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on said tool and the corresponding locking and unlocking means (11, 11', 13, 22) on said chassis.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a road maintenance vehicle designed to perform various functions for road surface treatment, comprising mechanical means for the rapid assembly and disassembly of the tools required for each task. The vehicle could be, for example, an urban sweeper, a dust collector, a snowplow, or a watering vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles of this type consist essentially of an articulated or non-articulated chassis, comprising at least two axles and to which can be attached cleaning means such as brushes, blades or brooms, suction means, a receptacle to receive the suctioned residues, possibly a water tank of sufficient capacity and a control station.

[0003] To avoid the significant costs that would result from the acquisition and maintenance of a fleet of single-function vehicles, i.e., each capable of performing only one task, or to avoid the cost and time that would be involved in the need to immobilize a vehicle and intervene each time it is necessary to equip it in anticipation of a specific task, it may be useful to have simple mechanical means allowing, where appropriate, a single operator, who may be the one driving the vehicle, to ensure the removal, or loading, of the tool that will be necessary for the vehicle to perform the task assigned to it.

[0004] We know from prior art various methods which allow a single vehicle to be used to perform different tasks by means of interchanging tools.

[0005] Thus, document FR2641743 describes a vehicle adapted to be equipped with an interchangeable tool, the vehicle comprising a conventional fixed chassis on which is mounted a tilting chassis around a pivot axis at the rear of the fixed chassis, such that the loading and unloading of the tool are carried out after tilting the chassis, by pulling or respectively progressively releasing by pulling means, the tool being designed to rest on the ground in an inclined position before loading and after unloading,

[0006] This method, while fulfilling its intended purpose, remains extremely complex as it involves the use of a double chassis permanently mounted on the vehicle, and more specifically a tilting chassis articulated at the rear of a fixed chassis to allow the tool to be loaded or unloaded by sliding, with retractable feet designed to deploy from the mobile chassis to ensure the stability of the whole during its use.

[0007] This system is complex and significantly alters the design and structure of the vehicle, making it heavier since the elements that allow the unloading, or loading, of the tools are permanently present on the chassis.

[0008] Finally, planning a switchover can complicate and slow down operations, notably by requiring a larger usable volume in the workshop.

[0009] However, for obvious reasons of economy and efficiency, the operations to replace a tool must be able to be carried out in a minimum of time, with a minimum of material and human resources, the main thing being to avoid the vehicle being immobilized for too long a period.

[0010] A variant is also described in document US5542815, which has the same disadvantages, although here the tilting is controlled and stabilized not by means of retractable feet but by a jack which deploys from a fixed frame.

[0011] The closest prior art known to the applicant is document CH707468 which describes a road vehicle, of the type consisting of a chassis receiving a driver's cab and a tool for road treatment, associated with means for loading and unloading said tool, the vehicle having on the chassis, centering and guiding means and locking and unlocking means, and on the tool, centering and guiding means and locking and unlocking means designed to cooperate with loading and unloading means of said tool which are independent of the vehicle.

[0012] The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by providing a road vehicle in which the vehicle itself and the means for depositing and loading tools are independent, so that tool changes can be carried out in a limited space, without the need for substantial modification of the vehicle chassis and avoiding the need to tilt means to load or unload the tool, or to use additional means to move the tool for storage after removal or to retrieve it from stock before installation.

[0013] More specifically, the vehicle includes centering and guiding means, and locking and unlocking means respectively, mounted on the chassis and on the tool, these means being designed to cooperate with tool loading and unloading means that are independent of the vehicle.

[0014] The invention will be better understood with reference to the attached figures in which, by way of example, the placement of a tool, in this case a tank, with means for loading and unloading tools consisting of a mobile trolley will be described.

[0015] It should be noted that if we describe in detail the phase of removing a tool, the same operations apply in reverse to perform the coupling of a tool. [ Fig.1 ] is a partial cross-sectional side view of a road maintenance vehicle with its various component parts and quick-change trolley. Fig.2 ] is a three-quarter rear elevation view, showing the approach phase of the cart. Fig.3 [ ] is a rear view showing the centering phase of the trolley. ] Fig.4 ] is a three-quarter view showing the means of centering the carriage. Fig.5 [ ] is a detailed view illustrating the locking and guiding mechanisms of the carriage during tool changes. Fig.6 [ shows the tool before unloading onto the trolley.] Fig.7 [ shows the carriage removal phase with the tool.] Fig.8 [ shows the tool after unloading onto the trolley.] Fig.9 [ shows the carriage in its resting position, with the tool ready to be picked up.] Fig.10 ] is a partial side view of a vehicle with an implementation variant allowing manual tilting of the tool [ Fig.11 ] shows two detailed views of the variant shown in the [ Fig.10 ]. Fig.12 ] is a partial side view of a vehicle, with the manual tilting means of the variant shown in the [ Fig.10 ]. Fig.13 ] is a detailed view of the switching means shown in the [ Fig.12 ].

[0016] With reference to the attached figures, the [ Fig.1 ] represents a road maintenance vehicle on which a tool is mounted, in this case a tank for collecting waste or dust from the ground by suction.

[0017] It should be noted that other types of tools could perfectly well be used or represented to perform other tasks and that this representation is only one of the possible uses that can be implemented by means of the invention.

[0018] Each tool has its own independent hydraulic power supply, so there is no hydraulic connection between the tool and the vehicle, simplifying installation and removal operations and increasing system reliability. Only electrical connections are required.

[0019] In the following description of an example of implementation, it will be necessary to consider that the word tool, when used, refers to a tank.

[0020] As is known, the vehicle consists of a chassis (1), which may or may not be articulated, and which receives a cab (2) from which the operator can pilot and steer the vehicle and control various tools in order to fulfill the processing functions of a given area.

[0021] The front and rear parts of the chassis refer to the direction of movement of the vehicle when it is in normal operating mode, the front part of the chassis being the one that receives the vehicle's cab, and the rear part the one that receives the tool.

[0022] In front of the cab (2), in the lower part of the chassis (1) and close to the ground, are cleaning means which are neither detailed nor shown here as they are not part of the invention, and which are mounted on a structure that allows them to be moved. These may be, for example, rotating brushes.

[0023] The rear part of the chassis receives the tank (3) as well as the means for suctioning waste or dust taken from the ground, said suction means cooperating with the tank (3) by means of a suction duct (not shown).

[0024] The vehicle according to the invention comprises on the chassis (1), centering and guiding means (24, 28) and locking and unlocking means (11, 11', 13, 22), and on the tool (3), centering and guiding means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30), designed to cooperate with loading and unloading means for said tool which are independent of the vehicle.

[0025] In the implementation example described here and shown in the figures, the means for loading and unloading the tools consist of a trolley (4).

[0026] An essential characteristic of the trolley (4) is that it is mobile and adjustable in the vertical plane between two end positions between the ground and the horizontal plane of the chassis (1) intended to receive the tool (3), to be used independently of the vehicle in order to move the tool (3) once it has been taken out, or conversely before it has been loaded, to carry out transport or storage tasks for said tool.

[0027] Translation means for moving the tool (3) between the chassis (1) and the carriage (4) may possibly be associated with said carriage (4).

[0028] As illustrated in the [ Fig.2 ], the trolley (4) consists of a base (7) mounted on wheels (8), on which is arranged a loading / unloading support (5) which can be mechanically lowered or mounted between a working position and a resting position, by means of an articulated cross member (9), itself of a known type.

[0029] The working position is defined as the position in which the support (5) of the trolley (4) is unfolded, its height being adjusted according to that of the chassis with which it must cooperate. The resting position is defined as the position in which the support (5) of the trolley (4) is folded back onto the base (7).

[0030] A handle (6) is provided at its end opposite to that facing the vehicle, to allow the cart (4) to be moved on the wheels (8).

[0031] In particular, when the tool (3) is locked onto the trolley (4) in the rest position, it can be handled without additional packaging, and transported in a truck or stored high up on pallet shelves, the trolley (4) then acting as a pallet jack.

[0032] On the [ Fig.2 ], we see the trolley (4) positioned at the rear of the chassis (1) of the vehicle, in order to carry out the removal of a waste collection tank (3) mounted on said chassis.

[0033] The dimensions of the trolley (4) are defined in such a way that the wheeled base (7) which enables the movement of this trolley can be slid under the chassis (1) of the vehicle, the support (5) itself being arranged at the rear of said trolley with a length less than that of said base to allow the trolley to be placed against said chassis.

[0034] The support (5) is in fact composed of two parallel guide rails (17) which, according to the method of implementation illustrated in the figures, surround a worm screw (12), the role of which will be specified later.

[0035] According to a simplified embodiment, intended for use in handling small or light tools, the support (5) may consist only of the two parallel guide rails (17).

[0036] THE figures 2 à 4 illustrate the alignment and centering phases of the trolley (4) in relation to the chassis (1) of the vehicle.

[0037] The carriage (4), the tool (3) and the chassis (1) each include centering and guiding means designed to cooperate with each other and ensure optimal alignment of said carriage with said chassis before proceeding with the removal or installation of the tool.

[0038] The carriage (4) also includes locking and unlocking means designed to cooperate with corresponding locking and unlocking means provided on the tool (3) and on the chassis (1).

[0039] The parallel guide rails (17) each have at their free end a fixed hook (27), the whole constituting the centering and guiding means provided on the carriage (4). By free ends, we mean those located opposite the handle (6).

[0040] The centering and guiding means provided on the chassis (1) corresponding to the centering and guiding means of the carriage (4) comprise two parallel guide rails (28) and two centering holes (24) of truncated cone shape.

[0041] The means for centering and guiding on the tool (3) include at least one pair of lifting rollers (14) and two centering cleats (18), the role of which will be specified later.

[0042] To ensure the centering of the trolley (4) once it is aligned with the chassis (1) of the vehicle ([ Fig.3 ]), the rails (17) of the carriage (4) are slid to the same height as the rails (28) of the chassis (1), until the carriage comes to a stop ( figure 4A ), centering being achieved by the fixed hooks (27) of the carriage (4), shown figure 4C , which engage the centering holes (24) of the chassis (1), shown figure 4B , and which are arranged in correspondence.

[0043] The truncated conical shape of the centering holes (24) ensures that the centering remains in position by preventing any accidental disengagement of the hooks (27) once they have been engaged.

[0044] Furthermore, the trolley (4), the chassis (1) and the tool (3) each have locking and unlocking means to cooperate and secure them before proceeding with the removal or installation of the tool.

[0045] The locking and unlocking means on the carriage (4) include two end-of-stroke locking stop hooks (23) at the rear.

[0046] By free end, we mean the one intended to be joined to the chassis.

[0047] According to one possible embodiment, the locking and unlocking means on the carriage (4) further comprise two so-called "front" forks (20) mounted at the free end of each of the two guide rails (17), as shown in the [ Fig.5 ].

[0048] The locking / unlocking means on the chassis include a locking stop (11), preferably vertical, which is provided at the front end of the receiving area of ​​said chassis opposite the cab (2) to delimit the upward movement of the tool (3), said stop having two holes (11') intended to receive the centering lugs (18) of the tool, and two housings (13) acting as shock absorbers for the movement permitted by the centering lugs (18) of the tool once they are engaged in said holes (11').

[0049] According to one possible embodiment, the locking and unlocking means on the tool (3) comprise at the front two locking pins (19) arranged in the horizontal plane and intended to be engaged by the front forks (20) of the carriage (4) when the latter is aligned and centered, and at the rear a locking hook (21).

[0050] The tool also includes two lifting wheels (14) specifically designed to ensure the lifting of the tool after unlocking, in order to transfer it onto the trolley (4).

[0051] According to a first implementation variant, the tilting of the tool (3) is carried out remotely, for example by means of an electrical control, by a lifting cylinder (10).

[0052] According to a second simplified variant of implementation, the tilting of the tool (3) is carried out manually around the rollers (14) by means of two eccentrics (10') arranged on either side of the tool, and actuated by a lever (30), the rollers then being associated with compression springs (29).

[0053] Once the tool has been transferred onto the carriage, the end-of-stroke locking stop hooks (23) come into contact, which secures the tool, preventing it from being lifted. These rear hooks (23) may also be tiltable or not.

[0054] The locking of the tool (3) on the carriage (4) is achieved by engaging the front forks (20) of the carriage (4) in the rear locking axes (19) of the tool.

[0055] According to an embodiment variant more particularly intended for the handling of heavy or large tools, mechanical translation means can also be provided to facilitate the sliding of the tool from the chassis onto the carriage.

[0056] According to this variant, which is the one illustrated in the figures, the means of translation on the carriage (4) include a worm screw (12), it being recalled that according to a simplified variant intended for the handling of light tools, the movement can be done manually, by the strength of the arms alone, without the need to provide mechanical means of translation.

[0057] When the tool is tilted, as in the case of a waste tank, it can be subjected to a pulling force on the front.

[0058] To prevent unwanted movement of the tool in such a situation, the two fixed centering lugs (18) provided in the upper part of the locking stop (11) will block and push back the lifting rollers (14) if they are moved upwards in the event of a shock that they could not absorb.

[0059] In the simplified variant allowing manual tilting of the tool (3), the lifting rollers (14) are equipped with compression springs (29) to hold them in position, and to allow them to cushion the shock and absorb the pressure once the tool is loaded, the tool being held on the chassis by the stop (11) with the holes (11') in which the cleats (18) come to rest.

[0060] The process of removing a tank (3) from the chassis (1) of a road maintenance vehicle will now be described step by step.

[0061] The control handle (6) allows the trolley (4) to be moved manually to bring it closer to the vehicle in order to align and center it with respect to the chassis (1).

[0062] The loading / unloading support (5) of the trolley (4), which has been previously adjusted to the correct height so that it can be presented in the same plane as the chassis (1) of the vehicle, is aligned with the chassis (1), as can be seen in the figures 2 And 3 .

[0063] The base (7) of the trolley (4), which can be moved thanks to the presence of the lower wheels (8) and by means of the handle (6), slides freely under the chassis (1) of the vehicle, until the front part of its support (5) comes to a stop against the rear end of the chassis (1), as shown in the figures 3 à 5 .

[0064] At this stage, the lifting rollers (14) of the tool, and the lifting cylinder (10) or the eccentric (30) depending on the variant considered, are inactive, said rollers being locked in position in housings (13) provided corresponding to each lateral end of the base of the locking stop (11), as can be seen on the [ Fig.6 ].

[0065] As mentioned above, the centreization of the carriage (4) is achieved by engaging the fixed centreling hooks (27) of the rails (17) of the carriage in the centreling openings (24) of the chassis (1).

[0066] The tool is then unlocked by means of a sensor (not shown) mounted in the chassis (1) or a switch (not shown), to cause the front part of the tool to rise.

[0067] Depending on the variant considered, unlocking is carried out by the lifting cylinder (10), which lifts the front of the tool via the lifting rollers (14), or manually using the lever (30) of the eccentrics (10'), around the rollers (14),

[0068] According to the first variant, the lifting rollers (14) are pushed back out of their respective housings (13) in the locking stop (11), and the rear of the tool is then unlocked by the rear hook (21).

[0069] According to the second variant, the fixed centering lug (18) of the tool (3) is lifted by rotation around the lifting roller (14) and the hook (21) is actuated by the lever (30).

[0070] Then we remove the electrical connections, which are of a known type and are therefore not shown, and we lift the trolley (4) to align it with the chassis (1).

[0071] By unfolding the cross braces (9), the carriage (4) rises and the support (5) lifts the tool (3) centering itself on the locking axis (19) of the tool with the front forks (20).

[0072] Then the worm screw (12) is operated to pull the tank onto the support (5) of the trolley (4), by sliding the lifting rollers (14) on the guide rails (17) of said trolley (4), as can be seen on the [ Fig.7 ].

[0073] When the tank (3) has been fully pulled onto the trolley (4), the trolley is moved back, disengaging it from the chassis (1), and using it in the same way as a pallet jack, the tank (3) is transported to the location chosen for its storage or maintenance ( Fig.8 ]).

[0074] Then, the crossbar (9) is lowered to fold the support (5) and bring it into its resting position, until the feet (16) come into contact with the ground ([ Fig.9 ] ). List of digital landmarks

[0075] 1. Chassis 2. Cabin 3. Tank 4. Trolley 5. Loading / unloading support 6. Control handle 7. Trolley base 8. Trolley wheel 9. Articulated cross member 10. Lifting cylinder 10'. Eccentric 11. Chassis locking stop 11'. 12. Oblong hole in the stop. 13. Worm gear. 14. Housing in the frame stop. 15. Lifting roller. 16. Push pin. 17. Feet. 18. Carriage guide rail. 19. Fixed tool centering stop. 20. Tool locking pin. 21. Carriage front fork. 22. Rear tool locking hook. 23. Rear frame locking pin. 24. Carriage end-of-stroke locking hook / stop. 27. Frame centering holes. 28. Fixed carriage rail centering hook. 29. Frame guide rail. 30. Compression spring. Lever.

Claims

1. Road vehicle, of the type comprising a chassis (1) receiving a driver's cab (2) and a tool (3) for road maintenance, associated with means for loading and unloading said tool, the vehicle comprising on the chassis (1), centering and guiding means (24, 28) and locking and unlocking means (11, 11', 13, 22), and on the tool (3), centering and guiding means (14, 18) and locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30), designed to cooperate with loading and unloading means for said tool which are independent of the vehicle, characterized in that the centering and guiding means on the tool (3) comprise at least one pair of lifting rollers and two fixed centering cleats (18).

2. Road vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3) comprise two eccentrics (10') arranged on either side of the tool, and actuated by a lever (30).

3. Road vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the lifting wheels (14) are associated with compression springs (29).

4. Road vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3) comprise a lifting cylinder (10).

5. Road vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for loading and unloading the tool comprise a trolley (4) consisting of a base (7) receiving a loading / unloading support (5), said trolley (4) comprising: on the one hand, centering and guiding means (17, 27) designed to cooperate with the corresponding centering and guiding means (24, 28) of the chassis (1), and on the other hand, locking and unlocking means (20, 23) designed to cooperate with the corresponding locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on said tool, respectively (11, 11', 13, 22) on said chassis, each tool (3) mounted on the chassis (1) comprising an independent hydraulic power supply, such that there is no hydraulic connection between said tool and said vehicle.

6. Road vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the trolley (4) is mobile and adjustable in the vertical plane between two end positions between the ground and the horizontal plane of the chassis (1) intended to receive the tool (3), to be used independently of the vehicle to carry out tasks of transporting or storing said tool.

7. Road vehicle according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the centering and guiding means (17, 27) of the carriage (4) are composed of two parallel guide rails (17), each having a fixed hook (27) at its free end.

8. Road vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the centering and guiding means (24, 28) provided on the chassis (1) corresponding to the centering means (17, 27) of the carriage (4) are composed of two parallel guide rails (28) and two frustoconical centering holes (24).

9. Road vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the locking and unlocking means (20, 23) on the carriage (4) comprise two front forks (20) mounted at the free end of each of the two guide rails (17) and two end-of-travel locking hooks (23).

10. Road vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking and unlocking means (10, 10', 19, 21, 29, 30) on the tool (3) comprise, at the front, two locking pins (19) arranged in the horizontal plane and intended to be engaged by the front forks (20) of the carriage (4) when the latter is aligned and centered, and, at the rear, a locking hook (21).

11. Road vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the carriage (4) comprises translation means for moving the tool (3) on said carriage (4).

12. Road vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that the translation means consist of a worm gear (12).

13. Road vehicle according to claim 12, characterized in that the worm gear (12) is arranged between the two guide rails (17) of the loading / unloading support (5) of the carriage (4).

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