Reach truck

Abstract

The invention relates to a reach truck comprising a vehicle frame (2) and a traction battery (12), wherein the vehicle frame (2) has two wheel arms (2a, 2b) arranged at a distance from one another in the vehicle's transverse direction (Q). The vehicle frame (2) is provided with an additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10), on which the traction battery (12) rests.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a reach truck with a vehicle frame and a traction battery, wherein the vehicle frame has two wheel arms arranged spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0002] Reach trucks generally have a U-shaped vehicle frame (viewed from above) with two support arms arranged at a distance from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A drive wheel is arranged on the vehicle frame, and a load wheel is arranged at each end of the two support arms. The vehicle frame is also equipped with an electric drive, an electric steering drive, a hydraulic system, and a braking system. A reach / lift mast is arranged on the vehicle frame between the two support arms and can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A traction battery is also arranged on the vehicle frame. The traction battery supplies the drive, the steering drive, and the hydraulic system with electrical energy. In known reach trucks, the traction battery is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a drive section, in which the drive, the steering drive, and the hydraulic system are arranged, and the reach / lift mast.It is known to arrange the traction battery on a battery carrier designed as a sheet metal component, which can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of the push drive of the push-lift mast in order to change the battery.

[0003] The load capacity of reach trucks is determined by the weight of the reach truck and the size and thus the weight of the traction battery used. There is a conflict of objectives regarding the size of the traction battery: While a wide and heavy traction battery increases the reach truck's load capacity, a wide and heavy traction battery increases the reach truck's overall length, requiring a larger working aisle width between two rows of racks in a racking system. However, to enable a racking system with a high storage density, customers require the reach truck to have the smallest possible working aisle width.

[0004] Increasingly, reach trucks are using high-performance energy storage devices with higher energy density than lead-acid batteries as traction batteries, such as batteries with lithium-based cell technology such as lithium-ion batteries or lithium iron phosphate batteries, instead of lead-acid batteries as traction batteries. However, such a high-performance energy storage device as a traction battery can be built significantly lighter and narrower than a lead-acid battery as a traction battery while maintaining the same energy content. When using such a high-performance energy storage device as a traction battery, it is therefore necessary to equip the reach truck with additional weight to achieve a high load capacity.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a reach truck of the type mentioned above which, when using a high-performance energy storage device, enables a high load capacity in a simple manner.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the vehicle frame is provided with an additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier on which the traction battery stands.

[0007] The invention is based on the realization that high-performance energy storage units can be constructed significantly lighter and more compactly than traction batteries. Therefore, an additional weight must be accommodated in the reach truck to compensate for the lighter weight of the high-performance energy storage unit in order to achieve a high load capacity of the reach truck. From a mechanical perspective and to ensure a favorable center of gravity of the reach truck, it is advantageous to position the additional weight as low as possible in the reach truck.By integrating the functions and designing the additional weight as a traction battery carrier on which the traction battery rests, the lighter weight of the high-performance energy storage unit can be compensated for, providing the required additional weight in the reach truck for high load capacity. This additional weight can also be positioned at a low point on the reach truck for a favorable center of gravity. The use of the additional weight and the functional integration of the additional weight as a traction battery carrier thus makes it easy to increase the overall weight of a reach truck when using a high-performance energy storage unit as the traction battery, thereby improving the tipping stability of the reach truck and increasing its load capacity.

[0008] By using a high-performance energy storage unit as a traction battery and accommodating the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier, the relevant properties of reach trucks, namely the load capacity and the working aisle width, can be configured and defined independently of one another.

[0009] The design of the additional weight as a traction battery carrier, on which the traction battery, preferably designed as a high-performance energy storage device, stands, also makes it possible to accommodate the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier of the high-performance energy storage device and the high-performance energy storage device in the same installation space as a lead-acid traction battery, so that it is possible to easily equip the reach truck by the manufacturer either with a lead-acid traction battery or with a high-performance energy storage device using the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is arranged in the transverse direction of the vehicle and detachably attached to the wheel arms, in particular by means of screw connections. A detachable attachment allows the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier to be attached to the wheel arms in a simple and cost-effective manner when needed. If the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is attached to the two wheel arms with screw connections, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier can also be used to easily stiffen the vehicle frame.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight, designed as a traction battery carrier, is mounted on the upper side of the wheel arms. This makes it easy for a push carriage of the push-lift mast, guided on the wheel arms, to move beneath the additional weight, designed as a traction battery carrier.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided with lateral horizontal flange plates that form fastening interfaces with which the additional weight can be releasably attached to the wheel arms. With such flange plates, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier can be easily releasably attached to the two wheel arms.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is formed as a cast component. The cast component is preferably made of cast iron or cast steel. The design of the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier as a cast component makes it easy to provide a high additional weight while maintaining a high degree of design freedom and easy adaptability of the geometry and shape of the additional weight. With an additional weight designed as a cast component, the lighter weight of a high-performance energy storage device compared to a lead-acid traction battery can also be easily compensated for. The additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier preferably has a mass in the range of 400 kg to 500 kg.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier forms a support surface on its upper side, upon which the traction battery rests. This allows a traction battery permanently installed in the reach truck to be easily arranged on the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided on its upper side with a roller track comprising at least one roller. If the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided on its upper side with a roller track comprising at least one roller, a variant of the additional weight can be easily provided that allows the traction battery to be moved along the roller track and thus a replacement of the traction battery, for example, a lateral replacement of the traction battery in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided on its upper side with at least one roller recess in which a roller of the roller conveyor can be rotatably mounted. A corresponding roller of the roller conveyor can be rotatably mounted in such a roller recess in order to form a roller conveyor for changing the traction battery in a simple manner when needed.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the roller recess is provided with a water drain. Such a water channel allows water to drain from the roller recess in a simple manner.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided with a fastening flange to which a battery locking device can be releasably attached, in particular by means of screw connections. A battery locking device can thus be easily attached to the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier, which secures the traction battery arranged on the additional weight against slipping during operation of the reach truck, in particular against slipping in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided with at least one guide configured to guide the traction battery along the additional weight. With a suitably configured guide, a traction battery that can be moved along the roller conveyor can be easily guided along the additional weight, or a traction battery that is fixedly mounted on the additional weight and a traction battery that can be moved along the roller conveyor can be secured against slipping during operation of the reach truck, particularly against slipping in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is provided with at least one mounting flange to which an additional weight module can be attached. This allows one or more additional weight modules to be easily attached to the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier, if necessary for greater tipping stability and / or a high load-bearing capacity of the reach truck.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vehicle frame is provided with a drive wheel mount for a drive wheel, and the wheel arms are each provided with a load wheel mount for a load wheel. The additional weight, designed as a traction battery carrier, is arranged in the vehicle's longitudinal direction between the drive wheel mount and the load wheel mounts. This allows for a simple, advantageous arrangement and position of the additional weight and the traction battery mounted on the additional weight in the vehicle's longitudinal direction between the drive wheel mount and the load wheel mounts.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the traction battery is designed as a high-performance energy storage device, in particular a high-performance battery, or as a fuel cell system. With the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier, the lighter weight of a traction battery designed as a high-performance energy storage device can be easily compensated for and a high load-bearing capacity and tipping stability of the reach truck can be achieved. A high-performance energy storage device according to the invention is, in particular, an energy storage device whose energy density is higher than the energy density of conventional lead-acid batteries, which lies in the range of 37 to 43 Wh / kg. A high-performance energy storage device according to the invention can be a high-performance battery, for example a battery with lithium-based cell technology, in particular a lithium-ion battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a fuel cell system.

[0023] The term "traction battery" is not intended to be restrictive, but also extends to energy storage systems that are generally suitable for converting chemical energy into electrical energy. This includes both conventional batteries and accumulators as well as fuel cell systems.

[0024] The invention has a number of advantages.

[0025] The additional weight, designed as a traction battery carrier, makes it easy to improve tipping stability and increase the load capacity of the reach truck.

[0026] The design of the additional weight as a cast component allows for a high degree of design freedom and adaptability of the geometry of the additional weight.

[0027] The design of the additional weight as a traction battery carrier results in advantageous functional integration.

[0028] If the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier is attached to the two wheel arms by means of screw connections, the additional weight can also be used to stiffen the vehicle frame.

[0029] Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the schematic figures. Figure 1 shows a vehicle frame of a reach truck according to the invention in a perspective view, Figure 2 shows the additional weight of the Figure 1 in an enlarged view, Figure 3 a section of the Figure 1 with a traction battery arranged on the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier, Figure 4 the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier of the Figures 1 to 3 with an additional weight module, Figure 5 the additional weight designed as a traction battery carrier of the Figure 4with another additional weight module and Figure 6 the additional weight of the Figure 5 in an installed state in the reach truck.

[0030] In the Figure 1 a vehicle frame 1 of a reach truck is shown.

[0031] The vehicle frame 1 has a U-shaped cross-section in plan view with two wheel arms 2a, 2b arranged at a distance from one another in the vehicle transverse direction Q and a cross member 3 connecting the two wheel arms 2a, 2b, which comprises a floor plate 4.

[0032] The two wheel arms 2a, 2b are each provided with a guide rail 5a, 5b on the inner sides facing each other, in which a push-lift mast (not shown in detail) is arranged so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction L of the vehicle.

[0033] At the front end areas of the wheel arms 3a, 3b there is a load wheel holder 6a, 6b on which a load wheel (not shown in detail) can be rotatably arranged.

[0034] On the cross member 3, a drive wheel holder 7 is formed centrally in the vehicle transverse direction Q, on which a drive wheel steerable about a vertical steering axis can be arranged.

[0035] The vehicle frame 1 is provided with an additional weight 11 designed as a traction battery carrier 10. The additional weight 11 has a vertically arranged upper side OS, on which, as shown in the Figure 3 shown, a traction battery 12 of the reach truck stands up.

[0036] The traction battery 12 is preferably designed as a high-performance energy storage device. The high-performance energy storage device has, in particular, an energy density that is higher than the energy density of a conventional lead-acid battery, which is in the range of 37 to 43 Wh / kg. The high-performance energy storage device is preferably designed as a high-performance battery, for example, a battery with lithium-based cell technology, in particular a lithium-ion battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery, or as a fuel cell system.

[0037] The additional weight 11, designed as a traction battery carrier 10, is arranged with its longitudinal extension in the vehicle transverse direction Q and is detachably fastened to the wheel arms 2a, 2b.

[0038] The additional weight 11 designed as a traction battery carrier 10 is arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction L between the drive wheel holder 7 and the two load wheel holders 6a, 6b.

[0039] The additional weight 11 designed as a traction battery carrier 10 is - as in connection with the Figures 2 and 3 can be seen in more detail - for detachable attachment to the two wheel arms 2a, 2b at the right and left end area is provided with a horizontal flange plate 15a, 15b each, which form attachment interfaces with which the traction battery carrier 10 can be detachably attached to the two wheel arms 2a, 2b.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the flange plates 15a, 15b are each provided with at least one through-bore 16a, 16b, which form screwing points for a screw connection 17, with which the additional weight 11 designed as a traction battery carrier 10 is fastened to the corresponding wheel arm 2a, 2b.

[0041] The additional weight 11 designed as a traction battery carrier 10 is preferably designed as a cast component and consists, for example, of cast iron or cast steel.

[0042] The upper side OS of the additional weight 11, designed as a traction battery carrier 10, forms a support surface 20 on which a traction battery 12, which is permanently installed in the reach truck, rests. In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface 20 is formed by a plurality of plate-shaped elevations 20a, 20b, 20c on the upper side OS of the additional weight 11.

[0043] On the upper side OS, the additional weight 10 designed as a traction battery carrier 11 can be provided with a roller conveyor 25 comprising at least one roller.

[0044] For this purpose, the additional weight 11, designed as a traction battery carrier 10, is provided on the upper side OS with several roller recesses 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, in each of which a corresponding roller 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d of the roller conveyor 25 can be rotatably mounted. The roller recesses 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d extend with their longitudinal extent in the vehicle's longitudinal direction L.

[0045] The Figure 2 time the additional weight 11 without the rollers 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d of the roller conveyor 25 arranged in the roller recesses 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d.

[0046] In the Figure 1 the additional weight 11 is shown with rollers 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d of the roller conveyor 25 arranged in the roller recesses 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d.

[0047] With the roller conveyor 25, a lateral battery change of the traction battery 12 in the horizontal vehicle transverse direction Q can be achieved, in which the traction battery 12 can be pushed down or up from the additional weight 11 in the horizontal direction on the rollers 27a-27b of the roller conveyor 25 for a lateral battery change.

[0048] As can be seen from the Figures 1 to 3As can be seen in more detail, each roller recess 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d is provided with a water drain 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. In the illustrated embodiment, the water drain 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d is formed by a corresponding channel-like recess in the upper side OS of the additional weight 11.

[0049] The additional weight 11, designed as a traction battery carrier 10, is provided with a fastening flange 35 to which a battery locking device (not shown in detail) can be releasably fastened, by means of which the traction battery 12 arranged on the additional weight 11 can be secured against displacement in the vehicle transverse direction Q. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening flange 35 is formed by at least one receiving bore 36, which forms a screwing point for a screw connection with which the battery locking device can be screwed to the additional weight 11.

[0050] The additional weight 11, designed as a traction battery carrier 10, is provided with at least one guide 40a, 40b designed to guide the traction battery 12 on the additional weight 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 40a, 40b is each designed as a guide device on the additional weight 11, which interacts with a guide device 41a, 41b arranged on the traction battery 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device 40a is formed by a channel-like recess in the upper front corner region between the upper side OS and the front side of the additional weight 11, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the additional weight 11 and thus in the transverse direction Q of the reach truck.In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device 40b is formed by a channel-like recess in the upper front corner region between the upper side OS and the rear of the additional weight 11, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the additional weight 11 and thus in the transverse direction Q of the reach truck. The traction battery 12 is provided with a skid-like guide device 41a, 41b in each of the four lower corner regions, the two guide devices 41a interacting with the guide 40a designed as a guide device, and the two guide devices 41b interacting with the guide 40b designed as a guide device. When installed, the . Figure 3 The guide devices 41a, 41b of the traction battery 12 shown on the right-hand side each engage with a corresponding end wall 42a, 42b of the guide recess 40a, 40b.

[0051] With the guide devices 41a, 41b, which interact with the guides 40a, 40b designed as guide devices, the traction battery 12 can be guided during movement along the additional weight 11 during a battery change.

[0052] It is understood that the guide 40a, 40b is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. The guide 40a or 40 can alternatively be formed by a guide rail or guide edge arranged or molded onto the additional weight 11, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the additional weight 11 and thus in the transverse direction Q of the reach truck and which interacts with a guide device 41a or 41b arranged on the traction battery 12.

[0053] In conjunction with the battery locking device arranged on the fastening flange 35, the traction battery 12 arranged on the additional weight 11 can be secured against unintentional movements in the vehicle transverse direction Q and in the vehicle longitudinal direction L during operation of the reach truck by means of the guide devices 41a, 41b cooperating with the guide recesses 40a, 40b.

[0054] The additional weight 11 designed as a traction battery carrier 10 is provided with at least one fastening flange 50, 55, to which - as shown in the Figures 4 to 6 is shown in more detail - an additional weight module 51, 52 to which the additional weight 11 can be attached.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening flange 50 is mounted on the upper side OS of the additional weight 11 on the Figures 1 to 6right side. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening flange 50 is formed by at least one receiving bore 52, which forms a screwing point for a screw connection 53 with which the additional weight module 51 can be screwed to the additional weight 11.

[0056] In the Figure 4 the additional weight 11 is shown with an additional weight module 51 screwed to the fastening interface 50.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening flange 55 is arranged on the front side of the additional weight 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening flange 55 is formed by at least one receiving bore 56, which forms a screwing point for a screw connection 57 with which the additional weight module 52 can be screwed to the additional weight 11.

[0058] In the Figure 5the additional weight 11 is shown with an additional weight module 51 screwed to the fastening interface 50 and with an additional weight module 52 screwed to the fastening interface 55.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the additional weight module 51 has a tower-like shape. The additional weight module 52 has a plate-like shape in the illustrated embodiment and, when screwed to the fastening interface 55, forms a vertical bulkhead or protective wall arranged in front of the traction battery 12 and extending in the vehicle's transverse direction Q.

[0060] The additional weight module 51 and / or the additional weight module 51 are preferably each formed as a cast component. The additional weight module 51 and / or the additional weight module 51 are preferably made of cast iron or cast steel.

[0061] In the Figure 6the vehicle frame 2 is provided with an additional weight 11 attached to the two wheel arms 2a, 2b in accordance with the Figure 5 shown.

Claims

1. A reach truck with a vehicle frame (2) and a traction battery (12), wherein the vehicle frame (2) has two wheel arms (2a, 2b) arranged spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction (Q), characterized in that the vehicle frame (2) is provided with an additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10), on which the traction battery (12) stands.

2. Reach truck according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is arranged in the vehicle transverse direction (Q) and is detachably fastened to the wheel arms (2a, 2b), in particular by means of screw connections (17).

3. Reach truck according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is placed on the upper side of the wheel arms (2a, 2b).

4. Reach truck according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in thatthe additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with lateral horizontal flange plates (15a, 15b) which form fastening interfaces with which the additional weight (11) can be detachably fastened to the wheel arms (2a, 2b).

5. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is designed as a cast component.

6. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) forms a contact surface (20) on the upper side (OS) on which the traction battery (12) stands.

7. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided on the upper side (OS) with a roller track (25) comprising at least one roller (27a; 27b; 27c; 27d).

8. Reach truck according to claim 7, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided on the upper side (OS) with at least one roller recess (26a; 26b; 26c; 26d) in which a roller (27a; 27b; 27c; 27d) of the roller conveyor (25) can be rotatably mounted.

9. Reach truck according to claim 8, characterized in that the roller recess (26a; 26b; 26c; 26d) is provided with a water drain (30a; 30b; 30c; 30d).

10. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with a fastening flange (35) to which a battery locking device can be releasably fastened, in particular by means of screw connections.

11. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in thatthe additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with at least one guide (40a; 40b) which is designed to guide the traction battery (12) on the additional weight (11).

12. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is provided with at least one fastening flange (50; 55) to which an additional weight module (51; 52) can be fastened to the additional weight (11).

13. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the vehicle frame (2) is provided with a drive wheel receptacle (7) for a drive wheel and the wheel arms (2a; 2b) are each provided with a load wheel receptacle (6a; 6b) for a load wheel, wherein the additional weight (11) designed as a traction battery carrier (10) is arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (L) between the drive wheel receptacle (7) and the load wheel receptacles (6a; 6b).

14. Reach truck according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the traction battery is designed as a high-performance energy storage device, in particular a high-performance battery, in particular a lithium-ion battery or lithium iron phosphate battery, or as a fuel cell system.

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