Tugger train element with securing element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tugger train element (11) with at least one logistics element receptacle (14) for receiving a logistics element (2) along a transverse axis (Y) from at least one side, and with at least one securing unit (3) which is designed and configured to hold a received logistics element (2) in the logistics element receptacle (14) along the transverse axis (Y) and to release same from the logistics element receptacle. The tugger train element (11) is characterised in that the securing unit (3) is designed to pivot at least one securing element (37) from a vertically upright securing position in an arc along the transverse axis (Y) outwards into a substantially horizontally flat releasing position, and vice versa.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Tugger train element with safety element

[0003] The present invention relates to a tugger train element with at least one securing element.

[0004] The field of intralogistics concerns the flow of goods and materials within companies. In production, components and intermediate products must be fed into the manufacturing steps and then picked up for further processing or packaging. In shipping, stock must be picked for dispatch. For larger transport quantities and routes, so-called tugger trains, trailer trains or logistics trains are used. These can also be referred to as a tugger train arrangement and, together with a towing vehicle, a towing convoy. A tugger train arrangement generally consists of three to four tugger train elements or tugger train trailers. The tugger train arrangement can be divided into tugger trains, each of which has at least two tugger train elements. The driver drives his towing convoy to the various stations in the warehouse, in production, in goods issue, etc., stops there and unloads or loads the individual tugger train elements depending on the order.

[0005] In order to be able to load and unload larger quantities of goods more quickly and easily, tugger train elements are known which can pick up and transport logistics elements loaded with pallets or wire mesh boxes, for example, such as roller carts or roller frames, also known as trolleys, as a whole or even roll containers or roll cages. To pick up a logistics element, the tugger train element is lowered, the logistics element is pushed onto a holder of the tugger train element and the tugger train element is then raised again so that the rollers of the logistics element do not touch the ground while the towed vehicle is moving, thus protecting it and not affecting its driving characteristics. The removal of a logistics element takes place in the reverse order of the above steps.

[0006] Different types of tugger train elements are known solely on the basis of their frame shape. Very frequently, tugger train elements are used with a C-shaped frame that is open on one side perpendicular to the direction of travel, into which the logistics element can be pushed in and out from the side. Tugger train elements are also known that have an E-shaped frame with a fork in the middle. In this case, the logistics element can also be pushed into the frame from the side, between the front and rear edges of the E-frame, but over its middle fork. So-called transfer frames are also known, which, following the nomenclature described above, are also sometimes referred to as B-frames. A transfer frame has a frame with an axis that is centrally located in the longitudinal or travel direction, to which the logistics element can be inserted and removed in the longitudinal or rear direction.In the direction of travel, there is a flat area in front of and behind the frame as a logistics element holder, onto which a logistics element can be pushed and removed from both sides. Furthermore, so-called portal frames are known, which are open at the bottom and on both sides. Designs are known in which the front and rear edges of the frame, in the longitudinal or direction of travel, each of which has an axle with a pair of wheels, are connected above the frame via the spaces into which a logistics element can be pushed and removed from both sides.

[0007] What all of these types of tugger train elements have in common is that two wheels with a rigid axle form the chassis of the tugger train element, which is usually positioned centrally on the tugger train element in the direction of travel. The frame of the tugger train element, together with the attached logistics element, can usually be raised and lowered purely vertically. These lifting functions can be achieved using electrical energy or hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, which is usually provided by the towing vehicle. Such tugger train elements and corresponding logistics elements are known from companies such as Still, Linde, Jungheinrich, Jung Hebetechnik, LR Intralogistik, and A&A Logistik-Equipment.

[0008] In order to make loading and unloading, and in particular unloading, a tugger train trailer with a logistics element such as a trolley easier for the user, EP 3 318 431 B1 discloses a tugger train trailer with a frame for receiving a logistics element. The frame is designed to be lowered and raised on at least one side along the vertical axis independently of the opposite side in the transverse direction. This makes it possible to lower a tugger train trailer loaded with a logistics element not completely, i.e. with its entire surface, but only on one side. In this way, an inclined plane can be created within the tugger train trailer, from which the logistics element can roll or be rolled down more easily by itself or at least with less effort from the user than from a horizontal plane of a fully lowered tugger train trailer.This can significantly reduce the strain on the user when unloading the tugger train trailer and thus prevent exhaustion and health problems for the user.

[0009] Whether a tugger train element or tugger train trailer can be lowered vertically only as a whole or also on one side, it is always known and advantageous to provide some type of securing device to secure and hold the logistics element in the picked-up state on or in the tugger train element or tugger train trailer. This allows the logistics element to be secured on the tugger train element, particularly while in motion. The securing device must be releasable to release the logistics element so that the logistics element can be removed from the tugger train element or roll off the tugger train element independently. This applies accordingly to loading.

[0010] EP 2 161 182 A2 describes a trailer combination trailer with a roller-guided E-shaped frame open on one side and an inner carriage carried in the trailer combination, provided with steering rollers and which can be pushed into and out of the trailer at the same level as the frame-side guide rollers to accommodate transport goods, wherein the inner carriage is supported in the transport state of the trailer combination on the trailer frame and via the latter on the trailer-side guide rollers, with the load being relieved on the inner carriage-side steering rollers.

[0011] During transport, the inner carriage is securely locked to the trailer by height-adjustable locking elements. When the frame is lowered, the locking elements can be lowered to the release position using a foot pedal, allowing the inner carriage—now on its swivel casters—to be pushed out of the trailer without hindrance.

[0012] EP 2311673 A2 describes a trailer for a trailer combination. The trailer has a load-bearing, E-shaped support frame open on one side with a chassis positioned centrally in the direction of travel. The chassis has two wheels mounted laterally on an axle and is connected to a lifting device with at least one hydraulic cylinder for adjusting the height of the support frame relative to the chassis. The support frame can be coupled to the support frame of another trailer via at least one drawbar. The lifting device has a hydraulic pressure-generating pump with a rotary drive, which is coupled via a gear to at least one of the rolling wheels on the ground.

[0013] To secure the inserted load, a slider is mechanically connected via a cam control rod to two bolts that are vertically adjustable at the free end of a cross member. When the slider is in the inserted position, the two bolts are moved upwards by a spring force through a cam control to their end position, where they secure the load to the support frame. The cam control consists of a guide bevel formed at the free end of the cam control rod, which interacts with a pin protruding from the bolt.

[0014] EP 2808 234 A1 describes a one-sided open E-shaped tugger train trailer with a

[0015] Lifting device which adjusts the tugger train trailer between a lowered receiving position for a trolley and a raised transport position for the trolley, wherein a locking device for the trolley is provided which secures the trolley in the transport position on the tugger train trailer, wherein the locking device interacts with an actuating switch for the lifting device in such a way that when the trolley is locked, the actuating switch for the lifting device is actuated in order to raise the trolley.

[0016] Thus, the trolley is secured in the mounted position in the tugger train trailer via a locking element. The locking element engages behind a cross strut of the trolley, preventing it from being removed from the area between the legs of the E-shaped frame. The locking element has a substantially wedge-shaped contour, with the cross strut being pushed over the shoulder of the locking element. To unlock the trolley, a foot lever is provided. This is located on the middle leg of the E-shaped frame and is depressed to unlock. The foot lever triggers a lowering of the tugger train trailer and thus unlocks the locking element from the cross strut. The locking element is sunk into the locking element and the trolley can be retracted.

[0017] DE 10 2012 017 838 A1 describes a rod pulling element with a chassis that is at least partially open on one of the two longitudinal sides, i.e. with an E-shaped chassis that is open on one side, into which a mobile transport aid can be inserted on the partially open longitudinal side, and which has a longitudinal beam that is arranged parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the rod pulling element, and at least three transverse beams that are connected to the longitudinal beam at a distance from one another in a respective vertical direction and thus form a front, a middle and a rear chassis section, wherein the middle chassis section has two or more wheels, the axes of which are arranged on a line lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod pulling element, and at least one lifting device for lifting a transport aid, and wherein the front chassis section and the rear chassis section are arranged so thatthat both are positioned exclusively above the underside of the transport aid in the area of ​​the side surfaces of the transport aid when the transport aid is retracted into the rod pulling element.

[0018] A transport aid securing device is arranged in the middle chassis section of the rod pulling element, wherein the securing device comprises a securing lever which is rotatably mounted on an axle in the region of its middle section, and wherein the first end section of the securing lever is rotatably connected by the bolt to an end section of the tensioning lever which is also rotatably mounted on the axle, and the second free end section of the securing lever has one or more rollers which, when the securing device is activated, are intended to engage in a free space on the underside of a transport aid which is retracted into the rod pulling element. EP 3 126 190 A1 describes a trailer tractor with a supporting frame for receiving at least one transport wagon or trolley with steering and / oror fixed casters, whereby the support frame has a centrally arranged chassis with an axle and two wheels mounted on the side of the axle. Means for supporting the trolley are provided in front of and behind the chassis in the direction of travel. The means for supporting the trolley consist of loading and unloading ramps for supporting the trolley's swivel and / or fixed casters.

[0019] It is intended to arrange height-adjustable means for locking the goods wagon at both lateral ends of the housing, transverse to the direction of travel, which secure the wagon in the saddle-mounted form on the support frame and serve as an end stop when pushed on. The locking means at each of the two lateral ends of the housing can consist of two locking pawls pivotable about fixed axes of rotation, which are located opposite each other at the lateral end in the direction of travel. On the pivot axis, next to one of the two locking pawls, a parallel switching pawl is mounted for longitudinal displacement relative to the locking pawl and is operatively connected via a tie rod to the locking pawl opposite the other end.

[0020] A feature of all known tug train or trailer train trailers or elements is that such securing and locking devices for securing or holding a logistics element such as a trolley or roll container or roll cage in a picked-up state along the transverse axis have so far been comparatively flat along the vertical axis. This means that only appropriately designed logistics elements can be held or secured which can be reached by the securing device along the vertical axis relatively close to the tug train or trailer train trailer. If the distance between the frame of the tug train element and the lateral edge of the logistics element is too great along the vertical axis, the securing or locking device cannot reach the logistics element and securing or holding cannot take place. Accordingly, the securing devices or securing elements should be designed to be relatively flat along the vertical axis when picked up and secured.The logistics element must be designed as high as possible along the vertical axis in order to keep the logistics element safe.

[0021] This is a very relevant problem in practical application, as the logistics elements from different manufacturers vary considerably, particularly in terms of their ground clearance, i.e. the distance between their horizontal support and the ground. In particular, in the case of logistics elements in the form of roll containers or roll cages with A-frames, the frame components or frame sections can have different heights or ground clearances. In any case, this also leads to significantly different distances between the frame of the tugger train elements in the area of ​​the securing element(s) and the lateral edge of the logistics element along the vertical axis. In practice, therefore, the purchase of different logistics elements from different manufacturers means that not all logistics elements can be held on the same type of tugger train element at all, or at least not equally well.This also applies to logistics elements in the form of trolleys as well as roll containers or roll cages.

[0022] To avoid this, the user of the tugger train elements would have to limit themselves to purchasing logistics elements that match their tugger train elements, which would typically result in an unacceptable limitation in the selection and purchase of logistics elements. This would also severely restrict the criteria for purchasing logistics elements, which is why this is usually not the case. Thus, the securing devices or securing elements of the tugger train elements should be sufficiently high along the vertical axis when the logistics element is picked up and secured or held in place to ensure that different logistics elements from different manufacturers are equally secure.

[0023] It should be noted, however, that while such locking devices or locking elements are intended to securely hold or lock the logistics element on the tugger train element when it is picked up, particularly in the case of tugger train elements that can be lowered laterally on one side, the locking devices or locking elements must completely release the logistics element when the tugger train element is lowered, particularly on one side, in order to be able to be removed. This also applies equally to different logistics elements from different manufacturers. The distance that the locking device or locking element can travel along the vertical axis between the secured upper position and the released lower position should therefore be correspondingly large.

[0024] It should also be noted that tugger train elements are typically moved in confined spaces in intralogistics applications. This applies to the aisles of high-bay warehouses as well as the spaces between machines, systems, and the like in production. Therefore, the width of the tugger train or trailer train elements along the transverse axis also plays an important role and is a key criterion in the selection and purchase of tugger train or trailer train components.

[0025] Trailer-towing trailers or elements. This also applies to the overall height of the route or trailer-towing trailers or elements and to the height of the logistics element holder of the route or trailer-towing trailers or elements in order to simplify and accelerate loading and unloading. Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, the greatest possible distance should be able to be covered by the securing device or securing element along the vertical axis between the secured upper position and the released lower position. At the same time, this should be possible with the smallest possible width along the transverse axis, at least when the logistics element is picked up and thus during operation, and / or with the smallest possible overall height of the logistics element holder along the vertical axis.

[0026] One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a tugger train element of the type described above such that logistics elements with different ground clearances can be held equally securely on the tugger train element when picked up and can be fully released. At the same time, the overall height of the logistics element holder along the vertical axis should be kept as low as possible. This should be possible in particular with the smallest possible width along the transverse axis, at least when the logistics element is picked up and thus during operation. This should be possible in particular for tugger train elements that can be lowered and raised on one side. In any case, this should be possible in the simplest, most cost-effective, space-saving, energy-saving and / or weight-saving manner possible. At the very least, an alternative to the known possibilities should be created.

[0027] The object is achieved according to the invention by a tugger train element having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0028] Thus, the present invention relates to a tugger train element with at least one logistics element receptacle for receiving a logistics element along the transverse axis from at least one side and with at least one securing unit, which is designed and configured to hold a received logistics element along the transverse axis in the logistics element receptacle and to release it from the logistics element receptacle, as described above. The logistics element receptacle can have two receiving spaces running parallel to one another, which can be spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis and can have the securing unit between them.

[0029] The tugger train element according to the invention is characterized in that the securing unit is designed to pivot at least one securing element from a vertically upright securing position in an arc along the transverse axis outwards into a substantially horizontally flat releasing position, and vice versa.

[0030] In other words, the securing unit represents an assembly of the tugger train element which serves to secure, hold, and release a logistics element such as a trolley or a roll container or roll cage, which is located in or on the logistics element holder of the tugger train element and is intended to remain there securely, in particular while the tugger train element or the tugger train arrangement or the towed vehicle is traveling. This can take place at least on one side and, if necessary, on both sides along the transverse axis, depending on the type of tugger train element. In any case, the securing unit has a securing element which is relatively movable relative to an element of the securing unit which is fixedly arranged on the tugger train element, such as a frame of the securing unit.The securing element is designed in such a way that the picked-up logistics element can be securely held in the corresponding position by the securing element and can be released and removed or loaded in the corresponding position.

[0031] According to the invention, the movement between these two positions can be carried out by means of a pivoting movement such that the securing element, in particular with its tip or edge pointing upwards along the vertical axis, is in a vertically upright position in order to secure the picked-up logistics element, and can be brought from the securing position by means of an arcuate pivoting movement along the transverse axis into a substantially horizontally flat releasing movement such that the picked-up logistics element can be released safely, in particular from its tip or edge.

[0032] Due to the arcuate pivoting movement, the tip or edge of the securing element can be moved essentially purely vertically along the vertical axis, allowing the securing element to be designed to project relatively high, thus enabling the securing element to be secured even with relatively high ground clearance. At the same time, the arcuate pivoting movement allows the securing element as a whole to be moved laterally in such a way that the securing unit can be constructed as flat as possible. This can simultaneously enable the securing unit and thus, if necessary, also the tugger train element as a whole, or at least in the area of ​​the logistics element holder, to be as low as possible.

[0033] Thus, according to the invention, logistics elements such as trolleys, roll containers, or roll cages with different ground clearances can be held equally securely while being mounted on the tugger train element and fully released. This can be achieved while maintaining the lowest possible height of the logistics element holder or securing unit along the vertical axis.

[0034] In any case, the securing element can be designed to be approximately the same height as the, in particular lowered, tugger train element in the area of ​​the logistics element holder or in the area of ​​the securing unit, or larger along the vertical axis, when viewed in the securing position, which can ensure the secure hold of logistics elements with a comparatively large ground clearance.

[0035] Due to the arcuate pivoting movement, the comparatively tall securing element can nevertheless be moved horizontally, as described above, such that the overall height of the tugger train element in the area of ​​the logistics element holder or in the area of ​​the securing unit is not negatively affected. According to one aspect of the invention, the securing unit is designed to pivot the securing element along the transverse axis beyond the lateral dimensions of a frame of the tugger train element. Thus, the arcuate pivoting movement along the transverse axis can occur away from the securing unit and thus from the tugger train element, which can simplify implementation since there is sufficient free space there. This can enable the most compact possible structure along the transverse axis, which can favor the smallest possible width of the tugger train element in ferry operation.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention, the securing unit, preferably in pairs, comprises a four-bar linkage with a lower linkage extending along the vertical axis and an upper linkage extending substantially parallel to one another along the transverse axis and one above the other along the vertical axis, pivotally connecting the securing element to a stationary frame of the securing unit. The four-bar linkage can also be arranged in pairs extending parallel to one another and offset from one another along the longitudinal axis.

[0037] A four-bar linkage, also known as a four-bar linkage, four-bar linkage chain, or four-link kinematic chain, is a polygon consisting of four links connected to each other by joints at their corner points to form a quadrilateral. The frame of the securing unit represents a fixed link of the four-bar linkage relative to the other links. The two links, as further links of the four-bar linkage, are arranged parallel to each other on the frame of the securing unit and are rotatably movable. At the opposite end, the two links are rotatably connected to the securing element as the fourth link of the four-bar linkage. This can represent a possibility for kinematically implementing the previously described arcuate pivoting movement.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, the lower link and the upper link are mounted so as to be rotatable directly above one another along the vertical axis, and the lower link and the upper link are bent upwards at their ends facing the securing element, extending parallel to one another along the vertical axis, preferably at right angles. This can represent a possibility for kinematically implementing the previously described arcuate pivoting movement, particularly due to the upwardly bent sections of the two links running parallel to one another.

[0039] The upwardly bent sections of the two links which run parallel to one another and which can in particular run parallel to one another at right angles and in an L-shape, so to speak, can, due to the essentially elongated extension of the two links along the transverse axis, lead to the fact that during the arcuate pivoting movement from the vertically upright securing position to the essentially horizontally flat releasing position, the lower or outer section of the securing element, which lies opposite its tip or edge, is moved further away from the tugger train trailer by the lower link than its upper or inner section, which faces its tip or edge and is rotatably connected to the upper link. For this purpose, the upper link can preferably be designed at a right angle, i.e. at 90°, and the lower link can be designed in an arc around the right-angled upper link. This can lead to a comparatively significant vertical movement of the securing element orwhose tip or edge leads away from the tugger train element while simultaneously pivoting in an arc-shaped manner into the horizontal and, in particular, along the transverse axis.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the invention, the upper link is rotatably mounted at its end facing away from the securing element. This can enable the implementation as described above. Preferably, the upper link also ends there. This allows the upper link to be kept comparatively compact.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, the lower link is designed to be lowered along the vertical axis by a drive. This allows for appropriate confirmation in order to execute the arcuate pivoting movement as described above. For this purpose, the drive can be designed in any way with regard to its drive principle, such as rotational or translational, and / or any way with regard to its drive energy, such as electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic. The lowering along the vertical axis takes place in the region of the lower link that is connected to the securing element, so that the securing element can also be lowered as part of or as a trigger for the arcuate pivoting movement.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, the lower link is rotatably mounted away from the securing element, wherein the securing element, beyond the rotatable mounting, has a mechanical control at its end facing away from the securing element, which is designed to be actuated by a control roller. Thus, the lower link represents a lever with a rotatable mounting, which is rotatably connected to the securing element on one side and has a mechanical control on the other, opposite side.

[0043] The mechanical control can be in contact with a control roller, i.e., with a rollable control element, so that the movement of the control roller can be transmitted to the lower link. The mechanical control can be configured with a corresponding contour to be actuated by the control roller and thereby pivot the lower link about its rotatable bearing in a manner consistent with the movement of the control roller or the interaction of the mechanical control of the lower link with the control roller. For this purpose, the control roller can, in particular, execute a purely translational movement along the transverse axis in both directions.The section of the lower link facing the securing element can be longer than the opposite section of the mechanical control, in particular twice to five times as long, so that a comparatively small movement of the mechanical control section of the lower link along the vertical axis can be translated into a significantly larger movement of the opposite section of the lower link facing the securing element and thus also of the securing element, which can promote a compact design of the securing unit along the vertical axis. In any case, this can represent a possibility for implementing the previously described arcuate pivoting movement of the securing element.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, the mechanical control has a lever facing away from the securing element, preferably at the end, which points downwards at an angle, preferably approximately 45°, along the vertical axis. As a result, the lower link can be raised upwards along the vertical axis by means of the control roller in contact with the mechanical control of the lower link, whereby the opposite end of the lower link facing the securing element and thus also the securing element can be lowered accordingly along the vertical axis. Due to the corresponding shape of the lower link in the section facing the securing element, in particular in cooperation with the other links of the square, the securing element can simultaneously move outwards or away from the tugger train element, as already described above.

[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, the securing unit has a drive configured to move the control roller along the transverse axis, preferably in a straight line, relative to the mechanical control of the lower link. This can represent a specific possibility for raising the lower link by a drive along the vertical axis, as previously mentioned. This can also represent a specific possibility for implementing the movement of the control roller and thus its actuation of the mechanical control of the lower link.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the invention, the drive is designed as a linear drive and the securing unit has a drive carriage which has the control roller and is designed to be moved translationally along the transverse axis relative to the lower link by the linear drive. A drive carriage is to be understood as a mechanical element which, on the one hand, is coupled to a translationally movable element, i.e. a translation element, or a rotor of the linear drive and can thus be moved translationally back and forth by the linear drive and, on the other hand, has the control roller which can be in contact with the mechanical control of the lower link, as already described above. Accordingly, the translational movement of the linear drive or its translation element can be transmitted to the control roller by means of the drive carriage.The drive carriage can roll, for example, using rollers, on a relatively stationary surface such as the frame of the safety unit. This can represent a practical way of implementing the movement of the control roller.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention, the securing unit comprises at least one spring element designed to counteract the rotation of the lower link and / or the upper link. The spring element can thus be considered a return spring, which can counteract the control roller and press the lower link against the control roller directly or indirectly via the upper link. This allows the lower link to be held in contact with the control roller from the opposite side along the vertical axis.

[0048] According to a further aspect of the invention, the mechanical control extends in sections along the transverse axis in a straight line, wherein the lower link in the straight section of the mechanical control has at least one locking element, which is aligned with a blocking element movable along the vertical axis together with the control roller when the securing element is in the vertically upright securing position. Thus, the blocking element, preferably as a component of the drive carriage, can be aligned with the locking element in such a way that, in this relative positioning, rotation of the lower link and thus the arcuate pivoting movement of the securing element can be prevented.This can be the case in particular in the vertically upright securing position of the securing element in order to prevent this vertically upright securing position of the securing element from being canceled, for example due to external influences such as accidental loading or

[0049] Pressing down the safety element with a person's foot can increase the safety of using the safety unit.

[0050] According to a further aspect of the invention, the securing unit has at least one limit switch, which is designed and configured to be actuated by a limit switch stop of the securing unit, preferably of the lower link, when the securing element is in the vertically upright securing position. This allows electronic or sensory monitoring to be carried out in order to detect the vertically upright securing position or not. This can be evaluated by a control unit of the tugger train element or a higher-level control system of the tugger train or the towing combination in order to, for example, only permit ferry operation of the towing vehicle if the vertically upright securing position is detected by means of the limit switch. Otherwise, this cannot be permitted or prevented in order to ensure safety.According to a further aspect of the invention, the logistics element holder is designed to receive the logistics element from both sides along the transverse axis, wherein the securing unit is designed at least substantially mirror-symmetrically along the transverse axis and is configured to hold the received logistics element in the logistics element holder from both sides along the transverse axis and to release it from the logistics element holder. This can enable the application of the securing unit according to the invention to such tugger train elements in order to implement and utilize their properties and advantages in combination with the securing unit according to the invention.

[0051] The fact that the security unit is designed to be at least essentially mirror-symmetrical comprises complete mirror symmetry of the components and their functions of the security unit relative to the longitudinal axis, as well as implementation of the previously described functions of the security unit with essentially identical components, but with minor structural differences. In particular, the latter comprises an identical structure of two assemblies or areas of the security unit, which are arranged opposite one another along the transverse axis, rotated by 180°, and can be operated identically with a common drive, in particular a linear drive, arranged centrally between them. In any case, the same type of securing and release can be implemented on both sides along the transverse axis relative to the logistics element.

[0052] According to a further aspect of the invention, the tugger train element is designed and configured to lower and raise the logistics element holder along the vertical axis on at least one side, independently of the opposite side along the transverse axis. This allows the corresponding properties and advantages described in EP 3318431 B1 to be implemented and utilized here as well.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, the tugger train element has at least two logistics element receptacles along the longitudinal axis. In this way, two logistics elements can be picked up and transported by one tugger train element. Both logistics element receptacles can each have at least one securing unit as described above. Both logistics element receptacles can also be accessible from one side or both sides along the transverse axis, as described above. This can also be the case for just one logistics element receptacle. In any case, an axle with wheels can be arranged along the longitudinal axis between the two logistics element receptacles, preferably exactly centrally along the longitudinal axis or deliberately offset from the center along the longitudinal axis.

[0054] An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are illustrated and explained in more detail below in conjunction with the following figures. Figure 1 shows a side schematic view of a towed assembly according to the invention;

[0055] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a tugger train element according to the invention, viewed obliquely from above;

[0056] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view of a frame, a drive carriage and a drive of the tugger train element according to the invention, viewed obliquely from above;

[0057] Figure 4 shows the components of Figure 3 in the assembled state as an assembly from the side;

[0058] Figure 5 is a schematic exploded view of a frame, a lower link, an upper link, a spring element and a securing element of the tugger train element according to the invention, viewed obliquely from above;

[0059] Figure 6 shows the components of Figure 5 in the assembled state as an assembly in perspective from the opposite side, obliquely from above;

[0060] Figure 7 is a schematic exploded view of the assembly of Figure 4 and the assembly of Figure 6 of the tugger train element according to the invention, viewed obliquely from above;

[0061] Figure 8 shows the assemblies of Figure 7 in the assembled state as a securing unit in perspective from an oblique side view from above in a vertically upright securing position of the securing element of the securing unit with the securing element blocked;

[0062] Figure 9 shows the representation of Figure 8 in the vertically upright securing position of the securing element of the securing unit with the securing element released; and

[0063] Figure 10 shows the representation of Figure 8 in a substantially horizontally flat releasing position of the securing element of the securing unit.

[0064] The figures above are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. There is a longitudinal axis X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X extends a transverse axis Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y extends a vertical axis Z, which can also be referred to as height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity. The longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

[0065] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a towing combination 1 according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a tugger train element 11 according to the invention, viewed obliquely from the side above. The towing combination 1 has, at the front in a direction of movement A or in a direction of travel A, a towing vehicle 10, to which several tugger train elements 11 according to Figure 2 are attached at the rear. The tugger train elements 11 can each also be referred to as tugger train trailers 11 and collectively as a tugger train arrangement. Each tugger train element 11 has a frame 12. Along the longitudinal axis X or in the direction of travel A approximately centrally but slightly offset rearwardly from the center, each tugger train element 11 has an axle (not shown) with a pair of wheels 13 arranged on the outside. The axle, including the wheels 13, can be lowered and raised on one side along the vertical axis Z.

[0066] Along the longitudinal axis X or in the direction of travel A, a logistics element holder 14 is provided both in front of the axle with the wheels 13 and behind it, each of which has two trapezoidal holder surfaces (not labeled) running parallel along the transverse axis Y, each of which has a securing unit 3 between them along the longitudinal axis X. In the area of ​​the securing units 3, a control element 16 in the form of a button 16 or a foot switch 16 is arranged, which points outwards along the transverse axis Y and which, when actuated by a user, in particular with the foot, can cause the respective side of the tugger train element 11 to be lowered, which can be implemented by a control unit (not shown) of the tugger train element 11. Along the longitudinal axis X orIn the direction of travel A at the front and rear, each tugger train element 11, except for the rearmost tugger train element 11, has a scissor coupling 15, with which the first, frontmost tugger train element 11 is connected to the towing vehicle 10 and the tugger train elements 11 are connected to one another so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis.

[0067] A logistics element 2 in the form of a roll container 2 or roll cage 2 can be picked up and removed from each logistics element receptacle 14 by rolling from both sides. Each roll container 2 has a frame 20, on which a wheel 21 is arranged at each of the four corners (not labeled), either as a roller or as a fixed castor. By means of its wheels 21, the roll containers 2 can be moved or rolled on a surface (not shown). The roll containers 2 can also be moved or rolled onto the trapezoidal receiving surfaces of the logistics element receptacles 14 using their wheels 21, and correspondingly off the trapezoidal receiving surfaces of the logistics element receptacles 14.

[0068] In order to securely hold a roll container 2 on or in the corresponding logistics element holder 14, in particular during movement or travel of the towed vehicle 1, the securing units 3 are provided. Each securing unit 3 has a securing element 37 with a securing cover 37c on each side or edge along the transverse axis Y, which can be moved between a securing blocked position, a securing unblocked position, and a releasing position, as will be described in more detail below.

[0069] Accordingly, the securing element 37 or its securing cover 37c can be moved into the releasing

[0070] position in order to be able to remove and load the roll container 2. For this purpose, the tugger train element 11 can be lowered on one side or completely onto the ground (not shown). The securing element 37 or its securing cover 37c can then be moved from the securing unblocked position into the securing blocked position in order to hold or secure the 2 from this side along the transverse axis Y. The tugger train element 11 can then be lifted on one side or both sides and the towed vehicle 1 can then travel. The securing element 37 or its securing cover 37c opposite along the transverse axis Y can meanwhile remain continuously in the securing unblocked position or in the securing blocked position in order to secure or hold the 2 from this side.

[0071] The concrete implementation according to the invention can be particularly compact along the transverse axis Y and comparatively high along the vertical axis Z in order to be able to hold 2 safely even with a comparatively large ground clearance, i.e. a comparatively large distance of the frame 20 from the ground or comparatively large wheels 21, and at the same time to keep the overall height of the tugger train element 11, at least in the area of ​​the logistics element receptacles 14, or the securing unit 3 along the vertical axis Z as flat as possible, which can also keep the height of the trapezoidal receiving surfaces and thus the effort of loading and unloading low.

[0072] According to the invention, each securing unit 3, which can also be referred to as a holding unit 3, has a frame 30 (see, for example, Figures 3 and 4), which is fixedly connected to the frame 12 of the corresponding tugger train element 11 (not shown) by means of screws through corresponding elongated holes (not designated). The frame 30 of the securing unit 3 can also be referred to as a base plate 30 or as a drive carrier 30.

[0073] The frame 30 of the securing unit 3 has a rack holder 30a for a rack 33, as will be described in more detail below, wherein the rack holder 30a has a plurality of lugs bent towards each other in the horizontal X, Y and along the transverse axis X with through openings (not designated) in order to be screwed to the rack 33.

[0074] The frame 30 of the securing unit 3 has, centrally along the transverse axis Y, a drive receptacle 30b pointing upwards along the vertical axis Z with a through opening (not designated) in order to be fixedly screwed to a corresponding frame connection 32a of a drive 32 or a linear drive 32.

[0075] The frame 30 of the safety unit 3 further comprises two limit switches 30c in the form of buttons 30c, each of which is aligned along the transverse axis Y in order to be contacted by a limit switch stop 34f of a lower link 34 and thereby switched when the lower link 34 is positioned along the transverse axis Y relative to the respective limit switch 30c of the frame 30, as will be described in more detail below. A drive carriage 31 in the form of a box-shaped frame is provided, see e.g. Figures 3 and 4, which has a roller 31a at each of its four corners on the inside. The drive carriage 31 is arranged rectangularly around the frame holder 30a of the frame 30. The drive carriage 31 can move on the four rollers 31a along the transverse axis Y on the upper side (not designated) of the frame 30 of the safety unit 3.

[0076] Parallel to the rollers 31a, the drive carriage 31 has a control roller 31b on each side, with the two control rollers 31b being offset from one another along the transverse axis Y. The two control rollers 31b can also roll on the upper side of the frame 30 of the securing unit 3.

[0077] The drive carriage 31 of the securing unit 3 has, in turn, a drive connection 31c pointing inwards along the transverse axis Y in the center, with a through opening (not designated), in order to be fixedly screwed to a corresponding carriage connection 32c of a linear drive 32.

[0078] The four corners of the drive carriage 31 of the securing unit 3 each protrude outwards along the longitudinal axis X and thereby form blocking elements 31d acting along the vertical direction Z, which each coincide or can interact with a corresponding locking element 34c or locking hook 34c of the aforementioned lower link 34 when the drive carriage 31 of the securing unit 3 or the securing element 37 or its securing cover 37c is in the aforementioned securing blocked position, as will be described in more detail below.

[0079] The previously mentioned drive 32 of the securing unit 3 is designed as a linear drive 32. The linear drive 32 is fixedly connected to the frame 30 by means of its frame connection 32a, see, for example, Figures 3 and 4, as already mentioned. As a part that can move translationally or linearly along the transverse axis Y, the linear drive 32 has a translation element 32b, which in turn is fixedly connected to the drive carriage 31 or its drive connection 31c by means of the previously mentioned slide connection 32c, as already mentioned. Accordingly, the drive carriage 31 can be moved back and forth along the transverse axis Y by the translational movement of the translation element 32b of the linear drive 32.In order to be able to carry out this movement along the transverse axis Y in both directions, in particular the same distance, the position of the translation element 32b of the linear drive 32, in which the drive carriage 31 is positioned along the transverse axis Y centrally opposite the securing unit 3 or centrally opposite the frame 12 of the tugger train element 11, represents the central position of the linear drive 32 and the securing blocked position of both securing elements 37 or their securing covers 37c, see Figure 8. The securing unit 3 also has the already mentioned frame 33, see e.g. Figures 5 and 6, which is box-shaped and open on both sides along the transverse axis Y and downwards along the vertical axis Z.The frame 33 is, as already mentioned, screwed from above by means of four frame connections 33a in the form of horizontally extending tabs with through openings (not designated) to the frame holder 30a of the frame 30 or to its lugs with through openings along the vertical axis Z, see e.g. Figures 8 to 10.

[0080] The frame 33 further has, along the longitudinal axis X, a pair of lower link connections 33b for the aforementioned lower links 34 and a pair of upper link connections 33c for corresponding upper links 35. The link connections 33b, 33c are each formed by through openings (not designated), see, for example, Figure 5. Pivoting elements 34a, 35a in the form of screw connections, bolts or the like are guided through the link connections 33b, 33c, see, for example, Figure 6, wherein sufficient play of the pivoting elements 34a, 35a of the links 34, 35 relative to the link connections 33b, 33c of the frame 33 enables rotational mobility. The linkages 33b, 33c of the frame 33, together with the corresponding pivoting elements 34a, 35a of the links 34, 35, can be referred to as rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower links 34 and as rotatable bearings 35a, 33c of the upper links 35.

[0081] A frame cover 33d is assigned to each side or each pair of links 34, 35, which is rotatably fastened to the outside of the frame 33 along the transverse axis Y (not designated), see e.g. Figures 8 to 10. The frame covers 33d rest loosely along the vertical axis Z from above on the pairs of upper links 35 and can therefore follow their movement by pivoting about their own axis of rotation, see e.g. Figure 10. As a result, the interior of the safety unit 3 can be covered to at least a certain extent from the outside when the links 34, 35 move and can thus be protected from the ingress of dirt. It can also be prevented or at least made more difficult for foreign bodies to get there and block or damage the links 34, 35 or other movable elements of the safety unit 3.This can also be used to secure people to avoid injuries that could be caused if a person, for example, puts their fingers in there.

[0082] The previously mentioned pair of lower links 34 are provided in pairs, see, for example, Figure 5, wherein the two parallel lower links 34 of a pair of lower links 34 are essentially identical in design. Thus, the two lower links 34 of each pair of lower links 34 extend longitudinally along the transverse axis Y. The two lower links 34 of each pair of lower links 34 are rotatable or pivotable along the longitudinal axis X about a common pivot axis, which is formed by a respective pivot element 34a in the form of a screw connection, a bolt, or the like, which pivotably or rotatably connects the respective lower link 34 to one of the four link connections 33b of the frame 33 as rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower links 34, as previously mentioned, see, for example, Figures 5 and 6.

[0083] From the respective rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower links 34, all four lower links 34 extend outwards in pairs, congruently extending along the transverse axis Y. The lower links 34 extend essentially in a straight line along the transverse axis Y and are bent upwards at a right angle at the outward-facing end. At the outer end, the four lower links 34 each have a securing element connection 34b in the form of a through-opening, which is each rotatably or pivotably connected to one of the two aforementioned securing elements 37 by means of a lower link connection 37a of the respective securing element 37 in the form of a screw connection, a bolt, or the like. The securing elements 37 can also be referred to as holder elements 37. The respective securing element 37 connects the two lower links 34 of a pair of lower links 34 along the longitudinal axis X.The pivot axis of the securing element connections 34b of the two lower links 34 and the lower link connection 37a of the respective securing element 37 runs parallel to the rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower links 34 of the corresponding pair of lower links 34.

[0084] In the area between the securing element connections 34b of the two lower links 34 of the rotatable bearing 34a, 33b of the lower links 34, one of the four previously mentioned locking elements 34c or locking hooks 34c of the lower links 34 is arranged on the inside, ie facing each other, in order to cooperate with the corresponding blocking elements 31d of the drive carriage 31 when the drive carriage 31 is positioned accordingly, as already mentioned.

[0085] Along the transverse axis Y, opposite the rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower control arms 34, the two lower control arms 34 of a pair of lower control arms 34 are designed differently. Thus, one lower control arm 34 of a pair of lower control arms 34 extends slightly upwards along the vertical axis Z, initially continuing in a straight line along the transverse axis Y, where it forms an elongated, straight section of a mechanical control 34d. Adjoining the section of the mechanical control 34d is a lever 34e pointing downwards at an angle of approximately 45°, which terminates the respective lower control arm 34 (see, for example, Figure 5).The respective other lower link 34 of each pair of lower links 34 is comparatively short after the rotatable bearing 34a, 33b and each has a limit switch stop 34f that is slightly bent upwards, approximately by 20°, along the vertical axis Z in order to contact the corresponding limit switch 30c of the frame 30 and thereby actuate it, as already mentioned. The two pairs of lower links 34 are thus essentially mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal axis X, except for the sections of the mechanical control 34d including the lever 34e of one lower link 34 and the limit switch stop 34g of the other lower link 34 of each pair of lower links.

[0086] Handlebar 34.

[0087] Along the vertical axis Z above the two pairs of lower links 34, two pairs of upper links 35 extend parallel to the lower links 34. The upper links 35 are each rotatably or pivotably mounted along the vertical axis Z directly above the rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower links 34 by means of comparable pivot elements 35a in the corresponding four link connections 33c of the frame 33, which can also be referred to as rotatable bearings 35a, 33c of the upper links 35, as already mentioned. With the pivot elements 35a, the upper links 35 end facing each other along the transverse axis Y. Opposite, the four upper links 35 also extend straight and parallel away from the pivot elements 35a and are bent upwards at the ends by 90° along the vertical direction Z. At their respective ends, the four upper links 35 can each be rotated or locked by means of a securing element connection 35b.pivotally connected to a corresponding upper link connection 37b of the respective securing element 37, see e.g. Figures 5 and 6.

[0088] The frame 33, a pair of lower links 34, the corresponding pair of upper links 35 and the corresponding securing element 37 thus each form a four-bar linkage 33, 34, 35, 37, so that the securing element 37 can perform an arcuate movement relative to the frame 33 of the securing unit 3 along the vertical axis Z downwards and simultaneously along the transverse axis Y outwards, and vice versa, as will be described in more detail below.

[0089] To execute this movement, a spring element 36 in the form of a pair of return springs 36 is provided for each pair of upper links 35, each of which is wound around a shaft receptacle 36b and fixedly connected to the shaft receptacle 36b at one end. The opposite end of the wound return spring 36 has a stop 36a, with which the return springs 36 each bear against a transverse web (not designated) of the respective pair of lower links 34. The shaft receptacles 36b of the respective pair of return springs 36 are each fixedly arranged between the pivot elements 35a of the respective pair of upper links 35 by means of a spring shaft 36c. Accordingly, a spring force can be exerted on the respective upper pair of links 35 by means of the two spring elements 36 in order to press the respective upper pair of links 35 downwards in the vertical direction Z towards the respective lower pair of links 34.

[0090] On the other hand, the lever 34e of each pair of lower links 34 can be pushed upwards along the vertical axis Z by the linear drive 32. This causes the opposite end of the pair of lower links 34 to pivot downwards along the vertical axis Z. This also leads to a downward pivoting of the respective upper link pair 35 due to the coupling of the respective lower and upper link pairs 34, 35 by means of the respective securing element 37.The design of the lower control arms 34 and upper control arms 35, which are each arranged one above the other, in particular due to the rotatable bearings 34a, 33b of the lower control arms 34 and the rotatable bearings 35a, 33c of the upper control arms 35, which are arranged directly above one another vertically on the one hand, and the ends of the lower control arms 34 and upper control arms 35, which are bent upwards with a different radius immediately before the connection to the securing element 37 on the other hand, means that the securing element 37 can be pivoted outwards in an arc along the transverse axis Y from a vertically upright position into a substantially horizontally flat position and vice versa, i.e. and back again, as already mentioned. The picked up logistics element 2 can be held or secured in the vertically upright position and released in the substantially horizontally flat position in order to be removed or loaded.

[0091] The securing element 37 can be designed to be correspondingly high along the vertical axis Z or, as in the present exemplary embodiment, can have a correspondingly high securing cover 37c or holder cover 37c, which can also serve to protect the underlying components from dirt, damage, blockage, contact and the like, see, for example, Figure 7.

[0092] The securing unit 3 can be used in a tugger train element 11 such that the translation element 32b of the linear drive 32 is located along the transverse axis Y in a central or half-extended or retracted position relative to the linear drive 32. As a result, the drive carriage 31 is also positioned centrally along the transverse axis Y. The two control rollers 31b are now arranged along the transverse axis Y on the drive carriage 31 such that the control rollers 31b are each spaced approximately one third along the transverse axis Y from the respective mechanical control 34d of the corresponding lower link 34 to the respective lever 34e, see e.g.

[0093] Figure 8. Accordingly, in this position, no force is exerted by the control rollers 31b on the respective lower link 34.

[0094] However, the respective spring element 36 has a restoring effect on the respective pair of upper links 35, which are thus pivoted upwards along the vertical axis Z as far as the corresponding cross struts 33e or cross plates 33e of the frame 33 allow. As a result, the securing elements 37 are each brought into the previously mentioned vertically upright securing position or held there, in which their securing covers 37c protrude as far upwards as possible along the vertical direction Z. As a result, a logistics element 2 can be held or secured from both sides along the transverse axis Y in the corresponding logistics element holder 14 of the tugger train element 11. The two securing elements 37 or their securing covers 37c can be designed to be correspondingly long or high in order to be able to securely hold even logistics elements 2 with comparatively large ground clearance.In this vertically upright securing position, the towing assembly 1 can now be moved.

[0095] In this vertically upright securing position, all four locking elements 34c or locking hooks 34c of the four lower links 34 are located along the vertical direction Z directly above the four blocking elements 31d of the drive carriage 31, so that the lower links 34 cannot be pushed downward by external influences such as a person's foot in this position of the drive carriage 31. This can ensure that the vertically upright securing position of the securing elements 37 can be maintained even when exposed to such external influences. This vertically upright securing position of the securing elements 37 thus also represents the previously mentioned securing blocked position.

[0096] In this vertically upright, secured and blocked position, the two limit switch stops 34f of the corresponding two lower links 34 are also in contact with the respective limit switch 30c of the frame 30, whereby the vertically upright, secured and blocked position of the securing unit 3 can be detected by sensors. This can be used to enable the ferry operation of the towing combination 1, for example, by a control unit of the towing vehicle 1.

[0097] In order to release the picked-up logistics element 2 and remove or unload it to one side along the transverse axis Y, the towing vehicle 1 must be stopped. The driver or user can then press or step with their foot against the foot switch 16 from whose logistics element holder 14 the logistics element 2 is to be removed. This can lead to a complete or one-sided lowering of the corresponding tugger train element 11 or even the entire tugger train assembly.

[0098] On the other hand, the logistics element 2 can be released, preferably at a later time until the lowering is complete, by pivoting the securing element 37 on the corresponding side of the securing unit 3 from the vertically upright securing position in an arc along the transverse axis Y beyond the lateral dimensions of the frame 12 of the tugger train element 11 outwards into the essentially horizontally flat releasing position. For this purpose, the translation element 32b of the linear drive 32 is retracted or extended in the opposite direction along the transverse axis Y, so that the drive carriage 31 is moved or rolled away on its four rollers 31a on the upper side of the frame 30 along the transverse axis Y from the side of the tugger train element 11 on which the logistics element 2 is to be removed.

[0099] As a result, the blocking elements 31d of the drive carriage 31 are first moved under the four

[0100] Locking elements 34c or locking hooks 34c of the four lower links 34 are moved away and thus the two pairs of lower links 34 are released, see e.g. Figure 9. As a result, the securing unit 3 or its corresponding securing element 37 is transferred from the securing position into the securing unblocked position or from the vertically upright securing blocked position into a vertically upright securing unblocked position.

[0101] At the same time, the contact between the two limit switch stops 34f of the corresponding two lower links 34 and the respective limit switch 30c of the frame 30 is eliminated, which can also be detected by sensors, as already mentioned. Accordingly, the ferry operation of the towing combination 1 can now be blocked by the control unit of the towing vehicle 1 in order to prevent the towing vehicle 1 from moving during the removal and loading of the tugger train element 11 for safety reasons.

[0102] The two control rollers 31b of the drive carriage 31 each also roll on the upper side of the frame 30 along the transverse axis Y away from the side of the tugger train element 11 from which the logistics element 2 is to be removed. Both control rollers 31b initially move in a straight line along the lower contour of the mechanical controls 34b of the respective lower link 34, so that initially no force is exerted and thus no actuation of the lower link 34 occurs (see, for example, Figure 9).

[0103] The movement of the translation element 32b of the linear drive 32 along the transverse axis Y is now continued, whereby the control roller 31b of the longer lower link 34 of the pair of lower links 34 whose securing element 37 is to be lowered comes into contact with its lever 34e from below along the vertical axis Z. Since the control rollers 31b roll on the upper side of the frame 30 and thus cannot be moved along the vertical axis Z, the contact between the control roller 31b and the lever 34e of the lower link 34 is translated into a lifting movement of the lever 34e of the lower link 34 along the vertical axis Z, which leads to an upward pivoting of the lever 34e of the lower link 34. Accordingly, the section of the lower link 34 opposite along the transverse axis Y is pivoted downwards.

[0104] Due to the arrangement and dimensioning of the four-bar linkage 33, 34, 35, 37, the securing element 37, including its securing cover 37c, is pivoted outward in an arc along the transverse axis Y into a substantially horizontally flat position, see, for example, Figure 10. The securing element 37 slides, so to speak, outward beneath the logistics element 2, whereby the securing element 37, despite its comparatively long or high extension, can simultaneously be moved into the releasing position by means of a comparatively flat kinematics of the securing unit 3, in favor of improved securing of logistics elements 2 with comparatively large ground clearance. The securing unit 3 also does not widen the tugger train element 11.Meanwhile, the control roller 31b of the longer lower link 34 of the other pair of lower links 34 continues to roll below the mechanical control 34d, which is correspondingly elongated along the transverse axis Y, so that the other pair of lower links 34 is not actuated. Thus, the securing element 37 on the opposite side is not lowered and remains in its vertically upright securing position, see, for example, Figure 10.

[0105] Logistics element 2 can now be removed. Loading and securing can be done in the reverse order as described above.

[0106] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS (part of the description)

[0107] A Direction of movement; direction of travel

[0108] X Longitudinal axis; Depth; Length

[0109] Y transverse axis; width

[0110] Z vertical axis; height

[0111] X, Y Horizontal; horizontal plane

[0112] 1 towing combination

[0113] 10 towing vehicle

[0114] 11 Tugger train elements or tugger train trailers

[0115] 12 Frame of a tugger train element 11

[0116] 13 wheels of a tugger train element 11

[0117] 14 Logistics element recordings of a tugger train element 11

[0118] 15 Scissor coupling

[0119] 16 Control element; button; foot switch

[0120] 2 logistics elements; roll container; roll cage

[0121] 20 Framework of a Logistics Element 2

[0122] 21 wheels of a logistics element 2

[0123] 3 securing units; holding units

[0124] 30 frame; base plate; drive carrier

[0125] 30a Frame brackets for frame 33

[0126] 30b drive mount

[0127] 30c limit switch

[0128] 31 drive carriages

[0129] 31a rollers

[0130] 31b Tax rolls

[0131] 31c Drive connection

[0132] 31d Blocking elements for locking elements 34c or for locking hooks 34c

[0133] 32 drive; linear drive

[0134] 32a Frame connection 32b Translation element

[0135] 32c sled connection

[0136] 33 frame

[0137] 33a Frame connections

[0138] 33b lower handlebar connections

[0139] 33c upper handlebar connections

[0140] 33d frame covers

[0141] 33e Cross braces; cross plates

[0142] 34 lower handlebars

[0143] 34a Swivel elements

[0144] 34b Securing element connections

[0145] 34c Locking elements; locking hooks

[0146] 34d mechanical controls

[0147] 34e lever

[0148] 34f limit switch stops

[0149] 35 upper handlebars

[0150] 35a Swivel elements

[0151] 35b Securing element connections

[0152] 36 spring elements; return springs

[0153] 36a stops

[0154] 36b Wave recordings

[0155] 36c spring shafts

[0156] 37 securing elements; holder elements

[0157] 37a lower handlebar connections

[0158] 37b upper handlebar connections

[0159] 37c Fuse covers; holder covers

[0160] 33, 34, 35, 37 four-bar linkages

[0161] 34a, 33b rotating bearings of the lower control arms 34

[0162] 35a, 33c rotating bearings of the upper control arms 35

Claims

TI PATENT CLAIMS 1. Tugger train element (11) with at least one logistics element receptacle (14) for receiving a logistics element (2) along the transverse axis (Y) from at least one side and with at least one securing unit (3) which is designed and configured to hold a received logistics element (2) along the transverse axis (Y) in the logistics element receptacle (14) and to release it from the logistics element receptacle (14), characterized in that the securing unit (3) is designed to pivot at least one securing element (37) from a vertically upright securing position in an arc along the transverse axis (Y) outwards into a substantially horizontally flat releasing position, and vice versa.

2. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 1, wherein the securing unit (3) is designed to pivot the securing element (37) along the transverse axis (Y) beyond the lateral dimensions of a frame (12) of the tugger train element (11).

3. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the securing unit (3), preferably in pairs, has a four-bar linkage (33, 34, 35, 37) with a lower link (34) and an upper link (35) along the vertical axis (Z), which extend essentially parallel to one another along the transverse axis (Y) and one above the other along the vertical axis (Z) and pivotally connect the securing element (37) to a fixed frame (33) of the securing unit (3).

4. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 3, wherein the lower link (34) and the upper link (35) are mounted so as to be rotatable directly one above the other along the vertical axis (Z), and wherein the lower link (34) and the upper link (35) are bent upwards at their ends facing the securing element (37) so as to run parallel to one another along the vertical axis (Z), preferably at a right angle.

5. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the upper link (35) is rotatably mounted at its end facing away from the securing element (37).

6. Tugger train element (11) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the lower link (34) is designed to be lowered by a drive (32) along the vertical axis (Z).

7. Tugger train element (11) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the lower link (34) is rotatably mounted facing away from the securing element (37), wherein the securing element (37) beyond the rotatable mounting (34a, 33b) at its end facing away from the securing element (37) has in sections a mechanical control (34d) which is designed to be actuated by a control roller (31b).

8. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 7, wherein the mechanical control (34d) has, facing away from the securing element (37), preferably at the end, a lever (34e) pointing downwards at an angle, preferably approximately 45°, along the vertical axis (Z).

9. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the securing unit (3) has a drive (32) which is designed to move the control roller (31b) along the transverse axis (Y), preferably in a straight line, relative to the mechanical control (34d) of the lower link (34).

10. Tugger train element (11) according to claim 9, wherein the drive (32) is designed as a linear drive (32) and wherein the securing unit (3) has a drive carriage (31) which has the control roller (31b) and is designed to be moved by the linear drive (32) in a translational manner along the transverse axis (X) relative to the lower link (34).

11. Tugger train element (11) according to one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the securing unit (3) has at least one spring element (36) which is designed to counteract the rotatability of the lower link (34) and / or the upper link (35). Tugger train element (11) according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the mechanical control (34d) extends in a straight line in sections along the transverse axis (Y), wherein the lower link (34) in the straight line section of the mechanical control (34d) has at least one locking element (34c), which is aligned with a blocking element (31d) movable jointly with the control roller (31b) along the vertical axis (Z) when the securing element (37) is in the vertically upright securing position. Tugger train element (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing unit (3) has at least one limit switch (30c), which is designed and configured to be actuated by a limit switch stop (34f) of the securing unit (3), preferably of the lower link (34), when the securing element (37) is in the vertically upright securing position.Tugger train element (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the logistics element receptacle (14) is designed to receive the logistics element (2) along the transverse axis (Y) from both sides, wherein the securing unit (3) is designed and configured at least substantially mirror-symmetrically along the transverse axis (Y) to hold the received logistics element (2) in the logistics element receptacle (14) along the transverse axis (Y) from both sides and to release it from the logistics element receptacle (14). Tugger train element (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tugger train element (11) is designed and configured to lower and raise the logistics element receptacle (14) along the vertical axis (Z) on at least one side independently of the side opposite along the transverse axis (Y), and / or wherein the tugger train element (11) has at least two logistics element receptacles (14) along the longitudinal axis (X).

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