Knuckle-bearing hinge for folding cab side wall extension, hinge combination, cover with hinge construction and tractor with cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) for folding and locking a cover (2) to a truck cab (3), comprising a base plate (4) for attachment to the cab (3), which includes a first joint (5) on which a first support strut (6) is pivotally mounted, wherein the first support strut (6) has a second joint (7) on which a second support strut (8) is pivotally mounted, wherein the first support strut (6) and the second support strut (8) are prepared to hold the cover (2), wherein a toggle lever (9) is pivotally connected on one side to the base plate (4) and on the other side to the second support strut (8) and is designed, dimensioned and arranged such that the toggle lever (9) in a locking position prevents the hinge (1, 10; 101; 201) from pivoting outwards. 210) prevents and allows the hinge to swing out in a release position (1, 10; 101; 201, 210).The invention also relates to such a usable hinge combination, a cover (2) with such a hinge combination and a tractor unit of a semi-trailer truck with such a cover (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hinge for the foldable and lockable attachment of a cover to the cab of a truck. The cover can also be referred to as an aerodynamic improvement cover, cab side wall extension, or panel. Such covers are intended to conceal a gap / gap / passage / tunnel between the cab and the truck's box body. The gap / gap / passage / tunnel can also be referred to as a catwalk. A box body is understood to be a container-like cargo transport unit.

[0002] Over time, the aerodynamic requirements for trucks, especially tractor units of semi-trailer trucks with box bodies, have become more stringent. The primary goal is to achieve better drag coefficients (Cd values) in order to reduce the truck's fuel consumption.

[0003] Therefore, covers / aerodynamic improvement covers / cab side wall extensions / panels to bridge the gap between the rear wall of the truck cab and the front of the box have proven effective on modern trucks.

[0004] However, in certain situations the driver must be able to access the catwalk / the gap / the passage / the tunnel between the cab and the box body, for example to check the hydraulic system or to carry out service or maintenance work.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to design these covers / aerodynamic improvement covers / cab side wall extensions / panels to be foldable and to lock them in the position where the aerodynamics are improved.

[0006] Solutions using snap fasteners already exist. Hinges are also an established solution in the state of the art. These hinges are held in their end positions by detent and spring mechanisms. The covers of such hinges must always be moved past a dead center point when they are opened or closed.

[0007] According to current technology, such panels / side panels are often opened inwards using simple rotary hinges. In this case, strong gusts of wind during reverse loading are not as critical, as the panel / flap would close against the rear wall without causing damage if the wind forces exceed the spring force. These hinges do not necessarily require a locking mechanism; a spring action is often sufficient.

[0008] A design where the flap folds inwards is often not possible due to potential collisions with other components of the truck.

[0009] Against this background, the only remaining option is usually to fold the door outwards. In current technology, this is implemented, for example, in a manner similar to an outward-folding revolving door. However, the folding revolving door solution requires a significant amount of space, which is why, in most cases, multiple hinges are used to achieve the outward opening of the door.

[0010] However, the aforementioned technical solutions must withstand very high loads. For example, a common requirement for hinges with integrated locking mechanisms is that even when trucks with cab covers attached are transported facing the opposite direction on a train, they must withstand air gusts, such as those caused by multiple trains passing each other or entering a tunnel. These gusts can quickly reach several hundred Newtons. Existing solutions cannot meet these requirements. They are also often too complex in design and therefore too expensive.

[0011] It is nevertheless known that hinges exist for the folding and lockable attachment of a cover to a truck cab, comprising a base plate for attachment to the cab, which includes a first joint on which a first support strut is pivotally mounted, wherein the first support strut has a second joint on which a second support strut is pivotally mounted, and wherein the first and second support struts are prepared to hold / insert the cover (against gravity). However, the invention aims to achieve an improvement on this.

[0012] The aim is to eliminate or at least mitigate the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0013] The invention proposes, for a hinge of this type, that a toggle lever is pivotally connected on one side to the base plate and on the other side to the second support strut, and is designed, dimensioned, and arranged such that it prevents the hinge from pivoting in a locked position and allows the hinge to pivot in a released position. In this way, an aerodynamically optimized configuration of the cover can be assumed in the locked position, and in the released position, the cover can be pivoted out, i.e., removed from the catwalk, so that it is accessible to service personnel, maintenance personnel, and / or the driver.

[0014] The base plate can also be referred to (more generally) as the basic component.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are explained in more detail below.

[0016] It is therefore advantageous if the toggle lever has an action lever that is articulated to a reaction lever via a knee joint. The action lever is actuated and then forces a subsequent movement of the reaction lever. If the toggle lever is in a nearly extended, fully extended, or even overextended position, it effectively prevents further pivoting of the hinge from the locked to the unlocked position. The action lever is usually shorter than the reaction lever, which has a positive effect on the efficiency of the locking mechanism. Furthermore, a small movement of the action lever results in a large movement of the reaction lever, similar to a simple gear mechanism. A well-designed toggle lever is thus achievable.

[0017] It has also proven effective to have the action lever pivotally attached to the base plate and the reaction lever pivotally attached to the second support strut, with the knee joint positioned between them. Folding / pivoting the individual parts relative to each other is then easily achieved. This results in a stable and permanently maintenance-free construction.

[0018] If a spring, such as a gas spring, is positioned between the base plate and the toggle lever in such a way that the spring forces the toggle lever into the locking position, then unintentional release from the locking position and into the unlocked position can be effectively prevented. This ensures precise operation of the hinge.

[0019] To achieve efficient power transmission with minimal force, it is advantageous for the spring to actuate the lever. This eliminates the need for heavy components and minimizes the overall weight.

[0020] Another advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the first support strut has a (preferably adjustable) first stop for contacting the base plate and / or a (preferably adjustable) second stop for contacting the toggle lever. The locking position can thus be precisely determined and exactly distinguished from the release position, which also affects the precision of the transition between the cab and the cover on the one hand, and between the cover and the box on the other. This allows any gap to be kept small and the gap dimensions to be reduced.

[0021] For good interaction between the individual parts, it is advantageous if the second stop is designed to come into contact with the reaction lever.

[0022] It is advantageous if the position of the knee joint and the position of the second stop, as well as the lengths and geometry of the first and second support struts, are chosen / predetermined in such a way that the hinge is forced to self-lock in the blocked position. This eliminates the need for retaining elements such as snap locks or strong springs, thus keeping costs down.

[0023] It is advantageous to have a lever-like handle that engages the toggle lever (preferably its action lever), for example via a cable or at least one flat pull strap, so that when the handle is activated, the locking position is released and the pivoting movement of the hinge is initiated. With at least one flat pull strap, the forces are distributed more evenly at the deflection points, thus preventing the cutting action that can occur with a cable. The hinge can also be designed more compactly with at least one flat pull strap.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the hinge according to the disclosure, at least one tension band is formed by one or two spring steel bands.

[0025] Depending on the size of the cover to be supported, and thus the hinge, an elastic limit of at least 1000 N / mm² may be required for the spring steel band due to the forces involved. The spring steel band facilitates easier connection at the ends, for example, with a punched through-hole for screwing or hooking, and direct connection to the lever-like handle.

[0026] To effectively support the weight of the cover, it is advantageous to have an additional support strut between the base plate and the toggle lever, pivotally mounted to both components. This positively impacts the overall stability of the hinge. This strut is preferably designed as one of four links in a four-bar linkage and is technically crucial for the function of the four-bar linkage. The technical advantage of the strut / link lies particularly in its ability to open a side panel in a semicircular combination of rotation and outward sliding. Without the strut / link, the system would have one degree of freedom too many and would therefore be statically indeterminate / kinematically indeterminate.

[0027] The design as a multi-joint, especially as a four-joint, is therefore so advantageous because it requires little space.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cable or at least one pull cord is routed along the auxiliary strut and redirected at the joint where the auxiliary strut is attached to the base plate. This allows for efficient forced movement of the toggle lever, particularly the action lever.

[0029] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the handle, the additional strut, and the reaction lever are coupled at the same joint. This allows for a compact design, as the hinge then requires very little installation space.

[0030] An advantageous embodiment is further characterized in that the base plate, the first support strut, the second support strut, the additional support strut, the action lever and / or the reaction lever are plate-shaped and / or have a U-shaped, L-shaped or I-shaped cross-section (at least partially / predominantly / substantially). The base plate may also have a corresponding profile.

[0031] For the force transmission, it is advantageous if the (gas pressure) spring and the cable pull or the flat pull band have essentially the same direction of action ±5° to ±30° or exactly the same direction of action.

[0032] The second support strut is preferably fixed and rigidly attached to the cover. It could therefore also be referred to as the cover-side base plate or base component. Two or more spaced-apart fasteners can be used to secure the second support strut to the cover.

[0033] The invention also relates to a hinge combination with a first hinge according to the presented type and a second hinge coupled at a height offset to it via a torque transmission element, which is kinematically identical to the first hinge, wherein the torque transmission element couples the two toggle levers of the two hinges to each other in a rotationally fixed manner in order to force a rotational movement of the action lever of the first hinge onto the toggle lever of the second hinge, and onto a corresponding action lever on the same.

[0034] It is also advantageous if the torque transmission element is a rod with a non-circular cross-section, for example polygonal, angular, or ellipsoidal, at least in the coupling area to the two action levers. This allows for the use of a torsionally rigid rod profile on the one hand, and a torque-transmission-optimized profile on the other. Twisting or unnecessary tolerances in the area where the rod connects to the two action levers can thus be avoided.

[0035] It has also proven advantageous to locate the torque transmission device in the area of ​​the first joint.

[0036] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first hinge and the second hinge each have a lever, but the second hinge does not have a cable pull and / or a flat pull strap and / or a spring.

[0037] It is advantageous if the spring is positioned closer to the first joint on the action lever than the cable or flat pull cord, or vice versa. Both variants have their own advantages and disadvantages, although depending on the application, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

[0038] Due to the high position of the hinges in this application, in one embodiment the operating handle can be relocated to a position below the hinge that is accessible to the driver. Since the cable / steel band principle is no longer easy to implement under these circumstances, the knee joint is reversed and the connecting rod is rerouted from the cab to the side panel. The handle is then simply attached further down to the extended connecting rod, allowing the locking lever to be rotated from the 180° locking position (past the dead center of the gas spring).

[0039] The invention also relates to a cover with the hinge construction presented above for attachment to a rear wall of a truck cab.

[0040] Ultimately, the invention also relates to a tractor unit of a semi-trailer truck, with a cover attached to the rear wall of the truck cab of the tractor unit.

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a large hinge according to the invention in a perspective view, showing how the hinge is attached on the one hand to a rear wall of a truck cab and on the other hand holds the cover in an aerodynamically optimized position, i.e. in a locking position; Fig. 2 shows the hinge made of Fig. 1in a comparable representation, but in a release position, i.e., a position in which the cover is swung out and exposes the catwalk, with the front edge of the cover lying almost against the side wall of the cab, Fig. 3 an enlargement of the hinge of the Fig. 1 and 2 , Fig. 4 the hinge of the Figs. 1 to 3 in an abstracted rod-like / vector-like nature to explain the individual force parameters as they appear in the hinge of the embodiment of the Figs. 1 to 3Fig. 5 shows the representation of the individual force components within a rod-shaped design / vector representation for a further embodiment of the hinge according to the invention in a smaller variant. Fig. 6 shows the hinge according to a further embodiment with a flat tension band. Fig. 7 shows a hinge combination according to a further embodiment in a state where the cover covers the catwalk. Fig. 8 shows the hinge combination made of Fig. 7 in a state where the cover exposes the catwalk.

[0042] The figures are purely schematic and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical elements are identified by the same reference numerals. Features of the individual embodiments can be interchanged or complementary.

[0043] In Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a first hinge 1 according to the invention. It is designed for the hinged and lockable attachment of a cover 2 to the cab of a truck (not shown in detail). The hinge 1 has a base plate 4 for attachment to the cab 3. The base plate 4 has a first joint 5 on which a first support strut 6 is pivotally mounted. The first support strut 6 has a second joint 7 on which a second support strut 8 is pivotally mounted. The second support strut 8 is designed to hold / support the cover 2. It is correspondingly robust / stable. According to the invention, a toggle lever 9 is pivotally connected on one side to the base plate 4 and on the other side to the second support strut 8. The toggle lever 9 engages at the joint between the first support strut 6 and the base plate 4, namely the first joint 5. The toggle lever 9 passes through the first support strut 6 in a recess / opening / slot.

[0044] The first hinge 1 is in the Fig. 1 locked in the blocking position and in the release position Fig. 2 swung out. As can be seen in both figures, in addition to the first hinge 1, there is also a second hinge 10, which is basically constructed the same way. The first hinge 1 and the second hinge 10 are coupled to each other via a torque transmission element 11, which is designed as a rod 12. In particular, the rod 12 couples an action lever 13 of the toggle lever 9 of the first hinge 1 with a corresponding action lever 13 of the toggle lever 9 of the second hinge 10.

[0045] How to improve even further Fig. 3 As can be seen, there is also a spring 14, which is designed as a gas spring 15. This spring 14 is attached on one side to the base plate 4 and on the other side to the action lever 13 of the toggle lever 9 of the first hinge 1. The second hinge 10 does not have such a spring 14.

[0046] A lever-like handle 16 is also pivotally attached to the first hinge 1, wherein, in the first embodiment, a cable (not shown in detail) is provided on the handle 16, which is guided along an additional support strut 17, is guided around a third joint 18 on the base plate 4, to which the additional support strut 17 is attached, and is fixed to the action lever 13.

[0047] If the handle 16 is now actuated clockwise, the cable is actuated via the handle 16 such that the cable pulls on the action lever 13 and rotates the action lever 13 about the fourth joint 19, via which the toggle lever 9 or the action lever 13 is coupled to the base plate 4. The fourth joint 19 can be identical to the first joint 5.

[0048] When the action lever 13 is activated counterclockwise by the cable, it compresses the spring 14 / gas spring 15 and allows the toggle lever 9 to leave its locking position. In the locking position, the toggle lever 9, or rather a reaction lever 20 which is connected to the action lever 13 via a toggle joint 21, rests against the first support strut 6, specifically in the area of ​​a first stop 22, preventing movement. There is also a second stop, referenced by the reference numeral 23, against which the first support strut 6 with the base plate 4 comes to rest in the locking position.

[0049] Both the stop 22 and the stop 23 are adjustable, for example via adjustment means provided there, such as screws or nuts, for example by adding elastic buffers, such as rubber buffers.

[0050] Fig. 6shows a second embodiment of the hinge 101, which is essentially the same as the first embodiment according to the Figs. 1 to 3 corresponds. The essential difference is that the (in the Figs. 1 to 3 The (not visible) cable pull of the first embodiment is replaced by a spring steel band 102. Depending on the size of the cover 2 to be supported, and thus of the hinge 101, an elastic limit of at least 1000 N / mm² may be required for the spring steel band 102 due to the forces involved. The spring steel band 102 makes it easier to connect the ends, for example, with a punched through hole for screwing or hooking, and direct connection to the lever-like handle (actuating lever) 16. Furthermore, the forces at the deflection points, such as the visible deflection point of the joint 18, are distributed more evenly, thus preventing cutting into the material as occurs with the cable pull. The system is also more space-saving.

[0051] In one specific variant, a spring steel strip 102 with a cross-section of 10 x 0.1 mm is used. This ensures that the spring steel strip 102 does not break at the deflection points. To prevent the spring steel strip 102 from tearing out at the punched through holes, two spring steel strips 102 can be layered on top of each other. This maintains the flexibility while doubling the tensile strength.

[0052] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a hinge combination with two hinges 201, 210, via which the cover 2 is hinged to the driver's cab 3.

[0053] The complete closed position of the cover 2 shown is secured, since the two toggle levers 9 of the respective hinges 201, 210 are in full extension.

[0054] Due to the high position of the hinges 201, 210 in this specific application, the handle 16 was relocated to a position accessible to the driver below the lower first hinge 201. Since the cable / steel band principle is no longer implemented under these conditions, the knee joint 21 was reversed compared to the previous embodiments. The rod 12, serving as the torque transmission element 11, was relocated from the driver's cab 3 to the cover 2. The handle 16 is attached to the lower end of the downwardly extended rod 12, allowing the action lever 13 to be directly rotated or pivoted so that the knee lever 9 is released from the (in Fig. 7 The 180° locking position (as shown) is moved.

[0055] Figure 8 The hinge combination shows Figure 7 with the two hinges 201, 210, with the cover 2 open so that the catwalk is released. Reference symbol list

[0056] 1 Hinge / first hinge 2 Cover 3 Cab / truck cab 4 Base plate 5 First joint 6 First support strut 7 Second joint 8 Second support strut 9 Toggle lever 10 Second hinge 11 Torque transmission element 12 Rod 13 Action lever 14 Spring 15 Gas spring 16 Handle / handle-like lever 17 Auxiliary support strut 18 Joint between auxiliary support strut and base plate / third joint 19 Joint between action lever and base plate / fourth joint 20 Reaction lever 21 Toggle joint 22 Stop between reaction lever and first support strut / first stop 23 Stop between first support strut and base plate / second stop 101 Hinge / first hinge 102 Spring steel band 201 First hinge 210 Second hinge

Claims

1. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) for hinged and lockable attachment of a cover (2) to a cab (3) of a truck, with a base plate (4) for attachment to the cab (3), wherein the hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) includes a first joint (5) on which a first support strut (6) is pivotally mounted, wherein the first support strut (6) has a second joint (7) on which a second support strut (8) is pivotally mounted, wherein the first support strut (6) and the second support strut (8) are prepared to hold the cover (2), characterized by the fact that a toggle lever (9) is pivotally connected on one side to the base plate (4) and on the other side to the second support strut (8) and is designed, dimensioned and arranged such that the toggle lever (9) prevents the hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) from pivoting out in a locking position and allows the hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) to pivot out in a release position.

2. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the knee lever (9) has an action lever (13) which is articulated to a reaction lever (20) via a knee joint (21).

3. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the action lever (13) is pivotally connected to the base plate (4) on one side and the reaction lever (20) is pivotally connected to the second support strut (8) on the other side and the knee joint (21) is arranged in between.

4. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that a spring (14) is arranged between the base plate (4) and the toggle lever (9) such that the spring (14) forces the toggle lever (9) into the locking position.

5. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the spring (14) engages the action lever (13).

6. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact thatthe first support strut (6) has a first stop (23) to come into contact with the base plate (4) and / or a second stop (22) to come into contact with the toggle lever (9).

7. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the second stop (22) is designed to come into contact with the reaction lever (20).

8. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that the position of the knee joint (21) and the position of the second stop (22) as well as the lengths and geometry of the first support strut (6) and the second support strut (8) are chosen such that in the blocking position a self-locking of the hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210 is forced.

9. Hinge (1; 101; 201, 210) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact thata lever-like handle (16) is present and engages the knee lever (9), for example via a cable or a flat band, such that when the handle (16) is activated, the locking position is left and the pivoting movement of the hinge (1) is initiated.

10. Hinge (1, 10; 101; 201, 210) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the second support strut (8) can be firmly connected to or is connected to the cover (2).

11. Hinge combination comprising a first hinge (1; 201) according to one of the preceding claims and a second hinge (10; 210) coupled at a height offset thereto via a torque transmission element (11), which is kinematically identical to the first hinge (1; 201), wherein the torque transmission element (11) couples the two toggle levers (9) of the two hinges (1; 201 and 10; 210) to each other in a rotationally fixed manner in order to force a rotational movement of the action lever (13) of the first hinge (1; 201) onto the toggle lever (9) of the second hinge (10; 210).

12. Cover (2) with the hinge combination according to claim 11 for attachment to a rear wall of a truck cab (3).

13. Tractor unit of a semi-trailer truck, with a cover (2) according to claim 12, which is attached to the rear wall of the truck cab (3) of the tractor unit.

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