Lifting system for autonomous transport device.

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting cylinder (1b) for a lifting system (2b) designed to equip a transport device comprising a self-supporting platform and a capsule transported by the platform. The cylinder (1b) is designed to cooperate with a cup (3b) of the lifting system (2b). The cylinder (1b) has a functional head (4b) that is insertable into the cup (3b). The functional head (4b) has interaction means (5b) allowing at least one interaction between the functional head (4b) and the cup (3b), separate from the lifting action, when the functional head (4b) is inserted into the cup (3b). The invention also relates to the cup (3b) having complementary means designed to cooperate with the interaction means (5b). The invention also relates to a lifting system (2b) comprising the cylinder (1b) and the cup (2b), and finally, a transport device equipped with the lifting system (2b). (Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Lifting system for autonomous transport device.

[0001] The technical field concerns transport devices comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, as well as lifting systems for such transport devices, lifting cylinders for such lifting systems and finally the receiving cups for the cylinders of the lifting systems.

[0002] In a context where ecological concerns are becoming very important and where traffic in large urban centers is becoming increasingly difficult, automobile manufacturers are striving to develop new autonomous means of transport designed to transport several passengers and to supplement and / or replace, in an urban environment, individual vehicles. Thus, a new autonomous means of transport has recently been developed and comprises an autonomous electric platform, provided with a battery. The platform is equipped with an autonomous piloting system coupled with sensors analyzing the environment in order to detect possible obstacles. The platform is designed to move a capsule forming a compartment suitable for transporting a group of passengers. The capsule rests on the ground on fixed feet allowing the platform to move under the capsule, between the feet, in order to lift the capsule in order to move it.The capsule is lifted by the platform using jacks, preferably four jacks, arranged on the platform. Such a means of transport is for example described in document EP3536584. An improved version of such a means of transport, not described in this document and for which the present invention is particularly suitable, comprises multidirectional wheels.

[0003] Lifting the capsule of such a device requires correct and precise positioning of the platform under the capsule. Without precise positioning, lifting the capsule proves uncomfortable for the passengers present in the capsule. Furthermore, it is essential that the means of transport is as autonomous as possible, without requiring the intervention of an operator during the lifting of the capsule to, for example, connect the electrical cables necessary to power the capsule. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure that the lifting of the capsule is safe.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a new autonomous means of transport as described above in which the lifting of the capsule can be carried out in a simple, secure and autonomous manner.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the problems set out above. In this technical context, one aim of the present invention is to provide a jack for forming, with a cup, a system for lifting a capsule, further making it possible to simplify and functionalize the coupling of the jack in the cup during lifting.

[0006] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a lifting cylinder for a lifting system designed to equip a transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the cylinder being designed to cooperate with a receiving cup of the lifting system, the cylinder comprising a functional head insertable into the cup to carry out lifting, the cylinder being characterized in that the functional head comprises interaction means allowing at least one interaction between the functional head and the cup, distinct from lifting, when the functional head is introduced into the cup.

[0007] The invention also relates to a lifting cup designed to form, with a lifting cylinder according to the invention, a lifting system designed to equip a transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the cup comprising complementary means arranged in the cup and designed to cooperate with the interaction means of the functional head of the cylinder.

[0008] The invention also relates to a lifting system, designed to equip a transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the lifting system comprising, on the one hand, a jack according to the invention designed to be fixed on a platform or a capsule of the transport device and, on the other hand, a cup sized to receive the functional head of the jack and designed to be fixed respectively on the capsule or the platform.

[0009] The invention finally relates to a transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the transport device being characterized in that it comprises at least one lifting system according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, a jack according to the invention makes it possible to form with a cup, for example a cup according to the invention, a lifting system making it possible to lift a capsule from a transport device according to the invention. The lifting system makes it possible to provide an additional functionality, in addition to lifting, making it possible to simplify the transport device.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the jack according to the invention, the interaction means are designed to cooperate with complementary means arranged in the cup.

[0012] Advantageously, the interaction means allow locking of the functional head in the cup by cooperating with complementary means of locking devices arranged in the cup. Thus, the means of interaction make it possible to functionalize the lifting by ensuring that the capsule is locked on the platform in order to secure the lifting.

[0013] According to one possibility, the interaction means comprise an electrical connector designed and arranged to provide an electrical connection with a complementary connector arranged in the cup. Thus, the interaction means make it possible to provide an electrical connection between the capsule and the platform, during lifting, to supply the capsule with electricity.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the jack according to the invention, the interaction means allow filtering of the relative movements of the functional head with respect to the cup during lifting. Thus, the interaction means make it possible to ensure an increased level of comfort at the time of lifting by avoiding transmitting vibrations and / or parasitic movements from the lifting system, such as for example vibrations from a motor used to move the jack.

[0015] According to one possibility of the lifting system according to the invention, it comprises a cup according to the invention.

[0016] Advantageously, the lifting system comprises means for taking up vertical and / or horizontal play designed to take up vertical and / or horizontal play when the jack is inserted into the cup to carry out lifting.

[0017] The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cup and a jack according to the invention, together forming a lifting system according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a sectional view of the first embodiment of the lifting system of [Fig.l], the interaction means allowing filtration of the relative movements of the cup and the functional head;

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a sectional view of a second embodiment of a lifting system according to the invention having a second embodiment of a jack and a second embodiment of a cup according to the invention, the interaction means allowing locking of the functional head in the cup;

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a sectional view of a third embodiment of a lifting system according to the invention having a third embodiment of a cup and a third embodiment of a jack according to the invention, the interaction means allowing the establishment of an electrical connection.

[0022] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0023] A lifting cylinder 1a, 1b, 1c according to the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, is designed to form a lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c, illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. The lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c is designed to equip a transport device according to the invention, not illustrated in the figures, which comprises an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform. For example, the autonomous platform is set in motion by a propulsion system with multidirectional wheels. The platform comprises, for example, a battery and / or an autonomous piloting system with a plurality of sensors designed to analyze the environment in order to detect possible obstacles. The capsule is, for example, provided with feet, preferably fixed, allowing the platform to position itself under the capsule in order to lift the capsule and then move it. The capsule is preferably suitable for transporting people and / or objects.

[0024] The jack 1a, 1b, 1c is designed to cooperate with a cup 3a, 3b, 3c for receiving the lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c. The cup 3a, 3b, 3c has a convex spherical shape, as illustrated in the figures.

[0025] The jack 1a, 1b, 1c has a functional head 4a, 4b, 4c insertable into the cup 3a, 3b, 3c to perform lifting. In order to facilitate the insertion of the jack 1a, 1b, 1c into the cup 3a, 3b, 3c, the functional head 4a, 4b, 4c has a rounded and / or conical shape and acts as a centering device.

[0026] The jack 1a, 1b, 1c according to the invention is particular in that the functional head 4a, 4b, 4c comprises interaction means 5a, 5b, 5c which allow at least one interaction between the functional head 4a, 4b, 4c and the cup 3a, 3b, 3c, distinct from the lifting, when the functional head 4a, 4b, 4c is introduced into the cup 3a, 3b, 3c.

[0027] In the lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cup 3a, 3b, 3c comprises, for example, complementary means 6a, 6b, 6c arranged in the cup 3a, 3b, 3c and designed to cooperate with the interaction means 5a, 5b, 5c of the functional head 4a, 4b, 4c of the jack 1a, 1b, 1c.

[0028] In the example illustrated in the figures, the lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c comprises means for compensating for horizontal play 7, particularly visible in [Fig.l], comprising a cylindrical cage 8 fixed to a mounting support plate 9, illustrated in [Fig.l], and intended to be secured to the capsule of the transport device. Advantageously, the lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c also has means for compensating for vertical play comprising for example at least one compensation spring, not illustrated, in order to allow the transport device according to the invention, equipped with at least one lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c, to overcome vertical positioning dispersions in the case of uneven ground. Such means of vertical clearance compensation allows the capsule to be lifted with the platform comprising four jacks 1a, 1b, 1c according to the invention moved simultaneously, at the same speed, with a single motor, not illustrated.

[0029] In a first embodiment of the lifting system 2a according to the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the interaction means 5a allow a filtration of the relative movements of a first embodiment of the cup 3a according to the invention and of the functional head 4a of a first embodiment of the jack 1a according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 2]. For this purpose, the interaction means 5a comprise a first seal 10, made of elastomeric material, forming a cylindrical ring 11 arranged on the functional head 4a and forming a connection with a body 12 of the jack 1a.

[0030] In order to ensure filtration of the relative movements of the cup 3a with the functional head 4a, the cup 3a advantageously also comprises complementary means 6a making it possible to cooperate with the interaction means 5a. The latter comprise a second seal 13, made of elastomeric material, arranged so as to ensure an elastic connection between the cylindrical cage 8 and the cup 3a. Thus, when lifting the capsule from the transport device, noise and parasitic movements, linked for example to the alignment and introduction of the functional head 4a of the jack 2a into the cup 3a, are absorbed by the interaction means 5a. The comfort for the passengers of the capsule is thus improved.

[0031] In a second embodiment of the lifting system 2b according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 3], the interaction means 5b allow locking of the functional head 4b in the cup 3b by cooperating with complementary means 6b such as complementary locking means 14 arranged in the cup 3b. For this purpose, the interaction means 5b comprise a recess 15 provided with a plate 16 arranged, for example, at a free end 17 of the functional head 4b intended to be introduced into the cup 3b. The plate 16 is, for example, mounted to be mobile in rotation, along an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plate 16 coinciding, for example, with an axis of symmetry of the jack 4b. The plate 16 has an orifice, not visible, designed to accommodate additional means 6b arranged in the cup 3b such as additional locking means 14.The complementary locking means 14 comprise a locking cylinder 18 on the cup 3b. When the functional head 4b is introduced into the cup 3b, the locking cylinder 18 is introduced into the orifice of the plate 16. The shapes of the orifice and of the locking cylinder 18 are chosen to allow locking of the locking cylinder 18 in the orifice by rotating the locking cylinder 18 and / or the plate 16. Thus, once the locking cylinder 18 is locked in the orifice, the functional head 4b becomes integral with the cup. 3b and cannot be disengaged without unlocking by a new rotation of the locking cylinder 18 and / or the plate 16. The rotation of the plate 16 makes it possible, for example, to screw the locking cylinder 18 into the orifice thanks to a screw thread 19 present on the locking cylinder 18 and a thread provided on the plate 16. Alternatively, the locking cylinder 18 has lugs, not shown, which can be introduced into a predetermined position in the orifice.

[0032] In a third embodiment of the lifting system 2c according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig. 4], the interaction means 5c allow the establishment of an electrical connection between the functional head 4c and the cup 3c by cooperating with complementary means 6c such as complementary connection means 20 arranged in the cup 3c. For this purpose, the interaction means 5c comprise a female electrical connector 21 designed and positioned to cooperate with the complementary connection means 20 which comprise, for example, a complementary electrical connector 22, in this case a male electrical connector 23.

[0033] Thus, according to one possibility of the invention, the interaction means 5c are designed to cooperate with complementary locking means 14 or connection means 20 arranged in the cup 3c.

[0034] Thus, the jack 1a, 1b, 1c according to the invention, as well as the cup 3a, 3b, 3c makes it possible to provide a lifting system 2a, 2b, 2c making it possible to improve a transport device according to the invention while simplifying and / or providing additional functionality, thus increasing the autonomy of the transport device.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the jack or the cup described above, only as examples, but other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the framework and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Lifting cylinder (la, 1b, 1c) for a lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c) designed to equip a transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the cylinder (la, 1b, 1c) being designed to cooperate with a cup (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving the lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c), the cylinder (la, 1b, 1c) comprising a functional head (4a, 4b, 4c) insertable into the cup (3a, 3b, 3c) to carry out a lifting, the cylinder (la, 1b, 1c) being characterized in that the functional head (4a, 4b, 4c) comprises interaction means (5a, 5b, 5c) allowing at least one interaction between the functional head (4a, 4b, 4c) and the cup (3a, 3b, 3c), distinct from the lifting, when the functional head (4a, 4b, 4c) is introduced into the cup (3a, 3b, 3c), the interaction means (5a, 5b, 5c) being designed to cooperate with complementary means arranged in the cup (3a, 3b, 3c),characterized in that the interaction means (5c) comprise an electrical connector (21) designed and arranged to provide an electrical connection with a complementary connector (22) arranged in the cup (3c).,

2. Lifting cylinder (1b) according to claim 1 characterized in that the interaction means (5b) allow locking of the functional head (4b) in the cup (3b) by cooperating with complementary locking means arranged in the cup (3b).

3. Lifting cylinder (la) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the interaction means (5a) allow filtering of the relative movements of the functional head (4a) with respect to the cup (3a) during lifting.

4. Lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c) designed to equip a transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c) comprising, on the one hand, a jack (la, 1b, 1c) according to one of claims 1 to 3 designed to be fixed on a platform or a capsule of the transport device and, on the other hand, a cup (3a, 3b, 3c) dimensioned to receive the functional head (4a, 4b, 4c) of the jack (la, 1b, 1c) and designed to be fixed respectively on the capsule or the platform.

5. Lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a lifting cup (3a, 3b, 3c), the cup (3a, 3b, 3c) comprising complementary means arranged in the cup (3a, 3b, 3c) and designed to cooperate with the interaction means (5a, 5b, 5c) of the functional head (4a, 4b, 4c) of the jack (la, 1b, 1c).

6. Lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises means for taking up vertical and / or horizontal play (7) designed to take up vertical and / or horizontal play when the jack (1a, 1b, 1c) is inserted into the cup (3a, 3b, 3c) to carry out lifting.

7. Transport device comprising an autonomous platform and a capsule transported by the platform, the transport device being characterized in that it comprises at least one lifting system (2a, 2b, 2c) according to one of claims 4 to 6.

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