Vehicle lift assembly with eccentrically shaped support pad

Abstract

Vehicle Lift Support Assembly with Eccentric Support Pad. The invention relates to a vehicle lift support assembly (14) (2), comprising a trolley (16) carrying two arms (18) extending horizontally from the trolley, each arm carrying, at its end opposite the trolley, at least one lifting pad (20) intended to be positioned, during operation, under a support point of the vehicle body, the lifting pad (20) being rotatably mounted on the end of the arm by means of a rotating pivot (22) whose axis of rotation (XX) is eccentric with respect to a geometric center of gravity of the lifting pad. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Lifting bridge carrier assembly for motor vehicles with eccentrically shaped support pad Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the general field of lifting bridges for motor vehicles. It relates more specifically to a supporting assembly for such a lifting bridge. Prior art

[0002] Automotive vehicle lifts generally comprise a fixed frame, a movable assembly mounted vertically on the fixed frame, and jack-type drive means for moving the movable assembly upwards or downwards. The movable assembly supports a vehicle to be inspected during operation.

[0003] More specifically, the mobile assembly comprises two identical carrier assemblies which are movable vertically relative to the fixed frame. Each carrier assembly typically comprises a carriage carrying two rotating and telescopic arms extending horizontally from the carriage into the receiving space of the vehicle to be inspected and / or repaired.

[0004] Furthermore, each arm carries, at its end opposite the carriage on which it is fixed, a lifting pad which is intended to be arranged, in operation, under a support point of the body of a vehicle to be inspected and / or repaired in order to support it safely and without damaging it.

[0005] There are a multitude of lifting pads in the prior art that can support all types of vehicles and in different locations such as under the underbody, under the axles, or even under support points located under the chassis.

[0006] The growth of the electric vehicle market raises the question of how to manage the maintenance of the batteries in these vehicles. Indeed, it is necessary to think about the best way to lift the vehicle while allowing the battery to be removed without being hindered by the arms.

[0007] A known solution to this problem is a joint that allows the vehicle to be lifted with a perpendicular approach. However, this solution generates more restrictive mechanical forces, requiring the arms to be replaced with specific arms, which is expensive. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to propose a lifting bridge carrier assembly which does not have these drawbacks.

[0009] This aim is achieved by means of a lifting bridge carrier assembly for motor vehicles, comprising a carriage carrying two arms extending horizontally from the carriage, each arm carrying, at its end opposite the carriage, at least one lifting pad intended to be arranged, in operation, under a support point of the body of a vehicle, and in which, in accordance with the invention, the lifting pad is rotatably mounted on the end of the arm by means of a rotary pivot whose axis of rotation is eccentric relative to a geometric barycenter of the lifting pad.

[0010] The carrier assembly according to the invention is remarkable in that it allows for a perpendicular approach to the vehicle to be inspected thanks to the rotation of its lifting pads. It is not necessary to have specific arms to obtain such a result. In addition, the lifting pads according to the invention can fit into the arms of a carrier assembly without resorting to special tools.

[0011] Preferably, the lifting pad is capable of receiving a specific adapter, for example example a cylindrical or conical finger, a V, etc. The use of such a specific adapter makes it easy to adapt the carrier assembly to any type of vehicle.

[0012] The lifting pad may have an oblong shape or a drop shape.

[0013] The lifting pad may carry a plurality of adapters of different shapes and po located in a carousel. These different adapters will be used depending on the vehicle to be inspected.

[0014] Preferably, the lifting pad comprises a metal structure covered with a rubber protection. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a two-post lifting bridge provided with load-bearing assemblies according to the invention.

[0016] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view of the lift of [Fig.l].

[0017] [Fig. 3A-3C] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are views of an embodiment of buffer of a carrier assembly according to the invention, respectively in side view, from above and in perspective.

[0018] [Fig. 4A-4C] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are views of another embodiment of a buffer of a carrier assembly according to the invention, respectively in side view, from above and in perspective. Description of the embodiments

[0019] [Fig.l] shows in perspective an example of a lifting bridge 2 for vertically moving a vehicle (not shown) to be inspected and / or repaired.

[0020] The lifting bridge 2 typically comprises a frame 4 which is fixed to the ground, as well as a mobile assembly 6 which is movable vertically relative to the frame 4.

[0021] Drive means are arranged between the frame 4 and the moving assembly 6 at the both to control the vertical movement and to maintain the moving assembly at the desired height.

[0022] For example, these drive means are in the form of two jacks 8 (for example hydraulic) arranged vertically, spaced apart from each other and located on either side of a space for receiving a vehicle. The jacks 8 are integrated into two vertical columns 9 of the lifting bridge.

[0023] Furthermore, the frame 4 comprises fixing feet 10 by which the jacks 8 are kept fixed vertically on the ground. The frame 4 also comprises a crosspiece 11 which extends transversely between the upper (or lower) ends of the columns 9.

[0024] The mobile assembly 6 comprises two identical carrier assemblies 14 in accordance with the invention, each carrier assembly being mounted vertically mobile on a jack 8.

[0025] In a known manner, each carrier assembly 14 comprises a carriage 16 which carries two telescopic and rotating arms 18 extending horizontally from the carriage. Furthermore, each arm 18 carries, at its end opposite the carriage 16, at least one lifting shoe 20 intended to be arranged, in operation, under a support point of the body of a vehicle.

[0026] As shown in [Fig.3A], the lifting pad 20 of each carrier assembly 14 is rotatably mounted on the end of the corresponding arm 18 by means of a rotary pivot 22 whose vertical rotation axis XX is eccentric relative to the geometric barycenter M of the lifting pad.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3A and 4A, by "geometric barycenter of the lifting shoe" is meant here the point M, in a longitudinal section plane, which is located at an equal distance d from the two longitudinal ends 20a, 20'a of the lifting shoe 20, 20'.

[0028] In other words, the axis of rotation XX of the lifting pads 20 does not pass through the geometric barycenter M but is offset relative to it.

[0029] In this embodiment, the lifting pad 20 has an oblong shape (i.e. an elongated shape, i.e. a shape longer than it is wide) which is mounted at the end of an arm (not shown) by means of a rotary pivot 22. This rotary pivot 22 has an axis of rotation XX which does not pass through the geometric barycenter M of the lifting pad.

[0030] It will be noted that the lifting pad 20 advantageously comprises a metal structure 24 which is covered with a rubber protection 26 allowing a vehicle to be lifted without damaging it.

[0031] It will also be noted that the lifting shoe may have a geometric shape different from that of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A to 3C, for example a shape of gout.

[0032] As shown in [Fig.2], it will also be noted that the four lifting pads 20 of the lifting bridge can thus be oriented, in a horizontal plane, in a direction D forming an angle of 90° with the axis YY of the vehicle, which greatly facilitates the lifting of the vehicle.

[0033] More generally, the orientation in a horizontal plane of the lifting pads will be chosen to adapt to the vehicles to be inspected and / or repaired, and in particular to electric vehicles for the operations of installing and removing their battery.

[0034] Figures 4A to 4C illustrate a lifting pad 20' according to another embodiment.

[0035] In this embodiment, the lifting pad 20' receives a specific adapter 28 allowing the carrier assembly to be easily adapted to any type of vehicle.

[0036] In the example of Figures 4A to 4C, the specific adapter 28 has the shape of a cylindrical finger projecting upwards.

[0037] Of course, other types of specific adapters can be considered, in particular a conical finger or a V. It will also be possible to consider using the adapters already supplied with the hydraulic rolling jacks.

[0038] It will be noted that the specific adapter 28 can fit or be screwed into an orifice (not shown in the figures) made on the top of the lifting pad.

[0039] According to an advantageous arrangement not shown in the figures, each arm of the carrier assembly carries a plurality of lifting pads having different shapes and positioned in a carousel. Thus, by rotating this carousel, it is possible for the user to select the lifting pad suited to his needs.

Claims

Claims

1. Carrier assembly (14) of a lifting bridge (2) for motor vehicles, comprising a carriage (16) carrying two arms (18) extending horizontally from the carriage, each arm carrying, at its end opposite the carriage, at least one lifting shoe (20; 20') intended to be arranged, in operation, under a support point of the body of a vehicle, characterized in that the lifting shoe is rotatably mounted on the end of the arm by means of a rotary pivot (22) whose axis of rotation (XX) is eccentric relative to a geometric barycenter (M) of the lifting shoe.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, in which the lifting pad is adapted to receive a specific adapter (28).

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the adapter is a cylindrical or conical shaped finger or a vee.

4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lifting pad has an oblong shape.

5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lifting pad has a drop shape.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lifting pad carries a plurality of adapters of different shapes and positioned in a carousel.

7. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lifting pad comprises a metal structure (24) covered with a rubber protection (26).

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