Vehicle transport system

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle transport system comprising: a transport vehicle comprising an engine, a steering means and a braking means, a trailer configured to transport at least one vehicle; said trailer comprises a chassis (20) and at least four wheels (21), remarkable in that it comprises at least one guide rail (23) for guiding said vehicle on the trailer, each guide rail (23) being fixed on a platform (24) fixed to the chassis (20); said guide rails (23) are configured to install said vehicles according to a transverse loading or longitudinal loading; said longitudinal loading being in a direction defined according to an axis longitudinal to the chassis (20); said transverse loading being in a direction defined according to an axis perpendicular to the chassis (20). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle transport system Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle transport system. It applies, in the field of automobiles and transport, in particular, vehicle transport. Prior art

[0002] Trailers for transporting vehicles are known on the market. They allow transporting a vehicle from one place to another, by putting it on the trailer and towing the trailer by another vehicle.

[0003] Often these trailers are dedicated to transporting a specific type of vehicle. They do not allow any type of vehicle to be loaded.

[0004] Certain prior art documents also propose a bus equipped with a trailer transporting passenger vehicles. For example, publication document US4397496 describing this bus is known.

[0005] However, this document has a drawback. The trailer requires placing the vehicles on top of each other, which makes loading complex. In addition, the trailer does not have ramps for receiving the vehicle wheels that can be adapted longitudinally to the vehicle. Presentation of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach.

[0007] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a vehicle transport system.

[0008] An objective of the invention is to provide such a system which facilitates the loading and unloading of vehicles.

[0009] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved, according to one aspect, using a vehicle transport system comprising a trailer configured to transport at least one vehicle; said trailer comprises a chassis and at least three wheels, remarkable in that it comprises at least one guide rail for guiding said vehicle on the trailer, each guide rail being fixed on a platform fixed to the chassis; said guide rails are configured to install said vehicles according to a transverse loading or longitudinal loading; said longitudinal loading being in a direction defined according to an axis longitudinal to the chassis; said transverse loading being in a direction defined according to an axis perpendicular to the chassis;

[0010] Thanks to these provisions, this system makes it possible to optimize the storage capacity / transport in a trailer; reduce loading / unloading time; adapt the length of the trailer to the use; maximize filling by being able to transport vehicles of different types. This solution makes it possible, for example, to increase the autonomy of electric vehicles. It is possible to have a reduction in the vehicle's electrical consumption (less mass) and a reduction in electrical consumption because the thermal energy is provided by the turbogenerator via thermal discharges and not by electrical consumption.

[0011] The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically effective combination.

[0012] In one embodiment, the guide rails are movable in translation according to the longitudinal loading or the transverse loading, said translational mobility of the guide rails being between a transport position and a loading position.

[0013] Thus, it is possible to load vehicles in two directions.

[0014] In one embodiment, vehicles having four wheels are arranged on two guide rails; vehicles having two wheels are arranged on one guide rail.

[0015] Thanks to these provisions, the use of longitudinal loading and transverse loading makes it possible to simplify the storage of vehicles on the trailer.

[0016] In one embodiment, the chassis comprises two movable ramps which can be folded between a loading position and a transport position.

[0017] Thanks to these arrangements, the two ramps allow for longitudinal loading onto the trailer. The folding function makes storage easier. The two mobile ramps are fixed using hinges.

[0018] In one embodiment, the platform comprises at least one loading ramp which can rotate between a loading position and a transport position; said loading ramps are fixed on one of the sides of the platform.

[0019] Thanks to these provisions, this loading ramp makes it easier to load and unload vehicles onto the trailer.

[0020] In one embodiment, the platform is connected to a portion of the chassis by a first pivot connection.

[0021] In one embodiment, the chassis portion comprises a front axle in which it comprises a second pivot connection.

[0022] The first pivot connection allows the platform to rotate with the chassis part and then the second pivot connection allows the chassis to rotate with the transport vehicle.

[0023] In one embodiment, the dimensions of the chassis include a width of 2.5 meters maximum.

[0024] This dimension makes it possible to comply with width constraints on motorways.

[0025] In one embodiment, each guide rail comprises a hollow; said hollow is configured to accommodate a wheel of a vehicle.

[0026] Thanks to these arrangements, the hollows make it possible to immobilize the wheels of a vehicle in order to ensure better transport and guide the correct position of the vehicle on the guide rail(s).

[0027] In one embodiment, in the loading position of the loading ramp, a transport vehicle is positioned near a dock; the height of said dock corresponds to the height of the platform.

[0028] Thanks to these arrangements, the dock facilitates transverse loading. Brief description of the figures

[0029] Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the following description given, for explanatory and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0030] [Fig.l] represents a vehicle transport system.

[0031] [Fig.2] represents the longitudinal loading of a four-wheeled vehicle on the trailer.

[0032] [Fig.3] represents the front axle of the chassis.

[0033] [Fig.4] shows the vehicle transport system in front view.

[0034] [Fig.5] shows the vehicle transport system from below.

[0035] [Fig.6] shows the transverse loading of a vehicle onto the trailer. Description of the embodiments

[0036] [Fig.l] shows a vehicle transport system.

[0037] This figure is represented in three dimensions.

[0038] According to an example carried out, the vehicles transported can be: a motorcycle, a small and a large car, a bicycle, a scooter, a quad.

[0039] The system comprises a trailer and a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle is, depending on the example of embodiment: a truck, a van or a bus.

[0040] The trailer comprises the following elements: a chassis 20, four wheels 21, and two ramps 22.

[0041] The chassis 20 comprises guide rails 23 configured to install vehicles according to transverse loading. The two ramps 22 allow longitudinal loading.

[0042] The guide rails 23 are fixed to a platform 24. The platform 24 is fixed to the chassis 20.

[0043] The guide rails 23 are arranged perpendicularly along a longitudinal axis of the chassis 20.

[0044] According to one example, the vehicles comprising two wheels are arranged on a guide rail 23 (motorcycle, bicycle).

[0045] According to another example, the vehicles comprising four wheels are arranged on two guide rails 23 (car).

[0046] The guide rails 23 are movable in rectilinear translation and according to this example allow transverse loading.

[0047] The longitudinal loading being in a direction defined along an axis longitudinal to the chassis 20, and the transverse loading being in a direction defined along an axis perpendicular to the chassis 20.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment, the chassis 20 has a maximum width of 2.5 meters. This maximum width makes it possible to comply with the maximum width constraint on the motorway.

[0049] The platform 24 comprises at least one loading ramp 25 which can rotate between a loading position and a transport position.

[0050] The loading ramps are fixed on one of the sides of the platform 24. This allows the vehicles to be loaded onto the guide rails 23 according to transverse loading.

[0051] The term loading ramp 25 also corresponds to an unloading ramp.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, the two ramps 22 are movable and foldable between a loading position and a transport position.

[0053] The term loading position also corresponds to an unloading position of the vehicle.

[0054] In this figure, the two ramps 22 are in the transport position. The transport position is when the two ramps 22 are positioned substantially vertically and the loading position is when a portion of the two ramps 22 touches the ground.

[0055] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] [Fig.2] shows the longitudinal loading of a four-wheeled vehicle onto the trailer. This figure shows some of the elements described above.

[0057] In this figure, the two ramps 22 are arranged in the loading position.

[0058] The platform 24 is connected to a part of the chassis by a first pivot connection 26.

[0059] According to one example produced, the chassis part comprises a front axle.

[0060] This front axle is intended to attach the transport vehicle with the trailer.

[0061] [Fig.3] shows the front axle of chassis 20.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment, the front axle comprises a second pivot connection 27.

[0063] This second pivot connection 27 allows the platform to rotate during transport.

[0064] According to a variant, the second pivot connection 27 is made by a ring.

[0065] [Fig.4] shows the vehicle transport system in front view.

[0066] The wheels 21 of the trailer, the chassis 20 and the loading ramps 25 are visible.

[0067] [Fig.5] shows the vehicle transport system from below.

[0068] The guide rails 23 comprise a hollow positioned under the wheels of the vehicles. The guide rails 23 are connected to the platform 24. The loading ramps 25 are also visible.

[0069] These hollows allow vehicles to be housed and immobilized on the trailer.

[0070] [Fig.6] shows the transverse loading of a vehicle onto the trailer.

[0071] This figure shows certain elements described above.

[0072] According to one example, during the loading position, the transport vehicle is positioned close to a dock 28. The height of the dock 28 corresponds to the height of the platform 24.

[0073] This platform 28 makes it easier to load a vehicle transversely.

[0074] According to this variant, the guide rails 23 slide relative to the platform 24 then rest on the dock 28 in order to facilitate the insertion of the vehicle onto the trailer.

[0075] It is emphasized that all features, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached features, even if concretely they have only been described in relation to other determined features, both individually and in any combinations, can be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or meaningless. List of reference signs

[0076] [Tables 1] References Designations 20 chassis 21 wheel 22 ramp 23 guide rail 24 platform 25 loading ramp 26 first pivot connection 27 second pivot connection 28 dock

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle transport system comprising a trailer configured to transport at least one vehicle; said trailer comprises a chassis (20) and at least three wheels (21), characterized in that it comprises at least one guide rail (23) for guiding said vehicle on the trailer, each guide rail (23) being fixed on a platform (24) fixed to the chassis (20); said guide rails (23) are configured to install said vehicles according to a transverse loading or longitudinal loading; said longitudinal loading being in a direction defined according to an axis longitudinal to the chassis (20); said transverse loading being in a direction defined according to an axis perpendicular to the chassis (20);

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the guide rails (23) are movable in translation according to the longitudinal loading or the transverse loading, said translational mobility of the guide rails (23) being between a transport position and a loading position.

3. A system according to claim 1 to 2, wherein the vehicles having four wheels are arranged on two guide rails (23); the vehicles having two wheels are arranged on one guide rail (23).

4. System according to claim 1 to 3, in which the chassis (20) comprises two movable ramps (22) which can be folded between a loading position and a transport position.

5. System according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the platform (24) comprises at least one loading ramp (25) movable in rotation between a loading position and a transport position; said loading ramps are fixed on one of the sides of the platform (24).

6. System according to claim 1 to 5, in which the platform (24) is connected with a part of the chassis by a first pivot connection (26).

7. System according to claim 6, in which the part of the chassis comprises a front axle in which it comprises a second pivot link (27).

8. System according to claim 1 to 7, wherein the dimensions of the frame (20) comprise a width of 2.5 meters maximum.

9. A system according to claim 1 to 8, wherein each guide rail (23) comprises a hollow; said hollow is configured to accommodate a wheel of a vehicle.

10. System according to claim 5, wherein in the loading position of the loading ramp (25), a transport vehicle is positioned close to a dock (28); the height of said dock (28) corresponds to the height of the platform (24).

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