Traction device and heavy goods transportation vehicle equipped with the traction device

Abstract

To provide a traction device with a simple structure capable of lifting heavy goods and to provide a heavy goods transportation vehicle capable of lifting and moving heavy goods.SOLUTION: A traction device 1 has a stretchable bellows 2 and the bellows has a top lid 3 and a lower lid 4. The top lid has an intake port 6 and an exhaust port 7. The intake port 6 and the exhaust port 7 are each connected with a pipe 8 having an intake valve 9 or an exhaust valve 10 at a middle position. The space surrounded by the bellows, the top lid, and the lower lid is airtight when both valves 9, 10 are closed together. A vacuum pump 11 is connected to the other end of the pipe 8 connected to the exhaust port 7. An approximately central part on the lower surface of the lower lid has a hook 5. A heavy goods transportation vehicle has a traction device supporting part, three or more wheels, and a leg part to connect the traction device supporting part and the wheels, where the traction device is fixed to the traction device supporting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a towing device for lifting heavy objects and a vehicle for transporting heavy objects equipped with the towing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various devices have been proposed for lifting heavy objects using pressure. The jack-up device using air bellows described in Patent Document 1 is a device for lifting an automobile when repairing a punctured tire. An airtight bellows is placed under the chassis member of the automobile, and air is injected into the bellows to use the force of the bellows expanding to lift the automobile. The expansion mechanism described in Patent Document 2 expands the bellows by injecting and discharging air into the bellows closed by the upper and lower plates, thereby moving an upper plate-like object up and down. The air lifter described in Patent Document 3 installs an air spring made of a bellows body between a fixed base and a lift table, and injects and discharges air into the air spring to expand and contract the air spring and raise and lower the lift table.

[0003] Several other devices have been proposed that use bellows to lift heavy, long objects by pressure, but all of these involve placing the device under the heavy object and injecting air into the bellows to expand the bellows and lift the heavy object placed on the device, and none of them are designed to hoist heavy objects. When installing heavy machinery in a factory, for example, it is necessary to hoist and move the heavy machinery, and the devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 cannot be used for such purposes.

[0004] Hoists are used as devices for lifting heavy objects, but gantry cranes (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2) are used as devices for lifting heavy objects in relatively narrow spaces such as inside buildings. These have a hoist installed in the approximate center of a hoisting tool support part (beam) supported by legs with a certain height at both ends, and the hoisting tool suspending the heavy object is hoisted by a pulley. There is also a gantry hydraulic lifter (Non-Patent Document 1) that uses hydraulic pressure as the lifting force. This has almost the same shape as the gantry crane described above, but oil is injected into the extendable legs to extend them and lift the heavy object suspended from the hoisting tool.

[0005] Gantry cranes use pulleys to lift heavy objects, but there is a limit to the weight they can lift. Gantry hydraulic lifters require a hydraulic unit and hydraulic cables. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Actual Publication No. 05-019287 [Patent Document 2] Utility model registration No. 3169261 [Patent Document 3] Application Publication No. 07-009893 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Portable Gate Crane" that can lift heavy objects even without crane equipment https: / / jirei.r-rental.co.jp / turu_ageru / [Non-Patent Document 2] Mobile gantry crane https: / / www.rent.co.jp / sanki / l-06 / 0606 / ido_mon / Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a towing device having a simple structure capable of lifting a heavy load, and a heavy load transport vehicle capable of lifting and moving the heavy load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of extensive research, the inventors of the present application came up with the idea that if both ends of an expandable bellows are closed with lids, an exhaust port and an intake port are opened in the lids, tubes having valves are connected to each of the exhaust port and the intake port, and air is first poured into the bellows to expand the bellows, then the valve of the tube connected to the intake port is closed and the other end of the tube connected to the exhaust port is connected to a vacuum pump, the valve of this tube is opened and the vacuum pump is operated to reduce the pressure inside the bellows, the bellows will contract and generate an enormous traction force, which led to the present invention.

[0010] One embodiment of the method of utilizing the traction force is a device for lifting heavy objects. The upper cover (top cover) is fixed to the beams of a building or the like so that the direction of expansion and contraction of the bellows is vertical. A hook for suspending a heavy object is installed on the lower cover. A heavy object placed on the floor is hung on the hook, the valve of the pipe connected to the intake port is closed, the other end of the pipe connected to the exhaust port is connected to a vacuum pump, the valve of this pipe is opened, the vacuum pump is operated to reduce the pressure inside the bellows, and the bellows contracts, lifting the heavy object upward.

[0011] Once the heavy load is lifted, the valve on the tube connected to the vacuum pump is closed. After that, even if the vacuum pump is stopped, the reduced pressure in the bellows is maintained, so the heavy load remains lifted. Therefore, once the heavy load is lifted, it will remain lifted without consuming any energy.

[0012] A vacuum gauge may be added to measure the degree of vacuum inside the bellows. If the degree of vacuum drops, the vacuum pump is operated and the valve of the tube connected to the vacuum pump is opened to increase the degree of vacuum.

[0013] Furthermore, a control device may be added. The control device is connected to the vacuum gauge, the vacuum pump, and the two valves so as to be capable of communicating with them, and has a function of opening and closing the two valves to operate or stop the vacuum pump according to the degree of vacuum inside the bellows measured by the vacuum gauge. The control device operates the vacuum pump and opens the valve on the vacuum pump side when the degree of vacuum inside the bellows falls below a predetermined threshold, and closes the valve on the vacuum pump side and stops the vacuum pump when the degree of vacuum rises above the threshold to a certain degree or more. This more reliably maintains the state in which the heavy object is lifted, improving safety. The threshold can be set arbitrarily.

[0014] As a further development of the above-mentioned method of utilizing traction force, there is a vehicle for transporting heavy objects that lifts and transports heavy objects. This vehicle has a traction device support part to which the device (hereinafter referred to as the traction device) consisting of the above-mentioned bellows, upper cover, lower cover, intake port, exhaust port, pipe with valve, vacuum pump, and hook is fixed, and legs that support both ends of the traction device support part, and the legs have wheels. This vehicle can move with a heavy object suspended from the hook, so it can lift and move a heavy object placed on the floor.

[0015] A traction device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a bellows having an upper cover at an upper end and a lower cover at a lower end, the bellows having an intake port and an exhaust port in the upper cover or the lower cover, the intake port and the exhaust port are each connected to a tube having a valve in the middle, and when the two valves are closed, the space surrounded by the bellows, the upper cover, and the lower cover is airtight, a vacuum pump is connected to the other end of the tube connected to the exhaust port, and the lower cover has a hook in approximately the center of the underside.

[0016] The traction device of the second invention is the traction device of the first invention, characterized in that it has a vacuum gauge and a control device that can measure the degree of vacuum inside the bellows, the control device is connected so as to be able to communicate with the vacuum gauge, the vacuum pump, and the two valves, and the control device has the function of opening and closing the two valves and operating or stopping the vacuum pump depending on the degree of vacuum inside the bellows measured by the vacuum gauge.

[0017] The heavy goods transport vehicle according to the third invention has a towing device support part, three or more wheels, and legs connecting the towing device support part and the wheels, and is characterized in that the towing device according to the first or second invention is fixed to the towing device support part. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The present invention provides a towing device having a simple structure capable of lifting a heavy load, and a heavy load transport vehicle capable of lifting and moving a heavy load. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a traction device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing a state before and after a heavy load is lifted by the towing device according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heavy goods transport vehicle according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, it goes without saying that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the towing device according to the present invention. The towing device 1 has an expandable bellows 2, which has an upper cover 3 and a lower cover 4. The upper cover has an intake port 6 and an exhaust port 7. The intake port 6 and the exhaust port 7 are connected to a tube 8 having an intake valve 9 or an exhaust valve 10 in the middle, respectively. When both the two valves 9 and 10 are closed, the space surrounded by the bellows, the upper cover, and the lower cover is airtight. A vacuum pump 11 is connected to the other end of the tube 8 connected to the exhaust port 7. The lower cover also has a hook 5 at approximately the center of the lower surface.

[0022] To generate a traction force in this traction device, first open the intake valve 9 and extend the bellows to the desired length. Then close the intake valve 9, open the exhaust valve 10, and operate the vacuum pump 11. The pressure inside the bellows is reduced, causing the bellows 2 to contract, generating a traction force. EXAMPLES

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the towing device according to the present invention is used to lift a heavy load. The left side of FIG. 2 shows the state before the heavy load is lifted. The towing device 1 is fixed to a structure 16 such as a beam of a building. The heavy load 15 to be lifted is placed on the floor. The intake valve 9 is opened, the bellows 2 is extended, and the hook 5 is hooked to the heavy load 15. When lifting the heavy load, the intake valve 9 is closed, the exhaust valve 10 is opened, and the vacuum pump 11 is operated. The pressure inside the bellows is reduced, the bellows contracts, and the heavy load 15 hooked to the hook is lifted. The right side of FIG. 2 shows the state when the heavy load is lifted. The bellows 2 contracts, and the heavy load 15 is lifted.

[0024] Table 1 shows the amount of traction force generated by this traction device. Assuming that the atmospheric pressure is 1 atmosphere (1.033 kgf / cm2), the figures show cases where the radius of the cylindrical bellows' base is 25 cm and 50 cm. When the radius of the bellows' base is 25 cm, the generated traction force is 994 kgf when the air pressure inside the bellows is reduced to 0.5 atmospheres, 1824 kgf when reduced to 0.1 atmospheres, and 2008 kgf when reduced to 0.01 atmospheres. When the radius of the bellows' base is 50 cm, the generated traction force is 3976 kgf when the air pressure inside the bellows is reduced to 0.5 atmospheres, 7298 kgf when reduced to 0.1 atmospheres, and 8030 kgf when reduced to 0.01 atmospheres.

[0025] [Table 1] EXAMPLES

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a vehicle for transporting heavy goods using such a towing device of the present invention. The vehicle for transporting heavy goods 17 has a towing device support part 18, three or more wheels 20, and legs 19 connecting the wheels 20 and the towing device support part 18, and the towing device 1 is installed on the towing device support part 18. The towing device has a vacuum gauge 12 installed on the bottom cover 4. The vacuum gauge 12 can measure the air pressure inside the bellows 2. The towing device also has a control device 13, which is connected to the vacuum gauge 12, vacuum pump 11, intake valve 9, and exhaust valve 10 by wiring 14 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0027] The control device 13 has the function of opening and closing the intake valve 9 and exhaust valve 10 and operating or stopping the vacuum pump 11 according to the degree of vacuum (air pressure) inside the bellows 2 measured by the vacuum gauge 12. If the degree of vacuum inside the bellows 2 falls below a predetermined threshold, the control device 13 operates the vacuum pump 11 and opens the exhaust valve 10 to increase the degree of vacuum. If the degree of vacuum rises to a certain level above the threshold, the control device 13 can close the exhaust valve 10 and stop the vacuum pump 11. This more reliably maintains the state in which the heavy object is lifted, improving safety. The threshold can be set arbitrarily.

[0028] A guide mechanism 21 is provided near the bellows 2 to prevent the bellows 2 from swinging back and forth or side to side. The guide mechanism may be a rod-shaped structure 3 or 4 arranged around the bellows, or a cylindrical structure may be provided to surround the bellows. A heavy load 15 is hung on the hook 5 and lifted up. In this state, the heavy load transport vehicle can be towed by a towing vehicle or the like, making it possible to transport the heavy load over long distances. [Industrial Applicability]

[0029] The towing device and the vehicle for transporting heavy objects according to the present invention can be used for lifting and moving heavy objects in narrow spaces such as inside buildings. The vehicle for transporting heavy objects according to the present invention can also be used for transporting heavy objects over long distances. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 Traction device 2 Bellows 3 Top lid 4 Lower lid 5. Hook 6 Air Intake 7. Exhaust port 8 tubes 9 Intake valve 10 Exhaust valve 11 Vacuum Pump 12 Vacuum gauge 13. Controller 14 Wiring 15 Heavy objects 16 Structures 17 Heavy goods transport vehicles 18 Traction device support 19 Legs 20 wheels 21 Guide mechanism

Claims

1. A traction device The traction device has a bellows; The bellows has an upper cover at an upper end and a lower cover at a lower end, The bellows has an intake port and an exhaust port on the upper cover or the lower cover, and a tube having a valve in between is connected to the intake port and the exhaust port, respectively. When the two valves are closed, the space surrounded by the bellows, the upper cover, and the lower cover is airtight. a vacuum pump is connected to the other end of the tube connected to the exhaust port; The lower cover has a hook at the approximate center of the lower surface. A towing device characterized by:

2. A towing device according to claim 1, A vacuum gauge and a control device capable of measuring the degree of vacuum inside the bellows are provided. the control device is communicatively connected to the vacuum gauge, the vacuum pump, and the two valves; The control device has a function of opening and closing the two valves and operating or stopping the vacuum pump according to the degree of vacuum inside the bellows measured by the vacuum gauge. A towing device characterized by:

3. A vehicle for transporting heavy goods A towing device support part, three or more wheels, and legs connecting the towing device support part and the wheels, The towing device according to claim 1 or 2 is fixed to the towing device support part. A vehicle for transporting heavy goods.

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