Load receiving deck lifting device and specially-equipped vehicle including the same

Abstract

To provide a load receiving deck lifting device which is less likely to obstruct a visual field behind a driver.SOLUTION: A load receiving deck lifting device 10 includes a load receiving deck 11, a lateral shaft 13, a vertical shaft 15, and a lifting mechanism 20. The load receiving deck 11 is provided at a rear portion of the vehicle body. The lateral shaft 13 rotatably supports the load receiving deck 11 between a standing state and a horizontal state. The vertical shaft 15 rotatably supports the load receiving deck 11 between a standing state and an inward-opening state. The lifting mechanism 20 lifts the load receiving deck 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading platform lifting device and a specially equipped vehicle equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a loading platform lifting device that includes a loading platform and a lifting link mechanism that is installed inside the vehicle cabin and that raises and lowers the loading platform. This loading platform lifting device unfolds the loading platform from an upright position to a horizontal position, and then raises and lowers the loading platform using the lifting link mechanism. By raising and lowering the loading platform with cargo placed on it, the load of cargo handling work can be reduced. Here, the upright position refers to a state in which the loading platform is extended in the vertical direction. The horizontal position refers to a state in which the loading platform is level with the ground.

[0003] On the other hand, when handling lightweight cargo, using a platform lifting device to perform cargo handling operations takes longer, so there are cases where it is desirable to perform the operations without using the platform lifting device. However, it is difficult to perform the operations if the platform is in an upright or horizontal position. Therefore, the platform lifting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to allow the platform to be opened outward from an upright position around an axis extending vertically. By opening the platform outward, the platform does not get in the way of the operations when performing cargo handling operations without using the platform lifting device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6013837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the loading platform lifting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the loading platform must be in an upright position and not open outward when the vehicle is traveling. However, when the loading platform is in this position, the loading platform may obstruct the rearward visibility of the driver of the vehicle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a loading platform lifting device that does not obstruct the driver's rearward visibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The loading platform lifting device of this embodiment comprises a loading platform provided at the rear of a vehicle, a left-right shaft that rotatably supports the loading platform between an upright state in which the loading platform extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and a horizontal state in which the loading platform extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the loading platform, and an up-down shaft that rotatably supports the loading platform between an inward-opening state in which the loading platform extends in the vertical and horizontal directions forward of the upright state and the upright state.

[0008] When the loading platform is in an upright position, it extends in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, when the driver is driving the vehicle, the loading platform may obstruct the driver's rearward visibility. However, with the above configuration, the loading platform can be opened inward. When the loading platform is in the inward-opening position, it extends in the vertical and front-to-rear directions. Therefore, when the loading platform is in the inward-opening position, the loading platform is less likely to obstruct the driver's rearward visibility. The driver can ensure good rearward visibility. Note that the phrase "the loading platform extending in the front-to-rear direction" here also includes the case where the loading platform extends diagonally in the front-to-rear direction.

[0009] According to one preferred embodiment, the lifting mechanism comprises a main frame fixed to the vehicle, a link mechanism connected to the main frame, a drive device connected to the link mechanism and driving the link mechanism to raise and lower the loading platform, and a rotating arm connected to the link mechanism and rotatable around the vertical axis.

[0010] By using a link mechanism in the lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism can be made to have a relatively simple configuration.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the vertical shaft and the horizontal shaft are arranged at positions that overlap the link mechanism when viewed from above when the loading platform is in the upright position.

[0012] With this configuration, the loading platform lifting device can be made smaller without making the loading platform smaller, compared to when the vertical and horizontal axes are positioned so that they do not overlap with the link mechanism when viewed from above.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the lifting mechanism has a side surface facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and the distance between the side surface of the lifting mechanism and the vertical shaft is smaller than the distance between the load receiving platform in the upright position and the vertical shaft.

[0014] With this configuration, the receiving platform is less likely to collide with the lifting mechanism when it is opened inward.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the vertical shaft supports the loading platform so that the loading platform can be opened inward to an angle of 45° to 90° with the loading platform in the upright position as a reference.

[0016] This configuration makes it less likely that the driver's rearward visibility will be obstructed.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the loading platform lifting device includes a locking mechanism that restricts rotation of the loading platform about the vertical axis when the loading platform is in the inward-opening state.

[0018] This configuration prevents the receiving platform from accidentally rotating around the vertical axis when the receiving platform is in the inward-opening state.

[0019] According to one preferred embodiment, the vertical shaft rotatably supports the loading platform between an outwardly opening state in which the loading platform extends in the vertical and longitudinal directions rearward of the upright state, and an upright state.

[0020] When handling lightweight cargo, using the loading platform lifting device can actually take longer. Therefore, there are cases where loading and unloading work is desired without using the loading platform lifting device. According to the above configuration, when loading and unloading work is performed without using the loading platform lifting device, the loading platform can be opened outward, so that the loading platform does not get in the way of the work, making it easier to work.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the loading platform lifting device includes a safety device that restricts the lifting mechanism from lifting or lowering the loading platform when the loading platform is in the inward-opening state.

[0022] According to the above configuration, when the receiving platform is in the inward-opening state, the lifting and lowering movement of the receiving platform is restricted, thereby preventing malfunction.

[0023] The specially equipped vehicle according to the present invention is provided with the loading platform lifting device at the rear of the vehicle.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the specially equipped vehicle of the present invention is provided with a pair of loading platform lifting devices on the left and right sides at the rear of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a loading platform lifting device that does not obstruct the driver's rearward visibility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a specially equipped vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the platform lifting device in an upright position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the platform lifting device in an upright position. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the platform lifting device in a horizontal position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the loading platform lifting device in an inward-opening state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the loading platform lifting device in an outward-opening state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of the platform lifting device in a grounded state. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an index plunger. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the loading platform lifting device. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a specially equipped vehicle equipped with a pair of loading platform lifting devices on the left and right at the rear of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a specially equipped vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the specially equipped vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. The specially equipped vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called minivan. The specially equipped vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2 and a tailgate 3. Seats such as a driver's seat (not shown) are provided at the front side of the interior space of the vehicle body 2. The rear side of the interior space of the vehicle body 2 forms a luggage compartment 4 in which luggage can be loaded. The tailgate 3 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The tailgate 3 is a door that opens and closes the rear of the luggage compartment 4. The tailgate 3 is provided on the vehicle body 2 so that it can rotate up and down around the upper end of the tailgate 3.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the specially equipped vehicle 1 is equipped with a loading platform lifting device 10. The loading platform lifting device 10 is provided at the left rear of the vehicle body 2, and is arranged inside the luggage compartment 4. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the area around the loading platform lifting device 10. The loading platform lifting device 10 is a device used during loading and unloading operations such as loading and unloading luggage into and from the luggage compartment 4. As shown in Figure 3, the loading platform lifting device 10 is equipped with a loading platform 11, left and right shafts 13, a vertical shaft 15, and a lifting mechanism 20.

[0029] The receiving platform 11 is a platform on which cargo is placed when cargo handling operations are performed. The receiving platform 11 is rotatable between an upright position and a horizontal position by a left-right shaft 13. The upright position is a position in which the receiving platform 11 extends in the vertical and horizontal directions, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Note that the vehicle body 2 is not shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 3, when the receiving platform 11 is in the upright position, the entire receiving platform 11 is located inside the vehicle body 2. The horizontal position is a position in which the receiving platform 11 is horizontal. As shown in Figure 5, when the receiving platform 11 is in the horizontal position, the receiving platform 11 extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. When the receiving platform 11 is in the horizontal position, the rear of the receiving platform 11 is located outside the vehicle body 2.

[0030] The receiving platform 11 is also rotatable by a vertical shaft 15 from an upright position to an inward-opening position or from an upright position to an outward-opening position. The inward-opening position refers to a position in which the receiving platform 11 extends in the vertical and longitudinal directions forward of the upright position, as shown in FIG. 6 . Note that the phrase "the receiving platform extends in the longitudinal direction" here also includes a case in which the receiving platform 11 extends diagonally in the longitudinal direction. The receiving platform 11 is preferably capable of opening inward by an angle of 45° to 90° relative to the upright position. In this embodiment, the receiving platform 11 is configured to be able to open inward by approximately 75° relative to the upright position. When the receiving platform 11 is in the inward-opening position, the entire receiving platform 11 is located inside the vehicle body 2. The outward-opening position refers to a position in which the receiving platform 11 extends in the vertical and longitudinal directions rearward of the upright position, as shown in FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the receiving platform 11 is provided so as to be able to open outward by 90° with the receiving platform 11 in an upright position as a reference.

[0031] The left-right shaft 13 is a member that supports the receiving platform 11 so that it can rotate between an upright position and a horizontal position. As shown in FIG. 4, when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position or a horizontal position, the left-right shaft 13 extends in the left-right direction. The left-right shaft 13 is provided so that it can rotate around an axis that extends in the left-right direction. The left-right shaft 13 is connected to the receiving platform 11 via a connecting member 14 and supports the receiving platform 11. When the left-right shaft 13 rotates around the axis that extends in the left-right direction, the receiving platform 11 also rotates around the left-right shaft 13. This allows the receiving platform 11 to rotate between an upright position and a horizontal position.

[0032] The vertical shaft 15 is a member that rotatably supports the receiving platform 11 between an upright position and an inward-opening position, and also rotatably supports the receiving platform 11 between an upright position and an outward-opening position. As shown in FIG. 3 , the vertical shaft 15 extends in the vertical direction. The vertical shaft 15 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. The vertical shaft 15 supports the receiving platform 11 via the left-right shaft 13 and a rotating arm 38 of the lifting mechanism 20, which will be described later. When the vertical shaft 15 rotates about the axis extending in the vertical direction, the receiving platform 11 also rotates about the vertical shaft 15. This allows the receiving platform 11 to rotate between an upright position and an inward-opening position, and also between an upright position and an outward-opening position.

[0033] The lifting mechanism 20 is a mechanism that raises and lowers the load receiving platform 11 in a horizontal state. The lifting mechanism 20 is connected to the load receiving platform 11 via a left-right shaft 13. The lifting mechanism 20 raises and lowers the load receiving platform 11 between a horizontal state and a grounded state. The grounded state is a state in which the load receiving platform 11 is in contact with the ground outside the vehicle body 2, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the lifting mechanism 20. As shown in Figure 9, the lifting mechanism 20 includes a main frame 22, a link mechanism 30, a rotating arm 38, and a drive unit 24. The configuration of the lifting mechanism 20 is not limited to that of this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, the main body frame 22 is fixed to the vehicle body 2. There are no particular limitations on the method of fixing the main body frame 22, but in this embodiment, it is fixed with bolts. As shown in Fig. 9, the link mechanism 30 is connected to the main body frame 22 by a pin P1. The pin P1 extends in the left-right direction. The link mechanism 30 is provided rotatable relative to the main body frame 22 around the axis of the pin P1.

[0035] The link mechanism 30 includes a main arm 32, a sub-arm 34, an upper arm 36, and a rotating arm 38. One end of the main arm 32 is connected to the main body frame 22 by a pin P1. The main arm 32 is rotatable relative to the main body frame 22 around the axis of the pin P1. The other end of the main arm 32 is connected to the upper arm 36 by a pin P2. The pin P2 extends in the left-right direction. The upper arm 36 is rotatable relative to the main arm 32 around the axis of the pin P2. One end of the sub-arm 34 is connected to the main body frame 22 by a pin P3. The pin P3 extends in the left-right direction. The sub-arm 34 is rotatable relative to the main body frame 22 around the axis of the pin P3. The other end of the sub-arm 34 is connected to the upper arm 36 by a pin P4. The pin P4 extends in the left-right direction. The sub-arm 34 is rotatably connected to the upper arm 36 around the axis of the pin P4.

[0036] 10 is an enlarged view of the rotating arm 38. The rotating arm 38 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The rotating arm 38 is connected to the upper arm 36 by the vertical shaft 15. The vertical shaft 15 is provided at the center of the rotating arm 38. The rotating arm 38 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the upper arm 36 around the vertical shaft 15.

[0037] The drive unit 24 is a drive source that drives the link mechanism 30. When the drive unit 24 drives the link mechanism 30, the loading platform 11 moves up and down between a horizontal state and a grounded state. In this embodiment, the drive unit 24 is an electric cylinder. As shown in FIG. 9, one end of the drive unit 24 is rotatably connected to the sub-arm 34 by a pin P5. The other end of the drive unit 24 is connected to the main arm 32 and the upper arm 36 by a pin P2. When the cylinder contracts, the loading platform 11 moves down. On the other hand, when the cylinder extends, the loading platform 11 moves up.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the lifting mechanism 20 has a side surface 20a facing inward in the vehicle width direction. Here, the inward side in the vehicle width direction refers to the side closer to the center of the specially equipped vehicle 1 in the left-right direction. In FIG. 4, the inward side in the vehicle width direction is the upper side of the page. The side surface 20a of the lifting mechanism 20 is not limited to a flat surface and may have a protrusion protruding from the flat surface. In this embodiment, pins P1 to P4 protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the main arm 32, sub-arm 34, and upper arm 36 of the link mechanism 30. In the following description, the surfaces of the pins P1 to P4 protruding inward in the vehicle width direction are also considered to be the side surface 20a. In this embodiment, the distance L1 between the center of the vertical shaft 15 and the side surface 20a is smaller than the distance L2 between the center of the vertical shaft 15 and the loading platform 11 in the upright position. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed from above, the vertical shaft 15 and the left-right shaft 13 are arranged to overlap the lifting mechanism 20 when the loading platform 11 is in the upright position.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 10 , the receiving platform lifting device 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a locking mechanism 40 that restricts rotation of the receiving platform 11 about the vertical shaft 15. The locking mechanism 40 restricts rotation of the receiving platform 11 about the vertical shaft 15 when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position, an inward-opening position, or an outward-opening position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the locking mechanism 40 is composed of three locking holes 42 formed on the upper surface of the rotating arm 38 and an index plunger 44 provided on the upper arm 36. When the rotating arm 38 is rotated relative to the upper arm 36 about the vertical shaft 15, the positional relationship between the locking holes 42 and the index plunger 44 changes.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 12 , the index plunger 44 includes a lock pin 45, a spring 46, a grip 47, and a case 48. The case 48 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The lock pin 45 extends in the vertical direction and penetrates the case 48. The diameter of the lock pin 45 is smaller than the diameter of the lock hole 42. The spring 46 is provided inside the case 48 and is arranged around the lock pin 45. The spring 46 biases the lock pin 45 downward. The grip 47 is provided above the lock pin 45 and is formed integrally with the lock pin 45. When the lock pin 45 is inserted into the lock hole 42, rotation of the load receiving platform 11 around the vertical axis 15 is restricted. An operator can grasp the grip 47 and move the lock pin 45 upward against the biasing force of the spring 46 to remove the lock pin 45 from the lock hole 42. By disengaging the lock pin 45 from the lock hole 42, the loading platform 11 can be rotated around the vertical axis 15.

[0041] The lock hole 42 includes a first lock hole 42a, a second lock hole 42b, and a third lock hole 42c. The diameters of the first lock hole 42a, the second lock hole 42b, and the third lock hole 42c are all equal. The first lock hole 42a is positioned so that the first lock hole 42a and the index plunger 44 overlap when viewed from above when the receiving platform 11 is in the upright position. Therefore, when the receiving platform 11 is in the upright position, a lock pin 45 can be inserted into the first lock hole 42a. By inserting the lock pin 45 into the first lock hole 42a, the receiving platform 11 is locked in the upright position. Similarly, when the receiving platform 11 is in the inward-opening position, the second lock hole 42b and the index plunger 44 overlap when viewed from above, and when the receiving platform 11 is in the outward-opening position, the third lock hole 42c and the index plunger 44 overlap when viewed from above. When the lock pin 45 is inserted into the second lock hole 42b, the receiving platform 11 is locked in an inward-opening position. When the lock pin 45 is inserted into the third lock hole 43c, the receiving platform 11 is locked in an outward-opening position.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 10 , the receiving platform lifting device 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a safety device 50 that restricts the lifting and lowering movement of the receiving platform 11. The safety device 50 restricts the lifting and lowering movement of the receiving platform 11 when the receiving platform 11 is in an inward-opening state or an outward-opening state. In this embodiment, the safety device 50 is equipped with a proximity switch 52 provided on the upper arm 36 and a dog 54 provided on the rotating arm 38. When the rotating arm 38 is rotated relative to the upper arm 36 around the vertical axis 15, the positional relationship between the proximity switch 52 and the dog 54 changes. The dog 54 is positioned so as to be closest to the proximity switch 52 when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright state (or horizontal state). When the dog 54 approaches the proximity switch 52, the proximity switch 52 detects the dog 54. The proximity switch 52 is configured to transmit a signal to a control device 60, which will be described later, when it detects the dog 54.

[0043] The receiving platform lifting device 10 is equipped with an operating device 70 (see Figure 13). The operating device 70 is a device for operating the lifting mechanism 20 to lift and lower the receiving platform 11. There are no particular limitations on the configuration or arrangement of the operating device 70. The operating device 70 may be, for example, a remote control switch electrically connected to the lifting mechanism 20. Although not shown in the figures, the operating device 70 is equipped with an up switch for lifting the receiving platform 11 and a down switch for lowering the receiving platform 11, etc. While these switches on the operating device 70 are pressed, the operating device 70 transmits a signal to the control device 60, which will be described later. While the worker is pressing the up switch or down switch, the receiving platform 11 rises and falls.

[0044] The receiving platform lifting device 10 is equipped with a control device 60 that controls the lifting and lowering movement of the receiving platform 11. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the receiving platform lifting device 10 according to this embodiment. The control device 60 is communicatively connected to the proximity switch 52 of the safety device 50, the operating device 70, and the drive device 24 of the lifting mechanism 20. The control device 60 may be electrically connected to these devices, or may be configured to be capable of wireless communication. The control device 60 is configured to drive the drive device 24 only when it receives both a signal transmitted from the proximity switch 52 and a signal transmitted from the operating device 70.

[0045] Next, the operation of the loading platform lifting and lowering device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, the operation of unloading luggage from the luggage compartment 4 of the specially equipped vehicle 1 will be described as an example.

[0046] First, the worker manually rotates the cargo receiving platform 11 from an upright position to a horizontal position. Next, the worker places the cargo loaded in the luggage compartment 4 onto the cargo receiving platform 11. With the cargo loaded on the cargo receiving platform 11, the worker operates the operating device 70 to lower the cargo receiving platform 11 to a grounded position. This allows the cargo to be unloaded from the specially equipped vehicle 1.

[0047] When handling lightweight cargo, using the loading platform lifting device 10 to perform loading and unloading operations can take longer than expected. Therefore, loading and unloading operations can sometimes be performed manually without using the loading platform lifting device 10. When performing loading and unloading operations without using the loading platform lifting and unloading device 10, the loading platform 11 is opened outward as shown in FIG. 7. This prevents the loading and unloading operations from being hindered by the loading and unloading operations, allowing the operations to be carried out smoothly. In this embodiment, the loading and unloading operations of the loading platform 11 are performed manually. The loading and unloading operations of the loading platform 11 are performed as follows:

[0048] When the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position, the locking mechanism 40 restricts the rotation of the receiving platform 11 around the vertical axis 15. Therefore, to open the receiving platform 11 outward, the locking mechanism 40 must first be released. The worker releases the lock by grasping the grip 47 and removing the locking pin 45 from the first locking hole 42a. With the locking pin 45 still removed from the first locking hole 42a, the receiving platform 11 is rotated around the vertical axis 15 so that one end of the receiving platform 11 faces rearward. This allows the receiving platform 11 to open outward. When the receiving platform 11 has rotated to the outward-open position, the locking pin 45 is inserted into the second locking hole 42b by the biasing force of the spring 46. This locks the receiving platform 11 in the outward-open position.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position, the driver's rearward visibility is obstructed by the receiving platform 11. Therefore, it is difficult for the driver to check the rear. When the vehicle is traveling without a load, rearward visibility can be easily ensured by opening the receiving platform 11 inward beforehand, as shown in FIG. 6. Even when loading a load onto the specially equipped vehicle 1, the receiving platform 11 can be opened inward while the vehicle is traveling if the load to be loaded is small and does not prevent the receiving platform 11 from opening inward, or if the receiving platform 11 is opened inward beforehand when loading the load manually without using the receiving platform lifting device 10. Even in such cases, the driver can easily ensure rearward visibility by opening the receiving platform 11 inward. Furthermore, if the receiving platform 11 is loaded in an inward-opening position, loading and unloading of the load can be performed manually without opening the receiving platform 11 outward. In this embodiment, the receiving platform 11 is opened inward manually. The loading platform 11 is opened inward in the following manner.

[0050] As with opening the receiving platform 11 outward, when opening the receiving platform 11 from an upright position to an inward position, it is necessary to first release the lock provided by the locking mechanism 40. The worker releases the lock by grasping the grip 47 and removing the lock pin 45 from the first lock hole 42a. With the lock pin 45 still removed from the first lock hole 42a, the receiving platform 11 is rotated around the vertical axis 15 so that one end of the receiving platform 11 faces forward. This allows the receiving platform 11 to open inward. When the receiving platform 11 has rotated to the inward-open position, the lock pin 45 is inserted into the third lock hole 42c by the biasing force of the spring 46. This locks the receiving platform 11 in the inward-open position.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the receiving platform lifting device 10 includes a receiving platform 11, a left-right shaft 13, a vertical shaft 15, and a lifting mechanism 20. The receiving platform 11 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The horizontal shaft 13 extends in the left-right direction when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position. The horizontal shaft 13 supports the receiving platform 11 so that it can rotate between an upright position and a horizontal position. The vertical shaft 15 extends in the up-down direction when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position. The vertical shaft 15 supports the receiving platform 11 so that it can rotate between an upright position and an inward-opening position. The lifting mechanism 20 raises and lowers the receiving platform 11. With this configuration, by setting the receiving platform 11 to the inward-opening position in advance, the receiving platform 11 is less likely to obstruct the driver's rearward visibility when driving the specially equipped vehicle 1. The driver can ensure good rearward visibility.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 20 includes a main body frame 22, a link mechanism 30, a drive unit 24, and a rotating arm 38. The main body frame 22 is fixed to the vehicle body 2. The link mechanism 30 is connected to the main body frame 22. The drive unit 24 is connected to the link mechanism 30 and drives the link mechanism 30 to lift and lower the loading platform 11. The rotating arm 38 is connected to the link mechanism 30 and is rotatable around the vertical axis 15. By using the link mechanism 30 in the lifting mechanism 20, the loading platform 11 can be lifted and lowered with a relatively simple configuration.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position, the left-right shaft 13 and the up-down shaft 15 overlap with the lifting mechanism 20 in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from above. Furthermore, when the receiving platform 11 is in an upright position, the left-right shaft 13 and the up-down shaft 15 do not protrude significantly to the side from the lifting mechanism 20. This allows the receiving platform lifting device 10 to be made smaller without reducing the size of the receiving platform 11, compared to when the left-right shaft 13 and the up-down shaft 15 are positioned so as not to overlap with the lifting mechanism 20 when viewed from above. In particular, because the left-right shaft 13 and the up-down shaft 15 overlap with the lifting mechanism 20 when viewed from above, the front-to-rear dimension of the receiving platform lifting device 10 can be reduced.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 20 has a side surface 20a facing inward in the vehicle width direction. The distance L1 between the side surface 20a and the vertical shaft 15 is smaller than the distance L2 between the receiving platform 11 in the upright position and the vertical shaft 15. The distance between the receiving platform 11 and the vertical shaft 15 does not change even when the receiving platform 11 is rotated around the vertical shaft 15. That is, the distance L3 (see FIG. 6) between the receiving platform 11 in the inward-opening position and the vertical shaft 15 is equal to the distance L2 between the receiving platform 11 in the upright position and the vertical shaft 15. Therefore, the distance L1 between the side surface 20a and the vertical shaft 15 is smaller than the distance L3 between the receiving platform 11 in the inward-opening position and the vertical shaft 15. Therefore, when the receiving platform 11 is opened inward, the gap between the receiving platform 11 and the side surface 20a is larger. As a result, when the receiving platform 11 is opened inward, the receiving platform 11 is less likely to collide with the link mechanism 30 or the like.

[0055] In this embodiment, the vertical shaft 15 supports the loading platform 11 so that it can open inward by approximately 75 degrees with the loading platform 11 in an upright position as a reference. This makes it possible for the driver's rearward visibility to be unobstructed when driving the specially equipped vehicle 1.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the receiving platform lifting device 10 is provided with a locking mechanism 40 that restricts rotation of the receiving platform 11 around the vertical shaft 15 when the receiving platform 11 is in the inward-opening state. This allows the receiving platform 11 to be locked in the inward-opening state, and prevents the receiving platform 11 from accidentally rotating around the vertical shaft 15.

[0057] When handling lightweight cargo, it may be desirable to perform cargo handling operations without using the loading platform lifting device 10. According to this embodiment, the vertical shaft 15 supports the loading platform 11 so that it can rotate between an upright position and an outward-opening position. By placing the loading platform 11 in the outward-opening position, the loading platform 11 does not get in the way of cargo handling operations that do not use the loading platform lifting device 10.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the receiving platform lifting device 10 is provided with a safety device 50 that restricts the lifting and lowering movement of the receiving platform 11 by the lifting mechanism 20 when the receiving platform 11 is in an inward-opening state. This restricts the lifting and lowering operation of the receiving platform 11 when the receiving platform 11 is in an inward-opening state, thereby preventing malfunction of the receiving platform 11.

[0059] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment is merely an example, and various other embodiments are possible.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the loading platform lifting / lowering device 10 is provided at the left rear of the vehicle body 2 of the specially equipped vehicle 1, but the number and location of the loading platform lifting / lowering devices 10 are not limited to this. For example, the loading platform lifting / lowering device 10 may be provided at the right rear of the vehicle body 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 14 , the loading platform lifting / lowering devices 10 may be provided at the left rear and right rear of the vehicle body 2, and may be arranged in pairs on the left and right.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the specially equipped vehicle 1 is a so-called minivan, but the type of the specially equipped vehicle 1 is not limited to this and is not particularly limited. The specially equipped vehicle 1 may be, for example, a truck equipped with a loading platform or a loading box behind the driver's seat.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the driving device 24 is an electric cylinder, but there is no particular limitation on the type of the driving device 24. The driving device 24 may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0063] The receiving platform lifting device 10 according to the above embodiment can rotate the receiving platform 11 from an upright position to an inward-opening position, and can also rotate the receiving platform 11 from an upright position to an outward-opening position. However, the receiving platform lifting device 10 may be configured so that the receiving platform 11 can only be opened inward. In other words, the receiving platform lifting device 10 may be configured so that the receiving platform 11 cannot be opened outward.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the operations of rotating the loading platform 11 between an upright position and a horizontal position and rotating the loading platform 11 between an upright position and an inward-opening position or an outward-opening position were performed manually. However, electric motors or the like may be attached to the left-right shaft 13 and the up-down shaft 15 so that the rotation of the loading platform 11 about the left-right shaft 13 and the up-down shaft 15 can be performed automatically. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Specially equipped vehicle 2. Body 10 Loading platform lifting device 11 Loading platform 13 Left and right axis 15 Vertical axis 15 Drive unit 20 Lifting mechanism 20a Side 22 Main frame 24 Drive unit 30 Link mechanism 40 Locking mechanism 50 Safety equipment

Claims

1. a loading platform provided at the rear of the vehicle; a left-right shaft that rotatably supports the loading platform between an upright state in which the loading platform extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and a horizontal state in which the loading platform extends in the front-rear and horizontal directions; a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the loading platform; a vertical shaft that rotatably supports the loading platform between an inward-opening state in which the loading platform extends in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction forward of the up-standing state and the up-standing state; A loading platform lifting device comprising:

2. The lifting mechanism includes: a main body frame fixed to the vehicle; a link mechanism connected to the main body frame; a drive device connected to the link mechanism and driving the link mechanism to raise and lower the loading platform; a rotating arm connected to the link mechanism and rotatable around the vertical axis; The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical shaft and the horizontal shaft are arranged at positions overlapping the lifting mechanism when viewed from above when the loading platform is in the upright position.

4. the lifting mechanism has a side surface facing inward in the vehicle width direction, 2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the side surface of the lifting mechanism and the vertical shaft is smaller than the distance between the loading platform in the upright position and the vertical shaft.

5. 2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical shaft supports the loading platform so that the loading platform can be opened inward at an angle of 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the loading platform in the upright state.

6. 2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that restricts rotation of the loading platform about the vertical axis when the loading platform is in the inward-opening state.

7. 2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical shaft rotatably supports the loading platform between an outwardly opening state in which the loading platform extends in the vertical and longitudinal directions rearward of the upright state and an upright state.

8. 2. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, further comprising a safety device that restricts the lifting mechanism from lifting or lowering the loading platform when the loading platform is in the inward-opening state.

9. A specially equipped vehicle equipped with a loading platform lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 at a rear portion of the vehicle.

10. A specially equipped vehicle having a pair of loading platform lifting devices according to any one of claims 1 to 8 at the rear of the vehicle, one on each side.

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