Loading platform lifting device and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a loading platform lifting device which facilitates the work of screwing a male screw material to a female screw material.SOLUTION: A loading platform lifting device includes: a bumper arm extending in a front-to-back direction; a rear bumper which extends in a lateral direction and is fixed to a first fixation position of the bumper arm; a horizontal frame which extends in the lateral direction and is fixed to a second fixation position in front of the first fixation position of the bumper arm; and fixing means for fixing a vehicle fixing part and the bumper arm. The bumper arm is cylindrically formed across the front-to-back direction from the first fixation position to the second fixation position. The vehicle fixing part has a fixing open hole penetrating in a vertical direction, whereas the bumper arm has an arm open hole penetrating in the vertical direction. The fixing means includes: a male screw material to be inserted to the fixing open hole and the arm open hole; and a female screw material to be engaged with the male screw material to fasten the vehicle fixing part and the bumper arm. The bumper arm includes therein a placement part for placing the female screw material before the male screw material is engaged with the female screw material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a load-carrying platform lifting device and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a load-carrying platform lifting device includes a bumper arm disposed below a vehicle body fixing portion fixed to a vehicle body, a rear bumper extending in a lateral direction and fixed to a rear end portion of the bumper arm, a lateral frame extending in the lateral direction and fixed to a front end portion of the bumper arm, and fixing means for fixing the vehicle body fixing portion and the bumper arm (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The bumper arm is formed in a cylindrical shape over the entire length in the front-rear direction, and the fixing means includes a bolt inserted into the vehicle body fixing portion and the bumper arm, and a nut disposed inside the bumper arm and screwed with a male screw member. Then, when the bolt is screwed with the nut, the bolt and the nut fasten the vehicle body fixing portion and the bumper arm.

[0004] By the way, before the bolt is screwed with the nut, it is necessary to hold the nut inside the bumper arm. And since the operation of holding the nut inside the bumper arm is complicated, the operation of screwing the bolt (male screw member) with the nut (female screw member) becomes complicated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the problem is to provide a load-carrying platform lifting device and a vehicle that can easily perform the operation of screwing a male screw member with a female screw member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The loading platform lifting device comprises a loading platform having a loading surface, a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the loading platform, a bumper arm positioned below a vehicle body fixing part fixed to the vehicle body and extending in the front-rear direction, a rear bumper extending in the lateral direction and fixed to a first fixing position of the bumper arm, a lateral frame extending in the lateral direction and fixed to a second fixing position forward of the bumper arm, and fixing means for fixing the vehicle body fixing part and the bumper arm, wherein the bumper arm extends in the front-rear direction from the first fixing position to the second fixing position. The vehicle body fixing portion is formed in a cylindrical shape over a certain distance, and the vehicle body fixing portion has a fixing through hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, and the bumper arm has an arm through hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, and the fixing means comprises a male screw material inserted into the fixing through hole and the arm through hole, and a female screw material disposed inside the bumper arm that screws into the male screw material to fasten the vehicle body fixing portion and the bumper arm, and the bumper arm has a mounting portion inside for the female screw material to be placed on before the male screw material screws into the female screw material.

[0008] The vehicle comprises a vehicle body and a loading platform lifting device attached to the vehicle body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Left side view of the main part of a vehicle according to one embodiment [Figure 2] Enlarged view of area II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Perspective view of the main components of the loading platform lifting device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] Front view of the main components of the same main building block. [Figure 5] Plan view of the main components of the same main building block. [Figure 6] Left side view of the main component. [Figure 7] Figure 5, section view along line VII-VII [Figure 8] Perspective view of the bumper arm according to the same embodiment. [Figure 9]Diagram of the bumper arm ((a): plan view, (b): cross-sectional view of line IXb-IXb in (a)) [Figure 10] Figure of the female thread material according to the same embodiment ((a): bottom view, (b): left side view, (c): cross-sectional view of line Xc-Xc of (a)) [Figure 11] This is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the manufacturing method of the cargo bed lifting device according to the same embodiment, showing the state in which the female screw material is inserted into the bumper arm. [Figure 12] Figure 11 shows the state after the female screw material has been placed on the mounting part. [Figure 13] Figure 12 shows the state in which the male thread material is screwed into the female thread material. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In each drawing, the dimensions of components may be enlarged or reduced from their actual dimensions for the sake of clarity, and the dimensional ratios between drawings may not be consistent. Furthermore, in each drawing, some components may be omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0011] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "1st," "2nd," etc., are used to describe various components, but these terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from others, and the components are not particularly limited by these terms. Furthermore, the number of components including ordinal numbers is not particularly limited; for example, there may be only one. Also, the ordinal numbers used in the following specification and drawings may differ from the ordinal numbers described in the claims.

[0012] In the following explanation, the first direction D1 is also called the front-back direction, and within the first direction D1, the direction of the arrow in each figure is defined as the front direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in each figure is defined as the back direction. The second direction D2 is also called the side direction (left-right direction), and within the second direction D2, the direction of the arrow in each figure is defined as the left direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow in each figure is defined as the right direction.

[0013] Also, the third direction D3 is also referred to as the vertical direction. In the third direction D3, the arrow direction in each figure is defined as the upward direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow direction in each figure is defined as the downward direction. That is, each of the directions D1 to D3 is defined as the direction seen from a person (driver) sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the vehicle and the loading platform lifting device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The following embodiment is exemplified to assist in understanding the configuration of the vehicle and the loading platform lifting device, and does not limit the configuration of the vehicle and the loading platform lifting device.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 may include, for example, a vehicle body 2 and a loading platform lifting device 3 attached to the vehicle body 2. The vehicle 1 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a freight vehicle as in this embodiment. That is, the vehicle body 2 may include, for example, a vehicle body frame 2a and a loading box 2b disposed at the rear end of the vehicle body 2 and on the vehicle body frame 2a as in this embodiment.

[0016] The loading platform lifting device 3 may include, for example, a loading platform 4 having a loading surface 4a, a horizontal frame 5 extending in the lateral direction D2, a lifting mechanism 6 connecting the loading platform 4 and the horizontal frame 5 and lifting and lowering the loading platform 4 between an upper end position (the position illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 1) and a lower end position (the position illustrated by the two-dot chain line below FIG. 1), and a rotation drive unit 7 for rotating the loading platform 4 with respect to the lifting mechanism 6.

[0017] And, for example, the loading platform 4 may be rotated by the rotation drive unit 7 between the upper end position and the storage position (the position illustrated by the two-dot chain line above FIG. 1). Thereby, when not in use, the loading platform 4 is located at the storage position in the rear part of the vehicle body 2 (specifically, the loading box 2b). Although not particularly limited, the loading platform 4 may also serve as, for example, the door of the loading box 2b.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lifting mechanism 6 may include, for example, first and second link sections 8 and 9 connected to the loading platform 4 and the horizontal frame 5, a lifting drive unit 10 for raising and lowering the loading platform 4, an upper stopper 11, a lower stopper 12 and a bracket 13 fixed to the horizontal frame 5, and a connecting link 14 connected to the first link section 8, the lifting drive unit 10 and the upper stopper 11. Although not particularly limited, the upper stopper 11, the lower stopper 12 and the bracket 13 may be fixed to the horizontal frame 5 by, for example, welding or fastening means (e.g., bolts and nuts).

[0019] The first link section 8 may, for example, include a first front shaft 8a rotatably connected to the connecting link 14 and a first rear shaft 8b rotatably connected to the front end of the loading platform 4, as in this embodiment. The second link section 9 may, for example, include a second front shaft 9a rotatably connected to the bracket 13 and a second rear shaft 9b rotatably connected to the front end of the loading platform 4, as in this embodiment.

[0020] As a result, the first link section 8 and the second link section 9 constitute a parallel link mechanism. Therefore, as the loading platform 4 moves up and down by the rotation of the first and second link sections 8 and 9 around the front shafts 8a and 9a, respectively, the loading surface 4a is maintained in a horizontal position. When the loading platform 4 is in its upper end position, the height of the loading surface 4a of the loading platform 4 may be set to match, for example, the height of the floor of the loading box 2b.

[0021] The lifting drive unit 10 may be composed of a retractable cylinder, for example, as in this embodiment. The lifting drive unit 10 may also include a third front shaft 10a rotatably connected to the connecting link 14 and a third rear shaft 10b rotatably connected to the first link 8, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0022] As a result, the cylinder extends and retracts, causing the first and second link sections 8 and 9 to rotate around the front shafts 8a and 9a, respectively, so that the loading platform 4 moves up and down. The configuration of the lifting drive unit 10 is not particularly limited and may be a motor, for example.

[0023] The connecting link 14 may, for example, have a base shaft 14a that is rotatably connected to the upper stopper 11, as in this embodiment. This allows the force due to the weight of the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 to be applied to the connecting link 14 as a rotational force around the base shaft 14a when the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 are suspended in the air without being supported from below.

[0024] As a result, when the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 are suspended in the air without being supported from below, the connecting link 14 attempts to rotate around the base axis 14a so that the front end of the lifting mechanism 6 (for example, the first front axis 8a and the third front axis 10a) moves forward due to the force of the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6's own weight. Specifically, in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting link 14 attempts to rotate clockwise around the base axis 14a.

[0025] In contrast, the lower stopper 12 may, for example, be equipped with a first stopping portion 12a that stops the front end of the lifting mechanism 6 (specifically, the first stopping portion 14b of the connecting link 14), as in this embodiment. This prevents the front end of the lifting mechanism 6 from moving forward due to the weight of the load receiving platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 by the first stopping portion 12a stopping the first stopping portion 14b.

[0026] Furthermore, the lower stopper 12 receives a force due to the weight of the load receiving platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6, as the first stopping portion 12a of the lower stopper 12 engages with the first stopping portion 14b of the connecting link 14. Therefore, for example, if the load of the cargo placed on the load receiving platform 4 changes, the force applied to the lower stopper 12 from the load receiving platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 will change.

[0027] The upper stopper 11 may, for example, include a second stopping portion 11a that stops the lifting mechanism 6 (specifically, the second stopping portion 8c of the first link portion 8), as in this embodiment. This prevents the load receiving platform 4 from moving above its upper end position by stopping the second stopping portion 11a from stopping the second stopping portion 8c.

[0028] Furthermore, since the connecting link 14 is rotatably connected to the upper stopper 11 by the base shaft 14a, the upper stopper 11 is subjected to a force due to the weight of the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6. Therefore, for example, if the load of the cargo placed on the loading platform 4 changes, the force applied to the upper stopper 11 from the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 will change.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the loading platform lifting device 3 may include, for example, body fixing parts 20, 21 fixed to the body frame 2a of the vehicle body 2, a bumper arm 22 extending in the front-rear direction D1 and positioned below the body fixing parts 20, 21, a rear bumper 23 extending in the lateral direction D2 and fixed to a first fixing position 22i of the bumper arm 22, and fixing means 24 for fixing the body fixing parts 20, 21 and the bumper arm 22.

[0030] The rear bumper 23 may, for example, include a bumper body 23a extending laterally in the direction D2, and a connecting member (e.g., a bracket) 23b connecting the bumper body 23a and the bumper arm 22, as in this embodiment. Alternatively, the rear bumper 23 may consist only of a bumper body 23a that is directly fixed to the bumper arm 22, without the connecting member 23b.

[0031] While not particularly limited, at least a portion of the first fixed position 22i of the bumper arm 22 may be located in the rear part of the bumper arm 22, for example, as in this embodiment, and more specifically, it may be located at the rear end of the bumper arm 22. The rear part of the bumper arm 22 refers to the portion of the bumper arm 22 from the center of the front-rear direction D1 to the rear, and the rear end of the bumper arm 22 refers to the portion from the rear end of the bumper arm 22 up to 20% of the dimension of the front-rear direction D1 of the bumper arm 22.

[0032] The bumper arm 22 may be fixed to the horizontal frame 5, for example, as in this embodiment. As a result, the bumper arm 22 receives force from the weight of the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 via the horizontal frame 5. Therefore, the force applied to the bumper arm 22 from the loading platform 4 and the lifting mechanism 6 changes, for example, as the load of the cargo placed on the loading platform 4 changes. Although not particularly limited, the bumper arm 22 may be fixed to the horizontal frame 5 by welding or fastening means (bolts and nuts), for example.

[0033] Here, the configuration of the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21, bumper arm 22, and fixing means 24 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 10. Note that Figures 3 to 7 (and similarly Figures 11 to 13) only show the horizontal frame 5, upper stopper 11, lower stopper 12, vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21, bumper arm 22, and fixing means 24.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the bumper arms 22 may be arranged in pairs in the lateral direction D2, for example. The number of bumper arms 22 is not particularly limited; for example, there may be one, or there may be three or more.

[0035] The horizontal frame 5 may, for example, include a cylindrical lower frame portion 5a extending in the horizontal direction D2, and cylindrical upper frame portions 5b, 5b that are shorter than the lower frame portion 5a, extend in the horizontal direction D2, and are fixed above the lower frame portion 5a and to the end in the horizontal direction D2. Although not particularly limited, the lower frame portion 5a and the upper frame portions 5b, 5b may be fixed together, for example, by welding or fastening means (bolts and nuts).

[0036] Furthermore, the horizontal frame 5 may be configured such that the lower frame 5a is directly fixed to the bumper arm 22, as in this embodiment, but it is not particularly limited. For example, the horizontal frame 5 may be equipped with a connecting member (e.g., a bracket) that connects the lower frame 5a and the bumper arm 22, and the lower frame 5a may be indirectly fixed to the bumper arm 22 via the connecting member.

[0037] The vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 may include, for example, a first vehicle body fixing part 20 and a second vehicle body fixing part 21 arranged in the front-rear direction D1 for one bumper arm 22, as in this embodiment. The vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 are not particularly limited, and for example, there may be three or more arranged in the front-rear direction D1 for one bumper arm 22, or for example, only one may be provided for one bumper arm 22.

[0038] The vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 may, for example, include vehicle body connecting parts 20a and 21a that are in contact with and connected to the vehicle body frame 2a of the vehicle body 2, and arm connecting parts 20b and 21b that are in contact with and connected to the bumper arm 22, as in this embodiment. Although not particularly limited, the vehicle body frame 2a of the vehicle body 2 and the vehicle body connecting parts 20a and 21a may be fixed together, for example, by welding or fastening means (bolts and nuts).

[0039] The arm connecting portions 20b and 21b may, for example, be provided with fixed through holes 20c and 21c that penetrate in the vertical direction D3, as in this embodiment. The fixed through hole 20c of the first vehicle body fixing portion 20 is referred to as the first fixed through hole 20c, and the fixed through hole 21c of the second vehicle body fixing portion 21 is referred to as the second fixed through hole 21c.

[0040] The number of first and second fixed through holes 20c and 21c may be two, for example, arranged in the front-to-back direction D1 as in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more. Also, although not particularly limited, the fixed through holes 20c and 21c may be formed as elongated holes that extend long in the front-to-back direction D1, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 to 9, the bumper arm 22 may, for example, comprise a pair of side plate portions 22a, 22a and an upper plate portion 22b and a lower plate portion 22c connecting the pair of side plate portions 22a, 22a. Thus, the bumper arm 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Although not particularly limited, for example, the pair of side plate portions 22a, 22a and the upper plate portion 22b may be formed by bending a single sheet of material.

[0042] The upper plate portion 22b may, for example, be provided with arm through holes 22d and 22e that penetrate in the vertical direction D3, as in this embodiment. The arm through holes 22d and 22e may, for example, be provided with a first arm through hole 22d corresponding to the first fixed through hole 20c, and a second arm through hole 22e that is aligned with the first arm through hole 22d in the front-rear direction D1 and corresponds to the second fixed through hole 21c, as in this embodiment.

[0043] The number of first and second arm through holes 22d and 22e may be two, corresponding to the number of fixed through holes 20c and 21c, and arranged in the front-to-back direction D1, as in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited, and may be one or three or more. Also, although not particularly limited, the arm through holes 22d and 22e may be formed as elongated holes extending in the lateral direction D2, as in this embodiment.

[0044] Each of the side plate portions 22a, 22a may have a recess 22f that is open at the front, for example, as in this embodiment, into which the lower frame portion 5a of the horizontal frame 5 is fitted. As a result, the bumper arm 22 is fixed to the horizontal frame 5 at a second fixing position 22j, which is forward of the first fixing position 22j.

[0045] While not particularly limited, at least a portion of the second fixing position 22j of the bumper arm 22 may be located in the front part of the bumper arm 22, for example, as in this embodiment, and more specifically, it may be located at the front end of the bumper arm 22. The front part of the bumper arm 22 refers to the portion in front of the center of the front-rear direction D1 of the bumper arm 22, and the front end of the bumper arm 22 refers to the portion from the front end of the bumper arm 22 up to 20% of the dimension D1 in the front-rear direction of the bumper arm 22.

[0046] Furthermore, the bumper arm 22 may be formed in a cylindrical shape over the longitudinal direction D1 from at least a first fixed position 22i to a second fixed position 22j, as in this embodiment. Specifically, the bumper arm 22 may be formed in a cylindrical shape over the entire length of the longitudinal direction D1, from the front end to the rear end, as in this embodiment.

[0047] While not particularly limited, in this embodiment, for example, the pair of side plate portions 22a, 22a and the upper plate portion 22b extend from the front end to the rear end of the bumper arm 22, along the entire length of the bumper arm 22 in the longitudinal direction D1, and the lower plate portion 22b extends in part of the longitudinal direction D1 of the bumper arm 22, specifically from the front end to the rear end of the bumper arm 22, along the longitudinal direction D1.

[0048] Furthermore, the bumper arm 22 may also be equipped with a cover portion 22g that covers a part of the front end opening, as in this embodiment. As a result, the cover portion 22g and the lateral frame 5 cover the front end opening of the bumper arm 22, thereby preventing sand, mud, dust, etc. from entering the interior from the front end of the bumper arm 22.

[0049] The fixing means 24 may, for example, as in this embodiment, include a first male threaded member 25 inserted into the first fixing through hole 20c and the first arm through hole 22d, a second male threaded member 26 inserted into the second fixing through hole 21c and the second arm through hole 22e, a female threaded member 27 arranged inside the bumper arm 22 and screwed with the male threaded members 25 and 26, and an intervening member 28 inserted between the male threaded members 25 and 26 and the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21.

[0050] As a result, the male threaded members 25, 26 and the female threaded member 27 fasten the bumper arm 22 to the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21, thereby fixing the bumper arm 22 to the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21. Although not particularly limited, the intervening member 28 may be a washer and a plate, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0051] The number of first and second male threaded members 25 and 26 may be two, corresponding to the number of fixed through holes 20c and 21c and arm through holes 22d and 22e, as in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more. Also, although not particularly limited, the male threaded members 25 and 26 may be bolts, as in this embodiment.

[0052] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the female threaded material 27 may include, for example, first female threaded portions 27a, 27a that screw into the first male threaded material 25, second female threaded portions 27b, 27b that screw into the second male threaded material 26, and a connecting portion 27c that connects the first female threaded portion 27a and the second female threaded portion 27b. The number of first and second female threaded portions 27a, 27b may be two, corresponding to the number of male threaded materials 25, 26, as in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more.

[0053] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, for example, the female threaded portions 27a and 27b may be nuts, the connecting portion 27c may be a plate, and the female threaded portions 27a and 27b may be fixed to the lower surface of the connecting portion 27c by, for example, welding. In this configuration, the lower end of the connecting portion 27c is positioned above the lower ends of the female threaded portions 27a and 27b. The configuration of the female threaded material 27 is not particularly limited, and for example, the connecting portion 27c may be a plate, and the female threaded portions 27a and 27b may be female threaded holes formed in the plate.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first female thread portion 27a is positioned furthest forward among the female thread portions 27a and 27b of the female thread material 27, and the second female thread portion 27b is positioned furthest rear among the female thread portions 27a and 27b of the female thread material 27.

[0055] Furthermore, the connecting portion 27c may, for example, include a connecting forward portion 27d extending forward of the first female thread portion 27a, a connecting rear portion 27e extending backward of the second female thread portion 27b, and a connecting intermediate portion 27f positioned between the first female thread portion 27a and the second female thread portion 27b in the front-rear direction D1, as in this embodiment.

[0056] Incidentally, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the bumper arm 22 may have mounting portions 29 and 30 inside the cylindrical bumper arm 22 for placing the female thread material 27 before the male thread material 25 and 26 are screwed into the female thread material 27. Furthermore, the cover portion 22g of the bumper arm 22 may have an opening 22h for the female thread material 27 to pass through in order to insert the female thread material 27 into the inside of the bumper arm 22, for example, as in this embodiment.

[0057] The mounting portions 29 and 30 may extend throughout the entire length of the bumper arm 22 in the lateral direction D2, for example, as in this embodiment. As a result, the mounting portions 29 and 30 connect the pair of side plate portions 22a, 22a, and the cylindrical bumper arm 22 can be reinforced in the lateral direction D2 by the mounting portions 29 and 30.

[0058] The mounting sections 29 and 30 may, for example, include a front mounting section 29 and a rear mounting section 30 positioned behind the front mounting section 29, as in this embodiment. The number of mounting sections 29 and 30 may be two, as in this embodiment, but is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more.

[0059] The front mounting portion 29 may be positioned above the recess 22f of the side plate portion 22a, i.e., the portion of the lateral frame 5 (lower frame portion 5a) fixed to the bumper arm 22, as in this embodiment. Alternatively, the front mounting portion 29 may extend in the front-rear direction D1 parallel to the upper plate portion 22b, as in this embodiment.

[0060] The front mounting portion 29 may be positioned below the opening 22h of the cover portion 22g, for example, as in this embodiment. This prevents the female thread material 27 from getting caught on the front mounting portion 29 when it is inserted through the opening 22h of the cover portion 22g.

[0061] The rear mounting portion 30 may be positioned above the lower plate portion 22c, for example, as in this embodiment. Alternatively, the rear mounting portion 30 may include, for example, an inclined portion 30a extending upward toward the rear from the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30, and a horizontal portion 30b extending toward the rear parallel to the upper plate portion 22b, as in this embodiment.

[0062] For example, as in this embodiment, the horizontal portion 30b may be positioned above the front mounting portion 29, and the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 may be positioned below the rear end 29a of the front mounting portion 29 (specifically, the entire front mounting portion 29). Alternatively, the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 may be positioned behind the second female screw portion 27b, as in this embodiment.

[0063] Next, the manufacturing method of the loading platform lifting device 3 according to this embodiment, specifically the method of fixing the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21 to the bumper arm 22, will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 11 to 13. Note that the following method is provided as an example to aid in understanding the method of fixing the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21 to the bumper arm 22, and is not limited to the method of fixing the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21 to the bumper arm 22.

[0064] As shown in Figure 11, the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 are fixed to the vehicle body 2, and the bumper arm 22 is separated from the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21. Alternatively, the bumper arm 22 may be temporarily fixed to the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 by temporary fixing means.

[0065] Then, the female thread material 27 is inserted into the bumper arm 22 through the opening 22h of the cover portion 22g. At this time, since the front mounting portion 29 is positioned below the opening 22h of the cover portion 22g, it is possible to prevent the female thread material 27 from getting caught on the front mounting portion 29.

[0066] Furthermore, since the inclined portion 30a of the rear mounting portion 30 extends upward toward the rear from the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30, the connecting rear portion 27e is guided by the inclined portion 30a even if, for example, the female thread material 27 is bent or tilted. This prevents the connecting rear portion 27e of the female thread material 27 from getting caught on the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30.

[0067] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 12, the entire female thread material 27 is inserted into the bumper arm 22, so that the first female thread portions 27a, 27a are placed on the front mounting portion 29, and the connecting rear portion 27e is placed on the horizontal portion 30b of the rear mounting portion 30. At this time, since the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 is positioned further back than the second female thread portion 27b, it is possible to prevent the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 from getting caught on the second female thread portion 27b.

[0068] In this embodiment, the height between the front mounting portion 29 and the upper plate portion 22b (dimension D3 in the vertical direction) is greater than the maximum height of the female screw material 27 (height of the female screw portions 27a, 27b and the connecting portion 27c). As a result, the first female screw portions 27a, 27a are mounted on the front mounting portion 29.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height between the horizontal section 30b and the upper plate section 22b is lower than the maximum height of the female screw material 27, and higher than the maximum height of the connecting section 27c. As a result, the rear connecting section 27e is placed on the horizontal section 30b of the rear mounting section 30.

[0070] While not particularly limited, for example, when the female screw material 27 is placed on the front mounting portion 29 and the rear mounting portion 30, the positions of the front mounting portion 29 and the rear mounting portion 30 in the vertical direction D3 may be set such that the connecting portion 27c is parallel to the upper plate portion 22b (including not only cases where it is perfectly parallel, but also cases where it is approximately parallel with an inclination angle of 5° or less).

[0071] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13, with the female thread material 27 placed on the mounting parts 29 and 30 inside the bumper arm 22, the male thread materials 25 and 26 are inserted into the fixed through holes 20c and 21c and the arm through holes 22d and 22e, and screwed into the female thread parts 27a and 27b. As the male thread materials 25 and 26 screw into the female thread parts 27a and 27b, the female thread material 27 moves closer to the upper plate part 22b.

[0072] As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the male threaded members 25 and 26 and the female threaded member 27 fasten the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 to the bumper arm 22, thereby fixing the bumper arm 22 to the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21. Therefore, the process of screwing multiple male threaded members 25 and 26 into multiple female threaded parts 27a and 27b of the female threaded member 27 can be easily performed.

[0073] [1] As described above, the loading platform lifting device 3, as in this embodiment, comprises a loading platform 4 having a loading surface 4a, a lifting mechanism 6 for raising and lowering the loading platform 4, a bumper arm 22 positioned below the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21 fixed to the vehicle body 2 and extending in the front-rear direction D1, a rear bumper 23 extending in the lateral direction D2 and fixed to a first fixing position 22i of the bumper arm 22, a lateral frame 5 extending in the lateral direction D2 and fixed to a second fixing position 22j of the bumper arm 22 forward of the first fixing position 22i, and fixing means 24 for fixing the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21 and the bumper arm 22, wherein the bumper arm 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction D1 from the first fixing position 22i to the second fixing position 22j. The vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 are provided with fixing through holes 20c and 21c that penetrate in the vertical direction D3, while the bumper arm 22 is provided with arm through holes 22d and 22e that penetrate in the vertical direction D3, and the fixing means 24 comprises male threaded members 25 and 26 that are inserted into the fixing through holes 20c and 21c and the arm through holes 22d and 22e, and female threaded members 27 that are arranged inside the bumper arm 22 and screwed with the male threaded members 25 and 26 to fasten the vehicle body fixing parts 20 and 21 to the bumper arm 22, and the bumper arm 22 is preferably provided with mounting parts 29 and 30 inside for the female threaded members 27 to be placed on before the male threaded members 25 and 26 are screwed with the female threaded members 27.

[0074] With this configuration, the male threads 25 and 26 can be screwed into the female thread 27 while the female thread 27 is mounted on the mounting parts 29 and 30 inside the bumper arm 22. This makes it easy to screw the male threads 25 and 26 into the female thread 27.

[0075] [2] Furthermore, in the loading platform lifting device 3 described in [1] above, it is preferable that the aforementioned mounting parts 29 and 30 extend throughout the entire length of the bumper arm 22 in the lateral direction D2, as in this embodiment.

[0076] With this configuration, since the mounting portions 29 and 30 extend throughout the entire length of the bumper arm 22 in the lateral direction D2, the cylindrical bumper arm 22 can be reinforced in the lateral direction D2 by the mounting portions 29 and 30.

[0077] [3] Furthermore, in the loading platform lifting device 3 of [1] or [2] above, as in this embodiment, the vehicle body fixing parts 20, 21 include at least a first vehicle body fixing part 20 and a second vehicle body fixing part 21 arranged in the front-rear direction D1, while the arm through holes 22d, 22e include at least a first arm through hole 22d and a second arm through hole 22e arranged in the front-rear direction D1, and the male screw members 25, 26 are connected to the fixing through hole 20c of the first vehicle body fixing part 20 and the A preferred configuration includes a first male threaded material 25 inserted into the first arm through hole 22d, and a second male threaded material 26 inserted into the fixing through hole 21c of the second vehicle body fixing part 21 and the second arm through hole 22e, wherein the female threaded material 27 comprises a first female threaded portion 27a that screws into the first male threaded material 25, a second female threaded portion 27b that screws into the second male threaded material 26, and a connecting portion 27c that connects the first female threaded portion 27a and the second female threaded portion 27b.

[0078] With this configuration, the female thread material 27 is placed on the mounting parts 29 and 30 inside the bumper arm 22, allowing the first male thread material 25 to be screwed into the first female thread part 27a, and the second male thread material 26 to be screwed into the second female thread part 27b. This makes it easy to screw multiple male thread materials 25 and 26 into multiple female thread parts 27a and 27b of the female thread material 27.

[0079] [4] Furthermore, in the loading platform lifting device 3 described in [3] above, it is preferable that, as in this embodiment, the second female thread portion 27b is positioned furthest rear of the female thread portions 27a and 27b of the female thread material 27, the connecting portion 27c includes a connecting rear portion 27e that extends further rear than the second female thread portion 27b, the lower end of the connecting rear portion 27e is positioned above the lower end of the second female thread portion 27b, the aforementioned mounting portions 29 and 30 include a rear mounting portion 30 on which the connecting rear portion 27e is placed before the male thread materials 25 and 26 are screwed into the female thread material 27, and the rear mounting portion 30 includes an inclined portion 30a that extends upward toward the rear from the front end 30c.

[0080] With this configuration, since the inclined portion 30a extends upward toward the rear from the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30, for example, when the female thread material 27 is inserted into the interior of the bumper arm 22 from the front end of the bumper arm 22, the connecting rear portion 27e is guided by the inclined portion 30a of the rear mounting portion 30. Then, before the male thread materials 25 and 26 are screwed into the female thread material 27, the connecting rear portion 27e is placed on the rear mounting portion 30.

[0081] [5] Furthermore, in the loading platform lifting device 3 of the above [3] or [4], it is preferable that, as in this embodiment, the second female thread portion 27b is positioned furthest rear of the female thread portions 27a and 27b of the female thread material 27, the connecting portion 27c includes a connecting rear portion 27e that extends further rear than the second female thread portion 27b, the lower end of the connecting rear portion 27e is positioned above the lower end of the second female thread portion 27b, the aforementioned mounting portions 29 and 30 include a rear mounting portion 30 on which the connecting rear portion 27e is placed before the male thread materials 25 and 26 are screwed into the female thread material 27, and the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 is positioned further rear than the second female thread portion 27b.

[0082] With this configuration, since the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 is positioned further back than the second female screw portion 27b, it is possible to prevent the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 from getting caught on the second female screw portion 27b when the connecting rear portion 27e is placed on the rear mounting portion 30.

[0083] [6] Furthermore, it is preferable that the vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle body 2 and at least one of the above-mentioned [1] to [5] loading platform lifting devices 3 attached to the vehicle body 2, as in this embodiment.

[0084] With this configuration, the process of screwing the male threaded material 25 and 26 into the female threaded material 27 can be easily performed.

[0085] It should be noted that the vehicle 1 and the loading platform lifting device 3 are not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, nor are they limited to the effects described above. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the vehicle 1 and the loading platform lifting device 3 can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, one or more of the configurations and methods described below may be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configurations and methods of the embodiment described above.

[0086] (A) In the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the mounting sections 29 and 30 are configured to extend throughout the entire length of the bumper arm 22 in the lateral direction D2. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration.

[0087] For example, the mounting portions 29 and 30 may be configured to be located inside the bumper arm 22, in a portion of the lateral direction D2. Although not particularly limited, for example, the mounting portions 29 and 30 may protrude laterally in D2 from a pair of side plate portions 22a, 22a, and the lateral end of the connecting portion 27c of the female screw material 27 may be mounted on them.

[0088] (B) Furthermore, in the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the female threaded material 27 connects the first female threaded portion 27a and the second female threaded portion 27b by a connecting portion 27c, that is, the first female threaded portion 27a and the second female threaded portion 27b are provided on a single member. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration.

[0089] For example, the female thread material may include a first female thread material having a first female thread portion and a second female thread material having a second female thread portion, that is, the first female thread portion 27a and the second female thread portion 27b may be provided on separate members.

[0090] (C) In addition, in the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the rear mounting portion 30 is configured to extend upward toward the rear from the front end 30c. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rear mounting portion 30 may be configured to be parallel to the upper plate portion 22b over its entire length in the front-rear direction D1.

[0091] (D) In ​​addition, in the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the front mounting portion 29 is parallel to the upper plate portion 22b over its entire length in the front-rear direction D1. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration.

[0092] For example, the front mounting portion 29 may be configured to extend upward from the front end toward the rear. Alternatively, for example, the front mounting portion 29 may be configured to extend upward from the rear end 29a toward the front.

[0093] (E) In addition, in the load-receiving platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 is positioned rearward from the second female screw portion 27b. However, the load-receiving platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the front end 30c of the rear mounting portion 30 may be positioned forward from the second female screw portion 27b.

[0094] (F) In addition, in the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the front mounting portion 29 is mounted on the first female screw portions 27a, 27a, and the rear mounting portion 30 is mounted on the connecting rear portion 27e. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration.

[0095] For example, the front mounting portion 29 may be mounted on the first female threaded portions 27a, 27a, and the rear mounting portion 30 may be mounted on the second female threaded portions 27b, 27b. Alternatively, for example, the front mounting portion 29 may be mounted on the connecting front portion 27d, and the rear mounting portion 30 may be mounted on the connecting rear portion 27e. Alternatively, for example, the front mounting portion 29 may be mounted on the connecting front portion 27d, and the rear mounting portion 30 may be mounted on the second female threaded portions 27b, 27b.

[0096] (G) In addition, in the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the loading platform 4 is configured to be in a storage position at the rear of the vehicle body 2 when not in use. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the loading platform 4 may be configured to be stored in a storage position under the cargo box 2b or the vehicle body frame 2a when not in use (for example, the configuration in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-64447).

[0097] (H) In addition, in the loading platform lifting device 3 according to the above embodiment, the front end of the lifting mechanism 6 is rotatably connected to the horizontal frame 5, and the rear end of the lifting mechanism 6 is rotatably connected to the loading platform 4. However, the loading platform lifting device 3 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the lifting mechanism 6 may include a pair of lifting support columns and connecting frames connected between the lifting support columns, and the loading platform 4 may be supported so as to be able to move up and down by the pair of lifting support columns (for example, the configuration in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-24819).

[0098] (I) For example, the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the methods and apparatus shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings can be implemented in any order, as long as the output of the previous process is not used in the subsequent process. For example, even if "first," "next," etc. are used for convenience in the explanation, it does not mean that the processes must be executed in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1...Vehicle, 2...Vehicle body, 2a...Vehicle frame, 2b...Cargo box, 3...Loading platform lifting device, 4...Loading platform, 4a...Loading surface, 5...Side frame, 5a...Lower frame section, 5b...Upper frame section, 6...Lifting mechanism, 7...Rotating drive section, 8...First link section, 8a...First front axle, 8b...First rear axle, 8c...Second contact section, 9...Second link section, 9a...Second front axle, 9b...Second rear axle, 10...Lifting drive section, 10a... Third front axle, 10b... Third rear axle, 11... Upper stopper, 11a... Second stopping part, 12... Lower stopper, 12a... First stopping part, 13... Bracket, 14... Connecting link, 14a... Base shaft, 14b... First stopped part, 20... First body fixing part, 20a... Body connecting part, 20b... Arm connecting part, 20c... First fixing through hole, 21... Second body fixing part, 21a... Body connecting part, 21b... Arm connecting Part, 21c...Second fixing through hole, 22...Bumper arm, 22a...Side plate part, 22b...Upper plate part, 22c...Lower plate part, 22d...First arm through hole, 22e...Second arm through hole, 22f...Recess, 22g...Cover part, 22h...Opening, 22i...First fixing position, 22j...Second fixing position, 23...Rear bumper, 23a...Bumper body, 23b...Connecting material, 24...Fixing means, 25...First male screw Material, 26...Second male thread material, 27...Female thread material, 27a...First female thread section, 27b...Second female thread section, 27c...Connecting section, 27d...Front connecting section, 27e...Rear connecting section, 27f...Intermediate connecting section, 28...Intermediate material, 29...Front mounting section, 29a...Rear end, 30...Rear mounting section, 30a...Inclined section, 30b...Horizontal section, 30c...Front end, D1...Front-to-back direction, D2...Lateral direction (left-to-right direction), D3...Up-and-down direction

Claims

1. A loading platform having a loading surface, A lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the aforementioned loading platform, A bumper arm is positioned below the body mounting part that is fixed to the vehicle body, and extends in the front-to-back direction, A rear bumper extending laterally and fixed to the first fixing position of the bumper arm, A lateral frame extending laterally and fixed to a second fixing position forward of the first fixing position of the bumper arm, It includes fixing means for fixing the vehicle body fixing part and the bumper arm, The bumper arm is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction from the first fixed position to the second fixed position. The vehicle body fixing portion has a fixing through hole that penetrates in the vertical direction, whereas the bumper arm has an arm through hole that penetrates in the vertical direction. The fixing means comprises a male threaded material inserted into the fixing through hole and the arm through hole, and a female threaded material disposed inside the bumper arm and screwed into the male threaded material to fasten the vehicle body fixing portion and the bumper arm. The bumper arm is provided with an internal mounting portion for which the female thread material is placed before the male thread material is screwed into the female thread material, The aforementioned mounting section is a loading platform lifting device that extends along the entire length of the bumper arm in the lateral direction.

2. The vehicle body fixing portion includes at least a first vehicle body fixing portion and a second vehicle body fixing portion arranged in the front-rear direction, whereas the arm through hole includes at least a first arm through hole and a second arm through hole arranged in the front-rear direction. The aforementioned male threaded material includes a first male threaded material inserted into the fixing through hole and the first arm through hole of the first vehicle body fixing part, and a second male threaded material inserted into the fixing through hole and the second arm through hole of the second vehicle body fixing part. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the female thread material comprises a first female thread portion that screws into the first male thread material, a second female thread portion that screws into the second male thread material, and a connecting portion that connects the first female thread portion and the second female thread portion.

3. The second female thread portion is positioned furthest rear of the first and second female thread portions of the female thread material. The connecting portion includes a connecting rear portion that extends further back than the second female screw portion. The lower end of the rear connection portion is positioned above the lower end of the second female thread portion. The mounting portion includes a rear mounting portion on which the rear connecting portion is mounted before the male thread material is screwed into the female thread material. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 2, wherein the rear mounting portion includes an inclined portion that extends upward from the front end toward the rear.

4. The loading platform lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the front end of the rear mounting portion is positioned rearward of the second female screw portion.

5. The car body and A vehicle comprising a loading platform lifting device according to claim 1, which is attached to the vehicle body.

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