Stacking column for the storage of electric motor vehicle batteries

Abstract

The invention relates to a stacking column for storing motor vehicle electric batteries one above the other or side by side on or against latches (7.1-7.3), wherein the latches (7.1-7.3) are received in a U-shaped body and the U-shaped body has two side walls (1.1, 1.2), a rear wall (2) and an opening edge, wherein the latches (7.1-7.3) rotate about axes (8.1-8.3) from a rest position to a working position between the two side walls (1.1, 1.2) and have a support part (9) on one side of the axis (8.1-8.3) and a rear part (10) on the other side of the axis (8.1-8.3), wherein the latch (7.1-7.3) in the working position is supported with the rear part (10) against a polygonal bolt stop (13), wherein the polygonal bolt stop (13) is located between the two side walls (1.1, 1.2) is arranged on the rear wall (2) and the support part (9) rests on a polygonal bolt support (12), wherein the polygonal bolt support (12) is located between the two side walls (1.1, 1.2) is arranged at the opening edge () suitable to support the support part (9) of the latches (7.1-7.3) in working position in a lower area by the multi-sided bolt support (12), wherein at the same time the multi-sided bolt stop (13) rests in a supporting position in an upper area of ​​the rear part (10) of the latches (7.1-7.3).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a stacking column for storing motor vehicle electric batteries according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Such stacking columns are used, particularly in the automotive industry, to temporarily store sheet metal parts that come from a molding line and need to be transported for further processing.

[0003] In this context, reference is made to DE 93 18 410 U1. This document discloses a stacking column in which the latch levers are provided with spring means that transfer them from their support position to their catch or rest position under no load. Transverse stop pins are provided as a rotation stop for the holding arms of the latch levers in the locked position in the tower body. The latch levers are identical to one another, and the support arm and holding arm are of the same width and aligned with one another. A disadvantage of the stop pins, however, is that the circular profile of the stop pins repeatedly breaks, bends, or causes the latch levers to warp under heavy weights and the acceleration forces that occur during transport.

[0004] A similar design is also shown in DE 29 30 053 A1. This also uses circular bearing pins, which are actually only pushed into the corresponding side walls as needed to provide support, and also only in the rear area of ​​the handle. Here, too, the high weight leads to the disadvantages described above.

[0005] Further reference is made to DE 298 08 971 U1, which stipulates a shock-absorbing and elastic material made of plastic or rubber on the ratchet levers themselves to absorb the resulting forces. This is not feasible for heavy loads weighing several hundred kilograms to several tons, as the amount of shock-absorbing plastic or rubber material would be far too large to actually secure such a heavy load, for example, during transport.

[0006] There are vertical stacking columns but also horizontal or inclined ones, which are also subject to the present invention.

[0007] For loading such stacking columns, latches have proven to be very practical. These latches are connected to one another in such a way that they can be moved from a rest position to a working position when the stacking column or a rack is filled with these stacking columns. This usually begins with the bottom latch being loaded with a workpiece, which then rotates the bottom latch into the working position. By rotating this position, the bottom latch moves the next latch into a standby position, in which it can accept the next stored item. When the next stored item is picked up, the next latch is in turn rotated into the standby position. When the stacking column is not in the standby or working position, the latches are in the rest position, for example, between two side walls of the stacking column.

[0008] Such a stacking column is described, for example, in DE 20 2020 104 669 U1. Object of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a stacking column which is particularly suitable for receiving and storing very heavy goods, in particular for storing motor vehicle electric batteries. Solution to the task

[0010] The characterising part of claim 1 leads to the solution of the problem.

[0011] This has the advantage that the latch is essentially clamped between the stop and the support, thus significantly reducing the load on the axle around which the latch rotates. The axle now serves only as a rocker, transferring the weight of the vehicle's electric battery on the support member via the rear part of the latch to the stop. The effect described here is described within the scope of the invention in such a way that the axle is essentially or entirely weight-free.

[0012] This reduction in axle load significantly reduces wear on the entire stacking column. This stacking column is easily capable of supporting loads weighing 650-1200 kg per vehicle electric battery. Up to five vehicle electric batteries, each weighing over 1000 kg, can be supported and secured for transport in an arrangement of four to eight stacking columns.

[0013] The stacking column is used to store motor vehicle electric batteries one above the other or next to each other on or at latches, wherein the latches are accommodated in a U-body and the U-body has two side cheeks, a rear wall and an opening edge, wherein the latches rotate about axes from a rest position to the working position between the two side cheeks and have a supporting part on the one hand of the axis and a rear part on the other hand of the axis.

[0014] Opening edge describes the edge of the side panels, which is the end of the side panels away from the rear wall.

[0015] The requirements for securing automotive electric batteries are very high and not comparable to the components previously used in automobile manufacturing. Such an automotive electric battery typically weighs between 650 kg and 1200 kg each. When stacking four large automotive electric batteries, with the associated acceleration forces, more than 6 tons often act on the stacking columns and latches. Despite all the developments in the field of automotive electric batteries, these are very sensitive components. Improper storage or securing can lead not only to damage to the component itself, but also to other legal assets due to the risk of fire and explosion.

[0016] Therefore, the latch requires special support to hold and secure the motor vehicle's electric battery in the working position, for example, during transport. For this purpose, the rear part of the latch is supported against a stop in the form of a polygonal bolt stop or round bolt stop. The polygonal bolt stop or round bolt stop is arranged between the two side cheeks on the rear wall. In addition, in the working position, the supporting part of the latch rests on a support in the form of a polygonal bolt support or round bolt support. The polygonal bolt support or round bolt support is arranged between the two side cheeks on the opening edge. For this purpose, the stop and the support are usually welded or joined between the two side cheeks.Furthermore, the explanations regarding the polygonal bolt support and the polygonal bolt stop should also apply to the round bolt support and round bolt stop variants.

[0017] This makes the construction suitable for supporting the load-bearing part of the latches in the working position in a lower area by means of the polygonal bolt support, while at the same time the polygonal bolt stop supports the latches in an upper area of ​​the rear part.

[0018] In this way, emerging forces can be optimally transferred from the latch to the polygonal bolt support and the polygonal bolt stop, and then dissipated via the U-profile. For this purpose, the U-profile can be reinforced to virtually any desired material thickness and designed as a double-T beam.

[0019] The U-body, the pawls and their axis, as well as the polygonal bolt stop and the polygonal bolt support are made of a metallic material with a corresponding alloy.

[0020] The polygonal bolt support and / or the polygonal bolt stop each have a single contact surface suitable for supporting the latches in the working position. The contact surface can be adapted to the structure of the lower section of the supporting part in such a way that the largest possible surface area of ​​the supporting part and the contact surface is achieved.

[0021] Additionally, the contact surface can be smooth or ribbed. Ribbing, for example, can provide additional stiffening for the polygonal bolt support and / or the polygonal bolt stop.

[0022] The polygonal bolt stop and / or the polygonal bolt support can be designed as a square bolt profile or a triangular bolt profile. Other polygonal bolt profiles are also possible. In this context, it is important to create the largest possible contact surface to enable appropriate force absorption.

[0023] Preferably, the polygonal bolt stop and polygonal bolt support are arranged between the two side walls, just like the axle and the latch. Of course, it would also be possible for the polygonal bolt stop and polygonal bolt support to be inserted through the side walls from the outside, but this would require additional effort to properly position the polygonal bolt stop and polygonal bolt support.

[0024] How the polygonal bolt stop and polygonal bolt support are attached in or to the side walls is of secondary importance. However, it is preferred that the polygonal bolt stop and polygonal bolt support be recessed into the side walls, thus eliminating the need for additional fasteners. It is sufficient to cut or notch the side walls slightly on each side. This also significantly simplifies the manufacturing process. For this reason, the polygonal bolt stop and / or polygonal bolt support are designed as squares, so they can be easily inserted into the notches.

[0025] It is important and particularly preferred that the polygonal bolt stop and the polygonal bolt support are arranged in planes whose spacing corresponds to the thickness of the latch. This determines the clearance and the spatial position of the latch.

[0026] Since these are heavy goods, it is preferable to add a buffer to the front of the supporting part. This buffer can be replaced depending on the requirements of the vehicle's electric battery and can be replaced with a buffer made of a material and spatially suitable design for the respective vehicle's electric battery.

[0027] Rotating the latch from a working position to a standby position and to a rest position, or vice versa, is well known in the art. Reference is made in particular to the document cited in the prior art.

[0028] The return of the pawls to their respective starting position is preferably carried out by a simple energy accumulator, for example by a helical spring, which is connected on the one hand to the pawl and on the other hand to the side cheek.

[0029] In this case, it is also planned to form at least one larger recess into the rear wall so that the stacking column can be handled by a crane, for example. This recess, or additional recesses, can be used to check with a sensor, such as a laser, whether the corresponding latch is loaded. Character description

[0030] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings, which show: Figure 1 a perspective view of a stacking column according to the invention; Figure 2 a side view of the stacking column according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3 a perspective view of a rod with latches in the stacking column according to Figure 1 . Example

[0031] A stacking column S according to the Figures 1 and 2has two side panels 1.1 and 1.2, which are connected to a U-shaped profile via a rear wall 2. A desired distance between the two side panels 1.1 and 1.2 is further ensured by an upper cross member 3 and a lower base plate 4. A protective strip 5 is attached to the rear wall 2. Furthermore, a sliding strip 6 is assigned to the side panel 1.1.

[0032] Between the two side walls 1.1 and 1.2 are three latches 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 that support motor vehicle batteries (not shown in detail). Each latch 1.1 to 1.3 rotates about an axis 8.1 to 8.3 from a rest position to a standby position or to a working position. Latch 7.3 is in the rest position, latch 7.2 is in the standby position, and latch 7.1 is in the working position. Latches 7.1 to 7.3 are connected to one another via a rod 17, which, through the individual connecting parts and corresponding elongated holes, causes latch 7.1 to move from a standby position to a working position when initially loaded, taking the middle latch 7.2 with it via the rod 17 and moving latch 7.2 into the standby position. When the latch 7.2 is loaded with a load, this latch takes the upper latch 7.3 with it when it rotates around its axis 8.2, so that the latter comes into the ready position.The corresponding movements and designs of the linkage are described in particular in DE 20 2020 104 669 U1.

[0033] The latches 1.1 to 1.3 themselves are divided into a supporting part 9 on the one hand and a rear part 10 on the other, along the axes 8.1 to 8.3. A buffer 11 is attached to the front of the supporting part 9, which serves to further support the motor vehicle's electric battery. This buffer 11 is preferably interchangeable depending on the motor vehicle's electric battery.

[0034] Under each latch 7.1 to 7.3 or its supporting part 9 is a polygonal bolt support 12, on which the supporting part 9 rests in the working position, providing sufficient support. For this purpose, this polygonal bolt support 12 is preferably recessed laterally into the side walls 1.1 or 1.2, although it can, of course, also be supported in a different way.

[0035] The rear part 10, on the other hand, is assigned a rear polygonal bolt stop 13, which is preferably also embedded in the side walls 1.1 or 1.2 and is located near or on the rear wall 2.

[0036] The return of the individual pawls 7.1 to 7.3 to their respective starting positions is supported by force accumulators 14 designed as helical springs 14, which are suspended on the one hand in a bolt 15 on the rear part 10 and on the other hand in a fastening 16 on the side cheek 1.1 or 1.2.

[0037] The respective axles 8.1 to 8.3 are arranged relative to the polygonal bolt support 12 and the polygonal bolt stop 13 on the latches 7.1 to 7.3 in such a way that the respective axles are exposed to as few hazardous forces as possible from the electric battery. This, in turn, defines the fact that the latches 7.1 to 7.3 are essentially weight-free.

[0038] The present invention works as follows: Typically, a plurality of stacking columns are arranged in a triangle or rectangle, forming a receiving space for a load, in this case, particularly a heavy load. The latches engage the clear width of this receiving space to hold the load between the stacking columns.

[0039] In the initial position, the lower latches 7.1 are in the standby position shown for latches 7.2, while the other latches are in the rest position between the respective side walls 1.1 and 1.2. If the load is now inserted between the stacking columns, latch 7.1 moves it from the standby position to the working position. Latch 7.1 moves the following latch 7.2 into the standby position via linkage 17. If this next latch 7.2 is loaded, it moves the following latch 7.3 from the rest position to the standby position via linkage 17.

[0040] According to the present invention, however, the pawls 7.1 to 7.3 are securely supported in the working position by the polygonal bolt support 12 and the polygonal bolt stop 13. For this purpose, the polygonal bolt support 12 and the polygonal bolt stop 13 are arranged at a distance a between their two planes E1 and E2 such that the pawl 7.1 to 7.3 is clamped between the polygonal bolt support 12 and the polygonal bolt stop 13. Preferably, the distance a corresponds to a thickness d of the pawl 7.1 to 7.3.

[0041] The main advantage of the present invention is that the weight of the motor vehicle electric batteries no longer rests on the axes 8.1 to 8.3, but is distributed between the polygonal bolt support 12 and the polygonal bolt stop 13. This weight distribution allows the installation of very heavy motor vehicle electric batteries without damaging the axes 8.1 to 8.3 of the latches 7.1-7.3. List of reference symbols

[0042] 1 sidewall 2 back wall 3 traverse 4 base plate 5 protective strip 6 glide strip 7 pawl 8 axis 9 supporting part 10 back part 11 buffer 12 Polygonal bolt support 13 Polygonal bolt stop 14 Energy storage 15 bolt 16 Fastening 17 rods a Distance d thickness E level S Stacking column

Claims

1. Stacking column for storing motor vehicle electric batteries one above the other or next to each other on or at latches (7.1-7.3), wherein the latches (7.1-7.3) are accommodated in a U-body and the U-body has two side cheeks (1.1, 1.2), a rear wall (2) and an opening edge, wherein the latches (7.1-7.3) rotate about axes (8.1-8.3) from a rest position to the working position between the two side cheeks (1.1, 1.2) and have a supporting part (9) on the one hand of the axis (8.1-8.3) and a rear part (10) on the other hand of the axis (8.1-8.3), characterized by thatthe latch (7.1-7.3) is supported in the working position with the rear part (10) against a stop, wherein the stop is arranged between the two side cheeks (1.1, 1.2) on the rear wall (2) and the supporting part (9) rests on a support, wherein the polygonal bolt support is arranged between the two side cheeks (1.1, 1.2) on the opening edge, suitable for supporting the supporting part (9) of the latches (7.1-7.3) in the working position in a lower region by the support, wherein at the same time the stop rests in a supporting manner in an upper region of the rear part (10) of the latches (7.1-7.3), suitable for making the respective axis (8.1.-8.3) of the latch (7.1-7.3) essentially weight-free.

2. Stacking column according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop is a polygonal bolt stop (13) or a round bolt stop and the support is a polygonal bolt support (12) or a round bolt support.

3. Stacking column according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the polygonal bolt support (12) and / or the polygonal bolt stop (13) each have a single contact surface suitable for supporting the pawls (7.1-7.3) in the working position.

4. Stacking column according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact surface is smooth or ribbed.

5. Stacking column according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polygonal bolt stop (13) and / or the polygonal bolt support (12) is / are designed as a square profile or triangular profile.

6. Stacking column according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polygonal bolt stop (13) and the polygonal bolt support (12) are arranged in planes (E1, E2) to one another, the distance (a) of which corresponds to a thickness (d) of the pawl (7.1-7.3).

7. Stacking column according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a buffer (11) is placed on the front of the supporting part (9).

8. Stacking column according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawls (7.1-7.3) are connected to one another via a linkage (17) which, when one pawl is pivoted into the working position, moves the pawl following it from the rest position into a ready position.

9. Stacking column according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear part (10) of the pawl (7.1-7.3) is connected to a side cheek (1.1,1.2) via a force accumulator (14) which counteracts rotation of the pawl about its axis (8.1-8.3).