Container locking lifting and lowering arrangement and the lifting and lowering method for this purpose.

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting and lowering arrangement containing a container locking device (1) on a vehicle (C), intended to lock a container to be transported on the vehicle's loading platform (L) in a raised position (H) on the loading platform (L) if necessary, where the lifting and lowering arrangement includes a drive mechanism (3) that enables the container locking device (1) to be lowered and raised again, its characteristic feature is the arrangement of a guide piece (4) under the loading platform (L) on the vehicle, in which a console (2) designed to be slid by the drive (3) is guided, on which the container locking device (1) is fixed and the console (2) can be slid between a lower position where the container locking device (1) is located under the loading platform (L) and a raised position where the container locking device (1) is located in a raised position (H) on the loading platform (L).and there is a locking device (5) that fixes the console (2) in a locking position in the raised position together with the container locking device (1). In addition, the invention relates to a lifting and lowering method with a container locking device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lifting and lowering arrangement with a container locking device on a vehicle, for locking a container that is transported on a loading platform of the vehicle in a position raised above the loading platform as required, wherein the lifting and lowering arrangement has a drive with which the container locking device can be lowered and raised again. The invention further relates to a lifting and lowering method therein.

[0002] In the as yet unpublished DE 10 2021 112 894 of the same applicant, a fixed container locking device for locking a container to be transported on a loading platform of a vehicle with a corner fitting is registered, which has a locking housing, a locking bolt and a drive, wherein the locking bolt has a shaft and a locking head which, in the unlocked state, can be inserted through an opening of the corner fitting of the container and, in the locked state, secures the container via projections engaging behind the opening of the corner fitting.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 20 2009 016 268 U1 discloses a container locking device with a movable locking pin that is fixed in its basic height position and has a vertically displaceable pressure plate in a housing, wherein the locking bolt is rotated and lowered by placing the container intended for locking onto the pressure plate, thus locking the container.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 20 2006 012 685 U1 discloses a manually operated locking device for securing a container placed on the chassis of a commercial vehicle. This device is equipped with a support element that can be fixed to the chassis and with a locking body that is height-adjustable relative to the support element. A locking bolt is arranged in the locking body, oriented in the adjustment direction of the locking body. The support element is equipped with a manually operated height adjustment device that has an adjustment disc rotatable about a fixed horizontal axis. While this discloses a manually operated lifting and lowering arrangement for a manually operated container lock, it does not provide any suggestions for remote operation.

[0005] EP 2 708 416 B1 describes a container locking device that can be manually adjusted in height between two working positions, namely from a position in which a container can be locked at the level of the loading platform, to an elevated position in which a container can be locked higher above the loading platform.

[0006] Similarly, the EP 1 300 284 B1 features a container locking mechanism that can be manually adjusted in height between two corresponding working positions. The positional adjustment is guided within a cam-type mechanism.

[0007] EP 1 621 399 A1 also describes a device for changing the locking height of a container on a vehicle chassis, in which, however, two locking devices are arranged on a double-sided swivel arm pivotable about a rotation axis.

[0008] From DE 197 18 528 C1, a device for securing containers on transport vehicles is known, which can be brought into a locking working position protruding from the loading platform and into a rest position completely recessed in the housing by means of a lifting movement, wherein at least one cam mechanism, consisting of a cam disk and a control edge of the locking pin, and a support body are arranged in each housing, wherein the cam disk and / or the support body are operatively connected to an actuator and are movably mounted, the cam disk can be brought into engagement with the locking pin in order to move the locking pin into the working position and into the rest position by means of lifting movements.

[0009] Furthermore, EP 1 243 466 B1 discloses a locking device and a method for it, in which, via a piston-cylinder arrangement, the locking mechanism is raised to the extended position by means of a translational movement and a pivoting movement derived therefrom, and the locking process can subsequently be carried out. Conversely, after releasing the lock by means of a corresponding reverse translational movement of the same piston-cylinder arrangement, the lock is first released and then, with further extension movement, the locking mechanism is lowered to the retracted position by means of a pivoting movement derived therefrom.

[0010] A disadvantage of this device is that when the locking mechanism is actuated, the entire movement sequence is always performed. To release the lock, the locking head is first raised and rotated into the unlocked position, and then the entire locking mechanism is lowered. Conversely, when locking, the locking mechanism is first raised, and then the actual locking process is triggered by the corner fitting of a loaded container. If lowering the locking mechanism is not actually necessary because another container is to be loaded at the same position, the entire movement sequence must nevertheless be performed. This leads to unnecessary operation and thus wear, and also results in a considerable time expenditure.

[0011] Furthermore, in the as yet unpublished DE 10 2021 115 027 of the same applicant, a lowering container locking mechanism is registered, which allows for separate control, namely with a first piston-cylinder arrangement for raising and lowering the entire container locking mechanism and with a second cylinder for locking the container fitting. This makes it possible to provide locking positions on a chassis which, when not in use, can be lowered below the loading platform to such an extent that a different container can rest freely over this area on the loading platform of the container chassis. In contrast to EP 1 243 466 B1, the locking device does not need to be moved through the entire movement sequence, resulting in time savings.

[0012] A disadvantage, however, is that in the raised position for receiving a container corner fitting, the locking devices according to the two aforementioned documents can hardly absorb any additional load from the container itself, nor are they intended to. Rather, the container is meant to transfer its load onto the loading platform of the container chassis, with the locking device serving only to positively secure the container to the loading platform. Therefore, in a loading situation where a container is to be placed above the loading platform, i.e., elevated, the container cannot be sufficiently stably transferred to the substructure in the designs according to EP 1 243 466 B1 and the subsequently published DE 10 2021 115 027. Such container trolleys are, for example, so-called gooseneck chassis.If a container without a gooseneck tunnel is to be positioned at the front loading position, the container must be locked at its foremost position on the semi-trailer using a so-called double locking mechanism, such as that described in EP 0 934 848 A2, in an elevated position. Similarly, the rear end of the container must also be elevated, i.e., positioned above the usual loading platform of the gooseneck chassis on a correspondingly elevated locking mechanism. The aforementioned locking mechanisms according to EP 1 243 466 B1 and / or DE 10 2021 115 027 are not designed to withstand the considerable static and dynamic loads acting during travel.

[0013] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a lifting and lowering arrangement for a container locking mechanism based on EP 1 243 466 B1, which on the one hand allows the locking mechanism to be lowered below the loading surface level for loading with containers of other corner fitting configurations and, in an elevated loading position, can safely absorb the static and dynamic loads of an elevated container that cannot directly transfer its loads to the loading surface.

[0014] This problem is solved with a lifting and lowering arrangement according to claim 1 and a lifting and lowering method according to claim 8.

[0015] By arranging a guide component on the vehicle below the loading platform, in which a console designed to be slidable by the drive is guided, the container locking device being attached to the console, and the console being slidable between a lower position, in which the container locking device is arranged below the loading platform, and a raised position, in which the container locking device is arranged in a position raised above the loading platform, and by providing a locking device that locks the console with the container locking device in a locked position in the raised position, a power-operated displacement of the container locking device arranged on a console is enabled, whereby in the raised position the console is securely fixed by means of the locking device.This ensures that the locking device can safely bear the static and dynamic loads of a container when positioned higher than the loading platform. This elevated position is particularly necessary for gooseneck trailers, as it is the only way to utilize the front loading position when transporting containers without a gooseneck tunnel. This applies to 20', 30', and 40' containers alike. It is crucial that the underside of the container, when positioned in this elevated position, cannot rest on the standard loading platform of the vehicle (gooseneck chassis), as the normal loading platform height is only available for containers with a gooseneck tunnel. Consequently, all static and dynamic loads from the container in this elevated position must be transferred to the container locking device and its immediate surroundings.Furthermore, the container "floats" above the conventional loading platform of the vehicle (gooseneck chassis). Conversely, to allow containers with gooseneck tunnels to be placed directly onto the vehicle's loading platform (gooseneck chassis), the container locking device must be lowerable to such an extent that its highest point is positioned below the vehicle's loading platform in its lowered position. Therefore, the combination of power-operated adjustment of the console with the container locking device and a positive locking mechanism in the raised, locked position is crucial. The guide component has at least two parallel inclined grooves into which corresponding guide axes of the console engage. Thus, the adjustment of the console with the container locking device can be achieved by means of a linear drive, by sliding the console along the inclined grooves.

[0016] To enable ideal load transfer of the superimposed loads and the dynamic loads arising during driving from the container placed in an elevated position into the vehicle, the inclined grooves have a first horizontal groove section at their upper end.

[0017] Preferably, the inclined grooves may have a second horizontal groove section at their lower end.

[0018] By having a locking device that is pivotably attached to the console and is pre-tensioned by a spring towards the locking position, with a counter bearing for the locking device being arranged on the guide component, a structurally simple and self-locking solution for the locking device is provided.

[0019] If the lock is assigned an actuating element with which the lock is designed to pivot against the force of the spring from the locked position, the locking mechanism can be released by means of the actuating element and the console with the container locking device can be moved from the raised position to the lower position.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the drive comprises a double-acting pneumatic cylinder with a movable piston rod, wherein the outer end of the piston rod is articulated to a connecting shaft in an elongated hole on the bracket. When the pneumatic cylinder is actuated, the elongated hole initially allows for a free stroke until the connecting shaft rests against the other end of the elongated hole. The pneumatic cylinder can easily be supplied by the vehicle's compressed air supply (truck air brakes) and can generate the required actuating forces for a short period of time.

[0021] In a further development, the actuating element is the connecting axis, whereby the connecting axis pivots the lock out of the locked position during the idle stroke. This releases the locking device via the drive using the double-acting pneumatic cylinder during the idle stroke, so that when the pneumatic cylinder moves further, namely when the piston rod retracts, the console with the container locking device is moved from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0022] The lifting and lowering method is characterized by the fact that the container locking device is lowered by a lifting drive to a lower position, in which the container locking device is arranged below the loading surface, or raised to a raised position, in which the container locking device is arranged in a position elevated above the loading surface, and is locked in a locked position in the raised position.The locking position is automatically engaged by a spring force upon reaching the raised position. When moving from the raised position to the lowered position, an initial free stroke occurs when the lifting drive is actuated. Only during further lifting movement is the container locking device lowered. During this free stroke, the locking mechanism is released, thus automatically locking the container locking device, which is mounted on a console, in the raised position. This ensures that even in the event of a compressed air supply failure, the console and therefore the container locking device remain in the raised position.To resolve this safety redundancy, it is only necessary to actively operate the lifting drive to move from the raised position to the lower position, whereby the initial free stroke releases the locking mechanism in the blocked position, and then, with further lifting movement, lowers the container locking device.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0024] It shows: Fig. 1 a spatial view of the lifting and lowering arrangement with a container locking device in the lowered position, Fig. 2 a spatial view of the lifting and lowering arrangement according to Fig. 1 in the raised position, Fig. 3a, a view and a detailed enlargement of the lifting and lowering arrangement in the locked position, Fig. 4a, a view and an enlarged detail of the lifting and lowering arrangement during actuation of the pneumatic cylinder shortly before the lock opens, Fig. 5a, a view and an enlarged detail of the lifting and lowering arrangement with the lock open, Fig. 6a, a view and a detail of the lifting and lowering arrangement during lowering, Fig. 7a, a view and an enlarged detail of the lifting and lowering arrangement in the lowered position, Fig. 8a, a view and an enlarged detail of the lifting and lowering arrangement when raising the console with the container locking device, and Fig. 9, an overview drawing of a gooseneck chassis with the aforementioned lifting and lowering arrangement loaded with a 40-foot container. Gooseneck container and Fig. 10, which is in Fig. 9 The gooseneck chassis shown is loaded with a 20-foot container parked on a raised platform.

[0025] In Fig. 9 The diagram shows a schematic view of a container chassis C loaded with a 40-foot container with a gooseneck tunnel. The 40-foot container rests on a loading platform L of the container chassis and is secured at the front with horizontal locking devices in its corner fittings. The lifting and lowering mechanism, located approximately in the center of the container chassis C lengthwise, is retracted completely below the loading platform L so that the 40-foot container can rest on the platform L, as shown in the enlarged position P in the diagram. Fig. 9 The lifting and lowering device is evident.

[0026] In contrast, in Fig. 10 The lifting and lowering arrangement is anchored with the container locking device in the raised position to securely store a 20-foot container without a gooseneck tunnel in a raised position H above the loading platform L, as shown in the enlarged position P in Fig. 10 The lifting and lowering device is evident. The container locking device mounted on console 2 serves to securely anchor the rear corner fittings of the 20-foot container. The front corner fittings of the 20-foot container are mounted on the front container locking mechanism (vertical locking mechanism) in an elevated position H, as this container is not equipped with a gooseneck tunnel. Therefore, the raised neck (gooseneck) of the container chassis with the kingpin cannot be enclosed by the container but can only be loaded in an elevated position. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a similarly elevated (loading) position H above the loading platform for anchoring the rear corner fittings of the 20-foot container. This position must also be capable of transferring the static and dynamic loads of the anchored container to the chassis.This is the intended use of the lifting and lowering arrangement described here, in order to enable remotely triggered switching of the locking positions and thus the loading with different containers on one chassis.

[0027] In Fig. 1 The figure shows a lifting and lowering arrangement with a container locking device 1 in its lower position, in which the container locking device 1 is completely below the loading platform L (see Fig. 7a ) is located. In Fig. 2 The lifting and lowering mechanism is also shown in a spatial view in the raised position. The container locking device 1 is in the raised position H (see figure). Fig. 5a ), wherein the elevated position H is characterized in that the container locking device 1 has a support surface 10 which is arranged above the usual loading platform L of the vehicle (container chassis). The height difference required for loading containers without a gooseneck tunnel on the corresponding vehicle (gooseneck chassis) between the normal loading platform L and the elevated position H is, for example, 10 to 14 cm (see Fig. 10 ).

[0028] Furthermore, it is from Fig. 2 as well as the further Fig. 3 a bis 8 a It can be inferred that the container locking device 1 has a substantially cuboid drive housing 11 in which a power-operated drive for the container locking device 1, in particular by a pneumatic cylinder, is implemented (not described in detail here). Such a container locking device is described, for example, in the unpublished DE 10 2021 112 894 of the same applicant. In this respect, reference is made to this subsequently published document for the detailed description of the operation of such a container locking device.

[0029] From the Fig. 1 und 2 It is further evident that the lifting and lowering arrangement has a guide component 4 in which a console 2 with the container locking device 1 is moved from the lower position by means of inclined grooves 41 arranged in the guide component 4 ( Fig. 1 ) into the elevated position ( Fig. 2 The guide element 4 can be raised and lowered again. It essentially consists of two parallel and spaced-apart cheeks 40, which are connected to each other via suitable cross-connections 45. Each of the two cheeks 40 of the guide element 4 has two parallel inclined grooves 41.

[0030] In the Fig. 3 a bis 8 a In this view, the front cheek 40 is omitted, allowing a clear view into the interior of the guide component 4. Naturally, the correct functional scope also includes the corresponding counter-support provided by the front, in the Fig. 3 a bis 8 a omitted cheek 40 with the inclined grooves 41 also formed therein.

[0031] What's next from the Fig. 1, 2 and also Fig. 3 a bis 8 a As can be seen, each inclined groove 41 has a first horizontal groove section 42 at the upper end of the inclined groove 41 and a second horizontal groove section 43 at the lower end of the inclined groove 41. Furthermore, as can be seen in the view of the Fig. 3 a bis 8 a In addition to the transverse connections 45 projecting from the lower cheek 40 shown, a counter bearing 44 is formed which, like the transverse connections 45, connects the two cheeks 40, 40 to each other and is thus rigidly arranged in the guide component 4.

[0032] Furthermore, in the Fig. 3 a bis 8 a A drive 3 in the form of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 30 is shown. In the plane of the figure, on the left, the pneumatic cylinder 30 is pivotably attached to the guide component 4 about a pivot axis 46. The other end of the pneumatic cylinder 30, in the form of a piston rod 31 that extends from the pneumatic cylinder, is equipped with a connecting axis 32 at its free end (see also detail- Fig. 3 b bis 8 b ), which is guided in a slot 21 in the bracket 2. The bracket 2 has guide axes 22 which support and guide the bracket 2 within the guide component 4 in the helical grooves 41.

[0033] Furthermore, in the Fig. 3 a bis 8 a and in the detailed views Fig. 3 b bis 8 b A locking device 5 is shown in different functional positions. The locking device 5 has a lock 51 that pivots about a pivot axis 53. The lock 51 has on its outwardly facing (in the plane of the figure) Fig. 3 b bis 8 b (to the right-facing part) a locking projection 54 which can engage with the counter bearing 44, as shown in Fig. 3 a is shown. On the other side of the lock 51, facing away from the locking projection 54, a spring 52 is arranged, which spring-loads the lock 51 in the drawing view of the Fig. 3 b bis 8 b Pre-loaded with right-hand rotation.

[0034] Immediately behind the locking mechanism 51, the elongated hole 21 is arranged in the console 2, in which the connecting axis 32 of the piston rod 31 of the pneumatic cylinder 3 also engages. The connecting axis 32 is designed such that it rests on the upper edge of the locking mechanism 51 and, according to the contour of the upper edge of the locking mechanism 51, when the connecting axis 32 is moved in the elongated hole 21, pivots the locking mechanism 51 counterclockwise around the axis of rotation 53 against the force of the spring 52, as shown in Fig. 5 a is shown.

[0035] The following describes the sequence of movements when the lifting and lowering mechanism is activated, in particular with reference to the Fig. 3 b bis 8 b und Fig. 3 b bis 8 b , described.

[0036] In Fig. 3 The console 2 with the container locking device 1 is in the raised position and is locked with the locking device 5. The locking projection 54 of the lock 51 engages the counter bearing 44. The pneumatic cylinder 30 with its piston rod 31 is in the fully extended state, so that the connecting axis 32 located at the outer end of the piston rod 31 rests against the right edge of the elongated hole 21 (see Fig. 3 b) In this state, the lifting and lowering assembly, and thus the console 2 with the container locking device 1, remains in place even if the pressure in the pneumatic cylinder 30 drops. This ensures that static and dynamic loads from the container, which is loaded in the raised position H, are transferred from the support surface 10 of the container locking device 1 and the console 2 via the guide axes 22 to the inclined grooves 41 and then to the first horizontal groove sections 42. The locking mechanism 5 is engaged by the lock 51 against the counter bearing 44 of the guide component 4, preventing lateral loads from displacing the container locking device and thus preventing a traffic hazard (see Fig. 10 ).

[0037] Only when the double-acting pneumatic cylinder 30 of the drive 3 is actively controlled to lower the lifting and lowering arrangement, is the piston rod 31 and thus the connecting axis 32 moved slightly laterally in the plane of the drawing according to Fig. 4 a moves to the left within the elongated hole 21, thereby shifting the connecting axis 32 to the beginning of the contour of the upper edge at the lock 51. With further actuation of the pneumatic cylinder, the lock 51 is now rotated counterclockwise about the axis of rotation 53, thus releasing the locking element, namely the locking projection 54, from the counter bearing 44. This process is the so-called free stroke, which in Fig. 5 a is completed. Thus, the connecting axis 32 is located at the left-hand end of the elongated hole 21 (see Fig. 5 b) and the lock 51 is raised to its maximum extent on the side of the lock projection 54.

[0038] With further actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 30 by further retraction of the piston rod 31, the console 2 with the container locking device 1 is now lowered in the inclined grooves 41 over the guide axes 22, as shown. Fig. 6 a shows.

[0039] Finally, with the piston rod 31 of the pneumatic cylinder 30 fully retracted, the lifting and lowering arrangement reaches its lower position, whereby the console 2 with the container locking device 1 is lowered to such an extent that the mushroom-head tip of the container locking device 1 is below the loading platform L of the vehicle (container chassis C, see Fig. 9 ). The console 2, with its guide axes 22, has thus now reached the lower end of the inclined groove 41 at the left-hand end of the second horizontal groove sections 43 ( Fig. 7 a) .

[0040] If the lifting and lowering arrangement is activated as required to raise the container locking device 1, the piston rod 31 of the pneumatic cylinder 30 extends again, thereby initially moving the connecting axis 32 located at the outer end of the piston rod 31 in the elongated hole 21 from the left position to the right position in the elongated hole 21 in a free stroke, with which the lock 51 is moved back into its basic position via the spring 52 for the lock 51 to engage on the counter bearing 44 as required ( Fig. 8 a and 8 b). As the piston rod extends further, the console 2 with the container locking device 1 is raised via the guide axes 22 engaging in the inclined grooves 41. At the end of the adjustment process, the console 2 with its guide axes 22 again reaches the first horizontal groove sections 42 at the upper end of the inclined groove 41, whereby the locking device 5 automatically engages with the counter bearing 44 by means of the spring-loaded lock 51 and locks the console with the container locking device 1 in the raised position, thus establishing the state according to Fig. 3 a has been reached again. Reference symbol list

[0041] 1 Container locking device 10 Support surface 11 Drive housing 2 Console 21 Slotted hole 22 Guide axis 3 Drive 30 Double-acting pneumatic cylinder 31 Piston rod 32 Connecting shaft 4 Guide component 40 Cheek 41 Slanted groove 42 First horizontal groove section 43 Second horizontal groove section 44 Counter bearing 45 Cross connection 46 Swivel axis 5 Locking device 51 Lock 52 Spring 53 Pivot axis 54 Locking projection Vehicle, container chassis, elevated position, loading platform, positioning of the lifting and lowering device

Claims

1. A lifting and lowering arrangement having a container locking device (1) on a vehicle (C) for locking a container to be transported on a load platform (L) of the vehicle, as required, in a raised position (H) above the load platform (L), wherein the lifting and lowering arrangement comprises a drive (3) by means of which the container locking device (1) is designed to be lowered and raised again, wherein - a guide component (4) is arranged on the vehicle below the load platform (L), in which a console (2) designed to be displaceable by the drive (3) is guided, wherein the container locking device (1) is fastened to the console (2), and wherein the console (2) is displaceable between a lower position, in which the container locking device (1) is arranged below the load platform (L), and a raised position, in which the container locking device (1) is arranged in a raised position (H) above the load platform (L), - a locking device (5) being provided which locks the console (2) with the container locking device (1) in the raised position in a locking position, characterized in that - the guide component (4) comprises at least two inclined grooves (41) arranged parallel to one another, into which associated guide axes of the console (2) engage.

2. The lifting and lowering arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined grooves (41) have, at their upper end, a first horizontal groove section (42).

3. The lifting and lowering arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inclined grooves (41) have, at their lower end, a second horizontal groove section (43).

4. The lifting and lowering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (5) comprises a locking element (51) which is biased by a spring (52) in the direction of the locking position and is pivotably mounted on the console (2), wherein a counter bearing (44) for the locking element (51) is arranged on the guide component (4).

5. The lifting and lowering arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that an actuating element is associated with the locking element (51), by means of which the locking element (51) is designed to be pivoted out of the locking position against the force of the spring (52).

6. The lifting and lowering arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (3) comprises a double-acting pneumatic cylinder (30) with a movable piston rod (31), wherein the outer end of the piston rod (31) is articulated via a connecting pin (32) in an elongated hole (21) on the console (2), wherein, upon actuation of the pneumatic cylinder (30), the elongated hole initially allows an idle stroke until the connecting pin (32) abuts the other end of the elongated hole (21).

7. The lifting and lowering arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating element is the connecting pin (32), wherein the connecting pin (32) pivots the locking element (51) out of the locking position during the idle stroke.

8. A lifting and lowering method using a container locking device (1) on a vehicle for locking a container to be transported on a load platform (L) of the vehicle, as required, in a raised position (H) above the load platform (L), wherein the container locking device (1) is force-actuated by a lifting drive to be lowered into a lower position, in which the container locking device (1) is arranged below the load platform (L), or raised into a raised position, in which the container locking device (1) is arranged in a raised position (H) above the load platform (L), and is locked in the raised position in a locking position, wherein the locking position is automatically assumed under the action of a spring force upon reaching the raised position, characterized in that when adjusting from the raised position to the lower position, an idle stroke initially occurs upon actuation of the lifting drive, and the container locking device (1) is lowered only during a subsequent lifting movement, wherein, during the idle stroke, the locking in the locking position is released.