Apparatus for loading and / or unloading a cargo space

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for loading and / or unloading a cargo space. The apparatus includes transfer means (11) that are able to extend essentially over the length of the cargo space (10) and that are configured to be positioned in tunnels (13) formed in lower portions of load units (12). The apparatus includes one or more sliding plates (14) arranged under the transfer means (11).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND / OR UNLOADING A CARGO SPACE

[0002] The invention relates to an apparatus for loading and / or unloading a cargo space, which apparatus includes transfer means that are able to extend essentially over the length of the cargo space and that are configured to be positioned in tunnels formed in lower portions of load units.

[0003] Conveyor solutions for loading and unloading a cargo space that are installed in a fixed manner on the floor of the cargo space are known. A part of the volume of the cargo space and of the load-bearing capacity of the vehicle is thereby lost. There also exist apparatuses on top of which the load is formed. The apparatus is moved together with the load into the cargo space and, when the apparatus is pulled out, the load is left behind in the cargo space. These types of apparatus are only suitable for loading; unloading must be carried out with, for example, a forklift, one or at most a few pallets at a time. In addition, the load is subjected to large stresses when it is deposited in the cargo space. There also exist transfer beams which are placed in pallet tunnels formed by the pallets, in practice inside the pallet. Although transfer beams enable both loading and unloading, transfer beams require a separate apparatus to form and handle the load. In addition, transfer beams are difficult to control and they are only suitable for certain types of cargo spaces.

[0004] It is the object of the invention to provide a novel apparatus for loading and / or unloading a cargo space that is suitable for use in different cargo spaces and that is simpler and yet more reliable than before. The characteristic features of the apparatus according to the present invention are set out in the attached claims. Various cargo spaces can be loaded and unloaded easily and quickly with the apparatus according to the invention. Furthermore, the apparatus can be readily integrated into a warehouse and does not need auxiliary peripheral equipment .

[0005] The invention is described in detail in the following with reference to the attached drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention, wherein

[0006] Figure la shows an apparatus according to the invention during the formation of a load,

[0007] Figure lb shows a rear view of an apparatus according to the invention,

[0008] Figure 2a shows an apparatus according to the invention during the depositing of the load in the cargo space,

[0009] Figure 2b shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 2a,

[0010] Figure 3 shows an apparatus according to the invention with the load deposited in the cargo space,

[0011] Figure 4a schematically shows the initiation of the unloading of a load,

[0012] Figure 4b shows a progression of the unloading of the load,

[0013] Figure 4c shows the initiation of the unloading of the load at the site of a second pallet row,

[0014] Figure 4d shows a progression of the unloading of the load at the second pallet row,

[0015] Figure 4e shows the continuation of the unloading of the load at the second pallet row,

[0016] Figure 5a shows a single pallet,

[0017] Figure 5b shows part of a load pallet pattern with a plurality of pallet tunnels,

[0018] Figure 6a schematically shows one embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention,

[0019] Figure 6b schematically shows a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, Figure 6c schematic shows a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.

[0020] Figures la, 2a and 3 show an apparatus according to the invention at different stages of its operation. A load includes the products and goods themselves, which are arranged on a pallet (Figures 4a - 4e) . A load is formed by a plurality of pallets together with their products and is transported, for example, by a truck or some other vehicle. The apparatus is intended for loading and / or unloading a cargo space. In other words, it is possible, under certain conditions, both to load a cargo space and to unload a cargo space with the apparatus. The apparatus includes transfer means 11 that are able to extend essentially over the length of the cargo space 10 and that are configured to be positioned in tunnels 13 formed in lower parts of the load units 12 (Figure 5b) . In the embodiments shown, the load units are pallets with a pallet tunnel formed between their legs. Generally speaking, the apparatus can handle load units that have a sufficiently wide and high opening at the bottom on the sides on which they are handled. It is thus possible to handle, for example, trolleys and other comparable load units with the apparatus. The operation of the transfer means requires continuous pallet tunnels in which the transfer means can be arranged. In practice, the transfer means are arranged partly inside the pallet, between the load and the floor of the cargo space. In the invention, the apparatus includes one or more sliding plates 14 arranged under the transfer means 11 (Figure lb) . The resulting transfer means are thus low, so that the volume of the cargo space can be utilized efficiently. In addition, the sliding plates adapt to anomalies in the floor surface of the cargo space. The sliding plates also distribute the weight of the load much more evenly than the rollers of the prior art. Known rollers cause point loads on the floor and can get stuck in uneven points in the floor surface.

[0021] Preferably, the pallets 12 were already arranged in a row at loading so as to form a pallet tunnel 13 that extends over the entire length of the load. This allows the pallet load to be unloaded with the apparatus according to the invention. In specific cases, the sliding plate 14 is continuous essentially over the entire area of the transfer means 11. Figure 6a shows a continuous plate with six transfer means 11 side by side, which are schematically illustrated as dashed lines. The continuous plate connects the parts of the transfer means to one another. Moreover, a large plate is able to slide on a discontinuous floor surface of a cargo space. In standardized cargo spaces, it is possible to use partial sliding plates in such a manner that one or more sliding plates 14 are provided under each transfer means 11. In Figure 6b, the sliding plates are transverse slats arranged at a distance from one another. The transfer means are attached to the slats. If necessary, the slats are joined by intermediate supports 23. It is also possible to use smaller plate pieces under the transfer means instead of or in addition to slats. Figure 6c shows two full- length sliding plates side by side. The size and the number of sliding plates depend on the size of the apparatus and the properties of the floor of the cargo space.

[0022] Preferably, the transfer means 11 is formed by a chain conveyor 15. Chain conveyors are simple and reliable. A chain conveyor is also narrower than, for example, a roller conveyor, so that it fits better into the narrow pallet tunnel. A chain conveyor 15 includes one or more conveyor chains 16 for each pallet tunnel 13. In the illustrated embodiment, there is one conveyor chain in each pallet tunnel. The illustrated chain conveyor also includes two drives 17 that move together with the sliding plate. The sliding plate is moved by other drives 18. The number of drives can vary in different embodiments.

[0023] Each conveyor chain 16 has a guide 19 that supports and guides the conveyor chain. The conveyor chain thereby stays in the right position when bearing and conveying a load. Preferably, adjacent guides are supported to each other. The transfer means are thereby precisely aligned with the pallet tunnels. A bending of the guides and other deformations of the transfer means are also avoided.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4a - 4e, a height h of a leading end 20 of the chain conveyor 15 is lower than a height H of the pallet tunnel. This allows the chain conveyor to be introduced into the pallet tunnel, so that the chain conveyor is of a sufficient length to pick up the pallet. In the invention, the chain conveyor is fixed without complex means of elevation at a height that is greater than the height of the pallet tunnel, so that the pallet does not touch the floor. The pallet is both lowered into the cargo space and picked up by the bevelled leading end 20, the gradient of which is 1 - 5 degrees. A part of the chain conveyor thereby fits into the pallet tunnel, and the conveyor chains gradually take the pallets aboard. In practice, however, gradually occurs rapidly, as a length L of the leading end 20 is 500 - 1500 mm. In practice, the pallet thus ends up on the conveyor chains quickly without an excessive tilting of the load. A length of the apparatus alone is 6000 - 16000 mm. Accordingly, a thickness of the sliding plate is 10 - 30 mm, preferably 10 - 25 mm. As shown in Figures 4a - 4e, the tilting of the pallets causes only a slight tilting of the load. This keeps the load compact and the products intact . A loading by means of the apparatus proceeds as follows. Pallets are typically brought to the shipping area by a conveyor system. For example, groups of three EUR-pallets are formed by a grouping station so that the long sides of the pallets are face to face, as shown in Figures la and 5b. The group of three is then transferred, with the short sides of the pallets in front, onto the transfer means. Row by row, the groups are indexed onto the sliding plate by the transfer means of the sliding plate, here a chain conveyor. In other words, when the pallets are transferred from the grouping station onto the apparatus, the pallets are arranged on the chain conveyor. The conveyor chains are simultaneously rotated by the drives 17. The pallets thus move along the apparatus. The chain conveyor essentially covers the entire width and length of the sliding plate. In practice, the chain conveyor has several parallel chains, typically one chain together with its guides for each pallet tunnel. Indexing continues until the entire load is complete and thus ready to be loaded into the cargo space. Figure la shows five pallet rows in which the pallets have been arranged so as to touch each other. The pallets cover only part of the length of the apparatus here, as the cargo space 10 shown in Figure 2a cannot accommodate more. Otherwise, the load can extend over the entire length of the apparatus. The apparatus can also be used to load and unload other load units besides pallets, such as, for example, trolleys, provided that a continuous open tunnel is formed under the load units.

[0025] When the load is complete and the truck or other vehicle or cargo space is docked and ready for loading, the alignment of the cargo space is scanned and the level of the floor is measured. The apparatus slides on the frame 24, which is aligned with the truck. In other words, the apparatus includes a frame 24 on which the sliding plate 14 is configured to slide. The frame 24 is supported here by six height-adjustable support legs 25. Moreover, the support legs at the ends can be moved laterally. This makes it possible to align the frame, and consequently the apparatus, with the cargo space with precision. Loading is carried out by pushing, by means of the drives 18, the sliding plate together with the goods and the chain conveyors into the cargo space and, if necessary, continuously adjusting the height of the frame according to the compression of the suspension caused by the load. Once inside the cargo space, the sliding plate is pulled backwards by the drives 18 while the chain conveyor is simultaneously driven in the opposite direction by the drives 17 in order to set the load down in the cargo space. The drives are synchronized with respect to each other in such a manner that the sliding plate essentially moves to the same extent as the chain conveyor. The successive pallets thus remain in contact with each other, which keeps the load compact. Generally speaking, the frame 24 includes one or more drives 18 for pushing the sliding plate 14 into the cargo space 10 and for pulling the sliding plate 14 out of the cargo space 10. The apparatus additionally includes one or more drives 17 for operating the transfer means 11, and the drives 17 and 18 are synchronized with one another. This makes it possible to carry out both a loading and an unloading with one and the same apparatus while keeping the load compact and the products undamaged .

[0026] When the sliding plate is pulled back to the starting position, the frame is then also returned to its starting position. The apparatus is thus ready to receive the pallets of the next load from the grouping station. Moreover, it is possible to unload a cargo space with the same device, i.e. to move pallets brought with the cargo space from the cargo space into, for example, a warehouse . Correspondingly, an unloading by means of the apparatus proceeds as follows. For example, a truck contains a pallet load with a loading pattern in which one or more parallel pallets are arranged in such a manner that successive pallets form pallet tunnels in the longitudinal direction of the cargo space. For example, there are three EUR-pallets with the short side of the pallets in front. The truck is docked to the frame, the orientation of the cargo space is scanned, and the floor level is measured. The frame is then aligned with the cargo space and its plane is adjusted to the floor level of the cargo space. The load is subsequently unloaded by pushing the sliding plate under the load and the chain conveyor into the openings in the EUR-pallets, i.e. into the pallet tunnels. The chain conveyor is simultaneously driven in the opposite direction in order to pick up the pallets. The synchronization of the drives is important here too. When all pallets are on board the chain conveyor, the chain conveyor stops and the sliding plate simultaneously starts to move back, i.e. out of the cargo space .

[0027] When the sliding plate has been pulled back to the starting position and the apparatus has been returned to its starting position, the transfer of the pallets to the receiving conveyor system can begin. When all pallets have been cleared from the sliding plate, the apparatus is ready to unload the next load. Unloading operations and loading operations can be alternated as required. Often a dispatching warehouse only loads and a receiving warehouse only unloads, but both operations can be carried out with an identical and even with the same apparatus. Thanks to the sliding plates, the load is distributed more evenly over the floor of the cargo space without point loads, as there are no rollers according to the prior art. The sliding plate and the chain conveyor are combined in the invention so that one and the same device can manage the receipt and unloading as well as the loading of a load. It is also possible to load and unload partial loads with the apparatus. In the apparatus shown, the gate 21 is mainly for supporting the scanner 22.

[0028] The guides of the chain conveyor are connected to one another either by the sliding plate or in some other manner. Preferably, the guides are attached to the sliding plate, so that the apparatus is simple and low without a separate frame. The sliding plates do not have to extend over the full length. For example, the sliding plates can be slats or pieces either under the chain conveyor or in some other suitable location. The guides are connected to each other as of approximately 1.5 m, or even less, from the end. The front ramp of the end section raises a load by 20 mm, so that after a meter the pallet is already off the floor.

[0029] The apparatus can have a connecting structure over its entire length. The conveyor chains are aligned with the openings of the pallets. The guides do not twist or turn. The precision of the positioning is an advantage for both loading and unloading, as the pallets are positioned with precision. The pallets can also be removed with precision. The apparatus combines separate operations, namely the forming and loading of a load and the unloading and handling of a load. The apparatus can also handle partial loads. Where necessary, it is also possible with the apparatus to load pallets which do not have an open base structure and which thus do not form a continuous tunnel. In this case, the pallets are indexed onto the chain conveyor and driven off the chain conveyor onto the floor of the cargo space, so that the pallets are dropped from higher up than in the main loading method, in which the chain conveyor is in the tunnel under the pallet.

[0030] The sliding plate is made of a plastic that can slide along the floor of the cargo space while adapting to the shape of the floor surface and overcoming uneven spots without shuddering. The friction between the plastic and the floor is low and constant even without lubrication. A plastic sliding plate thus works in all circumstances without auxiliary substances. One type of plastic works on all floors, although in principle the properties of the sliding plate can be adapted to a specific object of application by selecting a plastic material with different properties. In this case, a specific plastic is used for a metal container while a different plastic is used for a wooden floor. Plastic slides well along the floor of a cargo space. In practice, the surface on the sliding plate that faces the floor is essentially smooth. Moreover, a thin sliding plate yields at uneven points of the cargo space and even overcomes uneven floor surfaces of a cargo space. In addition, the weight of the load is evenly distributed over the area of the cargo space and there can be large gaps in the cargo space. A plastic sliding plate also slides on different floors without seizing. The floor of the cargo space can thus be made of, for example, steel, wood, plywood or aluminium. The sliding plate is also able to withstand pulling and pushing, which is important, as the force of the drives 18 is transmitted by the chains to the rear of the apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for loading and / or unloading a cargo space, which apparatus includes transfer means (11) that are able to extend essentially over the length of the cargo space (10) and that are configured to be positioned in tunnels (13) formed in lower portions of the load units (12) , characterized in that the apparatus includes one or more sliding plates (14) arranged under the transfer means (11) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the load units (12) are arranged in a row so as to form a tunnel (13) that extends over the entire length of the load.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sliding plate (14) is continuous essentially over the entire area of the transfer means (11) .

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one or more sliding plates (14) are provided under each transfer means (11) .

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that a thickness of the sliding plate (14) is 10 - 30 mm, preferably 10 - 25 mm.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the transfer means (11) is formed by a chain conveyor (15) .

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the chain conveyor (15) includes one or more conveyor chains (16) for each tunnel (13) .

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the conveyor chain (16) has a guide (19) , and adjacent guides (19) are supported to each other.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the guides (19) are attached to the sliding plate (14) .

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that a height (h) of a leading end (20) of the chain conveyor (15) is lower than a height (H) of the tunnel (13) .

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that a length (L) of the leading end (20) is 500 - 1500 mm.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a gradient of the leading end (20) is 1 - 5 degrees.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 12, characterized in that the apparatus includes a frame (24) on which a sliding plate (14) is configured to slide.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the frame (24) includes one or more drives (18) for pushing the sliding plate (14) into the cargo space (10) and for pulling the sliding plate (14) out of the cargo space (10) .

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the apparatus includes one or more drives (17) for operating the transfer means (11) , and the drives (17, 18) are synchronized with one another.

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