Modular land freight vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular land freight vehicle of the European Modular System type, which comprises a rigid lorry and a trailer pivotably connected together. The vehicle includes, as a connecting element, a rotatable drawbar rotatably coupled to the trailer and non-rotatably fixed to the rigid lorry by a double hook. The drawbar preferably comprises a rotatable plate at the rear end thereof, arranged under the trailer chassis, and two hooks solidly connected to the front end thereof and fixed to the rear part of the lorry. This configuration allows the useful loading length of the trailer to be increased without increasing the total length of the assembly beyond legal limits, simultaneously improving forward and reverse manoueverability and making the coupling more secure. The vehicle can be designed with different combinations of axles and lengths within applicable legal limits.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] MODULAR VEHICLE FOR LAND TRANSPORT OF GOODS, SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention, as stated in the present descriptive report, refers to a modular vehicle for the land transport of goods that provides, for the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics that are described in detail below and that represent an improvement over the current state of the art.

[0004] The object of the present invention is a land transport vehicle for goods which, being of the so-called "euro-modular" trucks, that is, which comply with the EMS (European Modular System) by combining truck and trailer modules of standardized lengths to more efficiently increase load capacity, is distinguished by having an improved configuration, based essentially on the combination of a rigid truck and a trailer joined articulated with a double-hook rotating drawbar, which allows further increase in the load capacity of the vehicle without increasing the length of the assembly beyond the limits allowed for this type of vehicle, as well as improving its maneuverability and safety by having two hitches instead of just one.

[0005] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The field of application of the present invention falls within the transport industry sector, focusing particularly on the field of truck, trailer and semi-trailer combinations, encompassing at the same time the coupling systems between them.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In 2015, the Euro-modular truck law was approved, also called "mega-trucks", which consist of sets of at least 7 axles made up of: trucks, trailers and semi-trailers and which individually do not exceed the maximum authorized dimensions.

[0009] More specifically, Euro-modular trucks are goods transport vehicles designed under the concept of the EMS (European Modular System), which is a system that allows standard trucks and trailers to be combined efficiently to form modules that increase load capacity and reduce environmental impact without affecting road safety.

[0010] Its main characteristics are:

[0011] - Greater length and capacity: They can reach up to 25.25 meters in length and carry up to 60 tons, compared to traditional trucks of 16.5-18.75 meters and 40-44 tons.

[0012] - Lower environmental impact: By optimizing the load per trip, CO2 emissions and the number of trucks on the road are reduced.

[0013] - Logistical efficiency: They reduce transport costs per ton and optimize the supply chain.

[0014] Currently, the most common configuration for these units or modules consists of a tractor unit and two articulated semi-trailers. Their main disadvantage, especially when reversing, is their difficulty of maneuvering, although the double articulation allows for a considerably tight turning radius. However, to avoid this problem, another widely used option is a 12-meter-long, 4-axle rigid truck with a 12-meter-long, 3-axle trailer, connected by a conventional drawbar. This configuration, however, has more limited maneuverability due to its single articulation.

[0015] Well, the objective of the present invention is to provide an improved version of this second combination to increase its load capacity without increasing the overall length of the assembly and, at the same time, increase its maneuverability, both when moving forward and in reverse, and also, at the same time, ensure greater safety when hitching.

[0016] Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other vehicle that has technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal to or similar to those claimed herein.

[0017] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The modular land freight transport vehicle proposed by the invention is configured as an ideal solution to achieve the aforementioned objectives, which, at the same time, represents an improvement over the current state of the art, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0019] Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, is a land transport vehicle for goods, in particular a Euro-modular type truck which, being made up of a combination of truck and trailer modules of standardized axles and lengths, has the particularity of having an improved configuration that allows increasing its load capacity, improving its maneuverability and increasing the safety of the coupling between modules.

[0020] To this end, and more specifically, the modular land freight transport vehicle that is the subject of the invention essentially comprises a rigid truck, for example one with four axles and 12 meters in length, and a trailer, for example one with three central axles, and just over 11 meters in length, which is attached to the towing truck with a rotating drawbar and a double hook system.

[0021] Thus, the assembly, although still having a total length that does not exceed 24 meters, presents a greater load capacity than a currently known assembly, formed by a truck and a conventional trailer joined by a conventional drawbar, since in that case, according to the dimensions of the cited example, the trailer only has 9.9 linear meters of usable load capacity, while the trailer of the vehicle of the invention, with the rotating drawbar, has all 11 meters of length usable for loading, a difference that can mean the loading of up to three more Euro pallets of cargo.Furthermore, thanks to the fact that the rotating drawbar is attached under the trailer chassis, the maneuverability is also greater, allowing turning with only an inner radius of 14.7 meters and an outer radius of 19.3 meters, for the dimensions of the cited example, as shown in the diagram in figure 3, which implies a remarkable ease of maneuverability, both in forward and reverse movement for this type of modular vehicle.

[0022] It should be noted that, although the proposed modular vehicle, with its central axle trailer, rotating drawbar, and double hitch, is particularly well-suited for Euro-modular combinations in the aforementioned 12m overall length version (including the drawbar), 11.1m cargo area length, and 3 axles, it can also be a trailer of shorter lengths, for example, with a 7 or 8-meter cargo area and one, two, or three axles, to form a modular vehicle or road train of up to 18.75 meters. While in this case there would be no increase in cargo area length, there would be an improvement in the maneuverability of the combination, since the trailer can navigate curves in the same way as the rigid truck.

[0023] Finally, the fact that the drawbar is attached to the rear of the rigid truck with two hooks instead of just one, as is usually the case, improves the vehicle's safety, which is also a significant advantage, since any accident or breakage of the hitch in this type of vehicle can pose a very serious road safety problem, in addition to the economic losses that it usually entails.

[0024] It is worth mentioning that, in this type of trailer, the hooks must be mounted on the rigid truck on a rotating support that allows a little tilt between the truck and the trailer, to avoid twisting in the drawbar.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by sheets of drawings in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure number 1 shows a schematic side elevation view of the modular land transport vehicle for goods that is the subject of the invention, showing the parts it comprises;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a schematic top plan view of the vehicle, according to the invention, shown in Figure 1, in this case showing more precisely the configuration of the rotating drawbar with double hitch, represented by a dashed line; and

[0028] Figure number 3 shows a plan view of the vehicle of the invention, in this case represented in the turning maneuver phase, indicating the internal and external radius required for said turn.

[0029] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the modular land freight transport vehicle of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0031] Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the modular vehicle (1) of the invention, consisting of a Euro-modular type truck and comprising, essentially, a rigid truck (2), composed of a cab (3) and its cargo box (4) forming a steadfast unit, and a trailer (5) articulated to the rear of the cargo box (4) of the rigid truck (2).

[0032] And, based on this already known configuration, the vehicle (1) of the invention is essentially distinguished by comprising, as an articulated connecting element between the rigid truck (2) and the trailer (5), a rotating lance (6) that is joined with the possibility of rotation to the trailer (5) and in a fixed manner, without the possibility of rotation, to the rigid truck (2) by means of a double hook (7).

[0033] For this purpose, preferably, said rotating lance (6) comprises, at a rear end, a rotating plate (6.1) that is attached to a complementary support provided on the front part of the trailer (5), below the chassis (8) thereof, and at its front end, two hooks (7) that are fixed rigidly, for example by bolting, to the rear part of the cargo box (4) of the rigid truck (2), below the chassis (8) thereof.

[0034] In a preferred, but not limiting, embodiment, the rigid truck (2) is a four-axle (9) wheel truck and 12 meters in length (I), while the trailer (5) is a three-axle (9) center-wheel trailer, and a length (I) of 11.1 meters.

[0035] Furthermore, as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, preferably, the rotating drawbar (6) has a dimension and arrangement such that, once placed between the truck (2) and the trailer (5), between its center of rotation (6.2) on the trailer (5) and the front end of said trailer (5) it occupies a section (t) of 1.28 meters, between said front end of the trailer (5) and the rear end of the cargo box (4) of the truck (2), the body of the drawbar (6) occupies an intermediate space (e) of 0.75 meters, and its front end, with the two hooks (7) with which it is attached to the truck (2), has a dimension (d) of 0.15 meters.

[0036] With all this, the vehicle assembly (1) of the invention, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, has a total length (L) of 23.85 meters and, on the other hand, as can be seen in the diagram of figure 3, it can make turns in spaces with an inner radius (h) of 14.7 meters and an outer radius (re) of 19.3 meters, which is a small space considering the dimensions of this type of vehicle.

[0037] However, in other alternative embodiments, the rigid truck (2) is a four-axle (9) truck with a length (I) of 12 meters, while the trailer (5) is a trailer with one, two or three axles (9) of wheels, and a length (I) of 7 or 8 meters, such that the vehicle assembly (1) of the invention has a total length (L) of about 18.75 meters.

[0038] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field can understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Modular vehicle for land transport of goods consisting of a Euro-modular type truck comprising a rigid truck (2), composed of a cab (3) and cargo box (4) forming a fixed unit, and a trailer (5) articulated to the rear of the cargo box (4) of the rigid truck (2), is characterized by comprising, as an articulated joining element between the rigid truck (2) and the trailer (5), a rotating drawbar (6) that is joined with the possibility of rotation to the trailer (5) and in a fixed manner, without the possibility of rotation, to the rigid truck (2) by means of a double hook (7). 2.- Modular vehicle for land transport of goods, according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating drawbar (6) comprises, at a rear end, a rotating plate (6.1) that is coupled to a complementary support provided in the front part of the trailer (5), below the chassis (8) thereof, and at its front end, two hooks (7) that are fixed in a fixed manner, such as by means of bolting, to the rear part of the cargo box (4) of the rigid truck (2), below the chassis (8) thereof. 3.- Modular vehicle for land transport of goods, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rigid truck (2) is a four-axle (9) truck with wheels and a length (I) of 12 meters, and the trailer (5) is a three-axle (9) trailer with central wheels, and a length (I) of 11.1 meters.

4. Modular vehicle for the land transport of goods, according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotating drawbar (6) has a dimension and arrangement such that, once placed between the truck (2) and the trailer (5), between its center of rotation (6.2) in the trailer (5) and the front end of said trailer (5) it occupies a section (t) of 1.28 meters; between said front end of the trailer (5) and the rear end of the cargo box (4) of the truck (2), the body of the drawbar (6) occupies an intermediate space (e) of 0.75 meters; and its front end, with the two hooks (7) with which it is fixed to the truck (2), has a dimension (d) of 0.15 meters.

5. Modular vehicle for land transport of goods, according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that it has a total length (L) of 23.85 meters.

6. Modular vehicle for land transport of goods, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rigid truck (2) is a four-axle (9) truck with a length (I) of 12 meters, and the trailer (5) is a trailer with one, two or three axles (9) and a length (I) of 7 or 8 meters, the vehicle assembly (1) having a total length (L) of approximately 18.75 meters.

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