Vehicle Elevator for Lifting a Vehicle and Method for Lifting

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle elevator for lifting a vehicle and a method for lifting a vehicle. The vehicle elevator includes a carrier configured for lifting the vehicle. The carrier includes a first and a second carrier part each extending in a longitudinal direction and each having a longitudinal central axis and a lifting mechanism configured for raising and lowering the carrier. The lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive with at least one lifting cylinder configured for raising the first and/or second carrier part. The at least one lifting cylinder is mounted at a mounting distance from the longitudinal central axis of the respective carrier part.

Claims

1. A vehicle elevator for lifting a vehicle, the elevator comprising: a carrier configured for lifting the vehicle, wherein the carrier comprises a first and a second carrier part each extending in a longitudinal direction and each having a longitudinal central axis; and a lifting mechanism configured for raising and lowering the carrier, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a lifting drive with at least one lifting cylinder configured for raising the first and/or second carrier part; and wherein the at least one lifting cylinder is mounted at a mounting distance from the longitudinal central axis of the respective carrier part.

2. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, wherein each end of the carrier parts is provided with a separate lifting mechanism.

3. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, wherein the mounting distance is at least 2.5 cm.

4. The vehicle elevator according to claim 3, wherein the mounting distance is in the range of 2.5 to 25 cm.

5. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, further comprising a floor connector having a floor shaft, a rotatable rod that extends between the floor connector and the carrier, wherein the rotatable rod comprises a tubular profile that extends over at least a part of the length of the rotatable rod.

6. The vehicle elevator according to claim 5, wherein the tubular profile is configured as a cable tray.

7. The vehicle elevator according to claim 5, wherein the tubular profile at least extends between the floor connector and the lifting cylinder.

8. The vehicle elevator according to claim 5, further comprising a connection rod extending between a first end connected to the rotatable rod at a connection shaft and a second end connected to the carrier part at a piston shaft, and having a length that is larger than the distance between the connection shaft and the floor shaft.

9. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, further comprising a toothing configured for securing the elevator, and a cover plate configured for at least partly covering the toothing.

10. The vehicle elevator according to claim 2, further comprising a floor connector having a floor shaft, a rotatable rod that extends between the floor connector and the carrier, wherein the rotatable rod comprises a tubular profile that extends over at least a part of the length of the rotatable rod.

11. The vehicle elevator according to claim 10, wherein the tubular profile is configured as a cable tray.

12. The vehicle elevator according to claim 11, wherein the tubular profile at least extends between the floor connector and the lifting cylinder.

13. The vehicle elevator according to claim 10, further comprising a connection rod extending between a first end connected to the rotatable rod at a connection shaft and a second end connected to the carrier part at a piston shaft, and having a length that is larger than the distance between the connection shaft and the floor shaft.

14. The vehicle elevator according to claim 13, further comprising a toothing configured for securing the elevator, and a cover plate configured for at least partly covering the toothing.

15. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, wherein the mounting distance is at least 5 cm.

16. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, wherein the mounting distance is at least 7.5 cm.

17. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, wherein the mounting distance is in the range of 2.5 to 15 cm.

18. The vehicle elevator according to claim 1, wherein the mounting distance is in the range of 2.5 to 10 cm.

19. A vehicle elevator for lifting a vehicle, the elevator comprising: a carrier configured for lifting the vehicle, wherein the carrier comprises a first and a second carrier part each extending in a longitudinal direction and each having a longitudinal central axis; and a lifting mechanism configured for raising and lowering the carrier, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a lifting drive with at least one lifting cylinder configured for raising the first and/or second carrier part; wherein the at least one lifting cylinder is mounted at a mounting distance from the longitudinal central axis of the respective carrier part, wherein each end of the carrier parts is provided with a separate lifting mechanism, and wherein the mounting distance is at least 2.5 cm.

20. A method for lifting a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle elevator comprising: a carrier configured for lifting the vehicle, wherein the carrier comprises a first and a second carrier part each extending in a longitudinal direction and each having a longitudinal central axis; and a lifting mechanism configured for raising and lowering the carrier, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a lifting drive with at least one lifting cylinder configured for raising the first and/or second carrier part; and wherein the at least one lifting cylinder is mounted at a mounting distance from the longitudinal central axis of the respective carrier part; and (b) lifting the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Further advantages, features and details of the inventions are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle elevator according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a carrier part of the vehicle elevator FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the lifting mechanism of FIG. 2;

[0038] FIGS. 4A-B shows the toothing of the lifting mechanism of FIG. 3; and

[0039] FIG. 5 shows the connection rod extending beyond the floor shaft in a folded state of the vehicle elevator of FIGS. 1-4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Vehicle elevator 2 (FIG. 1) is mounted on workshop floor 4. Elevator 2 is capable of lifting vehicle 6 that is carried by first carrier part 8 and second carrier part 10. It will be understood that carrier parts 8, 10 can be connected by a jacking beam (not shown), or any other suitable connecting element. Such element can be removed if not necessary and/or can be embodied as a unitary platform.

[0041] Lifting mechanism 12 is capable of lifting and/or lowering carrier parts 8,10. Lifting mechanism 12 is controlled with control unit 13. It will be understood that it is also possible to control lifting mechanism 12 with an alternative controller, such as a tablet, computer, mobile phone et cetera.

[0042] Carrier part 8 (FIG. 2) has a central axis L that extends in the longitudinal direction of carrier part 8. Also carrier part 10 has a similar central axis. Lifting mechanism 12 is connected to workshop floor 4 with ground plate 14, flanges 16 and shaft or shaft elements 18. Rods 20, 22 are capable of rotating around floor shaft 18. Shaft 18 can be embodied as a unitary shaft extending through both rods 20, 22 or can alternatively be embodied as two separate sub-shafts or shaft elements 18. On the other end of rods 20, 22 sliding blocks 21 are provided that enable movement of this other end in the longitudinal direction L of carrier part 8 during lifting or lowering of carrier part 8.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment hydraulic cylinder 24 is connected to shaft 26. Shaft 26 is connected to rods 20, 22 and preferably extends between rods 20, 22. Piston 28 of cylinder 24 is at its outer end rotatably connected to piston shaft 30 that is directly or indirectly connected to carrier part 8. In the illustrated embodiment cylinder 24 is mounted in frame 32. Connection rods 34 preferably extend between connection shaft 36 and piston shaft 30.

[0044] Tube 38 extends between shaft 26 and shaft 18. In this illustrated embodiment tube 38 is configured for guiding cables and/or hoses to and/or from cylinder 24. In the illustrated embodiment plate 40 is provided between two two rods 20, 22.

[0045] Also, in the illustrated embodiment lifting mechanism 12 is embodied as half-scissor mechanism, and more particularly a Y-configuration. It will be understood that similar configurations can also be envisaged in accordance to the present invention, including an inverted Y-configuration and a full scissor or X-configuration.

[0046] Cylinder 24 (FIG. 3) has central axis C. In the illustrated embodiment cylinder 24 has outer diameter d2 that is positioned at distance d1 from rod 22 and at distance d3 from rod 20. Central cylinder axis C is provided at distance D1 from rod 22 and distance D2 from rod 20. In this embodiment central axis C of cylinder 24 is provided at a distance D3 of the longitudinal axis L of carrier part 8 as seen in a horizontal direction.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment lifting mechanism 12 (FIGS. 4A-B) is provided with a toothing 42 to secure lifting mechanism 12 in a lifting operation. Cover or side plate 44 at least partly covers toothing 42.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the invention connection rods 34 (FIG. 5) have a length L.sub.c that is larger than the distance between shafts 18, 36 such that piston shaft 30 lies beyond shaft 18 in a folded state of vehicle lift 2. Connectors 46 connect piston shaft 30 to carrier part 8. In this illustrated embodiment cylinder 24 and rods 34 may both rotate around the shaft. Alternatively, the cylinder or the rods are fixedly connected to the shaft.

[0049] For lifting vehicle 6 the vehicle is moved on carrier parts 8, 10. After vehicle 6 is correctly positioned an authorized operator may control lifting mechanisms 12 with control unit 13 and lift vehicle 6 from workshop floor 4. After inspection, maintenance, repair or other operation vehicle 6 can be lowered by lowering lifting mechanism 12, preferably using control unit 13. As soon as vehicle elevator 2 has returned to the ground vehicle 6 can be moved away from vehicle elevator 2. Vehicle elevator 2 is then ready for accepting a new lifting operation.

[0050] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisioned.