LIFTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE LIFTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE LIFTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting system and a method for controlling the lifting system, as well as a control system for a lifting system of this type in which an evaluation signal and a control signal are transmitted in order to actuate the lifting devices.

Claims

1. A lifting system, which comprises a plurality of lifting apparatuses which are actuatable by means of a control system, the control system comprising a control device and a plurality of control units, a control unit being provided on each lifting apparatus and actuating a load-bearing means of the lifting apparatus, the control device being provided separately from the control units, and the control units and the control device each comprising a transmitter/receiver for wireless transmission of a control signal, wherein a data interface for the wireless transmission of a presence signal is provided on each control unit and on the control device, and in that the data interface on the control unit has a signal cone which is oriented differently from the load-bearing means.

2. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit releases the actuation of the lifting apparatus upon receipt of the presence signal and the control signal from the control device within a time window.

3. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein a working area is formed between two lifting apparatuses arranged opposite each other or a plurality of lifting apparatuses arranged opposite each other in pairs and the signal cone of the data interface of the control unit lies outside this working area and/or; wherein the signal cone of the data interface provided on the control unit is oriented oppositely to the load-bearing means.

4. (canceled)

5. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the signal cone of the data interface of the control unit is oriented horizontally or is oriented inclined downwards with respect to a horizontal line and/or wherein the signal cone of the data interface and a signal direction of the transmitter/receiver for the control signal are oriented identically.

6. (canceled)

7. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the data interface for the presence signal is formed by an IR receiver and an IR transmitter and the transmitter/receiver of the control signal is formed differently to the data interface.

8. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a display for showing at least one operating status and/or a keypad and/or a charging interface.

9. The lifting system according claim 1, wherein the control device communicates with the control unit within the signal cone of the data interface and activates the control unit for actuating the lifting apparatus upon a simultaneous reception of the presence signal and the control signal from the control device.

10. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is designed as a master and the control units as slaves.

11. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is designed as a portable hand-held device.

12. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of control devices are provided in the control system and are coupled to each other.

13. The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein a control device communicates with a stationary controller in the working area of the at least one lifting system, which stationary controller is designed as a master and/or as a communication interface.

14. (canceled)

15. A method for controlling a lifting system consisting of a plurality of lifting apparatuses, each of which has a load-bearing means which is movable up and down, in which a control system is used to actuate the lifting apparatuses, which control system consists of a control device and a plurality of control units arranged separately therefrom and one on each lifting apparatus, the control device and the control units having a transmitter/receiver by means of which control signals are transmitted wirelessly, wherein the control device and the control units each have data interfaces by means of which at least one presence signal is transmitted between the control device and the respective control unit, and in that the control device is positioned within a signal cone of the data interface of the control unit.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the actuation of the lifting apparatuses is enabled by one of the control units upon receipt of the evaluation signal and the control signal from the control device within a time window, or when the presence signal is received by the data interface and the control signal is received by the transmitter/receiver at the control unit at the same time, actuation of the lifting apparatuses is enabled.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein on the control unit the data interface is aligned with the signal cone differing from the load-bearing means.

18. (canceled)

19. The method according claim 15, wherein the presence signal is different from the control signal and both are output simultaneously.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein after the control unit has been enabled to actuate the lifting apparatuses by the control device, further functions of the lifting apparatuses are actuated, and wherein when lifting a vehicle, a load-bearing means of the lifting apparatus is actuated by the control device until it is applied against a wheel or wheels or against a chassis of the vehicle, and subsequently the lifting apparatuses of the lifting system are actuated in a synchronised manner by the control units to lift the vehicle.

21. (canceled)

22. The method according to claim 15 wherein on reception by the control device of the presence signal output by the data interface, information at the opposite lifting apparatus and/or the lifting apparatuses in the lifting system is queried by the control unit, by the opposite control device, and transmitted to this control device, and preferably selectively output on a display of the control device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the position of the user relative to the lifting apparatus, which user operates the control device, is recognised by the control device and output in the display of the control device.

24. The method according to claim 15, wherein in order to configure the lifting system, the control device is positioned successively with respect to each control unit of the lifting apparatus to be incorporated in the lifting system within the signal cone of the data interface of the control unit and a teaching process is then carried out with the lifting apparatus to be incorporated in the lifting system and, after completion of the last teaching process of the lifting apparatus to be incorporated, the configuration of the lifting system is concluded by a confirmation signal.

25. A control system for a lifting system, consisting of a plurality of lifting apparatuses, the load-bearing means of which is movable up and down jointly, which control system comprises a plurality of control units and a control device, which are each formed separately from one another, each control unit having a mounting interface for fastening to the lifting apparatus and a user interface, a transmitter/receiver being provided on each control unit and the control device in order to transmit control signals wirelessly, wherein a data interface for the wireless transmission of a presence signal is provided on each control unit and the control device, and in that the data interface on the control unit) has a signal cone which is oriented differently from the mounting interface or the user interface.

26. (canceled)

Description

[0031] The invention and other advantageous embodiments and further embodiments thereof are described and explained in further detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be applied individually or in any combination in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting system with a raised vehicle,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective side view of a lifting apparatus of the lifting system in a lowered position,

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the lifting apparatus according to FIG. 2 in a raised position,

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a control device of a control system of the lifting apparatus according to FIG. 1,

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of the lifting apparatus with an control device assigned thereto for wireless communication,

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of the arrangement according to FIG. 5,

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the configuration of a lifting system with multiple lifting apparatuses,

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lifting system to FIG. 1,

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment to FIG. 1, and

[0041] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the lifting system to FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a lifting system 11. This lifting system 11 comprises a plurality of lifting apparatuses 14, which are configured to form a lifting system 11. These lifting apparatuses 14 make it possible to lift a vehicle 15, for example for maintenance, inspection and/or repair work. Alternatively, rail vehicles or other vehicles can be lifted by such a lifting system 11. Various loads can also be lifted. Each lifting apparatus 14 comprises a base frame 17 which rests on the ground. A chassis or steering chassis 18 can preferably be provided on this base frame 17. Castors 19 are preferably arranged opposite this steering chassis 18 on the base frame 17. A mobile lifting apparatus 14 is thus formed. This can be moved to the place of use.

[0043] A lifting column 21 is provided on the base frame 17. A carrier 22 can be moved up and down along the lifting column 21. A load-bearing means 24 is provided on the carrier 22. According to the embodiment, this load-bearing means is designed as a fork-shaped wheel gripper. The load-bearing means 24 can also have other alternative embodiments.

[0044] A drive unit 26 is provided on the carrier 22. This drive unit 26 can be electrohydraulic, hydraulic or mechanical or the like. This drive unit 26 comprises at least one accumulator 27. Furthermore, according to the exemplary embodiment, a hydraulic unit 28 is provided, by means of which a hydraulic cylinder within the lifting column 21 is actuated so that it can be retracted and extended. A control unit 31 is also provided on the carrier 22. The control unit 31 preferably has a mounting interface 29 which is designed to complement a connection interface on the lifting column 29. This enables easy mounting of the control unit 31. The connection interface can also be provided on the drive unit 26. The control unit 31 comprises a user interface 32, which is preferably vertically oriented. The user interface 32 is preferably oriented relative to the lifting column 21 in a manner that is easily visible and accessible to the user. The hydraulic unit 28 is actuated by this control unit 31. Such a lifting apparatus 14 is known, for example, from WO 2010/112200 A1, to which full reference is made.

[0045] The lifting system 11 comprises a control system 33, which comprises control units 31, provided one on each lifting apparatus 14. Furthermore, the control system 33 comprises a control device 35 which is designed as a mobile control device 35, in particular as a remote control. This control device 35 comprises at least one display 36 and a keypad 37. Furthermore, a data interface 38 for an evaluation signal and a transmitter/receiver 39 for a control signal are provided.

[0046] The control unit 31 also comprises a data interface 38 for the evaluation signal and, complementary to the control device 35, a receiver/transmitter 39.

[0047] According to a first embodiment, the control system 33 is designed in such a way that the control device 35 assumes the role of a master and the control units 31 on the various lifting apparatuses 14 assume the role of slaves. Each control unit 31 can be actuated individually by the control device 35. The control units 31 of the lifting apparatuses 14 in the lifting system 11, which are operated as slaves, are coupled to each other. If communication between the control device 35 and a control unit 31 is activated, a control unit 31 can be actuated as a slave by the control device 35. Subsequently, all control units 31 operated as slaves can be activated. According to one embodiment, the control units 31 operated as slaves can each receive the control signal directly from the control device 35. Alternatively, the control signal from the control device 35 can be transmitted to the opposite slave control unit 31 activated by the control device 35, and this control unit 31 forwards the control signal to the other control units 31 of the lifting apparatuses 14 integrated in the lifting system 11. In this way, the load-bearing means 24 of the lifting apparatuses 14 which are integrated in the lifting system 11 can be lifted and lowered jointly.

[0048] Alternatively, a controller 34 can be positioned in a stationary manner in a working area. This stationary controller 34 can be designed or programmed as a master. The at least one control device 35 communicates on the one hand with the stationary controller 34 designed as a master and can actuate the corresponding lifting apparatus 14 as a slave. In this case, the control device 35 forms a mobile master that communicates with the stationary controller 34.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the lifting apparatus 14 in an initial position. In this embodiment, it is provided that the carrier 22 surrounds the lifting column 21. Alternatively, it may be provided that the carrier 22 is guided inside the lifting column 21.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows the lifting apparatus 14 according to FIG. 2, for example, in a working position.

[0051] The control device 35 is shown schematically in FIG. 4. This comprises the keypad 37 for entering commands. Furthermore, the display 36 is preferably provided. Both can also be integrated into each other and designed as a touch screen. The control device 35 preferably comprises a charging interface 41 for charging at least one accumulator arranged in the control device 35. Alternatively, it can be provided that the accumulators are exchangeable, so that the charging interface 41 can be omitted. Furthermore, the control device 35 comprises a microcontroller 42, by means of which data processing as well as output and reception of presence and control signals takes place. Furthermore, the control device 35 comprises a data interface 38 through which a presence signal is output or received. This data interface 38 is preferably equipped with an infrared transmitter and/or an infrared receiver, so that an infrared signal can be output and received as a presence signal. Furthermore, the control device 35 comprises a transmitter/receiver 39. Preferably, the reception and transmission of radio signals as control signals is provided.

[0052] The direction of the control signals of the transmitter/receiver 39 and the data interface 38 are preferably oriented identically on a housing 46, in particular on an end face of the housing 46. This means that a signal cone 45 of the presence signal as well as a signal direction 40 or a signal cone of radio signals as a control signal are oriented identically.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of the lifting apparatus 14. The data interface 38 for the presence signal is provided on the control unit 31. The signal cone 45 of the data interface 38 is inclined here downwards with respect to a horizontal line. This can preferably be achieved by the orientation of the data interface 38 itself or by means of optical elements. By inclining the signal cone 45 downwards with respect to the horizontal, the advantage is achieved that other signals transmitted in an area of the lifting system 11 are not detected or are detected only with difficulty.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the arrangement according to FIG. 5. From these two views according to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is clear that a defined arrangement of the control device 35 relative to the control unit 31 is required to actuate the control unit 31 on the lifting apparatus 14 with the control device 35. The control device 35 must be aligned with the data interface 38 and the transmitter/receiver 39 must be oriented towards the data interface 38 of the control unit 31 and the transmitter/receiver 39 of the control unit 31. It is further required that the control device 35 is to be positioned within the signal cone 45 of the data interface 38 of the control unit 31. This allows the operator holding the control device 35 to be outside a working area. Furthermore, the operator can also be remote from the lifting apparatus 14 to actuate the lifting system 11.

[0055] The working area of the lifting system 11 is formed by two lifting apparatuses 14 opposite each other, or, as shown in FIG. 1, by four lifting apparatuses 14 assigned to each other or a plurality of lifting apparatuses 14 assigned to each other or by a surface below the vehicle 15 to be lifted.

[0056] The control device 35 emits a presence signal and a control signal. Provided that these two signals are received and processed by the control unit 31 within a time window, in particular simultaneously, the control unit 31 is active. Subsequently, the control signal can be forwarded to the drive unit 26 for operating the lifting apparatus 14. If a time-delayed reception of the presence signal from the data interface 38 of the control unit 31 and of the control signal from the transmitter/receiver 39 is detected by the control unit 31, the control unit 31 remains inactive.

[0057] The control device 35 can actuate lifting, lowering, an emergency stop, a selection of the actuatable lifting apparatuses, a configuration of the corresponding lifting system with a code number during commissioning, a switching on/off of a lighting on the lifting system, a selection of a load-support application mode, an actuation of a motorised propulsion drive, a lifting apparatus and a selection of a radio channel.

[0058] This control device 35 also enables communication with external networks and the display of information, e.g. operator guidance, operating instructions, service instructions. Remote maintenance or remote diagnosis can also be actuated or carried out. It is also possible that this control device 35 is used for a software update of the control units 31 on the lifting apparatuses 14.

[0059] Preferably, at least one display 36 is also provided on each control unit 31 to read an operating status. Preferably, a keypad 37 or a combination of the display 36 and keypad 37 as a touch screen can also be provided on the control unit 31. This can also provide the option of directly actuating the lifting system 11 via the control unit 31.

[0060] If at least one control unit 31 is activated by the control device 35, the data and/or information of the at least one control unit 31 can also be called up and/or shown on the display of the control device 35.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the configuration of, for example, three lifting apparatuses 14 positioned in pairs opposite each other to form a lifting system 11. To configure these lifting apparatuses 14 to form a lifting system 11, the control device 35 is assigned to a first lifting apparatus 14/1. Preferably, the control device 35 recognises that it is assigned to the lifting apparatus 14/1. Subsequently, the programme mode “configuration” is called up. The control device 35 is then preferably positioned relative to the control unit 31 in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The further communication between the lifting apparatus 14/1 and control device 35 is enabled by the presence signal and control signal received within the time window. After completion of the teaching process, this process is acknowledged and the control device 35 is aligned to the lifting apparatus 14/2. The preferred recognition of the assignment and the subsequent teaching process is repeated. This is carried out successively for the lifting apparatus 14/3, 14/4, 14/5 and 14/6. Subsequently, the completion for the configuration is confirmed. The control system 33 is thus configured for six lifting apparatuses 14. This lifting system 11 can be actuated by means of the control device 35 via each configured lifting apparatus 14 or the operating status can be queried.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lifting apparatuses 14 of the lifting system 11 to FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the lifting apparatuses 14 are stationary. These lifting apparatuses 14 have a base plate 51 which is fixedly connected to a floor. For example, a screw connection can be used. The lifting column 21 is fastened to the base plate 51. The drive unit 26, the accumulator 27, the hydraulic unit 28 and the control unit 31 are provided on the lifting column 21 analogously to the lifting apparatuses 14 in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0063] In this embodiment, the load-bearing means 24 is designed differently from the load-bearing means 24 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The load-bearing means 24 according to FIG. 8 has a first support arm 52 and a second support arm 53, which are preferably provided independently of each other and pivotably on a carrier 54. The carrier 54 can be moved up and down along the lifting column 21. The support arms 52, 53 are preferably telescopic. A support element 55 is provided at the outer end of each support arm 52, 53 and engages a chassis of a vehicle in an application position to lift the vehicle.

[0064] The control unit 31 is again oriented opposite the load-bearing means 24.

[0065] The above explanations regarding the configuration of the lifting system 11 according to FIG. 8 as well as the communication of the control device 35 with the control unit 31 and/or the configuration of the lifting system 11 correspond to the above-described embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0066] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the lifting system 11 to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the lifting apparatuses 14 are designed as an underfloor lifting apparatus. Each lifting apparatus 14 comprises a ram 61 by which the load support 24 can be moved up and down. This ram 61 is preferably provided on a movable carriage 62, which is movable along running rails 63, which are preferably recessed with respect to a floor of a working area. This arrangement allows the lifting apparatuses 14 to be movable along the running rails 63 and individually adjustable to the length of the vehicle.

[0067] The control unit 31 is provided on a housing of the ram 61. The data interface 38 arranged on the control unit 31 and/or the transmitter/receiver 39 points laterally outwards so that each lifting apparatus 14 communicates with the control device 35 and can be controlled. The control of the lifting apparatuses 14 described above as well as the configuration of the lifting system 11 corresponds in analogy to the embodiments described above.

[0068] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lifting system 11 to FIG. 1. In this lifting system 11, the lifting apparatuses 14 are designed as rail lifting apparatuses. Each of these lifting apparatuses 14 has a rail as a load support 24. Two opposing lifting apparatuses 14 with rails oriented in parallel form the lifting system 11. In the case of long vehicles with trailers or also in the case of a plurality of rail vehicles, a plurality of lifting apparatuses 14 can be arranged in series with each other. A control unit 31 is provided on each of these lifting apparatuses 14. In particular, a control unit 31 can be provided on each load support 24, in particular rail of the lifting apparatus 14. This control unit 31 can also be integrated within a profile of the rail. Preferably, a window can then be provided in a side cheek of the rail, in which window the data interface 38 and the transmitter/receiver 39 of the control unit 31 are positioned. This allows lateral accessibility to the lifting apparatus 14, i.e. communication of the control device 35 with the control unit 31 can take place outside the working area. These lifting apparatuses 14 can be actuated and/or configured analogously to the lifting apparatuses 14 according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 7.