Mobile lifting column with displacement system for lifting a vehicle, and lifting system and method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile lifting column for lifting a vehicle, and system and method therefor. The lifting system according to the invention includes: a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a displacement mechanism configured for positioning the lifting column; and a controller configured for controlling movement of the carrier, wherein the displacement mechanism has a displacement frame including a housing, a wheel that can be moved relative to this frame between a displacement and a stationary position, a counter force element, and a steering handle that is operatively coupled to the wheel with a linkage mechanism that is configured for moving the wheel relative to this frame.

Claims

1. A mobile lifting column for lifting a vehicle, the lifting column comprising: a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a displacement mechanism configured for positioning the lifting column; and a controller configured for controlling movement of the carrier, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises: a displacement frame comprising a housing, and a wheel that is provided at a first end of the housing, wherein the wheel is moveable vertically relative to the frame between a displacement position wherein the lifting column can be displaced and a stationary position wherein the lifting column is in a stationary position; a counter force element that is providing in or on the frame, wherein a counter force exerted by the counter force element is adjustable; and a steering handle that is operatively coupled to the wheel with a linkage mechanism that is configured for moving the wheel relative to the frame, and wherein the steering handle is connected to the displacement frame at a second end of the housing and is used to steer the entire mobile lifting column, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a rod that extends between the wheel at the first end of the housing and the handle at the second end of the housing, and is connected to the handle, and wherein the handle is pivotally connected to the housing at a hinge and the displacement mechanism comprises a lever or balance with the linkage mechanism being pivotally connected to the lever or balance.

2. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the counter force element is a spring element substantially extending along a displacement frame axis between the wheel and the steering handle.

3. The lifting column according to claim 2, further comprising a position sensor that is configured for detecting the position of the displacement mechanism.

4. The lifting column according to claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a foot having a tapering part with an additional running wheel at or near a front of the foot of the frame.

5. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the counter force is adjustable between 1000 and 10000 N.

6. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the handle acts as the lever or balance.

7. The lifting column according to claim 6, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises an overcenter linkage.

8. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising a position sensor that is configured for detecting the position of the displacement mechanism.

9. The lifting column according to claim 8, wherein the position sensor comprises an induction detector that is provided in or on the housing.

10. The lifting column according to claim 9, wherein the position sensor further comprises a metal bush that moves with the wheel relative to the housing and the detector when moving the wheel between the displacement and stationary positions.

11. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a foot having a tapering part with an additional running wheel at or near a front of the foot of the frame.

12. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising a modular cartridge comprising an additional running wheel at or near a front of a foot of the frame.

13. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising a damping element configured for damping movement of the steering handle when moving the lifting column from a stationary position wherein the lifting column is in a stationary position to a displacement position wherein the lifting column can be displaced.

14. A lifting system comprising at least one group of two or more lifting columns according to claim 1.

15. The lifting system according to claim 14, wherein the counter force element is a spring element substantially extending along a displacement frame axis between the wheel and the steering handle.

16. A method for lifting a vehicle with a lifting column or lifting system, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one lifting column according to claim 1; positioning the lifting column with the displacement mechanism; and lifting the vehicle with the drive acting on the carrier.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein positioning the lifting column comprises raising or lowering the handle for moving the wheel between the displacement and stationary positions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of a lifting system and/or the method according to the present invention are described here below on the basis of a non-limitative exemplary embodiment therefor shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a vehicle lifted by lifting columns for a lifting system according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a mobile lifting column of the type shown in FIG. 1 with a displacement system;

(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 show details of the displacement system in the displacement and stationary positions, respectively;

(5) FIG. 5 shows details of the displacement system of FIGS. 3 and 4;

(6) FIG. 6 shows the foot of the lifting column with modular cartridge; and

(7) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a lifting column with a damping element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. While the disclosure is described as having exemplary attributes and applications, the present disclosure can be further modified. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice of those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. Accordingly, the following description of certain embodiments and examples should be considered merely exemplary and not in any way limiting.

(9) The lift control system of the present invention is suitable for use with lift systems comprising any number of lifting devices that require height control columns, including systems having one, two, four or another number of columns. The columns may achieve lifting and lowering capability by any means known to those of skill in the art, including hydraulically, electrically, mechanically, and electromechanically. Lift systems compatible with the present lift control system may involve wired and/or wireless communication. With reference to the figures, like element numbers refer to the same element between drawings.

(10) System 2 for efficient lifting and lowering load 6 (FIG. 1) comprises four wireless mobile lifting columns 4. Lifting columns 4 lift passenger car 6 from ground 8. In the illustrated embodiment lifting columns 4 are connected to each other and/or a control system by wireless communication means or alternatively by cables. Lifting columns 4 comprise foot 10 which can travel on running wheels 12 over ground surface 8 of for instance a floor of a garage or workshop. In the forks of foot 10 is provided an additional running wheel 13 (FIG. 2). Running wheel 12 is part of pallet truck mechanism 14 enabling easy manoeuvring of lifting column 4. Lifting column 4 furthermore comprises mast 16. Carrier 18 is moveable upward and downward along mast 16. Optionally, adapters can be used to adjust carrier 18 to specific wheel dimensions. Carrier 18 is driven by motor/drive system 20 that is preferably provided in a housing of lifting column 4. System 20 is supplied with power from the electrical grid or by a battery that is provided on lifting column 4 in the same housing as system 20, or alternatively on foot 10 (not shown), for example. Lifting column 4 is provided with control panel 22 to allow the user of system 2 to control the system, for example by setting the speed for carrier 18. In one embodiment, the motor of system 20 is a 3-phase low voltage motor controlled by a separate controller. In another embodiment, the motor of system 20 is a 3-phase low voltage motor with integrated controller. Such motor with integrated controller can also be used in combination with conventional lifting devices with conventional height measurement systems.

(11) Each of the lifting columns has at least one ascent mode and one descent mode, and is under the influence of integrated controller with control panel 22. Controller 22 can be designed for each lifting column 4 individually, or for the lifting columns 4 together. A pressure or load sensor may be used for monitoring, control and indication of the correct positioning of the load that is lifted with lifting system 2.

(12) Carrier 18 (FIG. 2) comprises carrying part 24 and guiding part 26. Guiding part 26 extends over length d.sub.1 along guide rail 28 in a substantial vertical direction. Guide rail 28 is provided with cylinder 30. Guide rail 28 extends over length d.sub.2 along mast 16. It is noted that this length d.sub.2 is mostly related to the length or height of cylinder 30. Mast 16 also houses locking system 32 and locking rail 34. In the illustrated embodiment locking rail 34 extends over a substantial part of the length or height of mast 16.

(13) Pallet truck mechanism 14 comprises wheel 12 that is capable of rotating around shaft 36 (FIGS. 3-5). Wheel 12 is connected to displacement housing 38. Connecting block 40 is configured for connecting displacement system 14 to column 4. Rod or shaft 42 extends through housing 38 between wheel 12 and steering handle 44. Handle 44 is pivotally connected to rod 42 at hinge 46. Connector 47 connects steering handle 44 at hinge 48 and connects to rod 42 at hinge 49.

(14) Attached to rod or shaft 42 is adjustment screw 50 (FIGS. 3 and 5). In the illustrated embodiment adjustment screw 50 enables adjustment of the counter force. Connecting rod 52 is connected to shaft 36 of wheel 12 and to rod 42. Connecting rod 52 extends along rod 42, optionally moving with a separate metal bush 60. In the illustrated embodiment spring 54 is provided between rod 42 and connecting rod 52 or bush 60. Adjustment screw 50 enables setting the counter force that is achieved by spring 54 by positioning piston like element 55 relative to spring 54 with screw 50. Stop 56 prevents fouling of spring 54, for example. Sensor 58 is configured for detecting the position of bush or profile 60. This provides a measure for the actual position of displacement system 14.

(15) Foot 10 of lifting column 4 (FIG. 6) comprises connecting part 92 having height h.sub.1, curve part 94 with height h.sub.2 and front part 96 having height h.sub.3, with decreasing height from h.sub.1 to h.sub.3. This provides maximum strength at connecting part 92 and maximum space for manoeuvring at part 96.

(16) Front running wheel or additional wheel 13 is provided in cartridge 102 that is located in front part 96 of foot 10. Cartridge 102 (detail of FIG. 6) comprises frame 112 and spring element 114. Cartridge 102 is designed that it may be replaced as a whole, including additional wheel 13.

(17) Optionally, damping element 116 (FIG. 7) is provided below steering handle 44. In the illustrated embodiment damping element 116 comprises an oil damper that damps the movement of handle 44 from the stationary to the displacement position. When moving handle 44 from the displacement to the stationary position damping element 116 preferably has no substantial effect. Damping element 116 is optionally applied in all illustrated and/or described embodiments.

(18) When positioning lifting column 4, displacement system 14 is in the displacement position (FIG. 3) wherein mobile lifting column 4 can be moved relative to passenger car 6 and/or another lifting column 4. When lifting column 4 has reached its desired position, steering handle 44 is moved downwards, with the overcenter linkage, to the stationary position (FIG. 4). In this stationary position, lifting column 4 is ready for a lifting operation wherein foot 10 rests on ground surface 8 of a carriage or workshop floor.

(19) When lifting car 6 a number of mobile lifting columns 4 are positioned around vehicle 6. When the lifting operation is approved carriers 18 start moving along masts 16. As soon as the desired height D of carriers 18 above ground surface 8 is reached carriers 18 are stopped.

(20) In a situation wherein lifting column 4 is unintentionally in a displacement position (FIG. 3), while the lifting operation with passenger car 6 is started, its load will exceed the counter force of spring 54. This forces displacement mechanism 14 to move from the displacement position to the stationary position, thereby providing a safer environment. Optionally, sensor 58 detects that displacement mechanism 14 is in the wrong position, thereby blocking operation of lifting column 4.

(21) After the lifting operation has ended, displacement mechanism 14 can be brought from the stationary position to the displacing position by moving steering handle 44 in upwards direction. This enables moving lifting column 4 to another position. As a result, the steering handle 44 is configured for moving the wheel 12 relative to the frame 16 and to steer the entire mobile lifting column 4.

(22) The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. For example, the present invention can be applied to the (wireless) lifting columns illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively the invention can also be applied to other types of lifting columns and lifting systems.