METHOD FOR TRANSSHIPPING LOAD CARRIERS BETWEEN ROAD AND RAIL

Abstract

The method disclosed for transshipping load carriers between road and rail including a loading station. The loading station includes a platform, where a series of load carriers are temporarily stored; a road; and a track. Further, to reduce the time and logistics required, a train is provided with load carriers for loading at predetermined points. Before the train drives up, information is provided regarding the points of the train by the load carriers. The truck drives up to the platform and the load carrier is transferred to sections of the platform corresponding to the points of the train. The load carriers are temporarily stored at the sections of the platform until the train drives up. When the train stops, the load carriers are transferred to the train at points of the train provided for loading by load carriers in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform.

Claims

1. A method for transshipping load carriers, in particular swap bodies and ISO containers, between road and rail, having a loading station comprising: at least one platform for temporarily storing a series of load carriers in the longitudinal direction of the platform; at least one road for trucks to drive up on one side of the platform; and at least one track for a train to drive up on the other side of the platform, the method comprising: providing the train for being loaded with load carriers at predetermined points along its longitudinal extension; informing the loading station and/or an operator of the loading station before the train drives up regarding the points of the train provided for loading by load carriers, wherein a plurality of trucks drive up to the platform one after the other via the road and in each case transferring at least one load carrier to sections of the platform corresponding to the points of the train to be loaded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform; temporarily storing the load carriers transferred from the trucks to the platform at the sections of the platform corresponding to the points of the train to be loaded until the train drives up, wherein the train is driven up to the platform and stopped next to the platform; and transferring in each case the temporarily stored load carriers to the stopped train at points of the train provided for loading by load carriers in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a platform in each case in the loading station on both sides of the track for temporarily storing a series of load carriers in the longitudinal direction of the platform, and preferably, providing a road for trucks to drive up on the sides of the platforms facing away from the track.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a plurality of trucks drive up to the platforms one after the other via the roads and in each case transferring at least one load carrier to sections of the platforms corresponding to the points of the train to be loaded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the assigned platform, temporarily storing the load carriers transferred from the trucks to the platforms at the sections of the platforms corresponding to the points of the train to be loaded until the train drives up, wherein the train is driven up to the platform and stopped next to the platforms, transferring in each case the temporarily stored load carriers to the stopped train at points of the train provided for loading by load carriers in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the assigned platform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the width of the at least one platform transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform is selected corresponding to at least substantially the width of the load carriers, and/or wherein the transfer of the load carriers temporarily stored on at least one platform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the at least one platform are each transferred to the train at least substantially simultaneously at points of the train provided for loading by load carriers.

5. The method of claim 1, stopping the train to be loaded with load carriers at predetermined points in an unloading station comprising at least one platform for temporarily storing load carriers, at least one track for the train to drive up on one side of the platform, and at least one road for trucks to drive up on the other side of the platform, and transferring each of the load carriers provided for unloading to the platform at the unloading station in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the train is stopped in the unloading station to unload the load carriers provided for unloading at the platform before driving up to the loading station.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the load carriers transferred at the unloading station from the train to the platform are transferred one after the other to a plurality of trucks in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform, and wherein, preferably, at least one load carrier picked up in the unloading station by a truck is driven to the loading station and in the loading station is transferred to the platform of the loading station as a load carrier to be picked up by another train in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform of the loading station.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein a platform is provided in each case in the unloading station on both sides of the track for temporarily storing a series of load carriers in the longitudinal direction of the platform, and wherein, preferably, a road for trucks to drive up is provided on the sides of the platforms facing away from the track.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the load carriers provided for unloading are each transferred to the platforms at the unloading station in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the associated platform, and wherein the load carriers transferred from the train to the platforms at the unloading station are transferred one after the other to a plurality of trucks in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the assigned platform.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein, in the unloading station, load carriers provided for loading are driven up to the at least one platform by at least one truck and transferred to the associated platform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the associated platform, and wherein the load carriers provided for loading and transferred to the at least one platform in the unloading station are transferred to the train stopped in the unloading station in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the at least one platform.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the loading station, two tracks for a train to drive up in each case are provided and one platform between the tracks, wherein, preferably, one platform is provided in case each on the sides of the two tracks facing away from the platform between the two tracks, and wherein, further preferably, one road for trucks to drive up is provided in each case on the sides, facing away from the two tracks, of the platforms provided on the sides of the tracks.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein, in the unloading station, load carriers provided for loading are driven up to the at least one platform by a train and are transferred to the associated platform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the associated platform, and wherein the load carriers provided for loading and transferred from the train to the at least one platform are transferred in the unloading station to a train subsequently stopped in the unloading station in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the at least one platform.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the unloading station, two tracks for one train to drive up in each case are provided and one platform is provided between the tracks, wherein, preferably, one platform is provided in case each on the sides of the two tracks facing away from the platform between the two tracks, and wherein, further preferably, one road for trucks to drive up is provided in each case on the sides, facing away from the two tracks, of the platforms provided on the sides of the tracks.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the loading station, load carriers provided for loading are driven by a train to the at least one platform and transferred to the associated platform in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the associated platform, and wherein the load carriers provided for loading and transferred from the train to the at least one platform are transferred in the loading station to a train subsequently stopped in the loading station in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the at least one platform.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein at least one platform extends in the longitudinal extension of the platform, in particular all platforms in the longitudinal extension of the respective platform, continuously from the unloading station to the loading station or vice versa, and/or wherein at least one track and at least one road extend along the longitudinal extension of at least one platform continuously from the unloading station to the loading station or vice versa.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The invention will be explained in greater detail below by means of a drawing merely depicting exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

[0047] FIGS. 1A-D show a sequence of method steps of a first method according to the invention in a schematic representation;

[0048] FIGS. 2A-D show a sequence of method steps of a second method according to the invention in a schematic representation;

[0049] FIGS. 3A-B show a sequence of method steps of a third method according to the invention in a schematic representation;

[0050] FIGS. 4A-D show a sequence of method steps of a fourth method according to the invention in a schematic representation; and

[0051] FIGS. 5A-B show a sequence of method steps of a fifth method according to the invention in a schematic representation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] FIGS. 1A-D show a method for transshipping load carriers 1 from the road 2 to the rail 3 in a schematic sequence of individual steps. The method thereby uses a loading station 4 with a platform 5 for temporarily storing a series of load carriers 1 in the longitudinal direction L of the platform 5, with a road 2 for trucks 6 to drive up on one side of the platform 5 and a track 7 for a train 8 to drive up on the other side of the platform 5. The loading station 4 is represented in a view from above, wherein in FIG. 1A it is represented that a control unit 9 of the loading station 4 receives information 10 regarding at which points of a train 8 that has not yet arrived at the loading station 4, said train 8 can receive load carriers 1 when it has arrived at the loading station 4. This information 10 can, if required, be obtained quite early, for example before the train 8 has been loaded and/or unloaded at further, previous loading stations 4.

[0053] Based on the relevant information 10, it can be determined in which sections 11 of the platform 5 it is expedient to position on the platform 5 the load carriers 1 to be loaded onto the train 8 so that the load carriers 1 positioned there can later be transferred to the train 8 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. These sections 11 of the platform 5 can for example be visually identified, for example by lighting 12. The driver of a truck 6, who transports a load carrier 1 to be loaded onto the train 8 to the platform 5 via the road 2, can thus drive precisely to the section 11 of the platform 5 from which the load carrier 1 is later to be transferred to the train 8. The truck 6 is then stopped at the corresponding point of the platform 5 and transfers the load carrier 1 to the platform 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5, where the load carrier 1 is temporarily stored until the corresponding train 8 arrives. The truck 6 can then be used for other transports after the load carrier 1 has been transferred.

[0054] In the same way, according to FIG. 1B, another truck 6 can be driven up to the platform 5 before the train 8 has arrived at the loading station 4 to pick up the load carriers 1. This truck 6 thereby transfers two load carriers 1 to the platform 5 and namely in each case to sections 11 of the platform 5, at which the load carriers 1 are to later be transferred to the train 8. The transfer also takes place here in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5.

[0055] When the train 8 arrives, as represented in FIG. 1C, the load carriers 1 temporarily stored on the platform 5 can be transferred to the train 8 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. The load carriers 1 have previously been deliberately transferred to the platform 5 in the sections 11 of the platform 5, from which the load carriers 1 can be transferred to the train 8 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5 without this for example leading to a collision with load carriers 1 already provided on the train 8. The transfer of the load carriers 1 to the train 8 can take place at least substantially simultaneously. In addition, during, before or after loading the train 8, a load carrier 1 transported by the train 8 to the platform 5 can also be transferred from the train 8 to the platform 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. This means that the train 8 can also be unloaded in the loading station 4.

[0056] As represented in FIG. 1D, the train 8 leaves the loading station 4 after the load carriers 1 have been correspondingly transferred. In this case, a load carrier 1 remains on the platform 5 in the method represented and in this respect preferred. This load carrier 1 can be transported either by road 2 or by rail 3. In the first case, a truck 6 is driven up to the platform 5, at which point the load carrier 1 is transferred to the truck 6 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. The truck can be guided to the load carrier 1 to be picked up by means of an optical display, lighting 12 or similar. In the latter case, a subsequent train 8 can be stopped at a position next to the platform 5 such that a section of a wagon 13 of the train 8 is positioned next to the load carrier 1, to which the load carrier 1 can be transferred from the platform 5 to the corresponding wagon 13 of the train 8 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. It therefore follows that a suitable position can always be determined for each train 8 at which the train 8 is stopped in order to achieve the simplest and most efficient transfer and/or pick-up of the load carriers 1 possible without there being a conflict with the sections 11 of the platform 5 available for the load carriers 1. In this way, load carriers 1, which should only be picked up by a train 8 after next the one or even a later train, can also be picked up from platform 5. The individual trains 8 are then always stopped just at platform 5 such that the transfer of the load carriers 1 to free points on the wagons 13 can take place.

[0057] FIGS. 2A-D represent the transfer of the load carriers 1 from the truck 6 to the platform 5, on the one hand, and from the platform 5 to the train 8, on the other hand, purely schematically and by way of example. The transfer of load carriers 1 from a train 8 to a platform 5 and from the platform 5 to a truck 6 thereby takes place in the same way, only in the opposite direction. For this purpose, the platform 5 has a corresponding transport device 14, which is also only described by way of example. Other transport devices 14 are also possible, wherein the person skilled in the art can generally use already known transport devices 14. These do not therefore need to be discussed in detail in the present case.

[0058] FIG. 2A represents how a truck 6 with a load carrier 1 stops next to the platform 5, wherein a support arm 15 of the transport device 14 has been pushed laterally under the load carrier 1 from the platform 5. This support arm can lift the load carrier 1, if necessary after being previously unlocked from the truck 6, for example by means of a lifting device 16 and thus lift it off the truck 6. The support arm 15 can then be adjusted back together with the load carrier 1 until the load carrier 1 is arranged together with the support arm 15 on the platform 5. This is represented in FIG. 2B. It is not represented that the transport device 14 comprises at least one further support arm 15 which engages under the load carrier 1 at a different point in order to prevent the load carrier 1 from tipping over. The load carrier 1 can be temporarily stored in the section 11 on the platform 5 until the train 8 to which the load carrier 1 is to be transferred has arrived. In this case, two support arms 15 can be assigned to each section 11 of the platform 5 or two support arms 15 can define a section of the platform 5, since the support arms 15 can preferably not be adjusted or not significantly adjusted in the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. In principle, however, a different number of support arms 15 or other transfer means can also be provided for each section 11 of the platform 5.

[0059] In order to transfer the load carrier 1 from the platform 5 to the train 8, the support arm 15 according to FIG. 2C together with the load carrier 1 can be extended from the platform 5 to the other side such that the load carrier 1 is arranged above a wagon 13 of the train 8. The support arm 15 can then place the load carrier 1, for example with the lifting device 16, on the wagon 13 of the train 8.

[0060] The load carrier 1 can then be locked with the wagon 13. After transferring the load carrier 1 to the train 8, the support arm 15 is pushed back onto the platform 5 so that the train 8 now loaded with the transferred load carrier 1 can move away from the platform 5, as sketched in FIG. 2D.

[0061] The load carriers 1 are transferred in the manner described or in another, if necessary similar manner, in each case in a direction transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. This method makes it unnecessary to move or sort the load carriers 1 in the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5 if the control unit 9 of the loading station 4 ensures that the load carriers 1 are always temporarily stored at a suitable point, i.e. on an expedient section 11 of the platform 5.

[0062] FIGS. 3A-B represent a further method for transshipping load carriers 1 having a loading station 17, in which a platform 5 is provided on both sides of the track 7 and in each case a road 2 is provided outside of the platforms 5. This configuration allows a more flexible delivery of load carriers 1 for transfer to a train 8. FIG. 3A represents three trucks 6, which each deliver a load carrier 1 to the platforms 5 and in each case transfer them to the platform 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the respective platform 5. For the sake of simplicity, the trucks 6 are represented together. However, this does not mean that the trucks 6 must also be at the loading station 17 at the same time. Rather, in practice, it will generally occur that the trucks 6 arrive at the loading station 17 one after the other in order to transfer the load carriers 1 to the platforms 5. The transfer of the load carriers 1 can thereby take place in the manner already described.

[0063] Nevertheless, two trucks 6 driving up to the loading station 17 at the same time can transfer load carriers 1 to different platforms 5 such that the trucks 6 do not thereby hinder one another. In the method example represented, the load carriers 1 are also not provided for relaying to the same train 8, but rather to two trains 8 driving to the loading station 17 one after the other. The special feature here is that the two trains 8 are each to be loaded with a load carrier 1 at the same position of the loading station 17. This would only be possible with additional effort if only one platform 5 were provided. However, since two platforms 5 are provided, two load carriers 1 can be transferred to the same sections of the two platforms 5. After being transferred to the platforms 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platforms 5, they are then located opposite one another in relation to the track 7.

[0064] Now, as represented in FIG. 3B, when the first train 8 moves into the loading station 17, a load carrier 1 of the two load carriers 1 arranged opposite one another on the opposite platforms 5 can be transferred to a wagon 13 of the train 8. The other of the two load carriers 1 arranged opposite one another remains on the assigned platform 5 until the following train 8 moves in and the load carrier 1 can be loaded onto this following train 8. On the train 8 represented in FIG. 3B, another load carrier 1 is transferred from another section 11 of the left platform 5 to the train 8 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5. In addition, a load carrier 1 is transferred from the train 8 to the platform 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension L of the platform 5, even if this were not necessary. It is therefore not absolutely necessary to distinguish between loading and unloading a train 8 in the loading station 17. Individual trains 8 may also only be unloaded in the loading station 17 without the trains 8 also having to receive a load carrier 1 in the loading station 17.

[0065] FIGS. 4A-D describe a further method for transshipping load carriers 1 having a loading station 18 and an unloading station 19. The method represented and preferred in this respect is carried out with a loading station 18 and an unloading station 19, which merge into one another in the longitudinal direction L of the platform 5. Alternatively, the loading station 18 and the unloading station 19 could also be spatially separated from one another. The represented loading station 18 and the represented unloading station 19 are designed in the same way, namely in the present case they have a track 7 and a road 2, as well as a platform 5 provided in between. However, other configurations would also be conceivable, in particular with a plurality of platforms 5, roads 2 and/or tracks 7 next to one another.

[0066] FIG. 4A represents a train 8 stopped in the unloading station 19. In this position, the train 8 transfers two load carriers 1 to the platform 5 and picks up another load carrier 1 from the platform 5, which was temporarily stored on the platform 5 in the corresponding section 11 of the platform 5. In the loading station 18 arranged above this, two further load carriers 1 are temporarily stored in different sections 11 of the platform 5 in order to be picked up by the train 8. For this purpose, the train 8 moves from the unloading station 19 to the loading station 18 and is stopped there. The platform 5 then passes the two temporarily stored load carriers 1 to the train 8, as represented in FIG. 4B. Consequently, the loading and unloading of a train 8 is at least partially decoupled in order to avoid individual load carriers 1 being hindered during loading and unloading. On the other hand, high flexibility is provided since the loading station 18 does not necessarily have to be limited to loading the train 8 and the unloading station 19 does not necessarily have to be limited to unloading the train 8.

[0067] In order to avoid the load carrier 1 transferred from the last train 8 to the platform 5 in the unloading station 19 impeding the unloading of another load carrier 1 from a subsequent train 8 to the same section 11 of the platform 5, the initially transferred load carrier 1 can be picked up by a truck 6, as represented in FIG. 4C. In this case, the truck 6 can be driven via the road 2 to a distant destination. However, it can also be provided that the load carrier 1 is only moved by the truck 6 into the loading station 18 in order to be transferred there to a predetermined section 11 of the platform 5 there, as represented in FIG. 4D. From this section 11 of the platform 5, the load carrier 1 can be picked up on a train 8 driving into the loading station 18 later such that the load carrier 1 is not taken away via the road 2, but rather via the rail 3.

[0068] In the previously described method examples, only one track 7 was used at a time. However, there is actually no such a restriction, as represented in FIGS. 5A-B. This shows a further method for transshipping load carriers 1 with a loading station 20, in which two tracks 7 and, in the case represented and in this respect preferred, also two roads 2 and three platforms 5 provided in between are used. When transshipping load carriers 1, the previously described transfers of load carriers 1 can also take place in the case of the loading station 20 represented. The principles can be transferred from one exemplary embodiment to another exemplary embodiment. A special feature of the loading station 20 represented in FIGS. 5A-B is, however, that load carriers 1 can be picked up by a train 8 driving on a track 7 from at least one of the two adjoining platforms 5 and transferred to at least one of the two adjoining platforms S. This also includes the platform 5 provided between the two tracks 7, as represented in FIG. 5A. Accordingly, two load carriers 1 are picked up from the platform 5 and one load carrier 1 is transferred to the platform S. This load carrier 1 is then later transferred from the same platform 5 to a train 8 subsequently or simultaneously driving into the loading station 20, which in turn can deliver a load carrier 1 to the central platform 5, as represented in FIG. 5B. It is therefore possible to transfer between rail 3 and road 2, but also between rail 3 and rail 3. The transshipping of load carriers 1 can thus be made more flexible and efficient. Of course, a load carrier 1 delivered by a train 8 on a track 7 can also be picked up by another train 8 driving onto the same track 7 later.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0069] 1 Load carrier [0070] 2 Road [0071] 3 Rail [0072] 4 Loading station [0073] 5 Platform [0074] 6 Truck [0075] 7 Track [0076] 8 Train [0077] 9 Control unit [0078] 10 Information [0079] 11 Section [0080] 12 Lighting [0081] 13 Wagon [0082] 14 Transport device [0083] 15 Support arm [0084] 16 Lifting device [0085] 17 Loading station [0086] 18 Loading station [0087] 19 Unloading station [0088] 20 Loading station [0089] L Longitudinal direction

[0090] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0091] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0092] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.