Patent Publication Number: US-2012024851-A1

Title: Apparatus for transferring a wall of a transport container and transport container therewith

Description:
The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a wall of a transport container, particularly of an automotive body or a container, between a closed position and an open position according to the preamble of claim  1 . 
     Transport containers and automotive bodies having pivotable side walls are known from the prior art, in particular WO 2006/079137 A, in order to achieve access to a loading space in the open position of the pivoted side walls. 
     A transport container having a one-piece longitudinal side wall is further known from EP 1920958 A1, which is pivotable with the aid of a link so that, in the open position, the side wall is arranged horizontally above the top face of the container. The link is mounted pivotably at its first end in the roof region of the transport container. In the region of its other end, the link is pivotably connected to the longitudinal side wall. In order to open the side wall, the linear stroke of a cylinder-piston drive is converted into the pivoting of the link about the rotational axis thereof on the container roof, thus pivoting the side wall connected to the link upwardly. During the pivoting movement, the side wall is displaced on support and guide rollers, which are provided in the region of the contact surface on the roof. Disadvantageously, a tight termination between the side wall and the automotive body cannot be achieved with this apparatus. 
     A further removable container is known from DE 100 15 545 A1, of which the longitudinal side walls are pivotable in one piece from a closed position into an open position, in which the side walls come to lie substantially horizontally above the container roof. Each of the longitudinal walls are articulated by means of a lever pair on the end faces of the container. The levers are fixed both to the upper face of the container and in the central region of the end walls. 
     A body for a lorry can be inferred from DE 32 33 669 A1, wherein one side of the body can be opened in a motor-driven manner. In this case, this wall can be pivoted in one piece onto the upper face of the cart, where it comes to lie approximately horizontally. 
     Apart from these constructions having a one-piece side wall, apparatuses are also known in the prior art in which two pivot ably interconnected wall regions are provided for closing the loading opening. 
     A box body for lorries is described in DE 83 37 090 U1, of which the side walls can be folded away upwardly. The pivoting movement is controlled by lever pairs, wherein one lever is fixed in the upper wall region and to the upper face of the box body, and the second lever is fixed in the lower wall region and to the vertical upright of the vehicle. 
     An automotive body having an openable side wall consisting of two pivotable parts is likewise to be inferred from DE 40 06 532 A1. The levers for pivoting the side wall are articulated on the upper face or in the lateral edge region of the end faces of the vehicle and in the upper and lower portions of the side wall to be opened. 
     FR 2 710 019 A1 describes a body for a lorry having upwardly pivotable side walls. So as not to need the entire area of end or partition walls in order to fix the levers, the use of L-shaped arms is implemented. The side walls consist of two parts which are interconnected by articulation. 
     Refrigerating transporters are also known, in which sealed pivoting doors are normally provided in the end face of the transport container so as to allow loading and unloading of the cooled transport compartment. The possibilities for access are very restricted in this case. 
     The object of the present invention is consequently to provide a constructionally simple apparatus for transferring a wall between a closed position and an open position, with which a transport compartment which is largely sealed is provided in the closed position in a reliable and lasting manner. 
     This is achieved in the case of the apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset by the features according to the characterising part of claim  1 . 
     Accordingly, in addition to a first drive with which the wall, in particular the side wall, is pivoted upwardly via at least one link, a further drive is also provided which is designed to displace the wall, at least in a corner region of the transport container, outwardly from the closed position, that is to say away from the side faces of the transport container, and vice versa. Since the wall, in particular the side wall, is distanced from the edges of the transport container before pivoting of the side wall upwardly is begun, in particular any seals which may be provided in the region of the contact surfaces between the side wall and the edges of the transport container are preserved and can reliably perform their function during continuous operation. In addition, owing to the possibility of “pulling” the side wall against the transport container, a tight connection between the transport container and the side wall can be achieved. In particular it can thus be ensured in an energy-efficient manner that, in the case of refrigerating transporters, a predetermined cooling temperature is not exceeded. Conventional transport containers with pivotable, one-piece walls are either completely unsuitable for forming a substantially tight transport compartment or, if seals are provided, these are often damaged. Known pivoting apparatuses which are provided with seals in the region of the support surfaces specifically pose the drawback that, with the pivoting movement, the seals are subjected to a high load since the seals between the edges of the transport container and the contact region of the side wall are pressed together and exposed to a high shear load, in particular when the transfer between closed and open positions is begun. With conventional pivoting mechanisms the side wall is pivoted upwardly, specifically directly out of the closed position, for transfer into the open position so that a displacement towards the plane of the side wall is basically effected at the start. Any seals on the upper side edge of the transport container are highly loaded. This further leads to rapid wear of the seals, whereby the seal of the transport container is not guaranteed in a long-lasting manner. In many known transport containers, seals are completely omitted for this very reason. 
     In particular, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric or electromechanical drives have proven to be advantageous for automatic transfer between the closed and open positions of the wall. In particular it is favourable if at least one drive is designed as a linear drive having a cylinder and a piston mounted displaceably in relation to the cylinder. In order to pivot the link, the linear piston stroke of the first drive can be deflected into a rotational movement of a shaft connected rigidly to the link. If the further drive is designed as a linear drive, the displacement of the wall outwardly from the closed position of the side wall, and displacement of the wall inwardly into the closed position can be effected in a constructionally simple manner. 
     A constructionally simple apparatus for displacing the side wall can be achieved if the link connected to the side wall is designed so as to be length-adjustable, in particular extensible in a telescope-like manner. The combination of a length-adjustable link with a linear drive, wherein the movement of the piston in the cylinder is deflected into a length adjustment of the link connected to the drive is particularly favourable. 
     In terms of a constructionally simple, part-saving design of the pivoting mechanism, it is favourable if both drives are interconnected via a common shaft. 
     A pivoting of the link about the rotational axis thereof can be achieved in a simple manner since at least one deflection element for converting a linear stroke of the drive into a torque on the shaft is provided between the further drive and the shaft, wherein the deflection element is rigidly connected to the shaft. 
     In order to displace the side wall outwardly into the closed position, the further drive may be designed, alternatively to a length adjustment of the link or else additionally thereto, to move outwardly the rotational axis between the transport container and the link. In particular, the entire pivoting arrangement may be arranged on a displaceable plate or the like which can be displaced outwardly and inwardly with the aid of the further drive. In this embodiment a length-adjustable link may optionally be omitted. 
     If the two links pivot through approximately 180° between the closed position and the open position of the wall, an entire side face of the transport container can be completely freed in the open position. 
     In terms of a most compact arrangement of the wall in its open position, which in the case of an automotive body also makes it possible to drive the vehicle in the open position of the wall, it is advantageous if the wall is arranged substantially horizontally above the upper top face of the transport container when said wall is in its open position. 
     In order to support and guide the side wall at the side edge of the roof face of the transport container during the pivoting of said side wall between the open and closed positions, it is favourable if guide rollers for displaceable mounting of the wall during the transfer from the closed to the open position are provided on an upper side edge of the transport container. 
     The invention further relates to a transport container, in particular an automotive body or container, wherein at least one apparatus according to any one of claims  1  to  17  is provided to transfer a wall between a closed position and an open position. 
     In particular in the case of an automotive body, in order to transfer the two side walls from a closed position into an open position and therefore achieve access to the loading compartment of the automotive body in the open position of the walls, it is advantageous if two apparatuses for transferring two opposed walls of the transport container between a closed position and an open position are provided. 
    
    
     
       The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, although it is not limited thereto. More specifically, in the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automotive body having a displacement and pivoting apparatus and of a wall in the intermediate position thereof between a closed and open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the automotive body with the wall in the closed position thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the displacement and pivoting apparatus with the link in the closed position thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the displacement and pivoting apparatus in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a sectional view of the upper corner region of the automotive body with the wall in the closed position; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 5   a  with the wall in the outwardly displaced position thereof; 
         FIG. 5   c  is a sectional view similar to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  in an upwardly pivoted intermediate position; 
         FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment for moving the upper wall portion outwardly; 
         FIGS. 7   a  to  7   d  are side views of a vehicle with the pivotable wall in different intermediate positions and the open position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the underside of the automotive body in the locked, closed position of the wall. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a transport container  3  or an automotive body  3  with side faces  9 , an upper top face  7  and a wall or side wall  2 , which is illustrated between the open and closed positions thereof. In the embodiment shown the wall  2  is designed in one piece, but the side wall may also consist of a plurality of parts, in particular two parts, which are pivotably interconnected. To pivot the wall  2 , an apparatus  1  comprising a link  4  is provided (at both ends of the transport container) and is pivotably connected at the first end thereof to the upper end region of the wall  2  about a rotational axis  4 ″ (see  FIG. 4 ) and is pivotably mounted at its other end in the region of the upper roof face  7  of the transport container  3  about a rotational axis  4 ′ (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The links  4  may also be L-shaped, of course, wherein the side wall  2  is connected to the shorter arm of the L-shaped link. 
     During its transfer into the open position, the wall  2  is arranged in part via its inner face on rollers  8  in the region of the side edge of the roof face  7  of the transport container  3  and is simultaneously displaced relative thereto. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , a locking device  18  for locking the side wall  2  in its closed position is also provided in the region of the upper top face  7  of the transport container  3 . A further locking device may be provided on the underside of the transport container  3  (see  FIG. 8 ) in order to reliably prevent an undesired opening of the side wall  2 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the side wall  2  in the closed position thereof. The apparatus  1  for pivoting the side wall  2  is provided in the side region of the upper roof face  7 , in a recessed region  19 , wherein the link  4  is arranged substantially horizontally in the closed position of the wall  2 . As can be seen in particular from  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  1  comprises two drives  5 ,  6  which are connected indirectly or directly to the link  4 . In the embodiments illustrated the drives  5 ,  6  are provided as preferably hydraulically or pneumatically actuatable linear drives, each with a piston  5   a ,  6   a  mounted displaceably relative to a cylinder  5   b ,  6   b . The first drive  5  pivots the side wall  2 , whereas the further drive  6  moves or displaces the side wall in the upper corner region outwardly or inwardly from or into the closed position. 
     In order to pivot the link  4  out of its illustrated closed position, the piston  5   a  is extended out from the cylinder  5   b . The piston  5   a  is connected at its free end to a rod  13  which is mounted displaceably in a guide rail  14 . The movement in translation of the rod  13  in the guide rail  14  is converted into a torque on the shaft  11 , to which the link  4  is rigidly connected, by a deflection element  12 . The deflection element  12  comprise a pair of substantially parallel pivot arms  15 ,  15 ′ which are connected in an articulated manner to a lever arm  16 , which is in turn connected rigidly to the shaft  11 . 
     By contrast, the further drive  6  is provided to distance the side wall  2  from the transport container  3 , at least in the upper corner region, or to pull it against the transport container before the above-described pivoting process is begun or once the pivoting process has finished respectively. For this purpose the preferably hydraulically or pneumatically driven piston  6   a  is pushed out of the cylinder  6   b  so that the link  4  and, in this case in particular, the rotational axis  4 ″ with which the link  4  is connected to the wall  2  are displaced outwardly in the horizontal direction. With the aid of this drive  6  it is thus ensured that any seals  10  (see  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b ) are not damaged at the start of the transfer into the open position, and the wall  2  can also be pulled against the transport container  3  in the closed position by the drive  6  so that a tight arrangement between the transport container  3  and the side wall  2  can be reliably achieved. 
       FIGS. 5   a  to  5   c  show sectional views of the upper corner regions of the transport container  3  in the closed position of the side wall  2  and in an outwardly moved position of the side wall  2  and in a pivoted intermediate position respectively. 
     In the closed position according to  FIG. 5   a , the side wall  2  abuts the side face or top face  9  of the transport container  3 . In the illustrated embodiment seals  10  are provided in the upper corner region of the transport container  3 . A sealing of the transport container  3 , for example during use of the transport container as a refrigerating transporter, or protection against the infiltration of moisture into the interior of the container  3  is reliably ensured by these seals. In addition, a roller  25  is shown which is received, in the closed position, with a positive fit in a bracket  26  of the side wall  2 . Owing to this positive fit, a tight arrangement of the wall  2  against the seals  10  is also promoted. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 5   b , so as not to damage the seals  10  when pivoting the side wall  2  upwardly, the side wall  2  is first moved outwardly from the closed position in a substantially horizontal direction  2 ′, at least in the upper end portion thereof, so that the side wall  2  is distanced from the side face  9  of the transport container  3  and in particular from the seals  10 . The drive  6  for the length-adjustable link  4  is provided for this purpose. 
     As already described in connection with  FIG. 3 , the first part of the length-adjustable link  4  connected rigidly to the piston  6   a  is extended in a telescope-like manner by displacing the piston  6   a  so that the side wall  2  connected in its end region to the link  4  is moved outwardly (away from the transport container  3 ). The link  4  is not yet pivoted during this process and therefore remains in its horizontal arrangement (see  FIG. 5   b ). 
     Only after the linear displacement of the rotational axis  4 ″ is the drive for pivoting the link  4  activated so that the pivoting movement for transfer into the open position is begun with a distance between the wall  2  and the upper corner region  3 ′ of the transport container  3  (see  FIG. 5   c ). 
     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5   c  the movement of the wall  2  by a linear drive  6  is achieved in conjunction with a length-adjustable link  4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the movement of the wall  2  from the closed position can be achieved, alternatively or in addition to the displacement in the direction of the arrow  2 ′, via a displacement of the rotational axis  4 ′ outwardly (and vice versa), that is to say basically in the direction of the plane of the roof face  7  of the transport container  3 . For this purpose, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the drive  5  may displace a sliding block  20 , on which the entire pivoting apparatus  1  is received and which can be displaced in the direction of the arrow  2 ″. The length-adjustable design of the link  4  can thus be omitted with exclusive displacement in the direction of the arrow  2 ″. 
     Each of  FIGS. 7   a  to  7   d  shows a transport vehicle  21  with a transport container  3 , in which the side wall  2  (as described above) is mounted displaceably and pivotably.  FIG. 7   a  shows a position of the side wall  2 , corresponding to that shown in  FIG. 5   b , in which the side wall  2  is first moved in the upper corner region  3 ′ of the transport container  3  via the link  4  substantially perpendicularly to the extension plane of the side wall  2  outwardly away from the transport container  3  before the link  4  is pivoted upwardly (as shown in  FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c ). As can be seen in  FIG. 7   b , the side wall  2  is first distanced completely from the transport container  3 . From a specific pivoting angle of the link  4  the inner face of the side wall  2  then lies against the rollers  8 , but without contacting any seals  10  in the upper corner region  3 ′ of the transport container  3 . The side wall is then pivoted until in the open position shown in  FIG. 7   d , in which position a side face  9  of the transport container  3  is completely freely accessible. 
     In  FIG. 8  it can further be seen that the side wall  2  can also be locked in the lower corner region  3 ″ of the transport container  3 , For this purpose a linear drive  22  is likewise provided, with which a chain  23  or the like which is received with a positive fit in a recess  24  in the side wall  2  is tensioned. The side wall  2  can thus be connected tightly to the transport container  3  with the aid of the drive  5  in the upper corner region  3 ′ and with the aid of the drive  22  in the lower corner region  3 ″ of the transport container  3 . The apparatus or transport container according to the invention is consequently adapted in particular for tight refrigerated transport since an undesired loss of refrigeration can thus be avoided.