WO2019097042A1 - Interchangeable container for transporting goods, and interchangeable-container system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an interchangeable container (1) for transporting goods, having a floor (4), a ceiling (10), two long sides, a cover (6) delimiting the long sides between the floor (4) and ceiling (10), two end sides (12, 12'), and a cargo-space opening (16, 16') at one of the end sides (12, 12') of the container. The container has a lift gate (14) at the cargo-space opening (16), which is movable substantially vertically relative to the floor (4) between a closed position and an open position.

Description

 Swap body for transporting goods and swap body system

The present invention relates to a swap body for transporting goods, comprising a floor, a ceiling, two longitudinal sides, a cover delimiting the longitudinal sides between floor and ceiling, two end faces and a loading space opening on at least one of the front sides of the container. Swap bodies or interchangeable container systems are well known in the art and are used for transport in so-called distribution traffic. Distributor traffic is primarily understood to mean the transport of goods by means of road vehicles in local traffic, where the interchangeable containers, also referred to as swap bodies or swap bodies, are separated from the vehicle, usually a truck, after reaching a respective destination. The subsequent loading and unloading can be done without unnecessary waiting time for the vehicle.

The vehicle, also referred to as a carrier vehicle, can still record another swap body, which is provided for transport to another destination after discontinuation of a swap container at the weaning. Within the removable container, a large number of goods and goods are arranged on load carriers. Such charge carriers are typically space-optimized in order to be able to be disposed on the floor or the loading area of the swap body without giving away unnecessary storage space in the interior of the container. In addition, the charge carriers simplify the loading and unloading of the swap body with the goods. As access in the swap body, this has at least one loading space opening for loading and unloading the interchangeable container on one of its end faces. The load compartment opening is usually closed by container doors arranged pivotably about a vertical axis on the cover of the swap body.

Before the loading and unloading of the swap body can be started, it must be positioned with its open cargo space opening in front of, for example, a docking area of a transfer and transfer station of a logistics center. Following the positioning or start-up of the docking station, the container doors provided on the loading space opening must be opened, which involves additional manipulations and thus a certain amount of time. In some work areas, it is also necessary for reasons of space to open the container doors before reaching the final position. Then there is a risk that goods fall out of the swap body before the end position is reached. The invention was therefore based on the object to provide a swap body, whose handling, especially in terms of loading and unloading, is further simplified.

The invention solves its underlying object in a swap body of the type described above with the features of claim 1. In particular, a lifting gate is provided on the loading space opening, which is movable substantially vertically relative to the bottom of the container between a closed position and a release position.

The invention makes use of the fact that the lifting gate arranged on the front side of the container, when it can be moved substantially vertically to the bottom of the interchangeable container for opening and closing the load compartment opening, has the required free space for opening the lifting gate in the horizontal direction, So seen to the rear or front and side of the container, compared to pivotally hinged container doors is reduced to a minimum. As a result, the container can still be positioned with the loading space opening closed in front of a docking area of a logistics center. After reaching the end position in the docking area, the lifting gate is moved into the release position, thereby releasing the loading space opening of the container. To open the cargo space opening, the dimensionally stable lifting gate, starting from the bottom of the container, preferably moved in the vertical direction upwards, in particular moved. As end faces are predominantly those sides of the container understood, which limit the swap body in the transport direction or against the transport direction, in other words the front and back, seen in the transport direction. In the closed position of the lift gate, the load compartment opening of the container is completely closed. In the release position, the lifting gate is preferably in its highest position relative to the bottom of the container, whereby unimpeded access into the container interior is possible via the freely accessible loading space opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, lateral guides for the lifting gate are arranged on the cover in the region of the first end side, which preferably have approximately vertically extending guide rails. The lifting gate guides are adapted to allow a guided movement of the lifting gate in the vertical direction, but to prevent a horizontal movement, especially in the transport direction. Preferably, the guides are arranged laterally on the cover. The lifting gate is preferably guided along opposite side regions of the loading space opening, whereby a trouble-free movement of the lifting gate during opening and closing of the cargo space opening is effected. The guide rails are preferably arranged on at least one vertical frame part of the side regions of the cover.

The invention is further developed in that the lifting gate has a plurality of rollers which are accommodated in the lateral guides and roll therein. By means of the rollers, a low-friction movement of the lifting gate is achieved in the guides. As a result, essentially only the weight of the lifting gate is overcome. The lifting gate preferably has at least two, preferably three, four or more rolls along its side edges. For the purposes of the present invention, roles are to be understood as meaning any component which permits a rolling movement along the lateral guide rails. The lifting gate preferably has at least one engagement element for moving and holding the lifting gate. The lifting gates are designed or dimensioned such that a force generated by a drive means can act on the lifting door to transfer the lifting gate from the closed position on the swap body in the release position. Preferably, at least two engagement elements are provided on the lifting gate, wherein the engagement elements can be arranged at any suitable position on the lifting gate. The attack elements are preferably arranged in the region of the roof edge on the outside of the lifting gate. The edge of the roof is in normal operation of the swap body that edge which runs horizontally at the top of the lifting gate. The swap body preferably has a movement stop for limiting the opening movement of the lifting gate in the vertical direction. This prevents the lifting gate from being inadvertently moved out of the lateral guides when the loading space opening on the front side of the swap body is opened. The movement stop is formed, for example, by means of two contactable stop elements, wherein one of the stop elements is arranged fixedly on the exchange container, and the other stop element is arranged on the lifting gate. The fixed stop element is in particular in the path of movement of the movable stop element. The interchangeable container according to the invention is further developed by at least one locking device for locking the lifting gate in the closed position. By means of the locking device, a targeted release of the movable lift gate is made possible. Unintentional opening of the lift gate on the front side of the swap body is reliably avoided. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking device is set up to remain in its unlocked position after its actuation for a predetermined period of time, until the lifting door has been moved out of its closed position at least. The locking device preferably has a controllable actuator, such as an electrically or pneumatically actuated cylinder. The Stellantieb is signal-conducting coupled to a controller and adapted to hold the locking device in response to a representative control command from the controller in the unlocked position.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the locking device has a locking part arranged on the lifting gate and a cooperating actuatable locking element, wherein the locking element is preferably received adjustably on the swap body in the region of the base. Preferably, the locking element has an adjustment direction, which is preferably aligned parallel to the bottom of the interchangeable container and in particular parallel to the end face of the interchangeable container. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the movable locking elements are accommodated on the interchangeable container in such a way that, when actuated, they are moved in opposite directions for unlocking. Preferably, with each movable locking element, an actuator for moving the locking element is coupled in the unlocked position and a return. The return device is operatively connected to the locking element such that the locking element is moved back into its respective locking position, provided that it is not actively held in the unlocking position. The resetter is preferably a spring element. Preferably, one or more Verrasteinheiten are provided for a structural coupling of the lifting gate in particular with the bottom and / or the cover in the closed position of the lifting gate. With the help of the Verrasteinheit the movable lift gate is mechanically connected in its closed position with the cover and / or the bottom of the swap body. The Verrasteinheiten are adapted to hinder movement of the lifting gate perpendicular to the plane of the lifting gate. As a result, stabilization of the lifting gate in the closed position is ensured during transport, so that by means of the lifting gate a charge carrier securing the load carrier in the hold of the swap body is possible. Furthermore, unauthorized access to the interior of the exchange container by means of prying or breaking open is avoided. Preferably, the Verrasteinheiten in the contact area between the upper edge of the roof and the lower bottom edge of the lifting gate and the bottom or the cover are arranged.

According to a preferred embodiment, the Verrasteinheit a perpendicular to the inside of the lifting gate projecting Verrastzapfen, which corresponds positively with a Verrastauf- take on the cover. The latching pin and the latching receptacle engage in one another in a form-fitting manner, in particular in the closed position of the lifting gate. The Verrastaufnahme and Verrastzapfen preferably have matched material projections and recesses, which each have (preferably) parallel to the direction of movement of the lifting gate extending surface areas. In another embodiment of the interchangeable container according to the invention a plurality of preferably vertically projecting centering pins are provided as Verrasteinheit in the region of the bottom, which correspond with formed on the underside of the Hubtores centering. The centering pins are adapted to intervene in the transfer of the lifting gate in its closed position in the arranged on the bottom of the lifting door centering. Preferably, at least two, three, preferably four are provided at the bottom in the region of the loading space opening of the interchangeable container projecting centering.

According to a preferred embodiment, one or more sealing elements are arranged in the region of the loading space opening between the cover and the lifting gate. The sealing elements are adapted to provide a seal of the loading space of the interchangeable container from the environment. In particular, the sealing elements hinder the penetration of, for example, dust or moisture into the loading space of the interchangeable container. In a preferred embodiment, the lifting door preferably on the opposite side edges in the direction of the cover projecting sealing elements. Preferably, the sealing elements are arranged circumferentially on the movable lifting gate and / or the loading space opening delimiting areas of the bottom or the cover of the interchangeable container. The sealing elements used may be formed, for example, as sealing lips, sealing bellows or the like.

According to a further embodiment of the interchangeable container according to the invention a further cargo space opening is provided on the opposite second end side, which is released and closed by means of a roller door arranged on the cover. By means of the roller shutter arranged on the roll-up door, a second access to the loading space of the interchangeable container is formed. Thus, the removal or introduction of individual goods or a complete loading and unloading of the interchangeable container from the second end face is possible, even if the lifting door is in its closed position. The swap body can thus be loaded and / or unloaded individually from one or the other end face.

The lifting gate is preferably a dimensionally stable wall element, whereby a secure closure of the cargo space opening is effected on the end face of the interchangeable container in the closed position of the lifting gate. The wall element has a correspondingly high strength or resistance to forces acting on the wall element. By "dimensionally stable" is meant that the wall element has a solid wall structure, so that the wall element, if no external forces act on it, but only its own weight acts, not or at most elastically deformed.

The cover preferably has one or more dimensionally stable side walls and a ceiling and / or comprises a tarpaulin top. The swap body preferably has at least one frame construction, which forms a substantially cuboid base body. Along the preferred perpendicular to each other frame parts of the frame each dimensionally stable side walls and at the top of the interchangeable container a ceiling are arranged. With the provision of dimensionally stable side walls and a ceiling, the torsional rigidity of the load carrier is improved. If, alternatively or additionally, a tarp roof is formed above the floor slab at least in regions, a very lightweight construction of the swap body can be realized. Under "dimensionally stable" is also to be understood here that the side walls, if no external forces act on them but only self-weight acts, do not or at most elastically deform. The invention relates according to another aspect, a change container system for shipping goods. The swap body system according to the invention solves the problem described above by a swap body according to one of the above-described preferred embodiments, and a load carrier for receiving cargo and for transfer of goods in the swap body, wherein the charge carrier preferably as an interchangeable charge carrier with the inner dimensions of the interchangeable container adapted dimensions is formed. With a swap body designed in accordance with the invention and a charge carrier received therein, simplified loading and / or unloading is possible. In particular, the maneuvering process and an associated parking or picking up a swap body is simplified, in particular a swap body provided with a load carrier can be parked without further intermediate steps in front of a docking station of a logistics center, moving the movable lift gate to open the cargo space of the swap body and on the ground In the swap body located charge carriers are moved out of the hold of the swap body. The load carrier preferably has, on its underside facing the bottom of the swap body, a multiplicity of rollers or other suitable guide means, such as sliding plates or guides, for moving the load carrier on the floor of the swap body.

In the present case, a charge carrier adapted in its dimensions to the inner dimensions of the replaceable container is to be understood as meaning that the length and width of the charge carrier are only slightly smaller than the length and width of the bottom of the replaceable container. A movement between the charge carrier and swap body is preferably provided, but the movement play is so small that tilting or jamming of the charge carrier in the swap body is avoided. In particular, the loading space opening or the bottom is formed corresponding to the charge carrier of the system according to the invention to be transported by means of the interchangeable container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the charge carrier has a limiting element on at least one end face. The limiting element is preferably dimensioned such that it can be brought into the interchangeable container together with the load carrier, in particular via the opening on an end face of the interchangeable container. Preferably, such boundary elements are provided on both end faces of the charge carrier, which are adapted to effect securing of the load on charge carriers in the transport direction against falling. According to a further preferred embodiment, the limiting element has a network or is designed as a wall element. The network is preferably accommodated by means of a frame arranged on the front side of the charge carrier. Such a network is a particularly weight-saving way to prevent a drop of cargo. It is also possible to view through such a network the interior of a swap body in its closed position, whereby any charge shifts are detected early. The network is in one embodiment openable and closable formed on the frame. Instead of a network, a dimensionally stable wall element can be arranged on the front sides of the charge carrier. At the same time, the preferred embodiments or further developments described for the interchangeable container according to the invention are also preferred embodiments of the interchangeable container system according to the invention.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to a possible embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures. 1 shows a perspective view of a swap body according to the invention.

System with not shown, front side wall;

2 shows a view of the lifting door according to the invention;

3 to 6 are partial views of the lifting gate according to the invention for closing or releasing the loading space opening of the interchangeable container, and FIGS. 7 to 9 are partial views of the interchangeable container according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a swap body system 100. Swap body system 100 comprises a swap body 1 according to the invention, which is placed on four hinged supports 2, 2 '. The swap body 1 is shown without its in this view front side wall to illustrate its structure. The swap body 1 has a bottom 4 and a cover 6 of side walls 8 and a ceiling 10. The swap body is adapted to receive a charge carrier 200 adapted to the surfaces of the bottom 4. The charge carrier 200 preferably has wall-like boundary elements 202 for securing the load on one or both end face (s). As further shown in FIG. 1, the interchangeable container 1 has on its first end face 12 a lifting gate 14, which can be moved from its closed position shown in FIG. 1 into a release position releasing the loading space opening 16 (FIG. 7). The dimensionally stable lifting gate 14 is received substantially vertically adjustable to the bottom 4. On a second end face 12 'there is a loading space opening 16', which is closed by a roller shutter 18. The roller shutter 18 is also convertible from a closed position shown in Figure 1 in an open position. The roller shutter 18 is arranged approximately parallel to the ceiling 10 in its open position.

On the cover 6 of the interchangeable container 1, in particular the side walls 8 side guides 20 are provided in the region of the first end face 12, by means of which the lifting gate 14 is substantially vertically to the bottom 4 of the interchangeable container 1 movable.

In Figure 2, the lifting door according to the invention is shown, which has a fixed or dimensionally stable wall structure. In Fig. 2, the outside of the lifting gate 14 is shown. The lifting gate 14 also has engagement elements (not shown) for moving the lifting gate, which are preferably arranged on the outside of the lifting gate 14. Preferably, the engagement elements in the vicinity of the upper edge of the ceiling 22 are arranged.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a side region of the lifting gate 14 from the inside. At the lifting gate 14, a plurality of rollers 24, 24 'are arranged, which are received in the lateral guides 20 on the cover 6 of the interchangeable container 1 (Figure 1). The rollers 24, 24 'are arranged at predetermined intervals along a side edge 26. The rolling elements are arranged by means of a mounting bracket 28 on the lifting gate 14. In addition, the lifting gate 14 has a sealing element 30 which is in sealing contact with the side wall 8 in the region of the first end face 12 of the interchangeable container 1.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged partial view of the lifting gate 14 according to the invention. As FIG. 4 illustrates, a plurality of centering receivers 34 for centering pins 36 (FIG. 8) are provided on the bottom edge 32, which protrude perpendicular to the loading edge 37 in the region of the loading space opening. FIG. 5 shows that a locking bolt 38, which runs perpendicular to the plane of the lifting gate 14, is also arranged on the lifting gate 14 in the region of the bottom edge 32. The locking bolt 38 cooperates with the locking element 40 shown in FIG. 8 to form a locking device for the lifting gate 14. The rollers 24, 24 'arranged along the side edge are received in the lateral guide 20 shown in FIG. 7 with the vertically extending guide rail 42. FIG. 6 shows the upper region or the upper end of the lifting gate 14 with its edge edge 22. The lifting gate 14 has a latching unit 44 for a mechanical connection between the cover 6 and the lifting gate 14 in the closed position of the lifting gate 14. The Verrasteinheit 44 has a on the inside of the lifting gate 14 vertically projecting Verrastzapfen 45, which corresponds positively locking with a Verrastaufnahme 46 on an upper horizontally extending frame part 48 of the cover 6 (Figure 7). Verrastzapfen 45 and Verrastaufnahme 46 have form-fitting interlocking material projections and recesses.

FIG. 8 shows the bottom 4 of the interchangeable container 1 with its loading edge 37 and a locking device 50 which is arranged in the region of the loading space opening 16 and which comprises the adjustable locking element 40. As Figure 9 illustrates, the locking element 40 has a locking hook 52 which is movably received over a plurality of holding and guiding parts 54, 54 '. The locking element 40 is movable in a plane parallel to the floor 4 and in the direction of the outside of the swap body 1. Upon actuation of the locking element 40, the locking hook 52 is brought out of engagement with the locking part 38 on the lifting gate 14 (FIG. 5).

Bezuaszeichen

1 swap body

 2, 2 'support

 4 floor

 6 cover

 8 side wall

 10 blanket

 12, 12 'front side

 14 lift gate

 16, 16 'cargo compartment opening

 18 roller door

 20 leadership

 22 ceiling edge

 24.24 'rolls

 26 side edge

 28 mounting bracket

 30 sealing element

 32 bottom edge

 34 centering

 36 centering pins

 37 loading edge

 38 locking part

 40 locking element

 42 guide rail

 44 Verrasteinheit

 45 locking pegs

 46 latching

 48 frame part

 50 locking device

52 locking hooks

 54.54 'guide pin

 100 swap body system

 200 charge carriers

Claims

claims 1. swap bodies (1) for the transport of goods, with a floor (4), a ceiling (10), two longitudinal sides, a cover (6) delimiting the longitudinal sides between the floor (4) and the ceiling (10), two end faces (12, 12 '), and a loading space opening (16, 16 ') on one of the end faces (12, 12') of the container, characterized by a lifting gate (14) on the loading space opening (16), which is substantially vertical relative to the bottom (4) between a closed position and a Release position is movable. 2. Swap body according to claim 1, characterized in that on the cover (6) in the region of the first end side lateral guides (20) for the lifting gate (14) are arranged, which preferably have approximately vertically extending guide rails (42). 3. Swap body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting gate (14) comprises a plurality of rollers (24, 24 ') which are movably received in the lateral guides (20) and roll therein. 4. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting gate (14) has at least one engaging element for moving and holding the lifting gate. 5. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a movement stop for limiting the opening movement of the lifting gate (14) in the vertical direction. 6. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one locking device (50) for locking the lifting gate (14) in the closed position closing the loading space opening (16). 7. Swap body according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking device (50) has a lifting part (14) arranged locking part (38) and a cooperating actuatable locking element (40), wherein the locking element (40) is preferably received adjustably in the region of the bottom (4) , 8. Interchangeable container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more Verrasteinheiten (44) for a structural coupling of the lifting gate (14) in particular with the bottom (4) and / or the cover (6) provided in the closed position of the lifting gate are. 9. swap body according to claim 8, characterized in that the Verrasteinheit (44) has a perpendicular to the inside of the Hubtor protruding Verrastzapfen (45) corresponding to a Verrastaufnahme (46) on the cover (6) form-fitting manner. 10. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the loading space opening (16) between the cover (6) and the lifting gate (14) one or more sealing elements (30) are arranged. 1 1. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the opposite second end face (12 '), a further cargo space opening (16') is provided, which is released and closed by means of a cover (6) arranged on the roller shutter (18). 12. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting gate (14) is a dimensionally stable wall element. 13. Swap body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (6) has one or more deformation-resistant side walls (8) and a ceiling (10) and / or comprises a tarpaulin top. 14. Swap body system (100) for shipping goods, comprising:  a swap body (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, and a load carrier (200) for receiving cargo and for transporting the goods into the swap body (1), wherein the load carrier (200) preferably as an exchangeable charge carrier with the Inner dimensions of the interchangeable container adapted dimensions is formed. 15. Interchangeable container system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charge carrier (200) on at least one end face has a limiting element (202).