Electric Lifter

• US 20140231176A1
• Filed: 01/20/2014
• Published: 08/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAPI S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: ZAPI S.p.A.
• Inventors: Zanichelli, Giannino
• Granted Patent: US 9,821,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 187/226
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07 Floor-to-roof stacking devices, e.g. "stacker cranes", "retrievers"
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/08 Masts; Guides; Chains
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/24 Electrical devices or systems

Abstract

The invention provides an electric lifter, comprising a fixed mast structure, a movable mast structure that is movable relative to the fixed mast structure at feast one transmission means (chain or cog drive belt or rack or similar), and a load carrier, in particular a fork load carrier, being connected to the at least one transmission means and configured to carry a load, wherein the at least one transmission means is movably connected to the movable mast structure while being configured to move along a dosed loop path, the closed loop path being stationary relative to the movable mast structure.

Claims

1. Lifter, comprising:

a fixed mast structure;

a movable mast structure that is movable relative to the fixed mast structure;

at least one transmission means, such as at least one chain or positive drive belt or cog belt or rack; and

a load carrier, in particular a fork load carrier, being connected to the at least one transmission means and configured to carry a load;

wherein the at least one transmission means is movably connected to the movable mast structure while being configured to move along a respective closed loop path, the closed loop path being stationary relative to the movable mast structure.

2. Lifter according to claim 1, further comprising means for driving the at least one transmission means.

3. Lifter according to claim 1, the lifter being configured to lift the load carrier in a first stage by moving the transmission means along the loop path while lifting the load carrier connected to the at least one transmission means, and the lifter being configured to lift the load carrier in a second stage by lifting the movable mast structure.

4. Lifter according to claim 3, wherein the movable mast structure is stationary during the first stage, and wherein the at least one transmission means is stationary along the loop path during the second stage;

wherein the movable mast structure preferably comprises a stop retainer for stopping the relative motion between the load carrier and the movable mast structure at the end of the first stage.

5. Lifter according to claim 1, further comprising at least one driving pinion for driving the at least one transmission means, the driving pinion being attached to the fixed mast structure;

preferably further comprising one or more retaining rolls for providing an engaging connection between the at least one driving pinion and the at least one transmission means.

9. Lifter according to claim 1, further comprising at least one rack, in particular a toothed rack, rigidly connected to the movable mast structure and at least one rack pinion engaging the at least one rack and for driving the at least one rack.

10. Lifter according to claim 1, further comprising at least one guiding pinion, wherein the at least one guiding pinion is attached to the movable mast structure and is configured to guide the at least one transmission means.

11. Lifter according to claim 1, comprising an additional movable mast structure and an additional transmission means system for providing a connection between the additional movable mast structure and the fixed mast structure, in particular configured to thereby implement a third lifting stage.

12. Lifter according to claim 1, further comprising an electric motor for providing power for lifting the load carrier during a lifting phase, in particular for driving the at least one rack pinion or for driving the at least one driving pinion, more particularly, wherein the at least one transmission means is driven by the electric motor via a shaft and the at least one driving pinion being connected to the shaft.

13. Lifter according to claim 12, wherein the electric motor is configured and managed to generate electric power during a lowering phase, in particular wherein the electric motor is managed by a controller in order to charge an electric accumulator, for example a battery, or wherein the electric motor is connected to an electro-brake.

14. Lifter according to claim 12, comprising an epicycloidal gearbox connected to the electric motor, wherein an external ring gear of the epicycloidal gearbox engages a rack rigidly connected to the fixed part of the lifting structure, and wherein at least one planetary gear of the epicycloidal gearbox is connected to a shaft with at least one driving pinion attached thereto, the at least one driving pinion engaging with the transmission means system, in particular, wherein the torques generated by the external ring gear and the at least one planetary gear are calculated to provide a lifting of the load carrier in a first stage and a lifting of the load carrier and the movable mast structure in a second stage.

16. Lift-truck comprising a lifter according to claim 1.

6. Lifter, comprising:

a fixed mast structure;

a movable mast structure that is movable relative to the fixed mast structure;

at least one transmission means, wherein one end of the at least one transmission means is attached to the fixed mast structure, and wherein the at least one transmission means is movably connected to the movable mast structure; and

a load carrier, in particular a fork load carrier, being connected to the at least one transmission means and configured to carry a load.

7. Lifter according to claim 6, further comprising means for driving the movable mast structure.

8. Lifter according to claim 6, the lifter being configured to lift the load by simultaneously moving the movable mast structure and the at least one transmission means.

17. Lift-truck comprising a lifter according to claim 6.

19. Lifter according to claim 6, further comprising at least one rack, in particular a toothed rack, rigidly connected to the movable mast structure and at least one rack pinion engaging the at least one rack and for driving the at least one rack.

20. Lifter according to claim 6, further comprising at least one guiding pinion, wherein the at least one guiding pinion is attached to the movable mast structure and is configured to guide the at least one transmission means.

15. Lifter, comprising;

a fixed mast structure;

at least one transmission means; and

a load carrier, in particular a fork load carrier, being connected to the at least one transmission means and configured to carry a load;

wherein the at least one transmission means is movably connected to the fixed mast structure while being configured to move along a closed loop path, the closed loop path being stationary relative to the fixed mast structure.

18. Lift-truck comprising a lifter according to claim 15.