Lifting device for lifting a vehicle with a locking system and lifting system and method therefor
The present invention relates to a lifting system for lifting a vehicle and method therefor. The lifting system according to the invention includes a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, with the carrier including a carrying part and a guiding part; a drive which acts on the carrier and is configured for raising and/or lowering the carrier relative to the frame; a locking system for locking and unlocking the moveable carrier relative to the frame; and a controller configured for controlling the height of the carrier. The locking system includes a lock actuator, a locking rail, a locking drive configured for moving the lock actuator between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a lock and is configured for engaging and/or disengaging the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator.
1. A lifting device for lifting a vehicle, the device comprising:
a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, wherein the carrier comprises a carrying part and a guiding part;
a drive which acts on the carrier and configured for at least one of raising and lowering the carrier relative to the frame;
a locking system for locking and unlocking the moveable carrier relative to the frame; and
a controller configured for controlling the height of the carrier,
wherein the locking system comprises:
a lock actuator and a locking rail that both extend over at least a part of the height of the frame;
a locking drive configured for moving the lock actuator between a locked state and an unlocked state; and
a lock that is provided at or on the moveable carrier and is configured for at least one of engaging and disengaging the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator.
2. The lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the lock actuator and the locking rail are provided in or at the frame.
3. The lifting device according to claim 2 , wherein the locking actuator is provided in the frame with a connection such that the locking actuator may rotate around its axis when moving between the locked and unlocked states.
4. The lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the locking system comprises a locking mechanism that further comprises a rod extending between the lock and the carrier.
5. The lifting device according to claim 4 , wherein the rod is connected to the carrier with a hinged connection and substantially extends in a vertical direction.
6. The lifting device according to claim 5 , wherein the hinged connection is configured to automatically move the lock in the locked state when the lock actuator is not activated.
7. The lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the locking actuator comprises a locking frame and an anti-wear strip extending over substantially the length of the locking actuator.
8. The lifting device according to claim 7 , wherein the locking frame comprises a lightweight material.
9. The lifting device according to claim 7 , wherein the anti-wear strip comprises polyethylene.
10. The lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the length of the guiding part of the carrier and the length of the frame is below 1.
11. The lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the lifting device comprises a mobile lifting column.
12. The lifting device according to claim 3 , wherein the locking system comprises a locking mechanism that further comprises a rod extending between the lock and the carrier.
13. The lifting device according to claim 12 , wherein the rod is connected to the carrier with a hinged connection and substantially extends in a vertical direction.
14. The lifting device according to claim 13 , wherein the hinged connection is configured to automatically move the lock in the locked state when the lock actuator is not activated.
15. The lifting device according to claim 14 , wherein the locking actuator comprises a locking frame and an anti-wear strip extending over substantially the length of the locking actuator.
16. The lifting device according to claim 15 , wherein the ratio of the length of the guiding part of the carrier and the length of the frame is below 1.
17. A lifting system comprising at least one group of two or more lifting devices for lifting a vehicle, the lifting device comprising:
a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, wherein the carrier comprises a carrying part and a guiding part;
a drive which acts on the carrier and configured for at least one of raising and lowering the carrier relative to the frame;
a locking system for locking and unlocking the moveable carrier relative to the frame; and
a controller configured for controlling the height of the carrier,
wherein the locking system comprises:
a lock actuator and a locking rail that both extend over at least a part of the height of the frame;
a locking drive configured for moving the lock actuator between a locked state and an unlocked state; and
a lock that is provided at or on the moveable carrier and is configured for at least one of engaging and disengaging the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator.
18. The lifting system according to claim 17 , wherein the ratio of the length of the guiding part of the carrier and the length of the frame is below 1.
19. A method for lifting a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a lifting device or lifting system comprising at least one group of two or more of such lifting devices, with the lifting device comprising:
a frame with a moveable carrier configured for carrying the vehicle, wherein the carrier comprises a carrying part and a guiding part;
a drive which acts on the carrier and configured for at least one of raising and lowering the carrier relative to the frame;
a locking system for locking and unlocking the moveable carrier relative to the frame; and
a controller configured for controlling the height of the carrier,
wherein the locking system comprises:
a lock actuator and a locking rail that both extend over at least a part of the height of the frame;
a locking drive configured for moving the lock actuator between a locked state and an unlocked state; and
a lock that is provided at or on the moveable carrier and is configured for at least one of engaging and disengaging the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator;
lifting the vehicle with the drive acting on the carrier; and
locking the carrier at a certain height relative to the frame by:
actuating the lock actuator;
moving the lock with the locking drive between a locked state and an unlocked state; and
engaging or disengaging the lock from the locking rail in response to a movement of the lock actuator.
20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the locking system moves to the locked state in case of a power failure.