Apparatus and method for lifting two axles onto a vehicle chassis
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorsDavid F. Hirschmann, Anna Hui
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pair of axles are mechanically lifted onto the underside of a vehicle chassis to facilitate an axle-mounting process. The lifting action is achieved with a scissors jack that is powered by a hydraulic cylinder supplied with hydraulic fluid from an accumulator. The accumulator is initially charged by a hydraulic pump that is driven by an air motor.
Claims11
Apparatus for lifting two axles onto the undersurface of a vehicle chassis while the chassis is being moved and supported by an overhead conveyor;
- said apparatus including a moveable worker-support platform synchronized with the conveyor so that the platform moves at the same speed as the vehicle chassis;
- two liftable axle carriers on said platform;
- two separate jacks on said platform, for moving each axle carrier up and down, whereby the axles can be lifted onto the undersurface of the chassis;
- a separate hydraulic means for operating each said jack;
- and pneumatic means for pressurizing each hydraulic means;
- said pneumatic means including a pressurized air source remote from said worker-support platform, an air system on board the platform, and a disconnectable conduit means for connecting said pressurized air source to said on-board air system without changing the speed of said platform.
A method for lifting two axles onto the undersurface of a vehicle chassis while the chassis is being moved and supported by an overhead conveyor;
- said method including the steps of moving a worker-support platform in synchronism with the vehicle chassis;
- providing two liftable axle carriers on said platform;
- moving each axle carrier up and down with a separate jack, whereby the axles can be lifted onto the undersurface of the chassis;
- operating each jack with a separate hydraulic means;
- and supplying pressure to said hydraulic means with a pneumatic means;
- said pressure-supplying step including the sub-steps of connecting a remote air source to an air system on board the worker-support platform, and subsequently disconnecting said air source from the on-board air system without changing the speed of the worker-support platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.