Loading system and method for laterally loading and unloading an upper body structure onto and from a vehicle platform of a motor vehicle

US11845374B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · KR
• KIA CORPORATION · KR

Inventors

• Bahman Moarefi · Mainz, DE
• Andrew Vaughan · Mainz, DE
• Vincent Laurent · La Folie, FR
• Miroslav Kropac · Ostrava, CZ
• Jelle Tjebbes · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Sebastian Kluh · Gimbsheim, DE
• Ameya Karmarkar · Pusselsheim, DE
• Rolf Verhoeven · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Kadir Oguzcan Ger · Mainz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 2021
• Grant date: Dec 19, 2023
• Expiry date: Mar 1, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16B2200/99
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A loading system laterally loads and unloads an upper body structure onto a vehicle platform of a motor vehicle. The system includes two loading arms pivotably mounted on lengthwise ends of the vehicle platform. The loading arms jointly swivel between upward and lateral orientations with respect to the vehicle platform and jointly extend and retract. Each loading arm has an engaging portion at a distal end of the respective loading arm to engage a corresponding support portion at a respective lengthwise end of the upper body structure. The loading arms engage and release the upper body structure by swiveling into the lateral orientation and extending and retracting within the lateral orientation. The loading arms mount the engaged upper body structure on top of the vehicle platform by swiveling with the engaged upper body structure into the upward orientation and retracting with the engaged upper body structure within the upward orientation.