Loading space in motion

Distance sensors in small vans

Tail lifts are state-of-the-art in many transport vehicles today – however, there are certain lifting applications where they reach their limits. In response, Anylift has completely reinvented the concept of loading and unloading – developing a solution that enables the entire loading area ofthe vehicle to be extended and lowered onto the road or curb, without the need for a tail lift. This offers some interesting advantages and facilitates the transport of large and bulky goods, even in small vans. And SICK has provided Anylift with the ideal traveling companion: its laser distance sensors.

Founded in 2021, Anylift is a young company with a history of success. What was initially a need would become an idea and the idea an ingenious technical solution. This was the path to the development of the Anylift solution, and users are now reaping the benefits. The innovative lifting system was developed based on the requirements of Arjo, a global supplier of medical devices. Arjo provides, among other products, hospital and intensive care beds, heavy-duty beds and mattresses for the care of bedridden patients.

The fifth wheel on the bed 

Arjo’s state-of-the-art, special beds sometimes feature a motorized fifth wheel in the center of the bed. This allows the operator to conveniently control the bed with one hand using a control stick attached to the head of the bed. However, these beds are by no means lightweight. When you add the special, moisture-absorbing mattresses and the weight of the actual patient, the total weight can actually reach 900 kg or more. This makes transporting the beds a challenge – both during initial delivery and later during hospital operations when patients need to be transported in their beds for treatment or examinations. However, hospital driveways and underground car parks are designed to cater for ambulances – larger vehicles are not standard. For this reason, small vans are needed.

Large bed, small van

Inevitably the key question arises: how do you get the bed in and out of the van? The solution requires both a correspondingly high lifting capacity and the entire space of the loading area. A conventional tail lift would be too small and the beds would rest on the loading edge or fall off. In addition, the tail lifts of small vans can usually only carry a maximum payload of 500 kg. Clemens Hohensulz, Managing Director of Anylift, explains the solution: “We use 90 percent of the loading area inside the van along with a movable, double floor that holds the secured cargo. When the vehicle is stationary, this floor can be mechanically extended and lowered.” The payload of the Anylift Eco variant can be up to 1,000 kg, which makes it perfect for the requirements of bed transport.

Safe loading 

Markus Burdis, Operations Manager at Arjo: “We used to load the beds into the vehicles using a special rail system. However, this repeatedly resulted in damage to the bed casters. Furthermore, the whole process was very time-consuming, as beds vary in width and size. Also, the fifth wheel (drive wheel) in the center of the bed was continuously the source of difficulties when loading and unloading. Lifting platforms were also not the ideal solution due to the frequent presence of slopes. This even led to dangerous scenarios where beds would fall because they couldn't be properly secured on the platform. All of this has changed now. With Anylift, loading is reliable and safe. The load can be secured conveniently and ergonomically outside the vehicle." This is a huge advantage for the operators, who previously had to climb into the cramped cargo space of the vehicle to secure the load.

Laser distance sensor for position determination 

“From the very beginning, our goal was to ensure that operation was as simple as possible. That's why there are only two buttons for extending and retracting. This means that operators are able to use the system after just a brief training session,” explains Hohensulz. The aim was to develop the control system and associated software so that all processes are automatically coordinated. This required a distance sensor that precisely detects the system’s current location. When it came to sensors, Anylift opted for a sensor from the PowerProx family from SICK. This sensor delivers precise and reliable detection results, even on deep black, shiny, or changing surfaces, as well as on very small and flat objects. “The WTT12L-A2563 laser sensor was the perfect solution for us. It has an analog output, it is reliable and it works well with metallic surfaces,” explains the Anylift Managing Director. The light sensor used is a Class 1 laser, meaning it is completely safe for people, even if they were to look directly into the laser. Another important aspect for Hohensulz was the teach-in process, which can be performed without additional software. The minimum and maximum extension positions (loading area is in the vehicle) are taught in by pressing a button on the sensor – the teach-in process is then complete and the system is ready for use.

Low weight – interesting price

Another key consideration in the development of Anylift was achieving the lowest possible deadweight. Hohensulz explains : “Weighing just 200 to 250 kg, Anylift can be used to lift four times its deadweight, even in a vehicle with a permissible payload of 1,200 kg. We also needed to use as little space as possible in the vehicle with our solution to preserve maximum payload capacity. Furthermore, the system had to be made of stainless steel, washable, and waterproof, making it suitable for even the most sterile transport applications in medical technology and the food industry. We achieved all of this with Anylift, yet can still offer the system for around €15,000 – including installation in the respective vehicle and training."

Diverse applications

Anylift can be adapted and expanded for a wide variety of applications – ideal for catering businesses that frequently load and unload roll containers or for service technicians and tradespeople who can now deploy their mobile workshops on the platform. Another example is “last mile delivery”. This is particularly true in urban areas, where deliveries often require narrow alleyways. Thanks to the flexibly adjustable support feet, the inclination of the lifting platform can be adapted to uneven ground and, to a certain extent, longitudinal torsion compensates for itself due to the system's design, ensuring the Anylift platform sits firmly on the street or curb. Well thought out from the initial idea to the finished solution, Anylift is as an innovative “loading space in motion” that opens up a host of new possibilities, while laser sensors from SICK monitor the entrances and exits.

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