The invention relates to an inductive pick-up arrangement to be mounted on an electric vehicle which shall be operated with electric energy produced by the arrangement by magnetic induction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a recovery winch to be mounted on a mounting part of the arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electric land vehicle, in particular a road automobile or a rail vehicle, comprising the inductive pick-up arrangement. In addition, the invention relates to a method of operating an electric vehicle using the inductive pick-up arrangement.

Electric land vehicles may be provided with energy in different manners. One option is to charge an energy storage on-board the vehicle while the vehicle stops and by using an electric cable connection. According to another option, the energy is transferred to the vehicle in a wireless manner using a magnetic field which induces an electric voltage in at least one inductance on-board the vehicle. The expression "pick-up" has been used for the device which comprises at least one inductance.

An example is described in US 3,914,562. The document describes an electrically driven vehicle having suitable batteries to drive the vehicle on conventional roads. The vehicle has means for receiving power from a conductor embedded in a prepared roadway for driving the vehicle and for charging the batteries. The power receiving means on-board the vehicle, i.e. the pick-up, which is/are mounted at the bottom of the vehicle, can be lowered towards the surface of the road in order to reduce the size of the air gap between the pick-up and the conductor embedded in the roadway. The pick-up comprises a pick-up core including a central elevated section and a pair of lateral sections disposed closer to the road which serve as magnetic poles. A pick-up coil is wound about the central core section. A pick-up position control automatically or manually adjusts the position of the pick-up relative to the roadway. The pick-up position control comprises a pair of relays for energizing an electric motor of the means for raising and lowering the pick-up. These raising and lowering means include a linkage connecting the framework of the vehicle to suitable bracing elements secured to the pick-up core. Two sets of bell crank arms are connected to the bracing elements and to a double ended reciprocating output member provided by the motor. The arms are mounted by pivot pins to the vehicle framework.

The raising and lowering means described in US 3,914,562 require a large space with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the pick-up and the raising and lowering means need to be taken into account in the conceptual design of the vehicle. Alteration of an existing vehicle, i.e. mounting a pick-up and a corresponding lifting device, requires extensive effort or is impossible, if the vehicle is not yet designed to be operated using such a pick-up.

Another example is described in the application file number GB 1208387.9, filed on 1 1 May 2012. The document discloses an inductive pick-up arrangement to be mounted on an electric vehicle which shall be operated with electric energy produced by the arrangement by magnetic induction, wherein the arrangement comprises a pick-up portion comprising at least one electric inductance for receiving a magnetic field and for producing the electric energy, a mounting portion to be mounted on the vehicle, and an actuator for actuating movement of the pick-up portion relative to the mounting portion. The mounting portion and the pick-up portion are moveably connected to each other by at least two connecting portions. A distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion in a vertical direction can be varied by the actuator which comprises a prolongable section which can be prolonged and shortened by operating the actuator and which extends from a first bearing attached to the mounting portion to a second bearing attached to the pick-up-portion. The direction of the prolongation is substantially vertical. The prolongable section comprises a first operating state in which the prolongable section is shorter than in a second operating state, so that the distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion is smaller in one of the first and second operating states than in the other of the first and the second operating states. Although the disclosed arrangement requires less space with respect to the vertical direction it is still desirable to reduce the required space and to minimize the alteration of existing vehicles.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inductive pick-up arrangement which can be mounted to electric vehicles, which are not designed to be operated using such a pick-up arrangement, wherein the effort for alteration shall be low. It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for safe operation of the inductive pick-up arrangement. It is a further object of the invention to provide an electric land vehicle, in particular a road automobile or a rail vehicle, which comprises the pick-up arrangement. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating an electric vehicle using an inductive pick-up arrangement. According to a basic idea of the present invention, the arrangement comprises an actuator having a prolongable section which can be prolonged and shortened by operating the actuator. A connecting portion allows transforming a movement of the prolongable section (in particular a prolongable device) in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction into a movement of the mounting portion in a vertical direction or substantially vertical direction. By prolonging or shortening the prolongable section in this direction, the pick-up is moved in vertical direction.

Optionally, the arrangement can comprise a plurality of prolongable sections of this kind.

The disclosed design allows arranging the actuator, e.g. a linear motor, and the prolongable section with respect to the vehicle such that a space requirement of the arrangement in the vertical direction is minimized. In any case, independent of the number of prolongable sections used in the arrangement, the space which is required for mounting and operating the prolongable section(s) is small compared to other constructions such as the construction described in US 3,914,562.

In particular, an inductive pick-up arrangement is proposed that is to be mounted on an electric vehicle which shall be operated with electric energy produced by the arrangement by magnetic induction, wherein the arrangement comprises a pick-up portion comprising at least one electric inductance for receiving a magnetic field and for producing the electric energy, and a mounting portion to be mounted on the vehicle. Furthermore, the arrangement comprises at least one actuator for actuating movement of the pick-up portion relative to the mounting portion. Preferably, the arrangement comprises a plurality of actuators, e.g. two or four actuators. The mounting portion and the pick-up portion are moveably connected to each other by at least one connecting portion. Preferably, the arrangement comprises a plurality of connecting portions, e.g. two or four connecting portions. Each connecting portion can be operated or actuated by one actuator.

For example, in the case of the pick-up portion being a rectangular cuboid, at least one connecting portion (e.g. two or four connecting portions) may be located on each of two opposite sides of the cuboid. Plural connecting portions on the same side of the cuboid can be spaced apart form each other in a horizontal direction.

The actuator can cause movement of the pick-up portion relative to the mounting portion in a vertical direction, so that the position of the pick-up portion is varied. In particular, a distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion in a vertical direction can be varied by the actuator. The actuator comprises a prolongable section which can be prolonged and shortened by operating the actuator. The prolongable section can be prolonged linearly. This means that an end of the prolongable section can execute a linear movement. The actuator and/or the prolongable section can be designed and/or arranged such that the prolongable section can be prolonged and shortened in a substantially horizontal direction. In this case, the linear movement of the end of the prolongable section is executed in a substantially horizontal direction.

An object of the arrangement is to move the pick-up portion in a vertical direction. The (ideal) horizontal direction is at right angles with the vertical direction of the movement of the pick-up portion. Substantially horizontal means that a deviation angle of direction of the movement of the prolongable section from the ideal horizontal direction during the extension and the shortening is less than a predetermined angle magnitude. The predetermined angle magnitude can be e.g. 5, 10 or 15 degree. The angle is determined in a plane spanned by vectors which define the vertical direction and the ideal horizontal direction. In addition, the direction of movement of the prolongable section may vary during prolongation or shortening, at least slightly within a range of substantially horizontal directions. The reason for this variation may be, in particular, the construction of mechanics which transforms the substantially horizontal movement into a vertical movement of the pick-up (see below for the mechanics).

The prolongable section comprises a first operating state in which the prolongable section is shorter than in a second operating state, so that the pick-up portion is in a higher position (in particular the distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion is smaller) in one of the first and second operating states than in the other of the first and the second operating states.

The connecting portion allows transforming a movement of the prolongable section in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction into a movement of the mounting portion in the vertical direction. The connecting portion can be arranged and/or designed such that the movement of the prolongable section in the substantially horizontal direction can be transformed into the movement of the mounting portion in the vertical direction or

substantially vertical direction.

Furthermore, an electric land vehicle is proposed, in particular a road automobile or a rail vehicle, comprising the pick-up arrangement according to any embodiment described here, wherein the arrangement is mounted at the bottom of the vehicle, so that the pick-up portion can be moved by the actuator between a lower position, in particular in which the distance between the pick-up portion and the mounting portion is larger, and a higher position, in particular in which the distance between the pick-up portion and the mounting portion is smaller.

In addition, a method is proposed of operating an electric vehicle, in particular a road automobile or a rail vehicle, wherein:

- an inductive pick-up portion, which is moveably connected to a mounting portion that is mounted at the bottom of the electric vehicle, is moved using an actuator between a lower position, in particular a position in which the distance between the pick-up portion and the mounting portion is larger, and a higher position, in particular a position in which the distance between the pick-up portion and the mounting portion is smaller,

- movement of the pick-up portion relative to the mounting portion is guided using at least one connecting portion which connects the pick-up portion and the mounting portion,

- a prolongable section of the actuator is prolonged or shortened while operating the

actuator,

- by prolonging or shortening the prolongable section the position of the pick-up portion is varied,

- the prolonging or shortening of the prolongable section is effected to take place in a substantially horizontal direction and the connecting portion transforms the movement of the prolongable section into a movement of the pick-up portion in the vertical direction.

In particular, the pick-up portion comprises at least one coil of at least one electric line, so that the coil forms an inductance for receiving the magnetic field and for producing electric energy by induction. For example, the pick-up portion may comprise a plurality of coils, wherein at least two of the coils may be connected in series to each other and/or at least two of the coils may be connected in parallel to each other.

The mounting portion which is to be mounted to the vehicle may be an integral part of the frame construction of the vehicle. In this case, there is no need for an additional mounting portion in order to mount the pick-up arrangement to the vehicle. However, the invention is particularly suitable for alteration of existing vehicles. In this case, an additional mounting portion can be mounted on the vehicle so that the pick-up arrangement is mounted.

Alternatively, an existing frame construction of the vehicle can be altered so that it forms the mounting portion. For example, at least some beams of the frame construction may be removed and the frame construction may be reinforced in other regions of the frame so that the pick-up portion fits in the mounting portion while being in the highest possible position. Generally, it is preferred that the mounting portion comprises a receiving area for receiving the pick-up portion or at least for receiving a part of the pick-up portion, wherein the received pick-up portion or part of the pick-up portion extends within the same range in vertical direction as the mounting portion. For example, the mounting portion may extend around the receiving area so that the receiving area forms a cavity within the mounting portion. In any case, a receiving area which is located at the same height level as the mounting portion reduces the required space in vertical direction.

As mentioned above, the arrangement comprises an actuator and the actuator is used for actuating movement of the pick-up portion relative to the mounting portion. The actuator may be driven by any suitable means, such as an electromotor or a set of electromotors.

However, it would alternatively or in addition be possible to use hydraulic or pneumatic means for driving movement of the pick-up portion relative to the mounting portion. One example of such a linear actuator is a linear electromotor. Another example is a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated piston/cylinder unit having a piston which is linearly movable relative to the cylinder which guides movement of the piston. A preferred example of such a linear actuator is an actuator having a screw drive which is moved using an electromotor. The difference compared to a linear electromotor is that the screw drive is driven by an electromotor having an armature which rotates during operation. Screw drives can transfer particularly high mechanical forces compared to other linear actuators and are highly reliable. An example of such a linear actuator is the "Electrak" type (either DC or AC powered) offered by Thomson Industries, Inc., 1500 Mittel Blvd., Wood Dale, Illinois 60191 , United States of America.

The mounting portion and the pick-up portion are movably connected to each other by at least one connecting portion. In contrast to the application GB 1208387.9, the connection may not be identical to the prolongable section of the actuator.

However, it is preferred that there are two, four or eight connecting portions. In addition or alternatively, each connecting portion can be actuated or operated by one actuator.

Alternatively, two or more connecting portions can be actuated or operated by one actuator.

The pick-up portion may, for example, be a monolithic body. According to a specific embodiment, the pick-up portion may have a flat rectangular shape, i.e. may be a cuboid having a height which is smaller than the length and depth. In particular, at the outer periphery of the cuboid, the bearing or bearings can be mounted for connecting the connecting portion(s).

The position of the pick-up portion can be varied by the actuator, in particular the distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion in the vertical direction can be varied, i.e. by prolonging or shortening the prolongable section of the actuator in the substantially horizontal direction. In particular, the distance between the pick-up portion and the mounting portion can become zero, especially in the case mentioned above, wherein the mounting portion comprises a receiving area for receiving the pick-up portion.

In principle, prolonging the prolongable section may result in either lifting up (according to a first embodiment) or lowering (according to a second embodiment of the arrangement) the pick-up portion. Therefore, the first operating state of the prolongable section in which the prolongable section is shorter than in a second operating state, may be the operating state in which the pick-up portion is in a higher position (in particular the distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion is small or zero) or may be the operating state in which the pick-up portion is in a lower position (in particular the distance from the pick-up portion to the mounting portion is large). Of course, the prolongable section may have more operating states which correspond to other values of the height level of the position of the pick-up portion, if there are more than two positions, a higher position and a lower position of the pick-up portion. For example, as described in US 3,914,562, the distance may be varied continuously or on demand if there is an obstruction on the roadway of a road automobile.

According to a preferred embodiment a pivot arm assembly comprises the connecting portion and the disclosed arrangement comprises this pivot arm assembly. The pivot arm assembly is pivoted or pivot-mounted on the mounting portion. The pivot arm assembly connects the prolongable section and the pick-up portion. An axis of rotation of a rotary motion of the pivot arm assembly is fixed or stationary relative to the mounting portion and deflects in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The axis of rotation can be also orthogonal to the previously defined ideal horizontal direction of the movement of the prolongable section.

The pivot arm assembly advantageously allows a simple transformation of the substantially horizontal movement of the prolongable section into the vertical movement of the pick-up portion.

According to another embodiment, the pivot arm assembly comprises a primary arm and at least on secondary arm, wherein a first end of the primary arm is connected to the prolongable section and a second end of the primary arm is rigidly connected to a first end of the secondary arm, wherein a second end of the secondary arm is connected or connectable to the pick-up portion. In this case the secondary arm can form the connecting portion. By prolonging or shortening the prolongable section, the first end of the primary arm is pivoted around the axis of rotation. As the secondary arm is rigidly connected to the primary arm, the second end of the secondary arm is also pivoted around the axis of rotation. The resulting motion results into a movement of the pick-up portion in a vertical direction or substantially vertical direction.

A rigidly fixed connection means that the relative arrangement of the primary and the at least one secondary arm does not change during operation, e.g. if the prolongable section is prolonged or shortened.

According to a preferred embodiment, a connecting point or connecting element which connects the first and the at least one secondary arm is rotatable around the axis of rotation. The mounting portion can have one or more bearings, e.g. pivot bearings, to bear the connecting point or the connecting element.

The connecting element can be a rotary shaft. The primary arm and the secondary arm can be rigidly connected to the shaft. If the pivot arm assembly comprises more than one secondary arm, the connecting points of the secondary arms can be arranged along the rotary shaft and disposed with a predetermined distance with respect to each other.

Preferably, the pivot arm assembly comprises one primary arm and four secondary arms.

According to another preferred embodiment, the first end of the primary arm is connected to the prolongable section by a rotatable connection and the second end of the secondary arm is connected to the pick-up portion by a rotatable connection. The prolongable section and/or the primary arm can have a bearing, e.g. a pivot bearing, to provide the rotatable connection. Analogue, the secondary arm and/or the pick-up portion can have a bearing, e.g. a pivot bearing, to provide the rotatable connection. Preferably, the second end of the secondary arm is connected to the pick-up portion by a means of a roller support.

Additionally, the connection of the second end of the secondary arm and the pick-up portion can be arranged and/or designed such that the connection can additionally provide a second degree of freedom which allows translational movement of the connection. The connection of the of the second end of the secondary arm and the pick-up portion thus provides two degrees of freedom, a first degree of freedom which allows the previously described rotary motion and a second degree of freedom which allows translation movement. If the connection is formed by e.g. a roller support, the roller support can be elastically or slidably connected to the pick-up portion.

Also, the second end of the secondary arm (which forms the connecting portion) can bear a roll. The roll is connected to the connecting portion wherein this connection provides the previously described first degree of freedom. By means of the roll, the second end of the secondary arm can execute a linear movement along an upper surface of the pick-up portion in a horizontal direction. This provides the previously described second degree of freedom. Alternatively, a roll support housing can comprise one or two long holes in which an axis of a roll can be beard. The long hole extends parallel to an upper surface of the pick-up portion in the horizontal direction. The roll provides the first degree of freedom and the long holes provide the second degree of freedom as the axis of the roll can execute a linear movement within the long holes. The second degree of freedom preferably allows a translational movement of the connection in a direction parallel to the (ideal) horizontal direction of the movement of the prolongable section. The translational movement can be executed along an upper surface of the pick-up portion.

If the movement of the prolongable section effects a circular movement of the secondary arm, the connecting point of the secondary arm and the pick-up portion will move along a perimeter of a circle. This movement contains a horizontal and a vertical component or portion. The translational movement of the connection of the second end of the secondary arm and the pick-up portion allows compensating a horizontal component of the circular movement and thus allows pure or nearly pure vertical movement of the pick-up portion.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first arm and/or the secondary arm is U-shaped or pitch-circle-shaped or pitch-ellipse-shaped. This allows a simple construction of the pivot arm assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the prolongable section is connected to the mounting portion by a rotatable connection. The mounting portion and/or the prolongable section can have a bearing, e.g. a pivot bearing, to provide the rotatable connection. Preferably, the prolongable section is connected to the mounting portion by means of a clevis. If the prolongable section is formed by a linear actuator, the linear actuator can be mounted to the mounting portion by the rotatable connection, e.g. by means of the clevis. If the primary arm is pivotable around the previously described axis of rotation, the movement of the first end of the primary arm (which is connected to the prolongable section) is constrained to a circular movement which contains a horizontal and a vertical portion. The rotatable connection of the prolongable section allows a variation of the direction of movement of the prolongable section during the extension and the shortening. This, in turn, allows moving the first end of the primary arm along the perimeter of the circle defining the circular movement. The constraint of the circular movement of the first end of the primary arm effects that prolonging and shortening of the prolongable section can not always be executed along the ideal horizontal direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the arrangement comprises at least one alignment block assembly which aligns the movement of the pick-up-portion in the vertical direction. The alignment block assembly can comprise a guiding part which is mounted on or fixed to the mounting portion. Furthermore, the alignment block assembly can comprise a wheel holder or roller holder which is mounted on or fixed to the pick-up portion. The guiding part and the roller holder can be arranged such that the wheel or roll rolls along a surface of the guiding part during the vertical movement of the pick-up portion. The guiding part can further comprise at least one stopping block which constrains the movement of the wheel or roll along the surface. This constrains the vertical movement of the pick-up portion and e.g. defines a lower and/or upper limit of the vertical movement of the pick-up portion.

The alignment block assembly advantageously supports a pure or nearly pure vertical movement of the pick-up portion. Preferably, the alignment block assembly is used in conjunction with the previously mentioned connection of the of the second end of the secondary arm and the pick-up portion which provides two degrees of freedom, a first degree of freedom which allows the rotary motion and a second degree of freedom which allows translation movement.

In another embodiment of the invention, the arrangement described above or another pick-up arrangement (comprising at least a mounting portion and a pick-up portion) comprises an additional holding device. The holding device is arranged and/or designed such that the pickup portion can be caught and/or held by the holding device in case a mechanical connection between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion is released, e.g. accidentally released or released for the purpose of maintenance or repair. The mechanical connection can comprise the connecting portion and/or the guiding means. The holding device therefore provides a safety feature. The holding device can be mounted or partially mounted on the mounting portion of the previously described arrangement or of another pick-up arrangement.

The holding device can comprise a connecting part to connect the holding device to e.g. the mounting portion and at least one holding element, wherein the holding element is arranged and/or designed such that the pick-up portion can be caught and/or held by the holding element.

The holding element can be an elongated element, for example a strap or a steel cable. The elongated element can be spanned so as to extend below the pick-up portion, e.g. from one side of the mounting portion to an opposite side of the mounting portion.

According to another aspect, the pick-up arrangement (comprising at least a mounting portion, a pick-up portion and an actuator for actuating relative movement thereof) comprises an additional holding and lifting device. The holding and lifting device is arranged and/or designed such that the pick-up portion can be caught and/or held by the holding device in case a mechanical connection between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion is released, e.g. accidentally released. Additionally, the holding and lifting device is arranged and/or designed such that the pick-up portion can be lifted and/or lowered by the holding and lifting device.

The holding and lifting device can e.g. lift or lower the pick-up portion in case a lifting or lowering by actuation of the actuator(s) is not possible e.g. because a mechanical connection between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion is broken and/or at least one of the actuators fails. Thus, the holding and lifting device provides redundancy with respect to the movement of the pick-up portion. Also, the holding and lifting device can e.g. lift or lower the pick-up portion in case the pick-up portion or one of its elements needs to be repaired or serviced or replaced.

The lifting or lowering can be executed by varying a length and/or a tension of a strap or steel rope spanned below the pick-up portion.

In particular, the additional holding and lifting device can be designed as a recovery winch to actuate a strap, wherein the winch is connected to one side of the mounting portion and the strap is secured to the opposite side of the mounting portion. With respect to the vertical direction, the strap runs below the pick-up portion. The length and/or tension of the strap portion running below the pick-up portion can be varied by actuating the winch. In a normal operating state the length and/or tension is chosen such that the strap does not constrain a predetermined vertical movement of the pick-up portion.

The recovery winch provides a safety feature. The recovery winch can be arranged and/or designed such that it allows the vertical movement in a normal operating state but prevents the pick-up portion from e.g. falling down in case the connecting portion(s) break(s).

Also, the length and/or the tension of the strap portion running below the pick-up portion can be varied by actuating the winch such that the pick-up portion is held by the strap without danger of an accidental vertical movement.

By actuating the winch, the length of the strap running below the pick-up portion can be varied such that the pick-up portion can be lifted or lowered, especially if a mechanical connection between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion and/or the guiding means between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion are released. This allows easy reparation or replacement of the pick-up portion or components arranged on the pick-up portion.

The winch can have a worm-gear drive mechanism. Preferably, the recovery winch features a gear ratio of 50:1 . This allows easy lifting of the mass of the pick-up portion which can e.g. be 600 kg.

In addition, a holding device is proposed, wherein the holding device is arranged and/or designed such that the pick-up portion can be caught and/or held by the holding device in case a mechanical connection between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion and/or the guiding means between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion is released. The holding device can be connected to a mounting portion of one of the previously described arrangements. The holding device can be portable.

Furthermore, an additional holding and lifting device is proposed, wherein the holding and lifting device is arranged and/or designed such that the pick-up portion can be caught and/or held in case a mechanical connection between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion and/or the guiding means between the mounting portion and the pick-up portion are released. Additionally, the pick-up portion can be lifted and/or lowered by the holding and lifting device. The holding and lifting device can be connected to a mounting portion of one of the previously described arrangements. The holding and lifting device can be portable. Furthermore, a recovery winch is proposed. The recovery winch is to be mounted on the mounting portion of one of the previously described arrangements. The recovery winch comprises a strap to be secured to the mounting portion and connecting means to connect the winch to one side of the mounting portion. Furthermore, the strap can comprise connecting means to connect the strap to another side of the mounting portion. The winch is designed such that the winch is portable.

Examples of the invention will be described with reference to the attached figures. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a three-dimensional illustration of a preferred embodiment of a pick-up arrangement, including two actuators and eight connecting portions,

Fig. 2 a side view showing the pick-up portion of Fig. 1 connected to a mounting portion in a lowered position of the pick-up portion,

Fig. 3 a side view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 , wherein the pick-up portion is lifted up to the highest possible position, where the pick-up portion is fully received by a receiving area of the mounting portion,

Fig. 4 a recovery winch to be mounted on a mounting portion of the pick-up arrangement shown in the Figs. 1 to 3,

Fig. 5 the recovery winch of Fig. 4 mounted on a mounting portion of the pick-up

arrangement shown in the Figs. 1 to 3, and

Fig. 6 an arrangement comprising an additional holding and lifting device.

Fig. 1 shows the principle of an embodiment of a pick-up arrangement 1 . The arrangement 1 comprises a pick-up portion 2 comprising at least one electric inductance for receiving a magnetic field and for producing the electric energy. The pick-up portion 2 is shaped as a flat rectangular cuboid. Further, the arrangement 1 comprises a mounting portion 3 to be mounted on a vehicle (not shown) and two actuators 4 for actuating movement of the pick-up portion 2 relative to the mounting portion 3. The mounting portion 3 and the pick-up portion 2 are moveably connected to each other by eight connecting portions 5.

A distance from the pick-up portion 2 to the mounting portion 3 in a vertical direction symbolized by an arrow 6 can be varied by the actuators 4.

The actuators 4 are linear actuators which each comprise a prolongable section 7 which can be prolonged and shortened by operating the actuators 4. The prolongable sections 7 can be prolonged and shortened in a substantially horizontal direction symbolized by an arrow 8. The prolongable sections 7 comprise a first operating state in which the prolongable sections 7 are shorter than in a second operating state, so that the distance from the pick-up portion 2 to the mounting portion 3 is smaller in the first state than in the second operating state (see Figs. 2 and 3).

The connecting portions 5 are arranged with respect to the mounting portion 3 and designed such that the movement of the prolongable sections 7 in the substantially horizontal direction can be transformed into the movement of the pick-up portion 2 in the vertical direction.

The mounting portion 3 may be attached to the frame of a vehicle and/or may be part of the vehicle frame. A pivot arm assembly 9 comprises the connecting portions 5. The assembly 1 comprises two pivot arm assemblies 9 but the following description refers to one of these two pivot arm assemblies 9.

The pivot arm assembly 9 is pivoted or pivot-mounted on the mounting portion 3 via bearings

10. The pivot arm assembly 9 connects the prolongable section 7 and the pick-up portion 2. An axis of rotation symbolized by an arrow 1 1 of a rotary motion of the pivot arm assembly 9 is fixed or stationary relative to the mounting portion 3 and deflects in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction (see arrow 6). The axis of rotation is also orthogonal to the previously defined ideal horizontal direction (see arrow 8) of the movement of the prolongable section 7.

The pivot arm assembly 9 comprises one primary arm 12 and at four secondary arms which form the connecting portions 5. A first end of the primary arm 12 is connected to the prolongable section 7 and a second end of the primary arm is rigidly connected to a first end of the secondary arm by means of a rotary shaft 13. A second end of each of the secondary arms is connected to the pick-up portion 2. By prolonging or shortening the prolongable section 7, the first end of the primary arm 12 is pivoted around the axis of rotation symbolized by the arrow 1 1 . As the secondary arm is rigidly connected to the primary arm 12, the second end of the secondary arm is also pivoted around the axis of rotation symbolized by the arrow

1 1 . The resulting motion results into a movement of the pick-up portion 2 in a vertical direction.

The primary arm 12 and the four secondary arms are connected by the rotary shaft 13 which is rotatable around the axis of rotation symbolized by the arrow 1 1 . The rotary shaft 13 is beard by the bearings 10. The primary arm 12 and the secondary arms are rigidly connected to the shaft 13. The arrangement 1 further comprises four alignment block assemblies 14 which align the movement of the pick-up-portion 2 in the vertical direction. One alignment block assembly 14 comprises a guiding part 15 which is mounted on the mounting portion 3. Furthermore, the alignment block assembly 14 comprises a wheel holder 16 for holding a wheel 17 which is mounted on the pick-up portion 2. The guiding part 15 and the wheel holder 16 are arranged such that the wheel 17 rolls along a surface of the guiding part 15 during the vertical movement of the pick-up portion 2 and constrain horizontal movement of the pick-up portion 2.

Further details of the arrangement 1 are illustrated with respect to Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the pick-up portion 2 of Fig. 1 in a lowered position of the pick-up portion 2. In Fig. 2 is shown that a first end of the primary 12 arm is connected to the prolongable section 7 by a pivot bearing 18 which provides a rotatable connection. A second end of each secondary arm is connected to the pick-up portion 2 by means of a roller support 19 providing a rotatable connection.

The roller support 19 is slidably connected to the pick-up portion 2 which provides, in addition to a first rotary degree of freedom, a second degree of freedom allowing a translational movement of the roller support 19 in a direction parallel to the (ideal) horizontal direction of the movement of the prolongable section 7 symbolized by an arrow 8. The translational movement is executed along an upper surface 20 of the pick-up portion 2.

The actuator 4 is connected to the mounting portion 3 by means of a clevis 21 which provides a rotatable connection.

In Fig. 2 is shown that the prolongable section 7 is in a first state which is an extended state. Due to the arrangement of the pivot arm assembly 9, the pick-up portion 2 is in a lowered position.

If the prolongable section 7 is shortened, a first end of the primary arm 12 executes a circular movement around the previously described axis of rotation symbolized by an arrow 1 1 (see Fig. 3). This circular movement is indicated by an arrow 22 in Fig. 3. The clevis 21 allows a variation of the direction of movement of the prolongable section 7 during the extension and the shortening. As the prolongable section 7 is shortened, the connecting point of the secondary arm and the pick-up portion 2 will also move along a perimeter of a circle which is indicated by an arrow 23. This movement contains a horizontal and a vertical portion. The translational movement of the roller bearing 19 allows a compensation of a horizontal portion of the circular movement and thus allows pure or nearly pure vertical movement of the pickup portion 2.

The primary arm 12 and the secondary arms are nearly pitch-circle-shaped.

When the prolongable section 7 is shortened, the pick-up portion 2 is lifted up towards the mounting portion 3.

The mounting portion 3 comprises a receiving area which receives the pick-up portion 2 in its highest possible position. For existing framework constructions of vehicles, such a receiving area can be generated by removing some beams from the receiving area and by reinforcing the framework construction in other regions, if necessary.

Fig. 4 shows a recovery winch 24 to be mounted on a mounting portion 3 of the pick-up arrangement 1 shown in one of the Figs. 1 to 3. The winch 24 comprises a strap 25 to be secured to the mounting portion 3 and first connecting means to connect the winch to one side of the mounting portion 3. If the winch 24 is connected to one side of the mounting portion 3 the strap 25 can be connected to the opposite side of the mounting portion 3. For this purpose, the winch 24 comprises second connecting means, e.g. a hook 26, which is connected to a free end of the strap 25. The winch 24 comprises a housing 27 in which a worm-gear drive mechanism is located. Also shown is a strap drum 28 and a guiding cylinder 29 which guides the strap 25. By manually actuating the winch 24, the strap drum 28 turns a length and tension of the strap portion running below the pick-up portion can be varied.

Fig. 5 shows the recovery winch 24 mounted on a mounting portion 3 of the pick-up arrangement 1 shown in the Figs. 1 to 3. The winch 24 is connected to the mounting portion 3. Also shown is a turning know 30 to manually operate the winch 24. Further shown are details of the connecting portion 5. A second end of the secondary arm (which forms the connecting portion 5) bears a roll 31 . The roll 31 is connected to the connecting portion 5.

By means of the roll 31 , the second end of the secondary arm can execute a linear movement along an upper surface 20 of the pick-up portion 2 in a horizontal direction. This provides the previously described second degree of freedom.

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement 100 comprising an additional holding and lifting device 33. The additional holding and lifting device 33 comprises a holding and lifting element 34 by which a pick-up portion 2 and the holding and lifting device 33 are connected. The arrangement 100 comprises principal means 35 to lift and lower the pick-up portion. These principal means can e.g. comprise the previously described arrangement of actuators and connecting portions. Under normal operating conditions, the pick-up portion 2 is held, lifted or lowered in a vertical direction (see arrow 6) by the principal means 35. In case a holding, lifting or lowering of the pick-up portion 2 by the principal means 35 is not possible, the pick-up portion 2 can be held, lifted or lowered by the additional holding and lifting device 33 instead of the principal means 35. The holding and lifting device 33 can e.g. be used in case a mechanical connection between a mounting portion and the pick-up portion 2 is released, e.g. accidentally released. Also, the holding and lifting device 33 can e.g. lift or lower the pick-up portion 2 in case the pick-up portion or one of its elements needs to be repaired or serviced or replaced. An area of operation of the additional holding and lifting device 33 with respect to the magnitude of motion in the vertical direction (see arrow 6) can be larger than the area of operation of the principal means 35.