DE102021005603A1 - rail control vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

- The rail control vehicle is a vehicle similar to a tricycle, which independently (automatically) drives along a guide rail. - It is driven by two electric motors, which drive two wheels at the front left and right. Coupled to the guide rail, the vehicle drives along the rail.- In curves, the vehicle is steered via a steering carriage (which slides over the guide rail) by means of a motor circuit.- An additional parallel steering system compensates for uneven floors in relation to the guide rail, so that the vehicle runs evenly along the rail.- With a well thought-out rail layout, the device can autonomously manage an entire area.- The vehicle shown is viewed as a base/axle that moves various devices/machines.

Description

The rail control vehicle is an autonomous vehicle that can be guided by a guide rail. From the vehicle, a steering rod is coupled to steering carriages on the rail so that the guide rail steers the rail control vehicle along the rail. The guide rail is mounted on the side of the vehicle at the height of the steering rod and is firmly anchored in the floor.

Figure 1-6

The rail control vehicle (0) runs on two wheels, left (5b) and right (5a), each driven by a motor (1a+2a). These are powered via (in this case 12v) DC where two switches (1b+2b) affect the motors. A steering rod/parallel steering (4) connects the wheels via five joints (7) to the steering carriage (3), which is coupled to four guide rollers (10) on the guide rail (8). A support wheel (6) keeps the device level at the side.

The rail control vehicle (2) can be guided/driven over any surface via the guide rail (8) (which is firmly anchored in a floor) using the steering carriage (3).

The vehicle is held at right angles to the guide rail (8) with the steering carriage (3), motors (1a+2a) and circuit (1b+2b).

The vehicle now moves evenly with motors 1 (1a) and 2 (2a) at right angles to the guide rail (8). The parallel steering (4) keeps the lane parallel to the guide rail (8).

If the vehicle (seen in the direction of travel) runs too far ahead on the right-hand side, switch 1 (1b) switches off motor 1 (1a). The vehicle falls back to the right (5a) until it is again perpendicular to the guide rail (8), so motor 1 is switched on again.

If the vehicle (seen in the direction of travel) runs too far ahead on the left-hand side, switch 2 (2b) switches off motor 2 (2a). The vehicle falls back to the left (5b) until it is again at a right angle to the guide rail (8), so motor 2 is switched on again.

If the vehicle drives too far off the guide rail (8), the parallel steering (4) steers the wheels (5a+5b) back into the correct track (vehicle moves back towards the rail) so that the lane runs parallel to the rail again .

If the vehicle drives too close to the guide rail (8), the parallel steering (4) steers the wheels (5a+5b) back into the correct track (vehicle moves away from the rail again) so that the lane runs parallel to the rail again .

shows the guide rail system/structure (8) of a field (14). According to this laying principle, the rail control vehicle (0) can reach (manage) the entire area.

The vehicle is coupled at the beginning (11), adjusted if necessary and switched on so that it drives to the center of the area (12). (The vehicle reaches the 1st half of the area).

The rail side change (12) is carried out in the middle via a loop, so the rail control vehicle drives on the other side of the guide rail towards the end (11). (The vehicle now reaches the 2nd half of the area).

If the device (0) moves over the end (11) of the guide rail (8), it automatically disconnects and switches off the vehicle (0) immediately.

The distance between the guide rails (8) depends on the width of the vehicle (0). The vehicle width should be at least 0.5 to 8m, 10m, etc. (The wider the device, the fewer guide rails you need on the surface.)

use and benefits

If you look at the rail control vehicle as a base/axle, you can put on any component, e.g. in the agricultural sector, such as a seed drill, chipper, digger, wagon, chicken coop, etc. moves automatically over an area.

Since the rail control vehicle drives autonomously over the area and therefore does not take up any time, devices that work together can be coordinated slowly and precisely. (e.g. seed drill and chipper)

The vehicle width should be at least 0.5 to 8m, 10m etc. (The wider the device, the fewer guide rails you need on the surface.)

The electrical supply can be taken from the guide rail instead of from a battery. Water supply for irrigation could also be taken from the rail.

No GPS is required, the vehicle follows the guide rail exactly.

With heavy equipment, the rail control vehicle can be equipped with two axles, articulated steering and four wheels, so the articulated steering is connected to the guide rail via the parallel steering.

Environmentally friendly vehicle, place solar panels around the area to power the device. In the case of a light device, mount the solar modules directly on the device roof.

The guide rail has a very long service life. (e.g. use galvanized material) can also be quickly removed from the surface.

Claims (9)

The rail control vehicle is driven electrically by two motors/wheels, the guide rail guides the vehicle autonomously over the area using a steering carriage and parallel steering. From the vehicle, the steering rod is coupled to the steering carriage on the rail so that the guide rail steers the rail control vehicle perpendicularly along the rail. The guide rail is mounted over the surface using a suitable laying distance. The two motors on the right and left of the vehicle are influenced by two switches via the steering slide, which steer the vehicle by throttling the motors. The parallel steering provided in the vehicle keeps the vehicle's lane even to the guide rail. Rail control vehicle claim 1 how the guide rail autonomously controls the vehicle via slides, steering, switches, motors and wheels. Rail control vehicle claim 1 , where two motors are throttled via two switches via steering slides and the vehicle is steered as a result. Rail control vehicle claim 1 , like the parallel steering via joints, steering rod and steering carriage, keeps the lane even to the guide rail. Rail control vehicle claim 1 and 3 how the steering carriage switches two switches with a single stop. Rail control vehicle claim 1 , 3 and 5 how the steering carriage is coupled to the guide rail via four guide rollers and thus runs along the rail. Rail control vehicle claim 1 - 6 Guide rail system/construction of a surface ( ), like the rail control vehicle above the rail division, loop, anu. Uncoupling the whole area reached/cultivated. Rail control vehicle claim 1 - 7 use the guide rail additionally for power supply or water supply to the vehicle/device. Rail control vehicle claim 1 - 8th use the vehicle in agriculture to cultivate fields where conventional farming equipment is placed on the rail control vehicle.

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