ES2277525A1 - Improved cab for interconnecting vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary support system for the cab of interconnecting vehicles such as those disclosed in patent EP 1 046 574. The aforementioned system is fixed to the two halves of the chassis in order to prevent the vehicle from becoming unbalanced on a bend, using a combination of: a) cab-anchoring pivots, and b) adjustable pivot supports. The cab-anchoring pivots enable the cab to rotate when the vehicle rotates in order to align the cab tangentially to the bend. The adjustable pivot supports compensate for the change in the distance between the two halves of the chassis when the vehicle is taking the bend, thereby enabling the cab-anchoring pivots to move in relation to the two halves of the chassis. In this way, owing to the combined cab-anchoring pivot/adjustable pivot support system, the weight of the cab is distributed at a point between the centres of the shortest and longest axles on a tangent to the bend taken by the vehicle, thereby preventing the vehicle from becoming unbalanced on the bend.

Description

Use of improved cab for vehicles attachable

The object of the present invention is the use of a perfected cabin for vehicles docking vehicles nest planned to be used in the service of used cars public self-management, such as those that are subject to patent number EP 1 046 574. The said patent offers a chain towing system that allows the transfer in blocks of several vehicles coupled and driven by a single operator, thus facilitating a redistribution to demand points.

The innovation of the invented cabin consists of the incorporation of a rotating support system, fixed to both halves of the chassis to prevent imbalance of the vehicle when taking a curve.

A rigid cab support system centrally positioned, connected only in the front half or later of the chassis, would necessarily produce an imbalance of the vehicle, since any turning movement would displace the weight of the cabin towards the outside of the curve made. Such movement would create a loss of stability and therefore would endanger the vehicle and its occupants. In the vehicles which currently work with a central turn, such as those of urban cleaning or excavating machines, the chassis is longer than in the above-mentioned nest vehicles, allowing the cabin can be placed on the shaft, where it does not occur No lateral displacement in the turning movements. Further, nest vehicles are designed to move to greater speed than the aforementioned current vehicles with central turn and they have a relatively important cabin weight compared to  rest of the vehicle, therefore having a lateral thrust added to be compensated

The rotating support system is possible by means of a) Cab anchor bolts, b) Brackets adjustable pivot.

a) Cab anchor bolts. When he vehicle rotates, the cabin anchor pivots allow the cabin rotate so that the cabin is tangentially aligned to the curve taken.

b) Adjustable pivot brackets. These compensate for the change in distance between the two halves of the chassis, allowing the movement of the cabin anchor pivots in relationship to the two halves of the chassis.

Thus, through the combination of a) and b), the weight of the cabin is distributed on a bridge located between the centers of the widest and narrowest axes, in a Tangent to the curve taken by the vehicle.

By means of the invented cabin the previously mentioned nest vehicles have a higher stability when taking a curve and are therefore safer than use.

The self-management envisaged in the Patent number EP 1 046 574 has been implemented recently in many European countries and in North America for shared vehicles, in the system known as "carsharing." This is done with conventional cars parked in designated spaces, which are accessible through a magnetic operator card. However, the operators of carsharing require users to return their vehicles to original parking or, yes no, they have to hire drivers to redistribute the vehicles, one by one, to the places of demand when an availability imbalance is created. By means of the aforementioned patent, a multiple redistribution by a single person, and therefore offers a most effective trading system. The introduction of the cabin with invented swivel support system now makes the vehicle patented, mentioned above, be safer to use. Consists that there are now other projects for the redistribution of vehicles using robotic systems, (without driver) and through "virtual" chain trailers connected by systems infra-reds, but they don't have the same chassis defined in the aforementioned patent.

Evidently the invention does not focus on the precise construction details, such as the mechanism exact structural structure of the cabin anchor pivots or of the adjustable pivot brackets, but more essentially in their respective rotation and position adjustment functions via of the mechanism that is necessary, be it mechanical, hydraulic or other type, to produce the cabin movements required by be displaced by the rotation of the two halves of the chassis.

To understand more easily not only the swivel support system, but also the operation of the invented cabin, the following practical example is proposed for demonstrate the possible operation, this example being merely enunciatory and in no way limiting it. In this case the chosen mechanism is one where the cabin anchor pivot a) It is similar to a simple wheel bearing and adjustable support of pivot b) consists of a rail on which the anchor pivot of the cabin can be moved by means of guide wheels, by above and below the rail, similar to cars in mountains Russian Although there may be one or more cab anchor brackets in either of the two halves, salo is illustrated graphically a of the versions to simplify: that of a support in the middle of the narrower chassis and two supports in the widest half. All this It is reflected in the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the relationship between the chassis and the cabin.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view in plan in figure 1 when the chassis is in a straight line.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view in plant of figure 1 when the vehicle is taking a curve.

With reference to the drawings the centrally rotatable chassis 1 that supports cab structure 2 by means of anchor pivots of cab 3 and supports adjustable pivot 4. Cab profile 5 indicates position of the cabin if there was no rotating support system.

Figure 4, copy of a patent figure EP number 046 574, is represented here merely to help the reading of the present patent, without another function.

Claims (2)

1. The use of an attachable motor vehicle comprising a chassis (1) made in two halves and a steering system pivoted in the center of the chassis characterized in that its cabin (2) is of a single rigid part that includes a support system swivel fixed to the two halves of the chassis to be used in the service of cars of public use of self-management that allows the transfer in blocks of several vehicles coupled and driven by a single operator. 2. An attachable motor vehicle comprising a chassis (1) made in two halves and a steering system pivoted in the center of the chassis, characterized in that its cabin (2) is of a single rigid piece and includes a fixed rotating support system to the two halves of the chassis comprising anchoring pivots of the cabin (3) and adjustable pivot supports (4).