FR2606354A1 - Road-going vehicles with an internal combustion engine which can be driven independently or hitched together to form a road-going train with a single driver - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the coupling together of road-going vehicles each one including an internal combustion engine producing the energy necessary for its displacement. They are each equipped with the devices and hitching gear comprising the mechanical links 1, electrical links 23 and pneumatic links 114 and 115 making it possible, when they are hitched together, for one single driver driving the front vehicle 19 to control, on each hitched vehicle, all the functions necessary for driving them and to monitor their operation. The mechanical link 1 by means of a mechanical transmission or hydraulic transmission acting on the steering box of the vehicle 20 controls the orientation of the guiding wheels of this vehicle. Amongst the most beneficial uses of coupled vehicles according to the invention, mention may be made of collective transportation of cereals and of milk and the transportation of liquid concrete with routing of the lorry transporting the concrete pump.

Description

 The present invention relates to coupling and to devices allowing the driving of two road vehicles with combustion engine or with explosions, by a single driver.

 The road combinations are currently composed of truck and trailer or tractor and semi-trailer combinations. The units, tractor and semi-trailer, do not have modular transport capacity and are bulky. The truck and trailer combinations have modular transport capacity but are difficult to maneuver and pose braking behavior problems when the trailer is loaded and the truck empty. These assemblies also pose adhesion problems because they require a high power engine, most often driving one or two axles of the same vehicle. These road units impose operational constraints for certain specific transport such as the collection of cereals and milk, transport of liquid concrete and routing of the truck transporting the concrete pump.

 The road assembly according to the invention makes it possible to avoid these drawbacks. I1 allows modulation of the capacity while maintaining a good power / mass ratio. The adhesion conditions of the assembly are improved by the fact that each vehicle comprises one or two driving axles. The autonomy of each vehicle when uncoupled makes it easier to maneuver at the end of the journey.

 I1 allows a single driver to drive two vehicles on their common route. I1 allows variable capacities to be obtained with a group of similar vehicles.

 To facilitate the presentation of the invention, the vehicle from which the road assembly is driven will be designated a "driver" vehicle; the vehicle (s) with no driver will be designated as a "driven" vehicle.

 According to a first variant, the road assembly is composed of two trucks coupled together. The coupling connecting the "driver" truck to the "driven" truck is characterized by the fact that it comprises all the mechanical, electrical and pneumatic connections, making it possible, when the driver controls the functions necessary for driving the "driver" truck, to control the same functions on the "driven" truck. The connections between vehicles also make it possible to control from the "driver" truck the proper functioning or the malfunctions of the "driven" truck.

 According to a second variant, the road assembly is composed of two road vehicles for transporting people, each comprising an internal combustion or explosion engine. These vehicles being interconnected by a hitch having the same characteristics as according to the first variant, allowing the driving of the vehicle "driven" from the vehicle "driver".

 According to a third variant, the road assembly is composed of more than two road vehicles each comprising an internal combustion or explosion engine. These vehicles being interconnected by couplers having the same characteristics as according to the first variant allowing the driving of vehicles "driven" from the "driver" vehicle.

 The mechanical connection of the coupling according to the invention makes it possible to maintain a constant space between the coupled vehicles. This mechanical connection ensures the orientation of the steered wheels of the "driven" vehicle (s). This mechanical connection makes it possible to absorb variations in height between the fixing points of this mechanical connection on each vehicle. This mechanical connection also makes it possible to absorb the longitudinal and transverse angular variations with respect to a horizontal plane of the vehicles coupled to each other. In the uncoupled position, this mechanical connection is removable, the ends of the vehicles are released by sliding or pivoting.

The electrical connections make it possible to control the "driver" vehicle on the "driven" vehicle (s) the following functions
- starting and stopping the internal combustion or explosion engine,
- clutch and selection of synchronized electropneumatic gear ratios,
- engine acceleration,
- electric retarder control,
- traffic light control,
- control of auxiliary devices specific to certain vehicles,
- the electrical connections also allow the transmission of operating and fault indices, from the "driven" vehicle (s) to the dashboard of the "driver" vehicle. These electrical connections comprise the diodes preventing the paralleling of the current production apparatus of the various vehicles as well as their accumulator battery.

The pneumatic connections make it possible to control the vehicle
the "driver" on the vehicle (s) "drives" the brake. The liai
pneumatic sounds can also be used to control the ac
engine speed and clutch. They are made by pipes
hoses and coupling heads.

By way of example and to facilitate understanding of the in
vention, it is given below, a description of a particular mode
of the invention, shown schematically and
not limiting to the appended drawings in which
Figure 1 shows a bottom view of the mechanical connections
electric and pneumatic connecting two coupled vehicles and a
device for guiding the steering wheels of the vehicle 'driven / lrealized according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a diagram showing the electrical connections
triques allowing the coupling of vehicles equipped with
computer-assisted gear change, carried out according to the invention
tion.

 Figure 3 shows in profile, two coupled vehicles.

As shown, the mechanical connection includes
a drawbar (1) having at the front a coupling ring with
wear ring coming to engage in the coupling (2), this connection per
puts to absorb longitudinal angular height variations and
transverse with respect to a horizontal plane of the coupled vehicles
between them. The drawbar (1) has an articulation at the rear
(3) allowing only vertical angular variations to be absorbed
of the drawbar. The drawbar is connected to the toothed sector
(4) by the pinned pin (5). The withdrawal of the axis (5) allows to detach
riser the drawbar (1) of the driven vehicle, and remove it
after uncoupling vehicles.

When the two coupled vehicles are aligned, the
drawbar (1) is located in the longitudinal axis of the two vehicles
cules. When cornering, for example, when the two coupled vehicles take
an angle between them, the drawbar takes an angle relative to
to the longitudinal axis of the driven vehicle ': The drawbar (1) is
then rotate the toothed sector (4), to which it is connected by the axis
(5), around the axis (6). By pivoting the toothed sector (4) drives
the pinion (7), on which it drives. The pinion (7) being integral
of the input shaft (8) of the intermediate steering box (9), the
rotational movement of the pinion (7) is transmitted to the intermediate steering direction box (9), the connecting shaft (11) of its universal joints (12) and (13), and the intermediate steering box ( The reduction between the toothed sector (4) and the pinion (7) is such that the steering wheels of the "driven" vehicle always remain parallel to the drawbar (l). Couplable vehicles include a steering box hydraulic system with two circuits to allow the guiding of the driven vehicle by supplying the hydraulic steering box with a pump driven by the transmission when the engine of the driven vehicle is stopped and the pump in the main steering no longer turns. two-circuit hydraulic steering (10) is controlled by the steering wheel via the steering column (15), when this vehicle is "driver" or used alone. The electrical contact boxes (16) and (17) cause the operation t an audible warning and the lighting of a signal lamp in the cab of the "driver" vehicle when the angle of the drawbar (1) approaches the angular limit of the direction, in order to avoid damage that may be caused by exceeding this limit, especially during maneuvers.

 As shown, the electrical devices and connections, shown schematically in the frame (19) equip the "driver" vehicle, the electrical devices and connections shown schematically in the frame (20), equip the "driven" vehicle (s) . Each vehicle comprises: at the front an electrical coupling box (21) (22) and at the rear a network of electrical wires (23) (24), allowing the electrical coupling of the circuits of the two vehicles. a heat engine (25) (26), a clutch converter (27) (28), an automatically controlled synchronized gearbox with electro-pneumatic gear change (29) (30), an on-board computer (31) (32), a starter (33) (34), injection pumps (35) (36), an accelerator pedal position sensor (37) (38), an engine stop start switch and "duct" status relay (39) (40), a "duct" status relay (41) (42), a gearbox operation indicator (43) (44), a fault indicator operation of engines and gearboxes (45) (46), a switchboard (47) (48), allowing the control of signaling lights, electric retarders etc ..., a speed selector (49 ) (50).

 To carry out the coupling of the vehicles, it is necessary to place the switch (40) in position "conduit", which causes the excitation of the relay (42) by the connection (73) (75), which opens its contacts (52) ( 54) (56) (58) (62), which isolate on the "driven" vehicle the devices which are not necessary for its operation in the "driven" state. It is then necessary to connect the electrical circuits necessary for coupling by plugging in the network of electrical wires (23), in the coupling housing (22).

 The motors (25) and (26) are launched by placing the switch (39) in the launch position, which has the effect of supplying the starters (33) and (34), by the link (62) ( 64) (66i (68) and (68 B) (61) (63).

 Pressing the accelerator pedal changes the signal emitted by the sensor (37), the on-board computer as a function of the signal received by link (70) (72), controls an increase in the flow rate of the injection pumps (35) and (36) by connection (74) (76) (78) and (80) (65) (67).

 When the parameters for shifting up a gear are reached, the on-board computer (31) controls the gearboxes (29) and (30) to shift up a gear by link (82) (84) ( 86) and (88) (69) (71). The same link is used for lowering gears, neutral, and shifting into reverse. The actions on the speed selector keys (49) give information to the on-board computer (82) via the link (90) (92). The on-board computer (82) controls the gearboxes (29) and (30) according to the information received by the link (82) (84) (86) and (88) (69) 71).

 The signal lights, retarder and auxiliary devices specific to certain vehicles are controlled by the switch panel (47). The opening of the contacts (52) prevents any command from the switch panel (48) of the "driven" vehicle.

 A malfunction of the motor (25) or (26) is signaled to the fault indicator (45) by connection (77) (79) (81) and (96) (94) (98).

 A malfunction of the gearboxes (29) and (30) is reported to the fault indicator (45), by link (83) (85) on-board computer (32) link (87) (89) (91 ) (100) (108) and (102) (104), on-board computer (31) link (106) (100) (108).

 The correct operation of the gearboxes (29) (30) is indicated in the gearbox operation indicator (43) by liaisnn (110) (112).

The power supplies of switches (39) and (40) of switchboards (47) and (48) and on-board computers
(31) and (32) include the diodes preventing the alternator of each vehicle from being connected in parallel as well as their accumulator battery.

 The pneumatic connections (114) and (115) make it possible to control the brake of the "driven" vehicle from the "driver" vehicle.

They are produced by flexible pipes and by coupling hands (116) (117), making it possible to connect the pneumatic circuits for the use of vehicles in coupling and to separate these circuits during the uncoupling of vehicles.

 When the switch (40) is in the "duct" position, its key can be withdrawn and allows to unlock an isolation tap.

of the brake control devices of the "driven" vehicle. When this valve is closed, it cuts the pneumatic connections between the brake control devices and the braking devices. When this tap is closed, it keeps the key of the switch (40) captive. This locking between the brake control isolation valve and the switch key (40) avoids any handling error which results in resuming the driving of a vehicle whose brake control would be isolated or isolating the brake control when a vehicle is used alone or in a "driver" vehicle. When the brake control isolating valve on the "driven" vehicle is closed, the operating equipment for this vehicle is controlled by the brake control equipment for the "driver" vehicle, under the same conditions as for a truck-trailer road combination.

 The devices which are the subject of the invention can be mounted for construction on vehicles or the vehicles can be modified to allow their coupling. The coupling of vehicles according to the invention has serious operating advantages when it is necessary to transport a large volume or mass while retaining the possibility of using highly maneuverable autonomous vehicles separately. This coupling also allows a driver to drive two vehicles on their common route, which allows optimal use of the drivers while respecting the work regulations. This coupling also makes it possible to adapt the transport capacity to demand with a fleet of similar vehicles. These coupled vehicles have the advantage of having the engine force distributed over each vehicle, which pushes the threshold of slippage on slippery ground. This coupling also makes it possible for a single driver to transport vehicles of complementary use.

Claims (25)

 1. Road vehicles (19) and (20) each comprising a heat or explosion engine producing the energy necessary for its movement, characterized in that they each comprise the devices and the coupling comprising the mechanical connections (1), electric (23) and pneumatic (114) and (115) allowing when coupled together to a single driver driving the front vehicle (19) to control on each coupled vehicle all the functions necessary for their driving and to control their operation.  2. Vehicles according to claim 1 characterized in that when the vehicles (19) and (20) are uncoupled they can be driven separately each by a driver.  3. Vehicles according to claims ~ l and 2 characterized in that each vehicle is equipped with devices and the coupling allowing its use in front or rear vehicle.  4. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 3 characterized in that they are equipped with devices and the coupling allowing when more than two vehicles are coupled to a single driver to drive all and control their operation from the front vehicle.  5. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3 and 4 taken as a whole characterized in that the mechanical connection (1) connecting the vehicles (19) and (20) controls the orientation of the wheels of the vehicle (20) by a mechanical transmission acting on the hydraulic steering box (10).  6. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3 and 4 taken as a whole characterized in that the mechanical connection (1) connecting the vehicles (19) and (20) controls the orientation of the vehicle wheels (20) by a hydraulic transmission acting on the hydraulic steering box (10).  7. Vehicles according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that the reduction of the transmission between the mechanical connection (1) and the hydraulic steering box (10) and the reduction of the hydraulic steering box (10) are such that the vehicle steering wheels (20) remain parallel to the mechanical connection (1) regardless of the position of the mechanical connection (1).  8. Vehicles according to claim 1 characterized in that  a signaling device (16) (17) informs the driver driving  of the vehicle (19) approaching the angular limits of the steered wheels  of the vehicle (20).  9. Vehicles according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in  that the steering box (10) is controlled by the vehicle steering wheel  (20) via the steering column (15) when this vehicle  cule is in front or driven alone.  10. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 4 to 7 taken  as a whole characterized in that the mechanical connection connecting  vehicles have joints to absorb varia  height and angular longitudinal and transverse between the  harnessed vehicles.  11. Vehicles according to claims 1, 4 to 7 and 10 taken  as a whole characterized in that the mechanical connection (1) hand  maintains a constant distance between the coupled vehicles (19) and (20).  12. Vehicles according to claims 1, 4 to 7, 10 and 11  taken as a whole characterized in that the mechanical connection  (1) when the vehicles are uncoupled, release the end of each vee  hicle by its removal after removal of the axis (5).  13. Vehicles according to claims 1, 4 to 7, 10 and 11  taken as a whole characterized in that the mechanical connection  (1) when the vehicles are uncoupled, release the end of each vee  hicle by pivoting around the axis (5).  14. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3 and 4 character  in that the electrical connections (23) between coupled vehicles (19) and (20) allow when the driver maneuvers the control devices of the front vehicle (19) to control on the coupled vehicles (19) and (20): starting, stopping and accelerating the engines (25) and and (26), the clutches (27) and (28), the selection of the gearbox ratios (29) and (30), the electric retarders, signaling lights and auxiliary devices specific to certain vehicles.  15. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3 and 4 characterized in that the electrical connections (23) between coupled vehicles (19) and  (20) are used to transmit the vehicle operating and fault indices (20) to the vehicle dashboard (19).  16. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 14 characterized in that they comprise an isolating switch on the rear vehicle (20), the control devices not being necessary for its use in the rear vehicle.  17. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 14 characterized in that they comprise a relay and its excitation control isolating on the rear vehicle (20) the control devices not being necessary for its use in the rear vehicle.  18. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 14 characterized in that their electrical connections include diodes preventing devices for producing electric current and the accumulator batteries of each coupled vehicle to be placed in parallel.  19. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3, 4, 14 and 15 taken as a whole, characterized in that the electrical connections (22) between the coupled vehicles (19) and (20) are produced by plugging in the network of electrical wires ( 23), in the coupling housing (22).  20. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3 and 4 characterized in that the pneumatic connections (114) and (115) between the coupled vehicles supply and control the equipment performing the braking of the vehicle (20) by the vehicle (19).  21. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3, 4 and 20 characterized in that the pneumatic connections (114) and (115) between the coupled vehicles are produced by flexible pipes and coupling hands.  22. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3, 4 and 20 characterized in that they comprise an isolation valve which interrupts the connections between the brake control devices and the devices performing braking, when the vehicle is used in vehicle back.  23. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 20 and 16 or 17 characterized in that they comprise a locking device between the isolation valve of the brake control devices and the device for isolating unused electrical circuits when the vehicle is used in the rear vehicle, avoiding either returning to service the driving position of a vehicle whose brake control devices are isolated, or isolating the brake control devices from a vehicle used in the front vehicle or alone .  24. Vehicles according to claims 1, 3, 4 and 21 taken as a whole characterized in that the pneumatic connections between coupled vehicles are used to control the clutch and the acceleration of the heat engine or to explosions, coupled vehicles when the driver acts on the devices controlling these functions on the front vehicle.  25. Vehicles according to claims 1 and 8 characterized in that they are equipped with a device causing the braking action of the rear vehicle (20) when the angular limit of the steered wheels of this vehicle is reached and when reversing gearboxes (29) and (30) is engaged.