JP2007038788A - Coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve coupling workability, and to reduce back lash of a connection part of vehicles. <P>SOLUTION: One of two vehicles is provided with a connecting shaft 3 vertically movable, and the other has a connection hole 5 into which the connecting shaft 3 is removably inserted. The connecting shaft 3 is movable downward in a shaft length direction by its own weight or by urging force. Also, the one of the two vehicles is provided with a regulating body 4 pivotally supported so as to be swingable in a lateral direction, and engaged with a lower end of the connecting shaft 3 to regulate movement downward of the connecting shaft 3. The connecting shaft 3 is inserted into the connection hole 5 by the swing of the regulating body 4 without operating the connecting shaft 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connecting device that connects one vehicle such as a traveling vehicle to the other vehicle such as a carriage.

  A connecting device for connecting a transport cart to a traveling vehicle supports a connecting shaft that can move up and down on one of the traveling vehicle and the transport cart, and a connecting piece having a connecting hole through which the connecting shaft is inserted and removed. After the connecting shaft is moved upward by manual operation, the connecting hole is made to correspond to the connecting shaft while moving the other, and the connecting shaft is moved downward by manual operation and inserted into the connecting hole. By doing so, it is comprised so that a conveyance trolley may be connected with a traveling vehicle (for example, refer patent document 1).

  Further, one of the traveling vehicle and the transport carriage is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing up and down and has a connecting shaft at a position separated from the center of swinging, and the connecting shaft is inserted into and removed from the other. There is known a connecting device configured to insert a connecting piece into and out of the connecting hole by providing a connecting piece having a connecting hole and swinging the swinging body (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

Also, one of the traveling vehicle and the transport carriage is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing up and down, and a coupling shaft having a contact piece on the pivotal support portion is provided, and a coupling hole into which the coupling shaft is inserted and removed is provided on the other. There is also known a connecting device configured to insert a connecting piece into and out of the connecting hole by providing a connecting piece having the connecting piece and swinging the connecting shaft (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-83539 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-53406 JP 52-57610 A

  However, in the connecting device of Patent Document 1, when connecting the carriage to the traveling vehicle, the connecting shaft is moved upward by manual operation to be removed, or the state is moved upward by manual operation. In addition, there is a problem that the connection workability is poor because the connection hole of the vehicle needs to be aligned with the connection position.

  In addition, in the connecting devices of Patent Documents 2 and 3, the connecting shaft is inserted into and removed from the connecting hole while swinging with the swing center as a fulcrum, so that the connecting hole is relatively smaller than the outer dimension of the connecting shaft. It needs to be bigger. Accordingly, the clearance between the connecting shaft and the connecting hole becomes large, and the transport cart is largely rattled with respect to the traveling vehicle in the connected state, the transported goods placed on the transport cart become unstable, and the load There is a problem of quality such as easy to collapse, interference damage of goods to be transported due to load collapse, and because the gap is large, follow-up traveling of the transport cart when multiple transport carts are connected in series There is also a problem that the straight running performance and cornering become unstable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that can improve the connection workability and can reduce rattling at the connection portion of the vehicle.

  A connecting device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a connecting device having a connecting shaft that can move up and down in one of two vehicles, and a connecting hole into which the connecting shaft is inserted and removed, and the connecting shaft is The one side can be moved downward in the axial direction by its own weight or urging force, and the one is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing in the lateral direction, and engages with the connecting shaft to move downward in the connecting shaft. It is provided with a regulating body that regulates movement.

  The connecting device according to a second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the restricting body swings in a direction of engaging the connecting shaft by its own weight or urging force.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the connecting device according to the third aspect, wherein the other includes a connecting plate having a circular outer edge around the connecting hole and the connecting hole, and the one is disposed below the regulating body, and The connecting hole includes a guide portion that guides the connecting plate at a position corresponding to the connecting shaft, and the restricting body includes a cam that allows the circular outer edge to contact.

  In the first invention, since the restricting body engages with the connecting shaft when not connected and restricts the downward movement of the connecting shaft, the connecting shaft of one vehicle is operated when the connecting work is performed. The connecting hole of the other vehicle can be easily positioned at the connecting position without being moved, and by swinging the restricting body in this state, the engagement with the connecting shaft of the restricting body is released, and the connecting shaft is It can be lowered by its own weight or urging force and inserted into the connecting hole. Therefore, the connection workability can be improved, and the connecting shaft moves linearly, so that the gap between the connecting shaft and the connecting hole can be reduced, the rattling of the vehicle by the connecting portion can be reduced, and the stability of the transported product can be improved. can do. Moreover, since the said clearance gap can be made small, the follow driving | running | working property of a trolley | bogie when a some trolley | bogie is connected in series can be made favorable, and driving | running | working straightness and cornering can be stabilized.

  In the second invention, when releasing the connection, the control body can be automatically swung by moving the handle of the connection shaft upward without operating the control body, and the lower end of the connection shaft. Since the lowering is engaged with the restricting body and the lowering is restricted, the workability of releasing the connection can be improved.

  In the third invention, when performing the connecting work, the connecting plate can be guided along the guide portion by bringing the circular outer edge into contact with the guide portion while moving the other vehicle. Can be accurately positioned at a position corresponding to the connecting shaft, and the connecting workability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connecting device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the connecting device. This connecting device connects a traveling vehicle as one vehicle and a transport cart as the other vehicle, and is attached to a fixed plate 10 fixed to the rear portion of the traveling vehicle, and is spaced apart vertically. The first and second connecting pieces 1 and 2, the connecting shaft 3 supported by the upper first connecting piece 1 so as to be linearly movable up and down, and the first connecting piece 1 in the lateral direction. A restricting body 4 that is pivotally supported and engages with the lower end of the connecting shaft 3 to restrict the downward movement of the connecting shaft 3, and is fixed to the front portion of the transport carriage B. And a guide plate 7 and 7 as a guide portion that is fixed between the first and second connection pieces 1 and 2 and guides the connection plate 6 to a position corresponding to the connection shaft 3. With.

  The first and second connecting pieces 1, 2 are provided with first and second through holes 1 a, 2 a that are coaxially penetrated vertically and have a slightly larger diameter than the connecting shaft 3. A connecting shaft 3 is fitted around the first through hole 1a, and a lower end of a guide tube 8 for guiding the movement of the connecting shaft 3 is attached. The guide tube 8 has a slit 81 in one circumferential direction, and a retaining protrusion 31 that is provided in the middle of the connecting shaft 3 is inserted into the slit 81. A support cylinder 9 penetrating in the lateral direction is fixed to the tip of the first connecting piece 1, and a pivot 20 made of a bolt is inserted into and supported by the support cylinder 9.

  The connecting shaft 3 is fitted into the first through hole 1 a and the guide tube 8, and a collar portion 32 that comes into contact with the upper end of the guide tube 8 and an annular handle 33 are provided at the top. The lower end of the connecting shaft 3 has a truncated cone shape or a hemispherical shape.

  The restricting body 4 is connected to two arms 41 and 41 fitted and supported at both ends of the pivot shaft 20, and connected to the distal ends of the arms 41 and 41, engages with the lower end of the connecting shaft 3, and moves downward from the connecting shaft 3. And an engagement plate 42 that restricts the movement of the engagement plate 42 and a cam 43 that hangs down from the center of the engagement plate 42 and abuts against the circular outer edge 6a of the connection plate 6 and engages with the connection shaft 3 by its own weight. It is comprised so that it may rock | fluctuate to. The cam 43 is inclined up and down with respect to the axial center of the connecting shaft 3, and the restricting body 4 swings around the pivot 20 when the circular outer edge 6 a abuts. The cam 43 also serves as a weight for urging the restricting body 4 in the swinging direction.

  The connecting plate 6 comprises a connecting hole 5, a circular outer edge 6a having a substantially C-shape around the connecting hole 5, and recesses 6b, 6b connected to the circular outer edge 6a. The circular outer edge 6 a is configured to contact and separate from the guide plates 7, 7 and the cam 43 between the connecting pieces 1, 2. Further, when the traveling vehicle and the transport carriage are cornered while being connected by the connecting shaft 3, the edge of the recess 6 b comes into contact with the end edge of the guide plate 7 to restrict the rotation of the connection plate 6. Prevents cornering at right angles to the vehicle.

  The guide plates 7 and 7 are plate-like bodies having a square shape in plan view, and guide the guide plates 7 and 7 along the guide plates 7 and 7 even when the circular outer edge 6a of the connection plate 6 abuts against one plate body. 5 can be positioned at a position corresponding to the connecting shaft 3. In addition, recesses 7 a and 7 a for preventing interference with the restricting body 4 are provided on the upper portions of the guide plates 7 and 7. Further, reinforcing plates 70 and 70 for reinforcing the guide plates 7 and 7 are provided between the connecting pieces 1 and 2.

  3 is a perspective view showing a state where the connecting device is connected, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connected state, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. In the connecting device configured as described above, when not connected, the connecting shaft 3 moves upward, the regulating body 4 swings in a direction to engage with the connecting shaft 3 by its own weight, and the engaging plate of the regulating body 4 The lower end of the connecting shaft 3 is engaged with 42, and the downward movement of the connecting shaft 3 is restricted (see FIG. 2).

  In the case of connection, the traveling vehicle or the carriage is moved in a direction approaching each other, and the circular outer edge 6a of the connecting plate 6 is brought into contact with the guide plates 7 and 7, thereby bringing the connecting hole 5 into a position corresponding to the connecting shaft 3. It can be easily positioned. Further, in the process of positioning the connecting hole 5 at a position corresponding to the connecting shaft 3, the circular outer edge 6 a contacts the cam 43, and the regulating body 4 is centered on the pivot 20 by the lateral pressing force applied to the cam 43. , The engagement plate 42 is disengaged from the connection shaft 3, the connection shaft 3 moves downward under its own weight, and the connection hole 5 and the second through-hole are moved as shown in FIGS. It is inserted into the hole 2a. Thereby, a traveling vehicle and a conveyance trolley can be connected. In this case, the connecting plate 6 can be positioned by the guide plates 7, 7, and the restricting body 4 can be swung by the connecting plate 6 to release the downward movement restriction of the connecting shaft 3. The connecting shaft 3 can be moved downward by its own weight and inserted into the connecting hole 5, and it is not necessary to perform a manual operation, so that the connecting workability can be improved.

  When the connection is released, the connection shaft 3 is pulled out from the second through hole 2a and the connection hole 5 by picking the handle 33 of the connection shaft 3 and moving the connection shaft 3 upward, and the connection plate 6 is connected to the connection position. 4, the regulating body 4 swings in the direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) in which the regulating body 4 engages with the connecting shaft 3 due to its own weight, and the engaging plate 42 of the regulating body 4 engages with the lower end of the connecting shaft 3. Thus, the downward movement of the connecting shaft 3 can be restricted. Since the connection can be released simply by moving the connection shaft 3 upward in this way, the workability of the connection release can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the traveling vehicle includes the connecting shaft 3 and the regulating body 4 and the transport carriage has the connection hole 5. However, the traveling vehicle includes the connection hole 5, and the transport cart It is good also as a structure provided with the connection shaft 3 and the control body 4. FIG.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the connecting shaft 3 moves downward due to its own weight, and the restricting body 4 swings in a direction to engage with the connecting shaft 3 due to its own weight. An urging unit may be provided, and the connecting shaft 3 may be lowered by the urging force of the urging unit to swing the regulating body 4.

  In the embodiment described above, the cam 43 is provided on the regulating body 4 and the regulating body 4 is swung in the regulation releasing direction by the contact of the connecting plate 6. However, the cam 43 is eliminated. The restriction body 4 may be configured to be manually swung in the restriction release direction. Further, the restricting body 4 is configured to engage with the lower end of the connecting shaft 3 to restrict the downward movement of the connecting shaft 3, but in addition, for example, a retaining protrusion 31 provided in the middle of the connecting shaft 3 or the like. You may comprise so that it may engage with this engaging part and the movement to the downward direction of the connection shaft 3 may be controlled.

  Moreover, the connection apparatus which concerns on this invention should just be a connection of two vehicles other than the connection of a traveling vehicle and a transport trolley | bogie.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the connection apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a longitudinal section showing the composition of the connecting device concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the state where the connecting device concerning the present invention connected. It is a longitudinal section of the state where the connecting device concerning the present invention connected. It is sectional drawing of the VV line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

3 connecting shaft 4 restricting body 43 cam 5 connecting hole 6 connecting plate 6a circular outer edge 7 guide plate (guide portion)

Claims (3)

  One of the two vehicles is provided with a connecting shaft that can move up and down, and the other has a connecting hole through which the connecting shaft is inserted and removed, wherein the connecting shaft is axially driven by its own weight or urging force. The one side is provided with a regulating body that is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing in the lateral direction and that engages with the connecting shaft and restricts the downward movement of the connecting shaft. A coupling device characterized by.   The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting body swings in a direction to engage with the connecting shaft by its own weight or urging force. The other is provided with the connecting hole and a connecting plate having a circular outer edge around the connecting hole, the one being arranged below the restricting body, and the connecting hole corresponding to the connecting shaft. The coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion that guides the coupling plate at a position, wherein the regulating body includes a cam that allows the circular outer edge to abut.

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