JP2023183562A - Cargo handling/conveying vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cargo handling/conveying vehicle configured so that a towing car can be automatically connected to a carriage accompanying running of the towing car even when there is no space for the towing car to run in front of the carriage.SOLUTION: A cargo handling/conveying vehicle 100 is provided with: a towing car 1; a carriage 2; a towing hook 3 provided in the towing car 1; a hook 4 to be towed provided in the carriage 2; and a guide rail 7. The towing hook 3 can rotate laterally between a hook position where the hook extends laterally from the towing car 1 and a towing position where the hook extends backward from the towing car 1. The guide rail 7 is arranged lateral to the carriage 2. A guide groove 7a that guides the towing hook 3 to the hook 4 to be towed is formed in the guide rail 7. When the towing car 1 passes on the side of the carriage 2, an engagement pin 3b of the towing hook 3 passes on the guide groove 7a to engage with a hook part 41 of the hook 4 to be towed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cargo handling vehicle that includes a towing vehicle and a truck towed by the towing vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, cargo handling vehicles equipped with a towing vehicle and a trolley pulled by the towing vehicle have been used for purposes such as transporting articles in factories, for example. The towing vehicle is connected to a trolley loaded with articles, and then transports the articles by towing the trolley.

If the towing vehicle can be connected to the trolley while running, the time required for connection can be shortened. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-231411 discloses a device that automatically connects a towing vehicle and a truck by running the towing vehicle in front of the truck. The towing vehicle is provided with a towing lever that projects laterally and is rotatable to the left and right. A coupling member that protrudes forward is fixed to the truck. When the towing vehicle passes in front of the truck, the towing lever of the towing vehicle is caught on the coupling device of the truck. This connects the towing vehicle and the truck. After connection, the tow lever rotates rearward as the tow vehicle travels. The trolley turns while being towed by the towing vehicle, and then travels following the towing vehicle.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-231411

By the way, it may be difficult to secure sufficient space in front of the cart. For example, the number of carts to be towed by a towing vehicle is not limited to one, but may be two or more. In such a case, it is preferable to connect two or more carts in advance. However, when two or more carts are connected, the total length of those carts increases. It may be difficult to secure a running space for a towing vehicle in front of two or more trolleys connected in series.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to make it possible to move the tow vehicle and the truck as the tow vehicle moves, even when it is difficult to secure a running space for the tow vehicle in front of the truck. An object of the present invention is to provide a cargo handling vehicle that can be automatically coupled.

The cargo handling vehicle disclosed herein includes a towing vehicle, a truck, a towing hook provided on the towing vehicle, a towed hook provided on the truck, and a guide rail provided on the truck. . The tow hook is rotatable left and right between a hook position extending laterally from the tow vehicle and a towing position extending rearward from the tow vehicle. The guide rail is arranged on the side of the truck. A guide groove is formed in the guide rail to guide the towing hook to the towed hook.

According to the above-mentioned cargo handling vehicle, the towing hook extends to the side of the towing vehicle, and the guide rail is provided to the side of the truck, so that when the towing vehicle passes by the side of the guide rail, the towing hook is guided by the guide rail and caught on the towed hook. Thereby, the towing vehicle and the truck are automatically connected. Since there is no need to secure a running space for the tow vehicle in front of the dolly, even if it is difficult to secure a running space for the tow vehicle in front of the dolly, the tow vehicle and dolly can be automatically moved as the tow vehicle moves. can be linked together. Since the guide groove of the guide rail guides the towing hook to the towed hook, the towing vehicle and the truck can be reliably connected.

The cargo handling vehicle may include a towing hook rotational force applying member that is provided on the towing vehicle and applies a rotational force to the towing hook toward the hook position.

This allows the tow hook to be automatically positioned in the hook position before connection. Furthermore, the towing hook can be automatically returned to the hook position after the connection is released.

The towing hook rotational force imparting member may include a spring that urges the towing hook toward the hook position.

This allows the tow hook to be automatically positioned at the hook position without using a drive device such as an electric motor.

The towing hook may have an engaging portion that engages with the guide groove of the guide rail. The guide groove may have an introduction groove that becomes wider toward the rear of the truck.

Since the introduction groove becomes wider toward the rear, the engaging portion of the tow hook easily engages with the introduction groove when the towing vehicle passes by the side of the guide rail. Since the towing hook easily engages with the guide rail, the towing hook and the towed hook can be connected more reliably.

The cargo handling vehicle may include a drive device that is provided on the tow vehicle and that moves at least a portion of the tow hook upward or downward to disconnect the tow hook from the towed hook. good.

Thereby, the connection between the towing hook and the hook to be towed can be automatically released.

The towing vehicle may be a self-driving vehicle having wheels, a drive device that drives the wheels, and a computer that controls the drive device.

This makes it possible to automate the connection between the towing vehicle and the truck and the movement of the towing vehicle and the truck.

The tow vehicle may be configured to be able to move forward and not be able to move backward.

The towing vehicle simply moves forward on the side of the trolley and is automatically coupled to the trolley. Therefore, even if the towing vehicle cannot go backwards, the towing vehicle and the truck can be automatically connected. A vehicle that cannot be reversed can be used as a towing vehicle.

The cargo handling vehicle may include another truck and a connector that extends behind the truck and connects the truck and the other truck. The connector may be connected to one or both of the truck and the other truck so as to be rotatable left and right.

Thereby, the towing vehicle is automatically connected to the truck by passing beside the truck and the other truck that are lined up in series. The truck and the other truck are connected by a connector that can rotate left and right, so when the tow truck pulls the truck, the other truck follows the truck. A towing vehicle can tow two or more carts arranged in series.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cargo handling vehicle that can automatically connect the tow vehicle and the truck as the tow vehicle moves, even when it is difficult to secure a running space for the tow vehicle in front of the truck. can be provided.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cargo handling vehicle according to the embodiment before connection. It is a side view of the said cargo handling vehicle. It is a perspective view of a guide rail. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a towing vehicle and a truck. 4 is a view of the towing hook seen from the rear in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the engagement pin and the towed hook in the middle of connection. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of the towing vehicle and the truck in the middle of connection. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the towing vehicle and the truck in the middle of connection. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the engagement pin and the hook part in the middle of connection. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the engagement pin and the hook part in the middle of connection. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cargo handling vehicle when the towing vehicle is towing the cart. FIG. 7 is a side view when the engagement pin and the hook portion are disconnected from each other. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cargo handling vehicle when the cart and the towing vehicle arranged on the side of the shelf are connected. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cargo handling vehicle when the towing vehicle transports the cart to the side of another shelf. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cart when moving articles to another shelf.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cargo handling vehicle 100 according to this embodiment. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the symbols F, Rr, L, and R represent front, rear, left, and right, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cargo handling vehicle 100 includes a towing vehicle 1, a truck 2, and another truck 5 arranged behind the truck 2. Although the number of carts towed by the towing vehicle 1 is not particularly limited, it is two in this embodiment. The towing vehicle 1 is provided with a towing hook 3. The truck 2 is provided with a towed hook 4. The towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 are connected by a towing hook 3 and a towed hook 4. The truck 2 and the truck 5 are connected by a connector 6. A guide rail 7 for guiding the towing hook 3 to the towed hook 4 is provided on the side of the truck 2.

Although the tow vehicle 1 may be a manually driven vehicle, in this embodiment it is an automatically driven vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the tow vehicle 1 includes wheels 13, an electric motor 12 that drives the wheels 13, a secondary battery (not shown) that supplies power to the electric motor 12, a computer 14, and a detection sensor. 15. The computer 14 controls the running, stopping, left turning, and right turning of the towing vehicle 1 by controlling the electric motor 12 . The computer 14 also controls an electric cylinder 36 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later. The tow vehicle 1 may be configured to be able to move forward and backward, but in this embodiment, it is configured to be able to move forward but not to move backward. The detection sensor 15 detects, for example, a guide line (not shown) formed on the road surface. Computer 14 receives a detection signal from detection sensor 15 and controls electric motor 12 . In this way, the towing vehicle 1 is automatically driven.

The trolley 2 is a vehicle that travels by being towed, and is not equipped with a driving source for traveling. The truck 2 includes a vehicle body 23 having a loading platform 23A, and wheels 25. Articles 9 are loaded on the loading platform 23A.

Although the truck 5 may have a different configuration from the truck 2, they have the same configuration here. The trolley 5 includes a vehicle body 53 having a loading platform 53A, and wheels 55. Articles 9 are loaded on the loading platform 53A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 7 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the bogie 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a guide groove 7a for guiding the towing hook 3 to the towed hook 4 is formed in the guide rail 7. When the towing vehicle 1 moves forward on the side of the truck 2, the engaging pin 3b (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, of the towing hook 3 engages with the guide groove 7a, so that the towing hook 3 is connected to the towed hook 4. be guided. The guide groove 7a has an introduction groove 7b that becomes wider toward the rear. The introduction groove 7b forms the rear part of the guide groove 7a. Since the guide groove 7a has the introduction groove 7b, even if the position of the tow vehicle 1 shifts slightly in the left-right direction when passing by the side of the truck 2, the engagement pin 3b of the tow hook 3 can be more reliably moved into the guide groove 7a. can be introduced into

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the length of the guide rail 7 in the front-rear direction is equal to the length of the truck 2 in the front-rear direction. However, the length of the guide rail 7 in the front-rear direction is not limited to this. The length of the guide rail 7 in the front-rear direction may be longer or shorter than the length of the truck 2 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail 7 has a left side wall 7c and a right side wall 7d. The left side wall 7c and the right side wall 7d extend upward from the bottom wall 7e of the guide rail. It is preferable that the heights of the left side wall 7c and the right side wall 7d are high enough to prevent the engagement pin 3b from coming off the engagement groove 7b due to contact with the left side wall 7c or the right side wall 7d. When the engagement pin 3b passes through the guide groove 7a, the engagement pin 3b and the left side wall 7c are in an overlapping position when viewed from the side, and the engagement pin 3b and the right side wall 7d are in an overlapping position when viewed from the side. It is in. As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the left side wall 7c is fixed to the truck 2 here. However, the method of fixing the trolley 2 and the guide rail 7 is not particularly limited. The guide rail 7 may be directly fixed to the trolley 2, or may be fixed indirectly via another member. The material of the guide rail 7 is not particularly limited, and may be a metal material, a resin material, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the towing hook 3 is connected to a connecting portion 31 of the towing vehicle 1 so as to be rotatable left and right. The towing hook 3 is rotatable left and right between a hook position extending in the left-right direction of the towing vehicle 1 and a towing position extending rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the towing vehicle 1 . Note that FIG. 4 shows the towing hook 3 in the hook position. The tow hook 3 includes a tow bar 34, an engagement pin 3b, and an electric cylinder 36 that raises and lowers the engagement pin 3b. A first connecting fitting 32 that supports a first connecting shaft 33 is fixed to the connecting portion 31 . FIG. 5 is a rear view of the tow hook 3 in the hook position. As shown in FIG. 5, the first connecting shaft 33 is inserted into a vertically extending hole 32a of the first connecting fitting 32 and a vertically extending hole 34a of the traction bar 34. The first connecting shaft 33 extends in the vertical direction. A root portion of the traction bar 34 is rotatably connected to the first connecting shaft 33.

The electric cylinder 36 is fixed to the tip of the traction bar 34. The engagement pin 3b is fixed to the electric cylinder 36. The engagement pin 3b extends downward from the electric cylinder 36. The electric cylinder 36 is electrically connected to the computer 14 and controlled by the computer 14. The electric cylinder 36 raises and lowers the engagement pin 3b. The electric cylinder 36 is an example of a drive device that moves the engagement pin 3b, which is a part of the towing hook 3, upward and downward.

As shown in FIG. 4, the towing vehicle 1 is provided with a first rotational force applying member 35. As shown in FIG. The first rotational force applying member 35 is a member that applies a rotational force to the towing hook 3 toward the hook position. In this embodiment, the first rotational force applying member 35 is fixed to the traction bar 34 and the first connecting fitting 32. In this embodiment, the first rotational force applying member 35 includes a spring 35A that biases the tow hook 3 toward the hook position.

The towed hook 4 includes a hook portion 41, a hook guide 42, and a fixing bar 43. The towed hook 4 is arranged in front of the truck 2. One end of the hook guide 42 is fixed to the guide rail 7, and the other end is fixed to the hook portion 41. One end of the fixed bar 43 is fixed to the truck 2, and the other end is fixed to the hook portion 41.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hook portion 41 is formed in a C-shape when viewed from above. A bar 41c for preventing detachment is attached to the hook portion 41. The bar 41c prevents the engagement pin 3b from coming off the hook portion 41. The bar 41c is connected to the hook portion 41 by a shaft 41d. A spring (not shown) is provided on the shaft 41d. This spring urges the bar 41c in a direction in which the bar 41c closes the opening 41b of the hook portion 41. Therefore, even if the engagement pin 3b moves rearward in a state where the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 are connected, the engagement pin 3b is prevented from coming off from the hook portion 41 through the opening 41b.

The hook guide 42 guides the engagement pin 3b to the hook portion 41. As described above, as the tow vehicle 1 moves forward, the engagement pin 3b passes through the guide groove 7a. The engagement pin 3b contacts the hook guide 42 after passing through the guide groove 7a. When the towing vehicle 1 moves further forward, the engagement pin 3b moves forward along the hook guide 42 while remaining in contact with the hook guide 42. The engagement pin 3b is guided to the opening 41b of the hook portion 41 and enters the inside of the hook portion 41 by pushing the bar 41c forward.

One end of the fixed bar 43 is fixed to the trolley 2, and the other end is fixed to the hook portion 41. The fixed bar 43 supports the hook portion 41.

As shown in FIG. 1, the truck 2 and the truck 5 are connected by a connector 6. The connector 6 connects the truck 5 to the truck 2 so as to be rotatable left and right. The connector 6 may be connected to either the trolley 2 or the trolley 5 so as to be rotatable in the left and right directions, or may be connected to both of them so as to be rotatable in the left and right directions.

The configuration of the cargo handling vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation of the cargo handling vehicle 100 will be explained. Here, FIGS. 6A to 6F are diagrams for explaining a method of connecting the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 according to the present embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6E, only the engagement pin 3b of the tow hook 3 is illustrated for simplification.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed here that the truck 2 and the truck 5 are connected in advance by a connector 6 and are waiting behind a wall 80. Since the distance between the wall 80 and the truck 2 is short, there is not enough space in front of the truck 2. Therefore, it is difficult for the towing vehicle 1 to connect to the truck 2 by passing in front of the truck 2. In this embodiment, as described below, the towing vehicle 1 is coupled to the truck 2 by passing beside the truck 2 and the truck 5.

As mentioned above, the towing hook 3 is biased to the hook position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the towing hook 3 extends to the left before the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 are connected. In this embodiment, the hook position is a position where the towing hook 3 protrudes laterally from the towing vehicle 1.

When the tow vehicle 1 moves forward and passes by the side of the truck 2, the engagement pin 3b of the tow hook 3 approaches the guide rail 7 and enters the guide groove 7a from the introduction groove 7b. As shown in FIG. 6A, the engagement pin 3b that has entered from the introduction groove 7b is guided forward by the guide groove 7a. That is, the engagement pin 3b is prevented from coming off the guide groove 7a by the left side wall 7c and right side wall 7d of the guide rail 7.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the towing vehicle 1 moves further forward, the engagement pin 3b passes through the guide groove 7a and reaches the front of the guide groove 7a. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the engagement pin 3b advances forward along the hook guide 42. At this time, the towing hook 3 rotates counterclockwise around the first connecting shaft 33.

As shown in FIG. 6D, when the towing vehicle 1 moves further forward, the engagement pin 3b contacts the bar 41c. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6E, the engagement pin 3b pushes the bar 41c forward and enters the inside of the hook portion 41. Thereby, the towing hook 3 is connected to the towed hook 4.

As shown in FIG. 6F, when the truck 2 is towed by the towing vehicle 1, the truck 5 connected to the truck 2 is also towed. The towing vehicle 1 pulls a trolley 2 and a trolley 5, and transports articles 9 (see FIG. 2) loaded on the trolley 2 and the trolley 5. Note that FIG. 6F shows a state in which the towing hook 3 is in the towing position.

After the tow vehicle 1 tows the truck 2 and the truck 5 to a predetermined transport position, the connection between the tow vehicle 1 and the truck 2 is released. As shown in FIG. 7, when the electric cylinder 36 is driven to raise the engagement pin 3b, the engagement pin 6b is pulled out from the hook portion 41. In this way, the connection between the towing hook 3 and the towed hook 4 can be released. When the connection is released, the towing hook 3 returns from the towing position to the hook position due to the biasing force of the spring 35A of the first rotational force applying member 35. Thereby, the towing vehicle 1 can be connected to, for example, another truck.

As described above, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. , the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 are automatically coupled. Even if it is difficult to secure a running space for the towing vehicle 1 in front of the truck 2, the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be automatically connected as the towing vehicle 1 travels.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the towing vehicle 1 can be connected to the truck 2 while traveling forward. The towing vehicle 1 does not need to stop in order to connect with the truck 2. Therefore, the time required to connect the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be shortened. According to the cargo handling vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment, the time required for transporting articles can be shortened.

According to this embodiment, the guide rail 7 in which the guide groove 7a for guiding the towing hook 3 to the towed hook 4 is formed is arranged on the side of the truck 2. Therefore, when the towing vehicle 1 passes by the side of the truck 2, the towing hook 3 can be reliably guided to the towed hook 4. For example, when the tow vehicle 1 travels at a relatively high speed, the engagement pin 3b of the tow hook 3 may swing left and right. However, according to the present embodiment, even in such a case, the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be connected more reliably.

According to this embodiment, the towing vehicle 1 is provided with the first rotational force applying member 35 that applies a rotational force to the towing hook 3 toward the hook position. The tow hook 3 can be automatically positioned in the hook position before the tow vehicle 1 and the truck 2 are connected. Moreover, after the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 are disconnected, the towing hook 3 can be automatically returned to the hook position.

The configuration of the first rotational force applying member 35 is not particularly limited. The first rotational force applying member 35 may include a drive device (for example, an electric motor) that applies a rotational force to the towing hook 3 toward the hook position. However, according to this embodiment, the first rotational force applying member 35 includes a spring 35A. Therefore, the tow hook 3 can be automatically positioned at the hook position without using an expensive drive device.

According to this embodiment, the tow hook 3 has an engagement pin 3b. The guide groove 7a has an introduction groove 7b that becomes wider toward the rear. Since the introduction groove 7b becomes wider toward the rear, when the towing vehicle 1 passes by the side of the guide rail 7, the engagement pin 3b of the tow hook 3 easily engages with the introduction groove 7b. Since the towing hook 3 can be easily engaged with the guide rail 7, the towing hook 3 and the towed hook 4 can be connected more reliably.

According to this embodiment, the towing vehicle 1 is provided with an electric cylinder 36. By moving the engagement pin 3b, which is a part of the towing hook 3, upward using the electric cylinder 36, the connection between the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be released. According to this embodiment, it is possible to automate the release of the connection between the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2.

According to this embodiment, the computer 14 controls the electric motor 12 to control running, stopping, left turning, and right turning of the towing vehicle 1. The towing vehicle 1 is a self-driving vehicle. According to the present embodiment, the tow vehicle 1 and the dolly 2 can be connected by simply passing the tow vehicle 1 to the side of the dolly 2, so that the connection between the tow vehicle 1 and the dolly 2 and the transportation of goods are facilitated. It can be done automatically.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the tow vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be connected simply by passing the tow vehicle 1 to the side of the truck 2, so even if the tow vehicle 1 is unable to move backward, the tow vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be connected. The car 1 and the truck 2 can be automatically connected. Vehicles that cannot go backwards tend to be cheaper than vehicles that can go backwards. According to this embodiment, a vehicle that cannot go backwards can be used as the towing vehicle 1, so the cost of the cargo handling vehicle 100 can be reduced.

According to this embodiment, the other truck 5 is connected to the truck 2 by a connecting tool 6. The towing vehicle 1 is automatically connected to the truck 2 by passing beside the truck 2 and the truck 5 that are lined up in series. Since the truck 2 and the truck 5 are connected by a coupling member 6 that is rotatable left and right, when the tractor 1 pulls the truck 2, the truck 5 follows the truck 2. The towing vehicle 1 can tow two or more carts arranged in series in advance.

Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is merely an example. Various other embodiments are possible.

In the embodiment described above, the cart 2 is placed on standby behind the wall 80 (see FIG. 1). However, the standby position of the trolley 2 is not limited at all. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the cart 2 may be waiting in front of the shelf 90. By placing the cart 2 next to the shelf 90, it becomes easy to load the articles 9 from the shelf 90 onto the cart 2. After the article 9 is placed on the truck 2 from the shelf 90, the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 can be connected without changing the direction of the truck 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, after the towing vehicle 1 is connected to the truck 2, the truck 2 may be transported in front of another shelf 91. By placing the cart 2 next to the shelf 91 in this way, it becomes easy to move the articles 9 from the cart 2 to the shelf 91, as shown in FIG. 8C. Thereafter, other articles may be placed on the trolley 2 from the shelf 91, and another towing vehicle may pass by the side of the trolley 2 to connect to the trolley 2 and transport the trolley 2 to another location.

In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. The guide rail 7 may be arranged on the left side of the truck 2. In this case, the towing vehicle 1 is connected to the truck 2 by passing to the left of the truck 2.

The method of disconnecting the towing vehicle 1 and the truck 2 is not limited to controlling the electric cylinder 36. Other drive devices may be used instead of the electric cylinder 36. Furthermore, instead of moving a portion of the towing hook 3 up and down, the entire towing hook 3 may be moved up and down. For example, the towing vehicle 1 may include a drive device that moves the entire towing hook 3 up and down, and the towing hook 3 and the towed hook 4 may be disconnected from each other by lowering the entire towing hook 3.

In the embodiment described above, the engagement pin 3b is arranged downward from the electric cylinder 36, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the engagement pin 3b may be arranged upward from the electric cylinder 36. In this case, the guide groove 7a of the guide rail 7 only needs to be open downward. That is, the left side wall 7c and the right side wall 7d of the guide rail 7 only need to extend downward from the bottom wall 7e. In addition, when the engagement pin 3b is arranged upward from the electric cylinder 36, the electric cylinder 36 moves the engagement pin 36b downward, thereby releasing the connection between the towing hook 3 and the towed hook 4. be able to.

The form of the spring 35A of the first rotational force applying member 35 is not limited at all. The spring 35A may be, for example, a compression spring or a gas spring. In the embodiment, the first rotational force applying member 35 is an example of a towing hook rotational force applying member that applies a rotational force to the towing hook 3 toward the hook position. In the embodiment, the first rotational force applying member 35 includes the spring 35A, but the source of the rotational force is not limited to the spring 35A. The first rotational force applying member 35 may have an actuator such as an electric cylinder or an air cylinder, for example.

The terms and expressions used herein are used for purposes of explanation and are not intended to be construed as limiting. It is to be understood that no equivalents of the features shown and described herein are excluded, and that variations within the claimed scope of the invention are to be tolerated. The invention may be embodied in many different forms. This disclosure should be considered as providing embodiments of the principles of the present invention. Embodiments are described herein with the understanding that they are not intended to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments described and/or illustrated herein. It is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention also encompasses all embodiments including equivalent elements, modifications, deletions, combinations, improvements, and/or changes that may be recognized by those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. Claim limitations should be interpreted broadly based on the terminology used in the claims, and should not be limited to the embodiments described herein or in the proceedings of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Towing vehicle, 2... Dolly, 3... Towing hook, 3b... Engaging pin (engaging part), 4... Towed hook, 5... Dolly, 6... Connector, 7... Guide rail, 7a... Guide groove, 7b...Introduction groove, 12...Electric motor (drive device), 13...Wheel, 14...Computer, 35...First rotational force imparting member (traction hook rotational force imparting member), 35A...Spring, 36...Electric cylinder (drive device) ), 100...Cargo handling vehicle

The cargo handling vehicle disclosed herein includes a towing vehicle, a truck, a towing hook provided on the towing vehicle, a towed hook provided on the truck, and a guide rail provided on the truck. . The tow hook is rotatable left and right between a hook position extending laterally from the tow vehicle and a towing position extending rearward from the tow vehicle. The guide rail is arranged only on one of the right and left sides of the truck. A guide groove is formed in the guide rail to guide the towing hook to the towed hook.

Claims (8)

tow vehicle and
A trolley and
a towing hook provided on the towing vehicle and rotatable left and right between a hook position extending laterally from the towing vehicle and a towing position extending rearward from the towing vehicle;
a towed hook provided on the trolley;
a guide rail that is provided on the truck, is arranged on the side of the truck, and has a guide groove formed therein that guides the towing hook to the towed hook;
A cargo handling vehicle equipped with The cargo handling vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a towing hook rotational force applying member that is provided on the towing vehicle and applies a rotational force to the towing hook toward the hook position. The cargo handling vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the towing hook rotational force imparting member includes a spring that urges the towing hook toward the hook position. The towing hook has an engaging portion that engages with the guide groove of the guide rail,
The cargo handling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove has an introduction groove that becomes wider toward the rear of the truck. 2. A driving device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive device provided on the towing vehicle and disengaging the towing hook from the towed hook by moving at least a portion of the towing hook upward or downward. Cargo handling vehicle. The cargo handling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the towing vehicle is an automatic driving vehicle having wheels, a drive device that drives the wheels, and a computer that controls the drive device. The cargo handling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the towing vehicle is configured to be able to move forward and not be able to move backward. with other carts,
a connector that extends behind the truck and connects the truck and the other truck,
The cargo handling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connector is connected to one or both of the truck and the other truck so as to be rotatable left and right.

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