JP3752129B2 - Transport safety device for transport vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a traveling safety of a transport vehicle such as an automatic guided vehicle having a bumper with a built- in movable switch that travels with a load and detects contact with other objects on a peripheral portion including a front portion and a side portion of a vehicle body. Relates to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an automated guided vehicle that is loaded with a load and travels by automatic steering, when the vehicle touches another object while traveling, the contact is detected, and the vehicle is stopped or a necessary work machine is operated based on this detection signal. The contact switch mechanism for this is provided in the peripheral part including a vehicle body side part.
6 to 7 show an automatic guided vehicle provided with such a contact switch mechanism.
[0003]
The thing of FIG. 6 has provided the bumper 02 with a built- in switch in the surrounding part containing the vehicle body side 1 and the front surface 1 of the vehicle 1 which conveys the load 10. FIG. The switch built-in bumper 02 is composed of a bumper member having a flexible surface such as rubber or sponge, and is equipped with a switch mechanism for detecting a signal when the bumper member is compressed by a certain amount. It is.
7 is an automatic guided vehicle configured such that a vehicle self-travels under a portal pallet 30 on which a load is mounted, and lifts and conveys the pallet 30 by a lifter. Bumpers with built-in switches 02 similar to those in FIG. 6 are provided on both sides of the pallet 30.
6 and 7, when the bumper 02 with a built- in switch comes into contact with another object, the bumper 02 with a built-in switch detects a signal when the internal bumper member is compressed by a certain amount. It is configured.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the prior art shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 has the following problems.
That is, in the travel safety device of FIG. 6, the bumper 02 with a built- in switch can reliably detect an obstacle or the like when there is an obstacle or the like within the width A of the vehicle 1 including the switch. In a state where the width B of the load 10 mounted on the vehicle 1 is larger than the width A of the vehicle 1 including the switch built-in bumper 02, that is, in a state where the load 10 is overhanging, even if the load 10 contacts an obstacle or the like Cannot be detected, and safe transport is hindered.
In the traveling safety device shown in FIG. 6, as in the case described above, when the load 10 is overhanging the width of the pallet 30 including the bumper 02 with a built-in switch , contact with an obstacle or the like is detected. In addition, since the switch built-in bumper 02 is attached to the pallet 30, it is necessary to provide a signal transmission means between the switch built-in bumper 02 and the vehicle 1, which complicates the apparatus and increases the cost.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and in a transport vehicle equipped with a bumper with a built- in movable switch that travels with a load and detects contact with other objects on the periphery of the vehicle body, To provide a traveling safety device for a transport vehicle that is capable of reliably detecting contact between a vehicle and another object even when the load is overhanging the width of the vehicle without causing an increase in cost. With the goal.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a bumper member having a flexible surface layer portion on a circumferential portion including a front portion and a side portion of a vehicle body. In a traveling safety device for a transport vehicle that is configured and provided with a switch built-in bumper in which a switch that detects a signal when the bumper member is compressed by a certain amount is provided inside the bumper member ,
The switch internal bumper is composed of a fixed switch internal bumpers and movable switch built bumpers, the fixed switch internal bumper, together are respectively fixed to the vehicle body side central portion and the vehicle body front of the vehicle, said movable switch internal bumper, said pivotally supporting mounted to the vehicle body sides ends between the fixed switch internal bumper, Ri Na is configured to be freely drawn from the body projecting outwardly and inwardly,
Furthermore, when the impact when the movable switch built-in bumper contacts an obstacle or the like is large, by disconnecting the connection between the movable switch built-in bumper and the drive system that drives the movable switch built-in bumper, Proposed is a traveling safety device for a transport vehicle, characterized in that a switch protection means for protecting the switch portion from damage is provided .
[0007]
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the switch provided in the bumper member according to the first aspect of the present invention is a rod-shaped device provided with a limit switch that is rotatably supported at the base portion and that operates when the tip portion contacts another object. It is a switch.
[0009]
A third to fifth aspects of the present invention relate to a specific configuration of a drive system in the bumper with a built- in movable switch according to the first aspect, and a third aspect of the invention has a structure according to claim 1, wherein the drive system has a built-in movable switch. The driving system is characterized in that the base of the bumper is supported by a rotating shaft that is rotationally driven by a motor, and that the rotating shaft can be extended outwardly or pulled inwardly by the rotation of the rotating shaft.
[0010]
Further, the invention of claim 4, in claim 1, wherein the drive system includes a root portion of the movable switch built bumpers are supported lifting the rotary shaft attached to the vehicle body, the rotational axis by a fluid pressure cylinder The drive system is configured to be able to rotate outwardly and extend outward from the vehicle body or be pulled inwardly.
[0011]
Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the movable switch according to claim 1, wherein the drive system has a lever that is pivotally supported at the tip of a rod of a fluid pressure cylinder and is rotated about a support shaft by the fluid pressure cylinder. The built-in bumper is a drive system that is pivotally supported at the end of the lever and is configured to be able to project outward from the vehicle body or be pulled inward by rotation of the lever.
[0012]
According to this invention, when it is preferable that the width of the vehicle is narrow, such as when there is no cargo, the switch mechanism is closed to the side of the vehicle and the vehicle travels with the movable switch built-in bumper side (side). Act as a directional contact switch.
On the other hand, in a state where the width of the load mounted on the vehicle is larger than the width of the vehicle including the switch mechanism, that is, in a state where the load is overhanging, the rotating shaft according to claim 4 and the fluid pressure cylinder according to claims 5 and 6 Etc., and the movable switch built-in bumper is opened with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle so that the width of the vehicle including the detection portion at the tip of the bumper is larger than the width of the load. The switch mechanism is operated as a contact switch that can also detect other objects such as obstacles in the overhang portion of the load.
[0013]
Therefore, according to this invention, when it is preferable that the width of the vehicle is narrow, the movable switch built-in bumper is closed to the side surface of the vehicle so that the vehicle can travel with the minimum width of the vehicle while the load is overhanged. Can open the bumper with a built- in movable switch wider than the overhang portion and detect other objects in the overhang portion. As a result, the contact between the vehicle and another object can be reliably detected, and the safety of traveling of the vehicle is improved.
[0014]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, since the contact switch is constituted by a rod-shaped switch made of an iron-based material, a plastic material or the like provided with a limit switch, the structure is more than that of a conventionally provided switch built-in bumper. Simplified and low cost.
[0015]
Furthermore, the claim 1, according to the structure as claimed in claim 3 to 5, the impact when the movable switch built bumper comes into contact with the obstacle or the like, relaxed by the buffer device such as a hydraulic cylinder, the movable switch built bumpers Can be protected from damage due to impact.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to specific examples unless otherwise specified. Only.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a traveling safety device for an automatic guided vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first example of a rotating mechanism of a bumper with a built- in movable switch , and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third example of the rotating mechanism, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a traveling safety device for an automatic guided vehicle according to a second embodiment.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a vehicle, that is, an automatic guided vehicle, and 10 is a load mounted on the vehicle. Bumpers 3 and 4 with a built- in fixed switch and bumper 2 with a built-in movable switch are mounted on the periphery of the vehicle 1. The fixed switch built-in bumpers 3 and 4 are fixed to a vehicle body side surface 1a central portion, a vehicle body front surface 1b, and a vehicle body rear surface (not shown), respectively. The movable switch built-in bumper 2 is supported by a rotating shaft 5 attached to the front end portion and the rear end portion of the vehicle body side surface 1a so as to be rotatable around the rotating shaft 5, as indicated by a chain line in the figure. in, the movable switch built bumper 2 to about 90 ° with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, that is, when the width a of the vehicle 1 including the movable switch built bumper 2 is opened to the maximum, the load overhanging 10 It is comprised so that it may become larger than width B.
The internal structure of the fixed switch built-in bumper 3 and the movable switch built-in bumper 2 is composed of a flexible bumper member, such as rubber or sponge, on the surface layer, as in the prior art, and the bumper member is fixed from the surface. An internal switch is configured to detect the signal when the amount is compressed.
The movable switch built-in bumper 2 may be provided at the front end portion of the vehicle body side surface 1a, and the fixed switch built-in bumper 4 may be provided at the rear end portion of the vehicle body side surface 1a.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows the details of the rotation mechanism of the bumper 2 with a built-in movable switch . The bumper 2 with a built-in movable switch has its root fixed to a rotary shaft 5 that is driven to rotate by an electric motor 11. According to N, it can be rotated around like W arrow. 12 is a wiring for connecting the steering control device of the switch unit and the vehicle said movable switch built bumper 2 (not shown).
[0020]
In the traveling safety device for an automatic guided vehicle having such a configuration, there is no load when traveling in a narrow passage or when passing under a load such as between legs of a portal pallet (see FIG. 7). When it is preferable that the width of the vehicle 1 is narrow, the rotating shaft 5 is rotated, and the bumper 2 with the built- in movable switch is closed to the side surface 1a of the vehicle 1 as shown by the solid line in FIG. . At that time, the movable switch internal bumper 2 is operating with the fixed switch built bumper 3 side (lateral) as the direction of the contact switch.
[0021]
Further, in a state where the width B of the load 10 mounted on the vehicle 1 is larger than the width of the vehicle 1 including the switch built-in bumpers 2 and 3, that is, in a state where the load 10 is overhanging, the electric motor 11 causes the rotary shaft 5 to move. rotate, as shown in chain line in FIG. 1, the movable switch internal bumper 2, the width a of the vehicle 1 including the detection of the tip of the movable switch built bumper 2 is greater than the width B of the cargo 10 As described above, the vehicle 1 travels open with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle 1. At that time, the movable switch internal bumper 2 operates as a contact switch that can detect even an obstacle or the like on the overhanging portion of the load 10.
In addition, a torque limiter can be attached to the rotary shaft 5 to reduce the impact when the movable switch built-in bumper 2 contacts an obstacle or the like.
[0022]
FIG. 3 shows a second example of the rotating mechanism of the movable switch built-in bumper 2. In this example, a rod 13a of an air cylinder 13 in which a support portion 15 is fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle 1 is connected to an end portion of a bumper 2 with a built-in movable switch whose root portion is fixed to a rotating shaft 5, and the air cylinder 13 is operated, and the rod 13a is reciprocated as indicated by an arrow S, whereby the movable switch built-in bumper 2 is rotated around the rotary shaft 5 as indicated by an arrow N. 12 is a wiring for connecting the steering control device of the switch unit and the vehicle said movable switch built bumper 2 (not shown).
In this example, since the air cylinder 13 is provided, the impact when the bumper 2 with a built- in movable switch comes into contact with an obstacle or the like can be mitigated by the air in the air cylinder 13.
[0023]
FIG. 4 shows a third example of the rotating mechanism of the movable switch built-in bumper 2. In this example, the base portion of the bumper 2 with a built-in movable switch is rotated together with the lever 19 on the lever 19 supported rotatably on the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 via the pin 18 having a shear pin function. The rod 18 of the air cylinder 16 in which the support portion 20 is pin-supported to the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 is connected to the pin 18, and the rod 17 is reciprocated by operating the air cylinder 16, whereby the lever 19 and the movable switch built-in bumper 2 are configured to move between an open position indicated by a solid line and a closed position indicated by a chain line.
In this example, the pin 18 that supports the lever 19 and the movable switch built-in bumper 2 has a shear pin function. Therefore, when the shock when the movable switch built-in bumper 2 comes into contact with an obstacle is large, the pin 18 is cut. This protects the switch portion of the movable switch built-in bumper 2 from damage.
A hydraulic cylinder can be used instead of the air cylinders 13 and 16 in the second and third examples.
[0024]
In the traveling safety device of the automatic guided vehicle according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the limit switch 22 is provided on the support member 021 that supports the base portion of the switch bar 21 made of iron-based material, plastic material or the like. At the same time, the support member 021 is fixed to a rotating shaft 23 that is rotationally driven by a motor 24.
In such an embodiment, the switch bar 21 is rotated like a Z arrow by the motor 24 via the rotating shaft 23 and the support member 021, and the switch bar 21 is indicated by the solid line in the figure. It is configured to move between an open position that is wider than the load 10 (see FIG. 1) and a closed position that is closed to a predetermined position in the direction indicated by the chain line in the drawing. Further, when the end of the switch bar 21 comes into contact with an obstacle or the like, the limit switch 22 is turned on (ON) and a contact signal is taken out via the wiring 12.
According to the second embodiment, since the contact switch is configured by combining the switch bar 21 made of an iron-based material, a plastic material, and the like and the limit switch 22, it is more than the switch built-in bumpers 2 and 3 in the first embodiment. The structure is simplified and the cost is reduced.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when it is preferable that the width of the vehicle is narrow, it is possible to travel with the minimum width of the vehicle by closing the bumper with a built- in movable switch on the side of the vehicle, while the load is overhanging. , The bumper with a built- in movable switch can be opened wider than the overhang portion to detect other objects in the overhang portion. As a result, the contact between the vehicle and another object can be reliably detected, and the safety of traveling of the vehicle is improved.
[0026]
In addition, since the contact switch is configured by a rod-shaped switch made of an iron-based material, a plastic material, or the like provided with a limit switch, the structure is more than a conventionally provided bumper with a built-in switch. Simplified and low cost.
Further, according to the structure as claimed in claim 4 to 7, the impact when the movable switch built bumper comes into contact with the obstacle or the like, and more relaxed in a fluid pressure cylinder or the like, to protect the movable switch internal bumper from damage due to impact be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a traveling safety device for an automatic guided vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first example of a rotating mechanism of a bumper with a built-in movable switch .
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second example of the rotation mechanism.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third example of the rotation mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a main part perspective view showing a traveling safety device for an automatic guided vehicle according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a first example of the prior art.
FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing a second example of the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 1a Car body side surface 1b Car body front surface 2 Bumper 3 with built-in movable switch 4, 4 Bumper with built-in fixed switch 5, 23 Rotating shaft 10 Load 11, 24 Motor 12 Wiring 13, 16 Air cylinder 13a, 17 Rod 18 Pin 19 Lever 15, 20 Support Part 21 Switch bar 021 Support member 22 Limit switch

Claims (5)

A switch that travels with a load, and that includes a flexible bumper member on the periphery including the front and side parts of the vehicle body , and detects a signal when the bumper member is compressed by a certain amount. In the traveling safety device for a transport vehicle provided with a switch built-in bumper provided inside the bumper member ,
The switch internal bumper is composed of a fixed switch internal bumpers and movable switch built bumpers, the fixed switch internal bumper, together are respectively fixed to the vehicle body side central portion and the vehicle body front of the vehicle, said movable switch internal bumper, said pivotally supporting mounted to the vehicle body sides ends between the fixed switch internal bumper, Ri Na is configured to be freely drawn from the body projecting outwardly and inwardly,
Furthermore, when the impact when the movable switch built-in bumper contacts an obstacle or the like is large, by disconnecting the connection between the movable switch built-in bumper and the drive system that drives the movable switch built-in bumper, A travel safety device for a transport vehicle, characterized in that a switch protection means for protecting the switch portion from damage is provided . Switch provided inside the bumper member is rotatably supported root portion, conveying of claim 1, wherein the tip portion is characterized in that the rod-shaped switch with limit switch which operates when in contact with other objects Vehicle travel safety device. The drive system is configured such that the base part of the bumper with a built-in movable switch is supported by a rotary shaft that is driven to rotate by a motor, and the drive system is configured to project outward or inward from the vehicle body by rotation of the rotary shaft. travel safety device of the transport vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a is. The drive system includes a root portion of the movable switch built bumper, the are supported lifting the rotary shaft attached to the vehicle body, overhanging or inner from the vehicle body to pivot to said rotational axis by a fluid pressure cylinder outwardly The traveling safety device for a transport vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the driving system is configured to be retractable toward the vehicle. The drive system includes a lever that is pivotally supported by a rod end of a fluid pressure cylinder and is rotated around a support shaft by the fluid pressure cylinder, and the movable switch built-in bumper is pivotally supported by the lever tip, and the lever travel safety device of the transport vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the by the rotation is a drive system that is configured to be able to pulled outward to overhang or inward from the body.

Images