JP6500420B2 - Coupling tool - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a bogie and a tow vehicle.

  There has been developed an automatic transfer system for saving labor of transporting materials and materials at a construction site and streamlining the physical distribution (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). In the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, materials and equipment placed on a table are transposed to a submersible carriage. Then, the carriage is self-propelled on the magnetic tape attached to the ground and transported to the destination. Furthermore, using a self-propelled tow vehicle, the carriage on which the equipment is placed is also transported to the destination.

Obayashi, "Development and application of an" automatic transport system "that reduces the labor of transporting materials and equipment at construction sites", [online], [search on November 5, 2014], Internet, <URL: http: // www .obayashi.co.jp / news / news_20130626_1>

  When towing a bogie on which equipment is placed, the bogie is connected to the tow vehicle to make the tow vehicle self-propelled. In this case, two connecting parts provided behind the tow vehicle may be used. The connection is spaced apart and pivotally mounted on the tow vehicle in a horizontal plane.

  However, when two connecting portions are rotatably attached to a towing vehicle and transported, lateral fluctuation may occur on the left and right of the bogie due to the influence of the unevenness of the traveling surface, and this fluctuation may increase. In particular, smooth traveling was difficult during curving.

  This invention is made in view of the said subject, and a trolley | bogie is easily detachable, It is providing the coupler for conveying a trolley | bogie smoothly using a tow vehicle.

  A connector for solving the above-mentioned problems is a connector for connecting a truck to a tow vehicle, and the first and second connecting arms which can be attached to and detached from the truck, and the first connecting arm about the vertical axis First mounting member rotatably mounted on the tow vehicle, second mounting member rotatably mounted on the tow vehicle about the vertical axis, and the first connecting arm And the second connection arm, and extends in a direction different from the extending direction of the first connection arm and the second connection arm, and the first connection arm and the second connection arm And a suppressing member that suppresses displacement of the positional relationship between the two connecting arms. As a result, since the suppressing member suppresses the displacement of the positional relationship between the first and second connection arms, it is possible to suppress the lateral fluctuation of the carriage generated in the unevenness or the curve of the traveling surface. Therefore, even when the first and second connection arms rotate, the carriage can be transported smoothly.

  In the connector, the suppressing member has a tip fixed to the first connecting arm, and a first suppressing member that suppresses displacement of the positional relationship of the first connecting arm, and the second connecting arm. It is preferable to have a 2nd suppression member which is fixed to the front end and which suppresses the displacement of the positional relationship of the second connection arm. Thereby, by using the first suppressing member and the second suppressing member, the displacement with respect to each of the first connection arm and the second connection arm can be suppressed, so that the left and right swings of the truck can be efficiently performed. It can be suppressed.

  In the above connector, it is preferable that the first suppression member and the second suppression member are arranged so as to be line symmetrical with respect to the traveling direction of the tow vehicle. Thereby, based on the balance of the force in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction of the tow vehicle, it is possible to efficiently suppress the lateral swing of the first and second connection arms.

  In the above connector, it is preferable that the first and second suppression members be attached to the tow vehicle so as to be rotatable around the same vertical axis at the base end. Thereby, the attachment part of the 1st and 2nd suppression member can be made common by attaching one perpendicular axis.

  In the connector, the first connection arm, the second connection arm, and the suppressing member can be rotated about a horizontal axis such that the extending direction thereof is from the horizontal surface to the vertical surface. Preferably, the vehicle is attached to the tow vehicle. Thereby, when not using a coupler, it can be stored in the state which stood the coupler on the side of a tow vehicle.

  In the above connector, it is preferable that the suppression member includes an air cylinder, and the displacement of the positional relationship between the first connection arm and the second connection arm is suppressed by the air pressure in the air cylinder. Thereby, a damping force can be given to each of a 1st and 2nd connection arm, and a displacement can be suppressed efficiently. In addition, the carriage can be efficiently connected by expanding and contracting the piston rod of the air cylinder.

  According to the present invention, a truck can be smoothly transported using a tow vehicle.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the tow vehicle in embodiment, a trolley | bogie, and the coupler which connects these, (a) is a schematic top view, (b) is a schematic side view. The enlarged top view of the coupler in the embodiment. The back surface perspective view of the principal part of the coupler in embodiment. The expansion perspective view of the principal part of the coupler in the embodiment. The schematic side view explaining rotation around the horizontal axis of the connector in an embodiment. It is an explanatory view in the case of attaching a connector in an embodiment to a bogie, (a) is a top view in the case of attaching to a bogie whose width is narrower than the tow vehicle, (b) is a case where bogie wider than the tow vehicle is attached Top view. Explanatory drawing explaining the operation | work procedure in the case of conveying a trolley | bogie using the coupler in embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, an embodiment will be described in which a connector for connecting a tow vehicle for pulling a bogie to a bogie is embodied.
First, the tow vehicle 10 of the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 1.
Fig.1 (a) is a schematic top view in the state which connected the trolley | bogie 20 to the tow vehicle 10, FIG.1 (b) is the schematic side view. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a connector 30 is attached to the rear side (the rear side in the traveling direction of the tow vehicle 10) of the tow vehicle 10. The tow vehicle 10 travels by itself while towing the connected carriage 20.

The tow vehicle 10 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body and four wheels. Each wheel is provided at the lower end of each of the four corners of the main body. The main body portion is provided with a traveling mechanism such as a wheel for self-traveling and a drive mechanism for controlling the traveling mechanism. Further, the main body is provided with a pneumatic system or the like. The air pressure system is a system for supplying air pressure to an air cylinder of the connector 30 described later, and includes a compressor, a solenoid valve, and the like.
Moreover, the bumper 15 is being fixed to the front side and back side of a main-body part. The outer side of the bumper 15 (the front side in the case of the bumper 15 on the front side, and the back side in the case of the bumper 15 on the back side) is made of, for example, a rubber material or the like.

  The tow vehicle 10 includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 is connected to an operation unit (not shown). The control unit 11 includes a detection unit that detects the position and the shape of the magnetic tape attached to the ground. Then, the control unit 11 controls the drive mechanism. Specifically, the control unit 11 travels on the magnetic tape while specifying the position and the mark of the magnetic tape by the detection unit. And it controls to stop on the mark which shows a stop. The control unit 11 also controls the solenoid valve of the pneumatic system to lock and unlock the air cylinder of the connector 30.

Next, the carriage 20 of the present embodiment will be described.
The carriage 20 includes a rectangular plate-like member, four wheels, and four columns 20 a. Each wheel of the truck 20 is disposed under each corner of the plate-like member. Moreover, each support | pillar 20a of the trolley | bogie 20 is arrange | positioned on each corner of a plate-shaped member.

Next, the configuration of the connector 30 of the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 2 to 5.
As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 30 is attached to the tow vehicle 10 at a position above the rear bumper 15. The connector 30 includes the connection arms 31 and 32 connected to the carriage, the suppressing members 33 and 34, and the rotation attachment portions 35, 36 and 37. In the coupler 30 of the present embodiment, the first coupling arm 31 and the second coupling arm 32, and the first suppressing member 33 and the second suppressing member 34 have line symmetry with respect to the traveling direction of the tow vehicle 10, respectively. It consists of the arrangement that becomes. Here, the rotation attachment portions 35 and 36 function as a first attachment member and a second attachment member.

  The two connection arms 31 and 32 are disposed in the vicinity of both ends on the back side of the tow vehicle 10. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first connection arm 31 and the second connection arm 32 are separated by an interval T0.

  The connection arms 31 and 32 are attached to the tow vehicle 10 via the pivot attachment portions 35 and 36, respectively. The rotation attachment portions 35 and 36 rotate around the horizontal axis and around the vertical axis. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the pivotal attachment portions 35 and 36 pivotally move the connection arms 31 and 32 in the direction of the arrow Rh around an axis (horizontal axis) extending in the horizontal direction. In this case, the connecting arms 31 and 32 are rotatable about 90 degrees so as to extend from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the pivot attachment portions 35 and 36 pivot the connection arms 31 and 32 in the directions of arrows R1 and R2 around an axis (vertical axis) extending in the vertical direction. In this case, it is possible to rotate within a range of about ± 90 degrees (total of about 180 degrees) with respect to the traveling direction of the tow vehicle 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each connection arm 31, 32 is provided with an air cylinder 31a, 32a, respectively. The air cylinders 31a and 32a are double-acting single-rod type, and the piston rods are disposed on the carriage 20 side. In the present embodiment, the air cylinders 31 a and 32 a are controlled by controlling the solenoid valves of the pneumatic system of the tow vehicle 10. Specifically, the air in each of the air cylinders 31a, 32a is controlled in accordance with the opening and closing of the respective solenoid valves. When the solenoid valve is opened, inflow or outflow (outflow / outflow) of air into the air cylinders 31a, 32a becomes possible, and expansion and contraction of the piston rods of the air cylinders 31a, 32a become possible. When the solenoid valve is closed, the flow of air into and out of each air cylinder 31a, 32a is stopped, and the length of the projection of the piston rod of each air cylinder 31a, 32a is locked.

  Gripping portions 31 b and 32 b are fixed to the tips of the piston rods of the air cylinders 31 a and 32 a. Each of the grips 31 b and 32 b is provided with a mechanism that can be attached to and detached from the column 20 a of the carriage 20. Specifically, each of the grips 31 b and 32 b includes a tip having a substantially C-shaped planar shape with an open outer side, and a lock mechanism.

  Furthermore, the diameter of the air cylinders 31a, 32a on the tip end of the grips 31b, 32b can be increased. The lock mechanism of each grip 31b, 32b locks the diameter expansion operation of the tip end of the grip 31b, 32b. Thus, when attaching the grips 31b and 32b to the support 20a of the carriage 20, the tip of the grips 31b and 32b is expanded in diameter to operate the lock mechanism. In addition, when dismounting the support 20a of the carriage 20, the lock mechanism of the grips 31b and 32b is released to increase the diameter of the tip.

  The first and second suppression members 33 and 34 are attached to the rear of the tow vehicle 10 via the pivot attachment portion 37. The rotation attachment portion 37 is disposed at the central position of the rotation attachment portions 35 and 36. The rotation attachment portion 37 has a mechanism for rotating the suppression members 33 and 34 about the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, as with the rotation attachment portions 35 and 36.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the base end portions of the first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 are U-shaped. The rotation attachment portion 37 has a proximal end portion of the first suppression member 33 and a proximal end portion of the second suppression member 34 attached to the outer side of the one vertical axis. As a result, the proximal end portions of the first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 are rotatably mounted on the tow vehicle 10 via the single rotational mounting portion 37 about the vertical axis. Furthermore, as in the case of the rotation mounting portions 35, 36, the rotation mounting portion 37 rotates around the horizontal axis so as to extend the first and second suppression members 33, 34 from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. It is made rotatable.

  The first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 include air cylinders 33a and 34a, respectively. Each air cylinder 33a, 34a has the same configuration as the air cylinder 31a, 32a of the connecting arms 31, 32. Specifically, in response to the opening and closing of the solenoid valve of the pneumatic system of the tow vehicle 10, the air cylinders 33a and 34a extend and retract the piston rod to lock the length of the projection of the piston rod.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip portion 34 b of the suppressing member 34. The tip portion 34 b is U-shaped. The end portion 34 b is fixed by bolting in a state in which the end portion of the air cylinder 32 a of the second connection arm 32 is sandwiched. In addition, since the tip end portion 33b of the suppressing member 33 is configured to be laterally reversed to the tip end portion 34b of the suppressing member 34, the description of the tip end portion 33b is omitted.

  Next, the usage method of the tow vehicle 10 provided with the coupler 30 of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 6, FIG. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that materials are transported by the carriage 20 at a construction site. In this case, a magnetic tape is attached on a route on which the tow vehicle 10 is driven, and marks indicating stop positions such as an end point and a start point to be a transport destination are attached.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the carriage attachment process is executed (step S1). Specifically, the connector 30 of the tow vehicle 10 is attached to the carriage on which the material to be transported is placed. In this case, the solenoid valve of the tow vehicle 10 is opened, and the connecting arms 31 and 32 of the connecting tool 30 are freely movable. Then, the worker attaches the connecting arms 31 and 32 of the connecting tool 30 to the two columns 20 a in front of the carriage 20 (close to the towing vehicle 10).

  FIG. 6A shows a case (T0> D1) in which the distance D1 between the columns 21a of the carriage 21 is smaller than the distance T0 between the connecting arms 31 and 32 of the connecting tool 30. In this case, the connecting arms 31 and 32 are pivoted inward, and the grips 31b and 32b of the connecting arms 31 and 32 are attached and fixed to the columns 21a, respectively. In this case, the restraining members 33 and 34 whose distal end portions are attached to the connection arms 31 and 32 contract.

  6B shows the case where the distance D2 between the columns 22a of the carriage 22 is wider than the distance T0 between the connecting arms 31 and 32 of the connector 30 (T0 <D2). In this case, the connection arms 31 and 32 are pivoted outward, and the grips 31b and 32b of the connection arms 31 and 32 are attached and fixed to the columns 22a, respectively. In this case, the restraining members 33 and 34 whose distal end portions are attached to the connection arms 31 and 32 extend.

  In this way, when the attachment of the carriage is completed, the transport instruction process is executed (step S2). Specifically, the operator operates the operation unit of the tow vehicle 10 to input a destination and a conveyance instruction.

When the conveyance instruction is input, the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 executes an automatic conveyance process (step S3).
In the automatic transfer process (step S3), first, the tow vehicle 10 executes a lock process of the connection arm and the suppression member (step S3-1). Specifically, the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 closes the solenoid valve. In this case, the inflow and outflow of air in the air cylinders 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a of the connection arms 31, 32 and the suppression members 33, 34 are stopped, and the length of the projection of the piston rod is locked.

  Then, the tow vehicle 10 executes a traveling process according to the guide (step S3-2). Specifically, while detecting the magnetic tape, the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 controls the drive mechanism to cause the magnetic tape to travel to the destination.

  And the tow vehicle 10 performs the determination processing whether to arrive at the destination (step S3-3). Specifically, when the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 detects a mark indicating the stop position on the magnetic tape, it determines that it has arrived at the destination.

  Here, when it is determined that the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (in the case of “NO” in step S3-3), the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 continues the traveling process (step S3-2) according to the guide. Do.

  On the other hand, when the mark indicating the stop position is detected and it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination (in the case of "YES" in step S3-3), the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 executes the movement stop process (step S3-4). Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the drive mechanism to stop traveling.

When the tow vehicle 10 is stopped, the control unit 11 of the tow vehicle 10 executes an unlocking process (step S3-5). Specifically, the control unit 11 opens the solenoid valve. Accordingly, the air can flow into and out of the air cylinders 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a of the connection arms 31, 32 and the suppressing members 33, 34. Thus, the automatic transfer process is completed.
Then, the dolly is removed (step S4). In this case, the worker removes the connecting arms 31 and 32 of the connecting tool 30 from the support 20 a of the carriage 20.

According to the connector 30 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the connector 30 is provided on the back side of the tow vehicle 10. The connector 30 includes first and second connection arms 31 and 32 and first and second suppression members 33 and 34. The first and second connection arms 31 and 32 are rotatably provided on the towing vehicle 10 at spaced positions, and the tip of the first and second connection arms 31 and 32 is detachably attached to the support 20 a of the carriage 20. The first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 extend in a direction different from the extending direction of the connection arms 31 and 32, and tip portions 33b and 34b are attached to the connection arms 31 and 32, respectively. Thereby, the displacement of the positional relationship of the 1st and 2nd suppression members 33 and 34 and the 1st and 2nd connection arms 31 and 32 can be controlled. For this reason, the vibration of the trolley | bogie 20 which arose in the unevenness | corrugation of a travel surface, or a curve can be suppressed by the damping force of the 1st and 2nd suppression members 33 and 34. FIG. Therefore, even when the first and second connection arms 31 and 32 rotate, the carriage 20 can be transported smoothly.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 are arranged so as to be line symmetrical with respect to the traveling direction of the tow vehicle 10. As a result, based on the balance of forces in the lateral direction (direction orthogonal to the traveling direction) of the tow vehicle 10, the lateral swing of the first and second connection arms 31, 32 can be efficiently suppressed.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 are attached to the tow vehicle 10 via the pivot attachment portion 37. Thereby, the attachment part of the 1st and 2nd suppression members 33 and 34 can be made common.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the pivotal attachment portions 35, 36, 37 of the connector 30 are pivotable about the horizontal axis, and the first and second coupling arms 31, 32 and the first and second The control members 33 and 34 are attached to the tow vehicle 10. Thereby, when not using the coupler 30, it can be stored in the state which stood the coupler 30 on the side surface of the tow vehicle 10. As shown in FIG.

  (5) In the present embodiment, the first and second suppressing members 33, 34 include the air cylinders 33a, 34a. Thus, the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 can apply damping force to the first and second connection arms 31 and 32 by the air pressure in the air cylinders 33a and 34a.

  (6) In the present embodiment, the first and second connection arms 31 and 32 include the air cylinders 31a and 32a. Therefore, the air pressure in the air cylinders 31a and 32a can apply a damping force to the first and second connection arms 31 and 32. In addition, by opening the solenoid valve, the piston rods of the air cylinders 31a and 32a can be extended and contracted to efficiently connect the carriages 20.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In the embodiment described above, the first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 of the connector 30 are attached to the tow vehicle 10 via the pivot attachment portion 37. The attachment position and configuration of the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 are not limited to this. For example, the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 may be attached to the tow vehicle 10 through separate and independent rotational attachment parts. Further, the base ends of the air cylinders 33a and 34a of the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 are connected so that their distal ends are attached so that the first and second suppression members 33 and 34 intersect. It may be attached to the proximal end of the arms 32 and 31. In this case, the first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 are disposed so as to be shifted in the height direction and intersect with each other.

  -In the above-mentioned embodiment, although connector 30 provided two (the 1st and 2nd) control members, it may be constituted by one control member. In this case, the restraining member is bridged to the first and second connection arms 31 and 32, and both ends are fixed to the first and second connection arms 31 and 32, respectively. Here, the suppression member may be in a direction different from the extending direction of the first and second connection arms. For example, it may be disposed orthogonal to the traveling direction of the first and second connection arms or the tow vehicle, or may be disposed obliquely.

  In the above embodiment, the first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 of the connector 30 and the first and second connecting arms 31 and 32 are the first and second connections in substantially the same horizontal plane. The arms 31 and 32 are arranged to extend in a direction different from the extending direction. The first and second suppression members 33 and 34 may be arranged with a difference in height with respect to the first and second connection arms 31 and 32, respectively. In this case, it is possible to suppress the runout of the carriage in the longitudinal direction, so that the carriage can travel smoothly even when traveling in a place where there is a height difference such as a slope.

  In the embodiment, the first and second connection arms 31 and 32, and the first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 respectively include the air cylinders 31a, 32a, 33a, and 34a. The first and second connection arms 31, 32 can be fixed while the distance between the tow vehicle 10 and the carriage 20 (21, 22) is traveling, and other lock mechanisms etc. if they can be easily attached and detached. May be used. The first and second suppressing members 33 and 34 extend in a direction different from the extending direction of the first and second connecting arms 31 and 32, and the first and second connecting arms 31 and 32. The configuration is not limited to the configuration using the air cylinders 33a and 34a, as long as it is a configuration capable of giving a damping force by suppressing the displacement of the positional relationship.

  -In the said embodiment, the coupler 30 was attached to the tow vehicle 10 via the rotation attachment parts 35,36,37. The connector 30 may be configured to be detachable from the tow vehicle 10. In this case, a detachable and rotatable attachment member is used instead of the pivotal attachment portions 35, 36 and 37 fixed to the tow vehicle 10. For example, a ring-shaped engaging portion is provided in a portion to which the pivot mounting portions 35, 36, 37 of the rear side of the tow vehicle 10 are attached. Further, hooks are provided on the connector 30 in place of the rotation attachment portions 35, 36, 37. Then, at the time of use, the hooking portion of the connector 30 is detachably attached to the engaging portion on the back side of the tow vehicle 10. Thereby, when not using the coupler 30, it can be removed from the tow vehicle 10. The connector 30 can also be applied to, for example, other tow vehicles 10 having different hook spacings.

  The distal end of the first and second connection arms 31 and 32 of the connector 30 of the above embodiment is attached to the support 20 a of the carriage 20. The position at which the connector 30 is attached is not limited to the support 20 a of the carriage 20. For example, in the case of a bogie without a column, the plate-like member provided with wheels may be attached so as to be gripped. Further, holes may be formed in the corners of the plate-like member on the side of the pulling vehicle 10, and the tips of the first and second connection arms 31 and 32 may be attached to these holes.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Towing vehicle, 11 ... Control part, 15 ... Bumper, 20, 21, 22 ... Cart, 20a, 21a, 22a ... Post | mailbox, 30 ... Connecting tool, 31 ... 1st connection arm, 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a ... air cylinder, 31b, 32b ... gripping portion, 32 ... second connection arm, 33 ... first suppression member, 33b, 34b ... tip, 34 ... second suppression member, 35, 36, 37 ... rotation Mounting part.

Claims (4)

A connector for connecting a truck to a tow vehicle,
First and second connection arms which are detachable and extendable from the carriage;
A first mounting member for mounting the first connection arm on the tow vehicle so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis;
A second attachment member for attaching the second connection arm to the tow vehicle so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis;
A first suppression member that suppresses displacement of the positional relationship of the first connection arm;
And a second suppression member that suppresses displacement of the positional relationship of the second connection arm,
The first and second suppressing members are rotatably mounted on a central portion between the first mounting member and the second mounting member about the same vertical axis, and the first connecting arm And extendable in a direction different from the extending direction of the second connection arm,
The first suppressing member has the first end fixed to the carriage side of the fixed portion of the first connection arm, and the first suppressing member maintains the length when the carriage is attached to the tow vehicle. Provide a damping force to the connecting arm of the
The second suppressing member has the tip end fixed to the carriage side of the fixing portion of the second connection arm, and the second suppressing member maintains the length when the carriage is attached to the tow vehicle. A connector characterized in that a damping force is applied to the connecting arm of (1) .   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first suppressing member and the second suppressing member are arranged to be line symmetrical with respect to the traveling direction of the tow vehicle. The first connection arm, the second connection arm, and the suppressing member are attached to the tow vehicle so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis such that the extending direction thereof is from the horizontal surface to the vertical surface The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The suppressing member is provided with an air cylinder, according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the air pressure in the air cylinder, to suppress the displacement of the positional relationship of the first connecting arm and the second link arm The connector according to any one of the above.

Images