JPS6226291Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of industrial application] The present invention relates to a coupling device for a tractor and a trailer, and in particular, an automatic coupling that does not require the driver to leave the cab and manually couple the tractor and trailer. It is related to the device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in order to connect or disconnect a tractor and a trailer in a semitrailer, an operator goes to a connecting section and manually connects or disconnects a coupler while raising and lowering a jack at the front end of the semitrailer. For this reason, a worker other than the driver is required, or if such a worker is not available, the operator must get out of the tractor cab and connect or disconnect the tractor, which is inconvenient. . In addition, there was a problem that the work was time-consuming because it was done manually.

To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-6685 discloses a coupling mechanism that allows a tractor and a trailer to be automatically coupled and uncoupled.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in the above proposed structure, although the electrical and airline connector members on the tractor side and the trailer side can be automatically connected to each other when connected, The connection of the trailer relies on a fitting structure between a center pin member extending vertically and a lock bolt member, and the mechanism incorporates the connector member in this part, so it is difficult to connect the tractor and trailer and to connect the connector members to each other. In order to connect, it is necessary to lift the front part of the trailer side significantly upwards. Therefore, a special lifting device is required, and there is a problem that the mechanism of this part is complicated accordingly, and the operation for connecting and disconnecting is also complicated.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is simpler than the conventional coupling mechanism and has simpler operation, while allowing the driver to connect or disconnect the tractor and trailer automatically from the tractor cab. The purpose is to make it possible to carry out the necessary tasks.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The automatic tractor-trailer coupling device of the present invention that meets this purpose is a tractor-trailer coupling device that has a horizontal opening provided on either side of the tractor and trailer. A coupler for use in the vehicle, a pin provided on the other side of either the tractor or the trailer and capable of being inserted horizontally into the coupler from the opening, and attached to the coupler and capable of being locked in a state in which the pin is inserted into the coupler. A locking device is provided on the rear end side of the tractor and the front end side of the trailer, respectively, so as to be horizontally opposed to each other and connectable to each other when the tractor and trailer are connected,
A connection terminal in which each airline and electric line in the tractor and trailer are aggregated as a plurality of terminals, and a connection terminal provided around one of the connection terminals, and when connecting the connection terminals to each other,
A guide for guiding the other connecting terminal portion to the one connecting terminal portion to a position where the plurality of terminals are connected to each other, and a guide provided at the front portion of the trailer and capable of supporting the front portion of the trailer against the ground by lowering the guide. It is equipped with a jack that can be moved up and down to make the trailer travelable by raising it, a confirmation means installed in the tractor operator's cab for checking the state of connection between the tractor and the trailer, and an instruction means for instructing the operation of uncoupling, and the above-mentioned elements When connecting the tractor and trailer,
A device configured to operate in the order of connecting the connection terminal, locking the coupler, raising the jack, and confirming means, and when separating the tractor and trailer, operating in the order of the starting means, lowering the jack, unlocking the coupler, and confirming means. It consists of

[Function] In such a device, the jack is not a device for lifting the trailer significantly like the conventional device (Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-6685), but a device that simply maintains the front of the trailer at a predetermined height. functions as Since the coupler has a horizontal opening, it is possible to naturally insert the pin into the coupler simply by bringing the tractor closer to the trailer, and the lock of the locking device can be activated in the inserted state. Easily connects the trailer and tractor. The connecting operation caused by this horizontal movement is also used to connect the connecting terminals, and the connecting terminals of each wiring and piping are naturally and automatically connected while facing each other in the horizontal direction.

In this way, the tractor and trailer can be automatically connected and disconnected by operating each means in a predetermined order without using any special lifting equipment, and with a simple mechanism and simple operation control. The intended purpose is achieved.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the automatic tractor-trailer coupling device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a state in which a tractor 1 and a semi-trailer 2 are connected. 3 in the figure is the connecting terminal part of the airline and electric line,
As shown in the figure, guides 4 for positioning the line connecting device are provided on both sides thereof. 5 is a coupler that connects the tractor 1 and the semi-trailer 2;
It has a horizontal opening. The coupler 5 is also provided with a locking device 6 capable of locking or unlocking as will be described later. In addition, an electric jack 7 is provided at the front of the trailer 2.
In the cab of the tractor 1, devices 8, 9 for checking the coupling operation and a device 10 for starting the coupling operation are provided. As confirmation devices, in this embodiment, a pilot lamp 8 is shown to indicate that the upward movement of the jack has been completed, and a pilot lamp 9 is shown to indicate that the coupler 5 has been unlocked. A switch 10 is shown which moves the switch downward.

3 and 4 show enlarged portions of the connection terminals of the lines. The guide 4 has a tapered portion on both sides and an open opening, so that when the guide 4 is crimped, the connecting terminal device having the connector portion is automatically aligned in the inner part of the guide 4. It's summery. FIG. 4 shows an end view of the arrangement of connection terminals in the inner part of the guide 4, in which air lines and electric lines can be connected by pressure contact or insertion. In Figure 4,
11 is the air service line, 12 is the air emergency line, 13 is the cable that houses the wiring for the tail, left and right direction indicators, stop, back, and parking indicator lights, as well as the ground wire, and 14 and 15 are the power supplies for the electric jack. + wiring and – wiring for, 16
17 indicates the respective terminals of the cable including the electric jack raising command wiring and the electric jack lowering command wiring, and the cable 17 including the electric jack raising completion confirmation wiring and the electric jack lowering completion confirmation wiring. FIG. 5 particularly shows the connection of the airline 11 by pressure welding. 18 in the figure is a rubber seal.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the locking device 6 of the coupler. The lock device 6 is equipped with a pair of arms 20 that can rotate around a pin 19, and a lock element 22 is inserted between the arms 20 with the arms 20 holding a pin 21 fixed to the other vehicle.
The lock is maintained by inserting the lock element 22, and the lock is released by pulling out the lock element 22 from between the arms 20.
Insertion and withdrawal of the lock element 22 is performed by a lock air cylinder 23 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 shows the connection state of the above-mentioned devices as a circuit. The portion to the left of line A-A in the figure is provided on the tractor 1 side, and the portion on the right side is provided on the trailer 2 side. In the figure, a brake pedal 24, an air tank 25, a brake chamber 26, a relay emergency valve 27, an air tank 28, a brake chamber 29, and a service line 30 and an emergency line 31 connecting them are existing ones. It is. service line 30,
Each of the emergency lines 31 is provided with an air solenoid valve 32 to turn on and off the flow of air. The emergency line 31 is provided with a branch pipe, which leads to an air solenoid valve 33, and further leads from the solenoid valve 33 to the locking air cylinder 23, which is used to switch the solenoid valve 33. Therefore, the locking cylinder 23 is provided with a locking or unlocking operation.

At the back of the guide 4 is a switch 3 that is activated when the guides 4 of the tractor 1 and trailer 2 are crimped together.
4 is provided, and the switch 34 is connected to the air solenoid valves 33 and 32, respectively.

Locking element 22 of coupler locking device 6
lock element 2 in forward and backward positions.
Switches 35 and 36 are provided to detect the position of the switch 2. A switch 35, which is activated when the locking device 6 is locked, is connected to a control panel 37 of the electric jack 7 via a connecting terminal 16, and is connected to a jack lift switch 38 in the control panel 37. The control panel 37 is also equipped with a jack lowering switch 39, which is connected via the connection terminal 16 to a jack lowering switch in the tractor cab. The electric jacks 7 are provided on both left and right sides at the front of the trailer. The power source for driving the electric jack 7 is a starter motor battery 40 of the tractor 1, which is led to the electric jack 7 via a battery relay 41, a connection terminal 14, and a control panel 37.

At the ascending end and descending position of the electric jack 7,
Switches 42 and 43 that detect the position of the jack 7
is provided. Switch 4 for detecting the elevated position
2 is connected to a control panel 37 and also to a pilot lamp 8 in the tractor cab via a connecting terminal 17, and when the switch 42 is actuated, the upward movement of the jack 7 is stopped via the control panel 37. At the same time, the pilot lamp 8 in the tractor cab lights up.

A switch 43 for detecting the lowering end position of the electric jack 7 is connected to the control panel 37 and also to a relay 44 via the connection terminal 17. It is connected to the solenoid valve 33. With this, when the switch 43 is activated, the control panel 3
7 to stop the downward movement of the jack 7, and switch the relay 44 to close the air solenoid valve 32 and at the same time switch the air solenoid valve 33.

Further, a switch 36 that is activated when the lock element 22 is in the backward position, that is, when the coupler lock is released, is connected to a pilot lamp 9 in the tractor cab, and when the switch 36 is activated, the pilot lamp 9 lights up. It's becoming like that.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained based on the embodiment having the above configuration.

First, when connecting, the tractor 1 is moved backward as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portions are connected as shown in FIG. 10, and the electric jack 7 is raised. At this time, the 8th
In the figure, the devices operate in the following order.

First, the guide 4 of the tractor 1 and trailer 2 are pressed together, and the switch 34 is turned on. →Next, the air solenoid valve 32 opens and the air solenoid valve 33 is switched to push the cylinder 23 in the direction of the coupler lock. →The switch 35 is turned ON at the same time as the locking device 6 is locked. →Subsequently, the jack up switch 38 is turned on. → Jyatsuki 7 increases. The jack 7 rises to the upper end position. →The rising end switch 42 is turned ON, and the jacking is stopped, and at the same time, the pilot lamp 8 lights up. →After confirming safety by lighting pilot lamp 8, the vehicle will begin driving.

Next, when separating, the electric jack 7 is lowered as shown in FIG. 11, and the parts are separated as shown in FIG. 12. At this time, in FIG. 8, the various devices operate in the following order.

First, turn on the jack down switch 10. →Subsequently, the jack lowering switch 39 is turned on. →The jack 7 descends and reaches the lower end. →The lowering end switch 43 is turned on. →The lowering of the jack 7 is stopped and the relay 44 is switched. →Subsequently, the air solenoid valve 32 is closed and the air solenoid valve 33 is switched. Cylinder 23 is pulled.
→Switch 36 is turned on at the same time as the coupler lock is released.
become. Pilot lamp 9 lights up. →Separate tractor 1 from trailer 2.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the automatic tractor-trailer coupling device of the present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, the following effects can be obtained when the device of the present invention is used.

Since both the coupler part and the connection terminal part are connected and connected in the horizontal direction, it is possible to automatically connect the tractor and the trailer with a simple mechanism. As a result, the tractor and the trailer can be connected and separated by the operator in the operating room of the tractor, and a special operator for the connection and separation is not required, so that labor can be saved.

In addition, the tractor and trailer can be connected automatically by simply moving the tractor back toward the trailer and crimping the guide part, and disconnecting can be done by simply turning on the jack lowering switch in the driver's cab.
After that, various operations are automatically performed until the preparation for separation is completed, so that it is possible to save labor and speed up the connection and separation work.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tractor and trailer connected to each other using a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a connection terminal for wiring and piping shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged end view of the inner part of the guide, Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view of the airline connecting part, Fig. 6 is a front view of the coupler locking device, and Fig. 7 is Fig. 3. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the relationship between each component in the device of the present invention; FIGS. 9 and 10 are front views showing the process of connecting the tractor and trailer; FIG. 11; FIG. 12 is a front view showing the process of separating the tractor and trailer. The meanings of the symbols in the figure are as follows. 1... Tractor, 2... Trailer, 3... Wiring and piping connection terminal, 4... Guide, 5... Coupler, 6... Locking device, 7... Jacking device,
8, 9... Confirmation means, such as a pilot lamp, 10... Starting means, such as a switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A coupler for connecting a tractor and a trailer that is provided on one side of the tractor and the trailer and has a horizontal opening; a coupler that is provided on the other side of the tractor and the trailer that opens from the opening; a pin that can be inserted horizontally into the coupler; and a locking device attached to the coupler that can be locked when the pin is inserted into the coupler; on the rear end side of the tractor and the front end side of the trailer, respectively; Connecting terminals that are arranged horizontally opposite each other and connectable to each other when the tractor and trailer are connected, and each of the air lines and electrical lines in the tractor and trailer are aggregated as a plurality of terminals; Provided around one of the terminals, when connecting the connecting terminals, guide the other connecting terminal to the one connecting terminal to a position where the plurality of terminals are connected to each other. A guide, a jack installed at the front of the trailer that can be moved up and down so that it can be lowered to support the front of the trailer on the ground and raised to allow the trailer to travel, and a jack installed in the tractor operator's cab to connect the tractor and trailer. It is equipped with a confirmation means for confirming the status and a starting means for starting the uncoupling operation. When the tractor and trailer are coupled, the above elements are connected in the order of connecting the connection terminal, locking the coupler and raising the jack, and confirmation means. An automatic coupling device for a tractor and a trailer, characterized in that when the tractor and trailer are separated, the starting means, the lowering of the jack and the unlocking of the coupler, and the confirmation means are operated in this order.