JPS63306907A - Coupling device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the necessity for providing a positioning member of a vehicle, by fitting a connecting pin, provided in one of the vehicles, to a connecting member, provided in the other vehicle, and annularly forming the connecting member so as to spread a range in which both the connecting pin and the connecting member can be fitted. CONSTITUTION:A coupling device 20, which engages and disengages a pair of vehicles, provides a connecting pin 21 protrusively provided in one of the vehicles and a connecting ring 22 which is swivelably mounted to the other vehicle fitting the connecting pin 21 following the action of swiveling. While the coupling device 20 provides a stopping mechanism 23 which is pivotally mounted to a swivel side end part of the connecting ring 22 fitting the connecting pin 21 following a relative movement of the vehicle in its separating direction. Further the device provides a driving mechanism 24 which swivels the connecting ring 22. The connecting ring 22 is annularly formed as a whole while swivelably supported to a supporting shaft 27 fixed through a stay 26 to a base plate 25 mounted to the vehicle. In this way, the coupling device 20, which spreads a range for the connecting ring 22 able to be fitted to the connecting pin 21, eliminates the necessity for providing a positioning member.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vehicle coupling device, and particularly to a vehicle coupling device suitable for coupling an unmanned guided vehicle and a pond vehicle. It is.

"Conventional Technology" In recent years, unmanned guided vehicles have been used in factories and other facilities for various tasks such as transporting materials.

This unmanned guided vehicle sometimes performs work by connecting other vehicles (for example, trailers, etc.), and below is an example of the structure of a conventional vehicle coupling device used for such connection.

In FIG. 9(a), l is an unmanned guided vehicle whose running is controlled by buried control wires, magnets, etc. as is well known.

A coupling device (details will be described later) is provided at the rear end of the unmanned guided vehicle l.

)2 are provided. Further, 3 is a magnetic detector 3, which detects magnetic flux generated by buried control wires, magnets, and the like. 4 is a trailer loaded with materials, etc., and is towed by an unmanned guided vehicle 1. A connecting pin 5 is connected to the connecting device 2 and is attached to the front end of the trailer 4. 6 is a magnet buried underground, and is used to generate a stop signal to the unmanned guided vehicle 1.

That is, when the magnetic detector 3 described above detects the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 6, the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is configured to stop.

Further, 7 is a stopper portion for regulating the position of the trailer 4, and is constructed by bolting an iron plate with a thickness of about 10 mm to the floor surface.

The specific structure of this stopper portion 7 is shown in FIG.

In this figure, 7a and 7b are guide plates that respectively regulate the position of the trailer 4 in the width direction, and 7c and 7d are
are stop plates each regulating the position of the trailer 4 in the traveling direction.

FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) are views showing the connecting device 2 viewed from above.

In FIG. 11(a), lO is a rotary solenoid, and 10λ is its lever.

When the rotary solenoid IO is energized, the lever 10
A is driven in the direction of arrow B, and when it becomes de-energized, lever 1
It is configured to return 0a to its original position (the position shown in the figure).

Numeral 11 is a locking member for locking the locking mechanism 13. This locking member 11 is formed integrally with the arm 11a, and is rotatable about an axis C.

The arm 11a and the lever 10a are connected by a connecting member 12, and the driving force of the lever 10a is transmitted to the arm 11a.

That is, when the lever 10a is driven in the direction of arrow B, the locking member 11 rotates in the direction of arrow B.

The locking mechanism 13 is rotatable about the axis E, and an engaging portion 13b is formed on one side of the locking mechanism 13, and a spring attachment section 13a is formed on the other side. One end of a spring 14 is attached to the spring attachment portion 13a, and the other end of this spring 14 is attached to the fixing member 16.

When the locking member 11 rotates in the D direction, the locking mechanism 13 rotates in the arrow F direction due to the elastic force of the spring 14.

A holding member 17 holds the connecting pin 5, and a substantially circular space 18 is formed by the connecting pin 17 and the bracket 13.

15 is a limit switch, and 15a is its actuator. This actuator 15a is pressed when the lever 10ah is rotated in the direction of <B. The limit switch 15 is turned on when the actuator 15& is pressed. The contact output of this limit switch 15 is rotary solenoid 1
As a result, when the limit switch 15 is turned on while the unmanned guided vehicle l (see FIG. 9) is traveling backwards, the rotary solenoid 1G is de-energized.

Next, the connection operation will be explained.

First, the unmanned guided vehicle l moves along the arrow A as shown in Figure 9(a).
Start traveling backwards in the direction. At this time, the rotary solenoid 10 is excited and the lever 10λ is driven in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the locking member 11 rotates in the direction of arrow F, and the locking mechanism 13 rotates in the direction of arrow F.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11(b), when the lever tea presses the actuator 15a, the rotary solenoid IG becomes de-energized, and the lever 10a returns to its original position. Then, in accordance with the return operation of the lever 10a, the locking member 11 returns to its original position as shown in FIG. 11(c). At this time, the locking mechanism 13 is held in the rotated position by the elastic force of the spring 14.

On the other hand, since the unmanned guided vehicle 1 continues to travel backwards in the direction of the arrow, the connecting pin 5 of the trailer 4 is in a state pushing the locking mechanism 13, as shown in FIG. 11(c).

As a result, the locking mechanism 13 rotates in the direction of arrow G, and the 11th
As shown in Figure (d), it is locked again by the locking member 11. At this time, the connecting pin 5 is housed in the space 18, and the connecting operation is completed.

FIG. 9(b) shows the positional relationship between the unmanned guided vehicle 1 and the trailer 4 when the coupling operation is completed.

Since the unmanned guided vehicle 1 must stop when the coupling operation is completed, the magnetic detector 3 must be configured to detect the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 6 at the same time as the coupling is completed.

That is, the distance between the stop plates 7c and 7d (see FIG. 10) and the magnet 6 is determined by the distance Ll between the stop plates 7c and 7d and the connecting pin 5, and the distance L2 between the connecting pin 5 and the magnetic detector 3. It is set to be the sum of

As a result, the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is stopped at the same time as the connection operation is completed.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" The present invention attempts to solve the following problems in the conventional technology described above.

That is, in the conventional connection method described above, in order to engage with the connection pin 5, it is necessary to stop the trailer 4 etc. at a predetermined position. Although the plates 7c and 7d are fixed to the floor, if such positioning members are provided on the floor, they will not only become an obstacle when the unmanned guided vehicle 1 and the trailer 4 described above run, but also cause damage to factories, etc. The problem is that the construction work tends to be complicated.

Furthermore, the guide plates 7a and 7b and the stop plates 7c and 7 described above are also provided.
Instead of d, it is being considered to form a groove in the floor surface so that the tires of trailer 4 can fall into it, but even with such measures, it has not been possible to completely eliminate the obstacles to vehicle running. .

"Means for Solving the Problems" An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle coupling device that can effectively solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. In particular, a vehicle coupling device is a vehicle coupling device that is provided between a pair of vehicles and connects and disconnects both vehicles, and includes a coupling pin that protrudes from one vehicle and is swingable to the other vehicle. a connecting ring that is attached to the rocking end of the connecting ring and into which the connecting pin is fitted as the connecting ring swings; It is characterized by comprising a locking mechanism that engages and fixes the connecting pin in the mated state, and a drive mechanism that swings the connecting ring.

"Function" The vehicle coupling device according to the present invention has an annular shape for the other coupling member with which the coupling pin is engaged, thereby increasing the range in which the two can fit together, and thereby connecting the two vehicles for coupling. This expands the positioning range, thereby making it possible to omit the positioning member of the vehicle.

"Embodiment" An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

In the following description, parts common to those in FIGS. 9 to 11 are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify the description.

1 and 2, reference numeral 20 indicates a coupling device 20 according to the present embodiment, and this coupling device 20 connects a pair of vehicles l.
- A vehicle coupling device that is provided between the two vehicles (unmanned guided vehicle 1 and trailer 4) and connects and detaches the two vehicles (unmanned guided vehicle 1 and trailer 4). a connecting ring 22 that is swingably mounted on the vehicle (unmanned guided vehicle l) and into which the connecting pin 21 is fitted as the ring swings;
The connecting pin 21 is attached to the swinging end of the connecting ring 22 and is engaged with the connecting ring as the unmanned guided vehicle l and trailer 4 move relative to each other in the direction of separation. It has a general structure consisting of a locking mechanism 23 that is brought together and fixed, and a drive mechanism 24 that swings the connecting ring 22.

Next, to explain these details in detail, the connecting pin 21 is integrally provided at one end of the trailer 4 in the traveling direction, facing downward.

The connecting ring 22 is attached to the rear end of the unmanned guided vehicle l, and is formed in an annular shape as a whole, and gradually extends toward the rear of the unmanned guided vehicle l, as shown in FIG. It is formed in a substantially triangular shape so that it becomes narrower, that is, it gradually gets closer toward the end on the swinging side.
It is supported by a support shaft 27 fixed via a stay 26 to a base plate 25 attached to the unmanned guided vehicle 1 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. Further, a recess 22a that opens toward the inside of the ring is formed at the end on the swinging side, and the inner diameter of the recess 22a is set to a size such that the connecting pin 21 can be inserted therein. ing.

The locking mechanism 23 includes a locking lever 28 rotatably attached to the connecting ring 22, a coil spring 29 that elastically presses the locking lever 28 in one direction of the rotational force. It is composed of a stopper 30 that restricts the rotational position of the locking lever 28 by the coil spring 29, and a pin 31 that supports the locking lever 28 and serves as the center of rotation thereof.

Further, when the locking lever 28 is rotated to a rotation position regulated by the stopper 3o, one end thereof is formed in a recess 22a formed in the connecting ring 22, as shown in FIG. The connecting pin 21 protrudes into the opening so that the dimension of the opening is narrower than the outer diameter of the connecting pin 21.

Furthermore, a return spring 32 is interposed between the connecting ring 22 and the base plate 25 to press and rotate the connecting ring 22 upward at all times. A stopper 33 is provided to restrict the rotational position of the connecting ring 22 by the return spring 32, and when the rotation of the connecting ring 22 is stopped by the stopper 33, as shown in FIG.
The swinging end of the connecting ring 22 is configured to stop swinging at a position where it intersects with the connecting pin 21.

On the other hand, a connecting piece 34 is integrally attached to the connecting ring 22 on the opposite side of the swing center thereof, and the driving mechanism 24 is provided between the connecting piece 34 and the base plate 25. It is being

In this embodiment, an electromagnetic solenoid is used as the drive mechanism 24, and is driven by a control means (not shown) to swing the connecting piece 34 at a predetermined angle, thereby causing the connecting ring 22 to bounce off the spring of the return spring 32. The connecting ring 22 is swung against the force, thereby causing the connecting ring 22 to connect with the connecting pin 21.
It is positioned lower than the

The operation of the coupling device 2° of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 9(a), the unmanned guided vehicle l
The vehicle is moved backward in the direction of the arrow in the same figure toward the trailer 4.

At this time, the electromagnetic solenoid of the drive mechanism 24 is energized to swing the connecting ring 22 by a predetermined angle via the connecting piece 34, and as shown in FIG. Shake until

Then, by continuing to drive the unmanned guided vehicle l backward, the connecting ring 2 of the connecting device l is connected as shown in FIG.
2 is superimposed below the connecting pin 21 of the trailer 4, the backward traveling of the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is stopped.

In this way, the excitation to the electromagnetic solenoid is released when the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is stopped. As a result, the connecting ring 22 is rotated by the elastic force of the return spring 32 and returned to its original position, and the sixth
As shown in the figure, a connecting pin 21 is located inside the ring.

From this, when the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is moved forward, the connecting pin 21 is moved relative to the connecting ring 22 toward the narrow part as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, and then,
The locking lever 28 is pressed and rotated by the connecting pin 21, and the opening of the recess 22a is opened, as shown in FIG.

Further, when the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is moved forward, the connecting pin 21 is guided along the inner surface of the connecting ring 22 and then fitted into the recess 22a as shown by the arrow in FIG. , this connecting pin 21 and the locking lever 28
By releasing the contact with the locking lever 28, the locking lever 28 is rotated back to its original position by the elastic force of the coil spring 29, and the opening of the recess 22a is closed.

The locking lever 28, which has been rotated back to its original position in this way, is returned to the aforementioned original position by the action of the coil spring 29 and the stopper 30, in other words, the locking lever 28 is returned to the recess 22
a is held in the position where the opening is closed, and as a result, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the connecting pin 21 is trapped between the connecting ring 22 and the locking lever 28, and the connecting pin 21 The connection between the and the connection ring 22, that is, the connection between the unmanned guided vehicle 1 and the trailer 4 is completed.

For example, the control of each component for the above-mentioned connection operation can be carried out by directing the magnetic flux of the magnet 6 provided on the floor to the unmanned guided vehicle 1.
The magnetic field is detected by a magnetic detector 3 attached to the magnetic field sensor 3, and electrical control is performed based on the detection signal and the like.

During such a connection operation, the connection pin 21 is captured in a wide range inside the connection ring 22 by the swinging operation of the connection ring 22, and then the connection pin 21 is captured in the recess 22 on the inner surface of the connection ring 22.
The connecting pin 21 guided to the recess 22a and locked therein is prevented from detaching from the recess 22a by the locking lever 28 which is automatically rotated. The range of alignment between the unmanned guided vehicle 1 and the trailer 4 is greatly expanded.

Therefore, the standby position of the trailer 4 can be set with rough accuracy, and a member for positioning the trailer 4 is not required. Even if you just keep it,
Sufficient connection work can be performed. At the same time, it is no longer necessary to provide protrusions or grooves on the floor, and obstacles to the driving of the unmanned guided vehicle 1 and trailer 4 are removed, allowing these vehicles to travel smoothly and reducing the range of their travel. Expansion becomes possible.

Note that the shapes and dimensions of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may vary depending on the vehicle to which it is applied, the location where it is applied,
Alternatively, various changes can be made based on design requirements and the like.

For example, although an example has been shown in which the shape of the connecting ring 22 is approximately triangular, the shape is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

In addition, instead of the electromagnetic induction type unmanned guided vehicle described above, it can be similarly applied to an optically guided unmanned guided vehicle that runs by detecting reflective tape laid on the road surface with an optical sensor. Of course, application to other vehicles is also possible.

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, the vehicle coupling device according to the present invention is a vehicle coupling device that is provided between a pair of vehicles and connects and disconnects both vehicles. a connecting pin installed on the other vehicle, a connecting ring that is swingably attached to the other vehicle and into which the connecting pin is fitted as the connecting ring swings, and a connecting ring that is attached to the end of the swinging side of the connecting ring and It is characterized by comprising a locking mechanism that engages and fixes the connecting pin in the fitted state as the vehicle moves relative to the other direction, and a drive mechanism that swings the connecting ring. It has the following excellent effects.

■By making the other connecting member with which the connecting pin is engaged annular, the range in which both can be fitted is expanded, and the range of positioning for connecting both vehicles is expanded. A positioning member can be made unnecessary.

■As a result of the above-mentioned ■, protrusions, grooves, etc. are eliminated from the floor surface on which vehicles are operated, making it possible for the vehicle to run smoothly as described above, expanding its range, and simplifying the construction of the floor surface. do.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

In the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the main part, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main part, and FIG. 3 is a connection operation. At this time, a schematic side view showing the initial stage when the other vehicle is moved towards one vehicle, Figure 4 is a schematic side view showing the state where the other two vehicles are brought closest to each other, and Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the state in which the other vehicle is brought closest to the other vehicle. Schematic side view showing the state in which the
7 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the connecting pin is positioned within the connecting ring; FIG. The figure is a schematic plan view showing the state in which the connection is completed, Fig. 9 (a)
(b) is an explanatory diagram of the conventional vehicle coupling method, and Fig. 9 (
a) is a schematic side view showing the state before connection, FIG. 9(b) is a schematic side view showing the state after connection, and FIG. 10 is an external view showing the stopper part for positioning the vehicle for connection. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view for explaining the operation of a conventional coupling device, and FIG. 11(a) is a diagram showing a state before coupling.
Fig. 11(b) is a diagram showing an initial state in which both vehicles are relatively moved in the direction of approaching each other for connection, and Fig. 11(c)
11(d) is a diagram showing a state in which the connection is started, and FIG. 11(d) is a diagram showing a state in which the connection is completed. l...Unmanned guided vehicle (other vehicle), 3...
...Magnetic detector, 4...Trailer,
6...Magnet, 20...
Connecting device, 21...Connecting pin, 22
・Old...Connecting ring, 22a...Recess, 2
3... Locking mechanism, 24... Drive mechanism,
28...Latching lever, 29...
...Coil spring, 30...Stopper, 3
2...Return spring, 33...
Stopper.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A vehicle coupling device that is installed between a pair of vehicles and connects and disconnects the two vehicles, and includes a coupling pin protruding from one vehicle and a coupling pin that is swingably attached to the other vehicle. Accordingly, the connecting ring into which the connecting pin is fitted, and the connecting pin which is attached to the swinging end of the connecting ring and is in the fitted state as the two vehicles move relative to each other in the direction of separation. A vehicle coupling device comprising a locking mechanism that is engaged and fixed, and a drive mechanism that swings the coupling ring.