RU2288129C2 - Road train - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transport engineering; road trains.

SUBSTANCE: road train is designed for running along motor roads. Proposed road train consists of wagons and tractors connected with wagons. Each wagon has two coupling platforms arranged from below, one at each edge. Said platforms of wagons are laid on platforms of tractors and are coupled with the latter. Head tractor has only platform. Each following tractor is provided with two platforms with coupling platforms on which edges of two wagons are arranged and secured. Following tractors are furnished with automatic system to provide movement along the rut of head tractor, thus improving maneuverability of road train and possibility of steering by one driver.

EFFECT: improved maneuverability, simplified design, reduced operating expenses.

10 dwg

Description

A road train is a train intended for movement on highways, consisting of two or more wagons, alternately coupled with truck tractors. The first tractor is called the head tractor, the rest - the next (following the track). When driving, subsequent tractors move along the rut of the head tractor. A road train can be used to transport passengers and goods on roads.

Currently, a road train is called a tractor with a trailer (s). There are road trains with a manually controlled rear of the semitrailer. The main disadvantages of such road trains are their poor maneuverability, as with the increase in the length of the train its turn radius, turn lane and poor passability increase, since the tractor has to carry a long, passive tail. To transport such a road train, even consisting of only one trailer, 3-4 drivers are required over a long distance, which makes transportation more expensive.

A road train is conceived as a train consisting of several wagons (from two wagons to two to four dozen wagons), interconnected by their moving tractors. The main point of the work is that each tractor in independent movement move along the track of the head tractor. Then the train will have the maneuverability of one tractor. In addition, this will allow the autonomy of trains, since one driver can drive a train in 30-40 cars for several hours, and a team of three to four drivers can drive a train as long as there is enough fuel on the train. It will be possible to create trains that have the necessary cross-country ability for this route, since many tractors will move the train and, if there is a section on the road that is difficult for one or two tractors, the rest of the tractors will be pushed first and then wagons will be dragged along this section. If necessary, the operator from his workplace will be able to control the order of movement of the train and each car separately. Depending on the patency of the section, the operator can choose any arrangement of cars when the train moves along this section. Such a train will have the following essential features.

1. It should consist of wagons equipped with couplers.

2. These cars must move the tractors.

In a road train, you need two types of tractors. The composition should be one head tractor, the remaining tractors - subsequent. The head tractor is a tractor equipped with a cab for the driver and equipment for transmitting signals of the driver’s action to maintain the train. The head tractor must have one towing platform. Each of the following tractors should be equipped with coupling platforms on which the wagons are supported and coupled. The coupling device must be such that the coupling platform of the car has the ability to freely rotate on the coupling platform of the tractor. Wagons and tractors must follow each other alternately.

3. Subsequent tractors should be equipped with an automatic steering system that allows them to repeat the movements of the steering wheels of the head tractor in the place where they were committed by the head tractor. In addition, tractors, except the head one, must have a remote control system: fuel supply in the engine, gearbox (gearbox) and brakes, so that the driver can perform all the operations to control the train from his workplace.

To create such a train, it is necessary to choose the best option for connecting the train and then develop the components of this train. Train cars can have various methods of coupling with tractors. Consider the two most acceptable of them.

.1 - each car has two of its self-propelled platforms (tractors) (figure 1). This scheme is good in that you can use existing tractors in it, having modified them. Make the carts of the semi-trailers rotatable relative to the body, introduce automated steering on the tractors and on the carts of the semi-trailers. You will have to equip every van except the head one with couplers on both sides. Only equip the head tractor with the rear hitch. With this scheme, difficulties will arise with standardizing the steering actuator. With such a connection scheme, tractors will need twice as many as wagons. If the symbol n denotes the number of train cars, the number of tractors will be equal

.

2 - tractors are located between two cars of figure 2. In this case, subsequent tractors should have two platforms equipped with coupling devices, automatic steering, remote or automatic control: fuel supply in the engine, gearbox (gearbox) and brakes. Wagons must have two coupling devices and devices that ensure that the car is parked without resting on the tractor platforms. With this scheme, the number of tractors is n + 1. Scheme 2 is more versatile, mobile, reliable. But to create a road train according to this scheme, the creation of new cars and new tractors will be required. It will require costs, but it will quickly pay off. We will develop this scheme.

The invention is illustrated by drawings.

Figure 1. Scheme of the first road train.

Figure 2. Scheme of the second road train.

Figure 3. Driven tractor.

Figure 4. Railway carriage.

Figure 5. The parking position of the car.

6. Schematic diagram of the actuator of the automatic steering.

7. Schematic diagram of the signal transmission of automatic steering.

Fig. 8. Determining the distance L.

Fig.9. Determination of distance l.

Figure 10. Schematic diagram of the remote control.

On them are indicated:

1 - head tractor

2 - wagon

3 - subsequent tractor,

4 - platform

5 - steering wheel

6 - steering mechanism,

7 - drive wheel,

8 - coupling area

9 - engine

10 - cab subsequent tractor,

11 - parking support

12 - king pin

13 - working cylinder,

14 - EK1-EK5 - electrovalves,

15 - SB drain capacity,

16 - L, PR - left and right power cylinders,

17 - check valve

18 - U - limiters of the lower position of the piston,

19 - D - electric motor,

20 - K - compressor,

21 - feedback switch,

22 - a device receiving a signal from the head tractor (receiver),

23 - a device that records a signal on an information carrier, magnetic tape, for example,

24 - driving roller,

25 is a device that reads information (counter),

26 - magnetic tape,

27 - driven roller

28 - device that erases information (erase),

a - panel trench for installing a device that reads information,

29 - switch signals of the head tractor,

30 - switch signals of the subsequent tractor,

31 - actuator,

32 - device for controlling the position of the actuator.

In the road train of Fig. 2, two types of tractors are needed. The composition should be one head tractor 1, the remaining tractors 3 - subsequent. The head tractor should have a normal driver’s cabin, in which, in addition to the driver’s one, a place should be determined for equipment that carries out the transmission of driver action signals for controlling the train and monitoring the position and condition of the train, as well as a place for the operator. The head tractor can have only one platform 4 located at the rear of the cab. The following tractors have two platforms 4 - one in front of the cab, the other in the back of the cab. Platforms are designed to accommodate coupling devices on them. Car 2 rests on the platform during movement, so it should be wide enough and stable. Each platform is equipped with one coupling platform 8. The coupling platform is designed for reliable coupling of the tractor with the car.

Steering wheels 5 are designed to control the tractor. The steering mechanism 6 includes a mechanism for transmitting information and an actuator for turning steering wheels. In addition to the steering, track (drive) wheels are required 7. They can be two or four. This is the direct mover of the tractor. Rotation is obtained from the tractor engine. Engine 9 is the main power unit of the tractor. Wagon 2 of FIG. 4 may be any structure. It can be a freight truck, it can be some special carriage, it can be a passenger carriage, etc., but it must be equipped with two coupling platforms 8 located at the bottom of the carriage. In addition, the car should be equipped with parking supports 11. Depending on the coupling method, the pin 12 may also be located in the coupling area. Figure 5 shows the parking position of the car.

The executive mechanism of the automatic steering of the tractor can be performed in any embodiment. It all depends on the conditions under which the road train will be operated, and what requirements will be imposed on it. The actuator automatic steering presented in this work of Fig.6, operates as follows. The signals about the deviation of the wheels from the head tractor are received by the signal receivers 22 of all subsequent tractor tractors. A recording device 23 writes these signals to the storage medium 26. In this circuit, this is magnetic tape. The drive roller 24 receives rotation from the steering wheel and rotates at a speed that is a multiple of the speed of rotation of the steering wheel. The reader 25 is located at a distance l from the drive roller. A prerequisite for the automatic steering of the train is:

- tight connection of the drive roller 24 of the information system of the tractor with the steering wheel of this tractor and

- compliance with the multiplicity and the same distance between the steering wheels of all tractors. That is, the number of revolutions of the steering wheel should be a multiple of the number of revolutions of the drive roller, and the length of the car should be such that the distance from the axis of the steering wheels of one tractor to the axis of the steering wheels of another tractor is the same and a multiple of the circumference of the steering wheel on its surface. Each subsequent tractor of the road train of Fig. 8 is separated from the head tractor by a certain distance L. For each tractor, this value will be different. Then, if denoted by the symbols:

L is the distance from the main tractor "g" to the tractor "n", where n = 2, 3, ...,

R is the radius of the steering wheel of the tractor "n",

k is the number of revolutions of the steering wheel of the tractor "n" that fits into the distance from the axis of the steering wheel of the head tractor to the axis of the steering wheel of the tractor "n", then

When the road train of point 1 moves, the steering wheel of the tractor n will reach, having overcome this distance L. From its point 2 to point 1, it will make k revolutions. If, at point 1, a steering turn signal is received from the steering of the head tractor, this signal is immediately transmitted to the recording devices of all the tractors and will be recorded by them on the information carrier. It is necessary that the tractor counter n pick up the signal recorded by the head tractor at point 1 exactly when the steering wheel axis of the tractor n is at point 1. In the information transfer mechanism (Fig. 7), l is the distance from the signal recording device to the device, reading the signal, r is the radius of the roller leading the magnetic tape, i is the number of multiples of rotation of the roller to the rotation of the steering wheel. When the speed of rotation of the roller is greater than the speed of rotation of the steering wheel, this number is more than one, with less - less than one. While the steering wheel will make k revolutions, the roller 25 stretching the magnetic tape will make ki revolutions. The signal along the tape will travel a certain distance 1. What is this distance equal to? Obviously (Fig. 10), this distance will depend on the number of revolutions of the roller that it will make from recording the signal to its reading, and on the radius r of this roller. But since, according to the condition, the roller is rigidly connected with the steering wheel, its angular velocity of rotation will be a multiple of the angular velocity of rotation of the steering wheel. This means that if the steering wheel makes k revolutions to go along the path L, then the recording device’s roller will make ki revolutions and a distance l will be equal to the product of the circumference of the roller 2πr and the number of revolutions ki

пойдет по колее головного тягача.It follows that if we put the meter at a distance l = 2πrki from the recording head, then the steering wheel of the tractor n will receive a turn signal exactly at point 1 and the tractor

will go along the rut of the head tractor.

When the train is composed, the operator inserts the reader into the slot on the panel “a” of Fig. 7, having the same number as the tractor number in the account, starting from the main tractor, and the circuit is ready for operation. During the test drive, the operator will adjust the operation of the circuit by moving the “counter” with the regulating device in one direction or another (indicated by arrows). In order for the road train to be able to be controlled by the operator in certain cases, it is necessary to make the signal from the operator console prevail over the automation. The electric signal coming from the device that reads the signal is supplied to the electric valves of the tractor EK1-EK5 (14) of Fig.6. Suppose that a signal “turn right” is received from the signal counter of this tractor. Then EC1 moves the valve to the left, and the right pressure air line opens. High-pressure air enters the PR cylinder (16). The piston of this cylinder presses on the liquid inside it on the other side. In the high-pressure fluid line, the EC3 valve shuts off the drain line and opens the working line. The fluid enters the right side of the working cylinder (13). At the same time, the EC2 valve closes the working line and opens the drain line on the left side of the working cylinder, and the EC4 opens the drainage line of the air system. The working fluid from the left half of the working cylinder (13) through an open drain pipe enters the drain tank SB (15). The air of the left power cylinder through the open drain valve EK4 leaves the piston. Under the action of a spring, the left power piston is lowered down to the stop (18). The working fluid from the drain tank fills the left working cylinder, if it was not in its original position. The working piston moves to the left, the steering wheel (5) turns to the right. The steering wheel is connected, in our case, through a variable resistance, with a feedback switch (21). A feedback signal is generated in the feedback switch, which is a function of the steering angle. This signal (Fig. 7) enters the device that reads information (25) (counter). The total signal is supplied to the actuators. As soon as the steering wheel has turned to the angle specified by the recording from the head tractor, the sum of the signals becomes equal to zero. Then, no signal is received from the reader to the actuators, and the steering wheel stops turning.

There are various options for controlling the fuel supply system in the engine, gearbox and brakes. Let us dwell on the electromechanical (Fig. 10). The signal about the change in the position of the control lever or the fuel supply system in the engine, or the brakes in our case forms a variable resistance R ₀ -Rmax, in the gearbox the signal is formed by the gearshift locks 1s, 2s, ... ps. The signal about the change in the position of the control lever or the fuel supply system in the engine, or the brakes, from the head tractor enters the signal switch 29 of the head tractor. From the switch, the signal goes directly to the signal receivers of all the tractor units of the train 22. These signals through the signal switches 30 of the subsequent train tractors go to the actuators of the tractors 31. From the position control device of the actuator 32 (variable resistance, for example), which controls the position of the control lever or the feed system fuel in the engine, or by brakes, the signal through the feedback switches 21 is fed back to the signal switches 31. The comparison system compares the signal from itelnogo mechanism to the tractor head signal and generates a corresponding signal to the actuator. The control mechanism of the fuel supply system in the engine can be connected with the coupling device. The stronger the tension on the hitch, the greater the fuel supply.

So, if we fulfill the technical solutions mentioned above, namely, to compose a train of wagons interconnected by tractors moving them, equip the tractors with appropriate equipment for managing the road train and controlling it, we will get a road train, which may include a large number of wagons, driven by one person and possess the maneuverability of one tractor.

Claims (1)

A road train designed for driving on roads, characterized in that it consists of wagons and tractors moving these wagons, alternately connected to them, while each wagon has two coupling platforms located below, one on each edge, the wagons lie on these platforms on the platforms of the tractors and are coupled with them, the head tractor has one platform, each subsequent tractor has two platforms with coupling platforms on which the edges of two cars are located and with which they are engaged, while the subsequent tractors equipped with an automatic control system that allows them to follow the track of the head tractor, which allows the road train to have the maneuverability of one tractor and be controlled by one person.

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