JP6660006B2 - Snake phenomenon suppression device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a snaking phenomenon suppressing device that suppresses a snaking phenomenon of a trailer during towing travel of a tractor.

  When the tractor pulls the trailer at a high speed, a snake phenomenon may occur in which the trailer swings left and right (in the vehicle width direction) with respect to the tractor around a pin portion (connecting portion) connecting the tractor and the trailer. The snake phenomenon means that the trailer generates self-excited vibration while running, and enters a meandering driving state as if it were a snake. When the vehicle speed is higher than a certain vehicle speed (higher than a predetermined vehicle speed), it is triggered by braking or disturbance. Easy to occur. This snaking phenomenon is one factor that impairs stable running of the tractor.

  Therefore, snaking phenomenon suppression devices as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been proposed. Each of these devices combines the technology of mounting various sensors on a tractor or trailer to detect the occurrence of a snaking phenomenon from the behavior of the trailer, and the technology of using an electromagnetic brake for the braking device on the left and right sides (in the vehicle width direction) of the tractor. In response to the occurrence of the snake phenomenon, the trailer swing is controlled by controlling the electromagnetic brake of the trailer.

JP 2007-161148 A JP 2009-83619 A

However, a device that suppresses the snake phenomenon of the trailer with an electric control structure as described in the cited documents 1 and 2 requires a large number of sensors, a separate electromagnetic brake, and a more complicated circuit, and is therefore expensive. Cheap. Moreover, complicated control is required.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a snake phenomenon suppressing device that can suppress a snaking phenomenon that occurs in a trailer with a simple mechanical structure by utilizing a brake device that has already been applied to the trailer.

  An aspect of the present invention includes a tractor, and a trailer having a pair of brake devices on both sides in the vehicle width direction, which is rotatably connected to and pulled from the rear of the tractor. And a pair of cord-like members that extend and contract in a diagonal direction between the brake operation input unit of the pair of brake devices and a connecting portion between the tractor and the trailer when the tractor travels at a predetermined vehicle speed or higher. And a restricting mechanism for restricting displacement of the cord-like member on the extension side in the extension direction when the trailer swings.

  According to the present invention, when the trailer swings to the left (meanders) while the tractor pulling the trailer is running at or above a predetermined vehicle speed at which the snaking phenomenon is likely to occur, the displacement mechanism is allowed to extend in the extension direction until then. The displacement of the extension-like cord-like member (the side where the distance between the tractor and the trailer is increased) is restricted. Then, the subsequent displacement becomes an operation amount for operating the brake device on the left side of the trailer and is input to the operation input unit of the brake device. That is, the brake device on the left side of the trailer is operated. As a result, the trailer swinging (meandering) to the left returns to the right after receiving the braking on the left. That is, the trailer is returned to a state in which the trailer is aligned straight with the tractor. When the trailer swings to the right (meanders), the brake device on the right side of the trailer is operated to return the trailer to the original position.

  Therefore, a pair of telescopic members arranged diagonally between the rear side of the tractor (in the vehicle width direction) and the brake devices on the left and right sides of the trailer (in the vehicle width direction), the trailer extends when the trailer swings (meanders). With a simple mechanical structure utilizing the brake device of the trailer, which is provided with a regulating mechanism for regulating the displacement of the cable member on the side in the extension direction, it is possible to suppress the snaking phenomenon occurring in the tractor.

The block diagram which shows each part of the snake phenomenon suppression apparatus which becomes an aspect based on one Embodiment of this invention. The top view explaining the effect | action which makes the trailer which swung to the left return. The top view explaining the effect | action which makes the trailer which swung to the right return.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on one embodiment shown in FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a snaking phenomenon suppressing device, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the action of suppressing the snaking phenomenon in the device.
In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 denotes a tractor (towing vehicle) and 3 denotes a trailer (towing vehicle). From the rear center of the tractor 1, for example, an I-shaped traction arm 5 protrudes. A pin mount 7 serving as a towing support portion is provided at a tip of the towing arm 5 projecting rearward from the rear bumper 1a of the tractor 1.

  The trailer 3 is, for example, a drum as a pair of wheels 11a, 11b on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 3 and a pair of brake devices for applying a brake to the left and right wheels 11a, 11b, as shown in FIG. It is composed of a trailer having brake systems 13a and 13b of the type. A V-shaped towed arm 15 protrudes from the front of the trailer 3. A pivot pin 17 serving as a towed support portion is provided at a tip of the towed arm 15 projecting forward.

  Then, the pivot pin 17 of the trailer 3 and the pin mount 7 of the tractor 1 are rotatably connected (in the vehicle width direction) to constitute a connected vehicle in which the tractor 1 pulls the trailer 3 (FIG. 1A). ). The brake devices 13a and 13b of the trailer 3 include, for example, an inertial brake system in which braking is performed according to the behavior of the tractor 1 when braking, and a brake that operates together with a brake device (not shown) of the tractor 1 using hydraulic pressure or air. A system is used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the snaking phenomenon suppressing device mounted on the connected vehicle is provided between the rear side of the tractor 1 in the vehicle width direction and the left and right brake devices 13 a and 13 b of the trailer 3. Displacement in the direction of extension of a pair of cord-like members, such as a pair of wire members 23a and 23b, which extend and contract at corners, and a wire member 23a or 23b on the extension side when the trailer 3 swings about the pin mount 7 as a fulcrum. And a pair of regulating devices 35a and 35b (corresponding to the regulating mechanism of the present application) for regulating the pressure.

The pair of wire members 23a and 23b are, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pair of wire winding devices 25a and 25b (the winding device of the present application) housed on both sides of the rear bumper 1a of the tractor 1 in the vehicle width direction. Is used). FIG. 1B shows only the right wire winding device 25a.
Specifically, the wire winding device 25a on the right side allows the wire member 23a wound around the spool 26 and the wire member 23a to be pulled out and unwound from the spool 26 by urging of a spring member (not shown). And a biasing structure (not shown). The wire winding device 25b on the left side has the same configuration (FIGS. 2 and 3). Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the wire members 23 a and 23 b are pulled out from the respective wire winding devices 25 a and 25 b and are arranged in an X shape between the tractor 1 and the trailer 3. And extend to the left and right drum type brake devices 13a and 13b of the trailer 3.

  On the other hand, each of the drum type brake devices 13a and 13b has a brake drum 27 that rotates together with the wheels 11a and 11b as shown in FIG. 1C and a brake shoe 29 housed inside the brake drum 27. ing. As is well known, the brake shoe 29 is configured such that the free end side of the brake shoe 29 is operated as a braking operation input unit 29a. That is, when the brake shoe 29 is operated by, for example, the inertia of the trailer 3 (inertia brake) or the brake operation of the tractor 1 (brake system), the brake shoe 29 is pressed against the inner surface of the brake drum 27, and the wheels 11a, 11b. Is applied to the brake.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the ends of the wire members 23a, 23b from the respective wire winding devices 25a, 25b are respectively opposed from the diagonal direction to the braking operation input unit 29a of each of the brake devices 13a, 13b. Diagonally connected by wire members 23a and 23b which are connected and extendable between the rear portions of the tractor 1 (both sides in the vehicle width direction) and the brake devices 13a and 13b on both sides of the trailer 3 (both sides in the vehicle width direction). It is connected to. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes a guide portion for guiding the wire members 23a and 23b arranged diagonally. Thus, when the distance between the tractor 1 and the trailer 3 changes due to turning right or left or meandering, the wire members 23a and 23b follow the change and the one wire member 23a (or 23b) The wire member 23b (or 23a) is displaced in a direction in which the wire member 23b (or 23a) is unwound from the tractor 1 and contracts.

  Each of the pair of regulating devices 35a, 35b is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, together with each wire winding device 25a, 25b, both side portions in the rear bumper 1a, specifically, the wire winding devices 25a, 25b. Is provided on the wire entry and exit side. Each of the restricting devices 35a and 35b operates while the tractor 1 is traveling at a predetermined vehicle speed or higher, and when the trailer 3 swings (meanders) in the left-right direction about the pin mount 7 as a fulcrum, the wire member on the extension side is equal to or more than a certain amount. And a mechanism for restricting the displacement of the wire member in the extending direction (drawing direction) so as not to be pulled out. Each of the regulating devices 35a and 35b is, for example, a stopper provided at a predetermined position of a part of each of the wire members 23a and 23b, for example, a wire portion drawn out from the wire winding devices 25a and 25b as shown in FIGS. 37a, 37b, stopper restrictors 39a, 39b (corresponding to the stopper restricting member of the present application) which can be locked to the stoppers 37a, 37b, and driving portions 41a, 41b for driving the stopper restrictors 39a, 39b (FIG. 1). And

  Specifically, the stoppers 37a and 37b are made of, for example, short pillar members having a predetermined outer diameter. In both cases, the stoppers 37a and 37b are provided at predetermined positions based on a running state in which the tractor 1 and the trailer 3 are straight. Thus, the stoppers 37a and 37b are displaced within a movement range determined by the maximum elongation and the minimum shrinkage of the wire members 23a and 23b, as shown in FIG.

  The stopper regulating members 39a and 39b are arranged at positions of the wire portions separated from the stoppers 37a and 37b by a predetermined amount toward the trailer 3 with respect to the stoppers 37a and 37b as shown in FIGS. Specifically, each stopper restricting tool 39a, 39b is, for example, a stopper 37a when the trailer 3 bends (means) by a predetermined amount based on the stoppers 37a, 37b when the tractor 1 and the trailer 3 are aligned straight. , 37b. Each of the stopper regulating members 39a and 39b is composed of a pair of locking members 40 that open and close around the wire members 23a and 23b. More specifically, the pair of locking members 40 are “open” when both of them are open until they exceed the outer diameter of the stoppers 37a and 37b, and the wire members 23a and 23b can be inserted, and the stoppers 37a and 37b cannot be inserted. Is opened and closed as "closed". That is, the pair of locking members 40 are opened and closed, that is, the wire members 23a and 23b are opened and closed, that is, the positions that are “open” are the standby positions and the positions that are “closed” are the locking positions that lock the stoppers 37a and 37b. It can be displaced from the surrounding standby position to a locking position where it can be locked with the stoppers 37a and 37b. Thereby, when the locking member 40 is "open", displacement of the wire members 23a and 23b including the stoppers 37a and 37b in both the extending direction and the contracting direction is allowed. When the locking member 40 is "closed", the wire members 23a and 23b are allowed to move in both the extending direction and the contracting direction until the locking members 40 are locked with the stoppers 37a and 37b. The displacement of the wire members 23a and 23b in the contracting direction is allowed, and only the displacement of the wire members 23a and 23b in the extending direction is restricted.

  The stopper regulating members 39a and 39b are connected to a control unit, for example, the ECU 43, via respective driving units 41a and 41b that open and close the locking members 40 (shown in FIG. 1). The ECU 43 includes, for example, a drive unit 41a based on vehicle speed information input from a vehicle speed sensor 45 that detects the vehicle speed of the tractor 1, when the tractor 1 is running at or above a predetermined vehicle speed in a vehicle speed range where the snaking phenomenon of the trailer 3 is likely to occur. , 41b to control the displacement of the locking member 40 of each stopper regulating tool 39a, 39b from "open" (standby position) to "closed" (locking position). That is, the restricting devices 35a and 35b do not operate when the vehicle speed is lower than the speed at which the snake phenomenon does not occur, and are activated when the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed at which the snake phenomenon may occur. Then, in a situation where the snaking phenomenon is likely to occur due to the operation of the regulating devices 35a and 35b, preparations are made in advance to suppress the snaking phenomenon, so that the snaking phenomenon of the tractor 1 that occurs at any time is suppressed.

Next, the operation of the snaking phenomenon suppressing device configured as described above will be described.
It is assumed that the tractor 1 is traveling in an urban area while towing a trailer 3. The city running is a running at a low vehicle speed in which the snaking phenomenon of the trailer 3 does not easily occur. Therefore, the ECU 43 determines that the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined vehicle speed. Thereby, the locking member 40 of each of the restriction devices 35a and 35b continues to stand by around the wire members 23a and 23b in the “open” state. At this time, the wire members 23a and 23b and the stoppers 37a and 37b can be freely inserted between the locking members 40. For this reason, even if the tractor 1 turns right or left while traveling in an urban area, the wire member 23a or 23b is pulled out and extended from the wire winding device 25a or 25b on one side in the vehicle width direction, or the wire member 23b on the other side in the vehicle width direction. Since the wire member 23b or 23a is simply unwound and contracted from the wire winding device 25b or 25a, the wire members 23a and 23b do not affect the towing travel of the tractor 1.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the tractor 1 that has pulled the trailer 3 runs on a highway. In this case, the vehicle speed of the tractor 1 is higher than a predetermined vehicle speed, that is, in a high vehicle speed region where the snaking phenomenon of the trailer 3 is likely to occur, unlike the city area running. , 41b are activated. Accordingly, the pair of locking members 40 are both displaced from the standby position shown in FIG. 1B to the locking positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, the wire members 23a and 23b and the stoppers 37a and 37b are moved. It is driven from “open” where displacement is allowed to “close” which can be locked with the stoppers 37a and 37b. The closing of the locking member 40 is performed when the stoppers 37a and 37b are inside the locking member 40 (on the side of the winding device 25). By the operation of each of the restriction devices 35a and 35b, the snaking phenomenon suppressing device enters a system capable of coping with a situation where the snaking phenomenon is likely to occur, that is, a system for suppressing the snaking phenomenon of the trailer 3 in advance in consideration of the occurrence of the snaking phenomenon.

  It is assumed that when the tractor 1 is towed at high speed, a snaking phenomenon occurs as shown in FIG. 2A and the trailer 3 swings (means) to the left with the pin mount 7 as a fulcrum. As a result, the right wire member 23a on the extension side is pulled out from the right wire winding device 25a to extend, and the left wire member 23b on the contraction side is rewound to the left wire winding device 25a. Shrink. That is, each of the wire members 23a and 23b expands and contracts according to the degree of bending (the meandering state) of the trailer 3.

  At this time, when the amount of deflection (meandering) to the left exceeds a predetermined amount, the stopper 37a is locked by the locking member 40 as shown in FIG. 2B, and the right wire member 23a ( The displacement (elongation) on the side where the distance between the tractor 1 and the trailer 3 is widened) is regulated. Then, the subsequent displacement of the wire member 23a in the extension direction becomes an operation amount for operating the brake device 13b on the left side of the trailer, and is input to the brake operation input unit 29a of the brake shoe 29. As a result, the brake device 13b on the left side of the trailer is actuated, and a braking force is generated on the left side of the trailer, giving the trailer 3 a behavior of turning rightward.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2B, the right wire member 23a is allowed to be displaced in the rewinding direction (shrinkage). Further, since the left wire member 23b is allowed to be displaced in the pull-out direction until the stopper 37b abuts on the locking member 40, the trailer 3 bent (meandered) to the left receives the braking generated on the left side of the trailer. Then, as shown by an arrow a in FIG. 2A, the pin mount 7 is turned rightward with the fulcrum as a fulcrum, and returns to the original position. That is, the trailer 3 returns to the state (posture) in which it is aligned straight with the tractor 1 as shown in FIG.

Conversely, when the trailer 3 swings (meanders) to the right due to the snake phenomenon as shown in FIG. 3A, the brake device 13a on the right side of the trailer is operated as shown in FIG. Thus, as described above, the trailer 3 is turned to the left as shown by the arrow b in FIG.
As described above, a pair of wire members 23a and 23b arranged diagonally between the rear side of the tractor 1 and the brake devices 13a and 13b on the left and right sides of the trailer 3, the extension side that extends when the trailer 3 swings (meanders). A snake phenomenon that occurs in the tractor 1 with a simple mechanical structure utilizing the brake devices 13a and 13b of the trailer 3 in which the regulation devices 35a and 35b (regulation mechanisms) that regulate the displacement of the wire members 23a and 23b are provided. Can be suppressed. In addition, since the restriction devices 35a and 35b do not operate in the traveling area where the snake phenomenon does not occur, it is not necessary to affect low-speed traveling such as turning right and left in an urban area.

In particular, the restricting devices 35a and 35b combine the stoppers 37a and 37b, the stopper restricting members 39a and 39b, and the driving units 41a and 41b to move the stopper restricting members 39a and 39b to the stoppers 37a and 37b when a running situation in which a snake phenomenon is likely to occur. Since the configuration is adopted in which a system capable of immediately responding to the snaking phenomenon, that is, displacing the snail to a position where it can be locked with 37b, is used, the snaking phenomenon of the trailer 3 can be surely suppressed.

In addition, since the regulating devices 35a and 35b are housed in the rear part (rear bumper) of the tractor together with the wire winding devices 25a and 25b, the wire winding devices 25a and 25b and the regulating devices 35a and 35b are compactly assembled to the tractor 1. be able to.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to one embodiment, and may be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, a wire member of a wire winding device is used for the cord-like member, or a structure in which the stopper is locked by a pair of openable and closable locking members is used. I do not care.

1 tractor
3 Trailer 13a, 13b A pair of brake devices 23a, 23b A pair of wire members (a pair of cable members)
7, 17 pin mount, pivot pin (connection part)
35a, 35b Regulator (Regulatory mechanism)
37a, 37b Stopper 39a, 39b Stopper restricting member (stopper restricting member)
41a, 41b Drivers 25a, 25b A pair of wire winding devices (a pair of winding devices)

Claims (4)

A tractor,
A trailer having a pair of brake devices on both sides in the vehicle width direction, rotatably connected to the rear of the tractor and towed,
A pair of cord-like members for connecting between a rear side of the tractor in the vehicle width direction and a braking operation input unit of the pair of brake devices of the trailer so as to be able to expand and contract in diagonal directions, respectively;
When the tractor travels at a predetermined vehicle speed or more, when the trailer swings around a connecting portion between the tractor and the trailer, a regulating mechanism that regulates displacement of the cord-like member on the extension side in the extension direction,
A snaking phenomenon suppressing device, comprising: The regulating mechanism includes:
Stoppers provided on each of the pair of cable members,
A stand-by position which is arranged at a position of the cord-like member separated from the stopper by a predetermined amount toward the trailer side with respect to the stopper, and which stands by around the cord-like member; A stopper regulating member displaced between
The snaking phenomenon suppressing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving unit that displaces the stopper restricting member from the standby position to the locking position when the tractor is traveling at a predetermined vehicle speed or more. The pair of cable members is configured by a cable member housed so as to be able to be pulled out and rewinded by a pair of winding devices provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of a rear portion of the tractor.
The snake phenomenon suppressing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The snaking phenomenon suppression device according to claim 3, wherein the regulation mechanism is provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of a rear portion of the tractor together with the winding device.

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