JP7689899B2 - Wheel set transfer device and moving device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wheel set transfer device and a moving device that transfers wheel sets to a location other than the ground rail.

For example, when inspecting and repairing railway vehicles (hereafter abbreviated as "inspection and repair"), the bogie is separated from the car body, dismantled, and the parts are stored in a parts storage area. The bogie includes the wheelsets that support the car body via bearings. The wheelsets are heavy, weighing 1 to 2 tons, so they are moved from the ground rails to a different location using a crane or forklift.

For example, a technology has been proposed in which an unmanned railway wheel and axle guided vehicle is mounted on a carriage with freely rotatable running wheels, and a pair of left and right forks are mounted on the carriage that can be raised and lowered, slid forward and backward, and have their distance adjusted. The unmanned vehicle runs along a magnetic tape guide line, and the wheelsets are transferred to a location other than the ground rails (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-279291

When using a crane or forklift to transfer wheelsets, operation and assistance from a qualified person is required, resulting in poor work efficiency. In contrast, by using an automated guided railway wheel and axle vehicle, wheelsets can be transferred without the need for operation and assistance from a qualified person. However, the technology for transferring wheelsets using an automated guided railway wheel and axle device requires the forks to be individually aligned with the wheelsets and the wheelsets to be aligned with the parts storage area, which makes positioning control complicated and makes it difficult to transfer wheelsets efficiently.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a wheel set transfer device that transfers wheel sets to a location other than the ground rail, and a moving device that can efficiently transfer wheel sets to a location other than the ground rail without manual intervention.

One aspect of the present invention is characterized in that (1) it comprises a ground rail for loading and unloading axles, a moving device arranged at a position facing the end of the ground rail, and a transport cart that travels in a direction perpendicular to the ground rail and transports the axles, the transport cart stopping at a first stop position on the end of the ground rail or a second stop position that is a location different from the ground rail, the moving device having a fork portion that holds the axles, a forward/backward slide mechanism that slides the fork portion back and forth relative to the end of the ground rail, the forward/backward slide mechanism stopping the fork portion at a forward position on the end of the ground rail or at a backward position that is backward from the forward position, and a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the fork portion, and the moving device and the transport cart are operated in sequence to transfer the axles to a location different from the ground rail.

When the conveying cart stops at the first stop position, the wheel axle transfer device with the above configuration uniquely aligns the end of the ground rail, the conveying cart, and the moving device. This aligns the wheel axle on the ground rail or on the conveying cart with the fork part of the moving device, and the moving device moves the fork part forward or backward relative to the end of the ground rail, and further raises and lowers the fork part, so that the wheel axle can be transferred between the ground rail and the conveying cart. When the conveying cart stops at the second stop position, the conveying cart is aligned with another location on the ground rail, and the wheel axle can be transferred between the conveying cart that stops at the second stop position and the ground rail and another location. Therefore, with the wheel axle transfer device with the above configuration, the wheel axle can be efficiently transferred to the ground rail and another location without manual intervention, simply by operating the conveying cart and the moving device in sequence, without having to individually align the fork part with the wheel axle or align the wheel axle with the ground rail and another location.

(2) In the wheel axle transfer device described in (1), the wheel axle has an axle that passes through a pair of wheels and the axle end of the axle protrudes outward beyond the pair of wheels, the front-rear slide mechanism slides the fork part via a main body to which the fork part is attached so as to be slidable in the up-down direction, the fork part has a connector that is slidably connected to the main body, and a pair of arms that are joined to the connector and support the axle end of the axle from below, and it is preferable that the total length of the part where the connector is connected to the main body is longer than the total length of the pair of arms.

The wheel and axle transfer device configured as described above is able to stably move the wheel and axle between the ground rail and the transport vehicle because the connecting body is unlikely to come off the main body even when the load of a heavy wheel and axle of 1 to 2 tons acts on a pair of arms.

(3) In the wheel set transfer device described in (1) or (2), it is preferable that the device has an attachment member that can be attached to a rotating member that is rotatably held on the wheel set, the fork portion is disposed above the wheel set held on the fork portion, and has a mounting frame to which the attachment member is detachably attached.

The axle transfer device having the above configuration uses a mounting member to support the rotating member of the axle, so that when the moving device raises and lowers the axle, the force of the rotating member rotating under its own weight can prevent the axle from falling off the fork section.

(4) In the wheel set transfer device described in any one of (1) to (3), it is preferable that the transport cart has a first wheel and a second wheel that roll along a first running path on the moving device side and a third wheel and a fourth wheel that roll along a second running path on the opposite side to the moving device, the ground rail is installed in a rail groove that crosses the second running path and extends to between the first running path and the second running path, and the transport cart has one or more auxiliary wheels arranged between the third wheel and the fourth wheel.

In the wheel and axle transfer device having the above configuration, for example, when the transport vehicle passes over a step formed between the running surface of the second running path and the ground rail, or a clearance formed between the second running path and the ground rail, the auxiliary wheels support the transport vehicle. This makes it possible to prevent the transport vehicle from tilting due to the step or clearance, causing the wheel and axle to become misaligned on the transport vehicle or fall off the transport vehicle.

(5) In the wheel set transfer device described in any one of (1) to (4), it is preferable to have an interlock device disposed opposite the moving device across the running path of the transport cart and preventing the transport cart from entering the running path, and a travel control device that allows the transport cart to travel when the interlock device prevents the transport cart from entering the running path and does not allow the transport cart to travel when the interlock device does not prevent the transport cart from entering the running path.

The wheel set transfer device having the above configuration can, for example, prevent the transport cart from traveling from the second stop position to the first stop position, or from the first stop position to the second stop position, when an operator is near the moving device, thereby ensuring safety.

(6) In the wheel set transfer device described in any one of (1) to (5), it is preferable that the transport cart has a pallet on which the wheel set is mounted, the transport cart has a pallet movement mechanism that moves the pallet in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transport cart, and the pallet movement mechanism is driven when the transport cart is stopped at the second stop position.

When the transport cart stops at the second stop position, the wheel and axle transfer device having the above configuration can align the pallet movement mechanism and the wheel and axle with the destination, and automatically load the pallet onto the transport cart or remove the pallet from the transport cart.

(7) A moving device that is placed in a position opposite a ground rail laid on the ground, the moving device having a fork section that holds a wheel set, and a forward/backward sliding mechanism that slides the fork section back and forth relative to the end of the ground rail, the forward/backward sliding mechanism stopping the fork section at a forward position on the end of the ground rail or at a backward position that is backward from the forward position, and a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the fork section, characterized in that the fork section is operated in sequence to transfer the wheel set between the ground rail and a transport vehicle that is stopped on the end of the ground rail.

The moving device having the above configuration slides the fork section between a forward position on the end of the ground rail and a retracted position retracted from the forward position. The moving device is positioned opposite the end of the ground rail, and the transport cart stops on the end of the ground rail. Therefore, the moving device can efficiently transfer the axles between the ground rail and the transport cart without manual intervention by sequentially operating the fork sections, without having to individually align the fork section with the axles brought to the end of the ground rail, or align the axles held by the fork section with the transport cart.

The present invention provides a technology that allows for easy positioning of the wheelsets when transferring them in a wheelset transfer device that transfers the wheelsets to a location separate from the ground rail, and allows for efficient transfer of the wheelsets.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wheel set transfer device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a warehousing operation. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a retrieval operation.

The following describes a wheelset transfer device and a moving device according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The wheelset transfer device of this embodiment is applied to, for example, a carriage inspection and repair line facility, and has a transport carriage for transporting the wheelset, and a moving device for moving the wheelset between the ground rail and the transport carriage.

<General configuration of wheel axle transfer device>
1 is a plan view of a wheel set transfer device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wheel set transfer device 100 includes a ground rail R1, a guide rail R2, a moving device 1, a transporting cart 2, an interlock device 4, and an operation panel 5. The wheel set transfer device 100 is configured to transfer a wheel set W between the ground rail R1 and a parts storage location by sequentially operating the moving device 1 and the transporting cart 2, which perform fixed operations.

The ground rail R1 is a track rail for loading and unloading the wheel set W. The guide rail R2 is laid along a direction perpendicular to the ground rail R1 and is a rail for guiding the transport cart 2. The ground rail R1 is provided between a first running path D1 along which the wheels of the transport cart 2 on the moving device 1 side run, and a second running path D2 along which the wheels of the transport cart on the opposite side to the moving device 1 run, more specifically, it is provided up to just before the first running path D1 and laid across the second running path D2.

The transport cart 2 is a device on which the wheel set W is mounted via a pallet 6 and transports the wheel set W. The transport cart 2 travels left and right along the guide rail R2 in the figure, and stops at a first stop position shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, or a second stop position shown by a solid line in the figure. The first stop position is a position where the transport cart 2 stops on the end of the ground rail R1. The second stop position is a position where the transport cart 2 stops at a location different from the ground rail R1. In this embodiment, the second stop position is a parts storage location. The configuration of the transport cart 2 will be described later.

The moving device 1 is disposed opposite the end of the ground rail R1 and is a device that moves the wheel set W between the ground rail R1 and the transport cart 2. The moving device 1 has a function of moving the fork part 12 that holds the wheel set W forward or backward, and a function of raising and lowering the fork part 12. The configuration of the moving device 1 will be described later.

The interlock device 4 is disposed at a position facing the moving device 1 via the travel paths (first travel path D1, second travel path D2) of the transport cart 2, and is a device that prevents workers from entering the travel path of the transport cart 2. The interlock device 4 is configured by removably attaching a barrier reel 43 and interlock plugs 44, 45 provided on both ends of the barrier reel 43 to a pair of supports 41, 42, respectively.

The operation panel 5 is a device for operating the wheel set transfer device 100. The operation panel 5 is equipped with an operation remote control 51. The operation panel 5 can detect the state in which the barrier reel 43 is attached to the support columns 41 and 42 and the state in which the interlock plugs 44 and 45 are attached to the support columns 41 and 42. When the operation panel 5 detects that the barrier reel 43 and the interlock plugs 44 and 45 are all attached to the support columns 41 and 42, it determines that the interlock device 4 is in a locking mode that prevents entry into the conveying path. On the other hand, when the operation panel 5 detects that at least one of the barrier reel 43 and the interlock plugs 44 and 45 is removed from the support columns 41 and 42, it determines that the interlock device 4 is in an unlocking mode that does not prevent entry into the conveying path. In addition, when the interlock plug 45 is removed, the operation panel 5 enables the operation remote control 51, and when the interlock plug 45 is not removed, it does not enable the operation remote control 51.

<Configuration of the Mobile Device>
The configuration of the moving device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a side view of the moving device 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the moving device 1. Figure 4 is a front view of the moving device 1. The moving device 1 includes a base portion 13, a main body portion 11, a fork portion 12, a lifting mechanism 14, and a front-rear sliding mechanism 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base unit 13 is fixed to the ground so that a pair of base frames 131, 131 are arranged on an extension of the end of the ground rail R1. As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the main body unit 11 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape by welding six frames. The main body unit 11 is slidably held by the base frames 131, 131.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fork portion 12 is attached to the ground rail R1 side of the main body portion 11 so as to be able to slide vertically. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fork portion 12 includes a connector 121 and a pair of arms 122, 122.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wheel set W has an axle Wb penetrating a pair of wheels Wa, Wa, and the axle ends Wb1, Wb2 of the axle Wb protrude outward from the wheels Wa, Wa. The connecting body 121 is formed by connecting a pair of vertical beams to two horizontal beams. The structure of the connecting body 121 is not limited to this, and the number of vertical beams and horizontal beams may be different from this embodiment, and the connecting body 121 may be formed of a single plate. The connecting body 121 has a width approximately the same as the axle Wb.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pair of arms 122, 122 are joined to the lower part of the connector 121 so as to protrude toward the ground rail R1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pair of arms 122, 122 are arranged outside the pair of base frames 131, 131 so that they do not interfere with the base frames 131, 131 when the main body 11 slides along them. In addition, the pair of arms 122, 122 are arranged with a gap that allows them to hold the axle ends Wb1, Wb2 of the wheel set W.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a holding member 127 for holding the axle ends Wb1, Wb2 is attached to the tip of the pair of arms 122, 122. As shown in Figure 2, the holding member 127 aligns the axle Wb with the fork portion 12 and has a V-shaped surface that contacts the axle ends Wb1, Wb2 to prevent the wheel set W from falling.

As shown in Figure 4, a pair of masts 111, 111 that guide the fork portion 12 in the up-down direction are provided on both the left and right sides of the main body portion 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fork portion 12 has cam followers 124, 125 and roller follower 126 attached to a connecting body 121 via a roller base 123, and the cam followers 124, 125 and roller follower 126 roll along the mast 111, allowing the fork portion 12 to slide up and down with little friction relative to the main body portion 11.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the fork portion 12 is provided with a mounting frame 128 above the wheel axle W held by the fork portion 12. The mounting frame 128 has mounting parts 128a to which a hoist 19 is detachably attached, which is attached to a gear box Wc (see Figure 13, etc., described later) that is rotatably held on the axle Wb of the wheel axle W. To accommodate multiple types of wheel axles W, the mounting frame 128 is provided with multiple mounting parts 128a, as shown in Figure 2. The gear box is an example of a "rotating member."

As shown in FIG. 2, the lifting mechanism 14 is disposed on the upper part of the main body 11 and raises and lowers the fork part 12 relative to the main body 11.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the lifting mechanism 14 has a lift motor 141 disposed near the center of the upper part of the main body 11, and a lift drive gear 142 is connected to the lift motor 141. The main body 11 rotatably supports a front gear shaft 145 and a rear gear shaft 150 at the front side (the side facing the ground rail R1) and rear side (the side opposite the ground rail R1) of the lift motor 141. The lift driven gear 143 is attached integrally to the front gear shaft 145. A chain 144 is wound around the lift drive gear 142 and the lift driven gear 143, and the front gear shaft 145 rotates in response to the rotation of the lift motor 141.

As shown in FIG. 3, a front lift gear 146 and a rear lift gear 147 are integrally attached to both ends of the front gear shaft 145 and the rear gear shaft 150, respectively. A lift chain 148 is wound around the front lift gear 146 and the rear lift gear 147. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, one end of the lift chain 148 is connected to the fork portion 12 and the other end is connected to a counterweight 149, and the fork portion 12 rises and falls in response to the rotation of the front gear shaft 145 (lift motor 141).

As shown in FIG. 2, the front-rear slide mechanism 15 is disposed at the bottom of the main body 11 and slides the fork portion 12 horizontally. The front-rear slide mechanism 15 stops the fork portion 12 at a forward position P11 (see FIG. 13 described later) on the end of the ground rail R1, or at a backward position P12 (see FIG. 13 described later) that is backward from the forward position. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the front-rear slide mechanism 15. FIG. 6 is a side view of the front-rear slide mechanism 15. FIG. 7 is a front view of the front-rear slide mechanism 15.

As shown in FIG. 5, the front-rear slide mechanism 15 has linear guide rails 158 fixed to the upper surfaces of a pair of base frames 131, 131. As shown in FIG. 6, a linear block 159 is slidably engaged with the linear guide rails 158 and fixed to the lower surface of the main body 11.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the front-rear slide mechanism 15 has a slide motor 151 disposed near the center of the bottom of the main body 11, and a slide drive gear 152 is connected to the slide motor 151. The main body 11 rotatably supports a pinion shaft 155. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the slide driven gear 153 is attached integrally to the pinion shaft 155. A chain (not shown) is wound around the slide drive gear 152 and the slide driven gear 153, and the pinion shaft 155 rotates in response to the rotation of the slide motor 151.

As shown in Figures 5 and 7, pinions 156, 156 are attached integrally to both ends of the pinion shaft 155. The pinions 156, 156 engage with pinion racks 157, 157 fixed to the base frames 131, 131, respectively, and apply thrust to the main body 11 in response to the rotation of the pinion shaft 155 (slide motor 151).

As shown in FIG. 5, a front stopper member 133 and a rear stopper member 134 are disposed on the base portion 13. A front abutment member 113 and a rear abutment member 114 are attached to the underside of the main body portion 11. The front abutment member 113 is engaged with the front stopper member 133, thereby restricting the forward movement of the main body portion 11 sliding toward the end of the ground rail R1. The rear abutment member 114 is engaged with the rear stopper member 134, thereby restricting the backward movement of the main body portion 11 sliding toward the opposite side from the end of the ground rail R1.

In the moving device 1, the up-down position of the fork portion 12 is detected by the limit switch 18 for detecting the lifting/lowering state shown in FIG. 3. In addition, in the moving device 1, the position of the fork portion 12 (main body portion 11) in the forward/backward direction is detected by the limit switch 16 for detecting the forward/backward sliding state shown in FIG. 7. In the moving device 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the lift motor 141, slide motor 151, limit switch 18 for detecting the lifting/lowering state, and limit switch 16 for detecting the forward/backward sliding state are connected to the operation panel 5 via a moving device cable bear (registered trademark) 17 provided below the main body portion 11.

<About the transport cart configuration>
The configuration of the transporting cart 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the transporting cart 2. Fig. 9 is a side view of the transporting cart 2. Fig. 10 is a rear view of the transporting cart 2. Fig. 11 is a front view of the transporting cart 2. In Fig. 8, rollers 317A, 317B are indicated by two-dot chain lines to make the drawing easier to see.

As shown in FIG. 8, the transport cart 2 has a pair of drive wheels 22A, 22B and a pair of driven wheels 23A, 23B attached to the cart frame 21. The drive wheel 22A is an example of a "first wheel". The driven wheel 23A is an example of a "second wheel". The drive wheel 22B is an example of a "third wheel". The driven wheel 23B is an example of a "fourth wheel". Two auxiliary wheels 24 are disposed between the drive wheel 22B and the driven wheel 23B. The number of auxiliary wheels 24 may be one or three or more.

As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of drive wheels 22A, 22B are connected to a travel motor 25 fixed to the carriage frame 21 via couplings 26A, 26B via drive wheel shafts 27A, 27B. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 11, the transport carriage 2 is provided with a plurality of cam followers 33 that roll along the guide rail R2, and is driven in a linear reciprocating manner in response to the rotation of the travel motor 25.

As shown in FIG. 8, the transport cart 2 is equipped with a pallet movement mechanism 31 for loading or unloading the pallet 6 onto or from the transport cart 2. The pallet movement mechanism 31 is equipped with a pallet transfer motor 311, a first pallet transfer drive gear 312, a second pallet transfer driven gear 313, a pallet transfer gear shaft 315, a pair of pallet transfer transmission gears 316A, 316B, a first roller conveyor 317A, and a second roller conveyor 317B.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first roller conveyor 317A and the second roller conveyor 317B are devices that automatically load or unload the pallet 6 onto the transport cart 2 by rotating multiple rollers synchronously. The first roller conveyor 317A and the second roller conveyor 317B are each arranged on the cart frame 21 so that multiple rollers are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transport cart 2.

The pallet transfer motor 311 is disposed between the first roller conveyor 317A and the second roller conveyor 317B, and is connected to the first pallet transfer drive gear 312. The pallet transfer gear shaft 315 is installed between the first roller conveyor 317A and the second roller conveyor 317B. A pair of pallet transfer transmission gears 316A, 316B are integrally attached to both ends of the pallet transfer gear shaft 315, and rotate in response to the rotation of the pallet transfer motor 311.

The first roller conveyor 317A has sprockets on the roller shafts of each roller, and a transmission chain is wound around those sprockets and the pallet transfer transmission gear 316A. The second roller conveyor 317B has sprockets on the roller shafts of each roller, and a transmission chain is wound around those sprockets and the pallet transfer transmission gear 316B. Therefore, the first roller conveyor 317A and the second roller conveyor 317B rotate synchronously in the same direction in response to the rotation of the pair of pallet transfer transmission gears 316A, 316B (pallet transfer motor 311), and the pallet 6 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transport cart 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the transport cart 2 is provided with a movement limiting member 35 on the side opposite the entrance for the pallet 6, which limits the movement of the pallet 6, preventing the pallet 6 from falling off the transport cart 2 when the pallet 6 is brought in. The transport cart 2 also detects the position of the pallet 6 by a pallet position detection limit switch 37. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the pallet 6 is positioned relative to the transport cart 2 by the movement limiting member 35 and the pallet position detection limit switch 37.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 11, the position of the transport cart 2 is detected by a limit switch 8 for detecting the cart position, which is provided along the guide rail R2. As shown in Fig. 1, the limit switch 8 for detecting the cart position includes a limit switch 8A for detecting the first stop position and a limit switch 8B for detecting the second stop position.

As shown in FIG. 10, the travel motor 25, the pallet transfer motor 311, the pallet position detection limit switch 37, and the cart position detection limit switch 8 of the transport cart 2 are connected to the operation panel 5 via the transport cart cable bear 3 provided on the side of the guide rail R2.

<About the composition of the palette>
As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the pallet 6 is provided with a pair of clamping parts 61 for clamping a pair of wheels Wa, Wa constituting a wheel set W. As shown in Figure 9, the clamping parts 61 are disposed at the same interval as the rail interval of the ground rail R1, and are positioned almost directly above the ground rail R1 when the transporting carriage 2 stops at the first stop position. As shown in Figure 10, the clamping parts 61 are provided with inclinations on the clamping surfaces 61A, 61B, so that the position of the axle Wb relative to the pallet 6 (transporting carriage 2) can be automatically adjusted for wheel sets W with wheels Wa of different diameters.

<Control configuration>
12 is a control block diagram. The operation panel 5 includes an operation remote control 51, a control board 52, an operation unit 53, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 54. The operation unit 53 is provided inside the housing of the operation panel 5, and can be operated only by the administrator, not by the worker. On the other hand, the operation remote control 51 is provided outside the housing of the operation panel 5, and can be operated not only by the administrator but also by the worker.

The operation unit 53 includes switches that accept various operations, such as a position adjustment switch and a power-on switch. The communication IF 54 includes hardware that controls communication with external devices. The control board 52 is a well-known microcomputer, and includes a CPU 56 and a memory 57. Various programs and data are stored in the memory 57. The memory 57 is also used as a temporary storage area. The CPU 56 reads out the programs stored in the memory 57, and executes various processes while reading and writing data to the memory 57.

The control board 52 is communicatively connected to the lift motor 141, slide motor 151, lifting/lowering state detection limit switch 18, and forward/rearward sliding state detection limit switch 16 via the communication IF 54. The control board 52 is also communicatively connected to the travel motor 25, pallet transfer motor 311, pallet position detection limit switch 37, and cart position detection limit switch 8 via the communication IF 54. The control board 52 controls the operation of the transport cart 2 via the communication IF 54. The control board 52 is also connected to the interlock device 4 via the communication IF 54.

When the control board 52 receives an instruction via the operation unit 53 or the operation remote control 51, it receives detection signals from the limit switch 18 for detecting the lifting state, the limit switch 16 for detecting the forward/backward sliding state, the limit switch 37 for detecting the pallet position, and the limit switch 8 for detecting the trolley position, and controls the operation of the transport trolley 2 and the moving device 1 (fork section 12) based on the received detection signals, thereby causing the wheelset transfer device 100 to perform an operation corresponding to the received instruction. The control board 52 also has a function of detecting whether the interlock device 4 is preventing the transport trolley 2 from entering the travel path, and allowing the transport trolley 2 to travel based on the detection result.

<Operation of the wheel axle transfer device>
Next, the operation of the wheel set transfer device 100 will be described separately for an entrance operation in which the wheel set W carried in to the end of the ground rail R1 is transferred to a parts storage location, and an exit operation in which the wheel set W is transferred from the parts storage location to the ground rail R1. The parts storage location is an example of a "location separate from the ground rail R1."

<Stocking operation>
13 is a diagram for explaining the warehousing operation. Note that the operation of the wheelset transfer device 100 is basically performed mainly by the CPU 56, but for the sake of convenience, the operation may be mainly performed by the wheelset transfer device 100, the moving device 1, and the transport vehicle 2.

As shown in FIG. 13(a), before the storage operation, in the wheelset transfer device 100, the moving device 1 retracts the fork section 12 to the retracted position P12, and then lowers the fork section 12 to the original position P21, which is the lower limit of the lifting range. The transport cart 2 is stopped at the second stop position. In this state, the worker, for example, removes the interlock plug 44 of the interlock device 4 and removes the barrier reel 43 from the support 42 to set the interlock device 4 to the unlocked mode. The worker then manually pushes the wheelset W waiting on the ground rail R1 to the end of the ground rail R1.

When the wheel set transfer device 100 determines that the interlock device 4 is in the unlocked mode, it stops the power supply to the transport cart 2 and does not allow the transport cart 2 to move.

When the wheel set W is brought up to the end of the ground rail R1 and the interlock device 4 is switched to the locking mode, the moving device 1 drives the slide motor 151 to move the fork section 12 forward from the retracted position P12 to the forward position P11 while keeping the fork section 12 in the original position P21, as shown in FIG. 13(b). As a result, the holding members 127 provided on the pair of arms 122 are positioned below the axle ends Wb1, Wb2 of the wheel set W. Note that the fork section 12 may be moved forward automatically by detecting, by a limit switch or the like, that the wheel set W has been brought up to the ground rail R1.

For example, once the worker confirms that the fork section 12 has stopped at the forward position P11, he removes the interlock plug 45 and makes the operation remote control 51 available for use. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the worker uses the operation remote control 51 to raise the fork section 12 from the original position P21 to a detachment position P22 where the hoist 19 is detached from the wheel set W placed on the ground rail R1. At this time, the axle ends Wb1, Wb2 of the wheel set W move following the V-shaped surface of the retaining member 127, and the axle Wb is automatically aligned with the fork section 12.

The worker removes the interlock plug 44 of the interlock device 4, removes the barrier reel 43 from the support 42, and sets the interlock device 4 to the unlocked mode. The worker then attaches one end of the hoist 19 to the gear box Wc of the wheel set W held by the fork section 12, and attaches the other end of the hoist 19 to the mounting section 128a of the fork section 12. The worker adjusts the length of the hoist 19 so as to lift the gear box Wc. This supports the wheel set W by the hoist 19 so that the gear box Wc does not rotate, and prevents the gear box Wc from rotating and falling from the fork section 12 when the fork section 12 is raised or lowered. Note that while the interlock device 4 is in the unlocked mode, no power is supplied to the transport cart 2, ensuring the safety of the worker attaching the hoist 19.

When the worker has completed installation of the sling 19, he or she attaches the barrier reel 43 and interlock plugs 44, 45 of the interlock device 4 to the posts 41, 42. This switches the unlock mode to the lock mode.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13(d), the moving device 1 drives the lift motor 141 to raise the fork portion 12 from the attachment/detachment position P22 to an upper limit position P23 at which the wheel set W is raised above the transport cart 2.

When the lifting state detection limit switch 18 detects that the fork section 12 has risen to the upper limit position P23, the wheel axle transfer device 100 supplies power to the travel motor 25 of the transport cart 2, causing the transport cart 2 to travel from the second stop position to the first stop position.

When either the barrier reel 43 or the interlock plugs 44, 45 are removed, the wheel set transfer device 100 determines that the interlock device 4 is in the unlocked mode. In this case, the wheel set transfer device 100 does not supply power to the travel motor 25 of the transport cart 2 and does not allow the transport cart 2 to travel. In this way, the wheel set transfer device 100 allows the transport cart 2 to travel only when the interlock device 4 is preventing entry onto the travel path (when in the locked mode), so that the transport cart 2 can be prevented from traveling while a worker is on the travel path.

Here, before traveling from the second stop position to the first stop position, the wheel set transfer device 100 judges whether or not an empty pallet 6 is loaded on the transport cart 2 based on the detection signal of the pallet position detection limit switch 37. For example, when the wheel set transfer device 100 judges that the transport cart 2 does not have an empty pallet 6 loaded, it drives the pallet transfer motor 311 of the transport cart 2 to rotate the rollers of the first and second roller conveyors 317A, 317B in synchronization. As a result, the pallet 6 is transferred to the transport cart 2 in accordance with the rotation of the rollers. When the wheel set transfer device 100 detects that the pallet 6 has stopped on the transport cart 2 using the pallet position detection limit switch 37, it stops the power supply to the pallet transfer motor 311. As a result, the empty pallet 6 is loaded on the transport cart 2.

The pallet 6 mounted on the transport cart 2 is aligned with respect to the transport cart 2 by the movement limiting member 35 and the pallet position detection limit switch 37. Therefore, the clamping portion 61 of the pallet 6 is uniquely aligned with respect to the transport cart 2.

The wheelset transfer device 100 uses the limit switch 8 for detecting the carriage position to accurately stop the transport carriage 2 at the first stop position. Therefore, when the transport carriage 2 stops at the first stop position, the clamp portion 61 of the pallet 6 is positioned almost directly above the ground rail R1.

As shown in FIG. 13(e), the moving device 1 drives the lift motor 141 to lower the fork section 12 from the upper limit position P23 to a position just before the wheel set W is clamped by the clamp section 61. The worker removes the interlock plug 45 to enable the operation remote control 51. The worker uses the operation remote control 51 to lower the fork section 12 to the clamp position P24. Because the clamp section 61 is positioned almost directly above the ground rail R1, the moving device 1 can place the wheel Wa of the wheel set W on the clamp section 61 simply by lowering the fork section 12.

As shown in FIG. 10, the clamping portion 61 has inclined clamping surfaces 61A and 61B that contact the wheel Wa. Therefore, even if the diameter of the wheel Wa varies from product to product, the wheel axle W is clamped to the clamping portion 61 with the axle Wb aligned with the forward position P11 according to the inclination of the clamping surfaces 61A and 61B.

As shown in FIG. 13(e), once the wheel set W is clamped to the clamp section 61, the worker removes the interlock plug 44 and the barrier reel 43 from the support 42 to release the interlock. The worker then enters the travel path of the transport cart 2 and removes the hoist 19 from the mounting section 128a and the gear box Wc.

Then, on condition that the interlock device 4 is in a state preventing entry into the travel path (locking mode), the moving device 1 drives the lift motor 141 to lower the fork portion 12 from the clamp position P24 to the release position P25 where the fork portion 12 releases the wheel set W, as shown in FIG. 13(f).

As shown in FIG. 13(g), the moving device 1 drives the slide motor 151 to move the fork portion 12 backward from the forward position P11 to the backward position P12.

When the limit switch 16 for detecting the forward/rearward sliding state detects that the fork portion 12 has retreated to the retreat position P12, the transport cart 2 travels from the first stop position to the second stop position.

When the limit switch 8 for detecting the carriage position detects that the transport carriage 2 has stopped at the second stop position, the transport carriage 2 drives the pallet transfer motor 311 to rotate the rollers of the first roller conveyor 317A and the second roller conveyor 317B in synchronization. As a result, the pallet 6 carrying the wheel set W is ejected from the transport carriage 2 to the parts storage location.

As shown in FIG. 13(h), when the transport vehicle 2 travels from the first stop position to the second stop position, the moving device 1 drives the lift motor 141 to lower the fork section 12 from the open position P25 to the original position P21. Note that if the transport vehicle 2 has moved to a location other than the first stop position, the moving device 1 may lower the fork section 12 to the original position P21 before the transport vehicle 2 arrives at the second stop position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ground rail R1 is laid across the second running path D2 up to just before the first running path D1. As shown in FIG. 9, the ground rail R1 is set inside a rail groove 112, and there is a step or clearance C between the ground rail R1 and the second running path D2. When the driven wheels 23B pass over the step or clearance C, the transport cart 2 tilts, and there is a risk that the wheel set W mounted on the transport cart 2 will fall off the transport cart 2 or the pallet 6 will become misaligned.

However, in this embodiment of the transport cart 2, when the driven wheels 23B pass over the step or clearance C formed between the ground rail R1 and the running surface of the second running path D2, the auxiliary wheels 24 arranged between the driving wheels 22B and the driven wheels 23B support the transport cart 2. This prevents the transport cart 2 from tilting, making it less likely that the wheel set W mounted on the transport cart 2 will fall off the transport cart 2 or that the pallet 6 will become misaligned.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transport cart 2 is prevented from traveling beyond the first or second stop position by wheel stops 9A, 9B arranged on the first and second travel paths D1, D2.

<Removal operation>
14 is a diagram for explaining the outgoing operation. The outgoing operation is basically performed in the reverse order to the incoming operation.

Briefly, before the wheel set transfer device 100 is released from the warehouse, the moving device 1 retracts the fork section 12 to the retracted position P12 and then lowers it to the original position P21, as shown in FIG. 14(a). The transport cart 2 is stopped at the second position. The transport cart 2 uses the pallet moving mechanism 31 to load the pallet 6 that clamps the wheel set W.

As shown in FIG. 14(b), when the transport vehicle 2 travels from the second stop position to the first stop position, the moving device 1 raises the fork section 12 to the open position P25 while keeping the fork section 12 retracted to the retracted position P12.

As shown in FIG. 14(c), the moving device 1 advances the fork section 12, which is positioned in the open position P25, from the retracted position P12 to the advanced position P11, and inserts the pair of arms 122, 122 between the shaft ends Wb1, Wb2 of the axle Wb and the pallet 6. As a result, the fork section 12 positions the holding member 127 below the shaft ends Wb1, Wb2.

As shown in FIG. 14(d), the moving device 1 raises the fork portion 12 to the clamping position P24 while keeping the fork portion 12 in the forward position P11. The worker attaches the hoisting device 19 to the gear box Wc of the axle W and the mounting portion 128a of the fork portion 12, and supports the gear box Wc so that it does not rotate.

As shown in FIG. 14(e), the moving device 1 raises the fork section 12 to the upper limit position P23 while keeping the fork section 12 in the forward position P11, and lifts the wheel set W from the clamp section 61 of the pallet 6. In this state, the transport cart 2 travels from the first stop position to the second stop position. At the second stop position, the transport cart 2 drives the pallet moving mechanism 31 and delivers the empty pallet 6 to the parts storage location.

As shown in FIG. 14(f), after the transport vehicle 2 travels from the first stop position to the second stop position, the moving device 1 lowers the fork section 12 from the upper limit position P23 to the detachment position P22, and places the wheel set W on the end of the ground rail R1. In this state, the worker removes the hoist 19 from the wheel set W and the fork section 12.

As shown in FIG. 14(g), the moving device 1 lowers the fork section 12 from the attachment/detachment position P22 to the original position P21. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(h), the moving device 1 retracts the fork section 12 from the forward position P11 to the retracted position P12. The worker rolls the wheel set W transferred from the transport cart 2 to the ground rail R1, and carries it out from the end of the ground rail R1.

<Action and effect>
As described above, the wheel set transfer device 100 of this embodiment includes a ground rail R1 for loading and unloading the wheel set W, a moving device 1 arranged at a position opposite to the end of the ground rail R1, and a transporting cart 2 which travels in a direction perpendicular to the ground rail R1 and transports the wheel set W, the transporting cart 2 stopping at a first stop position on the end of the ground rail R1 or at a second stop position which is a location different from the ground rail R1. The moving device 1 includes a fork section 12 which holds the wheel set W, a forward/backward slide mechanism 15 which slides the fork section 12 back and forth relative to the end of the ground rail R1, the forward/backward slide mechanism 15 stopping the fork section 12 at an advanced position P11 on the end of the ground rail R1 or at a retreated position P12 retreated from the advanced position P11, and a lifting mechanism 14 which raises and lowers the fork section 12. The moving device 1 and the transporting cart 2 are operated in sequence to transfer the wheel set W to a location different from the ground rail R1 (a parts storage location).

In such a wheel axle transfer device 100, when the transport cart 2 stops at the first stop position, the end of the ground rail R1, the transport cart 2, and the moving device 1 are uniquely aligned. As a result, the wheel axle W on the ground rail R1 or on the transport cart 2 and the fork portion 12 of the moving device 1 are aligned, and the moving device 1 moves the fork portion 12 forward or backward relative to the end of the ground rail R1, and further raises and lowers the fork portion 12, so that the wheel axle W can be transferred between the ground rail R1 and the transport cart 2. In addition, when the transport cart 2 stops at the second stop position, the transport cart 2 is aligned with the ground rail R1 and another location (parts storage location), and the wheel axle W can be transferred between the transport cart 2 stopped at the second stop position, the ground rail R1, and another location (parts storage location). Therefore, with the wheel set transfer device 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently transfer the wheel set W to a location other than the ground rail R1 (a location for storing parts) without manual intervention by simply operating the transport cart 2 and the moving device 1 in sequence, without having to individually align the fork portion 12 with respect to the wheel set W, or align the wheel set W with respect to the ground rail R1 and another location (a location for storing parts).

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be applied in various ways. For example, the wheelset transfer device 100 may be applied to equipment other than the wheelset inspection and repair equipment, such as a conveying machine equipment.

In the above embodiment, the control board 52 of the operation panel 5 controls the operation of the transport cart 2 and the moving device 1, but a control device may be provided on each of the transport cart 2 and the moving device 1, and when an instruction to enter or leave the warehouse is received via the operation panel 5, the control device of the transport cart 2 and the control device of the moving device 1 may work together to transfer the wheel set W.

The shape of the fork section 12 may be different from that of the above embodiment. However, as in the above embodiment, by using a fork section 12 in which the total length A of the portion where the connector 121 is connected to the main body section 11 is longer than the total length B of the pair of arms 122, 122, the connector 121 is less likely to come off the main body section 11 even when the load of the wheel set W, which is a heavy object of 1t to 2t, acts on the pair of arms 122, 122, and the moving device 1 can stably move the wheel set W between the ground rail R1 and the transport cart 2.

Also, the fork section 12 may not be provided with the mounting frame 128, and the hoisting device 19 may not support the wheel set W. However, as in the above embodiment, the fork section 12 has a mounting frame 128 to which the hoisting device 19 is detachably attached above the wheel set W held by the fork section 12, so that the wheel set W can be prevented from falling off the fork section 12 due to the force of the gear box Wc rotating under its own weight when the moving device 1 raises and lowers the wheel set W.

The auxiliary wheels 24 may not be provided. However, as in this embodiment, the auxiliary wheels 24 are provided between the drive wheels 22B and driven wheels 23B arranged on the opposite side of the moving device 2. When the driven wheels 23B of the transport cart 2 pass over a step formed between the running surface and the ground rail R1 or a clearance C formed between the running surface and the ground rail R1, for example, the auxiliary wheels 24 support the transport cart 2, preventing the wheel axle W from shifting position on the transport cart 2 or falling off the transport cart 2.

The interlock device 4 may not be necessary. However, as in this embodiment, if the interlock device 4 is disposed at a position facing the moving device 1 across the travel path of the transport cart 2, and the transport cart 2 is permitted to travel when the interlock device 4 prevents entry into the travel path, and the transport cart 2 is not permitted to travel when the interlock device 4 does not prevent entry into the travel path, then, for example, when a worker is near the moving device 1, the transport cart 2 can be prevented from traveling from the second stop position to the first stop position or from the first stop position to the second stop position, thereby ensuring safety.

The pallet moving mechanism 31 does not have to be provided on the transport cart 2. However, if the transport cart 2 is provided with the pallet moving mechanism 31 and the pallet moving mechanism 31 is driven when the transport cart 2 is stopped at the second stop position, the pallet moving mechanism 31 can align the wheel axle W with the destination (parts storage location) when the transport cart 2 is stopped at the second stop position, and the pallet 6 can be automatically loaded onto the transport cart 2 or removed from the transport cart 2.

The wheel set W may be mounted directly on the transport cart 2 without using the pallet 6.

1 Moving device 2 Transporting cart 12 Fork section 14 Lifting mechanism 15 Front-rear slide mechanism 100 Wheel axle transfer device R1 Ground rail W Wheel axle

Claims (7)

a ground rail for loading and unloading the wheelsets;
A moving device disposed at a position opposite to an end of the ground rail;
a transporting carriage that travels in a direction perpendicular to the ground rail and transports the wheel set, the transporting carriage stopping at a first stop position on an end of the ground rail or at a second stop position that is different from the ground rail;
having
The moving device is
A fork portion that holds the wheel axle;
a forward/backward slide mechanism that slides the fork portion forward and backward relative to the end of the ground rail, the forward/backward slide mechanism stopping the fork portion at a forward position on the end of the ground rail or at a backward position that is backward from the forward position;
A lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the fork portion;
having
By sequentially operating the moving device and the transport vehicle, the wheel set is transferred to a location other than the ground rail;
A wheel set transfer device characterized by the above. The wheel set transfer device according to claim 1,
The wheel set has an axle that passes through a pair of wheels, and an end of the axle protrudes outward beyond the pair of wheels,
The front-rear slide mechanism slides the fork portion via a main body to which the fork portion is attached so as to be slidable in the up-down direction;
The fork portion is
A connector slidably connected to the main body;
A pair of arms joined to the connecting body and supporting the shaft end of the axle from below;
having
The total length of the portion where the connector is connected to the main body is longer than the total length of the pair of arms;
A wheel set transfer device characterized by the above. The wheel set transfer device according to claim 1 or 2,
a mounting member that can be mounted on a rotating member that is rotatably held on the wheel axle;
the fork portion has an attachment frame provided above the wheel axle held by the fork portion and to which the mounting member is detachably attached;
A wheel set transfer device characterized by the above. In the wheel set transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
the transporting carriage has a first wheel and a second wheel that roll along a first running path on a side of the moving device, and a third wheel and a fourth wheel that roll along a second running path on an opposite side to the moving device,
The ground rail is installed in a rail groove formed between the first running path and the second running path across the second running path,
The transporting carriage has one or more auxiliary wheels disposed between the third wheel and the fourth wheel;
A wheel set transfer device characterized by the above. In the wheel set transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
an interlock device disposed at a position facing the moving device across a travel path of the transport vehicle and configured to prevent the transport vehicle from entering the travel path;
a travel control device that allows the transport vehicle to travel when the interlock device prevents the transport vehicle from entering the travel path, and does not allow the transport vehicle to travel when the interlock device does not prevent the transport vehicle from entering the travel path;
having
A wheel set transfer device characterized by the above. The wheel set transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The transporting cart has the wheel set mounted via a pallet, and has a pallet moving mechanism that moves the pallet in a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of the transporting cart;
driving the pallet moving mechanism when the transport vehicle is stopped at the second stop position;
A wheel set transfer device characterized by the above. A moving device disposed at a position facing a ground rail laid on the ground,
A fork portion that holds the wheel axle;
a forward/backward slide mechanism that slides the fork portion forward and backward relative to the end of the ground rail, the forward/backward slide mechanism stopping the fork portion at a forward position on the end of the ground rail or at a backward position that is backward from the forward position;
A lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the fork portion;
having
By sequentially operating the fork parts, the wheel set is transferred between the ground rail and a transport vehicle stopped on an end of the ground rail;
A mobile device comprising: