JPH0115432B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vehicle coupling machine for towing a vehicle, and more specifically, the locking/unlocking operation of a coupling hook that clamps a kingpin can be performed not only manually but also automatically. This invention relates to a manual and automatic operating device for a vehicle coupling machine that can be used in a variety of ways.

[Conventional technology]

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle coupling device includes a coupler base 1 provided at the rear of a towing vehicle, for example, and a pair of coupling hooks 3, 3 that rotate around a shaft 2 against a spring (not shown). It is installed. The connecting hooks 3, 3 grip a king pin 4 provided at the front of the towed vehicle with a clamping portion 5, thereby making it possible to connect the vehicles. In such a vehicle coupling machine, the king pin 4 is connected to the coupling hook 3 while the vehicle is in operation.
In order to prevent it from coming off further, connect the connecting hook 3,
A lock plunger 7, which can move forward and backward, is engaged with an engagement groove 6 at one end of the lock plunger 3.

By the way, the operation of disengaging the lock plunger 7 from the engagement groove 6 in order to remove the king pin 4 from the connecting hook 3 is performed using a guide portion 8 provided on the lock plunger 7 as shown in FIG. 2 (see FIG. 3). and an elongated hole 11 into which the pin 10 on the coupler base 1 is loosely fitted.
The manual operation lever 12 guided by the lever is pulled in the direction of arrow 14 against the spring 13, and the engagement pin 15 protruding from the upper surface of the manual operation lever 12 is engaged with the rib 16 of the coupler base 1. This is done by removing it from section 17. That is, when the manual operating lever 12 is moved linearly as described above, the lock guide body 1 protruding above the manual operating lever 12
8 rotates the stopper link 20 in the direction of arrow 23 about a shaft 22 fixed to the coupler base 1 against a spring 21. The lock plate 25 moves in the direction of the arrow 26 via the rod 24 connected to its tip, and the hole 28 formed in the rib 27 of the coupler base 1 opens. The lock plunger 7
A spring 30 is interposed in the plunger rod 29, and the spring 30 constantly urges the lock plunger 7 toward the engagement groove 6 of the connecting hook 3.
When the lock plunger 7 is rotated about the pin 10 in the direction of the arrow 31, the lock plunger 7 is moved in the direction of the arrow 32 via the guide portion 8, and the tip of the plunger rod 29 passes through the hole 28 and protrudes from the rib 27, causing the lock plunger to move in the direction of the arrow 32. 7 is removed from the engagement groove of the pair of connecting hooks 3. At this time, the lock lever 35 shown in FIG.
3 rotates around the shaft 35a, and its engagement protrusion 35b engages the engagement surface 7a carved in the lock plunger 7, and the lock plunger 7 engages the engagement groove 6.
The state will not be restored by the spring 30 in the direction of . Therefore, each connecting hook 3 is rotatable on its own axis 2, and when the towing vehicle is moved forward, the king pin 4 of the stopped towed vehicle rotates each connecting hook 3 against a spring (not shown). The connecting hooks 3 are removed from the clamping portions 5 of the pair of connecting hooks 3. At this time, the lock lever 35 is rotated against the spring 33 by the pin 9 implanted in the rotating connecting hook 3, so that the engagement between the lock lever 35 and the lock plunger 7 is released. The lock plunger 7 moves the spring 3 in the direction of the engagement groove 6.
0, the manual operating lever 12 returns to its original position as shown via the guide 8 and at the same time opens the hole 28.
is also closed by a lock plate 25.

Conversely, when the king pin 4 is to be held by the connecting hook 3, the manual operation lever 12 is operated in the directions of arrows 14 and 31 in the same manner as in the case of disengagement described above, and the lock plunger 7 is disengaged from the engagement groove 6. At this time, the lock plunger 7 attempts to be restored toward the engagement groove 6 by the spring 30, but the engagement protrusion 35b of the lock lever 35 engages with the engagement surface 7a of the lock plunger 7, preventing its movement. be done. When the towing vehicle is moved backward in this state, the king pin 4 guided by the guide surface 1a (see FIG. 1) of the coupler base 1 fits between the pair of connecting hooks 3. As the connecting hooks 3, 3 rotate due to the insertion, the pin 9 rotates the lock lever 35, and the lock plunger 7 is unlocked. As a result, the spring 30 causes the lock plunger 7 to
is inserted into the engagement groove 6 of the pair of connecting hooks 3, 3,
Kingpin 4 is prevented from releasing. As the lock plunger 7 is restored, the manual operation lever 12 also moves via the guide part 8, and the spring 13
The engaging pin 15 is fitted into the engaging portion 17 and locked, and at the same time, the hole 28 is also inserted into the locking plate 25.
Closed by. The movement of the lock plunger 7 that locks the connecting hook 3 is doubly prevented by the lock plate 25 and the engaging portion 17 to ensure safety. That is, unless the manual operating lever 12 is operated in the directions of arrows 14 and 31, the locking of the connecting hook 3 by the lock plunger 7 will not be released.

Incidentally, when the spring 30 for restoring the lock plunger 7 is not provided, the lock lever 35 described above is also unnecessary. In this case, the state in which the plunger rod 29 protrudes from the hole 28 is maintained unless the manual operation lever 12 is operated, but the spring 13 causes the engagement pin 15 of the manual operation lever 12 to press against the sliding surface 34. It is also maintained by However, when fitting the lock plunger 7 into the engagement groove 6 of the connecting hook 3, it goes without saying that the manual operation lever 12 must be operated in the opposite direction of the arrow 31.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As described above, vehicles can be connected and disconnected from each other using a manually operated lever, but this operation must be performed by an operator outside the vehicle. The driver who brings the vehicle close to the towed vehicle must get out of the vehicle or another worker must perform the operation, which has the drawback of requiring time and labor.

By the way, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-79430 discloses that the king pin of a towed vehicle is restrained by a rotatable jaw and a wedge piece provided on a coupler of the towed vehicle, and that the wedge piece is operated manually or by an actuator. A device is described which is capable of being automatically activated by. In this case, an air cylinder that rotates a swing link to which a wedge piece is attached is attached to a connecting plate, and the air cylinder is operated remotely.

However, when rotating the manual operation lever to engage the wedge piece with the kingpin inserted,
It is also necessary to displace the piston within the air cylinder, and a large operating force is required to rotate the manual operating lever, which poses a problem of increasing the burden on the operator. Furthermore, since there is no mechanism to directly restrain the wedge piece, when the wedge piece is connected to the jaw,
If an undesired force acts on a manual operation lever, etc.
This situation occurs when the wedge piece is displaced and detached from the jaw.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to enable vehicle coupling to be performed using a manual operation lever, and to enable remote and automatic operation independent of that operation; When operated with the control lever, no operating force is applied to the actuator, allowing for easy manual operation.Furthermore, while realizing automatic operation, it fits into the engagement groove of the connecting hook to maintain the locked state of the connecting hook. To provide a manual and automatic operation device for a vehicle coupler that can improve the safety and reliability of the vehicle coupler by mechanically blocking or unblocking the displacement of a locking plunger. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG. 4a, the manual and automatic operating device in the vehicle coupling machine of the present invention has a coupler for clamping the king pin 4 (see FIG. 1) of the towed vehicle. A pair of connecting hooks 3, 3 (see Figure 1) are rotatably attached to the base 1, and a lock plunger 7 is provided to lock the rotation of the connecting hooks.
A manual operation lever 41 that engages and disengages the lock plunger 7 from an engagement groove 6 (see FIG. 1) formed at one end of the connecting hook 3 by displacing the lever 41, and a manual operation lever 41 that rotates as the manual operation lever 41 moves linearly. The present invention is applied to an operating device for a vehicle coupler which is provided with a locking means 19 for blocking or releasing the blocking of the lock plunger 7 by means of a stopper link 20.

Its features are that the coupler base 1 is equipped with a hydraulic cylinder 42 that is operated by remote control, and the manual operation lever 41 is equipped with a lock guide body 4.
3 is provided. And the fluid pressure cylinder 4
One end is connected to the piston rod 42a of No. 2, and the other end is connected to the lock guide body 43, and the manual operation lever 41 is displaced in the direction of disengaging the lock plunger 7 from the engagement groove 6 by the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 42. A link body 44 is provided.

[Effect]

When the lock plunger 7 is remotely disengaged from the engagement groove using the hydraulic cylinder 42, the piston rod 42a of the hydraulic cylinder 42 is slightly extended. The link body 44 moves, and the lock guide body 43 connected to the other end is connected to the manual operation lever 41.
move in a straight line. The manual operation lever 41 rotates the stopper link 20 and locks the lock plunger 7.
Displacement prevention is released. When the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is further extended in this state, the lock guide body 43 via the link body 44 rotates the manual operation lever 41. At this time, the lock plunger 7 is pushed, and the lock plunger 7 is disengaged from the engagement groove of the connecting hook 3. Therefore, each connecting hook 3 becomes rotatable, and becomes in a state where it can be released from the grip of the king pin 4.

When the king pin 4 is to be held between the connecting hooks 3, 3, the king pin is inserted into the holding portions of the pair of connecting hooks, and then the working fluid pressure of the hydraulic cylinder 42 is released. When the lock plunger 7 is restored, the connecting hook is locked by the lock plunger 7, and the manual operation lever 41 is also rotated in the restoration direction. When the manual operation lever 41 is further restored by linear movement, the stopper link 2
The displacement of the lock plunger 7 is also prevented by the lock means 19 via the lock member 19.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the lock plunger is moved by a manually operated lever, and the hydraulic pressure is applied so as to overlap the manually operated locking/disengaging mechanism having the locking means for blocking and releasing the movement of the lock plunger so as not to interfere with each other. Since an automatic locking/disengaging mechanism using a cylinder is provided, the vehicle can be connected using a manual operation lever, but it can also be performed automatically and remotely independently of the manual operation. Therefore, if an automatic locking/disengaging mechanism is used to clamp and release the kingpin from the coupling hook of the coupler base, the driver who brings the towing vehicle close to the towed vehicle can get off the vehicle and operate the kingpin. There is no longer a need for a worker, and the efficiency of the connection operation can be greatly improved.

In addition, although automatic operation using the fluid pressure cylinder is possible, no operating force is applied to the fluid pressure cylinder during manual operation, making manual operation extremely easy. The locking mechanism is configured so that it is possible to install a locking means for blocking and releasing the blocking of the locking plunger in conjunction with the operation of the manual operation lever or the fluid pressure cylinder, so that even if an undesired force is applied to the locking plunger, the locking means can be installed. , the locking plunger can be restrained by the locking means;
The safety and reliability of the vehicle coupling machine is improved.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described in detail below based on examples thereof.

FIG. 4a is a bottom view of the coupler base 1 showing the main parts of the manual and automatic operation device 40 in the vehicle coupling machine of the present invention, and although not shown, similar to the above-mentioned FIG. A pair of rotatable connecting hooks are provided for clamping. In order to lock the rotation of this connecting hook, a lock plunger 7 is fitted into an engagement groove at one end of the connecting hook.
, a manual operation lever 41 that displaces the lever to engage and disengage it from the engagement groove, and a lock guide body 18 such as a pin.
The stopper link 2 rotates as the manual operation lever 41 moves linearly in the direction of the arrow 14.
0, the locking means 19 and the engaging portion 17 prevent or release the displacement of the lock plunger 7.
A manually operated locking/unlocking mechanism is installed.

A manual operation lever 41 is provided so as to overlap this mechanism.
A hydraulic cylinder 42 operated by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, which expands and contracts substantially in the pulling direction (see arrow 14), is rotatably mounted on the coupler base 1. One end of one link 44 as a link body is rotatably connected to the piston rod 42a of the fluid pressure cylinder 42, and a manual operation lever 41 is connected to the other end. That is, a lock guide body 43 such as a pin is provided protruding from the manual operation lever 41, and a long hole 44a extending in the axial direction is bored in the link 44, and the lock guide body 43 is displaced into the long hole 44a. They are connected in a freely loosely fitted state. Therefore, when the link 44 moves, the lock guide body 43 is pushed by the end of the elongated hole 44a, and when the manual operation lever 41 is rotated, the lock plunger 7 can be disengaged from the engagement groove 6. It's getting old.

A fixed guide 4 is attached to the side of such a link 44.
5 is disposed and is integrally formed with the rib 36 of the coupler base 1, as shown in FIG. this is,
Since the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is rotatably supported at its base 42A, it guides the movement direction of the connecting portion 44b with the link 44, and as described in the related art section, the spring 30 is interposed in the plunger rod 29. If so, it also has the function of receiving that repulsive force. Therefore,
The guide surface may be curved or straight as shown, and the link 44 and the manual operating lever 4
1 and a predetermined displacement operation. Note that if the piston rod 42a has high rigidity and the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is fixed to the coupler base 1,
This fixed guide 45 may not be provided, and the direction of expansion and contraction of the piston rod 42a is not limited to the case where the piston rod 42a is installed so as to be approximately in the pulling direction of the manual operation lever 41 as shown in the figure. Although not shown, the expansion and contraction direction may be in another direction so that the expansion and contraction direction can be exerted. Further, the lock guide body 43 described above is connected to the stopper link 2 as shown in FIG.
It may also be used together with the lock guide body 18 that rotates the lock guide 18.

According to such a configuration, it can be operated as follows. When the lock plunger 7 is disengaged from the engagement groove 6 by the manual operating lever 41 in order to remove the king pin from the connecting hook, the hydraulic cylinder 42 is in the contracted state as shown in FIG. It is operated according to the following procedure. First, when the manual operation lever 41 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 14, the link 44 rotates around its connecting portion 44b as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
4a, the lock guide body 43 moves integrally with the manual operation lever 41 without any hindrance.
At this time, the lock guide body 18 also moves in the same direction, so that the stopper link 20 is moved around the shaft 22 against the spring 21 as shown by the two-dot chain line and the solid line in FIG. It rotates in 23 directions (see Figure 4b). Next, when the manual operation lever 41 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 31, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the link 44 further rotates around its connecting portion 44b and the lock guide 43 moves within its elongated hole 44a, so that the lock guide 43 can be integrated with the manual operation lever 41 without any hindrance. Moving. As the lock plunger 7 moves in the direction of arrow 32 via the guide portion 8, a portion of the plunger rod 29 protrudes from the hole 28 opened by the rotated stopper link 20, and the lock plunger 7 is disengaged from the engagement groove of the connecting hook. The kingpin is then released in the same manner as described in the conventional example.

Conversely, when the kingpin is to be held between the connecting hooks, the manual operation lever 41 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 31 while the link 44 is held by the hydraulic cylinder 42, and the lock plunger 7
from the engagement groove 6. At this time, the lock plunger 7 attempts to be restored toward the engaging groove by the spring 30, but its movement is prevented by the lock lever 35 shown in FIG. 1, allowing the connecting hook to rotate. When the king pin is inserted into the clamping portion, the lock plunger 7 is unlocked by the lock lever 35. the result,
At the same time that the lock plunger 7 is restored by the spring 30 and fitted into the engagement groove, the manual operation lever 41 is also restored in the direction opposite to the arrow 31 via the guide portion 8 and returned to its original position by the spring 13. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4b, the spring 21 causes the locking plate 25 of the locking means 19 to close the hole 28 via the stopper link 20, and the engagement pin 15 of the manual operation lever 41 closes the engagement portion 17. The lock plunger 7 is locked (see FIG. 4a), and movement of the lock plunger 7 is prevented. During this time, the link 44 moves as the lock guide 43 moves.
Return from the state to the original position shown in FIG. 4b.

Next, when disengaging the lock plunger 7 from the engagement groove remotely from the driver's seat using the hydraulic cylinder 42 in order to remove the king pin from the connecting hook, the piston rod 42 of the hydraulic cylinder 42
a is slightly extended along the fixed guide 45 from the initial position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line (see FIG. 4a). At this time, since the engagement pin 15 of the manual operation lever 41 can only be displaced in the direction of arrow 14 by the engagement portion 17, the link 4
4 moves approximately in parallel as shown. Since the lock guide 43 loosely fitted into the elongated hole 44a of the link 44 moves the manual operation lever 41 in the direction of arrow 14, the other lock guide 18 rotates the stopper link 20 and the hole 28 is opened. At the same time, the engagement pin 15 of the manual operation lever 41 is released from the engagement portion 17.

In this state, the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is further extended from the two-dot chain line position shown in FIG. 4d to the solid line position along the fixed guide 45. Since the manual operating lever 41 is free only in the direction of the arrow 31, the lock guide 43 in the elongated hole 44a of the link 44 is pushed by the link 44, and the manual operating lever 41 is in the state shown by the solid line. At this time, the lock plunger 7 is pushed in the direction of arrow 32 via the guide 8, and the plunger rod 29 penetrates the already opened hole 28 against the spring 30, and the lock plunger 7
is released from the engagement groove of the connecting hook 3. Therefore, each connecting hook 3 becomes rotatable, and becomes in a state where it can be released from the grip of the king pin 4. Note that unless the working fluid pressure of the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is released, the lock plunger 7 will not be restored in the direction of the engagement groove 6 by the spring 30, but if the lock lever 35 described in FIG. If so, the lock plunger 7 is prevented from restoring even if the hydraulic pressure is released. In this state, when the towing vehicle moves forward, the king pin 4 of the stopped towed vehicle comes off from the clamping portions 5 of the pair of connecting hooks 3 while rotating each of the connecting hooks 3.

On the other hand, when the lock plunger 7 is inserted into the engagement groove remotely from the driver's seat using the hydraulic cylinder 42 in order to lock the kingpin to the connection hook, the kingpin is inserted into the holding portion of the pair of connection hooks. After that, the working fluid pressure of the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is released in the solid line state shown in FIG. 4d. The lock plunger 7 is connected to a manual operation lever 41 and a link 4.
4 and is restored by the spring 30 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the engagement pin 15 of the manual operation lever 41
reaches the engaging portion 17 from the sliding surface 34, and the manual operation lever 41 is restored by the spring 13 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 4a. At this time, spring 2
The stopper link 20 rotates due to the elastic force of 1.
The lock plate 25 closes the hole 28, and the engagement pin 15 of the manual operation lever 41 is locked by the engagement portion 17. As a result, the locking of the connecting hook by the lock plunger 7 is maintained, and the lock plunger 7 is also placed in a restrained state.

FIG. 7a shows a different embodiment of the hydraulic cylinder 4
2 cylinder rod 42a and manual operation lever 41
The link body 44 of the automatic engagement/disengagement mechanism that interlocks the elements is composed of a base link 44A and a tip link 44B which are rotatably connected. This link body 4
4, for example, the tip link 44B, is provided with a stopper 46 for keeping the mutual included angle at the minimum included angle θ. One end of the front link 44B is rotatably connected to the manual operation lever 41 via the lock guide 43.

In such an example as well, manual and automatic release operations can be performed as in the case described above. When pulling the manual operation lever 41 in the direction of arrow 14,
When the front link 44B rotates around the connecting portion 44c by the lock guide 43 and the manual operation lever 41 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 31 as shown by the broken line in FIG. As shown in , the included angle between the tip link 44B and the base link 44A opens to a greater extent than the minimum included angle θ, and the movement of the manual operation lever 41 is not inhibited. On the other hand, when the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is operated, the base link 44A and the tip link 44B are held at the minimum included angle θ by the stopper 46, and the side link 44B is held as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7b. The manual operation lever 41 moves in the direction of the arrow 14 by substantially parallel movement. Further, when the cylinder rod 42a of the hydraulic cylinder 42 is extended, the tip link 44B moves to the position shown by the broken line while maintaining the minimum included angle with the base link 44A, so that the lock guide 43 is moved from the manual operation lever 41.
Rotate in the direction of arrow 31. In this way,
It can be operated without any difference from the previous example.

As can be seen from the above description, while the connection of the vehicle can be performed using a manual operation lever, it can also be performed remotely from the driver's seat independently of the operation. Therefore, when using an automatic locking/unlocking mechanism, the driver may get out of the vehicle and operate it.
There is no longer a need for other workers, and the efficiency of the connection operation is greatly improved. In addition, when a problem occurs in the fluid pressure mechanism that operates the fluid pressure cylinder, the manual engagement/disengagement mechanism can be used to operate the fluid pressure cylinder, thereby ensuring operational safety. In addition, while enabling automatic operation using a fluid pressure cylinder,
When operating manually, no operating force is applied to the fluid pressure cylinder, making manual operation simple and easy. Furthermore, locking means can be provided for blocking and releasing the blocking of displacement of the lock plunger in conjunction with the operation of a manual operation lever or a hydraulic cylinder, so that an undesired force is not directly or indirectly applied to the lock plunger. Even if the lock plunger is restrained by the locking means, the safety of the vehicle coupler is
Certainty is ensured.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a bottom view of the coupler base showing the overall outline of the vehicle coupler, Figure 2 is a plan view of a manual operation device for a vehicle coupler having a conventional manual operation lock engagement/disengagement mechanism, and Figure 3 is the figure 2. - line arrow view, Figure 4a
is a main part diagram showing the operating state of the manual and automatic operating devices in the vehicle coupling machine of the present invention, FIGS. 4 b to d are explanatory diagrams of the operating state, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a modification of FIG. 4a, and FIGS. 7a and 7b are main parts and operation explanatory diagrams of different embodiments. 1...Coupler base, 3...Connection hook, 4...
... King pin, 6 ... Engagement groove, 7 ... Lock plunger, 18, 43 ... Lock guide body, 20 ...
Stopper link, 19... Locking means, 41...
Manual operation lever, 42...Fluid pressure cylinder, 42
a... Piston rod, 44... Link body (link), 44a... Long hole, 44A... Base link,
44B...Top link.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pair of connecting hooks rotatably attached to the coupler base in order to clamp the king pin of the towed vehicle, and a lock plunger being displaced to lock the rotation of the connecting hooks. A manual operating lever that engages and disengages the locking plunger from an engagement groove formed at one end of the connecting hook, and a stopper link that rotates as the manual operating lever moves linearly, prevent or release the blocking from displacement of the locking plunger. In the operating device for a vehicle coupler, which is provided with a locking means, a hydraulic cylinder operated by remote control is mounted on the coupler base, a lock guide is provided on the manual operation lever, and the hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the coupler base. A link body is provided, one end of which is connected to the piston rod, the other end of which is connected to the lock guide, and which displaces the manual operation lever in a direction to disengage the lock plunger from the engagement groove by the operation of a fluid pressure cylinder. A manual and automatic operating device for a vehicle coupling machine, characterized in that: 2. The link body is a single link having an elongated hole bored in its axial direction, and a lock guide provided on the manual operation lever is loosely fitted into the elongated hole so as to be freely displaceable. A manual and automatic operating device for a vehicle coupling machine according to claim 1. 3. The link body consists of a base link and a tip link that are rotatably connected, one of the links is provided with a stopper that maintains a minimum included angle between them, and one end of the tip link is connected to the lock guide. 2. The manual and automatic operation device for a vehicle coupling machine according to claim 1, wherein the device is rotatably connected to a manual operation lever through a body.