TRIANGULAR RIGID COUPLING FOR GROUND ROBOTIC COMPLEX

Abstract

This utility model relates to coupling devices for towing faulty heavy-duty towing vehicles. It comprises two towing elements forming a triangular structure. At one end of the coupling, a first coupling head with guide bevels and a spring-loaded latch is located. The first coupling head is configured to interact with a first ball pin secured to the tow truck body. At the other two ends of the coupling, a second and third coupling head with guide bevels and spring-loaded latches are located, respectively. Each of these is configured to interact with a corresponding ball pin secured to the body of the towed vehicle. The technical result is stable towing in any direction, including reverse.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to coupling devices for robotic transport equipment, namely to rigid couplings designed for towing faulty ground robotic complexes (GRTC) by tow trucks, and can be used to remove failed robots, including in off-road conditions, muddy roads and near the line of combat contact.

[0002] Various coupling devices for towing vehicles are known in the art. Classic coupling devices for passenger cars and trailers include a ball pin and a mating coupling head with a spring-loaded latch (GOST 28248-89). A disadvantage is the presence of a hinge that allows horizontal rotation, which, when reversing, leads to jackknifing and loss of control.

[0003] Rigid couplings are known, consisting of a single pipe with two coupling heads at each end (connecting the tow truck and the towed vehicle at a single point on each side). A disadvantage is the possibility of the towed vehicle rotating horizontally due to the single coupling point at the front, making reverse towing unstable.

[0004] Also known from the prior art is a rigid coupling described on the website https: / / www.drive2.ru / l / 10303310 / (published June 25, 2016). It comprises two towing elements forming a triangular structure, with one attachment point to the tow truck and two attachment points to the towed vehicle via lugs. However, this design does not provide reliable fixation when reversing, as the lugs can spontaneously disengage from the hooks, resulting in self-release and damage to the towed vehicle.

[0005] The closest analogue (prototype) of the claimed utility model is a rigid coupling described on the Internet resource https: / / www.drive2.ru / l / 10303310 / (published on 06 / 25 / 2016), containing two traction elements that form a triangular structure, with one attachment point to the tow truck and two attachment points to the evacuated object through eyes.

[0006] The disadvantages of the prototype, eliminated by the claimed utility model, are:

[0007] lack of mechanical fixation at the attachment points to the evacuated object (eyes without latches), which leads to spontaneous uncoupling when reversing and jerking;

[0008] rigid fastening of the traction elements relative to each other (eyes at a fixed distance), which does not allow compensation for the error in the distance between the coupling elements on the evacuated complex;

[0009] risk of damage to the evacuated complex during self-detachment;

[0010] Inability to safely tow in off-road and muddy conditions.

[0011] The technical problem is the creation of a coupling device for a ground robotic complex that ensures the towing of a faulty complex while completely eliminating its rotation in the horizontal plane relative to the tow truck both when moving forward and when moving in reverse.

[0012] The technical result is to ensure stable towing of a faulty ground robotic complex with a fixed orientation relative to the tow truck (excluding rotation in the horizontal plane), maintaining controllability when moving in any direction, including reversing.

[0013] The technical result is achieved in that a triangular rigid coupling for a ground-based robotic system is designed as a coupling device comprising two traction elements forming a triangular structure. At one end of the coupling, a first coupling head with guide bevels and a spring-loaded latch is located, configured to interact with a first ball pin secured to the body of the tow truck at the rear center. The first coupling head is designed as a housing having two hinged assemblies for securing the two traction elements, or as a fork in which both ends of the traction elements are secured. At the other two ends of the coupling, a second and third coupling head with guide bevels and spring-loaded latches are located, respectively, each of which is configured to interact with a corresponding ball pin secured to the body of the system being towed.The rigidity of the triangular structure is ensured by the fact that the two ball joints on the tow truck are secured to a common body with a fixed distance between them, eliminating the possibility of changing the triangle's geometry. The coupling is installed manually: the operator presses the first head sequentially onto the tow truck's ball joint, then the second and third heads onto the two ball joints of the tow truck. This design forms a rigid triangle, completely preventing the tow truck from rotating horizontally relative to the tow truck, as well as preventing longitudinal displacement.

[0014] The utility model is explained by a drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a general view of a triangular rigid coupling in a coupled state (top view). The drawing shows: 1 - tow truck body; 2 - body of the complex to be evacuated; 3 - first traction element (left pipe); 4 - second traction element (right pipe); 5 - first coupling head with two hinge assemblies; 6 - second coupling head; 7 - third coupling head; 8 - ball pin on the tow truck; 9 - left ball pin on the complex to be evacuated; 10 - right ball pin on the complex to be evacuated.

[0015] Implementation of a utility model.

[0016] The operator approaches the tow truck with the faulty tow truck. He or she takes the triangular coupling and first presses the first coupling head (5) onto the tow truck's ball pin (8). Then, the operator approaches the tow truck and alternately presses the second (6) and third (7) coupling heads onto the left (9) and right (10) ball pins. After this, both tow trucks are connected by a rigid triangular frame, preventing mutual rotation. The tow truck tows the faulty tow truck in any direction (forward, backward, and with turns) without the risk of jackknifing. Once towing is complete, the operator releases the coupling head latches and removes the coupling.

[0017] Industrial applicability.

[0018] The device can be manufactured from standard components: pipes or profiles made of structural steel, standard automotive coupling heads, and ball pins (GOST 28248-89). Assembly is possible at any mechanical engineering facility.

Claims

1. A triangular rigid coupling for a ground robotic complex, comprising two traction elements forming a triangular structure, wherein at one end of the coupling there is a first coupling head with guide bevels and a spring-loaded latch, configured to interact with a first ball pin secured to the body of a tow truck, and at the other two ends of the coupling there are respectively a second and third coupling heads with guide bevels and spring-loaded latches, each of which is configured to interact with a corresponding ball pin secured to the body of the complex being evacuated.

2. The coupling according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the traction elements are made in the form of pipes.

3. The coupling according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the traction elements are made in the form of profiles.

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