A kind of automatic detection device and detection method of coupling connection state

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic detection device and method for the coupling state of a coupler, comprising: a first sensor unit, arranged on the coupler body, for detecting the deflection state of the uncoupling handle on the coupler body; a second sensor unit, arranged at the coupling end face of the coupler body, for detecting the contact state of the coupling end faces between two butted coupler bodies; a controller, electrically connected to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit, for judging the coupling state on the coupler body by the deflection state of the uncoupling handle and the contact state of the coupling end faces. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: it can automatically and in real time detect and feedback the coupling state when the coupler is coupled and uncoupled, without manual intervention, and has high detection accuracy, rapid response and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of coupler connection of rail vehicles, and in particular relates to an automatic detection device and method for coupler connection status. Background Art

[0002] Traditional rail vehicles require manual confirmation of the coupling or uncoupling status when coupling or uncoupling. The operation process is cumbersome and time-consuming. Some working conditions do not allow for human observation, and accidental injuries may occur during the operation. With the increase in transportation demand, the market has higher and higher requirements for transportation timeliness, and manual operation can no longer meet the demand. Summary of the invention

[0003] The details of one or more embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the following drawings and description to make other features, objects, and advantages of the present application more readily apparent.

[0004] The present invention provides a coupler coupling state automatic detection device and detection method, which can automatically and real-time detect and feedback the coupler state when the coupler is coupled and uncoupled, without manual intervention, and has high detection accuracy, rapid response and high reliability.

[0005] The present invention discloses a device for automatically detecting a coupling state, comprising:

[0006] A first sensing unit is provided on the coupler body and is used to detect the deflection state of the unhooking handle on the coupler body;

[0007] The second sensing unit is provided at the connecting end surface of the coupler body and is used to detect the contact state of the connecting end surfaces between the two butted coupler bodies;

[0008] The controller is electrically connected to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit, and determines the coupler state on the coupler body according to the deflection state of the unhooking handle and the contact state of the connecting end surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the controller is connected in series with the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first sensing unit includes:

[0011] A rotating shaft is rotatably arranged on the coupler body; a connecting plate is arranged at one end of the rotating shaft, and a first sensor is arranged at the other end of the rotating shaft;

[0012] A connecting rod, hingedly provided between the connecting plate and an unhooking handle on the coupler body;

[0013] The first sensor is arranged at one side of the first sensor sensing element and generates a signal by sensing the deflection state of the first sensor sensing element.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first sensor is a contact limit switch; the first sensor sensing element is a cam; the contact limit switch and the cam are in contact with each other.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first sensor is a contactless sensor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second sensing unit comprises:

[0017] The second sensor and the second sensor triggering mechanism are symmetrical along the center line of the coupler body.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second sensor triggering mechanism includes:

[0019] The sleeve is a hollow structure with an opening at its outer end;

[0020] A trigger block is disposed in the sleeve, and a protrusion thereof penetrates through the opening of the sleeve;

[0021] A compression spring, disposed between the sleeve and the trigger block;

[0022] The second sensor is a contact limit switch.

[0023] In some embodiments, it further comprises:

[0024] The sensor opening and the trigger mechanism opening are provided on the connecting end surface;

[0025] The second sensor and the second sensor trigger mechanism are both arranged at the inner end of the hanging end surface; the second sensor connector on the second sensor is arranged at the sensor opening; and the trigger block is arranged at the trigger mechanism opening.

[0026] In some embodiments, the outer end surface of the second sensor connector on the second sensor is located at the inner end of the connecting end surface; and the outer end surface of the trigger block is located at the outer end of the connecting end surface.

[0027] In some embodiments, the second sensor is a contactless sensor.

[0028] In some embodiments, a boss is provided at the outer end of the trigger block; a boss slot is provided at the outer end of the sensor opening; the boss is used to abut against a second sensor connector on another connecting end surface; and the outer end surface of the trigger block is used to abut against the boss slot on another connecting end surface.

[0029] A detection method using the automatic detection device for the coupling state of a vehicle as described in any of the above embodiments:

[0030] The first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are both in a triggered state, and the coupler on the coupler body is in a connected state;

[0031] At least one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit is in a non-triggered state, and at this time, the coupler on the coupler body is in an unhooked or waiting state.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0033] 1. The coupling status of the vehicle coupler is detected in real time by the sensor unit, and a series structure feedback is adopted to effectively ensure the accuracy of the detection; at the same time, the detection method of the sensor unit is simple and reliable, with low installation cost and rapid response.

[0034] 2. Specifically, the deflection state of the unhooking handle is detected through the cooperation of the first sensor sensing element and the first sensor. The sensor can specifically adopt a non-contact sensor or a contact limit switch. Preferably, a contact limit switch and a cam are used in cooperation to trigger the sensor through a mechanical structure. In this way, a small amount of rotation change will not trigger the contact limit switch to transmit a signal, thereby avoiding unnecessary switch state switching and ensuring the stability of the feedback signal.

[0035] 3. Specifically, through the cooperation of the second sensor and the second sensor trigger mechanism, the contact state detection of the coupling end surface is realized. At the same time, the second sensor trigger mechanism can compensate for the gap change of the coupling end surface in real time, ensuring the trigger state of the second sensor and adapting to the detection of couplers with different coupling gaps. At the same time, the specific structure of the second sensor trigger mechanism is optimized, which can effectively ensure the constant trigger force value of the second sensor, and the excess pressure is supported by the coupling surface of the opposite side of the coupler, effectively protecting the second sensor and improving its service life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The drawings described herein are used to provide further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first sensing unit of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the rotating shaft and the cam of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second sensing unit of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second sensor triggering mechanism of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the control logic of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the hanging state of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0045] Description of the drawings: connecting end face 1, unhooking handle 2, first sensor 3, rotating shaft 4, cam 5, connecting rod 6, connecting plate 7, spring 8, controller 9, second sensor 10, second sensor connector 11, sleeve 12, compression spring 13, trigger block 14, boss 15, boss slot 16, sensor opening 17, trigger mechanism opening 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is described and illustrated below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] Obviously, the drawings described below are only some examples or embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, the present invention can also be applied to other similar scenarios based on these drawings without creative work. In addition, it can also be understood that although the efforts made in this development process may be complicated and lengthy, for ordinary technicians in this field related to the content disclosed by the present invention, some changes in design, manufacturing or production based on the technical content disclosed by the present invention are just conventional technical means, and should not be understood as insufficient content disclosed by the present invention.

[0048] Reference to "embodiments" in the present invention means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The appearance of the phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described in the present invention may be combined with other embodiments without conflict.

[0049] A device for automatically detecting the coupling state of a coupler comprises: a first sensor unit, a second sensor unit and a controller 9; the first sensor unit is arranged on the coupler body, and is used to detect the deflection state of an uncoupling handle 2 on the coupler body; the second sensor unit is arranged at the coupling end face 1 of the coupler body, and is used to detect the contact state of the coupling end faces 1 between two butted coupler bodies; the controller 9 is electrically connected to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit, and determines the coupling state on the coupler body through the deflection state of the uncoupling handle 2 and the contact state of the coupling end face 1.

[0050] The controller 9 can be electrically connected to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit in a parallel connection or in a series connection. In a parallel logic mode, the state of the coupler on the coupler body can be identified by judging whether the coupler is in a trigger state or not, and then judging the state of the coupler on the coupler body through the logic of the controller. Figure 6 As shown, the feedback response speed is faster when the series connection is adopted. When either of the two is in the untriggered state, it can be judged that the coupler state on the coupler body is in the unhooked or waiting state. That is, the controller 9 is connected in series with the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first sensing unit includes: a rotating shaft 4, a connecting rod 6 and a first sensor 3; the rotating shaft 4 is rotatably arranged on the coupler body; a connecting plate 7 is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 4, and a first sensor sensing element is provided at the other end of the rotating shaft 4; the connecting rod 6 is hinged between the connecting plate 7 and the unhooking handle 2 on the coupler body; the first sensor 3 is arranged on one side of the first sensor sensing element, and generates a signal by sensing the deflection state of the first sensor sensing element.

[0052] When the unhooking handle 2 is deflected, the connecting rod 6 pulls the rotating shaft 4 to rotate, thereby driving the first sensor sensing element at the top thereof to deflect. The first sensor 3 is used to sense the deflection state of the first sensor sensing element and generate a signal. The first sensor 3 can use a non-contact sensor, such as an electromagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, an inclination sensor, a color sensor, etc.

[0053] Preferably, a mechanical contact trigger structure is adopted, specifically, the first sensor 3 is a contact limit switch; the first sensor sensing member is a cam 5; the contact limit switch and the cam 5 are in contact. The cam structure is in contact with the contact limit switch, and different contact signals are generated by squeezing the contact limit switch during rotation. Since the unhooking handle 2 will inevitably shake to some extent during the driving of the vehicle, the above-mentioned mechanical trigger structure can effectively avoid the issuance of erroneous signals due to a small amount of rotation.

[0054] In some embodiments, the second sensing unit includes: a second sensor 10 and a second sensor trigger mechanism, the second sensor 10 and the second sensor trigger mechanism are symmetrical along the center line of the coupler body to ensure accurate triggering during coupling. The structural setting can be specifically referred to Figure 7 shown.

[0055] The second sensor 10 is used to sense the contact state of the connecting end faces 1 between the two mating coupler bodies through the second sensor trigger mechanism. When the distance between the connecting end faces of the two mating coupler bodies changes, the state of the coupler at this time can be determined according to the corresponding set parameters. Among them, the second sensor 10 can use a non-contact sensor, such as a distance sensor.

[0056] Preferably, a mechanical contact trigger structure is adopted; specifically, the second sensor trigger mechanism includes: a sleeve 12, a trigger block 14, a compression spring 13, a sensor opening 17 and a trigger mechanism opening 18; the sleeve 12 is an inner hollow structure, and an opening is provided at its outer end; the trigger block 14 is arranged in the sleeve 12, and its protrusion passes through the opening of the sleeve 12; the compression spring 13 is arranged between the sleeve 12 and the trigger block 14; the second sensor 10 is a contact limit switch. The sensor opening 17 and the trigger mechanism opening 18 are opened on the connecting end face 1; the second sensor 10 and the second sensor trigger mechanism are both arranged at the inner end of the connecting end face 1; the second sensor connector 11 on the second sensor 10 is arranged at the sensor opening 17; the trigger block 14 is arranged at the trigger mechanism opening 18.

[0057] Since the contact state of the connecting end faces 1 between the two mating coupler bodies will change to a certain extent during the driving of the vehicle, the compression spring 13 can always ensure the stability of the trigger block 14 when in contact with the second sensor connector 11, provide a certain buffering effect, and ensure that the trigger force value of the second sensor 10 is relatively constant, thereby effectively protecting the service life of the second sensor 10.

[0058] Preferably, the outer end surface of the second sensor connector 11 on the second sensor 10 is located at the inner end of the connecting end surface 1; the outer end surface of the trigger block 14 is located at the outer end of the connecting end surface 1. Through the above arrangement, the stability of the triggering is ensured, and the impact force of the excess pressure on the second sensor 10 can be effectively reduced. The excess pressure can be offset by the connecting end surface 1 between the two butted coupler bodies.

[0059] Preferably, a boss 15 is provided at the outer end of the trigger block 14; a boss slot 16 is provided at the outer end of the sensor opening 17; the boss 15 is used to abut against the second sensor connector 11 on the other connecting end face 1; the outer end face of the trigger block 14 is used to abut against the boss slot 16 on the other connecting end face 1. The structural coordination of the boss 15 and the boss slot 16 further reduces the direct impact force between the trigger block 14 and the second sensor connector 11, thereby protecting the second sensor 10.

[0060] A detection method using the automatic detection device for the coupling state of a coupler in any of the above embodiments, wherein the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are both in a triggered state, and the series circuit formed with the controller 9 is conductive, at which time the coupler on the coupler body is in a coupled state; at least one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit is in a non-triggered state, and the series circuit formed with the controller is not conductive, at which time the coupler on the coupler body is in an uncoupled or waiting state.

[0061] Its working principle is:

[0062] When both the first sensor 3 and the second sensor 10 are in the untriggered state, or either of them is in the untriggered state, the series loop formed with the controller 9 is disconnected, and the vehicle is in the waiting or unhooking state.

[0063] When the first sensor 3 and the second sensor 10 are both in the triggered state, the series circuit formed with the controller 9 is turned on, and the vehicle is in the coupled state.

[0064] Preferably, both the first sensor 3 and the second sensor 10 are limit switches; the on-off state is switched by changing the trigger state thereof.

[0065] The first sensor 3 is triggered in such a way that the unhooking handle 2 is deflected, thereby driving the cam 5 to squeeze the first sensor 3, and the first sensor 3 sends a corresponding signal. When the vehicle is in driving state, the unhooking handle 2 will rotate to a certain extent, but the rotation amount is small, so it will not trigger signals frequently or send out wrong signals, thereby ensuring the reliability and accuracy of its signals.

[0066] The triggering method of the second sensor 10 is that when the vehicle is not coupled, the trigger block 14 extends out of the coupling end face 1 under the action of the compression spring 13, and the second sensor connector 11 is initially lower than the coupling end face 1 to avoid the impact force of the coupling end face 1. When the vehicle couplers are coupled, the top of the trigger block 14 touches the other second sensor connector 11 during the process of approaching the coupling end faces 1 of the two vehicles, and as the coupling gap continues to narrow, the trigger block 14 gradually squeezes the second sensor connector 11 to trigger the second sensor 10. When the vehicle is in a driving state, the distance between the coupling end faces 1 will change to a certain extent. At this time, under the action of the compression spring 13, the trigger block 14 continuously extends or retracts in the sleeve 12 to compensate for the change in the coupling gap, so that the top of the trigger block 14 always presses the second sensor connector 11, keeping the second sensor 10 in a triggered state, ensuring the stable transmission of the coupling feedback signal.

[0067] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for automatically detecting the coupling state of a vehicle coupler, characterized in that: include: A first sensing unit is provided on the coupler body and is used to detect the deflection state of the unhooking handle on the coupler body; Two sets of second sensing units are provided at the connecting end faces of the coupler bodies, and are used to detect the contact state of the connecting end faces between the two butted coupler bodies; A controller, connected in series and electrically connected to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit, for judging the state of the coupler on the coupler body according to the deflection state of the unhooking handle and the contact state of the hooking end face; The first sensing unit comprises: A rotating shaft is rotatably arranged on the coupler body; a connecting plate is arranged at one end of the rotating shaft, and a first sensor is arranged at the other end of the rotating shaft; A connecting rod is hingedly disposed between the connecting plate and an unhooking handle on the coupler body; A first sensor, disposed on one side of the first sensor sensing element, senses the deflection state of the first sensor sensing element and generates a signal; Each group of the second sensing units comprises: The second sensors and the second sensor triggering mechanism are respectively arranged on the two contacting connecting end surfaces; the second sensors and the second sensor triggering mechanism of different groups of the second sensing units are respectively arranged on each connecting end surface; The second sensor is a contact limit switch; The second sensor triggering mechanism comprises: The sleeve is a hollow structure with an opening at its outer end; A trigger block is disposed in the sleeve, and a protrusion thereof penetrates through the opening of the sleeve; A compression spring, disposed between the sleeve and the trigger block; in, The sensor opening and the trigger mechanism opening are provided on the connecting end surface; The second sensor connector on the second sensor is arranged at the opening of the sensor; the trigger block is arranged at the opening of the trigger mechanism; The outer end surface of the second sensor connector on the second sensor is located at the inner end of the connecting end surface; the outer end surface of the trigger block is located at the outer end of the connecting end surface; The outer end of the trigger block is provided with a boss; the outer end of the sensor opening is provided with a boss slot; the boss is used to abut against the second sensor connector on the other connecting end surface; the outer end surface of the trigger block is used to abut against the boss slot on the other connecting end surface.

2. The automatic detection device for coupling state according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The first sensor is a contact limit switch; the first sensor sensing element is a cam; the contact limit switch and the cam are in contact with each other.

3. The automatic detection device for coupling state according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The second sensor and the second sensor triggering mechanism are bilaterally symmetrical along the center line of the coupler body.

4. A detection method using the automatic detection device for coupling state according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are both in a triggered state, and the coupler on the coupler body is in a connected state; At least one of the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit is in a non-triggered state, and at this time, the coupler on the coupler body is in an unhooked or waiting state.

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