A landing leg outboard touch down sensing device and vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to a support leg externally-hung ground-touching sensing device and a vehicle, which comprises a support mechanism, a sensing assembly and a hydraulic support leg. The support mechanism comprises a support leg crossbeam and the hydraulic support leg supporting the support leg crossbeam. The cylinder barrel of the hydraulic support leg is movably connected to the support leg crossbeam in the vertical direction, and a flange plate supporting the support leg crossbeam is arranged on the cylinder barrel. The sensing assembly comprises a sensor fixed to the support leg crossbeam and used for measuring the vertical displacement of the cylinder barrel to a set height, and a pulling member connected between the cylinder barrel and the support leg crossbeam and used for driving the cylinder barrel to move downwards. When the hydraulic support leg touches the ground and lifts the support leg crossbeam upwards, the hydraulic support leg overcomes the pulling force of the pulling member under the action of the ground reaction force, and the cylinder barrel moves upwards to a set position, so that the sensor fixed to the support leg crossbeam can accurately judge the vertical displacement of the cylinder barrel to the set height, and a signal that the hydraulic support leg is in the ground-touching state is sent out, the misjudgment rate is reduced, and the detection reliability is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle hydraulic outrigger technology, and in particular to an outrigger external ground contact sensor device and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Hydraulic outrigger cylinders are widely used in various construction machinery, such as cranes and semi-trailers. The main function of hydraulic outriggers is to provide support and prevent the machinery from tipping over during operation. Currently, many special vehicles in the construction machinery field require overall vehicle leveling. During this leveling process, a key issue is determining whether the outriggers are fully compacted with the ground.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream methods for determining outrigger compaction include: hydraulic outriggers determine whether the ground is compacted by changes in outrigger pressure; and electric outriggers determine whether the ground is compacted by changes in power supply current. All of these outrigger compaction determination methods are indirect sensing methods, which are prone to misjudgment due to factors such as jamming within the outrigger's internal structure, resulting in low reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an external outrigger ground contact sensor device and vehicle to solve the problem in related technologies where hydraulic outriggers cannot accurately determine whether the ground is compacted.

[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a leg-mounted ground contact sensor device, comprising:

[0006] The support mechanism includes a support leg beam and a hydraulic support leg that lifts and supports the support leg beam. The cylinder of the hydraulic support leg is movably connected to the support leg beam in a vertical direction, and the cylinder is provided with a flange that supports the support leg beam.

[0007] The sensing component includes a sensor fixed to the outrigger beam for measuring the vertical displacement of the cylinder to a set height, and a traction member connected between the cylinder and the outrigger beam for driving the cylinder to move downward.

[0008] In some embodiments: the top of the support leg beam is fixedly connected to a top plate that is movably connected to the cylinder, and the bottom of the support leg beam is fixedly connected to a bottom plate that is movably connected to the cylinder;

[0009] Both the top plate and the bottom plate have a central hole through which the cylinder passes. The cylinder is located in the central hole of the top plate and the bottom plate and can slide up and down.

[0010] The flange of the cylinder is located below the base plate, and when the flange contacts the base plate, it vertically supports the support leg beam.

[0011] In some embodiments: the top plate includes a rear half top plate and a front half top plate arranged symmetrically, the rear half top plate and the front half top plate being joined together and fixedly connected by bolts;

[0012] The base plate includes a front half base plate and a rear half base plate arranged symmetrically, and the front half base plate and the rear half base plate are joined together and fixedly connected by bolts.

[0013] In some embodiments, a flange cover is fixedly provided at the bottom of the base plate, surrounding the outer periphery of the flange, and the gap between the flange cover and the flange is 1-2 mm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the pulling member includes a cantilever plate vertically connected to the side wall of the cylinder and a vertical plate fixed to the end of the support leg beam, and a tension spring is provided between the vertical plate and the cantilever plate to pull the cylinder downward.

[0015] In some embodiments: a first lifting ring connected to one end of the tension spring is fixedly provided on the upright plate, and a second lifting ring connected to the other end of the tension spring is provided on the cantilever plate;

[0016] The second lifting ring is provided with a bolt for connecting the cantilever plate, and the bolt is provided with a locking nut for adjusting the tension length of the tension spring.

[0017] In some embodiments: a guide limiting groove is provided at one end of the upright plate near the cantilever plate, and the cantilever plate is located in the guide limiting groove to restrict the hydraulic outrigger from rotating circumferentially around the outrigger crossbeam and to restrict the hydraulic outrigger from moving downward.

[0018] In some embodiments: a sensor bracket for mounting the sensor is fixedly provided on the upright plate. The sensor is a proximity sensor, which sends a signal that the hydraulic outrigger is in contact with the ground when it approaches the cantilever plate.

[0019] In some embodiments, the upright plate is provided with a cover plate that covers the cantilever plate and the tension spring, and the cover plate is fixedly connected to the upright plate by bolts.

[0020] A second aspect of this application provides a vehicle, including:

[0021] The chassis is provided with the outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor device described in any of the above embodiments on both sides.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include:

[0023] This application provides an external outrigger ground contact sensor device and a vehicle. The external outrigger ground contact sensor device of this application is equipped with a support mechanism, which includes an outrigger crossbeam and a hydraulic outrigger that lifts and supports the outrigger crossbeam. The cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger is movably connected to the outrigger crossbeam in a vertical direction, and the cylinder is provided with a flange supporting the outrigger crossbeam. A sensing component is also included, comprising a sensor fixed to the outrigger crossbeam for measuring the vertical displacement of the cylinder to a set height, and a pulling member connected between the cylinder and the outrigger crossbeam and driving the cylinder downwards.

[0024] Therefore, in the outrigger-mounted ground contact sensing device of this application, the cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger is vertically connected to the outrigger crossbeam. The hydraulic outrigger can move vertically up and down relative to the outrigger crossbeam. A pulling member is provided between the cylinder and the outrigger crossbeam to drive the cylinder downward, so that the cylinder is kept in its initial position. When the hydraulic outrigger touches the ground and lifts the outrigger crossbeam upward, the hydraulic outrigger overcomes the tension of the pulling member under the action of the ground reaction force, and moves the cylinder upward to the set position. Then, the sensor fixed on the outrigger crossbeam can accurately determine that the cylinder has vertically displaced to the set height and send out a signal that the hydraulic outrigger is in a ground contact state, reducing the false judgment rate and improving the reliability of detection. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the structure of an embodiment of this application without the cover plate;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a front view of the structure of an embodiment of this application without the cover plate;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the structure of an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application embodiment in a non-grounded state;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application embodiment in the grounding state.

[0033] Figure label:

[0034] 1. Hydraulic outrigger; 2. Outrigger crossbeam; 3. Base plate; 4. Top plate; 5. Sensor; 6. Pulling component; 7. Cover plate; 8. Flange cover; 9. Sensor bracket; 11. Flange; 31. Front half base plate; 32. Rear half base plate; 41. Rear half top plate; 42. Front half top plate; 61. Cantilever plate; 62. Vertical plate; 63. Tension spring; 64. First lifting ring; 65. Second lifting ring; 66. Bolt; 67. Locking nut. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] This application provides an external outrigger ground contact sensor device and vehicle, which can solve the problem in related technologies that hydraulic outriggers cannot accurately determine whether the ground is compacted.

[0037] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first aspect of this application provides a leg-mounted ground contact sensor device, comprising:

[0038] The support mechanism includes a support beam 2 and hydraulic outriggers 1 that lift and support the support beam 2. The cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger 1 is vertically connected to the support beam 2, allowing the hydraulic outrigger 1 to have vertical freedom of movement relative to the support beam 2. A flange 11 supporting the support beam 2 is provided at the bottom of the cylinder. When the piston rod of the hydraulic outrigger 1 extends from the cylinder, the outrigger seat at the bottom of the piston rod contacts the ground. Under the reaction force of the ground, the flange 11 of the cylinder lifts the support beam 2 upward to support and level the vehicle.

[0039] The sensing component includes a sensor 5 fixed to the outrigger beam 2 for measuring the vertical displacement of the cylinder to a set height, and a pulling member 6 connected between the cylinder and the outrigger beam 2 and driving the cylinder downward. When the piston rod of the hydraulic outrigger 1 retracts into the cylinder, the outrigger seat at the bottom of the piston rod does not contact the ground. Under the driving action of the pulling member 6, the cylinder and the outrigger beam 2 move vertically downward to the set height. The sensor 5 on the outrigger beam 2 detects that the cylinder has not moved vertically upward to the set height, and thus determines that the outrigger seat at the bottom of the piston rod has not contacted the ground.

[0040] When the piston rod of hydraulic outrigger 1 extends out of the cylinder, the outrigger seat at the bottom of the piston rod gradually begins to contact the ground. Under the reverse force of the ground, the outrigger seat at the bottom of the piston rod overcomes the pulling force of the pulling member 6. The piston rod of hydraulic outrigger 1 continues to extend out of the cylinder to drive the cylinder to move vertically upward to the set height. After the sensor 5 on the outrigger beam 2 detects that the cylinder has moved vertically upward to the set height, it determines that the outrigger seat at the bottom of the piston rod is in contact with the ground.

[0041] In the outrigger external ground contact sensing device of this application embodiment, the cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger 1 is movably connected to the outrigger crossbeam 2 in the vertical direction. The hydraulic outrigger 1 can move up and down in the vertical direction relative to the outrigger crossbeam 2. A pulling member 6 is provided between the cylinder and the outrigger crossbeam 2 to drive the cylinder to move downward so that the cylinder is kept in the initial position.

[0042] When the hydraulic outrigger 1 touches the ground and lifts the outrigger beam 2 upward, the hydraulic outrigger 1 overcomes the tension of the traction member 6 under the action of the ground reaction force, and moves the cylinder upward to the set position. Then the sensor 5 fixed on the outrigger beam 2 can accurately determine that the cylinder has moved vertically to the set height and send out a signal that the hydraulic outrigger 1 is in the ground contact state, which reduces the false judgment rate and improves the reliability of detection.

[0043] In some alternative embodiments: see Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides an externally mounted outrigger ground contact sensor device. The top of the outrigger beam 2 of the device is fixedly connected to a top plate 4 that movably connects to a cylinder, and the bottom of the outrigger beam 2 is fixedly connected to a bottom plate 3 that movably connects to a cylinder. Both the top plate 4 and the bottom plate 3 have central holes for the cylinder to pass through. The cylinder is located in the central holes of the top plate 4 and the bottom plate 3 and can slide up and down. The flange 11 of the cylinder is located below the bottom plate 3, and when the flange 11 contacts the bottom plate 3, it vertically supports the outrigger beam 2.

[0044] The top plate 4 includes a symmetrically arranged rear half top plate 41 and a front half top plate 42, which are joined together and fixedly connected by bolts. The bottom plate 3 includes a symmetrically arranged front half bottom plate 31 and a rear half bottom plate 32, which are joined together and fixedly connected by bolts. The clearance fit design between the center hole of the top plate 4 and the bottom plate 3 and the cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger 1 ensures that the hydraulic outrigger 1 does not jam when it touches the ground and is activated, while also withstanding greater lateral forces, thus improving the adaptability of the hydraulic outrigger 1 to leveling on sloping ground.

[0045] There is a 1-2mm gap between the center hole of the top plate 4 and the bottom plate 3 and the cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger 1, ensuring that the hydraulic outrigger 1 does not get stuck due to the small gap; at the same time, the two center holes formed by the top plate 4 and the bottom plate 3 serve as motion guides for the hydraulic outrigger 1 to sense the ground contact, ensuring that the outrigger does not become tilted as a whole when the hydraulic outrigger 1 is subjected to eccentric load due to the large gap, thus preventing the hydraulic outrigger 1 from bending and deforming during the leveling process.

[0046] In some alternative embodiments: see Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, this application embodiment provides an outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor. The bottom of the base plate 3 of this device is fixedly equipped with a flange cover 8 surrounding the flange 11. The flange 11 is a rectangular steel plate structure fixed to the outer periphery of the cylinder, and the flange cover 8 is a rectangular frame surrounding the flange 11. The gap between the flange cover 8 and the flange 11 is 1-2 mm. The flange cover 8 ensures that during off-road transportation of the vehicle, large particles such as stones cannot enter the movement gap between the flange 11 and the base plate 3, preventing insufficient contact between the flange 11 and the base plate 3 due to large particles, thus causing the sensor 5 to have no sensing signal. Furthermore, the flange cover 8 also protects the moving structure, preventing personnel from inserting their fingers into the movement gap between the flange 11 and the base plate 3, thus preventing safety risks.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments: see Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figures 6 to 7 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides an external outrigger ground contact sensor device. The pulling component 6 of the device includes a cantilever plate 61 vertically connected to the side wall of the cylinder, and a vertical plate 62 fixed to the end of the outrigger crossbeam 2. A tension spring 63 is provided between the vertical plate 62 and the cantilever plate 61 to pull the cylinder downward. A first lifting ring 64 connected to one end of the tension spring 63 is fixedly provided on the vertical plate 62, and a second lifting ring 65 connected to the other end of the tension spring 63 is provided on the cantilever plate 61. A bolt 66 is provided on the second lifting ring 65 to pass through the cantilever plate 61, and a locking nut 67 is provided on the bolt 66 to adjust the tension of the tension spring 63. A cover plate 7 is provided on the vertical plate 62 to cover the cantilever plate 61 and the tension spring 63, and the cover plate 7 is fixedly connected to the vertical plate 62 by bolts.

[0048] A guide limiting groove is provided at one end of the upright plate 62 near the cantilever plate 61. The cantilever plate 61 is located within the guide limiting groove to restrict the hydraulic outrigger 1 from rotating circumferentially around the outrigger beam 2 and to restrict the hydraulic outrigger 1 from moving downward. A sensor bracket 9 for mounting a sensor 5 is fixed on the upright plate 62 or the top plate 4. The sensor 5 is preferably, but not limited to, a proximity sensor. When the proximity sensor approaches the cantilever plate 61, it sends a signal that the hydraulic outrigger 1 has contacted the ground.

[0049] In this embodiment, sensor 5 is fixed to the upright plate 62 or the top plate 4 by screws using a sensor bracket 9. Sensor 5 is installed in a threaded hole on the sensor bracket 9, and the distance h1 between the sensing end of sensor 5 and the cantilever plate 61 is approximately 11mm-12.5mm. When the hydraulic outrigger 1 is not firmly pressed into the ground, the state of this device is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the tension spring 63 fixed on the vertical plate 62 pulls the cylinder downward through the cantilever plate 61, and the cantilever plate 61 stops moving downward after it reaches the guide limiting groove above the vertical plate 62. In this state, the distance h3 between the flange 11 and the base plate 3 is about 10mm, and the distance h1 between the sensing end of the sensor 5 and the cantilever plate 61 is about 11mm-12.5mm. At this time, the sensor 5 has no sensing signal.

[0050] During off-road driving, the hydraulic outrigger 1, under the tension of the tension spring 63, remains in fixed contact with the outrigger beam 2, preventing vibration caused by vehicle bumps. When the hydraulic outrigger 1 is in the ground-contact action, the state of this device is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, hydraulic outrigger 1 is subjected to ground reaction force. When the ground reaction force exceeds the tension of spring 63, hydraulic outrigger 1 begins to move upward until flange 11 contacts base plate 3, at which point it lifts outrigger crossbeam 2 to support the entire vehicle. In this state, the distance h1 between the sensing end of sensor 5 and cantilever plate 61 decreases to 1mm-2.5mm, and sensor 5 generates a sensing signal. The vertical distance between cantilever plate 61 and the guide limiting groove above vertical plate 62 increases to approximately h2, about 10mm.

[0051] A second aspect of this application provides a vehicle comprising: a chassis, wherein external outrigger ground contact sensors as described in any of the above embodiments are respectively provided on both sides of the chassis.

[0052] Working principle

[0053] This application provides an external outrigger ground contact sensor device and a vehicle. The external outrigger ground contact sensor device of this application is equipped with a support mechanism, which includes an outrigger crossbeam 2 and a hydraulic outrigger 1 that lifts and supports the outrigger crossbeam 2. The cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger 1 is movably connected to the outrigger crossbeam 2 in the vertical direction, and the cylinder is provided with a flange 11 that supports the outrigger crossbeam 2. The sensing component includes a sensor 5 fixed on the outrigger crossbeam 2 for measuring the vertical displacement of the cylinder to a set height, and a traction member connected between the cylinder and the outrigger crossbeam 2 and driving the cylinder to move downward.

[0054] Therefore, in the outrigger-mounted ground contact sensing device of this application, the cylinder of the hydraulic outrigger 1 is vertically connected to the outrigger beam 2. The hydraulic outrigger 1 can move up and down vertically relative to the outrigger beam 2. A pulling member is provided between the cylinder and the outrigger beam 2 to drive the cylinder downward, so that the cylinder is kept in its initial position. When the hydraulic outrigger 1 touches the ground and lifts the outrigger beam 2 upward, the hydraulic outrigger 1 overcomes the pulling force of the pulling member under the action of the ground reaction force, and moves the cylinder upward to the set position. Then, the sensor 5 fixed on the outrigger beam 2 can accurately determine that the cylinder has vertically displaced to the set height and send out a signal that the hydraulic outrigger is in the ground contact state, reducing the false judgment rate and improving the reliability of detection.

[0055] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0056] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0057] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A leg-mounted ground contact sensor, characterized in that, include: The support mechanism includes a support leg beam (2) and a hydraulic support leg (1) that lifts and supports the support leg beam (2). The cylinder of the hydraulic support leg (1) is movably connected to the support leg beam (2) in the vertical direction. The cylinder is provided with a flange (11) that supports the support leg beam (2). The sensing component includes a sensor (5) fixed on the outrigger beam (2) for measuring the vertical displacement of the cylinder to a set height, and a traction member (6) connected between the cylinder and the outrigger beam (2) and driving the cylinder to move downward. The top of the support leg beam (2) is fixedly connected to a top plate (4) that is movably connected to the cylinder, and the bottom of the support leg beam (2) is fixedly connected to a bottom plate (3) that is movably connected to the cylinder. Both the top plate (4) and the bottom plate (3) have central holes for the cylinder to pass through. The cylinder is located in the central holes of the top plate (4) and the bottom plate (3) and can slide up and down. The flange (11) of the cylinder is located below the base plate (3) and vertically supports the leg beam (2) when the flange (11) contacts the base plate (3).

2. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top plate (4) includes a rear half top plate (41) and a front half top plate (42) arranged symmetrically, and the rear half top plate (41) and the front half top plate (42) are joined together and fixedly connected by bolts; The base plate (3) includes a front half base plate (31) and a rear half base plate (32) arranged symmetrically, and the front half base plate (31) and the rear half base plate (32) are joined together and fixedly connected by bolts.

3. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the base plate (3) is fixedly provided with a flange cover (8) surrounding the outer periphery of the flange (11), and the gap between the flange cover (8) and the flange (11) is 1-2mm.

4. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The traction member (6) includes a cantilever plate (61) vertically connected to the side wall of the cylinder, and a vertical plate (62) fixed to the end of the support beam (2). A tension spring (63) is provided between the vertical plate (62) and the cantilever plate (61) to pull the cylinder downward.

5. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The upright plate (62) is fixedly provided with a first lifting ring (64) that connects to one end of the tension spring (63), and the cantilever plate (61) is provided with a second lifting ring (65) that connects to the other end of the tension spring (63). The second lifting ring (65) is provided with a bolt (66) for connecting the cantilever plate (61), and the bolt (66) is provided with a locking nut (67) for adjusting the extension length of the tension spring (63).

6. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The vertical plate (62) has a guide limiting groove at one end near the cantilever plate (61). The cantilever plate (61) is located in the guide limiting groove to restrict the hydraulic outrigger (1) from rotating around the outrigger beam (2) and to restrict the hydraulic outrigger (1) from moving downward.

7. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The upright plate (62) is fixedly provided with a sensor bracket (9) for installing the sensor (5). The sensor (5) is a proximity sensor. When the proximity sensor approaches the cantilever plate (61), it sends out a signal that the hydraulic outrigger (1) is in contact with the ground.

8. The outrigger-mounted ground contact sensor as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The upright plate (62) is provided with a cover plate (7) covering the cantilever plate (61) and the tension spring (63), and the cover plate (7) is fixedly connected to the upright plate (62) by bolts.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: The chassis is provided with the outrigger external ground contact sensing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 on both sides of the chassis.

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