Railcar steering apparatus and railcar steering method

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of rail vehicles, and particularly relates to a rail vehicle steering device, including a circular track and a steering frame. The steering frame includes two opposing sides, each side of which is provided with two sets of lifting support rollers for supporting the circular track. Support members are provided at both ends of the steering frame, and these support members and the lifting support rollers can alternately support the steering frame. A linear guide rail is also provided on the steering frame. The lifting support roller includes a mounting base, a lifting cylinder, a base plate, and a first roller. The mounting base is located on one side of the steering frame and extends outward. The lifting cylinder is located on the mounting base, and the base plate is located at the bottom end of the lifting cylinder. A limiting member is provided between the base plate and the mounting base to prevent the base plate from rotating. The first roller is located on the bottom side of the base plate. The first roller is connected to a drive motor, which drives the first roller to rotate. This rail vehicle steering device can use a rectangular steering frame, resulting in a smaller size, simpler structure, and lower cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of rail vehicle technology, and particularly relates to a rail vehicle steering device and a rail vehicle steering method. Background Technology

[0002] RGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) motor cars can run along tracks. When an RGV motor car needs to change direction, the current method involves hoisting it from the original track, turning it, and then placing it back on the track. The disadvantages of this method are that the hoisting equipment is inefficient, and manual operation is required to hook the RGV motor car with the hoisting cables, making direction changes inconvenient. Furthermore, when changing direction in multiple directions, the hoisting equipment must rotate the RGV to other positions, which is extremely difficult and inefficient.

[0003] To overcome the aforementioned technical deficiencies, Chinese utility model patent document CN223355607U discloses a toothed pin turntable for an RGV (Remotely Reinforced Vehicle) power vehicle. The turntable includes a platform with a column at its bottom, rotatably connected to the platform. Multiple top guide rails are located on the upper side of the platform, and multiple rollers are located on the bottom. It also includes a circular track on which the rollers roll. The turntable further includes a toothed pin device for driving the platform's rotation and a limiting device for locking and limiting the platform. A bottom support is located on the lower side of the circular track, and is fixedly connected to the column. The toothed pin device includes a power motor with a drive gear connected to its top. A mounting ring is located on the outer surface of the platform, and multiple pins are arranged within the mounting ring, with the drive gear meshing with the pins. The limiting device includes a mounting bracket, on the upper side of which is a worm gear jack. A drive motor is located on one side of the worm gear jack, with its input end connected to the drive motor. A telescopic shaft is connected to the telescopic end of the worm gear jack, and a locking block is provided on the outer surface of the platform. The telescopic shaft extends and engages with the locking block. By providing a top guide rail on the platform, the platform can align with tracks in different directions after rotation, facilitating the movement of the RGV vehicle from the tracks to the top guide rail. Then, with the platform's rotation, the top guide rail aligns with tracks in other positions, allowing the RGV vehicle to move to other locations. The limiting device allows the platform to be limited in rotation after the fixed plate moves to the proximity switch side, and the engagement of the telescopic shaft with the locking block further restricts its rotation, improving its stability in the non-operating state and preventing unauthorized movement.

[0004] The technology disclosed in the aforementioned patent documents uses a bottom support to install and fix the ring-shaped support, drive motor, and mounting bracket, and connects the platform and the bottom support via columns. The platform is continuously supported on the ring track by rollers, allowing it to roll relatively on the track. However, the platform is limited by a drive gear and worm gear jack, which causes the drive motor and worm gear jack to be subjected to forces from the platform. When the platform is subjected to external forces (such as impacts) or when a railcar enters or exits the platform, the worm gear jack and drive motor may be damaged by the external load. Furthermore, the patented platform uses a circular design, resulting in a large platform area and high overall cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a railcar steering device that solves the problems of existing railcar steering devices causing damage to steering power and platform limiting components, as well as the complex overall structure and higher cost.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a railcar steering device for steering a rail transport vehicle, comprising: a circular track and a steering frame; the circular track is installed on the ground, the steering frame includes two opposite sides, each side of the steering frame is provided with two sets of lifting support rollers, the lifting support rollers are used to support the circular track; support members are provided at both ends of the steering frame, the support members and the lifting support rollers can alternately support the steering frame; the steering frame is also provided with a linear guide rail for guiding and supporting the rail transport vehicle;

[0007] The lifting support roller includes a mounting base, a lifting cylinder, a base plate, and a first roller. The mounting base is located on one side of the steering frame and extends outward. The lifting cylinder is mounted on the mounting base. The base plate is located at the bottom end of the lifting cylinder. A limiting member is provided between the base plate and the mounting base to prevent the base plate from rotating. The first roller is located on the bottom side of the base plate. At least one set of two diagonally arranged first rollers is connected to a drive motor, and the drive motor drives the first roller to rotate. A hydraulic station is also provided on one side of the steering frame.

[0008] Furthermore, the bottom side of the annular track is provided with multiple mounting components for fixing to the ground; the mounting components include a mounting plate and a support plate, the mounting plate is fixedly installed on the ground, a support screw is provided between the support plate and the mounting plate, and the annular track is set on the support plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the bottom side of the base plate is provided with two side plates, and the first roller is disposed between the two side plates; the drive motor is disposed on the outside of one of the side plates, and the main shaft of the drive motor is connected to the first roller.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner side of the side plate is also provided with a brush that abuts against the first roller, and the brush is connected to the drive motor and the electrical box on the steering frame.

[0011] Furthermore, the two sides of the annular track are provided with mutually parallel support rails, the support member is attached to the second roller on the steering frame, and the support rail is used to support the second roller so that the second roller can roll on the support rail.

[0012] Furthermore, the steering frame is provided with the second roller at both ends on both sides; a drive shaft is provided between the two second rollers on the same side, and the drive shaft is connected to a reduction motor.

[0013] Furthermore, a rack parallel to the support guide rail is provided on one side; a drive shaft is provided on one side of the steering frame, the drive shaft is connected to a reduction motor, and gears are provided at both ends of the drive shaft, the gears meshing with the rack.

[0014] Furthermore, the railcar steering device also includes two positioning sleeves located on both sides of the circular track. The steering frame also has a telescopic component, and the bottom end of the telescopic component is provided with a positioning rod, which is used to extend into the positioning sleeve to position the steering frame.

[0015] The above-mentioned technical solutions of one or more of the railcar steering devices provided in the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following technical effects: When the rail transport vehicle needs to turn, it moves onto the linear guide rail of the steering frame. The lifting cylinders of each set of lifting support rollers drive the first roller to descend and support it on the circular track, suspending the support members at both ends of the steering frame. The drive motor then drives the first roller to roll along the circular track, causing the steering frame and the rail transport vehicle on it to turn. After the turn is complete, the lifting cylinders drive the first roller to move relative to the track, and the support members support the steering frame until the first roller is completely off the circular track, at which point the rail transport vehicle moves off the steering frame. In this rail vehicle steering device, only the first roller is supported by the circular track during turning, and the steering frame is supported by the support members after the turn. Therefore, the steering frame does not have free rotation, and even if the steering frame is subjected to external forces, it will not cause excessive load or damage to the drive motor. Furthermore, this rail vehicle steering device can use a rectangular steering frame, resulting in a smaller size, simpler structure, and lower cost. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a railcar steering device is provided for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the other side of the railcar steering device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 A structural diagram of another embodiment of the railcar steering device is provided for the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the lifting support roller of the railcar steering device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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 of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In one embodiment of the railcar steering device of the present invention, please refer to... Figures 1 to 3 The railcar steering device of this embodiment is used for steering a rail transport vehicle (RGV) to achieve a 180° turn. Specifically, the railcar steering device includes a circular track 100 and a steering frame 200. The circular track 100 can be directly installed on the ground. Preferably, the circular track 100 is installed on the ground by multiple mounting members 110. Specifically, the mounting member 110 includes a mounting plate 111 and a support plate 112. The mounting plate 111 is fixedly installed on the ground, and a support screw 113 is provided between the support plate 112 and the mounting plate 111. The circular track 100 is disposed on the support plate 112. The height of the support plate 112 can be adjusted by the support screw 113, thereby adjusting the horizontal height of the circular track 100 to ensure that the top surface of the circular track 100 is on the same horizontal plane.

[0028] The steering frame 200 includes two opposing sides, each equipped with two sets of lifting support rollers 300, which support the circular track 100. Support members 400 are located at both ends of the steering frame 200, and these support members 400 and the lifting support rollers 300 can alternately support the steering frame 200. A linear guide rail 210 is also provided on the steering frame 200 for guiding and supporting the rail transport vehicle.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 4The lifting support roller 300 includes a mounting base 310, a lifting cylinder 320, a base plate 330, and a first roller 340. The mounting base 310 is located on one side of the steering frame 200 and extends outward. The lifting cylinder 320 is mounted on the mounting base 310, and the base plate 330 is located at the bottom end of the lifting cylinder 320. A limiting member 350 is provided between the base plate 330 and the mounting base 310 to prevent the base plate 330 from rotating. Specifically, the limiting member 350 is a guide rod passing through the mounting base 310. The first roller 340 is located on the bottom side of the base plate 330. At least one set of two diagonally arranged first rollers 340 are connected to a drive motor 360, which drives the first rollers 340 to rotate. A hydraulic station 370 is also provided on one side of the steering frame 200, which provides power to the lifting cylinder 320, enabling the lifting cylinder 320 to drive the first rollers 340 to rise and fall.

[0030] Specifically, when the rail transport vehicle needs to turn, it moves onto the linear guide rail 210 of the steering frame 200. The lifting cylinders 320 of each set of lifting support rollers 300 drive the first rollers 340 to descend and support them on the circular track 100, suspending the support members 400 at both ends of the steering frame 200. The drive motor 360 drives the corresponding first rollers 340 to roll along the circular track 100, causing the steering frame 200 and the rail transport vehicle on it to move and turn along the circular track 100. After the turn is complete, the lifting cylinders 320 drive the first rollers 340 to retract, lowering the steering frame 200 until the support members 400 support the steering frame 200. The first rollers 340 then disengage from the circular track 100, and the rail transport vehicle drives off the steering frame 200. When this railcar steering device turns, only the first roller 340 and the circular track 100 provide support. After turning, the steering frame 200 is supported by the support member 400. Therefore, the steering frame 200 does not have the ability to rotate freely. Even if the steering frame 200 is subjected to external forces (such as impact forces, or the railcar entering or leaving the steering frame 200), it will not cause excessive load or damage to the drive motor 360. Furthermore, this railcar steering device can use a rectangular steering frame 200, which is smaller in size, simpler in structure, and lower in cost.

[0031] Furthermore, in a specific embodiment of the installation of the first roller 340, see [reference]. Figure 4 The bottom plate 330 has two side plates 331 on its bottom side, and the first roller 340 is located between the two side plates 331. The drive motor 360 is located on the outside of one side plate 331, and the main shaft of the drive motor 360 is connected to the first roller 340.

[0032] Furthermore, refer to Figure 4The inner side of the side plate 331 is also provided with a brush 370 that abuts against the first roller 340. The brush 370 is connected to the drive motor 360 and the electrical box 500 on the steering frame 200. In this embodiment, the drive motor 360 is powered by the contact and conduction between the ring track 100 and the first roller 340, which simplifies the power supply structure of the drive motor 360 and makes power supply more convenient.

[0033] Furthermore, refer to Figures 1 to 3 The circular track 100 has parallel support rails 600 on both sides. A support member 400 is attached to a second roller on the steering frame 200. The support rails 600 support the second roller, allowing it to roll on the support rails 600. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the steering frame 200 descends, the second support roller rests on the support rails 600, and the second roller can move horizontally on the support rails 600, thus pushing the steering frame 200 to different positions. This allows direct movement across multiple parallel aisles, enabling the rail transport vehicle to accommodate the stacking of goods on more shelves.

[0034] Furthermore, refer to Figure 3 The steering frame 200 has second rollers at both ends on both sides; a drive shaft 610 is located between the two second rollers on the same side, and the drive shaft 610 is connected to a reduction motor 700. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 610 can be driven to rotate by the reduction motor 700, thereby causing the second rollers to roll on the support guide rail 600, thus moving the steering frame 200 on the support guide rail 600.

[0035] Another embodiment of the movement of the steering frame 200 on the support guide rail 600, specifically. See also... Figure 2 A rack 620 parallel to the support guide rail 600 is also provided on one side; a drive shaft 610 is also provided on one side of the steering frame 200. The drive shaft 610 is connected to a reduction motor 700, and gears 630 are provided at both ends of the drive shaft 610, which mesh with the rack 620. In this embodiment, when the second roller is supported on the support guide rail 600, the reduction motor 700 can drive the drive shaft 610 to rotate, causing the gears 630 to roll on the rack 620, thereby pushing the steering frame 200 to move along the support guide rail 600. Furthermore, the support rail 600 and the rack 620 can be set on a support frame 900, which supports the rack 620 and the support rail 600, facilitating the adjustment of the horizontal height of the support rail 600 and the rack 620. Specifically, the support frame 900 has the same structure as the mounting component 110.

[0036] Furthermore, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 5To control the movement distance of the steering frame 200 along the support guide rail 600, a toothed plate 611 is fitted onto the drive shaft 610, with a number of evenly distributed gear teeth 612. A sensor 640 is installed on one side of the steering frame 200 or on the side of the reduction motor 700. The sensor 640 senses the number of times the gear teeth 612 approach each other, thereby identifying the number of rotations of the drive shaft 610. When the drive shaft 610 has not completed a full rotation, the sensor can sense its rotation angle, thus controlling the displacement distance of the steering frame 200. This allows the steering frame 200 to move precisely to the corresponding position.

[0037] Furthermore, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 The railcar steering device also includes two positioning sleeves 800, which are distributed on both sides of the circular track 100. A telescopic member 220 is also provided on the steering frame 200, and a positioning rod 221 is provided at the bottom end of the telescopic member 220. The positioning rod 221 is used to extend into the positioning sleeve 800 to position the steering frame 200. In this embodiment, when the steering frame 200 receives a railcar that needs to be turned, after the steering frame 200 is driven onto the circular track 100, the positioning rod 221 can be driven down by the telescopic member 220 to extend into the positioning sleeve 800, thus positioning the steering frame 200. When the lifting cylinder 320 drives the first roller 340 to descend, it can be supported on the circular track 100.

[0038] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A railcar steering device for steering rail transport vehicles, characterized in that, include: A circular track and a steering frame; the circular track is set on the ground, and the steering frame includes two opposite sides, each side of which is provided with two sets of lifting support rollers for supporting the circular track; the two ends of the steering frame are provided with support members, which can alternately support the steering frame with the lifting support rollers; the steering frame is also provided with a linear guide rail for guiding and supporting the rail transport vehicle; The lifting support roller includes a mounting base, a lifting cylinder, a base plate, and a first roller. The mounting base is located on one side of the steering frame and extends outward. The lifting cylinder is mounted on the mounting base. The base plate is located at the bottom end of the lifting cylinder. A limiting member is provided between the base plate and the mounting base to prevent the base plate from rotating. The first roller is located on the bottom side of the base plate. At least one set of two diagonally arranged first rollers is connected to a drive motor, and the drive motor drives the first roller to rotate. A hydraulic station is also provided on one side of the steering frame.

2. The railcar steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom side of the annular track is also provided with a number of mounting components, which are used to fix it to the ground. The mounting components include a mounting plate and a support plate. The mounting plate is fixedly installed on the ground, and a support screw is provided between the support plate and the mounting plate. The annular track is set on the support plate.

3. The railcar steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom side of the base plate is provided with two side plates, and the first roller is located between the two side plates; the drive motor is located on the outside of one of the side plates, and the main shaft of the drive motor is connected to the first roller.

4. The railcar steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner side of the side plate is also provided with a brush that abuts against the first roller. The brush is connected to the drive motor and the electrical box on the steering frame.

5. The railcar steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circular track has parallel support rails on both sides. The support member is attached to the second roller on the steering frame. The support rail is used to support the second roller so that the second roller can roll on the support rail.

6. The railcar steering device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The steering frame has a second roller at both ends on both sides; a drive shaft is provided between the two second rollers on the same side, and the drive shaft is connected to a reduction motor.

7. The railcar steering device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A rack parallel to the support guide rail is also provided on one side; a drive shaft is also provided on one side of the steering frame, the drive shaft is connected to a reduction motor, and gears are provided at both ends of the drive shaft, the gears meshing with the rack.

8. The railcar steering device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A toothed plate is also fitted on the drive shaft, and the toothed plate has a number of teeth evenly distributed on it; a sensor is provided on one side of the steering frame or on one side of the reduction motor, and the sensor detects how many times the teeth approach.

9. The railcar steering device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that: It also includes two positioning sleeves, which are located on both sides of the annular track. The steering frame is also provided with a telescopic component, and the bottom end of the telescopic component is provided with a positioning rod, which is used to extend into the positioning sleeve to position the steering frame.

10. A method for turning a railcar, characterized in that, The device includes a railcar steering device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; the railcar moves onto the linear guide rail, the lifting cylinder drives the first roller to descend and support it on the circular track, the support members at both ends of the steering frame are suspended, the drive motor drives the first roller to roll along the circular track, and the steering frame and the railcar on the steering frame turn.

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