Impact-proof automatic adjustment push-pull dual-purpose towing bar and application thereof

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of engineering machinery technology and relates to an anti-impact, automatically adjustable push-pull dual-purpose traction rod and its application. The traction rod has a traction end and a hook-up end at both ends. A buffer assembly is rotatably connected to the traction end, and a front traction rod is fixedly connected to the second end of the buffer assembly. A rear traction rod is fixedly connected to the hook-up end. A bidirectional hinge mechanism is provided between the front and rear traction rods. This bidirectional hinge mechanism includes a left-right rotation mechanism and a right-down rotation mechanism. The left-right rotation mechanism is connected to the front traction rod, and the right-down rotation mechanism is connected to the rear traction rod. The right-down rotation mechanism is hinged to the left-right rotation mechanism. This invention can solve the impact problem caused by asynchronous braking of the front and rear vehicles during parking and meets the requirements for towing and pushing operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of engineering machinery technology and relates to an anti-impact, automatically adjustable push-pull traction rod and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Towing operations are widely used in indoor and outdoor logistics transportation in scenarios such as airports, railway stations, ports, and industrial and mining enterprises. When towing pallets, flatbed trailers, and other unitized or containerized materials (hereinafter referred to as "rear vehicles") for inbound and outbound operations, it is usually necessary to tow the flatbed trailers to the designated location to complete the loading and unloading of materials.

[0003] Currently, during the process of towing a flatbed trailer to a designated location and parking, the braking of the towing vehicle and the flatbed trailer is not synchronized. After the towing vehicle brakes, the following vehicle will continue to move briefly. If a drawbar without an impact-resistant structure is used, the following vehicle will exert a large impact load on the towing vehicle; when the total weight of the flatbed trailer is large, the impact on the towing vehicle is even more significant. In addition, in some logistics transportation scenarios, because the drawbar is a rigid structure with a fixed and non-adjustable length, it is necessary to adjust the flatbed trailer to a designated position before the towing vehicle tows or pushes the flatbed trailer to meet loading and unloading requirements.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a push-pull dual-purpose tow bar with automatic shock adjustment to solve the impact problem caused by the asynchronous braking of the front and rear vehicles when parking, and to meet the usage requirements of towing and pushing operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and propose an anti-impact, automatically adjusting push-pull dual-purpose tow bar and its application. The tow bar performs both towing and pushing functions, employing a segmented hinged connection structure. During towing operations, each segment is in a freely hinged state, and the traction force is transmitted through the first, second, and third main pins of the tow bar, the front tow bar, and the rear tow bar, thus completing the towing operation. Simultaneously, at the end of the towing operation, the deformation of the hinge mechanism mitigates the impact of the rear vehicle on the front vehicle. During pushing operations, the first and second positioning pins bring the tow bar into a rigid connection state, enabling the pushing operation.

[0006] To address the above problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention discloses a push-pull dual-purpose traction rod with anti-impact automatic adjustment. The traction rod has a traction end and a hooking end at its two ends, respectively. A buffer assembly is rotatably connected to the traction end. A front traction rod is fixedly connected to the second end of the buffer assembly, and a rear traction rod is fixedly connected to the hooking end. A bidirectional hinge mechanism is provided between the front traction rod and the rear traction rod. The bidirectional hinge mechanism includes a left-right rotation mechanism and an up-down rotation mechanism. The left-right rotation mechanism is connected to the front traction rod, and the up-down rotation mechanism is connected to the rear traction rod. The up-down rotation mechanism is hinged to the left-right rotation mechanism.

[0007] Furthermore, the left and right rotation mechanism includes a connecting support and a first main pin, and the front traction rod is hinged to the connecting support through the first main pin; The up-and-down rotating mechanism includes a hinged support and a third main pin, and the rear traction rod is hinged to the hinged support via the third main pin.

[0008] Furthermore, a first through hole is provided on the front traction rod, and a second through hole is provided on the connecting support. The first through hole and the second through hole are detachably connected to the same first positioning pin. The rear traction rod has a third through hole, and the hinge support has a fourth through hole. The first through hole and the fourth through hole are detachably connected to the same second positioning pin.

[0009] Furthermore, the traction rod is provided with several storage positions for accommodating the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin.

[0010] Furthermore, the traction end is provided with a fork seat, which is rotatably connected to the tractor.

[0011] Furthermore, the attachment end is provided with a connecting ring, and the first end of the connecting ring is fixedly connected to the rear traction rod.

[0012] Furthermore, the buffer assembly includes a sleeve, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the fork seat, a shaft is provided inside the sleeve, the shaft is elastically engaged with the sleeve through an elastic limiting assembly, and one end of the shaft extending outside the sleeve is fixedly connected to the front traction rod.

[0013] Furthermore, the axial section of the shaft is roughly cross-shaped, with the middle section protruding radially outward to form a shoulder; The elastic limiting component is disposed inside the sleeve, and the elastic limiting component includes several resistance springs and a pressure sleeve; each resistance spring is disposed between the inner wall of the sleeve and the shaft, and the second end of the resistance spring abuts against the first end face of the shaft shoulder; the pressure sleeve abuts against the second end face of the shaft shoulder.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention discloses the application of the anti-impact automatic adjustment push-pull dual-purpose traction rod described in any of the above claims in indoor and outdoor logistics transportation.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: First, when used for towing operations, this invention features a six-degree-of-freedom rotational structure, comprising: rotation of the shaft around its axis within the sleeve; rotation of the fork around the connecting pin; rotation of the front traction rod and connecting support around the first main pin; rotation of the connecting support and hinged support around the second main pin; rotation of the hinged support and rear traction rod around the third main pin; and relative movement between the connecting ring and the hook of the towed equipment. The fork and tractor, the connecting support and front traction rod, the connecting support and hinged support, and the hinged support and rear traction rod are all connected by hinged structures. This six-degree-of-freedom rotational structure allows the traction rod to have a foldable form, enabling the tractor and the towed equipment to be connected at any distance within the length of the traction rod; unlike existing traction rods where the tractor and towed equipment must be stopped at a fixed distance to connect. This invention improves the ease of operation for towing operations.

[0016] Secondly, during towing operations, the traction force of the tractor unit passes sequentially through the fork, front towing bar, connecting support, articulated support, and rear towing bar. The towing bar is then extended, transmitting power to the towed equipment for towing. At the end of the towing operation or during travel, the impact from the tractor unit stopping or decelerating passes sequentially through the rear towing bar, articulated support, connecting support, and front towing bar, then acts on the resistance spring, which is subsequently compressed, effectively reducing the impact intensity. Furthermore, the impact load on the connecting support and articulated support is converted into a lateral force generated by the relative rotation of the connecting support and articulated support, causing the towing bar to fold, achieving a buffering and shock-absorbing effect.

[0017] Third, this invention features a positioning pin, which allows for quick switching between dragging and pushing functions through insertion and removal. When the traction rod is used for pushing operations, the first positioning pin engages with the first positioning pin hole to achieve a limiting effect, locking the front traction rod to the connecting support and forming a whole. Similarly, the second positioning pin engages with the second positioning pin hole to achieve a limiting effect, locking the rear traction rod to the hinged support and forming a whole. This invention realizes multiple uses for the traction rod and is applicable to a wider range of scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form part of this specification, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the buffer component of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the state during the tractor operation of the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the present invention when braking a tractor during towing operations; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the installation structure of the present invention when used for towing operations by a tractor; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the state during the pushing operation of the present invention; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the installation structure of this invention during the jacking operation of a tractor.

[0021] Wherein: 1 is the fork seat; 2 is the resistance spring; 3 is the pressure sleeve; 4 is the front traction rod; 5 is the first positioning pin; 6 is the second main pin; 7 is the connecting support; 8 is the hinge support; 9 is the rear traction rod; 10 is the storage position; 11 is the connecting ring; 12 is the sleeve; 13 is the shaft; 14 is the second through hole; 15 is the fourth through hole; 16 is the first main pin; 17 is the third main pin; 18 is the limiting device; 19 is the second positioning pin. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples consistent with some aspects of the invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Example

[0024] Firstly, such as Figure 2As shown, the present invention provides a push-pull dual-purpose traction rod with anti-impact automatic adjustment. The two ends of the traction rod are a traction end and a hooking end, respectively. A buffer assembly is rotatably connected to the traction end. A front traction rod 4 is fixedly connected to the second end of the buffer assembly. A rear traction rod 9 is fixedly connected to the hooking end. A two-way hinge mechanism is provided between the front traction rod 4 and the rear traction rod 9. The two-way hinge mechanism includes a left-right rotation mechanism and a right-up-down rotation mechanism. The left-right rotation mechanism is connected to the front traction rod 4, and the right-up-down rotation mechanism is connected to the rear traction rod 9. The right-up-down rotation mechanism is hinged to the left-right rotation mechanism.

[0025] Specifically, the up-and-down rotating mechanism and the left-and-right rotating mechanism are hinged together by the first main pin 16.

[0026] Specifically, the bidirectional hinge mechanism and the hinge structure formed between the up-down rotating mechanism and the left-right rotating mechanism can solve the problem of asynchronous braking between the front and rear vehicles on the one hand, and reduce the restriction on the distance between the front and rear vehicles on the other hand, which facilitates the installation of the tow bar.

[0027] Furthermore, the left and right rotation mechanism includes a connecting support 7 and a first main pin 16, and the front traction rod 4 is hinged to the connecting support 7 through the first main pin 16; The up-and-down rotating mechanism includes a hinged support 8 and a third main pin 17, and the rear traction rod 9 is hinged to the hinged support 8 through the third main pin 17.

[0028] Furthermore, a first through hole is provided on the front traction rod 4, and a second through hole 14 is provided on the connecting support 7. The first through hole and the second through hole 14 are detachably connected to the same first positioning pin 5. The rear traction rod 9 has a third through hole, and the hinge support 8 has a fourth through hole 15. The first through hole and the fourth through hole 15 are detachably connected to the same second positioning pin 19.

[0029] Specifically, when the traction rod is used for pushing operations, the first through hole and the second through hole 14 are provided with the same first positioning pin 5. The first positioning pin 5 and the first main pin 16 lock and position the front traction rod 4 and the connecting support 7, thereby restricting the relative movement between the front traction rod 4 and the connecting support 7.

[0030] Specifically, when the traction rod is used for pushing operations, the third through hole and the fourth through hole 15 are provided with the same second positioning pin 19. The second positioning pin 19 and the third main pin 17 lock and position the rear traction rod 9 and the hinge support 8, thereby restricting the relative movement between the rear traction rod 9 and the hinge support 8.

[0031] Specifically, the rear tow bar 9 is axially provided with a positioning device 18 for detachably fixing the tow bar to the tractor.

[0032] Furthermore, the traction rod is provided with several storage positions 10 for accommodating the first positioning pin 5 and the second positioning pin 19.

[0033] Specifically, when the towing rod is used for towing operations, the first positioning pin 5 and the second positioning pin 19 are stored in the storage position 10.

[0034] Furthermore, the traction end is provided with a fork seat 1, which is rotatably connected to the tractor.

[0035] Specifically, the rear of the tractor is equipped with a connecting device for connecting the fork seat 1. The connecting device is an existing structural component of the tractor, including two parallel and spaced lugs, each with a first shaft hole of equal size and coaxial. The first end of the fork seat 1 has a second shaft hole. When the towing rod is connected to the tractor (front vehicle), the same connecting pin passes through the first and second shaft holes, making the fork seat 1 hinged to the connecting device of the tractor.

[0036] More specifically, the fork 1 is rotatably connected about the axis of the connecting pin.

[0037] Furthermore, the hook end is provided with a connecting ring 11, and the first end of the connecting ring 11 is fixedly connected to the rear traction rod 9.

[0038] Specifically, the second end of the connecting ring 11 is detachably connected to the traction device.

[0039] More specifically, the first end of the connecting ring 11 is provided with a closed hanging ring, which is detachably connected to the hook at the front end of the towed equipment (rear vehicle).

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the buffer assembly includes a sleeve 12, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the fork seat 1. A shaft 13 is provided inside the sleeve 12. The shaft 13 is elastically engaged with the sleeve 12 through an elastic limiting component. One end of the shaft 13 extending to the outside of the sleeve 12 is fixedly connected to the front traction rod (4).

[0041] Specifically, the shaft 13 can rotate around its axis within the sleeve 12.

[0042] Furthermore, the axial section of the shaft 13 is roughly cross-shaped, with the middle section protruding radially outward to form a shoulder; The elastic limiting component is disposed inside the sleeve 12, and the elastic limiting component includes a plurality of resistance springs 2 and a pressure sleeve 3; each resistance spring 2 is disposed between the inner wall of the sleeve 12 and the shaft 13, and the second end of the resistance spring 2 abuts against the first end face of the shaft shoulder of the shaft 13; the pressure sleeve 3 abuts against the second end face of the shaft shoulder of the shaft 13.

[0043] Specifically, the first end of the resistance spring 2 abuts against the bottom wall of the sleeve 12.

[0044] Specifically, the shaft 13 and the sleeve 12 are fitted with an axial clearance, that is, there is a gap between the shaft 13 and the bottom wall of the sleeve 12. When the traction rod is not braked synchronously by the front and rear vehicles, the shaft 13 transmits the braking force difference to the resistance spring 2. The resistance spring 2 can absorb the braking force difference generated during braking and prevent the traction rod from twisting due to uneven force.

[0045] Specifically, the pressure sleeve 3 is fixedly connected to the sleeve 12.

[0046] More specifically, the pressure sleeve 3 and the sleeve 12 are preferably connected by a clearance fit, so as to facilitate disassembly and assembly while ensuring the limiting of the resistance spring 2; the pressure sleeve 3 and the shaft 13 are connected by a clearance fit.

[0047] Secondly, the present invention discloses the application of the anti-impact automatic adjustment push-pull dual-purpose traction rod described in any of the above claims in indoor and outdoor logistics transportation.

[0048] Specifically, the indoor and outdoor logistics transportation scenarios include, but are not limited to, airports, railway stations, ports, and industrial and mining enterprises.

[0049] The specific working principle of the present invention will be described in detail below: The present invention realizes the conversion between the pushing and pulling functions of the traction rod by inserting and removing the first positioning pin 5 and the second positioning pin 19.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the fork seat 1 is rotatably connected to the lug of the tractor vehicle via a connecting pin; the connecting ring 11 is detachably connected to the hook of the towed equipment. Since the front tow rod 4 is fixedly connected to the shaft 13, and the shaft 13 can rotate radially inside the sleeve 12, the installation angle of the tow rod can be adjusted by rotating the shaft 13.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the left side represents the tractor unit, and the right side represents the towed device. When the tow bar is used for towing operations, the first positioning pin 5 and the second positioning pin 19 are placed within the positioning pin storage position 10. At this time, as... Figure 5As shown, the towing rod is a six-degree-of-freedom movable structure. Specifically, the six-degree-of-freedom movable structure includes: the front towing rod 4 rotating along its own axis; the fork seat 1 rotating radially with the tractor lug via a connecting pin; the connecting support 7 hinged to the front towing rod 4 via a first main pin 16, and the connecting support 7 and the front towing rod 4 rotating relative to each other around the first main pin 16; the connecting support 7 and the hinged support 8 hinged to a second main pin 6, and the connecting support 7 and the hinged support 8 rotating relative to each other up and down around the second main pin 6; the hinged support 8 and the rear towing rod 9 hinged to a third main pin 17, and the hinged support 8 and the rear towing rod 9 rotating relative to each other up and down around the third main pin 17; and the relative circumferential rotation between the connecting ring 11 and the hook of the towing device. Before towing operations, if the distance between the tractor and the towed equipment is less than the extended length of the tow bar, the tow bar can be rotated around the first main pin 16, the second main pin 6, and the third main pin 17 respectively, so that the length of the tow bar can be adapted to the distance between the tractor and the towed equipment.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, during braking, a braking time difference occurs between the tractor and the towed equipment, resulting in an impact force from the towed equipment onto the tractor. This impact force is offset by the resistance spring 2 and also by the rotation of the connecting pin, the first main pin 16, the second main pin 6, and the third main pin 17. Specifically, during traction or braking, when there is a height difference between the tractor and the towed equipment, pitch rotation can be achieved through the pins rotating in the vertical direction (i.e., the second and third main pins) to compensate for the height difference. When only a horizontal deflection angle occurs during braking, due to the difference in deceleration between the tractor and the towed equipment, they will form a relative torsional tendency and exhibit a brief relative motion state after braking. At this time, left and right rotation can be achieved through the pins rotating in the horizontal direction (i.e., the connecting pin and the first main pin). Through rotational decomposition, dynamic load impact on the tractor by the towed vehicle is prevented.

[0053] like Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, the left side represents the tractor vehicle, and the right side represents the towed equipment. When the traction rod is used for pushing operations, on the one hand, the same first positioning pin 5 passes through the first through hole and the second through hole 14. The first positioning pin 5 and the first main pin 16 are used to lock and position the front traction rod 4 and the connecting support 7, thereby restricting the relative movement between the front traction rod 4 and the connecting support 7. On the other hand, the same second positioning pin 19 passes through the third through hole and the fourth through hole 15. The second positioning pin 19 and the third main pin 17 are used to lock and position the rear traction rod 9 and the hinged support 8, thereby restricting the relative movement between the rear traction rod 9 and the hinged support 8. In other words, the connecting support 7 and the front traction rod 4 are connected to form a whole, and the hinged support 8 and the rear traction rod 9 are connected to form a whole. At this time, the drawbar itself has only two rotational degrees of freedom during towing operations. Specifically, the two degrees of freedom are: the fork seat 1 and the front drawbar can rotate radially; the connecting support 7 and the hinged support 8 are hinged via the second main pin 6, and the connecting support 7 and the hinged support 8 rotate relative to each other up and down around the second main pin 6; the rear drawbar 9 can be adjusted vertically via the second main pin 6; and the front drawbar 4 can rotate around its own axis. Furthermore, due to the radial rotation between the fork seat 1 and the tractor lugs, during towing operations, when uneven road surfaces cause the front and rear vehicles to tilt in opposite directions, the drawbar can adaptively swing, achieving automatic posture correction.

[0054] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the invention. 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 the invention.

[0055] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the content already described above, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An impact-resistant self-adjusting push-pull dual purpose tow bar characterised in that, The two ends of the traction rod are a traction end and a hook-up end, respectively. The traction end is rotatably connected to a buffer assembly. The second end of the buffer assembly is fixedly connected to a front traction rod (4). The hook-up end is fixedly connected to a rear traction rod (9). A two-way hinge mechanism is provided between the front traction rod (4) and the rear traction rod (9). The two-way hinge mechanism includes a left-right rotation mechanism and an up-down rotation mechanism. The left-right rotation mechanism is connected to the front traction rod (4). The up-down rotation mechanism is connected to the rear traction rod (9). The up-down rotation mechanism is hinged to the left-right rotation mechanism.

2. The shock absorbing self-adjusting dual-purpose towing bar of claim 1, wherein, The left and right rotation mechanism includes a connecting support (7) and a first main pin (16), and the front traction rod (4) is hinged to the connecting support (7) through the first main pin (16); The up-and-down rotating mechanism includes a hinged support (8) and a third main pin (17), and the rear traction rod (9) is hinged to the hinged support (8) through the third main pin (17).

3. The shock absorbing self-adjusting push-pull dual purpose draw bar as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The front traction rod (4) has a first through hole, and the connecting support (7) has a second through hole (14). The first through hole and the second through hole (14) are detachably connected to the same first positioning pin (5). The rear traction rod (9) has a third through hole, and the hinge support (8) has a fourth through hole (15). The first through hole and the fourth through hole (15) are detachably connected to the same second positioning pin (19).

4. The shock absorbing self-adjusting dual purpose pull and push tow bar of claim 3 wherein, The traction rod is provided with several storage positions (10) for accommodating the first positioning pin (5) and the second positioning pin (19).

5. The shock absorbing self-adjusting dual purpose pull and push tow bar of claim 1 wherein, The traction end is provided with a fork seat (1), which is rotatably connected to the tractor.

6. The shock absorbing self-adjusting dual purpose pull and push tow bar of claim 1 wherein, The hook end is provided with a connecting ring (11), and the first end of the connecting ring (11) is fixedly connected to the rear traction rod (9).

7. The shock absorbing self-adjusting dual purpose pull and push tow bar of claim 1 wherein, The buffer assembly includes a sleeve (12), the first end of which is rotatably connected to the fork seat (1), and a shaft (13) is provided inside the sleeve (12). The shaft (13) is elastically engaged with the sleeve (12) through an elastic limiting assembly, and one end of the shaft (13) extending to the outside of the sleeve (12) is fixedly connected to the front traction rod (4).

8. The shock absorbing self-adjusting push-pull dual purpose draw bar as claimed in claim 7 wherein, The axial section of the shaft (13) is cross-shaped, with the middle section protruding radially outward to form a shoulder; The elastic limiting component is disposed inside the sleeve (12), and the elastic limiting component includes several resistance springs (2) and pressure sleeves (3); each resistance spring (2) is disposed between the inner wall of the sleeve (12) and the shaft (13), and the second end of the resistance spring (2) abuts against the first end face of the shaft shoulder; the pressure sleeve (3) abuts against the second end face of the shaft shoulder.

9. An anti-impact automatic adjustment push-pull dual-purpose traction rod based on any one of claims 1 to 8, applied in indoor and outdoor logistics transportation.

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