Clamp mechanism and transport vehicle

Abstract

To reliably clamp an object.SOLUTION: A clamp mechanism includes a base part, a first clamp part, and a second clamp part. The first clamp part has a first clamp surface. The first clamp part is fixed to the base part. The second clamp part has a second clamp surface. The second clamp surface is configured to clamp an object with the first clamp surface in a first direction. The second clamp part is attached to the base part so as to be movable in parallel along the first direction and rotatably movable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping mechanism and a carrier vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Carrier vehicles such as electric tow trucks and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are configured to tow and transport a vehicle to be transported such as a trolley (Patent Document 1). The carrier vehicle has a coupling mechanism so that it can be coupled to various vehicles to be transported.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As the above-described coupling mechanism, in order to easily couple and decouple the vehicle to be transported, a clamping mechanism configured to clamp the vehicle to be transported can be mentioned. In this clamping mechanism, it is desired to reliably clamp the vehicle to be transported.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a clamping mechanism capable of reliably clamping an object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The clamping mechanism according to the first aspect includes a base portion, a first clamping portion, and a second clamping portion. The first clamping portion has a first clamping surface. The first clamping portion is fixed to the base portion. The second clamping portion has a second clamping surface. The second clamping surface is configured to clamp an object in a first direction with the first clamping surface. The second clamping portion is attached to the base portion so as to be movable in parallel along the first direction and rotatable.

[0007] If the second clamping part attempts to clamp the object only by translational movement, the second clamping part may move in the first direction while contacting the object. When the second clamping part moves in the first direction while contacting the object in this way, due to the frictional engagement between the second clamping part and the object, the second clamping part may become immovable in the first direction, and there is a risk that the object cannot be securely clamped. On the other hand, in the clamping mechanism according to the first aspect, the second clamping part does not clamp the object only by translational movement, but can clamp the object by translational movement and rotational movement. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second clamping part from moving in the first direction while contacting the object. As a result, the clamping mechanism can securely clamp the object.

[0008] The clamping mechanism according to the second aspect is configured as follows in the clamping mechanism according to the first aspect. One of the second clamping part and the base part has a first groove and a second groove. The first groove extends linearly along the first direction. The second groove extends in an arc shape. The other of the second clamping part and the base part has a first convex part and a second convex part. The first convex part engages with the first groove. The second convex part engages with the second groove.

[0009] The clamping mechanism according to the third aspect is configured as follows in the clamping mechanism according to the first or second aspect. The first clamping part has a third clamping surface. The second clamping part has a fourth clamping surface. The fourth clamping surface is configured to clamp the object in the second direction between the fourth clamping surface and the third clamping surface. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The second clamping part is attached to the base part so as to be translatable along the second direction.

[0010] The clamp mechanism according to the fourth aspect is configured as follows in the clamp mechanism according to the third aspect. One of the second clamp portion and the base portion has a first groove and a second groove. The first groove extends linearly along the first direction and the second direction. The second groove extends along an arc. The other of the second clamp portion and the base portion has a first convex portion and a second convex portion. The first convex portion engages with the first groove. The second convex portion engages with the second groove.

[0011] The carrier vehicle according to the fifth aspect includes a carrier vehicle body and a clamp mechanism according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. The carrier vehicle body has a prime mover and drive wheels. The clamp mechanism is attached to the carrier vehicle body.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, an object can be securely clamped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, the clamp mechanism 4 according to the present embodiment and the carrier vehicle 100 equipped with the same will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front direction is the direction in which the carrier vehicle 100 pulls the vehicle 101 to be transported and moves forward, and the rear direction is the direction in which the carrier vehicle 100 pushes the vehicle 101 to be transported and moves forward. That is, the right side of FIG. 1 is the front, and the left side of FIG. 1 is the rear.

[0015] <Carrier Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a side view of the carrier 100. Note that FIG. 1 shows the carrier 100 before being connected to the vehicle 101 to be carried. As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier 100 is configured to be connected to the vehicle 101 to be carried and tow the vehicle 101 to be carried. The carrier 100 is driven by manual power and the assist force by the prime mover 24. Note that the carrier 100 can also travel by manual power only or the driving force by the prime mover 24 only. In the present embodiment, a cage car is exemplified as the vehicle 101 to be carried, but the vehicle 101 to be carried can also be exemplified by a cart, a stretcher, a wheelchair, etc. other than the cage car.

[0016] The carrier 100 has a carrier main body 2, a swing mechanism 3, and a clamp mechanism 4. The vehicle 101 to be carried by the carrier 100 has a plurality of wheels 102.

[0017] <Carrier main body> FIG. 2 is a side view of a state in which a part of the frame 21 of the carrier main body 2 in FIG. 1 is removed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrier main body 2 has a frame 21, an operation member 22, a drive wheel 23, a prime mover 24, a driven wheel 25, a battery 26, and a biasing member 27.

[0018] The operation member 22 is attached to the frame 21. The operation member 22 is configured such that manual power in the forward or backward direction by the user is input. For example, a handle for the user to grip is attached to the tip of the operation member 22.

[0019] The drive wheel 23, the prime mover 24, the driven wheel 25, the battery 26, and the biasing member 27 are attached to the frame 21. The drive wheel 23 is driven by the prime mover 24. The prime mover 24 is, for example, an electric motor. The prime mover 24 is supplied with electric power from the battery 26.

[0020] The biasing member 27 is configured to bias the drive wheel 23 downward. The biasing member 27 is disposed between the swing mechanism 3 (specifically, the first swing portion 31) and the drive wheel 23. The biasing member 27 biases the swing mechanism 3 and the drive wheel 23 in a direction in which they move away from each other. The biasing member 27 is attached to the swing mechanism 3 at its upper end and to the frame 21 at its lower end. The biasing member 27 biases the drive wheel 23 downward via the frame 21. The biasing member 27 is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing member 27 is installed so as to be in a compressed state when the conveyed vehicle 101 is connected to the conveying vehicle 100.

[0021] <Swing mechanism> The swing mechanism 3 is attached to the upper part of the conveying vehicle body 2. The swing mechanism 3 is attached to the conveying vehicle body 2 so as to be swingable in the vertical and horizontal directions. The swing mechanism 3 has a first swing portion 31 and a second swing portion 32.

[0022] The first swing portion 31 is attached to the conveying vehicle body 2 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. Specifically, the first swing portion 31 is swingable in the vertical direction along a vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction. The first swing portion 31 is attached to the frame 21 via a first swing shaft 33. The first swing shaft 33 extends in the left-right direction. Further, the first swing portion 31 is attached to the frame 21 via the biasing member 27 or the like.

[0023] The second swing portion 32 is disposed rearward of the first swing portion 31. The second swing portion 32 is attached to the first swing portion 31 so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the second swing portion 32 is attached to the first swing portion 31 so as to be swingable in the left-right direction. The second swing portion 32 is attached to the first swing portion 31 via a second swing shaft 34. The second swing shaft 34 extends in the vertical direction.

[0024] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the carrier vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 3, the swing mechanism 3 has a locking mechanism 35 and an arm 36. The locking mechanism 35 is configured to releasably lock the horizontal swing of the second swing part 32. The locking mechanism 35 has a locking pin 351. The locking pin 351 penetrates through the first swing part 31 and the second swing part 32. The locking pin 351 extends in the vertical direction. The locking pin 351 can be constituted by, for example, a bolt. The locking mechanism 35 releases the lock of the second swing part 32 by removing this locking pin 351.

[0025] For example, when all of the wheels 102 of the vehicle 101 to be carried are free wheels, the locking mechanism 35 is set in the locked state. Thereby, the second swing part 32 becomes non-swingable with respect to the first swing part 31. On the other hand, when the wheels 102 of the vehicle 101 to be carried include both free wheels and fixed wheels, the locking mechanism 35 is released. Thereby, the second swing part 32 becomes swingable with respect to the first swing part 31.

[0026] The arm 36 extends downward from the second swing part 32. The arm 36 is fixed to the second swing part 32. That is, the arm 36 swings integrally with the second swing part 32. The arm 36 is fixed to the second swing part 32 by bolts or the like. Although the arm 36 is constituted by a separate member from the second swing part 32, it may be integrally constituted by one member with the second swing part 32.

[0027] <Clamping mechanism> Figure 4 is an enlarged side view showing details of the clamping mechanism 4. Figure 4 shows the clamping mechanism 4 in a state before clamping an object. As shown in Figure 4, the clamping mechanism 4 is attached to the carrier vehicle body 2. Specifically, the clamping mechanism 4 is attached to the carrier vehicle body 2 via the swing mechanism 3.

[0028] The clamping mechanism 4 is attached to the tip (lower end) of the arm 36. The clamping mechanism 4 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the arm 36. For example, the clamping mechanism 4 is fixed to the arm 36 by a plurality of bolts or the like, and by loosening the bolts, the clamping mechanism 4 can be moved in the vertical direction with respect to the arm 36.

[0029] The clamping mechanism 4 is configured to clamp the conveyed vehicle 101. The clamping mechanism 4 clamps the outer peripheral portion of the conveyed vehicle 101. The clamping mechanism 4 has a base portion 40, a first clamping portion 41, and a second clamping portion 42.

[0030] The base portion 40 is attached to the arm 36. The base portion 40 does not move with respect to the arm 36 when attached to the arm 36. The base portion 40 has a pair of first convex portions 401 and a pair of second convex portions 402. The pair of first convex portions 401 and the pair of second convex portions 402 protrude outward in the left - right direction. The first convex portion 401 and the second convex portion 402 are formed on each of the left and right side wall portions of the base portion 40.

[0031] The first clamping portion 41 is fixed to the base portion 40. The first clamping portion 41 has a first clamping surface 411 and a third clamping surface 412. The first clamping surface 411 faces rearward. The third clamping surface 412 faces upward. The third clamping surface 412 extends rearward from the lower end portion of the first clamping surface 411. The first clamping surface 411 and the third clamping surface 412 are combined to form an L - shape in a side view.

[0032] The second clamping portion 42 has a second clamping surface 421 and a fourth clamping surface 422. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing the details of the clamping mechanism 4. FIG. 5 shows the clamping mechanism 4 in a state of clamping an object. As shown in FIG. 5, the second clamping surface 421 is configured to face forward in a state of clamping the object.

[0033] The second clamping surface 421 is configured to clamp an object (a part of the conveyed vehicle 101) between it and the first clamping surface 411. The first clamping surface 411 and the second clamping surface 421 are configured to clamp the object in the front-rear direction (an example of the first direction).

[0034] The fourth clamping surface 422 is configured to face downward when the object is clamped. The fourth clamping surface 422 extends forward from the upper end of the second clamping surface 421. The second clamping surface 421 and the fourth clamping surface 422 are combined to form an L shape in a side view. The fourth clamping surface 422 is configured to clamp the object between it and the third clamping surface 412. The third clamping surface 412 and the fourth clamping surface 422 are configured to clamp the object in the vertical direction (an example of the second direction). That is, the clamping mechanism 4 is configured to clamp the object in two directions, the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The front-rear direction and the vertical direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second clamping portion 42 is attached to the base portion 40 so as to be movable in parallel along the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. Further, the second clamping portion 42 is attached to the base portion 40 so as to be rotatable.

[0036] The second clamping portion 42 has a pair of first grooves 423 and a pair of second grooves 424. The first grooves 423 and the second grooves 424 are formed in the left and right side wall portions of the second clamping portion 42, respectively.

[0037] The first groove 423 is linear. The first groove 423 extends along the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. That is, the first groove 423 extends obliquely through the middle of the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. The first convex portion 401 is engaged in this first groove 423. Thereby, the second clamping portion 42 can move in parallel in the vertical direction while moving in parallel in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The second groove 424 extends in an arc shape. The second groove 424 is curved so as to bulge downward. That is, the center of the arc of the second groove 424 is above the second groove 424. The second convex portion 402 is engaged in the second groove 424. Thereby, the second clamp portion 42 can rotate. In the second groove 424, the end portion on the side opposite to the clamping direction, that is, the rear end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 4) is linear.

[0039] The clamping mechanism 4 has an operation portion 43. The operation portion 43 is configured to pull the second clamp portion 42 in the clamping direction or push it in the direction opposite to the clamping direction. The operation portion 43 is swingably attached to the base portion 40. Further, the operation portion 43 is rotatably attached to the second clamp portion 42. The rotation axis O between the operation portion 43 and the second clamp portion 42 does not overlap with the center of the arc of the second groove 424 in the direction in which the operation portion 43 pulls the second clamp portion 42. Specifically, the rotation axis O between the operation portion 43 and the second clamp portion 42 is disposed below the center of the arc of the second groove 424.

[0040] The user can operate the operation portion 43 by operating a lever or the like provided near the handle of the operation member 22. As a result, the clamping mechanism 4 can clamp an object or release the clamping.

[0041] For example, the second clamp portion 42 is biased rearward by a biasing member such as a spring. That is, the state shown in FIG. 4 is the initial state of the clamping mechanism 4. By operating the lever, the operation portion 43 pulls the second clamp portion 42 forward, and the clamping mechanism 4 clamps the object as shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, by releasing the operation of the lever, the second clamp portion 42 moves rearward by a biasing member such as a spring, and the clamping mechanism 4 returns to the initial state.

[0042] Note that the second clamp portion 42 may be biased forward by a biasing member such as a spring. In this case, the state shown in FIG. 5 is the initial state of the clamp mechanism 4. By operating the lever, the operating portion 43 pushes the second clamp portion 42 rearward, and as shown in FIG. 4, the clamp mechanism 4 releases the clamping of the object. On the other hand, by releasing the operation of the lever, the second clamp portion 42 moves forward by a biasing member such as a spring, and the clamp mechanism 4 clamps the object.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, in the clamp mechanism 4 before clamping the object, the second clamp portion 42 is disposed above and in front of the first clamp portion 41.

[0044] From this state, by pulling the second clamp portion 42 in the clamping direction by the operating portion 43, the second clamp portion 42 moves in a parallel manner forward and downward while rotating counterclockwise. As a result, the second clamp surface 421 and the fourth clamp surface 422 can be prevented from contacting the object until immediately before clamping the object. As shown in FIG. 5, finally, the object is clamped in the front-rear direction by the first clamp surface 411 and the second clamp surface 421, and the object is clamped in the vertical direction by the third clamp surface 412 and the fourth clamp surface 422.

[0045] [Modification Example] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Note that the following modification examples can basically be applied simultaneously.

[0046] (a) In the above embodiment, the first groove 423 and the second groove 424 are formed in the second clamp portion 42, and the first convex portion 401 and the second convex portion 402 are formed in the base portion 40, but the configuration of the clamp mechanism 4 is not limited thereto. For example, the first groove 423 and the second groove 424 may be formed in the base portion 40, and the first convex portion 401 and the second convex portion 402 may be formed in the second clamp portion 42.

[0047] (b) In the above embodiment, the first clamping portion 41 has the first clamping surface 411 and the third clamping surface 412, but the configuration of the first clamping portion 41 is not limited thereto. For example, the first clamping portion 41 may have only the first clamping surface 411 and not have the third clamping surface 412. In this case, the second clamping portion 42 may have only the second clamping surface 421 and not have the fourth clamping surface 422.

[0048] (c) In the above embodiment, the first clamping surface 411 and the second clamping surface 421 clamp the object in the front-rear direction, but the first clamping surface 411 and the second clamping surface 421 may clamp the object in other directions. For example, the first clamping surface 411 and the second clamping surface 421 may clamp the object in the vertical direction or the left-right direction.

[0049] (d) In the above embodiment, the first groove 423 extends in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction, but the first groove 423 may extend only in the front-rear direction or only in the vertical direction. Specifically, when the clamping mechanism 4 clamps the object only in the front-rear direction, the first groove 423 may extend only in the front-rear direction. Also, when the clamping mechanism 4 clamps the object only in the vertical direction, the first groove 423 may extend only in the vertical direction.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0050] 2: Carrier vehicle body 23: Driving wheel 24: Prime mover 4: Clamping mechanism 40: Base portion 401: First convex portion 402: Second convex portion 41: First clamping portion 411: First clamping surface 412: Third clamping surface 42: Second clamping portion 421: Second clamping surface 422: Fourth clamping surface 423: First groove 424: Second groove 100: Transfer cart

Claims

1. A base portion, a first clamping portion having a first clamping surface and fixed to the base portion, a second clamping portion having a second clamping surface configured to clamp an object in a first direction between the first clamping surface, being movable in parallel along the first direction, and rotatably attached to the base portion, A clamping mechanism comprising.

2. One of the second clamping portion and the base portion has a first groove extending linearly along the first direction and a second groove extending in an arc shape, The other of the second clamping portion and the base portion has a first convex portion engaged with the first groove and a second convex portion engaged with the second groove, The clamping mechanism according to claim 1.

3. The first clamping portion has a third clamping surface, The second clamping portion has a fourth clamping surface configured to clamp an object in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction between the third clamping surface, The second clamping portion is attached to the base portion so as to be movable in parallel along the second direction, The clamping mechanism according to claim 1.

4. One of the second clamping portion and the base portion has a first groove extending linearly along the first direction and the second direction and a second groove extending along an arc shape, The other of the second clamping portion and the base portion has a first convex portion engaged with the first groove and a second convex portion engaged with the second groove, The clamping mechanism according to claim 3.

5. A transport vehicle body having a prime mover and drive wheels, The clamping mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4 attached to the transport vehicle body, A transport vehicle comprising.

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