Carriage connection system

Abstract

To provide a carriage connection system which can connect a traction truck to an unmanned carrier without a person.SOLUTION: A carriage connection system is a carriage connection system in which a traction truck is connected to a connection truck towed by an unmanned carrier by the unmanned carrier moving toward the traction truck. The connection truck is provided with a connection pin. The traction truck is provided with a cylindrical connection bracket into which the connection pin fits. The connection truck comprises a first hinge pin which is provided along a height direction of the unmanned carrier and connects so as to make it possible to rotate the connection truck for the unmanned carrier, a pair of springs which are handed over to the connection truck from both outside a vehicle width direction of the unmanned carrier and a pair of first guide rails which are provided along a cross direction of the connection truck so that the connection pin moves toward the connection bracket when the unmanned carrier moves toward the traction truck.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bogie connection system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connection device for connecting a bogie to a carrier vehicle. Such a connection device projects an arm from one end of the carrier vehicle so as to be swingable left and right and up and down, and a clamp for clamping the front end frame of the bogie to be connected to the tip of the arm is rotatably attached up and down. The clamp includes a base rotatably attached to the tip of the arm, and a fixed piece and a movable piece provided on the base. Further, the arm projects from the center of one end of the carrier vehicle and is biased so as to always follow the central axis by a spring, and the clamp is biased so as to always be parallel to the arm by a spring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is necessary to bring either the carrier vehicle or the bogie closer to the other, and for the work vehicle to operate the clamp provided at the tip of the arm to connect the bogie to the carrier vehicle, and it was not possible to connect the bogie (towing bogie) to the carrier vehicle (automated guided vehicle) without a person.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a bogie connection system capable of unmannedly connecting a towing bogie to an automated guided vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The trolley connection system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a trolley connection system in which an automated guided vehicle moves toward a towing trolley, and the towing trolley is connected to a connection trolley towed by the automated guided vehicle. The connection trolley includes a connection pin, the towing trolley includes a cylindrical connection bracket into which the connection pin fits, the connection trolley is provided along the height direction of the automated guided vehicle, and a first hinge pin that rotatably connects the connection trolley to the automated guided vehicle, a pair of springs respectively spanned from both outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the automated guided vehicle to the connection trolley, and a pair of first guide rails provided along the front-rear direction of the connection trolley so that the connection pin moves toward the connection bracket when the automated guided vehicle moves toward the towing trolley.

[0007] According to the configuration of (1) above, when the automated guided vehicle moves toward the towing trolley, the pair of first guide rails are guided by the connection bracket, and the connection pin moves toward the connection bracket. Then, when the connection pin moves to the connection bracket, the connection pin fits into the connection bracket, and the towing trolley is connected to the connection trolley towed by the automated guided vehicle. Thereby, the towing trolley can be automatically connected to the automated guided vehicle.

[0008] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the towing trolley includes a guide roller in front of the connection bracket in the front-rear direction of the towing trolley, and the connection trolley includes a pair of second guide rails provided along the front-rear direction of the connection trolley in front of the first guide rails in the front-rear direction of the connection trolley so that the connection pin moves toward the connection bracket when the automated guided vehicle moves toward the towing trolley.

[0009] According to the configuration of (2) above, when the automated guided vehicle moves toward the towing trolley, the pair of second guide rails are guided by the guide roller, and the pair of first guide rails are guided by the connection bracket. Thereby, the posture of the connection trolley is aligned in the front-rear direction of the towing trolley, so that the certainty that the connection pin fits into the connection bracket can be increased.

[0010] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the connecting carriage includes a swing base rotatably provided around the first hinge pin, and a pair of swing plates rotatably provided around the first hinge pin. The swing base has a protrusion protruding toward the pair of swing plates. Each of the pair of swing plates has a pressing portion provided to be able to contact the protrusion, and a stretching portion across which one end of each of the pair of springs is stretched so that the pressing portion presses the protrusion.

[0011] According to the configuration of (3) above, by pressing the protrusion provided on the swing base with the pressing portion provided on each of the pair of swing plates by the elastic restoring force of each of the pair of springs, the posture of the connecting carriage can be aligned with the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle.

[0012] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (3) above, the connecting carriage includes a mount base fixed to the automated guided vehicle and to which the first hinge pin is fixed, and a pair of spring brackets respectively fixed to the mount base on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the automated guided vehicle. Each of the pair of spring brackets has a spring hook across which the other end of the spring is stretched and which is slidably adjustable in the direction in which the spring is stretched.

[0013] According to the configuration of (4) above, by slidingly adjusting the spring hook across which the spring is stretched, the elastic restoring force of the spring can be adjusted.

[0014] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the connecting carriage includes a second hinge pin provided along the vehicle width direction of the connecting carriage and connecting the connecting carriage to the automated guided vehicle so that the connecting carriage can be tilted, a swing arm rotatably provided around the second hinge pin, and a caster provided on the lower surface of the swing arm.

[0015] According to the configuration of (5) above, the swing arm is supported by the caster, and the connecting carriage can change its tilting posture along the undulations of the road surface on which the automated guided vehicle travels.

[0016] (6) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the connecting carriage includes a first stopper provided parallel to the second hinge pin, and a second stopper provided on the swing arm and contacting the first stopper.

[0017] According to the configuration of (6) above, when the first stopper and the second stopper contact each other, the rotation of the swing base with respect to the swing arm is restricted. As a result, the tilting posture of the connecting carriage is restricted, and it is possible to prevent the connecting pin from coming off the connecting bracket even on a road surface with large undulations.

[0018] (7) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (5) above, the connecting carriage includes a switch for detecting the connection and disconnection of the towing carriage.

[0019] According to the configuration of (7) above, the connecting carriage can detect the connection and disconnection of the towing carriage.

[0020] (8) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the connecting carriage includes a connecting device in which the connecting pin is provided to be able to move up and down. The connecting device includes a spring for holding the connecting pin in the protruding position, and an electric actuator for lowering the connecting pin from the protruding position to the retracted position.

[0021] According to the configuration of (8) above, the connecting pin is held in the protruding position, and it is possible to prevent the connecting pin from coming off the connecting bracket even when the power supply is stopped. On the other hand, by the electric actuator lowering the connecting pin from the protruding position to the retracted position, the connecting pin can be pulled out from the connecting bracket.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a towing cart can be automatically connected to an automated guided vehicle (AGV).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0025] [System Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a cart connection system 1 according to an embodiment is a cart connection system in which an AGV 2 moves toward a towing cart 3, and the towing cart 3 is connected to a connecting cart 4 towed by the AGV 2 (see FIG. 2). The AGV 2 is a self-propelled vehicle (AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle)) used in a factory, warehouse, etc. For example, it is guided (magnetic guidance) by reading a magnetic line buried in the floor with a magnetic sensor. However, the AGV 2 is not limited to being magnetically guided. The towing cart 3 is a cart towed by the AGV 2 and traveling in a factory, warehouse, etc., and can carry parts and products. In the cart connection system 1 according to the embodiment, the towing cart 3 is towed by the AGV 2 via the connecting cart 4.

[0026] [Linking Pin and Linking Bracket] The linking carriage 4 is provided with a linking pin 41, while the towing carriage 3 is provided with a cylindrical linking bracket 31 into which the linking pin 41 is fitted. The linking pin 41 is cylindrical, and the linking bracket 31 is cylindrical, but it is not limited thereto. The linking pin 41 and the linking bracket 31 are provided at the same height in the height direction of the linking carriage 4 and the towing carriage 3, but as long as the linking pin 41 can be fitted into the linking bracket 31. As shown in FIG. 2, when the linking carriage 4 and the towing carriage 3 approach each other, the linking pin 41 is fitted into the linking bracket 31, the towing carriage 3 is linked to the linking carriage 4, the linking pin 41 is pulled out from the linking bracket 31, and as shown in FIG. 1, when the linking carriage 4 and the towing carriage 3 move away from each other, the towing carriage 3 is separated from the linking carriage 4.

[0027] [Towing Carriage] The towing carriage 3 is provided with guide rollers 33 in front of the linking bracket 31 in the front-rear direction of the towing carriage 3. The guide rollers 33 are provided at the same height as the linking bracket 31 in the height direction of the towing carriage 3, but as long as the guide rollers 33 overlap the linking bracket 31 in the height direction of the towing carriage 3. The guide rollers 33 are smaller than the outer diameter of the linking bracket 31 and are rotatable. The guide rollers 33 are constituted by, for example, cam followers, but it is not limited thereto. Further, the towing carriage 3 is provided with a guide plate 35 behind the linking bracket 31 in the front-rear direction of the towing carriage 3. The guide plate 35 is inclined so that the height gradually decreases from the rear in the front-rear direction of the towing carriage 3 toward the linking bracket 31.

[0028] [Linking Carriage] As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting carriage 4 is provided along the height direction of the automated guided vehicle 2 and includes a hinge pin (first hinge pin) 43 that rotatably connects the connecting carriage 4 to the automated guided vehicle 2. Thereby, the connecting carriage 4 can change its posture with respect to the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle 2. Further, the connecting carriage 4 includes a pair of springs 45 and 47 respectively spanned from the outside in the vehicle width direction of the automated guided vehicle 2 to the connecting carriage 4. The pair of springs 45 and 47 are provided such that the force for the connecting carriage 4 to rotate clockwise and the force to rotate counterclockwise around the hinge pin 43 are balanced, and the connecting carriage 4 aligns (centers) along the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle 2. Further, when the automated guided vehicle 2 moves toward the towing carriage 3, the connecting carriage 4 is provided at the same height as the connecting bracket 31 along the front-rear direction of the connecting carriage 4 so that the connecting pin 41 moves toward the connecting bracket 31. The pair of guide rails (first guide rails) 49 and 51 are provided at intervals larger than the outer diameter of the connecting bracket 31. The pair of guide rails 49 and 51 have inclined portions 49a and 51a that incline from the outside to the inside so that the intervals gradually become narrower from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction of the connecting carriage 4, and parallel portions 49b and 51b that are at a constant interval from the inclined portions 49a and 51a.

[0029] Further, when the automated guided vehicle 2 moves toward the towing carriage 3, the connecting carriage 4 is provided at the same height as the guide roller 33 along the front-rear direction of the connecting carriage 4, in front of the guide rails 49 and 51 in the front-rear direction of the connecting carriage, so that the connecting pin 41 moves toward the connecting bracket 31. The pair of guide rails (second guide rails) 53 and 55 are provided at intervals smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting bracket 31 and larger than the outer diameter of the guide roller 33. The pair of guide rails 53 and 55 have inclined portions 53a and 55a that incline from the outside to the inside so that the intervals gradually become narrower from the rear to the front in the front-rear direction of the connecting carriage 4, and parallel portions 53b and 55b that are at a constant interval from the inclined portions 53a and 55a.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, the connecting carriage 4 includes a swing base 57 rotatably provided around a hinge pin 43, and a pair of swing plates 59, 61 rotatably provided around the hinge pin 43. The swing base 57 is provided with a hole through which the hinge pin 43 passes. By passing the hinge pin 43 through the hole, the swing base 57 is rotatably supported by the hinge pin 43. Each of the pair of swing plates 59, 61 is provided with a hole through which the hinge pin 43 passes. By passing the hinge pin 43 through the hole, each of the pair of swing plates 59, 61 is rotatably supported by the hinge pin 43.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, the swing base 57 has a protrusion 57a protruding toward the pair of swing plates 59, 61. Each of the pair of swing plates 59, 61 has a pressing portion 59a, 61a provided to be able to contact the protrusion 57a, and a stretching portion 59b, 61b across which one end of each of the pair of springs 45, 47 is stretched so that the pressing portion 59a, 61a presses the protrusion 57a. The protrusion 57a protrudes toward the pair of swing plates 59, 61 along the axial direction of the hinge pin 43 and crosses the pair of swing plates 59, 61 in the axial direction of the hinge pin 43. The pressing portions 59a, 61a are provided outside the radial direction of the hole through which the hinge pin 43 passes, and the length from the hinge pin 43 to the pressing portions 59a, 61a is equal to the length from the hinge pin 43 to the protrusion 57a. The stretching portions 59b, 61b are provided outside the radial direction of the hole through which the hinge pin 43 passes, and are provided such that, with the hinge pin 43 as a fulcrum, the pressing portions 59a, 61a are the acting points and the stretching portions 59b, 61b are the force points. In the present embodiment, the length from the hinge pin 43 to the stretching portions 59b, 61b is provided to be longer than the length from the hinge pin 43 to the pressing portions 59a, 61a. Further, in the present embodiment, the pair of swing plates 59, 61 have the same shape and are symmetric with respect to the left and right with the hinge pin 43 as a boundary by turning one of them over, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the connecting carriage 4 includes a mount base 63 fixed to the driverless transport vehicle 2 and to which a hinge pin 43 is fixed, and a pair of spring brackets 65, 67 fixed to the mount base 63 on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the driverless transport vehicle 2. The mount base 63 is provided with a pair of support portions 63a, 63b that support the hinge pin 43. Between the pair of support portions 63a, 63b, a swing base 57 and a pair of swing plates 59, 61 are arranged, and a hinge pin 43 passing through them is fixed to the pair of support portions 63a, 63b. The pair of spring brackets 65, 67 are fixed to the mount base 63 via plates 69, 71.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, the spring bracket 65 has a spring hook 73 over which the other end of the spring 45 is bridged and which is slidably adjustable in the direction in which the spring 45 is bridged. The spring hook 73 is slidable with respect to the spring bracket 65, and a bolt 75 passing through the spring bracket 65 is fitted to the end opposite to the end over which the spring 45 is bridged. Thereby, by rotating the bolt 75, the spring hook 73 slides with respect to the spring bracket 65, so that the elastic restoring force of the spring 45 is adjusted. The head of the bolt 75 is fixed by a bolt lock 77 (see Fig. 6), and the bolt 75 does not loosen accidentally.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, the connecting carriage 4 is provided along the vehicle width direction of the connecting carriage 4 and includes a hinge pin (second hinge pin) 79 that connects the connecting carriage 4 to the driverless transport vehicle 2 so as to be tiltable. Thereby, the connecting carriage 4 can change its tilted posture with respect to the driverless transport vehicle 2. The connecting carriage 4 includes a swing arm 81 rotatably provided around the hinge pin 79, and a caster 83 provided on the lower surface of the swing arm 81. The swing arm 81 is provided with a hole through which the hinge pin 79 passes, and the swing arm 81 is rotatably supported by the hinge pin 79 passing through the hole.

[0035] The hinge pin 79 is fixed to the swing base 57. The swing base 57 is provided with a pair of support portions 57b and 57c that support the hinge pin 79. A swing arm 81 is disposed between the pair of support portions 57b and 57c, and the hinge pin 79 passing through the swing arm 81 is fixed to the pair of support portions 57b and 57c.

[0036] The connecting carriage 4 has a stopper (first stopper) 85 provided parallel to the hinge pin 79 and a stopper (second stopper) 87 provided on the swing arm 81 and abutting against the stopper 85. The stopper 85 is provided on the swing arm 81.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting carriage 4 includes a switch 89 for detecting connection and disconnection of the towing carriage 3. The switch 89 is an occupancy confirmation switch, which is, for example, constituted by a limit switch, but is not limited thereto, and may be various sensors such as a proximity sensor.

[0038] Further, the connecting carriage 4 includes a connecting device 91 in which a connecting pin 41 is provided so as to be able to move up and down. The connecting device 91 is box-shaped and includes a spring for holding the connecting pin 41 in a protruding position inside the connecting device 91 and an electric actuator for lowering the connecting pin 41 from the protruding position to a retracted position. The electric actuator is, for example, a motor, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] [Operation of the Cart Connection System] In the cart connection system 1 according to the embodiment, when the automated guided vehicle 2 moves, the connecting carriage 4 is aligned along the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle 2 by a pair of springs 45 and 47. Then, when the automated guided vehicle 2 moves toward the towing carriage 3, the connecting carriage 4 towed by the automated guided vehicle 2 approaches the towing carriage 3, and eventually, the pair of guide rails 49 and 51 move to a position where they sandwich the guide rollers 33. As a result, the pair of guide rails 49 and 51 are guided by the guide rollers 33, and the posture of the connecting carriage 4 is controlled.

[0040] Furthermore, when the automated guided vehicle 2 moves toward the towing cart 3, the coupling cart 4 towed by the automated guided vehicle 2 enters the towing cart 3, and the pair of guide rails 49, 51 moves to a position where they sandwich the coupling bracket 31. As a result, the pair of guide rails 49, 51 is guided by the guide rollers 33 and the coupling bracket 31, and the posture of the coupling cart 4 is controlled more accurately.

[0041] Furthermore, when the automated guided vehicle 2 moves toward the towing cart 3, the pair of guide rails 49, 51 passes through the guide rollers 33, and the pair of guide rails 53, 55 moves to a position where they sandwich the guide rollers 33. As a result, the pair of guide rails 53, 55 is guided by the guide rollers 33, and the pair of guide rails 49, 55 is guided by the coupling bracket 31. Thereby, the posture of the coupling cart 4 is controlled more precisely. Then, when the coupling pin 41 enters up to the coupling bracket 31, the coupling pin 41 fits into the coupling bracket 31, and the towing cart 3 is coupled to the coupling cart 4. As a result, the switch 89 detects the coupling of the towing cart 3.

[0042] Then, when the automated guided vehicle 2 is magnetically induced to run automatically, the towing cart 3 coupled to the coupling cart 4 is also towed by the automated guided vehicle 2 and runs.

[0043] On the other hand, when the electric actuator is operated to move the coupling pin 41 from the protruding position to the retracted position, the coupling pin 41 is pulled out from the coupling bracket 31. Then, when the automated guided vehicle 2 is magnetically induced to run automatically, the coupling cart 4 towed by the automated guided vehicle 2 separates from the towing cart 3, and the towing cart 3 is disconnected from the coupling cart 4. As a result, the switch 89 detects the detachment of the towing cart 3.

[0044] [Effect of the Cart Coupling System] According to the cart coupling system 1 according to the embodiment, by providing the pair of springs 45, 47 respectively bridged from the outside in the vehicle width direction of the automated guided vehicle 2 to the coupling cart 4, the force for the coupling cart 4 to rotate clockwise and the force to rotate counterclockwise around the hinge pin 43 are balanced, and the coupling cart 4 can be aligned with the traveling direction of the automated guided vehicle.

[0045] Further, when the AGV 2 moves toward the towing cart 3, the connecting cart 4 is provided with a pair of guide rails 49, 51 provided at the same height as the connecting bracket 31 along the longitudinal direction of the connecting cart 4 so that the connecting pin 41 moves toward the connecting bracket 31. Thus, when the AGV 2 moves toward the towing cart 3, the pair of guide rails 49, 51 are guided by the connecting bracket 31, and the connecting cart 4 moves toward the towing cart 3. As a result, the connecting pin 41 moves toward the connecting bracket 31, the connecting pin 41 fits into the connecting bracket 31, and the towing cart 3 is connected to the connecting cart 4. As a result, by moving the AGV 2 toward the towing cart 3, the towing cart 3 can be automatically connected to the connecting cart 4 towed by the AGV 2.

[0046] When the AGV 2 moves toward the towing cart 3, the connecting cart 4 is provided with a pair of guide rails 53, 55 provided at the same height as the guide roller 33 along the longitudinal direction of the connecting cart 4 in front of the guide rails 49, 51 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting cart so that the connecting pin 41 moves toward the connecting bracket 31. Thus, when the AGV 2 moves toward the towing cart 3, the guide roller 33 is guided by the pair of guide rails 53, 55, and the connecting bracket 31 is guided by the pair of guide rails 49, 51, so that the posture of the connecting cart 4 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the towing cart 3, thereby increasing the certainty that the connecting pin 41 fits into the connecting bracket 31.

[0047] Further, the connecting cart 4 can align the posture of the connecting cart 4 in the traveling direction of the AGV 2 by pressing the protrusion 57a provided on the swing base 57 with the pressing portions 59a, 61a provided on the respective swing plates 59, 61 by the elastic restoring forces of the pair of springs 45, 47.

[0048] Further, the connecting cart 4 can adjust the elastic restoring forces of the springs 45, 47 by sliding and adjusting the spring hooks 73 over which the springs 45, 47 are hung.

[0049] The connecting carriage 4 is provided along the vehicle width direction of the connecting carriage 4, and includes a hinge pin 79 that connects the connecting carriage 4 to the driverless transport vehicle 2 in a tiltable manner, a swing arm 81 rotatably provided around the hinge pin 79, and a caster 83 provided on the lower surface of the swing arm 81. By having these components, the swing arm 81 is supported by the caster 83, and the connecting carriage 4 can change its tilting posture along with the undulations of the road surface on which the driverless transport vehicle 2 travels.

[0050] The connecting carriage 4 has a stopper 85 provided in parallel with the hinge pin 79 and a stopper 87 provided on the swing arm 81 and abutting against the stopper 85. When the stopper 85 and the stopper 87 abut against each other, the rotation of the swing arm 81 with respect to the swing base 57 is restricted. Thereby, the tilting posture of the connecting carriage 4 is restricted, and it is possible to prevent the connecting pin 41 from coming off the connecting bracket 31 even on a road surface with large undulations.

[0051] The connecting carriage 4 is provided with a switch 89 for detecting the connection and disconnection of the towing carriage 3, so that the connection and disconnection of the towing carriage 3 can be detected.

[0052] The connecting carriage 4 includes a connecting device 91 in which the connecting pin 41 is provided so as to be able to move up and down. The connecting device 91 includes a spring that holds the connecting pin 41 in the protruding position and an electric actuator that lowers the connecting pin 41 from the protruding position to the retracted position. By having these components, the connecting pin 41 is held in the protruding position, and it is possible to prevent the connecting pin 41 from coming off the connecting bracket 31 even when the power supply is stopped. On the other hand, by the electric actuator lowering the connecting pin 41 from the protruding position to the retracted position, the connecting pin 41 can be pulled out from the connecting bracket 31.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes forms obtained by modifying the above-described embodiments and forms obtained by appropriately combining these forms.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 1 Cart Connection System 2 Automated Guided Vehicle 3 Towing Cart 31 Connection Bracket 33 Guide Roller 35 Guide Plate 4 Connecting Cart 41 Connecting Pin 43 Hinge Pin (First Hinge Pin) 45, 47 Spring 49, 51 Guide Rail (First Guide Rail) 49a, 51a Inclined Portion 49b, 51b Parallel Portion 53, 55 Guide Rail (Second Guide Rail) 57 Swing Base 57a Protrusion 57b, 57c Support Portion 59, 61 Swing Plate 59a, 61a Pressing Portion 59b, 61b Tension Portion 63 Mounting Base 65, 67 Spring Bracket 69, 71 Plate 73 Spring Hook 75 Bolt 77 Bolt Lock 79 Hinge Pin (Second Hinge Pin) 81 Swing Arm 83 Caster 85 Stopper (First Stopper) 87 Stopper (Second Stopper) 89 Switch 91 Connecting Device

Claims

1. A trolley connection system in which an automated guided vehicle moves toward a towing trolley, and the towing trolley is connected to a connection trolley towed by the automated guided vehicle, wherein the connection trolley includes a connection pin, the towing trolley includes a cylindrical connection bracket into which the connection pin fits, the connection trolley includes a first hinge pin provided along the height direction of the automated guided vehicle and rotatably connecting the connection trolley to the automated guided vehicle, a pair of springs respectively spanned from both outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the automated guided vehicle to the connection trolley, and a pair of first guide rails provided along the longitudinal direction of the connection trolley so that the connection pin moves toward the connection bracket when the automated guided vehicle moves toward the towing trolley. A trolley connection system comprising the above.

2. The towing trolley includes a guide roller in front of the connection bracket in the longitudinal direction of the towing trolley, wherein the connection trolley includes a pair of second guide rails provided along the longitudinal direction of the connection trolley in front of the first guide rails in the longitudinal direction of the connection trolley so that the connection pin moves toward the connection bracket when the automated guided vehicle moves toward the towing trolley. The trolley connection system according to claim 1.

3. The connection trolley includes a swing base rotatably provided around the first hinge pin, and a pair of swing plates rotatably provided around the first hinge pin, wherein the swing base has a protrusion protruding toward the pair of swing plates, each of the pair of swing plates has a pressing portion provided to be able to contact the protrusion, and a stretching portion over which one end of each of the pair of springs is spanned so that the pressing portion presses the protrusion. The trolley connection system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The connection trolley includes a mount base fixed to the automated guided vehicle and to which the first hinge pin is fixed, and a pair of spring brackets respectively fixed to the mount base on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the automated guided vehicle, wherein each of the pair of spring brackets has a spring hook over which the other end of the spring is spanned and which is slidably adjustable in the direction in which the spring is spanned. The trolley connection system according to claim 3.

5. The connection trolley ​ ​ A second hinge pin provided along the vehicle width direction of the connecting carriage and connecting the connecting carriage to the automated guided vehicle in a tiltable manner; A swing arm rotatably provided around the second hinge pin; A caster provided on the lower surface of the swing arm; Comprising; The carriage connection system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The connecting carriage is; A first stopper provided in parallel with the second hinge pin; A second stopper provided on the swing arm and abutting against the first stopper; The carriage connection system according to claim 5, having.

7. The connecting carriage is; Equipped with a switch for detecting the connection and disconnection of the towing carriage; The carriage connection system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The connecting carriage is; Equipped with a connecting device in which the connecting pin is provided so as to be able to move up and down, The connecting device is; A spring for holding the connecting pin in the protruding position; An electric actuator for lowering the connecting pin from the protruding position to the retracted position; The carriage connection system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising.

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