Adapter and vehicle with adapter installed

Abstract

The challenge is to make it easy to change the combination of tractor and trailer. . [Solution] The problem is solved by providing an adapter 3 which has an adapter first joint 31 and an adapter second joint 32 on one side and an adapter third joint 33 and an adapter fourth joint 34 on the other side, wherein the adapter first joint 31 and the adapter third joint 33 are connected by a first pipe 35, the adapter second joint 32 and the adapter fourth joint 34 are connected by a second pipe 36, the first pipe 35 and the second pipe 36 are connected to a third pipe 37, the third pipe 37 has a first fluid pressure setting valve 361 in the middle which the set pressure of the first pipe is variable, and when the set first fluid pressure setting valve 361 exceeds the set first set pressure, the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 opens and opens the flow path to the second pipe 36.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter used for a vehicle equipped with an actuator for raising and lowering a loading platform, such as a transport vehicle like a dump truck, a trailer (transport vehicle) with a dump cylinder mounted on the loading platform, or a trailer (transport vehicle) mounted on the tractor.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional vehicles, particularly those equipped with a trailer towed by a tractor, a hydraulic cylinder is used for raising and lowering the loading platform. The trailers of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 use a double-acting actuator for raising and lowering the loading platform. Many trailers made by Japanese manufacturers adopt a double-acting actuator. A tractor equipped with a hydraulic unit (a device that sets a hydraulic pump, a drain, a joint, etc.) corresponding to a double-acting actuator is connected to a trailer having a double-acting actuator. Trailers equipped with a double-acting actuator have been developed for various applications, such as trailers for grain transportation, trailers for earth and sand transportation, and so on. On the other hand, a tractor can be connected to trailers for various applications by changing the combination with the trailer. Thereby, the user can change the combination of the tractor and the trailer, which contributes to the efficient transportation of the transported goods.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when changing the combination of tractor and trailer equipped with a dual-acting actuator, hydraulic adjustments are required to ensure the correct extension speed of the dual-acting actuator. This adjustment is performed at a vehicle maintenance shop, which was inconvenient as it required a trip to the shop every time the tractor was changed.

[0005] The present invention aims to simplify the process of changing the combination of tractor and trailer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of these problems, the present invention provides an adapter 3 comprising an adapter first joint 31 and an adapter second joint 32 on one side, and an adapter third joint 33 and an adapter fourth joint 34 on the other side, wherein the adapter first joint 31 and the adapter third joint 33 are connected by a first pipe 35, the adapter second joint 32 and the adapter fourth joint 34 are connected by a second pipe 36, the first pipe 35 and the second pipe 36 are connected to a third pipe 37, the third pipe 37 has a first fluid pressure setting valve 361 in the middle which the set pressure of the first pipe is variable, and when the set first fluid pressure setting valve 361 exceeds the set first set pressure, the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 opens, opening the flow path to the second pipe 36, thereby solving the problems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] By installing the adapter 3 of the present invention between the hydraulic circuits of the tractor 11 and the trailer 12, the hydraulic adjustment required to properly control the extension speed of the dual-acting actuator 4 is simplified to a single adjustment. As a result, the user can easily change the combination of the tractor 11 and the trailer by using the properly adjusted adapter 3. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a tractor 11 with the trailer 12, which has a dual-acting actuator 4, attached before replacement. Figure 1(A) is an explanatory diagram of the vehicle 1 and the fluid pressure unit 2. Figure 1(B) is an explanatory diagram of connecting the dual-acting actuator 4 to the fluid pressure unit 2. Figure 1(C) is an enlarged view of frame A attached to Figure 1(B). [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram for driving the double-acting actuator 4 of the trailer 12 before replacement. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle 1 equipped with the adapter 3 of the embodiment. Figure 3(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the adapter 3 installed between the fluid pressure unit 2 and the double-acting actuator 4. Figure 3(B) is an enlarged view of the frame B attached to Figure 3(A). [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram for driving the double-acting actuator 4 in the trailer 12 before replacement in the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram for driving the bidirectional actuator 4 in the new trailer 12 after replacement in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Examples] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different figures indicate parts with the same function, and redundant explanations in each figure will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] (The original trailer before replacement) Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a tractor 11 with a trailer 12 attached before replacement, which has a double-acting actuator 4. Figure 1(A) is an explanatory diagram of the vehicle 1 and the fluid pressure unit 2. The tractor 11 and the trailer 12 are connected by a coupling device (not shown), and the tractor 11 and the trailer 12 can be separated by removing the coupling device. The combination of tractor 11 and trailer 12 is not fixed, and tractor 11 can be connected to a different type of trailer 12 via a coupling device.

[0011] The tractor 11 has a fluid pressure unit 2. The fluid pressure unit 2 incorporates a motor 21 that drives a fluid pump 22 (not shown), a fluid pump 22, a switching valve 27, and other components. The trailer 12 may have a cargo bed 121 equipped with a double-acting actuator 4 that can be raised and lowered (tilted). The trailer 12 in this embodiment is based on the premise that the trailer 12 has a cargo bed 121 equipped with a dual-acting actuator 4 that can be raised and lowered (tilted).

[0012] Figure 1(B) is an explanatory diagram showing the connection of the double-acting actuator 4 to the fluid pressure unit 2, and Figure 1(C) is an enlarged view of frame A attached to Figure 1(B). The fluid pressure unit 2 has a unit first joint 231 and a unit second joint 232. The first unit joint 231 is a joint for connecting to the head-side flow path 41 that operates the double-acting actuator 4, and is connected to the head-side joint 411. The second unit joint 232 is a joint for connecting to the rod-side flow path 42 that operates the double-acting actuator 4, and is connected to the rod-side joint 421.

[0013] (Conventional fluid pressure circuits) Figure 2 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram for driving the double-acting actuator 4 of the trailer 12 before replacement. Several joints (411, 421, 231, 232) are shown, but for illustrative purposes, they are not connected to their corresponding parts. For the double-acting actuator 4 to function, each joint needs to be connected.

[0014] The fluid pump 22 is driven by the motor 21 and sends the high-pressure fluid pumped from the drain 25 through the fluid feed pipe 23. One end of the fluid feed pipe 23 is connected to the fluid pump 22, and the other end is connected to the switching valve 27. One end of the drain pipe 24 is connected to the drain 25, and the other end is connected to the switching valve 27. The fluid feed pipe 23 and the drain pipe 24 are connected by a communication pipe 26 on the front side of the switching valve 27. The communication pipe 26 has a second fluid pressure setting valve 261 with a variable set pressure in the middle. When the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 exceeds the set set pressure, the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 opens and maintains the set pressure by flowing the fluid from the fluid feed pipe 23 toward the drain pipe 24.

[0015] In FIG. 2, the set pressure of the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 in the embodiment is set to 17 MPa.

[0016] The set pressure is the set pressure used to extend the rod of the double-acting actuator 4. The set pressure is adjusted at a vehicle maintenance factory or the like using the function of the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 so that the loading platform 121 with the cargo of the trailer 12 is raised at an appropriate speed in the state where the cargo is loaded.

[0017] The pressure gauge 28 is not necessarily required, but is used to adjust the set pressure set by the second fluid pressure setting valve 261. The double-acting actuator 4 has a head-side flow path 41 and a rod-side flow path 42, and includes a head-side joint 411 and a rod-side joint 421.

[0018] Before replacement, the double-acting actuator 4 of the trailer 12 is directly connected to the fluid pressure unit 2 provided on the tractor 11 side. FIG. 1(B) and FIG. 1(C) illustrate a state in which the head-side joint 411 and the rod-side joint 421 of the double-acting actuator 4 are directly connected to the unit first joint 231 and the unit second joint 232 of the fluid pressure unit 2.

[0019] (When purchasing a tractor with a trailer) When purchasing a tractor 11 with a trailer 12 attached as a new vehicle, the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 of the fluid pressure unit 2 is delivered with the settings already completed so that the cargo bed 121 of the trailer 12 can be raised and lowered optimally.

[0020] (Replacement with conventional trailers) Trailer replacement begins with transporting the new trailer 12 and tractor 11 to the vehicle maintenance facility. At the vehicle maintenance facility, the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 is adjusted so that the cargo bed 121 operates at the appropriate speed, and the setting pressure is adjusted to suit that trailer 12. In Figure 2, this setting is 17 MPa. This adjustment of the setting pressure of the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 is performed each time the trailer 12 is replaced. Therefore, when tractor 11 replaces the original trailer 12 with a new trailer 12, the user must go to a vehicle maintenance shop again to adjust the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 and readjust it to a setting pressure suitable for that trailer 12. Even if a company has in-house technicians capable of performing vehicle maintenance, the technicians will still need to perform maintenance to properly adjust the set pressure.

[0021] (Trailer replacement in the example) The replacement of trailer 12 in this embodiment begins with transporting the trailer 12 that was previously in use, the new trailer, and the tractor 11 to a vehicle maintenance factory. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle 1 equipped with the adapter 3 of the embodiment. Figure 3(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the adapter 3 installed between the fluid pressure unit 2 and the double-acting actuator 4. Figure 3(B) is an enlarged view of the frame B attached to Figure 3(A). The dual-acting actuator 4 has a head-side passage 41 and a rod-side passage 42, and is equipped with a head-side joint 411 and a rod-side joint 421. The joints (232, 231) of the fluid pressure unit 2 and the joints (421, 411) of the dual-acting actuator 4 are not directly connected as in conventional examples. The maintenance worker interposes an adapter 3 between the dual-acting actuator 4 and the fluid pressure unit 2. This state is illustrated in Figure 3(B). All joints (232, 231, 421, 411) are equipped with check valves, so even if the joint is disconnected, the check valve will activate and prevent the fluid inside from leaking. The check valve is configured to be disengaged when the joint is connected.

[0022] (Adapter structure) Figure 4 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram for driving the double-acting actuator 4 in the trailer 12 before replacement in the embodiment. Adapter 3 is equipped with an adapter first joint 31 and an adapter second joint 32 on one side (fluid pressure unit 2 side), and an adapter third joint 33 and an adapter fourth joint 34 on the other side (double-acting actuator 4 side). As mentioned above, the fluid pressure unit 2 is installed on the tractor 11, and the dual-acting actuator 4 is installed on the trailer 12. The adapter first joint 31 and the adapter third joint 33 are connected by the first pipe 35, and the adapter second joint 32 and the adapter fourth joint 34 are connected by the second pipe 36. A third pipe 37 is connected between the first pipe 35 and the second pipe 36, and a first fluid pressure setting valve 361 is installed in the middle of the third pipe 37. When the set pressure of the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 is exceeded, the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 opens, opening the flow path to the second pipe 36, and plays a role in maintaining the pressure so that it does not exceed the set pressure of the first pipe 35.

[0023] (Adjustment of the trailer and tractor before replacement) When installing adapter 3 for the first time, the mechanic begins the adjustment process by installing adapter 3 between the trailer 12 and tractor 11 that were previously used. The maintenance worker adjusts the setting pressure of the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 on the tractor 11 to a higher setting (30 MPa in this embodiment). The reason for this will be explained later. Next, the maintenance worker readjusts the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 on the adapter 3 to 17 MPa, which is suitable for the dual-acting actuator 4 of the trailer 12 that was previously installed, as shown in Figure 2. As a result, the cargo bed 121 of the trailer 12, which was previously in use, rises and falls at the same speed as before the adapter 3 was installed. The adapter 3, which was previously installed between trailer 12 and tractor 11, will be removed and stored.

[0024] (New trailer to be installed) Figure 5 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram for driving the double-acting actuator 4 in the new trailer 12 after replacement in the embodiment. Figure 5 is exactly the same fluid pressure circuit as Figure 4, except that the setting pressure of the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 is 25 MPa. Next, the mechanic connects the hydraulic circuits of the tractor 11 and the newly installed trailer 12 via a separately prepared adapter 3. The cargo bed 121 of the newly installed trailer 12 is large and requires a setting pressure of 25 MPa, which is higher than the setting pressure of the previously installed trailer 12. In the previous adjustment, the mechanic increased the setting pressure of the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 (30 MPa in this embodiment). Therefore, the adjustment for the newly installed trailer is completed by setting the setting pressure of the first fluid pressure setting valve 361, which is attached to the separately prepared adapter 3, to 25 MPa. This completes the installation of adapter 3 and the adjustment of the set pressure at the vehicle maintenance factory.

[0025] (Returning to the original trailer) The user of tractor 11 works with the newly attached trailer 12, but when the seasons change, there are times when they want to swap it back with the original trailer 12. At that time, the user does not need to go to a vehicle maintenance factory. They simply need to prepare the adapter 3 (set pressure 17 MPa) that they have stored and attach the adapter 3 (set pressure 17 MPa) to the hydraulic circuit between the tractor 11 and the original trailer 12, and the work is completed.

[0026] (Tractor and trailer combination) The user only needs to have the adapter 3 set to the appropriate pressure at a vehicle maintenance shop each time they change the combination of tractor 11 and trailer 12. Alternatively, the user can complete the setup of adapter 3 for all planned trailers 12 when purchasing the tractor 11. This allows the user to change trailers 12 simply by replacing adapter 3, without having to visit a vehicle maintenance shop. The user can organize the adapters 3 by attaching name tags to multiple adapters 3 in different combinations.

[0027] (Summary of the effects of the examples) By preparing an adapter 3 with the second fluid pressure setting valve 261 properly configured for each trailer 12, the user can easily change the combination of tractor 11 and trailer 12. Even if a situation arises where a trailer 12 needs to be replaced unexpectedly, the user can do so without having to go to a vehicle maintenance shop, making it very convenient to use.

[0028] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the aforementioned implementation methods can be combined by reusing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose, structure, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1 vehicle 11 Tractor 12 Trailers 121 Cargo bed 2 Fluid pressure units 21 Motor 22 Fluid pumps 23 Fluid supply pipe 231 Unit 1 Joint 232 Unit 2nd Joint 24 Drain pipe 241 Unit 2nd Joint 25 Drain 26 Communication pipe 261 Second fluid pressure setting valve 27 Switching valve 28 Pressure gauge 3. Adapter (Example) 31 Adapter 1st joint 32 Adapter 2nd Joint 33 Adapter 3rd joint 34 Adapter 4th joint 35 First tube 36 The second tube 37 The third tube 361 First fluid pressure setting valve 4. Double-acting actuator 41 Head-side flow path 411 Head-side joint 42 Rod side passage 421 Rod-side joint

Claims

1. An adapter 3 having a first adapter joint 31 and a second adapter joint 32 on one side, and a third adapter joint 33 and a fourth adapter joint 34 on the other side, The adapter first joint 31 and the adapter third joint 33 are connected by the first pipe 35. The second adapter joint 32 and the fourth adapter joint 34 are connected by the second pipe 36. The first pipe 35 and the second pipe 36 are connected to the third pipe 37, and the third pipe 37 has a first fluid pressure setting valve 361 in the middle that makes the set pressure of the first pipe variable. The adapter 3 is characterized in that when the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 exceeds the set first set pressure, the first fluid pressure setting valve 361 opens, opening the flow path to the second pipe 36.

2. A vehicle 1 to which the adapter 3 of claim 1 is attached, Vehicle 1 is equipped with a fluid pressure unit 2 having a fluid pump 22 and a drain 25, and a dual-acting actuator 4. The fluid pressure unit 2 includes a fluid supply pipe 23, a drain pipe 24, and a switching valve 27. The fluid supply pipe 23 has one end connected to the fluid pump 22 and the other end connected to the switching valve 27. The drain pipe 24 has one end connected to the drain 25 and the other end connected to the switching valve 27. The switching valve 27 is capable of switching the flow paths to at least the fluid supply pipe 23 and the drain pipe 24, and has at least two ports directed toward the double-acting actuator 4. One of the two ports is connected to the first unit joint 231, and the other is connected to the second unit joint 232. The dual-acting actuator 4 includes a head-side joint 411 and a rod-side joint 421. Adapter 3 has an adapter third joint 33 connected to the head-side joint 411, and an adapter fourth joint 34 connected to the rod-side joint 421. A vehicle characterized in that the adapter first joint 31 is connected to the unit first joint 231, and the adapter second joint 32 is connected to the unit second joint 232.

3. The vehicle 1 according to claim 2 is a tractor 11 and a trailer 12, wherein the tractor 11 has the fluid pressure unit 2 and the trailer 12 has the dual-acting actuator 4.

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