Vehicle transport device

Abstract

To increase joint part strength between a device body of a device transporting a four wheel vehicle and a carriage frame.SOLUTION: A vehicle transporting device comprises a carriage frame, a device body, and a standing frame. The standing frame joins the carriage frame and the device body at a tip part of the carriage frame. The carriage frame includes at least two pipes and two frame bars. At least two pipes are arranged in a longer direction of the carriage frame in parallel. The two frame bars are arranged at an outside of a width direction of the carriage frame in parallel with at least two pipes. At least two pipes includes opposed two pipes in a direction orthogonal to the longer direction. Reinforcements extending in the orthogonal direction are provided at the tip part of the carriage frame and between the opposed two pipes. The two frame bars and reinforcements and the standing frame are joined respectively at the tip part of the carriage frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a four-wheeled vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2019-078099 A discloses a device for transporting a four-wheeled vehicle. This conventional device includes a bogie body and a bogie frame towed by the bogie body. The bogie body and the bogie frame are connected at the base end of the bogie frame, where an erected frame is provided. The erected frame is provided perpendicular to the plane formed by the bogie frame. The bogie body also includes a base end lifting unit that raises and lowers the base end. When the base end is lifted up by the base end lifting unit, the erected frame is lifted up together with the base end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-078099 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The base end is lifted up by the base end lifting unit when a four-wheeled vehicle is being transported. Therefore, while the base end is being lifted up, a bending moment caused by the weight of the four-wheeled vehicle acts on the connection part between the base end and the standing frame. Therefore, the connection part needs to have the strength to withstand the bending moment. However, the bogie frame of the conventional device has a simple structure in which two pieces of frame are arranged in parallel. Therefore, further improvements are required from the viewpoint of increasing the strength of the connection part.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of increasing the strength of a connection portion between a device body and a bogie frame of a device for transporting a four-wheeled vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a vehicle transporter for transporting a four-wheeled vehicle, and has the following features. The vehicle transport device includes a bogie frame, an equipment body, and an erection frame. The bogie frame is inserted into the space below the vehicle body from the front or rear of the four-wheeled vehicle. The equipment body lifts and lowers the bogie frame and tows it. The erection frame is disposed perpendicular to a plane formed by the bogie frame. The erection frame connects the bogie frame and the equipment body at the tip of the bogie frame. The bogie frame includes at least two pipes and two frame members. The at least two pipes are arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of the bogie frame. The two frame members are arranged parallel to the at least two pipes on the outer sides of the at least two pipes in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The at least two pipes include two pipes facing each other in the perpendicular direction. The vehicle transporter further includes a reinforcing member extending in the perpendicular direction at the tip portion and between the two opposing pipes. At the tip portions, the two frame members and the reinforcing member are each connected to the standing frame.

[0007] In the present invention, the vehicle transporter may further include first and second additional reinforcements. The first additional reinforcement may be provided on the end side of the bogie frame relative to the tip portion and between the two opposing pipes in parallel to the reinforcement. The second additional reinforcement may be connected to the first additional reinforcement. The second additional reinforcement may be provided between the two opposing pipes in parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0008] In the present invention, the two opposing pipes and the reinforcing material may be connected by welding.

[0009] In the present invention, the two opposing pipes and the first additional reinforcement member may be connected by welding. The first additional reinforcement member and the second additional reinforcement member may be connected by welding. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the strength of the tip of the bogie frame, i.e., the connection part between the device body and the bogie frame. Therefore, it becomes possible to transport a four-wheeled vehicle with a large vehicle weight. This contributes to expanding the range of four-wheeled vehicles that can be transported. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle transporting device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle transporting device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation of the vehicle transporter according to the embodiment when transporting a four-wheeled vehicle. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation of the vehicle transporter according to the embodiment when transporting a four-wheeled vehicle. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating features of a vehicle transporting device according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating features of a vehicle transporting device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a vehicle transporting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0013] 1. Example of vehicle transport device configuration The vehicle transporter according to the embodiment is a device for transporting a four-wheeled vehicle. An example of the configuration of this vehicle transporter will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle transporter according to the embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle transporter according to the embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vehicle transporter 1 mainly comprises a device main body 2, a carriage frame 3, and a total of eight arms 51L-54L and 51R-54R.

[0014] The device main body 2 has the function of traveling while towing the bogie frame 3. As a configuration for this towing traveling function, the device main body 2 is equipped with, for example, a drive device, a braking device, and a steering device. The drive device is, for example, a motor, which drives the bogie front wheels 21. The two bogie front wheels 21 are arranged in the width direction of the device main body 2 (the left-right direction in Figs. 1 and 2). The braking device applies braking force to the bogie front wheels 21. The steering device operates the turning angle of the bogie front wheels 21. The configuration for functioning as a traveling device is not particularly limited, and a known configuration may be applied.

[0015] The device main body 2 also has a function of lifting and lowering the cart frame 3. As a configuration for performing the lifting and lowering function, the device main body 2 is equipped with, for example, a standing frame 22 and a lifting device 23. The standing frame 22 is provided at the front end of the cart frame 3 perpendicular to the plane formed by the cart frame 3. The device main body 2 and the cart frame 3 are connected by the standing frame 22. The lifting device 23 is disposed in a space surrounded by the standing frame 22. The configuration of the lifting device 23 is not particularly limited. The lifting device 23 is composed of, for example, an air spring that utilizes compressed air. In another example, the lifting device 23 is composed of a hydraulic cylinder.

[0016] The bogie frame 3 has two or more pipes (e.g., square pipes) as main components. In the internal space of these pipes, electric wires for supplying power to various actuators provided in the bogie frame 3 and electric wires for transmitting control signals to the various actuators are provided. The bogie frame 3 also has a frame material surrounding these pipes and a cover material covering the space surrounded by the frame material. In Figs. 1 and 2, three upper covers 31 are depicted as the cover material. These upper covers 31 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3 (the front-rear direction shown in Figs. 1 and 2). In addition, in the bogie frame 3, a plurality of lower covers are arranged as cover materials at positions roughly corresponding to the positions of the upper covers 31.

[0017] The bogie frame 3 is provided with top plates 41, 42, and 43. The top plates 41 and 42 are located between the two top covers 31. The top plate 43 is located rearward of the bogie frame 3. The height positions of the top plates 41, 42, and 43 are approximately equal to that of the top cover 31. The top plates 41 and 43 extend in the width direction of the bogie frame 3. The width of the top plates 41 and 43 is wider than that of the bogie frame 3. The width of a portion of the top plate 42 is wider than the width of the bogie frame 3. The width of the top plates 41 and 43 is designed to be shorter than the tread width of a specified four-wheeled vehicle that the vehicle transporter 1 is intended to transport. The top plates 41 and 43 correspond to the "first and second top plates."

[0018] At a position corresponding to the outer peripheral region of the upper plate 41 located outside the bogie frame 3, a lower plate is arranged to be combined with this outer peripheral region. The outer peripheral region of the upper plate 41 is provided with arms 51L and 51R and arms 52L and 52R. The arm 51L and the arm 52L form a pair. The arm 51R and the arm 52R also form a pair. The arms 51L and 51R are fixed to the upper plate 41. On the other hand, the arms 52L and 52R are supported so as to be rotatable relative to the upper plate 41. In other words, the arms 51L and 51R correspond to "non-rotating arms", and the arms 52L and 52R correspond to "rotating arms". However, the arms 51L and 51R may also be "rotating arms".

[0019] The arm 52L is rotated by operating the arm driver 61L. This arm driver 61L is connected via a connecting member 32L to the side surface of the carriage frame 3 in the width direction (left-right direction in Figs. 1 and 2). The connecting member 32L is attached to the side surface of the frame material whose upper surface is covered by the upper plate 42. The connecting member 32L supports the end portion of the arm driver 61L so that it can rotate freely. The configuration of the arm 52R is the same as that of the arm 52L. That is, the configuration of the arm driver 61R is the same as that of the arm driver 61L, and the configuration of the connecting member 32R is the same as that of the connecting member 32L.

[0020] As with the top plate 41, a bottom plate is disposed at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral region of the top plate 43 located outside the bogie frame 3, to be combined with this outer peripheral region. The outer peripheral region of the top plate 43 is provided with arms 53L and 53R and arms 54L and 54R. The arm 53L and the arm 54L form a pair. The arm 53R and the arm 54R also form a pair. The arms 53L, 53R, 54L, and 54R are each supported rotatably relative to the top plate 43. In other words, the arms 53L, 53R, 54L, and 54R correspond to "rotating arms."

[0021] The arm 53L is rotated by operating the arm driver 62L. This arm driver 62L is connected to the side of the carriage frame 3 in the width direction (left and right direction in Figs. 1 and 2) via a connecting member 33L. The connecting member 33L is attached to the side of the frame material. The connecting member 33L supports the end of the arm driver 62L so that it can rotate freely. The configuration of the arm 53R is the same as that of the arm 53L. That is, the configuration of the arm driver 62R is the same as that of the arm driver 62L, and the configuration of the connecting member 33R is the same as that of the connecting member 33L.

[0022] The arm 54L is rotated by operating the arm driver 63L. This arm driver 63L is connected to a support shaft 34. The support shaft 34 extends from the rear center of the bogie frame 3 in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3 (the front-to-rear direction shown in Figures 1 and 2). The support shaft 34 rotatably supports the end of the arm driver 63L. The configuration of the arm 54R is the same as that of the arm 54L. In other words, the configuration of the arm driver 63R is the same as that of the arm driver 63L. The support shaft 34 is shared by the arm drivers 63L and 63R.

[0023] 2. Example of vehicle transportation An example of the operation of the vehicle transporter according to the embodiment when transporting a four-wheeled vehicle will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 mainly describes the operation of the arm, and Figure 4 mainly describes the operation of the bogie frame. For ease of explanation, Figures 3 and 4 show a four-wheeled vehicle VH and its front tires FT and rear tires RT. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front tire FT is located in front of the bogie frame 3, but the rear tire RT may also be located in this position.

[0024] Fig. 3(i) is a diagram illustrating the tire release state by the vehicle transporter 1. In the example shown in Fig. 3(i), the bogie frame 3 is inserted into the space below the vehicle body of the four-wheeled vehicle VH. The bogie frame 3 is inserted into the space below the vehicle body by moving backwards from the front of the stopped four-wheeled vehicle VH. Since the arms 51L and 51R are fixed to the upper plate 41, the insertion of the bogie frame 3 ends at the position where the front part of the front tire FT abuts against the arms 51L and 51R.

[0025] During insertion into the space below the vehicle body, the six arms excluding arms 51L and 51R are folded in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3 (the front-rear direction shown in FIG. 3). Specifically, the tips of arms 52L, 52R, 54L, and 54R are folded so as to face the rear of the bogie frame 3. In addition, the tips of arms 53L and 53R are folded so as to face the front of the bogie frame 3. By folding these six arms, insertion into the space below the vehicle body can be performed smoothly.

[0026] Fig. 3(ii) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the tires are supported by the vehicle transporter 1. In the example shown in Fig. 3(ii), the six arms excluding arms 51L and 51R face in the same direction as the extension direction of arms 51L and 51R (left-right direction in Fig. 3). At this time, arm 51L and arm 52L form a pair and support the left front tire FT. Arm 51R and arm 52R form a pair and support the right front tire FT. Arm 53L and arm 54L form a pair and support the left rear tire RT. Arm 53R and arm 54R form a pair and support the right rear tire RT.

[0027] Fig. 4(i) is a diagram showing a state in which the bogie frame 3 is lowered by the vehicle transporter 1. Fig. 4(i) corresponds to a state of the vehicle transporter 1 after completion of the operation described in Fig. 3(ii). While the vehicle transporter 1 is not transporting the four-wheel vehicle VH, the bogie frame 3 is in a lowered state.

[0028] As can be seen from FIG. 4(i), the arm 51L supports the front portion of the left front tire FT, and the arm 52L supports the rear portion thereof. The arm 53L supports the front portion of the left rear tire RT, and the arm 54L supports the rear portion thereof. When the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3 (the front-rear direction shown in FIG. 4) is taken as the reference, the arms 52L and 53L are classified as "inner arms" indicating "rotating arms" located relatively inside. On the other hand, the arm 54L is classified as an "outer arm" indicating "rotating arm" located relatively outside. This distinction between "inner arm" and "outer arm" also applies to the arms 52R to 54R.

[0029] Fig. 4(ii) is a diagram showing a state in which the bogie frame 3 is raised by the vehicle transporter 1. Fig. 4(ii) corresponds to a state after the state described in Fig. 4(i) and before the four-wheel vehicle VH is transported. The bogie frame 3 is raised by a combination of the lifting device 23 and the lifting device 35 of the bogie frame 3. The lifting device 3536 is housed on the back surface of the upper plate 43. A known configuration such as an air spring or a hydraulic cylinder is applied to the lifting device 35. When the housed state of the lifting device 35 is released, the bogie frame 3 is lifted while maintaining the position of the bogie rear wheels 36.

[0030] When the carriage frame 3 rises, the four-wheeled vehicle VH is lifted. When the device main body 2 moves forward while maintaining this lifted state, the four-wheeled vehicle VH is transported. After the device main body 2 stops at a predetermined position at the transport destination, the lifting devices 23 and 35 are operated to lower the carriage frame 3. Then, when the arms are operated as described in Fig. 3, the support state of the front tires FT and rear tires RT is released.

[0031] 3. Features of the embodiment FIG. 5 is a view of the periphery of the front end of the bogie frame 3 from the underside of the vehicle transporter 1. FIG. 5(i) is an external view, and FIG. 5(ii) is a view showing the main configuration related to the features of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5(i) and (ii), two pipes 38L and 38R are provided in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3. The pipes 38L and 38R are placed on the bottom cover 37, and various electric wires are arranged inside them. At the position of the front end of the bogie frame 3, frame members 39L and 39R are provided on both sides of the bogie frame 3 in the width direction (left and right direction shown in FIG. 5). The bottom cover 37 is a cover member that covers the space surrounded by the frame members 39L and 39R.

[0032] Between the pipes 38L and 38R facing each other on the inner side in the width direction of the bogie frame 3, three reinforcing members 71 extending in the width direction are provided. The left end of each reinforcing member 71 is welded to the adjacent pipe 38L. The right end of each reinforcing member 71 is welded to the adjacent pipe 38R. A reinforcing member 72 is provided parallel to the reinforcing member 71 on the rear end side of the bogie frame 3 from the reinforcing member 71. Like the reinforcing member 71, both ends of the reinforcing member 72 are welded to the pipes 38L and 38R, respectively. A reinforcing member 73 is provided on the rear end side of the bogie frame 3 from the reinforcing member 72. The reinforcing member 73 extends in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3. One end of the reinforcing member 73 is welded to the reinforcing member 72.

[0033] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the main parts around the front end of the cart frame 3. Fig. 6(i) is a perspective view showing the main configuration related to the features of the embodiment, and Fig. 6(ii) is a view in which a part of the configuration shown in Fig. 6(i) is further removed. As shown in Fig. 6(i), the standing frame 22 is composed of a bottom surface part 221 and a standing part 222. The bottom surface part 221 functions as a cover material that covers the space surrounded by the frame members 39L and 39R. The bottom surface part 221 also functions as a connecting material with the cart frame 3. The standing part 222 functions as a connecting material with the device main body 2.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6(ii), the bottom portion 221 is connected to the frame members 39L and 39R via bolts 9a. The bottom portion 221 is also connected to the reinforcing member 71 via bolts 9b. The size of the bottom portion 221 in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3 is approximately equal to the lengths of the frame members 39L and 39R. Therefore, the bottom portion 221 is not connected to the reinforcing members 72 or 73. The reinforcing members 72 and 73 are T-shaped reinforcing members independent of the reinforcing member 71.

[0035] The reinforcement 71 is provided for the purpose of resisting the bending moment acting on the periphery of the front end of the bogie frame 3 due to the load of the four-wheeled vehicle VH when the bogie frame 3 is raised. The purpose of providing the reinforcements 72 and 73 is basically the same as that of the reinforcement 71. However, the reinforcements 72 and 73 are provided for the purpose of suppressing a large change in the distribution of rigidity of the bogie frame 3 at a certain position in the longitudinal direction of the bogie frame 3 as a result of the reinforcement of the front end of the bogie frame 3 by the reinforcement 71. Therefore, the reinforcements 72 and 73 can be positioned as additional reinforcements added to the reinforcement 71, and the installation of these additional reinforcements can be omitted.

[0036] 4.Effects According to the features of the embodiment described above, it is possible to increase the strength of the front end of the carriage frame 3, i.e., the connecting portion between the device body 2 and the carriage frame 3. Therefore, it becomes possible to transport a four-wheeled vehicle VH having a large vehicle weight. This contributes to expanding the range of four-wheeled vehicles that can be transported.

[0037] 5. Other Examples of Embodiments The arms 51L and 51R may be supported rotatably relative to the upper plate 41. In this case, an arm drive unit for driving the arms 51L and 51R employs a configuration using a connecting material having a configuration similar to that of the connecting material (connecting material 32R shown in Figs. 1 and 2) attached to the side surface of the frame material 38. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Vehicle transport device 2. Device body 3. Truck Frame 21 Front wheel of the bogie 22 Standing frame 23,35 Lifting device 31 Top cover 32L,32R,33L,33R Connecting material 34 Support shaft 36 Rear wheel of the trolley 37 Bottom cover 38L, 38R pipe 39L, 39R Frame material 41,42,43 Top plate 51L~54L,51R~54R Arm 61L~63L,61R~63R Arm drive unit 9a,9b Bolts 71, 72, 73 Reinforcement FT Front tire RT Rear tire VH 4-wheel vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle transport device for transporting a four-wheeled vehicle, A bogie frame that is inserted into a space under the vehicle body from the front or rear of the four-wheel vehicle; A device main body for lifting and towing the carriage frame; a standing frame that is provided perpendicular to a plane formed by the carriage frame and connects the carriage frame and the device main body at a tip end of the carriage frame; Equipped with the bogie frame includes at least two pipes arranged parallel to a front-rear direction of the bogie frame, and two frame members arranged parallel to the at least two pipes on outer sides of the at least two pipes in a left-right direction of the bogie frame perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The at least two pipes include two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction, The vehicle transport device further includes a reinforcing member provided at the tip portion and between the two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction, extending in the left-right direction and connected to the two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction, At the tip portion, the standing frame is connected to the two frame members and the reinforcing member, The vehicle transport device further includes a first additional reinforcement member that is provided on the end side of the bogie frame relative to the tip portion and between two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction, and extends parallel to an extension direction of the reinforcement member, and a second additional reinforcement member that is connected to a center portion in the left-right direction of the first additional reinforcement member and extends parallel to the front-rear direction between the two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction. A vehicle transport device comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle transporter according to claim 1, 4. A vehicle transport apparatus, comprising: said first and second additional reinforcements forming a T-shaped reinforcement.

3. 3. A vehicle transport device according to claim 1, The two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction are connected to the reinforcing material by welding. A vehicle transport device comprising:

4. 3. The vehicle transporter according to claim 2, The two pipes arranged on both sides in the left-right direction and the first additional reinforcement member are connected by welding, The first additional reinforcement member and the second additional reinforcement member are connected by welding at a central portion of the first additional reinforcement member in the left-right direction. A vehicle transport device comprising:

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