Vehicle transport vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle transporting vehicle which can greatly reduce risks that detection is missed due to vibration and impact which are received by a tilt frame in the course of sliding of a body in comparison with a conventional configuration which allows a plurality of limit switches to detect a plurality of motion switching positions in a pinpoint manner during forward and backward siding of the body with respect to the tilt frame.SOLUTION: A chain transmission-type forward / backward driving device D that forcibly slides a body B on a tilt frame T has a rotating shaft 23f for driving a chain 26, and a sensor device S that senses a slide position of the body B has a rotation amount sensor RS that senses the rotation amount of the rotating shaft 23f. A control device C calculates a movement distance from a limit of advancing of the body B on the basis of the rotation amount sensed by the rotation amount sensor, and switches operation of the forward / backward driving device D and of a lift device L in accordance with the fact that the movement distance matches with a predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle transporter, particularly to a vehicle rear. tilting A tilt frame supported so as to be movable forward and backward, and the tilt frame is forcibly tilting the vehicle transporter is provided with a lift device for lifting the body in a forward / backward direction on a tilt frame, a body having a vehicle mounting section on which another vehicle can be placed and capable of sliding in the forward / backward direction on a tilt frame, a chain-transmission type forward / backward drive device having a chain fixed to the body and forcibly sliding the body on the tilt frame, a sensor device for detecting the sliding position of the body relative to the tilt frame, and a control device capable of controlling the forward / backward drive device and the lift device. [Background technology]

[0002] The above-mentioned vehicle transporter is known in the art, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In this known vehicle, a plurality of predetermined sliding positions of the body relative to the tilt frame are detected using a plurality of limit switches (i.e., proximity sensors consisting of a dog and a sensor body that detects the approach of the dog) provided between the body and the tilt frame, and the operation of the front / rear drive device and the operation of the lift device are switched depending on the detection results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3648075 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the vehicle transporter of Patent Document 1, the arrival of the body at a specified slide position is pinpoint detected by a limit switch, i.e., a proximity switch, placed at that position. If, for some reason, this detection is not performed properly and the body passes the specified slide position, there is a risk that the operation of the front and rear drive device will continue without being able to make the original switch that was scheduled at that specified slide position, which is an inconvenience.

[0005] For example, if the body slide operation is interrupted and restarted due to an operating error, causing a large vibration or impact on the tilt frame, and the limit switch is unable to detect the specified slide position, the slide operation will continue without switching to the specified slide position. In particular, when lowering the body, the body will not move against the vehicle body. tilting If the vehicle continues to slide to the rear of the vehicle in a parallel position without adjusting the tilt frame, the front wheels of the vehicle carrier may lift up due to the shift in the center of gravity, causing the entire vehicle to tilt backward. Tilt If the body continues to slide to its forward limit in this state, the lift device may be damaged due to excessive load being applied to it.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and has an object to provide a vehicle transporter that can solve the problems associated with the conventional structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle rear tilting A tilt frame supported so as to be movable forward and backward, and the tilt frame is forcibly tiltinga vehicle transporter equipped with a lift device for moving the body in a forward / backward direction on the tilt frame, a body having a vehicle mounting section on which another vehicle can be placed and slidable in a forward / backward direction on the tilt frame, a chain-driven front / rear drive device having a chain fixed to the body and forcibly sliding the body on the tilt frame, a sensor device for detecting the slide position of the body relative to the tilt frame, and a control device capable of controlling the front / rear drive device and the lift device, wherein the front / rear drive device has a rotating shaft for driving the chain, and the sensor device has a rotation amount sensor for detecting the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft, and the control device calculates the movement distance of the body from the forward limit based on the amount of rotation detected by the rotation amount sensor, and switches the operation of the front / rear drive device and the lift device when the movement distance reaches a predetermined distance.

[0008] In addition to the first feature, the present invention further provides a method for detecting a sliding position of the body, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a sliding position of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame; tilting to make tilting The third sensor is capable of detecting a lift start position, and detects a tilt frame downward during the forward sliding of the body from the ground to be loaded onto the tilt frame. tilting to make tilting A second feature of the present invention is that the control device causes the alarm means to issue an alarm when the rotation amount sensor is not capable of detecting a detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors but is detected by the at least one sensor, and the fourth sensor is capable of detecting a rearward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame.

[0009] In addition to the first or second feature, the present invention further provides a method for detecting a sliding position of the body, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a sliding position of the body from the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit of the body relative to ... tilting to make tilting The third sensor is capable of detecting a lift start position, and detects a tilt frame downward during the forward sliding of the body from the ground to be loaded onto the tilt frame. tilting to make tilting A third feature is that the control device causes the alarm means to issue an alarm when the detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors is detected by the rotation amount sensor but not by the at least one sensor, and the fourth sensor is capable of detecting a lowering start position and a backward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame, and when the detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors is detected by the rotation amount sensor but not by the at least one sensor.

[0010] Furthermore, in addition to any one of the first to third features, the present invention provides a method for detecting a sliding position of the body, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a sliding position of the body relative to the tilt frame; detecting a forward limit ... tilting to make tilting The third sensor is capable of detecting a lift start position, and detects a tilt frame downward during the forward sliding of the body from the ground to be loaded onto the tilt frame. tilting to make tiltingThe fourth sensor is capable of detecting a lowering start position, and the fourth sensor is capable of detecting a backward limit of the body relative to the tilt frame, and when the detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors is not detected by that at least one sensor, but the rotation amount sensor detects a predetermined limit position where the body has gone a predetermined distance beyond the detection position, the control device completely stops the front-rear drive device and the lift device. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the first feature, the front-rear drive device that forcibly slides the body relative to the tilt frame has a rotating shaft for driving a chain, and detects the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft with a rotation amount sensor. The movement distance of the body from the forward limit is calculated based on this detected amount of rotation, and the operation of the front-rear drive device and the lift device is switched when this movement distance reaches a predetermined distance. Therefore, the movement distance of the body from the forward limit can be precisely detected with the rotation amount sensor, and the above operation switching is performed accurately based on the detection result. As a result, compared to the conventional structure in which the operation switching position is pinpoint detected with multiple limit switches, it is possible to effectively reduce the risk of missed detection due to vibrations and shocks received by the tilt frame during the body sliding (and thus the risk of the above operation switching not being performed), and for example, the body may be lowered due to missed detection during the body lowering operation. tilting The problem of the body sliding backwards to the reverse limit without detecting the load is also a problem. Tilt This is effective in preventing the inconvenience of sliding forward to the forward limit while in this state.

[0012] According to a second feature, the sensor device includes a first sensor for detecting the forward limit of the body, and a second sensor for detecting the forward limit of the body while the body is being slid backward to be lowered. tilting The second sensor detects the lift start position, and the second sensor detects the body sliding forward to be loaded from the ground. tiltingThe system includes at least one of a third sensor that detects a lowering start position and a fourth sensor that detects a rearward limit of the body, and the control device operates the notification means to issue a notification when a detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors is detected by the at least one sensor but not by the rotation amount sensor. This makes it easier to find a malfunction of the rotation amount sensor because a notification is issued in a situation where the detection results of at least one of the first to fourth sensors and the rotation amount sensor do not match, particularly in a situation where the detection position is not detected by the rotation amount sensor but is detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors.

[0013] According to the third feature, when a detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors is detected by the rotation amount sensor but not by the at least one sensor, the control device activates the alarm means to issue an alarm. Therefore, an alarm is issued in a situation where the detection results of at least one of the first to fourth sensors and the rotation amount sensor are inconsistent, particularly in a situation where the detection position is detected by the rotation amount sensor but not by at least one of the first to fourth sensors, making it easier to find a malfunction of the at least one sensor.

[0014] According to the fourth feature, when a detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors is not detected by the at least one sensor, but the rotation amount sensor detects a predetermined limit position where the body has gone a predetermined distance beyond the detection position, it is determined that a malfunction has occurred in either the at least one of the first to fourth sensors or the rotation amount sensor, and the front-rear drive device and the lift device can be automatically stopped. As a result, even in a situation where, for example, at least one of the first to fourth sensors misses the detection position and the body slides excessively, the front-rear sliding movement of the body and the tilting movement of the tilt frame can be automatically stopped, further improving the safety of the work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a vehicle transporter according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an assembly of a tilt frame and a subframe equipped with a front-rear drive device and a lift device; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the subframe; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tilt frame; [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tilt frame; [Figure 6] Enlarged cross-sectional view of line 6-6 in Figure 5 [Figure 7] Enlarged cross-sectional view of line 7-7 in Figure 5 [Figure 8] Enlarged plan view of the part indicated by the arrow 8 in Figure 5 [Figure 9] 9 arrow view of Figure 8 [Figure 10] 5A is a view taken along the line 10A in FIG. 5, (B) is a view taken along the line 10B in FIG. 5, and (C) is a view taken along the line 10C in FIG. 5. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a pivotal connection portion of a lift device to a subframe, in which (A) shows a state in which the lift angle is 0, and (B) shows a state in which the lift angle is at a maximum angle. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of the main part of the hoist arm (cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Figure 11(A)) [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the unloading process of a vehicle transporter; [Figure 14] 13(e) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion indicated by the arrow 14A in FIG. 13(e), and FIG. 13(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion indicated by the arrow 14B in FIG. 13(f). [Figure 15] Control block diagram of a vehicle loading device mounted on a vehicle transporter [Figure 16] Flowchart of the vehicle transporter unloading process (first control example) [Figure 17] Flowchart of the vehicle transporter loading process (first control example) [Figure 18] Flowchart of the vehicle transporter unloading process (second control example) [Figure 19] Flowchart of the vehicle transporter loading process (second control example) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] First, referring to Figures 1 to 15, a structural example of an embodiment will be described. The vehicle body F of the vehicle transporter V includes a chassis frame Fm which serves as the skeleton of the vehicle, extends in the fore-and-aft direction, and has front and rear wheels suspended at its front and rear portions, and a subframe Fs which is fixed (for example, by welding, bolting, etc.) onto the chassis frame Fm and extends in the fore-and-aft direction. The chassis frame Fm and the subframe Fs each include a pair of left and right vertical frames which extend in the fore-and-aft direction, and a plurality of horizontal frames which connect the vertical frames at intervals in the fore-and-aft direction, and are formed in a roughly ladder-like shape.

[0018] A pair of left and right roller support brackets 11 protrude from the horizontal frame at the rearmost end of the subframe Fs, and as is clear from FIG. 7, a pair of left and right rollers 12 are axially supported in a freely rotatable manner on the roller support brackets 11. The roller support brackets 11 support the undersides of a pair of left and right vertical frames 21 of the tilt frame T, which will be described later, so that they can slide back and forth.

[0019] The vehicle body F is equipped with a vehicle loading device A for loading and unloading other vehicles to be transported by the vehicle transport vehicle V. The vehicle loading device A is provided at the rear of the vehicle body F. tilting The tilt frame T is supported so as to be movable forward and backward, and the tilt frame T is forcibly tilting The vehicle is equipped with a lift device L for lifting the vehicle V' to the front and rear, a body B having a vehicle mounting section on which another vehicle V' can be placed and capable of sliding in the front-rear direction on the tilt frame T, a chain-transmission type front-rear drive device D having a chain 26 fixed to the body B and forcibly sliding the body B on the tilt frame T, a sensor device S for detecting the sliding position of the body B relative to the tilt frame T, and a control device C capable of controlling the front-rear drive device D and the lift device L based on the detection result of the sensor device S.

[0020] Next, specific examples of the vehicle loading device A will be described in order with reference mainly to Figs.

[0021] First, as is clear from Fig. 4, the tilt frame T is formed in a ladder shape having a pair of vertical frames 21 arranged at a distance from one another on the left and right, and a plurality of horizontal frames 22 that connect the vertical frames 21 at a distance from one another on the front and rear. Each vertical frame 21 is made of a channel material with a U-shaped cross section with an opening facing outward, and rollers 33 (see Figs. 6 and 10) described later that are used to smoothly slide the front part of the body B on the tilt frame T back and forth are received in a rollable manner within the vertical frame 21.

[0022] In addition, both ends of the rearmost horizontal frame 22 extend outwardly further than the vertical frame 21, and a pair of left and right roller support brackets 28 are protrudingly provided on the extending portions. Guide rollers 29 (see Figs. 4 and 7), which will be described later and are used to smoothly slide the body B forward and backward on the tilt frame T, are rotatably supported on the roller support brackets 28.

[0023] Furthermore, a ground bracket 51 is provided in a downward protruding manner at the middle of the rearmost horizontal frame 22, on the inner side of the guide roller 29. A ground roller 52 is rotatably supported by this ground bracket 51 for smoothly moving the lower rear end of the tilt frame T back and forth relative to the ground when the tilt angle of the tilt frame T is at its maximum and the body B is lowered to the ground (see Figures 13 and 14(B)).

[0024] A rotary drive shaft 23f for driving the chain 26 of the front-rear drive device D is rotatably supported at the front end of the tilt frame T, and a motor M for driving the rotary drive shaft 23f is fixed coaxially with the rotary drive shaft 23f.

[0025] The front / rear drive device D comprises a pair of left and right front sprockets 24 fixed at a distance from each other to the middle portion of the rotating drive shaft 23f, a pair of left and right rear sprockets 25 supported rotatably on the rear end portion of the tilt frame T via a rotating driven shaft 23r (see Figure 7) corresponding to the left and right front sprockets 24, a chain 26 wound between the front and rear sprockets 24, 25, and a connecting device J that connects the upper side of each chain 26 to the body B.

[0026] Thus, when the motor M rotates, the body B synchronizes with the movement of the upper side of the chain 26 linked thereto via the connecting device J, whereby the body B can be moved forward and backward in response to the rotation of the motor M. In this case, the amount of rotation (i.e., the number of rotations, the rotation angle) of the rotary drive shaft 23f is proportional to the amount of sliding of the body B in the forward and backward directions relative to the tilt frame T. Therefore, if the amount of rotation of the rotary drive shaft 23f as the rotary shaft is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS described later, it becomes possible to detect the sliding distance of the body B from the forward limit relative to the tilt frame T.

[0027] The rotary drive shaft 23f is rotatably supported by bearing brackets 21b fixed to the front end of each vertical frame 21 of the tilt frame T. As is clear from Fig. 8, each bearing bracket 21b has a bracket base connected (e.g., bolted) to a front end wall plate 21a fixed (e.g., welded) to the front end of each vertical frame 21. In addition, rear end wall plates 21c that connect the left and right vertical frames 21 to each other are fixed (e.g., welded) to the rear ends of the frames.

[0028] Thus, the front end wall plate 21a engages with the roller 33 in a releasable manner to function as a front stopper that determines the forward movement limit of the body B relative to the tilt frame T, and the rear end wall plate 21c engages with the roller 33 in a releasable manner to function as a rear stopper that determines the backward movement limit of the body B relative to the tilt frame T.

[0029] A sensor gear 71 having a plurality of dog teeth at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction is fixed concentrically to the right end of the rotary drive shaft 23f. As is clear from Fig. 8, a proximity sensor main body 70 capable of detecting the approach of the dog teeth of the sensor gear 71 is fixed particularly to the end wall plate 21a of the right vertical frame 21. This proximity sensor main body 70 outputs a detection signal that alternates between on and off every time the dog teeth approach to the control device C. The control device C counts, for example, on detection signals and calculates the amount of rotation of the rotary drive shaft 23f, and ultimately the sliding distance of the body B from the forward limit relative to the tilt frame T, based on the count number and the distance between the dog teeth (pitch interval).

[0030] In addition, in the embodiment of the sensor gear 71, the tooth width of the dog teeth and the circumferential spacing of the tooth grooves are different, but the tooth shape of the dog teeth (tooth width and tooth groove) is set taking into account the sensitivity of the proximity sensor main body 70 so that the duty ratio when the proximity sensor main body 70 detects the approach of the dog teeth and outputs an ON signal is 50 (i.e. the on / off interval is the same).

[0031] The control device C calculates the movement distance of the body B from the forward limit based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount sensor RS, and switches the operation of the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L in a control manner as described later when the movement distance reaches a predetermined distance. The detection result of the tilt angle sensor St is also taken into account in the operation switching as described later.

[0032] Next, an example of the body B will be described. The body B comprises a rectangular flat body main body 31, the upper surface of which serves as a vehicle placement section on which another vehicle V' (see FIG. 1) is placed, a gate-shaped guard frame 36 erected on the upper front end of the body main body 31, and a gate hinge 37 journaled on the lower end of the body main body 31 so as to be able to rise and fall. Between the body main body 31 and the gate hinge 37, there is provided a clamp mechanism which can arbitrarily rotate the gate hinge 37 between an upright position and a lying-down position and can hold the gate hinge 37 in the upright position; however, as this is a well-known conventional mechanism, a functional description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] A receiving frame 33 is provided downwardly projecting from the underside of the main body 31, the lower end of which is engageable with the guide roller 29 so as to be slidable back and forth on the guide roller 29. A pair of receiving frames 33, one on the left and one on the right, are disposed at positions corresponding to the guide rollers 29 and extend linearly in the front-rear direction.

[0034] 6 and 10, a pair of left and right roller support brackets 32 are provided on the lower front surface of the main body 31 so as to protrude downward, and the upper parts of triangular movable support plates 34 are pivotally connected to the roller support brackets 32 so as to be capable of relative rotation. The rollers 33, which are housed in the vertical frame 21 so as to be capable of rolling and which are aligned in the front and rear directions, are rotatably supported on the lower part of the movable support plate 34, and a contact-type proximity sensor main body 36 is provided between the pivots of the front and rear rollers 33 so as to protrude downward.

[0035] 6 and 8, a pair of left and right connecting brackets 35 for connecting a chain are provided on the front underside of the main body 31, protruding downward, on the left and right central side of the roller support brackets 32. One end and the other end of the chain 26 are pin-connected to both front and rear ends of a connecting block 38b connected between each pair of connecting brackets 35 via a connecting pin 38p. Thus, in this embodiment, the connecting device J is configured by the connecting brackets 35, the connecting block 38b, and the connecting pin 38p.

[0036] In addition, a ground contact roller 39 that becomes the ground contact part when the body B touches the ground in a rearward-downward inclined posture is rotatably supported at the rear end of the main body 31, thereby enabling the rear end of the body B to move smoothly backward on the ground in this inclined posture.

[0037] Further, the sensor device S includes first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr that can directly detect the slide position of the body B and are independent of the rotation amount sensor RS.

[0038] The forward limit sensor LSf as a first sensor is capable of detecting the forward limit of the body B relative to the tilt frame T, and is composed of the proximity sensor main body 36 and a front dog df slidably engageable with the detection portion of the proximity sensor main body 36. That is, at the same time that the body B reaches the forward limit, the detection portion of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the front dog df, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects that the body B has reached the forward limit, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0039] The intermediate position sensor LSm is configured to detect when the tilt frame T is moved upward while the body B is being slid backward to be lowered from the tilt frame T to the ground. tilting to make tilting The sensor functions as a second sensor capable of detecting the lift start position, and is composed of a proximity sensor body 36 and an intermediate dog dm that can be slidably engaged with the detection portion of the proximity sensor body 36. That is, when the body B is tilting At the same time as the lifting start position is reached, the detection portion of the proximity sensor main body 36 slides against the intermediate dog dm from its front end, tilting The proximity sensor body 36 detects that the lift start position has been reached, and a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0040] The intermediate position sensor LSm detects when the tilt frame T is tilted downward while the body B is sliding forward from the ground to be loaded onto the tilt frame T. tilting to make tilting It also functions as a third sensor capable of detecting the lowering start position, and is composed of a proximity sensor body 36 and an intermediate dog dm, just like the second sensor. However, when the body B is tilting At the same time as the lowering start position is reached, the detection portion of the proximity sensor main body 36 slides against the intermediate dog dm from its rear end, tilting The proximity sensor body 36 detects that the lowering start position has been reached, and a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0041] The reverse limit sensor LSr as the fourth sensor is capable of detecting the reverse limit of the body B relative to the tilt frame T, and is composed of a proximity sensor main body 36 and a rear dog dr slidably engageable with the detection portion of the proximity sensor main body 36. That is, at the same time that the body B reaches the reverse limit, the detection portion of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the rear dog dr, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects that the body B has reached the reverse limit, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0042] The front dog df is bolted to the front end of the tilt frame T (bearing bracket 21b in this embodiment), the middle dog dm to the middle part near the front end of the tilt frame T (bracket 21b' fixed to the underside of the middle part of the vertical frame 21 in this embodiment), and the rear dog dr to the rear end of the tilt frame T (bracket 21b'' fixed to the rear underside of the vertical frame 21 in this embodiment), each of which can be adjusted in position.

[0043] Thus, when a detection position that should be detected by any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, the control device C causes the notification means 80 to issue a notification as described below, and also when a detection position that should be detected by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but not by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, the control device C causes the notification means 80 to issue a notification as described below.

[0044] Furthermore, when the rotation amount sensor RS detects a predetermined limit position where the body B has traveled a predetermined distance beyond a detection position that should be detected by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, but the detection position is not detected by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, the control device C completely stops the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L, as described below.

[0045] The lift device L includes a lift cylinder Lc, one end of which is pivotally connected p1 to a cylinder support bracket 14 fixed to the subframe Fs, and a hoist arm 40, the middle part of which is pivotally connected p2 to the other end of the lift cylinder Lc. One end of the hoist arm 40 is pivotally connected p3 to a first arm support bracket 15 fixed to the subframe Fs, and the other end of the hoist arm 40 is pivotally connected p4 to a second arm support bracket 27 fixed to the tilt frame T.

[0046] The hoist arm 40 functions as a movable part whose angle changes more than the angle change of the tilt frame T when the lift device L is operated. An inclination angle sensor St capable of detecting the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 as the movable part by a single sensor (i.e., without needing a dog such as a proximity sensor) is fixed to the hoist arm 40. This inclination angle sensor St changes its posture with respect to the vertical line (i.e., the direction in which gravity acts) when the hoist arm 40 tilts, and is configured to be able to detect the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 by detecting the change in gravitational acceleration accompanying the posture change.

[0047] The hoist arm 40 of the embodiment includes a pair of side plates 41 that sandwich the lift cylinder Lc from the left and right, and a top plate 42 that covers a space 43 sandwiched between the side plates 41 from above when the hoist arm 40 is in a traveling position. An inclination angle sensor St is installed on the inner surface of the hoist arm 40 facing the space 43, and a detection signal from the inclination angle sensor St is output to the control device C.

[0048] The hoist arm 40 also has a bottom plate 45 that covers the inclination angle sensor St and the space 43 around it from below and connects the left and right side plates 41 together when the hoist arm 40 is in a traveling position (see Figs. 11(A) and 12). The bottom plate 45 can prevent objects (e.g., pebbles, water, etc.) splashed up from below from coming into contact with the inclination angle sensor St when the vehicle is traveling, and also functions as a reinforcing material for the hoist arm 40.

[0049] The control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St when the tilt frame T, and therefore the hoist arm 40, is in a traveling posture (see Figs. 13(a) and (b) described later) as a reference value, and further stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 when the tilt frame T is at a predetermined intermediate angle, for example, 12 degrees (see Figs. 13(c) to (e) described later), and the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 when the tilt frame T is at the maximum inclination (see Fig. 13(f) described later). The inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 is calculated by comparing the reference value with the detection value, and it can be detected from the calculated inclination angle that the tilt frame T has reached a predetermined intermediate angle (for example, 12 degrees) or the maximum inclination angle, so that the operation switching of the front-rear drive device D and the lift device L is performed in a control manner described later, taking into account the detection result.

[0050] Further, a proximity sensor body 46 for detecting when the hoist arm 40 is at its maximum tilt is fixed to the first arm support bracket 15 on the subframe Fs, and this proximity sensor body 46 detects the above by engaging with a dog 42d fixed to the top plate 42 of the hoist arm 40 when the hoist arm 40 is at its maximum tilt, and outputs a detection signal to the control device C. Thus, the proximity sensor body 46 and the dog 42d constitute a maximum tilt detection sensor LSt.

[0051] A control panel (not shown) incorporating a control device C including a microcomputer capable of controlling the operation of the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L is installed in the driver's cab of the vehicle transporter V. This control panel is provided with, for example, a main switch SWm for turning the power on and off, a stop switch SWe for temporarily stopping the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L, a lowering switch SWo for commanding a lowering process for lowering the body B from the tilt frame T to the ground, and a loading switch SWo for commanding a loading process for loading the body B from the ground onto the tilt frame T, so that these switches SWm, SWe, SWo, and SWo are each connected to the control device C, as is clear from FIG.

[0052] The above-mentioned various sensors RS, LSf, LSm, LSr, and St are connected to the control device C so as to receive the detection signals of each of them. Also connected to the control device C are the above-mentioned motor M, an electromagnetic control valve VL for switching the extension / retraction operation provided in an on-board hydraulic control circuit (not shown) that extends and retracts the lift cylinder Lc, and a notification lamp 80 (see FIG. 15) as a notification means for notifying the malfunction of the sensors.

[0053] Incidentally, the malfunction of sensors can be in the following forms: For example, in the rotation amount sensor RS, some of the dog teeth of the sensor gear 71 may be chipped, or the proximity sensor main body 70 may fail to detect some of the dog teeth (i.e., teeth skipping) due to vibration or shock of the tilt frame T. In addition to a malfunction of the proximity sensor main body 70 itself, a situation in which the attachment position of the proximity sensor main body 70 becomes misaligned and the dog teeth become unable to be detected or remain detected is also conceivable.

[0054] On the other hand, possible malfunctions of the forward limit sensor LSf, the intermediate position sensor LSm and the backward limit sensor LSr include, for example, a breakdown of the proximity sensor main body 36 itself, as well as a misalignment of the mounting position of the proximity sensor main body 36 or deformation or misalignment of the dogs df, dm, dr, which causes the proximity sensor main body 36 to be unable to detect the dogs df, dm, dr or to detect them at a position other than the normal position.

[0055] As the notification means, a notification sound generator such as a notification buzzer or speaker may be used instead of or in addition to the notification lamp 80. The notification means may be provided in the control panel or outside the control panel.

[0056] Furthermore, the control panel may be provided in addition to the cab, or in a suitable location on the vehicle exterior panel outside the cab or on the body B. At least the switches and notification means (notification lamp 80) of the control panel may be provided on a wired or wireless remote control.

[0057] Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

[0058] In the vehicle loading device A of the vehicle transporter V, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 13(a) in its traveling posture, the tilt frame T in a lying state is mounted on the subframe Fs, and further the body B in a lying state at the forward limit is mounted on the tilt frame T. Then, another vehicle V' loaded on the body B can be transported by the vehicle transporter V.

[0059] The process of lowering the body B (and therefore the other vehicle V' thereon) from this traveling posture to the ground is shown in chronological order in FIG.

[0060] To briefly explain the outline of the process, first, the forward rotation of the front-rear drive device D causes the body B to slide rearward from the forward limit relative to the tilt frame T. When the body B moves a predetermined distance from the forward limit as a result of this sliding, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the rotation amount sensor RS detects this, and based on the detection result, the control device C stops the front-rear drive device D and lifts the tilt frame T together with the body B upward with the lift device L. tilting To make.

[0061] In addition, the body B is moved backward a specified distance before the tilt frame T is Tilt it upwards The reason for this is that the center of gravity of the body B is shifted rearward, so that the tilt frame T can move around the guide roller 12. Tilt it upwards This is to reduce the load on the lift device L when lifting.

[0062] Then, as shown in FIG. 13(c), when the tilt angle sensor St detects that the tilt angle of the tilt frame T reaches a predetermined intermediate angle, the control device C stops the lift device L based on the detection result and resumes the forward rotation of the front-rear drive device D to slide the body B backward again.

[0063] As the body B slides rearward, the rear end of the body B (more specifically, the ground contact roller 39) touches the ground as shown in FIG. 13(d), and thereafter the body B enters a support state in which it is supported by both the ground and the tilt frame T, and in that support state the body B slides further rearward.

[0064] Then, as shown in FIG. 13(e), when the body B reaches the rear limit relative to the tilt frame T, the rear limit sensor LSr detects this, and based on the detection result, the control device C stops the front-rear drive device D and moves the tilt frame T upward again by the lift device L. tilting Thereafter, when the tilt angle sensor St detects that the tilt frame T has reached the maximum tilt angle as shown in Fig. 13(f), the control device C stops the lift device L based on the detection result. At this time, the ground contact roller 52 at the rear end of the tilt frame T is placed in a ground contact state as is clear from Fig. 14(B).

[0065] 13(d)-(f), the other vehicle V' can be loaded onto or unloaded from the body B. In the case of loading or unloading, the gate hinge 37 at the rear end of the body B is opened, and in this case, the gate hinge 37 functions as a gangway to allow the other vehicle V' to smoothly enter. In contrast, when performing the steps of FIG. 13(d)-(f) without loading or unloading the other vehicle V', the gate hinge 37 is held in the closed position because if it is left open, it may rub against the ground and be damaged.

[0066] In particular, in the state shown in FIG. 13(f), the body B, which is at the rearmost position relative to the tilt frame T, is in a substantially horizontal grounded state, so that another vehicle V' can smoothly drive onto the body B.

[0067] Incidentally, the loading process from the state of FIG. 13(f) to the state of FIG. 13(a) can be carried out by reversing the procedure of the unloading process described above.

[0068] More specific control modes of the unloading process and loading process outlined above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 16 to 19. Here, the flowcharts of Figures 16 and 17 correspond to a first control example in which proximity sensors (i.e., forward limit sensor LSf, intermediate position sensor LSm, and backward limit sensor LSr) are used in addition to the rotation amount sensor RS to detect the forward / backward sliding position of the body B relative to the tilt frame T, while the flowcharts of Figures 18 and 19 correspond to a second control example in which only the rotation amount sensor RS is used to detect the forward / backward sliding position of the body B relative to the tilt frame T, without using the proximity sensors (i.e., forward limit sensor LSf, intermediate position sensor LSm, and backward limit sensor LSr).

[0069] Incidentally, the amount of rotation detected by the rotation amount sensor RS can be converted into the distance traveled from the forward limit of the body B, and in the following description of the control mode, this distance traveled will be simply referred to as the "detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS," and the unit of the figure here is millimeters.

[0070] In the case of an embodiment specialized in the second control example, the proximity sensors (that is, the forward limit sensor LSf, the intermediate position sensor LSm, and the reverse limit sensor LSr) are omitted from the control block diagram shown in FIG. [Unloading process using the first control example] When the main switch SWm on the control panel is pressed and then the lowering switch SWo is pressed, in step S1 the motor M of the front and rear drive device D starts rotating in the forward direction, sliding the body B backward. Next, in step S2 it is determined whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is 1100 or more, and if the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S3 to determine whether the intermediate position sensor LSm (second sensor) is ON.

[0071] If the answer is YES in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S5 to cancel the notification operation, and then to step S6 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc. Next, the process proceeds to step S7 to determine whether the detected angle of the tilt angle sensor St has reached a predetermined intermediate angle (for example, the tilt angle of the body B is 12 degrees). If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S8 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and rotate the motor M in the normal direction again to slide the body B backward again. Next, the process proceeds to step S9 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is 4200 or more. If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S10 to determine whether the reverse limit sensor LSr (fourth sensor) is ON.

[0072] If the answer is YES in step S10, proceed to step S11 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 4400, and if the answer is YES, proceed to step S12 to cancel the notification operation, and then proceed to step S13 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc again. Next, proceed to step S14 to determine whether the detected angle of the tilt angle sensor St has reached the maximum tilt angle, and if the answer is YES, proceed to step S15 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and end the process.

[0073] However, if the answer is NO in step S4, the process proceeds to step S21, where the notifying means 80 is activated to issue a notification and the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is corrected to the normal distance 1300, after which the process returns to step S6.

[0074] If the answer is NO in step S11, the process proceeds to step S22, where the notifying means 80 is activated to notify and the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is corrected to the normal distance of 4400, and then the process returns to step S13.

[0075] If the answer is NO in step S14, the process proceeds to step S23, where it is determined whether the maximum tilt detection proximity sensor LSt is ON. If the answer is YES in step S23, the process proceeds to step S15, and if the answer is NO, the process returns to step S14.

[0076] If the answer is no in step S3, the process proceeds to step S31 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300, and if the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step S32 to cause the notification means 80 to issue a notification, and then proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the process proceeds to step S34 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the limit distance of 1500, and if the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step S34 to completely stop the motor M and the lift cylinder Lc. Incidentally, if the answer is no in both step S31 and step S33, the process returns to step S3.

[0077] If the answer is NO in step S10, the process proceeds to step S36 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance 4400, and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S32 to activate the notification means 80, and then to step S37 to activate the notification means 80, and then to step S13. If the answer is NO in step S36, the process returns to step S10.

[0078] In the first control example of the unloading process described above, after step S32, the process proceeds to step S33 where it is determined whether or not a full stop is required, but as another control example (not shown), a control mode in which the process proceeds from step S32 to step S6 without proceeding to step S33 is also possible. In this other control example, even if it is determined in step S3 that the intermediate position sensor LSm is not detected, the notification means 80 is activated in step S32 in response to the rotation amount sensor RS detecting the normal distance 1300 in step S31, and then the process proceeds immediately to step S6, thereby continuing the subsequent processing procedure. Also, steps S2 and / or S9 may be omitted. [Loading process according to the first control example] When the main switch SWm on the control panel is pressed and then the loading switch SWi is pressed, the lift cylinder Lc starts to contract in step S101, and the tilt frame T moves downward. tiltingNext, in step S102, it is determined whether the tilt angle sensor St has reached an intermediate opening angle (for example, the tilt angle of the body B is 12 degrees), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S103, in which the lift cylinder Lc is stopped and the motor M of the front-rear drive device D is rotated in the reverse direction to slide the body B forward relative to the tilt frame T.

[0079] Next, proceed to step S104 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is less than 1500, and if the answer is yes, proceed to step S105 to determine whether the intermediate position sensor LSm (second sensor) is ON. If the answer is yes in step S105, proceed to step S106 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300, and if the answer is yes, proceed to step S107 to cancel the notification operation, and then proceed to step S108 to stop the motor M and retract the lift cylinder Lc.

[0080] Next, the process proceeds to step S109 to determine whether the angle detected by the tilt angle sensor St has reached a minimum angle (e.g., 0 degrees), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S110 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and reverse the motor M again to slide the body B forward again. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S111 to determine whether the distance detected by the rotation amount sensor RS has reached 200 or less just before the forward limit, and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S112 to determine whether the forward limit sensor LSf (first sensor) is ON.

[0081] If the answer is YES in step S112, the process proceeds to step S113, where the lift cylinder Lc is stopped, and the process ends.

[0082] However, if the answer is NO in step S106, the process proceeds to step S121, where the notifying means 80 is activated to issue a notification and the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is corrected to the normal distance 1300, and the process returns to step S108.

[0083] If the answer is NO in step S105, the process proceeds to step S131 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is equal to or less than the normal distance of 1,300, and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S132 to cause the notification means 80 to issue a notification, and then proceeds to step S133. In step S133, the process proceeds to step S134 to completely stop the motor M and the lift cylinder Lc. If the answer is NO in both steps S131 and S133, the process returns to step S105.

[0084] In the above loading process, after step S132, the process proceeds to step S133 where it is determined whether or not a full stop is required. However, as another control example (not shown), a control mode in which the process proceeds from step S132 to step S108 without proceeding to step S133 is also possible. In this other control example, even if it is determined in step S105 that the intermediate position sensor LSm is not detected, the notification means 80 is activated in step S132 in response to the rotation amount sensor RS detecting the normal distance 1300 in step S131, and then the process proceeds immediately to step S108, thereby continuing the subsequent processing procedure. Also, steps S104 and / or S111 may be omitted. [Unloading process using the second control example] When the main switch SWm on the control panel is pressed, and then the lowering switch SWo is pressed, in step S201 the motor M of the front-rear drive unit D starts rotating in the forward direction, sliding the body B backward. Next, in step S202, it is determined whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S203, where the motor M is stopped and the lift cylinder Lc is extended.

[0085] Next, the process proceeds to step S204 to determine whether the angle detected by the tilt angle sensor St has reached a predetermined intermediate angle (for example, the tilt angle of the body B is 12 degrees), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S205 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and rotate the motor M in the normal direction again to slide the body B backward again. After that, the process proceeds to step S206 to determine whether the distance detected by the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance 4400, and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S207 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc again.

[0086] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S208 to determine whether the angle detected by the tilt angle sensor St has reached the maximum tilt angle. If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S209 to stop the lift cylinder Lc, and the process ends. [Loading process using the second control example] When the main switch SWm on the control panel is pressed and then the loading switch SWi is pressed, the lift cylinder Lc starts to contract in step S211, and the tilt frame T moves downward. tilting Next, in step S212, it is determined whether the tilt angle sensor St has reached an intermediate opening angle (for example, the tilt angle of the body B is 12 degrees), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S213, where the lift cylinder Lc is stopped and the motor M of the front-rear drive device D is rotated in the reverse direction to slide the body B forward relative to the tilt frame T.

[0087] Next, the program proceeds to step S214 to determine whether the distance detected by the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance 1300. If the answer is YES, the program proceeds to step S215 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc again.

[0088] Next, the process proceeds to step S216 to determine whether the angle detected by the tilt angle sensor St has reached a minimum angle (e.g., 0 degrees), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S217 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and reverse the motor M again to slide the body B forward again. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S218 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached 0, and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S219 to stop the lift cylinder Lc, and the process ends.

[0089] According to the embodiment described above, the front-rear drive device D, which forcibly slides the body B relative to the tilt frame T, has a rotary drive shaft 23f as a rotary shaft for driving the chain 26, and the rotation amount of the rotary drive shaft 23f is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS. The movement distance of the body B from the forward limit is calculated based on the detected rotation amount. When the movement distance reaches a predetermined distance, the operation of the front-rear drive device D and the lift device is switched. Therefore, the movement distance of the body B from the forward limit can be precisely detected by the rotation amount sensor RS, and the operation is appropriately switched based on the detection result.

[0090] This effectively reduces the risk of missed detection (and therefore the risk of the above-mentioned operation switching not being performed) due to vibrations and shocks that the tilt frame T receives while sliding the body B, compared to the conventional structure in which multiple limit switches (proximity switches) are used to pinpoint multiple operation switching positions. For example, the risk of body B falling due to missed detection during the lowering operation of the body B is reduced. tilting The problem of body B sliding backward to the reverse limit without detecting the load is also a problem. Tilt This is effective in preventing the inconvenience of sliding forward to the forward limit while in this state.

[0091] In addition to the rotation amount sensor RS, the sensor device S of the embodiment includes a forward limit sensor LSf as a first sensor for detecting the forward limit of the body B, and a forward limit sensor LSf as a second sensor for detecting the forward limit of the body B while the body B is being slid backward to be lowered. tiltingThe intermediate position sensor LSm serves as a second sensor for detecting the lift start position, and the intermediate position sensor LSm serves as a second sensor for detecting the lift start position when the body B is sliding forward from the ground to be loaded. tilting The sensor LS includes an intermediate position sensor LSm serving as a third sensor for detecting a lowering start position, and a backward limit sensor LSr serving as a fourth sensor for detecting a backward limit of the body B.

[0092] Then, when a detection position that should be detected by any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by the sensor LSf, LSm, LSr, as is clear from the first control example (step S21 in FIG. 16, step S121 in FIG. 17), the control device C operates the notification means 80 to issue a notification. As a result, a notification is issued in a situation where the detection results of any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr and the rotation amount sensor RS do not match, particularly in a situation where the detection position is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, making it easier to find a malfunction of the rotation amount sensor RS.

[0093] Furthermore, even if the above-mentioned detection position is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but not by any of the above-mentioned sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, as is clear from the first control example (step S32 in FIG. 16, step S132 in FIG. 17), the control device C operates the notification means 80 to issue a notification. As a result, a notification is issued in a situation where the detection results of any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr and the rotation amount sensor RS do not match, particularly in a situation where the above-mentioned detection position is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but not by any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, so that a malfunction of any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr can be easily found.

[0094] In particular, when the rotation amount sensor RS detects a predetermined limit position where the body B has gone a predetermined distance beyond the detection position even though the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr do not detect the detection position, as is clear from the first control example (steps S33 and S34 in FIG. 16, steps S133 and S134 in FIG. 17), it is determined that a malfunction has occurred in either the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr or the rotation amount sensor RS, and the longitudinal drive device D and the lift device are automatically stopped. As a result, even if, for example, any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr misses the detection position and the body B slides excessively, the longitudinal sliding movement of the body B and the tilting movement of the tilt frame T can be automatically stopped, further improving the safety of the work.

[0095] The lift device L of the embodiment has a hoist arm 40 as a movable part whose angle changes more than the angle change of the tilt frame T when it is operated, and a tilt angle sensor St is installed on the hoist arm 40 to detect the tilt angle of the hoist arm 40 based on the change in gravitational acceleration. When the control device C detects that the tilt angle of the tilt frame T is a predetermined angle from the detection angle of the tilt angle sensor St, it switches the operation of the front / rear drive device D and the lift device.

[0096] This allows the tilt frame T to be lifted by the lift device L. tilting When switching the tilt angle, the tilt angle sensor St can detect the tilt angle of the hoist arm 40, which changes more than the angle change of the tilt frame T, based on the change in gravitational acceleration, and from the detected angle, it can accurately detect that the tilt angle of the tilt frame T is the predetermined angle at which the above-mentioned operation switching should be performed. Moreover, since the tilt angle sensor St only needs to be attached to the hoist arm 40, the attachment work is extremely simplified compared to the conventional structure using a proximity sensor having two parts, a dog and a sensor body, and fine adjustment work between the two parts is also unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to take advantage of the advantages of the tilt angle sensor St that utilizes the change in gravitational acceleration while overcoming its disadvantages, and it is possible to detect the tilt angle of the tilt frame T with sufficient accuracy.

[0097] Furthermore, the hoist arm 40 of the embodiment includes a pair of side plates 41 that sandwich the lift cylinder from the left and right, and a top plate 42 that covers a space 43 sandwiched between the side plates 41 from above when the hoist arm 40 is in a traveling position, and since the inclination angle sensor St is installed on the inner surface of the hoist arm 40 facing the space 43, the top plate 42 and both side plates 41 for obtaining strength for the hoist arm 40 can also be used as rain covers for the inclination angle sensor St. This eliminates the need for a dedicated rain cover for covering the inclination angle sensor St, thereby reducing costs.

[0098] Incidentally, the tilt frame T has a vertical frame 21 that is mounted on the guide rollers 29 journaled at the rear of the subframe Fs and on the horizontal frame at the front of the subframe Fs so that it can be moved toward or away from them, as is clear from Figures 6 and 7. This makes the tilt frame T prone to vibration and shock, and therefore the tilt angle also prone to swing. In contrast, the lift cylinder Lc and hoist arm 40 of the lift device L have their base ends pivotally connected p1, p3 to the subframe Fs, so their respective tilt angles are less likely to swing. Therefore, the tilt angle sensor St fixed to the hoist arm 40 can detect the tilt angle more accurately than an inclination angle sensor having a proximity sensor body provided on the tilt frame T.

[0099] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] For example, in the above embodiment, the control device C activates the alarm means 80 to issue an alarm in either the first case in which a detection position that should be detected by any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, and in the second case in which the detection position is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but not by any of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr. However, in the present invention, the alarm may be issued in the first case but not in the second case, or conversely, the alarm may be issued in the second case but not in the first case.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the intermediate position sensor LSm is a second sensor (i.e., a sensor that detects the tilt frame T moving upward during the sliding process of lowering the tilt frame T). tilting to make tilting A sensor that can detect the lift start position) and a third sensor (i.e., a sensor that detects the tilt frame T downward during the sliding process of the loading process). tilting to make tilting In the above embodiment, the second and third sensors are used as both the first and second sensors (sensor capable of detecting the lowering start position), but the second and third sensors may be implemented as separate sensors.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the forward limit sensor LSf is used as the first sensor, the intermediate position sensor LSm is used as the second and third sensors, and the reverse limit sensor LSr is used as the fourth sensor. However, it is also possible to implement another embodiment in which all of these sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr are omitted (i.e., the second control example shown in Figures 18 and 19), or it is also possible to implement yet another embodiment in which only at least one of these sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr is used.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the rotating drive shaft 23f arranged coaxially with the motor M and directly driven is exemplified as the rotating shaft for which the rotation amount sensor RS detects the amount of rotation. However, the rotating shaft of the present invention may be a rotating drive shaft 23f that is not arranged coaxially with the motor M (i.e., a rotating drive shaft that rotates in conjunction with the motor via an interlocking mechanism), or may be another rotating shaft that rotates in conjunction with at least the chain 26, such as a rotating driven shaft 23r located at the rear end of the tilt frame T, or an intermediate shaft with an intermediate sprocket that is located midway between the front and rear of the tilt frame T and rotates in conjunction with the chain 26.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the rotation amount sensor RS is shown to be composed of a sensor gear 71 and a sensor body 70 that detects the approach of its dog teeth, but a rotary encoder may be used as the rotation amount sensor RS, in which case the dog teeth (sensor gear) will not be necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] B Body C...Control device D... Front and rear drive unit F... Body L····Lift device LSf: Forward limit sensor as the first sensor LSm: Intermediate sensor as the second and third sensors LSr: Retract limit sensor as the fourth sensor RS···Rotational Amount Sensor S...Sensor device St...Tilt angle sensor T····Tilt frame V... Vehicle transport vehicle V′...Other vehicles 23f...Rotary drive shaft as a rotating shaft 26 Chain 80....Notification lamp as a means of notification

Claims

1. A vehicle transporter including a tilt frame (T) supported on a rear part of a vehicle body (F) so as to be tiltable and movable back and forth, a lift device (L) for forcibly tilting the tilt frame (T), a body (B) having a vehicle mounting section on which another vehicle (V') can be placed and slidable in the fore-and-aft direction on the tilt frame (T), a chain-transmission type fore-and-aft drive device (D) having a chain (26) fixed to the body (B) for forcibly sliding the body (B) on the tilt frame (T), a sensor device (S) for detecting the sliding position of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), and a control device (C) for controlling the fore-and-aft drive device (D) and the lift device (L), the longitudinal drive device (D) has a rotating shaft (23) which rotates in conjunction with the chain (26), and the sensor device (S) has a rotation amount sensor (RS) which detects the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft (23); The control device (C) calculates the distance traveled by the body (B) from the forward limit based on the amount of rotation detected by the rotation amount sensor (RS), and switches the operation of the front / rear drive device (D) and the lift device (L) when the distance traveled reaches a predetermined distance.

2. The sensor device (S) includes at least one of first to fourth sensors (LSf, LSm, LSr) capable of directly detecting the slide position of the body (B) and independent of the rotation amount sensor (RS), The first sensor (LSf) can detect a forward limit of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), the second sensor (LSm) can detect a tilt-up start position for tilting the tilt frame (T) upward in the middle of sliding the body (B) rearward to lower it from the tilt frame (T) to the ground, the third sensor (LSm) can detect a tilt-down start position for tilting the tilt frame (T) downward in the middle of sliding the body (B) forward to load it onto the tilt frame (T) from the ground, and the fourth sensor (LSr) can detect a backward limit of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), 2. The vehicle transporter according to claim 1, wherein the control device (C) causes an alarm means (80) to issue an alarm when a detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors (LSf, LSm, LSr) is not detected by the rotation amount sensor (RS) but is detected by the at least one sensor (LSf, LSm, LSr).

3. The sensor device (S) includes at least one of first to fourth sensors (LSf, LSm, LSr) capable of directly detecting the slide position of the body (B) and independent of the rotation amount sensor (RS), The first sensor (LSf) can detect a forward limit of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), the second sensor (LSm) can detect a tilt-up start position for tilting the tilt frame (T) upward in the middle of sliding the body (B) rearward to lower it from the tilt frame (T) to the ground, the third sensor (LSm) can detect a tilt-down start position for tilting the tilt frame (T) downward in the middle of sliding the body (B) forward to load it onto the tilt frame (T) from the ground, and the fourth sensor (LSr) can detect a backward limit of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), 3. The vehicle transporter according to claim 1, wherein the control device (C) activates an alarm means (80) to issue an alarm when a detection position to be detected by the at least one sensor (LSf, LSm, LSr) among the first to fourth sensors (LSf, LSm, LSr) is detected by the rotation amount sensor (RS) but not by the at least one sensor (LSf, LSm, LSr).

4. The sensor device (S) includes at least one of first to fourth sensors (LSf, LSm, LSr) capable of directly detecting the slide position of the body (B) and independent of the rotation amount sensor (RS), The first sensor (LSf) can detect a forward limit of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), the second sensor (LSm) can detect a tilt-up start position for tilting the tilt frame (T) upward in the middle of sliding the body (B) rearward to lower it from the tilt frame (T) to the ground, the third sensor (LSm) can detect a tilt-down start position for tilting the tilt frame (T) downward in the middle of sliding the body (B) forward to load it onto the tilt frame (T) from the ground, and the fourth sensor (LSr) can detect a backward limit of the body (B) relative to the tilt frame (T), The vehicle transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when a detection position that should be detected by at least one of the first to fourth sensors (LSf, LSm, LSr) is not detected by the at least one sensor (LSf, LSm, LSr), but the rotation amount sensor (RS) detects a predetermined limit position where the body (B) has traveled a predetermined distance beyond the detection position, the control device (C) completely stops the front and rear drive device (D) and the lift device (L).

Images