Vehicle transporter

Abstract

To provide a vehicle carrier which can overcome its defect while taking an advantage that is not possessed by a proximity sensor of an inclination angle sensor using a change of gravity acceleration, and can detect an inclination angle of a tilt frame with sufficient accuracy.SOLUTION: A lift device L for forcibly damping a tilt frame T has a movable part 40 whose angle more largely changes than a change of the angle of the tilt frame T during operation of the lift device L, and has an inclination angle sensor St for detecting the inclination angle of the movable part 40 on the basis of a change of gravity acceleration provided on the movable part 40, and a control device C performs operation switching of a longitudinal driving device D and the lift device L when detecting that the inclination angle of the tilt frame T is a predetermined angle from the detection angle of the inclination angle sensor St.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

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 present invention relates to a vehicle transporter that includes a lift device that moves the vehicle forward and backward along a tilt frame, a body that has a vehicle mounting section on which another vehicle can be placed and is capable of sliding in the forward and backward directions on a tilt frame, a front-rear drive device that forcibly slides the body on the tilt frame, and a control device that can control the front-rear drive device and the lift device. [Background technology]

[0002] The above-mentioned vehicle transporter is conventionally known, for example as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this known vehicle transporter, the tilt angle of the tilt frame is detected by a tilt angle sensor, and when the detected angle reaches a predetermined angle, the operation of the front / rear drive device and the lift device is switched. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] However, in the vehicle transporter of Patent Document 1, a limit switch (i.e., a proximity sensor consisting of a dog and a sensor body that detects the approach of the dog) is used as the inclination angle sensor, which is installed between the tilt frame and the swing arm (hoist arm). This means that the dog and sensor body must be attached separately to the hoist arm and tilt frame, making the installation work complicated and requiring fine adjustment of the relative positions of the dog and the sensor body.

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, instead of the limit switch, Having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axisAcceleration due to gravity Comparison with It is conceivable to install an inclination angle sensor on the tilt frame that can detect the inclination angle of the tilt frame with a single sensor based on 、 the acceleration due to gravity. However, in that case, since the change in the inclination angle of the tilt frame is relatively small, The acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis Acceleration due to gravity Comparison with there is another disadvantage that the angle detection based on the acceleration due to gravity cannot be performed with high precision.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, Having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis Acceleration due to gravity Comparison with and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle transporter that can solve the above disadvantages even when using an inclination angle sensor that utilizes the acceleration due to gravity and can solve the problems of the conventional structure all at once.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tilt frame supported on the rear part of the vehicle body so as to be Tilting rotatable and movable back and forth, a lift device for forcibly rotating the tilt frame, a body having a vehicle mounting portion on which another vehicle can be mounted and slidable in the front-rear direction on the tilt frame, a front-rear drive device for forcibly sliding the body on the tilt frame, and a control device capable of controlling the front-rear drive device and the lift device. In the vehicle transporter, the lift device Tilting is provided with an inclination angle sensor that detects based on A lift cylinder having one end pivotally connected to the vehicle body so as to be relatively rotatable, and an intermediate portion pivotally connected to the other end of the lift cylinder so as to be relatively rotatable, and one end thereof being pivotally connected to the vehicle body and the other end being pivotally connected to the tilt frame so as to be relatively rotatable, respectively, the acceleration due to gravity that changes the angle more greatly than the angle change of the tilt frame during the operation of the lift device A hoist arm, having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis Acceleration due to gravity Comparison with Based on The tilt angle of the hoist arm Detecting inclination angle sensor Is provided on the hoist arm Is made 、 A first feature of the present invention is that when the control device detects that the inclination angle of the tilt frame is a predetermined angle from the detected angle of the inclination angle sensor, the control device switches the operations of the front-rear drive device and the lift device.

[0008] In addition to the first feature, the present invention The frontThe hoist arm includes a pair of side plates that sandwich the lift cylinder from the left and right, and a top plate that covers the space sandwiched by these side plates from above in the traveling posture of the hoist arm. The second feature is that the inclination angle sensor is installed on the inner surface of the hoist arm facing the space.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the first feature, in a vehicle transporter, a lift device for tilting a tilt frame Tilting has an angle change larger than the angle change of the tilt frame during its operation, and Hoist arm the inclination angle sensor for detecting the inclination angle of Hoist arm is provided at Having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis based on gravitational acceleration Comparison with . When the control device detects that the inclination angle of the tilt frame is a predetermined angle from the detected angle of the inclination angle sensor, it switches the operations of the front and rear drive devices and the lift device. As a result, when the tilt frame is The hoist arm tilted by the lift device, the inclination angle sensor can detect the inclination angle of the above Tilting that changes by a larger angle than the angle change of the tilt frame Hoist arm based on The acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis gravitational acceleration Comparison with . Therefore, it becomes possible to accurately detect from the detected angle that the inclination angle of the tilt frame is the predetermined angle at which the above operation switching should be performed. Moreover, since it is only necessary to simply attach the inclination angle sensor alone to the above Hoist arm , compared with the conventional structure using a proximity sensor having two parts, a dog and a sensor body, the installation work is greatly simplified and the fine adjustment work between the two parts is also unnecessary. As a result, Having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis by utilizing gravitational acceleration Comparison with while taking advantage of the inclination angle sensor, its disadvantages can also be overcome, and the inclination angle of the tilt frame can be detected with sufficient accuracy. To detect the tilt angle

[0010] According to the second feature, the hoist arm includes a pair of side plates that sandwich the lift cylinder from the left and right, and a top plate that covers the space sandwiched by these side plates from above in the traveling posture of the hoist arm. An inclination angle sensor is installed on the inner surface of the hoist arm facing the space. Therefore, the top plate and both side plates for obtaining the strength of the hoist arm can also be used as rain covers for the inclination angle sensor. Accordingly, a dedicated rain cover for covering the inclination angle sensor is not required, which can contribute to cost reduction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 15, a structural example of the embodiment will be described. The vehicle body F of the vehicle transporter V includes a chassis frame Fm that serves as the skeleton of the vehicle, extends in the front-rear direction, and suspends front wheels and rear wheels at the front and rear, and a sub-frame Fs that is fixed (e.g., welded, bolted, etc.) on the chassis frame Fm and extends in the front-rear direction. The chassis frame Fm and the sub-frame Fs each have a pair of left and right vertical frames extending in the front-rear direction and a plurality of horizontal frames that connect the two vertical frames at intervals in the front-rear direction, and are generally formed in a ladder frame shape.

[0014] A pair of left and right roller support brackets 11 project from the horizontal frame at the rearmost end of the sub-frame Fs. As is clear from FIG. 7, a pair of left and right rollers 12 that support the lower surfaces of the left and right vertical frames 21 of the tilt frame T described later so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction are rotatably supported on the roller support brackets 11.

[0015] A vehicle loading device A for loading and unloading other vehicles transported by the vehicle transporter V is mounted on the vehicle body F. This vehicle loading device A is supported at the rear of the vehicle body F Tilting in a tiltable and front-rear movable manner, and the tilt frame T is forciblyTilting A lift device L for causing movement, a body B having a vehicle mounting portion on which another vehicle V' can be mounted and being slidable in the front-rear direction on a tilt frame T, a chain drive type front-rear 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 slide position of the body B with respect 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.

[0016] Next, with reference mainly to FIGS. 2 to 14, specific examples of the vehicle loading device A will be described in order.

[0017] 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 intervals in the left-right direction and a plurality of horizontal frames 22 connecting the two vertical frames 21 at intervals in the front-rear direction. Each vertical frame 21 is composed of a channel member having a U-shaped cross section with an opening facing outward, and a roller 33 (see FIGS. 6 and 10), which will be described later and is used to smoothly slide the front portion of the body B back and forth on the tilt frame T, is rotatably received within the vertical frame 21.

[0018] Also, both ends of the rearmost horizontal frame 22 extend longer outward than the vertical frames 21, and a pair of left and right roller support brackets 28 project from the extended portions. And a guide roller 29 (see FIGS. 4 and 7), which will be described later and is used to smoothly slide the body B back and forth on the tilt frame T, is rotatably supported by the roller support bracket 28.

[0019] Furthermore, a grounding bracket 51 projects downward from the middle portion of the rearmost horizontal frame 22, inside the guide roller 29. A grounding roller 52 for smoothly moving the lower rear end of the tilt frame T back and forth with respect to the ground in a state where the tilt angle of the tilt frame T is maximum and the body B is lowered to the ground (see FIGS. 13 and 14(B)) is rotatably supported by the grounding bracket 51.

[0020] At the front end of the tilt frame T, a rotary drive shaft 23f for driving a chain 26 of the front and rear drive device D is rotatably supported, and a motor M for driving the rotary drive shaft 23f is fixed on the same axis as the rotary drive shaft 23f.

[0021] The front and rear drive device D includes a pair of left and right front sprockets 24 fixed at intervals in the middle of the rotary drive shaft 23f, and a pair of left and right rear sprockets 25 rotatably supported at the rear end of the tilt frame T via a rotary driven shaft 23r (see FIG. 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 connecting the upper side of each chain 26 to the body B.

[0022] Thus, when the motor M rotates, the body B synchronizes with the movement of the upper side of the chain 26 interlocked therewith via the connecting device J, and thereby the body B can be moved back and forth according to the rotation of the motor M. In this case, the amount of rotation (i.e., the number of revolutions, the rotation angle) of the rotary drive shaft 23f is in a proportional relationship with the amount of slide in the front-rear direction of the body B with respect to the tilt frame T. Therefore, if the amount of rotation of the rotary drive shaft 23f as a rotary shaft is detected by a rotation amount sensor RS described later, the slide distance from the forward limit of the body B with respect to the tilt frame T can be detected.

[0023] The rotary drive shaft 23f is rotatably supported by a bearing bracket 21b fixed to the front end of each vertical frame 21 of the tilt frame T. As is apparent from FIG. 8, each bearing bracket 21b has a bracket base coupled (e.g., bolted) to a front end wall plate 21a fixed (e.g., welded) to the front end of each vertical frame 21. Further, a rear end wall plate 21c for connecting between them is fixed (e.g., welded) to the rear ends of the left and right vertical frames 21.

[0024] Thus, the front end wall plate 21a functions as a front stopper that engages with the roller 33 in a separable manner to define the forward limit of the body B with respect to the tilt frame T, and the rear end wall plate 21c functions as a rear stopper that engages with the roller 33 in a separable manner to define the backward limit of the body B with respect to the tilt frame T.

[0025] Also, a sensor gear 71 having a plurality of dog teeth with a constant pitch in the circumferential direction is concentrically fixed to the right end portion of the rotary drive shaft 23f. And, particularly on the end wall plate 21a of the right vertical frame 21, as is apparent in FIG. 8, a proximity sensor main body 70 capable of detecting the approach of the dog teeth of the sensor gear 71 is fixed. This proximity sensor main body 70 outputs a detection signal that alternately repeats on and off each time a dog tooth approaches, and the control device C counts, for example, the on detection signals, and based on the count number and the distance (pitch interval) between the dog teeth, calculates the rotation amount of the rotary drive shaft 23f, and thus the slide distance from the forward limit with respect to the tilt frame T of the body B.

[0026] Incidentally, in the sensor gear 71 of the embodiment, although the tooth width of the dog teeth and the circumferential interval of the tooth grooves are different, the tooth profile shape (tooth width and tooth groove) of the dog teeth is set in consideration of 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 (that is, the on and off intervals are the same).

[0027] Thus, the control device C calculates the moving distance of the body B from the forward limit based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount sensor RS, and switches the operations of the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L in a control mode as described later in response to the moving distance reaching a predetermined distance. And, for the operation switching, the detection result of the tilt angle sensor St is also taken into account as described later.

[0028] Next, an example of the body B will be described. The body B includes a rectangular flat plate-shaped body main body 31 whose upper surface is a vehicle mounting portion for mounting another vehicle V' (see FIG. 1), a gate-shaped guard frame 36 erected at the upper front end of the body main body 31, and a gate hinge 37 pivotally supported at the lower end of the body main body 31 so as to be able to undulate and rotate. A clamp mechanism is interposed between the body main body 31 and the gate hinge 37 so that the gate hinge 37 can be arbitrarily rotated between the upright position and the fallen position and can be held in the upright position. Since it is well known in the art, the functional description is omitted.

[0029] Also, on the lower surface of the body main body 31, an engaging receiving frame 33 whose lower end is slidable back and forth on the guide roller 29 is projected downward. A pair of left and right receiving frames 33 are arranged at positions corresponding to the guide rollers 29 and extend linearly in the front-rear direction for a long distance.

[0030] In particular, on the lower front surface of the body main body 31, as is clear from FIGS. 6 and 10, a pair of left and right roller support brackets 32 project downward, and the upper part of a triangular movable support plate 34 is pivotally connected to the roller support brackets 32 so as to be relatively rotatable. And at the lower part of the movable support plate 34, the rollers 33 which are rollably housed in the vertical frame 21 and arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction are rotatably supported on a shaft, and a contact type proximity sensor main body 36 projects downward between the pivot shafts of the front and rear rollers 33.

[0031] Furthermore, on the lower front surface of the body main body 31, on the left and right center sides of the roller support brackets 32, as is clear from FIGS. 6 and 8, a pair of left and right connection brackets 35 for chain connection project downward. And one end and the other end of the chain 26 are respectively pin-connected to the front and rear both ends of a connection block 38b connected between the pair of connection brackets 35 via a connection pin 38p. Thus, in the embodiment, the connection device J is constituted by the connection brackets 35, the connection block 38b and the connection pin 38p described above.

[0032] Also, at the rear end of the body main body 31, a grounding roller 39 which becomes a grounding part when the body B is grounded in a rearwardly inclined posture is rotatably supported on a shaft, whereby the rear end of the body B can smoothly move backward on the ground in this inclined posture.

[0033] Furthermore, the sensor device S includes first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr independent of the rotation amount sensor RS that can directly detect the slide position of the body B.

[0034] The forward limit sensor LSf as the first sensor can detect the forward limit with respect to the tilt frame T of the body B, and it is composed of the proximity sensor main body 36 and a front dog df that can be slidably engaged with the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36. That is, simultaneously with the body B reaching the forward limit, the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the front dog df, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects the arrival of the body B at the forward limit, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0035] Also, the intermediate position sensor LSm functions as a second sensor that can detect the starting position of raising the dump to lift the tilt frame T upward while sliding the body B backward to lower it from the tilt frame T to the ground. It is composed of the proximity sensor main body 36 and an intermediate dog dm that can be slidably engaged with the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36. That is, simultaneously with the body B reaching the starting position of raising the dump, the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the intermediate dog dm from its front end, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects the arrival of the body B at the starting position of raising the dump, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C. Tilting Also, the intermediate position sensor LSm functions as a third sensor that can detect the starting position of lowering the dump to lower the tilt frame T downward while sliding the body B forward to load it from the ground onto the tilt frame T. It is composed of the proximity sensor main body 36 and the intermediate dog dm, just like the second sensor. However, simultaneously with the body B reaching the starting position of lowering the dump, the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the intermediate dog dm from its rear end, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects the arrival of the body B at the starting position of lowering the dump, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0036] Also, the intermediate position sensor LSm functions as a third sensor that can detect the starting position of lowering the dump to lower the tilt frame T downward while sliding the body B forward to load it from the ground onto the tilt frame T. It is composed of the proximity sensor main body 36 and the intermediate dog dm, just like the second sensor. However, simultaneously with the body B reaching the starting position of lowering the dump, the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the intermediate dog dm from its rear end, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects the arrival of the body B at the starting position of lowering the dump, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C. Tilting Also, the intermediate position sensor LSm functions as a third sensor that can detect the starting position of lowering the dump to lower the tilt frame T downward while sliding the body B forward to load it from the ground onto the tilt frame T. It is composed of the proximity sensor main body 36 and the intermediate dog dm, just like the second sensor. However, simultaneously with the body B reaching the starting position of lowering the dump, the detection part of the proximity sensor main body 36 comes into sliding contact with the intermediate dog dm from its rear end, and the proximity sensor main body 36 detects the arrival of the body B at the starting position of lowering the dump, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0037] Also, the rear limit sensor LSr as the fourth sensor can detect the rear limit with respect to the tilt frame T of the body B, and it is composed of a proximity sensor body 36 and a rear dog dr that can be slidably engaged with the detection part of the proximity sensor body 36. That is, simultaneously with the body B reaching the rear limit, the detection part of the proximity sensor body 36 comes into sliding contact with the rear dog dr, and the arrival of the body B at the rear limit is detected by the proximity sensor body 36, and at the same time, a detection signal is output to the control device C.

[0038] The front dog df is bolted to the front end of the tilt frame T (bearing bracket 21b in the embodiment), the middle dog dm is bolted to the middle part near the front end of the tilt frame T (bracket 21b' fixed to the lower surface of the middle part of the vertical frame 21 in the embodiment), and the rear dog dr is bolted to the rear end of the tilt frame T (bracket 21b'' fixed to the lower surface of the rear part of the vertical frame 21 in the embodiment) so that their positions can be adjusted respectively.

[0039] Thus, when the control device C detects that a detection position to be detected by any one of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by any one of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, the notification means 80 is caused to perform a notification operation as described later. Also, when the control device C detects that a detection position to be detected by any one of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is not detected by any one of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, the notification means 80 is also caused to perform a notification operation as described later.

[0040] Furthermore, when the control device C detects that the rotation amount sensor RS detects a predetermined limit position where the body B has gone beyond a predetermined distance from the detection position that should be detected by any one of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr but is not detected by any one of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L are stopped completely as described later.

[0041] Incidentally, the lift device L includes a lift cylinder Lc whose one end is pivotally connected p1 to a cylinder support bracket 14 fixed to the sub-frame Fs so as to be relatively rotatable, and a hoist arm 40 whose middle part is pivotally connected p2 to the other end of the lift cylinder Lc so as to be relatively rotatable. One end of the hoist arm 40 is pivotally connected p3 to a first arm support bracket 15 fixed to the sub-frame Fs so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end thereof is pivotally connected p4 to a second arm support bracket 27 fixed to the tilt frame T so as to be relatively rotatable.

[0042] The hoist arm 40 functions as a movable part that changes its angle more greatly than the angle change of the tilt frame T during the operation of the lift device L. A tilt angle sensor St capable of detecting the tilt angle of the hoist arm 40 as the movable part by itself (i.e., without requiring a dog such as a proximity sensor) is fixed to the hoist arm 40. This tilt angle sensor St, when the hoist arm 40 tilts, The detection axis it has changes its posture with respect to the vertical line (i.e., the direction of the action of gravity) Cause although the posture change The acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis that changes with it, is due to gravitational acceleration Compare with and is configured to be able to detect the tilt angle of the hoist arm 40 by doing so.

[0043] 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 the space 43 sandwiched by the side plates 41 from above in the traveling posture of the hoist arm 40. A tilt angle sensor St is installed on the inner surface of the hoist arm 40 facing the space 43, and the detection signal of the tilt angle sensor St is output to the control device C.

[0044] The hoist arm 40 also includes a bottom plate 45 that covers the tilt angle sensor St and the surrounding space 43 from below and connects between the left and right side plates 41 in its traveling posture (see FIGS. 11(A) and 12). This bottom plate 45 can prevent objects deflected upward from below (e.g., small stones, water, etc.) from contacting the tilt angle sensor St when the vehicle is traveling, and also functions as a reinforcing member of the hoist arm 40.

[0045] When the tilt frame T, and thus the hoist arm 40, is in the traveling posture (see FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St as a reference value. Further, when the tilt frame T is at a predetermined intermediate angle, for example, 12 degrees (see FIGS. 13(c) to 13(e) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Also, when the tilt frame T is tilted to the maximum (see FIG. 13(f) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Then, by comparing the reference value and the detection value, the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 is calculated. Since it is possible to detect that the tilt frame T has reached the predetermined intermediate angle (for example, 12 degrees) or the maximum inclination angle from the calculated inclination angle, the operation switching of the front and rear drive devices D and the lift device L is executed in the control mode described later, taking this detection result into account. The acceleration in the direction of the detection axis When the tilt frame T, and thus the hoist arm 40, is in the traveling posture (see FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St as a reference value. Further, when the tilt frame T is at a predetermined intermediate angle, for example, 12 degrees (see FIGS. 13(c) to 13(e) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Also, when the tilt frame T is tilted to the maximum (see FIG. 13(f) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Then, by comparing the reference value and the detection value, the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 is calculated. Since it is possible to detect that the tilt frame T has reached the predetermined intermediate angle (for example, 12 degrees) or the maximum inclination angle from the calculated inclination angle, the operation switching of the front and rear drive devices D and the lift device L is executed in the control mode described later, taking this detection result into account. The acceleration in the direction of the detection axis When the tilt frame T, and thus the hoist arm 40, is in the traveling posture (see FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St as a reference value. Further, when the tilt frame T is at a predetermined intermediate angle, for example, 12 degrees (see FIGS. 13(c) to 13(e) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Also, when the tilt frame T is tilted to the maximum (see FIG. 13(f) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Then, by comparing the reference value and the detection value, the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 is calculated. Since it is possible to detect that the tilt frame T has reached the predetermined intermediate angle (for example, 12 degrees) or the maximum inclination angle from the calculated inclination angle, the operation switching of the front and rear drive devices D and the lift device L is executed in the control mode described later, taking this detection result into account. The acceleration in the direction of the detection axis When the tilt frame T, and thus the hoist arm 40, is in the traveling posture (see FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St as a reference value. Further, when the tilt frame T is at a predetermined intermediate angle, for example, 12 degrees (see FIGS. 13(c) to 13(e) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Also, when the tilt frame T is tilted to the maximum (see FIG. 13(f) described later), the control device C stores the detection value of the inclination angle sensor St corresponding to the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40. Then, by comparing the reference value and the detection value, the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 is calculated. Since it is possible to detect that the tilt frame T has reached the predetermined intermediate angle (for example, 12 degrees) or the maximum inclination angle from the calculated inclination angle, the operation switching of the front and rear drive devices D and the lift device L is executed in the control mode described later, taking this detection result into account.

[0046] In addition, a proximity sensor body 46 for detecting that the hoist arm 40 has been tilted to the maximum is fixed to the first arm support bracket 15 on the sub-frame Fs. This proximity sensor body 46 engages with a dog 42d fixed to the top plate 42 of the hoist arm 40 when the hoist arm 40 is tilted to the maximum, thereby performing the above detection and outputting the detection signal to the control device C. Thus, the proximity sensor body 46 and the dog 42d constitute a maximum tilt detection sensor LSt.

[0047] In the cab of the vehicle transporter V, a control panel (not shown) incorporating a control device C including a microcomputer capable of operationally controlling the front and rear drive device D and the lift device L is installed. And on this control panel, for example, there are provided 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 stroke to lower the body B from the tilt frame T to the ground, and a loading switch SWo for commanding a loading stroke to load the body B from the ground onto the tilt frame T, which can be arbitrarily operated and input. As is apparent from FIG. 15, these switches SWm, SWe, SWo, SWo are respectively connected to the control device C.

[0048] The various sensors RS, LSf, LSm, LSr, St described above are connected to the control device C to receive their respective detection signals. Also connected to the control device C are the aforementioned motor M, an electromagnetic control valve VL for telescopic operation switching provided in an in-vehicle hydraulic control circuit (not shown) for telescopic operation of the lift cylinder Lc, and further a warning lamp 80 (see FIG. 15) etc. as warning means for notifying malfunctions of the sensors.

[0049] By the way, the malfunction modes of the sensors are as follows. For example, in the rotation amount sensor RS, it is conceivable that some of the dog teeth of the sensor gear 71 are chipped, or due to vibration shocks of the tilt frame T etc., the proximity sensor body 70 fails to detect some of the dog teeth (i.e., tooth skipping). Also, in addition to a failure of the proximity sensor body 70 itself, there is a possibility that due to a displacement of the mounting position of the proximity sensor body 70, the dog teeth cannot be detected or are detected and released.

[0050] On the other hand, as the malfunction modes of the forward limit sensor LSf, the intermediate position sensor LSm and the reverse limit sensor LSr, for example, in addition to a failure of the proximity sensor body 36 itself, due to a displacement of the mounting position of the proximity sensor body 36 or deformation or displacement of the dogs df, dm, dr, there is a possibility that the proximity sensor body 36 fails to detect the dogs df, dm, dr or detects them at a position different from the normal position.

[0051] Furthermore, as the notification means, instead of or in addition to the notification lamp 80, a notification sound generator such as a notification buzzer or a speaker may be used. Also, the notification means may be provided on the control panel or may be provided outside the control panel.

[0052] Furthermore, the control panel may be provided not only in the driver's cab but also in a suitable position on the vehicle outer panel outside the driver's cab or on the body B. Also, at least the switches and the notification means (notification lamp 80) of the control panel may be provided on a wired or wireless remote control.

[0053] Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0054] In the vehicle loading device A of the vehicle transporter V, in its traveling posture, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13(a), the tilt frame T in a prone state is mounted on the sub-frame Fs, and further, on the tilt frame T, the body B in a prone state at the forward limit is mounted. And it is possible to transport another vehicle V′ placed on the body B by the vehicle transporter V.

[0055] The process of lowering the body B (and thus another vehicle V′ thereon) to the ground from this traveling posture is shown in FIG. 13 in chronological order.

[0056] Briefly explaining the outline of that process, first, by the forward rotation of the front and rear drive device D, the body B is slid rearward from the forward limit with respect to the tilt frame T. By this slide, when the moving distance of the body B from the forward limit reaches a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. 13(b), this is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS, and based on the detection result, the control device C stops the front and rear drive device D and, with the lift device L, moves the tilt frame T upward together with the body B Tilting to move upward.

[0057] Furthermore, the reason for sliding the body B backward by a predetermined distance and then moving the tilt frame T Tilting upward is to reduce the load on the lift device L when rotating the tilt frame T around the guide roller 12 by shifting the center of gravity position of the body B backward. Tilting upward is to reduce the load on the lift device L when rotating the tilt frame T around the guide roller 12.

[0058] 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, based on the detection result, the control device C stops the lift device L and resumes the forward rotation of the front and rear drive device D to slide the body B backward again.

[0059] As the body B slides backward, as shown in FIG. 13(d), when the rear end portion of the body B (more specifically, the ground contact roller 39) contacts the ground, thereafter, the body B is supported by both the ground and the tilt frame T, and the body B slides further backward in this supported form.

[0060] Then, as shown in FIG. 13(e), when the body B reaches the rearward limit with respect to the tilt frame T, the rearward limit sensor LSr detects this, and based on the detection result, the control device C stops the front and rear drive device D and raises the tilt frame T upward again by the lift device L. Tilting Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13(f), when the tilt angle sensor St detects that the tilt frame T has reached the maximum tilt angle, based on the detection result, the control device C stops the lift device L. Incidentally, at this time, the ground contact roller 52 at the rear end of the tilt frame T is placed in a grounded state as is clear from FIG. 14(B).

[0061] Incidentally, at any stage of FIGS. 13(d) to (f) described above, it is possible to load another vehicle V' onto the body B or unload it from the body B. In the case of loading and unloading, the gate hinge 37 at the rear end of the body B is opened. In this case, the gate hinge 37 functions as a ramp for smoothly allowing the other vehicle V' to enter. On the other hand, when executing the process of FIGS. 13(d) to (f) without loading and unloading another vehicle V', the gate hinge 37 is kept in the closed position because it may rub against the ground and be damaged if it remains open.

[0062] In particular, in the state of FIG. 13(f), since the body B at the rearward limit with respect to the tilt frame T is in a substantially horizontal grounded state, it is possible to smoothly allow another vehicle V' to enter the body B.

[0063] Regarding the loading process from the state of FIG. 13(f) to the state of FIG. 13(a), the reverse procedure of the above-described unloading process may be performed.

[0064] More specific control modes of the unloading process and the loading process described above will be described in the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 to 19. Here, the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17 correspond to a first control example in which, in addition to the rotation amount sensor RS, proximity sensors (i.e., forward limit sensor LSf, intermediate position sensor LSm, and reverse limit sensor LSr) are used in combination for detecting the front-back slide position of the body B with respect to the tilt frame T. Also, the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19 correspond to a second control example in which only the rotation amount sensor RS is used for detecting the front-back slide position of the body B with respect to the tilt frame T, and proximity sensors (i.e., forward limit sensor LSf, intermediate position sensor LSm, and reverse limit sensor LSr) are not used in combination.

[0065] The rotation amount detected by the rotation amount sensor RS can be converted into the moving distance from the forward limit of the body B. This moving distance is simply referred to as the "detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS" in the following description of the control mode, and the unit of the number at this time is millimeter.

[0066] Also, in the case of an embodiment specialized for the second control example, in the control block diagram shown in FIG. 15, proximity sensors (i.e., forward limit sensor LSf, intermediate position sensor LSm, and reverse limit sensor LSr) are omitted. [Unloading Process According to the First Control Example] After the main switch SWm is pressed on the control panel and the unloading switch SWo is pressed, in step S1, the motor M of the front-back drive device D starts to rotate forward to slide 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. If yes, the process proceeds to step S3 to determine whether the intermediate position sensor LSm (second sensor) is on.

[0067] If yes in step S3, proceed to step S4 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If yes there, proceed to step S5 to cancel the notification operation, then proceed to step S6 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc. Next, proceed 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 yes there, proceed to step S8 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and rotate the motor M forward again to slide the body B backward again. Next, proceed to step S9 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is 4200 or more. If yes there, proceed to step S10 to determine whether the reverse limit sensor LSr (fourth sensor) is on.

[0068] If 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. If yes there, proceed to step S12 to cancel the notification operation, 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. If yes there, proceed to step S15 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and end.

[0069] By the way, if no in step S4, proceed to step S21 to activate the notification means 80 and correct the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS to the normal distance of 1300, then return to step S6.

[0070] Also, if no in step S11, proceed to step S22 to activate the notification means 80 and correct the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS to the normal distance of 4400, then return to step S13.

[0071] Also, if no in step S14, proceed to step S23 to determine whether the proximity sensor LSt for maximum tilt detection is on. If yes in step S23, proceed to step S15, and if no, return to step S14.

[0072] Also, if the answer is no in step S3, the process proceeds to step S31 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If the answer is yes there, the process proceeds to step S32 to activate the notification means 80 for notification, and then proceeds to step S33. In step S33, it is determined whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the limit distance of 1500. If the answer is yes there, the process proceeds to step S34 to completely stop the motor M and the lift cylinder Lc. If the answer is no in both step S31 and step S33, the process returns to step S3 in both cases.

[0073] Also, 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 of 4400. If the answer is yes there, the process proceeds to step S32 to activate the notification means 80 for notification, and then proceeds to step S37 to activate the notification means 80 for notification, and then returns to step S13. If the answer is no in step S36, the process returns to step S10.

[0074] In the first control example of the lowering process as described above, after step S32, the process proceeds to step S33 to determine the necessity of a complete stop. As another control example (not shown), a control mode is also feasible in which, from step S32, instead of proceeding to step S33, the process proceeds to step S6. In this other control example, even if it is determined in step S3 that the intermediate position sensor LSm is not detected, in response to the rotation amount sensor RS detecting the normal distance of 1300 in step S31, after activating the notification means 80 for notification in step S32, the process can immediately proceed to step S6, and the subsequent processing procedure continues. Also, step S2 and / or S9 may be omitted. [Loading Process by the First Control Example] After the main switch SWm is pressed on the control panel and then the loading switch SWi is pressed, in step S101, the lift cylinder Lc starts to contract, and the tilt frame T moves downward TiltingCause it. Next, in step S102, it is judged whether the tilt angle sensor St has reached the intermediate opening degree (for example, the tilt angle of the body B is 12 degrees). If yes, proceed to step S103, stop the lift cylinder Lc, and reverse the motor M of the front and rear drive device D to slide the body B forward with respect to the tilt frame T.

[0075] Next, proceed to step S104 and judge whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is 1500 or less. If yes, proceed to step S105 and judge whether the intermediate position sensor LSm (second sensor) is on. If yes in step S105, proceed to step S106 and judge whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If yes, proceed to step S107, cancel the notification operation, and then proceed to step S108 to stop the motor M and contract the lift cylinder Lc again.

[0076] Next, proceed to step S109 and judge whether the detected angle of the tilt angle sensor St has reached the minimum angle (for example, 0 degrees). If yes, proceed to step S110, stop the lift cylinder Lc and reverse the motor M again to slide the body B forward again. Then, proceed to step S111 and judge whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has become 200 or less before the forward limit. If yes, proceed to step S112 and judge whether the forward limit sensor LSf (first sensor) is on.

[0077] And if yes in step S112, proceed to step S113, stop the lift cylinder Lc, and end.

[0078] By the way, if no in step S106, proceed to step S121, activate the notification means 80, correct the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS to the normal distance of 1300, and then return to step S108.

[0079] If the answer is no in step S105, the process proceeds to step S131 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is equal to or less than the normal distance of 1300. If the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step S132 to activate the notification means 80 for notification, and then proceeds to step S133. In step S133, it is determined whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS is equal to or less than the limit distance of 1000. If the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step S134 to completely stop the motor M and the lift cylinder Lc. If the answer is no in both step S131 and step S133, the process returns to step S105 in both cases.

[0080] In the above loading process, after step S132, the process proceeds to step S133 to determine whether full stop is necessary. As another control example (not shown), a control mode in which, instead of proceeding from step S132 to step S133, the process proceeds to step S108 is also feasible. In this alternative control example, even if it is determined in step S105 that the intermediate position sensor LSm is not detected, when the rotation amount sensor RS detects the normal distance of 1300 in step S131, the notification means 80 is activated for notification in step S132, and then the process immediately proceeds to step S108, so that the subsequent processing steps continue. Also, step S104 and / or S111 may be omitted. [Lowering Process According to the Second Control Example] After the main switch SWm is pressed on the control panel and then the lowering switch SWo is pressed, the motor M of the front and rear drive device D starts to rotate forward in step S201 to slide the body B backward. Next, the process proceeds to step S202 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step S203 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc.

[0081] Next, proceed to step S204 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 yes, proceed to step S205 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and rotate the motor M forward again to slide the body B backward again. Then, proceed to step S206 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 4400. If yes, proceed to step S207 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc again.

[0082] After that, proceed to step S208 to determine whether the detected angle of the tilt angle sensor St has reached the maximum tilt angle. If yes, proceed to step S209 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and end. [Loading Process by the Second Control Example] After the main switch SWm is pressed on the control panel and the loading switch SWi is pressed, the lift cylinder Lc starts to contract in step S211 to lower the tilt frame T downward. Tilting Next, in step S212, it is determined whether the tilt angle sensor St has reached the intermediate opening (for example, the tilt angle of the body B is 12 degrees). If yes, proceed to step S213 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and reverse the motor M of the front and rear drive device D to slide the body B forward with respect to the tilt frame T.

[0083] Next, proceed to step S214 to determine whether the detected distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has reached the normal distance of 1300. If yes, proceed to step S215 to stop the motor M and extend the lift cylinder Lc again.

[0084] Next, proceed to step S216 to determine whether the detection angle of the tilt angle sensor St has reached the minimum angle (for example, 0 degrees). If yes, proceed to step S217 to stop the lift cylinder Lc and reverse the motor M again to slide the body B forward again. Then, proceed to step S218 to determine whether the detection distance of the rotation amount sensor RS has become zero. If yes, proceed to step S219 to stop the lift cylinder Lc, and it ends.

[0085] According to the embodiment described above, the front and rear drive device D that 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. Based on the detected rotation amount, the moving distance from the forward limit of the body B is calculated, and when the moving distance reaches a predetermined distance, the operations of the front and rear drive device D and the lift device are switched. Therefore, the moving distance from the forward limit of the body B can be finely detected by the rotation amount sensor RS, and the operation switching is accurately performed based on the detection result.

[0086] As a result, compared with the case where a plurality of operation switching positions of the conventional structure are pinpoint detected by a plurality of limit switches (proximity switches), the risk of detection omission due to vibrations, impacts, etc. received by the tilt frame T during the sliding of the body B (therefore, the risk that the above operation switching is not executed) can be effectively reduced. For example, due to detection omission during the lowering operation of the body B, the body B Tilting slides backward to the rear limit without doing so, or due to detection omission during the loading operation of the body B, the body B Inclination remains in the state and slides forward to the forward limit, which is effective in suppressing the inconvenience.

[0087] In addition to the rotation amount sensor RS, the sensor device S according to the embodiment includes a forward limit sensor LSf as a first sensor for detecting the forward limit of the body B, an intermediate position sensor LSm as a second sensor for detecting the dump raising start position during the backward slide to lower the body B, an intermediate position sensor LSm as a third sensor for detecting the dump lowering start position during the forward slide to load the body B from the ground, and a backward limit sensor LSr as a fourth sensor for detecting the backward limit of the body B.

[0088] When the detection position to be detected by any one of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by any one of the sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, as is clear from the first control example (steps S21 in FIG. 16, step S121 in FIG. 17), the control device C activates the notification means 80 for notification. As a result, in a situation where the detection results of any one 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 detection position is not detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but is detected by any one of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, notification is made, making it easier to find a malfunction of the rotation amount sensor RS.

[0089] Also, when the above-described detection position is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but not detected by any one of the 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 activates the notification means 80 for notification. As a result, in a situation where the detection results of any one 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 detection position is detected by the rotation amount sensor RS but not detected by any one of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr, notification is made, making it easier to find a malfunction of any one of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr.

[0090] In particular, when the rotation amount sensor RS detects a predetermined limit position where the body B has gone too far from the detection position by a predetermined distance although the detection position is not detected by any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, and LSr, as is clear in the first control example (steps S33 and S34 in FIG. 16, steps S133 and S134 in FIG. 17), it is assumed that a malfunction has occurred in either one of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr and the rotation amount sensor RS, and the front and rear drive device D and the lift device are automatically stopped completely. Thereby, for example, even in a situation where any of the first to fourth sensors LSf, LSm, LSr misses the detection position and the body B slides excessively, the forward and backward sliding operation of the body B and the tilting operation of the tilt frame T can be automatically stopped, and the work safety is further enhanced.

[0091] By the way, the lift device L of the embodiment has a hoist arm 40 as a movable part that changes its angle more greatly than the angle change of the tilt frame T during its operation, and on the hoist arm 40, Having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis acceleration due to gravity Based on the comparison with, the hoist arm an inclination angle sensor St for detecting the inclination angle is installed. When the control device C detects that the inclination angle of the tilt frame T is a predetermined angle from the detected angle of the inclination angle sensor St, it switches the operations of the front and rear drive device D and the lift device.

[0092] Thereby, when the tilt frame T is Tilting moved by the lift device L, the inclination angle sensor St can detect the inclination angle of the hoist arm 40 that changes its angle more greatly than the angle change of the tilt frame T The acceleration detectable in the direction of its detection axis acceleration due to gravity Comparison with based on, and it becomes possible to accurately detect from the detected angle that the inclination angle of the tilt frame T is the predetermined angle at which the above operation switching should be performed. Moreover, since the inclination angle sensor St only needs to be simply attached to the hoist arm 40, compared with the conventional structure using a proximity sensor having two parts, a dog and a sensor body, the attachment work is considerably simplified, and the fine adjustment work between the two parts is also unnecessary. As a result, Having a detection axis and comparing with the acceleration detectable in the direction of the detection axis acceleration due to gravity Comparison with using To detect the tilt angleWhile taking advantage of the advantages of the tilt angle sensor St, its drawbacks can also be overcome, enabling the tilt angle of the tilt frame T to be detected with sufficient accuracy.

[0093] Furthermore, the hoist arm 40 of the further 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 the space 43 sandwiched by these side plates 41 from above in the traveling posture of the hoist arm 40. Since the tilt 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 the strength of the hoist arm 40 can also be used as a rain cover for the tilt angle sensor St. As a result, a dedicated rain cover for covering the tilt angle sensor St becomes unnecessary, and cost reduction can be achieved accordingly.

[0094] Incidentally, the tilt frame T has its vertical frame 21 detachably placed on the guide roller 29 pivotally supported at the rear of the sub-frame Fs and on the horizontal frame at the front of the sub-frame Fs as shown clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7. Therefore, the tilt frame T tends to sway easily due to vibration and impact, and thus its tilt angle also tends to sway easily. On the other hand, the lift cylinder Lc and the hoist arm 40 of the lift device L have their respective proximal ends pivotally connected p1, p3 to the sub-frame Fs, so their respective tilt angles are less likely to sway. Therefore, the tilt angle sensor St fixed to the hoist arm 40 can detect the tilt angle more accurately than a tilt angle sensor provided with a proximity sensor body on the tilt frame T.

[0095] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention. 。

[0096] Also In the above embodiment, the lift cylinder Lc is shown as being connected to the tilt frame T via the hoist arm 40. However, in the present invention, the lift cylinder Lc may be pivotally connected to the tilt frame T without passing through the hoist arm 40 (i.e., omitting the hoist arm 40).

[0097] Also, in the above embodiment, a chain drive type driving device is used as the front-rear driving device D that drives the body B in the front-rear direction with respect to the tilt frame T. However, in the present invention, other driving means, for example, a hydraulic cylinder may be used to drive the body in the front-rear direction.

Explanation of Signs

[0098] B ····· Body C ····· Control device D ····· Front-rear driving device F ····· Vehicle body L ····· Lifting device Lc ····· Lift cylinder p1~p4 ··· Pivot connection St ····· Tilt angle sensor T ····· Tilt frame V ····· Vehicle transporter V′ ····· Other vehicle 40 ····· Hoist arm as a movable part 41 ····· Side plate 42 ····· Top plate 43 ····· Space

Claims

1. In a vehicle transporter comprising a tilt frame (T) supported by the 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 portion on which another vehicle (V') can be mounted and being slidable in the front-rear direction on the tilt frame (T), a front-rear drive device (D) for forcibly sliding the body (B) on the tilt frame (T), and a control device (C) capable of controlling the front-rear drive device (D) and the lift device (L), the lift device (L) includes a lift cylinder (Lc) whose one end is pivotally supported (p1) relative to the vehicle body (F) so as to be relatively rotatable, and an intermediate portion is pivotally supported (p2) relative to the other end of the lift cylinder (Lc) so as to be relatively rotatable. One end of the intermediate portion is pivotally supported (p3) relative to the vehicle body (F) and the other end thereof is pivotally supported (p4) relative to the tilt frame (T) so as to be relatively rotatable. A hoist arm (40) is provided which changes its angle more greatly than the angle change of the tilt frame (T) during the operation of the lift device (L). An inclination angle sensor (St) having a detection axis and detecting the inclination angle of the hoist arm (40) based on a comparison between an acceleration detectable in the detection axis direction and the gravitational acceleration is provided on the hoist arm (40). When the control device (C) detects that the inclination angle of the tilt frame (T) is a predetermined angle from the detection angle of the inclination angle sensor (St), the control device (C) switches the operations of the front-rear drive device (D) and the lift device (L). The vehicle transporter is characterized by this.

2. The vehicle transporter according to claim 1, wherein the hoist arm (40) includes a pair of side plates (41) sandwiching the lift cylinder (Lc) from the left and right, and a top plate (42) covering a space (43) sandwiched by the side plates (41) from above in the traveling posture of the hoist arm (40). The inclination angle sensor (St) is installed on the inner surface of the hoist arm (40) facing the space (43).

Images