Modular vehicle connecting device

Abstract

A modular vehicle connection device (1) for rigidly connecting at least one leading vehicle (A) and one following vehicle (B) in operation, said device (1) comprising, for each vehicle, at least one spar (2) extending over the entire length of said vehicle (A, B), said spar (2) having a front cavity (2') and a rear cavity (2''), both cavities (2', 2'') opening towards the outside, said rear cavity (2'') being connected to an actuator (3) and an extension (4) of said spar (2). ), the actuator (3) is connected to one end (4') of the extension (4) and is adapted to move the extension (4) so ​​as to position the extension (4A) of the leading vehicle partly in the front cavity (2B') of the rear vehicle and partly in the rear cavity (2A'') of the leading vehicle in order to rigidly connect the two vehicles (A, B), the front and rear cavities (2', 2'') being provided with locking means (5) at the position of the extension (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular vehicle connecting device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1, which allows for the rigid connection of at least one leading vehicle and one following vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In particular, the connection device is adapted to allow modular vehicles to form a rigid queue without relative rotation between the vehicles.

[0003] Currently, devices and techniques are known for connecting multiple vehicles, whether they are identical vehicles or systems comprising a tractor and trailer.

[0004] Most prior art systems require an operator to operate or connect near the hitch system, such as a tow hook or fifth wheel system.

[0005] Additionally, the known technology essentially provides articulated linkage systems that allow relative rotation between the linked vehicles.

[0006] Examples of devices for creating a rigid connection without relative rotation between the components of the connection are described in documents CN109987016 and WO2018226615.

[0007] Document CN 109987016 describes a transport device comprising at least two carriages adapted to be connected together along one side. The device comprises a system of guide rollers and rails arranged on the sides of each vehicle, said system allowing for mechanical interlocking. The vehicles thus joined form a single interior compartment accessible by both vehicles.

[0008] Furthermore, the document WO2018226615 describes an apparatus and a method for forming an autonomous vehicle for transporting goods. In particular, this document describes an automatic docking system equipped with magnetic vehicle restraining means.

[0009] The known techniques described have some important drawbacks.

[0010] In particular, prior art devices do not allow for coupling of multiple modular vehicles during operation and / or in the presence of misalignment between the vehicles.

[0011] Furthermore, known art devices provide for the use of optical, electronic or digital alignment systems, which are complex and expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0012] In this context, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to devise a device for connecting modular vehicles that is able to substantially eliminate at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0013] Within the scope of the above technical problem, an important object of the present invention is to obtain a device adapted to connect a number of modular vehicles rigidly, or rather without relative rotation between the vehicles.

[0014] Another important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows modular vehicles to be connected during operation.

[0015] Furthermore, an important object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be used and activated by the driver of a modular vehicle without exiting said vehicle and without the assistance of an electronic positioning and / or alignment system.

[0016] The technical problem and the stated objectives are achieved by a modular vehicle connection device as claimed in the attached claim 1.

[0017] Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

[0018] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a modular vehicle and a connection device object of the present invention; [Figure 2a] 1A to 1C show a connection between two vehicles equipped with a connection device according to the invention in different relative positions of the two vehicles; [Figure 2b] 1A to 1C show a connection between two vehicles equipped with a connection device according to the invention in different relative positions of the two vehicles; [Figure 2c] 1A to 1C show a connection between two vehicles equipped with a connection device according to the invention in different relative positions of the two vehicles; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (e.g., perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially," should be considered to exclude measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors, and in particular to exclude slight deviations from the associated value, measurement, shape, or geometric reference. For example, when associated with a value, these terms preferably indicate a deviation of 10% or less of the value.

[0021] Additionally, when used, terms such as "first," "second," "higher," "lower," "primary," and "secondary" do not necessarily specify a priority of order, relationship, or relative position, but may be used merely to clearly distinguish between different components thereof.

[0022] As a consequence in the following description, unless otherwise indicated, terms such as "processing," "calculating," "determining," "computing," or similar terms refer to the operations and / or tasks of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulate and / or transform data represented as physical quantities, such as electronic quantities in the registers and / or memory of a computer system, with other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system, registers, or other storage, transmission, or information display device.

[0023] Measurements and data reported in this text should be considered as having been carried out to the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975) unless otherwise stated.

[0024] With reference to the drawings, an apparatus according to the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0025] As will become clear later in this document, the device 1 is a modular device 1 that can be installed on multiple vehicles and is in fact identically present on each vehicle that can form a system.

[0026] The modular vehicle connection device 1 is adapted to rigidly connect at least one leading vehicle A and one following vehicle B during operation. It will also be apparent that the robust connection thus formed can involve multiple vehicles.

[0027] The vehicles A, B are detachably connectable to each other, and when connected, they form a rigid train with no relative rotation between the vehicles A, B. Thus, the device 1 is adapted to connect the vehicles such that the joined vehicles dynamically form one vehicle body. Thus, the vehicles A and B form a rigid queue with no relative rotation in the horizontal, lateral and vertical planes.

[0028] According to the invention, each vehicle A, B preferably has at least one support spar 2 extending over the entire length of said vehicle A, B.

[0029] The spar 2, as can be seen in FIG. 1, means a structural member that is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of movement and is integrally connected to the chassis of the vehicle.

[0030] The spar 2 is preferably positioned centrally relative to the wheel axes of the vehicles A, B.

[0031] The longitudinal member 2 also preferably has a front cavity 2' and a rear cavity 2''. Both of the cavities 2', 2'' are open to the outside and thus define the front and rear openings of the spar.

[0032] According to the invention, the rear cavity 2 ″ preferably houses an actuator 3 and an extension 4 of the spar 2 .

[0033] In this document, the extension 4 of the spar 2 refers to a rigid mechanical member sized to resist bending stresses and torsion and other properties acting between two connected vehicles and adapted to act as a structural extension of the spar 2, and of the vehicle chassis in general.

[0034] When not in use, or rather when the following vehicle B is not coupled to the leading vehicle A, the extension 4 is held within the rear cavity 2'' of the vehicle A by the actuator 3, and therefore the extension 4 does not protrude from the external shape of the vehicle A.

[0035] Also according to the invention, the actuator 3 is preferably connected to the end 4' of the extension 4. The actuator 3 described herein can consist of any system of the prior art suitable for moving the extension 4 described above.

[0036] Thus, the actuator 3 is adapted to move the extension 4A of the leading vehicle so as to position it partly in the front cavity 2B' of the rear vehicle and partly in the rear cavity 2A'' of the leading vehicle in order to rigidly connect the two vehicles A, B.

[0037] Finally, for each vehicle A, B, said front and rear cavities 2 ′, 2 ″ are provided with locking means 5 at the location of said extensions 4 .

[0038] The extension 4 is then positioned across the two vehicles A and B, rigidly connecting the two side members 2A and 2B of the vehicles and acting as a frame in the rigid connection between the vehicles so that the vehicles now move like a rigid train.

[0039] Furthermore, the extension 4 is provided with a further end 4''. As shown in Figure 1, the extension 4 is connected at one end 4' to the actuator 3, and therefore the other free end 4'' faces the vehicle to which it is connected.

[0040] According to the invention, at least one end 4'' of the extension 4 preferably defines a pyramidal shape. More preferably, at least one end 4'' of the extension 4 defines a pyramidal shape with flanks having different slopes. Thus, the extension 4 is provided in this embodiment with a tapered end 4'' and a non-tapered body.

[0041] The pyramidal shape of the end 4'' of the extension 4 therefore makes it possible to facilitate the connection and, more particularly, to define the angle of the connection between two vehicles A and B. Indeed, according to the inclination of the side of the end 4'' it is possible to connect two vehicles A, B in different conditions as shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c.

[0042] Figure 2a shows a possible connection between two vehicles A and B that are offset in the horizontal plane, for example assuming the position of the two vehicles on a curve. As can be seen, end 2'' connects end 4' of extension 4A of leading vehicle A to front cavity 2B' of spar 4B of following vehicle B, thus facilitating insertion.

[0043] It also allows connection with the device 1 in situations of misalignment between vehicles A and B, for example when the leading vehicle A is going uphill, as shown in Figure 2b. In this case, the configuration of the end 4'' and therefore the upper and lower sides of the pyramid make the connection possible and / or easier.

[0044] Finally, as shown in Figure 2c, the device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to connect two vehicles A, B under different conditions of mutual load, which consequently affects the suspension system, for example changing the height of the vehicles.

[0045] Also, the dimensions of the extension 4 of the spar 2, and the dimensions and shape of the end 4'' are preferably sized to ensure that when the non-tapered portion of the extension 4 is reached, the vehicles are already aligned with each other.

[0046] Indeed, at the first moment of connection, the two vehicles A, B may deviate from each other's center, as shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, and said deviation from center may be partially recovered due to the shape of the end 4" of the extension 4A of the leading vehicle A. Continuing with the connection, and in particular if the dimensions and shape of the front cavity 2' of the spar 2 of the following vehicle B are similar to those of the non-tapered part of the 4° extension of the leading vehicle A, the connection following the end 4A" on the extension 4A will force the following vehicle B to align along the direction of the longitudinal member 2A of the leading vehicle, this force being imposed by the mechanical constraint represented by the shape of the extension 4.

[0047] In addition, the locking means 5 at the location of the extension 4 preferably comprise at least one contrast spring 51 making it possible to prevent the movement of the extension 4 by interfering with and limiting the inner surface 21 of the spar 2. The spring acts in a direction not parallel to the main direction of extension 4, preferably substantially perpendicular.

[0048] Preferably, said locking means 5 at the location of said extension 4 also comprises a piston 52 adapted to actuate a mechanical stop 53 adapted to rigidly connect at least said extension 4 to said spurs 2A, 2B of said vehicles A, B.

[0049] The extensions 4 are therefore preferably held in place by mechanical stops 53 actuated by mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically operated pistons 52 or a combination of these. For each vehicle, the pistons 52 and stops 53 serve to release the extensions 4, while the locking is ensured by an appropriately dimensioned compression spring 51, thus preventing the possibility of involuntary release. The locking means 5 at the location of the extensions 4 are preferably adapted to connect to the non-tapered part of the extensions 4. This system allows the coupling and release of two vehicles A, B while they are in motion.

[0050] Finally, in the device 1 according to the invention, said actuator 3 is preferably further adapted to move said extension 4 of said longitudinal member 2 in at least two directions under the load of at least one vehicle A, B.

[0051] Indeed, during connection, the extension 4A can be pushed by the actuator 3 near the front cavity 2B' of the following vehicle B, said extension 4A being rigidly connected to the side member 2B by the locking means 5 at the location of said extension. Then, in this situation, the actuator 3 of the leading vehicle A can pull the extension 4A and the vehicle connected to it until the leading vehicle A and the following vehicle B form a rigid train of modular vehicles.

[0052] The operation of the device 1 described above from the structural point of view is as follows.

[0053] Two vehicles A and B, driven respectively by a driver or by a remote or autonomous driving system, are in operation and need to be connected to each other by the apparatus 1 described herein.

[0054] Once the misalignment between the vehicles has been restored, one of the two vehicles A or B casually approaches the other vehicle, with the front cavity 2' of one vehicle, for example A, facing the rear cavity 2'' of the other vehicle, for example B. The driver or driving system of vehicle A controls the actuation of the actuator 3 connected to the extension 4A, which now protrudes from the rear face of vehicle A itself and connects by at least its end 4A'' to the cavity 2B' of the spar 2 of the following vehicle B. With the end 4A'' and the cavity 2B' in contact, the actuator 3 of one of the two vehicles A, B or of the preceding vehicle A moves again to bring said extension 4A at least partially onto the spar 2A of the preceding vehicle A and at least partially onto the side member 2B of the following vehicle B. In this position, the extension 4A is locked therein. Optionally, the actuator 3 of the leading vehicle A can tow a following vehicle B, connected in place by locking means 5 to said extension 4A, forming a rigid train of modular vehicles.

[0055] The device 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.

[0056] Indeed, unlike vehicle and inter-vehicle connection means of known technology, the connection by means of the device 1 according to the invention advantageously does not require optical and / or electronic systems for the connection and can be carried out by one or two operators driving the vehicles.

[0057] Furthermore, the structural connection of the same type as the extension of the frame between the two means makes it possible to obtain a vehicle that behaves dynamically as a single body; in fact, this particular configuration is advantageous in that it makes unnecessary additional restraining systems, such as hooks on the four sides of the surface that comes into contact with the vehicle.

[0058] Also, with regard to the above, the solution described herein is cheaper to build and maintain, given that it uses a minimum number of moving parts and electronic components. Finally, with regard to known techniques that use electronic, magnetic or mixed systems, the purely mechanical nature of the device 1 advantageously provides the highest level of functional safety; in fact, the coupling, once made, requires a voluntary release command of the means 5 and cannot in any way occur due to external physical factors such as a collision, impact, tilt or energy shortage, electromagnetic interference, etc.

[0059] The present invention is susceptible to variations that fall within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

[0060] In this context, all details may be replaced by equivalent elements, and materials, shapes and dimensions may be arbitrary.

Claims

1. 1. A modular vehicle connecting device capable of rigidly connecting at least one leading vehicle and one following vehicle in operation, comprising, for each vehicle: at least one support spar extending over the entire length of the leading vehicle and the trailing vehicle, the support spar having a front cavity and a rear cavity, both the front cavity and the rear cavity being open to the outside, Equipped with - the rear cavity accommodates the actuator and the extension of the support spar; the actuator is connected to one end of the extension and makes it possible to move the extension to position the extension of the leading vehicle partly in the front cavity of the following vehicle and partly in the rear cavity of the leading vehicle in order to rigidly connect the leading vehicle and the following vehicle; - said front and rear cavities are provided with locking means at the location of said extensions; the locking means at the position of the extension comprises at least one compression spring capable of restricting the extension by interfering with the inner surface of the support spar, thereby preventing movement of the extension; the locking means at the location of the extensions comprise pistons adapted to actuate mechanical stops adapted to rigidly connect at least the extensions to the support spars of the leading and following vehicles, said extension is held in place by said mechanical stop actuated by said piston, and for each vehicle, said piston and said mechanical stop function to release said extension, said locking being ensured by said compression spring, suitably dimensioned, thereby preventing possible involuntary release.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one end of the extension defines a pyramidal shape.

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one end of the extension defines a pyramidal shape with sides having different slopes.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the size of the extension of the support spar and the size and shape of the one end are dimensioned to ensure that the leading and trailing vehicles are already aligned with each other when they reach the non-tapered portion of the extension.

5. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compression spring acts in a direction non-parallel to the main direction of extension of the extension.

6. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compression spring acts in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main direction of extension of the extension.

7. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking means is configured to allow engagement and disengagement while the leading and trailing vehicles are moving.

8. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is further adapted to move the extension of the support spar in at least two directions under a load of at least one of the leading vehicle and the following vehicle.

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