Carriage Coupling Pin Drop Detection for Precise Towing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carriage coupling devices for automatic towing vehicles face challenges in accurately aligning and coupling carriages due to positional errors, leading to potential deviations and limitations in transport system layout.
Innovation Solution
A carriage coupling device equipped with a coupling pin, stopper, drop detection sensor, and controller that ensures precise alignment and coupling by detecting the drop of the coupling pin into the insertion position, thereby controlling the towing vehicle's backward movement to prevent deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the towing vehicle moves backward to account for carriage position error (±X mm), then the coupling pin can be reliably inserted, but the carriage may deviate in the width direction and move backward uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin is preliminarily held in an advanced state above the insertion position by the stopper before actual coupling occurs. This preliminary positioning allows the pin to be ready for insertion without requiring the towing vehicle to over-compensate for position errors, thereby preventing excessive backward movement that could cause carriage deviation.
Solution Approach 2:
A drop detection sensor detects when the coupling pin reaches the insertion position, providing feedback to the controller. The controller then outputs instruction information to stop the backward movement of the towing vehicle. This feedback mechanism ensures the vehicle stops at the precise moment of coupling, preventing over-movement and carriage deviation.
2Reliability
If the towing vehicle stops backward movement based on coupling pin drop detection, then carriage deviation is prevented, but the system requires additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin's own drop action serves as the trigger for stopping the towing vehicle. The pin's movement from the advanced state to the insertion position automatically activates the drop detection sensor, which then triggers the stop command. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external positioning systems while maintaining high coupling accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the coupling pin is held in advanced state by the stopper, then precise coupling position control is achieved, but the mechanism requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the stopper that holds the coupling pin in the advanced state, the coupling pin itself that drops to engage the carriage, and the drop detection sensor that triggers the stop command. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving precise positioning without requiring a monolithic complex mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A carriage coupling device couples a carriage to a towing vehicle. The carriage coupling device includes a coupling pin, a stopper, a drop detection sensor, and a controller. The coupling pin is configured to drop along a guide toward an insertion position into which a connector of the carriage is inserted. The stopper is biased to advance to the insertion position, supports the coupling pin above the insertion position in an advanced state to the insertion position, and allows the coupling pin to drop to the insertion position when retracting from the insertion position. The drop detection sensor detects a drop of the coupling pin to the insertion position. The controller outputs instruction information to stop a backward movement of the towing vehicle to a travel controller of the towing vehicle when the drop detection sensor detects the drop of the coupling pin to the insertion position.