Carriage Coupling Pin Support Detection for Backward Movement Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carriage coupling devices allow carriages to move backward uncontrollably, leading to potential deviations and reduced work efficiency due to the need for entry prohibition areas and limited transport system layouts.
Innovation Solution
A carriage coupling device with a coupling pin, stopper, support detection sensor, and controller that prevents backward movement of the towing vehicle when the coupling pin is not properly supported, ensuring secure coupling and reducing the need for manual checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupling pin is allowed to drop freely to the insertion position, then the coupling operation is simplified, but the carriage may move backward uncontrollably when coupled to the towing vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is positioned in advance to support the coupling pin at a predetermined position above the insertion position. This preliminary action prevents the coupling pin from dropping freely while maintaining coupling simplicity, and ensures the carriage cannot move backward when coupled to the towing vehicle.
2Reliability
If the operator manually checks whether the carriage is coupled to the towing vehicle, then coupling status can be confirmed, but work efficiency of transport is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The support detection sensor automatically detects whether the coupling pin is supported by the stopper, and the controller automatically prohibits backward movement based on this detection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual checking by operators, confirming coupling status reliably while maintaining high work efficiency.
3Reliability
If an entry prohibition area is set to account for carriage deviation during backward movement, then safety is improved, but the layout flexibility of the transport system is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper provides preliminary anti-action by supporting the coupling pin to prevent the carriage from moving backward in the first place. This eliminates the need to set large entry prohibition areas for safety, thereby improving layout flexibility while maintaining safety through automatic backward movement prohibition control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents backward movement of the carriage, enhances transport system layout flexibility, and improves work efficiency by eliminating the need for manual coupling checks.
Implementation Method 1
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
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 support 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 support detection sensor detects whether the coupling pin is supported above the insertion position. The controller outputs instruction information to prohibit a backward movement of the towing vehicle to a travel controller of the towing vehicle when the support detection sensor detects that the coupling pin is not supported above the insertion position.