Method and device for uncoupling a self-propelled truck from a carrying truck
AssigneeTachi-S Co., Ltd.
InventorTakashi Nezu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and device for uncoupling a self-propelled truck from a carring truck, wherein an uncoupling point defined on a path is detected by a sensor so as to temporarily stop a motor of the self-propelled truck, thereby provisionally stopping the two trucks at the uncoupling point, then another motor is driven to cause disengagement in an engagement element, and thereafter only the self-propelled truck is again moved, while maintaining such disengagement, so as to complete the uncoupling of the carrying truck from the self-propelled truck.
Claims10
A method for uncoupling a self-propelled truck from a carrying truck, wherein said self-propelled truck includes a first motor and is moved thereby along a predetermined path, with said carrying truck coupled therewith via a coupling device, and wherein said coupling device comprises a female engagement means and male engagement means, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining an uncoupling point in said predetermined path;
- permitting said uncoupling point to be detected by a sensor means provided in said self-propelled truck;
- permitting disengagement of one of said female and male engagement means from another of them by means of a second motor in order to uncouple said carrying truck from said self-propelled truck;
- if said sensor means detects said uncoupling point, causing said first motor of said self-propelled truck to be temporarily stopped, thereby provisionally stopping said carrying truck, while causing said second motor to be driven for effecting said disengagement between said male and female engagement means;
- then, restarting drive of said first motor to move only said self-propelled truck, while maintaining said disengagement, to complete uncoupling said carrying truck from said self-propelled truck;
- and
- after said self-propelled truck is moved away from said carrying truck, restarting drive of said second motor to cause one of said female and male engagement means to return to an initial position.
A device for uncoupling a self-propelled truck from a carrying truck, in which a coupling device is provided between said self-propelled and carrying trucks, including a female engagement means and a male engagement means, and one of said female and male engagement means is provided at one of said self-propelled and carrying trucks, said device comprising:
- a motor;
- a support lever means operatively connected with said motor, upon which support lever means, said one of said female and male engagement is supported,
- a means for defining an uncoupling point on a path along which said self-propelled truck moves, said uncoupling point being a point where said carrying truck is to be uncoupled from said self-propelled truck;
- a sensor means for detecting said uncoupling point, sensitive to said means for defining an uncoupling point, said sensor means being electrically connected with said motor via a control means;
- wherein if said seonsor means detects said uncoupling point, said motor is driven to actuate said support lever means to disengage one of said female and male engagement means from another of them, so that said carrying truck is uncoupled from said self-propelled truck at said uncoupling point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.