U.S. patent application number 09/759278 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-07 for control device for trailer gates.
Invention is credited to Friesen, Leroy J..
Application Number | 20010002766 09/759278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4161621 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002766 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friesen, Leroy J. |
June 7, 2001 |
Control device for trailer gates
Abstract
A conventional dump trailer includes discharge members or doors
which are typically mounted beneath the trailer. The movement of
the doors is controlled by a control device of the present
invention having a position sensor which is mounted on the trailer
and a sensor actuator mounted on the discharge member. The amount
of movement of a door is automatically limited at a preselected
position. The control device allows for the discharge member to be
further moved to further positions.
Inventors: |
Friesen, Leroy J.;
(Rosenort, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McFadden, Fincham
Suite 606
225 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa
ON
K2P 1P9
CA
|
Family ID: |
4161621 |
Appl. No.: |
09/759278 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09759278 |
Jan 16, 2001 |
|
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|
09172125 |
Oct 14, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
298/27 ;
298/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 1/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
298/27 ;
298/24 |
International
Class: |
B60P 001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 14, 1997 |
CA |
2.218168 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A control device for controlling movement of a discharge member
in a dump trailer, comprising: a control valve, for the production
of actuating signals to a movement source; first switch means for
connecting a power source to said control valve; limit position
sensing means actuated by said discharge member on movement of said
discharge member to a predetermined movement limit; second switch
means actuated by said limit position sensing means for cutting off
the power supply to said control valve from said first switch to
halt movement of said discharge member to said predetermined
movement limit; third switch means for reconnecting power from said
power source to said control valve, for further movement of said
discharge member.
2. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said sensing
means is selectively positionable to a preselected position
corresponding to a predetermined open position of said discharge
member.
3. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means
is a swing arm.
4. A control device according to claim 1, in combination with a cab
operatively associated with said trailer, said cab including said
first switch means.
5. A control device according to claim 1, in combination with a cab
operatively associated with said trailer, said cab including at
least one of said first, second and third switch means.
6. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said limit
position sensing means is fixedly secured to said trailer separate
from said moveable discharge member.
7. A control device according to claim 1, including a trailer frame
including at least one hanger and at least one end wall, wherein
said limit position sensor means is mounted on said hanger on said
trailer frame, and said end wall having a plurality of mounting
locations adapted to mount sensor actuation means.
8. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said limit
position sensor means is selectively positionable in a preselected
position.
9. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said position
sensor comprises electronic measuring means.
10. A control device according to claim 9, wherein said electronic
measuring means is an electronic tape measure.
11. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor
means comprises infrared means.
12. A control device according to claim 1, said limit position
sensing means positioned to detect an open limit position.
13. A control device according to claim 1, said movement source
comprising solenoid operated valves, said actuating signals
powering said solenoid operated valves.
14. A control device according to claim 1, wherein said movement
source comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic system with said control
valve to control actuation of said movement means.
15. In a cab and dump trailer combination wherein said combination
includes a source control device having sensor means for
controlling movement means for opening and closing a discharge
member in the dump trailer, said control device having a power
source, the improvement comprising: a first master switch means
adapted to regulate power to said control device; a second switch
means adapted to permit sensor means to control said movement
means; and a third switch means adapted to override said second
switch means, wherein said third switch means is effective to
bypass said second switch means; and said first, second and third
switch means being operatively connected to said control device.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No.
09/172,125, filed Oct. 14, 1998.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to dump trailers and the control of
the movement of the gates of such trailers. In particular, one
embodiment relates to a control device for a dump trailer for
automatically halting the movement of at least one door or gate at
a preselected position and an override enabling the door to be
further moved to further positions.
[0003] Although the invention will be described and referred to as
it relates to control arrangements for trailer gates or members, it
will be understood that the principles of this invention are
equally applicable to similar structures on other vehicles and
accordingly, it will be understood that the invention is not
limited to such structures and arrangements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Belly dump trailers are well known and widely used for
transportation of gravel and other materials. Two common models of
belly dump trailers include those having (1) clam shell gates
which, when opened, create an opening at the bottom of the trailer
hopper along its longitudinal axis of the trailer; and (2) those
having cross dump gates or gates which, when opened, from an
opening that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the trailer.
Two examples of a trailer of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,131,722 issued on Jul. 21, 1992 and 5,294,186 issued on Mar. 15,
1994 to Decap. The trailers described in these patents consist of a
hopper having gates at the bottom which may be opened to discharge
pourable material.
[0005] Gate actuating means in the form of hydraulic or pneumatic
cylinders and linkages are generally provided to move the gates
from a closed position to an open position. In general, two gates
or closure members are employed in most bottom dump trailers,
although one gate can be employed.
[0006] Conventional trailer gates can be operated from the cab of a
vehicle to which the trailer is attached. The control system is
normally a simple on-off control for directly actuating the
pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. One major problem is that from the
cab, the operator cannot observe the movement of the gates and
hence accurately control the power to the hydraulic cylinder. When
moving from the closed to the open position, the gates of such
trailers will continue to open or until the gates contact an
abutment mounted on the trailer frame until power is cut to the
cylinder by the operator.
[0007] The gates contact the abutment with considerable force which
places stress on the cylinders and seals which can lead to
excessive and premature wear of the hydraulic cylinder. In
addition, such sharp or strong contact with the abutment places
stresses on gate pivot points and can result in premature gate
failure such as by bending or warping of the gates or snapping of
the pins which hold the abutments in place, resulting in repairs
being needed.
[0008] In addition, in conventional trailers with abutment stops,
two stops are generally employed with the operator having to adjust
both stops when selecting a preset opening position.
[0009] The amount by which the gates are opened generally
corresponds to the rate at which material is to be discharged from
the hopper. Once pourable solid material has been removed from the
hopper, often a residual amount of material remains. To remove this
residual amount, the operator generally opens the hopper gates to
the maximum open position before being closed. When physical stops
are used as in conventional trailers, if the stops are first placed
at preselected open positions for material to be poured from the
hopper, they must then later be shifted to the maximum open
position to allow the gates to fully open to facilitate residual
material to pour from the hopper.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,186 issued to Decap attempts to address
this problem by having a stop which can be moved out of the path of
the gate as it opens to allow the gate to move from a preselected
open position to the maximum open position. To accomplish this,
however, the partially open gates must first be closed to relieve
the pressure on the abutments to allow the abutment to be shifted
out of the way and then the gates are reopened to the maximum open
position.
[0011] Another limitation with the Decap style dump trailer opening
abutments, is that the available preselected positions of the
abutments are limited by the number of openings that can be made in
the flange holding the abutment without affecting the structural
integrity of the flange.
[0012] It is a feature of one embodiment of the invention to
provide an improved arrangement to control the opening of trailer
gates in which the drive means which moves the gates will
automatically stop the movement of the gates at preselected
locations without the need for abutment stops to restrain the
opening movement of the gates.
[0013] It is a further feature of another embodiment of the
invention to open the gates to the maximum open position after
having been opened to a preselected open position, without the need
to first close the gates.
[0014] It is a further feature of another embodiment of the
invention to reduce the wear on the gate components.
[0015] Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following specification, accompanying drawings and
claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
dump trailer having a trailer body where the trailer body includes
a moveable discharge member for providing access to the trailer
body to permit discharge of contents therefrom, and movement means
for effecting movement of the moveable discharge member from a
first closed position to a second open position, and thereafter to
return to the first closed position. According to this invention,
the improvement comprises control means for controlling the
actuation of the movement means, and where the control means
comprises a position sensor means and sensor actuation means for
actuating the sensor, upon relative movement between the position
sensor means and the sensor actuation means.
[0017] In a preferred form, the above dump trailer has sensor
actuation means which is selectively positionable to a preselected
position corresponding to a predetermined open position of the
moveable discharge member. The sensor actuation means can be swing
arm, projection, pin or any other suitable trigger means.
[0018] In another preferred form, the above dump trailer has
control means which includes a source of electrical power, and the
movement means comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic system, or any
other suitable like means with the control means being effective to
control the movement means. The power source can be any suitable AC
or DC source such as separate batteries, the vehicle battery, power
generated by separate generators, etc.
[0019] The control means controlling the actuation of the pneumatic
or hydraulic system for opening and closing the gates can be any
suitable valve means such as one or more solenoid valves or other
hand valve equivalents such as that known as a "Mac Valve".
Preferably, a single valve control system is employed to control
the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic system. Such a control
system is operatively connected to the pneumatic or hydraulic
system to provide the requisite commands.
[0020] The control means desirably operates in conjunction with one
or more switch means, which may be mounted in an operator's cab
and/or on the trailer. In preferred embodiments, the control means,
such as a valve system, is associated with a first switch means for
controlling actuation of the position sensor means and consequently
operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic closure system. In a still
further embodiment, the second switch means operatively associated
with the control means may be provided for overriding the first
switch means and directly controlling operation of the movement
means as, for example, to permit further opening of the gate
means.
[0021] Still further, third switch means may be provided operating
in conjunction with the control means for providing a master on-off
function for the control means. Conventional switches may be
employed for this purpose.
[0022] In various trailer versions, a dump trailer includes a cab
operatively associated with the trailer body, which may include a
first switch means. Desirably, the cab also includes second and
third switch means.
[0023] Generally, the dump trailer of the above type has position
sensor means fixedly secured to the trailer separate from the
moveable discharge member.
[0024] The above types of dump trailers will generally include a
trailer frame including at least one hanger and at least one end
wall, where the position sensor means is mounted on the hanger on
the trailer frame, and the end wall has a plurality of mounting
locations adapted to mount the sensor actuation means.
Alternatively, or in combination with this feature, the position
sensor means may be selectively positionable in a preselected
position, and by effecting relative movement between the sensor
means and the sensor actuation means, the sensor is effective to
generate a control signal to control the operation of the pneumatic
or hydraulic cylinder. As will be seen from the embodiments
illustrated hereinafter, one preferred function upon such relative
movement is the functioning of the sensor to halt operation through
the control system of the opening of the gates so that the gates
are opened to a predetermined position.
[0025] Various types of sensors may be employed so long as they are
capable of detecting the position of a gate member during its
opening movement. Such sensors are known per se in different
fields.
[0026] In various trailer versions, the position sensor may be in
the form of an electronic measuring means, which may be e.g., an
electronic tape measure. Still further one form of another
embodiment is where the sensor means includes infrared means.
[0027] In another alternate embodiment, there is provided in a cab
and dump trailer combination wherein said combination includes a
source control device having sensor means for controlling movement
means for opening and closing a discharge member in the dump
trailer, said control device having a power source, the improvement
comprising:
[0028] a first master switch means adapted to regulate power to
said control device;
[0029] a second switch means adapted to permit sensor means to
control said movement means;
[0030] a third switch means adapted to override said second switch
means, wherein said second switch means is effective to bypass said
first switch means; and
[0031] said first, second and third switch means being operatively
connected to said control device.
[0032] In still further alternate embodiment, there is provided a
control device for controlling the movement of a gate on a dump
trailer comprising:
[0033] drive means for moving the gate between a first position to
a second position, said drive means being operatively connected to
a control device position;
[0034] sensor means operatively connected to said control device,
said sensor means being engageable at said second position of said
gate such that said sensor means is effective to interrupt power
from said power source to the drive means to thereby halt said
drive means and thus halt movement of said gate at said second
position; and
[0035] sensor engaging means for engaging said sensor at said
second position of said gate upon relative movement between said
sensor means and said sensor engaging means.
[0036] In any of the above trailer versions, the control device has
a sensor activation means or a position trigger which can be
selectively set at any one of a number of preselected positions
corresponding to preselected positions of the gate.
[0037] In the preceding trailer arrangement, the control device may
include an override circuit for controlling the actuation of the
hydraulic or pneumatic assemblies for moving the gates from a first
preselected open position to a maximum open position. Still
further, this control device may have sensor engaging means which
may be a swing arm.
[0038] Accordingly, in a still further embodiment, the invention
relates to a control device for controlling the movement of a gate
on a dump trailer comprising, drive means for moving the gate from
a stationary position to an end position. The drive means is
operatively connected to a control system such as a control valve
which may be connected to a power source. A position sensor means
is also provided operatively connected to the power source. The
said sensor means is engageable at an end position of the gate such
that current from said power source to the drive means is
interrupted and the drive means halted to halt the movement of the
gate at an end position. A position trigger means is also provided
for engaging the sensor at an end position of said gate. In another
embodiment, the position trigger can be selectively set at any one
of a number of preselected positions corresponding to preselected
positions of the gate.
[0039] Another embodiment of the preceding control device includes
an override circuit for moving the gates from a first preselected
position to a maximum open position. A particular preferred
embodiment of the position trigger means is a swing arm.
[0040] The above-described embodiments, and in particular those
embodiments illustrated hereinafter, provide numerous advantages
over the prior art. Now, an operator may control the operation of
the opening and closing of the actuation means for the gate members
by a simple and reliable system, which also provides the operator
with advantageous features of selectively positioning the opening
of the gate members and providing an override feature to permit
further opening of gate members after reaching a first selected
open position. Other advantages will also be evident from the
various embodiments.
[0041] The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional dump truck with
hopper gates;
[0043] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the clam-shell gates
showing the mounting of the sensor component and sensor engaging
component;
[0044] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side elevational view showing
the sensor component and sensor engaging component in greater
detail;
[0045] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the mounting of the
sensor;
[0046] FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view similar to FIG.
3 with acertain structural dump truck components removed for the
sake of clarity; and
[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic chart illustrating the control system
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the invention
includes a conventional belly dump trailer which has a main frame
20, ground wheels 21, hopper 22, hopper side walls 23, clam shell
hopper gates 24 suspended between front and rear hangers 25f and
25r by hinge pins 4 which pivotally mount the gates 24 to the
hangers 24f and 25r. The hangers 25f, 25r are in turn mounted to
the frame 20. Drive means for moving the gates outwardly from a
stationary first position are shown, in the form of e.g., a
hydraulic cylinder or piston 12.
[0049] Any conventional drive means such as hydraulic or pneumatic
cylinders and appropriate linkages may be used to ensure
symmetrical movement of the hopper gates. One example of the use of
cylinders and linkages as a drive means for hopper gates is taught
in the Decap references, supra. Double port air cylinders are
preferred, however, which have a solenoid valve actuation system.
When power is cut to the cylinder, the cylinder stops acting and
holds its position until power is applied to move the cylinder to
the closed position. One such cylinder is manufactured by Nordsen
Metal Industries.
[0050] Sensor actuation means 5, e.g., a pin or a pipe projection
functioning as a position trigger (shown in FIG. 2), is provided on
an end sidewall 7 of the left hand hopper gate 3.
[0051] A position sensor assembly, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and
5, includes housing 33 which mounts a suitable conventional sensor
and is shown generally by 6. It is pivotally mounted to a mounting
plate 40 or pin end plate through an adjustable lever arm 8, to the
forward hanger 25f by means of a modified hinge pin 31 with a wing
nut or threaded tightener 32 which can be hand tightened. Mounting
plate or pin end plate 40 is mounted to the trailer hangers 25f,
25r. The wing nut or threaded tightener 32 can be loosened and the
position sensor 6 swung to the desired position through adjustment
notches 45 and then locked into place by tightening said nut. The
position of the position sensor 6 will determine the opening
position of the gates.
[0052] The position sensor 6 includes an adjustable roller lever
having a roller head 10 attached to a lever arm 11. Sensor 6 is
operatively connected to a power source and a switch described
hereinafter.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6, the schematic illustrates that the
control system of the present invention includes a control valve 50
which is, for example, a "Mac Valve" available under this
trademark. A power source 51 is operatively associated with the
valve and various switches controlling different functions. A first
switch 52 is provided, connecting the power source 51 to the
control valve 50, to provide a master on-off switch for the valve
50.
[0054] A second switch 54 is provided functioning in conjunction
with the sensor 6, which sensor 6 is operatively associated with
control valve 50. Switch 54 operates in conjunction with lever arm
11 such that when the latter is in its resting position, that is in
a non-operating position, the switch 54 is in an open position,
power flows to the control valve 50 via switch 52, the control
valve 50 controlling actuation of the piston assembly to permit
opening of the gate. Thus, in operation, in greater detail, to
begin a dump cycle, the switch 54 in the open position and the
cylinder, for example hydraulic or air, is actuated by control
valve 50. The movement of the cylinder in turn moves the gates
through appropriate linkage means. As the gates 3 of the moveable
discharge members or hopper move from a stationary and usually
closed position to an open position, the sensor actuation means 5
will move together with the gate 3 to which it is attached until it
engages the roller head 10. The point of engagement corresponds to
the position at which the position sensor 6 is located.
[0055] Once contact is made with head 10, by the actuation means 5,
the lever or swing arm 11 will be displaced resulting in closing of
the switch 54. Closing of switch 54 permits power to pass to the
control valve 50 to shut off the power supply via switch 52. This
will halt movement of the cylinder 12 via the control valve 50, so
that the gate will thus be in a predetermined open position.
[0056] A third switch 56, operatively connected to the power source
51, acts to override or by-pass switch 54. By closing switch 56
power is reconnected to the control valve 50 and thus control valve
50 is effective for further movement of the gates. By-pass switch
56 may also be used to effect closing of the gates to the desired
degree, or totally, by controlling the valve 50 relative to
actuation of the piston 12.
[0057] In practice, the by-pass switch 56 may be mounted at a
convenient location on the trailer or in a cab associated with the
trailer, or in both places. It is desirable to permit control of
the gate in an override function to vary the opening during a
dumping operation and for this purpose, switch 56 may be located in
a readily accessible position on the trailer.
[0058] If it is desired to subsequently move the gates to the
maximum open position in a second stage of opening movement, the
switch 56 is actuated to re-activate valve 50 and thus to actuate
piston 12. This will cause the gates to move from the stationary
end position of the first stage of opening movement to a maximum
open end position which occurs when the cylinder runs out of stroke
and stops. This second stage opening facilitates the discharge of
any residual material remaining in the hopper. Of course, a shorter
dump cycle would have the operator close the gates after the first
stage of opening movement.
[0059] In addition to by-pass switch 56 controlling closure of the
gates, closure may also be effected as desired or required by
cutting power to valve 50 through switch 52.
[0060] In another embodiment, the position sensor 6 is fixably
mounted to either hanger 25f or 25r and the end wall 7 is fitted
with a plurality of mounting locations such as openings to receive
the pipe projection 5. Each of the mounting locations corresponds
to a preselected position of the gates 3 and by mounting the pipe
projection 5 in one of the mounting locations, the position of the
gate 3 can be preselected.
[0061] In another embodiment, hydraulic cylinders are employed such
that once current is cut to the master control valve 50, the
cylinder and hence the gates 3 return to their initial positions
automatically as at the start of the dump cycle.
[0062] In a further embodiment, the position sensor 6 is fixably
mounted and position trigger 5 is a swing arm mounted in one
location on the end wall 7 but set to various positions
corresponding to opening positions of the gates 3.
[0063] In a still further embodiment, the sensor actuating means or
position trigger 5 can be fixably mounted on the trailer frame
while the position sensor is mounted on a gate and moves with
it.
[0064] In another embodiment, the position sensor means 6 is in the
form of an electronic tape measure which is mounted to continually
measure, by infrared means for example, the position of the gates
3. The electronic tape measure is calibrated to transmit positional
information to a display in the cab.
[0065] The electronic tape measure in another embodiment can be
used in conjunction with the position sensor 6 to automatically
halt the movement of the gates 3 at a preselected position.
[0066] It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the
position sensor 6 and the position trigger 5 can be mounted in
various positions. The position sensor 6, may be mounted to the end
wall, trailer frame or hangers. Position trigger 5 may be mounted
in various positions, by e.g. being fixable in different points on
the end wall to accomplish the result taught herein. For example,
the mounting of the position sensor 6 and position trigger 5 can be
reversed from that taught herein. It will also be understood by
those skilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment is
directed to an adjustable limit indicator for a belly dump trailer,
the adjustable device can equally as well be employed to regulate
the opening of similar gates in other trailers or vehicles.
* * * * *