Stacker fork

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of stacker crane fork technology, specifically to a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods. It includes a fixed plate and two relatively movable fork assemblies mounted on top of the fixed plate. A slide rail is provided between the fixed plate and the fork assemblies to guide them. Each fork assembly includes a base, and the bottom of the base has a groove that mates with the slide rail. A first gear is rotatably mounted at the center of the bottom of the base. This utility model, by replacing the two fixed forks with movable ones, accommodates large-sized goods and avoids the problem of forks easily dropping large items when picking them up.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of stacker crane fork technology, specifically a stacker crane fork for picking up and placing goods. Background Technology

[0002] In automated warehousing and logistics systems, stacker cranes, as core handling equipment, directly determine the efficiency, accuracy, and safety of goods storage and retrieval through the performance of their forks. As the warehousing industry develops towards higher density, heavier loads, and faster pace, higher demands are placed on the load-bearing capacity, positioning accuracy, adaptability, and operational stability of the forks. Currently, stacker crane forks on the market are mainly divided into single-extension, double-extension, and multi-extension structures, generally employing rack and pinion drives, chain drives, or ball screw drives, combined with guide rails to achieve the extension and retraction of goods for storage and retrieval. These types of forks have been widely used in goods storage and retrieval scenarios, basically meeting the needs of basic warehousing operations.

[0003] However, existing forks are generally multi-stage telescopic forks, with a fixed distance between the forks. When storing or retrieving large goods that exceed standard dimensions, the fixed-distance forks cannot adjust the support span according to the width or center of gravity of the goods. In this case, the goods can only partially overlap the forks, causing the center of gravity of the goods to deviate from the load-bearing center of the forks. During fork extension or stacker crane movement, the goods are prone to tilting, swaying, or even slipping off the forks, which not only damages the goods but may also cause equipment collisions and personnel safety accidents. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a stacker crane fork for picking up and placing goods. By changing the two fixed forks to movable ones, it can accommodate large-sized goods and avoid the problem of the forks easily dropping large-sized goods when picking them up.

[0005] To address the existing technical problems, this utility model provides a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, including a fixed plate and two fork assemblies disposed on the top of the fixed plate and capable of moving relative to each other. A slide rail for guiding the fork assemblies is provided between the fixed plate and the fork assemblies. The fork assemblies include a base, and the bottom of the base is provided with a groove that cooperates with the slide rail. A first gear is rotatably disposed at the center of the bottom of the base.

[0006] Preferably, a drive shaft is rotatably mounted at the center of the top of the fixed plate, and the drive shaft has a groove along its length direction. The drive shaft engages with the shaft hole of the first gear, and a guide block is provided in the shaft hole of the first gear to engage with the groove on the drive shaft. A rotary drive component for driving the drive shaft to rotate is also fixed to the outside of the fixed plate.

[0007] Preferably, the fork assembly further includes a first sliding fork disposed on the top of the base and capable of reciprocating along the length of the base, and second racks engaged with the first gear are mounted on both sides of the bottom of the base.

[0008] Preferably, the fork assembly further includes two support plates respectively mounted on the top sides of the base, and a plurality of first guide wheels are rotatably arranged on the support plates along their length direction. The fork assembly also includes limiting rails fixed on the top sides of the first sliding fork, and the first guide wheels can cooperate with the limiting rails.

[0009] Preferably, the fork assembly further includes a first rack disposed at the center of the top of the base, and the fork assembly further includes a second gear rotatably disposed at the center of the first sliding fork, the second gear meshing with the first rack.

[0010] Preferably, the fork assembly further includes a second sliding fork disposed on top of the first sliding fork and capable of reciprocating along the length direction of the first sliding fork, and a third rack is fixed at the center of the bottom of the second sliding fork, and the third rack meshes with the second gear.

[0011] Preferably, the fork assembly further includes a base plate installed on both sides of the bottom of the second sliding fork, and a plurality of second guide wheels are rotatably arranged on the base plate along its length direction, the second guide wheels being able to cooperate with the limit rail.

[0012] Preferably, the fork assembly further includes a lifting platform disposed above the second sliding fork, and a sleeve is disposed on the top of the second sliding fork. A limiting rod that can cooperate with the sleeve is disposed on the bottom of the lifting platform. A first telescopic drive member that can drive the lifting platform to move up and down is disposed on the second sliding fork. An additional connection hole is also provided on the lifting platform.

[0013] The advantages of this utility model compared to the prior art are:

[0014] This application configures two synchronously movable fork assemblies and sets a second telescopic drive component between them. The driving force of the second telescopic drive component enables synchronous relative movement of the two fork assemblies, thus flexibly adjusting the distance between them. This design effectively adapts to goods of different sizes, especially for handling large goods, significantly improving the equipment's adaptability to diverse goods and expanding its application range. Secondly, a guide block is set inside the first gear of the base, and a corresponding groove is formed on the drive shaft. The sliding fit between the guide block and the groove ensures a stable transmission connection between the two fork assemblies during the distance adjustment process. This structural design satisfies the movement requirements of the fork assemblies while avoiding interference with the transmission effect during movement, ensuring the continuity and reliability of power transmission and improving the stability of equipment operation. Furthermore, by setting a lifting platform on the top of the second sliding fork that can perform short-distance lifting, a small lifting action can be achieved during the handling of goods, improving the convenience of handling goods. Meanwhile, the additional connection holes on the lifting platform provide a structural foundation for subsequent functional expansion, making it easy to add auxiliary components such as guardrails and limit devices according to actual needs, thereby enhancing the equipment's functional expandability and usage flexibility. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the two fork components of a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, according to this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fork assembly of a stacker crane for picking and placing goods, according to this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a first exploded structural diagram of the fork assembly of a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, according to this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a second exploded structural diagram of the fork assembly of a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, according to this utility model.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a third exploded structural diagram of the fork assembly of a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, according to this utility model.

[0020] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. Fixed plate; 11. Slide rail; 2. Fork assembly; 21. Base; 211. First rack; 212. First gear; 22. Support plate; 221. First guide wheel; 23. First sliding fork; 231. Second gear; 232. Second rack; 24. Limit rail; 25. Lifting platform; 251. Connection hole; 252. Limit rod; 26. Second sliding fork; 261. First telescopic drive component; 262. Sleeve; 263. Base plate; 264. Second guide wheel; 265. Third rack; 3. Second telescopic drive component; 4. Drive shaft; 5. Rotation drive component. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To further understand the features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions achieved by this utility model, the following detailed description of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] Reference Figures 1-5 As shown, this utility model provides a stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, including a fixed plate 1 and two fork assemblies 2 disposed on the top of the fixed plate 1 and capable of relative movement. A slide rail 11 is provided between the fixed plate 1 and the fork assemblies 2 to guide the fork assemblies 2. The fork assembly 2 includes a base 21, and the bottom of the base 21 is provided with a groove that cooperates with the slide rail 11. The slide rail 11 is disposed on the top of the fixed plate 1, and it forms a cooperating structure with the groove at the bottom of the base 21 of the fork assembly 2. Its main function is to provide guiding constraints for the movement of the fork assembly 2, limit the movement trajectory of the fork assembly 2, ensure that the two fork assemblies 2 slide smoothly in a preset direction during relative movement, avoid deviation or shaking, and improve movement accuracy. A first gear 212 is rotatably disposed at the center position of the bottom of the base 21. Two mutually symmetrical second telescopic drive members 3 are provided on the top of the fixed plate 1. The second telescopic drive members 3 are double-headed cylinders, and the two output ends of the second telescopic drive members 3 are respectively connected to the two bases 21.

[0023] The fixed plate 1 provides an overall support base, and the slide rail 11 and the groove of the base 21 provide guidance for the movement of the fork assembly 2. When it is necessary to adjust the distance between the two fork assemblies 2 to adapt to the size of the goods, the second telescopic drive 3 is activated, and its two output ends extend and retract synchronously, respectively driving the bases 21 of the two fork assemblies 2 to move relatively closer or further away along the slide rail 11, so as to realize the flexible adjustment of the distance. During this process, the first gear 212 on the top of the base 21 can maintain power transmission, ensuring that the fork assembly 2 can still complete the subsequent goods picking and placing actions normally while moving, and finally realize the stable picking and placing of goods of different sizes.

[0024] A drive shaft 4 is rotatably mounted at the center of the top of the fixed plate 1. The drive shaft 4 has a groove along its length and engages with the shaft hole of the first gear 212. A guide block is provided in the shaft hole of the first gear 212 to engage with the groove on the drive shaft 4. A rotary drive component 5 for driving the drive shaft 4 is also fixed to the outside of the fixed plate 1. The fork assembly 2 also includes a first sliding fork 23 mounted on the top of the base 21 and capable of reciprocating along the length of the base 21. Second racks 232 that mesh with the first gear 212 are mounted on both sides of the bottom of the base 21.

[0025] When the fork assembly 2 needs to be extended or retracted to pick up or place goods, the rotary drive 5 is activated and drives the drive shaft 4 to rotate. The drive shaft 4 transmits the rotational motion to the first gear 212 through the cooperation between its groove and the guide block in the shaft hole of the first gear 212 (even when the fork assembly 2 moves along the slide rail 11 to adjust the spacing under the action of the second extension drive 3, the sliding cooperation between the guide block and the groove can still ensure that the power transmission is not affected). When the first gear 212 rotates, it forms a meshing transmission with the second racks 232 on both sides of the bottom of the base 21, thereby driving the first sliding fork 23 to move back and forth along the length of the base 21, realizing the extension or retraction of the fork assembly 2, and finally completing the picking and placing of goods.

[0026] The fork assembly 2 also includes two support plates 22 respectively mounted on the top sides of the base 21, and a plurality of first guide wheels 221 are rotatably arranged on the support plates 22 along their length direction. The fork assembly 2 also includes limiting rails 24 fixed on both sides of the top of the first sliding fork 23, and the first guide wheels 221 can cooperate with the limiting rails 24. The fork assembly 2 also includes a first rack 211 disposed at the center position of the top of the base 21, and a second gear 231 rotatably disposed at the center position of the first sliding fork 23, the second gear 231 meshing with the first rack 211. The fork assembly 2 also includes a second sliding fork 26 disposed on the top of the first sliding fork 23 and capable of reciprocating along the length direction of the first sliding fork 23, and a third rack 265 fixed at the center position of the bottom of the second sliding fork 26, the third rack 265 meshing with the second gear 231.

[0027] When the first sliding fork 23 moves along the length of the base 21 under the drive of the first gear 212 and the second rack 232, the limiting rails 24 on both sides of its top form a rolling engagement with the first guide wheel 221 on the support plate 22. Under the constraint and support of the first guide wheel 221, the first sliding fork 23 maintains a stable linear motion, avoiding deviation or swaying. At the same time, the second gear 231 in the center of the first sliding fork 23 rotates as the first sliding fork 23 moves because it meshes with the first rack 211 fixed at the top of the base 21. The rotation of the second gear 231 drives the second sliding fork 26 to move synchronously along the length of the first sliding fork 23 through meshing with the third rack 265 at the bottom of the second sliding fork 26, realizing the two-stage extension and retraction of the fork assembly 2.

[0028] The fork assembly 2 also includes a base plate 263 installed on both sides of the bottom of the second sliding fork 26, and a plurality of second guide wheels 264 are rotatably arranged on the base plate 263 along its length direction. The second guide wheels 264 can cooperate with the limit rail 24.

[0029] When the second sliding fork 26 moves telescopically along the length of the first sliding fork 23 under the drive of the second gear 231 and the third rack 265, the second guide wheels 264 on the bottom plates 263 on both sides of its bottom form a rolling engagement with the limiting rail 24 at the top of the first sliding fork 23. At this time, the limiting rail 24 serves as a fixed guiding reference, constraining the movement trajectory of the second sliding fork 26 through contact with the second guide wheels 264. The rotation of the second guide wheels 264 converts the sliding friction between the second sliding fork 26 and the first sliding fork 23 into rolling friction, effectively reducing the movement resistance.

[0030] The fork assembly 2 also includes a lifting platform 25 disposed above the second sliding fork 26, and a sleeve 262 is disposed on the top of the second sliding fork 26. A limiting rod 252 that can cooperate with the sleeve 262 is disposed at the bottom of the lifting platform 25. A first telescopic drive member 261 that can drive the lifting platform 25 to move up and down is also disposed on the second sliding fork 26. An additional connection hole 251 is also provided on the lifting platform 25.

[0031] When the fork assembly 2 moves the lifting platform 25 below the goods via the telescopic movements of the first sliding fork 23 and the second sliding fork 26, the first telescopic drive component 261 is activated, extending its output end and pushing the lifting platform 25 upward. During this process, the limiting rod 252 at the bottom of the lifting platform 25 slides vertically along the sleeve 262 at the top of the second sliding fork 26. Through the cooperation of the two, the movement trajectory of the lifting platform 25 is constrained, ensuring its smooth ascent and precise contact with the bottom of the goods, lifting the goods from the shelf to a certain height to detach them from the shelf support. After the goods are retrieved, the first telescopic drive component 261 retracts, causing the lifting platform 25 and the goods to descend smoothly until the goods are stably placed on the lifting platform 25, facilitating the overall movement and transfer of goods by the fork assembly 2. Simultaneously, the additional connection hole 251 on the lifting platform 25 can be fitted with auxiliary components such as guardrails and limiting devices according to actual needs, enhancing the functional expandability and operational flexibility of the equipment.

[0032] The above embodiments only illustrate one or more implementations of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods, characterized in that: It includes a fixed plate (1) and two fork assemblies (2) disposed on the top of the fixed plate (1) and capable of moving relative to each other. A slide rail (11) for guiding the fork assembly (2) is provided between the fixed plate (1) and the fork assembly (2). The fork assembly (2) includes a base (21), and the bottom of the base (21) is provided with a slide groove that cooperates with the slide rail (11). A first gear (212) is rotatably disposed at the center of the bottom of the base (21).

2. The stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the fixed plate (1) is provided with two mutually symmetrical second telescopic drive members (3). The second telescopic drive member (3) is a double-headed cylinder. The two output ends of the second telescopic drive member (3) are respectively connected to two bases (21).

3. The stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 2, characterized in that: A drive shaft (4) is rotatably mounted at the center of the top of the fixed plate (1), and the drive shaft (4) has a groove along its length direction. The drive shaft (4) is engaged with the shaft hole of the first gear (212), and a guide block is provided in the shaft hole of the first gear (212) to engage with the groove on the drive shaft (4). A rotary drive component (5) for driving the drive shaft (4) to rotate is also fixed outside the fixed plate (1).

4. The stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fork assembly (2) further includes a first sliding fork (23) disposed on the top of the base (21) and capable of reciprocating along the length of the base (21), and second racks (232) meshing with the first gear (212) are installed on both sides of the bottom of the base (21).

5. A stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fork assembly (2) also includes two support plates (22) respectively installed on the top sides of the base (21), and a plurality of first guide wheels (221) are rotatably arranged on the support plates (22) along their length direction. The fork assembly (2) also includes limiting rails (24) fixed on the top sides of the first sliding fork (23), and the first guide wheels (221) can cooperate with the limiting rails (24).

6. A stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fork assembly (2) also includes a first rack (211) disposed at the center of the top of the base (21), and the fork assembly (2) also includes a second gear (231) rotatably disposed at the center of the first sliding fork (23), the second gear (231) meshing with the first rack (211).

7. A stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 6, characterized in that: The fork assembly (2) further includes a second sliding fork (26) disposed on top of the first sliding fork (23) and capable of reciprocating along the length direction of the first sliding fork (23), and a third rack (265) is fixed at the center of the bottom of the second sliding fork (26), and the third rack (265) meshes with the second gear (231).

8. A stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fork assembly (2) also includes a base plate (263) installed on both sides of the bottom of the second sliding fork (26), and a plurality of second guide wheels (264) are rotatably arranged on the base plate (263) along its length direction. The second guide wheels (264) can cooperate with the limit rail (24).

9. A stacker crane fork for picking and placing goods according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fork assembly (2) also includes a lifting platform (25) disposed above the second sliding fork (26), and a sleeve (262) is disposed on the top of the second sliding fork (26). A limiting rod (252) that can cooperate with the sleeve (262) is disposed at the bottom of the lifting platform (25). A first telescopic drive member (261) that can drive the lifting platform (25) to move up and down is also disposed on the second sliding fork (26). An additional connection hole (251) is also provided on the lifting platform (25).

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