A type of liftable multi-level shuttle

Abstract

This invention discloses a liftable multi-level shuttle, which includes: a traveling mechanism, a vehicle body, a lifting platform mounted on the vehicle body, forks mounted on the lifting platform, and a vertical column passing through the vehicle body. The column is fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and a slide rail is provided on the side of the column near the lifting platform. A slider is provided at the position of the lifting platform corresponding to the slide rail, and a lifting motor is provided on the vehicle body. This allows the shuttle to move on the track and also to move the forks vertically via the column, enabling the handling of materials at different heights on the same shelf, greatly reducing the investment in lifting equipment and achieving high efficiency in material handling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated logistics equipment technology, specifically to a liftable multi-level shuttle vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The use of shuttle cars in shelving successfully eliminates the need for forklift access lanes that must be maintained between rows of shelves in traditional storage methods. It enables the retrieval and storage of workpieces between closely spaced shelves, significantly increasing warehouse capacity. Furthermore, it can be integrated with shuttle mother cars, elevator shafts, conveyor trolleys, chain conveyors, roller conveyors, stacker cranes, and other equipment to form a fully automated three-dimensional warehouse conveying system. This system transports materials according to a plan, significantly reducing the workload of management personnel and offering substantial advantages in warehouse space utilization, goods storage and retrieval efficiency, and shelving investment costs.

[0003] With the advent of Industry 4.0, companies worldwide are beginning to explore new logistics models. Multi-level shuttle systems, with their high efficiency, are widely used in e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, apparel, publishing, and other industrial sectors. A multi-level shuttle system refers to a flexible coordination between different numbers of shuttles and elevators to complete operations. However, existing multi-level shuttle systems are prone to congestion when the elevators are overloaded, leading to increased operation time. Furthermore, each shuttle only covers one layer of material storage and retrieval needs at a time, easily resulting in idle shuttles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the inventors have provided a liftable multi-level shuttle vehicle with the ability to travel on tracks and vertically lift the forks. This enables the handling of materials at different heights within the same shelf, meeting material handling efficiency requirements and saving costs.

[0005] Specifically, this application provides a liftable multi-level shuttle car, which includes: a car body, a lifting platform mounted on the car body, forks mounted on the lifting platform, and a vertical column passing through the car body. The column is fixedly connected to the car body, and the side of the column near the lifting platform is slidably connected to the lifting platform. The car body is equipped with a lifting motor, which drives the lifting platform to slide in the vertical direction of the column.

[0006] Furthermore, a slide rail is provided on the side of the column near the lifting platform, and a slider is provided at the position of the lifting platform corresponding to the slide rail. The lifting motor is used to drive the slider to slide on the slide rail, so that the lifting platform slides on the column.

[0007] Furthermore, two first pulleys are provided at both ends of one side wall of the column, and the two first pulleys are connected by a synchronous belt drive; a fixing block is fixedly provided at the position of the lifting platform corresponding to the synchronous belt, and the synchronous belt passes through the fixing block and is fixedly connected to the fixing block;

[0008] A mounting bracket is provided on the vehicle body near the timing belt. The lifting motor is mounted on the mounting bracket. The output end of the lifting motor passes through the mounting bracket and is connected to the second pulley. The first pulley and the second pulley are connected by the timing belt. The lifting motor is used to drive the timing belt to move, thereby driving the fixed block to move, so that the lifting platform can slide on the slide rail.

[0009] Furthermore, two third pulleys are symmetrically arranged on the side of the mounting bracket near the second pulley. The two third pulleys are located above and below the second pulley, respectively, and are arranged in a triangle with the second pulley. The first pulley, the second pulley, and the third pulleys are connected by the synchronous belt drive.

[0010] Furthermore, the shuttle also includes a traveling mechanism for moving the shuttle on a shuttle track; the traveling mechanism includes a traveling motor and first wheels located on both sides of the vehicle body, the first wheels contacting the upper surface of the shuttle track, the traveling motor driving the first wheels to rotate so that the shuttle moves on the shuttle track; transverse pulleys are provided on both sides of the vehicle body, the transverse pulleys contacting the side of the shuttle track closest to the vehicle body.

[0011] Furthermore, connecting rods are provided on both sides of the vehicle body, and rotatable second wheels are provided on the connecting rods. The second wheels are located below the shuttle track and are in contact with the lower surface of the shuttle track.

[0012] Furthermore, each connecting rod has a connecting plate rotatably connected to one end away from the vehicle body, and the second wheel is rotatably connected to one side of the connecting plate. The other end of the connecting plate is fixedly connected to a spring assembly, which is located below the second wheel and is used to ensure that the second wheel contacts the shuttle track.

[0013] Furthermore, the spring assembly includes: a slider and a fixed seat distributed in the vertical direction, a rotating rod screwed onto the fixed seat, one end of the rotating rod near the slider being connected to the slider via a spring, the slider being slidably connected to the side of the vehicle body, and a connecting piece fixed to the slider.

[0014] This application explains how it works:

[0015] When storing or retrieving goods, the traveling motor first drives the shuttle car to move along the shuttle car track, moving the column along with it. After reaching the storage position of the goods, the shuttle car stops moving. At this time, the lifting motor works, driving the lifting platform to move on the column, thereby driving the forks to rise and move. After the forks are in place, the forks are used to store or retrieve the goods.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention compared to existing technologies are as follows:

[0017] (1) The liftable multi-layer shuttle provided in this application can drive the forks to rise or fall on the column through the lifting motor, realize the handling of materials at different heights in the same shelf, greatly reduce the investment in lifting equipment, and realize the high efficiency of material handling.

[0018] (2) The spring assembly ensures that the second wheel is in contact with the shuttle track, effectively ensuring that the shuttle can travel normally on the track. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the usage status of the liftable multi-level shuttle provided in this application;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the liftable multi-level shuttle provided in this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the left side structure of the vehicle body in this application;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the right side structure of the vehicle body in this application;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1-Car body; 11-Lifting platform; 111-Forks; 112-Slider; 113-Fixing block; 12-Traveling motor; 13-First wheel; 14-Mounting bracket; 141-Lifting motor; 142-Second pulley; 143-Third pulley; 15-Transverse pulley; 161-Connecting rod; 162-Connecting piece; 163-Second wheel; 164-Sliding piece; 165-Fixing seat; 166-Rotating rod; 167-Spring; 2-Column; 21-Slide rail; 22-First pulley; 23-Synchronous belt; 3-Shuttle track. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by associated similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to this application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of this application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0028] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can be rearranged or adjusted in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are only for the clear description of a particular embodiment and do not imply a necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a particular order must be followed.

[0029] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0030] It should be noted that this application does not involve any improvement to the shuttle control method. The lifting motor, traveling motor, and forks involved are all commercially available products, and the control method is a conventional technical means used by those skilled in the art.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] like Figure 1-6As shown, this application provides a liftable multi-level shuttle, which includes: a vehicle body 1, a traveling mechanism, a lifting platform 11 mounted on the vehicle body 1, forks 111 mounted on the lifting platform 11, and a column 2 vertically passing through the vehicle body 1. The traveling mechanism is used to move the shuttle on a shuttle track 3. One side of the column 2 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body 1, and a slide rail 21 is provided on the opposite side. A slider 112 is provided on the lifting platform 11 at a position corresponding to the slide rail 21. The slider 112 is slidably connected to the slide rail 21, enabling the slider to slide up and down. A lifting motor 141 is provided on the vehicle body 1. The lifting motor 141 is used to drive the slider 112 to move vertically on the slide rail 21 of the column 2, thereby driving the lifting platform 11 to rise and fall, and thus causing the forks 111 to move vertically. The shuttle can move on the shuttle track 3, and the forks 111 can be raised or lowered via the column 2, enabling the handling of materials at different heights on the same shelf, greatly reducing the investment in lifting equipment, avoiding the problem of idle shuttles, and achieving high efficiency in material handling.

[0033] Furthermore, two first pulleys 22 are provided at both ends of one side wall of the column 2, and the two first pulleys 22 are connected by a synchronous belt 23. A fixing block 113 is fixedly provided at the position corresponding to the synchronous belt 23 on the lifting platform 11. The synchronous belt 23 passes through the fixing block 113 and is fixed together with the fixing block 113. A mounting bracket 14 is provided on the vehicle body 1 near the synchronous belt 23. The lifting motor 141 is mounted on the mounting bracket 14, and the output end of the lifting motor 141 passes through the mounting bracket 14 and is connected to the second pulley 142. Two third pulleys 143 are symmetrically arranged on the side of the mounting bracket 14 near the second pulley 142. The two third pulleys 143 are located above and below the second pulley 142, respectively, and are triangularly distributed with the second pulley 142. The first pulley 22, the second pulley 142, and the third pulleys 143 are connected by a synchronous belt 22. The arrangement of the two third pulleys 143 makes the power transmission more stable, reduces elastic slippage and slippage, and enhances the transmission effect. Specifically, when the forks 111 are needed to store or retrieve goods, the traveling mechanism operates, driving the vehicle body 1 and the column 2 to move simultaneously on the shuttle track 3. After reaching the designated position, the lifting motor 141 operates, driving the second pulley 142 to rotate, thereby driving the first pulley 22 and the third pulley 143 to rotate, so that the synchronous belt 23 moves, thereby driving the fixed block 113 to move up or down, and driving the slider 112 to slide on the slide rail 21, thereby causing the lifting platform 11 to rise or fall, that is, the forks 111 to rise or fall. After the forks 111 are in position, the forks 111 extend to retrieve or store goods. After the retrieval or storage is completed, the lifting motor 141 reverses, causing the forks 111 to return to the initial position.

[0034] Furthermore, the traveling mechanism includes: a traveling motor 12 and first wheels 13 located on both sides of the vehicle body 1. The first wheels 13 are in contact with the upper surface of the shuttle track 3. The traveling motor 12 drives the first wheels 13 to rotate, so that the shuttle can move on the shuttle track 3. Lateral pulleys 15 are provided on both sides of the vehicle body 1, and the lateral pulleys 15 are in contact with the side of the shuttle track 3 closest to the vehicle body 1. Connecting rods 161 are provided on both sides of the vehicle body 1. Each connecting rod 161 has a connecting piece 162 rotatably connected to one end away from the vehicle body 1. A second wheel 163 is rotatably connected to one side of the connecting piece 162. The second wheel 163 is located below the shuttle track 3 and is in contact with the lower surface of the shuttle track 3. The arrangement of the first wheels 13, the second wheels 163, and the lateral pulleys 15 can restrict the position of the shuttle, ensuring that it remains on the shuttle track 3 and preventing the shuttle from leaving the shuttle track 3.

[0035] Furthermore, one end of the connecting piece 162 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 161, and the other end is fixedly connected to a spring assembly. The spring assembly is located below the second wheel 163 to ensure that the second wheel 163 contacts the shuttle track 3. The spring assembly includes: a sliding piece 164 and a fixed seat 165 distributed in the vertical direction. A rotating rod 166 is screwed onto the fixed seat 165. The end of the rotating rod 166 near the sliding piece 164 is connected to the sliding piece 164 through a spring 167. The sliding piece 164 is slidably connected to the side of the vehicle body 1, and the connecting piece 162 is fixed to the sliding piece 164. Specifically, rotating the rotary rod 166 compresses the spring 167. Under the elastic force of the spring 167, the slider 164 rotates slightly upward, which in turn causes the second wheel 163 to move slightly upward, making the second wheel 163 contact the lower surface of the shuttle track 3 more closely. This ensures that the shuttle can move normally on the shuttle track 3 and avoids problems such as inability to move or slow movement due to inadequate contact.

[0036] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. A multi-level shuttle vehicle that can be raised and lowered, characterized in that, include: The vehicle body, a lifting platform mounted on the vehicle body, forks mounted on the lifting platform, and a vertical column passing through the vehicle body, wherein the column is fixedly connected to the vehicle body and the side of the column near the lifting platform is slidably connected to the lifting platform; a lifting motor is installed inside the vehicle body, and the lifting motor is used to drive the lifting platform to slide in the vertical direction of the column. The vehicle body is located in the middle of the pillar; The multi-level shuttle also includes a running mechanism, which includes: a running motor, first wheels located on both sides of the vehicle body, the first wheels contacting the upper surface of the shuttle track, the running motor driving the first wheels to rotate so that the shuttle moves on the shuttle track; transverse pulleys are provided on both sides of the vehicle body, the transverse pulleys contacting the side of the shuttle track closest to the vehicle body; Connecting rods are also provided on both sides of the vehicle body, and rotatable second wheels are provided on the connecting rods. The second wheels are located below the shuttle track and are in contact with the lower surface of the shuttle track. Each connecting rod has a connecting plate rotatably connected to one end away from the vehicle body. The second wheel is rotatably connected to one side of the connecting plate. A spring assembly is fixedly connected to the other end of the connecting plate. The spring assembly is located below the second wheel and is used to ensure that the second wheel contacts the shuttle track. It can store and retrieve goods at different heights, either upwards or downwards, based on the height of the vehicle body and the track.

2. The liftable multi-level shuttle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The column is provided with a slide rail on the side near the lifting platform, and a slider is provided at the position of the lifting platform corresponding to the slide rail.

3. The liftable multi-level shuttle car as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Two first pulleys are provided at both ends of one side wall of the column, and the two first pulleys are connected by a synchronous belt drive; a fixing block is provided at the position of the lifting platform corresponding to the synchronous belt, and the synchronous belt passes through the fixing block and is fixedly connected to the fixing block; A mounting bracket is provided on the vehicle body near the timing belt. The lifting motor is mounted on the mounting bracket. The output end of the lifting motor passes through the mounting bracket and is connected to the second pulley. The first pulley and the second pulley are connected by the timing belt.

4. The liftable multi-level shuttle car as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting bracket has two third pulleys symmetrically arranged on the side near the second pulley. The two third pulleys are located above and below the second pulley, respectively, and are distributed in a triangle with the second pulley. The first pulley, the second pulley, and the third pulley are connected by the synchronous belt drive.

5. The liftable multi-level shuttle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The spring assembly includes: a slider and a fixed seat distributed in the vertical direction, a rotating rod screwed onto the fixed seat, one end of the rotating rod near the slider being connected to the slider via a spring, the slider being slidably connected to the side of the vehicle body, and a connecting piece fixed to the slider.

Images