A flexible connector

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of single-track technology, and particularly relates to a flexible connector, comprising multiple first connecting blocks, second connecting blocks, and transition teeth. The first connecting blocks and second connecting blocks are alternately and sequentially connected along the length of the flexible connector, and the transition teeth are used to connect the first connecting blocks to adjacent second connecting blocks in series. The beneficial effect of this invention is that since each first connecting block of the flexible connector is connected to an adjacent second connecting block through the transition teeth, the flexible connector can be bent and deformed horizontally along its length. When the mountain monorail orchard conveyor travels to a switch point for route switching, the flexible connector can act as a transition and buffer, helping the mountain monorail orchard conveyor to pass through the switch smoothly and steadily.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of single-track technology, and particularly relates to a flexible connector. Background Technology

[0002] Mountain monorail orchard conveyors are used for transporting harvested fruit in hilly orchards, transporting fertilizers and pesticides during daily management, and transporting small tillers, pesticides, and weeders. The single-track system can be installed in mountainous and hilly areas, in orchards with steep curves and slopes. The single-track system consists of square steel pipes and racks.

[0003] A turnout is a track connection device that allows a mountain monorail orchard conveyor to switch from one track to another, and it is also one of the weakest links in a single-track system. Existing turnout track-changing devices typically have a connecting track, with the main track and a branch track connected to each end of the connecting track, respectively. Chinese patent (patent application number: 202210301471.0) discloses a track switching device for a self-propelled monorail transport in a mountain orchard. In the technical solution of this patent, the main track 8 and the connecting track 15 at the turnout form a hinged structure through a track conversion joint 9. The two hinge blocks of the track conversion joint 9 are respectively fastened to the ends of the main track 8 and the connecting track 15 by bolts and connected by pins. When switching routes, one end of the connecting track 15 can rotate around the pin to switch from one branch track to another. When the connecting track 15 connects to the first branch track 11 or the second branch track 13, the connecting track 15 forms an abrupt angled track with the main track 8, and the mountain monorail orchard conveyor cannot pass smoothly when it reaches the switch. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible connector to solve the problem in the prior art that mountain monorail orchard conveyors cannot pass smoothly and stably when they reach the switch.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A flexible connector includes multiple first connecting blocks, multiple second connecting blocks, and multiple transition teeth. The first connecting blocks and second connecting blocks are alternately and sequentially connected along the length of the flexible connector. The transition teeth are used to connect the first connecting blocks to adjacent second connecting blocks in series. Each side of the first connecting block where it connects to the second connecting block has an upper connecting plate and a lower connecting plate, forming an insertion groove. Each side of the second connecting block where it connects to the first connecting block has an insertion plate, which is embedded into the insertion groove of the adjacent first insertion block. The upper connecting plate has an upper connecting hole for the transition teeth to pass through, the lower connecting plate has a lower connecting hole for the transition teeth to pass through, and the insertion plate has a middle connecting hole for the transition teeth to pass through. Each transition tooth passes through the corresponding upper connecting hole, middle connecting hole, and lower connecting hole, thereby connecting the first connecting block to the adjacent second connecting block in series.

[0007] The transition tooth includes a pin part and a toothed part. The pin part is inserted into the upper connecting hole, the middle connecting hole, and the lower connecting hole. The toothed part is located at the bottom of the first connecting block. The toothed part is used to mesh with the wheel of the mountain monorail orchard conveyor. The distance between the toothed parts of two adjacent transition teeth is equal to the distance between two adjacent peaks of the rack on the single track.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the flexible connector provided by the present invention are as follows: Compared with the prior art, each first connecting block of the flexible connector is connected to the adjacent second connecting block through transition teeth. Therefore, the flexible connector can be bent and deformed in the horizontal direction along its length direction. When the mountain monorail orchard conveyor travels to the turnout and changes its route, the flexible connector can play a transition and buffering role, helping the mountain monorail orchard conveyor to pass through the turnout smoothly.

[0009] In one embodiment, the projection shape of the first connecting block along the vertical direction is an ellipse or a rounded rectangle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the transition tooth further includes a retaining ring, and the end of the pin portion of the transition tooth away from the tooth portion is provided with an annular limiting flange, and an annular retaining groove is formed between the pin portion and the tooth portion, and the retaining ring is embedded in the retaining groove. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible connector according to an embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 2 Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of the flexible connector from another perspective;

[0014] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the flexible connector according to an embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first connecting block, the second connecting block, and the transition teeth of the flexible connector according to an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the transition teeth of the flexible connector in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible connector used in the track-changing device of a monorail transporter in a mountain orchard, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible connector applied to a single-track system according to another embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the flexible transition member and the connecting track and the main track according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single-track system in the prior art.

[0021] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0022] 1. Base frame;

[0023] 2. Main track; 21. Connecting block; 210. Connecting hole;

[0024] 31. First branch track; 32. Second branch track;

[0025] 4. Drive unit;

[0026] 5. Flexible connector; 51. First connecting block; 510. Insertion groove; 511. Upper connecting plate; 5110. Upper connecting hole; 512. Lower connecting plate; 5120. Lower connecting hole; 52. Second connecting block; 521. Insertion plate; 5210. Middle connecting hole; 53. Transition tooth; 530. Slot; 531. Pin part; 532. Toothed part; 533. Snap ring; 534. Limiting flange;

[0027] 6. Connecting track; 60. Insert groove; 63. Third connecting plate; 64. Fourth connecting plate;

[0028] 7. Contact sensor;

[0029] 81. Gear rack; 82. Square steel pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] like Figures 1-4As shown, the flexible connector 5 provided by the present invention includes a plurality of first connecting blocks 51, a plurality of second connecting blocks 52, and a plurality of transition teeth 53. The first connecting blocks 51 and the second connecting blocks 52 are alternately and sequentially connected along the length direction of the flexible connector 5. The transition teeth 53 are used to connect the first connecting blocks 51 to adjacent second connecting blocks 52 in series. The two sides of the first connecting blocks 51 for connecting to the second connecting blocks 52 are respectively provided with an upper connecting plate 511 and a lower connecting plate 512. An insertion groove 510 is formed between the upper connecting plate 511 and the lower connecting plate 512. The second connecting blocks 52 are used to connect to the first connecting blocks 51 in series. The first connecting block 51 is provided with plug-in plates 521 on both sides. The plug-in plate 521 on the second connecting block 42 is embedded in the plug-in groove 510 of the adjacent first connecting block 51. The upper connecting plate 511 is provided with an upper connecting hole 5110 for the transition tooth 53 to pass through. The lower connecting plate 512 is provided with a lower connecting hole 5120 for the transition tooth 53 to pass through. The plug-in plate 521 is provided with a middle connecting hole 5210 for the transition tooth 53 to pass through. Each transition tooth 53 passes through the corresponding upper connecting hole 5110, middle connecting hole 5210, and lower connecting hole 5120, thereby connecting the first connecting block 51 and the adjacent second connecting block 52 in series.

[0035] The transition tooth 53 includes a pin portion 531 and a toothed portion 532. The pin portion 531 is inserted into the upper connecting hole 5110, the middle connecting hole 5210, and the lower connecting hole 5120. The toothed portion 532 is located at the bottom of the first connecting block 51 and is used to mesh with the wheels of the mountain monorail orchard conveyor. (See reference...) Figure 2 and Figure 8 The distance L1 between the toothed portions 532 of two adjacent transition teeth 53 on the flexible connector 5 is equal to the distance L2 between two adjacent peaks of the rack on the single track. Thus, when the mountain monorail orchard conveyor travels to the flexible connector 5, the toothed portions 532 of the multiple transition teeth 53 on the flexible connector 5 can mesh with the wheels of the mountain monorail orchard conveyor, and the transition teeth 53 can perform the same function as the rack 81 on the single track. The main body of the flexible connector, composed of multiple first connecting blocks 51 and multiple second connecting blocks 52, can perform the same function as the square steel pipe 82 on the single track.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the flexible connector provided by the present invention has each first connecting block 51 and the adjacent second connecting block 52 connected in series by transition teeth 53. Therefore, the flexible connector 5 can be bent and deformed in the horizontal direction along its length direction. When the mountain monorail orchard conveyor travels to the turnout and changes its route, the flexible connector 5 can play a transition and buffering role, helping the mountain monorail orchard conveyor to pass through the turnout smoothly and steadily.

[0037] Among them, see Figure 1 and Figure 3The projection shape of the first connecting block 51 along the vertical direction is elliptical. (See reference...) Figure 7 The projection shape of the first connecting block 51 along the vertical direction is a rounded rectangle. The specific shape of the first connecting block 51 can also be other suitable shapes.

[0038] See Figure 6 Another embodiment of the present invention provides a track-changing device for a monorail transport machine in a mountain orchard, comprising the aforementioned flexible connector 5, including a base frame 1, and a main track 2, a connecting track 6, a first branch track 31, a second branch track 32, and a drive device 4, all mounted on the base frame 1. The main track 2, connecting track 6, first branch track 31, and second branch track 32 are part of a single-track system, and their structures are identical to the main body of the single-track system. The structure of the single-track system is as follows... Figure 9 As shown, it includes a square steel pipe and a rack. The first end of the connecting rail 6 is rotatably connected to the main rail 2 via a flexible connector 5. The second end of the connecting rail 6 can be connected to either the first branch rail 31 or the second branch rail 32. The driving device 4 is used to drive the connecting rail 6 to swing so that the second end of the connecting rail 6 moves to a position connected to the first branch rail 31 or to a position connected to the second branch rail 32.

[0039] When the connecting track 6 is connected to either the first branch track 31 or the second branch track 32, a flexible transition piece 5 is provided between the connecting track 6 and the main track 2. Each first connecting block 51 of the flexible transition piece 5 is connected to the adjacent second connecting block 52 through a transition tooth 53. The flexible transition piece 5 can be bent and deformed in the horizontal direction along its length direction. The connecting track 6, the flexible transition piece 5 and the main track 2 form a smooth straight-arc-straight trajectory. Therefore, when the mountain monorail orchard conveyor travels to the switch, it can pass smoothly and steadily.

[0040] The structure of the drive device 4 can adopt the drive mechanism in the Chinese patent (patent application number: 202210301471.0) or other structures, as long as they can drive the connecting track 6 to swing. It will not be described in detail here.

[0041] The flexible connector 5 provided by this invention can be used not only as an intermediate connection member at a turnout to connect the track 6 and the main track 2, but also... Figure 7 As shown, the flexible connector 5 can also be used as a section of a single track at critical nodes with significant turns.

[0042] In one embodiment, see [reference] Figure 8When the flexible connector 5 is used as an intermediate connecting member between the connecting rail 6 and the main rail 2 at the turnout, both ends of the flexible connector 5 can be connected to the connecting rail 6 and the main rail 2 through the following structure: One end of the flexible connector 5 connected to the connecting rail 6 is provided with a second connecting block 52. The second connecting block 52 has a plug-in plate 521 with a central connecting hole 5210. The connecting rail 6 is provided with a third connecting plate 63 and a fourth connecting plate 64, forming a groove 60 between the third connecting plate 63 and the fourth connecting plate 64. The plug-in plate on the second connecting block is embedded in the groove 60. Both the third connecting plate 63 and the fourth connecting plate 64 are provided with transition teeth 5. 3. Through-holes are provided, and transition teeth 53 pass through the third connecting plate 63, the plug-in plate 521, and the fourth connecting plate 64 from top to bottom, thereby connecting the second connecting block 52 on the flexible transition piece 5 with the third connecting plate 63 and the fourth connecting plate 64 on the connecting track 6. A first connecting block 51 is provided at one end of the flexible transition piece 5 connected to the main track 2. A plug-in block 21 is provided on the main track 2, and a plug-in hole 210 is provided on the plug-in block 21. The transition teeth 53 pass through the corresponding upper connecting hole 5110, plug-in hole 210, and lower connecting hole 5120, thereby connecting the first connecting block 51 on the flexible transition piece 5 with the plug-in block 21 on the main track 2. This embodiment only illustrates one connection method between the flexible transition piece 5 and the connecting track 6 and the main track 2. The flexible connecting piece 5 can also be connected to the connecting track 6 and the main track 2 through other structures. When the flexible connecting piece 5 is a section of a single-track, the connection structure between the two ends of the flexible connecting piece 5 and the single-track can also be referred to. Figure 8 The structure shown.

[0043] In one embodiment, see [reference] Figure 5 The transition tooth 53 also includes a retaining ring 533. A retaining ring, also called a retaining ring or snap ring, is a type of fastener that prevents axial movement of parts on a shaft or in a hole. The pin portion 531 of the transition tooth has an annular limiting flange 534 at the end away from the toothed portion 532. An annular groove 530 is formed between the pin portion 531 and the toothed portion 532, and the retaining ring 533 is fitted into the groove 530. During assembly, the retaining ring 533 is fitted over the toothed portion 532 and slides upwards into the groove 530. The limiting flange 534 and the retaining ring 533 act as limiting elements, preventing the components on the flexible connector 5 (first connecting block 51, second connecting block 52, transition tooth 53) from loosening or falling off.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible connector, characterized in that, The flexible connector includes multiple first connecting blocks, multiple second connecting blocks, and multiple transition teeth. The first and second connecting blocks are alternately and sequentially connected along the length of the flexible connector. The transition teeth are used to connect the first connecting blocks to adjacent second connecting blocks in series. The first connecting blocks have upper and lower connecting plates on their respective sides for connecting to the second connecting blocks, forming an insertion groove between them. The second connecting blocks have insertion plates on their respective sides for connecting to the first connecting blocks, and the insertion plates on the second connecting blocks are embedded in the insertion grooves of adjacent first insertion blocks. The upper connecting plate has an upper connecting hole for the transition teeth to pass through, the lower connecting plate has a lower connecting hole for the transition teeth to pass through, and the insertion plate has a middle connecting hole for the transition teeth to pass through. Each transition tooth passes through the corresponding upper, middle, and lower connecting holes, thereby connecting the first connecting block to the adjacent second connecting block in series. The transition tooth includes a pin part and a toothed part. The pin part is inserted into the upper connecting hole, the middle connecting hole, and the lower connecting hole. The toothed part is located at the bottom of the first connecting block. The toothed part is used to mesh with the wheel of the mountain monorail orchard conveyor. The distance between the toothed parts of two adjacent transition teeth is equal to the distance between two adjacent peaks of the rack on the single track.

2. The flexible connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projection shape of the first connecting block along the vertical direction is elliptical or rounded rectangle.

3. The flexible connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition tooth also includes a retaining spring. The end of the pin portion of the transition tooth away from the tooth portion is provided with an annular limiting protrusion. An annular retaining groove is formed between the pin portion and the tooth portion, and the retaining spring is embedded in the retaining groove.

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