Distance adjusting fork device and forklift applying same

Abstract

The invention discloses a distance adjusting fork device which is connected with a first pallet fork and a second pallet fork and comprises an adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism comprises a chain in a closed state, the adjusting mechanism is connected with a motor assembly, the motor assembly drives the chain to rotate and is used for driving the first pallet fork and the second pallet fork to move reversely, and the adjusting mechanism is connected with a potentiometer. Potential value changes generated by the potentiometer are used for monitoring the positions of the first pallet fork and the second pallet fork, connecting blocks are symmetrically arranged on the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the chain, the upper end connecting block is fixedly connected with the second pallet fork, the lower end connecting block is fixedly connected with the first pallet fork, and the adjusting mechanism comprises a driving chain wheel and a driven chain wheel. According to the distance adjusting fork device, the two forks can be driven to move through rotation of the chain in the adjusting mechanism, so that adjustment of the distance between the forks is achieved, and the distance adjusting fork device is simple and compact in overall structure, low in cost, convenient to maintain, capable of being conveniently assembled on a forklift and suitable for the working condition with the large load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of forklifts, and in particular to a forklift with an adjustable fork distance device and the forklift using the same. Background Art

[0002] Forklift attachments generally have adjustable forks that can adjust the spacing of the forks through a control system. This is used in situations where the size of customer pallets varies greatly and the spacing of the forks needs to be adjusted. In this situation, the use of adjustable forks can avoid manual adjustment of the fork spacing, thereby improving efficiency.

[0003] There are different types of adjustable fork structures on the market, and the most commonly used ones are motor + lead screw + guide rail or hydraulic cylinder + guide rail. For the motor + lead screw + guide rail adjustment method, the processing accuracy of the lead screw is strict, the cost is high, and the lead screw will wear faster under heavy loads. High temperature and corrosive environment will also have a great impact on the life of the lead screw. For the hydraulic cylinder + guide rail adjustment method, a hydraulic system is required for control and drive. The hydraulic-related structure is complex, and there will be risks of hydraulic oil leakage and inconvenient maintenance. Therefore, both the motor + lead screw + guide rail method and the hydraulic cylinder + guide rail method have disadvantages to varying degrees. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned background technical problems and to provide a fork distance adjustment device and a forklift using the same.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A distance-adjusting fork device is connected to a first fork and a second fork, comprising: an adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism comprising a chain in a closed state, the adjusting mechanism being connected to a motor assembly, the motor assembly driving the chain to rotate, and being used to drive the first fork and the second fork to move in opposite directions, the adjusting mechanism being connected to a potentiometer, and the potential value change generated by the potentiometer being used to monitor the positions of the first fork and the second fork.

[0007] As a further solution of the present invention: connecting blocks are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower ends of the chain, the upper connecting block is fixedly connected to the second fork, and the lower connecting block is fixedly connected to the first fork.

[0008] As a further solution of the present invention: the adjusting mechanism comprises a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket, a rotating shaft is fixedly installed at the center of the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket, and the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket are connected through the chain transmission.

[0009] As a further solution of the present invention: the adjustment mechanism is connected to the motor assembly, the motor assembly includes a motor body, the motor body is connected to the reducer and the brake, and the output shaft of the reducer is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft at the center of the driving sprocket.

[0010] As a further solution of the present invention: the chain is connected to a tensioner, and the tensioner is used to adjust the tightness of the chain.

[0011] As a further solution of the present invention: the tensioning member includes a tensioning block, one end of the tensioning block is threadedly connected to a first adjusting bolt, and the other end is threadedly connected to a second adjusting bolt, and the first adjusting bolt and the second adjusting bolt are both fixedly mounted on the chain.

[0012] A forklift comprises a forklift body, wherein the forklift body comprises a fork frame, and the fork frame is connected with a distance-adjusting fork device.

[0013] As a further solution of the present invention: a slide bar is fixedly installed on the front side of the fork frame, and a slider is fixedly installed on the first fork and the second fork. The slider is located on the top of the fork frame and is slidably connected to the fork frame.

[0014] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0015] (1) In the present invention, the distance-adjusting fork device can drive the two forks to move by rotating the chain in the adjustment mechanism, thereby achieving the adjustment of the distance between the forks.

[0016] (2) In the present invention, the overall structure of the adjustable fork device is simple and compact, low in cost, easy to maintain, easy to assemble on a forklift, and suitable for working conditions with heavy loads. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the distance adjusting fork device of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the distance adjusting fork device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a front view of the distance adjusting fork device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The structural diagram of the motor assembly;

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle adjustment mechanism;

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the tensioner.

[0024] In the figure:

[0025] 1. First fork; 2. Second fork; 3. Fork frame; 4. Motor assembly; 41. Motor body; 42. Reducer; 43. Brake; 5. Potentiometer; 6. Controller; 7. Adjustment mechanism; 71. Chain; 72. Driving sprocket; 73. Driven sprocket; 74. Connecting block; 75. Tensioner; 751. Tensioning block; 752. First adjusting bolt; 753. Second adjusting bolt; 754. Nut; 8. Slide bar; 9. Slider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] See also Figure 1 As shown, the present invention is a distance-adjusting fork device, which connects a first fork 1 and a second fork 2.

[0028] See also Figure 1-Figure 2 , Figure 5 As shown, the distance adjusting fork device comprises: an adjusting mechanism 7, and the adjusting mechanism 7 comprises a driving sprocket 72 and a driven sprocket 73. A rotating shaft is fixedly installed at the center of the driving sprocket 72 and the driven sprocket 73, and the driving sprocket 72 and the driven sprocket 73 are connected by a chain 71.

[0029] Specifically, the chain 71 is wound around the driving sprocket 72 and the driven sprocket 73 to form a closed structure, and the chain 71 is meshed with the teeth on the sprockets. The upper and lower ends of the chain 71 are symmetrically provided with connecting blocks 74, the upper connecting block 74 is fixedly connected to the second fork 2, and the lower connecting block 74 is fixedly connected to the first fork 1. When the driving sprocket 72 rotates, it drives the chain 71 to rotate, and the first fork 1 and the second fork 2 move in opposite directions through the connecting block 74, that is, move inward or outward at the same time, thereby realizing the distance adjustment function.

[0030] See also Figure 2-Figure 4As shown, the adjustment mechanism 7 is connected to the motor assembly 4, and the motor assembly 4 includes a motor body 41, and the motor body 41 is connected to the reducer 42 and the brake 43, and the output shaft of the reducer 42 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft at the center of the driving sprocket 72. After the motor body 41 is turned on, the rotating shaft at the center of the driving sprocket 72 is driven to rotate by the reducer 42, thereby driving the driving sprocket 72 and the chain 71 to rotate. In some embodiments, the motor assembly 4 can be replaced by a rocker, and the rocker is fixed on the rotating shaft at the center of the driving sprocket 72. The driving sprocket 72 can still be rotated by manually operating the rocker.

[0031] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism 7 is also connected to the potentiometer 5, which is installed on the rotating shaft at the center of the driven sprocket 73. When the controller 6 controls the motor body 41 to start outputting, the driving sprocket 72 drives the driven sprocket 73 to rotate through the chain 71, and the rotating shaft at the center of the driven sprocket 73 rotates synchronously. At this time, the potentiometer 5 generates a potential value change, and then obtains the number of rotations of the rotating shaft and the actual position information of the two forks, realizing closed-loop control.

[0032] The user can also set different numbers in the control system in advance to represent different fork spacings according to specific working conditions, and select corresponding numbers during use so that the controller 6 controls the operation of the motor body 41, and the one-click adjustment of the fork spacing is achieved through digital selection.

[0033] Specifically, the controller 6 is electrically connected to the motor body 41, and the controller 6 is connected to the electrical control system. The controller 6 will compare the number of revolutions of the rotating shaft with the actual number of revolutions fed back by the potentiometer 5. If the error is large, the electrical control system will alarm. Thus, the electrical control system can monitor the current position information of the fork in real time through the potentiometer 5 while controlling the fork to adjust the distance through the controller 6. When the motor body 41 is overloaded during operation or the first fork 1 (or the second fork 2) cannot move due to external force, the motor body 41 will stop power output and transmit the overload signal to the electrical control system through the controller 6, thereby having an overload protection function to prevent the internal structure of the motor body 41 from being damaged due to excessive external force.

[0034] It is understandable that when the motor body 41 stops outputting, the brake 43 can perform a holding brake to maintain the current positions of the first fork 1 and the second fork 2 and prevent the forks from accidentally slipping off the fork frame 3 .

[0035] See also Figure 5-Figure 6As shown, the chain 71 is also connected to a tensioning member 75, which is used to adjust the tightness of the chain 71. The tensioning member 75 includes a tensioning block 751, one end of which is provided with a left-handed internal thread and is threadedly connected to a first adjusting bolt 752, and the other end is provided with a right-handed internal thread and is threadedly connected to a second adjusting bolt 753. One end of the first adjusting bolt 752 away from the tensioning block 751 and one end of the second adjusting bolt 753 away from the tensioning block 751 are both fixedly mounted on the chain 71.

[0036] When adjusting the chain 71, the tension block 751 is rotated with a wrench, and the first adjusting bolt 752 and the second adjusting bolt 753 simultaneously move to the inside or outside of the tension block 751. When moving to the inside of the tension block 751, the chain 71 is tightened, and when moving to the outside of the tension block 751, the chain 71 is loosened. After the adjustment is completed, the tension block 751 and the adjusting bolt are fixed with nuts 754.

[0037] See also Figure 1-Figure 2 As shown, a forklift comprises: a forklift body, the forklift body comprises a fork frame 3, and the fork frame 3 is connected to a distance-adjusting fork device. A slide bar 8 is fixedly installed on the front side of the fork frame 3, and the slide bar 8 protrudes from the front side of the fork frame 3, thereby reducing the friction of the first fork 1 and the second fork 2 when they move. Both the first fork 1 and the second fork 2 are fixedly installed with a slider 9, and the slider 9 is located on the top of the fork frame 3 and is slidably connected to the fork frame 3. Among them, the slide bar 8 and the slider 9 are made of a material containing a self-lubricating material, and the self-lubricating material includes but is not limited to polytetrafluoroethylene, molybdenum disulfide, and graphite. The slide bar 8 and the slider 9 made of self-lubricating material are used to reduce sliding friction, which can reduce the energy consumption of the motor body 41 and the wear generated when the two forks move.

[0038] In the present application, the overall structure of the adjustable fork device is simple and compact, low in cost, easy to maintain, easy to assemble on a forklift, and suitable for working conditions with large loads. At the same time, the adjustment of the fork spacing can be controlled in a closed loop. Compared with the adjustment method of motor + lead screw + guide rail, the processing cost of the present invention is lower, and the workpiece has a higher adaptability to the environment, has a load protection function, and increases the service life of the workpiece. Compared with the hydraulic cylinder + guide rail method, the present invention reduces the difficulty of development and maintenance, avoids the risk of hydraulic oil leakage, and improves safety.

[0039] Working principle: After adjusting the tightness of the chain 71 by the tensioning member 75, the controller 6 controls the motor body 41 to start outputting, the motor body 41 drives the driving sprocket 72 to rotate through the reducer 42, the driving sprocket 72 drives the chain 71 and the driven sprocket 73 to rotate, the chain 71 makes the first fork 1 and the second fork 2 move in opposite directions through the connecting block 74, that is, move inward or outward at the same time, so as to realize the distance adjustment function, the shaft at the center of the driven sprocket 73 rotates synchronously, at this time the potentiometer 5 generates a potential value change, and then obtains the number of rotations of the shaft and the actual position information of the two forks, so as to realize closed-loop control.

[0040] The above is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention, but the content is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and cannot be considered to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. All equivalent changes and improvements made according to the scope of application of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fork distance adjustment device, connecting a first fork (1) and a second fork (2), characterized in that: include: An adjusting mechanism (7), the adjusting mechanism (7) comprising a chain (71) in a closed state, the adjusting mechanism (7) being connected to a motor assembly (4), the motor assembly (4) driving the chain (71) to rotate, and being used to drive the first fork (1) and the second fork (2) to move in opposite directions; The adjustment mechanism (7) is connected to a potentiometer (5), and the change in potential value generated by the potentiometer (5) is used to monitor the positions of the first fork (1) and the second fork (2).

2. A fork distance adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper and lower ends of the chain (71) are symmetrically provided with connecting blocks (74); the upper connecting block (74) is fixedly connected to the second fork (2), and the lower connecting block (74) is fixedly connected to the first fork (1).

3. A fork distance adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting mechanism (7) comprises a driving sprocket (72) and a driven sprocket (73), wherein a rotating shaft is fixedly mounted at the center of the driving sprocket (72) and the driven sprocket (73), and the driving sprocket (72) and the driven sprocket (73) are connected in transmission via the chain (71).

4. A fork distance adjustment device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The motor assembly (4) comprises a motor body (41), the motor body (41) is connected to a reducer (42) and a brake (43), and the output shaft of the reducer (42) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft at the center of the driving sprocket (72).

5. A fork distance adjustment device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The chain (71) is connected to a tensioning member (75), and the tensioning member (75) is used to adjust the tightness of the chain (71).

6. A fork distance adjustment device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tensioning member (75) comprises a tensioning block (751), one end of the tensioning block (751) is threadedly connected to a first adjusting bolt (752), and the other end is threadedly connected to a second adjusting bolt (753), and the first adjusting bolt (752) and the second adjusting bolt (753) are both fixedly mounted on the chain (71).

7. A forklift, characterized in that: include: A forklift body, the forklift body comprising a fork frame (3), the fork frame (3) being connected with a distance adjusting fork device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A forklift according to claim 7, characterized in that: A slide bar (8) is fixedly installed on the front side of the fork frame (3), and a slider (9) is fixedly installed on the first fork (1) and the second fork (2). The slider (9) is located on the top of the fork frame (3) and is slidably connected to the fork frame (3).

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