Electric drive steering module mechanism for forklift

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of forklift steering, and discloses an electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift, the electric drive steering module mechanism comprises a pallet fork, a drive module and a rear wheel, a steering assembly is arranged at the bottom of the pallet fork, the steering assembly comprises a first rotating seat mounted on the drive module, and L-shaped hinge rods are symmetrically and rotatably connected to the two sides of the first rotating seat; the long section of the L-shaped hinge rod is rotationally connected with a second rotating seat, the second rotating seat is installed at the bottom of the pallet fork, the rear wheel is installed at the bottom of the second rotating seat, and through the lever linkage design of the first rotating seat, the L-shaped hinge rod and the second rotating seat, the steering center of the forklift is laterally transferred to the middle of the forklift body from a traditional driving wheel; the long section of the L-shaped hinge rod reversely pulls the second rotating seat based on the asymmetric fulcrum, the rear wheel is forced to deflect opposite to the driving wheel, instantaneous steering center migration is formed, the transverse swing amplitude of the pallet fork is reduced, and therefore the trafficability of a narrow goods shelf channel is improved through the steering assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of forklift steering, in particular to an electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift. Background Art

[0002] The electric drive steering module mechanism for forklifts is one of the core components of forklifts. It is mainly responsible for realizing the steering function of the forklift. The mechanism uses the electric module to provide power to accurately control the steering movement of the drive wheels, enabling the forklift to flexibly change the driving direction according to the operator's instructions.

[0003] However, the current electric-driven steering module mechanism for forklifts still has some problems that need to be solved urgently. In an operating environment with extremely limited space, such as narrow shelf aisles, forklifts often need to perform small steering operations to adjust the direction of travel. Since the drive wheels are driven by the electric module, the center of rotation is usually located at the drive wheels during steering. This structural feature causes the rear wheels to swing relatively widely during the steering process. In the narrow shelf space, the large swing of the rear wheels can easily collide with surrounding shelves, goods or other equipment, which may not only damage the goods and equipment, but also affect the normal operation of the forklift and even cause safety accidents.

[0004] In addition, when the forks of a forklift are carrying cargo, the cargo will occupy part of the operator's field of vision, making it difficult for the operator to directly observe the swing of the rear of the forklift, especially the rear wheels. In this case, the operator can only rely on his own experience and feeling to judge the swing amplitude and position of the rear wheels. However, experience-based judgments are often subjective and uncertain, and the experience levels of different operators also vary, which increases the risk of operational errors. Once a misjudgment is made, the rear wheels may collide with surrounding objects, causing unnecessary losses. Moreover, this experience-based operation method also limits the operating efficiency of the forklift in a small space. The operator needs to spend more time and energy to ensure the safety of the steering operation, and cannot fully utilize the performance advantages of the forklift.

[0005] To this end, the present invention proposes an electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift, which is used on a forklift and includes a fork, a drive module and a rear wheel. A steering assembly is provided at the bottom of the fork, and the steering assembly includes a rotating seat 1 installed on the drive module, and the two sides of the rotating seat 1 are symmetrically connected to L-shaped hinged rods for rotation, and the longer section of the L-shaped hinged rod is rotatably connected to a rotating seat 2, the rotating seat 2 is installed at the bottom of the fork, and the rear wheel is installed at the bottom of the rotating seat 2.

[0008] Preferably, the top of the rotating seat 2 is symmetrically connected to a turntable, the top of the turntable is symmetrically hinged to a connecting rod, a sliding groove is opened on the surface of the fork, and the two connecting rods are slidably connected to the inside of the sliding groove on the side away from the rotating seat 2.

[0009] Preferably, the middle bending point of the L-shaped hinge rod is an obtuse angle.

[0010] Preferably, the driving module includes an electric power module, a driving shaft and a driving wheel, the rotating seat 1 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the electric power module, and the driving wheel is rotatably connected to the inside of the rotating seat 1.

[0011] Preferably, an arc plate is installed at the bottom of the rotating seat 1, and the shape of the arc plate is adapted to the shape of the driving wheel.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the arc plate on the top of the drive wheel fits tightly with the outer contour of the drive wheel, forming a physical isolation barrier, which can effectively prevent road dust and debris from adhering to the surface of the drive wheel, thereby reducing the problem of increased steering resistance caused by foreign objects getting stuck.

[0013] Preferably, the L-shaped hinged rod is made of metal, specifically alloy steel.

[0014] Preferably, a pull rod is hinged on the inner side of the longer section and the shorter section of the L-shaped hinged rod, and the two pull rods are hinged to each other. The hinges of the two pull rods are provided with a resistance rod slidably connected to the inside of the fork, and the hinges of the L-shaped hinged rods are provided with a sliding cylinder slidably connected to the inside of the fork, lubricating oil is provided inside the sliding cylinder, and an elastic release piece is installed on the surface of the sliding cylinder. The resistance rod is displaced so that the elastic release piece no longer blocks the inside of the sliding cylinder.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, when the fork turns, the swing of the L-shaped articulated rod will drive the resistance rod to slide in the motion groove, thereby pulling the elastic release piece, and making the elastic release piece no longer seal the sliding cylinder. At this time, the lubricating oil can seep through the gap to the hinge of the L-shaped articulated rod, thereby achieving directional lubrication.

[0016] Preferably, the inner side walls of the forks are provided with motion grooves for sliding of the sliding cylinder and the resistance rod, the sliding cylinders are hinged to the hinges of the L-shaped hinge rod, and the resistance rods are hinged to the hinges of the two pull rods.

[0017] Preferably, the elastic release member includes: a piston slidably connected to the inner wall of the sliding cylinder; a return spring fixedly connected between the piston and the outer wall of the sliding cylinder; and a matching rod fixedly connected to the outer surface of the piston.

[0018] Preferably, the top of the mating rod is an arc-shaped protrusion, the side close to the sliding cylinder is a vertical plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and the other side is a plane inclined toward the center of the arc; the interference rod includes an interference plate slidably connected to the motion groove, and an active rod hinged to the outer surface of the interference plate, and the surface of the interference plate is fixedly connected to a convex plate, so that under the limiting action of the convex block, the active rod is only allowed to rotate toward the side away from the mating rod, and the end of the active rod close to the mating rod is arc-shaped.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, when the arc end of the active rod contacts the inclined plane of the mating rod, progressive extrusion can be generated during the angle change of the L-shaped hinged rod, forcing the piston to open once for a short time; and when the active rod returns to its position, its unidirectional rotation characteristics enable the return spring to immediately push the piston to return to the original position and cut off the flow. This "instantaneous trigger-automatic closing" mechanism ensures that micro-lubrication is activated once for each steering action, and prevents excessive grease from dripping and polluting the working environment by strictly limiting the release time of the lubricating oil.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. In the present invention, through the lever linkage design of the rotating seat 1, the L-shaped hinged rod and the rotating seat 2, the steering center of the forklift is laterally transferred from the traditional drive wheel to the middle of the vehicle body. When the drive module drives the drive wheel to turn, the longer section of the L-shaped hinged rod pulls the rotating seat 2 in the opposite direction based on the asymmetric fulcrum, forcing the rear wheel to produce a deflection opposite to the drive wheel, forming an instantaneous steering center migration, thereby reducing the lateral swing amplitude of the fork. Therefore, the steering assembly improves the passability of narrow shelf aisles and avoids the risk of collision between the fork and the shelf.

[0021] 2. The geometrically constrained design of the connecting rod and the chute in this invention creates a dynamic self-adjusting mechanism during fork lifting and lowering. During the fork's ascent, the chute forces the connecting rod to slide toward the center, compensating for height changes through the rotation of the turntable. This maintains a constant vertical pressure between the rotating base and the ground, ensuring that the rear wheels are always effectively grounded. This design solves the problem of suspended steering wheels caused by center of gravity offset during lifting and lowering on traditional forklifts and improves steering stability.

[0022] 3. The parallelogram mechanism of the present invention is based on the angle change of the L-shaped hinge rod. When the steering angle decreases, the resistance rod triggers the elastic release member in the sliding cylinder, releasing lubricating oil to the hinge point. This mechanism strongly correlates the lubrication frequency with the mechanical action, reduces the wear rate of the hinge point, and further extends the service life of the structure.

[0023] 4. The elastic release member in this invention achieves precise lubrication control of "instant trigger-automatic closure" through the cooperation of the piston and the return spring. When the arc end of the active rod contacts the inclined plane of the mating rod, the spring preload is overcome, ensuring that lubricating oil only seeps out in small amounts when the working surface requires it. During reverse reset, the vertical plane of the mating rod disengages from the active rod and is quickly sealed under the action of the elastic force. This not only improves the utilization rate of oil and reduces its consumption, but also eliminates ground pollution to a certain extent.

[0024] 5. The present invention reduces mechanical loads by migrating the steering center, reduces external interference by arc plate protection, reduces internal friction by adaptive lubrication, and avoids secondary pollution by micro-control. The overall steering energy consumption of the system is reduced, and the fault interval time is also improved simultaneously, thereby reducing the comprehensive operation and maintenance costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a front perspective schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a forklift used in conjunction with the steering assembly of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the steering assembly of the present invention from another angle.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a partially cutaway perspective schematic diagram of the steering assembly of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle.

[0030] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure at point B in the middle.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the pull rod in embodiment three of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 Enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure at point C in the middle.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a schematic sectional perspective view of the sliding cylinder and the elastic release member in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the active rod and the matching rod in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 11 For the present invention Figure 10 Enlarged three-dimensional schematic diagram of the structure at point D in the middle.

[0036] In the figure: 11, fork; 12, drive module; 13, rear wheel.

[0037] 2. Steering assembly; 21. Rotating seat 1; 22. L-shaped hinged rod; 23. Rotating seat 2; 231. Connecting rod; 24. Pull rod; 25. Resistance rod; 251. Resistance plate; 252. Active rod; 26. Sliding cylinder; 27. Elastic release member; 271. Piston; 272. Return spring; 273. Matching rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] It should be noted that the drive module 12 only provides electric power assistance and lifting functions for the forklift, and the lubricating oil only provides lubrication function for the L-shaped hinged rod 22. Its principles and specific structures are all existing technologies. Therefore, in view of the versatility of the above-mentioned items, the specific principles will not be repeated later.

[0040] Example 1, please refer to Figures 1 to 7 As shown, an electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift, which is used on a forklift, includes a fork 11, a drive module 12 and a rear wheel 13. A steering assembly 2 is provided at the bottom of the fork 11, and the steering assembly 2 includes a rotating seat 1 21 mounted on the drive module 12. The two sides of the rotating seat 1 21 are symmetrically connected to L-shaped hinged rods 22 for rotation. The longer section of the L-shaped hinged rod 22 is rotatably connected to a rotating seat 23. The rotating seat 23 is mounted at the bottom of the fork 11, and the rear wheel 13 is mounted at the bottom of the rotating seat 23.

[0041] It should be noted that the top of the rotating seat 23 is symmetrically connected to the turntable, and the top of the turntable is symmetrically hinged with a connecting rod 231. A slide groove is provided on the surface of the fork 11. The two connected rods 231 slide inside the slide groove on the side away from the rotating seat 23. The middle bending point of the L-shaped hinged rod 22 is an obtuse angle. The driving module 12 includes an electric power module, a driving shaft and a driving wheel. The rotating seat 1 21 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the electric power module, and the driving wheel is rotatably connected to the inside of the rotating seat 1 21. The L-shaped hinged rod 22 is made of metal, specifically alloy steel.

[0042] Specifically, when the forklift needs to turn in a narrow shelf aisle, the drive module 12 drives the drive wheel to rotate, and the drive wheel forces the L-shaped hinged rods 22 on both sides to reduce the angle through the rotating seat 1 21. Since the longer section of the L-shaped hinged rod 22 deviates from the central axis of the rotating seat 23, its long section pulls the rotating seat 23 in the opposite direction based on the lever principle, causing the rear wheel 13 to produce a deflection opposite to the driving wheel. This linkage mechanism transfers the instantaneous steering center of the forklift to the middle of the vehicle body, and the lateral swing amplitude of the fork 11 will also be reduced, thereby avoiding collision with the shelf.

[0043] It should be noted that when the fork 11 is raised or lowered, the connecting rod 231 in the slide slot slides toward the center under the action of the fork 11's own weight, and the vertical pressure between the rotating seat 23 and the ground is maintained through the geometric constraint of the slide slot, ensuring that the rear wheel 13 is always effectively grounded, preventing the steering stability from decreasing during the lifting process.

[0044] Example 2: Based on Example 1, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, an arc plate is installed at the bottom of the rotating seat 21, and the shape of the arc plate is adapted to the shape of the driving wheel.

[0045] Specifically, during the operation of the forklift, the arc plate on the top of the drive wheel fits tightly against the outer contour of the drive wheel, forming a physical isolation barrier that can effectively prevent road dust and debris from adhering to the surface of the drive wheel, thereby reducing the problem of increased steering resistance caused by foreign objects getting stuck.

[0046] Example 3, based on Example 1 and Example 2, please refer to Figures 7 to 9 As shown, a pull rod 24 is hinged on the inner side of the longer section and the shorter section of the L-shaped hinged rod 22, and the two pull rods 24 are hinged to each other. The hinges of the two pull rods 24 are provided with a resistance rod 25 that is slidably connected to the inside of the fork 11, and the hinges of the L-shaped hinged rod 22 are provided with a sliding cylinder 26 that is slidably connected to the inside of the fork 11. Lubricating oil is provided inside the sliding cylinder 26, and an elastic release member 27 is installed on the surface of the sliding cylinder 26. The resistance rod 25 is displaced so that the elastic release member 27 no longer blocks the inside of the sliding cylinder 26.

[0047] It should be noted that the inner side walls of the fork 11 are provided with motion grooves for the sliding cylinder 26 and the resistance rod 25 to slide. The sliding cylinder 26 is hinged to the hinge of the L-shaped hinge rod 22, and the resistance rod 25 is hinged to the hinge of the two pull rods 24.

[0048] Specifically, when the angle of the L-shaped hinged rod 22 decreases due to steering, the vertices of the parallelogram mechanism formed by the two pull rods 24 and the L-shaped hinged rod 22 are displaced, thereby forcing the resistance rod 25 to slide outward along the motion groove. At this time, the resistance rod 25 pulls the elastic release member 27, and the elastic release member 27 no longer blocks the inside of the sliding cylinder 26. At this time, the lubricating oil will flow downward through the sliding cylinder 26 to the hinge of the L-shaped hinged rod 22, and further reduce the wear rate of the hinge point.

[0049] It should be noted that when the angle of the L-shaped hinge rod 22 stops changing, the elastic release member 27 cannot be reset due to being pulled by the resistance rod 25. At this time, the lubricating oil will continue to lubricate. Therefore, the third embodiment is more suitable for when frequent rotation is required.

[0050] Example 4: Based on Example 3, please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the elastic release member 27 includes: a piston 271 slidably connected to the inner wall of the sliding cylinder 26; a return spring 272 fixedly connected between the piston 271 and the outer wall of the sliding cylinder 26; and a matching rod 273 fixedly connected to the outer surface of the piston 271.

[0051] The top of the engaging rod 273 is an arc-shaped protrusion, one side close to the sliding cylinder 26 is a vertical plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and the other side is a plane inclined toward the center of the arc.

[0052] The resistance rod 25 includes a resistance plate 251 slidably connected to the motion groove, and an active rod 252 hinged to the outer surface of the resistance plate 251. A convex plate is fixedly connected to the surface of the resistance plate 251, so that under the limiting action of the convex block, the active rod 252 is only allowed to rotate toward the side away from the matching rod 273. The end of the active rod 252 close to the matching rod 273 is arc-shaped.

[0053] Specifically, in Example 3, during the process of the resistance rod 25 pulling the sliding cylinder 26, the arc shape of the active rod 252 will conflict with the straight edge of the matching rod 273 and pull it, thereby realizing the lubricating oil release function in Example 3. Since the active rod 252 is arc-shaped and the matching rod 273 also has an arc edge, under the action of the elastic force of the reset spring 272 and the rotatable action of the active rod 252, the active rod 252+ and the matching rod 273 cannot overcome the elastic force of the reset spring 272, so that the active rod 252 is forced to move along the arc trajectory of the matching rod 273, and the two are disengaged at this time.

[0054] The return spring 272 drives the matching rod 273 and the piston 271 to block the sliding cylinder 26 again, and the active rod 252 will return to its original state based on its own gravity after disengagement and be supported by the convex plate, thus avoiding the problem of continuous lubrication of the lubricating oil after the angle stops changing.

[0055] At the same time, when the angle changes in the reverse direction, the active rod 252 will rotate again based on the inclined plane of the matching rod 273, thereby conflicting with the straight section of the matching rod 273 again and performing the next lubrication operation.

[0056] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0057] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift, the steering module mechanism being used on a forklift, comprising a fork (11), a drive module (12) and a rear wheel (13), characterized in that: A steering assembly (2) is provided at the bottom of the fork (11), and the steering assembly (2) includes a rotating seat (21) mounted on the drive module (12), and the two sides of the rotating seat (21) are symmetrically connected to L-shaped hinged rods (22), and the longer section of the L-shaped hinged rod (22) is connected to a rotating seat (23), and the rotating seat (23) is mounted on the bottom of the fork (11), and the rear wheel (13) is mounted on the bottom of the rotating seat (23).

2. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the second rotating seat (23) is symmetrically connected to a turntable, and the top of the turntable is symmetrically hinged to a connecting rod (231). A sliding groove is opened on the surface of the fork (11), and the two connecting rods (231) are slidably connected to the inside of the sliding groove on the side away from the second rotating seat (23).

3. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle bending point of the L-shaped hinge rod (22) is an obtuse angle.

4. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving module (12) includes an electric power module, a driving shaft and a driving wheel. The rotating seat (21) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the electric power module, and the driving wheel is rotatably connected to the inside of the rotating seat (21).

5. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: An arc plate is installed at the bottom of the rotating seat (21), and the shape of the arc plate is adapted to the shape of the driving wheel.

6. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that: The L-shaped hinged rod (22) is made of metal.

7. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A pull rod (24) is hinged on the inner side of the longer section and the shorter section of the L-shaped hinged rod (22). The two pull rods (24) are hinged to each other. The hinges of the two pull rods (24) are provided with a resistance rod (25) slidably connected to the inside of the fork (11). The hinges of the L-shaped hinged rod (22) are provided with a sliding cylinder (26) slidably connected to the inside of the fork (11). Lubricating oil is provided inside the sliding cylinder (26). An elastic release member (27) is installed on the surface of the sliding cylinder (26). The resistance rod (25) is displaced so that the elastic release member (27) no longer blocks the inside of the sliding cylinder (26).

8. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner side walls of the forks (11) are provided with motion grooves for the sliding cylinder (26) and the resisting rod (25) to slide. The sliding cylinders (26) are hinged to the hinges of the L-shaped hinged rod (22), and the resisting rods (25) are hinged to the hinges of the two pull rods (24).

9. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 8, characterized in that: The elastic release member (27) includes: a piston (271) slidably connected to the inner wall of the sliding cylinder (26); a return spring (272) fixedly connected between the piston (271) and the outer wall of the sliding cylinder (26); and a matching rod (273) fixedly connected to the outer surface of the piston (271).

10. The electric drive steering module mechanism for a forklift according to claim 9, characterized in that: The top of the matching rod (273) is an arc-shaped protrusion, the side close to the sliding cylinder (26) is a vertical plane perpendicular to the axial direction, and the other side is a plane inclined toward the center of the arc; the interference rod (25) includes an interference plate (251) slidably connected to the motion groove, and an active rod (252) hinged to the outer surface of the interference plate (251), and a convex plate is fixedly connected to the surface of the interference plate (251), so that under the limiting action of the convex block, the active rod (252) is only allowed to rotate toward the side away from the matching rod (273), and the end of the active rod (252) close to the matching rod (273) is arc-shaped.

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