Multifunctional support and transfer trolley for horizontal transportation of sponge titanium lumps

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of non-ferrous metal smelting devices, and provides a multifunctional support and transfer trolley for horizontal transportation of sponge titanium lumps, comprising a support base, a U-shaped support, a hinge shaft and a limiting structure, the U-shaped support is rotatably connected to the support base through the hinge shaft, and the U-shaped support is rotatably connected to the support base through the limiting structure; a U-shaped bearing groove is formed in the vertical state and used for safely and horizontally placing a titanium lump; and when being horizontally placed, the bracket base and the bracket base form a flat bearing surface for transporting materials such as square buckets and tools. The boss is arranged in the middle of the support base, the boss is flush with the horizontally-placed U-shaped support, a titanium lump can be supported to be vertically placed, three purposes are achieved through one trolley, the rotating part of the U-shaped support is provided with the round-head rectangular section, the receding part on the support base is matched, self-limiting is achieved through rectangular side abutting when the U-shaped support is erected, and accidental overturning is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of non-ferrous metal smelting equipment, and in particular to a multifunctional support and transfer vehicle for horizontal transportation of sponge titanium lumps. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, titanium lumps produced by the Krauer process are typically transported vertically after removal. Vertical transport offers advantages such as smaller footprint, stable titanium lump placement, simpler transport equipment, and convenient transfer operations. Compared to vertical transport, horizontal transport requires a larger transport area; a 10-ton titanium lump placed horizontally can have a cross-sectional area of ​​up to 7.2 m². 2 Furthermore, horizontal transport requires preventing the titanium blocks from rolling, necessitating the installation of protective equipment such as supports and railings on the transport vehicle. Due to the excessive weight of the titanium blocks, the protective equipment must also meet certain performance requirements to withstand the lateral loads generated by their rolling.

[0003] Publication No.: CN218258125U A tilting transport vehicle for a titanium sponge reactor includes a frame mechanism, a tilting mechanism, a wheel mechanism, an auxiliary support mechanism, and a transmission mechanism. A bearing seat bracket is installed at the rear end of the frame mechanism. The tilting mechanism is installed on the upper side of the bearing seat bracket and includes two bearing seats installed on the upper side of the bearing seat bracket and a rotating basket located between the two bearing seats. A worm gear reducer and a handwheel are installed at one end of one of the bearing seats. The wheel mechanism is installed on the lower side of the frame mechanism and consists of angular bearing housings and wheel assemblies. The auxiliary support mechanism includes a first support for auxiliary support of the reactor flange end. The transmission mechanism includes a reducer, which is fixedly installed at one end of the frame mechanism via angular bearing housings on both sides. However, this technical solution has a complex structure and low operating efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new multi-functional support and transfer vehicle for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps, to solve the problems of difficult horizontal transportation of heavy titanium lumps, limited equipment functionality, and high operational risks in the production of titanium sponge. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a multifunctional support and transfer vehicle for horizontal transportation of sponge titanium lumps, to solve the problems of difficult horizontal transportation of heavy titanium lumps, limited equipment functionality, and high operational risks in sponge titanium production.

[0006] This invention innovatively hinges or pivots a U-shaped bracket to a support base, allowing for rapid switching between an upright (horizontal transport) and a flat position. No disassembly or additional tools are required; the transport function can be converted simply through mechanical flipping. This significantly improves equipment adaptability and operational efficiency, meeting the needs of horizontal transport of titanium lumps as well as the transport of everyday containers, tools, and other miscellaneous items. In the upright position, the U-shaped bracket forms a U-shaped support groove that matches the outer circumference of the titanium lumps. After the titanium lumps are placed, their own weight is not only borne by the base but also exerts a downward pressing reaction force on the two arms of the U-shaped bracket, creating a self-limiting effect to prevent accidental tipping during transport. Stable load-bearing is achieved without additional locking mechanisms, combining safety and simplicity. While achieving safe horizontal transport of titanium lumps, it retains the ability to transport them vertically (titanium lumps can still be placed upright when flat). After being laid flat, the upper surface is smooth and continuous, allowing seamless switching to transport conventional materials such as hoppers, tools, and sealed containers. This truly achieves three uses for one vehicle: horizontal transport of titanium lumps, vertical transport of titanium lumps, and general transport, effectively reducing the number of specialized vehicles in the factory area and lowering equipment investment and management costs. This invention is not a single component improvement, but rather a systematic design that combines structural variability, load self-stabilization, and functional reusability. It solves long-standing technical pain points in sponge titanium production, such as the difficulty of horizontally transporting heavy titanium lumps, limited equipment functionality, and high operational risks, demonstrating outstanding practicality and industrial application value.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:

[0008] One object of the present invention is to disclose a multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps, comprising a support base and a U-shaped support;

[0009] The bracket base is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the flatbed transport vehicle;

[0010] The U-shaped bracket is rotatably connected to the bracket base and can switch between an upright state and a flat state;

[0011] When in the upright position, the U-shaped bracket forms a U-shaped groove for supporting and limiting the horizontal placement of the titanium agglomerate;

[0012] When laid flat, the U-shaped bracket and the bracket base together form a flat bearing surface.

[0013] Furthermore, the U-shaped bracket is connected to the bracket base via a hinge shaft, allowing the U-shaped bracket to rotate around a horizontal axis.

[0014] Furthermore, when the U-shaped bracket is in an upright position and the titanium block is placed horizontally on it, the gravity of the titanium block causes the U-shaped bracket to be subjected to a downward pressing force, thereby achieving self-limiting and preventing the U-shaped bracket from accidentally tipping over during transportation.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner contour of the U-shaped bracket matches the outer cylindrical surface of the titanium block to limit the rolling displacement of the titanium block in the radial direction.

[0016] Furthermore, both the support base and the U-shaped support are made of carbon steel, and their structural strength meets the requirements for bearing the static load of the 10-ton titanium block and the slight rolling load. There are no concentrated high-stress areas for Mises equivalent stress.

[0017] Furthermore, when the U-shaped bracket is in a flat position, its upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the bracket base, forming a continuous and unobstructed flat transport surface for transporting buckets, tools, or sealed barrels.

[0018] Furthermore, the flatbed transport vehicle equipped with the multi-functional bracket can still transport the titanium block vertically even when the U-shaped bracket is laid flat.

[0019] Furthermore, the U-shaped bracket is equipped with a limiting structure to prevent unintended flipping when it is in the upright position.

[0020] Furthermore, the bracket base is symmetrically arranged with two or more mounting positions along the transverse side of the flatbed transport vehicle, and each mounting position corresponds to one of the U-shaped brackets to accommodate titanium blocks of different lengths or diameters.

[0021] Another objective of this invention is to disclose a transfer vehicle comprising a flatbed vehicle body and any of the aforementioned multifunctional support brackets, wherein the multifunctional support brackets are mounted on the upper part of the flatbed vehicle body, enabling the transfer vehicle to switch between the titanium-coated horizontal transfer mode and the general flatbed transport mode.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the multifunctional support and transfer vehicle for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0023] 1. By setting up a combination structure of a flip-up U-shaped bracket and a bracket base, this invention can quickly switch between the horizontal transfer mode and the general flatbed transport mode of titanium blocks without changing the transport vehicle. This avoids the problem of needing to configure special brackets or guardrails for traditional horizontal transport, and significantly improves the utilization rate and operational flexibility of the transport equipment.

[0024] 2. The device of the present invention is a purely mechanical structure without complex systems such as hydraulics and electrical systems, resulting in fewer potential failure points. Compared with the traditional horizontal transportation method that relies on temporary blocks, straps or welded limiting devices, it does not require additional consumables or manual intervention, thus reducing operational risks and maintenance costs.

[0025] 3. When the U-shaped bracket of the present invention carries the titanium block, it uses the weight of the titanium block itself to achieve a self-locking and pressing effect on the bracket, forming a reliable anti-rolling limiting mechanism; at the same time, the U-shaped groove contour matches the outer circle of the titanium block, effectively preventing rolling or slippage caused by bumps or turns during transportation, thus ensuring safe transport.

[0026] 4. The support structure of this invention has been verified by mechanical simulation. Under the conditions of static load of 10 tons of titanium and slight rolling load, the Mises equivalent stress distribution is uniform, there is no high stress concentration area, and the structural strength is reliable. Moreover, it is made of carbon steel material, which takes into account both load-bearing capacity and economy, and is suitable for long-term use in industrial sites.

[0027] 5. This invention, by flattening the U-shaped bracket so that its upper surface is flush with the base to form a complete flat plate, can not only be used to transport conventional materials such as buckets, tools, and sealed barrels, but also retains the ability to vertically place titanium lumps, realizing "one vehicle for three uses, vertical transport of titanium lumps, and general transportation), greatly reducing the types and number of vehicles used for transfer in the factory area and optimizing logistics management. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the multifunctional support of the present invention when it is erected;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a top view of the multifunctional support frame of the present invention when it is erected;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a front view of the multifunctional support frame of the present invention when it is erected;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the multifunctional support of the present invention when it is laid flat.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a top view of the multifunctional support of the present invention when it is laid flat;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a front view of the multifunctional support of the present invention when it is laid flat;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a front view of the U-shaped bracket of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the U-shaped bracket limiting structure of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the multifunctional support of the present invention when it is erected;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the multifunctional support of the present invention when it is laid flat.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a force diagram of the support structure when the titanium agglomerate of the present invention is at rest;

[0040] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the titanium agglomerate of the present invention when it is at rest;

[0041] Figure 13 This is a top view of the titanium agglomerate of the present invention when it is at rest;

[0042] Figure 14 This is the Mises equivalent stress diagram of the support structure of the present invention under a weight of 10 tons;

[0043] Figure 15 This is the equivalent Mises stress diagram when the titanium block of the present invention rolls.

[0044] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a flatbed truck used for horizontal transport of titanium blocks with a multi-functional bracket installed according to the present invention.

[0045] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of a flatbed truck transport container and a sealed barrel equipped with a multi-functional bracket according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the flatbed truck vertically transporting the titanium block when the multifunctional bracket of this invention is laid flat.

[0047] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the flatbed truck vertically transporting the titanium block when the multifunctional bracket of this invention is installed and erected.

[0048] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0049] 1. Bracket base; 101. Boss; 102. Clearance part; 103. Connecting part; 2. U-shaped bracket; 201. Rotating part; 3. Hinge shaft; 4. Flatbed body; 5. Support leg assembly; 6. Titanium block. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To make the technical means and objectives and effects of the present invention easier to understand, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific illustrations.

[0051] It should be noted that all directional and positional terms used in this invention, such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," "top," "lower," "lateral," "longitudinal," and "center," are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and connections between components in a specific state. They are merely for the convenience of describing the invention and do not require the invention to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0052] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0053] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0054] like Figures 1-19 As shown, this invention discloses a multifunctional support for the horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps 6. The multifunctional support includes a support base 1, a U-shaped support 2, and a hinge shaft 3. The support base 1 is a rigid metal structure, generally rectangular and flat, used for fixed installation on the upper surface of the transport vehicle. A boss 101 protruding upwards is provided in the middle of the support base 1, the height of which is flush with the upper surface of the U-shaped support 2 in its flat position. When the U-shaped support 2 is flipped to a horizontal position and fully fitted against the support base 1, the upper surfaces of the U-shaped support 2 on both sides and the central boss 101 together form a continuous, flat, and stable bearing plane.

[0055] The U-shaped bracket 2 is an upward-opening arc-shaped frame with an inner arc-shaped profile. Its radius of curvature matches the outer cylindrical surface of the standard titanium sponge 6, allowing it to fit tightly against the surface of the titanium 6 and effectively restrict its lateral rolling. One end of the U-shaped bracket 2 is movably connected to the front end of the bracket base 1 via a hinge shaft 3, allowing it to rotate between upright and flat positions around a horizontal axis. When upright, the U-shaped bracket 2 forms a U-shaped support groove for horizontal placement of the titanium 6; when flat, it combines with the central boss 101 to form a flat platform suitable for various applications. The standard titanium sponge 6 has a diameter of approximately Φ800mm, a length of approximately 1200mm, and a weight of approximately 10 tons.

[0056] Specifically, one end of the U-shaped bracket 2 is provided with a rotating part 201, which has a through hole. The bracket base 1 is provided with an upwardly protruding connecting part 103, which is composed of two spaced-apart sections. The rotating part 201 is located between the two connecting parts 103, and the through hole of the rotating part 201 is coaxially aligned with the corresponding hole on the two connecting parts 103. A hinge shaft 3 passes through it to realize the rotatable connection between the U-shaped bracket 2 and the bracket base 1.

[0057] The rotating part 201 has a rounded rectangular cross-section, meaning that one side of its outline is circular and the other side is rectangular. When the U-shaped bracket 2 is in a flat position, the side adjacent to the bracket base 1 has a circular cross-section, which facilitates a smooth transition during the flipping process and reduces rotational resistance; the side away from the bracket base 1 has a rectangular cross-section, which provides a stable limiting contact surface when the bracket is upright.

[0058] To ensure that the U-shaped bracket 2 can be reliably maintained in the upright position during transportation, a limiting structure is provided between the bracket base 1 and the U-shaped bracket 2. This limiting structure includes a rectangular cross-section portion on the rotating part 201 and a clearance portion 102 on the bracket base 1. When the U-shaped bracket 2 is flipped to the upright position, the rectangular side of the rotating part 201 abuts against the clearance portion 102 on the bracket base 1, forming a rigid stop, thereby effectively preventing the U-shaped bracket 2 from accidentally tipping over due to vehicle bumps, braking, or the rolling of the titanium block 6. This limiting structure achieves initial positioning without the need for additional locking components.

[0059] The above structural design takes into account both rotational flexibility and stability in the upright state, ensuring both the convenience of mode switching and the structural reliability of the titanium 6 during horizontal transportation.

[0060] The U-shaped support 2 is constructed entirely of Q235B carbon steel. Mechanical simulations have verified that under a static load of 10 tons of titanium bolster 6 and slight rolling at ±5°, the structural stress distribution is uniform and far below the material's yield strength, providing ample safety margin. After the titanium bolster 6 is placed, its own weight generates a downward pressing reaction force through the contact surface, causing the U-shaped support 2 to automatically press against the support base 1 under load, creating a gravity self-locking effect and further enhancing transportation stability. This support requires no external power or complex control, has a simple structure, high reliability, and is easy to maintain.

[0061] This invention discloses a transfer vehicle, which uses a standard flatbed transport vehicle as its base platform. Two sets of the aforementioned multifunctional brackets are symmetrically installed laterally on the upper surface of the vehicle body. The spacing between the two sets of brackets is set according to the length of a typical sponge titanium lump 6, ensuring that both ends of the titanium lump 6 are reliably supported when laid flat. Support leg assemblies 5 are provided at the four corners of the vehicle body bottom for stabilizing the vehicle body when parked, and can also be used in conjunction with forklifts or lifting equipment for overall transfer operations.

[0062] The entire vehicle is a purely mechanical structure, without hydraulic systems, electrical control systems, or other auxiliary devices, resulting in fewer potential failure points, stable operation, and low maintenance costs. In actual operation, when horizontal transport of titanium lumps 6 is required, the operator simultaneously flips the two sets of U-shaped supports 2 to the vertical position, and then the overhead crane horizontally lifts the titanium lumps 6 into the support groove formed by the U-shaped supports 2. After transport, the U-shaped supports 2 are laid flat, and the upper surface of the vehicle body returns to a complete flat plate, ready for transporting conventional materials such as buckets, toolboxes, and sealed barrels.

[0063] Furthermore, even when the U-shaped support 2 is in a flat position, the transfer vehicle can still be used with a special clamp for vertical transport of the titanium lumps 6. This achieves three uses in one vehicle: it can safely and efficiently complete the horizontal transfer of the titanium lumps 6, support vertical transport, and also be used as a general-purpose flatbed truck. This multi-functional integrated design significantly improves equipment utilization, reduces the number of specialized vehicles required in the factory area, and optimizes logistics management efficiency.

[0064] After titanium block 6 is placed on the transport vehicle, its weight G is mainly borne by the support base 1, such as... Figure 4 As shown. The Mises equivalent stress diagram at this time is as follows. Figure 5 As shown, with a pressure of 10 tons and carbon steel material, there is no high stress concentration area in the Mises equivalent stress diagram, proving that the support can withstand the weight of 10 tons of titanium 6.

[0065] During horizontal transport, the direction of movement of the transport vehicle is usually consistent with the axial direction of the titanium agglomerate 6. The titanium agglomerate 6 is not subjected to external forces in the radial direction, but may experience slight rolling due to various reasons. The Mises equivalent stress diagram in this case is as follows: Figure 6As shown, with a pressure of 10 tons and carbon steel material, there is no high stress concentration area in the Mises equivalent stress diagram, proving that even if the titanium block 6 rolls, the support can withstand the weight of the titanium block 6.

[0066] This transfer vehicle is compatible with a standard 10-ton flatbed truck platform. It has a compact overall structure and the support layout can be flexibly adjusted according to different specifications of titanium 6, such as increasing the number of supports or adjusting the opening size, which has good adaptability and expandability.

[0067] In practical applications, this multi-functional transfer vehicle demonstrates excellent adaptability and versatility. For example... Figure 7 As shown, when the U-shaped bracket 2 is in the upright position, the transfer vehicle enters the horizontal transportation mode of the titanium bolta 6. The sponge titanium bolta 6 can be placed horizontally in the support groove formed by the two U-shaped brackets 2. The U-shaped structure effectively restricts the lateral rolling of the titanium bolta 6, ensuring a safe and stable transportation process. Figure 8 As shown, when the U-shaped bracket 2 is laid flat, its upper surface is flush with the bracket base 1, forming a complete and flat bearing platform. At this time, the transfer vehicle can be used to transport hoppers, sealed barrels, tools, and other conventional materials, meeting daily logistics needs. Specifically, as... Figure 9 As shown, regardless of whether the U-shaped support 2 is upright or flat, the transfer vehicle retains the ability to vertically place the titanium lump 6. In the flat position, the titanium lump 6 can be directly placed vertically on the central boss 101 and surrounding plane of the support base 1, achieving vertical transportation. Through the flexible switching between these three usage modes, the transfer vehicle significantly improves equipment utilization and solves the problems of traditional transport vehicles having limited functionality and difficult switching. Field trials have shown that the device is reliable in structure, easy to operate, and effective, effectively overcoming the safety hazards and efficiency bottlenecks of existing technologies and achieving the intended purpose.

[0068] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional support for horizontal transport of titanium sponge lumps, characterized in that, Includes a support base (1) and a U-shaped support (2); The bracket base (1) is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the flatbed transport vehicle; The U-shaped bracket (2) is rotatably connected to the bracket base (1) and can switch between an upright state and a flat state; When in the upright position, the U-shaped bracket (2) forms a U-shaped groove for supporting and limiting the horizontal placement of the titanium block (6); When in a flat position, the U-shaped bracket (2) and the bracket base (1) together form a flat bearing plane.

2. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The U-shaped bracket (2) is connected to the bracket base (1) via a hinge shaft (3), so that the U-shaped bracket (2) can rotate around the horizontal axis.

3. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the U-shaped bracket (2) is in an upright position and the titanium block (6) is placed horizontally on it, the gravity of the titanium block (6) causes the U-shaped bracket (2) to be subjected to a downward pressing force, thereby achieving self-limiting and preventing the U-shaped bracket (2) from accidentally tipping over during transportation.

4. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner contour of the U-shaped bracket (2) matches the outer cylindrical surface of the titanium block (6) to limit the rolling displacement of the titanium block (6) in the radial direction.

5. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the support base (1) and the U-shaped support (2) are made of carbon steel, and their structural strength meets the requirements for bearing 10 tons of static load and slight rolling load of the titanium block (6). There is no concentrated high stress area of ​​Mises equivalent stress.

6. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the U-shaped bracket (2) is in a flat position, its upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the bracket base (1), forming a continuous and unobstructed flat transport surface for transporting buckets, tools or sealed barrels.

7. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flatbed transport vehicle equipped with the multi-functional bracket can still transport the titanium block (6) vertically when the U-shaped bracket (2) is laid flat.

8. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The U-shaped bracket (2) is provided with a limiting structure to prevent unintended flipping when it is in the upright state.

9. The multifunctional support for horizontal transportation of titanium sponge lumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket base (1) has two or more mounting positions arranged symmetrically along the transverse side of the flatbed transport vehicle, and each mounting position corresponds to one of the U-shaped brackets (2) to accommodate titanium blocks (6) of different lengths or diameters.

10. A transfer vehicle, characterized in that, Includes a flatbed vehicle body (4) and a multi-functional support as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the multi-functional support is installed on the upper part of the flatbed vehicle body (4) so ​​that the transfer vehicle can switch between the horizontal transfer mode of the titanium block (6) and the general flatbed transport mode.

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