Pallet fork assembly and storage forklift

Abstract

The invention discloses a pallet fork assembly and a storage forklift and relates to the technical field of logistics storage, the pallet fork assembly comprises a pallet fork support, a connecting frame, a fork tooth assembly and a turnover driving part, and the front end and the rear end of the pallet fork support are open; the fork tooth assembly comprises a first pallet fork and a second pallet fork which are independently and rotationally connected to the connecting frame, the first pallet fork and the second pallet fork both have a transversely-arranged supporting state and a longitudinally-arranged storage state, and the overturning driving piece drives the fork tooth assembly to overturn relative to the connecting frame. The first pallet fork and the second pallet fork are switched between a supporting state and a storage state; when the first pallet fork is in a supporting state, the tip end of the first pallet fork points to the front end; when the second pallet fork is in the supporting state, the tip end of the second pallet fork points to the rear end, the pallet fork assembly can be matched with goods stacks in different directions in a narrow space where a forklift is inconvenient to turn, goods forking and unloading operation in the front direction and the rear direction can be completed without turning around of the whole forklift, and the operation efficiency of a narrow channel is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of logistics and warehousing technology, and in particular to a fork assembly and a warehouse forklift. Background Technology

[0002] In warehousing and logistics operations, forklifts are the core equipment for picking up, handling and stacking goods. The operational flexibility and spatial adaptability of their fork components directly affect the efficiency of warehousing operations. In particular, in complex warehousing scenarios such as narrow aisles and dense stacks of goods, higher requirements are placed on the adaptability of the fork components.

[0003] Most existing forklift fork assemblies only have a single-direction fork tooth structure, which can only enable the forklift to pick up the stack in front. When it is necessary to pick up the stack behind, the forklift must be driven to turn around. In space-constrained scenarios such as narrow aisles, the forklift turning operation is difficult and time-consuming, which can easily cause congestion and seriously affect the efficiency of operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this application provides a fork assembly that can adapt to stacks of goods facing different directions in narrow spaces where it is inconvenient for forklifts to turn. It can complete the picking and unloading of goods in both front and rear directions without turning the entire vehicle around, greatly improving the efficiency of working in narrow passages.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: A fork assembly includes a fork bracket, a connecting frame mounted on the fork bracket, a fork tooth assembly rotatably connected to the connecting frame, and a flipping drive unit disposed between the connecting frame and the fork tooth assembly. The fork bracket has open front and rear ends. The fork tooth assembly includes a first fork and a second fork rotatably connected to the connecting frame. Both the first fork and the second fork have a laterally positioned support state and a longitudinally positioned retracted state. The flipping drive unit drives the fork tooth assembly to flip relative to the connecting frame, so that the first fork and the second fork switch between the support state and the retracted state. When the first fork is in the support state, the tip of the first fork points to the front end; when the second fork is in the support state, the tip of the second fork points to the rear end.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the first and second forks can flexibly switch independently between a supported state and a retracted state, adapting to stacks of goods facing different directions in narrow spaces where forklifts cannot easily turn. This allows for the picking and unloading of goods in both directions without requiring the entire forklift to be turned around, significantly improving efficiency in narrow passageways. When the first or second fork is in the retracted state, it extends longitudinally along the height of the fork support, being entirely housed within the internal space of the fork support, not exceeding the front and rear outlines of the fork support, effectively reducing the space occupied by the equipment and preventing interference with surrounding obstacles when not in operation. When it is necessary to pick up the front stack of goods, the flipping drive drives the first fork to flip around its own flipping axis to a lateral support state, with the tip of the first fork facing forward in the same open direction as the front end of the fork bracket. The second fork flips to a longitudinal storage state, avoiding the space behind and ensuring smooth picking up of the front stack of goods. When it is necessary to handle the rear stack of goods, the flipping drive drives the second fork to flip around its own flipping axis to a lateral support state, with the tip of the second fork facing backward in the same open direction as the rear end of the fork bracket. The first fork flips to a longitudinal storage state, avoiding interference with obstacles in front and achieving efficient picking up and placing of the rear stack of goods.

[0007] Preferably, the first fork is rotatably connected to the front end of the connecting frame, and the second fork is rotatably connected to the rear end of the connecting frame.

[0008] In the above technical solution, the first fork and the second fork are independently distributed along the front and rear direction of the connecting frame, and their respective flipping actions do not interfere with each other, which can be adapted to the needs of stacking operations with different front and rear orientations.

[0009] Preferably, the flipping drive includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit, wherein the first drive unit drives the first fork to flip independently of the second fork, and the second drive unit drives the second fork to flip independently of the first fork.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the first drive unit and the second drive unit are independently configured, providing tilting power for the first fork and the second fork respectively, ensuring that they can operate independently according to operational needs without interfering with each other. The core advantage of this design lies in its obstacle avoidance flexibility: when it is necessary to pick up the stack in front, the first fork can be driven to tilt to the support position, while the second fork remains in the retracted position to avoid obstacles in the space behind; when it is necessary to pick up the stack in the rear, the second fork can be driven to tilt to the support position, while the first fork retracts to avoid obstacles in front. Specifically, when the goods are high, during the forklift operation, the first or second fork in the retracted position may interfere with the mast or the forklift's moving base in the height direction. In this case, because the first and second drive units can independently drive the first and second forks to flip, the fork that might interfere can be flexibly flipped to a suitable avoidance angle (such as flipping to the support position or a transitional position between the support and retracted positions). By adjusting its spatial posture, its height occupancy is reduced, thus avoiding collisions with the mast or moving base. Meanwhile, the other fork can maintain a stable operating posture, ensuring the continuity and safety of goods picking and handling. Compared to synchronous flipping designs, there is no need to drive the other fork in a single direction of operation, effectively reducing space occupation and interference risks in non-operational states, and adapting to complex operating scenarios such as narrow passages and multiple obstacles.

[0011] Preferably, the first fork includes two first fork teeth spaced apart from each other, and the first drive unit drives the two first fork teeth to rotate synchronously; the second fork includes two second fork teeth spaced apart from each other, and the second drive unit drives the two second fork teeth to rotate synchronously.

[0012] In the above technical solution, two left-right spaced first forks form a symmetrical forward support structure. The first drive unit synchronously drives both forks to flip, ensuring balanced force under support, improving the stability of the load, and preventing the load from tilting or slipping due to a single fork bearing the load. Similarly, two left-right spaced second forks form a rearward support structure. The synchronous drive of the second drive unit ensures more even force on the load during forklift operation, guaranteeing stability during handling. Furthermore, the left-right spaced layout adapts to the support spacing requirements of conventional pallets, accommodating most standardized packaged goods without additional adjustments. The synchronous flipping design simplifies the drive control logic, ensuring that the two forks of the same fork move in unison, avoiding interference or support failure caused by asynchronous movements.

[0013] Preferably, the first drive unit includes a first rotation drive member, a first synchronous transmission shaft, two first drive sprockets, two first chains, and two first driven sprockets. The first driven sprockets are coaxially fixed on the shaft corresponding to the first fork tooth. The output end of the first rotation drive member is driven and connected to the first synchronous transmission shaft. The two first drive sprockets are respectively fixed at both ends of the first synchronous transmission shaft. The first drive sprockets are driven and connected to the first driven sprockets on the same side through the corresponding first chains. The second drive unit includes a second rotation drive member, a second synchronous transmission shaft, two second drive sprockets, two second chains, and two second driven sprockets. The second driven sprockets are coaxially fixed on the shaft corresponding to the second fork tooth. The output end of the second rotation drive member is driven and connected to the second synchronous transmission shaft. The two second drive sprockets are respectively fixed at both ends of the second synchronous transmission shaft. The second drive sprockets are driven and connected to the second driven sprockets on the same side through the corresponding second chains.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the synchronous rotation of two fork teeth on the same fork is achieved through a transmission combination of "rotational drive component + synchronous transmission shaft + sprocket and chain": after the first rotational drive component is activated, the power is transmitted to the first drive sprockets at both ends via the first synchronous transmission shaft, and then drives the first driven sprocket on the same side to rotate via the first chain, thereby driving the two first fork teeth to rotate synchronously around their own axis, with precise and highly consistent action; the second drive unit adopts the same transmission logic to ensure that the two second fork teeth move synchronously. This transmission structure has strong load-bearing capacity, high transmission efficiency, and the meshing transmission between the sprocket and the chain has a clear transmission ratio, which can precisely control the fork tooth rotation angle and avoid fork tooth tilting in the supported state.

[0015] Preferably, the shafts of the two first fork teeth are coaxially connected; the shafts of the two second fork teeth are coaxially connected.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the shafts of the two first fork teeth are coaxially connected to form an integrated first fork tooth shaft, which is rotatably supported at the front end of the connecting frame; the shafts of the two second fork teeth are coaxially connected to form an integrated second fork tooth shaft, which is rotatably supported at the rear end of the connecting frame. The first and second drive units only need to drive the shaft of one of the first or second fork teeth to synchronously rotate the other fork tooth in the same group, resulting in a more compact structure. This design significantly simplifies the transmission structure, synchronously rotating two fork teeth with a single shaft, eliminating the need for additional synchronous transmission components (such as synchronous drive shafts, sprocket / gear linkage structures), reducing structural complexity and assembly difficulty, while also reducing transmission backlash and improving the synchronization accuracy and consistency of fork tooth rotation.

[0017] Preferably, the connecting frame, together with the first fork in the supported state or the second fork in the supported state, forms an L-shaped support structure.

[0018] In the above technical solution, the connecting frame extends vertically. When the first fork is in a lateral support state, it extends forward horizontally, forming an L-shaped support structure together with the vertically arranged connecting frame. Similarly, when the second fork is in a lateral support state, it extends backward horizontally, also forming an L-shaped support structure with the connecting frame. The connecting frame can provide limiting support behind the goods when picking them up, preventing the goods from slipping.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting frame has a first clearance groove at the front end and a second clearance groove at the rear end. When the first fork is in the retracted state, the first fork is at least partially embedded in the first clearance groove; when the second fork is in the retracted state, the second fork is at least partially embedded in the second clearance groove.

[0020] In the above technical solution, both the first and second clearance slots are opened along the height direction of the connecting frame, and their cavity shapes and dimensions are adapted to the structural contours of the corresponding forks. When the first fork is flipped to the longitudinally retracted state, at least part of the structure is embedded in the first clearance slot, preventing the fork from being exposed at the front end of the connecting frame; similarly, when the second fork is retracted, at least part of it is embedded in the second clearance slot, reducing the space occupied at the rear end. The above solution, through the enveloping containment of the cavity, enables the forks to form a compact integrated structure with the connecting frame in the retracted state, significantly reducing the overall height and the protruding dimensions in the front-rear direction, effectively avoiding the risk of interference with the mast, movable base, or surrounding obstacles.

[0021] Preferably, the connecting frame is provided with a first limiting block and a second limiting block. When the first fork is in the supported state, the first limiting block abuts against the first fork to restrict the first fork from flipping downward; when the second fork is in the supported state, the second limiting block abuts against the second fork to restrict the second fork from flipping downward.

[0022] In the above technical solution, when the first fork is flipped to the lateral support state under the drive of the first drive unit, its bottom or side will form a surface contact with the first limiting block. This mechanical hard limiting prevents the fork from tilting downwards due to the load and its own weight, precisely locking the horizontal support posture and preventing the fork teeth from tilting and causing the cargo to slip. Similarly, when the second fork is flipped to the support state, the abutting action of the second limiting block strictly limits its excessive downward flipping, ensuring horizontal load stability during rearward forking and handling. The core value of this design lies in dual protection: on the one hand, precise angle limiting ensures the forks are always in the optimal support posture, improving operational safety; on the other hand, when carrying cargo, the rigid constraints of the first and second limiting blocks directly bear the longitudinal pressure from the cargo's weight, preventing the forks from tilting slightly or drooping elastically. Simultaneously, the load is transferred to the connecting frame and fork support, preventing the force from being directly transmitted to the flipping drive component. This significantly reduces the load on the drive mechanism, reduces fatigue wear on the drive component due to long-term stress, extends its service life, and improves the heavy-duty operational reliability of the entire fork assembly.

[0023] Preferably, the connecting frame is movably connected to the fork support in the front-to-back direction, and a translational drive component for driving the connecting frame to move in the front-to-back direction is provided between the fork support and the connecting frame. The fork support is provided with a sliding groove extending forward and backward, and a pulley is rotatably connected to the connecting frame. The pulley is embedded in the sliding groove and rolls along its extension direction.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the translation drive provides power for the forward and backward movement of the connecting frame. Together with the sliding groove of the fork support and the pulley of the connecting frame, they form a sliding guide mechanism, enabling the connecting frame to move smoothly along the forward and backward direction of the fork support. This, in turn, drives the first and second forks to adjust their forward and backward positions synchronously, adapting to the needs of forklifting from stacks of different depths. The pulleys, embedded in the sliding groove, roll and cooperate, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing movement resistance and making the translational movement of the connecting frame smoother and more responsive. Simultaneously, it reduces component wear and extends the service life of the mechanism. The sliding groove extends precisely along the forward and backward direction, strictly limiting the movement trajectory of the connecting frame, preventing deviation or jamming, and ensuring the accuracy of fork position adjustment.

[0025] Preferably, the translation drive includes a translation rotation drive, a rack, and a drive gear meshing with the rack. The rack is mounted on the fork support and extends in the front-rear direction. The drive gear is rotatably mounted on the connecting frame and is connected to the output end of the translation rotation drive.

[0026] In the above technical solution, when the translational rotation drive is activated, the drive gear rotates accordingly. Through meshing with the rack, the rotational power is converted into the forward and backward linear movement of the connecting frame, which in turn drives the fork assembly to move synchronously. The core advantages of this transmission structure are precise positioning and stable load-bearing capacity: the meshing transmission between the gear and rack has a fixed transmission ratio, and the moving distance of the connecting frame can be precisely controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the translational rotation drive, adapting to the forklift requirements of stacks of different depths; at the same time, the gear and rack transmission has high rigidity and outstanding load-bearing capacity, which can effectively bear the longitudinal load when picking up goods, avoiding slippage or displacement deviation during translation, and ensuring operational stability. In addition, the structure has a compact layout and works in synergy with the guide of the slide and pulley to ensure that the moving trajectory of the connecting frame is straight and without deviation or jamming.

[0027] Preferably, there are two fork supports, which are located on the left and right sides of the connecting frame. Each fork support is equipped with a rack, and there are two drive gears. The two drive gears mesh with the racks on the corresponding sides. A drive shaft is rotatably connected to the connecting frame, and both ends of the drive shaft are coaxially fixed with the two drive gears. The output end of the translational rotation drive is connected to the drive shaft.

[0028] In the above technical solution, the drive shaft passes laterally through the connecting frame and is rotatably supported by bearing seats. Its two ends are coaxially fixed to two drive gears. The output end of the translational rotation drive component is connected to the drive shaft via a coupling or gear set. When the translational rotation drive component is activated, power is synchronously transmitted to the drive gears on both sides via the drive shaft, causing the gears on both sides to simultaneously mesh with their corresponding racks, driving the connecting frame to move smoothly back and forth along the double-sided sliding grooves. The core advantage of this design lies in the synergy between both sides: the synchronously rotating drive shaft ensures that the actions of the drive gears on both sides are completely consistent, avoiding the misalignment or jamming of the connecting frame caused by unilateral transmission, and ensuring accurate translation trajectory.

[0029] Preferably, both the first and second forks also have a longitudinally arranged avoidance configuration. When the first fork is in the retracted state, the tip of the first fork points upward; when the first fork is in the clearance state, the tip of the first fork points downward. When the second fork is in the retracted state, the tip of the second fork points upward; when the second fork is in the clearance state, the tip of the first fork points downward.

[0030] In the above technical solution, both the first and second forks possess three switchable spatial postures: "support state," "retracted state," and "avoidance state." The two longitudinal states (retracted / avoidance) are distinguished by the orientation of their tips, further expanding operational flexibility. When the first fork is in the retracted state, its tip extends longitudinally upward and partially embeds into the first avoidance slot, minimizing horizontal space occupation and avoiding interference with the structure in front. When switched to the avoidance state, the tip flips longitudinally downward, avoiding components such as the mast and crossbeams above, adapting to high-stacking or low-altitude operation scenarios and preventing collisions between the forks and structures above. Similarly, when the second fork is retracted, its tip embeds into the second avoidance slot upward; in the avoidance state, the tip flips downward, avoiding interference risks from obstacles behind or the moving base below.

[0031] The flexible switching between the three states allows the fork assembly to cope with more complex operating environments: by simply controlling the fork tilting angle through the tilting drive, it can quickly switch between "forward picking (first fork support), backward picking (second fork support), flexible avoidance (either fork tilting downward), and compact storage (both forks tilting upward)" without adjusting the overall position of the forklift, which greatly improves the efficiency and safety of operation in narrow spaces and multi-obstacle scenarios.

[0032] Preferably, the connecting frame is provided with a locking mechanism, which includes a locking block that is laterally slidably connected to the connecting frame and a telescopic drive member that drives the locking block to extend and retract relative to the connecting frame. When the locking block extends, it can lock the first fork or the second fork in a supported state, a retracted state, or a clearance state.

[0033] In the above technical solution, when the first or second fork needs to switch its tilting posture, the telescopic drive first drives the locking block to retract, releasing the engagement with the corresponding locking hole or fork body, providing movement space for the fork to tilt; after the fork reaches the target posture under the drive of the tilting drive, the locking block extends again and completes the insertion and locking, preventing the fork from angular deviation, accidental rotation or loosening under load and vibration, ensuring the posture stability of the entire operation process.

[0034] A warehouse forklift includes a movable base and a mast mounted on the movable base, and further includes the fork assembly as described in claim 1. The fork assembly is jackingly connected to the mast, and the mast is provided with a lifting mechanism for driving the fork support to lift relative to the mast. The mast is fixed above the movable base. The movable base is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating a first fork and a second fork, and the front and rear ends and the top end of the receiving groove are open.

[0035] In the above technical solution, the fork assembly can be raised and lowered along the mast via a lifting mechanism to adapt to the forking and stacking operations of stacks of different heights. The lifting mechanism can be a hydraulic lifting cylinder, a chain winch mechanism, or a screw lifting mechanism, etc., to achieve stable lifting and height positioning of the fork bracket and the overall fork assembly. The mast is fixedly installed on the movable base, providing stable vertical support and lifting guidance for the fork assembly, ensuring the overall structural rigidity during high-level operations. The receiving slot on the movable base provides space for the forks when the fork assembly is lowered to a low position or when the first and second forks are in the retracted or clearance position, preventing structural interference between the forks and the movable base body. The receiving slot is open at both ends and the top, which does not restrict the supporting action of the first fork extending forward and the second fork extending backward, nor does it hinder the flipping and switching of the forks between the retracted and clearance positions. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fork assembly in this application. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fork assembly in this application. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fork assembly that conceals the fork bracket and connecting frame in this application. Figure 1 ; Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0037] In the diagram: 1. Movable base; 11. Receiving slot; 2. Mast; 3. Fork assembly; 31. Fork support; 311. Slide; 32. Connecting frame; 321. Pulley; 322. First limiting block; 323. Second limiting block; 324. First clearance slot; 325. Fork tooth assembly; 33. First fork; 331. First fork tooth; 3311. First limiting part; 3312. Second fork; 332. Second fork tooth; 3321. Second limiting part; 3322. Tilting drive; 34. First drive part; 341. First rotation drive component 3411, first synchronous transmission shaft 3412, first drive sprocket 3413, first chain 3414, first driven sprocket 3415, second drive unit 342, second rotation drive component 3421, second synchronous transmission shaft 3422, second drive sprocket 3423, second chain 3424, second driven sprocket 3425, translation drive component 35, translation rotation drive component 351, drive gear 352, rack 353, drive shaft 354, lifting mechanism 4. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. Furthermore, in the description of this application, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] Example 1: like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a fork assembly 3 includes a fork bracket 31, a connecting frame 32 mounted on the fork bracket 31, a fork tooth assembly 33 rotatably connected to the connecting frame 32, and a flipping drive 34 disposed between the connecting frame 32 and the fork tooth assembly 33. The fork bracket 31 is open at both ends. The fork tooth assembly 33 includes a first fork 331 and a second fork 332 that are rotatably connected to the connecting frame 32. Both the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 have a laterally arranged support state and a longitudinally arranged retracted state. The flipping drive 34 drives the fork tooth assembly 33 to flip relative to the connecting frame 32, so that the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 switch between the support state and the retracted state. When the first fork 331 is in the support state, the tip of the first fork 331 points to the front end. When the second fork 332 is in the support state, the tip of the second fork 332 points to the rear end.

[0041] The spatial definitions and structural descriptions involved in this application are as follows: Forward and backward direction: refers to the direction in which the fork assembly 33 extends into and exits the stack when picking up goods; Lateral: refers to the direction that is roughly parallel to the horizontal plane; Longitudinal: refers to the direction that is roughly parallel to the vertical plane. Both are based on the relative space when the forklift is operating normally on the horizontal plane. Open configuration: refers to an open structure with no physical obstructions at the front and rear ends, allowing forks to move freely in and out; Tip pointing definition: The tip of the first fork 331 points to the front end, that is, its tip points in the same direction as the front opening of the fork support 31; the tip of the second fork 332 points to the rear end, that is, its tip points in the same direction as the rear opening of the fork support 31. Independent rotating connection: The first fork 331 and the second fork 332 are each equipped with an independent rotating axis, which can rotate relative to the connecting frame 32 around their own axis without interfering with each other. Both can switch independently between the supported state and the stored state without affecting each other's operation.

[0042] In the above technical solution, the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 can flexibly switch between a supported state and a retracted state independently. This allows them to adapt to stacks of goods facing different directions in narrow spaces where forklifts cannot easily turn, enabling forklift picking and unloading operations in both directions without requiring the entire forklift to be turned around, significantly improving efficiency in narrow passageways. When the first fork 331 or the second fork 332 is in the retracted state, it extends longitudinally along the height of the fork support 31, being entirely housed within the internal space of the fork support 31, without exceeding the front and rear end contours of the fork support 31. This effectively reduces the space occupied by the equipment and avoids interference with surrounding obstacles when not in operation. When picking is required... When handling the front stack of goods, the flipping drive 34 drives the first fork 331 to flip around its own flipping axis to a lateral support state, with the tip of the first fork 331 facing forward in the same open direction as the front end of the fork bracket 31, and the second fork 332 flips to a longitudinal storage state, thus avoiding the space behind and ensuring smooth fork handling at the front. When handling the rear stack of goods, the flipping drive 34 drives the second fork 332 to flip around its own flipping axis to a lateral support state, with the tip of the second fork 332 facing backward in the same open direction as the rear end of the fork bracket 31, and the first fork 331 flips to a longitudinal storage state, avoiding interference with obstacles in front and achieving efficient handling of the rear stack of goods.

[0043] Specifically, in this application, the first fork 331 is rotatably connected to the front end of the connecting frame 32, and the second fork 332 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the connecting frame 32. The tilting drive 34 includes a first drive part 341 and a second drive part 342. The first drive part 341 drives the first fork 331 to tilt independently of the second fork 332, and the second drive part 342 drives the second fork 332 to tilt independently of the first fork 331.

[0044] In the above technical solution, the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 are independently distributed along the front-rear direction of the connecting frame 32, and their respective flipping actions do not interfere with each other, which can adapt to the needs of stacking operations with different front and rear orientations. The first drive unit 341 and the second drive unit 342 are independently set, providing flipping power for the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 respectively, ensuring that they can operate independently according to the operation requirements without interfering with each other. The core advantage of this design lies in its obstacle avoidance flexibility: when it is necessary to pick up the stack in front, the first fork 331 can be driven to flip to the support state, while the second fork 332 remains in the retracted state to avoid obstacles in the space behind; when it is necessary to pick up the stack in the rear, the second fork 332 can be driven to flip to the support state, while the first fork 331 is retracted to avoid obstacles in front. Specifically, when the goods are high, during the forklift operation, the first fork 331 or the second fork 332 in the retracted state may interfere with the mast 2 or the forklift's moving base 1 in the height direction. In this case, since the first drive unit 341 and the second drive unit 342 can independently drive the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 to flip, the fork that may interfere can be flexibly flipped to a suitable avoidance angle (such as flipping to the support state or a transitional position between the support state and the retracted state). By adjusting its spatial posture, its height-direction occupation is reduced, thereby avoiding collision with the mast 2 or the moving base 1. Meanwhile, the other fork can maintain a stable operating posture, ensuring the continuity and operational safety of goods picking and handling. Compared to a synchronous flipping design, there is no need to drive the other fork in a single direction of operation, effectively reducing space occupation and interference risks in non-operational states, and adapting to complex operating scenarios such as narrow passages and multiple obstacles.

[0045] Furthermore, in this application, the first fork 331 includes two first fork teeth 3311 spaced apart from each other, and the first drive unit 341 drives the two first fork teeth 3311 to rotate synchronously; the second fork 332 includes two second fork teeth 3321 spaced apart from each other, and the second drive unit 342 drives the two second fork teeth 3321 to rotate synchronously.

[0046] In the above technical solution, the left and right direction refers to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the forklift's travel direction. Two left-right spaced first fork teeth 3311 form a symmetrical forward support structure. The first drive unit 341 synchronously drives both fork teeth to flip, ensuring balanced force under support, improving the stability of the load, and preventing tilting or slippage of the load caused by a single fork tooth bearing the load. Similarly, two left-right spaced second fork teeth 3321 constitute a rearward support structure. The synchronous drive action of the second drive unit 342 ensures more even force distribution on the load during forklift operation, guaranteeing stability during handling. Furthermore, the left-right spaced layout adapts to the support spacing requirements of conventional pallets, accommodating most standardized packaged goods without additional adjustments. The synchronous flipping design simplifies the drive control logic, ensuring consistent movement of the two fork teeth on the same fork, avoiding interference or support failure caused by asynchronous movements.

[0047] Furthermore, in this application, the connecting frame 32 together with the first fork 331 in the supported state or the second fork 332 in the supported state constitutes an L-shaped support structure.

[0048] In the above technical solution, the connecting frame 32 extends vertically. When the first fork 331 is in a lateral support state, it extends forward horizontally, forming an L-shaped support structure together with the vertically arranged connecting frame 32. Similarly, when the second fork 332 is in a lateral support state, it extends backward horizontally, also forming an L-shaped support structure with the connecting frame 32. The connecting frame 32 can provide limiting support behind the goods when picking them up, preventing the goods from slipping.

[0049] Furthermore, in this application, the front end of the connecting frame 32 is provided with a first clearance groove 324, and the rear end of the connecting frame 32 is provided with a second clearance groove 325. When the first fork 331 is in the retracted state, the first fork 331 is at least partially embedded in the first clearance groove 324; when the second fork 332 is in the retracted state, the second fork 332 is at least partially embedded in the second clearance groove 325.

[0050] In the above technical solution, both the first clearance groove 324 and the second clearance groove 325 are opened along the height direction of the connecting frame 32, and their cavity shapes and sizes are adapted to the structural contours of the corresponding forks. When the first fork 331 is flipped to the longitudinally retracted state, at least part of the structure is embedded in the first clearance groove 324, preventing the fork from being exposed at the front end of the connecting frame 32; similarly, when the second fork 332 is retracted, at least part of it is embedded in the second clearance groove 325, reducing the space occupied at the rear end. The above solution, through the enveloping containment of the cavity, enables the forks to form a compact integrated structure with the connecting frame 32 in the retracted state, significantly reducing the overall height and the protruding dimensions in the front and rear directions, and effectively avoiding the risk of interference with the mast 2, the movable base 1, or surrounding obstacles.

[0051] Furthermore, in this application, there are two fork supports 31, which are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the connecting frame 32. The connecting frame 32 is movably connected to the fork supports 31 in the front-back direction. A translation drive 35 for driving the connecting frame 32 to move in the front-back direction is provided between the fork supports 31 and the connecting frame 32. The translation drive 35 includes a translation rotation drive 351, a drive shaft 354, two racks 353, and two drive gears 352 meshing with the racks 353. The racks 353 are fixedly installed on the corresponding fork supports 31 and extend in the front-back direction. The drive shaft 354 is rotatably connected to the connecting frame 32. The output end of the translation rotation drive 351 is connected to the drive shaft 354. Both ends of the drive shaft 354 are coaxially fixed with the two drive gears 352 respectively. The two drive gears 352 mesh with the racks 353 on the corresponding sides respectively.

[0052] Both fork supports 31 are provided with front and rear extending grooves 311. Two sets of pulleys 321 are rotatably connected to the connecting frame 32. The pulleys 321 are embedded in the corresponding grooves 311 and roll along their extension direction to ensure balanced force and smooth operation during translation.

[0053] In the above technical solution, the translation drive 35 provides power for the forward and backward movement of the connecting frame 32. Together with the groove 311 of the fork support 31 and the pulley 321 of the connecting frame 32, it forms a sliding guide mechanism, enabling the connecting frame 32 to move smoothly along the forward and backward direction of the fork support 31. This, in turn, drives the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 to adjust their forward and backward positions synchronously, adapting to the needs of forklifting pallets of different depths. The pulley 321 is embedded in the groove 311 for rolling contact, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing movement resistance, making the translational movement of the connecting frame 32 smoother and more responsive, while also reducing component wear and extending the service life of the mechanism. The groove 311 extends precisely along the forward and backward direction, strictly limiting the movement trajectory of the connecting frame 32, preventing deviation or jamming, and ensuring the accuracy of fork position adjustment.

[0054] In the above technical solution, the translational rotation drive 351 is a motor, the rack 353 is fixedly arranged along the front-rear direction of the fork support 31, and the drive gear 352 is rotatably supported on the connecting frame 32 through a bearing seat, and is fixedly connected to the output end of the translational rotation drive 351 through a coupling or key to ensure stable power transmission. When the translational rotation drive 351 is started, the drive gear 352 rotates accordingly, and through meshing with the rack 353, the rotational power is converted into the front-rear linear movement of the connecting frame 32, thereby driving the fork assembly 33 to move synchronously. The core advantage of this transmission structure lies in precise positioning and stable load-bearing: the meshing transmission between the gear and the rack 353 has a fixed transmission ratio, and the moving distance of the connecting frame 32 can be precisely controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the translational rotation drive 351 to adapt to the forklift requirements of different depth stacks; at the same time, the gear and rack 353 transmission has high rigidity and outstanding load-bearing capacity, which can effectively bear the longitudinal load when picking up goods, avoid slippage or displacement deviation during translation, and ensure operational stability. Furthermore, the compact structure, in conjunction with the guide mechanism of the slide groove 311 and pulley 321, ensures a straight movement trajectory for the connecting frame 32 without any deviation or jamming. In the above technical solution, the two fork supports 31 are symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the connecting frame 32, forming a symmetrical support structure. This not only improves the overall rigidity of the fork assembly 3 but also makes the force on the connecting frame 32 more balanced. Each of the two fork supports 31 has a rack 353 and a slide groove 311 along the front-rear direction. Pulleys 321 and drive gears 352 are installed on the left and right sides of the connecting frame 32, respectively. The pulleys 321 are embedded in the slide groove 311 on the same side, and the drive gears 352 mesh with the racks 353 on the same side, forming a double-sided synchronous guiding and transmission mechanism. The drive shaft 354 passes laterally through the connecting frame 32 and is rotatably supported by a bearing seat. Its two ends are coaxially fixed with the two drive gears 352. The output end of the translational rotation drive component 351 is connected to the drive shaft 354 through a coupling or gear set. When the translational rotation drive 351 is activated, power is synchronously transmitted to the drive gears 352 on both sides via the drive shaft 354. This causes the gears on both sides to simultaneously mesh with the corresponding racks 353, driving the connecting frame 32 to move smoothly back and forth along the double-sided sliding grooves 311. The core advantage of this design lies in the synergy between the two sides: on the one hand, the synchronously rotating drive shaft 354 ensures that the drive gears 352 on both sides move in complete unison, avoiding the misalignment or jamming of the connecting frame 32 caused by unilateral transmission, and ensuring accurate translation trajectory; on the other hand, the double-sided rack 353-gear transmission and the double-sided sliding grooves 311-pulley 321 guidance form a dual synergy, so that the force on the connecting frame 32 is evenly distributed to the left and right sides, improving the structural stability and smoothness of movement under heavy load, effectively avoiding component wear or deformation caused by concentrated load on one side, and adapting to the requirements of long-term high-intensity operation.

[0055] Specifically, this application can install a displacement sensor on the connecting frame 32 to provide real-time feedback on the current position of the connecting frame 32, forming a closed-loop control with the translation drive 35; at the extreme positions of forward and backward movement, a limiting structure can be provided, which can be achieved by setting limiting bosses or buffer blocks at both ends of the slide groove 311. This can prevent the connecting frame 32 from moving excessively and causing it to detach from the fork support 31 or collide with the end of the fork support 31, and can also absorb the impact load through the buffer block to protect the mating structure between the pulley 321 and the slide groove 311; the translation drive 35 can be selected from double-acting hydraulic cylinders, electric push rods or ball screw mechanisms, etc. (see translation drive mechanism), and its output end is rigidly connected to the connecting frame 32, which can accurately control the movement distance of the connecting frame 32, further improving the adaptability and flexibility of the fork assembly 3 to different operating scenarios.

[0056] Understandably, in another embodiment, a screw drive mechanism can be used instead of the gear and rack 353 structure. Specifically, it includes a translation drive motor, a ball screw, a screw nut, and a guide shaft. The ball screw rotates and supports the fork support 31 in the front-to-back direction. The screw nut is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 32 and sleeved on the ball screw. The guide shaft is arranged parallel to the ball screw and passes through the connecting frame 32. When the translation drive motor drives the ball screw to rotate, the screw nut drives the connecting frame 32 to translate back and forth along the guide shaft. This structure has higher transmission accuracy, smoother operation, and a self-locking function, allowing the connecting frame 32 to be locked at any position, preventing displacement due to load when the machine stops. It is suitable for operation scenarios with higher positioning accuracy requirements.

[0057] Example 2: like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, the first drive unit 341 includes a first rotation drive member 3411, a first synchronous transmission shaft 3412, two first drive sprockets 3413, two first chains 3414, and two first driven sprockets 3415. The first driven sprockets 3415 are coaxially fixed on the shaft corresponding to the first fork tooth 3311. The output end of the first rotation drive member 3411 is connected to the first synchronous transmission shaft 3412. The two first drive sprockets 3413 are respectively fixed at both ends of the first synchronous transmission shaft 3412. The first drive sprockets 3413 are connected to the first driven sprockets 3415 on the same side through the corresponding first chains 3414.

[0058] The second drive unit 342 includes a second rotation drive member 3421, a second synchronous transmission shaft 3422, two second drive sprockets 3423, two second chains 3424, and two second driven sprockets 3425. The second driven sprockets 3425 are coaxially fixed on the shaft corresponding to the second fork tooth 3321. The output end of the second rotation drive member 3421 is connected to the second synchronous transmission shaft 3422. The two second drive sprockets 3423 are respectively fixed at both ends of the second synchronous transmission shaft 3422. The second drive sprockets 3423 are connected to the second driven sprockets 3425 on the same side through the corresponding second chains 3424.

[0059] In the above technical solution, both the first rotation drive component 3411 and the second rotation drive component 3421 are motors. Through the transmission combination of "rotation drive component + synchronous transmission shaft + sprocket and chain," the synchronous rotation of the two fork teeth of the same fork is achieved: after the first rotation drive component 3411 is started, power is transmitted via the first synchronous transmission shaft 3412 to the first drive sprockets 3413 at both ends, and then via the first chain 3414 to drive the first driven sprocket 3415 on the same side to rotate, thereby driving the two first fork teeth 3311 to rotate synchronously around their own axes, resulting in precise and consistent movements; the second drive unit 342 adopts the same transmission logic to ensure the synchronous movement of the two second fork teeth 3321. This transmission structure has strong load-bearing capacity, high transmission efficiency, and the meshing transmission between the sprocket and the chain has a clear transmission ratio, which can precisely control the fork tooth rotation angle and prevent the fork teeth from tilting in the supported state.

[0060] Understandably, in other embodiments, the first driven sprocket 3415 and the shaft corresponding to the first fork tooth 3311 can also achieve synchronous transmission through other referential connection methods. Similarly, the second driven sprocket 3425 and the shaft corresponding to the second fork tooth 3321 can also achieve synchronous transmission through other referential connection methods. The transmission connection between the output end of the first rotation drive member 3411 and the first synchronous transmission shaft 3412 can be a rigid connection using a coupling, or a transmission via gears or a synchronous belt. Similarly, the second rotation drive member 3421 and the second synchronous transmission shaft 3422 can also adopt the same connection method.

[0061] Understandably, in another embodiment, the chain drive structure between the first synchronous drive shaft 3412 and the first fork tooth 3311 can also be replaced by a synchronous belt drive structure or a gear drive structure. Similarly, the chain drive between the second synchronous drive shaft 3422 and the second fork tooth 3321 can also be replaced by a synchronous belt drive structure or a gear drive structure.

[0062] Example 3: Based on Embodiment 1, the shafts of the two first fork teeth 3311 are coaxially connected; the shafts of the two second fork teeth 3321 are also coaxially connected. The coaxial connection of the shafts of the two first fork teeth 3311 forms an integrated first fork tooth 3311 shaft, which is rotatably supported at the front end of the connecting frame 32; the coaxial connection of the shafts of the two second fork teeth 3321 forms an integrated second fork tooth 3321 shaft, which is rotatably supported at the rear end of the connecting frame 32. The first drive unit 341 and the second drive unit 342 only need to drive the shaft of one of the first fork teeth 3311 or the second fork tooth 3321 to drive the other fork tooth in the same group to rotate synchronously, resulting in a more compact structure. The specific transmission structure can refer to the sprocket, synchronous belt, or gear transmission methods of the above embodiments. The transmission structure is a transmission form that can be selected and adapted by those skilled in the art according to actual working conditions, and will not be elaborated here.

[0063] The above technical solution greatly simplifies the transmission structure. By synchronously driving two fork teeth to rotate through a single rotating shaft, there is no need for additional synchronous transmission components (such as synchronous transmission shafts, sprocket / gear linkage structures), which reduces structural complexity and assembly difficulty. At the same time, it reduces transmission backlash and improves the synchronization accuracy and consistency of fork tooth rotation.

[0064] Example 4: like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, the connecting frame 32 is provided with a first limiting block 322 and a second limiting block 323. When the first fork 331 is in the supported state, the first limiting block 322 abuts against the first fork 331 to restrict the first fork 331 from flipping downward; when the second fork 332 is in the supported state, the second limiting block 323 abuts against the second fork 332 to restrict the second fork 332 from flipping downward.

[0065] In the above technical solution, when the first fork 331 is flipped to the lateral support state under the drive of the first drive unit 341, its bottom or side will form a surface contact with the first limiting block 322. The mechanical hard limit will block the downward flipping trend caused by the load of the goods and its own weight, accurately lock the horizontal support posture, and avoid the goods from slipping due to the tilting of the fork teeth. Similarly, when the second fork 332 is flipped to the support state, the abutting action of the second limiting block 323 can strictly limit its excessive downward flipping, ensuring the horizontal load stability during the rearward picking and handling process. The core value of this design lies in its dual protection: on the one hand, precise angle limiting ensures that the forks are always in the optimal support posture, improving operational safety; on the other hand, when carrying goods, the rigid constraints of the first limiting block 322 and the second limiting block 323 can directly bear the longitudinal pressure brought by the weight of the goods, preventing the forks from tilting slightly or drooping elastically, while transferring the load force to the connecting frame 32 and the fork bracket 31, avoiding the force being directly transferred to the tilting drive component 34, greatly reducing the load on the drive mechanism, reducing fatigue wear of the drive component due to long-term stress, extending its service life, and improving the heavy-load operation reliability of the entire fork assembly 3.

[0066] Understandably, in one embodiment, the first limiting block 322 is fixed to the front end of the connecting frame 32 at the position below the first fork 331 in the supported state, and the second limiting block 323 is fixed to the rear end of the connecting frame 32 at the position below the second fork 332 in the supported state. Both are integrally formed or fixed with the connecting frame 32 and have sufficient structural strength to withstand the supporting reaction force of the fork.

[0067] Understandably, in another embodiment, the first fork tooth 3311 is provided with a first limiting portion 3312 integrally formed with the first fork tooth 3311, and a first limiting block 322 is fixed to the front end of the connecting frame 32. When the first fork tooth 3311 is in the supported state, the first limiting block 322 is located in front of the corresponding first limiting portion 3312. The second fork tooth 3321 is provided with a second limiting portion 3322 integrally formed with the second fork tooth 3321, and a second limiting block 323 is fixed to the rear end of the connecting frame 32. When the second fork tooth 3321 is in the supported state, the second limiting block 323 is located behind the corresponding second limiting portion 3322. The first limiting block 322 and the second limiting block 323 are integrally formed or fixed with the connecting frame 32, and have sufficient structural strength to withstand the supporting reaction force of the forks.

[0068] Example 4: like Figure 1As shown, based on Embodiment 1, both the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 also have a longitudinally arranged avoidance state. When the first fork 331 is in the retracted state, the tip of the first fork 331 points upward, and when the first fork 331 is in the avoidance state, the tip of the first fork 331 points downward. When the second fork 332 is in the retracted state, the tip of the second fork 332 points upward, and when the second fork 332 is in the avoidance state, the tip of the first fork 331 points downward.

[0069] In the above technical solution, both the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 have three switchable spatial postures: "support state," "retracted state," and "avoidance state." The two longitudinal states (retracted / avoidance) are distinguished by the orientation of their tips, further expanding operational flexibility. When the first fork 331 is in the retracted state, its tip extends longitudinally upward and partially embeds into the first avoidance groove 324, minimizing horizontal space occupation and avoiding interference with the preceding structure. When switched to the avoidance state, the tip flips longitudinally downward, avoiding components such as the upper mast 2 and crossbeams, adapting to high-stacking or low-altitude operation scenarios and preventing collisions between the forks and higher structures. Similarly, when the second fork 332 is retracted, its tip embeds upward into the second avoidance groove 325; in the avoidance state, the tip flips downward, avoiding interference risks from obstacles behind or the lower movable base 1.

[0070] The flexible switching between the three states allows the fork assembly 3 to cope with more complex operating environments: by simply controlling the fork tilting angle through the tilting drive 34, it can quickly switch between "forward picking (supported by the first fork 331), backward picking (supported by the second fork 332), flexible avoidance (either fork tilts downward), and compact storage (both forks tilt upward)", without adjusting the overall position of the forklift, which greatly improves the operating efficiency and safety in narrow spaces and multi-obstacle scenarios.

[0071] The following are some typical application scenarios to illustrate the effectiveness of this application solution.

[0072] Scenario 1: Bidirectional stack forklift retrieval in a narrow aisle. Initial state: Connecting frame 32 is located in the middle of fork support 31. The forklift travels along the narrow aisle to the target area. When the goods to be retrieved are in front of fork support 31, the first drive unit 341 is activated, flipping the first fork 331 to a forward-facing support state, while the second fork 332 remains retracted. The translating drive unit 35 pushes the connecting frame 32 forward, allowing the first fork 331 to extend into the bottom of the stack in front, completing the forward retrieval of the goods. When the goods to be retrieved are behind fork support 31, the first drive unit 341 is activated, retracting the first fork 331 to the retracted state. Simultaneously, the second drive unit 342 is activated, flipping the second fork 332 to a backward-facing support state. The translating drive unit 35 then moves the connecting frame 32 backward, allowing the second fork 332 to precisely insert into the bottom of the stack behind, completing the retrieval of the goods. The entire process requires no forklift reversal, enabling continuous bidirectional operation in narrow aisles.

[0073] Scenario 2: High stacks of goods coexist with low-altitude obstacles. Operational requirements: Pick up goods from the top of the stack while avoiding low-altitude obstacles such as the mast 2 and crossbeams above the work area. Initial state: The connecting frame 32 is located in the middle of the fork support 31, and the forklift travels along the aisle to the target work area. Goods picking and avoidance process: When the goods to be picked up are located high in front of the fork support 31, the first drive unit 341 is activated, flipping the first fork 331 to a horizontally forward-facing support state; simultaneously, the second drive unit 342 is activated, flipping the second fork 332 to an avoidance state, with its tips pointing downwards to avoid the mast 2 and crossbeam structure above. After the first fork 331 extends forward into the bottom of the high stack, it smoothly lifts the goods, and then the translation drive 35 drives the first fork 331 to retract, completing the high-position picking operation. Then, slightly lower the overall height of the forks, drive the forklift out of the work area, flip the second fork 332 from the avoidance position to the storage position, continue to lower the forks to a safe passage height, and finally transport the goods to the designated location to complete the unloading.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting frame 32 is provided with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking block that is laterally slidably connected to the connecting frame 32 and a telescopic drive member that drives the locking block to extend and retract relative to the connecting frame 32. When the locking block extends, it can lock the first fork 331 or the second fork 332 in a supported state, a retracted state, or a clearance state.

[0075] In the above technical solution, the telescopic drive component can be selected from one of the following: an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or an electromagnetic cylinder. The locking mechanism is used to mechanically lock the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 in different working postures, improving structural stability and operational safety during heavy loads, transfers, and obstacle avoidance. The telescopic drive component is used to drive the locking block to extend and retract laterally relative to the connecting frame 32. It locks after the forks complete their posture flipping and releases the lock when the forks need to change posture, thus coordinating with the action of the flipping drive component 34.

[0076] Specifically, when the locking block extends, it does not only fix the first fork 331 or the second fork 332 in a single posture, but also, by engaging with the corresponding locking holes pre-set on the first fork 331 and the second fork 332, it can reliably lock the forks in any target position among the supported state, the retracted state, and the avoidance state according to actual operational needs, achieving multi-posture hierarchical positioning and locking. If only the supported state needs to be reinforced with locking, the arrangement can be simplified so that when the locking block extends, it directly abuts against or inserts into the corresponding position at the bottom of the first fork 331 or the second fork 332, forming a double load-bearing constraint with the first limit block 322 and the second limit block 323, further reducing the force on the drive components.

[0077] When the first fork 331 or the second fork 332 needs to switch its tilting posture, the telescopic drive first drives the locking block to retract, releasing the engagement with the corresponding locking hole or fork body, providing movement space for the fork to tilt; after the fork reaches the target posture under the drive of the tilting drive 34, the locking block extends again and completes the insertion and locking, preventing the fork from angular deviation, accidental rotation or loosening under load and vibration, ensuring the posture stability of the entire operation process.

[0078] Example 5: like Figure 1 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, a warehouse forklift includes a movable base 1 and a mast 2 mounted on the movable base 1, and also includes the fork assembly 3 as described in claim 1. The fork assembly 3 is vertically connected to the mast 2. The mast 2 is provided with a lifting mechanism 4 for driving the fork support 31 to rise and fall relative to the mast 2. The mast 2 is fixed above the movable base 1. The movable base 1 is provided with a receiving groove 11 for accommodating the first fork 331 and the second fork 332. The front and rear ends and the upper end of the receiving groove 11 are all open.

[0079] In the above technical solution, the fork assembly 3 can be raised and lowered along the mast 2 via the lifting mechanism 4 to adapt to the forking and stacking operation requirements of stacks of different heights. The lifting mechanism 4 can be a hydraulic lifting cylinder, a chain winch mechanism, or a screw lifting mechanism 4, etc., to achieve stable lifting and height positioning of the fork bracket 31 and the overall fork assembly 3. The lifting mechanism 4 is a mature technology in this field, and its structure and control logic have been widely used in various industrial forklifts, and will not be described in detail here. The mast 2 is fixedly installed on the movable base 1 to provide stable vertical support and lifting guidance for the fork assembly 3, ensuring the overall structural rigidity during high-level operations. The accommodating slot 11 opened on the movable base 1 is used to provide accommodating space for the forks when the fork assembly 3 is lowered to a low position or when the first fork 331 and the second fork 332 are in a retracted or avoidance state, avoiding structural interference between the forks and the movable base 1 body. The front, rear, and upper ends of the receiving slot 11 are all open, which does not restrict the supporting action of the first fork 331 extending forward and the second fork 332 extending backward, nor does it hinder the fork from flipping and switching between the storage state and the avoidance state.

[0080] The bottom surface of the mobile base 1 is provided with a walking mechanism, which can carry the mobile base 1 to walk on the ground. The walking mechanism includes a drive wheel, and the drive wheel is connected to a motor to provide the power for movement.

[0081] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A fork assembly, characterized in that, The device includes a fork support, a connecting frame mounted on the fork support, a fork tooth assembly that is rotatably connected to the connecting frame, and a flipping drive unit disposed between the connecting frame and the fork tooth assembly. The fork support has open front and rear ends. The fork tooth assembly includes a first fork and a second fork that are rotatably connected to the connecting frame. Both the first fork and the second fork have a lateral support state and a longitudinal retracted state. The flipping drive unit drives the fork tooth assembly to flip relative to the connecting frame, so that the first fork and the second fork switch between the support state and the retracted state. When the first fork is in the supported position, the tip of the first fork points to the front. When the second fork is in the supported position, the tip of the second fork points towards the rear.

2. A fork assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first fork is rotatably connected to the front end of the connecting frame, and the second fork is rotatably connected to the rear end of the connecting frame.

3. A fork assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flipping drive includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit. The first drive unit drives the first fork to flip independently of the second fork, and the second drive unit drives the second fork to flip independently of the first fork.

4. A fork assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first fork includes two first fork teeth spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and the first drive unit drives the two first fork teeth to rotate synchronously; the second fork includes two second fork teeth spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and the second drive unit drives the two second fork teeth to rotate synchronously.

5. A fork assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first drive unit includes a first rotation drive member, a first synchronous transmission shaft, two first drive sprockets, two first chains, and two first driven sprockets. The first driven sprockets are coaxially fixed on the shaft corresponding to the first fork tooth. The output end of the first rotation drive member is connected to the first synchronous transmission shaft. The two first drive sprockets are respectively fixed at both ends of the first synchronous transmission shaft. The first drive sprockets are connected to the first driven sprockets on the same side through the corresponding first chains. The second drive unit includes a second rotation drive member, a second synchronous transmission shaft, two second drive sprockets, two second chains, and two second driven sprockets. The second driven sprockets are coaxially fixed on the shaft corresponding to the second fork teeth. The output end of the second rotation drive member is connected to the second synchronous transmission shaft. The two second drive sprockets are respectively fixed at both ends of the second synchronous transmission shaft. The second drive sprockets are connected to the second driven sprockets on the same side through the corresponding second chains.

6. A fork assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The two first fork teeth are coaxially connected by their rotating shafts; the two second fork teeth are coaxially connected by their rotating shafts.

7. A fork assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting frame, together with the first fork in the supported state or the second fork in the supported state, forms an L-shaped support structure.

8. A fork assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting frame has a first clearance groove at the front end and a second clearance groove at the rear end. When the first fork is in the retracted state, the first fork is at least partially embedded in the first clearance groove; when the second fork is in the retracted state, the second fork is at least partially embedded in the second clearance groove.

9. A fork assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting frame is provided with a first limiting block and a second limiting block. When the first fork is in the supported state, the first limiting block abuts against the first fork to restrict the first fork from flipping downward. When the second fork is in the supported state, the second limiting block abuts against the second fork to restrict the second fork from flipping downward.

10. A fork assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting frame is movably connected to the fork support in the front-to-back direction, and a translation drive component for driving the connecting frame to move in the front-to-back direction is provided between the fork support and the connecting frame. The fork support is provided with a sliding groove extending forward and backward, and a pulley is rotatably connected to the connecting frame. The pulley is embedded in the sliding groove and rolls along its extension direction.

11. A fork assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The translation drive includes a translation-rotation drive, a rack, and a drive gear meshing with the rack. The rack is mounted on the fork support and extends in the front-rear direction. The drive gear is rotatably mounted on the connecting frame and is connected to the output end of the translation-rotation drive.

12. A fork assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The fork support is provided in two parts, which are located on the left and right sides of the connecting frame. Each fork support is provided with a rack and two drive gears. The two drive gears mesh with the racks on the corresponding sides. A drive shaft is rotatably connected to the connecting frame. Both ends of the drive shaft are coaxially fixed with the two drive gears. The output end of the translational and rotational drive is connected to the drive shaft.

13. A fork assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first fork and the second fork have a longitudinally arranged avoidance state. When the first fork is in the retracted state, the tip of the first fork points upward, and when the first fork is in the avoidance state, the tip of the first fork points downward. When the second fork is in the retracted state, the tip of the second fork points upward, and when the second fork is in the avoidance state, the tip of the first fork points downward.

14. A fork assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, The connecting frame is equipped with a locking mechanism, which includes a locking block that is laterally slidably connected to the connecting frame and a telescopic drive that drives the locking block to extend and retract relative to the connecting frame. When the locking block extends, it can lock the first fork or the second fork in a supported state, a retracted state, or a clearance state.

15. A warehouse forklift, comprising a mobile base and a mast mounted on the mobile base, characterized in that, It also includes the fork assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the fork assembly is elliptically connected to the mast, and the mast is provided with a lifting mechanism for driving the fork support to rise and fall relative to the mast; the mast is fixed above the movable base; the movable base is provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the first fork and the second fork, and the front and rear ends and the upper end of the receiving groove are all open.

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