Grading track assisted turning system

Abstract

The application discloses a flat ground caterpillar assisted turning system, which comprises a flat car mechanism, a swing mechanism, a caterpillar mechanism and a turning mechanism, the flat car mechanism comprises universal wheels, the caterpillar mechanism comprises a caterpillar, the swing mechanism is installed on the caterpillar mechanism and connected with the flat car mechanism, the swing mechanism can drive the flat car mechanism to swing relative to the caterpillar mechanism, selectively making the universal wheels higher or lower than the position of the caterpillar, the turning mechanism is connected with the caterpillar mechanism, and the turning mechanism can drive the caterpillar mechanism to turn. In the application, when the weight of the loaded goods is relatively large or the ground is uneven, higher and more reliable turning is needed, the universal wheels of the flat car mechanism can be higher than the position of the caterpillar through the swing mechanism, and the caterpillar mechanism and the turning mechanism are used for turning, so that the application has strong terrain adaptability, strong turning controllability and stability, and the caterpillar mechanism can be used on stairs, and the application can also effectively realize turning on the stairs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mechanical design, and in particular to a tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain. Background Technology

[0002] Flatbed carts are widely used in modern warehousing, logistics, and industrial production. Most common flatbed carts are directly driven by human power. When using them, goods are placed on the flatbed cart, and the user then applies force to move the cart and goods together.

[0003] Most flatbed carts rely on rollers for movement, but rollers are insufficient for turning. To address this, many carts are equipped with casters. However, relying solely on casters for turning can lead to problems. When the cart is traveling straight, the casters are prone to shifting due to external forces, causing the cart to make unintended turns. Turning is uncontrollable and unstable, especially when carrying heavy loads. Furthermore, casters have poor terrain adaptability; they are prone to slipping on wet surfaces and getting stuck in gaps or potholes on uneven ground, leading to difficulty in steering or even loss of control. Additionally, casters are often ineffective for turning on stairs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flat-ground track-assisted turning system that can solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain is provided, comprising a flatbed mechanism, a swing mechanism, a track mechanism, and a turning mechanism. The flatbed cart mechanism includes casters, and the track mechanism includes tracks. The swing mechanism is mounted on the track mechanism and connected to the flatbed cart mechanism. The swing mechanism can drive the flatbed cart mechanism to swing relative to the track mechanism, selectively raising or lowering the swivel wheels above or below the track position. The turning mechanism is connected to the track mechanism, and the turning mechanism can drive the track mechanism to turn.

[0006] The beneficial effects of this flat-bottomed tracked assisted turning system are as follows: The flatbed mechanism can be used to load goods. Under normal conditions, the swing mechanism allows the casters of the flatbed mechanism to be lower than the track position, with the casters in contact with the ground and the track separating from the ground. At this time, the user can push the flatbed mechanism to move the goods, and turning can be achieved by relying on the casters. When the loaded goods are heavy or the ground is uneven, requiring a higher and more reliable turning, the swing mechanism can raise the casters of the flatbed mechanism to the track position, with the track in contact with the ground and the casters separating from the ground. Then, the turning mechanism can drive the track mechanism to work and turn. The turning action is achieved through the track mechanism and the turning mechanism. It has strong terrain adaptability, is not easy to slip, and has strong controllability and stability when turning. The turning process does not require the user to exert force, which can better adapt to the transportation of heavy goods. Furthermore, the track mechanism can be used on stairs, so this flat-bottomed tracked assisted turning system can also effectively achieve turning on stairs.

[0007] In some embodiments, the track mechanism includes two unit track devices and a connecting frame, the track is included in the unit track device, the two unit track devices are connected by the connecting frame, and the two unit track devices are arranged in parallel.

[0008] In some embodiments, the turning mechanism includes a power unit, a differential, two shafts, and a bracket. Both shafts are rotatably mounted on the bracket. The power unit is connected to the differential, which is connected to each of the two shafts. Each of the two shafts is connected to one of two individual track units. The power unit drives the two shafts to rotate, and due to the differential, the two shafts rotate at different speeds, thereby causing the individual track units connected to the two shafts to move at different distances, effectively achieving the turning action.

[0009] In some embodiments, the turning mechanism includes two electromagnetic brakes, each mounted on one of two rotating shafts. The electromagnetic brakes facilitate stopping the tracked unit when needed.

[0010] In some embodiments, the unit track device further includes a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a wheel frame. The drive wheel and the driven wheel are mounted on the wheel frame, and the track passes over the drive wheel and the driven wheel and then connects end to end. The wheel frames of two unit track devices are connected by a connecting frame.

[0011] In some embodiments, the flatbed vehicle mechanism includes a flatbed vehicle body and a handle. The handle is connected to the flatbed vehicle body. The flatbed vehicle body is provided with a swing arm, which is hinged to the track mechanism. The flatbed vehicle body and the handle are each connected to a caster wheel. By providing the swing arm, the flatbed vehicle body can swing relative to the track mechanism.

[0012] In some embodiments, the trolley mechanism includes a straight wheel connected to the bottom of the handle. When the swivel wheels are below the track, the height of the straight wheel is approximately the same as the height of the swivel wheels. The straight wheel facilitates linear movement of the trolley mechanism, reducing the probability of accidental turning due to the swivel wheels.

[0013] In some embodiments, the swing mechanism includes an electric push rod, a first connecting seat, and a second connecting seat. The electric push rod is provided with a cylinder and a piston rod. The first connecting seat is connected to the track mechanism, and the second connecting seat is connected to the flatbed mechanism. The cylinder is hinged to the first connecting seat, and the piston rod is hinged to the second connecting seat. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a flat-ground track-assisted turning system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flat-ground track-assisted turning system according to one embodiment of the present invention during turning.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flatbed cart mechanism of a tracked assisted turning system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the combined track mechanism and turning mechanism of a flat-ground track-assisted turning system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electric push rod of a flat-ground track-assisted turning system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Flatbed cart mechanism, 2. Swinging mechanism, 3. Track mechanism, 4. Turning mechanism, 11. Flatbed cart body, 12. Handle, 13. Universal wheel, 14. Straight wheel, 111. Swing arm, 21. Electric push rod, 22. First connecting seat, 23. Second connecting seat, 211. Cylinder block, 212. Piston rod, 31. Unit track device, 32. Connecting frame, 311. Drive wheel, 312. Driven wheel, 313. Wheel frame, 314. Track, 41. Power unit, 42. Differential, 43. Shaft, 44. Brake, 45. Electromagnetic brake device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The present invention provides a flat-ground tracked assisted turning system, comprising a flatbed vehicle mechanism 1, a swing mechanism 2, a track mechanism 3, and a turning mechanism 4.

[0022] The track mechanism 3 includes two unit track devices 31 and a connecting frame 32. Each unit track device 31 includes a drive wheel 311, a driven wheel 312, a wheel frame 313, and a track 314. The drive wheel 311 and the driven wheel 312 are rotatably mounted on the wheel frame 313 via bearings. The track 314 passes over the drive wheel 311 and the driven wheel 312 and connects end to end. One end of the connecting frame 32 is connected to the wheel frame 313 of one unit track device 31 by screws, and the other end is connected to the wheel frame 313 of the other unit track device 31 by screws, thereby connecting the wheel frames 313 of the two unit track devices 31 through the connecting frame 32. The two unit track devices 31 are arranged in parallel after connection.

[0023] The trolley mechanism 1 includes a trolley body 11, handles 12, and casters 13. Preferably, there are two handles 11, which are fixedly connected to the two sides of the trolley body 11 by screws. One end of the trolley body 11 is provided with a swing arm 111, which is hinged to the connecting frame 32 in the track mechanism 31 by a pin, so that the end of the trolley body 11 can swing relative to the track mechanism 31. The lower parts of the trolley body 11 and the handles 11 are respectively connected to casters 13 by screws, and the casters 13 can rotate on the trolley mechanism 1.

[0024] The trolley mechanism 1 also includes straight wheels 14. The lower parts of the two handles 11 are also connected to straight wheels 14 via roller frames, so that the straight wheels 14 can rotate in one direction on the trolley mechanism 1. In addition, when the caster wheel 13 is lower than the track 314, the height of the straight wheel 14 is about the same as the height of the caster wheel 13.

[0025] The swing mechanism 2 includes an electric push rod 21, a first connecting seat 22, and a second connecting seat 23. The electric push rod 21 has a cylinder body 211 and a piston rod 212. The piston rod 212 can move linearly relative to the cylinder body 211. The first connecting seat 22 is connected to the connecting frame 32 of the track mechanism 31 by welding. The second connecting seat 23 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the flatbed body 11 of the flatbed mechanism 1 by welding. The bottom of the cylinder body 211 is hinged to the first connecting seat 22 by a pin. The piston rod 212 is hinged to the second connecting seat 23 by a pin.

[0026] This allows the swing mechanism 2 to be mounted on the track mechanism 31 and connected to the flatbed mechanism 1. Under the operation of the electric push rod 21, the swing mechanism 2 can drive the flatbed mechanism 1 to swing relative to the track mechanism 31, thereby selectively making the caster wheel 13 higher or lower than the position of the track 314.

[0027] The turning mechanism 4 includes a power unit 41, a differential 42, two rotating shafts 43, and a bracket 44. The two rotating shafts 43 are rotatably mounted on the bracket 44 via bearings. The power unit 41 is preferably an electric motor. The housing of the power unit 41 is fixedly connected to the housing of the differential 42 by screws. The output shaft of the power unit 41 is connected to the differential 42 via gear engagement. The two rotating shafts 43 are respectively connected to the differential 42 via gear engagement. The two rotating shafts 43 are respectively connected to the drive wheels 311 of the two unit track devices 31. The turning mechanism 4 is configured to drive the track mechanism 3 to turn.

[0028] The turning mechanism 4 also includes two electromagnetic brake devices 45, which are preferably commercially available electromagnetic brake devices. The two electromagnetic brake devices 45 are respectively mounted on two rotating shafts 43, and the electromagnetic brake devices 45 are configured to stop the rotating shafts 43 to which they are connected.

[0029] When this flat-ground tracked cornering system is in use, the cargo can be secured to the flatbed body 11 of the flatbed mechanism 1 by ropes or the like.

[0030] Under normal conditions, the electric push rod 21 of the swing mechanism 2 can drive the flatbed mechanism 1 to swing relative to the track mechanism 3, so that the universal wheel 13 on the flatbed mechanism 1 is lower than the position of the track 314. At this time, the universal wheel 13 can contact the ground, while the track 314 will separate from the ground because it is in a higher position. At the same time, the straight wheel 14 will also contact the ground.

[0031] The user can then hold the handle 12 to apply force to push the trolley body 11 of the trolley mechanism 1. The straight wheel 14 and the swivel wheel 13 can roll so that the trolley body 11 can move in a straight line to move the goods.

[0032] When moving and turning is required, if the turning is relatively easy, the user can apply force to slightly lift the handle 12 so that the straight wheel 14 and swivel wheel 13 connected to the handle 12 can slightly lift off the ground, while the swivel wheel 13 connected to the trolley body 11 can maintain contact with the ground. At this time, the swivel wheel 13 can be used to turn, thus realizing the turning of the trolley mechanism 1. After the turn is completed, the handle 12 is lowered again so that the straight wheel 14 and swivel wheel 13 connected to the handle 12 can re-contact the ground. At this time, the trolley body 11 can be pushed again to move the goods.

[0033] When turning is difficult, such as when the cargo is too heavy, or when there are many potholes on the ground, or when it is desired to turn on stairs, the electric push rod 21 of the swing mechanism 2 can be activated. The electric push rod 21 can drive the flatbed mechanism 1 to swing relative to the track mechanism 3, so that the universal wheel 13 on the flatbed mechanism 1 is higher than the position of the track 314. At this time, the universal wheel 13 can separate from the ground, while the track 314 will contact the ground because it is in a lower position. At the same time, the straight wheel 14 will also separate from the ground.

[0034] Then, the power unit 41 can drive the two rotating shafts 43 to rotate through the differential 42. The rotation of the rotating shafts 43 can drive the drive wheel 311 connected to them to rotate accordingly. Under the drive of the drive wheel 311, the track 314 set on the drive wheel 311 can move accordingly. And because of the existence of the differential 42, the rotation speed of the two rotating shafts 43 can be different. Therefore, there is a speed difference in the movement of the track 314 of the two track mechanisms 3. In this way, the track mechanism 3 can achieve turning action. Since the turning action is carried out by the track mechanism 3 and the turning mechanism 4, it has strong terrain adaptability, is not easy to slip, has strong controllability and stability in turning, and does not require the user to apply force during the turning process. It can better adapt to the transportation of heavy cargo.

[0035] The above descriptions are merely some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain, characterized in that, This includes a flatbed cart mechanism, a swing mechanism, a track mechanism, and a turning mechanism. The flatbed cart mechanism includes casters, and the track mechanism includes tracks. The swing mechanism is mounted on the track mechanism and connected to the flatbed cart mechanism. The swing mechanism can drive the flatbed cart mechanism to swing relative to the track mechanism, selectively raising or lowering the swivel wheels above or below the track position. The turning mechanism is connected to the track mechanism, and the turning mechanism can drive the track mechanism to turn.

2. The tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The track mechanism includes two unit track devices and a connecting frame. The track is included in the unit track device. The two unit track devices are connected by the connecting frame and are arranged in parallel.

3. The tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 2, characterized in that, The turning mechanism includes a power unit, a differential, two shafts, and a bracket. Both shafts are rotatably mounted on the bracket. The power unit is connected to the differential, the differential is connected to the two shafts, and the two shafts are connected to two unit track devices.

4. The tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 3, characterized in that, The turning mechanism includes two electromagnetic braking devices, which are respectively mounted on two rotating shafts.

5. A tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unit track device also includes a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a wheel frame. The drive wheel and the driven wheel are mounted on the wheel frame. The track passes over the drive wheel and the driven wheel and then connects end to end. The wheel frames of two unit track devices are connected by a connecting frame.

6. A tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flatbed cart mechanism includes a flatbed cart body and a handle. The handle is connected to the flatbed cart body. The flatbed cart body is provided with a swing arm, which is hinged to the track mechanism. The flatbed cart body and the handle are respectively connected to casters.

7. A tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cart mechanism includes straight wheels, which are connected to handles. When the swivel wheel is lower than the track, the height of the straight wheel is approximately the same as the height of the swivel wheel.

8. A tracked assisted turning system for flat terrain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swing mechanism includes an electric push rod, a first connecting seat, and a second connecting seat. The electric push rod is equipped with a cylinder and a piston rod. The first connecting seat is connected to the track mechanism, and the second connecting seat is connected to the flatbed mechanism. The cylinder is hinged to the first connecting seat, and the piston rod is hinged to the second connecting seat.

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