Tray clamp mechanism and forklift

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of forklifts, in particular to a tray clamp mechanism and a forklift, the tray clamp mechanism comprises clamping jaws, an elastic reset piece and an operation piece, the clamping jaws are installed on a fixed seat in a swinging mode, the clamping ends of the clamping jaws protrude out of the fixed seat, the clamping ends are provided with barb parts protruding towards the first direction, and the barb parts are arranged on the two clamping jaws in the state that the two clamping jaws swing towards the first direction. The barb part is used for hooking the tray so as to clamp the tray in the state that the two clamping jaws swing in the second direction, and the barb part is used for loosening the tray in the state that the two clamping jaws swing in the second direction; the elastic reset piece is connected to the fixing base and the clamping jaw and used for generating elastic deformation when the clamping jaw swings in the second direction and enabling the clamping jaw to swing in the first direction by means of the elastic force of the elastic reset piece. And the operating part is used for being operated by a user to act, so that the two clamping jaws synchronously swing towards the second direction along with the action of the operating part. According to the utility model, the inverted hook part is arranged at the tail end of the clamping jaw to hook the tray, so that the reliability of clamping the tray can be improved compared with the mode of clamping the tray only by virtue of friction force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of forklift technology, specifically to a pallet clamping mechanism and a forklift having the pallet clamping mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Forklifts are industrial material handling vehicles, referring to various wheeled handling vehicles used for loading, unloading, stacking, and short-distance transport of palletized goods. During high-speed movement, sudden stops, or sharp turns, pallets risk falling off the forks, especially on forklifts with insufficient or no fork tilt angle, where the risk of slippage or even drop is greater. Pallet clamping mechanisms effectively solve this problem. Pallet clamping mechanisms typically include two movable jaws that move closer or further apart to clamp or release the pallet's uprights, balancing pallet stability and loading / unloading. However, existing pallet clamping mechanisms are complex, with numerous parts between the pedals and jaws, leading to complex transmission and difficulty in reliably controlling jaw movement. Furthermore, some pallet clamping mechanisms have relatively simple structures, but rely on friction to clamp the pallet, resulting in lower reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a pallet clamping mechanism and a forklift having the pallet clamping mechanism, so that pallets can be reliably clamped.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model includes:

[0005] Pallet clamping mechanisms, used to clamp or release pallets, include,

[0006] Two opposing grippers are mounted on a fixed base and their ends protrude from the fixed base. These ends are called gripping ends. When the grippers are swinging towards the tray, the swing direction of the gripping end is defined as a first direction, and the direction opposite to it is defined as a second direction. The gripping end is provided with a barb protruding in the first direction. When the two grippers are swinging in the first direction, the barb is used to hook the tray, thereby clamping the tray. When the two grippers are swinging in the second direction, the barb is used to release the tray.

[0007] An elastic reset member, connected to the fixed base and the gripper, is used to elastically deform when the gripper swings in the second direction, and to swing the gripper in the first direction by means of its elastic force.

[0008] Operating components are used by users to perform actions;

[0009] A connector is attached to the operating member and the grippers, such that the two grippers swing synchronously in a second direction as the operating member moves.

[0010] In one embodiment, the barb portion is integrally connected to the gripper.

[0011] In one embodiment, the barb includes a limiting surface and a yielding surface that intersect to form an acute angle. The limiting surface is used to abut against the tray to limit the movement of the tray, thereby hooking the tray. The yielding surface is an inclined surface. When the gripper enters the tray, the yielding surface abuts against the tray and, under the action of the tray, causes the gripper to swing in a second direction, thereby yielding to the tray.

[0012] In one embodiment, the other end of the gripper is a drive end, the swing center of the gripper is located between the drive end and the clamping end, and the elastic reset member and the connecting member are respectively connected to the drive end.

[0013] In one embodiment, the elastic reset member is a tension spring that drives the gripper to swing in a first direction by applying a first tension force to the drive end of the gripper; the connector includes a connecting rope that drives the gripper to swing in a second direction by applying a second tension force to the drive end of the gripper; and the tension spring and the connecting rope are respectively connected to both sides of the drive end; the operating member is a swingable pedal, and the connector further includes a connecting plate that is swingable with one end connected to the pedal and the other end connected to the connecting rope. As the pedal swings under the operation of the user, it drives the connecting plate and the connecting rope to move sequentially, thereby applying a second tension force to the gripper.

[0014] In one embodiment, the direction of the gripper relative to the operating member is defined as forward, and the direction opposite to it is defined as backward. The gripper is elongated, and the gripping end is located in front of the driving end. The direction in which the gripper faces the other is defined as inward, and the direction away from it is defined as outward. The first direction is inward, and the second direction is outward. The two barbs are used to hook the column of the tray located inside them.

[0015] In one embodiment, the gripper has an inwardly bent portion located between the swing center of the gripper and the drive end, such that the drive end extends inward.

[0016] In one embodiment, the distance between the driving end and the swing center of the gripper is less than the distance between the clamping end and the swing center.

[0017] In one embodiment, the pallet clamping mechanism is mounted on a forklift, the operating element is located in the operating position of the forklift, the gripper, the fixed seat, and the resilient reset element are disposed below the operating position, and the gripper is located between the two forks of the forklift; and / or,

[0018] A limiting member is provided on one side of the gripper, and there is a distance between the limiting member and the gripper to form a movement limit for the gripper to swing in the first direction.

[0019] The technical solution of this utility model also includes: a forklift having the above-mentioned pallet clamping mechanism.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0021] 1. This utility model improves the reliability of pallet clamping by providing a barb at the end of the gripper to hook the pallet, compared to relying solely on friction to clamp the pallet.

[0022] 2. The barb is fixedly set at the end of the swinging gripper, reducing the relative transmission between parts, making the transmission relationship simpler, making it easier to control the movement of the barb, and further improving the reliability of its gripping of the pallet.

[0023] 3. The barb is integrally connected to the gripper, which helps to increase the strength and stability of the barb, thereby ensuring that it can reliably grip the pallet.

[0024] 4. The clamping end is farther from the swing center of the gripper than the driving end, which can increase the clamping torque by utilizing the longer distance and prevent the pallet from falling. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a forklift according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the usage status of a forklift according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the pallet clamping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a top view of the tray clamping mechanism of this utility model embodiment, showing the two jaws clamping inwards.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a top view of the tray clamping mechanism of this utility model in the outward-opening state of the two clamping claws.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the gripper of the tray clamping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a top view of the gripper of the pallet clamping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the tray according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention and are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments, and can be used in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementations and the advantages of the present invention. Components in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0034] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model discloses a pallet clamping mechanism 10 and a forklift 100 having the pallet clamping mechanism 10. In this embodiment, the pallet clamping mechanism 10 is mounted on the forklift 100 and is used to clamp or release the pallet T. It clamps the pallet T during the forklift 100's handling of the pallet T and releases the pallet T when unloading it. In other embodiments, the pallet clamping mechanism 10 can also be used in other handling equipment, such as elevators.

[0035] The tray clamping mechanism includes two opposing grippers 1, an elastic reset member 2, an operating member 3, and a connecting member 4. The grippers 1 are oscillatingly mounted on a fixed base 5, with their ends protruding from the fixed base 5. This end is a clamping end 101. When the grippers 1 are oscillating towards the tray, the oscillation direction of the clamping end 101 is defined as a first direction A, and the direction opposite to it is defined as a second direction B. The clamping end 101 has a barb portion 11 protruding towards the first direction A. When the two grippers 1 are oscillating towards the first direction A, the barb portion 11 hooks the tray T, thereby clamping the tray T. When the two grippers 1 are oscillating towards the second direction B, the barb portion 11 releases the tray T. The elastic reset member 2 is connected to the fixed base 5 and the grippers 1, and is used to elastically deform when the grippers 1 are oscillating towards the second direction B, and by means of its elastic force, the grippers 1 oscillate towards the first direction A. The operating member 3 is for user operation. In this embodiment, the operating member 3 is a pedal, allowing the user to operate the operating member 3 by stepping on it. In other embodiments, the operating element 3 may also be a handle to facilitate operation by hand. The connecting element 4 is connected to the operating element 3 and the gripper 1, so that the two grippers 1 swing synchronously in the second direction B as the operating element 3 moves.

[0036] Specifically, the pedal, serving as the operating element 3, is installed on the operating position 20 of the forklift 100, allowing the user to control the gripper 1 by stepping on the pedal while on the operating position 20. The gripper 1 is installed below the operating position 20, with its gripping end 101 protruding from the operating position 20. The gripping end 101 and the pedal are positioned opposite each other on opposite sides of the operating position 20. The gripping end 101 is on the side closer to the forks 30, and as the forks 30 extend into the pallet T, the gripping end 101 can extend into the pallet T to clamp it. The pedal is on the side away from the forks 30 to prevent the pallet T and the goods on it from accidentally touching the pedal.

[0037] The pallet T has multiple pillars T'. The function of the pillars T' varies depending on the type of pallet T. For a double-layer pallet T, the pillars T' connect the upper and lower layers of the pallet T and reinforce its strength. For a single-layer pallet T, the pillars T' act as supports and reinforce the pallet T's strength. The pallet T has a square structure with two or three spaced pillars T' along its edges. In this embodiment, the pallet T is clamped by hooking onto the middle pillar T', specifically the middle pillar T' among the three spaced pillars T'. The direction in which the grippers 1 face is defined as "inward," and the direction away from it is defined as "outward." In this embodiment, the first direction A is inward, and the second direction B is outward; that is, the two grippers 1 clamp inward to secure the pallet 1.

[0038] In other embodiments, the tray can also be clamped by hooking the pillars on both sides, in which case the two grippers 1 clamp outwards. When the two grippers 1 clamp the tray T by clamping outwards, the barbs 11 protrude outwards from the grippers 1, and the barbs 11 of each gripper 1 hook a pillar or a groove on the tray T.

[0039] The clamping tray T referred to in this utility model is not limited to the two grippers 1 clamping inwards, but can also clamp outwards.

[0040] The gripper 1, the fixed base 5, and the elastic reset member 2 are located below the operating position 20. The other end of the gripper 1 is the driving end 102. The swing center of the gripper 1 is located between the driving end 102 and the clamping end 101. The elastic reset member 2 and the connecting member 4 are respectively connected to the driving end 102.

[0041] The elastic reset element 2 is a tension spring, which drives the gripper 1 to swing in a first direction A by applying a first tension force to the drive end 102 of the gripper 1. The two ends of the tension spring are respectively connected to the fixed base 5 and the drive end 102 of the gripper 1. When the gripper 1 swings outward due to the user's operation or due to the tray T abutting, the tension spring extends and generates a spring force, which forms the first tension force applied to the gripper 1, driving the gripper 1 to reset.

[0042] The connector 4 includes a connecting rope 41 and a connecting plate 42. The tension spring and the connecting rope 41 are respectively connected to both sides of the drive end 102, thereby applying opposite pulling forces to the gripper 1 to make the gripper 1 swing in opposite directions. The pedal is set to swing as the user steps on it. The connecting plate 42 is also set to swing, with one end connected to the pedal and the other end connected to the connecting rope 41. As the pedal swings under the user's operation, it drives the connecting plate 42 and the connecting rope 41 to move in sequence, thereby applying a second pulling force to the drive end 102 of the gripper 1 and driving it to swing in the second direction B.

[0043] The direction of the gripper 1 relative to the operating member 3 is defined as forward, and the direction opposite to it is defined as rear. In the forklift of this embodiment, the forks 30 are located at the front end, and the operating position 20 is located behind the forks 30. The gripper 1 is positioned in front of the operating member 3 to facilitate the forks 30 entering the pallet T during the forking process, thereby clamping the pallet T.

[0044] The gripper 1 is elongated, with the gripping end 101 located in front of the drive end 102. The distance between the drive end 102 and the swing center O of the gripper 1 is less than the distance between the gripping end 101 and the swing center O. Therefore, the gripping end 101 is farther from the swing center O of the gripper 1 relative to the drive end 102, which can increase the gripping torque and further improve the reliability of gripping the tray T, preventing the tray T from falling off.

[0045] The gripper 1 has an inwardly bent portion 12 located between the swing center O of the gripper 1 and the drive end 102, causing the drive end 102 to extend inward. This arrangement makes the arrangement of the two drive ends 102 more compact, leaving space outside the drive end 102 to accommodate the tension spring.

[0046] The barb portion 11 is integrally connected to the gripper 1, so that the barb portion 11 is fixedly positioned at the end of the swinging gripper 1, reducing the relative transmission between parts, simplifying the transmission relationship, facilitating the control of the movement of the barb portion 11, and further improving its reliability in gripping the tray T. Furthermore, the integral connection of the barb portion 11 to the gripper 1 helps to increase the strength and stability of the barb portion 11, thereby ensuring its reliable gripping of the tray T. In other embodiments, the barb portion can also be formed by a separate part, which is fixedly connected to the gripping end 101 of the gripper 1.

[0047] More specifically, the barb portion 11 includes a limiting surface 111 and a yielding surface 112 that intersect to form an acute angle. The limiting surface 111 abuts against the pillar portion T' of the tray T to limit the movement of the tray T, thereby hooking the tray T. The yielding surface 112 is an inclined surface. When the gripper 1 enters the tray T, the yielding surface 112 abuts against the tray T and, under the action of the tray T, causes the gripper 1 to swing in the second direction B, thereby yielding to the tray T. The pillar portion T' of the tray T has a rectangular or nearly rectangular structure. The limiting surface 111 abuts against the rectangle to prevent the pillar portion T' from coming out. The tension of the spring has a tendency to move the gripping end 101 of the gripper 1 inward, improving the reliability of the pillar portion T' being limited, thereby improving the reliability of the tray T being clamped and fixed. As the forks 30 gradually enter the pallet T, the jaws 1 and the column T' gradually approach and abut. As the forks 30 further enter the pallet T, the column T' exerts a pushing force on the jaws 1, causing the gripping end 101 of the jaws 1 to move outward, thus allowing the column T' to smoothly enter between the two barbs 11. Of course, during this process, the user can also step on the operating device 3 to separate the two jaws 1, thereby allowing the column T' to smoothly enter between the two barbs 11.

[0048] A limiting member 6 is provided on one side of the gripper 1. There is a distance between the limiting member 6 and the gripper 1 to form a movement limit for the gripper to swing in the first direction A. The limiting member 6 is a limiting rod fixedly installed on the fixed base 5. It is located outside the driving end 102 of the gripper 1. When the gripper 1 swings back to the first direction A under the action of the first tension of the spring, the driving end 102 moves outward until it abuts the limiting member 6, thereby limiting the gripper 1 from continuing to swing, that is, forming a movement limit for the gripper 1 to swing in the first direction A. The presence of the limiting member 6 forms a movement limit for the gripper 1, limiting the degree to which the gripping ends 101 of the two grippers 1 approach each other inward. It can leave a certain distance between the two barbs 11 so that the two sides of the pillar of the tray T can abut the clearance surface 112, thereby using the movement interference of the pillar T' and the barbs 11 to cause the gripper 1 to open.

[0049] This invention improves the reliability of clamping the pallet T by providing a barb 11 at the end of the gripper 1 to hook the pallet T, compared to relying solely on friction to clamp the pallet T. Furthermore, the connecting rope 41 directly drives the gripper 1, reducing the number of components driven by the connecting rope 41, resulting in a simpler and more reliable transmission relationship, more accurate control of the barb 11, and further enhancing the reliability of clamping the pallet T.

[0050] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the remaining undescribed parts are prior art, and that all changes in form and detail made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pallet clamping mechanism for clamping or releasing a pallet, characterized in that: include, Two opposing grippers are mounted on a fixed base and their ends protrude from the fixed base. These ends are called gripping ends. When the grippers are swinging towards the tray, the swing direction of the gripping end is defined as a first direction, and the direction opposite to it is defined as a second direction. The gripping end is provided with a barb protruding in the first direction. When the two grippers are swinging in the first direction, the barb is used to hook the tray, thereby clamping the tray. When the two grippers are swinging in the second direction, the barb is used to release the tray. An elastic reset member, connected to the fixed base and the gripper, is used to elastically deform when the gripper swings in the second direction, and to swing the gripper in the first direction by means of its elastic force. Operating components are used by users to perform actions; A connector is attached to the operating member and the grippers, such that the two grippers swing synchronously in a second direction as the operating member moves.

2. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barb portion is integrally connected to the gripper.

3. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barb portion includes a limiting surface and a yielding surface that intersect to form an acute angle. The limiting surface is used to abut against the tray to limit the movement of the tray, thereby hooking the tray. The yielding surface is an inclined surface. When the gripper enters the tray, the yielding surface abuts against the tray and, under the action of the tray, causes the gripper to swing in a second direction, thereby yielding to the tray.

4. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The other end of the gripper is the drive end, and the swing center of the gripper is located between the drive end and the clamping end. The elastic reset member and the connecting member are respectively connected to the drive end.

5. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic reset element is a tension spring, which drives the gripper to swing in a first direction by applying a first tension force to the drive end of the gripper; the connecting element includes a connecting rope, which drives the gripper to swing in a second direction by applying a second tension force to the drive end of the gripper; the tension spring and the connecting rope are respectively connected to both sides of the drive end; the operating element is a swingable pedal, and the connecting element also includes a connecting plate, which is swingable and has one end connected to the pedal and the other end connected to the connecting rope. As the pedal swings under the operation of the user, it drives the connecting plate and the connecting rope to move in sequence, thereby applying a second tension force to the gripper.

6. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The direction of the gripper relative to the operating member is defined as forward, and the direction opposite to it is defined as backward. The gripper is elongated, and the gripping end is located in front of the driving end. The direction in which the gripper faces the other is defined as inward, and the direction away from it is defined as outward. The first direction is inward, and the second direction is outward. The two barbs are used to hook the column of the tray located inside them.

7. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The gripper has an inwardly bent portion located between the swing center of the gripper and the drive end, such that the drive end extends inward.

8. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The distance between the driving end and the swing center of the gripper is less than the distance between the clamping end and the swing center.

9. The pallet clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pallet clamping mechanism is mounted on a forklift, with the operating element located in the operating position of the forklift. The clamping jaws, the fixed base, and the elastic reset element are disposed below the operating position, and the clamping jaws are located between the two forks of the forklift; and / or, A limiting member is provided on one side of the gripper, and there is a distance between the limiting member and the gripper to form a movement limit for the gripper to swing in the first direction.

10. A forklift, characterized in that: It has a pallet clamping mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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